Big Arm Water Wars build community, restore school

BIG ARM — The Polson team was in over their heads.

No matter how soaked their Big Arm opponents became, they couldn’t seem to win a match at Saturday’s Water Wars, a part of the annual Family Fun Day.

“Big Arm!” event-judge Paul Maurer, of Big Arm, declared gleefully after each round. According to Maurer, Big Arm has won the event’s coveted prize, a jelly-bean-filled trophy, every year but one.

Win or lose, participants seemed happy just to cool off on the sunny, high-80s afternoon.

A safe distance away from the water-gun spray were the event’s other highlights: live music, carnival games and a mouth-watering buffet. Enjoying it all were over a hundred Polson and Big Arm residents.

“It’s been a very good day so far; nice turnout,” said Alison Meslin, one of the event’s organizers. Proceeds from the event will go toward ongoing renovations at the Big Arm schoolhouse, originally built in 1913.

According to Meslin, the restored schoolhouse will act as a community center and a reminder of Big Arm’s historic roots.

“It’s probably the only original building from the homesteading era that’s left, at least public building that’s left,” Meslin said. “The one room schoolhouse used to be the focal point of the community, and we’d like to restore that.”

With the $20,000 already raised, the Big Arm Association has been able to strip the schoolhouse walls and restore them to their original color and insulate the building. Most of the labor has been provided for free, by volunteers, Meslin said.

To complete the project though, the Big Arm Association needs additional funds. A new floor and roof and the addition of a bathroom and small kitchen are among the proposed, future renovations.

Much remains to be done, but for the close-knit community, all the work is worth it — especially when that work is as fun as Family Fun Day.

“We are Big Arm, we are a town unto ourselves and we are very proud of it,” Meslin said with a smile.