the line dance - The Best of Great Falls Magazine

Summer 2013
THE FOURTH AND
LAST COPPER KING
Get Ready to . . .
RODEO
THE LINE DANCE . . .
THE FRONT BREWING CO.
Hand-Crafted Beers
THE UPPER MISSOURI RIVER
BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Tabl e
Summer 2013
of
features
Contents
8
The Fourth and
Last Copper King
Written by Suzanne Waring
12
Rodeo
Get Ready to . . .
30
Written by Dwayne Nelson
The Dance - Photo by Dwayne Nelson
24
The Front Brewing Co.
Hand-Crafted Beers
Written by Paula Wilmot
30
The Line Dance . . .
The skills of the dedicated fly
fisherman are many.
Written by Dwayne Nelson
34
Lewis & Clark Campsite of May 31, 1805. Photo courtesy BLM
24
36
The Upper Missouri River
Breaks National Monument
Written by Bill Marsik
Interior of The Front Brewery. Photo by Brandon Cartwright
Cover Image: Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park,
Running Eagle Falls. Photo by Ben Chovanak
Left: John D. Ryan, courtesy The History Museum
8
4
5
Vol. 5 No. 2
Publisher/Editor
Ben Chovanak
Marketing/Sales
Ben Chovanak
Elizabeth Bruskotter
Contributing Writers
Creative Director
Contributing Photographers
Contact us
Rhonda Adkins
Jonathan L. Bingham, M.D.
Bill Marsik
Dwayne Nelson
Don Peterson
Patty Rearden
Ken Robison
Jay Russell
Elizabeth Story
Suzanne Waring
Paula Wilmot
Ben Chovanak
Rhonda Adkins
Bill Marsik
Dwayne Nelson
Suzanne Waring
Jane Weber
406-870-0122
820 2nd Avenue NW #2
Great Falls, MT 59404
ben@bestofgreatfalls.com
www.bestofgreatfalls.com
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While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors or omissions. No part of this magazine may
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Blog us and let us know how we are doing.
6
Summer 2013
Vol. 5 No. 2
Contents
The Enigmatic Meeting of Artists
Russell and Borein – Part 2
Written by Ken Robison
42
50
21
Montana Senior Olympic
Written by Patty Rearden
22
A Day To Remember and Honor
All Who Have Served and Are Deceased
Written by Dwayne Nelson
40
An Inviting Venue for the Traveler
Who Wants a Taste of Western Americana
Written by Don Peterson
42
24th Annual Lewis and Clark Festival
21
Written by Jay Russell
44
Montana State Parks, Region 4
Written by Park Staff
44
FINANCE
47
From top: Black Powder Weapons AF Missileer Darian. Photo courtesy
Forest Service. Lemonade, photo by ©Rhonda Adkins. Senior Olympics
Medal, photo by Jane Weber. Floating the Belt Creek through Sluice
Boxes Canyon. Photo courtesy Montana State Parks
HEALTH/FITNESS
7
48
of
features
18
Tabl e
FOOD
50
The Fourth and
Last Copper King
Written by Suzanne Waring
Controlling the development of Montana’s vast
natural resources at the turn of the 20th Century
called for bold leadership. Not surprisingly, confident,
daring men grabbed the opportunity. We know
about the conflict between the two copper kings,
Marcus Daly and William A. Clark, and some
remember a third copper king, F. A. Heinze. However, a man who outmaneuvered the likes of any
Daly, Clark, or Heinze is the lesser known John D.
Ryan, the fourth and last copper king and the one
who most impacted Great Falls.
man invest for her. Using mainly her money, he and John G.
Morony, the auditor of the Daly estate which included the
bank, bought the First National Bank of Great Falls and the
Great Falls electric utility. Over the years, Ryan was able to
help Mrs. Daly expand her fortune, and when he did, he
also personally profited.
Born in 1864 the son of a mining supervisor who had
emigrated from Ireland, Ryan came to Montana by way of
Colorado from Michigan. His father wanted to send Ryan
to college, but younger Ryan rejected the idea. Instead he
worked in his uncle’s retail store for close to eight years
until he decided to follow his older brother, William, to
Colorado. Ryan was selective, and it took him six months
to find the job that he wanted. He went to work for CrewLevick Oil Company and traveled the western states, writing
up orders for lubricants. He was so successful that in six
years he was the division manager.
Back in 1899, Marcus Daly had teamed up with Standard
Oil directors, Henry H. Rogers and William Rockefeller, to
create a holding company, Amalgamated Copper Mining
Company, which then acquired majority of the stock in
Daly’s Anaconda Copper Company. As a bank president in
Butte, Ryan was named to the Board of Directors of Anaconda
Company. By 1905, he was named Anaconda Company
president and, in that position, negotiated with Heinze
secretly for months to sell his mine holdings. After an allnight negotiating effort, the final difference of a million
dollars was settled by a flip of a coin. Once the selling price
was determined, Heinze sold his mining interests to the
Butte Coalition Mining Company, a new corporation
headed by Ryan, owned by Amalgamated, and created just
to buy Heinze’s mines.
During those Colorado years, he married Nettie Gardner,
who was from one of Northern Michigan’s first families.
The couple moved to Colorado after their marriage, and
their only child, John C. Ryan, was born there.
Being a traveling salesman took Ryan to Butte, Montana,
where he became good friends with Marcus Daly, president
of Anaconda Copper Company. Because Ryan was handsome,
agreeable, and well-mannered, he was well liked in Butte.
After his brother died, Ryan inherited a generous sum. With
the inheritance and his savings, Ryan invested in Daly’s
Bank. That bought him a banking job at the Daly Bank &
Trust Company.
After Daly’s death in 1900, there was room in the bank’s
hierarchy for Ryan to be quickly promoted after the Ryans
moved to Butte in 1901. Within a year, Ryan became the
bank’s president. Daly’s wife, Margaret, who then controlled
the Daly fortune, was pleased to have this winning young
John D. Ryan, courtesy The History Museum
The economy hit a slump in 1907, and stock prices
crashed. Interestingly, Ryan became ill about the same time
with what was publicized as typhoid fever. However, Jerre
Murphy in her 1908 book, Comical History of Montana,
claimed that Ryan took to his bed because he thought he
had lost his fortune, and his illness persisted as business got
worse. When the Butte mines shut down, Ryan escaped
8
from Butte to recover. The next spring when the economy
took a turn for the better, he miraculously recovered and
rode into town on the company rail car to reopen the mines.
When Amalgamated president, H. H. Rogers, became ill
in 1908, he called Ryan to New York to handle some of the
business. Mike Malone in The Battle for Butte wrote that
Ryan was the right man “to embody the shift from the old,
baronial management to the new, corporate world of mining.”
After Rogers’ death in 1909, Ryan resigned from Anaconda
and become president of Amalgamated. He, along with Ben
Thayer, who became president of Anaconda, and legal
counsel, Cornelius “Con” Kelley, modernized and rebuilt
the different companies under Amalgamated into one large
company. Later Amalgamated was dissolved, and Anaconda
became the company name.
One reason these young business tycoons were able to
modernize the mines was access to low-cost electricity from
hydroelectric dams. Ryan bought out the railroad magnet,
James J. Hill’s, ownership of the Great Falls Water Power &
Townsite Company in August 1908. Immediately, Ryan
started building the Rainbow complex, consisting of dam,
powerhouse, and 130 miles of transmission lines to Butte.
In nineteen months, the Rainbow project was completed.
Most of the electricity was transmitted to the Butte mines
on 40-foot high transmission lines that are still being used
today over a hundred years later.
Cornelius, Con, Kelley who was Anaconda Company's
Chairman of the Board after Ryan's death. Photo taken from
book, Anaconda by Marcosson.
over the mountains to Avery, Idaho. That he served on the
railroad’s board of directors likely influenced the decision,
although he said that he was deliberately absent when the
topic was on the agenda.
Ryan also had another prospect in mind for selling the
electricity. He successfully negotiated a contract with the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway to power with
electricity the railroad locomotives from Harlowton, Montana,
On November 11, 1912, several statewide local electric
companies, with Butte Electric being the most important,
were merged into one company and named Montana
Power Company. Ryan also sat on this board. Through a
series of events, by 1913, Ryan had complete control of
Montana Power. As a result, Ryan was the president of the
Butte mine holdings and seven-eighths of the state’s electrical
industry. Even though Montana Power was never part of
Anaconda, the two were often called “The Company,” and
Ryan was king.
Carrie Johnson in the article, “Electrical Power, Copper,
and John D. Ryan,” published in Montana The Magazine of
Western History, Autumn 1988, wrote that Ryan, who called
himself a “plain businessman,” liked to emphasize his efforts
to develop Montana. He wrote, “My principal business is
to get the money from other men in other places to spend
in Montana,” but Johnson pointed out that Ryan frequently
negotiated investments elsewhere, such as in mines located
in Chile, Mexico, and Arizona.
Ryan, as well as his friends, profited immensely from
these acquisitions that expanded the company’s holdings.
He lived in a townhouse just off Fifth Avenue in New York
City and had a Long Island mansion too. By 1914, he had
become so much a “national industrial lord” that he
avoided Butte during turbulent times.
Present photo of the Ryan Mansion in Butte. Courtesy Butte
Genealogy Society
9
Although considered by some as invincible, Ryan was
struck down with a heart attack while attending morning
mass on February 10, 1933. He died at his home the next
day at the age of 69. Some say that the stress of keeping his
companies afloat during the depression led to the heart
attack.
Very little is known about Ryan personally as he was
adamant about keeping his personal life private. Ryan had
no known nickname and no cartoon-like habits except a
fondness for large business deals. To be sure, his rising to
the top of the business pyramid was of his own doing.
Today we may have forgotten for whom Ryan Dam was
named. We may have never known that he was the president
of one of Great Falls’ banks and that he was responsible for
determining the height of Rainbow Dam so water would
not cover Giant Springs. Although there had been at least
one hydroelectric dam on the Missouri River when Ryan
took over, at John Morony’s urging, Ryan was mainly responsible for harnessing the power from the downhill flow
of the Missouri River, and he had the Rainbow Hotel built.
Furthermore, he was president of the Anaconda Smelter
that employed so many local residents. Although Ryan
never lived in Great Falls, he definitely left his imprint on
the community.
In 1915, John D. Ryan speaking at the dedication of
Volta Dam which was renamed Ryan Dam in 1940.
Photo Courtesy History Museum
A life-long interest in communications made
Suzanne Waring first a college English instructor
then a writer. She lives in Great Falls and writes
about Montana people and their communities.
Completed Ryan Dam with falls below the dam and the administration buildings in the foreground. Photo Courtesy History Museum
10
5th Annual Lions Family FunFest
Activities will include:
• Music • Children’s Activities • Sand Castle Building
• Face painting • Balloons • Jolly Jumpers • Playground
• Community & Military Displays and Activities • Including a Penny Carnival and a variety of games and activities for kids of all ages. Prizes will be given for all
games. Food (nominal fee). Give-away of Bicycles and
other sports equipment to children of all ages.
One of the highlights of summer is Lions Family FunFest, a family oriented festival hosted by the Great Falls
Lions Club and Park and Recreation. The 5th Annual
FunFest is scheduled for Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m. - 2
p.m. in Lions Park located at 10th Avenue South and
27th Street.
Planning is underway to bring the community and
surrounding area a day filled with fun, food, warm
weather, entertainment, and celebration. Thanks to the
generosity of the G.F. Lions Club, the event is FREE to all
participants!
Gather up the family and head to Lions Park for Lions
Family FunFest, a great way to spend a summer day!
For more information call the Park and Recreation Office
at 771-1265.
11
Illustration by Andy Watson
Conrad Whoop Up Days
Belt PRCA Rodeo
Augusta American Legion Rodeo
Choteau Rodeo
e Great Northern Fair & Rodeo - Havre
Shelby Marias Fair & Rodeo
Last Chance Stampede & Fair - Helena
Montana ExpoPark
Big Sky Pro Rodeo Roundup - Great Falls
Chouteau County Fair & Rodeo - Fort Benton
12
June 1 & 2
June 15 & 16
June 30
July 4
July 18 - 22
July 19 & 20
July 24 - 27
July 30 - August 3
August 16 -18
ith the rodeo season coming quickly
upon us, there are some things you
should know about rodeo.
W
cowboys wouldn’t have a chance at making 8 seconds.
Written by Dwayne Nelson
Rodeo has it roots in Spanish traditions which were
brought to our Country in the 1700s by Mexican ranchers
located in what is now the American southwest. After
the roundup, several ranches would get together to contest
the skills of their vaqueros against each other in roping
and riding. With the evolution of land ownership from
Mexican to American the tradition continued as most of
the ranch hands were still of Mexican descent. Since
these were cattle ranches, i.e., cow ranches, the vaqueros
soon came to be called cowboys. Just a note here, cowboys
worked from horses and cowpokes walked behind the
cattle prodding them on with a long stick so being called
a cowpoke is not a compliment, being called a cowboy
is. In the early 1800s rodeos were still largely informal
events put together by neighboring ranches and small
town promoters. Unlike what we see today, for many
years there were no chutes or confining arenas and
many times events were held in an open field. Unbroken
horses were roped, snubbed to a pole, and blindfolded.
