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contents CHRISTMAS 2021 24 4032 PUBLISHER CYD & STU HOEFLE 406-860-0292 // publisher@raisedinthewest.com COPY EDITOR KAYLA WALKER ADVERTISING CYD HOEFLE 406-860-0292 // DEVINpublisher@raisedinthewest.comMURNIN 406-696-1502 // advertising@raisedinthewest.com DESIGN MELANIE ads@raisedinthewest.comFABRIZIUS ADDRESS RAISED IN THE WEST PO Box 80267 // Billings, MT 59108 ©2020 Peaks to Prairie Media All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. www.raisedinthewest.com FOLLOW US! COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACKIE JENSEN DESIGN BY MELANIE FABRIZIUS 10 BLESSINGS OF CHRISTMAS Written by Cyd Hoefle 12 HORSE IN THE HOUSE Written by Katie Fraser 14 A TRAGIC BLESSING Written by Cyd Hoefle 18 JEAN'S CUISINES Written by Jean Petersen 18 GOOD IN THE WORLD THROUGH COLE'S PANTRY Written by Stella Fong 24 DOUGIE HALL Written by Cyd Hoefle 32 HOMEMADE FOR THE HOLIDAYS Written by Amy Grisak 36 THE SIMPLICITY OF A MODERN PIONEER'S FIRST CHRISTMAS Written by Gayle M. Irwin 40 FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FURBABY Written by Gayle M. Irwin 44 FOREVER FAITHFUL Written by Cathy Moser 46 OUT & ABOUT 4 // www.raisedinthewest.com
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As we celebrate the holidays and enter the new year, our hope and prayer for each of you is that you will spend time relaxing, reflecting and rejuvenating in God’s beautiful creation. May Christmas be filled with family, friends, laughter, and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
MAIL A CHECK TO: Raised In The West PO Box www.raisedinthewest.comPAYBillings,80267MT59108ONLINEAT: SCAN TO PAY VIA VENMO: $25 2022 4 QUARTERLYISSUES VISIT US ONLINE raisedinthewest.com 6 // www.raisedinthewest.com
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Despite our busyness, it's been a great year for RITW. We’ve met some amazing people, both writers, photographers, subjects of our features, and advertisers. We’re excited about the new year and our plans for it. We’re scaling back to four issues in 2022 and concentrating hard on expanding each issue. We look forward to the new year with anticipation and excitement and remain committed to bringing you features that encourage, uplift, and entertain.
As we draw to the end of 2021 and reflect on the last twelve months, we concluded, personally, that some things need to change. With all the controversy and discord we experienced as a nation, we realized that we gave too much real estate in our minds to the things that blocked our view of the good things in life: the blessings we’ve received, the people we love, and the beauty of the outdoors. We are resolving not to let that happen in the new year. We think it’s time to simplify in some areas of our lives and be more intentional in other. Perhaps you are feeling that as well. Our stories reflect that. For this issue, we go back to a simpler time with a story about my own family and how we celebrated Christmas in 1966 after the death of my grandmother. We included a version which my late mother had published in the Billings Gazette over 30 years ago. We visit another Christmas past taking place in an “off the grid” cabin and a much simpler Wecelebration.featuretwo families that turned the heart wrenching tragedy of losing a child into foundations that are impacting hundreds of other families across the state and we profile a couple of young adults that have endured tremendous difficulties and are changing the world because of it. One of these individuals, Dougie Hall, who is featured on our cover, often does a dance of joy, which we hope will be infectious during this holiday season and into the new year.
note from the publisher
WISHING YOU A HOLIDAY SEASON! SafeandHappy VISIT YVEC.COM FOR MEMBER ENERGY STAR REBATES AND MORE. CLOTHING • PURSES • JEWELRY Laurel Farm Store 800 E Main 406.628.6314St Bridger Farm Store 209 N Main 406.662.3623St Hardin Farm Store 225 Railroad 406.665.1103St We’re Here for You. Now and in The Future. Raised_TC_Ad_Nov.indd 1 10/7/21 4:45 PM CHRISTMAS 2021 // 7
GRAPHIC
JACKIE JENSEN PHOTOGRAPHER ___________________________________
WRITER Great Falls writer, Amy Grisak balances her life between the mountains and the prairie looking for stories that catch her interest. This award-winning writer shares what she loves with readers, whether it's finding gorgeous hikes in Glacier National Park or how to push the gardening envelope in our challenging Montana climate. Look for her book, “Nature Guide to Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks,” published by Falcon Guides and follow her at amygrisak.com
WRITER Jean is a cookbook and children’s picture book author, freelance writer and has been a weekly columnist with Western Ag Reporter for over 15 years. She and her husband live near the Beartooth Mountains in Red Lodge with their four children. Most days she can be found outdoors with her animals, on a hike, at her children’s activities, or cozying up writing and reading. You can find her at www.jeanpetersen.com
AMY GRISAK
Gayle began her writing career in Montana, serving as editor and reporter for the former West Yellowstone News. She is an awardwinning Wyoming author and freelance writer, being recognized by Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association, and a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She regularly writes for Wyoming Rural Electric News (WREN) and authors inspirational pet stories for children and adults. A novelist, she sets her sweet, contemporary romance series in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Learn more about Gayle and her writing and volunteer pet rescue work at https://gaylemirwinauthor.com/.
CATHY MOSER WRITER Catharine Melin Moser writes about Western history, lifestyles, and the outdoors from her home in central Montana’s Judith Mountains. Her decade-long research about nineteenth century Thoroughbred breeding and horse racing in Montana and its influence on American horse racing is the subject of her forthcoming book, In the Winner’s Circle, slated for publication by Oklahoma University Press in 2022.
MELANIE FABRIZIUS DESIGN
Melanie was raised on a farm on the banks of the Clarks Fork River in Belfry. Her life-long love of art led her to a career as a freelance graphic designer. When she’s not busy working, Melanie enjoys being with family, spending time with her dogs, camping,
KAYLA WALKER COPY EDITOR/WEBSITE DESIGNER
GAYLE M. IRWIN WRITER
Ranch raised, Jackie spent her youth competing in high school rodeo, college, and then amateur rodeo before becoming a full time PRCA rodeo photographer. “I’m a storyteller by nature, the camera allows me to take my audience with me to places they would never see and do things that most would never be able to do.”
Jackiejensenphotography.com
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Devin grew up on a commercial cow/calf ranch outside of Miles City, where his passion for the rural lifestyle and cattle and ranching began. He has worked with the USDA, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and is currently a fieldman for the Western Livestock Journal where he assists with marketing purebred and commercial cattle throughout the west. Devin, his wife and kids also run their own commercial cows in Montana and some of his favorite days are spent on horseback working cattle. Contact Devin at advertising@raisedinthewest.com or call him at 406.696.1502.
