Enjoy the diverse stories in this issue of our newsletter. And you can get it directly by signing up on our website: www.ultimatemontana.com
In This Issue:
• Greycliff Prairie Dog State Park
• 5 Things You Might Not Know About Lewis and Clark
• On This Day… April 3, 1996
• 1790s History Mystery Stones
Greycliff Prairie Dog Park
By John and Durrae Johanek
Springtime in Montana, the shoulder season, the time of year when we walk around in shorts and T-shirts one day and shovel 8 inches of snow the next. In a spring blizzard we stubbornly put out patio furniture on our decks, because we just know we’ll be enjoying it tomorrow. If cabin fever has you looking for signs of life, it’s time to head to Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park.
Its denizens, black-tailed prairie dogs, also are welcoming spring, looking for the first green shoots of vegetation to push up through the snow. This rodent reservation is an actual “town” complete with its own exit off the interstate a few miles east of Big Timber. It has neighborhoods, a social structure, and even crime.
Although there are many of these towns across central and eastern Montana, Greycliff has the most accessible and easily viewed residents. Pull up to an active mound, and the dogs will disappear, but within a few minutes curiosity wins out. The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is native and unique to North America and colonizes primarily grazing lands from Canada to the Southwest.
So many other animals depend on prairie dogs for food and shelter that if the dogs were to disappear it would be devastating to eagles, hawks, foxes, and black-footed ferrets. They’d also be missed by burrowing owls, badgers, and rattlesnakes, who frequently move into abandoned burrows. The mountain plover uses the town’s gravelly habitat for nesting.
Each burrow is surrounded by a mound of dirt that serves as a handy lookout against danger. A soaring golden eagle, for example, will cause the “watch dog” to go into action: he twitches his tail and signals the others with a series of high-pitched “barks,” earning the species its name. The rules apply to locals as well: no dog may stray into another’s territory or it will be chased away.
Greycliff exists because of Livingston wildlife photographer Edward Boehm, who was instrumental in preserving the site when the interstate was built. Assisting was The Nature Conservancy, the Montana Department of Highways, and Fish, Wildlife & Parks. As at any of Montana’s state parks, signs warn you to keep your pets on a leash, which is especially important here because prairie dogs carry fleas, which in turn transmit plague (not likely a problem, but it nearly wiped out a colony at the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge). Besides, loose dogs harass wildlife and ruin the experience for others. Please obey the signs that ask you to not feed the prairie dogs! No matter how cute or hungry they appear, breadcrumbs or your well-meaning popcorn wreaks havoc with their digestive system and habituates them to humans, making them less wild. Your good intentions could kill them, and lord knows they’ve already got their hands full with interstate traffic.
5 Things You Might Not Know About Lewis and Clark
1. What was the total cost of the entire Lewis and Clark expedition?
$38,000.
2. How long did it take Lewis and Clark to portage the eighteen miles around the five waterfalls of Great Falls?
Thirty-two days.
3. How much did Lewis earn for his efforts during the trip?
Forty dollars per month. Clark earned $25 per month; the privates earned $5 per month, and Sacajawea and York earned nothing.
4. Approximately how old was Sacajawea when she and her infant son joined the Lewis and Clark party?
Fifteen or sixteen.
5. How many years after the Lewis and Clark expedition ended did it take William Clark to receive the promotion Lewis promised him, from lieutenant to captain?
195 years. It was awarded by President Bill Clinton.
From “Montana Trivia” by Janet Spencer, published by Riverbend Publishing
$10 + $2 S & H Call toll free 866-787-2363
Montana Quizzes available free to any publication, contact Janet@TriviaQueen.com
On This Day…April 3, 1996
Theodore Kaczynski, the so-called Unabomber, is arrested by the FBI at his cabin outside of Lincoln, Montana. Kaczynski is charged with crafting and planting at least 16 mail bombs over 18 years, killing 3 people and injuring more than 20. Kaczynski is described as a hermit by some Lincoln locals, “a nice guy.” With the FBI came the media, swarming into Montana and questioning many in the area.
Kaczynski was a math genius with academic papers published and considered to be on tenure-track, before leaving the academic world. His madness, genius, trial, guilt and innocence are still debated, with books published about him; references made to his life in works on the brain and psychology; and websites dedicated to his life, writings and discussions of his case.
1790s History Mystery Stones
In 1956, four miles northeast of Wibaux, a farmer noticed some curious stones he was clearing from his fields. The stones had carved in them the names of Dean, Mead, Neil, Pike and Watson, and included a minister and two women. All of the stones have two crosses engraved on them also say “1791, June 18, killed in the raid”. James Mead’s stone states he was killed in 1790, and Rev. Neil’s has four crosses on it. Why the mystery? Who were these people and what were they doing here years before Lewis & Clark explored the area? Scholars have attempted to solve the mystery, but haven’t found anything conclusive. None of the names were found in the records of the Hudson Bay Company or in any of the Canadian fur companies during that period. Were they even trappers? What explanation is their for the women and the minister? And who survived to carve the stones?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
Going Dutch In Churchill
Here's the recent feature article in our Montana Nuggets Newsletter...
Going Dutch In Churchill
By John and Durrae Johanek, Authors of Montana Folks
In 1980 when Cornelia Flikkema closed her Churchill, Montana, coffee shop known for its Dutch specialties, the local school asked her to host a fundraising supper. She optimistically prepared food for 400 people—600 showed up. Today, you’ll likely stand in line with at least a thousand other dinner guests at the Manhattan Christian School each March. This is the annual Dutch Dinner—the social event of the year in this predominantly Dutch town about 20 miles west of Bozeman.
Although the last Friday in March in snowy Montana seems like a strange time to host a major event, in farming towns like Churchill there’s good reason. It’s near the beginning of the planting season in prime potato country—any later and there would be no volunteers. And it’s the volunteers who make the dinner a success by donating time and the majority of the food. Even the local retirement home gets into the act by peeling the tons of potatoes that go into stamppot—the Dutch delicacy that’s the heart of the feast.
One might think that for a dinner party this size you’d need a dining room the size of a gymnasium, and that’s exactly where it’s held. The meal is served cafeteria style at four stations, each offering a different specialty. The main course, stamppot, is four globs of mashed potatoes flavored with kale, rutabaga, cabbage, and carrots. But to do it up right, you need to douse your spud piles with a ladle full of bacon fat and bits from the nearby crockpots.
Is that exploding arteries you hear? It’s tough to tell over the thunder of wooden shoes pounding the hardwood stage as the school’s klompen dancers perform in full Dutch attire. One year there were no klompen dancers—yikes—but public outcry brought them back.
Before the butter-drenched klont settles, loosen your belt and waddle over to the dessert table if you dare. Desserts are à la carte and with good reason—you won’t be able to stop at just one. Take a seat on the bleachers, enjoy the crowd, and notice how few people are actually overweight.
In more than 25 years the menu hasn’t changed, but nobody is complaining. The supper still draws folks from throughout Montana plus quite a few out-of-staters. Still, the organizers sometimes wonder if the supper will remain popular. Will attendance slump? Will people get tired of the same menu? Yeah, right—like the thought of snert doesn’t make you salivate.
Directions: South of Interstate 90 at the Manhattan exit, in Churchill.
For more information: 406-282-7261; last Friday of March; 4:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The Johaneks’ second book Montana Folks is available at Amazon.com.
Going Dutch In Churchill
By John and Durrae Johanek, Authors of Montana Folks
In 1980 when Cornelia Flikkema closed her Churchill, Montana, coffee shop known for its Dutch specialties, the local school asked her to host a fundraising supper. She optimistically prepared food for 400 people—600 showed up. Today, you’ll likely stand in line with at least a thousand other dinner guests at the Manhattan Christian School each March. This is the annual Dutch Dinner—the social event of the year in this predominantly Dutch town about 20 miles west of Bozeman.
Although the last Friday in March in snowy Montana seems like a strange time to host a major event, in farming towns like Churchill there’s good reason. It’s near the beginning of the planting season in prime potato country—any later and there would be no volunteers. And it’s the volunteers who make the dinner a success by donating time and the majority of the food. Even the local retirement home gets into the act by peeling the tons of potatoes that go into stamppot—the Dutch delicacy that’s the heart of the feast.
One might think that for a dinner party this size you’d need a dining room the size of a gymnasium, and that’s exactly where it’s held. The meal is served cafeteria style at four stations, each offering a different specialty. The main course, stamppot, is four globs of mashed potatoes flavored with kale, rutabaga, cabbage, and carrots. But to do it up right, you need to douse your spud piles with a ladle full of bacon fat and bits from the nearby crockpots.
Is that exploding arteries you hear? It’s tough to tell over the thunder of wooden shoes pounding the hardwood stage as the school’s klompen dancers perform in full Dutch attire. One year there were no klompen dancers—yikes—but public outcry brought them back.
Before the butter-drenched klont settles, loosen your belt and waddle over to the dessert table if you dare. Desserts are à la carte and with good reason—you won’t be able to stop at just one. Take a seat on the bleachers, enjoy the crowd, and notice how few people are actually overweight.
In more than 25 years the menu hasn’t changed, but nobody is complaining. The supper still draws folks from throughout Montana plus quite a few out-of-staters. Still, the organizers sometimes wonder if the supper will remain popular. Will attendance slump? Will people get tired of the same menu? Yeah, right—like the thought of snert doesn’t make you salivate.
Directions: South of Interstate 90 at the Manhattan exit, in Churchill.
For more information: 406-282-7261; last Friday of March; 4:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The Johaneks’ second book Montana Folks is available at Amazon.com.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Montana History: Kid Curry and The Wild Bunch
I hope you enjoy this "Wild West" part of Montana's past....
For some 10 to 15 years the four Curry brothers, Henry, John, Loney and Harvey (The Kid) made the Little Rockies their home and headquarters. Their real name was Logan and the fact that they came to Montana under an assumed name suggests that their past was not pristine before they arrived here in the 1890s. The brothers, along with Harry Longabaugh (The Sundance Kid) and Butch Cassidy made up the infamous “Wild Bunch.”
For some 10 to 15 years the four Curry brothers, Henry, John, Loney and Harvey (The Kid) made the Little Rockies their home and headquarters. Their real name was Logan and the fact that they came to Montana under an assumed name suggests that their past was not pristine before they arrived here in the 1890s. The brothers, along with Harry Longabaugh (The Sundance Kid) and Butch Cassidy made up the infamous “Wild Bunch.”
Bill Kellerman was an orphan, befriended and adopted by the colorful Pike Landusky. Kellerman recalls, “A Christmas dance was being held in Landusky. That night the Curry Gang shot up the town, including the dance hall. They shot the piano to splinters, broke guitars over the musicians’ heads and generally wrecked the place. The Curry boys were pretty active around the old mining camp the first few months after I arrived. One time, three or four of them rode into a pool hall and played a game on horseback. One of the horses broke through the floor and horse and rider dropped into a dirt cellar. They were always coming into town, getting liquored up and shooting up the camp.”
The Currys had a special beef with Pike Landusky. At one time, the Currys and Landusky were neighbors and got along fine for several years. But somewhere along the line a feud started between them over Loney Curry’s courtship of Landusky’s daughter. Pike had a chance to vent his anger one day when two of the brothers John and Harvey “The Kid” were arrested for altering a cattle brand. Pike was the deputy sheriff and reportedly roughed them up pretty good while they were incarcerated. The brothers were released for lack of evidence and swore revenge on Pike.
Christmas of 1894 Pike threw a pretty good party for the town. He had four dozen quarts of Baltimore select oysters shipped in for the celebration. Word got out that Landusky was throwing a grand party. As reported in the Great Falls Tribune, “From that time until the big day the camp was all feverish activity. The big time was all the topic of conversation and fully a barrel of bourbon was licked up in considering details and devising new features. Word had gone over all that sparsely settled country that Landusky was entertaining; they all heard it and they all came.… They drifted in from the badlands 60 miles away, from grassy valleys in the foothills, from the alkali flats farther out, from remote places in the river breaks and from the gulches of far reaches of the mountains. They came in all the vehicles that were known to the time and they brought food enough to feed the multitude in the wilderness, those who didn’t get a break on the loaves and fishes.”
About 100 people showed up for the party. They danced, drank, and ate nonstop for two days and nights. But throughout the celebration there was a tenseness—a feeling that something might explode between the Currys and Landusky. On the morning of December 27th Pike made his usual mid-morning visit to Jew Jake’s saloon. Within minutes of his arrival, Kid Curry entered the saloon. He slapped Landusky on the shoulder, and when Landusky turned around his jaw received a load of knuckles. Onlookers ordered the patrons of the saloon at gunpoint not to interfere. The Kid’s blow knocked Landusky to the floor and the Kid beat him relentlessly to a bloody pulp. When he was certain Landusky was finished, he got up only to see Pike rise and draw his gun. According to the Great Falls Tribune, “It was one of the new fangled automatics that had just come out at that time, and either Pike didn’t know how to use it or it went wrong. … Anyway, it didn’t work. The Kid found himself in a moment, drew his .44 and it was all over. He shot Pike twice in the head—and missed the third time—and Pike battled no more.”
The Curry Gang rode out of town after the killing and hid on the ranch they had established south of the mountains. The ranch was strategically located for a quick get-away and was a good headquarters for the meetings of the Wild Bunch. Sheriff’s officers were sent from Fort Benton and scoured the country following up every lead in search of the Currys.
Sometime towards the spring of 1895 Kellerman recalls walking to the Curry ranch. The Kid, Longabaugh and the cook greeted him cordially and invited him in. The Kid was watching a team and buckboard headed towards the ranch through a powerful field glass. He figured it was the “law” and he and Longabaugh slipped out the back door, mounted their horses and headed for the Missouri River. Kellerman says “I was fooling with the Currys’ pet gopher when the buckboard stopped at the ranch. A man wearing a star stepped down and asked me if anyone was at home. I said ‘no’—figured the less I said the better off I’d be. I’d learned a lot in the short time I had been in Montana.”
John Curry was involved in a shooting episode at the Jim Winters ranch south of the mountains that not only resulted in his death, but, ultimately, the death of Jim Winters. Dan Tressler and his wife had separated and John Curry, whom she planned to marry, took her to a friend’s ranch on the Missouri River. Tressler sold the ranch to Jim Winters and his half-brother Abram Gill. Mrs. Tressler didn’t like the fact that she’d been cut out of the deal and persuaded John Curry to retrieve the ranch for her. Curry sent Winters a note to vacate within a certain period or face the consequences. Winters knew what the consequences would be and kept a loaded rifle behind the door. When the deadline arrived Winters saw Curry approaching the place on horseback. A few shots later, John Curry lay dead. Six months later, Jim Winters took two shots to the stomach while walking to his outhouse. Several agonizing hours later he was dead.
Later, Abram Gill sold the ranch for $10,000 to the Coburn Cattle Company. He left with a down payment check of $2,000 in hand. He and his white horse vanished somewhere between the ranch and Lundusky. No trace of him was ever found.
The robbery of the Great Northern “Flyer” at Exeter Creek was probably the most famous escapade of Kid Curry. By now his brothers were dead. John killed by Jim Winters, Loney killed by lawmen, and Henry dead from tuberculosis. This was the last robbery credited to the Wild Bunch. The holdup was believed to have been planned by Curry and Butch Cassidy.
On July 3, 1901, the “Flyer” stopped for water at Malta. Kid Curry and another accomplice boarded the train. After the train was underway, they made their way to the engine and stuck a gun in the engineer's back ordering him to stop the train. They ordered the fireman to open the express car where they proceeded to blow the safe and a load $40,000 in currency and cash into a sack. The money was never recovered and historians differ on what ultimately happened to the Kid.•
*Remember, you can view lots more Montana information at http://www.ultimatemontana.comFriday, October 14, 2005
Ghosts of the Past
October may traditionally be the season of ghosts, but Montana’s landscape is lined with ghosts year-round. Echoes of old pioneer dreams, mining failures and successes, and vigilante justice permeate the state as outcroppings of buildings once home to bustling workers and families are scattered across the mountains and plains. Although some of Montana’s earliest towns have withered into nothing with the hands of time, many of the Treasure State’s earliest settlements remain standing, abandoned, a visual reminder of the state’s hearty ancestors. The following are just a smattering of the hundreds of ghost towns found throughout Montana.
Wickes Ghost Camp
I-15, 20 miles south of Helena.
