Life changes come and communities evolve. We all live in the community, and over time, adjust our lives to what’s needed to make it a better place. It is exciting to know Musselshell School has been a vital part of this community for 100 years and that its mission is still not finished! It was a school for 90 years and is now a community center. But has it really changed all that much? Most schools are the center of the community; even without classes, Musselshell School has remained our center. So every event in 2013 is a celebration to the people who pushed to have the school built, to the laborers that used fine craftsmanship in their construction, to the loving care Musselshell School received from School District 9, and lastly, to those that still feel a bond to the community and those that work diligently to keep the doors open to benefit everyone. Make sure you attend an event in honor of such a special place. “Mark Your Calendar,” on the back of this newsletter, has a schedule of the earliest events planned. Watch the “Now & Then” for more scheduled events throughout 2013. It is said, “if these walls could talk,”—let’s do the talking for them! Attend an event. Take the opportunity to tell everyone of a special teacher, an extraordinary friend, a special family that lived here, or just how you loved (or hated) school. If it is impossible for you to attend in person, feel free to write your memories down and mail them to us. We would be thrilled to hear from you.
2013 Marks 100 years of Musselshell School Come join the Celebration!
Annual Meeting of Corporation to be held February 13. 2013
Friends of Musselshell School, Inc.
P.O. Box 14 Musselshell, MT 59059
2013—Vol. X Num.1
To:
Non-Profit
US Postage Paid
Musselshell, MT
Permit #14
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR For these upcoming events
being held at Musselshell School
Friends of Musselshell School, Inc
Annual Meeting
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 7 p.m.
FoMS regular monthly meeting
Wednesday, March 20 @ 7 p.m.
9th Annual Memorial Weekend Pig-nic
Sunday & Monday, May 26 & 27
100 Year Open House Celebration
Sunday, July 21
Hope to see you all there!
FRIENDS OF MUSSELSHELL SCHOOL,INC.
NOW & THEN Volume X Number 1 P.O. Box 14, Musselshell, MT 59059 February 2013
Friends of Musselshell School, Inc. will hold their annual meeting Wednesday, February 13,
2013 at 7 p.m. at the Musselshell School.
General business, 2012 financial statement, as well as, projections and fundraising ideas for
2013 will be discussed. An election for two positions on the Board of Directors will also be held.
Anyone wishing to run for a position on the Board of Directors may contact Adair at 947-5141 or
any board member.
Membership of the corporation is not required to participate in the activities of the school but is
required to hold a position on the board and to vote for board members at the annual meeting. If
your membership is not paid for 2013, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible.
Memberships will be taken prior to the meeting but payment in advance is appreciated.
Attendance to the meeting reflects your support of operating, maintaining and preserving the
Musselshell School as a vital part of the community.
Coffee and cookies will be served following the meeting. Show your Support with a
membership and/or donation
Check your address label to ensure your membership is up to date! Your address label (above) includes a series of numbers under your name. The first number is the year (or last year) of paid membership.
—$5.00 individual yearly membership
Membership ($5.00 per person) Total memberships_______$_________________ For other donations please specify: (circle preferences) General Donation (or ) Window Donation $_____________ Donation of $__________in memory of (or ) in honor of ________________________________
Send acknowledgement to: (Name, address, city, state and zip)
________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________
Please enclose this form with your donation Make checks payable to: Friends of Musselshell School, Inc., P.O. Box 14, Musselshell MT 59059
Board members of Friends of Musselshell School, Inc. and Musselshell community members accept a $10,000 check from Lisa Perry, Community Affairs Manager for PPL Montana. Pictured (l to r) Adair Rademacher, Lisa Perry, Ken Eickhoff, Nan Rademacher,
Joanie Rettig, Carmoleda Giebel and Ray Giebel
In Memory of……
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS A formal acknowledgement that a gift has been given in the name of a loved one.
August 22, 2012 through December 31, 2012
Friends of Musselshell School, Inc. is honored by your memorial gift. On behalf of the board of
FoMS and the entire Musselshell community, we send our condolences and prayers to the families
and friends of those remembered below.
At a very informal, yet informative, gathering at Musselshell School on November 25, PPL Montana presented Friends of Musselshell School, Inc. a grant check in the amount of $10,000. Lisa Perry, PPL Montana’s Community Affairs Manager made the presentation. Friends of Musselshell School, Inc. was one of 14 recipients selected for a PPL Community Fund grant during the Fall funding cycle. The grant will be used to replace some of the windows on the second story of Musselshell School. PPL Montana created its Community Fund to further strengthen the partnership between PPL Montana and its communities. Under the direction of a statewide advisory board, PPL Montana has awarded $1.6 million since 2005. That money has helped nearly 250 Montana organizations that share PPL Montana’s commitment to education, environmental responsibility, and economic development.
