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Local Look Back: Jean White reflects on opening Big Sky’s first daycare center
Published
6 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Jean White
I first came to Big Sky to ski in 1973. We had to bring our own babysitter and the only lodging was at the Mountain Hostel—now The Lodge at Big Sky. After two visits we called Big Sky Resort’s general manager at the time, Gloria Chadwick, to see if the resort had any plans in the works for a daycare center—they had an unfinished space in the basement of the Mountain Mall. We sold our house in Billings the summer of 1973 and moved to Big Sky to finish the space and start the First Run Day Care Center.
Two of the major needs in Big Sky at that time were daycare and affordable housing. We were able to fill the daycare need, but the community is still wrestling with the affordable housing issue.
We provided pick-up and drop-off service for families and got the kids out skiing or sledding on the bottom of what is now Old Tippy’s. Ski Patrol roped off half the lower part of the run for our use.
The resort has since backfilled the Mountain Mall basement to make space for the Summit Hotel and there is no way of seeing where that business was. Because of the landscaping and earth-moving, it’s very difficult to visualize the location of the daycare center. Our door practically opened onto Old Tippy’s and we were steps away from what was then the Andesite chair.
One of the most influential people we met upon arriving here was Ernie Larson. Ernie had what is now the Country Market and managed the little post office. He helped us find a place to live and gave us lots of encouragement.
There were not many condos or houses built at that time. We ended up renting a trailer at Pine Grove Trailer Park which was located a mile west of the junction of Highway 191 and Lone Mountain Trail on the other side of the West Fork (where the 5-B Ranch is). Finding and keeping a place to live was a big issue. We had to move practically every season and were really dependent on the good will of friends who had vacation homes here.
After selling the daycare center three years later, Jean White worked as office manager for a property management company. She also owned the storage company south of Big Sky and a snowmobile rental and tour company. In 1990 she moved to Southern California where she taught for 17 years. In 2007, she moved back to Big Sky with her husband, Joel White, to enjoy retirement.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
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Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
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Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
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born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
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the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
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determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
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Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
29mar3:00 pm4:00 pmGood Friday Mass: St. Joseph Catholic Mission3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event City:Big Sky
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Friday of the Passion of the Lord St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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Friday of the Passion of the Lord
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Friday) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm