2021 Summer Family Fun in Southwest Montana and Yellowstone

summer 2021 | mtparent.com

a travel guide for locals and tourists

SUMMER

FAMILY FUN

in Southwest Montana and Yellowstone

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summer 2021

JOIN US FOR FAMILY FUN!

BOZEMAN, MT

Back Better Than Ever!

PARDNERS CORRAL:

At the MORRISON-MAIERLE

JULY 21-25

• 2021 •

Reptile Adventures

Honey Bear Dancers

Presented by Montana Parent Magazine

in the Fair Market Building

Extreme Dog Show

Tyzen, Master Hypnotist

Presented by Bridger Animal Nutrition & Outside Bozeman

Freckle Farm Petting Zoo, Pony Rides & Turkey Races Presented by Belgrade News

Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull

American Minor League Ninja First Security Bank Livestock Barns Open all week

Cutest Show on Earth

406S TAT E FA I R . C O M

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SUMmer 2021

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check out our

website!

montana parent

for more information, resources and fun things to do with your kids this spring visit

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montana parent magazine montana parent magazine of helena montana parent magazine of butte

PUBLISHER MEDIA MAVENS LLC PO BOX 11056, BOZEMAN, MT 59719 INFO@MTPARENT.COM EDITOR IN CHIEF/ACCOUNTING/OWNER LEIGH RIPLEY | LEIGH@MTPARENT.COM CREATIVE DIRECTOR/OWNER SHAUNESCY WILLARD | SHAUNESCY@MTPARENT.COM ADVERTISING/EVENT COORDINATOR/OWNER CORA DESANTIS | CORA@MTPARENT.COM ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE ALEXIS BRILL ALEXIS@MTPARENT.COM | 406-223-2775 ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE SANDRA JACOBS SANDRA@MTPARENT.COM | 406-599-6663 LAYOUT & DESIGN SHAUNESCY WILLARD & JESSICA GEARY-CECOTTI COPY EDITORS ELEONORE SNOW & LEIGH RIPLEY AD DESIGN JESSICA GEARY-CECOTTI & SHAUNESCY WILLARD COVER PHOTO KELLY KUNTZ PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG JESSICA GEARY-CECOTTI ONLINE CALENDARS CALENDAR@MTPARENT.COM SOCIAL MEDIA JESSICA GEARY-CECOTTI, SHAUNESCY WILLARD, CORA DESANTIS PRINT MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION INFO@MTPARENT.COM SUBMIT PHOTOS PHOTOSUBMISSION@MTPARENT.COM

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: JESSICA GEARY-CECOTTI SHAUNESCY WILLARD CORA DESANTIS LEIGH RIPLEY LORI JO BERG PATTI ALBRECHT JESSICA CARTWRIGHT ALI SCHWEITZER SHAINA ROGERS JULIE KLEINE REBECCA SCHLENDER ZOEY MAHONEY GABBY FARRELL MARLEY DAVIS * Montana Parent strives to provide accurate information and entertainment to our readers.

Some content may be based on opinion of the author and may not represent our views. We want all voices to be heard, so we all can be educated on both sides of important issues.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: KELLY KUNTZ PHOTOGRAPHY JEFF WHITNEY PATTI ALBRECHT SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS SWMMBA JESSICA CARTWRIGHT TRUE SPIRIT CROSSFIT

• What's Up? photos are from event social media pages if not supplied by the organization

A LIMITED NUMBER OF FREE PRINT COPIES ARE AVAILABLE EACH MONTH. PLEASE SHARE WITH A FRIEND, READ ONLINE OR SUBSCRIBE AT MTPARENT.COM THIS MAGAZINE IS PRINTED ON FSC CERTIFIED PAPER THAT IS 100% A PRODUCT OF USA.

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© COPYRIGHT 2021 BY MEDIA MAVENS LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART WITHOUT PERMISSION PROHIBITED.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE!

Pediatrics

Get Care Today!

Pediatrics - Board Certified Physicians Our pediatricians care for your child’s primary and urgent care needs at a convenient location with hours to meet your needs as busy parents. You can rest assured that if your child needs a higher level of care, our pediatric specialists collaborate to keep you close to home whenever possible.

Courtney Handlin, DO

Sheila Idzerda, MD

Claire Kenamore, MD For more information or to make an appointment, call (406) 522-KIDS (5437).

Pediatrics

Same day, virtual and after hour appointments available.

Mon - Fri: 8 am - 6 pm, Sat: 8:30 - 11:30 am

Pediatric Services:

Primary care for babies, kids, & teens

Preventive care, including vaccinations

Routine well-child checkups

School, daycare, camp, and sports physicals

Illness and injury care

Management of chronic and complicated conditions

Follow-up care for childhood cancer survivors

Pediatric Specialty Care, in Bozeman:

Pediatric cardiology

Pediatric endocrinology

Pediatric pulmonology

Pediatric neurology

Pediatric urology

To talk to a registered nurse about health questions after hours, call HealthLine at (406) 255-8400 or 1-800-252-1246, available 24/7. billingsclinic.com/bozeman

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PHOTO KELLY KUNTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

SUMMER 2021 Montana Parent’s Summer Travel Staff Picks 12 field Guide Bingo 14 Copper City Bike Trails 16 My Expectations for Hiking with my Kids were a Joke 18 southwest montana Farmers Markets 19 Shakespeare in the Parks 20 Gold Panning in Montana 21 Hot Springs 22 Camping with Kiddos 24 Seasons of Hiking 26 Swimming Safely 28 Bear and Wolf Education Centers 30 Ghost Towns 31 Museums in Southwest Montana 32

What’s Up? Montana What’s Up? Bozeman 37

What’s Up? Great Falls 48 What’s Up? Helena 48 What’s Up? Livingston 49 What’s Up? West Yellowstone 49

Columns

Get Your Play on at State of Play 39

Finding Lucy 40 Zoey’s Recipes for Success 50 Sterilization of Indigenous Women 52 Raising a Child with a Chromosomal Abnormality 53 Monthly Giveaway 55

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BOzeman FARMERS’ MARKET Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m.

BOGERT FARMERS’ MARKET

June 15 September 7, 2021 June 7-September 27, 2015

East Side Tuesdays, of Lindley Park in Bozeman 5-8pm

Bogert Produce.

Park’s Pavilion, South Church Avenue, & Bozeman Fresh Food.

Art. Music More Fresh Produce. Food Vendors. Arts. Family Activities & Live Music

Volunteer, Sponsor and Vendor Info: bozemanfarmersmarket@gmail.com Volunteer, Sponsor or vendor info: bogertfarmersmarket.org

Life’s a garden…dig it!

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SUMmer 2021

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puredermatologybozeman.com

Summer in s i a n a t on M always full of outdoor fun!

Hiking. Fishing. Camping. Gardening. Playing.

We can help make it a safe and healthy experience for your skin – º Skin checks º Rashes and insect bite treatment º Sun protection º Skincare products

Medical dermatology for patients of all ages

2233 WEST KAGY BLVD., SUITE 2 | BOZEMAN, MT | 406.586.7873 8

summer 2021

Caring for you at every age and stage of life.

At Bozeman Health Women’s Specialists, we know your life is busy and staying well is important to you. And because women often care for others before themselves, we've committed special time and attention to anticipating and meeting your ever-changing needs — from adolescence, pregnancy, menopause and beyond. We’re here to answer your questions along the way.

PROVIDERS

KRISTIE BODNAR, MD

JAMI CHISDAK, MD

PAIGE CRUM, NP

KIRSTEN DRAKE, PA-C

SHAUN GILLIS, MD

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SHAINA LONG, MD

ANNA MCCRACKEN, FNP

LORI NEWMAN, FNP, CNM

MARILEE SIMONS, MD

BROOKE CADWELL, CNM, APRN

DAGNY HAFKER, CNM

ASHLEY JONES, CNM, APRN

SINA HAERI, MD

MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE

LINDA WARING, MD, FACOG

MIDWIVES

MELISSA WOLF, MD

CASSIE BELZER, CNM, DNP, APRN

WOMEN’S SPECIALISTS

Call 406-414-5150 today to schedule your appointment with one of our wonderful providers.

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SUMmer 2021

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where science & play connect

SU Y H S WI RE! E H E WER

Admission: $9 (ages 2 & up) Open: Mon-Sat | 9 am-6 pm (Closed Wednesdays) 2744 West Main Street Bozeman, MT | 406.522.9087 www.montanasciencecenter.org

BRING YOUR KIDS TO THE

Education Center

2668 BROADWATER AVE., HELENA, MT

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SUMMER FAMILY FUN

in Southwest Montana and Yellowstone PHOTO KELLY KUNTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

a travel guide for locals & tourists

PHOTO KELLY KUNTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

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SUMmer 2021

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Montana Parent’s Summer travel

staff picks Jessica Geary-Cecotti

Backpacking in Yellowstone Last summer my family kicked our camping/adventure game up a notch by backpacking into Yellowstone. We chose a moderate four-mile hike on Blacktail Deer Trail that led to a beachy camp spot on the Yellowstone River. While it did push the limits of our comfort zone, it was well worth it; we were able to truly “unplug.” No electronics, no vehicles, not even a cooler. The only sounds (aside from “Are we there yet?”) came from the surrounding nature. It was hot but the summer season drastically reduces the chance of a bear encounter, so in my mind the heat was totally worth it. As tough as our crew was, regular breaks for gummy worms were essential for morale. The primary focus was being together and finding space to go within ourselves.

Once we reached our camping spot, the rest of the afternoon was spent playing in the river, fishing and enjoying the splendor of our surroundings and each other. We’re already planning our next trip in Yellowstone, this time we are heading to Fairy Falls.

Shaunescy Willard

Hunting for Treasures at Crystal

Park

My husband and I have been rockhounds for many years, and luckily our kids share this passion. Many birthdays and random weekends have been spent packing up the camp gear and heading to Crystal Park with our kids and friends.

It never ceases to amaze me how someone always finds something. Whether it’s a large perfect Amethyst point, small clear quartz crystals perfect for jewelry, or unique crystals with amber or gray tones. And the good news is that Crystal Park is a unique National Recreation Area, which allows you to keep your treasures.

Crystal Park sits at 7,800 feet in the Pioneer Mountains of southwest Montana. The park is open for day-use only and has a $5 per-car fee. You can make a day trip out of it, but I’d recommend camping as it’s almost three hours from There are many Forest Service 12 Bozeman. summer 2021

campgrounds nearby or you can rent a cabin at Elkhorn Hot Springs which is only 5.2 miles away. Elkhorn Hotsprings is a great idea no matter what sort of trip you make out of it – it’s just a wonderful way to soak off the dirt and warm up after a day of digging.

It can get a little chilly up there due to the elevation, so bring many layers of clothes including a hat and gloves that can get dirty.

For digging, bring a large spade shovel, picks, small trowels and sifters along with a bucket to carry out your loot. Insider tip: I have found many perfect crystals on top of the tailings that were exposed by rain.

Crystal Park facilities include three picnic sites in the parking lot with grills, fire pits and picnic tables, as well as toilets and water for washing off crystals at the end of the day. Crystal Park is open May 15 through September 30, depending on road conditions. Other activities to add on to your trip include the Coolidge Ghost Town (between Crystal Park and Wise River), Bannack State Park (between Crystal Park and Dillon) and Jackson Hot Springs.

Cora DeSantis

Three Forks/ Headwaters

State Park

The quiet burb of Three Forks is a great daycation for parents of little ones. Right in between the three large cities in southwest Montana, it’s an easy drive of less than 45 minutes from Butte, Bozeman or Helena.

Headwaters State Park is a small state park on the confluence of the Madison, Gallatin and Jefferson where the Missouri River is formed and flows south. There are gentle walking and biking trails easily accessible for all ages, capabilities and abilities. With many historical markers including what is left of the old Gallatin City, it’s a great place for a picnic, bike ride, hike or just sitting along the banks fishing and relaxing. Bring the bug spray and leave the dogs home, there are snakes around in the heat of summer. In the winter it’s a great spot for locals to catch a little more sunshine in the banana belt of the Valley. If you like golf, Headwaters is usually the first course open for the season.

While in Three Forks - The Frontier has amazing hamburgers but don’t bring the kids past 9 p.m. and do not veer off the hamburger menu. The best BBQ in the Valley is at Blue Smoke BBQ, a food truck on Main Street open during the summer. The Three Forks Rodeo is small town rodeo at its finest and held each year in mid-August. The Iron Horse Cafe and Pie Shop is a sweet spot for breakfast and pie all day long with about 10 different varieties to choose from daily.

For adult time - the Sacajawea Inn is lovely. Try the poutine (French fries topped with cheese and gravy) in the basement bar or enjoy a fancy dinner in the hotel. I would highly recommend the honey cake. I know you ask.... what is honey cake? But I swear to mother earth, up and down to heaven—it is the best dessert in the valley. I don’t honestly know what it is because I’ve never heard of it before trying it, but it’s similar to layers of a sweet pastry with honey, sliced like a pie. It reminds me of the little of the treat you get on the airplane, but fresh from the hive with the perfect touch of soft honey and hard cookie. Don’t ask, just step outside the box and try it. Because I never thought I’d ever order something that doesn’t have chocolate. Have an amazing summer enjoying this wondrous place we call home!

Leigh Ripley

Placid Lake

State Park

Placid Lake State Park, located in the Clearwater/Swan River Valley, is my absolute favorite place to camp. I was introduced to the area more than 12 years ago and at the time we were tent campers. As the years went on, we upgraded to RV camping, but either way – this place is the best.

