Explore Red Lodge

RED LODGE

Sunday, February 14, 2016

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Cover photo courtesy of Red Lodge Mountain

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Winter Carnival, which includes Cardboard Craft Races and Rail Jam, is a long-standing Red Lodge Mountain event.

FEBRUARY 2016

BOB ZELLAR/Gazette Staff

INSIDE “Super Heros”: The annual Beartooth Ball, a fundraiser for Beartooth Billings Clinic Foundation, will bring live music, live and silent auctions and more to Red Lodge on April 30.

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Dogs + beer kegs: Get ready for quirky fun on March 6 at the annual Monster Dog Pull.

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Upcoming events: Red Lodge is host to exciting events year-round; read up on the upcoming events.

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Winter Carnival: Space Wars The Force is with Red Lodge Mountain

Explore Red Lodge is a special advertising section of The Billings Gazette.

By Brenda Maas

General Manager Dave Worstell Advertising Manager Shelli Scott Advertising Director Ryan Brosseau Special Sections Coordinator Linsay Foley Content Editors Brenda Maas Tara Cady Angie Wagner Access Explore Red Lodge at www.billingsgazette.com/specialsections

A long time ago in galaxy far, far away, crafts of cardboard, duct tape, and glue battled to make the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs.

Many crafts disintegrated at launch, and others didn’t survive the jump to light speed, but all enjoyed food and drink, live music (the Star Wars Cantina Band wasn’t available) along with an epic fireworks show and lightsaber parade (the lightsabers look a lot like flares).

For the 2016 Winter Carnival, Red Lodge Mountain (RLM) is honoring the new Star Wars movie with the theme of Space Wars.

Build your cardboard space craft and join RLM for the best party in the galaxy.

So, start your scheming now. Prizes, in each age group, will be awarded for Best Costume, Most Creative Craft and Fastest Craft. This is your chance.

If you are the more daring type, sign up for the Rail Jam and slay the powder!

Winter Carnival schedule Saturday, March 5, 2016 8 a.m. Cardboard Classic & Rail Jam Registration at Base Area

Jeff Carroll, general manager of Red Lodge Mountain Resort notes that about 25 young people show their stuff in the rail jam each year.

On average good conditions Saturday will bring out about 1,200 skiers and snowboarders. Excellent conditions will increase that number, especially for Winter Carnival. But it’s not just a ski-centric event.

“We can see another 2,000 people come up to enjoy the day, the music and the atmosphere; this reaches a broader audience,” he said. “Winter Carnival is long-standing tradition at Red Lodge Mountain—it’s really a celebration of winter.”

And, that party is one you don’t want to miss.

Red Lodge

11:30 a.m. Transport Cardboard Crafts to starting line at Show Off Alley Noon Cardboard Classic Race 2 p.m. Live music by Milton Menasco & The Big Fiasco at Bierstube Deck 3 p.m. Costume Contest at Bierstube Deck 4:30 p.m. Rail Jam at Base Area 7 p.m. Torchlight Parade & Fireworks NOTE: Unlike previous years, early craft registration and Cardboard Craft Parade through downtown Red Lodge will not be held this year. See redlodgemountain.com/ events to download registration form, view the rules or review prizes.

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Fun Run 13 for charities

Benefitting 66 local charities please mark your calendar

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September 3, 2016 “Giving lifelong sanctuary to non-releasable native Montana wildlife and sharing a message of conservation and education.”

Winter Hours Saturday – Sunday 10am – 4pm Beginning March 1st Open Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm

FROM BILLINGS TURN LEFT ON 2ND STREET IN RED LODGE. www.yellowstonewildlifesanctuary.org

Red Lodge, Montana 10K & 5K Fun Run 5K & 2 Mile Fun Walk

no ent ry fee. donations encouraged.

Where FUN benefits Everyone!

Learn how you can help at:

www.RedLodgeFunRun.org email: funrun@rlacf.org The Red Lodge Fun Run for Charities is organized by: The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation – PO Box 1871, Red Lodge, MT 59068

www.redlodgeareacommunityfoundation.org

s Located 5 mile odge, mt south of red L 11 • (406) 446-11 (80 0) 667-1119

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Sunday, February 14, 2016

RED LODGE

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CASEY PAGE/Gazette Staff

Tillie, owned by the Flemetis family, pulled a keg in the 2012 Monster Dog Pull.

Annual Monster Dog Pull Fun-loving Fidos fight to the finish line

By Brenda Maas It’s a simple recipe for fun.