Remains of huge smelters and refineries are all that are left in the ghost town of Wickes. Once a thriving mining town that produced $50,000,000 in gold and silver before operations ceased in the early 1890s. Folks continued to live there for a number of years, until most of the town was destroyed by fire. The road to Wickes is easily traveled by car. Also nearby is the Alta Mine and the Corbin camp.
Diamond City
Diamond City, which emerged in Confederate Gulch on the east side of present day Canyon Ferry Lake, was the hub of the area’s gold activity and became one of Montana Territory’s most populated early communities. Its population once reached more than 10,000 but dwindled to 255 by 1870. Eventually it slid into obscurity leaving barely a trace. Placer gold, remarkable for its incredible wealth, was discovered in the area by two former Confederate soldiers. The gravels here were among the richest washed anywhere in the world. Single pans were said to contain more than $1,000 of gold at a time when gold’s worth was $20 an ounce. Most remarkable was that these gravels existed within only a two-acre area which by its end yielded over $16 million (over two and a half tons) of gold in 1860s standards of money. Weekend prospectors and some commercial placer miners still work the same areas in hopes of hitting paydirt.
Just like the ghost towns created by the gold rush era, evidence of much earlier activities can be found at various locations throughout the area. Ancient tepee rings, campsites, underground ovens, arrow heads and spear heads have been found throughout the region, some of which have been calculated to be 10,000 years old. A collection of such artifacts is displayed at the Broadwater County Museum in Townsend.
Silver Bow
15 miles south of Butte on Rte. 2
Also known as Highland City, many of the several hundred miners cabins that were built still exist near the graveyard. The city once had a fierce reputation for wild gun play and rich with gold during its boom years between 1865 and 1875. The site is accessible on a good Forest Service logging road.
Nevada City
A celebrated ghost town, Nevada City recreates the mining era so authentically that it has been filmed in western movies such as Little Big Man and Return to Lonesome Dove. Buildings include five streets of shops, homes, a schoolhouse, and Chinatown. The most popular exhibition is the Music Hall which contains one of the world’s largest collections of mechanical music machines.
Bearmouth Ghost Town
I-90 between Clinton and Drummond
Bearmouth was a stopover point for stage coaches and depended on the survival of other towns that were mining camps. Coaches traveled old Mullan Road between Fort Benton, Montana and Walla Walla, Washington. When the nearby mining camps of Garnet and Beartown died, so did Bearmouth. The beautiful Inn that provided accommodations for travelers still stands. Also nearby is the ghost camp of Coloma, that lasted until the 1930s and a few other standing buildings.
Partially reprinted from the Ultimate Montana Atlas and Travel Encyclopedia
Wickes Ghost Camp
I-15, 20 miles south of Helena.
Remains of huge smelters and refineries are all that are left in the ghost town of Wickes. Once a thriving mining town that produced $50,000,000 in gold and silver before operations ceased in the early 1890s. Folks continued to live there for a number of years, until most of the town was destroyed by fire. The road to Wickes is easily traveled by car. Also nearby is the Alta Mine and the Corbin camp.
Diamond City
Diamond City, which emerged in Confederate Gulch on the east side of present day Canyon Ferry Lake, was the hub of the area’s gold activity and became one of Montana Territory’s most populated early communities. Its population once reached more than 10,000 but dwindled to 255 by 1870. Eventually it slid into obscurity leaving barely a trace. Placer gold, remarkable for its incredible wealth, was discovered in the area by two former Confederate soldiers. The gravels here were among the richest washed anywhere in the world. Single pans were said to contain more than $1,000 of gold at a time when gold’s worth was $20 an ounce. Most remarkable was that these gravels existed within only a two-acre area which by its end yielded over $16 million (over two and a half tons) of gold in 1860s standards of money. Weekend prospectors and some commercial placer miners still work the same areas in hopes of hitting paydirt.
Just like the ghost towns created by the gold rush era, evidence of much earlier activities can be found at various locations throughout the area. Ancient tepee rings, campsites, underground ovens, arrow heads and spear heads have been found throughout the region, some of which have been calculated to be 10,000 years old. A collection of such artifacts is displayed at the Broadwater County Museum in Townsend.
Silver Bow
15 miles south of Butte on Rte. 2
Also known as Highland City, many of the several hundred miners cabins that were built still exist near the graveyard. The city once had a fierce reputation for wild gun play and rich with gold during its boom years between 1865 and 1875. The site is accessible on a good Forest Service logging road.
Nevada City
A celebrated ghost town, Nevada City recreates the mining era so authentically that it has been filmed in western movies such as Little Big Man and Return to Lonesome Dove. Buildings include five streets of shops, homes, a schoolhouse, and Chinatown. The most popular exhibition is the Music Hall which contains one of the world’s largest collections of mechanical music machines.
Bearmouth Ghost Town
I-90 between Clinton and Drummond
Bearmouth was a stopover point for stage coaches and depended on the survival of other towns that were mining camps. Coaches traveled old Mullan Road between Fort Benton, Montana and Walla Walla, Washington. When the nearby mining camps of Garnet and Beartown died, so did Bearmouth. The beautiful Inn that provided accommodations for travelers still stands. Also nearby is the ghost camp of Coloma, that lasted until the 1930s and a few other standing buildings.
Partially reprinted from the Ultimate Montana Atlas and Travel Encyclopedia
Sunday, October 09, 2005
The Beauty of Montana
Vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow line the Montana landscape each fall, making it one of the prettiest (and least crowded!) times to visit the Treasure State. Whether you’re just passing through, taking a hunting trip to Montana’s backcountry, or planning one last outdoor adventure before the snow flies, don’t leave home without The Ultimate Montana Travel Atlas and Encyclopedia. This best-selling book offers more information than dozens of other guidebooks combined and has received rave reviews from travelers across the U.S. and Europe! Not just a reference guide to big-name attractions, this must-have guidebook also uncovers some of the hidden treasures that make Montana so special. Learn about scenic drives, historical sites, attractions, and recreation while gaining access to hundreds of hotels, restaurants, outfitters, and more. Join the ranks of early explorers, and discover the beauty of the Treasure State with The Ultimate Montana Travel Atlas and Encyclopedia!
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
The Gauntlet
What do you get when you combine 400 large straw bales weighing more than 160 tons, one scary hay monster called Marvin, and a peaceful Montana farm setting? Nothing less than The Gauntlet. Created in 2003, The Gauntlet is a winding hay maze located a few miles from Bozeman at the Lazy B Farm. The maze caters to both children and adults with its towering stacks of hay, large and small tunnels, and clues that maze-goers search for in an attempt to solve a weekly riddle. The riddle focuses on a particular theme each year, with the 2005 theme focused upon “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
In addition to the maze itself, the Gauntlet offers several special events during its operation from September through October. Hayrides, pumpkin picking, and a Chronicles of Narnia Dress Up Night add to the autumn fun. Quickly becoming a favorite fall tradition in southwestern Montana, the Gauntlet is open to the public for a small admission fee on Friday and Saturday evenings, with private group reservations available during the week. Don’t forget to watch out for Marvin the hay monster. He may be lurking right around the next corner!
In addition to the maze itself, the Gauntlet offers several special events during its operation from September through October. Hayrides, pumpkin picking, and a Chronicles of Narnia Dress Up Night add to the autumn fun. Quickly becoming a favorite fall tradition in southwestern Montana, the Gauntlet is open to the public for a small admission fee on Friday and Saturday evenings, with private group reservations available during the week. Don’t forget to watch out for Marvin the hay monster. He may be lurking right around the next corner!
Saturday, October 01, 2005
HatchFest: Hollywood Meets Montana
Think Hollywood is just for California? Think again. Since 2004, Montana has welcomed the international and American film community with open arms. Held annually in early October, HatchFest and a myriad of Hollywood stars descend upon Bozeman for five days of audio, visual, arts, and mentorship appreciation. The festival was created to provide inspiration, education, recognition, and mentorship to the next generation of creative innovators.
To achieve this mission, a celebrity jury selects the world’s ten most talented student filmmakers, flies them to Bozeman, and gives them the chance to work closely with fifty mentors representing all facets of the film, music, and art industry. As an added bonus, these promising filmmakers have their works showcased to the public in Bozeman’s historic Ellen Theater, providing much-deserved recognition and exposure. The festival includes live music performances, VIP parties, screening parties, education panels, and more, with everything culminating at the Hatch Awards. This ceremony, which is quickly gaining recognition around the world, hands out the film award for the “Outstanding Groundbreaker,” the “Gibson Guitar New Musician Award,” and cash prizes.