The cowboy mounted, the blindfold was removed and
the horse was cut loose and there was no eight second
rule. The ride continued until either the cowboy got
bucked off or the horse gave out. Wow!, wouldn’t that be
The first thing you should know is that I’m not a
cowboy by any means and I don’t know much about
rodeoing, but maybe someday I will have the rodeo
experience from a different perspective. For many years
I envisioned coming back as a coyote in my next life but
last year I changed those plans and now I want to come
back as a rodeo bull.
Think about it . . . you’re in the chute, the announcer
has the crowd whipped into a fanatical frenzy, your
heart is pounding to the beat of a rock song at 150 decibels
on the loudspeaker and your adrenalin is gushing like
the BP oil leak as a cowboy settles carefully on your back
and gives the “nod” signaling to open the chute and you
explode out of there like a roadside bomb with only one
goal: to destroy that guy with the big hat who’s perforating
your hide with his spurs. And if you’re really good at
making that cowboy eat dirt before the buzzer sounds,
you only have to do it for few years because then a bull
becomes more valuable to its owner spending the rest of
its days romancing the ladies in the pasture than risk
being injured in the arena. With that incentive, those
Early days of rodeo. Notice; no arena, no chutes, no 8 second rule. The contest continued until the cowboy got bucked
off or the horse gave out and quit bucking. Photographer unknown
13
are generally relegated to competing for
the rodeo queen or the barrel racing
crown.
interesting to watch?
The early rodeos consisted of
riding broncs and roping calves
A few years ago Diane and I went to the
and steers. But along came a half
Professional Bull Rider’s World Finals in
black, half Indian, cowboy
Las Vegas where we watched the famous
named Bill Pickett from Texas.
bulls Little Yellow Jacket and Blueberry
He “invented” the bulldogging
Wine compete for the last time before
event, known today as steer
retirement to green grass, cool water and
wrestling. In those days ranchlots of pasture queens to swoon. Was there
ers used a large breed of bulldog
a subliminal message imprinted? Maybe
to control and subdue cattle by
in my next life my name will be Blueberry
biting their lips. If anything, Bill
Jacket…or, Yellow Wine…or something
was observant and didn’t hesilike that.
tate to borrow ideas which he
could see worked. Cowboy Bill
At any rate, the chute will soon open on
would chase the steer on his
the north central Montana rodeo season
horse, Spradley, and when he
including
here in Augusta where I live. In
The originator of rodeo steer wrestling, or bullgot alongside he would drop
times
past
the night-before-rodeo downdown on the steer, twist its head dogging, Bill Pickett is believed to have been
town
(the
bar
scene), fueled by alcohol
born December 5, 1870, in Travis County,
into position and put a big bite
Texas, about thirty miles north of Austin. He and slicked-up pretty girls in tight jeans
on his upper lip after which the
was one of thirteen children of Thomas Jef- got the weekend started like a thunder
steer went into submission and
ferson Pickett and Mary Virginia Elizabeth and lightning storm rolling out of Sun
ol’ Bill would roll him over. This
Gilbert Pickett. Courtesy Oklahoma Histori- River Canyon. The jail in Augusta wasn’t
quickly became known as bullreally made for holding much more than a
cal Society
dogging. Picket was hired by the
hombre or two so when the local consta101 Wild West show and went around the country
bles had to restore peace they merely handcuffed the
demonstrating his technique. He died in 1932 after being
rowdies to a cable strung between two trees in the park.
kicked in the head by a horse. He has since been inThey could continue fighting but only with one hand.
ducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Well, times have changed and for the better because
Out of necessity and desire women were a part of the
as the old cowboys rode into the sunset they have been
old west ranch scene and many became skilled at riding
replaced with some young, highly skilled and condiand roping and whatever else had to be done on the
tioned athletes who take their rodeoing very seriously.
ranch. Some carried these skills to the rodeo arenas in
Along with this transition, the rodeo experience from a
the late 1880s and early 1900s. They competed head to
spectator’s perspective has become very family friendly
head with cowboys and did very well. Close to home, in
wholesome fun.
the 1930s a gal by the name of Tootsie Bailey who grew
There are still the Saturday night street dances and
up on a ranch in the Sunburst-Cut Bank area was said to
some
beer disposed of, but for the most part this is just a
be equally at home wearing cowboy boots and chaps
very young crowd out preening and strutting like the
competing on broncos as in high heels wearing a fancy
mating
ritual of the prairie grouse.
dress. Another gal, Marie Gibson, who was born in
Canada but grew up in Montana, started out as a trick
rider but soon began competing in rodeos as a rough
stock contestant. Tootsie and Marie sometimes competed
in the same rodeos and went head to head with the men.
Marie competed at such venues as Madison Square
Garden. She died at a rodeo in Idaho Falls in 1933 when
the bronc she was riding collided with the pickup horse
crushing her skull. With the odd exception, by the early
1940s women being serious competitors in regular rodeo
events basically came to an end. Currently the women
So gather up your family this summer, put on some
western duds, and experience what our part of the country
is known all over the world for…RODEO!
Dwayne Nelson is a freelance lifestyle
writer and photographer that lives in
Augusta with his wife Diane.
14
Bulls, broncs
and butts with
bling . . . the
elixir that makes
the cowboys
sing.
A girl has gotta do
what a girl has got
to do come rodeo
weekend . . .
Rodeo weekend
doesn’t begin or
end in the
arena, that just
happens to be
the only place
where the
action gets
scored.
Katie is wearing: Rodeo Drive by
Stetson Hat, Sapphire Blue Rock 47
by Wrangler Shirt, Pan handle Slim
Sparkle Top over a Derek Hart White
Tank Top, Nocona Choncs Belt, a
Montana Western Brown Fringe
Shoulder Bag, Silver Strike Necklaces, Ring and Bracelet, and Rock
47 by Wangler Jeans
15
Clothing and Accessories by
BIG R
Styling and Makeup by Linda Williamson
Models – Katie and Kezia
Photography by Dwayne Nelson
Kezia says car trouble won’t
keep her away from the
rodeo action.
Kezia is wearing: a Tulam
Black with Turquois Jeweled
Hat, RU Cowgirl Sundress,
Derek Hart Black Tank Top,
Silver Strike Jewelry Cross
Necklace, Rose Ring, Black
Bangle Bracelets, Montana
Wester Turquois Duffle Bag
and Ariat Jeweled Boots.
16
17
The Enigmatic Meeting of Artists
Charlie Russell and Ed Borein,
Part 2
Written by Ken Robison
only adobe fort in all the great western wilderness
north of Fort Laramie, Wyo. As adobe brick construction is confined to the southwestern states, it
has always been a source of interest to historians
and others interested in the old west to find a fort
in Montana with this style of construction and architecture, and many have been puzzled by it. 1
Famed artist Ed Borein spent several weeks in Great
Falls in May-June 1919 during his move from New York
to California. On this visit Borein was a guest of his
friend Charlie Russell. Strangely, the reunion of the two
famed artists received no press coverage in either the
Great Falls Tribune or Leader. The highlight of the visit
was a trip by the two artists to historic Fort Benton on
June 8, and this trip resulted in extensive coverage and historically important photographs published in Percy
Raban’s Montana Newspaper Association (MNA)
weekly syndicate, beginning with the June 9, edition.
The story of the building of Fort Benton is an interesting one. In 1846, Major Alexander Culbertson, who had established Fort Lewis on the south
side of the Missouri about five miles above the
present city of Fort Benton, decided to abandon
Fort Lewis because it was on the wrong side of the
river for trading with the Blackfeet, and built a
new post on the north side nearer the mouth of
the Teton river. He therefore selected the site
where Fort Benton was built and tore down
Fort Lewis, removing practically every stick of
timber from which the fort was constructed and
rafting it down stream to the location of the new
fort. There, on exactly the spot which the adobe
ruins of Fort Benton stand today, he rebuilt, almost to a timber as it stood before, the new post,
which was, however, in reality the old fort transferred to a new site. Even the name was not
changed and it was called Fort Lewis.
The last Best of Great Falls presented Borein’s plans for
etching the historic fur trading post, his thoughts on reconstruction, and a photograph of Charlie Russell and
Ed Borein with friends chatting beside Joe Sullivan’s
Saddlery. This article tells the rest of the story.
About this time the American Fur Company secured possession of old Fort Laramie, situated at
the junction of the Platte and Laramie rivers in
Wyoming, 110 miles north of Cheyenne, which
had been built by trappers and hunters of the
Hudson Bay Company early in the 40s. Major
Culbertson was sent to take charge of the trading
post . . .
“CMR at the ruins of Old Fort Benton in June 1919.”
Courtesy of OHRC
The second Raban article appeared on June 16, this
one with a photograph of Russell standing by the Block
House at Old Fort Benton with caption: “Charles M.
Russell at Ruins of Fort Benton as they look today. An effort will be made to have the fort entirely restored in
adobe, and if this is done it will be one of the most interesting historical relics in the northwest.” Raban’s story
reads:
Benton Only Adobe Fort in Northwest; Copied
From Ft. Laramie by Culbertson
Fort Benton, the most historic of the great outposts of fur trading days in the northwest, was the
Fort Laramie was an adobe post. Major Culbertson noted that it was fire-proof, and that the dirt
construction made the buildings within it warm
in winter and cool in summer. It was kept whitewashed and looked trim and neat. In every way
it was superior to the log forts of the Missouri
river country.
Therefore, when Major Culbertson was transferred back to Fort Lewis, he determined to have
18
Piegan or of the tragic story of Ophir City. 3
the fort reconstructed of adobe, and in the fall of
1850 work on the project began. The soil of the
river bottom where the post was located was
found excellently adapted to the manufacture of
the brick, and the work was pushed with vigor.
The first building inside the fort to be rebuilt of
adobe was Major Culbertson’s house. It was completed just before Christmas, 1850, and on Christmas night, it was dedicated by a big ball, at which,
until early in the morning, the light-headed
French voyageurs, the halfbreed hunters and the
white trappers and post employees swung their
[Native] wives and sweethearts in the old-time
dances to the music of several fiddles. There was
plenty of liquid refreshment and the festivities
reached a climax at midnight, when Major Culbertson proposed that the name of the post be
rechristened Fort Benton, in honor of Senator
Thomas H. Benton, who had been such a good
friend to the officers of the American Fur Company. The proposal met with ready acclaim.
“The above photograph shows David G. Browne, President of the
Stockmen’s National Bank of Fort Benton and a Well Known
Resident of Montana, pointing across the Marias river to the site of
Fort Piegan and Ophir City on the opposite bank. Mr. Browne last
week celebrated the fortieth anniversary of his arrival in Fort Benton.
The other figure in the picture is Mr. Browne’s son, Fred Browne.”
Courtesy of OHRC
The following summer the work of rebuilding
with adobe was continued, the large warehouse
next to the river being replaced. In the construction work the brick making was in charge of a
giant negro from Texas called “Nigger George,”
who had worked on many adobe buildings in the
southwest and who could make three times as
many brick as any other man on the job. The
bricks were 4x8x16 inches. In the walls the brick
were laid end to end, making a wall 32 inches
thick.
In a final MNA article also on June 16, Raban
made clear the linkage of the Joseph Sullivan
photo to those of Charlie Russell. This article
showed Joe Sullivan standing in front of his Saddlery on Front Street, next to the Benton State
Bank. The Sullivan Saddlery’s log building predated the arrival of Joseph Sullivan in Fort Benton
in 1881. The old building was built originally in
1864-65 to serve as the Blackfeet Agency, and it
was in this historic structure that the Blackfeet
Treaty of 1855 was signed.4
In 1852, according to Major Culbertson, the entire northeast side of the fort was rebuilt . . . The
large buildings at the south corner were rebuilt in
1860, and this was the last adobe work done on
the fort.”2
With his series of four articles, Percy Raban scooped
the rest of the Montana press. His interview with famed
artist Ed Borein provided unique information about Bor-
During the visit of Russell and Borein to Fort
Benton, Percy Raban wrote a third article on the
early history of the fur trade in the area, this one
titled, “Historical Spot Where Ophir City and Fort
Piegan Stood . . . Last week a party composed of
David G. Browne, the Fort Benton banker, and his
son, Fred Browne; Charles M. Russell, the artist;
Ed. Borein, a New York artist; and H. P. Raban, a
Great Falls newspaper man, visited the site of
Ophir City and Fort Piegan, with a view to establishing the location of this historic spot. So rapidly
are human events forgotten that not a resident of
the country surrounding the mouth of the Marias
could be found who had ever heard either of Fort
19
and the Native Indians who shared the Upper Missouri.
One real enigma remains—where is Ed Borein’s etching
of Old Fort Benton?
Endnotes:
• In 1867 buildings at Fort Shaw were also constructed of adobe.
• MNA The Reed Point Review June 16, 1919.
• Fort Piegan was built at the mouth of the Marias
River by James Kipp in 1831, lasting just one year;
Ophir City was begun at the mouth of the Marias
River in 1865 as an alternative to Fort Benton, but the
death of ten woodcutters at the hands of Calf Shirt’s
Kainai ended the scheme. MNA The Hamblin Enterprise June 16, 1919.
