Issuu

Aug. 6 - Aug. 19, 2026 Volume 17 // Issue 17

WILDLANDS MUSIC RAISES $625K FOR CONSERVATION; RILEY GREEN & CARRIE UNDERWOOD ROCK BIG SKY

DICK FAST RETIRES FROM WATER & SEWER NEW OWNERS AT THE COFFEE POT OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD ANNUAL FARM TO TABLE EVENT DOG ‘BEST 'BEST IN SHOW’ SHOW' SUPPORTS VET CARE

OPENING SHOT

August 6 - August 19, 2026 Volume 17 // Issue 17 Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana

PUBLISHER Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL VP MEDIA Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com

Fans on the Big Sky Events Arena floor began lining up to see Riley Green long before the live music began at Wildlands. Green, the Jacksonville, Alabama-born country singer, began his set as the sun began to dip behind Lone Mountain. Some fans wore mustaches, emulating Green’s recognizable facial hair, and photographer Claire Lichtwardt snapped a photo. PHOTO BY CLAIRE LICHTWARDT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STAFF WRITER Jen Clancey | jen@theoutlawpartners.com LOCAL JOURNALIST Leslie Kilgore | leslie@theoutlawpartners.com DIGITAL MEDIA LEAD Fischer Genau | fischer@theoutlawpartners.com STAFF WRITER Carli Johnson | carli@theoutlawpartners.com EDITORIAL INTERN Annie O'Neill | annie@theoutlawpartners.com

CREATIVE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Luke Breum | luke@theoutlawpartners.com

SALES AND OPERATIONS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Josh Timon | josh@theoutlawpartners.com CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com VP DESIGN & PRODUCTION Hiller Higman | hiller@theoutlawpartners.com DIRECTOR OF RELATIONSHIPS Ersin Ozer | ersin@theoutlawpartners.com MARKETING MANAGER Tucker Harris | tucker@theoutlawpartners.com CONTENT MARKETING DIRECTOR Taylor Owens | taylor.owens@theoutlawpartners.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com ACCOUNT COORDINATOR Ellie Boeschenstein | ellie@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTRIBUTORS Benjamin Alva Polley, Kaley Burns, Rachel Hergett, Claire Lichtwardt, George Ortiz

4 BRIEFS 6 LOCAL 10 REGIONAL 23 OP NEWS 25 WILDLANDS 34 ENVIRONMENT 36 A&E 40 BUSINESS 44 HEALTH 47 FUN ON THE COVER: Carrie Underwood rocked Big Sky at Wildlands 2026 on Saturday, Aug. 1, singing fan favorite songs, like “Jesus Take the Wheel” and “AllAmerican Girl,” as well as covers of all-time hits like “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts. Photographer Claire Litchtwardt took this photo of Underwood singing to the crowd that filled the Big Sky Events Arena. PHOTO BY CLAIRE LICHTWARDT

WILDLANDS COVER:

DICK FAST RETIRES FROM WATER & SEWER When asked what the most rewarding part of his storied career is, Big Sky’s Dick Fast responded confidently: “The people I’ve worked with.” Those people he’s met span across the U.S., Europe, and here in Big Sky, as he bids farewell after 23 years with the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District board. He stepped away in July 2026 and is the longest serving board member to date at BSCWSD.

DOG ‘BEST IN SHOW’ SUPPORTS VET CARE On July 28, the Big Sky Arts Council transformed into a red carpet runway for Big Sky residents to show off their dapper dogs and charming cats. The event was hosted by Riley’s Urgent Fund for Friends and aimed to raise money for programs at the new animal shelter, scheduled to open in November.

OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD ANNUAL FARM TO TABLE EVENT Much like a herd of bison, Outstanding in the Field’s dinners roam across the West and the U.S. This time, after around 1,700 dinners, the operation came to a Wilsall ranch, home to North Bridger Bison. The dinner highlighted regenerative ranching practices and reminded its guests that some of the best things in life are fleeting.

Riley Green sang about love, heartbreak and his time growing up in Alabama on the Wildlands stage on Friday, Aug. 31. Photographer George Ortiz captured Green looking out to the audience as the sun set. PHOTO BY GEORGE ORTIZ

NEW OWNERS AT THE COFFEE POT The Coffee Pot changed ownership June 2, as William and Amanda Wittpenn took over the café side of the business from longtime owners Josh and Kathy Lockie. The transition kept every staff member on board and left the café's recipes, hours and pottery displays unchanged, while the Lockie family continues to run the shop's pottery operation. The new owners chatted with EBS about updates to the beloved shop, but told fans not to worry—the cinnamon rolls stay. SPECIAL SECTION: WILDLANDS RAISES $625K FOR CONSERVATION, RILEY GREEN & CARRIE UNDERWOOD ROCK BIG SKY From July 30 to Aug. 1, Wildlands 2026 raised $625,000 for conservation through auctions, fundraisers and most notably, a weekend of live music with Carrie Underwood, Riley Green, LeAnn Rimes and Kaitlin Butts. Coverage from the weekend includes an auction recap highlighting Wildlands’ benefactor Property Environment Research Center, Riley Green fans ahead of his performance, and a look back at the weekend as a whole.

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Explore Big Sky

4 August 6 - August 19, 2026

BRIEFS

NEWS IN BRIEF

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS FOUND ON HEBGEN RESERVOIR

HYALITE FIRE DISTRICT GRADUATES NINE NEW VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

EBS STAFF

Routine monitoring of Hebgen Reservoir on July 28 has confirmed the presence of anatoxin-a, a harmful algal bloom that poses risk to people, pets and livestock according to a press release from NorthWestern Energy and Healthy Gallatin. The HABS were confirmed present in the Corey Springs area of the Grayling Arm, as well as the Rainbow Point area of Hebgen Reservoir. In a July 30 press release, the Gallatin City-County Health Department announced that the area is closed for water-based activities due to high toxin levels.

In a recent press release, the Hyalite Fire District announced the graduation of its 2026 Spring Recruit Firefighter Academy during a ceremony held July 21 at the Cottonwood Fire Station. Surrounded by family, friends and members of the department, nine new volunteer firefighters were recognized for successfully completing the training academy and beginning their service to the community.

HABS are caused by blue-green algae that are native to Montana’s freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Not all varieties of blue-green algae are harmful but some can produce dangerous toxins. Ingestion or prolonged contact with the algal bloom may result in illness, with impacts such as muscle twitching, staggering, convulsions, paralysis and death. Children and pets are more likely to ingest HAB infested water; Livestock and pets that drink contaminated water, or collect scum on their fur then ingest it by licking are at high risk of toxin exposure. Blue-green algal blooms often look like pea soup, grass clippings or green latex paint, according to the press release. The algae are usually suspended in the water or appear as floating mats. Advisory signs will be posted at public access points in the Corey Springs area of the Grayling Arm warning the public that toxic algae has been identified in the water in these areas. NorthWestern Energy, who manages the reservoir, is monitoring the blooms and will provide updates if additional restrictions are implemented for public safety.

REGIONAL HOUSING COALITION PITCHES STATE LAWMAKERS ON NEW FUNDING TOOLS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Hyalite Fire District’s Recruit Firefighter Academy follows the Montana State University Fire Services Training School Firefighter I curriculum and consists of more than 250 hours of hands-on training and practical skills evaluations, the press release stated. Upon successful completion of the academy, each graduate earned certification as a Firefighter I through the state of Montana and the National Pro Board. In addition, all graduates received certification as Wildland Firefighter II through the National Wildfire Coordinating group.

MSU OFFERING FREE BOBCAT SPIRIT KITS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES EBS STAFF Montana State University is offering free “Welcome Back Bobcats!” kits to Gallatin Valley businesses ahead of the 2026-27 school year. Each kit includes a “Go Cats” sign, MSU window decal, pennant and more, meant to help businesses show school spirit as students and families return to Bozeman in August. “MSU is proud to welcome our new students and families to Bozeman and the start of a new academic year,” said Amy Kanuch, MSU chief marketing officer in a recent news release. “We invite our community businesses to help in this effort by decorating in blue and gold and showing off their Bobcat spirit.” Kits are limited and require registration at montana.edu/bobcatspirit/kits, with volunteer delivery scheduled Aug. 10-21.

EBS STAFF Gallatin County’s Regional Housing Coalition gathered nine state legislators and legislative candidates to The Wilson Hotel in Big Sky on July 15 for the first public presentation of “Bridging the Gap: A Guide to Funding Affordable Housing in Montana,” an analysis identifying ways to create a dedicated, ongoing funding source for affordable housing in the county. The coalition is supported by One Valley Community Foundation, includes nearly 30 organizations across government, development, finance, real estate and the nonprofit sector, and has served as Gallatin County’s federally recognized Continuum of Care since 2023. The report, produced by the Headwaters Community Housing Trust, most notably stated that as of April 2026, the median rent in Gallatin County is $2,195 a month and the median home price is $789,000, costs that are unsustainable for local median incomes. The report explained funding tools, four of which would require action by the Montana Legislature: a local option sales tax (estimated at $85 million a year for Gallatin County), a share of the county’s roughly $20 million in annual bed tax revenue, a portion of the state’s rental car tax, and a share of Montana’s marijuana tax revenue. It also pointed to local options already available, including a dedicated housing levy or bond and voluntary fee programs, building on existing efforts like the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and the Gallatin Housing Impact Fund.

LEGAL NOTICE WATER AND SEWER INVESTMENT CHARGE HEARING NOTICE The Board of Directors of Big Sky County Water & Sewer District No. 363 will hold a public hearing at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the District office located at 561 Little Coyote Road, Big Sky, Montana. The Board will consider proposed increases to the District’s Water Investment Charge and Sewer Investment Charge. Public comment is encouraged. Written comments may be submitted by email to billing@wsd363.com or mailed to PO Box 160670, Big Sky, MT 59716. For more information, call 406-995-2660.

Meet Your Elected Board of Directors

The Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) is governed by a five-member Board elected by local voters. The Board oversees Resort Tax and makes funding decisions that support community priorities throughout Big Sky.

Kevin Germain

Michelle Kendziorski

Current Term: 2024-2028

Current Term: 2026-2030

Grace Young

John Zirkle

Current Term: 2024-2028

Taylor Kissell

Current Term: 2026-2030

Current Term: 2024-2028

Board Meetings Are Open to the Public

Attend a BSRAD Board meeting to see local government in action, stay informed, and engage with the discussions and decisions that affect the Big Sky community.

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Wednesday, August 12 | 9:00 AM | Resort Tax Office Wednesday, September 9 | 9:00 AM | Resort Tax Office Learn more at resorttax.org

Administered by the Big Sky Resort Area District, a local government agency, Resort Tax is a 4% tax on luxury goods & services. OUR VISION: “Big Sky is BETTER TOGETHER as a result of wise investments, an engaged community, and the pursuit of excellence.”

