NSAJ

The American flag – a symbol of what George Washington deemed the “great experiment” can exemplify myriad things to many people. When Sergeant Brandon Kelly with the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office looks at the flag, he reflects on the five generations of his family that have fought for this country in the U.S. military.

Michelle Clark-Conley admits there are not too many differences between the childhood and adult versions of her. Though her hair has changed, she has remained a tomboy throughout the years.

Brian Wheeler is an idea man, a list-guy and also a person of details and action. He has no qualms about offering his opinion or being the outlying vote in the boards on which he serves. Former Big Sky County Water and Sewer district president Paul “Packy” Cronin describes him as the real McCoy – as genuine as a person can be.

Not many people can claim they once landed a plane on Highway 191, took out some power lines and narrowly dodged an r.v. – but Ken Morton can. He only slightly missed longtime local Woody the Woodlord before coming to a halt across the road from the 320 Ranch.

Over 2,000 miles in a little over five months, placing one foot in front of the other through every kind of terrain and enduring whatever Mother Nature threw at her. With every step north on the Appalachian Trail (AT), Candice Brownmiller found renewed faith in humanity.

From the Big Sky Community Food Bank to helping educate refugees, Sarah Gaither is on a quest to help.

An only child from a fairly rural community of 3,000 people on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, she graduated with 130 people in her class. Both of her parents worked, so neighborhood kids were hired to babysit her.

Jennie Cohen has been working at Big Sky Landscaping Plant Center for only three weeks, but her knowledge of plants and flowers is impressive. Her ready smile and willingness to help show that she loves what she is doing. “I love flowers, they make any area more beautiful – put a smile on people’s faces,” she said.

Paul “Packy” Cronin, likely the longest tenured member of any board in Big Sky history recently steppeddown as Big Sky County Water and Sewer district board president. After 19 years serving on the board and 20 years of living in Big Sky, he’s been no stranger to controversy.