• Joseph Sullivan and Vanderlyn K. Goss moved
their Sullivan & Goss Saddlery from Deer Lodge to
Fort Benton in August 1881. The following year Goss
returned to Deer Lodge, and “Jos. Sullivan, Saddler”
was formed. Charles Bovey saved the historic building from destruction in 1940, moving it first to Old
Town at the North Montana Fairgrounds in Great
Falls and later to Nevada City. Joel Overholser, Fort
Benton World’s Innermost Port. (Fort Benton: Joel Overholser, 1987). P. 245. Great Falls Tribune March 7, 2011.
“Joseph Sullivan of Fort Benton, Dean of the
Old-time Western Saddle Makers—Photo Taken
in Front of His Shop.” Courtesy of OHRC
ein’s move from New York to California with the stop in
Great Falls en route and his interest in Old Fort Benton.
Raban covered the visit of the two famed artists, Ed Borein and Charlie Russell to Fort Benton in June 1919, as
they talked about the history of that famed fur trading
post and dreamed of its restoration. Raban’s historically
important photographs recorded the visit and helped tell
this fascinating story. Although Russell and Borein did
not restore Old Fort Benton, today’s generation has—
and it stands as a tribute to the early white fur traders
• MNA The Reed Point Review 16 June, 1919]
Ken Robison is historian for the Great
Falls/Cascade County Historic Preservation
Commission and the Overholser Historical
Research Center in Fort Benton. Ken is a
retired Navy Captain, after a career in
Naval Intelligence.
20
Benefis Health System Presents
Montana Senior Olympic Summer Games
in Great Falls, June 20-22, 2013
of the Montana Senior Athlete of the Year Award, as
well as a chance to mingle with athletes, sponsors and
commissioners. Events continue on Saturday, June 22.
Great Falls was selected to be the host city for the
Montana Senior Olympics for another two years, 2013
and 2014, and the local committee is looking forward to
putting on well run games and a variety of social events
to make the 2013 games the best ever. This will be the
third year in Great Falls.
The registration deadline is June 7. The registration
fee is $10 plus any applicable event and facility fees.
Questions can be directed to the Park and Recreation
Office, 406-771-1265 or George Geise, 406-868-0449,
ggeise14@gmail.com.
Mark the date and plan now to participate. Not a
senior? You may still be eligible! The games are open to
individuals 50 years of age
and over. Sports include
Archery, Basketball, Bowling,
Cycling, Field and Track, Golf,
Horseshoes, Racewalk, Racquetball, Road Race, Swimming, Table Tennis, and
Tennis, and include several
events within each sport.
George Geise, retired Tribune
Sports Editor, has been
named the new Executive
Director for the non-profit
Montana Senior Olympics
(MSO) organization. The
MSO Board is made up of
members from all over the
State. Three people from
Great Falls have been newly
elected to serve on the Board
including Terry Graham,
Larry Rowton, and Gary
McManus. Don Jelinek of
Great Falls is a continuing
Board member.
One of the highlights of the
Montana State Senior
Olympics will be the Alive@5
event, Thursday, June 20, 5-9
p.m. in Whittier Park. This will
be a large community-wide
event; the evening will include
live music, food, drink, games,
Montana Senior Olympics
and a festive atmosphere to
Softball Tournament
kick off the games. A large area
August 17-18
will be set up for athletes and
their guests, with tables and
New this year – Great Falls
chairs, providing the opportuwill also host the Montana
nity to socialize with fellow
Senior Olympics Softball
participants. All athletes will
Tournament. The Softball
be provided with $10 in tokens
Tournament will be held at
to buy food and drink, courtesy
the Multi-Sports Complex,
of the Great Falls Montana
Montana Senior Olympic events for Cycling, Track and Field August 17-18. Local MSO
Senior Olympics Committee
Board Members and softball
Photos by Jane Weber
and Benefis Health System.
enthusiasts have been acThose that attended the event last year had a fantastic
tively recruiting teams including distributing information
time and what a great way to start your weekend and
and talking to Team Managers at the Huntsman Senior
the Montana Senior Olympics!
World Games in St. George, Utah. Teams are expected
from Montana, surrounding states, and Alberta, Canada.
The 5k road race will kick off at 6 p.m. on River Drive
near the Civic Center; providing an opportunity for
those athletes to participate in the games and the party.
The Awards Banquet will be Friday, June 21, at the
Holiday Inn and will include entertainment and presentation
George Geise and Terry Graham will be the Tournament Directors. Teams interested in participating in the
tournament should contact George Geise, 406-868-0449.
21
The final roll call is the ultimate leveler and
veterans of every rank, color and branch of
service eternally rest, side-by-side, in every
village, town and city in our Country.
A Day to Remember and Honor All
Who Have Served and Are Deceased
Mt. Olivet Cemetery, photo by Dwayne Nelson
John Maxwell Edmonds wrote the following epitaph for those killed in the WWII battle of Kohima.
When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrows we gave our today.
Yes, we owe our tomorrows to all the veterans and to honor them we have two National holidays to
pay thanks to those that have worn the uniform of our Country, Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.
Written by Dwayne Nelson
Placed between these days to recognize our veterans is the
day to celebrate the birthday of our Nation, the Fourth of July,
i.e., celebrating the declaration of our Country’s freedom. We
know it wasn’t planned that way as each has its own historical
significance that pegged it to a date, but I like to think Memorial
Day and Veteran’s day are front and rear guards of the freedom
day. Imagine in your mind’s eye, ghostly images of deceased
veterans on point (Memorial Day) paving the way for freedom
(Fourth of July) and following behind as the rear guard ever
vigilant and protecting that freedom (Veteran’s Day). Well,
maybe my imagination has been stimulated by different
experiences than yours, but that is my view and I’m sticking
with it. Although it is Memorial Day that will be upon us in
just a few weeks I am taking this opportunity to wrap all three
of these days into a single process of recognition.
Let’s be clear about something, the military could not function
without the support of the civilian population and one does
not have to wear a uniform to be a protector or vanguard of
freedom or a patriot. America maintains a military not for the
purpose of conquest but to carry out the will of the people to
protect the freedoms the Constitution provides for. In fact,
freedom is not the province or the responsibility of the military.
In other words, bombs, bullets and bayonets will not guarantee
freedom. The military is but a tool to be used by the people that
are elected to lead us, therefore, freedom is the responsibility of
the nurse, the farmer, the carpenter, the doctor, the teacher, the
homemaker, the student… well, you get the point, freedom is
the responsibility of everyone that enjoys that freedom and
that responsibility is carried out at the ballot box. The leaders
we elect have several choices in their tool box to use to protect
our freedom, three of which are diplomacy, the military and
covert activity. When the military option is used, and usually
in conjunction with the other tools, it is the option whose
casualties, in human terms, are subjects of publication and
broadcast. It is the one that requires sacrifice that many times
results in loss of blood, limbs, life and subsequent grief.
22
MEMORIAL DAY — originally a day to commemorate those
killed in the Civil War it has evolved over time through several
laws and proclamations to be a day to remember and honor all
who have served and are deceased. Accordingly, the focus of
Memorial Day is usually at cemeteries.
Prior to and sometimes during WWII when sailors were
killed aboard ship they were sewn in a canvas bag and then
slipped over the rail to disappear into the depths of the ocean.
When our land forces were killed in battle they were, for the
most part, temporarily interred in makeshift cemeteries usually
near the area of battle. Eventually as time and circumstance
permitted most were exhumed and repatriated back home.
However, many families chose to have their loved one in the
permanent American cemeteries that were being built overseas,
usually near the battlefield where they were killed as far as the
European theatre is concerned. Those that were killed in the
Pacific and whose loved-ones chose not to repatriate them
were eventually consolidated to an American cemetery in the
Philippines or in Hawaii. Those that wore the uniform and are
no longer with us eternally rest in every community and city in
our Nation and as we honor those veterans in our local cemeteries
on Memorial Day there are also ceremonies these cemeteries
abroad for American servicemen and women from WWI and
II. There are 22 American cemeteries in Europe, 1 in North
Africa and 1 in the Philippines and there is one in Burma that
is a joint American-British cemetery (there is a large one in
Hawaii but that is not considered “overseas”). In all, there are
124,905 America servicemen and women at their final resting
place in these cemeteries. General Patton is the highest ranking
American buried overseas. He is interred near the troops that
he led in WWII at the 50 acre American Cemetery near
Luxemburg. American embassies and nearby US bases provide
ceremonial functions and the host country places small American
Flags at each grave marker for Memorial Day. The families that
chose not to repatriate their loved ones remains generally did
so with the thought of letting them spend eternity with the
ones they fought and died with. These cemeteries are models
of landscape and architecture perfection and are immaculately
kept up. In some instances local high school kids are assigned
an American grave to keep up for a year.
Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D. C., is the
monument that embodies our national conscience in regards to
those deceased that wore a uniform. There was a period of
time in my life when I used to get to Washington, D. C. on
somewhat of a rather frequent basis and always made it a
point to spend some time at the Cemetery because the vast
expanse of crosses as far the eye can see in every direction, the
precision of the honors paid to the deceased veterans by Military
Honor Guards during the 30 to 35 funerals performed each
day, and the grief of family and loved ones as taps is played
have a way of recalibrating one’s priorities and provides a
sense of who we are as Americans. And you’ll watch in sober
silence at the precision and bearing of the U. S. Army’s Old
Guard as they provide 24/7 sentry at the tombs of the unknowns, which they have done since 1937. Actually there are
four tombs representing an unknown from WWI, WWII, Korea
and Vietnam. The Vietnam tomb currently does not contain
remains as subsequent to entombment, based on newly discovered
evidence the remains were exhumed and DNA confirmed an
identification and they were returned to family.
In Great Falls there will be a Memorial Day service at all
local cemeteries as well as the Montana Veteran’s memorial.
Please try to attend one.
FOURTH of JULY — the legal separation of the colonies
from Great Britain actually occurred on July 2, 1776 by a vote
of the Second Continental Congress but the paperwork
(Declaration of Independence) didn’t get complete until the
4th which is the day America has always celebrated the birth of
our Nation. Truly, this is a day for celebrating with parades,
picnics and bbq’s with friends and family and fireworks. Have
fun.
VETERAN”S DAY — the armistice ending hostilities of WWI
was signed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
in 1918. Through several iterations of laws and proclamations
is has been officially designated: A celebration to honor America’s
Veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to
serve and sacrifice for the common good. In other words, this is the
day for honoring our living veteran’s as well. In addition to
those that served in the trenches and hedgerows of Europe, the
jungles of the Pacific, the mountains of Korea, those that
served at sea or in the wild blue yonder, and those that were
prepared to serve wherever they were needed, we have a new
batch of military and veterans that are, and have, served in the
deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan. These young
soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are better trained and are
as courageous as we have ever had so be sure to include them
in your thoughts and remembrance as well.
This day is usually celebrated at memorials and veteran’s organizations with patriotic speeches, dinners and many towns
have parades. Locally the place to be is at the Montana Veteran’s Memorial in Great Falls at 11 a.m. on November 11.
Dwayne Nelson is a Marine Corps veteran
and a member of the Marine Corps League
Honor Guard. As a free-lance writer and
photographer some of his interests are
military and veteran’s affairs. He lives in
Augusta with his wife Diane.
23
The Front Brewing Co.
Hand-Crafted Beers
Photos by Brandon Cartwright
Written by Paula Wilmot
Headquarters Pass was Linda Caricaburu’s first hike along
the Rocky Mountain Front. That trek endeared The Front to
her, so much that the Great Falls native named her new westside business after the scenic area that she calls “our part of
Montana.” After just eight months in production, The Front
Brewing Company’s success had far exceeded Caricaburu’s
expectations.
The Front craft brewery’s products are connected to the
prized part of Montana’s skyline through names, including
Headquarters Pale Ale, Mountain Man Strong Ale, River
Water IPA and Keep Cool Creek Blonde Ale. Perhaps a deeper
connection is the Montana grown and malted barley, water,
honey and even tea used to concoct the tasty beverages.
“It’s satisfying that in less than a year, we’re at or near
capacity and already in a position to consider expansion,”
Caricaburu says of the brewery. “Producing outstanding beer
from the beginning (last summer), our business has ramped
up faster than we anticipated.”
The Front was able to hit the ground running, she adds, because
of the great beer hand-crafted by brewer Trevor Ziegler and
24
Adding ingredient
the marketing and distribution to area bars by Gusto
Distributing Co. of Great Falls.
“The Oatmeal Stout is like a dessert beer,” she noted.
Overall, Henry thinks beer connoisseurs are going for
quality more than quantity these days.
“It’s good beer and we wanted it out there,” Caricaburu
says. Gusto distributes dozens of craft beers, in addition
to national brands, and that’s why Gusto is carrying The
Front’s brews. Gusto understands craft beers, she explains.
All 10 of The Front’s current brews are available at
The Front Public House, a full-service bar at 201 3rd
Street NW, under the same roof as the brewery and the
Faster Basset Coffee and Crepe Haus.
Microbrews are growing double digits every month,
according to Jason Henry, sales manager for Gusto.
Food from Faster Basset is available at the Public
House, along with brews from The Front, other popular
beer brands, wines and mixed drinks. The busy businesses are a stone’s throw from the Missouri River.