ATVing, collecting rocks and watching the sunset. Check out her art at www.melaniefab.com and follow her on Instagram @ melaniefabart.
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Stella loves to discover new flavors and waters to fly fish. She is author of Flavors Under the Big Sky: Recipes and Stories from Yellowstone Public Radio and Beyond, Billings Food and Historic Restaurants of Billings. She contributes regularly to Yellowstone Valley Woman Magazine, Edible Bozeman, and The Last Best Plates column for Montana Food.
STELLA FONG WRITER
contributors
DEVIN MURNIN ADVERTISING SALES
TODAYCALL ADVERTISE!TO Devin Murnin • publisher@raisedinthewest.com406.696.1502 8 // www.raisedinthewest.com
JEAN PETERSEN
Originating from a fifth-generation Montana ranch, Kayla has a real connection to the agriculture industry and the cherished western lifestyle synonymous with the state. This upbringing is what drives here to excel in her current position as Western Ag Report Editor and nonstop position as an ag communicator. Whether it be through photography, writing, social media, or design, she strives to share the story of this way of life on a day-today basis. Keep up with her work at www.ranchraisedmedia.com or by following Ranch Raised Media on Facebook and Instagram.
MICHELE PEDERSEN PHOTOGRAPHER & PHOTO EDITOR
Michele Pedersen grew up on the Brinkel farm, near Broadview, MT, where she learned the value of work and the generosity of a good neighbor. She owns Pedersens Photography and enjoys shooting portraits – seniors, families, weddings, and couples. Her husband, Greg is her biggest fan and provides entertainment on almost every shoot. She also works with her 90-year-old dad making MT frames and wooden crafts in his wood shop. She has two wonderful stepsons, Bryce and Nik, that keep life full to the top. Follow her on Facebook at Pedersens Photography.
REEDPOINT MONTANA WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE FRASER the SCOTT, CAROLYN, CYDNEY, MARTHA, AND ROB FRASER 1963 10 // www.raisedinthewest.com
Main Office & Big Timber Branch 130 McLeod St | Big Timber,
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Looking back, Christmas 1966 had to have been especially difficult for Mom. She’d lost her own mother that summer and faced the holidays for the first time without her. At just 34 years old with five children ages 3 to 10, the loss was tremendous, not only for her, but for the little ones as well. Mom was an amazing mother. Her favorite child was always the one with her. I’m not sure how she managed, but she intentionally spent alone time with each of us. She had an uncanny ability to make us talk, she was quick to listen, slow to speak and to anger, and in her presence we felt Beingcherished.raised on a ranch, it was not just important to both Mom and Dad that we learn at an early age how to ride and be of help, it was expected. Outfitting five kids with horses and gear was done by continually passing down and repairing both gear and horses alike. Years after we were grown, married, and had families of our own, Christmas Eve was still spent at my folks’ place. Dad would take the kids sledding while Mom prepared hot chocolate and goodies. The tree was trimmed with presents stacked high and a piñata was swinging from the eaves, waiting for the excited grandchildren to take a turn trying to break it. We were steeped in tradition, from the fried oysters Grampa started, to the divinity and fudge, to the homemade gifts. Our family thrived not on the commercialism of the holiday, but being together. The laughter, games, playfulness, and continual grazing of delicious food throughout the afternoon and well into the night bonded us tightly. They are memories which every member of our family cherishes to this day. The following is an article Mom submitted to the Billings Gazette which they printed on Christmas Day years after we’d all grown up and had children of our own. Branch 32 Central Ave N | Harlowton, MT 406.632.4373 MT 406.932.5311 www.ctznsbank.com
Quickly, we slipped Maggie Oh through the front door and left her by the Christmas tree. Our excited youngsters raced in and stopped in amazement to find a horse in the living room! They swarmed about her, petting, riding, and checking gear. Although we had dry lotted the little mare during in the house
WRITTEN BY KATIE FRASER
12 // www.raisedinthewest.com
It was mid-December of 1966, and it was snowing. Our boys, Scott and Rob, were 10 and 8, our daughters, Cydney, Carolyn, and Martha, were 7, 5, and 3.
Rob had outgrown the child’s saddle he was using so this was the year he was to receive a new saddle. We decided to give each youngster tack and gear. We bought saddle blankets, a head stall, breast collar, saddle bags, slickers, chaps, and a tiny pair of spurs. Christmas Eve finally arrived. Santa’s bell sounded on the back porch drawing out the youngsters.
The older children were practicing for the Christmas program at the Greycliff School. But the usual Christmas excitement was dimmed this year as my mother had died during the summer. She was a loving mother, perfect grandmother, and her enthusiasm over the holidays made Christmas special for the entire family. Scott and Rob had their own horses, which they reluctantly shared with the little sisters. So, friends, Margot and Call Todd, owners of the Pitchfork Ranch at Meeteetsee, thought our girls should have a horse of their own. They gave us Maggie Oh, a little sorrel mare with a white mane and tail. She arrived at the ranch the week before Christmas.
We put her in the corral below the barn and explained the surprise to Scott and Rob. We asked the boys to ride her after school each day to gentle her for their sisters. Somehow, the secret was kept in spite of the boys’ whispers and excitement.
CYDNEY, SCOTT AND ROB CAROLYN AND CYDNEY
the day, all the excitement caused her to spin, leaving dry droppings scattered across the carpet. A broom and dustpan appeared, and the indiscretion was quickly swept away. Grampa laughed with tears in his eyes as he said, “how Gramma would have loved this Christmas!” We were up early Christmas morning. As breakfast was cooking, Carolyn slipped down to the barn and returned with Maggie Oh. She brought her through the front door into the living room. Carolyn thought this was a wonderful, new way to handle horses. We took the mare out and explained gently that Christmas Eve was a very special time and never, ever again would we have a horse in the house. As the children grew older, there were many horses and saddles in their lives. Rob’s tiny saddle passed to Cyd, then Carolyn, Martha, and is now used by Martha’s 6-year-old son, Scott’sWes. horse, Old Browning, was passed to Carolyn. Eventually, each youngster had a horse and gear of their own. But no memory remains as clear and precious as that of Maggie Oh, standing by the Christmas tree in the living room. This is what makes that Christmas special for this family.
CHRISTMAS 2021 // 13
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BILLINGS MONTANA WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED BY KORI KELLER 14 // www.raisedinthewest.com
Ramsey’s family rallied around her, but there was nothing the team of doctors could do - she had suffered cardiac arrest and passed away in the arms of her mother and surrounded by her family. Instead of bringing a baby home, Kori’s arms were empty, and her heart broken.