PPL Montana has 500 employees in Montana who generate and sell electricity. They operate coal-fired power plants at Colstrip and Billings, as well as 11 hydroelectric power plants along Rosebud Creek and the Missouri, Madison, Clark Fork and Flathead rivers. It has a combined generating capacity of about 1,200 megawatts and has offices in Billings, Butte and Helena. PPL EnergyPlus operates a trading floor in Butte that markets and sells power in the wholesale and retail energy market. PPL Montana and PPL EnergyPlus are subsidiaries of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL). More information about PPL Montana and its Community Fund is available on the company’s Web site at www.pplmontana.com.
Maureen Rademacher Jim & Bonnie Opie
Mike Turley, Sr. Ed & Dorothy Clifton
Jack Casey Gary & Julie Robinson
Ken & Rhea Eickhoff
Edythe (Turley) McCleary Chuck White
Shirley (Adolph) Clark
Marcia McCleary
Robert & Lynn (Hudson) Lowe
Una Belzer
Clint & Laura McMullin William McMullin
Laurie (Lar) Proulx Mary McDonald-Torre
John Turley Jr. Faye (McCleary) Turley
Pat & LeeAnne Murphy
Winifred (Walker) Sanderson Carla Pawlewicz
Faye (McCleary) Turley
Don Davis Faye (McCleary) Turley
Phyllis (Dunbar) Stanek Francis Holdbrook
Faye (McCleary) Turley
Madonna Desrocher Ken & Rhea Eickhoff
Jim Pinkerton Gary & Julie Robinson
Vernard Schmitt Louise Schmitt
Lafayette “L.E.” Poole Jay & Adair Rademacher
James Ross Children of Dorothy Meyers
Dorothy Meyers
Ken & Rhea Eickhoff
Ben & Michelle Meyer
Dennis & Nancy McCleary Mary Costello & Family
Jay & Colleen Meyer
Jay & Adair Rademacher
Louis F. Goffena Lynn & Joanie (Goffena) Rettig
Ann (Gonion) Goffena Lynn & Joanie (Goffena) Rettig
Pat Goffena Lynn & Joanie (Goffena) Rettig
Barbara (Bosen) Koenig Robert & Lynn (Hudson) Lowe
Cody (Cartwright) Meredith Margaret Reighard
Faye (McCleary) Turley
Joe & Lillian Ruff
Ken & Rhea Eickhoff
Dale & Marla Thompson
Dennis & Nancy McCleary
Bill & Deb Mackay
Jay & Adair Rademacher
William Colter Family
Una Belzer
Lilah Kicker
Stuart & Coleen Keller
Steve & Diana Scheidt
Vern & Coralie Tesch
Butch & Jody Treible
Jim & Patty Wilson
Louise Schmitt
Bob & Nancy Rademacher
Justin & Cassandra Schwend
Larry & Linda Schmitt
Randy Craig Kathleen Craig
Eugene Debs McConnell Vivian (McConnell )Flynn Earl Harvey McConnell
Leona Evelyn (McConnell) Brown Lucile Montana (McConnell )Moss
Connie McConnell
Terry Rettig Bill Rettig
Lynn & Joanie Rettig
Jack Belzer Larry Belzer
Una Belzer
Friends of Musselshell School, Inc.
Established June 6, 2003
Board of Directors
Adair Rademacher, President
Nan Rademacher, Vice-President
Stacy Cooke, Secretary
Ken Eickhoff, Treasurer
Greg Turley, Board Member
Joanie Rettig, Board Member
Tana Turley, Board Member
This newsletter is written, designed and edited by
Friends of Musselshell School, Inc.
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy.
If anything has been omitted, misspelled,
misplaced, or listed incorrectly, we apologize.
Please contact FoMS with questions and corrections
&
Please keep us updated of any change of address.
Fall 2012—FoMS receives $10,000 from PPL Montana
New Year Begins with Grant Applications
At a grant planning meeting held in December, the board of FoMS positioned “window replacement” at the top of their list of priorities. Eight corporations are being investigated to see if our organization fits their grant qualifications. Applications will be made to five corporations that previously awarded grants to FoMS. One application has already been made. Two applications for the stair lift project and for new folding chairs will be made. The Theatre troupe will be submitting applications as well for monies to replace the stage curtains.
The Illustrious Musselshell Players moved to the chilly Yukon Territory to
perform for the audiences’ pleasure, “Girl of the Frozen North,” written by Eddie
Cope and Buster Cleary. On Saturday, September 22, 2012 a sit-down dinner
with the performance directly following was attended by 152 guests. On
Sunday, September 23, 2012 the cast entertained approximately 66 guests with
a matinee performance.