Dogs + beer keg + energetic, creative Red Lodge folks = the annual Monster Dog Pull.

“It’s pretty basic—it’s dogs pulling kegs,” Andy Simpson, Red Lodge Ales event manager, said of the long-time event.

Each dog is harnessed and hooked to a child’s plastic sled (along with a leash). Each sled is loaded with a keg containing frozen water, according to the dog’s weight class.

The timer starts when the dog crosses the starting line and ends when it crosses the finish line.

The best time wins, and prizes are awarded to the top three finishers in each weight class.

“There’s every kind of dog toy imaginable,” noted Simpson. “The handlers let their dog pick out its own prize.”

Each dog runs alone, racing against the clock. They have one shot at greatness.

Monster Dog Pull When: Sunday, March 6 Where: Red Lodge Ales Time: Weigh-in starts at 10 a.m.

Bring: $5 entry fee & information for dog’s profile

Doggie Weight Classes: 0-20 pounds 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 100+

ly been held for about 10 years, at the original location.

“The old tap room was dog friendly; they were allowed because we didn’t have a kitchen until we moved out to this location,” said Simpson of the race’s origins. “The owner’s dog, Jack used to race. It’s great fun.”

Held every year the day after Winter Carnival, the Monster Dog Pull is a most-day Man’s best friend event. Track conditions are weather depenAlthough Simpson doesn’t know when or dent, and dogs sprint (well, usually) about 60why the Monster Dog Pull started, it has like- 70 feet. All dogs should have a leash.

CASEY PAGE/Gazette Staff

Dogs pull kegs based on their weight class during the annual Monster Dog Pull at Red Lodge Ales.

In 2015, the event drew about 60 dogs, with 16 dogs in each of the middle weight classes. Each weight class pulls the middle weight of their category. For example, the 41-60-pound class pulls 50 pounds.

“We even had 11 dogs in the 100-plus category,” noted Simpson. “They pull a

110-pound keg.”

As can be imagined, the Monster Dog Pull is a sight to behold.

“It’s pretty wild, and there are tons of fans,” said Simpson. “People are having a good time, drinking beer and laughing at the dogs.”

Quirky fun, Red Lodge style.

Courtesy of Beartooth Billings Clinic

HANNAH POTES/Gazette Staff

The Peaks to Prairie Adventure Race always offers challenges. In addition to a tough course, weather may try the participants.

Peaks to Prairie Adventure Race

By Brenda Maas You train year-round.

You eat a competitor’s diet.

You give up hobbies.

And, then the day arrives. But, no matter what you do, there are circumstances that you cannot control.

The weather, noted race director Kendra Baker-Keener, is one such factor.

“And that’s all part of the ‘adventure’ of the race,” she noted.

More times than not, it seems, snow, rain and/or wind affects the Peaks to Prairie Adventure Race. Successful events weather the test of time and “Peaks” is now 38-years strong.

Covering 68.3 miles via running, bicycling and kayaking, including 1,480 feet of ascent, Peaks to Prairie is an ambitious season “opener” for serious athletes. Competitors can participate as a team or “solo.”

Peaks to Prairie Adventure Race April 24, 2016 Starts: Beartooth Pass, above Red Lodge Run: 9.3 miles into Red Lodge Bike: 49 miles along Highway 78, to ItchKep Pe Park Boat: 10 miles to finish line at Special K Ranch, near Columbus For more information, to register or to volunteer, see www.peakstoprairie.org or call (406) 591-7002.

In addition, some chose just the first two legs for the “dual” while others complete all three legs of the triathlon.

The race averages 350-450 participants who come from both the region and farther away. This year will see competitors

from across the U.S., including Minnesota, Michigan and Washington.

The amazing scenery plus the grueling challenges are a strong draw, noted BakerKeener.

Finish it The final leg arrives to a celebration at Special K Ranch, near Columbus. There volunteers, including the developmentally disabled adult residents, offer helping hands wherever they are able, from directing parking, to helping pull out and re-load boats, to giving tours of the greenhouse.

“It is so fun to see the residents out helping and having fun,” noted Baker-Keener of the new venue. “They dance with the band and give hay rides. It’s a great experience for everyone—participants, spectators and volunteers.”

The underlying theme of this race is its crazy sense of fun, she added.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration

By Brenda Maas Calling all leprechauns! “Green” Lodge will once again host a St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17. The procession starts in downtown Red Lodge at 5:30 p.m. and proceeds to Beartooth Elks Lodge #534.

Inside, join the joviality with dancing, dinner and music.