As the name states, the lake is smooth, making it perfect for water sports. You will see canoes, kayaks, fishing boats, surf boats, ski boats, swimmers and more. BONUS: The campground has a concrete boat ramp and a public dock with boats slips available to rent so you don’t need to pull your boat in and out of the water every day. These are first come, first served so if you don’t get one when you arrive, keep your eye on the dock for boaters pulling out of the water and see if they had a slip you can grab. Hint: Ask nicely!

Don’t forget your Montana fishing license as the lake is full of rainbow, cutthroat, brown and bull trout, whitefish, kokanee salmon and perch. The area is also popular among bikers and hikers, and for wildlife viewing – birders can spot red-necked grebes, waterfowl, osprey, common loons and more.

There are 49 campsites: 23 RV friendly, 17 RV friendly with electricity, and nine hike-bike campsites. All sites have fire rings and a picnic table. Placid Lake State Park books up for the entire summer early. Start checking montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com just after the new year to try and reserve your sites. If you are tent camping, you will probably want the upper loop because it is farther away from the boat ramp, therefore quieter. Keep in mind: This lake is cold. So, if you are not used to Montana lakes, book later in the summer after it’s had a chance to warm up a little.

Insider fun: Jumping into the lake from the bridge above the lake’s outlet to Owl Creek. Accessible by foot by following the trail/road just to the left of the campground boat launch or by water. And bring bikes…the campground is paved and on a hill, kiddos will love biking around and the State Park has miles of bike trails.

Full moon: If you are lucky enough to catch a full moon, take the boat out on the lake for a moonlight swim. Don’t forget your lights for safety!

Day trip: Head up to Seeley and discover Seeley Lake, dine at Lindey’s Steak House and get ice cream at the Blue River Station or the Ice Cream Place.

Placid Lake State Park is located 28 miles northeast of Missoula. Now, you could easily head over to Missoula and then go north to get there, but the best way to go, in my opinion, is via Helena. This is Montana, take your time to get there and enjoy every scenic square inch of the ride.

Take I-90 West from Bozeman and then go North onto 287 toward Helena.

In Helena pick up U.S. 12 West, which will take you over MacDonald Pass.

At an elevation of 6,312 feet, it is truly stunning. Use the scenic view pullout to get a great family photo. Next, pick up MT 141 North. This high mountain prairie is magical with its wildlife, ranches and the Nevada Creek Reservoir.

Next, pick up MT-200 West and travel a little over 20 miles to the intersection of 200 and MT-83 North. If you are towing a boat, make sure to stop at the boat check and then head across the street to the Sinclair Gas Station and Stoney’s KwikStop in Clearwater Junction to grab any necessary last-minute essentials (we usually get ice cream) and get the kids’ picture in front of the massive brown cow. It’s tradition.

cute fan pic!

Montana Grown submitted by Joann KnoKey

This pic was sent to me of my granddaughter and her friend, both Bozeman 10-year-olds. With all the turmoil and unrest in the world this just warmed my heart. Simple and pure.

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travel Activites WILDFLOWER

LODGE

CYCLIST

HIKING TRAIL

BALD EAGLE

LEAF

MUSHROOM

BEAR!

SUNSET

BUTTERFLY

BURGER

TENT

ANIMAL TRACK

RAFTERS

TROUT

SUNNY DAY

MUSEUM CAMPER VAN

CAMPFIRE

DID YOU KNOW...

Many different rocks are found in the mountains of Montana? Over a long, long time, Montana has had a wild geologic history. Early on it was covered by a giant lake. Then it was smashed into high mountains, cut by volcanoes and glaciers, and an ocean covered the eastern part of the state! Making mountains produces a lot of neat crystals (like garnet and kyanite). Volcanoes create volcanic flows that turn into basalt. The magma that forms volcanoes can turn quartz into sapphires.

And the edges of what use to be oceans were a popular place for dinosaurs, who laid eggs and became fossils themselves.

Scott Close is a metal exploration geologist and entrepreneur who loves to learn and educate. Scott holds a degrees from Montana State University and Simon Fraser University and lives with his family in Bozeman, often wandering around new and remote places seeking the next mineral discovery.

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BUFFALO

MUSEUM

BE SURE TO LOOK OUT FOR THESE WHEN YOU ROAM IN HIILLS! DINO EGGS Choteau, Egg Mountain

GARNET

Tobacco Root Mountains

T.REX SAPHIRE

Hell Creek, Fort Peck

Yogo, Little Belt Mountains

BASALT COLUMNS HERKIMER QUARTZ Crystal Park, Pioneer Mountains

KYANITE

Spanish Peaks

Hyalite, Gallatin National Forest

FULLY FURNISHED FAMILY VACATION CABINS IN THE HEART OF PARADISE VALLEY 35 MINUTES TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK YELLOWSTONE RIVER ACCESS AND AMAZING MOUNTAIN VIEWS ON THE DOORSTEP OF CHICO HOT SPRINGS AND SAGE LODGE

Paradise

Ranch Retreat

GREAT OFF-SEASON RATES Featured by Tanya Smith at Yellowstone Gateway Rentals

+1 (406) 223 6940 • www.yellowstonegatewayrentals.com VRBO Listing Number 1527716 • AirBnB Listing Number 31345164

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Copper City

Bike Trails

PHOTOS COURTESY SWMMBA

There aren’t many trails that are suitable for young mountain bikers around southwest Montana, but that’s changed thanks to Copper City trails, a project of the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association (SWMMBA).

While the trails at Copper City are great for riders of all abilities, several of the loops are optimized for beginners, and the system was JEFF WHITNEY developed with young riders in mind. Green Eagle, Copper City’s designated beginner loop, includes several “freestyle” trail features geared toward skills development. All features include “ride-arounds,” or ways to avoid a feature if it appears to be too intimidating, and the loop itself has a mellow grade and long lines of sight, meaning you can always see what’s coming.

In 2019, SWMMBA completed phase three of the Copper City project, which includes other youth- and family-focused amenities like a skills park, pump track, a shaded picnic area, informational kiosks and a vault toilet.

If your summer plans include exploring new trails, put Copper City on your list. To get there, head west on I-90 to the Highway 287 exit. Before continuing north on Highway 287, grab breakfast and a coffee at Wheat Montana—you’ll need the calories! Once you’re back on the highway, look for Copper City Road, just past the herd of horse sculptures on the west side of the road.

To learn more about Copper City, to donate, or volunteer, visit southwestmontanamba.org.

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SUMmer 2021

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My Expectations for Hiking with My Kids

Were a Joke

(A personal story of a hiking mishap) WRITTEN BY LORI JO BERG

Expectations. One little word that carries so much meaning.

As I walk this journey with my third child, I’ve come to realize the biggest change from my first to my third lies in my expectations.

With the first, my expectations were unrealistically high in every area possible and led to severe anxiety and the constant feeling of failure in all areas of life.

Hiking with my firstborn was no exception, as my expectations went something like this: » She was going to LOVE it, because I would time everything perfectly so that she could sleep while I walked. » I’d have plenty of wonderful snacks on hand so we wouldn’t have to stop or deal with meltdowns. » I’d pick the perfect trail at the right time of day so the barking dogs wouldn’t wake her. » The best part? I’d get a workout in and spend time with my little girl all at once. How hard could it be? I had it all figured out for my first outing with my 8-month-old.

As you can imagine, our hike went something more like this: » She slept in the car on the way there, strike one. » She pooped her pants 10 minutes in and we stopped for 20 minutes, strike two. » When she did fall asleep, a frantic dog woke her, strike three. (Note to self, Sourdough Trail on a weekend is not the place to go for a peaceful, somewhat dog-free zone). » We topped the day off with a sunburn on the top of her head because I may have forgotten to pull the sunshade up on the pack, the strikes just kept coming.

Oh, how things have changed as I wander into the woods with my now three young children. Simply put, my perspective and expectations are in a completely different place.

The goal isn’t to keep moving or reach some landmark destination.

Simply being present in nature with my kids and teaching them all it has to offer is what fills my cup.

I’m happy to stop 50 times to pick up rocks, sticks, flowers or any other oh-so-fascinating object simply because my perspective has changed. I now expect to take off my backpack (still filled with 18

summer 2021

snacks) at least 15 times because someone absolutely needs something. If they sleep, great. If they don’t, they’ll fall asleep eventually, somewhere at some point.

Don’t get me wrong, I still miss summiting peaks, getting my heart rate up and zoning out as the birds chirp.

One thing I’ve found helpful is to get my body moving before the hike so I can stop and relish the slow, stop-and-smell-the-roses pace children like to move at.

I’ve also come to learn that my 5- and 7-year-olds enjoy hiking much more when there is a treasure hunt involved. Who can spot the tiniest pinecone, a squirrel, a chirping bird or a yellow flower first? They seem to forget their walking as they focus on the hunt, which means less complaining.

Oh, and an adventure pack is essential. Pack it with binoculars, a first aid kit, a flashlight and whatever else you can think of.

Kids are so great at teaching us life lessons. They’ve taught me to manage my expectations in all that I do, and that has made all the difference on this parenting journey.

Lori Jo is a Montana Native, mother of three and freelance writer who enjoys writing about the tougher side of life and connecting with her audience on a deeper level.

southwest montana

farmers Markets If you live here or you’re visiting southwest Montana via RV or staying in a VRBO, stopping at a local farmers market is a MUST for stocking your fridge and pantry.

Big Sky

The Big Sky Farmers Market will feature more than 90 vendors and is held every Wednesday from June through August, from 5-8 p.m. at the Fire Pit Park in the Town Center.

Gallatin Valley Farmers Market is held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, June 19 through September 11 in the Haynes Pavilion at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Everything sold at the market is homemade or homegrown by local farmers, ranchers, growers, artists and crafters, including fruits, veggies, flowers, frozen meats and prepared foods. To learn more, visit www.gallatinvalleyfarmersmarket.com.

Helena

Helena’s Farmers Market, which is the longest running farmers market in the state, celebrates its 48th birthday this summer. Drawing more than 350 Montana vendors rotating during the season, the market is held throughout the summer at two locations: Saturdays, May 1st through October 30th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fuller Avenue; and Tuesdays, July 13th through September 21st from 4 to 7 p.m. in the East Helena City Hall parking lot.

The Capitol Square Farmers Market is held just behind the Capitol Building every Tuesday, June 15th through September 28th, from 2:30-6:30 p.m.

Bozeman

Families and friends gather at the Bozeman Farmers Market (formerly Bogert Farmers Market) to socialize, support local vendors and share every Tuesday from 5-8 p.m., June 15 through September 7. Held on the east side of Lindley Park in between Cypress and Buttonwood Avenues, the market hosts vendors from around the area bringing vegetables, arts, crafts, music, food and much more. For more information, visit www.bozemanfarmersmarket. org.

Butte

The 2021 Butte Uptown Farmers Market is held in Uptown Butte every Saturday, May 15th through October 2nd, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The 2021 market will be located on West Park Street between Gamer's Cafe and the Imagine Butte Resource Center in the Phoenix Building. To learn more, visit www.mainstreetbutte.org.

Livingston

The Livingston Farmers Market is held on the banks of the Yellowstone River at Miles Band Shell Park every Wednesday, June 2 through September 15, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy fresh produce, meat, plants, herbs, gardening workshops, "Youth Booths" and more.

EVENT INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO POSSIBLE COVID RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES BEFORE ATTENDING. :: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

SUMmer 2021

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PHOTOS COURTESY SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS

Shakespeare in the Parks Returns to the Stage

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will return to in-person performances for its 2021 season, performing William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Cymbeline.

Touring for its 49th year, the Montana Shakespeare in the Parks company plans to travel almost 7,000 miles putting on productions of the famed English playwright’s works throughout Montana and neighboring states. All performances are offered free to audiences in local parks and public spaces.

For the full tour schedule, visit www.shakespeareintheparks.org. Below is a sampling of their tour locations.

Belgrade » September 6, Monday, Cymbeline, 3:30 p.m., Lewis & Clark Park

Big Sky » July 19, Monday, Cymbeline, 5:30 p.m., Town Center Plaza

Bozeman » June 16, Wednesday, Cymbeline, 8 p.m., MSU Grove » June 17, Thursday, Cymbeline, 8 p.m., MSU Grove » June 18, Friday, Cymbeline, 8 p.m., MSU Grove » June 19, Saturday, Cymbeline, 8 p.m., MSU Grove » June 23, Wednesday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 8 p.m., MSU Grove » June 24, Thursday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 8 p.m., MSU Grove » June 25, Friday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 8 p.m., MSU Grove » June 26, Saturday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 8 p.m., MSU Grove » August 6, Friday, Sweet Pea Festival, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 3:45 p.m., Lindley Park

» August 8, Sunday, Sweet Pea Festival, Cymbeline, 5 p.m., Lindley Park » September 3, Friday, MSU Family/Grad Housing, Cymbeline, 3:30 p.m.

Butte » September 2, Thursday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 6 p.m., Stodden Park

Chico hot springs » August 9, Monday, Cymbeline, 6 p.m., Main Lawn

Gardiner » August 14, Saturday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 6 p.m., Arch Park

Helena » August 2, Monday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 6 p.m., Pioneer Park

» August 3, Tuesday, Cymbeline, 6 p.m., Pioneer Park

Livingston » September 4, Saturday, Midsummer Night’s Dream, 6 p.m., Shane Center parking lot

Manhattan » September 5, Sunday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 5 p.m., Altenbrand Park

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summer 2021

Goldin Montana Panning ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY PATTI ALBRECHT

Many of us live in Montana because we love being outside and, as parents, we’re always looking for new family fun. Panning for gold checks both boxes AND might get you a little extra cash. Even young kids will be able to do it. Simply put... gold is heavy. This fact explains how proper panning swishes away the lighter stuff and leaves the gold at the bottom of the pan.