With the snow blowing and the winter wind howling, the talented cast had
no trouble convincing the audience of the treacherous living conditions of the
territory, or the evil that men do. There was a moment when the cast had
finally gone to the dogs—literally! They were wrapped in frankfurters and
thrown to the sled dogs! Yet in the end, good triumphed over evil, when
Hyacinth, played by Annie Shirley, finally came to her senses!
Saturday’s sit-down dinner, themed in the 1890’s era, began with a frozen
iceberg blue slush. An apple slaw enhanced with a light glaze was the first
course. The main course was a basted quarter chicken, rice pilaf and Yukon
ranch beans. Dessert was homemade custard style basil ice cream with a
crusted mountain peak top. With much anticipation the guests withdrew to
t h e
auditorium after dinner was served.
Friends of Musselshell School, Inc. is
pleased to host this entertaining event. It
is the largest fundraiser of the year for the
organization. This year’s production
generated $3395.46. All proceeds go to
operate Musselshell School as a
community center.
This event could not be accomplished
without the help of the faithful cast, who
give much of their time, money and talents
to entertain us.
All performances were produced by
special arrangement with Pioneer Drama
Service, Englewood, Co.
We thank all who attended and hope to see you again for the next production.
Heroes sometimes travel long distances. Senecaville, Ohio is a long way to come to repair a chimney, but that is
how far Leroy Coblentz traveled to arrive in Musselshell on October 4, 2012. Leroy had been here before. He,
and his brother, Elmo, with a team of volunteers built the chimney from the roof up six years prior. It was about
the same time of year and so was the weather. Waiting for warmer temperatures and the ice to thaw off the roof
made work begin later in the mornings. The first day Leroy had the necessary bricks cut out to enable the sides
to tie into one another. The next day mortar was mixed and carried up all the stairs to begin laying brick. The
next day more brick was laid but the temperatures were too cold for the mortar and so the chimney was wrapped
with insulation for the night. The weather cooperated the next day and more workers arrived to speed up pro-
gress. Before dark, once again, the Musselshell School had a chimney that looked like new.
FRIENDS OF MUSSELSHELL SCHOOL, INC. 2012 FINANCIAL STATEMENT*
Year ended December 31, 2012
BEGINNING NET ASSETS January 1, 2012 $86,278.85
RECEIPTS DISBURSEMENTS Contributions 15037.21 General Maintenance 9132.30 Investment returns + 1367.21 Office + 2916.88 Fundraisers + 8068.45 Fundraisers + 1591.90 Grants and restricted donations +26558.00 Special Projects + 900.00 Total Revenues 51,030.87 Total Expenses 14,541.08 Excess of receipts over disbursements +36,489.79 Total ending balances $122,768.64
___
COLLECTIVE NET ASSETS
Valley Credit Union (Roundup) 21452.67
Mass Mutual +55265.92
Checkbook balance (December 31, 2011) +46050.05_________________________________________________
Total ending balances $122,768.64
*Anyone may request a detailed financial statement by writing to:
Friends of Musselshell School, Inc., P.O. Box 14, Musselshell, MT 59059
Leroy Coblentz comes to the rescue!
This chimney
was rebuilt from the roof up on Oct. 16, 2006.
Lightning struck the chimney,
damaging part of the top and one side on August
4, 2011.
To enable the sides to tie back into one another, Leroy notched the
north and south sides and removed debris. He then began the task of
laying brick; a skill he has mastered since a young age.
Like new!
Leroy Coblentz proudly
shows off the repaired
chimney on Oct. 6, 2012.
The Royal Canadian Mountie (Lynn Rettig) tries his best to charm the distinguished actress (Kim Zimmerman).
Highlight of the 2012 Year: Musselshell Players perform, Girl of the Frozen North
The Illustrious Musselshell Players: (back L-R) Kim Zimmerman. Annie Shirley, Joanie Rettig, Sherie Milburn, Dean Carpenter, & Nan Rademacher. (front L-R) Lynn Rettig, Ken Eickhoff, & Dalen Keeney.
1913-2013
School History of
Memorial Plaques grace stairway
STUDENT DESKS
FOR SALE
$25.00 (or best offer)
If you are interested in having a small part
of Musselshell School for yourself, your
children, or grandchildren please contact
any board member to purchase a vintage
desk.
During the chimney repair, Leroy Coblentz spotted this special artifact while getting ready to set this brick. Engraved in the brick, obviously before it was fired, is “Nov 5 1920” and a partial name is legible on the lower right. “M Jop……..”. This brick must have been purchased when the addition was added to the school.
As early as 1882 or 1883 there was a small settlement at
“The Crossing,” (later known as Musselshell) but there
was no school until 1886.
