Blackfoot Valley Dispatch - The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980

On May 1, 2023, the Montanan Steakhouse transferred ownership. New owners and siblings Stephanie Leonard, Tim Leonard, and David McGhee are bringing back the traditional classic... — Updated 5/17/2023

It's always amazing to me the people I meet while I'm traveling and teaching, and the lessons I learn from them along the way. This past weekend I was in Farmington, Utah teaching... — Updated 5/2/2023

The Lincoln Putt Putt is quickly approaching. The annual fundraiser benefitting local community organizations returns for its 15th year Saturday, April 29. Not only is it a true... — Updated 4/19/2023 Full story

We've all heard the phrase, "Practice Makes Perfect," and it's one that has impacted my life over the years. Recently, while listening to one of my favorite podcasts, I heard it in... — Updated 4/18/2023

The Blackfoot River Ducks Unlimited Chapter will host its 23rd annual fundraising banquet Saturday, May 13at the Lincoln Community Hall. The committee has been hard at work... — Updated 4/18/2023

It all began with an idea at the Lincoln Community Hall meeting. Now, with more than 20 organizations, the Lincoln Community Social (a.k.a. Get to Know Your Community and Neighbors... — Updated 4/11/2023

There have been things happening at the Lewis & Clark Library - Lincoln Branch, and more are on the way in coming months. Please check back monthly here at the BVD for updates... — Updated 4/11/2023

As spring has finally made an appearance and the snow begins to melt, the roads we drove all winter are starting to become dryer and more wide open. Open roads make me want to get... — Updated 4/11/2023

Is it just me, or has the world - and by world I mean everything - seemed really heavy? I'm not just talking about lately, I'm talking about in general for the last several years?... — Updated 2/28/2023

This week I'll be traveling, and for the first time in a very long time (three years to be exact), I'll be "heading home." I'm excited for the trip and the opportunity to spend... — Updated 1/24/2023

Well, we’re a week into 2023. I’m happy to report I haven’t broken any New Year’s resolutions, but that’s mostly because I didn’t make any this year. Instead, I opted... — Updated 1/10/2023

It’s been almost a month since I’ve written a column. I’ve had a lot come at me in these last few weeks. Some good, some bad, a lot scary, some that’s tested me and I know... — Updated 12/15/2022

There are jokes about it everywhere. There are memes on social media, conversations at the bars, and everywhere in-between. Wonder what I'm talking about this time? Well, it's... — Updated 11/14/2022

It's October, almost November, and what that means for most of the country is fall, autumn. Pretty leaves changing colors and a briskness in the air. For those of us in Lincoln,... — Updated 11/1/2022

As I’ve been talking and reconnecting with people these past two weeks, there seems to be a common theme among the conversations. Things are changing. Well, of course things are... — Updated 10/17/2022

We all have this notion that things are black and white, right or wrong, or ‘my way is better and your way can’t possibly be right.’ But, what if I told you just because your... — Updated 10/3/2022

This is sort of a surreal column for me to write this week. While it’s not my last column ever, it is the last one to be in print…for now. If you would have asked me, almost thr... — Updated 9/21/2022

There’s been a lot of talk about student loan relief lately. There are those who are for it, those who are against it, and some who haven’t totally weighed in on the subject. I... — Updated 9/7/2022

Life is changing, there’s no way around it. It changes each day. Sometimes those changes are small and incremental, while other times, they are a wham, bam, thank you, ma’am,... — Updated 8/31/2022

Let’s face it, we’re always trying to live up to someone’s expectations. Some of those expectations are our own, some of them are from others and still other expectations are... — Updated 8/23/2022

Last weekend was my annual trip to Whitehall for the Copper K Fiber Festival. This festival holds a spot near and dear to my heart for many reasons. The first is that it is the... — Updated 7/26/2022

There’s been a lot of uncertainty in my life as of late. A lot of things going on with family, other things going on with friends, and even in my business. There are things I can... — Updated 7/13/2022

Something occurred to me this past week that I thought I would share with you all. As most of you know, I knit (among many other fiber-related activities). I knit small things and l... — Updated 6/28/2022

Over the past several weeks, there has been something missing in my day-to-day life. Not a person, not a place, not even something to be bought. My heart was feeling heavy, and... — Updated 6/14/2022

We all have a to do list of some sort. Many of us are ruled by all of the things we have to get done, and often one thing becomes more urgent and knocks something else off or down... — Updated 5/31/2022