Left to right, Lindsay Beaty,
Maggie Harmon– Photo Courtesy of
The Heritage Museum
Submitted by Heritage Museum
Maggie Harmon (right), Membership Chair for The Heritage Museum, presented a Lifetime Partner Membership Certificate to Lindsay Beaty (left), President at Lincoln County Credit Union. The Museum’s membership drive is currently underway. Your membership shows that you support The Heritage Museum’s mission to preserve and interpret the history of the area. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact the Museum at heritagemuseum@frontier.com or 406-293-7521.
Troy Trojan Track:
Young and Eager to Compete
By Jim Dasios
Spring sports in Montana. One thing you can be certain of is the uncertainty of the weather. Bitter cold, pouring rain, swirling winds and the occasional snowfall. And all your wearing is a tank top and a pair of shorts.
With that said the Troy Trojans kicked off their track season March 13.
Veteran Coach Neil Newton and longtime assistant Coach Jeff Hawk welcomes thirteen athletes to their first practice. With no seniors on the squad, the team consists of seven Juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.
Coach Newton said, “A number of these kids are involved in physical conditioning and weight training classes. You can see the positive results.”
While a relatively young group, the trojans do have several returnees who show some promise.
Among them are Jake Gromley in the discuss and shot put. Jr. Marcus Heimer in the 800-meter run. Soph. Kempton Sloan in the high and long jump. Soph. Cortenie Rodgers in the hurdles and long jump.
Transfer Freshman Nolan Morris will run the 800 meter.
Coach Newton commented. “We have a group of kids who stayed in shape over the summer. Running and lifting weights.”
The Trojans first track meet was last Saturday in Eureka. Results will be in next weeks issue of The Montanian.
Libby FOL Book Sale
The Libby Friends of the Library will have its next Book Sale on Friday, April 7th from
10 am to 5:00 pm in the Book Sale Room downstairs at the Library. With the arrival of Spring, we have lots of new books popping up in every category! There are several special features, including a section for elementary level home schooled kids. Purchase of items is by donation, with all money received going to support programs for the Library.
Submitted by Susan Horelick
American Legion
Post 97 Celebrates Their
102nd Birthday
The American Legion Austin Reedy Post 97 Libby MT celebrated their 102nd birthday on March 18th, 2023 at their Libby Headquarters Post Bar.
Visiting from the American Legion – Department of Montana Command Leadership Team were Scott Miller – American Legion Department of Montana Vice Commander and Glen Sharbono – American Legion Department of Montana Past Commander. Both are pictured here at the Lincoln County Veterans Memorial (left to right) with Larry King – Commander of American Legion Austin Reedy Post 97 Libby MT.
Submitted by Mark Radzwion – American Legion Austin Reedy Post 97 Public Relations Officer / Trustee
Women of Wildlife Feature: Kimb Frey Libby Local Fire Crew
Member Fights for Endangered Species
By Leslie Hull-Ryde
Kimb Frey– Photo Courtesy Of U.S. Fish and Wild Life Service
Almost a century ago, 45,000 acres in the heart of Chesterfield County, South Carolina, were almost completely stripped of the longstanding, longleaf pine native to the area.
Since 1939, the team at the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge has worked to restore the evergreen landscape to its original state. The refuge provides habitat for migratory birds and numerous other species associated with open pine and grassland communities, so management practices must enhance natural resource conservation for these habitat types.
Now, after decades of meticulous effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a lush longleaf pine forest, which makes up the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, provides homes to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and other wildlife.
Kimb Frey is a member of the refuge’s wildland fire crew who helps ensure the landscape remains a haven for wildlife.
“Working within the wildland fire management program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides the perfect opportunity to support our conservation mission of supporting and maintaining healthy wildlife habitat by applying prescribed fire on the landscape and assisting in suppression efforts on wildfires,” says Frey, who hails from Libby, Montana. “Fire is an important aspect of many types of landscapes. It can purge the dead and decaying plant material hindering the growing and productive organisms. It can also destroy them.”
The Service uses fire as a vital conservation tool. From February to June, Carolina Sandhills NWR, like many refuges across the Service, conducts prescribed burns. This controlled use of fire restores wildlife habitat, reduces wildfire risk, and achieves other habitat management goals. The Service has been a leader in the safe, cost-effective use of prescribed fire since the 1930s.
“If the biologists and foresters entrusted with the care of our natural resources have determined that fire needs to be introduced to a certain landscape in order to create a healthier ecosystem, then they work closely with our fire specialists to determine the best conditions with which to reach the desired goal,” says Frey. “These conditions and goals, much like a doctor’s plan of treatment, are written up as prescriptions for the fire program to follow.”
The military veteran explains she joined the Service by “happy” accident in 2010. After serving 5.5 years in the U.S. Army, Frey earned her paramedic certification. After working in that field for several years, she wanted a career change – a big one – moving from ambulatory support to wildland fire management. The fire management officer at Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma had a need for a qualified paramedic for a search and rescue program. It seemed a perfect match for both the Service and Frey.
“I derive much satisfaction from my role at the refuge. I can go home at the end of the day knowing I have tangibly contributed to the health and welfare of our natural environment, which in turn contributes to the health and welfare of the animals and people who live in and around our natural spaces,” says Frey who graduated from Cameron University with Bachelor of Arts in English and the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology.
“I also find it very rewarding to work alongside a small group of dedicated people who have the same or similar goals, to spend more days outside than indoors, and to have the ability to be doing something different nearly every day.”
Whether applying prescribed fire, extinguishing wildfire, or training new members on her fire crew, Frey brings her expertise and experience to the Carolina Sandhills NWR.
“We were very excited that she was interested in joining the fire program at Carolina Sandhills. She brings with her more than nine years of experience as a firefighter at Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge and additional leadership experience from her time in the military. Our entire seasonal crew [of five] is new to Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, so having someone with prior refuge fire experience is critical to our success this year,” said Lyne Askins, project manager at the refuge. “Kimb is calm under pressure. She has a steady voice and demeanor. The young, new crew looks to her for leadership, which is exactly the niche we needed her to fill.”
Editor’s note: During Women’s History Month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service celebrates the accomplishments and commitment of women throughout the organization. The Women of Wildlife, or WOW, story series highlights some of the women serving in the Southeast Region.