Coming up on their first anniversary, brews by The
Front are Gusto’s top-selling microbrews in the Great
Falls area. Behind Miller Lite and Coors Light, they rank
third among draft beers distributed by Gusto in the
Great Falls area. “That’s huge growth in a few months’
time,” Henry says.
Brandon Cartwright, owner of the Public House and
Faster Basset, sells what the public wants, Caricaburu
says. He offers an interesting menu – Montana-grown
beef burgers are a favorite – and creative drinks with
tempting names. Consider a Front Porch Swing on a
summer day. If you’re hungry as well as thirsty, Caricaburu
suggests a Caesar or Bloody Mary, served with pickled
okra, baby corn, pickled asparagus, manzanilla olives,
pepperoncinis, gouda and bacon.
Gusto has some 83 taps for The Front across central
Montana. Most are in Great Falls and Helena, but the
local brews are popular in Havre, Shelby and Lewistown
too.
Mountain Man is The Front’s flagship brew, Henry
says. Next are River Water IPA and Keep Cool Creek
Blonde Ale. Popularity of the dark ale (Mountain Man)
seems to be following a five-year national trend. Even
the national brands Miller, Coors and Budweiser are producing dark brews now.
The Steinhaus and other local bars have more craft
beer on tap these days, according to Henry. And the bar
at Jaker’s has stopped selling out-of-state craft beers and
has only Montana microbrews, in addition to its regular
domestic beers.
“Before I opened a brewery, I drank light and ultra-light
beer,” Caricaburu remarks. Now, she prefers Ziegler’s
brews, including Mountain Man, Sky Fire Amber and
Coffee House Oatmeal Stout.
“Montanans are developing a loyalty to Montanabrewed beers,” Henry said. “But brand loyalty seems to
be less with craft beers, because it’s so much fun to try
Interior of The Front Brewery
Checking Brew
25
different kinds.”
Like wine drinkers, beer drinkers are beginning to
enjoy expanding their tastes. “It’s fun.” Henry says.
“There’s always something new. Brewers are constantly
trying new things, whether it’s fruit, wheat or special
holiday brews.”
Just as connoisseurs tout wine and food pairings, beer
and food pairings are becoming hot topics. So is cooking
with beer.
Mash leftover from the brewing process isn’t wasted.
It’s taken as compost to a nonprofit farm that grows food
for the Great Falls Rescue Mission.
There’s no limit on the number of brews The Front can
produce. The only limit is on alcohol level, and most of
those are in the 5-7 percent range, higher than regular
domestic beers, which are in the 4.2 to 4.3 range. Alcohol
by volume is posted at the Public House.
added dry hops after fermentation. 6.9 percent
alcohol.
• Headquarters Pale Ale, a crisp ale with an earthy
and inviting hops flavor brewed with Montana barley
and German hops. 5.6 percent alcohol.
Caricaburu estimates production will reach 1,500 barrels
the first year. Each brew takes a different amount of
time. For example, Mountain Man takes four to five
days, while River Water requires two weeks in the tank.
Rotating brews and production times among the brewery’s
tanks is a scheduling dance managed and mastered by
Ziegler, she added.
• High Country Hefeweizen, a straw-colored,
cloudy wheat beer brewed with Montana malted
barley and wheat. 5.5 percent alcohol.
• Sky Fire Amber, a filtered ale with a slightly sweet
malt character and a dry finish. It’s touted to be as
beautiful to behold as a Montana sunset. 5.3 percent
alcohol.
You can’t pick up a six-pack of any of The Front’s
brews at a grocery store yet, but at the Public House you
can buy them in half-gallon growlers for consumption at
home.
• Keep Cool Creek Blonde Ale, a refreshing brew
with a smooth malt background, delicate hop bitterness,
and “clarity reminiscent of a Montana stream. 5.4
percent alcohol.
Here’s what is currently on tap:
• Mountain Man Strong Ale, a malty Scotch ale,
brewed with Montana barley, Montana honey and a
touch of molasses. 6.8 percent alcohol.
• Vanilla Porter, a mellow dark brew with hints of
coffee, caramel and chocolate, earthy hops and the
flavor and aroma of Madagascar and Bourbon
vanilla. 5.5 percent alcohol.
• River Water IPA, a golden unfiltered IPA with a
generous hop palate that includes seven hop additions
in the boil, plus an infusion of whole leaf hops and
• Pack Mule Porter, a porter made of Montana
barley and German hops – without vanilla. 5.6 percent alcohol.
• Dunkel-weiss Ale, an unfiltered dark wheat ale
with yeasty overtones, a blend of maltiness and
slight acidity, and subdued flavor and aroma of
cloves. 6.3 percent alcohol.
• Coffee House Oatmeal Stout, an opaque stout with
a creamy brown head, made with Montana barley,
oats and German hops. The added Stumptown organic
coffee, the brand served at Faster Basset, gives a
coffee flavor with an underlying chocolate background.
6.0 percent alcohol.
26
Holidays bring out specialty brews. One is MacCouls
Giant Irish Ale., which is available only around St.
Patrick’s Day. The reddish Irish ale packs a punch with
8.8 percent alcohol.
The Front’s first brews were sold at State Fair last
summer. Henry has plans to offer them at other community
events this summer, including Alive at Five downtown
and Voyager baseball at Centene Stadium. The Front
received good reviews at the winter Wine and Food
Festival, a benefit for the Boys and Girls Club.
While she shies away from discussing plans to expand
the brewery or bottle the brews, Caricaburu says she’s
delighted that people love their beer. “It’s a credit to
Trevor and his skill,” she says.
“It’s their job to make great beer. My job is to find as
many places as I can to sell The Front,” Henry says.
Quality of the beer and that Caricaburu and her husband,
Brad Talcott, are well known makes the product an easy
sell, he adds.
Beer making in Great Falls dates back to the city’s
founding, although brewing on a large scale ended in
the 1960s. Longtime residents may see a coincidence in
the fact that The Front is located within shouting distance
of part of the old Great Falls Select operation. That
structure, which sported a huge neon sign that was
reflected in the adjacent Missouri River at night, was
demolished to accommodate the construction of the
Federal Courthouse.
Paula Wilmot is a University of Montana
journalism graduate. After 38 years as a
reporter and editor at the Great Falls
Tribune, she still enjoys writing about
her home town.
27
The skills of the dedicated fly fisherman are many and starts with figuring out what fly to use.
The Line Dance…
Photography by Dwayne Nelson
Written by Dwayne Nelson
Even those instances when the fish escapes
the hook during this dance, it is that period of
time when man was connected to the fish by
this fragile tether that is embedded in the
mind and will be recounted over and over.
My observation is that there are people that fish with flies
and then there are those that are fly fishermen. It is the later
that I refer to in this article. First, understand I’m not a fly
fisherman, in fact I’m not a very good fisherman of any kind.
Generally, my fishing technique, if you can call it that, includes “real” bait. In other words, I catch fish with live
grasshoppers because I just can’t figure out how an artificial
hopper would look more appetizing to a fish. So, what is it
30
fish and it also meant that I could cover more holes in
any given day. I also used this procedure on rivers the
only difference being I didn’t usually have to crawl
through the brush.
that makes these men and women stalk fish with an
“insect” usually made of some combination of yarn,
tinsel and feathers. Perhaps the clue can be found in
Izaak Walton’s book, The Complete Angler (first published in 1653) in which he describes fly fishing as: The
contemplative man’s recreation.
I never really knew any real fly fishermen until the
last few years and it seems there is a personality pattern
involved. They aren’t driven by how many fish they
catch or how many they put in the pan, but to me they
see their endeavor as a competition where they are engaged
in a contest of wits with the fish which they see as a
noble and respected opponent. As a result, most
“catches” are only temporary and last just long enough
to declare victory and tell the fish how beautiful it is and
thanking it for the fight prior to freeing it from the hook
and sending it on its way back to live and contest another
day.
My best fishing memories are about creek fishing
where I would sneak through the brush on my hands
and knees and drop a live grasshopper in the head of a
hole and watch as the current would take the kicking,
protesting hopper along making a natural presentation
through the sweet spot of the hole. If there was a sudden,
quick flash of the side of a rainbow or the more deliberate
gulp of a brookie and the hopper disappeared, then I
would shake another hopper out of the pop bottle I kept
in my back pocket and impale him on a hook and toss it
in the same spot at the top of the hole and let the current
take it along the same route hoping that fish, or one of
his buddies, is looking for more tasty hopper. If no fish
was tempted by the hookless hopper then I might have
tried it one more time and if still no response I carefully
extracted myself from the brush in reverse trying not to
get my line caught on branches and then moved on to
the next hole and repeated this procedure. To me this
was efficiency at its best, it meant that I only spent fishing
time at holes where I knew there was at least one hungry
Top right: The Dance. Above: Casting to the right spot.
31
I only had to see where the head of the hole was.
The skills of the dedicated fly fisherman are many and
starts with figuring out what fly to use. This includes an
understanding of the hatch which includes the time of
year, the time of day, the water temperature, etc. and
they carefully look at the bugs floating on the water or
moving along in the current beneath the surface of the
water . . . they turn over rocks in the shallows looking at
bugs and eventually reach into one of the umpteen pockets
in their vest and pull out a box with what appears to
have a collection of flies to cover every possible situation.
To this point in the process, my procedure required little
more than reflexes fast enough to catch grasshoppers
and as my reflexes slowed a little over the years I
learned it was easier catching hoppers early in the
morning when the dew is still on the grass and they are
not yet warmed by the sun.
The next step for the fly fisherman is determining how
to make the presentation to the fish. Does the fly need to
float or sink, should it skitter or swim or let the current
take it naturally to replicate the hatch and what line and
gear is best to accomplish that? Where does one cast the
fly to make the desired landing? He must master the
techniques used to cast to a distance and location a fly
that virtually has no weight from which to develop
momentum to carry it forward. Using my procedure I
only had to be able to flip the protesting hopper to the
head of the hole without getting it hung up in the brush.
With reflexes at a hair trigger, the fly fisherman’s eyes
follow the fly or indicator like a laser ready to set the
hook at the slightest flash in the water or disruption on
the surface. Once the hook is set, the fly fisherman’s, or
women’s, mind is oblivious to everything else in the
world. Holding the rod tip high to absorb the energy of
the fight hoping the hook will hold and rythmatically
working the line with the other hand, they’re calculating
where and how best to optimize the probability of successfully bringing the opponent to the net. When the fish
is fighting on the other end the hunter is now connected
by the line with the hunted and every movement of the
fish causes a counter response by
the human . . . a well-choreographed dance. No other outdoor
endeavor has that tactile connection
unless you are into lassoing deer or
elk. When the fly fisherman later
talks about his fishing it is the time
from when he outsmarted the fish
to take the hook until he holds it up
to admire that he remembers and
talks about. Like a video in his
mind he can recall the number of
jumps the fish took, the logs he
tried to get under, the amount of
line stripped out as the fish made
his downstream run to escape and
finally the submission. Even those
instances when the fish escapes the
hook during this dance, it is that
period of time when man was connected to fish by this fragile tether
that is embedded in the mind and
will be recounted over and over. Fly
fishermen, or women, will even be
able to tell you the weight of the
ones that get away . . . and I believe
The next skill for the fly fisherman is understanding
where to present the fly to the fish. I watch my friends
read the water . . . the depth, the currents, the eddies and
riffles, the obstacles both beneath and above the water . . .
and if, where and how the fish are rising within the
constantly changing mosaic of the moving water. To this
point in the process, using my procedure, creek or river,
32
that, don’t you?
the pan. So, I think the main difference between me and
the fly fishing purists is that with me it was the fish and
with them it is the fishing . . . the difference between
expediency and contemplative recreation.
In my method the “dance” was essentially making
sure the leader was strong enough to horse the fish to
the bank as soon as possible in an attempt keep it from
quickly becoming entangled in snags or other underwater
obstacles that would guarantee I would never get him to
At any rate, if you’ve saved a couple of those wild
‘bows, here are some tips for preparing baked trout.
Dress, clean and scale the trout. Rinse the inside and wipe dry then rub with a neutral
cooking oil, salt and fresh ground pepper. Stuff with fresh dill and lemon slices. Bake
at 350 degrees until the flesh flakes easily with a fork, which should be about 30 minutes depending upon the thickness of the fish.
After baking let cool then peel the skin back and with a fork remove and reserve the
meat completely exposing the spine and bones.
33
With the top half of the flesh removed, cut the spine loose just behind
the head and peel away all the bones.
Remove the head and tail and the dill and lemon stuffing
until you have a nice side.
Here we served it chilled on a platter with grape tomatoes,
tarter sauce, blanched asparagus spears, thin slices of red
onion and cucumber chips topped with dill cream cheese
and capers.
Trout & Bacon Chowder
6 slices of thick bacon cut into chunks
3 cups dices red potatoes
3 cups of the reserved baked trout meat
1 cup fine slices white part of a leek
1 cup of cream style corn
1 or 2 drops of liquid smoke
1 quart of milk
Instant mashed potatoes to thicken
Finish with chopped scallion and cracked black pepper
Make trout spread with the smaller pieces of the reserved meat.
For the chowder: Par boil the potatoes and set aside. Render
the bacon in your soup pot, add the leek and stir for a couple
of minutes then add all the rest of the ingredients except the
trout. Simmer for a few minutes and adjust the seasoning to
your taste before adding the trout, using the larger pieces of
the reserved meat.
