Living Magazine ~ April 2016 by Havre Daily News

Contents REAL ESTATE LISTINGS Keller Williams Property West Northern Land & Realty Flynn Realty Ruff Real Estate LLC Koefod Agency Bullhook Real Estate LLC Havre Hi-Line Realty Havre Realty FEATURES Floored Fueling the Sky Kitchen Cache The Spud’s Experience Fresno Beerita

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(406) 265-6795 • 1-800-993-2459

PUBLISHER EDITOR

Stacy Mantle smantle@havredailynews.com

COPY EDITOR

Pam Burke

John Kelleher jkelleher@havredailynews.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS Roger Miller, Stacy Mantle, Pam Burke and Alice Miller

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OFFICE

DESIGN

Stacy Mantle Jennifer Thompson Britnee Dyrland

ADVERTISING SALES

Danielle Warren Taylor Faulkinberry

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

Rhonda Petersen rpetersen@havredailynews.com

For advertising information, contact Havre Daily News 119 Second Street / P.O. Box 431 Havre, MT 59501 406-265-6795 Please be aware that due to the time lapsed between publications some Real Estate listings may have changed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

6410 1st ST W ~ $110,000

1005 1st ST N ~ $36,000

2 trailers located on property. Buyer will need to negotiate for those seperately or owner will have them removed from property. One is currently occupied and buyer could occupy or rent it out.

1971 SHAR VAL 14 x 62 MH on appx 1 acre west of golf course. Lots of space for toys and pets. Add a garden too. MH has two additions. Enclosed back porch that is insulated and heated, a large addition to living room area and a nice sized screened in front porch for BBQs. Double garage and storage shed and back deck too. Lots of updates including new stainless appliances and painting.

820 2nd ST ~ $69,000

Seller is motivated to sell! This 3 bedroom, 1 bath home would make a great starter home or investment property. Includes a single detached garage. Bring in an offer!

1174 Boulevard Ave ~ $239,500

611 4th Ave ~ $89,000

616 7th Ave ~ $200,000

This cute little cottage is cozy and quaint. Great downtown location. What used to be a single garage is now a bonus room for you to customize as you wish, turn it into a man cave, artists studio or guest room.

2 houses, with a 3 plex in the large house and a small 1 bedroom house that stands alone. you could also convert this back to a single family home, with a guest house.

1110 Bullhook Dr SE~ $599,000

1228 Washington Ave ~ $239,000

FREE GAS. Appraised price. 6 bed/5 bath home, open floor plan, double sided fireplace, large kitchen and dining room, great room. 46x66 steel storage building w/loft, beautifully landscaped home w/irrigation well. Included is a private gas well! Home warranty included. Realtor owned.

This wonderful family home includes 3 bedrooms on the main, 2 down with egress windows and 2 baths. New kitchen and appliances installed in 2015. Detached double garage and fenced back yard. Beautiful hardwood floors. This home is a must see!

This spacious home offers 4 bedrooms, 1 full and 2 half baths on the main floor plus 2 non-conforming bedrooms, office/den, and full bath in the basement. Includes 2 family rooms with a gas fireplace up and pellet stove down. Kitchen has newer stainless steel appliances. This home has so much room! Perfect for a large family!

Land Washington Ave ~ $75,000

FIRST time on the market a Large (2.41 acres) rectangular lot at south end of Washington. Must hook into city sewer, but choice of well or city water. Large building area, plus room for lots of animals too.

Our Local Real Estate Lending Team Our Local Real Estate Lending Team Christy Smith Jennifer Hurd Karene Faber NMLS#813203 Christy Smith

NMLS#857565 Jennifer Hurd

NMLS#473305 Karene Faber

NMLS#813203

NMLS#857565

NMLS#473305

Frustrated Frustrated online? online?

WE DEAL FACE TO FACE. WE DEAL FACE TO FACE.

National online lenders will try to convince you that their deals can’t be beat. But often they just National online lenders will try to convince you don’t stack up with loans like ours – specifically that their deals can’t be beat. But often they just designed for residents in rural communities. The don’t stack up with loans like ours – specifically online lenders don’t like to chat about their hidden designed for residents in rural communities. The fees or inflexible rate plans. online lenders don’t like to chat about their hidden fees or inflexible rate plans. Folks on the Hi-Line trust Independence Bank to deliver loan programs tailored for Big Sky Country. Folks on the Hi-Line trust Independence Bank to We’d love to talk face to face with you about how deliver loan programs tailored for Big Sky Country. we can provide the financing you need. We’d love to talk face to face with you about how we can provide the financing you need.

• Our local rates match up against national lendersup against • Our localonline rates match • national We take time understand and onlinetolenders choose loan best for youand • We takethe time to understand

• choose Our feesthe areloan reasonable best for and you disclosed well fees before • Our areclosing reasonable and disclosed well before closing

Come talk to us about a loan program designed just for you. Come talk to us about a loan program designed just for you.

Conventional • Construction • Home Equity Lines of Credit • Fannie Mae • In-House Conventional • Construction • Home Equity Lines of Credit • Fannie Mae • In-House

Banking on the Hi-Line H AV R E Mon A LTAthe GLA SGOW Banking Hi-Line P O P L A R S CO B E Y CO N R A D |

945 82nd Ave West

Out in the country, close to town. Country living at its finest! 5-bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms on 2.6 acres. Extra garage/shop for all your storage needs!

812 12th Street

Darling House in great location! 3 bedroom, 1 full bath Big dining room, very large lot. Carport. A Must See!! Priced at $135,000

358 Michigan Ave ~ Big Sandy Large family home in a great neighborhood! 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, detached garage. Priced at $79,900

Budget Inn ~ Havre Multi-unit motel complex with daily, weekly & monthly rentals plus several commercial rental spaces, owner/manager accomodations & laundry facility. Located on busy US Highway 2, a great business opportunity that offers low vacancy history.