The list of stuff you need to get started is short compared to a lot of other hobbies: gold pan, vial or pill bottle to hold gold, shovel and 5-gallon bucket.

The bucket is handy to haul dirt and great to use as a stool while panning.

You will want to do a little research when deciding where to prospect. The best places to start panning today are spots where placer gold has been found in the past: gulches around Helena, Butte, Deer Lodge, Townsend, Norris and Emigrant.

The final ingredient needed is water. You will want to narrow your search down to the gulches that have a stream to pan in. Reading the water flow in the stream will help to determine the best place to dig. Where the water slows is where gold will be found. Good choices are the inside bend of a stream, the downstream side of boulders or spots where a narrow stretch widens out.

Once you pick your spot, push aside rocks and dig down as far as you can or until you hit bedrock or a hard clay layer. Scoop some of this material into your pan, submerge the pan in water and continuously shake it back and forth while slowly raising and tilting the pan so water runs out. There are countless different styles of panning but the basic idea is to agitate the sediment in the pan so the heavy gold will settle to the bottom. Finally, move the pan so water washes out the lighter top portion. Repeat these steps until only black sand and, hopefully, gold are left.

A fun way to practice and to see how gold settles is to mix fishing weights, BB’s or marbles into some dirt and then pan in a tub or pool in the backyard. Experiencing how easy it is to keep this faux gold in the gold pan will boost any panner’s confidence. With gold fetching $1,800 per ounce, a family outing could make memories and a little cash.

Patti Albrecht is the owner of Earth’s Treasures Fossil and Mineral Museum Gallery in Downtown Bozeman.

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SUMmer 2021

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Bozeman Hot Springs (Bozeman)

The Bozeman Hot Springs has 12 pools ranging from 57 to 106 degrees.

In addition to the eight pools inside, there is a steam room and dry sauna.

The four pools located outside feature amazing rock fixtures and colorful lights. Visit www.bozemanhotsprings. com.

At the time of publication, many hot springs resorts were open to the public on a limited basis, some requiring reservations, membership or room rental. PLEASE, call before you go for the most current COVID restrictions and specific resort policies.

Yellowstone Hot Springs

(Gardiner)

Yellowstone Hot Springs is located just 10 minutes north of Yellowstone National Park and surrounded by wild Montana countryside in a picturesque setting, nestled along the banks of the Yellowstone River. They boast 4,000 square feet of mineral hot springs in an alcohol-free environment. Visit www.yellowstonehotsprings. com.

Broadwater Hot Springs & Fitness (Helena)

Helena’s only natural hot springs, Broadwater has it all: a springs pool, hot tub and cold plunge, soaking pool, recreation pool, beautiful locker rooms, steam and sauna rooms, the Springs Taproom & Grill and a fitness center.

Visit www.broadwatermt.com.

Chico (Paradise Valley)

Chico has two open-air natural mineral hot springs pools in addition to the Saloon and Poolside Grille. Hours: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Visit www.chicohotsprings.com.

Boiling River

(Yellowstone National Park/opens mid-July)

Located approximately two miles north of Mammoth, on the border of Montana and Wyoming (there is a very small sign denoting this; you’ll probably miss it), the Boiling River is just south of the 45th Parallel Bridge (again, there’s a small sign marking the 45th Parallel of Latitude halfway between the Equator and North Pole). You’ll cross the Gardner River and find the main parking area on your left.

Elkhorn Hot Springs (Polaris)

Swim in two outdoor hot spring pools ranging in temperature from 85-102 degrees and then relax in the Grecian/ wet sauna that ranges from 98-102 degrees. Visit www.elkhornhotsprings. com.

The Boiling River is about a half-mile walk down a footpath. Local tips:

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

» Put your bathing suit on at home or in the car; there’s no locker room,

(Located just outside of Butte)

only a pit toilet.

Fairmont has two Olympic-sized swimming pools and two mineral soaking pools, (one indoors and one outdoors). There is a bar and restaurant on-site, ample poolside lounging and a 350-foot enclosed waterslide. Visit www. fairmontmontana.com.

» Leave your dry clothes in the car and cover up with a towel for the walk.

» Wear water shoes. The temperature of the river changes from

lukewarm where you get in, to scorching hot farther downstream, and the river rocks are slippery!

Boulder Hot Springs Inn and Spa (Between Butte and Helena)

The outdoor swimming pool features a deck for sunbathing and a heated sidewalk to the bathhouse. Indoors, there is a women’s hot plunge pool and a cool pool. A separate men’s side has a hot pool (no cool pool).

Both the men’s and women’s sides offer steam rooms as well. The restaurant on-site specializes in healthy, home-cooked gourmet food featuring organic meats, fruits and vegetables whenever possible. Visit www.boulderhotsprings. com.

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ELKHORN HOTSPRINGS

Norris Hot Springs (Norris)

This is one of the smaller ones…but it’s really fun. With just one pool, Norris keeps people happy with local draft beer on tap and good eats from their 50 Mile Grill where the offerings are made from organic, sustainable products mostly grown onsite. Bonus: Live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. Visit www. norrishotsprings.com.

Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project Summer 2021 Activity and Closures The Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project is a cooperative effort, established in 2011, between the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the City of Bozeman to provide fuel reduction work in this area to maintain a high-quality, predictable water supply for Bozeman residents.

This project will: • Reduce the risk of severe and extensive wildfire in the lower portions of Hyalite and Bozeman Creeks.

• Limit the amount of sediment and ash entering the water treatment facilities in the event of a fire.

• Increase public and firefighter safety while reducing risk of wildfire spread which will protect private lands that border the watershed.

Residents and visitors can expect: • Fuel reduction work using prescribed burning, thinning, and timber harvest.

• Equipment (including logging trucks, helicopters, and other machinery) and crews working on both City and National Forest lands.

• Smoke from prescribed burns may be visible at times.

• Temporary closures of roads or trails.

Areas affected include Kirk Hill, Sourdough/Bozeman Creek Trail, Leverich Gulch, and Moser trailheads.

For more information about activity and potential closures in these areas, please visit www.bznwatershed.com.

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Camping with Kiddos ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY JESSICA CARTWRIGHT

Not everyone is a camper; but if you are, then you know there’s nothing like it. Sleeping under the stars, spending all day in nature, feet in the dirt, smelling the trees.

We started camping with our daughter when she was about 4 months old. To be honest, aside from the whole getting-out-of-the-house thing (one time it started pouring and we just turned back), camping with a non-mobile infant is rather easy.

They sleep, feed and hang. If you already have a bit of a camping groove, then just bring a couple of extras and you’re good to go. they’re so tired that they pass out and you can actually relax and enjoy the fire.

Note: Having a sound machine for the tent can also really help (which at first seemed super counterintuitive to me). One thing I didn’t initially consider is that, just because your babe is ready for bed, it doesn’t mean the rest of the campground is.

People are having fun and can be loud. Plus, sticking to a little bit of your home routine (for a child of any age) can be soothing and helpful.

Once our baby became a toddler and started walking, things got truly interesting. We spent one weekend at the stunning Cliff and Wade campground, right on the lake, and the weather oscillated between hailing and temperatures of 105 degrees in the tent (so much for naps in there).

I also made a HUGE rookie mistake of not bringing our carrier, so we walked around incredibly exhausted trying to get our daughter to fall asleep while she was tied to me with a sheet. It was intense.

Picture a barely walking toddler running toward lakes, disappearing in bushes, almost falling off tables. On the flip side, it was also one of our most memorable weekends. Our daughter had never been happier running around, free in nature, exploring and eating dirt to her heart’s content.

It’s gotten easier as she’s gotten older and understands boundaries. I’ve also gotten more flexible. I know that we might have to get in the car and go for a bit of a drive to get her to nap. I also know that bedtime isn’t really a thing when daylight lasts forever and the rest of the campground is having fun. One parent told me you always have to go for two nights. The first night they stay up for what feels like forever. But by the second night, 24

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While I do find camping with really little ones to be exhausting (I should probably also add here that we’re tent campers, which is different than having a camper), it’s also led to some of our most cherished family moments. You find a groove.

Our kid looks forward to camping the way most kids probably feel about Disney World, and for that I’m happy. It’s so worth it.

But word to the wise: Come home a little early to decompress, because if you’re anything like me, you’ll be content, yet exhausted once you get home.

TO BRING: » Camp clothes that can get totally trashed » So many layers » Somewhere safe for your baby or toddler to hang for a bit » DockATot or Pack n’ Play in lieu of a crib » A battery-operated nightlight for middle of the night wakings or helping your kid feel safer

» First aid kit

and

Little Shots SOCCER

Summer Camp | M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm | Starts June 14 Ages 3-5 and 6-11 • Sibling discounts available

SPOTS:

There are so many recreation spots in this state!

If you’re willing to venture an hour or more out of town, you’ll likely have an easier time finding spots.

The Lewis and Clark campground, which is close to Bozeman, is flat, open and even has a playground.

Super family friendly!

Your best bet is to take the time to scout out spots you like, write down the campsite number and then book in advance. Sometimes that’s a week; sometimes it’s six months out. A little planning can mean a lot less stress.

Jessica Cartwright is a mama, birth doula and co-founder of Our Yoga, Yoga For The Whole Family. She is a certified yoga instructor who specializes in prenatal, postpartum and baby yoga. She is also a featured writer for Elephant Journal, So Much Yoga and BOHO Daily.

At Summer Camp, kids will participate in group fitness classes, gym play, swimming and play zone fun. Camp counselors and fitness instructors are trained to give your child a safe, exciting summer and will help build a foundation for a healthy and active life! Sign up for the whole summer or individual days.

CAMP RATES:

Members $60 full day/$35 half day Non-Members $70 full day/$40 half day WEEKLY: Members $260 | Non-Members $310

Little Shots Soccer | M/W 3-3:45pm or T/Th 10-10:45am Kids ages 3-5 will learn the fundamentals of soccer through fun games and activities in a non-competitive environment.

Visit Schedulicity for schedules.

CAMP RATES:

Members $75 | Non-Members $90

Register on Schedulicty or call (406) 582-4452

4181 Fallon St., Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 586-1737 • ridgeathletic.com

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SUMmer 2021

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Seasons of Hiking WRITTEN BY ALI SCHWEITZER

There are seasons when hiking with kids. Seasons that made my husband and me question hiking with our children at all. You see, we loved hiking and did it often. It was one of our favorite things to do together. We wanted to pass this love on to our kids and thought it would come more naturally than it did.

Hiking with children has its own challenges, including the kids themselves, who are unpredictable. One day they love hiking, and the next they complain the entire way up the trail as you carry them and all their gear (snacks, snacks and more snacks). Having our kids four years apart also posed a challenge. When our oldest was just starting to get into his hiking groove, our little girl came along and changed our whole routine. Overall, we still love to hike and I feel like we’ve learned a thing or two over the past eight years hiking with kids. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks for whatever hiking season you are in.

First and foremost, take care of yourself…nothing hinders hiking season like an aching back or tight neck. Carrying kids in those hiking packs isn’t always easy and our bodies take the toll. My husband and I would trade the packs. I’d hike the way up with the toddler in tow and then he’d hike the way down. It saved both of us from wanting to toss the carrier and wait until they were old enough to hike on their own. It also helped that both of us, as chiropractors, knew a few things about proper posture and could always adjust each other after the hike. If you feel like you just have too much pain when carrying a child in a pack, please seek out the care of a chiropractor or other health care provider. It’s amazing what an adjustment and a quick little refresher on some exercises can do.

Second, get your kids out of those packs and let them explore. I’d often lay my infants on a blanket and let each of them roll around and play in the dirt. The more we took them out of the carriers, the more independent they became. When it came time to ditch the pack for good (which, for me, was when my kiddos turned 3) they were excited to explore.

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Third, when it officially came time for them to hike on their own, we knew exactly what our kids loved, and which hikes were going to be as fun and stress free as possible. Luckily, both our kids are water babies and they enjoyed splashing in streams and water along the way.

Hikes like Middle Cottonwood, Grotto Falls and Fairy Lake became our go-to spots. These are relatively easy hikes that have plenty of water along the way to stop and splash in. Our kids (our son especially) loves treasures, so one way we got our kids to start hiking on their own was to plant little treasures along the way.

We’d often bring trinkets or pennies and place them along the trail for our kids to find, or promise them buried treasure if they made it to the top. The anticipation of making it to the end and finding something was so exciting and fun because half the time our son would find a unique rock or something different than what we actually planted for him.

Fourth, bring a friend or two. Rarely will you ever see me hiking with just my kids. The fouryear age gap is apparent and when my oldest is ready to get out and hike, he usually has a mission, which doesn’t quite resonate with his little sister. If the kids and I want to get out and daddy can’t come along (we divide and conquer when it’s a family affair) there is usually another mom with me with similar-aged kids, so one can be with the older kids and the other with the littles. Of course, there are always rules—one of which is, “If you can’t see mom, then you better hike back to where you can.”

Another great rule: “If you want to keep it, you pack it out.” With an 8- and 4-year-old, I never know what kind of sticks, rocks and flowers I’ll end up with and I’m not going to be the one carrying all the extra stuff. So, while I am now officially the water and snack carrier, my kids each have their own small packs for all the extra treasures they find along the way.

Experienced midwifery for the birth and care you desire.

CASSIE BELZER, CNM, DNP, APRN

BROOKE CADWELL, CNM, APRN

DAGNY HAFKER, CNM

WOMEN’S SPECIALISTS

ASHLEY JONES, CNM, APRN

Call 406-414-5150 today to schedule your appointment with one of our wonderful midwives.

Improving life, work, & sport.

Orthopedic Rehabilitation Sports Medicine Post Concussion Rehabilitation Pre & Post Surgical Rehabilitation bozemanaprs.com

Whatever season of hiking you are in right now, hold on – it gets easier, and if hiking is something you love, your kids will too.