Expecting their fourth child, Kori and her husband, Jeff, had no reason to believe anything would be wrong with the baby they were expecting, but Ramsey arrived early with a condition called hydrops fetalis, in which an abnormal amount of fluid had built up around her chest.
Back at home, the boys, who were 12, 9, and 7 at the time, needed their parents and the entire family was mourning the loss of Ramsey.
“I had no choice but to keep going,” Kori said, reflecting on those days. “Ramsey was born on the 25th and instead of bringing her home and celebrating her life, suddenly four days later, we were making arrangements for her funeral.
Ten years ago, Kori Keller would have never imagined the impact the loss of her baby daughter would have on the world.
I couldn’t even begin to make decisions about what we wanted for her.”
“There is nothing worse than leaving the hospital without your baby,” Kori said, her eyes filling with tears. “It was the single hardest moment in my life.”
Kori’s father stepped in, not only making the needed decisions but paying for the expenses as well.
During the months after Ramsey’s death Kori and Jeff talked about starting a memorial for her. “We wanted to honor her memory,” she explained. “Sometimes you’re told as the parent of a child that’s been lost that having another baby will ease the pain, but no one can replace the baby
BlessinGBlessinGtragicatragic
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“It was an incredibly generous thing for him to do,” Kori said. “Emotionally, we couldn’t even think clearly.”
CHRISTMAS 2021 // 15
Immediately upon her birth, a procedure was performed to drain some of the fluid so her lungs could compress and begin working appropriately. She went to NICU and for several days she seemed to be stable, even progressing. On the third day, though, Kori was summoned to the NICU when Ramsey took a turn for the worse.
COVERED HUNDREDS OF INFANT FUNERALS FOR FAMILIES ACROSS MT In the past 10 years, RKM has is home to the ONLY foundation offering this service. 16 // www.raisedinthewest.com
AND FOLLOW ON FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE RAMSEY KELLER MEMORIAL, VISIT www.kisses2heaven.com
The foundation is funded solely by donations, a marathon held in May, and a fundraising concert in September. “God has really provided for us,” Kori said. “He has supernaturally carried us emotionally, spiritually, and physically and has kept us relevant to help hurting families.”
“It made such sense to us,” Kori said. “And that’s how the Ramsey Keller Memorial (RKF) was founded.” Only six months after Ramsey’s death, the Kellers paid for an infant’s funeral. The surprised, but very relieved, parents of the child have since become good friends of the Kellers and are now a part of RKF. “There’s so much paperwork alone that goes into deciding what to do for your infant,” Kori said. “Casket, cremation, plot, it’s just too hard for grieving families to have to deal with it. We take care of it all. We don’t care what the financial situation looks like for a family, we just do it all for them.”
Currently, Montana is home to the only foundation offering this “It’sservice.heart wrenching that we have a foundation that pays for infant funerals,” Kori acknowledged. “We wish there wasn’t a need, but it happens.”
In the past ten years, the Ramsey Keller Memorial has covered hundreds of infant funerals for families across the state.
To honor their baby girl’s memory, Kori and Jeff decided to pay for funerals for other families who have lost babies.
Here for your way of life. I’ll work hard to help you protect your farm, with coverage from State Farm® that’s broad enough to meet all your farm and auto insurance needs. As your local agent, I’m here to help. Let’s talk today. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm Florida Insurance Company, Winter Haven, FL State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas, State Farm Lloyds, Richardson, TX1708171 Jeff A Wigen, Agent 2920 2nd Avenue N Billings, MT 59101 Bus: 24WeekendsMon.jeff.wigen.frrw@statefarm.com406-294-5310-Fri.8:30amto5:30pmandEvebyAppt.HrCustomerService Merry Christmas As 2021 comes to a close, we thank you for the privilege of being your neighbor in this wonderful community we call home. On behalf of all of us at Stockman Bank, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender CHRISTMAS 2021 // 17
JEAN’S CUISINES WRITTEN BY JEAN PETERSEN MontanaAuthor PETERSENJEAN ❆ The Big Sky Bounty Cookbook ❆ All God’s Creatures ❆ Kind Soup Shop BuythisChristmas!LocalNow!jeanpetersen.com Custom Homes NewRusticCabinetsConstructionFurniture 406-425-1245 PETERSENBUILDING.COM CRUST•1cup flour • ½ cup oatmeal • ½ cup brown sugar • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine and mix until crumbly. Press into an ungreased 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 minutes. FILLING•1canpumpkin (16 oz.) • 1 can evaporated milk (13 oz.) • 2 eggs • ¾ cup sugar • ½ tsp salt • 1 tsp cinnamon • ½ tsp ginger • ¼ tp ground cloves DIRECTIONS: Combine and beat well. Pour over the crust and bake for 20 minutes. Keep the oven at 350 degrees for the remaining process. TOPPING•1cupchopped nuts • ½ cup brown sugar • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter DIRECTIONS: Sprinkle the topping over the top of the filling for 15-20 minutes. Serve topped with whipped cream. Cook before freezing. Serves 24. Pumpkin Pie Squares 18 // www.raisedinthewest.com
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BRIDGER MONTANA WRITTEN BY STELLA FONG // PHOTOGRAPHY BY STELLA FONG FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ADRIANO RIDS HORSE, MARCOS FLOREZ, JACE WEIMER, CHANCE PELICAN, BAYLOR POSPISIL, COOPER FRANK AND LUCIUS PAYOVICH HELPING IN THE CLASSROOM 20 // www.raisedinthewest.com
In 2009, 8-year-old, Cole Pelican was tragically killed helping his family on their cattle ranch outside of Bridger. While his death left an unfillable void in his family, it also fueled the desire to keep his memory alive through a good deed. Cole loved his family and ranch life and had an uncanny ability to recognize need in his friends and classmates. A sensitive child, he often shared his lunch with his classmates, worried they didn’t have enough food. After his passing, his older sister, Fallon Pelican, set out to create a memorial which would honor his character and aid the community.
“Fallon is amazing,” Carol Brumfield, Fallon and Cole’s grandmother, said. “Cole really looked up to her. He was outgoing and had a big personality. He was very compassionate and caring and loved people. He was always hungry when he got home, and always brought food to school to share with others.”