Northern Land 1011 Cleveland Ave

Nice home, 2 bedrooms + 2 bonus rooms, quiet street, large lot

428 11th Ave. 1 bedroom, 1 bath home Priced at $38,000

1 Kober Drive

PRIVACY in town and a view from your deck! This wonderfully comfortable home features 3 bedrooms and 2 baths on the main level, also laundry room. Living room is beautiful with a fireplace focal point. The lower level is spacious and features a large spa-like bedroom, another (non-conforming) bedroom, bath, family room with a wet bar. A must see!

Northern Tire, LLC Building Prime commercial building formerly used for Eddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakery, approximately 8,570 sq ft of multi-purpose retail/commercial space, multiple overhead access doors for numerous uses, excellent on-site and off-street parking, lease available.

LAND LISTINGS We have qualified buyers for farm and ranch properties.

3052 US Hwy 2 East Updated windows and siding, 2 bedroom, basement and nice lot priced at $69,000

COMMERCIAL LISTINGS Lot for Sale on Hwy 2 West

932 6th Ave.

This is move in ready, adorable house with lots of character. 3 Bedroom 1 1/2 bath. Nice location, very clean home. Priced at $120,000

430 11th Ave. Super cute home is fully updated, inside & out! New windows, siding, new roof in August 2015! New furnace & plumbing, updated kitchen and bathrooms! Great porch for enjoying early mornings or quiet evenings!

Commercial Building Large renovated metal building, formerly known as the Plainsman Sports Bar and Steakhouse, approximately 4,392 sq ft under roof, 3.47 acres on busy US Highway 2, great parking on large lot, updated private sanitation system, private water supply, potential to convert to warehouse,residential housing, apartment complex, etc. Commercial Lots Commercial lots located in Havre with US HW 2 and 15th Avenue access. Possible owner financing!

606 1st West ~ Arctic Circle For Sale or Rent. Seat in dining or drive through. Great restaurant prospects or conversion to other use.

3104 8th Street East This beautiful home includes 5 bedrooms and 3 baths with a 2-car garage. Amenitites include a large roomy kitchen, hot tub and landscaped backyard on a 1/3 of an acre!

705 5th Ave. 10-plex apartment building, centrally located with a strong rental history.

Local Lawn Care & Snow Removal Business With growing customer base. Turnkey with tools, equipment and vehicles. Call Jim for details!

APRIL 2015 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

With the wide variety of flooring materials that modern technology offers, it may be difficult to decide which flooring to choose, But answering a few questions and knowing about the products will help with decision-making.

BY PAM BURKE The most basic flooring question is: hard surface or soft? Carpet is warmer, quieter and cozier than, say, a tile floor, but that leads to another question. How important is ease of maintenance? Carpets have come a long way thanks to technology, but food, pets, children and muddy shoes are still distinct threats to longevity. The final questions deal with durability. What is the best material affordable with the current building budget? And how much

durability is worth the sacrifice for a certain look? Essentially, flooring materials are going to break down into two categories: soft or hard surface. In other words, carpet or anything else, such as, tile, wood or vinyl. But an important point to

keep in mind is that not all hard surface materials are created equally hard, and that is a good thing. Now That Is Soft When comfort and noise reduction are important, the experts point to carpet as the best solution. While it might not be a good choice for the kitchen or bathroom, said Denise Thompson, sales representative at Valley Furniture, it adds the perfect touch to other rooms. “Most people still like carpet in the bedroom,” she said. “You get up, you put your feet down — unless you have a heated floor — it’s nice to have carpet underneath you.” People also like the feel of carpet, said Kelly Brandon owner of Brandon’s Drapery and Floor Covering, and carpet fibers have gotten significantly softer in recent years. Though soft fiber texture doesn’t make a difference when walking on it while wearing shoes or slippers, in a den or bedroom — where people, especially kids, are barefooted, playing or lying on the carpet — having a less-abrasive feel becomes important. Traditionally, other than specialty natural-fiber products, carpeting is made from nylon and polyester, said Brandon, whose primary flooring business has been carpeting. These materials have benefited from recent technology, and new fibers are also coming available. Polyester carpets, which are generally less expensive, historically did not handle hard use, he said, but those fibers are stronger now, and people shouldn’t shy away from using them, especially in lower traffic areas. Nylon, though, is still the most durable of the fibers, he added. One advancement in residential nylon carpeting is Shaw brand’s LifeProof carpet, which Brandon said has just come out in the past six months or so. The backing on traditional carpet has a kind of loose-weave look, but LifeProof has thermoplas-

tic backing which makes it waterproof. “Shaw has had thermoplastic backs on commercial carpet for restaurant use,” he said, but they have now made it available in residential-style carpets. “Nothing gets to the subfloor,” he said. “… It will not let water transfer through it.” The importance of this is that stains don’t get through the carpet to the pad, so the stains won’t keep wicking out to mar the carpet. Dirt doesn’t get through either. This barrier is especially good for people with pets and children. Another carpeting advancement comes from Mohawk carpets, which has a new DuPont-developed fiber the company is calling SmartStrand Silk that is soft and repels water, Brandon said. While carpet-quality advancements help with maintenance and durability of carpet flooring, another important thing to consider is the padding under the carpet, the experts both said. Carpet will wear out much faster without a pad, Thompson said. And if the padding is too thick or soft, it will

allow the secondary layer, the weave that binds the carpet together, to loosen and need to be restretched. Brandon recommended using a pad with 3/8inch thickness and 8-pound density for general

APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

purpose. A little bit softer pad he carries has a type of memory foam with a moisture barrier that is an antimicrobial, too, and this is helpful in basements that are a little more prone to moisture problems, he said. A few ways to save money when buying carpeting, the experts said, is to find an in-stock carpet that doesn’t have to be special ordered; use a larger, in-stock carpet remnant in smaller rooms; and if any large pieces of carpet are left over from the install, have them made into rugs and runners for high-traffic areas. Both Valley and Brandon’s can make the rugs in-house. How Hard is Hard? Hard surface floor coverings are the current

trend for much of the house, said Thompson, but the materials have varying degrees of hardness, durability and usefulness, too. The experts agreed that natural hardwood floors are beautiful, but a little tricky in this area because they require a certain level of steady humidity that north-central Montana cannot provide naturally. This means that the flooring can heave from added humidity and gap between boards or crack from dryness. Engineered hardwoods are a better, more

stable choice, they said. Because this flooring is built with thin layers of wood laid in different directions and bonded together, similar to a plywood, it is less prone to swelling and shrinking. Engineered hardwoods come with a variety of finishes, said Brandon. A variety of finishes from high-gloss to highly distressed and hand-scraped looks are available, he added, but companies are turning out more products with a mat finish and a natural look with a just enough distressing or wire brushing to open the wood grain. Both natural and engineered hardwood flooring are prone to getting marked up with usage — dented when something is dropped on the floor or scratched and scraped from sliding heavy objects across it or from the toenails of large dogs, they said. For people who have their hearts set on a wood flooring, especially in a heavily used area, Brandon recommended getting a style that is a mix of light and mediumdark in color, with no- or lowgloss and slightly distressed or brushed finish, so the wear marks add to the character of the floor rather than stand out as flaws on an otherwise smooth, glossy surface. Laminate flooring is a composite material with a top finish that is made to look like wood or tile. It is a user friendly material for do-it-yourself installation, the experts said. While they disagreed on its durability — only one thought it stood up well to hard use — the exerts did agree that laminates have two significant design flaws: they are susceptible to water damage and are not a quiet flooring. The latter point is particularly notable in homes with running children and dogs, they said, and recommended alternatives that will be detailed in the next section. Of all the hard surface floor materials, tile is the hardest, very durable, easy to maintain and, in

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many ways, the most decoratively versatile. Primarily, tiles are made of porcelain, ceramic or natural stone, though other materials can be used. Glass tiles are especially popular, as accents. In modern manufacturing processes, ceramic and porcelain are surfaced with anything from smooth, high-gloss finish to tiles that looks exactly like stone, or even wood, but with all the benefits of a manmade tile. Porcelain and ceramic come presealed, and the grouts are waterproof as well, said Thompson. Natural stone tile, though, has to be sealed once or twice a year, Brandon said, and if it is not sealed, dirt gets into the stone pores and permanently stains the surface. Manufacturing companies use an ink-jet printer to spray a pattern on the top face of the tile, and depending on the process and the company, up to 300 tiles in a batch can each be unique in look, Brandon said, depending on the manufacturer. A code on the tile packaging shows the hardness of the tile. Called the MOHS Scale of Hardness, this number, from one to 10, with 10 being the hardest, tells customers about the scratch resistance of the tile. “I would try to stay above a 3 for floors,” Brandon said, adding that glass tiles are not suitable for floors, or countertops, at all because they cannot handle the compression. Standard tile sizes are 12-by-24 inch, 18-by-18 inch, and 3-by-3 inch or smaller mosaic tiles that come mounted on 12-by-24 inch sheets, Thompson said. One of the beauties of the tiles is that they can be laid in a variety of patterns, with accent tiles, and floors can be matched to other tiled areas, such as kitchen backsplashes and bathroom tubs and showers. Schluter Systems makes products to help with installation, Thompson said, including waterproof

sheeting for walls and two different underlayments for floors — one of which can be wired to make a heated floor. The main benefit of the underlayment is that it provides the smooth, stable surface that tiles require, she said, whether the flaws were in the floor to begin with or they appear later if a cement slab cracks. Tiles have to be applied to a smooth surface which can add to the materials cost of installation. Tiles already cost more than a lot of other types of flooring, but some expense can be defrayed if homeowners are willing to install the tile themselves. The stores can provide instruction and suggestions for installation, the experts said. Specialty tools are needed for installation, too, but Brandon said his store has some tools to loan, and Havre Rental rents out a tile saw. The Softer Side of Hard For a softer, warmer hard surface, the experts recommend a vinyl or vinyl-composite flooring material. The newer sheet vinyls are softer, more pliable, and can be installed as free-floating surfaces, or glued only at the edges, Brandon said. People tend to shy away from installing sheet vinyl themselves, he added, because the size of the sheet — up to 12 or 13 feet wide — can be intimidating and one wrong cut can mean starting over or having a flaw in the flooring. A way to make this more workable is to install vinyl tiles. They are more rigid than sheet vinyl and are glued to floor, Brandon said, but they can be grouted like porcelain tile, too, using a premixed acrylic grout. “Being the product that it is, it’s warmer underfoot because it’s not a porcelain or a ceramic, so it doesn’t hold that cold the same,” he said, adding n continued on page 26

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Hi-Line Listings

1060 County Rd 802 SE ~ $318,500 Large 4 bdrm, 3 bath modified MH on +/- 10 Acres. Open living, mostly all on one level & handicapped accessible. Large heated shop, corrals & fenced for horses. Great views!.

Call Janis Flynn Pyrak @ 265-9400

NEW LISTING

660 9th St. E ~ Chinook ~ $269,000 Very spacious 3 bdrm, 2 bath on nearly 2.5 Acres located outside the city limits on the edge of Chinook, MT. Set up with an automatic generator system-wired to code. City water & sewer. Zoned Commercial/ Residential.

Call Ken Nelson @ 406-439-0595

4935 72nd Ave W ~ $220,000

717 Sunset Drive ~ $220,000

11135 River Rd ~ $599,000

Prestigious & updated 5 bdrm, 3 1/2 bath home on 60 Acres! Includes pool, garden area, barn, pasture, paved country road to home & double garage. Good well & sprinkler system. Awesome views of Milk River Basin, Bears Paws & Badlands along the Milk River.