Traditional fare of corned beef and cabbage will be served starting at 6 p.m. Reservations are not necessary; simply pay at the door. Celtic Fusion will entertain and green beer will be shared.

Irish or Irish-wanna-be, all are welcome. Contact Tera Reynolds at (406) 425-3913 for more information.

Be sure to wear the color of the day—or risk a pinch!

Courtesy of Tera Reynolds

The St. Patrick’s Day parade starts downtown and proceeds to Beartooth Elks Lodge #534 where the celebration continues with dancing, dinner and music.

21st Annual Beartooth Ball

By Brenda Maas Who is YOUR super hero?

Superman? Wonder Woman? Or, is your super hero someone else? A person who does super-duper, extraordinary things—the person that goes beyond the norm.

Feel free to express you answer in costume and attend the Beartooth Ball on April 30. This annual event, now in its 21st year, is a much-anticipated fundraiser for the Beartooth Billings Clinic Foundation.

This action-packed event includes silent & live auctions, fabulous hors d’oeuvres, costumes and dancing to the Midlife Chryslers.

Dress up, dress down, or dress in costume.

“This event has such a fun atmosphere,” said Maggie Karas, community relations coordinator at Beartooth Billings Clinic.

“When the Red Lodge community has an opportunity to dress up, they go all out.”

Karas recalls popular themes from previous years such as M.A.S.H., Roaring ‘20s and Woodstock.

“People even showed up in jeeps, early model cars and VW vans to fit the event,” she noted.

All proceeds from ticket sales and cash sponsorships will support continued growth of the Beartooth Billings Clinic Foundation Endowment Fund. Proceeds from the live and silent auctions, as well as the raffle, will benefit the Dr. James and Juanita Kane Scholarship Fund, which assists both local students seeking post-secondary education in health care as well as the staff with continuing education needs.

Previous events have helped three to five local high school students with their advanced education, Karas noted.

The event, which is held at Rock Creek Resort, starts at 5 p.m. Please note the changed date from previous years. Additionally, the event typically sells out, so advance purchase is highly recommended.

For sponsorship or ticket information call Beartooth Billings Clinic Foundation at (406) 446-0610.

RED LODGE

Sunday, February 14, 2016

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Grizzly Peak Adventure Race

By Brenda Maas Turn, Pedal & Burn Perhaps you need to expel some post-tax day stress? Are you just itching to get started on the race season? Or, maybe you are one of those heck-I’ll-try-anything-once types? Regardless, with a name like “Grizzly Peak Adventure Race,” you are bound to be intrigued.

Now in its sixth year, participants should expect the same carnival atmosphere, with good times and great people, from the past years with a few tweaks to the course.

The three-part drag race starts at top of Red Lodge Mountain and ends in downtown Red Lodge. There’s no training, no crazy diet, no expensive race equipment—and it’s one great way to kick off the spring race season. All you’ll need is the want to rip it, grip it and hold on tight for the run to the finish.

The race kicks off with 2.5 miles of fast downhill ski or snowboard turns as you rip down Lazy M to the base area of Red Lodge Mountain. Click out of your boards and into your pedals and crank for town.

This leg is six miles of twisting gravel roads and leg-screaming pavement. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to embark on your final stretch. This is the burn—a two-mile run into downtown Red Lodge.

Once you’ve made it to the finish line at the Beartooth Elks on Main Street, you can kick up your feet, enjoy a free beverage and know that you got the first race of the season out of the way, no sweat!

This race is open to solo racers and three-racer relay teams with co-ed, male and female divisions. Award given for age groups and best costumes! Read that: Best Costume!

Everyone has a chance to win—and, better yet, have a blast doing it!

Grizzly Peak Adventure Race Registration opened February 1 Registration via www.imathlete.com Race Date: April 16 For more information see http://headwatersstudio.com/ headwatersevents/index.php/ turn-pedal-and-burn

Carbon County Arts Guild: Highlights local and student artists Courtesy of Deb Hill of the Carbon County Arts Guild & Depot Gallery Located at 11 W. 8th St., Red Lodge, Mont.

The Carbon County Arts Guild, a membership of over 300 artists, is fast becoming the leading small-town art center of south-central Montana and northern Wyoming. The Guild focuses on a variety of educational opportunities for all ages and all artists with an emphasis on youth art education and art appreciation. As a gallery, the Guild is dedicated to building and maintaining a permanent art collection, relative to its history as an art center and the historic train depot as its home.

Visit the Guild to peruse work of local artists in February and student artists in March. For more information see www. carboncountydepotgallery.org or call (406) 446-1370.