Dr. Ali is the owner and chiropractor at Active Family Chiropractic & Wellness. You’ll often see her and her family out on the trails, well adjusted and having fun.

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Swimming Safely

WRITTEN BY SHAINA ROGERS, D.O. | PHOTOS BY KELLY KUNTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Hot summer days can be the perfect opportunity to enjoy one of Montana’s many beautiful bodies of water. While swimming is a great way to embrace the outdoors and move your body, it is important to reacquaint yourself with water safety measures before you take your next dip. These recommendations will ensure you and your family can safely enjoy all that Montana summer has to offer.

Venturing into natural bodies of water such as lakes, rivers and ponds brings with it some unique water safety considerations. First, look for signs about closures for health or safety reasons. Contamination of local waterways can come from sewage, insecticides and other chemicals. After rainfall especially, polluted runoff can be carried into swimming areas. Stay out of the water if it looks cloudier than usual, is discolored or smells bad. These features could indicate the presence of harmful algal bloom.

Drinking or swimming in water contaminated by harmful algal blooms and their associated toxins can make humans sick and can poison animals.1 2 Please be respectful and do your part to keep the environment and water clean. Pollution is also created by abandoned trash and from human and animal waste. Remember to take

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children for frequent bathroom breaks (every hour). For infants and toddlers, be sure that they are wearing waterproof diapers, and change their diapers every 30-60 minutes.

If you are choosing to enjoy one of Montana’s rivers, it is critical that you consider the strength of the current. A current can be strong even if the water appears to be calm and slowmoving, and it can quickly sweep a child down the river. In addition to assessing the current, it is important to check the depth of the water and look for potential obstacles, such as rocks or debris. Children should always wear a life jacket in and around natural bodies of water, including when on a boat. Children without strong swimming skills should also wear one in the pool.

Life jackets should be Coast Guard approved, appropriate for your child’s size and worn with all straps belted. 3 Regardless of where you are swimming this summer, there are other basic water safety measures to remember. Please stay out of the water if you have an open cut or wound (germs in the water could potentially infect your wound), and do your best to not swallow water while swimming. Please also refrain from swimming if you are sick, particularly if you have

diarrhea. Chlorination of pools helps decrease the potential for waterborne illness but it does not completely eliminate it. Be sure to wash your hands after getting out of the water before eating. If washing your hands is not possible, you can use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 4

Children should never swim alone.

Ever. Children should always be closely

monitored while swimming. While it is tempting to take a few moments to read a book or be on your phone, it is important that you are not distracted or impaired if you are the designated adult watching children swim.

When young children are swimming, an adult should be always within an arm’s reach. You can also consider having your child participate in swimming lessons; swimming lessons are a known protective factor against drowning.

It is additionally critical that children are protected from the sun. This can include wearing clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) and wide-brimmed hats. It is best to keep babies younger than 6 months old out of direct sunlight. For children 6 months and older, you should apply a broad-spectrum

Learn to FLY!

Aerial Fitness Private Lessons Corporate Events Birthday Parties Parent & Tot Teen/Adult & Kids’ Classes ————————————-

MountainAirDance.org sunscreen with SPF15 or more. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreens made of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Sun exposure should be limited during peak hours of the day (10 a.m. until 4 p.m.) when UV rays are the strongest. 5

where science & play connect

As parents, we need to be good role models for our children. This includes demonstrating these water safety practices, not just preaching them, and respecting the environment. By keeping your family safe in Montana’s natural wonders, this summer can surely be a splash.

1 “Visiting Oceans, Lakes and Rivers.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 12 Jun 2020.

2 “LEARN: What Affects Human Health at the Beach.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 7 Jul 2020.

3 “Swimming Safely in Lakes, Rivers, and Streams.” American National Red Cross, 23 Apr 2021.

4 “Swim Safety Tips.” HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics, 13 Mar 2018.

5 “Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn and Sunscreen.” HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics, 18 Jul 2019.

Shaina Rogers, D.O. is a pediatrician at Grant Creek Family Medicine in Missoula, MT. As a mother and physician, she is passionate about caring for children.

HAVE S R E MEMB E FUN! MSR DAY! TO JOIN

Admission: $9 (ages 2 & up) Open: Mon-Sat | 9 am-6 pm (Closed Wednesdays) 2744 West Main Street Bozeman, MT | 406.522.9087 www.montanasciencecenter.org

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Bear and Wolf Education Centers SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR KIDS AGES 5 to 12 XY Learning Center is offering limited spots in our school-age summer camp program. Each week kids will experience learning opportunities which include: community experts presentations, hiking, swimming, field trips, team building activities and more!

THE GRIZZLY & WOLF DISCOVERY CENTER

Maybe you haven’t been lucky enough to see a bear or wolf in the wild, or maybe you’ve tried hard not to. If either is the case, rest assured you can safely view these native animals at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone or Montana Grizzly Encounter just east of Bozeman.

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is an AZA-accredited, not-for-profit wildlife park and educational facility offering visitors the opportunity to experience the world of grizzly bears and gray wolves. Eight grizzly bears reside at the park, along with three wolf packs, birds-of-prey (hawks, eagles, owls and falcons) and a River Otter exhibit, which is home to five curious otters.

This Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is particularly kid friendly with a handful of educational programs like Keeper Kids, where children ages 5 to 12 accompany a naturalist into the bear habitat to hide food for the bears. After the food is hidden, kids are able to see firsthand how bears search for their food.

If you are planning to spend a day in West Yellowstone, visit grizzlydiscovery.org and check out the program schedule so you can plan your day: Admission is good for the whole day, so you can come and go as you please. *Certain areas of the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center remain closed. With reopening, offerings may be modified, limited in capacity and subject to availability or closure. Please call in advance for up-to-date information. *

XY LEARNING CENTER IS ALSO ENROLLING KIDS AGES 2 TO 5 At XY Learning Center, our mission is to provide exceptional care through a safe, responsive and nurturing environment that meets the needs of each child and family.

The Montana Grizzly Encounter is a grizzly bear rescue and education sanctuary, which provides a spacious, natural home for rescued grizzlies and a place for the public to learn about grizzlies as they watch them up close.

Montana Grizzly Encounter is home to five bears. Visit grizzlyencounter.org and get to know these amazing animals and each of their incredible stories. If you are a fan of National Geographic’s Expedition Wild, you already know two residents: Brutus the Bear and Montana Grizzly Encounter owner Casey Anderson.

202 South Willson | 406.577.2554 WWW.XYLEARNINGCENTER.COM THE MONTANA GRIZZLY ENCOUNTER

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Ghost Towns

VIRGINIA CITY

BANNACK STATE PARK

With its rich history of mining, Montana is home to countless ghost towns.

Virginia City, Nevada City and Bannack are some of the most well-preserved and popular destinations. Some other noteworthy sites include Charter Oak Mine, Comet, Coolidge, Elkhorn, Farlin, Garnet, Glendale, Marysville, Granite, Pony, Quartz Hill, Rimini and Rochester.

Virginia City and Nevada City offer living history activities, stagecoach

rides, ghost tours, train rides between the two towns, fire truck tours, dining and, of course, an ice cream and candy shop. Before heading over, call the Virginia City Chamber of Commerce for COVID policies and to confirm what activities are available: 800-829-2969.

Entertainment is held nightly with the Brewery Follies cabaret and Virginia City Players 19th century melodrama.

The Brewery Follies offers matinees at 4 p.m. and evening shows at 8 p.m. at the H.S. Gilbert Brewery from Memorial Day weekend through September.

Reservations are taken by phone only: 1-800-829-2969, ext. 3.

The Illustrious Virginia City Players will be showing silent movies in the Opera House during the month of June, then performing live plays in July and August.

For dates and times, call the box office at 1-800-829-2969, ext. 2.

Bannack State Park historical ghost town offers more than

60 structures to explore in addition to activities like camping and panning for gold. The park comes alive during Bannack Days, which will be held July 17 and 18, 2021.* From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, folks will be demonstrating pioneer skills. Come watch the spinners spin wool into yarn, the quilters craft a quilt, and see how wagon wheels and baskets are made. Up Hangman’s Gulch you can learn about the Cavalry and experience an 1860’s gold camp.

You may want to try your luck at gold panning, and you won’t want to miss hand-dipping your own souvenir candle or watching the blacksmith forge an incredible work of art from a flat piece of steel.

Take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon or motor around town in the Model AA along Bannack’s Main Street.

Throughout both days there will be live music and guided tours of the Masonic Lodge. Admission is $5 per person. Children 8 and under are free; a $20 pass is available for immediate family members.

*COVID restrictions will be in effect. Face coverings and social distancing are encouraged.

Please follow the Montana governor’s COVID restrictions.

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Museums in southwest Montana

*COVID-19 has impacted visitation and some of the hands-on, interactive exhibits at museums. Inquire in advance.*

Big Sky

Copper King Mansion 406-782-7580

Museum of the Rockies 406-994-2251

Historic Crail Ranch 406-993-2112

Established as a homestead by Augustus Franklin Crail in 1902, and occupied by Crail family members for nearly half a century, this land was ranched by the Crail family who raised sheep, cattle, hay and wheat, and eventually expanded their holdings to 960 acres. When Chet Huntley and his group came to the area in the late 1960s, the Crail Ranch buildings and property were among the first that they purchased for their planned Big Sky Resort. Today the Crail Ranch is preserved as a homestead museum that offers guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays.

Butte

World Museum of Mining

406-723-7211

This 34-room mansion built in the late 1800s was home to one of Montana’s three famous copper kings, William Andrews Clark. The mansion is open daily during the summer for guided tours.

Bozeman

Earth’s Treasures Fossil & Mineral Museum Gallery 406-586-3451

Earth’s Treasures offers an array of natural wonders: Montana fossils, crystals, minerals, dinosaur poop, framed insects, jewelry (butterfly wing, sapphire, gemstone/fossil) and the Bug Wall.

Kids get a free rock just for coming in. A great resource for travelling families as it’s kid friendly and offers fun, one-of-a-kind gifts.

MOR houses one of the largest collections of North American dinosaurs in the world, including many examples of the gigantic carnivorous Tyrannosaurus rex and a growth series of the horned Triceratops, which ranges from juveniles to giants. Many of these fossils are on display in the museum’s Siebel Dinosaur Complex, where visitors can view Montana’s T.rex – one of the few mounted Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons in the United States – the bones of Big Al (a nearly complete Allosaurus that lived during the Jurassic Period), numerous dinosaur eggs, babies and more. In addition to dinosaurs, the museum contains a large collection of prehistoric mammals that once roamed the state, including mammoths, rhinos and bone-crushing dogs. Visitors to the museum can see fossil preparators at work in the Bowman Dinosaur Viewing Lab. Each year the paleontology field crew sets off into the rocky outcrops of the Treasure State to collect more information about what the world was like millions of years ago and how it, and the creatures that inhabited it, have changed through time.

Gallatin History Museum 406-522-8122

Montana Science Center 406-522-9087 Butte was home to one of the world’s most productive copper mines of all time and the World Museum of Mining is one of the few museums in the world located on an actual mine yard, the Orphan Girl Mine. With 50 exhibit buildings, countless artifacts and 66 primary exhibits in the mine yard, visitors can spend a couple of hours to an entire day lost in the unfolding story. *The museum is mostly outdoors; be prepared for inclement or cold weather.

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Montana Science Center is a great place to spark curiosity in science and technology with hands-on learning through play. Families with kids of all ages will find something exciting to discover. MSC’s featured exhibits include Dangerous Nature, Sun Earth Universe, Earth in Layers, Physics and the high-tech makerspace, STEAMlab. Open Monday - Sunday, closed Wednesdays. Visit MontanaScienceCenter.org for more details and to learn about our exciting events this summer.

The Gallatin History Museum is the perfect spot for families to visit while enjoying a day in downtown Bozeman. Located next to the courthouse, the museum’s building is Gallatin County’s historic 1911 jail. Visitors can explore the original jail cells while viewing exhibits of artifacts and stories from Gallatin County’s past.

Helena

ExplorationWorks 406-457-1800

Located in the Heart of Helena, ExplorationWorks has something for kids ages 1-100. Explore our many interactive activities and exhibits focused on all things science, technology, engineering and math.

Navigate the physics of water at our Montana-themed water table, and open and close tubes to design your own air pathways at the Air Maze. Major exhibit changes occur three to four times per year, so no two visits are exactly alike. Please check the website for specific hours, exhibit information, special events, camps, classes and more (www.explorationworks.org).

Holter Museum of Art 406-442-6400

The Holter Museum captures the imagination of young and old through exciting exhibitions and influential art education, fueling curiosity and vision by exploring diverse perspectives and cultures within Montana and beyond.

Montana Historical Society 406-444-2694

Livingston

Yellowstone Gateway Museum 406-222-4184

Woolly mammoth tusks, a bison jump diorama and a fascinating collection of Charlie Russell artwork are just a few of the treasures to behold at the Montana Historical Society in Helena.

Visitors of all ages are encouraged to learn more about the Treasure State at the MHS museum and research center in Helena. Its galleries hold hundreds of exciting and unusual objects, some dating back thousands of years. In June, the Historical Society is reopening the Original Governor’s Mansion for tours, after shuttering the facility during the past year due to the pandemic.

To book a tour, call (406) 444-4794 or email Anthony.schrillo@mt.gov

Montana Wild 406-444-9944

The Yellowstone Gateway Museum of Park County is a great family destination in Livingston. Indoor and outdoor exhibits include engaging activities for all ages.