Efforts have branched to Fromberg, Laurel, Glasgow, Shepherd, Reed Point, Red Lodge, Deer Lodge, Huntley, Belt, and Miles City and interest continues to grow. Cole’s Pantry offers grants to
Inside Vicki Kaufman’s Family and Consumer Science classroom at Bridger High School, students load backpacks with food for Cole’s Pantry every Friday. Items such as bread, cheese sticks, celery, tangerines, pretzels, and spaghetti return home to families in need of weekend nourishment. During second period Food Service Class recently, a group of seven students filled backpacks with numbered tags which maintain anonymity.
—COOPER FRANK COLE PELICAN
A purple wall in the back of Kaufman’s classroom displays a mural of a blooming tree and the phrase “BELIEVE THERE IS GOOD IN THE WORLD.” From the humble beginning of feeding several dozen kids in Bridger to now reaching 2,100 students from 38 schools in 14 Montana counties, Cole’s Pantry has exemplified that motto.
Good in the World THROUGH Cole’sPantry “Just knowing the impact we are making is a good feeling.”
Fallon honored that trait in Cole and as a junior in high school, she launched a program through Family Consumer Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) with the goal to provide local children who may otherwise go without with a backpack of food for the weekend. From that idea, Cole’s Pantry was born. Now in its eleventh year, Cole’s Pantry not only provides backpacks of food for Bridger students, but students statewide.
“It’s nice helping out,” one of the students, Adriano Rides Horse, Jacesaid. Weimer and Lucius Payovich echoed their classmate, noting the backpacks help families and the community as a whole, making the class time spent on the project rewarding. “Just knowing the impact we are making is a good feeling,” Cooper Frank Forsummarized.onestudent in the class, Marcos Florez, the project hits close to “Ihome.used to be homeless once,” Florez admitted. “I know how it feels having no food.” Families in need of backpacks are referred to the program by either a counselor or staff member at Bridger High School. Kaufman explained that a letter and application are sent home with every student in Pre-K through 8th “TheyGrade.canchoose to turn it in or not,” Kaufman said. “If they ask, they must need it. The biggest, biggest part of Cole’s Pantry is it is anonymous.”
CHRISTMAS 2021 // 21
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“We don’t give them the money and run,” Kaufman said. She knows, especially in schools, “it’s hard for teachers to take on Inmore.”2018, the First Annual Cole’s Pantry Dinner, Dance, and Auction, coordinated by Carol Brumfield and Platinum Salon of Billings, brought in more monies to help spread the program to other rural locations. Pancake breakfasts and chili feeds also contribute to raising funds. Like Cole’s spirit, Cole’s Pantry didn’t just stop at backpacks either. For Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, volunteers from Cole’s Pantry “Plan. Shop. Cook. Cleanup.”
CHRISTMAS 2021 // 23
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The extension of the program prepares holiday meals at the Senior Center in “WeBridger.usually cook for 100 people,” Kaufman said. “We invite other senior citizen groups in the valley.” Today, Cole’s brother, Chance Pelican, is honoring his playful character with yet another charitable program called Cole’s Playground Posse. The program started three years ago with the assistance of Kaufman and is meant to help kids stay “Weactive.thought of what we liked to play with,” Chance said. From that, basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, baseball bats, jump ropes, and frisbees have been gathered and dispersed to Laurel Middle School and Huntley Project JustElementary.likeCole’s Pantry, the playground program has the potential to grow. And Kaufman remains confident in the mission of Cole’s Pantry only extending. “From its beginning, it’s more than we could have ever hoped for,” Kaufman said. “We hope to be a resource to help meet the needs of the kids.” AND FOLLOW ON FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COLE'S PANTRY, VISIT www.colespantryinc.com
BY CLAY GUARDIPEE 24 // www.raisedinthewest.com
BROWNING MONTANA WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACKIE JENSEN AND CONTRIBUTED BY DOUGIE HALL
PHOTO
Among many things, the Blackfeet Reservation is famous for its Indian Relay teams which have won national races around the country. Dougie fondly remembers his father and uncle raising horses for their relay team. Weekends were spent attending fairs and rodeos nationwide and horses became engrained in his life.
Adesireto inspi r e !
At fourteen, Dougie lost his mother in a drunk driver accident. It was a pivotal point in his life which began the trajectory to where he is “We’dtoday.gone up to Glacier to get my sister from church camp,” Dougie recalled. “I remember the night as being really a great family time. My mom and dad, my sister, two cousins, and myself. We’d had a fun dinner in Glacier teasing each other, happy to be together, and were headed home.”
It’s only 20 miles from Glacier to Browning and as they drove the short distance, Dougie remembers his mom singing along with the radio. No one could have been prepared for what happened next. A drunk driver swerved across the center line and collided head on with the Hall’s truck. “It happened so fast,” Dougie said. “I was riding in the back with my two cousins. Mom, Dad, and my sister were up front. All the sudden, I hear my sister yelling ‘NO!’ and I peeked around my dad and saw headlights coming right at us. There was nothing we could do.”
Dougie’s mother, the most critically injured, was flown directly to Seattle where she was placed on life support. He remembers his last words with her before she died. “I told her, ‘I’m not going to tell you goodbye, Mom. You’re the
Raised in Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Dougie is the youngest of three children and spent his carefree youth surrounded by family, horses, and wide-open spaces.
CHRISTMAS 2021 // 25
Dougie Hall does not mince words. He’s brutally honest, cuts to the core, and says it like he sees it. But his quick laugh, heartwarming grin, and the twinkle in his eyes make it clear he’s speaking from his heart, and he truly cares.
“I always felt blessed growing up on the reservation,” Dougie said. “We weren’t rich, but we made do with what we had, and we had lots of horses. Fast horses. My uncle and my dad were in an Indian Relay almost every weekend and they were good, so I grew up being an Indian Relay brat. It was just what we did.”
Those familiar with Dougie know him because of one or more of his successful careers – an up-and-coming Saddle Bronc rider, a successful horse trainer, and a motivational speaker. Dougie refers to his rodeo career and his horses as his passion, but believes his true, God-given gift is in encouraging others.
PHOTO BY JACKIE JENSEN
—DOUGIE HALL GETTING AN EARLY START IN BREAKING HORSES! 26 // www.raisedinthewest.com
DOUGIE AND HIS MOTHER, SUSAN HALL felt alive for the first time since my mom died... That horse spooked life back into me. It was a changing moment. I had been praying to God to take my life and now I was scared for it! You have to let go of things. If you don’t, it’ll eat you alive.
“I
Loved and respected in the community, the tragedy of her death was hard on everyone, especially Dougie, who fell into a deep depression. He remembers staying in bed for days on end, begging God to let him die, too.