Although the ten student filmmakers invited to showcase their works at HatchFest may be relatively unknown in the mass media circle, they are held as peers by their celebrity mentors. This year’s celebrity guests include Peter Fonda, Johnny Depp, Kevin Bacon, Jeff Bridges, Liam Neeson, Jackson Browne, and more.
Don’t miss your opportunity to catch the best of tomorrow’s film producers! Tickets are limited. For more information, visit www.hatchfest.com.
To achieve this mission, a celebrity jury selects the world’s ten most talented student filmmakers, flies them to Bozeman, and gives them the chance to work closely with fifty mentors representing all facets of the film, music, and art industry. As an added bonus, these promising filmmakers have their works showcased to the public in Bozeman’s historic Ellen Theater, providing much-deserved recognition and exposure. The festival includes live music performances, VIP parties, screening parties, education panels, and more, with everything culminating at the Hatch Awards. This ceremony, which is quickly gaining recognition around the world, hands out the film award for the “Outstanding Groundbreaker,” the “Gibson Guitar New Musician Award,” and cash prizes.
Although the ten student filmmakers invited to showcase their works at HatchFest may be relatively unknown in the mass media circle, they are held as peers by their celebrity mentors. This year’s celebrity guests include Peter Fonda, Johnny Depp, Kevin Bacon, Jeff Bridges, Liam Neeson, Jackson Browne, and more.
Don’t miss your opportunity to catch the best of tomorrow’s film producers! Tickets are limited. For more information, visit www.hatchfest.com.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Helena: Standing up for Montana
1301 6th Ave., Helena. (406) 444-4789
A symbol of Montana’s statehood, lively past, and enduring future, the state capital rests against the hills of Helena with a commanding panoramic view of the Helena Valley. Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark called this area “Prickly Pear Valley” when they traversed it in 1805. A century of exploration, trapping, prospecting, mining, settlement and development occurred in what became Montana, before the construction of a State Capital was achieved.
The mining camp of Last Chance Gulch was born with the discovery of placer gold by the “Four Georgians” in 1864. The fledgling camp soon changed to Helena. Surprisingly, the community did not die when the gold ran out because the merchants turned it into a banking and supply center. By 1875, Helena had wrested the Montana Territorial capital from Virginia City.
When Montana joined the Union in 1889, a battle for the permanent state capital ensued. In 1894 Helena (backed by Copper King William A. Clark) opposed Anaconda (supported by Copper King Marcus Daly) for this honor. Helena’s victory assured it a state capitol building, yet the National Crash of 1893 initially delayed construction.
Finally, optimism about the state’s future led the 1895 legislature to enact laws authorizing a $1million Capital, its design to be chosen in a nationwide architectural competition. Cash prizes were awarded and a design selected before funding problems were understood to be insurmountable. To make matters worse, scandal erupted when it was discovered that the Capital commissioners themselves planned to defraud the state of substantial portions of the building’s cost. Investigations were conducted in time to prevent the graft, replace the commissioners, and begin anew.
The 1897 legislature then authorized a more modest statehouse. The completed, furnished building, located on its donated parcel of land, cost approximately $485,000—less than one-half the price of the abandoned design. In 1898 Charles Emlen Bell and John Hackett Kent of Council Bluffs, Iowa, were selected as the Capital architects, on the condition that they would relocate to Helena to fulfill a legislative provision requiring selection of a Montana architect. Although denounced by the state’s resident architects, the selection proved to be a fortunate one, resulting in a handsome design that was promptly realized. After a festive corner stone-laying ceremony on Independence Day, 1899, Bell and Kent’s “Greek Ionic” neo classical Capital was constructed, faced in sandstone from a Columbus, Montana Quarry. The building was dedicated with much appreciative fanfare on July 4, 1902.
After its first decade, the Capital was enlarged (1909-1912) to accommodate the growing executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. East-and West-wing additions were designed by New York architect Frank M. Andrews in association with Montanans John G. Link and Charles S. Haire. The much-debated selection of stone for facing the wings required a special session of the legislature, which chose Jefferson County granite. A good match for the Columbus sandstone used in the original building, the granite held the added advantage of durability. The State Capital is a structure with several historical dimensions. Interwoven with Montana’s development as a state, the building’s origins recall people and practices from another age. These turn-of-the-century Montanans, conscious of their place in the progression of time, chose architecture and art that described a remote classical past as well as the passing era of the frontier. Yet they focused optimistically on the future as well. Today the Capital is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to be associated with events significant to the citizens and government
of Montana. (Excerpted from “Montana’s Capital Building”, a publication of the Montana Historical Society)
Note: A two-year renovation project of Capital was completed in early 2001. The building was restored to its original elegant charm. Years ago many of the building’s treasures were removed as attempts were made to earthquake-proof the structure. Many of those items had been purchased by Charles Bovey of Nevada and Virginia City fame. The items were in storage and once again became property of the state and were reinstalled during the project. Items that couldn’t be salvaged were replicated. The entire restoration was done at a cost of $26 million. Tours of the Capital are hourly weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends noon to 4 p.m. There is no charge for tours which are led by members of the Montana Historical Society.
Reprinted from “The Ultimate Montana Atlas and Travel Encyclopedia”
A symbol of Montana’s statehood, lively past, and enduring future, the state capital rests against the hills of Helena with a commanding panoramic view of the Helena Valley. Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark called this area “Prickly Pear Valley” when they traversed it in 1805. A century of exploration, trapping, prospecting, mining, settlement and development occurred in what became Montana, before the construction of a State Capital was achieved.
The mining camp of Last Chance Gulch was born with the discovery of placer gold by the “Four Georgians” in 1864. The fledgling camp soon changed to Helena. Surprisingly, the community did not die when the gold ran out because the merchants turned it into a banking and supply center. By 1875, Helena had wrested the Montana Territorial capital from Virginia City.
When Montana joined the Union in 1889, a battle for the permanent state capital ensued. In 1894 Helena (backed by Copper King William A. Clark) opposed Anaconda (supported by Copper King Marcus Daly) for this honor. Helena’s victory assured it a state capitol building, yet the National Crash of 1893 initially delayed construction.
Finally, optimism about the state’s future led the 1895 legislature to enact laws authorizing a $1million Capital, its design to be chosen in a nationwide architectural competition. Cash prizes were awarded and a design selected before funding problems were understood to be insurmountable. To make matters worse, scandal erupted when it was discovered that the Capital commissioners themselves planned to defraud the state of substantial portions of the building’s cost. Investigations were conducted in time to prevent the graft, replace the commissioners, and begin anew.
The 1897 legislature then authorized a more modest statehouse. The completed, furnished building, located on its donated parcel of land, cost approximately $485,000—less than one-half the price of the abandoned design. In 1898 Charles Emlen Bell and John Hackett Kent of Council Bluffs, Iowa, were selected as the Capital architects, on the condition that they would relocate to Helena to fulfill a legislative provision requiring selection of a Montana architect. Although denounced by the state’s resident architects, the selection proved to be a fortunate one, resulting in a handsome design that was promptly realized. After a festive corner stone-laying ceremony on Independence Day, 1899, Bell and Kent’s “Greek Ionic” neo classical Capital was constructed, faced in sandstone from a Columbus, Montana Quarry. The building was dedicated with much appreciative fanfare on July 4, 1902.
After its first decade, the Capital was enlarged (1909-1912) to accommodate the growing executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. East-and West-wing additions were designed by New York architect Frank M. Andrews in association with Montanans John G. Link and Charles S. Haire. The much-debated selection of stone for facing the wings required a special session of the legislature, which chose Jefferson County granite. A good match for the Columbus sandstone used in the original building, the granite held the added advantage of durability. The State Capital is a structure with several historical dimensions. Interwoven with Montana’s development as a state, the building’s origins recall people and practices from another age. These turn-of-the-century Montanans, conscious of their place in the progression of time, chose architecture and art that described a remote classical past as well as the passing era of the frontier. Yet they focused optimistically on the future as well. Today the Capital is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to be associated with events significant to the citizens and government
of Montana. (Excerpted from “Montana’s Capital Building”, a publication of the Montana Historical Society)
Note: A two-year renovation project of Capital was completed in early 2001. The building was restored to its original elegant charm. Years ago many of the building’s treasures were removed as attempts were made to earthquake-proof the structure. Many of those items had been purchased by Charles Bovey of Nevada and Virginia City fame. The items were in storage and once again became property of the state and were reinstalled during the project. Items that couldn’t be salvaged were replicated. The entire restoration was done at a cost of $26 million. Tours of the Capital are hourly weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends noon to 4 p.m. There is no charge for tours which are led by members of the Montana Historical Society.