West Yellowstone

The Yellowstone Historic Center Museum 406-646-1100

West Yellowstone’s Union Pacific Depot houses the Museum of the Yellowstone, which interprets the heritage of West Yellowstone and tells the story of travel to Yellowstone National Park. It features interactive displays, rare artifacts, weekly educational programs, guest speakers, daily films and guided walking tours of the historic district.

Montana WILD, located above Spring Meadow Lake State Park, offers outdoor and wildlife education for the whole family and is owned by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Starting June 1st, the center’s summer hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and occasionally in the evening or on weekends for special programs and events. Drop-in visitors will enjoy the exhibit hall with its fish tanks, interactive exhibits and hands-on learning stations.

:: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

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A WHAT'S UP?

Montana

SUMMER FAMILY EVENTS

Please visit mtparent.com/calendars for the latest family events happening in Southwest montana!

EVENT INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO POSSIBLE COVID RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES BEFORE ATTENDING. :: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

SUMmer 2021

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Another World of Children’s Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry • Braces

flat screen televisions on the ceiling • game boys • movie theater • digital xrays • mercury free Improving & Maintaining The Oral Health of Infants, Children, Adolescents & Young Adults

www.mydrtodd.com

Doctor Todd Steinmetz 3502 Laramie Drive, Suite 1

CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH CENTER, P.C.

Bozeman, Montana 59718

406.586.8112

Pediatrics

Get Care Today!

Our Board Certified Pediatricians care for your child’s primary and urgent care needs at a convenient location with hours to meet your needs as busy parents. You can rest assured that if your child needs a higher level of care, our pediatric specialists collaborate to keep you close to home whenever possible.

Courtney Handlin, DO

Sheila Idzerda, MD

Claire Kenamore, MD

Pediatrics

For more information or to make an appointment, call (406) 522-KIDS (5437).

Same day, virtual and after hour appointments available. Mon - Fri: 8 am - 6 pm, Sat: 8:30 - 11:30 am

To talk to a registered nurse about health questions after hours, call HealthLine at (406) 255-8400 or 1-800-252-1246, available 24/7. billingsclinic.com/bozeman

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Pediatric Services: � Primary care for babies, kids, & teens � Preventive care, including vaccinations � Routine well-child checkups � School, daycare, camp, and sports physicals � Illness and injury care � Management of chronic and complicated conditions � Follow-up care for childhood cancer survivors Pediatric Specialty Care, in Bozeman: � Pediatric cardiology � Pediatric endocrinology � Pediatric pulmonology � Pediatric neurology � Pediatric urology

Arts Council Returns

with

Music in the mountains The Arts Council of Big Sky is pleased to announce another amazing summer of Music in the Mountains at Center Stage in Len Hill Park in the Big Sky Town Center. Starting on July 3 and ending September 9, there will be 14 events, including 11 Thursday night concerts, the 10th annual Bravo! Big Sky Classical Music Festival and a performance from Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. All of these performances are free and open to the public.

“We’re excited to bring free music back to Big Sky residents and visitors,” says Brian Hurlbut, the Arts Council’s Executive Director.

“Everyone missed the concerts last summer, and they are such a big part of our community.”

With the current COVID situation, the concerts will be presented in a way that fits into any restrictions that may be in place. Like many things related to the pandemic, the need to be flexible and ready to adapt to Gallatin County guidelines is important. The Arts Council is committed to putting on a safe and fun event.

The lineup is still being solidified, but bands such as Pinky and the Floyd, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, Sneaky Pete and the Secret Weapons, and the Dusty Pockets have been confirmed.

Grammy-winning bluegrass ensemble the Steep Canyon Rangers will open the season with a special Saturday show on July 3 to celebrate the grand opening of the newly designed park. A free performance of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will take place at the park on July 19, the Bravo! Big Sky Festival will be held August

13-14 and the fifth annual Mountainfilm in Big Sky event caps the summer on September 10-12.

These family-friendly events take place at Center Stage in Len Hill Park, one of the best outdoor venues in the state, right in the heart of Big Sky. The park opens at 6 p.m. each week, and there will be food and beverage vendors (including alcohol) and an arts activity tent for kids. Music typically starts at 7:15 p.m., but please check the Arts Council website for more details on these events. These free community concerts have been a staple in Big Sky for more than 10 years, and this summer should add to a lengthy list of established artists that have thrilled Big Sky audiences every week.

For more information on the summer lineup and to check out what other events the Arts Council has going on, please visit www. bigskyarts.org.

Big Sky’s

Artisan Festival July 3, 2021 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The annual Big Sky Artisan Festival is back and will be held on Saturday, July 3, in the Big Sky Town Center Plaza (on the south side of the Wilson Hotel), pending any COVID restrictions.

This annual festival is committed to providing an opportunity for artists to create lasting connections with our local community, each other, art lovers and collectors alike. We strive to provide an experience that allows for exploration, creativity and joy, while nestled in the gorgeous surroundings of the Big Sky. The Artisan Festival is sponsored by the Arts Council of Big Sky.

EVENT INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO POSSIBLE COVID RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES BEFORE ATTENDING.

Summer is for Kids!

Join us outdoors for storytimes, scavenger hunts, performers, and free lunch.

Weekdays noon - 1pm

June 14-18: Summer Reading Kickoff June 21-25: Dogs & Cats June 28 - July 2: Farm Animals July 5-9: Montana Animals July 12-16: Montana Animals July 19-23: Animals Around the World July 26-30: Safari!

August 2-6: Unusual Animals August 9-13: Animals: Real or Not?

bozemanlibrary.org/summerreading

:: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

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"NO HOUR OF LIFE IS WASTED THAT IS SPENT IN THE SADDLE."

XY Learning Center

-Winston Churchill

SUMMER 2021 CA MP & CLINIC REGISTR ATION IS NOW OPEN!

Now Open in Bozeman XY Learning Center is a newly-licensed child care program conveniently located in downtown Bozeman at 202 S. Willson. XYLC offers parttime and full-time care to kids ages 0 to 5 from a highly qualified team of early childhood professionals who are dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing and responsive environment.

K Beginner to Advanced Riders K Ages 5 and up K Life Skill Development Workshop K Speed/Rodeo Events K English/Western Riding K General Horsemanship

Each day learning opportunities will be offered to meet children where they are, and build upon what they are capable of. XYLC’s environment is designed to allow children to explore, develop friendships and grow into lifelong learners.

Learn more about camps, clinics and events at

cedarridgeequine.com

cedar ridge equine

horsemanship camps, clinics & lessons Owner/Trainer Amy Prechter email cedarridgeequines@gmail.com phone 406-282-3355

an

p ou g r n g ri t fe or e” ofsupp Caf w y no use Coz o he h in- “T

Comprehensive Therapy Services for Independence and Growth ✦ Occupational and Physical Therapy ✦ Speech and Language Therapy ✦ Breastfeeding and Nutrition Services A warm and comfortable environment serving: Infants, Children and Women 300 N Willson Ave Suite #2005, Bozeman

www.thecozynestmt.net

406-587-2755

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JOURNEYS

Opening Soon in the Gallatin Valley Mall Gallatin Valley Mall is pleased to announce the opening of a new shoe store, Journeys, later this summer. Journeys is a teen retail leader with an emphasis on footwear and unique specialty items including apparel, backpacks, hats and accessories. Located across from Victoria’s Secret, Journeys will carry brands for men, women and youth including Vans, Converse, Crocs, Dr. Martens, Ugg, Birkenstock, Adidas, Hey Dude and more.

Journeys has been doing business for 40 years and currently has about 1,200 stores in shopping centers across the country. Journeys operates under parent company, Genesco, which owns five other brands including Dockers Footwear. Through strategic artistic partnerships, event sponsorships, exclusive content, creative collaborations with musicians and a focus on giving back to the community through charitable events and volunteer programs, Journeys has become more than just a retailer, but also a universal part of teen and youth culture. The in-store Journeys experience features an energetic environment, friendly passionate staff and a family-like atmosphere where self-expressions is not just accepted but encouraged and embraced.

A limited number of summer camp spots will be offered for ages 5 to 12 from June 14 through August 20. Each week campers will experience learning opportunities on the topic of the week (including presentations from experts in the community), hiking, swimming, field trips and team-building activities.

Beginning in the fall of 2021, XYLC will be offering drop-in childcare, date-night care and Saturday care. For more information visit https://xylearningcenter.com/, email xylc@ xyplanningnetwork.com or call 406-577-2554.

Get Your Play On at WRITTEN BY JULIE KLEINE

As we begin to emerge from the global pandemic that has isolated us for months, it feels like the perfect time for a new way to connect with our children and our community. And that time has come with State of Play, a curated play space for zero to 6-year-olds opening in Bozeman’s Cannery District this winter.

State of Play is just what the name implies, a place where all play – wildly imaginative play, quiet contemplative play, messy art play, large motor climbing play – is welcome and encouraged.

But it’s also more than the sum of all that – it is an environment where you can engage and connect with your child; a place where your kiddo can develop lifelong skills while nurturing curiosity and innovation.

State of Play is the brainchild of Katie Dolen and Kama Werner, two local moms with diverse and complementary backgrounds, who were introduced by mutual friends knowing they could create something magical together.

Katie lives and breathes progressive early childhood education. You feel it as her face lights up while she shares her vision. According to Katie, “Children’s ideas and theories about the world and how things work are far more impactful than our own agendas. My favorite part about working with young children is listening to and following those ideas using materials as part of the language.”

Katie’s expertise and knowledge were honed through years of experience working with some remarkably creative and artistic minds. She taught at Blue School, a Reggioinspired school formed by the founding members of The Blue Man Group looking to nurture creativity, innovation and community for their children.

Her journey then led her to another progressive school in L.A. before she moved Bozeman four

years ago to start a family with her partner. “I was looking for an educational community that had as much magic and power as the ones I had been part of. As I wondered where I fit in, I met Kama and witnessed how she really saw her children and validated their experiences. I knew we were like-minded, and our desire to create a space to connect with children took shape.”

Katie’s background also includes art therapy, so she taught remote art lessons for Kama’s children during lockdown. Kama listened to their conversations and was wowed. “To believe in Katie is an understatement,” said Kama. “Her ability to really see and understand children is so important, and that’s what State of Play will do; it’s what she does.”

Kama brings a wealth of marketing and business skills to State of Play, but perhaps more importantly, she also brings her experience as a contributing community member raising two children in Bozeman. She has worked for the Bozeman Schools Foundation, served on the board of THRIVE and managed community races. Kama has a pulse on the Bozeman community and enjoys all the city has to offer, but, as she explains, “I always felt like there was something missing – and once I met Katie, I knew this is what I was looking for. Now this project is my passion!”

Kama’s connections with the Bozeman community helped develop State of Play’s Equitable Access Program, a scholarship fund to provide families with donated open play sessions.

State of Play is dedicated to being an inclusive environment. “We believe that ALL people deserve access to high-quality creative experiences,” she said. “This is a part of our overall commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity. We really want to invite everyone who has interest.” Through the Equitable Access Programs, Kama explains, “local organizations can pair families with donated play times funded through corporate and personal sponsorships.”

Inclusivity is paramount at State of Play. Katie emphasizes, “We want this to be a beautiful umbrella of all things early childhood. We have a huge commitment to building a community that is inspirational within these walls, yet filters outward. We want to attract magic makers, alternative thinkers and curious people to offer vignette classes interspersed during the play periods like yoga, puppetry and music.”

Two-hour play periods (either reserved or dropin) include opportunities for art explorations, climbing on a whimsical structure or playing with frequently changing, open-ended materials. Thoughtful design of the space is central to State of Play. “Four main areas – wet, loud, quiet and dry – meet each child where they are comfortable,” Katie explains. “The space is also adaptable so we can push all the furniture aside, turn on a projector and transform it into an underwater area to explore what that feels like. We want to elevate our space with a heartbeat that benefits the child in a social and emotional way. That is our foundational piece.”

With weekend hours and coworking space, State of Play hopes to meet families where they are. Play periods can be a time to have fun and connect with your child or there is an option to check your child in with a staff educator, grab some free coffee and settle into the workspace.

“At State of Play, we acknowledge what we have in common,” Kama says. “Parenting can be messy and challenging and we want this space to be a place where you can admit that and be yourself in a supportive community. There is a real emphasis on connection and returning to childhood. State of Play is about curiosity, joy and wonder and putting it back into our lives.”

After the last year, we could all use some more of that!

Find out more and help State of Play open its doors this winter by joining its Crowdfunding campaign through June 30 and at www. stateofplay.co.

Julie Kleine lives, loves and writes in Bozeman with her husband and three children. You can find her at the library, on the trails or in the garden. Reach her at jkleine200@yahoo.com.

:: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

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Moms Like Me, July 11, 2021.

This annual event will be held at the Gallatin River Hideaway from 5-8 pm.

Finding Lucy WRITTEN BY REBECCA SCHLENDER

My journey toward motherhood began at the age of 12. Our church had a guest speaker come to talk about adoption. As he spoke, little flyers with the faces of two babies pictured on the front were passed down each row. I couldn’t take my eyes away and, in that mystical moment, I knew that adoption would be a part of my story someday.

When I was 20, I met my soon-to-be husband, Jared. We got married the following year and agreed that when the time felt right, we would have one biological baby and then adopt.

Seven years passed and infertility plagued us. Every miscarriage felt like a death to our dreams. During this time, escaping into the outdoors was the only way to feel alive again.

As we laid in the back of Jared’s truck, starring up into the darkness, stars more numerous than we could count fell from the sky. We quickly wished again for a baby.