“One day I’d been lying there, filled with sorrow, and my uncle came in. ‘Dougie,’ he said, ‘this is enough, it’s time to start living again.’” He challenged Dougie to ride one of the horses he was using to move cows that day. All fresh horses, he told him they would each pick the horse the other would ride. It was enough to perk the interest of the young teenager. His uncle chose an outlaw horse known to buck, and sure enough, the horse took to bucking and Dougie held tight. He was distracted enough to momentarily shake off his depression.
“I remember Uncle Winslow cheering and I was holding on for life. I felt alive for the first time since my mom died. I was scared at first and then it was fun. That horse spooked life back into me. It was a changing moment. I had been praying to God to take my life and now I was scared for it! You have to let go of things,” he said. “If you don’t, it’ll eat you alive.”
best mom in the world and I love you.’ It was so hard. I think about her a lot. I miss her,” he somberly said.
“College was good for me,” Dougie said. “My coaches in Dillon were great people. I could 201 Sugar Avenue Billings MT 59101 (406) 248-3631 or nutralix@nutralix.comwww.nutralix.com(800)568-6952
By sixteen, Dougie was riding bucking horses.
Dougie credits his mother for saving his life that night as shortly before the accident, she reminded him to put on his seatbelt. This wasn’t the first life-saving miracle in the motherson relationship either. “Mom was a registered nurse at the Browning IHS. On the day I was born, she was still working; she hadn’t started her maternity leave. As it turned out, she had a ruptured uterus and needed an emergency c-section. Neither of us would have made it if she hadn’t been working at the hospital the day she went into labor. It was a miracle,” Dougie explained.
His uncle was a bronc rider and Dougie emulated him, taking advice, and working hard. He was good enough to capture the attention of the University of Montana-Western and received a rodeo scholarship to attend college in Dillon. During the five years he was there, he accumulated two bachelor’s degrees and two associates degrees in business administration, natural horsemanship, and equine management, all while competing on the rodeo team.
“I was a late bloomer,” he laughed. “I didn’t weigh much, but I really loved riding.”
800.568.6952 CallToday!MerryChristmas The Nutra-Lix Family wishes you and yours a very CHRISTMAS 2021 // 27
28 // www.raisedinthewest.com
PHOTO BY JACKIE JENSEN
DUBOIS
‘Video yourself and put it on social media and see what happens.’ So, I did.” In May 2021, Dougie began creating short motivational videos which quickly gathered a following as the young man humbly shared short takes discussing whatever was on his heart meant to encourage, inspire, and lift up his listeners. Self-filmed, Dougie is often seen on the back of a horse, in his truck, or sitting in his home.
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“I just try to be authentic,” he said. One of Dougie’s missions is to embolden listeners to avoid alcohol. “There’s a lot of addiction in my family and on the reservation,” he said. “But nothing good comes from drinking. Alcohol relationships are not healthy. Most times you either die from it or
CHRISTMAS 2021 // 29
DONE. STOP IN AND GET YOUR VEHICLE READY FOR WINTER.
“I don’t do it for pride or because I want attention,” he explained. “I do it because I’m so Andhappy.”thathappiness seems to be contagious as Dougie expands his motivational career, which has taken off this year. Several years ago, he began attending the renowned Veater Ranch Bronc Riding School in California. “I met a lot of 90-point people there,” he said, referring to a great score for a ride. “There’s a positive energy there among people taking different paths on the way to the top.” It was one of the Veater Ranch media personnel who saw potential in Dougie as a motivational speaker. “He told me I had a lot to say,” he laughed. “He said I have a gift and when I talk, people listen.
It was during college that “the light started flickering,” for Dougie and he began “kicking every horse he rode.” As a junior he made it to the College National Finals and today he is an athlete in the PRCA. “My ultimate goal is to be the first guy from Browning to qualify for the NFR. I also hope to have a bucking horse I raised at the NFR someday,” he said. “That would really make me Inhappy.”what has become signature for Dougie and made him a crowd favorite at rodeos is his war whoop and Indian dance after a particularly good ride. Once the buzzer sounds, the 6’2” man spends a few minutes letting out his excitement.
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“I’m not an expert, I’m just a survivor,” he said, hopeful people will learn from his “Youexperiences.needtomake every moment count,” he continued. “Life can be over in the snap of your fingers. The most important tool you’ll ever need in this world is yourself, so take care of Throughyourself.”
“You need to make every moment count. Life can be over in the snap of your fingers. The most important tool you’ll ever need in this world is yourself, so take care of yourself.
PHOTO BY JACKIE JENSEN
CHRISTMAS 2021 // 31
“I’ve seen it ruin too many people and too many dreams,” he said. His segments, usually a minute or less, reveal his character as he shares heart-filled stories of his life, most often with a connection to horses, rodeo, reservation life, family, and most importantly to Dougie, inspiration from RigorouslyGod.
As a young child his mother made him promise to never touch a drop of it and Dougie has kept that promise.
suffering from everyday life struggles. His segments have led to speaking engagements around the state, a gig on which he hopes to capitalize.
—DOUGIE HALL AND FOLLOW HIM ON SHOP DOUGIE'S ONLINE STORE AT www.dougie-hall.myshopify.com @dougiehall@dougiefreshhall
break out in hand cuffs.”
authentic and mature beyond his years, the 28-year-old tackles a diverse number of topics. Some days it’s great advice such as to HALT, an acronym for not making major decisions if you’re “Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.” Other days he suggests a change in attitude, “Take a dose of TRYACTIN,” he says with a laugh, “‘try acting like a man.’” He doesn’t dance around, he honestly shares his own failings and how he handles them. He entices people to make wise decisions about who they associate with, because “you’re only as good as the company you keep. Surround yourself with eagles and you’ll learn how to soar.”
all of the segments, it is obvious that despite heartache, disappointments, and setbacks, Dougie finds good in all things and truly enjoys his life. As he says, “by letting your own light shine and enjoying your life, you unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
Some days his quips are short and to the point, peppered with slang or a few curse words and often quotes from his Uncle Mouse, who he claims, has made the biggest impact in his life. He words are relevant for students whom he encourages to stay in school, rodeo contestants on a streak of bad luck, and people
GREAT FALLS MONTANA WRITTEN BY AMY GRISAK // PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY GRISACK It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and gifts from the heart and home are always appreciated by family and friends. Creating useful and unique gifts prolongs the enjoyment of the Christmas season, and these presents are bound to be favorites people look forward to receiving every year. TAKING THE TIME TO HAND MAKE GIFTS
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The cheerful, brilliant red of cranberry liqueur makes a festive and warming drink during the holiday season whether sipped straight or added to merry mixed drinks. The real beauty is this elegant beverage is so easy to make. 12 oz. cranberries (fresh or frozen) 2 cups sugar 1 cup water 3 cups high quality vodka
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DIRECTIONS: Combine the sugar and water in a mediumsized pan. Cook for roughly five minutes on medium heat, or until the sugar dissolves. Allow to cool. Rinse and remove any damaged cranberries, then place in a blender or food processor and blitz until finely chopped. Place the sugar syrup, cranberries, and vodka in a large jar. Store in a cool, dark spot, but don’t forget to shake it every few days. After at least three weeks, strain out the cranberries, then pour into attractive bottles and add a label. For an extra special gift, include a recipe or two for cranberry cocktails.