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Explore Big Sky

6 August 6 - August 19, 2026

LOCAL

DICK FAST DEPARTS FROM WATER AND SEWER BOARD AFTER 23 YEARS

WATER AND SEWER BOARD SECRETARY, AIR FORCE VET, FORMER BIG SKY SKI INSTRUCTOR SAYS IT’S HIS TIME TO MOVE ON BY JEN CLANCEY When asked what the most rewarding part of his storied career is, Big Sky’s Dick Fast responded confidently: “The people I’ve worked with.” Those people he’s met span across the U.S., Europe, and here in Big Sky, as he bids farewell after 23 years with the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District board. Fast moved to Big Sky in 2000, where he taught skiing and eventually began serving on the district board in 2003. Fellow board members credited his patience, humility and execution for seeing the district through construction of Big Sky’s advanced sewer plant and its use for affordable housing, as well as major negotiations with developers and planning for infrastructure that will serve the community for decades to come. “The next thing I knew it was 23 years later, and I’m kind of finally saying maybe it’s time to hang it up and move on,” Fast said. Sitting in Caliber Coffee about a month before his final meeting in July, he walked through his water and sewer career. As the longest serving board member, there’s a lot to reflect on. Fast was recruited to the board by the water and sewer district’s former General Manager Ron Edwards in 2003, just 10 years after the district was formed.

to a new tank, the district incorporated a critical water storage and distribution facility known as the Sweetgrass Hill tank. Tom Reeves, a longtime friend and former board president, recalled how Fast and the board discussed community needs when planning the roughly $60 million Water Resource Recovery Facility. Before the WRRF was built, the district set aside treatment capacity for the equivalent of 600 affordable single family homes, paving the way for future workforce housing locally. Big Sky voted to fund part of the facility’s construction through an additional 1% resort tax in 2020 and the sewer plant opened in April 2024. Cold Smoke, a 389home workforce housing project, will be just one development to make use of the available treatment capacity for year-round residents. “We always made our case at board meetings about [how] it’s not only about serving businesses, it’s about serving the community,” Reeves said. He noted other former board members like Packy Cronin and Bill Shropshire, who both served for over 20 years, did the same. Fast hopes that community-first attitude remains. “I’m hoping [the board] can continue that tradition, that we have a mix of people on the board that represent all the different interests in the area to include the community as a whole, instead of being heavily tilted towards developers,” Fast said.

“It was just interesting work, kind of seeing how we could develop here in a way that was smart and that took the environment into consideration, and didn’t overdevelop,” Fast said. “I’m not sure how successful we’ve been at that, but we have managed to make sure that what development we have is not polluting the environment or the river.”

Before water and sewer

Edwards retired in 2024, and Fast’s time on the board also overlapped with Brian Wheeler, the board president, who reviewed notes of Fast’s accomplishments while on the phone with EBS.

“I ended up knowing a lot about him over the years, but it wasn’t something he bragged about—all that he’s done in his life,” Reeves said. Fast is a U.S. Air Force veteran, holds a doctorate in history and worked in national intelligence and political military in Washington D.C. and Europe.

“I had to put it down on paper and I said, ‘Wow. that’s impressive,’” Wheeler noted. “…The accomplishments are pretty extraordinary.” Early-on, Fast helped negotiate and implement the district’s deals with the Yellowstone Club, Spanish Peaks and Lone Moose Meadows—now known as Flatiron—which ultimately set the tone for water use and discharge in Big Sky. “Those deals that he was responsible for, those are the difference in success and failure at the water and sewer district being a zero discharge community,” Wheeler said. “You know, guys like that just don’t get the credit for it.” Wheeler also credited Fast for getting a deal with Northwestern Energy and Big Sky Owners Association over the finish line: by acquiring a 100-foot-by-100-foot parcel from NWE, and negotiating with Big Sky Owners Association over Huntley-Kern Pond renovations and a water line

Fast and Reeves were already friends before they intersected on the board for eight years. The pair met through BSOA and soon were taking trips across the world with their families. In that time, Reeves learned more about his friend’s background.

When asked about that experience, Fast moved the yellow pages of water and sewer notes to the side of the table at Caliber Coffee, before describing his involvement in disarmament in the 1990s, and his work under Air Force leaders. Joining the effort to reduce arms across Europe as a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the U.S. negotiated arms limits in NATO and Warsaw Pact countries to limit high-impact weaponry like battle tanks, fighter jets and artillery pieces. Fast was involved in negotiations starting in 1990, where discussions began domestically, progressed to the 15 NATO countries, then to Warsaw Pact countries. Eventually the process would lead to meticulous inspections of military bases, which Fast worked to plan and implement. “So it was very complicated and long drawn out, and it often turned out that the hardest negotiations were within our own country,” Fast

Richard (Dick) Fast in Big Sky Town Center July 2026. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY said. The complexity didn’t end on paper. During inspections of military bases in Europe, he remembers detailed conversations like which doors an inspector could open based on the height and width of the frame. “Nobody wanted to give an inch,” Fast said. Inspections and negotiations also happened in a time of unrest and massive change for former Soviet countries when the Warsaw Pact dissolved in 1991, which Fast said eased some of the negotiations. He spent three years working in disarmament until 1993, and moved on to work under Air Force chiefs of staff, four star generals and the secretary of the Air Force, including the first woman in the role, Sheila Widnall. In 1997, he retired from the Air Force and he and his wife Sherrie, who also worked in Washington D.C. under Montana politicians, moved to Big Sky three years later. It’s been almost 30 years since his time in the armed forces, but his experience engrained valuable lessons in handling tense conversations and solutions. “Patience, paying attention to details,” Fast said. “Treat people like you want to be treated.” “It’s one thing to get the agreement, then you have to implement it,” Fast continued. According to Wheeler, this is one of Fast’s strong suits: to execute with “meticulous detail” and see it to the end. “He is extraordinary at it,” Wheeler said, expressing how the role will be hard to fill. For Fast, the end to his time on the board comes with gratitude and admiration for the people he’s worked with over the course of his career. He lists his Air Force colleagues; the cadets and officers he taught; the dedicated Big Sky Resort ski instructor crew who were “willing to take an old guy and give him a little slack when he couldn’t keep up”; and the water and sewer district and board. With water and sewer agreements made and deals done, Fast will have some more time on his hands. He looks forward to traveling with his wife, and perhaps visiting warmer places when Big Sky winter arrives.

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8 August 6 - August 19, 2026

L O CA L

Explore Big Sky

BEST IN SHOW: RUFF HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL DOG SHOW FUNDRAISER BY CARLI JOHNSON On Tuesday, July 28, the Big Sky Arts Council Building transformed into a red carpet runway for Big Sky residents to show off their dapper dogs and cats. The event was hosted by Riley’s Urgent Fund for Friends and aimed to raise money for the new animal shelter, scheduled to open in November. Participants paid a fee to sign up their pet to strut down the runway while emcee Jeremy Harder acknowledged their accolades. Each pet left with themed blue ribbon awards, such as, “World’s Biggest Lap Dog” that was awarded to an 80 pound yellow lab named Bear, or “Chief Cookie Quality Control Officer” that was awarded to Carmen Oakley, a spotted mutt who has an incessant desire for cookies. “Every animal touches our lives and we wanted to give the community a chance to connect with each other and their animals,” said Stephanie “Dr. Syd” Desmarais in an interview with EBS. “This event is both a fundraiser and a celebration of the last three years of working to get a shelter in Big Sky.” Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards programs at the shelter where they can take animals in whether they are lost, stray or abandoned, create adoption and foster programs, kids education programs to teach them about animal safety, fire safety programs to ready families and neighbors with pets in case of wildfire emergencies. “We’ll finally have a space to help make these programs real,” Desmarais said with a sigh of relief.

Pets and pet owners line the red carpet at RUFF's first annual Dog Show fundraiser. PHOTO BY CARLI JOHNSON

BIG SKY CHEF NANCY RADICK BUTLER COOKS HER WAY INTO THE SEMIFINALS OF FAVORITE CHEF BY ANNIE O’NEILL Nancy Radick Butler, Big Sky chef and owner of Gourmet Gals, has advanced to the semifinals of Carla Hall’s Favorite Chef competition. And this week, she's the one being cheered on. Radick Butler has worked in food nearly her whole career, crediting the 2008 recession for shaping her outlook: "People still have to eat. Feeding people is recession-proof." Her style is seasonal and fresh, built around what's available. Bison tenderloin is her signature dish, and through Gourmet Gals, she builds menus around each client, including a growing number of clients asking for vegan, gluten-free or seed-oil-free food, which she treats not as a limitation but "a wonderful challenge." Radick Butler cleared the quarterfinals last week and is now in the semifinals, where voting closes this Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m. Each round, contestants are given a set of parameters and must create a dish that fits the specifications of that round, with the field narrowed by public vote. The stakes are a chance to win a feature in Taste of

Home, a $25,000 prize and a cooking experience with Carla Hall on her show, "Chewed Up." Voting includes a free daily option, plus paid votes that benefit the James Beard Foundation. Radick Butler calls the final stretch "nail-biting." If she wins, she plans to throw the Big Sky community a party. "They've always supported me,” she said, "it's a no-brainer.” While campaigning for votes has pushed her out of her comfort zone, the response has been "mindblowing" as the same community she regularly cooks for has shown up for her in return. For Radick Butler, the prize money isn't the draw. What is: the chance to meet Carla Hall, the celebrity chef whose recipes she has cooked for years, and the reason she entered in the first place. Her favorite dish, without hesitation: cioppino, made for family and friends, "merged with whatever is available and cooking to perfection." The semifinals close Thursday night, with the final round of Favorite Chef to follow for those who advance.

Nancy Radick Butler owns and operates the Gourmet Gals in Big Sky. PHOTO COURTESY OF NANCY RADICK BUTLER

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Explore Big Sky

10 August 6 - August 19, 2026

REGIONAL

AN EVENING IN THE FIELD WITH NORTH BRIDGER BISON

The sun sets on Outstanding in the Field’s trademark long table. PHOTO BY FISCHER GENAU

BY FISCHER GENAU WILSALL—Traces of bison surround us on this dry July day in Wilsall, Montana. Buffalo chips littered amidst the sagebrush crunch under our feet, and we follow dirt paths that have been pounded into the landscape over time by thousands of hooves. When it rains here, the bison wallow in the mud, displacing tons of soil with their enormous bodies and generally making a mess of the place. They are its sloppy landscapers. In fact, everything here, from the sage to the birds nesting in the grass, coevolved with bison over thousands of years. The bison are in this place’s DNA. This is what Matt Skoglund, the founder of North Bridger Bison, tells my group as we walk the ranch, making our way towards one long table with 148 seats where we’re going to eat our dinner. I’m at the 1,700th meal, give or take, hosted by Outstanding in the Field, a roving restaurant that travels the country setting incredibly long tables with extravagant dinners. They dine at farms, ranches, vineyards and greenhouses, and their goal is to educate guests on the food they’re eating and the place they’re eating it in. Already today I’ve had my appetite whet by several culinary delights: troutlette sardines on potato flat bread, fingerling summer squash topped with fresh pesto, and a miraculous mouthful of cherry gazpacho garnished with crème fraiche and an edible flower, served inside a hollowed-out eggshell. But we’re just getting started.

