30 Years Ago

Thursday, September 13, 1990

Elaine Allen winner of W.I.F.E. Ford pickup

Elaine Allen of Biddle was the lucky winner of the new 1990 Ford supercab 4x4 pickup, which was raffled off by the W.I.F.E. (Women Involved in Farm Economics) Chapters of Southeastern Montana.

W.I.F.E. members worked from May 17 through last week selling the tickets for the pickup, in conjunction with an awareness campaign of W.I.F.E. goals and projects.

The women sold tickets throughout Southeastern Montana, attending nearly all of the area fairs, rodeos and other summer events.

Heberle Ford of Forsyth and KIKC Radio of Miles City and Forsyth were the major sponsors of the promotion.

Ginger DeCock, president of the Prairie Duster W.I.F.E. Chapter, said that the organization is “very happy” with the $6,000 raised from the project. W.I.F.E. intends to use the proceeds to promote and lobby for agriculture, Montana’s number one industry, she said.

Fundraising for new Biddle Hall continues

The fundraising process for new community hall for the people of Biddle is continuing. And, the process continues to involve most of the community.

To date, the efforts have raised a total of $22,592, more than half of the $40,000 needed to build the hall.

A bank account has been set up by the HUBUB (Help Us Build Up Biddle) Committee Board, with the Montana Community Foundation. The monies deposited in the account will be used expressly for larger companies to donate to the HUBUB Fund.

On July 28th, organizers held a benefit dance at the VFW Hall in Broadus. Music was provided by the “Beg ‘N Borrow Band”, members of which included Rich Bieshuevel, Ben Earley, Ted Elgin, Tedi Jo Elgin, Dub Garst and Cap Williams. Vocalists joining the bank included Ginger Ridenour, Cody Morris, Alvin Raschkow and Cassy Elgin. The dance drew a good crowd, and the “pot” continued to grow.

The winning ticket for a computer was drawn that night, with J.O. Washington as the lucky winner.

Other fundraisers included selling food at the Biddle Roping Club’s Saddle and Buckle Ropings throughout the summer. A concession stand was also set up at the Powder River Quarter Horse Sale.

The Biddle Busy Beavers 4-H Club pitched in by having a hot dog and bake sale at Woodward’s IGA Store in Gillette, WY. Woodward’s IGA donated hot dogs, buns and the fixings, cups and pop for the day, while the 4-H’ers did the cooking and baking. All proceeds were donated by the 4-H Club directly to the Building Fund.

Yet another committee continues to work on memorials for the Heritage Center. A completed memorial for Helen Elgin can be seen at the Cross Ranch Mercantile in Biddle. Work continues on memorials for Gib and Elsie Sams, Betty Sanburn, Carl and Dorla Smith, Larry Chaney and Ed Olson. Framing and matting of the memorials is being done by Terry and Rhea Powell.

Family and friends of Betty Sanburn have made generous donations to her memorial fund. Memorial funds have also been established for Carl and Dorla (Harvey) Smith, and Russell Garst.

In the process at this time is the sale of tickets for a maple leaf quilt. The quilt, done in autumn colors, was hand quilted by Erma Rumph, Vera Clements, Charlotte Allen, Betty Cotton and Carol Schultz. The creation may be seen at And Sew On, in Gillette.

A committee, headed by Cathy Elgin, is still accepting donations of art projects to join the pieces already donated. They have received a watercolor by Gaylene Fortner, an oil painting by Georgia Damm, a pencil drawing by Sean Allen, a quilted wall hanging by Erma Rumph, a photograph by Jim Collins, and a crocheted doily made by Baye Schoonover.

Actual ground breaking for the Heritage Center began last spring. The surveying of the site was donated by Robert Nisley. The road and approach were put in by Cap Williams, Dick Parcell, Ted Elgin, Kermit Rumph, Larry Clements, and Nathan Rumph. Ground leveling was accomplished through the efforts of Larry Clements, Ted Elgin, and Cap Williams. Norman Lambert, along with Kermit Rumph, Stanley Powell, Ted Elgin, and Tom Riggs ran the water lines to the building site. Materials for the new fence were donated by Belle Fourche Saw Mill, Stanley Powell, Kenny Rogers, Belle Fourche Fencing and Manufacturing, and Robert Rumph. The labor to build the fence was donated by Tom Riggs, Kermit Rumph, Dave and Jody Swift, Dick Rumph, Ted Elgin, Lee Traub, Stanley Powell, Terry Powell, Quentin Rumph, and Mike Reed.

Organizers hope to being building forms for the cement foundation on September 17, with the actual cement work beginning by the end of September.

Two loads of gravel were bought from Doeden Construction in Miles City. The hauling of the gravel was donated by Kenneth Carter Trucking and Willard Grant Trucking.