4 bdrm, 1 1/2 bath home with lots of updates! All new kitchen, new furnance, new roof & rain gutters. 2 fireplaces, underground sprinklers, nice landscaping, deck & wonderful views.

Call Janis Flynn Pyrak @ 265-9400

PRICE RED

Nice 4 bdrm, 2 bath single level country home located West of Havre on 1+ acre. Nice master suite, open floor plan, new furnace.AC, water heater & water softener on shared well. Underground sprinkler system. Also includes a new cement pad with most materials available to complete as 30 x 30 garage.

Call Janis Flynn Pyrak @ 265-9400

NEW LISTING

UCED

NEW LISTING

821 Utah St ~Chinook~ $169,000

4 bdrm, 2 bath home in Chinook, MT. Open kitchen/dining with tons of extras. Completely remodeled-newer roof, new wiring & plumbing, new insulation, new windows/doors & paint.

Call Ken Nelson @ 406-439-0595

Call Janis Flynn Pyrak @ 265-9400

6380 County Rd 838 NW ~ $348,000 45 Beaver Creek Blvd ~ $173,500 Spacious, clean 2+1 bedroom, 2 bath home. Private fenced back yard, large parking area & double garage. South location across the street from Rotatry Park.

New 6 bdrm, 3 bath home on 1+ Acre West of Havre. Open living/dining/kitchen area, main floor laundry, deck & double garage. Over 4000 total square footage. Great views of the Bears Paws!

Call Janis Flynn Pyrak @ 265-7845

114 5th Street East~Chinook, MT~$160,000

Call Janis Flynn Pyrak @ 265-7845

Four (1) bedroom, 1 bath units close to the downtown Chinook area and the High School. Some updating and some new appliances. Good Income Potential. Call Paul Kuka @ 265-7845

706-708-708 1/2 3rd Ave ~ $130,000

Income Property-Triplex on 3rd. Ave. 3-1 bedrm, 1 bath units close to downtown. Enclosed front porch, storage shed & fenced back yard. Good rental history.

Call Jeanie Cole at 945-0931

LOTS/ACREAGES FOR SALE

SOLD

2351 2nd St W~+/-2.12 Acres ~ $175,000 Utilities to edge of lot. Fenced for horses or commercial use.

Call Janis Flynn Pyrak @ 265-9400 2 (+/-.36 Acre) City Lots For Sale In Glo Ed Area

134 9th St ~ Chinook ~ $59,000

Nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath single level home in Chinook, MT. newer furnace, bonus/storage/ utility area, central air & double carport.

Call Ken Nelson @ 406-439-0595

City water/sewer to curb & electrical run into back of each lot. Lots may be combined or sold seperately.

Call Janis Flynn Pyrak @ 265-9400

410 3rd Street East Chester, MT $94,900

1013 & 1015 3rd St ~ $64,900

Commercial Lot For Sale

Call Ken Nelson @406-439-0595

Includes Utilities to edge of Lot. Fenced for horses or Commercial use.

1 bdrm, 1 bath home with loft & additional 1 room Studio Apartment. Perfect Income Property.

Located on Hwy 2 & 2nd St W 2.12 Acres~$175,000

Call Janis Flynn Pyrak @ 265-7845

164 W Morgan St ~Lothair~ $139,000 Clean 2 bed possible 4 bed, 2 full baths on a huge lot. Call Derek Fraser @ 262-4603

3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Chester, MT. Double attached garage, deck & large driveway/parking pad.

Call Derek Fraser @ 262-4603

Lot For Sale 4.5 Acre Lot East of Torgerson Implement ~ $450,000 Bullhook Bottoms Casino $650,000

A large Commercial property that includes a Casino & Liquor License on 1st Street/ Hwy 2 frontage in Havre, MT

Call Ken Nelson at 406-439-0595 or Larry Martinson @ 390-1509

Ready to build on with utilities. Call Janis Flynn Pyrak @ 265-7845

549 4th Ave N ~Big Sandy~ $25,000

Cute, clean 2 bdrm, 1 bath home located in Big Sandy, MT. Wood stove, den/craft room 207 3rd St ~Joplin~ $25,000 on upper level, enclosed porch, shed & Cute, clean bungalow in Joplin, MT. 1 single car garage. This home has recently bedroom, 1 bath home with nice yard, shed had fire damage. and washer/dryer. Jeanie Cole @ 945-0931 Call Ken Nelson @ 406-439-0595 2016 CallLIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE

List with us today! APRIL

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1916 Heritage Dr. ~ $229,000 This town home has been exceptionally cared for, with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, the gourmet kitchen is huge & this home has brand new carpet on the main, new roof shingles and new rain gutters. Contact Edward for your showing.

100 6th St. ~ $145,000 Beautiful Family home with 2 bedrooms on the main floor a newer kitchen and hard wood floors. Downstairs has a nice den, bathroom and utility room.

1.26 +/- Acres ~ $18,500 Building lot on 2nd St West & Water Tower Road

603 7th Ave ~ $365,000 This gorgeous home boasts a huge gourmet kitchen & dining room for entertaining guests or big family, with 3 bedrooms up, 4 bathrooms, 1 non-conforming bedroom down, main floor utilities, 4,000' home, 22,500' lot, extra large shop & area above shop. Contact Edward Ruff.

420 7th St. ~ $119,000 A very moderate price on this pretty home which has been tastefully updated & well cared for. BTW this home is to get new roof shingles & some new siding. Updates inside include new paint and ceramic tile.

CREATIVE LEISURE COMMERCIAL BUILDING PRICED AT $650,000

2230 10th Ave ~ $309,000 Spacious executive home great for entertaining. Large gourmet kitchen & dining area with large deck, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, attached finished garage & an extra large lot for the future shop. Contact Edward Ruff for showings.

310 20th St. ~ $174,000

This beautiful home is listed for sale at this time for less than the certified licensed appraisal. With a heated large double garage, heated screened in patio, newer kitchen, 2 bedrooms upstairs, 1 non-comforming down, large recreation room downstairs, newer carpet, newer paint and all the appliances stay. Contact Edward Ruff for your showings.