Finally, Matt talks about field harvesting bison. Every time a bison is killed on the ranch, Matt is the one to do it, walking out into the field with his rifle and personally delivering one copper bullet into the animal’s head. He tells us the benefits of this kind of harvest are twofold. For one, the bison’s last earthly sight is of the caretaker it’s known all its life, rather than the alien interior of a factory. For another, this method of harvesting doesn’t spike the bison’s stress levels, leading to tastier, more tender meat. That meat will be on full display during tonight’s meal, and Matt tells us we’ll be eating a two-year-old bison that he recently field harvested. Eventually, the Q&A concludes and we’re led up the hill to our table that’s sprawled out in front of a magnificent view of the North Bridgers. After a brief hubbub of milling bodies and confusion and scuffling chairs, we’re all seated, many of us beside or across from complete strangers. I came alone, but the nature of our seating arrangements quickly banishes any feeling of isolation. My neighbors’ elbows are just inches away, and we have no choice but to get to know each other—so we do. To my right sits the former president of Carroll College in Helena, and across from him sits his wife, who used to serve as

executive director of the Montana Health Research and Education Foundation. A few seats down, a woman wearing an enormous yellow sunhat and flowing red dress tells me she’s been to hundreds of Outstanding in the Field dinners—apparently she’s sort of a farm-to-table deadhead—and she has me take a picture of her in her outfit, telling me that she’s wearing red and yellow in honor of Spain’s appearance in the World Cup finals. My other tablemates are a couple from Wilsall on a date, and, after the first glass of wine, we’re all feeling pretty chummy. Right before the first course is served, the founder of Outstanding in the Field takes the empty seat next to me for our interview. Facing the weather, and the skeptics Jim Denevan is tall, a bit weatherbeaten, and he wears a felt cowboy hat that adds to his already considerable stature. He doesn’t have to speak loudly to command attention. As soon as he sits down, it becomes a collective interview, the other guests falling silent to listen and pose questions of their own. Jim started Outstanding in the Field back in 1999, and he tells me that, for the first few years, he was losing money.

Matt stops at the base of a gradual incline, atop which our table awaits, to answer questions from the 50 or so people who’ve been following him like ducklings. The other hundred-ish dinner guests are split up between his wife, Sarah, and their two kids, Otto and Greta, who are also giving tours. Matt tells us about bison’s powerful herd instinct, programmed by hundreds of thousands of years of evolution, that tells them that safety and security exist in big groups. He explains how bison grazing patterns create a kind of goldilocks mosaic for bird habitat, with ideal conditions for grassland species whether they’re nesting or raising chicks. He talks about how he and his family make the ranch wildlife-friendly for the antelope, coyotes, elk and even bears they’ve spotted on the property.

Bison from the Skoglunds ranch hangs over a grill in the field kitchen. Matt Skoglunds personally field harvests every bison killed on their property. PHOTO BY FISCHER GENAU

11 August 6 - August 19, 2026

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Explore Big Sky “If they just threw pizza out here, it’d still be a nice time,” Jim says as we eat. But he’s after something different. “The chefs, they give attention to the ingredients. And if they give such deep attention to the ingredients, that comes through with the potential for us to think about them.” Jim’s favorite part of OITF dinners is the farm tour and listening to people like the Skoglunds educate guests on topics like regenerative ranching. But he enjoys the meal too. “Just as anyone does, I enjoy a large group of people gathering, cooking for people, all that kind of stuff,” Jim says. “OITF, it’s almost like a stealth way to get strangers to sit together and talk to each other.” I ask him if sees himself continuing to host these dinners.

Guests dig in to the main course. Chef Zachary Ladwig from the Ranch at Rock Creek crafted the evening’s menu using all locally sourced ingredients. PHOTO BY FISCHER GENAU “We were on the bleeding edge of a concept, meaning there was no customers. Every event was like a placeholder for a time when it would be popular. It took about seven to 10 years, and I thought it would take like three to five years. If I knew how hard it would be, I never would have started it,” Jim said. Fortunately, Jim didn’t start OITF to make money. When he was a teenager, his oldest brother Bill roped him into helping launch an organic farm and orchard in California’s Happy Valley. Jim cites his brother as an inspiration, and he says he launched OITF to bring farmers like him to the attention of the general public. Even though it wasn’t an instant hit, he kept going because saw how much the farmers enjoyed it. Still, in the early years, it didn’t look promising. Jim padded tables with friends and families to boost headcount, and when he was crossing into Canada for Outstanding’s first international meal at the University of British Columbia, the man at the border told him that his field dinners were the dumbest idea he’d ever heard. “He’s like, ‘It’s going to be hot, there’s gonna be bugs, it might rain… Why would you want to do that?’” Our conversation is interrupted when one of Jim’s crew sets down the first course: bison heart tartare with heirloom tomatoes, strawberries and flowering herbs on top. Tonight’s chef is Zachary Ludwig from the Ranch at Rock Creek, and so far, no complaints from me. The tartare melts in my mouth, complemented by the brightness of the strawberries and tomatoes, and I wolf it down while I listen to Jim speak. In 2007, Jim’s fortunes turned around. CBS News Sunday Morning ran a segment on him, his dinners, and his work as an artist, and after that, the popularity of OITF exploded. Since then, his traveling culinary circus, comprised of a small full-time staff and satellite crews that join based on region, has been to all 50 states and 26 countries, and their events frequently sell out. OITF has set up tables on the slopes of Mount Fuji and the cliffs of Big Sur, and they’ve served everything from thinly sliced pig snout to beef jerky ice cream. As OITF was growing in popularity, Jim's career as an artist was taking off too. Jim started drawing in the sand before he launched OITF, but he tells me that at first, he avoided publicity to work on the craft. “At the time, there was no such thing as people devoting themselves to scratching the sand with a stick,” he says. Twenty some years later, Jim’s career as an artist has become more lucrative than the wildly popular dinner series.

His art installations, many of which he’s made with little more than a rake, are massive, and his 2024 piece “Self Similar,” commissioned by Abu Dhabi’s department of culture and tourism, looks like a city out of Frank Herbert’s “Dune.” I ask Jim if he sees any similarity between the sweeping images he conjures on the land and the long tables he places outdoors. “It’s composition within the environment,” he says. “For me, I absolutely love it, the question of where we’re putting the table.” For tonight’s dinner at North Bridger Bison, Jim and his staff considered a spot in a nearby gully that would protect the table from wind. But in the end, Jim opted for somewhere more dramatic. Our table sits on a gentle rise commanding a 360-degree view of the plains. It’s also totally at the mercy of the elements, but so far, that hasn’t posed a problem for us. Last night was a different story. OITF hosted two meals at the ranch—I came for night two—and during the first, a storm cell passing to the north whipped up strong winds that tore down umbrellas and briefly wreaked havoc on the dinner table. But Jim doesn’t mind a little weather. When he was a kid, he wanted to be a weatherman, and although he gave up that dream after a few years, his fascination with meteorological events persisted. “I’m literally a weather obsessive,” he says. As we eat, Jim tells me weather stories: an atmospheric river dousing a dinner in San Diego; a panoramic view of thunderstorms on Governor’s Island in New York City; a dense fog bank in Big Sur that shrouded the entire coastline and made a short walk along a cliff edge treacherous for guests. Jim lights up when he talks about the unpredictable and unexpected—“It’s way more fun when there’s potentially interesting weather.” Jim studies multiple different weather models before hosting a dinner like this one, and he says that whenever the models agree, he struts around like a fortuneteller. After the excitement on Saturday, Jim’s staff was concerned about tonight’s weather, and he tried again and again to tell them there was nothing to worry about. Yesterday’s thunderstorms had all blown themselves out, and Jim kept telling his staff, “What you’ll experience today has nothing to do with yesterday.” Our second course is a sous chef salad with beets from the Rocky Mountains, bright pink beet hummus, sorrel, fresh radishes and, to top it all off, pieces of confit bison cow tongue. Everyone at the table digs in.

“At least a few more months,” he replies, getting a laugh from the table. “I was going to get more deep into the artwork, because the artwork is getting so much attention, and it provides a little better income honestly. But this is too hard to give up.” The cycle repeats Jim leaves to visit with the rest of the table, and soon after, a member of his wandering band swoops in with our main course: a heaping platter of bison, cooked all day over an open-air grill and set snugly in a bed of locally grown potatoes, onions, fennel, scapes and brassicas. I opt for a short rib, and it is, without question, the best short rib I’ve ever had in my life. As plates empty, people start to get up from the table to wander around, so I decide to walk up the rise another hundred yards with my camera to take some photographs. As I get further and further away, the enormous table shrinks. When I stop, the table is just a white line dashed upon the sagebrush, running parallel to the mountain range behind it. A hundred dots, each one a different color, are gathered around it, some sitting, some standing, others walking aimlessly out into the field. I kneel down to snap a couple pictures, and the sage smells as good as anything I ate tonight tasted. As I return to the table, the sun drops below the plain’s edge. Someone keeps offering to refill my wine. Eventually, the servers trot out dessert, a honeyberry custard tart with sprouted emmer wheat crust, and when that’s finished, the OITF crew gather in front of the table to make their final remarks. They thank North Bridger Bison for opening up their home and sharing their harvest, the chefs from the Ranch at Rock Creek for preparing the food, Gros Ventre Cellars for plying us with wine, and all of the other local growers, brewers and distillers for filling our bellies. Everyone cheers. Plates are cleared and the table slowly empties. Guests walk back down the hill in threes and fours, and a chill enters the air. By the time I make it back to my car, down the hill and past the barn and the Skoglund’s farmhouse, a rosy blush is blossoming across the clouds to bid us goodnight. Nothing Jim creates is made to last. By tomorrow, the field kitchen, the food and the table will all be gone, leaving behind a field of sage waiting patiently for bison’s return. Eventually, the herd will come back to graze, urinate, defecate, wallow and kick up the dirt, reenacting the thousand-yearold cycle of regeneration that the Skoglunds have resurrected on their property. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Jim and his crew will be eating a new meal in a new place with a totally different group of people, creating another sketch that will be swept away in a few hours. I doubt that he’d want it any other way.

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THE COFFEE POT CHANGES OWNERS, KEEPS ITS HEART

WILLIAM AND AMANDA WITTPENN TAKE OVER BELOVED BOZEMAN INSTITUTION, AND YES, THE CINNAMON ROLLS STAY BY ANNIE O’NEILL The Coffee Pot Bakery Café, a Bozeman institution known for its cinnamon rolls and pottery-lined shelves, has changed ownership. But longtime customers won’t notice much of a difference at the counter. William and Amanda Wittpenn took over the cafe side of the business from Josh and Kathy Lockie on June 2. The Lockie family, who have run the café since Josh’s mother and father opened it in 2003, will continue to run the pottery side of the operation, and their pieces will remain for sale in the shop. The cafe’s classic recipes, including its signature cinnamon rolls, will remain untouched. For Amanda Wittpenn, who grew up in Bozeman, the sale marked the transfer of The Coffee Pot between two families with a decades-long history. Her family’s ties to the Lockies trace back to the 1980s, when the Wittpenns first moved to Bozeman and the two families grew close. So when the Lockies eventually approached the Wittpenns about taking over the café, it wasn’t entirely out of the blue. “We always joked about it,” Wittpenn said. When the offer became real, the response was immediate. “Oh my goodness, let’s see if we can pull this off,” Wittpenn recalled thinking. William Wittpenn brings restaurant management experience to the role, while Amanda steps out from raising their four children to manage the Coffee Pot, where their kids are now frequent faces around the shop. That sense of family extends to the staff, too. One of the new owners’ proudest accomplishments in the transition is that every employee stayed on. “Josh and Kathy had said it was the best staff they have ever had,” Wittpenn said. “For them all to be willing to stay is incredible.” The café’s hours may seem unconventional, but the Lockies built them around taking care of the staff. It’s a tradition the Wittpenns have chosen to keep, even though it means missing out on the morning

The Coffee Pot. PHOTO BY ANNIE O'NEILL commuter traffic through Gallatin Gateway. “This is designed for the employees,” Wittpenn said. “Work-life balance is important. Our employees are happier at eight rather than earlier in the morning.” Espresso service stops at 2 p.m., so staff have time to break down the shop and get out by 3 p.m. “We are only as good as the people who work here,” she said. “We want to care for our employees.” That philosophy of care ripples outward to customers as well, many of whom have their own history with the shop. Wittpenn described an 80-year-old couple from Gallatin Gateway who are regulars at the café. The husband still does odd jobs around the property and has his own coffee mug waiting for him in the owner’s office.