The following year I became pregnant with a baby that my body would keep but, instead of excitement, I rode on waves of terror for the next nine months. Often Jared would read me a book from my childhood collection to calm my anxiety. One evening before bed, we read Alice in Bible Land, the story of Esther. Nearing the end of the book, Jared asked, “Do you like the name Estelle?” We quickly looked it up on our phone and discovered that Estelle and Esther both mean star. We were immediately reminded of the wish we made in the back of Jared’s truck on that starlit night. The name Estelle felt like a promise that our baby would be safe.

After Estelle turned one, we decided to start the adoption process. We felt eager to complete our family and sincerely hoped that the adoption process would be easier than getting pregnant.

Finishing a home study was our first step.

This process took three months and included countless background checks, multiple 40

summer 2021

home visits from a social worker, trainings, medical evaluations and a full disclosure of our finances. It was invasive and overwhelming, but understandably necessary. Once this was completed, we searched for an agency. There were hundreds of them across the country, each with different requirements due to state laws.

We decided it would be best to have an adoption consultant, a middle man to help us navigate this process. The consultant’s job was to send us birth mother cases from various agencies. After reading the case, we had 48 hours to decide and then the birth mother would pick a family from those of us who said yes.

We were quickly matched to a birth mom from Kansas. However, two weeks before she was due, she disappeared and we never got to hold the baby we dreamt about and we couldn’t get back the $20,000 we had lost in medical expenses and agency fees.

We grieved for months, and then miraculously found the strength and financial resources to try again. This time around, we said yes to more that 30 cases and were never chosen. My health rapidly declined and insomnia began to plague me. Eventually we decided it would be best for our family to end the adoption process.

This decision felt like defeat and we had no idea how we would ever find our baby.

Exactly three weeks later, on July 15th of 2020, a social worker we knew from Kansas called to tell us about a baby that had just been born in Oklahoma. Because the birth mom had no prior medical care and tested positive for meth and numerous STD’s, there were no families willing to adopt her. If this baby wasn’t placed with a family, social services would take her, and she would become another number in the foster system.

I will never forget the night I met our baby girl.

She was lying in a crib in the NICU. Cords were hooked up all over her body and she had a black eye mask on to protect her eyes from the bright

lights that were treating her bilirubin. The very first thought I had was, “She has a black eye mask on just like the one I sleep with every night.” Then I noticed her full head of dark hair. Estelle was born with a full head of dark hair and I couldn’t believe I was staring at a baby who looked exactly like one I could have given birth to.

What I saw next completely took my breath away. Above her bassinet was written “Baby Girl Lucy.” At the hospital, babies are identified by their birth mom’s last name. Jared and I loved the name Lucy and decided that if we ever had another baby girl, we would name her that.

(We had named the second baby I miscarried Lucy.) Just like the divine had named Estelle, my second daughter had been given a name as a promise that she would be safe.

Hear more about Rebecca and Jared’s journey into parenthood at Moms Like Me, July 11, 2021. This annual event will be held at the Gallatin River Hideaway from 5-8 pm.

Rebecca Schlender is a Bozeman mama, hairstylist and certified yoga instructor who loves to inspire others into brave action.

Moms Shatter the Silence

by Telling the Story of the Postpartum Experience

at Moms Like Me July 11, 2021 The fifth annual Moms Like Me event, hosted by local nonprofit Roots Family Collaborative, will be held on Sunday, July 11, 2021 from 5-8 p.m. at The Gallatin River Hideaway. In an effort for Moms Like Me to be inclusive and accessible to all, this year’s event will be held outside, on the Gallatin River where we can follow local COVID-19 guidelines.

The venue will open at 4:30 for a 5 p.m.-sharp start time. This will be the second year for the Moms Like Me Mom Band to share sounds that uplift and soothe the audience. Four local mothers will tell their true postpartum stories to normalize the realities and validate the experiences of people everywhere. This event intends to raise awareness, lessen shame and provide resources and information about the postpartum experience for families living in Gallatin County.

Roots Family Collaborative launched their first annual Moms Like Me event in 2017 in response to a postpartum tragedy that shook the Bozeman community early in 2016. Overwhelming response to the event supported fast growth, and in 2020 the event drew more than 250 people to the Rialto. Moms Like Me provides local mothers and families a safe space to feel acknowledged while witnessing the power of storytelling and connecting to our great community.

With the current gap in postpartum care and the constant demands of caring for a new baby, parents often feel isolated, exhausted and overwhelmed. One in seven mothers and one in 10 fathers suffer from some form of mental health disorder during pregnancy and/or during the postpartum period. This means that, statistically speaking, each of us probably knows someone whose life has been affected by prenatal or postpartum mood disorders. The problem is both personal and universal.

Roots Family Collaborative takes its role in the community seriously and believes that action is needed to address the mental health of parents in our community. Through the annual Moms Like Me event, regular support groups, workshops for new families and distribution of the Roots Wellness Guide, Roots has stepped in to fill a glaring void by becoming the trusted connection for both families and providers during this stage of life.

Every mother is unique— so is every delivery.

While our job is to ensure you have a healthy delivery, we want to do it your way.

Let our team of experts provide you with award-winning care at our BabyFriendly® birth center.

Make an appointment today!

Call 406.222.3541 or visit LivingstonHealthCare.org

EVENT INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO POSSIBLE COVID RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES BEFORE ATTENDING. :: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

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helena

NOW ON EXHIBIT AT

On exhibit June 12 - September 2021

Sponsored by:

Explorationworks 995 Carousel Way | Helena, MT 406.457.1800 explorationworks.org

MBC MOVES AT SUMMER LUNCH! Join us from 12 -1 PM Wednesday, June 23rd @ Story Mill Park Wednesday, July 14th @ Bozeman Public Library Pick up your free summer lunch and dance with us!

Free Summer Meal Sites With summer vacation in sight, we can all acknowledge that both parents and students have made it through a year like no other—virtual classes, masks, social distancing, school closings and reopenings all took their toll. Summer should be a time for families to relax, play and have some fun. However, for families facing tough economic times, summer is challenging. On average, when school is not in session a family’s food budget increases by roughly $300 per child per month. In addition to the added costs, meeting the whole family’s nutritional needs takes a lot of time and energy.

At HRDC we believe all members of the family deserve a break this summer – parents and guardians included. We want food to be one less thing to worry about, so we will be operating free summer meal sites for kids and teens at eight locations around Bozeman all summer long. At lunchtime Monday through Friday, anyone 18 and under will receive a free meal at our sites. No registration or proof of income is necessary, simply show up. Adults accompanying children can also eat a meal for a small donation. Meals are delicious and healthy, following USDA nutritional guidelines and incorporating many local ingredients. Meal site

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locations are in safe, supervised and accessible areas such as public parks and the Bozeman Public Library.

Montana Ballet Company will share their MBC MOVES program with meal site participants on Wednesday, June 23rd at Story Mill Park and Wednesday, July 14th at the Bozeman Public Library.

MBC MOVES is a Dance Residency program for Elementary Schools and nonprofits, serving children with a focus on health, wellness and exercise. Enjoy a complimentary and fun dance class with MBC Instructors. Everyone is welcome!

You can find the meal site closest to you by texting “Lunch” to 877-877, visiting www. thehrdc.org and clicking on “Summer Meals” or contacting your child’s school. Outside of Bozeman? Contact your local school district to find out where they will be hosting Summer Meals. The HRDC’s Summer Meals program helps families stretch their budgets, stay healthy and save time. If you’d like to support our program, please spread the word among friends, colleagues, social media and your community.

EVENT INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO POSSIBLE COVID RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES BEFORE ATTENDING.

My Own

Superhero WRITTEN BY CORA DESANTIS

“Prepare to self-rescue... No one is coming!”

Coach Leslie yells from across the gym at True Spirit Crossfit. That’s right – no one is coming.

So, let’s just say your kid fell in a hole... it’s a horrible thought, but could you squeeze your ass down that hole and pull you and your kid back up a la Apocalypse Now? Prepare to SelfRescue; no one is coming.

I like Crossfit because I see measurable results through increases in strength, mobility, endurance, coordination and ability. My body feels continually sore in the good-all-over-likeyou-know-you-worked-out kinda way. And, of course, hell yeah, it’s hard and sometimes I look

at the workout and know for damn sure that if I had seen it online before I came... I might not have come.

But we choose our hard. It’s hard to get overweight and be inflamed. It’s hard to struggle to move (extra weight always reminds me of being pregnant). It also reminds me of those sumo wrestler outfits they have at the county fair. You can put them on and feel 100 pounds heavier and like you’re moving in slow motion.

That’s hard.

And it’s hard to go to the gym and focus on you for an hour a day with all of life’s demands.

It’s hard to commit and show up every day and work out. But you get to choose your hard.

I’ve been consistently going to Crossfit three times a week and I cannot believe it sometimes when I just did a workout with 100 squats and 100 burpees. I could not have done something like that in the past. Now I know I can do it and sometimes I blow my own mind.

Showing up consistently for yourself is a big daunting deal. But you can be your own superhero and you can rescue yourself and your kid. If you need a little help, contact Leslie at True Spirit Crossfit for a free no-sweat consultation.

NEXT FLIGHT STARTS IN JUNE

Mama Bear

CROSSFIT CLAN

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE THE BEGINNER ALONE

6-WEEK INTRO PROGRAM

Sponsored by Montana Parent

Be a part of a bada$* group of women while you learn the foundations of crossfit in this 6-week intro program with coach Leslie Allen at True Spirit Crossfit $299 for 3 days/wk for 6 weeks

+

TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER, VISIT WWW.TRUESPIRITCROSSFIT.COM

(406) 404-6348 32D Shawnee Way, Bozeman (Frontage Road)

:: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

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Music on Main 2021 Summer 2021

The Downtown Bozeman Association is currently in the planning phase for this summer’s popular concert series. It should come as no surprise that there are some obstacles to overcome in safely throwing an event on public property that proudly hosts nearly 4,000 people each night. This being said, the DBA is optimistic about the possibility of hosting Music on Main for its 21st season starting later in the summer. Stay tuned for more info!

DISCOVERY WALKS June 2021

July 4, 2021

Discovery Walks, presented by Bozeman Health, are onehour, guided walks that will help you discover the more than 90 miles of trails on the Main Street to the Mountains trail system. Each walk takes place at a different trail or park, and features a different theme. This year, Gallatin Valley Land Trust is working with Montana Outdoor Science School, Sacajawea Audubon Society and others to bring fun, educational, outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy.

The 14th annual Reach Race for Independence will take place in person on Sunday, July 4, with a virtual option available this year. All proceeds help empower the adults with developmental disabilities that Reach serves to lead independent, fulfilling lives.

New to Bozeman? Interested in discovering new trails?

Need a spring activity for the kids? Curious about water, geography, yoga, plants, trail running or birds? Join one or more of these Discovery Walks and remember to practice social distancing guidelines. Attendees are encouraged to bring a mask. Visit www.gvlt.org/events/discovery-walks/ for more information and specifics on each walk.

» Saturday, June 5, 7:30 a.m. – “Birding with Vicki Saab” at Cherry River Fishing Access Site

» Monday, June 7, 6 p.m. – “Intro to Trail Running” at the Highland Glen Softball Field

National Trails Day June 5, 2021

National Trails Day is Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s largest trail volunteer project of the year. Paying special attention to concerns around COVID, GVLT is planning to host in-person volunteer projects on June 5, but they will be smaller projects in Tuckerman Park and the Sourdough Trail area that will have limited capacity and require advance sign-up, rather than one large project.

Visit www.gvlt.org/events/national-trails-day/ for project sign-up and details about how to prepare for your volunteering.

Reach Race for Independence

» Wednesday, June 9, 9:30–11 a.m. – “Wonder Walk”

at the pavilion in Story Mill Park’s Nature Sanctuary

» Thursday, June 10, 6 p.m. - “Wildflower Thursday” at Mount Ellis

» Friday, June 11, 9:30 a.m. – “Summer Survival” at East Gallatin Recreation Area

» Monday, June 14, 9:30 a.m. – “Amphibious Adventure” at Drinking Horse

» Thursday, June 17, 6 p.m. – “Wildflower Thursday” at Mount Ellis

» Friday, June 18, 9:30 a.m. – “Bugging Out” at Regional Park

The in-person course follows north Bozeman trails starting at the Reach Work Center.

Start Time Info:

» In-person 10K will start in

waves between 8-8:15 a.m.

» In-person 5K will start in waves between 8:15-8:30 a.m.

» In-person 1K starts at 9:30 a.m.

» Virtual runners may

participate in a 1K/5K/10K route of their choosing.

Complete your distance anytime on Sunday, July 4, and share the results with Reach.

Packet Pick-up: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday, July 3 at the Reach Work Center (322 Gallatin Park Dr.).

Please visit www.reachinc.org for COVID-19 Safety Information

» Monday, June 21, 9:30 a.m. – “Sensational Senses” at Sourdough Canyon

» Thursday, June 24, 6 p.m. – “Intro to Trail Running” at the Painted Hills Connector Trail

» Friday, June 25, 9:30 a.m. – “Wonderful Water” at Sourdough Trail at Tuckerman Park

» Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m. – “Natural Hazards of Bozeman Area” at Peets Hill/Burke

» Sunday, June 27, 9–11 a.m. – “Land SnorkelingWildflowers and More” at Drinking Horse

» Wednesday, June 30, 5:30–7 p.m. – “Bozeman Wetland Bike Tour”

EVENT INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO POSSIBLE COVID RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES BEFORE ATTENDING. 44

summer 2021

Downtown Bozeman Art Walks July 9-10, August 13-14 and September 10-11, 2021 The Downtown Bozeman Association, downtown Bozeman art galleries, retailers and the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture are proud to present this summer’s Downtown Bozeman Art Walks. Art Walks will be held on the second Friday of each month, JulySeptember, 4-8 p.m.