Reprinted from “The Ultimate Montana Atlas and Travel Encyclopedia”
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Montana Gift Corral
Looking to bring a symbol of Montana into your home? Searching for that perfect western gift or souvenir? Then don’t miss the huge selection of quality crafted items at the Montana Gift Corral. The Montana Gift Corral prides itself on offering sensational products by talented and creative artists with store locations in Bozeman and at Gallatin Field Airport. Can’t make it to Montana? The Montana Gift Corral offers a full selection of their signature products online. Visitors will find handmade bath and body products, Moose Drool novelty items, whimsicial bear and moose figurines, stuffed animals, wood carvings, Christmas ornaments reflecting the Montana spirit, clothing, antler art, handcrafted jewelry, gourmet foods (including Montana’s famed huckleberry products!), Montana silversmith items, household decorator items ranging from lamps to rustic furniture to picture frames, and much, much more!
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Moose Drool: A Montana Legend
Moose Drool - it’s a legend emblazoned in the hearts and minds of Montana residents (if you don’t believe us, check out our “Montana Gift Corral” article to see for yourself). Refreshing, adaptable, and with a name like Moose Drool, unforgettable. Now before you start questioning the sanity of folks living in the Treasure State, keep in mind that Moose Drool really has nothing to do with slobbery spit or the prehistoric looking creature that grazes on willows adorning Montana’s riverbanks. No, dear readers, Moose Drool has nothing to do with drool at all. What it does possess, though, leaves individuals longing for more.
Moose Drool originated with the Big Sky Brewing Company and has achieved such acclaim that it is now the best selling beer brewed in Montana. Pale, caramel, chocolate, and whole black malts combine to create a chocolate brown brewery favorite with an unforgettable creamy texture. Sold throughout the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain region, and some midwestern states, Moose Drool is the stuff of happy hour get-togethers, summer barbeques, autumn hunting excursions, and quiet evenings at home.
But Moose Drool’s fame isn’t just limited to this popular Montana ale. Boasting a name that symbolizes one of the Rocky Mountain’s most magnificent creatures, Moose Drool has adapted itself to a variety of other purposes. Mixes for beer bread, sourdough beer bread, biscuits, and fish beer batter all utilize Moose Drool, and a signature barbeque sauce combines the brown ale with complex huckleberry flavors to create a Montana bestseller. The name and logo are so popular in fact that t-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball caps, mugs, glasses, and a host of other household items advertise their love of Montana’s beloved Moose Drool.
So check it out for yourself (the Montana Gift Corral is the perfect place to find all your Moose Drool memorabilia!) and discover the stuff that Montana legends are made of!
Moose Drool originated with the Big Sky Brewing Company and has achieved such acclaim that it is now the best selling beer brewed in Montana. Pale, caramel, chocolate, and whole black malts combine to create a chocolate brown brewery favorite with an unforgettable creamy texture. Sold throughout the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain region, and some midwestern states, Moose Drool is the stuff of happy hour get-togethers, summer barbeques, autumn hunting excursions, and quiet evenings at home.
But Moose Drool’s fame isn’t just limited to this popular Montana ale. Boasting a name that symbolizes one of the Rocky Mountain’s most magnificent creatures, Moose Drool has adapted itself to a variety of other purposes. Mixes for beer bread, sourdough beer bread, biscuits, and fish beer batter all utilize Moose Drool, and a signature barbeque sauce combines the brown ale with complex huckleberry flavors to create a Montana bestseller. The name and logo are so popular in fact that t-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball caps, mugs, glasses, and a host of other household items advertise their love of Montana’s beloved Moose Drool.
So check it out for yourself (the Montana Gift Corral is the perfect place to find all your Moose Drool memorabilia!) and discover the stuff that Montana legends are made of!
Monday, September 19, 2005
Grizzlies in Glacier: A Gunsight Chalet Encounter
Grizzlies have long served as Montana’s chosen animal symbol, and it’s a known fact that grizzlies populate the Treasure State - especially Glacier National Park. Hikers are warned of bears’ presence and instructed in bear safety etiquette, yet most backcountry users return to the civilized world devoid of bear encounters and intriguing bear tales. One great bear tale does exist, though, and it has haunted park officials and historians for decades.
Legend has it that in 1915, a mule packer transporting supplies from Sun Camp to the Gunsight Chalet encountered the largest bear tracks he had ever seen. The packer’s ten-gallon hat was tiny in comparison, and the packer knew he and his mules could be in for a dangerous adventure. Within a matter of days, one of the mules was missing, and upon tracing a scant splotch of blood and the same large bear tracks, the packer found the few remains of his mule.
The mule packer returned to camp and immediately warned a horse guide accompanying him to beware of the giant bear. And with good reason. Just a few days later, the packer’s mules spooked and rushed to the safety of their owner at the Gunsight Chalet. Determined to drive the bear away, the packer and the horse guide decided to scout out the region and put an end to the ferocious beast’s behavior. What they found, however, put an end to their plans.
Standing in a meadow near Gunsight Lake’s shores was the largest grizzly they had ever seen or even imagined to exist. The packer and guide estimated the grizzly weighed a hefty 1,000 pounds or more, and the bear with its penetrating yellow eyes showed no fear. Although the bear’s golden-brown fur bristled at the sight of its onlookers, the bear simply dropped on all fours and retreated into the brush. The encounter was the last that the packer and guide ever had with the bear, and they returned safely home at the end of the packing season.
But the giant bear was still alive and well. Historical documents report that the bear broke into Gunsight Chalet during the 1915 winter and destroyed or scattered nearly all of its contents. When word reached park authorities of the event, officials decided something had to be done with this bear and its violent temper. They immediately called in renowned bear hunter Bill Burns, instructing him to put an end to the dangerous creature. Burns did as he was told during autumn of 1916, scattering fish parts near the chalet to lure in the bruin.
Burns’ plan worked, and under the light of a full moon, the giant creature stumbled across the meadow towards the decaying entrails. Burns’ dogs broke loose, tearing into the bear and clawing for the creature’s throat. But the dogs were no match for the ferocious killer who swiped his giant paws at the dogs until they lay motionless. The bear then snatched his sack of fish and retreated to the mountains. Unable to track the bear, Burns’ reported to park officials with only another tale of the giant bear.
At that moment, park officials decided there was no stopping the bruin, and the Gunsight Chalet and surrounding area were abandoned. To this day, no one knows for sure the ultimate fate of Glacier’s giant bear.
Legend has it that in 1915, a mule packer transporting supplies from Sun Camp to the Gunsight Chalet encountered the largest bear tracks he had ever seen. The packer’s ten-gallon hat was tiny in comparison, and the packer knew he and his mules could be in for a dangerous adventure. Within a matter of days, one of the mules was missing, and upon tracing a scant splotch of blood and the same large bear tracks, the packer found the few remains of his mule.
The mule packer returned to camp and immediately warned a horse guide accompanying him to beware of the giant bear. And with good reason. Just a few days later, the packer’s mules spooked and rushed to the safety of their owner at the Gunsight Chalet. Determined to drive the bear away, the packer and the horse guide decided to scout out the region and put an end to the ferocious beast’s behavior. What they found, however, put an end to their plans.
Standing in a meadow near Gunsight Lake’s shores was the largest grizzly they had ever seen or even imagined to exist. The packer and guide estimated the grizzly weighed a hefty 1,000 pounds or more, and the bear with its penetrating yellow eyes showed no fear. Although the bear’s golden-brown fur bristled at the sight of its onlookers, the bear simply dropped on all fours and retreated into the brush. The encounter was the last that the packer and guide ever had with the bear, and they returned safely home at the end of the packing season.