Bozeman-based roaster, and the Wittpenns are committed to sourcing beans and ingredients as much as possible from Montana. “Coffee Pot is local,” she said. “Everything is from Montana. As Montana as possible.” Still, Wittpenn has some changes in mind for down the road, starting with online ordering, and eventually a wholesale take-and-bake option that would let customers finish the shop’s cinnamon rolls at home, possibly through local grocery partnerships. For now, though, Wittpenn’s favorite item on the menu is the coconut scone. And the cinnamon rolls that made the Coffee Pot famous aren’t going anywhere.

“What yard work can I do?” he still asks when he calls. “We’ve heard so many stories about people that have grown up here with the Lockies,” Wittpenn said. It’s that legacy the Wittpenns hope to keep as they settle into ownership. “We want people to know that they are welcome and at home here,” she said. “We want to make them feel seen and have a lasting impact on the Bozeman community.” She pointed to the café’s ripple effects across town: couples who come in every Friday for lunch, customers who show up only on Wednesday mornings for caramel rolls and patrons who have used the bakery’s food to cater their own events.

A cinnamon roll at The Coffee Pot. PHOTO BY ANNIE O’NEILL

The Wittpenns haven’t raised prices since taking over, and they’ve been deliberate about keeping the menu focused. The café serves drinks in a single 16-ounce size, syrups are made in-house and the food and drink lineup stays intentionally limited. “Focusing on things with the most impact, not fancy, but you know what you’re gonna get,” Wittpenn said. “Keeping simple.” The coffee beans come from Red Bird Coffee, a

The pottery in The Coffee Pot Cafe and Bakery. PHOTO BY ANNIE O’NEILL

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FROM THE NAVY TO A CATTLE RANCH: HOW LITTLE BELT CATTLE CO. IS SUPPLYING LOCAL BEEF BY ANNIE O’NEILL The smell reached guests before the food did. At this year's Big Sky PBR, Braza chef Joel Gil worked a wood-fired grill, supplying the sky boxes and drawing a crowd on scent alone. "It is a smoke signal; people gravitate to wood-burning food," Gil said. When asked about the beef, Gil pointed to a man standing nearby in a cowboy hat: rancher Greg Putnam of Little Belt Cattle Co. "How often is it that you meet the person that raises the beef you’re eating?" Gil said. Behind that question is an operation that raises its cattle entirely in-state, from birth to plate. Before the ranch, though, came 10 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL, where Putnam met who would be Little Belt Cattle Co. co-founder, Tim Sheehy. During deployment, they dreamt of someday going into business together. Putnam left the service still searching for what he called "the next right thing," and a friend eventually brought him out to a ranch. He found that he liked the work. Together, Putnam and Sheehy's dream became a reality when they acquired the Martinsdale, Montana, ranch in 2020–what began as a leasedland operation with a handful of cattle has grown into a full-scale beef program, even though neither founder came from a farming background. Putnam said, “we had absolutely no idea what it would take." Putnam sees the same sense of purpose in ranching that he found in the Navy, and he views food

security as a form of national defense; one more reason he built a beef program that starts and ends in Montana, keeping cattle raised, finished and processed entirely within the state. The goal, he said, is "to bring Montana beef into Montana communities." A start-to-finish operation "We maintain ownership of our cattle throughout every stage of production—from our cow-calf operation through yearling development, finishing, processing and distribution," Putnam said. He describes it simply as, "getting into the beef space that is 100% start to finish." Every animal is singlesource Black Angus, raised and processed entirely within Montana. And while cattle is a staple industry in Montana, that start-to-finish model is rarer than it sounds. Most beef in the country travels a different path: Calves are born on one ranch, finished on a feedlot in another state, then processed at a plant, far from where they were raised. By the time it reaches a plate, the link between the animal and its origin is nearly lost. On his ranch, Putnam says he can track each animal to its pasture. The ranch currently runs 2,000 to 3,000 cattle, primarily supplying restaurants in Bozeman and Big Sky. Each restaurant orders differently in cuts, volumes, and timing, a process Putnam calls “consistency in meeting requirements,” that comes without “a drop in quality or supply." That network of buyers now includes menus at

Little Belt Cattle Co. is located in Martinsdale, Montana, just north of the Crazy Mountains. PHOTO COURTESY OF LITTLE BELT CATTLE CO. Tanglewood, Primal Meat & Fish, Rocking R Bar, Lone Mountain Ranch, Yellowstone Club, Moonlight Basin and Tips Up, among others, where "great local chefs are putting our products on people's plates," Putnam said. Sustaining that network means keeping up with demand. Putnam describes the local beef market as competitive and shows a positive demand for local products. As demand grows, Little Belt is weighing how to scale. The near-term goal is as much product production as possible to build a larger statewide presence, but without jeopardizing quality. For now, that growth stays close to home. Whether it's a chef tending the wood-fired grill at PBR or a local restaurant, the mission is the same: serving Montana beef that's raised and processed entirely within the state.

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MONTANA COMMITTEE APPROVES 25-FOOT BILL ON PARTY LINES; BUT CONCERNS REMAIN

IT’S THE FIRST APPROVAL FOR 25-FOOT BUFFER ZONE BILL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, TEEING IT UP FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION IN 2027 SESSION BY JEN CLANCEY HELENA—Twenty-five feet: it’s approximately the length of five standard park benches, a large male Orca whale, or half the width of a professional basketball court. The distance is also at the center of a conversation about buffer zones between the public and law enforcement response areas. Montana legislators are discussing a bill that would require members of the public to stay approximately 25 feet from law enforcement and first responders in emergency areas upon warning from an officer. If the individual fails to move and interferes with or impedes law enforcement response, they can be convicted of a misdemeanor. On July 14, the Montana Legislature’s Interim Law and Justice Committee voted 6-3 on partisan lines to approve the bill for introduction in committee when the 2027 legislature convenes in January. Vice chair and Missoula Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr summarized her concerns about the bill when she voted against the draft. “The thing we try to balance here is how we hope this can be used versus how it can be abused,” Zephyr said. Leading up to her remarks, she explained that the potential for a roving barrier around incident areas at an officers’ discretion, and the ability for an officer to command further space from where they stand, makes it unclear how far people can be required to stay away from officers and incidents. The penalty for a misdemeanor is a fine up to $500, jail time for up to six months, or both. This type of legislation is commonly called a “halo law.” Montana’s version states that a person must give a first responder approximately 25 feet of space in all directions—hence the “halo” nickname— when given a verbal warning. This space, and any physical markers that outline a scene, like tape and barricades, are considered “emergency incident areas.” The law adds that a person entering or remaining in the area after a warning will be convicted of an offense when they’re also interfering with, impeding or threatening an officer, or hindering officer duties. The penalty for a misdemeanor is a fine up to $500, jail time for up to six months, or both. Laurel Republican Sen. Vince Ricci supported the bill, saying that emergencies aren’t always arrests being made. “What if it’s an accident and there’s someone that really needs an ambulance and they have people encroaching … I think we need to give these guys some grace,” Ricci said. A current Montana law already outlines a penalty for a person who obstructs, hinders or impairs law enforcement duties—Democratic Missoula Sen. Shane Morigeau noted that the new proposed halo law seems a duplicate of the existing statute. Versions of the controversial buffer zone law have faced legal challenges in other states. Courts struck down halo laws in Indiana, Arizona and Louisiana over First Amendment rights concerns and vague

Montana State Capitol building in Helena in winter. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY wording. But Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee enforce buffer zones. Henry Seaton, Montana ACLU lobbyist, stated in a public comment that the bill would create a “chilling effect on free speech.”

organizations like the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, who represented a media coalition’s successful lawsuit to stop a similar Indiana halo law.

In later questioning about the bill’s language and how it would be enforced, Shelby DeMars, lobbyist for the MT Police Protective Association shared that amendments to the bill are possible.

Another commenter and Montana resident, Elana Selinger, described witnessing detainments made during Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Montana early July— Montana Highway Patrol confirmed assisting an operation in Bozeman on July 1. She expressed worry about how the bill would limit recording and documenting law enforcement, and the costs of legal challenges to the bill.

“I can say with absolute certainty that the First Amendment and individual’s ability to film various instances, whether they be a member of the general public or a member of the media or anywhere in between, is definitely something that we want to preserve,” DeMars said. Public commenters weigh in, unconvinced In the public comment portion, attendees remained unconvinced about the bill’s protection of free speech and whether the bill can evade lawsuits. Independent journalist Jenna Martin discussed its potential effect on the press. “This bill would significantly impact our ability as journalists to observe and document and report on law enforcement and first responder activity in public,” Martin said. A tenet of the First Amendment is freedom of the press—and similar buffer zone bills have been scrutinized by

“I, as a taxpayer, don’t want to pay for costly legal battles and have my lawmakers focused on infringing on our rights when it could be focused on important legislation,” Salinger said. “There are already laws that protect first responders, such as obstructing a peace officer, which makes this bill incredibly irrelevant.” The bill still has a way to go, needing to be introduced as a partisan bill in committee in the 2027 legislative session. With the Republican majority approving the bill in a 6-3 vote, legislators will need to weigh the bill’s constitutionality, possible legal costs and potential amendments in 2027.

Locals f

Feat. Mackenzie Nash Favorite Spot

The Upper Gallatin River! Why I Clean.Drain.Dry.

After getting off river, I always pull my float bags out and the drain plug on my kayak before I sponge down both the inside and outside of my boat. It’s important to practice Clean.Drain.Dry. to be able to continue to take care of our beautiful river and community.

330 Stellar Jay Way 20 Acres in Riverview Ranch

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3 Bed | 3 BATH | +/-3,610sq.ft | $2,800,000 | MLS# 406037 Cathy Johnson | 406-539-0031 | cathy.johnson@engelvoelkers.com PRICE IMPROVEMENT

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23 August 6 - August 19, 2026

OP NEWS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: BIG SKY PBR RETURNS JULY 22-24, 2027

Big Sky PBR’s 15th anniversary drew over 5,000 fans per night to the Big Sky Events Arena. OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO/LAURA WELLS

OUTLAW PARTNERS Big Sky PBR just wrapped its biggest weekend yet, and event organizers are already looking ahead. Next summer's event is set for July 22-24, and if this year's 15th anniversary edition is any indication, it's shaping up to be another sellout.