homemadecranberry
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DIRECTIONS: Use a chunk chocolate or high-quality chocolate chips such as Guittard (not melts for candy). If you're using a chunk chocolate, be sure to chop it into small pieces. The greatest challenge with hot cocoa bombs is tempering the chocolate. It can be melted in the microwave, however it is easier to maintain control of the temperature in a double boiler. Place approximately 20 ounces of chocolate in the bowl and stir constantly until it reaches precisely 90°. If it surpasses this temperature, add more chocolate chips and stir briskly to cool.
While it's easiest to use a pastry brush to transfer the chocolate to the interior of the mold, you can use a spoon. Spread a thin coat around the interior of each of the molds, then chill in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes before applying the second Aftercoat.
the second coat has cooled, carefully remove from the molds. Fill one half with a heaping tablespoon of your favorite hot cocoa powder and top with mini marshmallows. Join the two halves using a thin line of melted chocolate piped on with a frosting bag. Sprinkles make a fun, decorative addition on top. To make the luscious hot cocoa, heat a large mug of milk and carefully add the hot cocoa bomb. Watch the chocolate melt and all the goodness create a memorable winter treat. Appropriate “gift wrapping” could include placing the hot cocoa bomb in a Christmas-themed mug.
There’s nothing better than a hot mug of decadently rich hot cocoa on a bitterly cold, winter day. These hot cocoa bombs are as entertaining as they are delicious. Typically, the only utensil necessary to purchase is a set of silicone, two- to two-and-a-half-inch half round molds. These usually come in two sets of six half-rounds, allowing you to make six hot cocoa bombs at a time. Most local craft/cooking stores carry these or they can be found online.
CHRISTMAS 2021 // 33
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While the wax is melting, string the wick through the mold. Use a bobby pin or some other straight fastener to tighten the wick at the bottom and center it in the mold. Be sure to add clay to the bottom of the mold where the wick comes through so the wax doesn’t drip out.
dark, winter days, candles create a cozy atmosphere. While homemade candles can be made of anything from paraffin or soy to palm wax or beeswax, the latter has long been a favorite for its clean-burning and healthy nature. Plus, it’s a particularly special gift when using beeswax from your own or local hives.
Using hand protection, carefully remove the melted wax from the heat and slowly pour it into the mold. Allow it to sit, undisturbed, for an hour or until it is cool. Next, place it in the freezer for at least 20 minutes, making the candle easy to remove from the mold. After carefully pulling it from the mold, snip off the fastener at the bottom so it’s flush, then trim the wick at the top to roughly half an inch.
DIRECTIONS: Place the beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, and safflower in a double boiler. Warm on medium heat, stirring frequently, until everything is melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding enough drops of essential oils to reach desired fragrance. Pour into small mason jars or tins, which can be decorated for the season.Inthe
homemade beeswax
Pillar candles allow the natural beauty of the beeswax to shine. While metal candle molds have been used for over a century, rigid, plastic molds tend to be easier to handle and make candle extraction easier as well. They can be found in local craft shops or online. Packages often include the proper wick and type of wax for the mold. Beeswax can be placed in a glass bowl or measuring cup and slowly heated in the microwave. The more traditional method is placing the wax in a metal can inside a pan full of water. A double broiler is another option, but bear in mind the wax does not clean out of anything easily. Remember, never melt wax in a pan directly on the stove.
nourishing 34 // www.raisedinthewest.com
• Favorite essential
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Whether working outside or making the best of the cold weather indoors, winter is tough on skin. This rich lotion is a remedy to keep hands from cracking, but can be used on any dry skin - it’s even great to use on feet. 1/4 cup beeswax 1/4 cup coconut oil T shea butter 1/2 cup safflower oil (I recommend The Oil Barn’s safflower oil from Big Sandy, but almond or jojoba oils can be used.) oil
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Not our first rodeo. Or 4-H event. Or FFA fundraiser. We’re dedicated to the communities where we live and work. Giving back to the rural communities we serve is our responsibility and our privilege. employer.andprovideropportunityequalanisinstitutionThisHere to Help You Grow DISTRIBUTED BY THE PEPSI-COLA BOTTLING CO. | BILLINGS, MT OFFICIAL DRINK OF THE NAUGHTY LIST TM ©2020 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates. Equal Housing Opportunity. ROBIN HANEL Robin@RobinHanel.com406-860-6181 TOM HANEL Tom@TomHanel.com406-690-4448 TEAM HANEL COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY Committed to You Nancy Curtiss 406.696.2434 Nancy@floberg.com Is river frontage within our budget? Is a mountain retreat a possibility? Is a second home a good investment? Don’t go through life asking “What if?” Nancy Curtiss knows the market in Red Lodge and Carbon County, helping families like yours realize their Montana lifestyle dreams. Don’t wait! Call Today! You have real estate questions, and you need real answers. CHRISTMAS 2021 // 35
BITTERROOT VALLEY MONTANA WRITTEN BY GAYLE M. IRWIN // PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED OF A MODERN PIONE e R’S CHRISTMASFIRSTTHE SimplicitY 36 // www.raisedinthewest.com
Snow falls quietly and temperatures plummet far below the freezing mark. I gaze out my frosty window, watching December arrive like an Arctic locomotive. A fire blazes in my woodstove, warming the house and my heart. Like the wafting snow outside, my mind drifts to another cold December nearly 25 years ago when I sat beside another woodstove, visiting my parents in Montana over TheirsChristmas.wasasimple life, but that simplicity was not void of hard work. It was a life without modern conveniences nor a “job-clock” to which to pay homage. The decision to become ‘modern pioneers’ took them to an isolated, 20-acre parcel in western Montana. Located five miles off the nearest pavement, their acreage in the Sapphire Mountains rose 8,000 feet above the lush Bitterroot Valley. Their home was a three-room cabin, and ‘amenities,’ as measured by most people, were few: no electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing. The heat was generated from wood. Instead of measuring possessions in the form of money, stocks and shares, or conveniences, my parents valued independence, self-sufficiency, and Workingtranquility.side by side, my parents built their home from a timber shell and generated electricity from solar panels. They raised rabbits, chicken, and peacocks and hunted their own food. Their garden was abundant with potatoes, beans, squash, tomatoes, and corn. Together, they created an environment they had long dreamed about, one few people realize in their lifetime: the gift of simplicity and owing no one. I visited their woodland home the third winter after their relocation from “civilization.” The outdoor temperature hovered near zero from Christmas to New Year's, yet the cabin basked in warmth. Red and green candles illuminated the dining table and the cabin windows. Sugar cookies and homemade bread radiated their scent from the kitchen. The wood stove billowed and heated the cabin. The colorful, old-fashioned Christmas decorations Mom displayed whispered memories of Christmases past.