Bad Lands Car Wash 413 2nd Street ~ $149,900 Downtown car wash, building & car wash on 2 downtown city lots. This is a nice little cash cow.

619 1st St-Box Cars Casino ~ $395,000

Great return on your investment with this well established Bar and Restaurant business here in Havre, MT. This turn key operation is located on two of the busiest roads in Havre with a food contract established, gaming, all beverage liquor license and real estate included. Contact Edward Ruff for more information or a private showing.

Fueling

sky

the

Not many people think of including the airport in a list of public transportation infrastructure. Fewer still would think of changing their retirement plans to help revitalize that service, but that is exactly what pilots Roger Lincoln and Tony Dolphay did in Havre. BY PAM BURKE FILE PHOTOS OF THE HAVRE DAILY NEWS

It’s a typical Saturday morning at Havre CityCounty Airport and a crowd of pilots from around the area are trickling in to the fixed base operation — the airport equivalent of a gas station, called an FBO. Tony Dolphay is laying out a spread of doughnuts and pastries — and fielding a small barrage of jibes about the coffee. Conversations roll and yaw through subjects ranging from one pilot’s confounding engine problem to weather, the tarmac, recent travels and a few jokes that would never make the editing cuts to be included in this magazine. Talk continually loops back to the engine. Most of the pilots are based at the airport, so they drive there for the weekly informal gathering, a few others fly in. One of the planes, an immaculate, bright yellow Piper Super Cub, taxies up to the FBO, and Roger Lincoln emerges. That’s how he commutes to work every day. From the look on his face, this is clearly not a bad way to lead a life. Roger is a retired farmer from north of Hingham and a pilot since 1955 when he soloed for his license at 16 years old, and Tony, in the process of retiring from his business Havre Muffler & Brake,

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soloed in 2007. They own the fixed base operation, MRKT Aviation Fuel LLC, along with their wives, Mable and Katherine. The business name, Roger and Tony point out, is from the initials of the four owners’ names, but they also say it stands for “May Real Kindness Travel.” “And we’d like them to travel with a little bit of our fuel in their tank,” Roger added. Both men are avid flyers, members of the North Central Hangar of the Montana Pilots’ Association, board members of Havre CityCounty Airport and, since February 2015, co-owners of the only FBO at the Havre airport. Roger’s retirement started to fail two summers ago, he said. He was at the Havre airport for a pilot’s meeting when he saw that a plane

had landed and three men were wandering around the airport. They were looking for fuel, but the FBO was closed, as it had been too often, and no one was answering the emergency on-call phone number. “I thought, ‘This is sad,’ and I sent them down to Big Sandy, and I just hated to do that,” Roger said. The plane had enough fuel to get to the airport in Big Sandy, which has a credit card-activated fuel pump, he added, but “that business needs to stay here. And that kind of got me thinking.” When the FBO came up for sale, Roger said, he talked to Tony and found that the two of them were thinking the same thing about the importance of fuel availability at the airport. A partnership was formed. “We saw the need,” Roger said. “The word gets out very quickly

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to other pilots and other communities. If there’s no fuel available, they will not stop,” Tony said, stressing each word of the last phrase. “It has a ripple affect through the local economy. They come here, they take our (courtesy) car, go downtown and eat,” Roger said, adding that some transient pilots also spend the night, or several nights. Those travelers spend money on food, lodging, transportation, business pursuits and personal needs, as well as fuel to fill their tanks. MRKT Aviation provides fuel for all types of aircraft from the singleseat aircraft to corporate jets and helicopters, including fueling the daily passenger flights for Cape Air and delivery flights for Richland Aviation, which hauls freight for UPS. But one of the most important fuel services they provide, Tony said, is for medical transports. A transport aircraft from Great Falls can make the round trip without refueling, but one flying in from Seattle or Salt Lake City would have to make an extra stop to refuel, he said. “Minutes are lives saved,” he said. And, Tony, who is on call during off hours, is only 10 minutes from the airport. Because pilots know this, they can call ahead to have him there with the fuel truck ready, he said. A medical transport pilot from Benefis called him one wintry night just to have him check the conditions of the runway, to help ensure a safe landing and takeoff, Tony said, adding that he was happy to do it. That drive to provide service runs throughout their business philosophy. “When you can greet that pilot and those passengers when they get off, it’s that first welcome that

An airport without fuel is just a landing strip. Tony Dolphay, Co-owner, MRKT Aviation Fuel

you’re giving them to Havre, and I think it kind of sets, in my opinion, the tone for the day for them sometimes,” Tony said. Their emphasis on personal service is why they are not thinking of installing an automated fuel pump. “I think that is what has sold a lot of our fuel, that personal upfront, face-to-face service,” he said. “We are both fairly proficient in

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spreading BS, too,” Roger added, and customers seem to like that as much as being catered to. Their service orientation extends to the airport itself. They said they try to be conscientious about everything from clearing debris that gets blown onto the runways and taxiways to shoring up the rafters and roof of the main public hangar to help maintain the building until renovations are completed on the building this summer. The airport renovations, which include improvements to runways, taxiways and the tarmac, they said, are paid for in large part through the Federal Aviation Administration, with some money coming from Montana Aeronau-

tics Division and local funds. The study on economic impact of airports to communities, funded by Montana Aeronautics Division, is being updated right now, they said. “They do a thorough investigation,” Roger said. “… It’s amazing when they assign a monetary benefit of an airport to a community. It’s way more than I thought it was.” The state study was used in a public awareness campaign to gather local support for the levy, Tony said, and it was great to see that the community recognized the need and passed the levy on a 63 percent approval. That 2 mil levy generated $80,000 to $90,000 dollars for general operations, which was