There would be three different school buildings at dif-
ferent locations before a 2-story brick building would be
built. Newspaper accounts reflect much controversy be-
tween 1911 and 1913 about legal paperwork, site selec-
tion, and construction of 3 school houses within District
23. But in spite of all the difficulties classes continued.
Progress was rapid after an initial meeting on August 16,
1912, when 21 of 22
residents that were pre-
sent voted to begin the
process of building a
new school. Within a
week a site was chosen
and on September 5 an
election was held for the
issue of bonds to erect a
new school. Of the
forty-nine votes, 39 were
for bonds. The Trib-
une records Glessner,
chairman of the board,
to say, “It is now the
motion of the board of
trustees to proceed to sell the bonds and build a school
house that will be a credit to the entire community. No
one thing comes more early touching the lives of a com-
munity then a good schoolhouse and it is a credit to the
people that they carried the proposition by so large a
vote.” The cement foundation was completed by contrac-
tor (John H.) Grant as reported on May 8, 1913. The
sturdy two-story building, constructed with Brandenburg
Bros. Brick and reinforced on the inside with Handel
Bros. brick, was completed by October 1913. It had
bathroom facilities, including showers in the basement
that the community was encouraged to use, a grand main
entrance, and a 2nd floor with 2 classrooms on each floor.
Sometime in 1919 bonds were sold for an addition to
the original structure. Anton Jenson, from Lavina, was
secured as building contractor in 1920. Students moved
back into the school in January 1921; even though some
of the rooms were not yet finished. During that construc-
tion period classes were held at the First Congregational
Church, Handel Hall and other buildings around town.
Newspaper accounts give praises from the faculty about
being back in the schoolhouse. But, Musselshell School
did not have 4-year ac-
creditation, which
forced students to go
elsewhere to complete
their high school educa-
tion. Professor L.C.
Howard of Rosebud
was secured as principal
for the 1921-22 school
year. He, with the
board of trustees, went
on a recruiting cam-
paign in an effort to
gain accreditation. By
the spring of 1923 Mus-
selshell School had 5
proud graduates. No upper classes were offered from
1924-26 because of a drop in enrollment. After that time
there were regular graduating classes until the high school
were discontinued in 1968.
In 1975 (grades 1-6) totaled about 30 students; by 1999
there were 7. Deciding the community would not grow
enough to support a school, School District 9 placed Mus-
selshell School in “non-operating status.” The District
officially closed the school and gifted the entire facility to
Friends of Musselshell School, Inc on June 29, 2003. For
ten years, the organization has proudly operated the entire
facility as a community center.
Friends of Musselshell School, Inc. makes an
effort to document how much the school is used
throughout the year. A chart is kept requesting all
users to fill in the number of guests, and the hours spent for their event. The data is not exact
because sometimes it is necessary to average and/or estimate numbers. This information is vital for
documenting how much the building is used, especially when applying for grants.
While not exact, the numbers are quite impressive for such a small community. In 2012. the
building was used approximately 217 days, approximately 2271 people walked through the doors;
giving a total of 10,465 hours of use for the school’s amenities.
The building was used weekly, or monthly by some groups. The facility was invaluable in June and
again in July to the groups that came and pulled salt cedar, and completed restoration work for 2011
flood victims. It was also a godsend during the Delphia Fire. The building was used for several
training classes and funeral luncheons, a birthday party, and two elections to name a few events. In
between, there were FoMS’s fundraisers, and regular cleaning and work on the building. We often wonder what we would do without a place like Musselshell School.
Where does the time go?
Worth the Wait! With help from Badge West Awards there
are Memorial Plaques adorning the main hall.
In 2006, it was decided at a FoMS board meeting that some kind of
plaque should be made to honor memorials that were given to the
organization. Commercial plaques were not large enough to display the
names we had, or anticipated. Adair Rademacher purchased lumber and
began fabricating two large plaques. They were finally finished in May of
2012. After getting expert advice about style and coloring from Badge
West Awards in Billings, they began making plates. Between 1998, when
FoMS began, through September 2012, there are a total of 290 names.
Even though names are not duplicated, the first plaques filled quickly.
Now do we take time to build more, or contract someone to custom make
extra large plaques? Shortly thereafter, while cleaning upstairs, several
desk tops were found—”wouldn’t there make great memorial plaques,”
Nan Rademacher said. And so the used, engraved desk tops have been
repurposed for a dignified existence on the main stair wall. It is sad to
see our friends and families names on the plaques; however, it is honor
to place them there for all to see.
“PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING, MUSSELSHELL” Microfilm picture taken from May 1915 Tribune. Building finished October 1913.
Life in Musselshell…
Top Related