Safe Winter Driving

Sustainably Sadie

Safe Winter Driving

As we head towards Spring, we also are heading towards the time of year when we in Southwest Montana can see our most intense snow storms of the year.  Warmer weather can make for slushy driving conditions.  Wind and freezing temps make for icy, slippery roads.  Post your sustainably driving tips at the new Sustainably Sadie Facebook page.

Good friends of ours were recently in a one-car, no-fault accident resultant of icy roads.  Safety features protected the family of four and while the car was totaled, our four friends were blessedly able to walk away, unscathed.  Their amazing luck of no serious injuries didn’t stop law enforcement from issuing a ticket for lack of proper upkeep of their vehicle.  They were issued a ticket for $85 because the tires were considered improper for winter driving.  Tires are a huge expense; plan to replace them as needed.  Save for the annual/ bi-annual expense, and save yourself from the possible hassle of being fined.  Law enforcement insists on proper vehicle maintenance to help protect against the eventuality of an accident. 

I also recommend keeping a shovel, sleeping bag, water and snacks as well as a bottle of washer fluid in the car.  The slushy roads can limit visibility.  Being able to wash away the dirty spray from semi-trucks can be incredibly helpful. 

Give potentially-squirrely semi-truck drivers plenty of room.  On bad roads it’s never a good idea to follow any vehicle too closely; give your fellow travelers space so everyone can make it to their destinations safely.  Giving the vehicle in front of you plenty of space can help to prevent cracked windshields from flying rocks as the roads are often covered in gravel these days. 

Icy roads also make it more difficult to slow down for deer and other animals crossing the road.  When one deer crosses the road, I scan the burrow pit for his friends that also may bound across the roadway.  Pay attention to the daily migration of the deer and you should be aware of which direction they will be coming from when they do cross.  Keep that in mind if traveling dirt roads and you may save yourself expense when a deer jumps into the roadway.  Where my parents live in Waterloo, it is helpful to know that the deer travel to the river to hide in the safety of the willows during the day and they sneak back out to the hayfields under the cover of night. 

Drive safe!  And as I mentioned above, share your tips at the new Sustainably Sadie Facebook page, *Like* the page and follow along as we journey toward a more sustainable life.  Feel free to share at the blog, www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com or email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com.  Thanks for reading!

Twin Bits

Ruby Valley community organizations are joining forces to look for solutions to the recent lack of volunteers to serve these organizations.  Please join the TBCA (Twin Bridges Community Association) this Friday, Feb. 1, 8:30 am at The Old Hotel in Twin Bridges to discuss the planning of a “Ruby Valley Philanthropy Rally.”  Contact Paula Kinoshita, 684-5959 or email oldhotel@3rivers.net with questions or information requests.  Your community needs your support!

As part of the Big Read project, there will be a Twin Bridges Book Club/ community discussion of Willa Cather’s book, My Antonia, at the MT Room at TBS, Monday Feb. 11 at 7 pm.  Mrs. Kelly Downing’s sophomore class is participating in the discussion and there will be pizza.  Please contact Mary Beth Walsh (mwalsh@rubyvalleybank.com) so she can have a head count for pizza. 

From TBS Calendar:

Wed Jan 30:  Elementary Science Fair @ MP gym

Thurs Jan 31:  JrHi BBB @ Three Forks Tourney; Elementary Science Fair Awards, MP Gym, 8:20 am

Fri Feb 1:  BB @ Manhattan Christian, GBGB, 4 pm

Sat Feb 2:  JrHi BBB @ Three Forks Tourney; Wrestling Divisional Tourney @ Dillon; BB w/ Ennis @ Home, BGBG, 2:30 pm; FFA Alumni Silent Dessert Auction, Gym Lobby, 3 pm; Little Dribblers (boys) play at half-time of varsity games

Mon Feb 4:  BB w/ Butte HS “C” squads @ Home, G- 5pm/ B- 7pm; JrHi BBB @ Sheridan, 4 pm; Honors Band & Choir @ Ennis;

Tues Feb 5:  BB @ Lima, 4:30 pm; JrJi BBB w/ Whitehall @ Home, 4:30 pm

Wed Feb 6:  Elementary Spelling Bee @ MT Room, 1 pm; Booster Club Mtg @ MT Room, 6 pm

Thurs Feb 7:  Elementary Dental Screening; Jv BB @ Dillon, BG, 6 pm

Fri Feb 8:  State Wrestling @ Billings; BB w/ Lima @ Home, BG, 5:30 pm, Senior Night!

Sat. Feb 9:  State Wrestling @ Billings; JrHi BBB 2 West Yellowstone tourney; BB @ Sheridan, 4 pm, BBG

Mon Feb 11:  JrHi BBB @ Cardwell, 4 pm

Feb 13-15:  District Basketball tournaments, Boys & Girls @ Butte MAC

Mon Feb 18:  No School, President’s Day

Feb. 20- 23:  Divisional Basketball tournaments, Boys & Girls @ Hamilton

I am here to promote activities and events in the Ruby Valley.  Please contact me at the above Sustainably Sadie address, call me at 684-5222 or snail mail: P.O. Box 491, 59754.