But the giant bear was still alive and well. Historical documents report that the bear broke into Gunsight Chalet during the 1915 winter and destroyed or scattered nearly all of its contents. When word reached park authorities of the event, officials decided something had to be done with this bear and its violent temper. They immediately called in renowned bear hunter Bill Burns, instructing him to put an end to the dangerous creature. Burns did as he was told during autumn of 1916, scattering fish parts near the chalet to lure in the bruin.
Burns’ plan worked, and under the light of a full moon, the giant creature stumbled across the meadow towards the decaying entrails. Burns’ dogs broke loose, tearing into the bear and clawing for the creature’s throat. But the dogs were no match for the ferocious killer who swiped his giant paws at the dogs until they lay motionless. The bear then snatched his sack of fish and retreated to the mountains. Unable to track the bear, Burns’ reported to park officials with only another tale of the giant bear.
At that moment, park officials decided there was no stopping the bruin, and the Gunsight Chalet and surrounding area were abandoned. To this day, no one knows for sure the ultimate fate of Glacier’s giant bear.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Vacationing Forest Service Style
The Ponderosa Pine serves as Montana’s state tree, and there’s no better way to discover these trees than with a visit to one of Montana’s many pristine forests. Forests are scattered throughout every region of Montana, offering plenty of outdoor recreation as well as a unique lodging option. Unbeknownst to many visitors, the U.S. Forest Service in Montana rents out cabins and lookout stations for a nominal fee. These cabins are available throughout the Treasure State, but one of the most popular rests southwest of Bozeman in the Gallatin Canyon.
Garnet Mountain Lookout Station provides unparalleled panoramic views of the Gallatin Range, Spanish Peaks, and other distant mountains and forests. The lookout cabin is available year-round and can accommodate up to four people for just $30.00 per night. Reservations are recommended well in advance (as Montana residents are very aware of the Forest Service’s best-kept secret)!
To access the cabin during summer, travel south on Highway 191 to the Squaw Creek Road. The cabin lies 3.5 miles up the Garnet Mountain Lookout Trail, and guests must hike or bike to the cabin. During winter, visitors should park near the Squaw Creek Ranger Station and snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe 10 miles to the cabin via the Squaw Creek and Rat Lake Roads. Avalanches plague the Garnet Mountain Lookout Trail, so visitors are highly discouraged from taking this path to the cabin during winter.
In general, permits for all of Montana’s Forest Service cabins are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, and visitors must limit their stay to 14 days or less. Permits, as well as maps and access directions, are available from the Ranger District governing the area where the cabin of your choice is located. Visitors should keep in mind that these cabins are primitive and are generally equipped with a table, chairs, bunk beds, and a wood stove. Guests must bring their own bedding and should be prepared to treat their water from outside sources. Electricity is generally not available, and at times, guests may have to cut their own firewood.
Although the cabins certainly are not a four-star retreat, they do offer a unique means of experiencing Montana’s beautiful outdoors year-round. On your next trip to Montana, consider taking a step up from tent camping with a Forest Service style vacation!
Garnet Mountain Lookout Station provides unparalleled panoramic views of the Gallatin Range, Spanish Peaks, and other distant mountains and forests. The lookout cabin is available year-round and can accommodate up to four people for just $30.00 per night. Reservations are recommended well in advance (as Montana residents are very aware of the Forest Service’s best-kept secret)!
To access the cabin during summer, travel south on Highway 191 to the Squaw Creek Road. The cabin lies 3.5 miles up the Garnet Mountain Lookout Trail, and guests must hike or bike to the cabin. During winter, visitors should park near the Squaw Creek Ranger Station and snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe 10 miles to the cabin via the Squaw Creek and Rat Lake Roads. Avalanches plague the Garnet Mountain Lookout Trail, so visitors are highly discouraged from taking this path to the cabin during winter.
In general, permits for all of Montana’s Forest Service cabins are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, and visitors must limit their stay to 14 days or less. Permits, as well as maps and access directions, are available from the Ranger District governing the area where the cabin of your choice is located. Visitors should keep in mind that these cabins are primitive and are generally equipped with a table, chairs, bunk beds, and a wood stove. Guests must bring their own bedding and should be prepared to treat their water from outside sources. Electricity is generally not available, and at times, guests may have to cut their own firewood.
Although the cabins certainly are not a four-star retreat, they do offer a unique means of experiencing Montana’s beautiful outdoors year-round. On your next trip to Montana, consider taking a step up from tent camping with a Forest Service style vacation!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Montana Ballet: Mixing Athleticism with Art
Although not traditionally considered a sport, ballet does require a certain sense of athleticism from its top performers. Stamina, hard work, energy, training, and all the other skills associated with today’s most popular sports are necessary components in presenting a graceful and artistic ballet performance. Despite its distance from major ballet centers and a reluctant first acceptance, Montana is now home to a thriving ballet scene.
In the late 70s and early 80s, ballet wasnt taken very seriously in Montana. Ann Bates, Artistic Director of Montana Ballet, appealed to state legislators for a portion of the state coal-tax arts money to no avail. She finally persuaded Rep. Francis Bardanouve that it was unfair to ignore dance while supporting other arts and athletics. Lawmakers subsequently awarded her a $10,000 grant. She sent the venerable Bardanouve a tutu which he gamely wore on his head.
Today Montana Ballet is the only small dance company in the rural west with big company goals: 1) To educate the youth of the Gallatin Valley in dance at the professional level; 2) To present a season of international dance companies, world-known ballet stars, and local talent of amazingly high caliber; and 3) To offer a variety of outreach opportunities to schools as far as 100 miles away from Bozeman. Comments about productions reflect astonishment that the Bozeman area could be the home to a ballet company equal to comparable companies in much larger communities.
The motivation for this excellence stems from the pride Montana Ballet staff and Board of Directors take in making art that surprises and delights. Visiting companies for each Fall’s international performance have included Woofa from New Guinea, Tangokinesis from Buenos Aires, Jose Greco from Madrid, and the Dance Masters of Bali. The full season of Montana Ballet Company’s performances also includes the much-anticipated and usually sold-out holiday Nutcracker extravaganza presented the first weekend of every December, coinciding with Bozeman’s Christmas Stroll. Another favorite of the community is the New York Connection production presented as part of the two-week New York Connection workshop offered each August in association with Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture. Professional dance teachers offer classes in a variety of subjects and join the dancers in the two culminating productions performing works by Balanchine as well as classical repertoire. More information about Montana Ballet Company and its affiliate, the privately owned Montana Ballet School, is available at www.montanaballet.com.
Partially reprinted from “The Ultimate Montana Atlas & Travel Encyclopedia”
In the late 70s and early 80s, ballet wasnt taken very seriously in Montana. Ann Bates, Artistic Director of Montana Ballet, appealed to state legislators for a portion of the state coal-tax arts money to no avail. She finally persuaded Rep. Francis Bardanouve that it was unfair to ignore dance while supporting other arts and athletics. Lawmakers subsequently awarded her a $10,000 grant. She sent the venerable Bardanouve a tutu which he gamely wore on his head.
Today Montana Ballet is the only small dance company in the rural west with big company goals: 1) To educate the youth of the Gallatin Valley in dance at the professional level; 2) To present a season of international dance companies, world-known ballet stars, and local talent of amazingly high caliber; and 3) To offer a variety of outreach opportunities to schools as far as 100 miles away from Bozeman. Comments about productions reflect astonishment that the Bozeman area could be the home to a ballet company equal to comparable companies in much larger communities.
The motivation for this excellence stems from the pride Montana Ballet staff and Board of Directors take in making art that surprises and delights. Visiting companies for each Fall’s international performance have included Woofa from New Guinea, Tangokinesis from Buenos Aires, Jose Greco from Madrid, and the Dance Masters of Bali. The full season of Montana Ballet Company’s performances also includes the much-anticipated and usually sold-out holiday Nutcracker extravaganza presented the first weekend of every December, coinciding with Bozeman’s Christmas Stroll. Another favorite of the community is the New York Connection production presented as part of the two-week New York Connection workshop offered each August in association with Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture. Professional dance teachers offer classes in a variety of subjects and join the dancers in the two culminating productions performing works by Balanchine as well as classical repertoire. More information about Montana Ballet Company and its affiliate, the privately owned Montana Ballet School, is available at www.montanaballet.com.