This year's crowd of nearly 5,000 watched bull rider Kade Madsen become the only rider to win Big Sky twice, riding all four of his bulls to take home $35,942, a custom Gibson guitar and a trip to Turks and Caicos. The championship round delivered four rides over 90 points, a rarity in professional bull riding, including Brady Fielder's 94.9-point ride and Ezekiel Mitchell's electric 93-point score aboard Tulsa Time that had the sold-out arena on its feet. PBR CEO Sean Gleason, who has spent 27 years with the organization, called it a "Top 10 event." Beyond the dirt, the weekend's 10 days of events raised more than $800,000 for causes including the Epilepsy Foundation of Montana, Big Sky Bravery, Warriors and Quiet Waters, Big Sky Search and Rescue, the Taco Dowler Youth Foundation and Montana State Athletics, with National Champion Bobcat football players storming the arena on Montana State University night. It's a mix of world-class competition and community giving that keeps people coming back to Big Sky PBR year after year. Longtime supporters, some who've been at the event since its inaugural year in 2011, say the pull goes beyond the eight-second rides.

OUTLAW PARTNERS PHOTO/LAURA WELLS

"We're celebrating the West by having an authentic group of athletes and the support that comes with bringing the PBR to Big Sky. It brings back the romance of the cowboy, and that makes everybody feel good," said Martha Johnson, a Big Sky resident of four decades and local real estate broker. She says introducing newcomers to the PBR experience

often reignites their connection to the community. Steve Anglin, co-founder of Smith Anglin Financial, brings his whole family every summer. "It combines Montanans, tourists, cowboys and people of Western heritage. It's an amalgamation of people in an outdoor arena. The energy it brings—you don't want to not be there," he said, adding that his kids look forward to it more than Christmas or Thanksgiving. From a bulldozed sagebrush field with hay-bale seating in 2011 to a sold-out arena drawing fans from across the country today, Big Sky PBR has earned its reputation as a premier summer tradition, voted PBR's Event of the Year 12 years running by the cowboys themselves. ”We knew once people saw it, they would love it," said Megan Paulson, co-founder and CMO of Outlaw Partners said of those early days of Big Sky PBR. The bet paid off: when the event expanded from one night to three, it kept selling out, and today roughly 70% of attendees travel from outside Montana to be there. Scissorbills Saloon owner Michelle Clark-Conley has watched the transformation firsthand. "It was a much smaller rodeo then, but everything in Big Sky was smaller then," she said. "I feel like PBR has grown with the town." Fifteen years later, that growth shows no signs of slowing. Join Outlaw Partners and Freestone Productions next July 22-24, 2027, at the Big Sky Events Arena to do it all again.

Benefiting Wild and Scenic Places

July 31 - Aug. 1, 2026

$625K RAISED FOR CONSERVATION

5,000

ATTENDEES WELCOMED EACH NIGHT FROM

46 States AND

7 Countries

26 August 6 - August 19, 2026

WILDLANDS

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FROM THE PUBLISHER: A THANK YOU FROM OUTLAW PARTNERS

The Big Sky Events Arena just after sunset behind Lone Mountain. PHOTO BY CLAIRE LICHTWARDT Wow. That's the word that keeps coming to mind when we think back on the last two weeks at Big Sky Events Arena. Watching that venue fill up with fans from across the country, seeing kids perched on their parents' shoulders straining for a better view, watching local vendors work through lines of hungry fans, and then watching world-class artists take the stage in support of conservation—it's a lot to take in, and we're still taking it in. This past weekend's headliners, Riley Green and Carrie Underwood, lived up to every bit of their billing and delivered one of the most memorable

shows Big Sky has ever seen. LeAnn Rimes and Kaitlin Butts brought performances straight from the heart, the kind that leave artists saying our venue is one of the most special in the country to play. And opening acts Jamie McLean and Fader McGavin were the perfect match for the weekend—their gratitude for being part of it matched our own for having them. That sentiment didn't stop at the artists. Talking with managers and touring crews after the shows, the same thing kept coming up: that Big Sky Events Arena has become one of the top venues in the country to play, full stop. Coming from people who spend their year on the road in every market

imaginable, that means something. And it's not lost on us; planning for next year's lineup is already underway. Zoom out further and the picture gets even bigger. Over the past month, we've hosted more than 20 events at Big Sky Events Arena, welcomed over 40,000 people through the gates, generated a marketing reach in the hundreds of millions of impressions worldwide, and raised more than $1.5 million for charity. Let that sink in. We showed that a small mountain community can host on the big stage. An intimate venue in the center of our town has a heart as big as anywhere, and we've built a reputation for being best in class. My team at Outlaw deserves a standing ovation for the work they put in to make it happen. Three generations of families gathered together under the big Montana sky: grandparents, parents and kids, including my own. That's what stuck with me most: looking around and seeing families like mine, spanning generations, singing the same songs and making the same memories side by side. Money and awareness were raised to help us support each other. But most importantly, we all cheered and sang together, and created a memory of gathering and celebrating life, together. Over these past two weeks, I personally received hundreds of high fives and thank-yous from all of you, and I hung on every word of it. Every one of those exchanges was a reminder of why we do this: to create a fun energy in Big Sky for reasons that truly matter. Thank you, Big Sky. Here's to what's next.

Nearly 10,000 attendees visited the arena during Wildlands weekend. PHOTO BY MICHAEL RUEBUSCH

Eric Ladd Outlaw Partners CEO

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

BIG SKY

THANK YOU VENDORS 406 RECYCLING ALL OUR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS AMANDA JEWEL FLOWER DESIGN BACKSTAGE ELECTRIC BAJA FISH TACOS BIG SKY ADVENTURE MEDICINE BIG SKY GLOBAL MARKET BIG SKY SCOOPS BIG SKY SNO BLUE COLLAR GROUP CARDINAL DISTRIBUTING CC GOURMET COUNTRY MARKET OF BIG SKY COWBOY COFFEE DIA EVENTS DOUBLE T BBQ ECO MONTANA

FOUR CORNERS RECYCLING GALLATIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GALLATIN EVENT RENTALS GHOST TOWN COFFEE GIGWORX ICE HOUSE JERECO STUDIOS JOURNEY RENT A CAR JUSTUS ENTERTAINMENT LMNT LPHS FOOTBALL TEAM VOLUNTEERS MIDWAY RENTALS MT-4 SECURITY MO BOWLS PINKY G'S PIZZERIA PRAIRIE DOGS PRECISION LAWN MAINTENANCE

PURE WATER TECHNOLOGIES R-90 LIGHTING RANCHO PICANTE REGEN MARKET REIC RENTBIZ REPUBLIC SERVICES ROCKY MOUNTAIN RIGGING SCS WRAPS SPIFFY BIFFY SUMMIT DISTRIBUTING TATIC THE CAVE THE WRAP AGENCY WILD PRODUCTIONS YES COMPOSTING YODER'S CHEESTEAKS

28 August 6 - August 19, 2026

WILDLANDS

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WILDLANDS AUCTION NIGHT EMPHASIZES COLLABORATION IN CONSERVATION PANEL WITH PERC, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT, NOTES COLLABORATION NEEDED FOR CONSERVATION SOLUTIONS

From left to right: Joe Borden, Brian Yablonski, Cam Sholly and Eric Ladd. The panel discussed conservation at the 2026 Wildlands charity auction night. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY

BY JEN CLANCEY Editor’s note: Outlaw Partners produces Wildlands and is the publisher of Explore Big Sky. In front of a large crowd at the Wildlands charity auction, under the Big Sky Events Arena tent, Brian Yablonski, CEO of Property and Environment Research Center, and Cam Sholly, Yellowstone National Park superintendent, described the sometimes unglamorous, but essential work that fundraising does for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. “We’re the headwaters for some of the most amazing habitats and fisheries in America. If the wastewater systems fail in Yellowstone, they’re going to fail outside the park as well, and we’re going to fail our habitat,” Yablonski said. The duo

have partnered on projects for eight years and reflected on what research and implementation can do for national parks and wild lands, in particular a recent decision to raise prices to 11 national parks for international visitors. “So our job is to connect some of these things that might seem like arcane infrastructure to the conservation story.” The work extends beyond America’s popular national parks. Joined by Eric Ladd, CEO of Outlaw Partners, and Joe Borden, co-host of the Outlaw Beat podcast, the panel discussed where else Wildlands’ beneficiary PERC works in the region, such as on local ranches, in legislation, farms and park upkeep. “I think PERC kind of sits in the intersection of conservation, economics and innovation, and they do a terrific job,” Sholly said. He cited how PERC has facilitated conversations with property owners around Yellowstone to manage bison migration when they leave the park. “Everything we do in Yellowstone can affect outside of Yellowstone, and everything that happens outside of Yellowstone can, can affect what happens inside,” Sholly said. “So it’s critical we have good relationships with all three states, all five counties.” In an interview with EBS, Katie Doyle, PERC’s conservation associate, described the relationships their innovation lab builds with landowners. Conversations with ranchers and farmers are the foundation for future virtual fencing and ways to keep wildlife habitats connected. “It’s a lot of people that are excited about things that we’re excited about,” Doyle said. “It’s not trying to convince people by any means. It’s more, we both want the same goal, so how do we get this done?”

An interactive game designed by PERC illustrates the hurdles migrating animals like elk face in the U.S. West. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY

According to Yablonski, PERC’s research shows that there is about 625,000 miles of barbed wire posted across the West. He wondered aloud what a de-fenced West could look like.

“Think about migration, think about the movement of animals, think about avian species … this would all benefit them,” he said. It would take tremendous coordination to accomplish that vision. “I think collaboration is the name of the game,” Doyle said. Lately Doyle and the ‘on-the-ground team’ have been meeting with stakeholders for a project to reward nearby landowners for good stewardship of their land. Meeting with the Madison Valley Ranchlands Group, the innovation lab is installing game cameras on properties and when a grizzly bear appears on camera, it triggers a payment for the landowner. “So we are setting up a couple of those right now, and we would love to scale that up in the future if it is something that is beneficial for ranchers, producers and also the conservation world,” Doyle said. “Something that I want to emphasize is just our collaboration. It’s so massively important in conservation and it’s also just something we really enjoy,” Doyle said. Money raised from the charity auction dinner totaled just under $300,000 as of press time, a number that is still growing as the auction is ongoing. Funds will go toward PERC’s various departments. Sholly, who’s served as the Yellowstone superintendent since 2018, noted toward the end of the panel that he may be stepping away from the role soon. In his eight years, the pandemic and multiple government shutdowns as well as Yellowstone’s non-human features like flooding and hydrothermal explosions are among the crazy events that Sholly managed. “ You can have good confidence no matter what happens with me moving on, the park’s in good hands,” Sholly said. “ … It’s been, like I said, a privilege of a lifetime.”

29 August 6 - August 19, 2026

WILDLANDS

Explore Big Sky

IS IT THE MUSIC OR THE MAN? WILDLANDS FANS WEIGH IN ON THEIR LOVE FOR RILEY GREEN BY ANNIE O’NEILL Editor’s note: Outlaw Partners produces Wildlands and is the publisher of Explore Big Sky. As the sun slipped behind Lone Mountain Friday night, fans filtered into the Big Sky Events Arena for Wildlands, buzzing for the headlining set from country star Riley Green. But before he ever stepped on stage, EBS got to know his fans more, and one question kept surfacing in the crowd: Are they here for the music, or the man? Turns out, it’s complicated. “Not too bad to look at” A mother-daughter duo from Florida were among the first to weigh in. Daughter Ava Caracas held a handmade sign, and admitted that if Green ever looked her way, she wouldn’t have much to say. “I’d be speechless,” she said. Her mom, more composed, offered a review: “I mean, he’s not too bad to look at.” She was quick to add that her taste runs deeper than that; Ella Langley and Tucker Wettmore round out her list of country favorites alongside Green.