Mix the trout meat with a 50/50 mixture of cream cheese and
mayo. Add lemon juice and chopped dill weed and chives. A
little lemon juice and smoked paprika to you taste and a drop or
two of liquid smoke. This is something you taste as you go and
add ingredients to your liking.
34
35
Upper Missouri River
Breaks National Monument
The
Moisey Eagle Creek Campsite. Photo courtesy Bureau of Land Management
Written by Bill Marsik
The River regulates all water run off in its domain—
the land body itself, trees, rocks, former steamboats,
trucks, sheds, houses, cows, roads, bridges, communities
and a widely varied assortment of people are all products
of The River as it wends its way to join the Mississippi at
St. Louis then heads due south to New Orleans where
the water that came fell from the sky anywhere in Montana
east of the Rocky Mountains empties into the Gulf of
Mexico.
In the rain shadow of the Rockies central and eastern
Montana is a semi arid prairie drained by a big ditch –
the Missouri River, one of the great rivers of the world.
Within The Upper Missouri River Breaks National
Monument, The River is the Monument. Without The
River there is no exposed White Cliffs, no river bottom
where homesteaders looking to claim a piece of land in a
terrain pretty much unsuitable for any homesteading
discovered it was possible to run a few cows and not too
many of them. No Lewis and Clark coming up river. No
water for crop irrigation and homes. No communities
small or large; so no communities. It’s The River that
provides. The River that ordains. The entire area drained
by the Missouri is dependent upon it. It effects climate,
geography, habitation, species . . . name it.
36
Other than geologic and archeological research history
detailing the past there isn’t much paper history of Montana.
Two hundred or so years of paper records, amended at
times by new knowledge is not a lot of paper history:
Lewis & Clark, Natives, fur trappers, buffalo robes, Fort
Benton, steamboats, gold, Last Chance Gulch, the Railroads,
startling dark browns and blacks in contrast to the
sandstone of the Cliffs.
Butte, Anaconda Copper, Homesteading. Dams. Electricity.
Contemporary times. That’s it, pretty much the sum of
paper record history, a short form for sure, a small span
of time. History in Southern Alberta is attributable to
The River. In 1874 the NWMP (North West Mounted
Police) established their post at Ft. Macleod in part to
stop the whiskey trade coming up the Whoop Up Trail
out of Ft. Benton. Like every frontier, establishment of
the force of law was a major factor in settling the surrounding
lands. Including Montana.
In human history terms Native Peoples were the first
discoverers of The River. Archeological evidence indicates
Ice Age hunters arrived in the area 11 to 12,000 years ago
hunting mammoth and ice age bison. The atlatl, a throwing
stick, came into use about 8,000 years ago and 1,500
years ago bow and arrow technology arrived on the
plains. The Indians, some of them with ancestor migrants
from the Great Lakes area, acquired horses in the early
1700s. The horse transformed Native plains cultures.
Geologists Schumacher and Woodward in their river
book Magnificent Journey indicate central Montana was
covered by an inland sea during an era 140 to 65 million
years ago, the time of dinosaurs. T rex inhabited the Jordan
area around the end of that era. Sharks appeared in that
time frame, so did flowering plants.
About 100 million years ago a shallow sea covered
much of this region as the Rocky Mountains were being
formed. Sediments running off from the Rockies creation
were deposited in a marine environment-inland seasthat shifted over time as elevations changed (the lands
tipped) and the shoreline migrated (moved). Sediment
types and amounts varied with the migrating shorelines
creating layers you see in the White Cliffs and Monument
today.
These depositions are the dominant layers in the river
course integral to the White Cliffs. Fifty million years
after these sedimentation events-still some 50 million
years ago-molten rock emerged thru fractures in the
sediments. The conduits (paths) of this vulcanism are
apparent as dikes, sills and plugs in the river corridor,
Petroglyph in the White Cliffs. Photo by Bill Marsik
Lewis & Clark came upriver in 1805 and if you’re
about to fall asleep thinking all this was such a long
time ago consider this: If you are 52 years old, or about
that, or maybe your parents or grandparents are around
that age . . . it takes only three more people-and you-with
their ages chained up, in sequence, and you are
back to Lewis & Clark time. So if it’s you that’s
52, there’s just three more 52 year old’s lifetimes
in this sequence, plus yours: 4 x 52=208 years
2013 – 208 years and bingo! A Time Machine.
You’re right back to L&C times. 1805. Get out
your ‘mockersons’ (a Lewis spelling of today’s
moccasins) and your fiddle. And watch out for
the grizzlies.
Lewis & Clark Campsite of May 31, 1805. Photo courtesy BLM
37
Fast forward to The River today. Go to the Fort
Benton Interpretive Center, directed since it’s
opening in 2006 by Connie Jacobs, a Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) employee. At the upstream
end of Ft. Benton right on the river front, the
Center is near the Fairgrounds. Check out their
website. Google - “Missouri Breaks Interpretive
Center, BLM” Something close to that. You’ll find
all kinds of online information about the river. If
you’re going to make a river trip you’ll need to check
with the BLM anyway; there are regulations, you need to
sign the river register with your trip dates (registers and
BLM volunteers are also located at all put in/take out
points), you’ll want maps and a few other particulars.
Part of the deal.
Ask Connie (or one of the volunteer staff) or Mark
Schafer, the BLM Outdoor Rec Coordinator also with his
office at the Center, for help. If you have questions-if
you’re going down the river-ask.
A free guide called River Explorer - A Kids’ Guide For
Fun on the Upper Missouri River is available at the Center. It’s for kids of all ages. There’s excellent information
about river safety—eddies, strainers (nope, not your ex),
knots, how to estimate stream flows, bits of history,
Bodmer and Russell comparative paintings, pages for
your journal entries, EarthCaches—a ton of stuff. Free.
The Center also has Educator programs for all ages and
grades: Kindergarten to 5th, Secondary Science 7th
Grade HS Biology and Earth Science 6th Grade HS Geology. Give the Center a call and arrange a tour for your
school group.
There’s more: a Monument Junior Explorer workbook
online. Go to the Interpretive Center web site. From the
menu toggle Junior Explorer Activity Book. Scavenger
hunt, poems, crosswords, coloring pages, mazes, Monument Math . . . right there on the website. Pick one up at
the Center or maybe just download and print parts of it.
of the BLM Guide.
This is public land, which means it belongs to you and every
other American.
If you’re reading this you’re likely in Great Falls or the
surrounding area. The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument is right in your backyard. Look East.
There’s not much like this left in the Lower 48. Or
anywhere else on the Planet for that matter. Ground.
Water. Sky. River. See for yourself.
149 miles of Wild and Scenic River. Remote. Primitive.
Made in America.
And The Last Best Thing? The statement straight out
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Right: Dick & Wade on Neat Coulee Hike. Photo courtesy BLM.
Above: View from the top of Hole in the Wall. Photo by Bill Marsik
39
An Inviting Venue for the Traveler Who Wants
a Taste of Western Americana
Written by Don Peterson
recorded in notes from his thirty mile reconnoiter the
following day must have been shared by those who
chose this location for the Center!
Montana has always had a love affair with Lewis and
Clark. Their interest in our state is underscored by a
number of things: fascinating discoveries, exciting
experiences, and scenic wonderment to name a few.
They would leave their imprint in almost every major
watershed in the state, with perhaps the exception of the
Flathead River country. As our first guests of written
record, they left a wonderful legacy of their visit through
their journals. At times strong feelings seem to overwhelm them. On several days Lewis’s prose changes
and becomes engulfed with his emotions and borders on
the romantic. First evidence of this is while he is at the
White Cliffs and again, a few days later, while he’s in the
area of the Great Falls.
While at the falls, Lewis’s words become almost poetic
as he describes his feelings about what he is witnessing.
He leaves us with no other written record that can even
approach the deep seated excitement he pens in his
notes. His attachment to the falls and to Montana possibly
left an indelible impression on those who were searching
for the right place to locate the Lewis and Clark National
Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Inspiration seemed to
overwhelm Lewis as he viewed the grandest falls on the
Missouri River. The enchantment he felt for this area is
40
Planning started over two decades ago on what today
may be regarded as one of the premier interpretive centers
on westward expansion. Visitors to the Center are
greeted by experienced and knowledgeable docents who
welcome them and provide an overview of how to best
enjoy their visit. As they stand on the beautifully inlaid
and highly polished tiles of the “Compass Rose,” inscribed
with the names of hundreds of donors and honorees,
they are given an oral overview so they’ll know how to
best take advantage of all their visit has to offer. Then
it’s off to the exhibit hall. Here they can experience the
entire trail. Interpretation of the trail is the key to the
exhibit hall. It is laid out to follow the trail from two
perspectives. On the left hand side the visitor experiences
what the members of the Corps recorded. On the right
hand side is the Native American information. And if
you are wondering whether your portion of the trail is
by canoe or by horseback, simply look down at the carpet.
Brown carpet indicates land travel and blue denotes
water travel. The visitor also enjoys first hand experiences
like going inside a Mandan earth lodge, pulling on the
Left: Field-Investigations - exploring plant and animal life. Above right: Kara Sugiyama,
Maria Casselli, & Katie Sugiyama pulling on the rope. Right: Kumara Flanagain Age 7,
learning about the intricacies of medical aspects of the expedition. Photos courtesy
Forest Service. Center: Great Falls of the Missouri. Photo by Don Beatty
wants a brief respite from the daily routine. In any event,
it’s a wonderful place to visit. There are two walking
trails connecting the Center to Giant Springs. Both trails
allow the traveler to experience the beauty of the area as
well as wildlife. Deer, marmots, the occasional fox or
coyote, and myriads of birds entertain the passing traveler
with their sweet song.
rope to understand how much effort it took to move a
loaded cottonwood dugout up against the heavy current
of the Missouri River, or taking part in an inter lingual
interpretation where four languages and five people are
employed.
As you follow the interpretive trail west, the floor rises,
adding to the effect of following the Corps of Discovery
over the Rocky Mountains. You then descend to the sea
and your ears are saluted by the sound of breakers
crashing on the primitive shore. After your visit to Fort
Clatsop the tail starts its return back to Saint Louis. The
routes actually divide, one route following Lewis’s
shortcut back to the Missouri River and his exploration
of the Marias River and his unfortunate encounter with
a small band of Blackfeet. The other route follows
Clark’s journey down the Yellowstone River. They join
forces again some miles below the mouth of the Yellowstone
River,
One of the main attractions to visiting the Center is its
proximity to the Missouri River and, moreover, it’s
neighbor, Giant Springs State Park. Overlooking the
Missouri and situated immediately above the River’s
Edge Trail, it is an inviting venue for the traveler who
wants a taste of western Americana or the local who just
The Interpretive Center offers much more than a museum.
It offers a “hands on” opportunity to see what life on the
trail was really like. Moreover, they offer a variety of
venues not found in museums. For example, there are
daily programs offered by interpreters that are both
educational and entertaining. Learn about the intricacies
of medical aspects of the expedition or learn about how
clothing is made along the trail.
41
There are also outdoor programs in the summer
months, many offered in the riparian area along the
Missouri. Others are conducted by staff and guest
speakers in their outdoor seating area. The backdrop of
the Missouri as it stretches itself out on its way to Saint
Louis adds not a little to the atmosphere of the program.
It’s these outside experiences that allow the presenter to
do things that could not be demonstrated within the
confines of the Center. For example, starting a cooking
through Saturday and 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Sundays from
October 1, to Memorial Day Weekend. This year they
transition to Summer hours on May 25. Summer hours
are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily, including weekends, through
September 30. Fees are $8 for adults (16 years and older)
while children 15 years and under are free. Scheduled
group tours are $6 per person for 20 or more paying
adults who pay with one payment. School group programs
are offered for $2 per student and reservations are
important here. All federal passes are honored such as
the Annual, Senior, Access and Military Passports.
fire using only a flint and steel or perhaps using a small
magnifying glass. Black powder arms demonstrations
are occasionally presented by the staff overlooking the
river.
The Center also offers movies on the hour throughout
the day. They presently have two films for the visitors
viewing enjoyment: An overview of the expedition
which is a specially edited form of Ken Burns’ epic feature
for PBS, “Lewis and Clark.” The other film is by Gray
Warriner and focuses on the portage around the falls of
the Missouri, the most physically demanding an
arguably the most arduous of the journey. Both films are
an enlightening delight to watch and leave the visitor
with an encapsulated view of history that is easy to
digest and understand.
For more information phone the Center at 406-727-8733.
Information is also available on line at
www.fs.usda.gov/main/lcnf/learning or
email Mailroom_R1_Lewis_and_Clark@fs.fed.us
Winter hours at the Center are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday
24th Annual Lewis and Clark Festival
kicks off June 28-30
Written by Jay Russell, Executive Director Lewis & Clark Foundation
Living with the Land is the theme of this year’s Lewis and
Clark Festival put on by the Lewis & Clark Foundation, in
cooperation with the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
opens with a bang!
Earlier in the day from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., the Children’s Day
Camp offers children in grades 3 - 6 a chance to explore how
the Corps of Discovery “Lived with the Land.” Kids will
explore nature through craft, projects and activities. The cost
is $20 and advance registration is required as space is limited.