Partially reprinted from “The Ultimate Montana Atlas & Travel Encyclopedia”
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
U.S. High Altitude Sports Center
Butte. (406) 494-7570
When you first exit the Homestake Pass driving west into Butte, one of the first things you see is a large oval track. This track has been the training ground for several Olympic speedskating champions, including Bonnie Blair and Dan Jansen. The outdoor speed skating facility was completed in 1987 and has been the venue for several national and world speedskating competitions. In 1994, the Women’s World Championship was held here. The World Cup Competition has been held here on six different occasions. What makes the Center unique is its altitude. At a 5,500 foot elevation, it is a premier training facility providing athletes from around the world a chance to build stamina through exercise programs tailored for varying competitions.
Reprinted from “The Ultimate Montana Atlas & Travel Encyclopedia”
When you first exit the Homestake Pass driving west into Butte, one of the first things you see is a large oval track. This track has been the training ground for several Olympic speedskating champions, including Bonnie Blair and Dan Jansen. The outdoor speed skating facility was completed in 1987 and has been the venue for several national and world speedskating competitions. In 1994, the Women’s World Championship was held here. The World Cup Competition has been held here on six different occasions. What makes the Center unique is its altitude. At a 5,500 foot elevation, it is a premier training facility providing athletes from around the world a chance to build stamina through exercise programs tailored for varying competitions.
Reprinted from “The Ultimate Montana Atlas & Travel Encyclopedia”
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Reading the Rockies
Can’t visit the Rocky Mountain Region in person? Then travel there from a distance by “Reading the Rockies.” The Ultimate Montana online bookstore provides readers with books on nearly every possible subject relating to the Northern Rockies. From books highlighting the region’s best fishing spots and hiking trails to great fiction reads set in the beauty of the West, the Ultimate Montana bookstore carries something for everyone who is interested in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Yellowstone, or Glacier National Park. In addition, the bookstore carries approximately thirty magazines ranging from skiing to the Western lifestyle - all waiting your discovery. Read the Rockies today with a visit to the Ultimate Montana bookstore!
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Polo Under the Big Sky
Polo “The Cowboy Way,” is played across Montana each summer from Missoula to Billings and Great Falls to Bozeman. Now it might not look like white pants and English saddles, but these western horsemen sure have a lot of fun when they get together to battle over the ball. The game is played in rodeo style arenas with two five player teams. Each player is armed with a mallet, and the object is to knock an inflatable rubber ball through the other team’s goal. All that is needed is a horse, a mallet, the ability to ride, and the love of adventure.
Players use western tack, helmets with face guards, and padded chaps. Competition consists of two teams on the field, a player from each team in each of the five zones. The 15 minute periods are called chukkers— four of which constitutes the game. Teams change goal directions at the beginning of each chukker, and the ball changes possession after a score. A score is made when the ball is whacked through the opposing team’s goal. If a score is made from within the first zone, it counts as one point, if made from the second zone, two points, and if made from the center zone, three points. Each game is run by two referees, who ensure the rules are followed and determine if a score counts for one or more points. In addition, there is one goal spotter at each end of the field who informs the referees when the ball goes through the goalposts. Other game officials consist of a scorekeeper, timekeepers, and an announcer to call the play-by-play.
If you like beautiful horses and things western, and want to see them at their best, bring your lawn chair, pull up some shade, and enjoy the next Montana Cowboy Polo match. For more information call (406) 587-5088.
Reprinted from “The Ultimate Montana Atlas & Travel Encyclopedia”
Players use western tack, helmets with face guards, and padded chaps. Competition consists of two teams on the field, a player from each team in each of the five zones. The 15 minute periods are called chukkers— four of which constitutes the game. Teams change goal directions at the beginning of each chukker, and the ball changes possession after a score. A score is made when the ball is whacked through the opposing team’s goal. If a score is made from within the first zone, it counts as one point, if made from the second zone, two points, and if made from the center zone, three points. Each game is run by two referees, who ensure the rules are followed and determine if a score counts for one or more points. In addition, there is one goal spotter at each end of the field who informs the referees when the ball goes through the goalposts. Other game officials consist of a scorekeeper, timekeepers, and an announcer to call the play-by-play.
If you like beautiful horses and things western, and want to see them at their best, bring your lawn chair, pull up some shade, and enjoy the next Montana Cowboy Polo match. For more information call (406) 587-5088.
Reprinted from “The Ultimate Montana Atlas & Travel Encyclopedia”
Friday, August 26, 2005
Montana Football: It's Serious Business
Sold-out crowds, cheering students, pepped-up mascots, painted faces, spirited rivalry. It all boils down to one of the Treasure State’s favorite fall pastimes: Montana football. Although out-of-staters may not realize it, football is serious business in Montana. Fans pack the stadiums in Bozeman and Missoula to watch respectively as the Montana State University “Fighting Bobcats” and the University of Montana “Grizzlies” take on their Big Sky Conference opponents. And they do it with good reason. Both teams are consistently ranked in “The Sports Network’s” list of the Top 25 NCAA Division I-AA teams, and both promise games filled with action and nail-biting excitement.
Waving banners of blue and gold, Montana State University fans have followed the Bobcats loyally through seasons of limited success to the glory days of hard-fought gains. The Bozeman-based team is expected to make an exciting 2005 showing with a predicted third place finish in the pursuit of the championship title. No doubt, this team will play its season to loud strains of young and old singing the MSU Fight Song:
On the state’s western border, University of Montana Griz fans in Missoula are just as passionate about their home team. With the support of their mascot “Monte,” the competitive Griz have either won or shared seven straight Big Sky Conference championships since 1993 with team victories in 1995 and 2001. In 2004, the rock-solid players advanced to the Division I-AA playoffs for the 12th season in a row, and they’re expected to make a similar showing during the 2005 season. Conference coaches and the sports media all predict an impressive second place finish in the chase for the 2005 league championship.
So what do you get when you pit these two teams against each other? Nothing less than one of the most spirited football rivalries in the Rocky Mountain West. Loyal fans drive hours just to catch the action, and the Bobcat-Griz battle is a sold-out favorite long before the teams hit the turf for their season openers. This year, the teams match up in Bozeman for their 105th meeting on November 19th, and those who can’t make it to the game in person will be glued to their TVs for the live televised performance.
Although season tickets for the teams’ scheduled games have now sold out, a handful of single tickets are still available for each home game. But they won’t last long. After all, nothing in Missoula or Bozeman signals the arrival of fall better than hard-core football action under the beautiful Big Sky.
Waving banners of blue and gold, Montana State University fans have followed the Bobcats loyally through seasons of limited success to the glory days of hard-fought gains. The Bozeman-based team is expected to make an exciting 2005 showing with a predicted third place finish in the pursuit of the championship title. No doubt, this team will play its season to loud strains of young and old singing the MSU Fight Song:
Stand up and cheer
Cheer long and loud for dear Montana
For today we raise
The blue and gold to wave victorious
Our sturdy band now is fighting
And we are sure to win the fray
We’ve got the vim, We’re here to win
For this is dear Montana’s day!
Cheer long and loud for dear Montana
For today we raise
The blue and gold to wave victorious
Our sturdy band now is fighting
And we are sure to win the fray
We’ve got the vim, We’re here to win
For this is dear Montana’s day!
On the state’s western border, University of Montana Griz fans in Missoula are just as passionate about their home team. With the support of their mascot “Monte,” the competitive Griz have either won or shared seven straight Big Sky Conference championships since 1993 with team victories in 1995 and 2001. In 2004, the rock-solid players advanced to the Division I-AA playoffs for the 12th season in a row, and they’re expected to make a similar showing during the 2005 season. Conference coaches and the sports media all predict an impressive second place finish in the chase for the 2005 league championship.
So what do you get when you pit these two teams against each other? Nothing less than one of the most spirited football rivalries in the Rocky Mountain West. Loyal fans drive hours just to catch the action, and the Bobcat-Griz battle is a sold-out favorite long before the teams hit the turf for their season openers. This year, the teams match up in Bozeman for their 105th meeting on November 19th, and those who can’t make it to the game in person will be glued to their TVs for the live televised performance.
Although season tickets for the teams’ scheduled games have now sold out, a handful of single tickets are still available for each home game. But they won’t last long. After all, nothing in Missoula or Bozeman signals the arrival of fall better than hard-core football action under the beautiful Big Sky.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Lewis & Clark Caverns
19 miles west of Three Forks on Montana 2. (406) 287-3541.