Ava Caracas poses with her sign. PHOTO BY ANNIE O’NEILL

A group of women in their 40s through 60s, obviously having a hoot and visiting from Florida, Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado and California, had their own verdict. Calling themselves the “Mild Wild” crew. One member, Ginger Lieser, traced her fandom to a specific video of Green doing farm work in which a stray nail went through his boot. “When he took off his boot, a husk of corn fell out,” she said, laughing. When pressed Lieser didn’t hold back: “I broke up with Keanu Reeves for Riley Green.” Fellow group member Rachel Buchanan kept it simple: “But if he took his shirt off, that would be nice.”

Riley Green performs on July 31 at Wildlands in Big Sky. PHOTO BY CARLI JOHNSON to have a free-pass crush on. Her boyfriend didn’t argue. “I can’t blame her,” he said. “Have you seen that mustache?” Bozeman’s Lisa Kurokawa and her San Francisco friend Meagan McKeown put themselves at “50/50” on the music-versus-looks scale, though Kurokawa admitted, “his looks and mustache do not hurt.” McKeown had a plan in place in case she got the call to join him on stage: “I would just make sure before that I can sing all the girl duets… I’ve been practicing.” Still, both were quick to credit the songwriting. Green sits as their No. 1 and No. 3 favorite artist, respectively, with “Change My Mind” and anything featuring Ella Langley topping their playlists. “I appreciate how genuine he is with his storytelling,” Kurokawa said, with McKeown pointing to the track “Stray Dog” as proof. “His storytelling is compelling, and his female duets are incredible. That is what will make me a long-term fan.” To McKeown’s ear, Green sounds like something older: “He’s the modern callback to ’90s country,” she said. “Real country.” For these two, the songwriting had already made the case long before he walked on stage. But fans weren’t the only ones singing his praises. The event’s merchandise stand sold more of the “Cowboy as It Gets” T-shirt, featuring Green’s face, than any other item that night. “All the girls are getting it,” one merch worker said.

The physique defense Candice Wooten of Bozeman put a number on it. “Half here for the music, half here for how he looks on stage,” she said. When asked what her favorite part of the music was, she answered without hesitation: “The physique.” Kendra Donaldson, a fan of a decade who first heard Green on the radio, said she’d be “in tears” if she got the chance to meet him. She introduced her boyfriend, standing nearby, as a good sport about the whole thing. “He’s my hall pass,” she said, using the term for the one celebrity a partner is allowed

Even the crew wasn’t immune. Usher Elijah Steer, when asked for his take, admitted he’d been “for sure looking” over his shoulder when he could. He noted Green’s appeal isn’t one-sided, either. His storytelling songs resonate strongly with male fans in the crowd, too. More than one fan pointed to Green’s evolution over the years, crediting what’s commonly known online as a “glow-up,” slang for a noticeable transformation in someone’s appearance or style. “His glow-up needs to be studied,” said Addy Pocock, visiting from Rexburg, Idaho. A friend standing beside her chimed in with the specifics: “Yeah, the hair, the mustache, the muscles.” “He has a song for everything” Not every Wildlands fan was there chasing a glimpse of the mustache. Joanna Moody said the connection for her runs deeper than looks. “Obviously looks are a plus, but his music touches my soul,” she said. If she got a moment with Green, she knew exactly what she’d say: “I’d tell him his music has changed my life. I’ve leaned into his music through every stage. He has a song for everything.” The Swearingen family made the trip from St. Louis with their four kids, including a son experiencing his first-ever concert from his dad’s shoulders. Stephanie Swearingen said her family previously caught Green opening for Luke Combs back in St. Louis, calling Friday’s show a full-circle moment with “parallel journeys,” watching an artist grow alongside her own family. As a big fan, she joked that her husband might not be the one going home with her tonight: “My husband may be taking the kids home.” If she got a minute with Green, family bonding was on her mind. “Can we go hunting with you?” she said. “I’d even let my boys go instead.”

Meagan McKeown and Lisa Kurokawa excitedly await Riley Green’s performance. PHOTO BY ANNIE O’NEILL

That sense of a familiar, down home friend was a sentiment echoed across the crowd. For fans of Green it’s not only his stage presence, but the country singer’s storytelling that turns casual listeners into lifelong fans.

30 August 6 - August 19, 2026

WILDLANDS

Explore Big Sky

WILDLANDS RAISES $625K FOR CONSERVATION

CARRIE UNDERWOOD AND RILEY GREEN ROCK BIG SKY

BY CARLI JOHNSON Editor’s note: Outlaw Partners produces Wildlands and is the publisher of Explore Big Sky. The roar inside the Big Sky Events Arena reached its peak just before Carrie Underwood took the stage—not for a song, but for conservation. Minutes before the Grammy-winning country music artist closed out the second night of Wildlands, Outlaw Partners CEO Eric Ladd presented a $625,000 check to the Property and Environment Research Center, the weekend’s primary beneficiary. The total donation, generated through a combination of a ticket sales, vendor partnerships, special donors, and silent and live auction items during charity night, highlighted the mission behind bringing world-class entertainment to Big Sky and pairing it with a love for protecting wild and scenic lands.

"The true heroes are the people who go out and conserve places like Montana," Ladd said before presenting the donation on stage.

conservation, and our wonderful mountain community,” said Gary Rieschel, PERC board member and Big Sky resident.

Addressing the crowd, PERC President and CEO Brian Yablonski said protecting Montana's landscape depends on the people who steward it every day.

Nearly 5,000 attendees gathered each night to celebrate live music and conservation over the event’s two nights, filling the arena with cowboy hats, boots and handmade signs as locals and visitors celebrated music against the backdrop of Lone Mountain.

"We live in the most beautiful place in all of America," Yablonski said. "It takes people to protect this place. The original conservation is here in Montana. It's the cattle ranchers and farmers— they're the last best defense for the Last Best Place." PERC served as this year's primary beneficiary, with additional support directed to Vital Ground Foundation and the Montana State Parks Foundation. “It was rewarding to see Big Sky gather together to celebrate great music, great

Friday night's lineup featured Fader Magavin & the Risky Livers, followed by LeAnn Rimes before country music heartthrob Riley Green closed the evening. Long before Green took the stage, fans had lined up outside the arena clutching homemade posters and sporting fake mustaches in tribute to the country star. On Saturday morning, younger music fans gathered under the arena tent to dance and partake in face paint and balloon animals for the first

WILDLANDS

31 August 6 - August 19, 2026

Explore Big Sky

annual Wildlands Family Jam, featuring music from Papa Strings and Jamie McLean. Kids of all ages showed off their dance moves to classics such as “The Wheels on the Bus” and “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” That evening’s main event opened with a more rock n’ roll set from McLean before Kaitlin Butts energized the crowd ahead of Underwood's headlining performance. As the sun dipped behind the mountains, thousands sang along to Underwood's biggest hits, bringing the weekend to a close beneath a classic Montana sunset. “You don't often see country music and conservation share a stage, but that's exactly what makes Wildlands so incredible,” Yablonski told EBS after the event. “What an honor to be featured at this year's festival and to be the recipient of so much generosity, kindness and enthusiasm for our innovative conservation work.” “From the incredible performances on stage to the mountains around us, Wildlands felt like Montana at its best; a true celebration of this place and the people responsible for keeping it wild,” he added. While performances like Green’s and Underwood’s is what may have initially drawn fans from across the region, and country, to the arena, the landscape behind it reminded concert-goers of its larger purpose: raising money and awareness to conservation efforts that make Big Sky, and the surrounding Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, unique. Photos by George Ortiz, Claire Licthtwardt and Michael Ruebusch.

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32 August 6 - August 19, 2026

WILDLANDS

WILDLANDS GALLERY

Photos by George Ortiz, Claire Licthtwardt and Michael Ruebusch.

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34 August 6 - August 19, 2026

ENVIRONMENT

DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD: GRIZZLY BEARS AT RISK

WHY WEAKENING FEDERAL PROTECTIONS ENDANGERS THE NORTHERN ROCKIES BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST

The Trump administration’s latest move on grizzly bears should set off alarm bells across the Northern Rockies and the nation. Last week, federal officials proposed to hand over greater management of these iconic animals to states that have spent decades trying to erase them from the landscape. On paper, grizzlies would technically retain their Endangered Species Act protections for now, and experimental population designations would remain unchanged. But the administration also plans to reopen a 30 day comment period on a revised 4(d) management rule first initiated under the Biden administration in January 2025—a seemingly bureaucratic step that could, in practice, decide whether grizzlies live or die. The danger lies in who would be put in charge. While the federal government is far from perfect, it is at least bound by nationwide conservation standards and scientific review. Several Northern Rockies states, by contrast, have made no secret of their hostility toward grizzly bears. Legislatures and governors have pushed anti-predator policies, undermined biologists, and treated these animals as pests to be controlled rather than a species on the brink of recovery. Handing them more authority over grizzly management is like asking the arsonist to run the fire department. We do not yet know every detail of the revised 4(d) rule, and that is by design. The administration has

chosen to move first and explain later, leaving the public in the dark about how far they intend to go. But the broad strokes are clear enough to warrant serious concern. A rule that relaxes federal oversight or expands state discretion over lethal control could jeopardize decades of painstaking recovery work. Grizzly populations in the Northern Rockies remain fragile, fragmented and highly vulnerable to spikes in mortality. That vulnerability is not theoretical. In recent years, grizzly bears have faced record mortality from conflicts with people, vehicles and increasingly permissive state policies toward killing large carnivores. These deaths are not just numbers in a report; they represent the loss of breeding females, key genetic diversity and individual animals that have managed to survive in a region that has never fully welcomed them back. When you stack new political maneuvers on top of already high death rates, the trajectory for the species becomes deeply troubling.

A Grizzly bear sow and cubs in Yellowstone National Park. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE to persist for future generations. They understand that the Endangered Species Act was designed precisely to protect vulnerable species from shortterm political pressures at the state level. If officials succeed in weakening oversight for grizzlies now, other imperiled species could be next.

“It is extremely concerning that the Trump administration is seeking to hand over more management of the species to hostile Northern Rockies states,” said Jenny Harbine, managing attorney for Earthjustice’s Northern Rockies Office. “While we need to see the details of this proposal, it could put grizzly bears at greater risk at a time of record mortality for the species. Anti-science political maneuvers should not be allowed to thwart grizzly bear recovery. If this proposal will further harm the species, we are prepared to take the administration to court.”

There is still time to push back. When the comment period opens on the revised 4(d) rule, the public—especially those who live in and love the Northern Rockies—must make their voices heard. We should demand a management framework grounded in science, not hostility and insist that any changes enhance, rather than erode, the hardwon gains toward grizzly recovery. The Trump administration may want to shift responsibility to states that have long opposed these bears’ very existence, but it cannot escape accountability for the consequences. Grizzly bears have survived decades of persecution to reclaim a foothold in their historic range. We should be strengthening their protections, not gambling their future on the very forces that pushed them to the brink.