Crazy Days July 16-18, 2021 The Downtown Bozeman Association and downtown merchants are proud to present the 2021 Crazy Days Summer Sidewalk Sale. It’s the biggest, the best and the original. More than 100 downtown merchants take to the sidewalks with unbelievable sales on spring and summer merchandise. Come stroll downtown and check out the 2021 Summer Crazy Days event!

ADKINS with special guest Parmalee during the evening shows of the 21st -23rd. With the addition of the new Silver Bullet Stage, the fair offers nightly performances by live, local bands, along with music from the Everly Brothers on the Treasure State Stage daily.

Make sure you check out the commercial vendor booths along A Gate road and in the Fair Market Building and the new Fair Market Stage, where the Chicago Dancing Honey Bears will be performing daily.

With more than 100 years of tradition, the Bozeman Roundup Ranch Rodeo will be held on Saturday, July 24th. Come back Sunday, July 25th for the Barnyard Brawl featuring Mutton Bustin’, the calf scramble and the chicken chase for the kiddos.

The fair will also feature several fun-filled activities in the Morrison-Maierle Pardners Corral: Freckle Farm Petting Zoo with pony rides and turkey races; Reptile Adventures; Extreme Dogs; Cutest Show on Earth; Kids Pedal Pull; Tyzen – Master Hypnotist; competitive exhibits; workshops; blacksmithing demos and more.

Family Drive-In Movie Night July 9, 23 & August 20, 2021 Drive in for a fun family movie this summer in the Montana Science Center parking lot.

Enjoy a movie on the large screen with popcorn, lemonade and other activities. Movies are appropriate for all ages; film starts when the sun goes down. Plan to arrive by 7:30 p.m.; cost is $25 per parking spot.

Big Sky Country State Fair July 21-25, 2021 Need a dose of fun? Indulge in your favorite fair foods, experience the thrill of the carnival and take in live entertainment at the 2021 Big Sky Country State Fair. Enjoy family fun starting Wednesday, July, 21; gates open at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. daily (6 p.m. on Sunday).

With 20 food vendors on the roster ready to bring fair guests the best in culinary creations, you can expect to see and smell hand-dipped corn dogs, homemade ice-cream, shaved ice, funnel cakes, huckleberry drinks, Mexican and Asian inspired food and more.

Enjoy nationally recognized talent NELLY with special guest Carly Pearce; GRANGER SMITH with special guest Kolby Cooper; and TRACE

Animals are the number one reason visitors come to fairs in the United States. This is the last place you can get up close and personal with your favorite goat or pig without living on your own farm. First Security Bank Livestock Barns will be open all week, and visit the Northwest Farm Credit Services Livestock Show Tent to see the animals show.

Make sure you head over to the motorsports area for Extreme Motocross by Octane Addictions, The Mud Bog and the Hill ‘N Hole, to name just a few. NEW this year is the American Minor League Ninja course happening Sunday.

We look forward to having you at the 2021 Big Sky Country State Fair! Look for gate admission tickets and bundles to go on sale May 28. For more information, visit www.406StateFair.com or call 406-582-3270.

EVENT INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO POSSIBLE COVID RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES BEFORE ATTENDING. :: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

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2021 Bozeman Sweet Pea Festival August 6-8, 2021 The Bozeman Sweet Pea Festival is tentively planned for August 6-8, 2021. This three-day festival will feature a juried art show, chalk on the walk, flower parade, flower show, painting workshop, music, theater, dance, kids’ activities, a beer garden, food and drink vendors and much more. Hours are Friday from 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun from 11 a.m.7 p.m. Visit www.sweetpeafeastival.org for updates.

Cruisin’ on Main Car Show August 15, 2021 The Downtown Bozeman Association and Cancer Support Community are happy to present the 21st annual Cruisin’ on Main Car Show. Since 2001, the Downtown Bozeman Association has hosted this car show in historic downtown Bozeman. It has become a premier, statewide event celebrating classic cars, trucks and motorcycles. This event supports Cancer Support Community (CSC) and works to raise awareness of the support offered to all people affected by cancer.

Bozeman Stampede Rodeo August 5-7, 2021 The Bozeman Stampede is a nonprofit rodeo that was started in 2010 by a handful of Bozemanites with the intention of bringing a sanctioned rodeo back to Bozeman for the first time in more than 50 years. The goal was to provide a fun community event that would benefit Bozeman businesses and our community (both culturally and economically) while raising money for quality local agricultural groups and organizations. The rodeo is sanctioned under the PRCA. Visit www.bozemanstampede.com for more information and updates on this year’s event.

SLAM Summer Festival August 7, 2021 The 2021 Summer SLAM festival will be held August 7th! Pods of Montana artists will be performing from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in THREE locations: Bogert Park, Story Mansion Park and the Emerson Lawn. Due to the continued presence of the COVID virus in our community, SLAM opted for this model of the festival to follow the recommended public health guidelines while still providing a wonderful opportunity for our community to shop with the amazing creators of our state. Stay tuned for lineups and more information at www.slamfestivals.org.

EVENT INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO POSSIBLE COVID RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES BEFORE ATTENDING. 46

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A

NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO?

FREE COVID-19 TALK LINE If you are experiencing emotions such as anxiety, depression, stress, sadness, or fear, we are here to listen.

WHAT WE DO:

LISTEN WITHOUT JUDGEMENT OFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT COMFORT, CONSOLE

Montana Crisis Recovery is a COVID-19 specific Crisis Call Center. Call a Counselor now! We are here to listen.

CALL (877) 503-0833 OR VISIT

montanacrisisrecovery.com

HOURS OF OPERATION: 10 AM-10 PM DAILY

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please contact (800) 273-TALK or (800) 273-8255. You can also text “MT” to 741741 :: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

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Great Falls Lewis & Clark Festival July 9-11, 2021 The Annual Lewis and Clark Festival highlights events of the Lewis & Clark expedition during their stay in Great Falls in 1805. You will observe re-enactors in historic dress, taste the foods the expedition ate, smell the burning campfires and learn how the men worked and what they found. Enjoy the sight of tipis in a native lodge encampment, and experience Native American dancers and drummers.

Peruse fine arts and crafts vendors, food concessions, a children’s area and live music in the band shell throughout the day. An A.l. guided tour of the Portage Route throughout Great Falls will be held on Sunday, July 11.

Montana State Fair July 30–August 7, 2021 The Montana State Fair returns to the Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls, July 30 to August 7. The fair attracts tens of thousands of people every year with exciting carnival rides, educational exhibitions and food vendors. Free entertainment includes horse racing, rodeo, comedy and live music performances.

Dozens of exhibits showcase local horticulture, farming, art and food. The musical lineup features Country duo Big & Rich, known for their hit “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” as well as musical and comedic acts from two winners of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, ventriloquist Terry Fator and singer Kodi Lee. Other acts include Travis Tritt, For King & Country and Chevelle.

Admission varies according to age: adult tickets cost $8, seniors pay $5 and children 5 and under are free. Visit www.tickets.goexpopark.com/ to purchase. Carnival rides require a ride wristband.

D

60th Last Chance Stampede and Fair

helena Revive at Five July 7 - August 25, 2021

Alive at Five is coming back this summer, with just a slight name change. Revive at Five will kick off July 7th and run every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., with music starting at 5:30 p.m.

Keep checking downtownhelena.com/events for more information.

Local food offerings will include: Adventure Dogs (hotdogs), The Big Dill (American fare), Cheddar’s (grilled cheeses), Eat Greekish (Greek fare), Helena Mountain Berry Bowls (Acai berry bowls), The Missionary Food Truck (Mexican fare), Old Fashioned Kettle Corn (kettle corn), Rockstar BBQ (barbeque) and Tropical Sno (Hawaiian shaved ice).

July 28-31, 2021

Following is the full listing of dates and locations for the 24th season of Revive at Five: Wednesday, July 7: Sunsah406 at Pioneer Parks Wednesday, July 14: Jackson Holte and The Highway Patrol at Pioneer Park Wednesday, July 21: 10 Years Gone at Pioneer Park Wednesday, July 28: Los Marvelitos at Pioneer Park Wednesday, August 4: Shakewell at Women’s Park Wednesday, August 11: Sweetgrass Blues Band at Women’s Park Wednesday, August 18: Goldy Vox at Hill Park Wednesday, August 25: Big Ska Country at Women’s Park

Helena’s Last Chance Stampede Rodeo and Fair features award-winning broncs and bulls performing over three nights, Jake Owen live in concert, exhibits, vendors and, of course, a carnival.

Montana circuit cowboys and cowgirls and top PRCA contestants from all over the United States will compete in seven PRCAsanctioned events. In addition to the rodeo, the 36,000-square foot, air-conditioned exhibit hall hosts 4-H and open competitive exhibits where you can view all the winning entries from photography to quilts, 50 commercial vendors, an entertainment stage and other great events.

Northstar Amusements Carnival will set up more than 20 rides with a separate area for younger children in the popular “Kiddie Carnival.” More than 20 food vendors will be on site with additional commercial vendors and displays outside, an outdoor entertainment tent and petting zoo. Visit www.lccfairgrounds.com for a complete schedule.

EVENT INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO POSSIBLE COVID RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES BEFORE ATTENDING. 48

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Festival of the Arts July 2-4, 2021 LIVINGSTON DEPOT CENTER Livingston Depot Center’s Festival of the Arts is held in the Depot Rotary Park, on West Park Street (next to the Depot Center) in downtown Livingston.

This juried show coincides with both the Livingston Roundup Rodeo and the downtown parade, drawing more than 100 skilled artists and attracting thousands of enthusiasts.

Livingston Roundup July 2-4, 2021 The Livingston Roundup Rodeo is the premier rodeo in the state of Montana. The Roundup has consistently attracted sellout crowds as well as the best PRCA rodeo cowboys and cowgirls from around the nation. To purchase tickets, and for a full schedule of events, visit www.livingstonroundup.com.

Red Ants Pants Music Festival

​

July 22-25, 2021

T​ he festival offers an impressive collection of fine arts and crafts talent from around the entire western region, including photography, painting, sculpture, woodworking, metal and blacksmithing, jewelry, furniture, glass, fiber arts, drawings and prints, ceramics and more.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS This music festival features four days of live music and benefits the Red Ants Pants Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to women’s leadership, working family farms and ranches, and rural communities. In addition to great music, festivalgoers will find merchandise tents, food vendors, a beer garden, hayrides and a kids’ tent. The kids’ tent offers fun activities, face painting, treats and more. For parents with wee ones, it is a great place to rest in the shade. For a complete performance lineup, visit www.redantspantsmusicfestival.com.

Please remember pets are not allowed, and if you have a service animal, it must be kept on a leash.

H west Yellowstone Farmers Market on the Museum Lawn Every Thursday from 5-8 p.m.

Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo June 18-August 21, 2021 The Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo is held seven miles west of West Yellowstone and the park entrance on Targhee Pass Highway (Hwy. 20), 175 Oldroyd Rd. Admission fees vary by age and event.

All performances begin at 7 p.m. and often sell out, so it is advisable to buy tickets ahead of time (www.yellowstonerodeo.com/).

June: 18, 19, 23-26, 29 & 30

July 4 Festivities July 4, 2021 The West Yellowstone Fourth of July Celebration happens all day around the community, with a parade, a FREE Music in the Park Concert and fireworks, which can be viewed from the city park or from along Yellowstone Avenue. Admission is free.

Music in the Park July 4, August 6 and September 4, 2021 The Music in the Park summer concert series features regional and local talent. Held July 4, August 6 and September 4, these concerts are a great opportunity to spend a summer evening outdoors. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and come to City Park for live music, a barbecue and plenty of outdoor space for kids to romp in the grass.

Admission is free.

Wild Bill Days Rodeo & Concert

July: 1-9, 12-17, 19- 31

July 10, 2021

August: 2-7, 10-14, 18-21

Visit www.DestinationYellowstone.com for more information.

West Yellowstone Rod Run & Car Show August 7, 2021 Hundreds of street rods from all over the U.S. show up at the West Yellowstone Rod Run for various runs and competitions and the highlight of the weekend, the Parade of Rods on Saturday along Canyon Street. The Show and Shine held at City Park is a favorite of attendees; see Woodys, delivery vans and fancy cars with even fancier hood ornaments. Also offered is a barbecue dinner, ice cream social, plenty of live entertainment and raffles.

Admission is free.

EVENT INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO POSSIBLE COVID RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE VISIT EVENT WEBSITES BEFORE ATTENDING. :: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

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REGULAR COLUMN

Zoey’s RECIPES

FOR SUCCESS: Tricks & Shortcuts , s p i T

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

&

IN THE KITCHEN

WRITTEN BY ZOEY MAHONEY

Well, it’s officially summer in Montana. After the last 15 months I think we’ve all earned a little rest and relaxation. Though we might not be able to go on all of our dream destination trips quite yet, we’re lucky enough to live in a place that presents endless opportunities for adventures both big and small. Apart from spending time adventuring with my husband and dog, my favorite part of summer is the sheer abundance of fresh and local food. I’m going to share with you two of my all-time favorite summer recipes and one recipe I recently discovered from one of our interns that I just love. These are all delicious, easy and perfect make-ahead recipes that you can take with you on any adventure.

a Tasty Recipe CAMPFIRE NACHOS Serving Size: 6 What can I say about this dish that will do it justice? Try something different from the old standby of hot dogs and hamburgers and give these Campfire Nachos a shot. This dish can be prepped in advance and all you have to do is throw it on the fire when you get to your campsite.

Ingredients: - 1 bag tortilla chips - 8 ounces cheddar cheese (or preferred cheese) - 3 cups assorted veggies (bell peppers, fresh corn, radish, turnips, cauliflower, tomatoes, jalapeños) - 2 cups cooked protein (lentils, black beans, pinto beans, ground beef...etc.)