used to meet the requirement for an in-kind match for federal and state grants. One of the important aspects of maintaining the vitality of an airport is fuel availability, they said, adding that Havre’s is one of the few privately owned FBOs in the country. Many are municipally owned with the county’s opting to operate them to keep the air traffic coming in. “An airport without fuel is just a landing strip,” Tony said. Another important aspect of airport vitality is something that is currently in short supply at the Havre airport: fresh faces. “You don’t see many 16-yearolds out there learning to fly,” Roger said. That shortage applies to both

private pilots and commercial, but fixing that problem is one of the things they hope to do through their FBO. Getting a certified flight instructor at the FBO, would be a real boon to both the FBO and the airport Roger and Tony said. Roger said it might help him regain his retirement, as well. “But Tony is 20 years younger than me, he can keep things going for a long time,” he added with a laugh. “It’s a dedication,” Roger said. “It’s a commitment, but we feel good about seeing people leave here taken care of.” “Of course, I get to fly to work and fly home again,” he added. “How can you beat that?”

APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

223 3rd Ave. â&#x20AC;˘ Havre, MT 59501

Tom Healy 406-390-6767 tom@koefod.com

Jeff Healy 406-390-1966 jeff@koefod.com

Mike Winchell 406-390-7679 mike@koefod.com

residential Listings & land for sale

1310 12th Avenue ~ $379,000

1335 18th St ~ $515,000

Beautiful mountain design custom home adjoining nature trail. Over 4600 sq feet of living space with an oversized 3 car heated garage. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, formal office, laundry and sewing room. Custom flathead stone fireplace in large living room with vaulted ceilings. Hardwood and tile throughout. This home was built to the highest standards of construction.

Expansive Custom single level home on large corner lot. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, master suite with jetted tub and separate shower. Large open floor plan, 3 car garage, recently added vintage European leaded glass window from Scottish Parliament Building. This home has over 900 sq feet of clean, dry unfinished basement for storage or expansion. Security alarm includes glass breakage and water leakage. On demand hot water with circulation pump has been added to accommodate the large span of the home. Hot water heat and central air ensure year around comfort along with heated garage floor. Large, low maintenance lot with private patio and automatic sprinklers.

Call Mike Winchell at 406-390-7679 or 265-6766 to view.

100 15th Street ~ $395,000

This expansive 4 bedroom 4.5 bath home is move in ready. Large main level kitchen, formal dining, 2 fireplaces, master bath has jetted tub and shower. Large outdoor patio for entertaining and walk out basement. The lower level of this home is all tile with wet bar, billiards room, butlers kitchen, laundry and private study. Adjacent lot is also listed for sale if a large yard is more to your liking.

Call Mike Winchell at 406-390-7679 or 265-6766 to view.

41 19th Street West ~ $55,000

5 lots within city limits $75,000.00 Very motivated seller. Call Mike Winchell at 406-390-7679 or 265-6766 to view.

Large lot in newer subdivision. Seconds away from parks, and hospital. Area has some current construction but mostly developed previously. This lot is on the corner and has all new construction homes around it.

Call Mike Winchell at 406-390-7679 or 265-6766 to view.

APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

The Experience STORY BY PAM BURKE

PHOTOS BY STACY MANTLE

With a name like Spud’s Grub Hut it’s not surprising that the sandwich — ordered at the counter — comes to the table settled neatly into a paper-lined plastic tray, not fine china. What isn’t expected at a place called Spud’s, though, is being treated to a unique culinary experience. 22 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE | APRIL 2016

“This is just comfort food,” owner Ryan “Spud” Sorenson says regularly, often adding, “This is just what we eat at home.” With an all-sandwich menu that includes fillings of breaded pork, sliced beef and meatloaf, and side dishes of fries, tater tots, mac-n-cheese, potato salad, baked beans and “veggies,” it’s easy to believe Spud’s unassuming description of his food. But the delight is in the details.

Pork Schnitzel

Ryan “Spud” Sorenson INGREDIENTS

1 cup bread crumbs, dried and ground fine 1 tablespoon paprika ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste ½ teaspoon pepper, or to taste —— 2 eggs, beaten enough milk to double the egg mixture —— 1 cup flour —— 1 or 2 pork loins, low-fat, cut into 3 oz. portions oil, for frying meat INSTRUCTIONS In a flat-bottom bowl or on a plate, mix bread crumbs, paprika, salt and pepper together. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs and milk. Place flour in a separate flat-bottom bowl or on a plate. Lay plastic wrap over individual meat portions to keep mallet from sticking, pound out each portion with a meat mallet on a flat surface, using the smooth part of the mallet, until meat is about 1/4” thick, then remove plastic and pound the surfaces with textured end of mallet to perforate meat a little. Heat frying pan, coat surface with oil. One piece at a time: place meat portions in flour, coat completely, then drown meat in egg bath, then dip in bread crumbs, coating the loin completely with crumbs. Fry loins for 2-3 minutes per side.

DILL SAUCE

Large Batch INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

1-1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream 1 tablespoon dill ½ teaspoon onion powder good splash of lemon juice dash salt dash pepper

Mix ingredients together. This is a large batch and leftovers can be used on any sandwiches or as a vegetable dip.

APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

The Food Spud said he tries to cook with a keep-it-simple philosophy, choosing fresh ingredients and the right ingredients rather than bombarding the food with a lot of different flavors. “You over-complicate things and it can wreck the food,” he said before launching into a story about watching television chef Gordon Ramsey demonstrate the lesson which Spud took to heart. “You don’t add anything to perfection. If you’re going to do it, then do it right.” The breaded Pork Schnitzel comes with homemade dill sauce, the Asian Beef has terriyaki marinade and a sprinkle of scallions, the slice of meatloaf is fried to add a subtle crisped-meat flavor, and the only burger on the menu is made from black beans and garnished with pico de gallo. All the side dishes are made in-house, as well — that includes

some foods that aren’t normally made from scratch like the fries, mac-n-cheese and tater tots — which come with Spud’s special tot sauce. The original menu when Spud’s Grub Hut opened in February 2015 had only four sandwiches, which he prefers to call “sammiches,” and four side dish choices. “We were just looking for something that would kind of fit well together and give people options,” he said, and not break the business to keep stock on hand or to get people served quickly. The regular menu has almost doubled in the first year of operation, but it still leaves room for one-day and week-long specials that give Spud and his staff a chance to experiment. Spud said he does a lot of specials that are a twist off the regular menu — such as the “special that almost wasn’t” which was a sweet and savory seasoned pork

24 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE | APRIL 2016

loin cutlet topped with sautéed pears, arugula and tot sauce on a brioche bun. But occasionally he does something completely different. “I like it when we do something like the Gobbledygook and just go completely off script and pull something that we’ve never had before and throw it out and see how it lands. And, boy, that’s been a pretty popular one too,” he said, while readily admitting that the ingredients do not sound as if they would go together. The Gobbledygook sandwich special has sliced turkey breast, cottage cheese, homemade pico de gallo and baby arugula, which is a peppery, leafy lettuce, all on a croissant. “The ingredients shouldn’t pair well,” he said, “but for some reason you put them on a sandwich and they became cohesive. It’s nice to try to kind of elevate, a little bit, the palate of ourselves and our restaurant.”

But it’s not just about foods he likes. “It is nice to see that people are willing to try new and cool things,” he said. The Experience Spud is quick to point out that drive-through and franchise restaurants offer people an important dining choice, but he wanted to offer a different dining opportunity and felt that the building’s design and location fit his vision well. “We kind of wanted to be that little out-of-the-way place where locals could go and feel like it’s theirs,” he said. Because the restaurant’s sitting area is an open space, faced with windows on three sides, and open to the kitchen on the fourth side, it gives people a chance to enjoy the neighborhood, at the south end of 5th Avenue, and interact with each other. It also gives Spud a chance to talk with customers, even if he is doing the cooking. “We live in a small town, community should be key, getting to know your neighbors and sit and chat with dinner,” he said. “It’s amazing how many times — at lunch or dinner — how many times we’ll see people talking across tables or get up and go over and sit with their friends. We want to bring that back a little bit.” At drive-through restaurants, he added, “you forget that there’s a whole world of people out there — in this town there’s not that many, you might as well know as many as you can.”

As a nonfranchise restaurant, Spud said, he’s able to let his creativity reign on menu offerings and specials. He might try an Indonesian chicken recipe, or create a totally Americanstyle, bacon-based sandwich, or dream up a pear-filled pastry dessert because he got a good deal on box of the ripened fruit. “I want the creativity to flow out of this place,” he said. That creative input is offered to customers as well. His conversations with customers frequently include questions about what they think about spice choices and ingredients, or what they would like to see offered. A suggestion box sits on the front counter to give people a chance to throw out ideas for changes, additions and specials — or even share a recipe. The Community Another large part of the Spud’s experience has to do with community outside his doors. As a native Havreite, with a family that works and goes to school in the town and now with his own business joining the business community, Spud said he’s working to make community connections and support local businesses where he can. Rod’s Drive-In, which is next door to the Grub Hut, “is an institution,” he said, and it’s also the reason why he does not have a burger on the menu. He’s not trying to compete, he added, but rather to enhance the neighborhood vitality. The Grub Hut’s location had started out as a gyro restaurant

and, for a short while after that closed, housed a burger place, but the building had been sitting empty for some time. “So many things are shut down on this end of town — you used to have Mel’s Food, you used to have Short Stop. Thank goodness somebody bought that Taco Time building and turned it into the 5th Avenue Grind — another fantastic little Havre institution now,” he said. “Havre is a cool place to be. Why not keep it growing, keep supporting it?” To that end, he buys local as much as he can, he said. He gets his beef and pork through Big Sandy Meats and sells Cracklin’ Kamut snacks, another Big Sandy product. His main bread source is Wheat Montana, based out of Three Forks, which is the closest instate business that can provide the volume of breads he uses for most of his sandwiches, he said. He has talked with Rick Neuwerth of Grateful Bread to create a future special featuring one of Neuwerth’s breads, he said, adding that other collaborations are in the early stages and will come about as the business evolves. Being at the restaurant every day is a dream Spud said he had been working toward for five or six years before he opened the doors. “I started the restaurant to be here and have fun,” he said, adding that “it is cool, though, when we fill this place twice over a lunch rush … and you fill it once or twice for dinner and you’ve had a really good day. That’s all you really need.”

Spud’s Grub Hut • 1903 5th Avenue • 406-262-7992 • Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Online on Facebook APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

n continued from page 11

the vinyl mimics porcelain tile in look because manufacturers use the porcelain inkjet technology. That also means that they don’t having many pattern repeats in the box. They also come with wood patterns. Another vinyl product, and by far the most exciting the experts said, are the vinyl composites. They are waterproof; are easily installed with a snap-together, floating floor system; lay over uneven subfloors; come in tile and wood patterns; and are less noise-producing than the materials they look like. Though different companies make them, the leader in this technology is COREtec Plus by US Floors, the experts say. Both Brandon’s and Valley carry the product, which has a vinyl top layer over a solid, composite core. The COREtec system has vinyl over a solid, composite core and a cork back. Mike Evans, owner of Valley Furniture, said he recently returned from a major flooring show and will be taking out displays of other hard-surface flooring to make room for a larger display of COREtec products, adding four more styles to the 11 he already carries. It comes in 5-inch, 7-inch and 9-inch wide planks, and 12-by-24 inch tiles. The COREtec costs more than most vinyl and some other flooring choices, but “you save so much on not having to prep your subfloor,” Evans said. It is do-it-yourself friendly, the experts said, and one of many flooring products that homeowners have available to them.