The stakes extend beyond one bear population. This proposal is also a test of whether we will allow ideology and resentment of federal environmental laws to override science and public values. Most Americans want grizzly bears and other wildlife

Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller. His words have been published in Rolling Stone, Esquire, Field & Stream, The Guardian, Men’s Journal, Outside, Popular Science, Sierra, and WWF, among other notable outlets, and are available on his website.

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36 August 6 - August 19, 2026

A&E

CHISEL AND RAZOR: HOW TWO SIBLINGS CONNECTED BOZEMAN TO THE ART WORLD TINWORKS ART BRINGS TOGETHER THE STORIES OF GROUNDBREAKING SIBLINGS, EDMONIA LEWIS AND SAMUEL LEWIS BY ANNIE O'NEILL Samuel Lewis arrived in Bozeman in 1868 and built a fortune as a barber, real estate investor, community leader, and traveling showman. His sister, Edmonia Lewis, became one of the first Black and Anishinaabe sculptors to gain international recognition. More than a century later, Tinworks Art is bringing the siblings back together by tracing how one brother's success in Bozeman helped shape one of the most groundbreaking careers in American art history. "Chisel and Razor: The Artistic Legacies of Edmonia and Samuel Lewis" opened June 19 at Tinworks' North Ida location in Bozeman. The two-part exhibition, which continues through 2027, pairs contemporary artwork with the lives of the siblings, whose stories stretch from Rome to Bozeman. Curator and Montana State University art history professor Dr. Melissa Ragain said the show's criteria is centered on "19th-century materials and theatrics." Edmonia Lewis occupies an important place in American art history. As a Black and Anishinaabe woman, she overcame significant barriers to build an international career. While studying at Oberlin College from 1860-1863, she was “prevented from graduating after a false accusation,” and later settled in Rome. Known for sculptures like "Forever Free" and "The Death of Cleopatra," her success was not achieved alone. Her brother, Samuel Lewis, born in the West Indies in 1835, arrived in Bozeman in 1868 and became one of the city's earliest Black settlers. A barber, real estate investor, community leader and entertainer, he built the financial success that helped fund much of Edmonia's education and early career. "There is no Edmonia without Samuel, no Samuel without Edmonia," Ragain said. Their financial standing was unusual for the era, barely a generation removed from slavery, when society had few examples of affluent Black families, Ragain said. Visitors enter the exhibition through a recreation of Samuel Lewis' formal parlor, modeled

Tinworks’ summer 2026 exhibit features the work of siblings Edmonia Lewis and Samuel Lewis. PHOTO BY ANNIE O’NEILL after his Queen Anne-style Bozeman home, complete with its ornate ceiling and stained-glass window. MSU student Naji Haska painted the ceiling based on the original design. The exhibition unfolds in two acts, beginning with Samuel Lewis’ years in Bozeman from 1868 to 1896 and continuing this fall in Tinworks’ restored Mill Building highlighting Edmonia Lewis’ international career. Act I uses contemporary artwork to examine the world Samuel Lewis entered as one of Bozeman’s earliest Black settlers and the life he built in the post-emancipation era. Artist Sonya Clark addresses this history through unexpected materials, including playable violins made from human hair, a textile reproducing a handwritten draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, and handmade jewelry that references the sugar trade’s role in slavery and abolition. In the next room, Edgar Arceneaux’s large-scale works line the walls, featuring altered silver-backed antique mirrors that he paints with other materials before transferring their images onto canvas. Ragain said Arceneaux’s work explores how objects can hold traces of the past, drawing on the practice

of “scrying,” which uses reflective surfaces to communicate with the dead. During the exhibition’s opening weekend on June 20, Arceneaux expanded that exploration into performance, leading an improvised theater piece with a fleet of actors at Tinworks. Video footage of the “audition” performance remains in the gallery alongside his painted works. Artist Nate Young’s installation incorporates concealed horse remains, woodwork, a serigraph and graphite drawings to tell the story of his own ancestor, who fled a threat on horseback in the early 1900s before settling in Philadelphia. Act II turns to Edmonia Lewis and the global influences that shaped her work. Rome-based artist Auriea Harvey explores that legacy in “Edmonia Triumphalis,” a large-scale installation that envisions Edmonia going to Bozeman, a trip she never made. Constructed from local rammed earth and featuring a fountain, the piece connects Edmonia’s artistic influences in Rome with the history and landscape of Montana. Act II will also feature work by Sanford Biggers, Andrea Carlson, Kelly Church and Athena LaTocha. The exhibition marks a milestone for Tinworks. Act II inaugurates the organization's newly restored Mill Building, expanding what began as a space limited to the warmer months into a year-round contemporary art space. The story extends beyond the arts organization. Beginning Oct. 12, a 3D-printed replica of Edmonia Lewis' "The Death of Cleopatra," produced by MSU researchers and Montana Tech engineering students based on Smithsonian Institution scans, will be displayed at the Museum of the Rockies alongside Lewis family artifacts that have never before been exhibited in Montana.

Part of Tinworks' latest exhibit, Chisel and Razor. PHOTO BY ANNIE O'NEILL

Together, the exhibitions connect Montana’s history with the wider art world, bringing renewed attention to one of America's most significant sculptors and the brother who helped make her career possible, right here in Bozeman.

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37 August 6 - August 19, 2026

Explore Big Sky

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR Read the full events calendar, or submit your own community event by scanning the QR code.

BIG SKY MEDICAL CENTER’S CPR CLASS MONDAY, AUG. 31 BASE, 9 A.M. On Aug. 31, the Big Sky Medical Center will hold a CPR class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at BASE Community Center. As a part of their American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED training, BSMC nurses will teach participants the basics of CPR and participants will leave with a two-year CPR certification. The Big Sky class costs $40, has availability for 16 participants and is open to anyone. It’s the first community CPR class hosted by Big Sky Medical Center, and Bozeman Health notes there’s more to come. Participants can sign up at https://qrs.ly/cprtraining.

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38 August 6 - August 19, 2026

A&E

Explore Big Sky

A LA CARTE: A TASTE OF HISTORY BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST

Let’s start with a timeline. The American Civil War started in 1861. The next year, gold was found on Grasshopper Creek, spurring the first gold rush in what would become Montana. In 1863, while the war soldiered on, gold was discovered in Alder Gulch near what is now Virginia City. The town came after, built around the gold rush. And all this happened before Montana became an official territory in 1864. I fully admit that I looked up each of those years. I have never been good at memorizing dates. Shout out to my Bozeman High School world history teacher, Tami Phillippi whose tales of the antics of European monarchs led me to ace the AP test— even if I still can’t remember the year the Magna Carta was sealed. History, I learned from Ms. Phillippi, is most exciting when it tells a story. More recently, I learned those stories are better with food. Let me explain. I got an email in June from Extreme History Project executive director Crystal Alegria inviting me to join a stop on the organization's A Taste of History summer series. “The Extreme History Project began as a means of making the humanities more fun, interesting and accessible to the general public,” the website states, and my experience has proven. Extreme History often focuses on women, minorities and marginalized communities in its walking tours and exhibits at its home in a former brothel at 234 E. Mendenhall in Bozeman. Alegria and Montana State University history professor Jennifer Hill created A Taste of History last year to expand on the senses used and create a more immersive storytelling experience, one that according to a pamphlet given out at the first event, would increase “understanding and appreciation of our community’s historical resources.” The first offering was “From Virginia to Versailles, which focused on the Black community in Virginia City. It was presented by Alegria and Hill, with an assist from Pat Jacobs, an architect specializing in historic preservation. “Through stories of labor, hospitality and resilience, participants will discover how African diasporic food traditions found expression in one of Montana’s most iconic frontier towns and in the meals served in local eating establishments,” the website promised. I found a foodie friend to tag along and ventured to Virginia City on a mostly sunny Saturday. Stories were told introducing the town and its residents that would shape the experience. Our first taste was a “Spice Trade Lemonade,” infused with ginger, cinnamon, anise, cloves, black and green pepper, chili pepper and smoked paprika. Dried spices, we learn, were easily transportable, even before the railroads made it to Montana Territory in 1881. “They were making magic as much as they were able to,” Hill said. The arrival of the railroads changed the availability of certain goods in towns such as Virginia City. What would have been shipped by boat up the

Crystal Alegria of The Extreme History Project speaks at A Taste of History event in Virginia City. PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT Missouri to Fort Benton and then on supply wagons to various communities suddenly had a much quicker journey. There are other historians in the group, and over lemonade we naturally discuss lemons. Before they were widely cultivated in California in the 1890s, lemons were shipped from Sicily, I learn. A root vegetable tart, layered with carrots and beets and a third root vegetable that was supposed to be parsnips (but I believe was replaced due to modern supply issues) was served at Sarah Bickford’s farmhouse. The dish showcased how the entrepreneurial woman and owner of the Virginia City Water Company “fed Virginia City residents from her truck garden year-round, even in the depths of Montana winters. It seems easier to connect with Bickford as I’m in her home, eating foods that could have been made in her kitchen well over a hundred years ago. “We want to have this be a lived experience for you, to feel it in your body,” Hill said. Even Alegria seems moved, tearing up as she talks about Bickford’s life in the house and community. Next was a mac and cheese in the style of chef James Hemings, who was born into slavery, purchased by Thomas Jefferson, and became the first American chef to train in France. It was served with collard greens, properly cooked in lard until they were melt-in-your mouth tender. We went on another walkabout to nearby buildings owned by Bickford and returned to close the day with homemade ice cream. It was custard based and served with a topping of canned pineapple, cans being easy to transport. I left with a greater knowledge of the actual lives of people in that community. I was full of both food and new ways to look at history.

In July, Extreme History’s program at Elkhorn ghost town, “Go West, Go Hungry,” looked at how immigrants adapted their culinary traditions to new environments, limited resources and unfamiliar ingredients in a Montana mining town. A Taste of History will visit the state capital on Saturday, Aug. 8. “Fine Dining and Hard Labor,” a program set in the original governor’s mansion carriage house in Helena, explores how food reflected and reinforced class status in the West. The program on Friday, Aug. 21, “Food for the Soul,” looks at the role of food in sacred rites and religious traditions, and features exclusive tours of the Butte-Silver Bow Archives and the historic St. Lawrence O’Toole Church. More information on these events can be found on the Extreme History Project’s website. Each stand-alone, day-long program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes tastes of historic dishes eaten by people in the area. Admission is $75 for members and $80 for nonmembers, and attendees are responsible for arranging their own transportation to each location. We were also asked to pack a lunch in case the tastes were not enough sustenance. My packed lunch remained untouched and I even scored some leftover root vegetable tart to take home. I enjoy learning bits of history, connecting story to place. But history has never quite come this alive for me. That said, I have been plied with ice cream. Rachel Hergett is a foodie and cook from Montana. She is arts editor emeritus at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and has written for publications such as Food Network Magazine and Montana Quarterly. Rachel is also the host of the Magic Monday Show on KGLT-FM and teaches at Montana State University.