The 24th Annual Lewis and Clark Festival promises a
weekend full of fun events and activities related to the Lewis
and Clark Expedition, the Native cultures they encountered,
and how they lived and survived. Most Festival events and
activities are free.
The Festival kicks off with the opening ceremony on
Friday, June 28, 12 p.m. complete with the sounds and smells
of a Black Powder salute reverberating across the Missouri
River canyon. Everyone is invited to join the Lewis and Clark
Honor Guard and the Great Falls City Mayor in a short
ceremony above the mighty Missouri River as the Festival
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Friday afternoon offers a host of programs at the
Interpretive Center, capped off by a 7 p.m. special
presentation in the amphitheater, Living With the Land, by
Louise Ogemahgeshig Fischer, Annishinaabe artist and
cultural consultant. Fischer describes the American Indian
struggle for survival in often harsh conditions and their
triumph over hardships, as she relates how the Indian
peoples lived. Her focus is on food, clothing, and medicine.
Early risers can rise and shine with the birds at 6:30
Saturday morning, on a guided walk with Missouri River
Audubon members. The walk offers a chance to see both neotropical migrating birds, as well as year-round birds of the
Missouri River corridor and prairie, and the chance to learn
the nesting and roosting habits of these stunning creatures.
different tribes, all dedicated to preserving their Native
cultural ways. Organizer Jeremy Red Eagle states, “We
encourage the lifestyle of our grandparents . . . to carry
ourselves with respect, honor and humility. We gladly share
our song and dance with all.”
At 3 and 5 p.m. renowned Wildlife Educator Vince Yannone
offers a fascinating stroll through Montana wildlife. Using a
variety of mounted specimens, skins,
bones, and some very live birds,
Yannone explains the web of life across
Montana, and relates some of the
challenges to protect wildlife in modern
society.
Throughout the day on Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
the Lewis and Clark Honor Guard
presents the Lewis & Clark Authentic
Encampment and the Kid’s Trading Post.
Visitors can join the Honor Guard as they
start fire with flint and steel, write with a
quill pen, and roll a candy “cartridge.”
Participants can touch and feel the hides
of local fauna, and visitors can try their
hands at sign language. All are
encouraged to bring a trade good and
hone their bartering skills with a
seasoned trader. Also throughout the day,
the Captain’s Mess is open for lunch, cold
drinks, and snacks.
Later in the evening, at 7 p.m., the
Festival features a free concert in the
amphitheater. Jeni Dodd and Ruf Cut
will perform Americana, classic country,
country rock, and folk music. Guests
should bring their own lawn chairs.
On Sunday, June 30, the Festival
offers an amazing opportunity to float
the river like members of the Corps.
Floaters will experience mile after mile
of breathtaking scenery from a front
row seat in a Missouri River Raft with
Montana River Outfitters.
A guided hike over the Sulphur Springs
Trail takes place from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Water from Sulphur Springs proved vital
in treating Sacagawea’s illness during the
1805 portage at Great Falls. Hikers will
hear more about this unique site and the flora and fauna of
the Missouri River corridor, along with a talk on tipi rings.
Participants should dress for a moderately challenging fourmile walk, and bring water, sun screen, insect repellant and
protective clothing.
The trip offers a relaxing and scenic float from Mid Canyon
Fishing Access Site to Prewett Creek Fishing Access Site,
while experiencing the scenic grandeur of the Missouri as it
finds its way along the volcanic rock lining the canyon
through the Adel Mountains between Great Falls and Helena.
Participants can expect to see a lot of wildlife, such as bald
eagles, mink, and numerous deer – while soaking up the sun
and saga with local historian and guide Don Peterson. The
trip includes a riverside picnic lunch. Cost for the float trip is
$105.
At 1:30 p.m. the All Nations Youth Council Drum Group
and Dance Troupe performs outside in the amphitheater. This
talented troupe is comprised of youth from a number of
To register for the Day Camp and Float Trip, and for more
information on all of the Lewis and Clark Festival activities,
visit lewisandclarkfoundation.org, or call (406) 452-5661.
Far left: Members of the Lewis and Clark Honor Guard Black Powder
salute. Left: Dugan Coburn and Duncan Anderson lighting a fire.
Above: Ron Ukrainetz drying hide. Top: Phil Scriver and Dugan Coburn
cooking over an open fire. Photos courtesy USDA Forest Service.
43
Family enjoying Giant Springs State Park. Photo courtesy Montana State Parks
Giant Springs State Park
Plants in the Park
The 3,238 acres of Giant Springs State
Park includes many native plants. Plants
you will find are the Silver Sage, Rubber
Rabbitbrush, Purple Prairie Clover, Indian
Blanket, Wild Licorice, Common Sunflower, Creeping Juniper, Blue Flax, Prickly
Pear Cactus, Chokecherries, Golden Current, Woods Rose, Needle and Thread
Grass, and Cattails. This is not a complete
list.
Birds in the Park
You will find bald eagles, Rough Legged
Hawks, Canada geese, Great Horned Owls,
Cliff Swallows, mourning doves, wrens,
robins, and Brewers Blackbird, and the
Western Meadowlark. All these birds were
described by Lewis and Clark in the journals and are still found in Giant Springs
State Park. This is not a complete list.
Mammals in the Park
The Red Fox, Coyote, Eastern Grey
Squirrel, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Beaver,
Yellow-bellied Marmot, and Pronghorn. All
these animals are found in Giant Springs
State Park and were described by Lewis
and Clark in their journals. This is not a
complete list.
Set aside an afternoon with your family to experience this scenic and historic freshwater springs site. Giant Springs was discovered by the Lewis &
Clark Expedition in 1805. It is one of the largest freshwater springs in the
country, flowing at 156 million gallons of 54 degree water per day, year
round!
This state park is a great location for having a picnic, hiking, fishing, and
relaxing in a natural setting just outside the city of Great Falls. You can have
lunch by the Missouri River, visit the fish hatchery and visitor center, walk
along the River’s Edge Trail, view the nearby Rainbow Falls overlook, or visit
the neighboring Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center operated by the U.S.
Forest Service.
The springs flow from deep underground where water from the Madison
limestone formation is forced upward through over-lying sandstone. The
water flowing from the springs originates in the Little Belt Mountains, approximately 60 miles east of the park, where rain and snowmelt enters the exposed formation through cracks in the rock. Water from the springs create
the Roe River, once noted as the shortest river in the world at 201 feet in
length.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset year round. Admission is FREE for
Montana residents who pay the annual vehicle registration state parks fee,
and $5.00 per vehicle for non-residents. If you have questions or comments
please send mail to: Giant Springs, 4600 Giant Springs Rd. Great Falls, MT
59405 or call (406) 454-5840.
Roe River
Giant Springs also is the site of the Roe River, officially measured at 201
feet in length and noted as the shortest river in the world. It’s considered a
river because it is a main tributary of the Missouri River.
44
Above: Man and his dog enjoying
the park and the Roe River. Photo
courtesy Montana State Parks.
Left: Bullock Oriole Right: Yellow
Warbler, they are both found at
Giant Springs. Photos by Bill Marsik
Roe River, photo by Ben Chovanak
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
Summer hours, April 1 - September 30, 8 a.m. 6 p.m., 7 days a week.
Winter hours, October 1 - March 31, Visitor
Center is open Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4
p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Plan at least a two-hour stop in this day-useonly park. For more information on interpretive
programs for group tours or school field trips, call
406-866-2217.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump
State Park, located south of
Great Falls, provides an educational and scenic adventure
into the past. Prehistoric inhabitants of the Great Plains,
as a primary means of survival, hunted bison by stampeding them over cliffs and
this site is one of the best preserved “buffalo jumps” in the
northwest. Recent research has revealed that this site is one of
the largest in North American.
There are a variety of interpretive talks explaining the ancient
hunting method used by the Native Americans who hunted
here. The park offers a 3-mile hiking trail, visitor center and
“What the Buffalo Became” exhibit, spectacular vistas of the
mountain ranges and river valley, picnicking area, a prairie dog
town, and special events throughout the year. Admission is $5
per car for non-resident, free to Montana residents with annual
vehicle registration fees.
45
Left: View from the top of First Peoples Buffalo Jump
State Park. Above: Native American display in Interpretive Center. Photos by Ben Chovanak
Sluice Boxes State Park
excellent hiking, fly fishing, kayaking and rafting
(requires advanced skills), photography, camping and
contains abundant wildlife. The chasm’s limestone
walls are riddled with caves, where visitors sometimes
spot pictographs made centuries ago by Native
Americans.
The history behind Sluice Boxes State Park includes
a major role in mining and ranching during the late
1800s and early 1900s. From prehistoric data recorded
in the area, we know that Native Americans also utilized
the area.
Floating the Belt Creek thorough Sluice Boxes canyon.
Photo courtesy Montana State Parks
Beneath the soaring limestone cliffs of Belt Creek is the
Sluice Boxes State Park, located south of Belt, Montana. It
remains a fascinating playground for historians, nature
lovers, and the average recreationist.
The park is rich in history and geologic features, provides
The ghost town of Albright was the largest mining
production site in the Sluice Boxes canyon, with Logging
Creek and Riceville, laid on each end of the canyon.
Their contribution to the railroad and mining of natural
resources is still evident in the park.
The primary entrance to Sluice Boxes State Park is at
the Riceville Bridge, 8 miles south of Belt on U.S
Highway 89, then a half-mile west on the Evans-Riceville
road. A permit is required for back country camping.
For more information, contact Montana State Parks at
406-454-5840.
Tower Rock State Park
Captain Meriwether Lewis noted in his journal,
An Indian road enters the mountain at the same place with
the river on the Stard side and continues along it’s border
under the steep clifts. At this place there is a large rock of
400 feet high wich stands immediately in the gap which
the Missouri makes on it’s passage from the mountains...
This rock I called the tower. It may be ascended with some
difficulty nearly to it’s summit and from it there is a most
pleasing view of the country we are now about to leave.
From it I saw that evening immense herds of buffaloe in
the plains below.
Meriwether Lewis, July 16, 1805.
Tower Rock State Park. Photo by Ben Chovanak
Tower Rock State Park lies in a 140-acre site along the
stretch of the Missouri River and I-15. The 400-foot high igneous rock formation was first referenced in the journals of
the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Prior to that, many Native
peoples used the rock as a landmark when they were entering and leaving the rich buffalo grounds of today’s north central Montana.
The public can park their vehicle in the parking lot at exit
247 off I-15, then learn about the geology and history of the
site with interpretive panels located at the trail head. The
trail to the base of the saddle is maintained for a quartermile, but the park may be explored further along the informal trails. Tower Rock State Park is a day use only park.
Overnight camping is allowed in nearby fishing access sites.
46
FI NANCE
Ease Summertime Travel with Smart,
Safe Money Management
Written by Elizabeth Story
transactions. You can even transfer funds between eligible
accounts. And if your bank offers account alerts, these can
be sent to your email or mobile device to give you instant
information on purchases, deposits, cash withdrawals or
low balances.
Mind your budget. Does your bank offer an online
budgeting tool? If it does, use it to categorize transactions
and track spending so you can stay on budget even
while on the road. That way, you’ll know if you need
to adjust some of your discretionary spending by
eating at less expensive restaurants or searching for
entertainment specials.
Whether you’re planning to climb Mount Rainier or
catch a Broadway show this summer, smart financial
preparation and planning can mean the difference between
an amazing adventure and an adventure in financial
survival. Here are some money management tips that can
help your summer vacation be more safe, convenient, and
stress-free.
Before You Go
Set a goal and save for it. If your bank offers an online
savings planning tool, use it to save toward a goal – such
as a vacation – and automatically monitor your progress.
Call your bank. Many banks monitor credit and debit
card transaction patterns for unusual activity. Notify your
credit and debit card issuer of your travel plans so that
charges from Barcelona or Banff aren’t flagged as possibly
fraudulent.
When You Return
If you’ve traveled abroad, exchange leftover paper
currency at your bank.
Check your online statement. You can see what charges
have posted to your account from your trip and doublecheck rental car charges or other debits. If doubtful or
unauthorized charges appear, call your bank immediately
to resolve the discrepancy. Online statements also help
reduce the amount of paper mail waiting for you when
you get home, which fraudsters could use to gather your
personal information.
Schedule bill payments. Avoid missed or late payments
— and protect your credit at the same time — by scheduling
automatic bill payments in advance.
Protect yourself. Help ensure your personal treasures
are protected while you are away from home with renters
or homeowners insurance. Store backup copies of important
documents such as passports, personal records and travel
itineraries.
When you’re traveling this summer, spend less time
worrying and more time savoring the scenery. The right
money management tools can provide flexibility and
peace of mind to help you enjoy your trip from beginning
to end.
Get some cash. For international travel, exchange
money before you go abroad to have local currency on-hand
for taxis, tips and meals. You can avoid the hassle of
exchanging upon arrival as some airports and train
stations don’t have exchange offices or could be closed
when you arrive.
Elizabeth Story is a community banking district manager for
Wells Fargo in Great Falls.
During Your Trip
Safeguard your credit and debit cards. With many
banks, cardholders have zero liability if their cards
are used without their permission for unauthorized
transactions, as long as they are reported promptly. If
your cards are lost or stolen, your bank may be able
to rush you a replacement card almost anywhere in
the world. And if you’re stranded for exceptional
reasons, some banks can temporarily increase a line
of credit or arrange for emergency cash.