Carbon County Arts Guild All Artist Exhibition Feb. 1-29 For the entire month of February, the Carbon County Arts Guild is pleased to present new work from some of its 200 member artists in the Main and North Galleries. This exhibit will feature artwork never seen before from many Guild artists.

Most mediums will be represented along with a variety of styles and subject matter. The All Artist Exhibit is a great way to get to know a new artist or explore a different media and is also a wonderful way for everyone to see what is happening in the world of art. So, stop into the depot during February and see what’s new.

CASEY PAGE/Gazette Staff

The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary offers visitors an “up-close-and-personal” glimpse of animals that are native to the Yellowstone ecosystem.

Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary: Close encounters of the wild kind

By Brenda Maas It’s an up-close-and-personal experience unlike any other.

Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary (YWS), home to more than 40 native-to-Montana species, offers an opportunity to learn more about each species’ habitat and behaviors.

“The animals prefer the cold weather over the heat,” said Sue Glock, administrator of YWS, “and they are more active during the cooler months.”

Although, she notes, the bears’ dens are private; they follow their natural rhythms and hibernate at YWS. Most animals have seasonal patterns that make winter an ideal time for viewing. For example, raptors naturally have voracious appetites during the winter months, as do many of the mammals. Plus, the cooler weather means they move around more.

“You are literally three feet away from most of the animals—like the mountain lion,” Glock said. “In most cases, it’s much closer than you would be in the wild, even in Yellowstone.”

Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary Hours until March 1: Saturday –Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Hours after March 1: Tuesday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Admission: Under age 2 – Free Ages 3 – 12 - $3 Seniors/Military - $6 Adults - $7 Private tour - $25 Receive a private tour of the sanctuary with one of our experience tour guides, who will provide back stories on animals as well as what makes these animals awesome.

Simply watching a lion move, eat and maybe even stretch makes one more curious about its behavior.

YWS feeds that curiosity.

While the animals at YWS cannot be returned to the wild (they have been imprinted by humans or retain injuries that would prohibit their sur-

vival) each stands as an ambassador for its species. As visitors learn about each resident from the new signage, they are educated about how the Yellowstone ecosystem functions.

More than 2,000 students visited YWS in 2014, learning how the Yellowstone ecosystem functions. New this year, YWS educator Tim Stevenson offers small group tours, often tailoring them to the interest of the group. This gives visitors an even better opportunity for individual questions in areas of interest.

YWS has also updated its website and updated the coyote enclosure.

Work will begin soon on the habitat for Margi the marmot.

YWS fans can now support the sanctuary in a few new ways. Purchase a unique YWS T-shirt via the website, honor a loved one with a plaque or enjoy a local beer at Sam’s Taproom on February 16 (a portion of each pint goes back to YWS).

Keep an eye on www.yellowstonewildlifesanctuary.org for upcoming events, special night tours and the like.

Yellowstone Dog Sports

By Brenda Maas Man’s best friend can easily become man’s happiest friend. The owner of Yellowstone Dog Sports (YDS), Elaine Osmun believes that is true.

Now in its fifth year of business, YDS continues to grow in popularity, with many summer canine-handler camps sold out in advance.

According to Osmun, top-notch instructors, a quality camp “experience” and the natural beauty of Montana keeps bringing clients back.

“I’ve had folks enjoy themselves so much that they return the following year, and bring others with them,” she said. “It continues to grow like that.”

Osmun reports that she has campers from as far away as Florida, Alaska and the East Coast. Plus, dogs and handlers from hot southwestern states like Arizona, New Mexico and Texas escape the intense heat. Many combine the dog camp with a longer vacation, hiking, camping and generally having fun in the Red Lodge-Beartooth areas, making their way through Yellowstone and other locations during their extended vacation.

Courtesy of Yellowstone Dog Sports

Located off Highway 212 near Red Lodge, Mont.,Yellowstone Dog Sports offers many opportunities to learn and play with your dog in a beautiful setting.

Osmun will host four trials this coming summer with two in June, one in July and one in August. All agility trials are inside the massive training facility while other events, like dock diving are held outdoors.

Prior to the summer season, the dog work heats up with a North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC) Agility Trial held April 8-10. According to Osmun, there will be more than 600 runs over the course of three

Carbon & Stillwater Counties Student Exhibit March 1-31 During the month of March the Carbon County Arts Guild will host the Student Art Exhibit, featuring the wonderful artwork from more than 300 students in Carbon and Stillwater counties. The students will be presented a certificate and winners will be announced during a reception and awards ceremony held on Saturday, March 12 from 1 to 3 p.m., with the winners’ announcement at 2 p.m.

days, covering different classes and age groups.