- Toppings of choice (Greek yogurt, avocado, tomato, green onion, cilantro...etc.)

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Supplies: - Cast-iron Dutch oven or heat-proof pan with a lid - Nonstick spray - Cutting board and knife Directions: - Prepare the veggies by dicing them into ½-inch pieces - Prepare the preferred protein (meat, lentils/beans) - Spray the Dutch oven with cooking spray.

Begin layering ingredients starting with chips, veggies, protein, cheese...and so on - Put the lid on and refrigerate until ready to cook - Prepare toppings and place in a sealed container to sprinkle on after the nachos have cooked - Over a campfire, place the Dutch oven on a wire rack just over the flames and cook, with the lid on, for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and veggies/protein are warmed through STUFFED MINI BELLS Serving Size: 6 This recipe comes from one of our interns, Lynne, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite, on-the-go snacks to have around.

These mini bells are a great side dish for Campfire Nachos and also work perfectly for a snack right before dinner or after a float down the Madison.

Ingredients: - 1 ½ avocados - 6 mini bell peppers - 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas - ¼ cup red onion - Juice from one lemon - Salt and pepper to taste Supplies: - Knife and cutting board - Spoon - Mixing bowl - Storage container

Directions: - Finely dice the red onion and cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds - Combine the avocado and chickpeas in the bowl and mash together. Add the red onion, salt, pepper and mix together. Squeeze in lemon juice and mix, this will help keep the avocado green - Using a spoon, fill the mini bell peppers until full - Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week WATERMELON SALAD Serving Size: 6 My favorite fruit in the summer has got to be watermelon. I have a tough time drinking enough water to keep my body hydrated, which I’m sure a lot of kiddos can relate to, and the high-water content in watermelon really helps with this.

Combining watermelon with mint or basil gives some earthy freshness and added flavor, and a little bit of feta cheese to cut the sweetness with some salt and tang...yum!

Ingredients: - ¼ of a large watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes - ¼ cup basil or mint, minced - 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled - 1 lime Supplies: - Knife and cutting board - Mixing bowl - Large spoon - Storage container Directions: - Prepare ingredients: dice watermelon, mince herbs, crumble cheese - Combine all ingredients into a bowl and mix together - Squeeze juice from the lime over the ingredients and mix - Store in an airtight container for up to one week

suggestions for sourcing June in Montana means that nearly everything is available and (most) everything is going to be as fresh as possible. This is the best chance you have to find local foods at the grocery stores, the farmers markets, Root Cellar Foods and farm stands at local farms.

A Parent and Kid Collaboration Tip If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: Most kids will eat foods that they helped make (or at least try). To take it one step further, the more color you put in front of little eyes, the more fun they’re going to have in the kitchen – which is another reason I love summer food so much. My best suggestion for Campfire Nachos is, when you’re preparing this at home before your excursion, have your kids help you prep a vegetable from each color of the rainbow and lay all the colorful ingredients on a cutting board and then let them build the nachos for you. This recipe is perfect for (literally) tossing ingredients into a Dutch oven with basic measurements and seeing what you can create. Be sure to make a big deal out of how tasty the creation is so your kiddos know they did a great job and you’ll be surprised at how often they’ll want to help you out in the kitchen in the future.

So healthy and delicious!

An Enviro-friendly Sustainability Tip We have all been at a campsite or cruising down the river and seen garbage that’s been left behind. These items are not only bad for the environment and not pretty to look at, but they’re also harmful to the wildlife we all love. Carrying your food items in reusable containers like Pyrex, silicone Ziploc bags, or even old mason/salsa jars is a great way to keep single use plastics out of the wilderness and out of the landfills. Instead of buying a case of bottled water, purchase a camping water cube from REI and pack along 10-20 gallons of water instead of 24 plastic water bottles. Metal growlers make wonderful beverage holders as well if you have items that you’d like to keep cold for long periods of time. If you do need to use single use items, opt for items like non-coated paper plates and compostable silverware. Whatever you do, Mother Nature will thank you for keeping the wilderness free of garbage.

Zoey Mahoney is the Culinary Instructor with Gallatin Valley Farm to School and is completing degrees in Dietetics and Sustainable Food Systems from Montana State University. Zoey enjoys spending her days adventuring with her husband and building their greenhouse/chicken coop.

:: calendars, blog & more @ MTPARENT.COM ::

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WRITTEN BY GABBY FARRELL

During the mid-1970s, Indian Health Services (IHS) providers informed two young Native American girls in Montana – both barely 15 years old – that they needed their appendices removed. Years later, the two girls discovered they had been sterilized. Another Native woman was sterilized without consent during a C-section. Other women recall being given birth control pills disguised as “vitamins.” These stories are just a few of the hundreds shared by native women during the mass sterilization of Native American women by the U.S. Government in the 1960s and ‘70s (Torphy, 2000).1

whole life, which is how our society was deemed, was all around the health of the family. They target that completely. And I feel like that’s why intergenerational trauma is a real thing. I feel it. I have the trauma that my dad had, and I have the trauma that my grandma has.” - Meg

Native peoples primarily receive federal health services through the IHS, which began providing family planning in 1965. With the passing of the Family Planning Services Act (1970), sterilization became subsidized for all Medicaid and IHS patients and increased 350% by 1975. An investigative study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in the years following found that between 1973 and 1976, IHS providers sterilized 3,406 native women, often using uninformed and coercive measures.

Empowering Native Women Meg shined light on the many ways native women uphold their autonomy and strength in the face of these challenges today.

I had the privilege of sitting down with Meg Singer, a program director of the Native American Initiative at Utah Valley University.

Meg was gracious enough to give me insight into the oppression of Native women and communities, which saw such violent tragedies as those occurring in the 1960s and ‘70s and continuing to this day.

Historical Foundations Meg explained that sterilization of native women was a measured continuation of the genocide that has been a part of the colonization process since European invaders first arrived. The federal government’s assimilation efforts were based on breaking down the foundations of native womanhood and familial structure, leaving a lasting intergenerational impact.

“The vilification of native women was a big thing... Seeing violence in the home, like domestic violence or alcohol or drugs or anything, were reasons a woman would be sterilized, or her kids would be taken away from her.” - Meg “Every aspect of native family life, which was our 52

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By removing community support networks, the government created a need for federally funded organizations that provided family planning and health services, like IHS. This curated reliance on federal programs left native women vulnerable to the myriad abuses that took place and continue to take place throughout the U.S.

“Native women have always fought against [assimilation] and they fight just by living…Now when you see women wear traditional clothing, wear their hair long, start beading and weaving, and control how they represent themselves and their body, it is so powerful. When I’m looking at myself as a native woman, I am the prayers of my ancestors when they were trying to figure out how they were going to survive, how we would survive as a people. Now generations later, we have more power, we’re learning the white man’s way, we’re learning and retaking what was tried to be stolen from us.” - Meg Your Role as the Reader For our readers, Meg underscored the importance of gaining a better understanding of the stark realities of the U.S. healthcare system today and to leave this article with a greater urgency for change.

“Even today the health care system is a system of racism. People need to realize how truly dehumanizing these ideas of illegitimacy, of sin, of being vilified for something natural like having a kid is…White people, when we’re talking about racism, have the largest responsibility of all to make sure that this sh*t doesn’t happen anymore…Native people need to have access to our traditional healthcare and the way in which we do that has to be that the western dominant society needs to change how they view healthcare.” - Meg

Your Next Steps Meg emphasized that one of the best steps you can make to support native women is to focus on the youth. One easy way to do so is by reaching out to your local representatives and call for action in the legislature. You can find your local representative on the Montana State Legislature Lookup (https://leg.mt.gov/ legislator-lookup/), along with information on how to contact them.

“Ensure that the federal funding that is going into the education system also includes support for healthcare - this means having mental health care professionals in school, it means having Indian education for all curriculum in each grade in Montana schools. When we see IHS or tribal health, it’s struggling, it doesn’t have all the things that it needs. That is where our public educational system should be that safety net.

School has always been a refuge for students. For Native students it also needs to function in that way.” – Meg Another Way to Learn and Do More: Learn more from Indigenous voices by visiting and supporting the Warrior Women Project (https://www.warriorwomen.org/). The project is made up of Indigenous women, settler allies, scholars and storytellers, working to tell the recent history of Indigenous women in their own words. This project contains a decades long archive of oral history of Indigenous activist and organizers from the Red Power Movement in the 1970s. On their webpage you can find more ways to support and donate to their project and others.

Special thanks to Meg for sharing her story and helping me tell this one.

Gabby Farrell is an undergraduate student at Bowdoin College and an intern at Bridgercare (Montana’s largest family planning clinic).

1 Torpy, Sally J. “Native American women and coerced sterilization: On the Trail of Tears in the 1970s.” American Indian Culture and Research Journal 24.2 (2000): 1-22.

Raising a Child with a Chromosomal Abnormality WRITTEN BY MARLEY DAVIS

As most parents know, there are many challenges and obstacles that come with raising a child. Everyone has a different way of parenting, and each parent ultimately can make their own decisions regarding how they want to raise their kiddo. However, when a parent finds out that their child is going to have a chromosomal abnormality, the way they choose to parent is no longer as freewilled as they may have desired. The need for medications and therapy, along with regular clinical appointments, can make a parent feel as though they have no control over how exactly their child is expanding emotionally and socially.

The pressures that come from raising a child with an abnormality have been proven to be more stressful than raising a child without an abnormality. In a report published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology1, researchers studied 263 families of children with biochemical genetic disorders, focusing on the predictors of stress when raising a child with a chromosomal abnormality. Of these children, 139 were diagnosed through newborn screening and the other 124 were identified clinically. The parents were asked to complete a series of interviews regarding child health, medical service use, satisfaction of services, family functioning and parenting stress. Using the Parent Stress Index-Short Form and other tests, the results concluded that parents raising a child with a genetic disorder had 32% more stress than parents who were not. The increase in stress among these families can be attributed to several factors, one of which is the financial aspect of having a child who requires monthly visits to clinics and doctors that may not be accessible in their hometown or even state.

Another stressor is learning how to properly care for and support your child, which can involve weeks and months of education regarding what medications are required, and how other medications and actions can affect your child differently.

The National Association for Down Syndrome was founded to support individuals with Down syndrome and their families. When Down syndrome started to emerge in the first half of the 20th century, many of those who were diagnosed were institutionalized because, at that time, it was considered too difficult to raise a child with such a “serious” disorder. They were kept in institutions to be hidden from society and were not given the treatment and support they needed to be properly cared for. In 1960, Marty and Kay McGee had a child with Down syndrome and were given the option to send her off to be institutionalized or bring her home without any support or services. They chose to bring their daughter, Tricia, home and began to reach out to professionals and other parents of children with Down syndrome. This would be the beginning of The National Association for Down Syndrome – an organization dedicated to supporting those with Down syndrome, recognizing their value and supporting their families. NADS is a great resource for parents when they discover, and may be struggling with, the fact that their child will have a chromosomal abnormality.2 Those who are are having a difficult time are encouraged to seek out support groups and communicate with other parents who are fighting the same battles. Facebook groups, group chats and state or local March of Dimes offices can be a beneficial resource to combat the feelings of not knowing exactly how you should go about caring for your child. Locally, Down Syndrome Research Education Advocacy in Montana (DREAM) celebrates the joys and concerns that come with having a child with Down syndrome. Comprised of a diverse group

of parents with young children with Down syndrome, all located in the Gallatin Valley and surrounding areas, they know all too well the importance of having a network of friends and resources. DREAM meets once a month so the kids can play and the parents can connect with each other.3 Ultimately, knowing you are not alone is often the first step toward learning how to navigate the special challenges that come with parenting a child with an abnormality. Reach out, organizations like DREAM will welcome you with knowledge, warmth and understanding.

Marley Davis is a senior at Bozeman High School. She will be attending Montana State University in the fall of 2021.

Works Cited; 1 Waisbren, Susan E., PhD. Brief Report: Predictors of Parenting Stress Among Parents of Children With Biochemical Genetic Disorders. www.academic.oup.com/jpepsy/ article/29/7/565/968205.

2 “History of NADS.” National Association for Down Syndrome, www.nads.org/about-us/history-of-nads/.

“Finding Support for Families Living with Birth Defects.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 Dec. 2020, www.cdc.gov/ ncbddd/birthdefects/families-support.html.

3 www.dream-mt.org/

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four Play Passes to

State of Play

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2021

How to enter:

Look for this post on the Montana Parent Facebook page starting June 1.

1. Like the post and Tag one friend

2. Follow @mtparent on Facebook (if you don't already!)

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Other info:

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Enter for your chance to win FOUR Play Passes to State of Play valued at $100.

State of Play is a modern educational play and art space for young children.

Coming to Bozeman, Winter 2021

For more information about State of Play and how to support their crowdfunding campaign, please visit www.stateofplay.co

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Here from the start.

We’re here to help your child thrive from birth to adolescence, fostering health and wellness through all of life’s adventures.

Schedule an appointment with one of our Bozeman Health pediatricians today.

Belgrade

Bozeman

Cottonwood

414-3334

414-4900

414-4100

MICHAEL BLAKE PHD, MD

KATIE D'ARDENNE, MD

WILLIAM ALLEN, JR, MD

PEPPER HENYON, MD

LYNNE FOSS, CPNP-PC

JULIE HANSEN, MD

DEBORAH CADES, PA-C

MELISSA SHEPHERD, FNP

PEDIATRICS

KRISTEN DAY, MD

MARK HODGSON, MD

CHRISTOPHER D'ARDENNE, MD

ANNIE HANSEN, NP