Stay in touch with your money. Travelers can conduct
most banking transactions while on the road through
mobile banking or online banking. These services can
help keep you informed about account balances and
47
Skin Health/Protection
Written by Jonathan L. Bingham, M.D.
any protection against skin cancer. Tanning is not your
body’s response to protect you from the sun. It is a sign
of damage to your skin by the sun.
Trivia question: Who made suntans fashionable? Answer:
Coco Chanel. The famous fashion designer is credited
with making suntans a sign of privilege and leisure.
Prior to her influence, tanned skin was synonymous
with outdoor labor and a working class background. She
made tanned skin fashionable and sunbathing a form of
recreation. Unfortunately, when it comes to skin health,
she is not a good role model.
What is photoaging? Simply put, it means your skin
looks significantly older than your actual age. For example,
your skin may make you look 60 but in reality, you are
only 40 years old. Photoaging is characterized by the
brown spots, unevenness in skin tone, small blood vessels
and wrinkling of the skin that many people wish they
did not have. While photoaging does not have the risk to
life that melanoma skin cancer can have, photoaging can
be a significant cause for concern. Like skin cancer, the
primary culprit of photoaging is ultraviolet radiation.
Thus, while not the fountain of youth, prevention of
photoaging can help minimize the “appearance” of
years on our skin.
Summer skin health and protection means prevention
of sunburns, prevention of skin cancer and reducing
photoaging. Longer days, more sunlight and more time
spent outside means the potential for greater exposure of
our skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation which is the primary
cause of skin cancer and photoaging. Sunlight is the primary
source of UV radiation but a significant secondary
source is tanning beds if used. In fact, UV radiation
from tanning beds can be even more dangerous than
natural UV radiation.
Fortunately, both skin cancer and photoaging are
preventable by practicing good sun protection. The
mainstay of sun protection consists of the following:
1. Use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF15
or higher.
2. Limit sun exposure; try to avoid sun exposure
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
3. Seek shade.
4. Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun;
for example, long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses,
and broad-brimmed hats.
5. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
The most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell
carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. While basal
cell carcinomas are almost universally not life threatening,
squamous cell carcinomas can be deadly depending on
size, location and aggressiveness of the cancer. Less
common than basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas are
melanoma skin cancers. This type of skin cancer can be
deadly as it can spread from the skin to just about anywhere
in the body. In 2012, estimated number of new
melanoma skin cancers diagnosed in the U.S. was over
76,000 with over 9,000 deaths due to melanoma skin
cancer. Women under the age of 39 have a higher likelihood
of developing melanoma than any other form of cancer
except breast cancer. Melanoma is the most common
form of cancer in adults age 25-29 and is the second most
common skin cancer in adults age 15-29. It would be
accurate to say that the incidence of melanoma, basal
cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma skin cancers
is reaching epidemic proportions.
Following these simple guidelines can reduce your
risk of developing skin cancer and at least slow down
the onset of photoaging.
People with fair skin and light-colored hair are at a
greater risk of developing skin cancer than people of
darker skin color. If you tend to always burn you are
also at a greater risk of developing skin cancer. For those
of you that tan easily, please know that a tan doesn’t
reduce your risk of skin cancer, nor does a tan provide
48
It is important to note some significant changes being
made to sunscreens. You will notice some new labeling
with sunscreens this year as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required manufacturers to follow
new sunscreen labeling rules. Research has shown that
sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) greater
than 50 do not offer any more protection than a SPF50
product. As a result the highest SPF label is now SPF50+.
At the other end of the SPF spectrum, any sunscreen
that has a SPF value between 2 and 14 or is not labeled
“Broad Spectrum” has only been shown to help prevent
sunburn and not to prevent skin cancer. Sunscreens
H E ALTH / FI TNE S S
months is important for overall health and avoiding outdoor activities for fear of skin cancer or photoaging is
not recommended. Just have fun and practice good sun
protection. Your skin will thank you.
which do not prevent skin cancer will be clearly labeled
as well.
Additional rules include the prohibiting of suncreens
being labeled as sweatproof, waterproof or a sunblock.
The FDA now requires standardized testing to demonstrate the ability of a sunscreen to be labeled as water-resistant and this can one of two values—40 or 80 minutes.
A good rule of thumb is to reapply the sunscreen after
you come out of the water.
In an effort to increase the public’s understanding of
skin cancer and motivate people to change their behavior
to prevent and detect skin cancer, the American Academy
of Dermatology launched its new SPOT Skin Cancer™
public awareness initiative. The campaign’s simple
tagline – “Prevent. Detect. Live.” – focuses on the positive
actions people can take to protect themselves from skin
cancer, including seeing a dermatologist when appropriate.
Another, and equally important part of skin cancer
prevention is self-skin exams. New or changing moles
should prompt a visit to your primary care doctor or a
dermatologist. When checking your skin you should
look for the ABCDEs of melanoma:
A-Asymmetry, one half is unlike the other half.
B-Border, an irregular, scalloped or poorly defined
border
C-Color, is varied from one area to another; has
shades of tan, brown or black, or is sometimes white,
red, or blue.
D-Diameter, melanomas are usually greater than
6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed,
but they can be smaller.
E-Evolving, a mole or skin lesion that looks different
from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.
The SPOT Skin Cancer™ program’s new website –
www.SpotSkinCancer.org – allows visitors to learn how
to perform a skin self-exam, download a body mole map
for tracking changes in their skin, and find free skin
cancer screenings in their area. Those affected by skin
cancer also will be able to share their story via the website and download free materials to educate others in
their community.
About the Author:
Dr. Jonathan L. Bingham is a board-certified Dermatologist and
fellowship-trained Mohs Micrographic Surgeon. He is currently in
the U.S. Navy and assigned to the Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Bingham will join the Great
Falls Clinic in the summer of 2014.
Reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Dermatology.
All rights reserved
Spending as much time outdoors during the summer
49
First-Ade for Summer
Written by Rhonda Adkins
and hit up my local 7-Eleven. The only source for a young
girl to get money were the adults, there was no ‘allowance’
in my family; if you wanted money, you earned it. I was too
young to babysit, but the perfect age to have a lemonade
stand (in my eyes those were the only two money making
options). With the amounts of iced drinks adults drank in
the summer, it was sure to be a profit maker.
Maryland had the sweltering summers typical of the
Southeast; the hot, stick to your skin like sweet honey,
humid summers. I spent my days riding the green bean
a.k.a. my bike. I had a beautiful bike, fitted with a banana
seat, giant orange flag and spoke accessories acquired from
various cereal boxes plus a few items from around the
home. It was the green banana seat that made ‘green bean’
a fitting name for my bike.
When sufficient begging and pleading were done enough
to wear down my mother, I’d finally get to have a lemonade stand. I would be allowed to set-up a table, out fitted
with Dixie cups and a pitcher of supposed lemonade. A kid
made sign, a couple of chairs and usually my friend Dawn
for company and I would be ready to make my fortune.
My ‘green bean’ transported me to the pool and to the
local 7-Eleven convenience store, where I would dig up
change and purchase lemonheads. If I had enough money, I
would also buy a turn your mouth blue, Slurpee, with a
brain freeze soon to follow. As long as I was on my bike
with the wind blowing through my hair and evaporating
any stickiness on my body, I never seemed to really notice
the heat as a kid.
Naturally all of this was financed by my parents, an
investment in my future? Or more likely, a perfect opportunity
to have me out of the house and planted right where a
careful eye could be kept on me. With my parents as my
financial backers, my lemonade was what was cheap and
easily prepared.
That doesn’t mean that I wasn’t aware of the heat that the
summer brought, au contraire. It’s just that kids seemed to
have no issue with the heat, we would play in it until the
street lights came on and our parents would call us in for
the evening. The adults on the other hand, fanned themselves,
sat in front of swamp coolers and drank copious amounts
of iced drinks. All the while complaining how this was the
hottest summer they could ever remember.
It was nothing more than Kool-Aid, artificially flavored,
yellow colored water with insane amounts of white granulated
sugar. Sugar that never seemed to completely dissolve no
matter how much mixing I did. Not that I cared. Thank
goodness people were kind enough to take pity on a poor
towheaded girl sitting in the sweltering heat of the hottest
summer ever. My ‘lemonade’ sold, somewhat . . . mostly my
friends and I drank it. We knew nothing about drinking our
potential profits; we quenched our thirst because it was
Every year, it was the hottest, stickiest summer they
could ever remember.
Not different than other young entrepreneurs, I liked
nothing better than scoring some money to pay for the pool
50
FO O D
(this makes a simple syrup). Let cool. In a 2 quart pitcher,
mix the simple syrup with the lemon juice and remaining
water. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh lemon slices if
desired.
available. The heat was somehow hotter just sitting and not
playing or riding bikes, and we were unusually thirsty because
the lemonade was just sitting there (as we were). Sweet,
grainy, yellow colored, lemon flavored water.
Much has changed since then, the green bean has long
been retired and replaced with my Harley (I still love the
wind in my face). The towheaded girl no longer even
knows what her real hair color is, other than there are more
greys then she cares to admit. I wouldn’t be caught dead at
the pool anymore and I don’t remember the last time I
bought lemonheads and Slurpees.
Mixed or other Citrus-ade
Follow the basic recipe above and substitute half or all or
the lemon juice for fresh squeezed juices like grapefruit,
lime or orange.
Fruit Lemonade
Berries work best for this but peaches and nectarines also
work well. Make the basic lemonade recipe with the lesser
amount of sugar. Finely chop 1/8 to 1/4 cup of berries of
your choice. Add the berries to a glass and top with lemonade, stir well. For a 2 quart pitcher, use about 2 cups
berries/fruit finely chopped. Fresh fruit lemonade should
be consumed the same day.
And the Kool-Aid version has been updated with the real
deal, naturally yellow and no sugar granules floating
around then sinking to the bottom. In fact lemonade is my
all-time favorite beverage, year round. I drink it every single
day. I have my two cups of coffee and then I switch to
lemonade. Although lemon flavored lemonade is still my
favorite, when you drink it every single day sometimes you
get the urge to put a twist on it, shake things
up a bit.
Fresh Herb Lemonade
Prepare the basic lemonade
recipe. Add fresh herbs to a
glass (about 10 mint leaves, 6
basil leaves coarsely chopped,
or 1 tablespoon of thyme),
with handle of a wooden
spoon or a muddler, crush and
bruise the herbs. Top with
lemonade.
I have a basic recipe that I start with and
then I go from there. Switch out some of the
lemon juice for pink grapefruit juice and
you magically have pink lemonade. Mince
up some summer fruit like strawberries and
you’ll have the sweetest best tasting strawberry lemonade ever. Want to get adventurous, try different herbs. Muddle some basil
in the glass, top with lemonade and you
have a resort worthy drink.
Lavender Lemonade
While preparing the basic
lemonade recipe, add 2 tablespoons of culinary lavender to
the sugar and water bring to a
boil, turn off heat and stir till
the sugar has dissolved, let
cool. When cooled, pour
through a fine mesh strainer
into a 2 quart pitcher then add
remaining water and mix well.
I also enjoy adding carbonated water for a
refreshing bubbly drink; sometimes I turn
my lemonade into a cocktail by adding a
shot of vodka, gin or white rum. You could
even pour in some cranberry or pomegranate
juice for a unique taste and pretty color.
This summer hop on your bikes (pedal or
motorized), get the wind in your face then
come back home and enjoy a refreshing and
real honest to goodness lemonade. It will help you bear
what will surely be the hottest summer ever.
Basic Lemonade
¾ to 1 cup sugar (depends on how sweet you like it)
2 quarts water, divided
1 cup fresh squeezed lemonade
Ice
Rhonda Adkins is currently following her passion
for food and photography after retiring from a
22 year Air Force Career. She is a food blogger,
recipe developer, freelance writer and photographer. If you’d like to see more recipes and
ramblings from Rhonda you can visit her site at
www.thekitchenwitchblog.com.
In a medium sauce pan, add sugar and 1 cup water. Bring
to a boil, turn off heat and stir until all the sugar dissolves
51
Shopping Guide
ART GALLERIES
HEALTH
Gallery 16 – 600 Central Avenue Plaza
Great Falls, Montana • 406-453-6103
Great Falls’ premier cooperative gallery of original art for over
40 years, Gallery 16 features paintings, pottery, weaving, hand
forged iron, jewelry, photography, wood, scarves, and cards.
Find us at our new location at 600 Central Plaza in downtown
Great Falls. Gallery 16 is open 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Free complimentary gift wrapping is always available.
For more information call 453-6103 or go to www.gallery16greatfalls.com.
Benefis Health Systems – 1401 25th Street South
Great Falls, Montana • Directory of Services – See page 5.
Great Falls Clinic – 1400 29th Street South
Great Falls, Montana • 406-454-2171. Providing exceptional
healthcare for nearly a century. – See back page.
Gold’s Gym – 715 13th Avenue South
Great Falls, Montana • 406-727-8888
www.goldsgym.com/greatfalls
Fitness is Fun, Friendly and Affordable! – See page 38.
