- Three Years and Counting?
The Sheridan County Online and the Alternatives Magazine websites are
three years old this month. No celebrations are planned, but at least it's a
noteworthy milestone.
They were both conceived after seeing the population and the family
farms continue to decline throughout Eastern Montana. It was thought an
interactive website might at least help bring awareness to the situation
and even provide some solutions and possible economic opportunities,
especially in the midst of the energy situation.
Well, the population is still declining, even at a faster rate, about 17% a year (most in the state) and the family farms are still
going to auction. No wind turbines on the horizon, no solar stations planned and most everybody is still driving across the
street in monster trucks and Suv's. Life must be good?
So we didn't make much of an impact, if any, after three years. Nor did I think we actually would. But it was worth a shot. And
for what it's worth -- a contribution.
But the question I had when I first started the websites still lingers. How does a region survive economically without people
and without revenue coming in from outside sources? Especially a rural community like Plentywood. The answer is obvious,
it doesn't. Not without dramatic change and re-invention.
So how has Sheridan County survived? Well, most of it hasn't.
Comertown, Dooley, Archer now have plaques embedded in a rock indicating there once was a town supporting an economy
in this area. Outlook, Flaxville, Antelope, Reserve, Raymond, Westby, Medicine Lake have a pulse, but all are taking their hits
economically, and growth and progress have all but passed them by.
I read recently that 50% of the country's wealth is inherited. That wasn't so back in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Is that a good
thing? It's good if you're the one receiving the inheritance. It's good if you re-invest, and some do. But according to the article,
most don't. They don't even need to work. Why should they? Government subsidies, grants and other forms of bail outs and
hands out has changed the way money is earned and spent. And that's why, in my opinion, the only reason Sheridan County
is in an upright position. It's a no brainer. Unplug the life support system and order a plaque.
The sad part about this whole doomsday scenario is that there is so much opportunity here. It's everywhere!! I lived in
Southern California for 25 years, and nearly everybody there who beat themselves up everyday on the freeways just getting
back and forth to work and dealing with wall-to-wall people would dearly give up all that fun to live here (maybe not during the
winter, but those other 15 days they would).
So, having said all that, why should I continue with the websites? Why should young people or anybody stay or relocate
here? Will Medicine Lake and Antelope survive long enough to make it to their Centennial Celebrations in 2010 and
Plentywood in 2012? The future for Sheridan County looks bleak. But what a challenge.
Post Your Comments and Opinions Below.
T.L.L.
Williston, ND
Damntam123@aol.com
I have enjoyed this website for the last three years. In fact, I have told people to log on to sheridancountyonline so
they can see how a website is really suppose to be run and be maintained. Kudos To You!!!! Unfortunately, as
much as I love my hometown, I really never had any reason to be a P'Wood Lifer. I got to give it up to those who have
stayed, raised families, and will probably make Plentywood their finally resting place. Their life choice could not
have been an easy one to make. I see retiring babyboomers being Plentywood's saving grace. They will, hopefully,
be the ones who will buy property and businesses, with money they have made else where. Babyboomers who
long for more of quieter lifestyle.....I would feel very sad if my town went away. I was devastated when my school
burned to the ground. Hopefully, with time, things will change. But in the meantime, please keep your website....Alot
of people enjoy it!!!!!
Thanks, T.L.L.
.....................................................................................................................................................................
Darren Graybill
Son of Arlene
Grandson of Art and Helen
My mom, Arlene Graybill-Moffit, daughter of Art and Helen Christensen (I am in big trouble if I spelled the last name
wrong), sent me the following quote after reading your blog: "Remember Grampa’s story of you when you were little
saying to him when he had you picking rocks? First you asked how long he had been farming and then you said he
must not be a very good farmer if he hadn’t gotten all the rocks off yet."