I thought of Bethlehem, the shepherds, the angels, the Christ child, and the joy and peace which surrounded that unique and glorious night. Later, I learned I was not the only one who felt so in-touch with earth’s first AsChristmas.Momprepared our holiday meal the eve before the celebrated day, I read part of her journal by candlelight, including the entry which she had written their first Christmas in the cabin: “As I look down below and see the lights of town, I imagine this must be what it was like that first Christmas, as the shepherds looked upon the
DAD OUTSIDE THE CABIN CHRISTMAS 2021 // 37
The Montana days and nights during that last week of 1983 shimmered with snow, starlight, and serenity. No traffic, no crowds, no job hassles, only a quiet solitude enveloped me in this white-laced wilderness. During the days, I watched songbirds at the feeder, saw mule deer and elk browse in the meadow, and rode horseback through the snow-covered forest. At night, I stepped out onto the front porch and gazed at countless stars twinkling in the crystal-clear sky, unencumbered by pollution, uninhibited by high rises.
The stars shine overhead, the lights glow in the windows of the houses below, and the white snow falls gracefully from the sky. I remember the carol ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’ and say, yes, what a silent, holy night it is.”
I whispered a prayer of thanksgiving, grateful to the Creator for the chance to experience the beauty of a Montana mountain Christmas with a loving family, a gracious Heavenly Father, and a loving, sacrificial Savior whose birthday we celebrate. My parents spent more than 15 years living as modern pioneers. We shared many memorable moments at their cabin, including several holidays. Each holds special meaning, but none compares to the first Christmas I experienced without artificial lights, artificial trees, and artificial Simplicity.mementos.Withinthat word we find love, peace, and joy, some of the greatest gifts in the world. Experiencing that Christmas solace a quartercentury ago reinforced to me the true meaning of the holiday – God’s simple gifts of His presence, His love, and His peace.
—GAYLE M IRWIN 38 //
www.raisedinthewest.com
“Together, they created an environment they had long dreamed about, one few people realize in their lifetime: the gift of simplicity and owing no one.
twinkling lights of Bethlehem. Oh, how peaceful, how beautiful it is here!"
Later, after dinner and unwrapping gifts, I walked down to the meadow. I gazed at the valley below, just as my mother had done. Remembering her words from her journal, tears came to my eyes, as I, too, recalled and then whispered that famous carol: “Silent Night, Holy Night; All is calm, all is bright; ‘Round yon Virgin lies Mother and Child; Holy Infant, so tender and mild; Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.” That Christmas was indeed a Silent, Holy Night, so calm, so bright. As I surveyed the picture-perfect winter scene –a sky full of stars and a forest covered with a blanket of snow – I recognized that I was not only surrounded by postcard beauty, but I was also enveloped in a circle of love: love by and for my God and by and for my parents.
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CASPER WYOMING WRITTEN BY GAYLE M. IRWIN // PHOTOGRAPHY BY GAYLE M. IRWIN 40 // www.raisedinthewest.com
With confirmation, it was time to seek treatment, and Lynn believed a service dog might be of help. So the search began.
“I was told it was anxiety and with medication, to go home and I’d be fine. But I wasn’t fine,” she Asaid.local neurologist produced a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, however, the spasms she experienced were unlike tics associated with that “Mycondition.muscles will feel like they need to contract, so I’ll squeeze and clench all of my muscles all over my body,” she explained. “Sometimes these attacks can last thirty minutes or five or six hours. It gets pretty difficult –sometimes I become immobilized.”
“Goldendoodles are easy to train,” she said. “And they’re just really sweet dogs, so it’s not hard to get them to love you and to help you. Also, with the poodle hair, he’s hypoallergenic so it makes it nicer for the community – if someone is allergic to dogs, they won’t be allergic to him.”
“I called them up and found out it would be cheaper to go through them and do a selftraining program with their aid,” she said. “So, I trained him myself with the help of Marj, who is the Glad Wags owner and dog trainer.”
CHRISTMAS 2021 // 41
“I had thought about getting a service dog my sophomore year of high school,” she said. “I thought, ‘maybe they could work for me; they work for so many However,people.’”finding dogs specifically trained for helping people like her proved daunting, with only two organizations in the entire nation training Tourette-specific service dogs. The closest to Wyoming was Glad Wags in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
When Lynn Heyer finally received a diagnosis for her six-yearlong health battle, she already knew how she would attack this life-altering challenge: with the help of her faith, family, and friends. Plus, the newest weapon in her arsenal, a service dog named Yankee.
Faith, Family, Friends, and Furbaby
Paroxysmal dyskinesias are rare disorders of the nervous system which result in abnormal, involuntary body movements. Yet again, Lynn said her experiences didn’t align with this condition.
—LYNN HEYER
“Goldendoodles are easy to train…love you and help you.”
Another Denver medical visit in 2018 finally provided a concrete diagnosis: not PNKD, but a different, more rare form of Tourette’s.
Yankee is trained in basic obedience and for alerting Lynn in advance of a muscle-clenching episode. They are taught to detect
Born and raised in Casper, Wyoming, Lynn began experiencing uncontrolled, seizure-like body movements when she was twelve. Her mother took her to the emergency room several times and the diagnosis was the same at each visit.
Lynn traveled to Denver in search of a second opinion and was diagnosed with paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD).
Poodles are best fit for the needs of Lynn and others like her. Her dog, Yankee, is a Goldendoodle, a breed known for their sweet temperament and trainability. Lynn obtained him as a puppy, and he will be two years old in January 2022.
“It’s not stereotypical of what Tourette’s looks like, so it took doctors awhile to diagnose,” she said.
To Lynn, not only is Yankee a life-changing blessing, but a joy. “I’ve gotten to watch him grow and see him change. Watching him grow from a puppy to an adult dog who can alert me when I’m going to have an episode is very rewarding for me to see,” she Healthsaid.has not been the only challenge Lynn has experienced. When she was three, her older brother drowned and five years later, her father committed suicide. Another brother also experienced mental health challenges. These incidents wreaked havoc upon the family, and Lynn, who was raised in a Christian home, struggled.