Kindred Transitional Care & Rehabilitation - Park Place
1500 32 nd Street South, Great Falls, Montana • 406-761-4300
See page 39.
BREWERY
The Front Brewing Company – 215 3rd Street NW, Suite 1
Great Falls, Montana • 406-727-3947 • You can taste and buy
Mountain Man at The Front House. Distributed by Gusto The
Beverage Company. – See page 3.
Peak Health & Wellness Center – 1800 Benefis Court
Great Falls, MT 59405 • 406-727-7325
www.peakclub.com – See page 35.
MUSEUM
CHAMBER of COMMERCE
C.M. Russell Museum – 400 13th Street North
Great Falls, MT 59401 • 406-727-8787 www.cmrussell.org
Celebrating 60 Years: 1953-2013 – See page 35.
The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce – 100 1st Avenue
North, Great Falls, Montana • 406-761-4434
www.greatfallschamber.org – See page 6.
MONTANA STATE PARKS
Region 4 – Giant Spring • First Peoples Buffalo Jump •Sluice
Boxes • Tower Rock – Great Falls, Montana
For more information contact Montana State Parks at
406-454-5840 – See page 44 - 46.
ENTERTAINMENT
Frontier Inn & Diamond City Casino – 3317 Vaughn Road
Great Falls, Montana • 406-727-4439
Happy hours: 8-11 a.m & 3-4 p.m. – See page 27.
FINANCE
PET RESORT
State Farm Insurance and Financial Services
725 1st Avenue North, Great Falls MT • 406-770-3040
Contact Greg Franczyk – See page 23.
Weona Pet Resort – 6125 2nd Avenue North
Great Falls, Montana • 406-761-2000
The only indoor-outdoor heated kennel in Great Falls. Your dog
doesn’t have to wait to go outside. We provide doggie day care,
grooming, boarding and a great resort for your pets. Military
discounts available. Visit: www.weonapetresort.com.
RBC Wealth Management – Milwaukee Station
101 River Drive North, Suite 101
Great Falls, MT 59401 • 406-406-761-3111 • 800-365-5033
Solid Foundation Unshaken Principles. – See page 35.
Wells Fargo Bank – 21 3rd Street North
Great Falls, Montana • Call 406-454-5400 for the location nearest
you. – See page 47.
RECREATION
Park & Recreation Great Falls – 1700 River Drive North
Great Falls, Montana • 406-771-1265 • Water Park, Eagle Falls
Golf Club & Anaconda Hills Golf Club – See page 20.
GENERATING POWER
PPL Montana – pplmontana.com
...energizing Montana communities. – See inside back page.
REAL ESTATE
Great Falls Realty – 305 3rd Street NW
www.greatfallsrealty.com
Great Falls Realty since 1958 specializing in
Farm, Ranch, Commercial & Residential.- info@greatfallsrealty.com
Kelly Parks Broker/Owner cell: 406-788-6826
Russ Eustance Realtor cell: 406-788-3363
Larry Hannah Realtor cell: 406-788-1250
LEGAL SERVICES
LegalShield – Great Falls, Montana
406-761-4199 or 888-265-4360 Toll Free
www.dallenger.legalshieldassociate.com – See page 19.
52
Shopping Guide
RETAIL
RESTAURANTS
3D International Restaurant & Lounge
1825 Smelter Avenue NE, Black Eagle, Montana – 406-453-6561
The 3D International Supper Club first opened in July 1946. In
1996, the 3D Club introduced the Mongolian grill (the first in
Montana). The Mongolian Grill, with lunch menu is open Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Open for Dinner 5 p.m. to closing
every day, offering Casual Dining at its best, excellent appetizers,
signature beef dinners, fresh seafood selections, and home made
Italian dishes. Prime Rib every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, children’s menu, and full service bar. Serving Black Eagle and Great
Falls for more than sixty five years. The Grasseschi family welcomes you to a classic Italian/American experience.
Big R Stores – 4400 10th Avenue South,
Great Falls, MT • 406-761-7441 • www.bigstore.com
Big R Stores – Holiday Village Mall,
Havre, MT 406-265-9566 – See inside front cover.
Dragonfly Dry Goods – 504 Central Avenue
Great Falls, Montana • 406-454-2263
www.buydragonfly.com – See page 17.
Fairway Comfort Systems – 422 Central Avenue
Great Falls, Montana • 406-770-3073
www.fairwaycomfortsystems.com – See page 11.
Farmer’s Market – Civic Center Park, June - September,
Saturdays, 7:45 a.m. - Noon. – See page 16.
Borrie’s – 1800 Smelter Avenue NE
Black Eagle, Montana • 406-761-0300
Serving Steaks, Chicken, Seafood, and Homemade Spaghetti
Sauce & Ravioli. Open 5 p.m. to closing Tuesday-Friday, Saturday
& Sunday, open 4 p.m. – See page 32.
Napa Auto & Truck Parts – 601 6th Street SW, Unit 1
Great Falls, Montana • 406-453-6517 – See page 27.
Noble’s Westside Liquor – 623 First Avenue NW
Great Falls, Montana • 406-454-3612 – See page 33.
City Bar & Casino – 709 Central Avenue
Great Falls, Montana • 406-761-9432
Serving Lunch Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m - 3 p.m. On the menu
Homemade Soups, Hefty Meat Sandwiches, Salads, & Daily
Specials. They also, have the widest variety of machines in
town. Your favorite beer or cocktail is also available from the bar,
open daily at 9 a.m. – See page 27.
Ship-it – 825 5th Avenue South
Great Falls, Montana • 406-727-7157
Package Shipping Center. – See page 27.
The Popcorn Colonel – 900 9th Street South
Great Falls, Montana • 406-727-5676
www.popcorncolonel.com. – See page 16.
Dimitris Greek Restaurant – 1919 3rd Street NW
Great Falls, Montana • 406-452-5774
Dimitris Restaurant explores Mediterranean culture through
Greek cuisine and an exotic atmosphere. – See page 32.
Howard’s Pizza – 713 1st Avenue North
Great Falls, Montana • 406-453-1212
Dine In - Take Out - Delivery, open 4 p.m. Daily – See page 39.
TOURS
Downtown Great Falls Trolley – Depart Visitor Center
Great Falls, Montana • 406-727-8255
www.GreatFallsHistoricTrolley.com - See page 43.
Mary’s Midway – 372 Vaughn Frontage Road
Great Falls, Montana • 406-454-1004
Open 7 Days a week, 11 a.m. to Closing. Homemade Pizza,
Broasted Chicken, 1/2 lb Burgers – See page 27.
THE BEST OF GREAT FALLS
Pizza Baron – 203 2nd Avenue North
Great Falls, Montana • We Deliver call 406-761-6666
www.thepizzabaron.com – See page 17.
• This is an excellent opportunity to promote your
business, services and products. The Best of Great Falls
magazine has 120,000+ readers throughout Great Falls
and surrounding towns in Northern Montana.
• We support the arts, history and culture of Great
Falls and give many organizations an outlet to
promote their upcoming events.
RETAIL
2J’s Fresh Market –105 Smelter Avenue NE
Great Falls, Montana • 406-761-0134
www.2jsfreshmarket.com
Your Store for Organic & Fresh produce! – See page 35.
• Our publication is article driven with advertising
tastefully displayed.
• To make your investment more effective we list your
business name on the map (center fold) showing your
location and place you in the Shopping Guide.
Amazing Toys – 515 Central Avenue
Great Falls, MT • 406-727-5557 • davec@amazingtoys.net
For a neat shopping experience, be sure to visit Amazing Toys in
Downtown Great Falls. They offer a large selection of toys, games,
puzzles, and collectibles for funsters of any age. Amazing Toys has
the classic toys that every child needs as well as some of the newest.
To advertise in The Best of Great Falls call 406-870-0122 or visit
www.bestofgreatfalls.com for more information.
53
2013
fairs, festivals and events
First Friday Art Walk. Visit Downtown Great Falls on the 1st Friday of
every month to view the works of local
artists, as well as to sample downtown
restaurants and pubs, and shop downtown's finest stores that stay open late.
FREE TROLLEY RIDES TO ALL THE
GALLERIES – 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Armchair Traveler Series
The Great Falls Public Library is hosting
a three-part Armchair Traveler Series
in May. These programs are free and
open to the public.
Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m.,
Sandra Erickson and Lynn Baker will
present a program on Russia.
Thursday, May 9, Jim Heckel and
Pam Smith will present a program on
their recent trip to India.
Thursday, May 23, TBA.
Sunday, May 12, Mother’s Day
Tuesday, May 14, 7:30 p.m., Mansfield
Theater. Great Falls Community Concert Association presents Take Me
Home: The Music of John Denver,
starring Jim Curry. For information,
visit greatfallscommunityconcert.com
May 16, 17 & 18 Military Appreciation
Days Downtown, brought to you by
the Downtown Chicks.
Saturday, May 18, 7 p.m., Mansfield
Theater. Don’t miss Rubilation! a onetime event honoring the Ruby Jubilee
of Miss Linda’s School of Dance.
Share in four decades of a great tradition: from the Hustle, Electric Slide
and Country Line dance to Ballroom
revival, and Breakdancing and Bollywood. Showcasing the best Great
Falls has to offer with a cast of more
than 200 local dancers.
Monday, May 20, Canadian Holiday
Thursday, May 23, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.,
Historic Preservation Awards Reception
in the Missouri Room, Civic Center.
More info: Ellen Sievert.
Saturday, May 25, 7-10 p.m. Wylie
and the Wild West at the Ozark Club.
Howl at the moon! 422 2nd St. South
in the History Museum. $25 or $22 for
museum members. Cash bar with
beer & wine. Call 452-3462.
Monday, May 27, Memorial Day
The World In Which We Live Film
Series: The Great Falls Public Library
is hosting a four-part film series, featuring selections from P.O.V., (a cinema
term for "point of view"), which is television's longest-running showcase for
independent non-fiction films. These
films are free and open to the public.
They will be screened at 7 p.m. on
Thursdays in June.
June 6 – Ella Es El Matador (She Is The
Matador)
June 13 – Enemies of the People
June 20 – Good Fortune
June 27 – Guilty Pleasures
Alive@5 2013 Schedule:
Thursday, June 6, 5-9 p.m., Whittier
Park - The Alleged, kickoff event.
Thursday, June 13, 5-9 p.m., Whittier
Park - Mabel’s Rage, band for Helena.
Thursday, June 20, 5-9 p.m., Whittier
Park - 49th St. Blues Project, Prime
sponsor: Senior Olympics.
Friday, June 28, 6-10 p.m., Whittier
Park - The System (Bob Seger Tribute
Band) with opening act by Fade,
Prime sponsor: Harley Owners’ Group.
Wednesday, July 3, 5-9 p.m.
Oddfellows Park - Steve Keller Band,
Winner of the Paris Gibson Award
and the Essay Contest will be announced. Mayor Winters will read a
proclamation of Paris Gibson Month.
Thursday, July 11, 5-9 p.m., Whittier
Park, Taste of Great Falls - Quarry Road,
Prime sponsor: First Interstate Bank.
Thursday, July18, 5-9 p.m., 400 block
of Central Avenue - Wurlitzer.
Thursday, July 25, 5-9 p.m., Oddfellows Park - Voodoo Cadillac.
Thursday, August 8, 5-9 p.m., 3rd
Street, between 1st & 2nd Avenue
South - Abandon Echo.
Thursday, August 15, 5-9 p.m., 900
Block Central Avenue - Nashville Rash
Thursday August 22, 5-9 p.m., Gibson
Park - Hell City Kitty and Helligans,
Alive@5 finale.
Saturday, June 1, 7:45 a.m. - Noon,
Farmer’s Market, Saturdays all Summer.
Friday, June 14, Flag Day
Sunday, June 16, Father’s Day
54
Monday, July 1, Waking the Dead
will be at the Highland Cemetery. The
tours can accommodate 150 people,
75 each session. Times: 5-6:30 p.m.
and 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets will be $10 per
person. Park and Rec and the Library
will sell the tickets.
Thursday, July 4, Independence Day
& Parade downtown Geat Falls
Wednesday, July 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Farmer’s Market, Wednesday all
Summer.
Music In the Library Park
The Great Falls Public Library is hosting a six-part, free music series in the
Library Park, behind the library, on
Tuesdays in July and August. Performances run from 7 – 8:30.
July 9 – 4 Shillings Short Celtic/folk,
Americana
July 16 – We Ski Cousins Singer/song
writer duo, guitars
July 23 – Jazz Sextet Members of
GFHS Blue Notes perform
August 6 – Bluegrass Jam
August 20 – Willson & McKee International Celtic duo
August 27 – Jeni Dodd Folk, country
For further information call Jude
Smith at the library at 453-0349.
Brown Bag Lunch Series
The Great Falls Public Library is hosting a Brown Bag Lunch Series on
Tuesdays in July and August at
Noon. These programs are free &
open to the public.
July 2 & 9 – Herbalist Jennyphyr Reiche-Sterling
July 16 & 23 – TBA
August 6 – Wannabee Beekeepers
with Brian Rodgers
August 27 – TBA
Thursday, July 25, Pet & Doll Parade
Saturday, July 27, Sidewalk Sale
downtown Great Falls
To have your event listed, e-mail:
ben@bestofgreatfalls.com or call 406870-0122,
55