Are the Danes and Norweigans (sp?) still competing against each other? I have lived in numerous big cities in the
Southwest. I work a "white-collar" job and I am married with three children. I can tell you most people in my position
regret not having the opportinity to live in a small town. The primary problem with towns such as Plentywood: people
like to be warm! My answer: Drill for American oil and gas; make America energy-independant; and, if that
contributes to Global Warming (it doesn't) -- Good! Then Plentywood would have more decent golf-playing months
(my sons love that game and are exceptional at it). Tell your Mayor to look out -- Vote Graybill -- for an indoor golf
course (paid for by an aggressive pursuit of hydrocarbon energy!). :)
On a serious note, I enjoyed every trip to Plentywood as a youth. I share the pictures of the wheat farm with my
children. They say it looks, "Cool." Life goes in cycles -- I believe towns do as well. At some point, and I think
relatively soon, there will be a shift that makes being a farmer and living a rural lifestyle the smart choice.
Darren
........................................................................................................................................................
Janet (Johnson) Cron
Happy birthday to the Alternative/Sheridan County Online. I touch base with "home" every week....
Solutions for a dwindling population is in outside investment and local investment. Right now Burke County is in the
middle of the madness of an oil play. It brings folks to town however, they have permanent homes and don't follow
the rigs like they did in the earlier plays.
Sometimes I think of the county government(look at the budget requests and where that money is allocated and they
do a fair job of spending money in the local area) as one of the biggest investment and businesses in the county.
Should the county government then not have the best leadership to make this huge business the catalyst for
promotion, and forward thinking "for the good of the county"?
I see the new elevator in Westby..wow..that is good. I was home for a day of the reunion and..wow..that assured me
that the very best live in Northeast Montana.
Look at the leadership, look in yourself and I hope that some good ideas would be forthcoming for Plentywood's and
Sheridan County's future.
Janet
.............................................................................................................................................................
Mary Beth Evans
I love your new idea for the website/newsletters. I truly enjoy reading any/all to do with Plentywood. Hopefully there
are some P'wood diehards like my brother who stay and support my hometown. I love to go back and visit, especially
since I'm one of those So. Cal. commuters you talked about below!! It gets crazy and almost always I think I would
hang this up to move home, but once you make a life somewhere, and set roots for your children, it's hard to change.
So, here I sit. :) I look forward to your emails...and maybe a new email for every obit would be great (along with the
fun stuff)...just to alert everyone to what's going on. Happy Birthday to Shorty...I think he bought me my first candy bar
for my 1st birthday!! Would love to hear about those events. Thank you so much for your time and effort with this
online forum. It's truly appreciated!!! Congrats on 3 years....keep it coming!
Mary Beth, Class of 1987
...............................................................................................................................................................
Jack Godfrey
I enjoy your site, Dennis. My wife (Frances Godfrey), graduated in Plentywood in 1948. She has some "Old" friends
there. We were there in 2003 or so. Saw Marilyn Fishbeck, Sally Carpenter, "Pee Wee" (retired builder), his wife
Gladys, & David Fulkerson. Frances babysat Dave "Many, many years ago. Went to the "Blue Moon". I saw all the old
farm equiptment & the museum. It was fascinating to me. I feel as you do, that unless something unseen develops
soon, Plentywood just won't get any bigger. Hope you post this and would love to hear from anyone there. Email is
jackfran@peoplepc.com
Williston, ND
Damntam123@aol.com
I have enjoyed this website for the last three years. In fact, I have told people to log on to sheridancountyonline so
they can see how a website is really suppose to be run and be maintained. Kudos To You!!!! Unfortunately, as
much as I love my hometown, I really never had any reason to be a P'Wood Lifer. I got to give it up to those who have
stayed, raised families, and will probably make Plentywood their finally resting place. Their life choice could not
have been an easy one to make. I see retiring babyboomers being Plentywood's saving grace. They will, hopefully,
be the ones who will buy property and businesses, with money they have made else where. Babyboomers who
long for more of quieter lifestyle.....I would feel very sad if my town went away. I was devastated when my school
burned to the ground. Hopefully, with time, things will change. But in the meantime, please keep your website....Alot
of people enjoy it!!!!!