26 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE | APRIL 2016

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APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

Summer is just around the corner as warmer weather moves in to the Hi-Line, and Triple Dog Brewing owners Michael and Erin Garrity created a beer cocktail for people to toast the sunshine. STORY & PHOTOS BY ALICE MILLER Beer and summer go hand in hand, Micheal said, adding that warmer weather encourages people to be more social. “I don’t know what it is, but it’s just amazing,” he said. For Erin, a cold beer after yard work is the ultimate reward. To amp it up, though, they added tequila to Triple Dog’s Fresno Wheat for a Fresno Beerita. Erin said they chose the light beer be-

cause of its popularity with customers. “It’s kind of an everybody’s beer,” she said, adding that the brewery goes through about 20 kegs of Fresno Wheat in two weeks. Tequila and margaritas are another two of Erin’s favorites, so the combination with the wheat beer was a natural for the no-fuss cocktail. “It’s very easy to make and it’s cold,” Erin said, adding they taste-tested to reach the perfect balance.

28 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE | APRIL 2016

To mix it up, use red grenadine for extra sweetness or add orange juice for a citrus note, she suggested. An IPA or any other light-colored beer, such as TDB’s Sweaty Cap Green Tea seasonal brew, could be substituted for the Fresno Wheat, Michael said. Triple Dog does not sell liquor but people can take a growler of beer home with them and mix it with whatever spirits they prefer. “I would say stick with colors,” Michael said. For best results, pair light beers with light liquors and dark beers with dark liquors and throw in ice cream or flavored syrups for another flavor dimension. Think about different flavors that go well together, such as salty and sweet. For example, try a chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream in a porter, Michael said. Recipes are as simple as two ingredients or can be more complex. If inspiration is needed for a starting point, a quick Internet search turns up dozens of recipes with ingredients ranging from hibiscus syrup to hot sauce and from champagne to whiskey. A popular beer cocktail is the Shandy, which typically blends equal parts beer and ginger ale, ginger beer or carbonated lemonade. Beer cocktails, including the Fresno Beerita, can be made as a pitcher for barbecues or other summer gatherings. Another batch beer cocktail example is the Sidewalker, from Bon Appétit. The recipe calls for applejack, lemon juice, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, a Hefeweizen and club soda.

Whatever your favorite beer is, just use your imagination and have fun taste testing, Michael said.

Fresno Beerita

Erin and Michael Garrity INGREDIENTS 12 ounces Fresno Wheat beer 6 ounces frozen lime concentrate 4 ounces tequila 1 lime, sliced margarita salt INSTRUCTIONS Blend all ingredients together. Rub lime wedge around rim of glass and dip the glass in margarita salt to coat. Pour beerita into glass. Garnish with lime wedge. Triple Dog Brewing 675 1st St. W. Hours: 4-8 p.m., Wed.-Fri.; noon-8 p.m. Sat.-Sun. People can find local favorites Duck Face IPA, Fresno Wheat, American Mutt Pale Ale and Dumpster Diver Stout on tap, with other seasonal brews as well. Growlers of beer and other merchandise are also available. Find more information at www.facebook. com/brewon2/info?tab=page_info.

APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

Unlock the possibilities!

406-945-9039 â&#x20AC;˘ www.havrehilinerealty.net Let me, Kim Cripps, help you with your homework!

NEW LISTING!

P LE

Gildford, MT $65,000 3 bedroom home with many updates. Newer furnace and water heater, appliances included. Spacious fenced yard and double garage.

L O S

836 8th Street ~ $164,000 3 levels of living with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a dining room, and abundant storage space.

! D L

24-26 6th Street ~ $55,000 Side by side duplex.

739 11th Street ~ $70,000 1 bedroom plus 2 bonus rooms. Large yard and Garage.

L O S

1328 2nd Street ~ $35,000 One level, 2 bedroom on a spacious lot. Sold as is.

! D L

527 6th Ave. ~ $60,000

Payments could be cheaper than your rent. Must be owner occupied buyer to submit an offer. Includes a finished basement with bath, 2 non conforming bedrooms, a family room, hardwood floors on main floor, and has room for a garage. A wonderful home that needs a little TLC.

IN D N

P LE

717 3rd Street ~ $154,900 Clean move in 2 bedroom home with a newer garage.

110 6th St. ~ $74,900 2 baths fenced yard open floor plan, attached single garage.

IN D N

920 West 11th Street ~ $181,000 4 bedrooms, 2 baths

G N I D

EN P 160 6thEAve W ~ $189,000 L Building SBrandACommercial new 2 levels. Great location.

Owner must sell. Possible rent to own. Behind the 4B's.

PRICE REDUCED!

P LE

IN D N

123 8th Street ~ $99,900 418 6th Street ~ $ 57,750 Clean and nice 3 bedroom and 2 bath. Clean and cozy home with 2 bedrooms.

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APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

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OFFERING GRADUATE, BACHELOR, ASSOCIATE, AND CERTIFICATE DEGREES

www.msun.edu

800•662•6132 APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

Looking to Buy or Build?

Ashley Molstad 265-3815 NMLS ID# 729317

Construction Loans Residential Real Estate Loans Home Remodeling Loans & Lines of Credit

Put Ashley’s experience to work for you! Rates are still low and there are many loan options available. Call or stop by today!

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34 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE | APRIL 2016

801 2nd Ave ~ $234,900

5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths spacious well kept home

927 3rd Ave ~ $219,900

503 1st Ave SE ~Harlem,MT~ $159,900

3 bedroom 2 bath, double garage, fenced yard and shop

1684 11th ST W ~ $135,000

Restored 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with lots of space. Double garage and shop with fenced yard

Large fenced yard, 2 bedroom 1.5 bath open living dining & kitchen. Large office, single level

1013 3rd Ave ~Cute 3 bedroom, 1 bath furnished, quiet location, make resonable offer in the $40,000's.

Please contact us about Commercial Properties and furnished rentals.

APRIL 2016 | LIVING Havre and the Hi-Line MAGAZINE |

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