Watching an agility dog work a trial is an incredible way to spend an afternoon—or a weekend. Additionally YDS offers group and private lessons for manners, basic training and specialties (classes may be limited during summer months due to camps and trials).

For more information, see www. yellowstonedogsports.com.

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Sunday, February 14, 2016

RED LODGE

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Red Lodge Clay Center

RED LODGE CALENDAR OF EVENTS 4

MARCH

First Friday Artwalk, Honey’s Café, Red Lodge Clay Center and other downtown merchants and galleries, 5-7 p.m.

Annual Backcountry Film Festival, Roman Theater, 7 p.m.

5

Winter Carnival, Red Lodge Mountain, Cardboard Classic starts at noon, live music at the Bierstube at 2 p.m., torchlight parade and fireworks display at 7 p.m.

5-6

Winter Ecology Workshop, Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, (406) 426-8531

6

Monster Dog Pull, Red Lodge Ales, 12 p.m. (registration at 10 a.m.)

17

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, downtown Red Lodge

19

Boarder Cross, Red Lodge Mountain, (406) 446-2610

APRIL

1-30

Rocky Mountain Regional Juried Exhibit, Carbon County Depot Gallery, (406) 446-1370

1

First Friday Artwalk, Honey’s Café, Red Lodge Clay Center and other downtown merchants and galleries, 5-7 p.m.

16

Grizzly Peak Race, starts at the top of Red Lodge Mountain, ends in downtown Red Lodge

24

37th annual Peaks to Prairie, starts in Red Lodge, peakstoprairie.org

30

21st annual Beartooth Ball, Rock Creek Resort, 5-11 p.m.

30-May 1 Desiree Snellman Seminar, Yellowstone Dog Sports

MAY

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First Friday Artwalk, Honey’s Café, Red Lodge Clay Center and other downtown merchants and galleries, 5-7 p.m.

6-8

AKC Agility Seminar, Yellowstone Dog Sports

13-15

Yellowstone Dog Sports NADAC Agility Trials

20

Beartooth Ranger District Full Moon Walk, 7 p.m.

27-30

Yellowstone Dog Sports NADAC Agility Trials

Courtesy of the Red Lodge Clay Center 123 S. Broadway, Red Lodge (406) 446-3993 www.redlodgeclaycenter.com

Mold your understanding of clay art with these opportunities at the Red Lodge Clay Center this spring. From workshops where you learn the wisdom behind the craft to exhibits of

masterpieces that capture the character, history, and uniqueness that make clay art so enticing, this Red Lodge favorite is sure to inspire.

EXHIBITS February 5-26 5 x 5 x 5: This exhibit derives from a numbers game: five artists, five pieces with a five inch limit. Featuring Shane Harris, Linda Lopez, Nathan Prouty, Giselle Hicks and Mathew McConnell, this gallery focuses the eyes on smaller artworks where creativity at any scale proves to still be larger than life.

Kari Smith: Utah State University and Indiana University graduate Smith approaches clay through “expression, vitality, and presence.” Her love of the earth and connection to spirit is inspiration for her work.

This exhibit is sure to be a grounding and familiar experience for all.

March 4-April 30 Pour It Up: For nearly two months, seventeen artists’ work will come together over teapots to showcase their renditions of pottery that has been known to man for roughly five hundred years.

Artists’ Reception: March 4 Karen Newgard: Touches of cattails and birds in her pottery is timely for the approaching spring.

Artist’s Reception: March 4 May 6-27 Advanced Student Project Network (ASPN): Five universities selected students from their ceramics programs to participate in a three-week residency and display their Red Lodge-inspired creations for locals.

Artists’ Reception: May 6 Deborah Schwartzkopf Solo Exhibition: Seattle-based artist and potter displays her unique pieces for Red Lodge this spring.

EVENT April 23, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

April 24, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Spring Workshop with Julia Galloway and Bede Clarke: Get to know the process of creating works of clay from Galloway and Clarke, potters whose compassion yields art filled with joy and celebration for life.

WINTER CARNIVAL MARCH 5, 2016 The Best Party of the Year!

A celebration of winter with costumes, fireworks, live music, feats of daring, and lots and lots of duct tape.

Registration & Additional Information at RedLodgeMountain.com/Carnival

This years theme is:

Courtesy of the Red Lodge Clay Center

Karen Newgard’s exhibition will be up March 4 through April 30 at the Red Lodge Clay Center.