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40 August 6 - August 19, 2026

BUSINESS

BIG SKY GETS ITS FIRST CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE Sponsored article Big Sky's draw is its recreation: skiing and snowmobiling in winter, rafting, biking and offroading in summer. That lifestyle comes with a lot of gear in a town where many homes have small garages and several apartments and condos don't come with a garage. Now, the community has its first climatecontrolled storage facility between Michener Creek Rd and Buck’s T-4 in Gallatin Canyon. Local developers Scott Hammond and John Romney partnered with Ludlow Property Group, a national self-storage developer, owner and operator, and are opening a new multi-story storage facility this fall that will be the first in town to keep units at a consistent temperature year-round, meaning if it's negative 20 degrees outside, your goods—from outfitting gear, furniture and art—won't freeze. "We're thinking of people's stuff, maybe a wine collection, a special vehicle or something of value that you don’t want exposed to Big Sky’s extreme seasons" Scott Hammond (Managing Partner of BFH Holding) said. "We don't want it freezing. It's unique in that it's multi-story and in its sheer size. It's a first for Big Sky." Hammond partnered with Ludlow Property Group who specialize in storage facilities built specifically

for ski towns in Colorado and Montana, a niche but growing model, guaranteed it'll keep up with Big Sky's varying temperatures. Hammond spent over 28 years in homeowner and condominium association management and knows the rules well, motivating him to partner with Ludlow Group to build a space perfect for second homeowners, those living where storage is scarce or where building rules regarding storage can be strict. Many Big Sky homes have small garages and often, condos and apartments, are void of garages or onsite storage options. The new facility offers a much wider range of sizes, built to fit not just boxes but an owner's entire outdoor lifestyle. The facility has 48 “drive-in” units ranging from 15’ to 45’ deep with 14’ garage doors allowing direct access for SUV’s, trailers, RVs, drift boats, rafts, hobby and sports cars, snowmobiles, ATVs and four-wheelers. Two bonus features for those storing ATVs and snowmobiles: direct access to the trail system right from the building, so riders can leave their unit and head straight to the outdoors, including a day trip up to the popular Bucks ridge area. Eliminating the need to load, trailer and unload your ATV or snow-machines at a busy trailhead. Additionally, a freight elevator allows owners to move large items upstairs without navigating a staircase.

Left to right: Scott Hammond (partner), Tyson Patterson (project manager and general contractor), Michael Forrest (partner) and John Romney (partner) in front of Big Sky’s first climate controlled storage facility. PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT HAMMOND Every unit is climate controlled, heated in winter and cooled in summer, and owners get 24/7 access backed by 24-hour security camera monitoring. Opening this fall Hammond is targeting a fall 2026 opening, likely September or October, timed for second homeowners returning to Big Sky ahead of winter and looking to get gear stored before snow and ice set in. Reservations are currently being accepted via their website: https://www.storagebigsky.com/

42 August 6 - August 19, 2026

BUSINESS

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A NEW NAME BUILT ON A STRONG FOUNDATION

STONE LEAF FINANCIAL BEGINS ITS NEXT CHAPTER BY TAYLOR OWENS Sponsored article For nearly a decade, Quincey Beauchaine has been helping clients navigate life's biggest financial decisions. Now, after acquiring a longtime Bozeman practice in January 2025, she's leading the firm into a new chapter with a name that reflects the way the business has grown and evolved. Formerly known as Hudak Financial Strategies, the practice is now Stone Leaf Financial—a rebrand that honors the firm's history while looking toward its future. While the name is new, the foundation of the business remains unchanged. The new identity was chosen with intention. "Stone is supposed to signify a strong foundation—one that Alex Hudak built. We're not a new company. He built a strong foundation with the business," Beauchaine said. "The leaf is supposed to represent growth—us within the company. It also goes with our investing philosophy too. You need a strong foundation before you can do much investing, and you also want to invest in companies that have a strong foundation.” More than a visual refresh, the new name reflects how the firm has evolved. Stone Leaf Financial represents a collaborative team that works together to help clients navigate every stage of their financial lives. The rebrand acknowledges both the firm's history and the way it serves clients today. That philosophy extends well beyond investment management. The team approaches financial planning as an ongoing relationship, helping individuals, families, and small business owners work through everything from retirement and estate planning to tax strategies, education savings, and major life transitions. Staying connected with clients allows the advisors to provide guidance as challenges arise, understanding and considering their values and goals. "A big misconception is that financial planning is really just about investments, but we take a much wider approach to looking at people's financial lives," Beauchaine said. "We're constantly trying to be informed about what's going on in our clients' lives and being there through the changes and transitions that are happening so we can be proactive." Many clients first come to Stone Leaf Financial during moments of uncertainty. Whether they're preparing for retirement, navigating the loss of a loved one, going through a divorce, or celebrating a marriage, they're often looking for someone to bring clarity to decisions that can feel overwhelming. The team sees its role as more than managing finances, it's about providing steady guidance through life's biggest transitions. Retirement planning is one area where that approach comes to life. Rather than simply encouraging clients to save, the team focuses on helping them understand what their savings actually mean for the future. Through conversations, planning tools, and visual projections, clients gain a clearer picture of what retirement can realistically look like. "A lot of people just throw money into a 401(k) because they know they're supposed to but rarely

PHOTO COURTESY OF STONE LEAF FINANCIAL understand what it's going to do for them," Rebecca Skirvin, client services associate at Stone Leaf Financial, said. "We use a lot of visuals and strive to meet people where they're at so we can help them see how their money can serve their future." As an independent practice affiliated with Raymond James, Stone Leaf Financial combines personalized local service with the resources of one of the country's largest independent financial services firms. The partnership gives clients access to extensive research, technology, and investment expertise while allowing the firm to maintain the independence and personalized approach that have defined it from the beginning. Looking ahead, the team sees the rebrand as a reflection of where the firm is headed. With a collaborative staff and a focus on building relationships that span decades, Stone Leaf Financial hopes to be a trusted resource through every stage of a client's financial journey.

"Being a young advisor in this field, we're presented with a great opportunity to be a part of many people's journeys—from buying their first home to planning retirement—and be involved throughout that whole process," Nick Williams, paraplanner at Stone Leaf Financial, said. That long-term perspective is paired with a commitment to consistency. The team hopes clients will see Stone Leaf Financial not simply as a place to manage investments, but as a trusted partner they can rely on through every season of life. "A huge value that we really hold here is consistency," Skirvin said. "We want to be that consistent presence and voice for people; one they can come to throughout life’s transitions.” Built on a strong foundation and focused on longterm growth, Stone Leaf Financial is entering its next chapter with the same mission that has guided the firm from the beginning: putting clients first.

IT’S TIME TO PROTECT THE ELK AND DEER HERDS OF GALLATIN GATEWAY AND BIG SKY

3,562 Deer and Elk were killed by vehicles in Gallatin County since 2008.

P R I O R I T I Z E W I L D L I F E C R O S S I N G S O LU T I O N S . S U P P O R T A N D D O N AT E TO DAY.

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44 August 6 - August 19, 2026

HEALTH

HEALTH BUZZ: HOW WILDFIRE SMOKE AND HIGH ALTITUDE IMPACT YOUR BODY

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BY DR. KALEY BURNS EBS COLUMNIST

Living in the mountains offers incredible benefits: fresh air, beautiful scenery and endless opportunities to be active. But our environment also presents unique challenges that can quietly affect how you feel every day. Two of the biggest "invisible stressors" in our region are wildfire smoke and high altitude. Even healthy individuals may notice changes in energy, breathing, sleep or recovery. Wildfire smoke is more than just an irritated throat Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that are small enough to travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. During smoke events people commonly experience fatigue, headaches, brain fog, irritated eyes and throat, worsening allergies, increased asthma symptoms, difficulty exercising and poor sleep. Even if you don't have an underlying lung disease, your body is working harder to manage the inflammation caused by smoke exposure. Knowing how to respond to a higher Air Quality Index report, or AQI, is important for both sensitive individuals and those who normally feel healthy. When wildfire smoke moves into our region, reducing your overall exposure is one of the most effective ways to protect your health. On days when the AQI indicates that tiny particles from smoke are at unhealthy levels, consider running a HEPA air purifier in rooms where you spend the most time, especially in your bedroom. During extended smoke events, designate a certain

room as a “clean room” and spend most of your time in that room, including overnight. Because we spend roughly one-third of our lives sleeping, improving the air you breathe at night can make a meaningful difference in your overall smoke exposure. Even one portable unit can significantly reduce indoor smoke particles when doors and windows remain closed. Keep in mind, you should close windows and doors when air quality is poor, and air out your home once conditions improve. If you have central heating or air conditioning, use a high-efficiency HVAC filter, such as MERV-13, if your system supports it, and replace filters according to the manufacturer's recommendations. It’s understandable to want to get the most of Montana summer days, but check the local AQI before planning outdoor activities. Moving a workout indoors for a few days can reduce the amount of smoke your lungs take in. If you must spend extended time outdoors during smoky conditions, a well-fitting N95 respirator can filter many of the fine particles found in wildfire smoke. Some simple strategies include: Your ‘inflammation bucket’ Think of your body like a bucket that collects stress. Wildfire smoke doesn't act alone—it adds to everything else your body is already managing. You may already be struggling with poor sleep, seasonal allergies, emotional stress, chronic illness or the impacts of high altitude. When the bucket fills up, you may notice headaches, fatigue, brain fog, muscle tension, poor sleep, or feeling "run down." While you can't control wildfire smoke, reducing other stressors— staying hydrated, eating nourishing foods, prioritizing sleep, and supporting recovery—may help your body adapt more effectively.

High altitude: Your body is working harder than you realize At higher elevations, the air contains less oxygen. Your body compensates by working harder to deliver oxygen to tissues and organs. This adjustment can contribute to fatigue, shortness of breath, dehydration, difficulty sleeping, muscle soreness, slower recovery after exercise and headaches. Even longtime residents can notice these effects during periods of illness, stress, heavy training or wildfire smoke. Taking a whole-person approach Holistic healthcare focuses on supporting the body's ability to adapt and recover. Depending on your individual health needs, complementary therapies may help promote relaxation, improve circulation, reduce muscle tension and support overall wellness. Persistent fatigue, headaches, poor sleep or decreased energy aren't always "just getting older" or something you have to push through. Sometimes they're signs that your body is adapting to environmental stress. By recognizing these invisible stressors and taking steps to support your health, you can continue to enjoy everything mountain living has to offer. If you've noticed changes in your energy, breathing, recovery or overall wellbeing, our team is here to help you explore an individualized, whole-person approach to feeling your best. Dr. Kaley Burns is a licensed Naturopathic Physician providing a wide range of services for her clients, including: Naturopathic Medicine, IV Nutrient Therapy, Regenerative Injections, Rejuvenation Therapies, Vitamin Shots, and Nutrition Counseling. She embraces a natural approach to health and aims to similarly inspire and guide others on their health journey.

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Explore Big Sky

American Bison // Bison bison

DID YOU KNOW?

500 years ago, at least 30 million bison roamed the plains. That number is now less than 30,000. The depletion of free range bison has been attributed to: • Decades of over-exploitation • Decline in genetic diversity • Habitat loss • Human Interaction

Yellowstone National Park boasts the nation's largest free range buffalo herd, but only two others remain - the Henry’s Mountains and Book Cliffs herds, both in southern Utah.

Respect. Protect. Cherish. Paid for by the animals in your backyard.

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