Located in the rugged Jefferson River Canyon, Lewis and Clark Caverns features one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest. Naturally air conditioned, these spectacular caves are lined with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helictites. The Caverns—which are part of Montana’s first and best known state park—are electrically lighted and safe to visit. Guided cave tours are offered at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, including special candle light tours in December. To avoid peak use periods, call the park for suggested visitation and tour times.
Lewis and Clark Caverns are the largest limestone caves in Montana and have fascinated children as well as adults for many years. The labyrinth of these underground caves leads you through narrow passages among stalactites and stalagmites which glitter and drip. Truly a limestone fairyland decorated by nature, these colorful and intriguing formations make for a worthwhile two-hour tour. Also within the park are breathtaking views of the Tobacco Root Mountains and the Jefferson River valley.
Reprinted from “The Ultimate Montana Atlas & Travel Encyclopedia”
Located in the rugged Jefferson River Canyon, Lewis and Clark Caverns features one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest. Naturally air conditioned, these spectacular caves are lined with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helictites. The Caverns—which are part of Montana’s first and best known state park—are electrically lighted and safe to visit. Guided cave tours are offered at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, including special candle light tours in December. To avoid peak use periods, call the park for suggested visitation and tour times.
Lewis and Clark Caverns are the largest limestone caves in Montana and have fascinated children as well as adults for many years. The labyrinth of these underground caves leads you through narrow passages among stalactites and stalagmites which glitter and drip. Truly a limestone fairyland decorated by nature, these colorful and intriguing formations make for a worthwhile two-hour tour. Also within the park are breathtaking views of the Tobacco Root Mountains and the Jefferson River valley.
Reprinted from “The Ultimate Montana Atlas & Travel Encyclopedia”
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Virginia City: Trains, Follies & Players
Once home to outlaws, riches, and a vibrant 1860s entrepreneurial spirit, Virginia City welcomes visitors to discover its colorful past every June through Labor Day. Stroll the streets of the remarkably well-preserved downtown where many of the nineteenth century boomtown buildings still stand at their original location. While you’re there, be sure to check out the town’s famous train, follies, and players, three entertainment values sure to delight both young and old.
First up, the Alder Gulch Short Line escorts passengers from Virginia City to Nevada City on historic Baldwin Steam Engine #12. The 1.25-mile trip includes entertaining narratives from the train’s engineer, and visitors learn fascinating tidbits about the area’s history. The train operates from early June through late August, and an admission fee is charged.
The next venue to hit the spotlight is the Illustrious Virginia City Players. Recognized as Montana’s oldest professional theater, the Players have created a 56-year history of successful performances and crowd-pleasing fun. The Players feature some of America’s finest directors, designers, and actors, and the authentic Victorian plays and side-splitting vaudeville variety shows are showcased in Virginia City’s old Opera House. 2005 season shows include “The Canterville Ghost,” “The Moonstone,” and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Performances include daily evening shows at 7 PM and weekend matinees at 2 PM from June through Labor Day. Reservations are highly encouraged; call 1-800-829-2969 for tickets.
Catering mostly to adults with its cabaret atmosphere and comedy, satire, and ad-libbing, the Brewery Follies has been a Virginia City fixture since 1984. Each captivating show takes place in Montana’s first brewery, a building dating back to 1863 and German-born brewmeister, H.S. Gilbert. Boisterous laughter is guaranteed as the show’s actors entertain with comedy sketches, musical pieces, and social and political commentary. At the same time, patrons can sample a Montana microbrew or an old-fashioned soda. Performances are provided early June through Labor Day with showtimes at 8 PM Wednesday through Sunday and a bit tamer matinee at 4 PM Monday through Friday. The shows generally sell out, so reservations are highly recommended; call (406) 843-5218.
First up, the Alder Gulch Short Line escorts passengers from Virginia City to Nevada City on historic Baldwin Steam Engine #12. The 1.25-mile trip includes entertaining narratives from the train’s engineer, and visitors learn fascinating tidbits about the area’s history. The train operates from early June through late August, and an admission fee is charged.
The next venue to hit the spotlight is the Illustrious Virginia City Players. Recognized as Montana’s oldest professional theater, the Players have created a 56-year history of successful performances and crowd-pleasing fun. The Players feature some of America’s finest directors, designers, and actors, and the authentic Victorian plays and side-splitting vaudeville variety shows are showcased in Virginia City’s old Opera House. 2005 season shows include “The Canterville Ghost,” “The Moonstone,” and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Performances include daily evening shows at 7 PM and weekend matinees at 2 PM from June through Labor Day. Reservations are highly encouraged; call 1-800-829-2969 for tickets.
Catering mostly to adults with its cabaret atmosphere and comedy, satire, and ad-libbing, the Brewery Follies has been a Virginia City fixture since 1984. Each captivating show takes place in Montana’s first brewery, a building dating back to 1863 and German-born brewmeister, H.S. Gilbert. Boisterous laughter is guaranteed as the show’s actors entertain with comedy sketches, musical pieces, and social and political commentary. At the same time, patrons can sample a Montana microbrew or an old-fashioned soda. Performances are provided early June through Labor Day with showtimes at 8 PM Wednesday through Sunday and a bit tamer matinee at 4 PM Monday through Friday. The shows generally sell out, so reservations are highly recommended; call (406) 843-5218.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Floating the Madison
Travel west of Bozeman on Montana Highway 84 (Norris Road) on any given summer day, and you’re likely to see hundreds of people decked out in swimming suits and shorts. What’s going on, you ask? None other than the local tradition of floating the Madison.
Originating in Wyoming, the scenic Madison River crashes and twists its way through Montana, churning up powerful whitewater rapids before stilling into a snail’s pace as it creeps its way to the headwaters of the Missouri River. While the Madison’s upper whitewater rapids receive their fair share of use, it is the lower section beyond Bear Trap Canyon that has become the quintessential summer destination for people of all ages. This lower river section features only a few occasional waves or rocks, and some spots are low enough that people can stand in the middle of the river! Tubes in all shapes and sizes bob in the molasses-slow current while their occupants soak up summer rays and wave to other floaters enjoying the wide river. For those experienced floaters who really know how to have a good time, coolers are held in high esteem and receive their own special tube. Friends, snacks, beverages, water, sun. What could be more fun on a hot Montana summer day?
To experience this Montana tradition for yourself, travel west on MT Highway 84 to the put-in at Warm Springs Access Point. The point can’t be missed; a huge parking lot full of cars waits where the highway departs the Madison River to wind along Warm Springs Creek. After meandering 6 to 7 miles downriver, floaters will reach the take-out point at the Blacks Ford Fishing Access site. Floaters should plan on spending the better part of a day to complete this entire float. For those short on time, a well-marked highway bridge denotes the halfway point where floaters can either put-in or take-out. Rental tubes are available at several sporting goods stores in Bozeman, but plan ahead. On any hot day before Labor Day, tubes are in high demand as everyone rushes to the river to beat the heat!
Originating in Wyoming, the scenic Madison River crashes and twists its way through Montana, churning up powerful whitewater rapids before stilling into a snail’s pace as it creeps its way to the headwaters of the Missouri River. While the Madison’s upper whitewater rapids receive their fair share of use, it is the lower section beyond Bear Trap Canyon that has become the quintessential summer destination for people of all ages. This lower river section features only a few occasional waves or rocks, and some spots are low enough that people can stand in the middle of the river! Tubes in all shapes and sizes bob in the molasses-slow current while their occupants soak up summer rays and wave to other floaters enjoying the wide river. For those experienced floaters who really know how to have a good time, coolers are held in high esteem and receive their own special tube. Friends, snacks, beverages, water, sun. What could be more fun on a hot Montana summer day?
To experience this Montana tradition for yourself, travel west on MT Highway 84 to the put-in at Warm Springs Access Point. The point can’t be missed; a huge parking lot full of cars waits where the highway departs the Madison River to wind along Warm Springs Creek. After meandering 6 to 7 miles downriver, floaters will reach the take-out point at the Blacks Ford Fishing Access site. Floaters should plan on spending the better part of a day to complete this entire float. For those short on time, a well-marked highway bridge denotes the halfway point where floaters can either put-in or take-out. Rental tubes are available at several sporting goods stores in Bozeman, but plan ahead. On any hot day before Labor Day, tubes are in high demand as everyone rushes to the river to beat the heat!
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