Thanks, T.L.L.
.....................................................................................................................................................................
Darren Graybill
Son of Arlene
Grandson of Art and Helen
My mom, Arlene Graybill-Moffit, daughter of Art and Helen Christensen (I am in big trouble if I spelled the last name
wrong), sent me the following quote after reading your blog: "Remember Grampa’s story of you when you were little
saying to him when he had you picking rocks? First you asked how long he had been farming and then you said he
must not be a very good farmer if he hadn’t gotten all the rocks off yet."
Are the Danes and Norweigans (sp?) still competing against each other? I have lived in numerous big cities in the
Southwest. I work a "white-collar" job and I am married with three children. I can tell you most people in my position
regret not having the opportinity to live in a small town. The primary problem with towns such as Plentywood: people
like to be warm! My answer: Drill for American oil and gas; make America energy-independant; and, if that
contributes to Global Warming (it doesn't) -- Good! Then Plentywood would have more decent golf-playing months
(my sons love that game and are exceptional at it). Tell your Mayor to look out -- Vote Graybill -- for an indoor golf
course (paid for by an aggressive pursuit of hydrocarbon energy!). :)
On a serious note, I enjoyed every trip to Plentywood as a youth. I share the pictures of the wheat farm with my
children. They say it looks, "Cool." Life goes in cycles -- I believe towns do as well. At some point, and I think
relatively soon, there will be a shift that makes being a farmer and living a rural lifestyle the smart choice.
Darren
........................................................................................................................................................
Janet (Johnson) Cron
Happy birthday to the Alternative/Sheridan County Online. I touch base with "home" every week....
Solutions for a dwindling population is in outside investment and local investment. Right now Burke County is in the
middle of the madness of an oil play. It brings folks to town however, they have permanent homes and don't follow
the rigs like they did in the earlier plays.
Sometimes I think of the county government(look at the budget requests and where that money is allocated and they
do a fair job of spending money in the local area) as one of the biggest investment and businesses in the county.
Should the county government then not have the best leadership to make this huge business the catalyst for
promotion, and forward thinking "for the good of the county"?
I see the new elevator in Westby..wow..that is good. I was home for a day of the reunion and..wow..that assured me
that the very best live in Northeast Montana.
Look at the leadership, look in yourself and I hope that some good ideas would be forthcoming for Plentywood's and
Sheridan County's future.
Janet
.............................................................................................................................................................
Mary Beth Evans
I love your new idea for the website/newsletters. I truly enjoy reading any/all to do with Plentywood. Hopefully there
are some P'wood diehards like my brother who stay and support my hometown. I love to go back and visit, especially
since I'm one of those So. Cal. commuters you talked about below!! It gets crazy and almost always I think I would
hang this up to move home, but once you make a life somewhere, and set roots for your children, it's hard to change.
So, here I sit. :) I look forward to your emails...and maybe a new email for every obit would be great (along with the
fun stuff)...just to alert everyone to what's going on. Happy Birthday to Shorty...I think he bought me my first candy bar
for my 1st birthday!! Would love to hear about those events. Thank you so much for your time and effort with this
online forum. It's truly appreciated!!! Congrats on 3 years....keep it coming!
Mary Beth, Class of 1987
...............................................................................................................................................................
Jack Godfrey
I enjoy your site, Dennis. My wife (Frances Godfrey), graduated in Plentywood in 1948. She has some "Old" friends
there. We were there in 2003 or so. Saw Marilyn Fishbeck, Sally Carpenter, "Pee Wee" (retired builder), his wife
Gladys, & David Fulkerson. Frances babysat Dave "Many, many years ago. Went to the "Blue Moon". I saw all the old
farm equiptment & the museum. It was fascinating to me. I feel as you do, that unless something unseen develops
soon, Plentywood just won't get any bigger. Hope you post this and would love to hear from anyone there. Email is
jackfran@peoplepc.com
Comments are also posted on blog site. www.sheridancountyonline.blogspot.com
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