With the help of her mother - who Lynn describes as “a rock”friends, a father-figure who was her youth pastor, and reading scripture and books on apologetics, she rediscovered her relationship with God… and herself.
Yankee simply places his head on her knee to share his warning. If she doesn’t pay attention, he “slaps” her. If she still ignores him, “he barks,” Lynn explained.
“I used to be quite a toxic person… and I used to be so sad,” she said. “But I’m wasting my purpose on this Earth if I just sit around being depressed all the time.
“You swab your mouth with a Q-tip when you have an attack, and you put it under cups, and they find the scent,” she said. “That teaches them, when they smell that scent, to alert you. So, he’ll alert me up to twenty or thirty minutes before I have an attack.”
I’ve always had an interest in the deaf culture,” she said. “I believe I’m called to missions and I want to get a degree and spread the Gospel in the deaf Shecommunity.”alsodesires
I think that was a big part of me choosing to be motivated to help other people and to wake up out of my bubble of toxicity.”
Yankee is also trained to provide “deep pressure therapy,” she added. Lynn sits or lays down, he then lays his 95-pound body over her, applying pressure. The task is called ‘cover’ and it helps calm her muscles. He is also learning to carry items for her.
“To see how much Yankee has helped me in my life, I would like to give that to other people,” she said. “There are people around to support you, but honestly, there is nothing better than the way a dog can love you.”
“I stepped away from my faith for a time – I didn’t want a relationship with God (then),” she said. “I never denied he was real, but I was [thinking], ‘I don’t think I want to be friends with someone who’s really mean.’”
these episodes through scents.
to train service dogs.
Pursuing what she believes is her purpose, as a first-year college student, she is studying American Sign Language.
LYNN AND HER DEVOTED COMPANION, YANKEE “Even though trials will continue to come, you can still be joyful, and you can still fulfill your purpose in life.”
42 // www.raisedinthewest.com
I’ve grown into a more joyful person, into a more understanding kind of person… Even though trials will continue to come, you can still be joyful, and you can still fulfill your purpose in life.
—LYNN HEYER
➥ Located 2½ miles north of Laurel on the west side of Buffalo Trail Rd and ¾ mile north of Laurel Airport Rd across from the Laurel Container Site. ➥ Small deliveries of twine can be left in the shed or in the outside bin. Access is through the red pedestrian gate to the left of the locked vehicle gate. ➥ For large loads requiring vehicle access or assistance, call and leave a message at 406-5918606 or email yvas.twine.recycling@gmail.com and we will make arrangements to meet you. Clean baling twine from any location is being accepted. ➥ We are not accepting net or mesh wrap since it is very difficult to clean and not all net wrap is recyclable. RECYCLINGAVAILABLEINYELLOWSTONECOUNTY Unwanted baling twine can be dropped off anytime at the Twine Collection & Recycling Site FOR MORE INFORMATION & A MAP VISIT www.yvaudubon.org WHITETAILPROPERTIES.COM Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC - DBA Whitetail Properties | In the States of Nebraska & North Dakota - DBA Whitetail Trophy Properties Real Estate LLC | Licensed in IL, MO, IA, KS, KY, NE & OK - Dan Perez, Broker. Licensed in AR, CO, GA, MN, ND, SD, TN & WI - Jeff Evans, Broker. Licensed in FL, NY, OH & PA - Jefferson Kirk Gilbert, Broker. Licensed in TX & NM - Joey Bellington, Broker. Licensed in IN - Bill Minor, Broker. Licensed in AL, GA, LA, & MS - Sybil Stewart, Broker. Licensed in TN - Tim Burnette, Broker. Licensed in TN - Bobby Powers, Broker. Licensed in AR - Anthony Chrisco, Broker. Licensed in NC, SC, VA - Chip Camp, Broker. Licensed in NC - Rich Baugh, Broker. Licensed in MI - Edmund Joel Nogaski, Broker. Licensed in MD, WV - Debbie S. Laux, Broker. Licensed in ID, MT, UT, WY, OR - Aaron Milliken, Broker JEFF AND MEREDITH MCKINNEY Eastern Montana Land Specialists (406) 690-1615 JEFF.MCKINNEY@WHITETAILPROPERTIES.COM MEREDITH.MCKINNEY@WHITETAILPROPERTIES.COM MONTANA LAND FOR SALE 541 + ACRES | ROSEBUD COUNTY, MONTANA An extraordinary property nestled along the Yellowstone River possessing prime farm ground and trophy producing hunting. 2,044 + ACRES | DAWSON COUNTY, MONTANA Just minutes east of Glendive, this ranch boasts luscious grasses, multiple water sources, abundant wildlife, and hundreds of acres of ideal soil for crop ground. PENDING FOR SALE 7.5x4.75_Listing ad_Jeff & Meredith_9-21.indd 1 9/29/21 11:45 AM LYNN AND HER MOTHER, SALLY CHRISTMAS 2021 // 43
The dog and his sheepherder came to Fort Benton in August 1936 when the sheepherder checked himself into the hospital. The brown and white dog, possibly part collie, waited outside, sniffing everyone who strode in and out of the facility. But with each passing person, no one smelled like the sheepherder, and the dog’s tail quit wagging.
Along the walking trail on the levee fronting the Missouri River in Fort Benton, several bronze statues memorialize characters who brazed a legacy in Montana by foot, hoof, or paw. One of the sculptures is of a Fort Benton sheepdog whose life was a faithful testament to the bond between dog and human.
The sheepherder died three days later. A procession conveying his body from the hospital to the mortuary to the train station was followed closely by the dog. At the train station, a swarm of passengers scrambled to board while others jumped to the platform. Railroad men rushed to load trunks, crates, and suitcases. The sheepherder’s casket was hoisted into a car and the forlorn dog watched as the train chugged away and Laterdisappeared.thatday, a shrill whistle blew when the next train rolled into Fort Benton. The sheepdog anxiously appeared to greet it… and the next train… and the next. No matter the hour, and whether it be rain, snow, or oppressive heat, the dog faithfully met every
FORT BENTON MONTANA WRITTEN BY CATHY MOSER // PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED THE STORY OF SHEP FOREVER faithful RV 44 // www.raisedinthewest.com
The famed Montana painter, Olaf C. Seltzer, depicted the dog’s vigil on canvas. American cartoonist Robert L. Ripley, famed for his “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” syndicated cartoons and columns, featured Shep’s steadfast loyalty. America’s dog lovers sent contributions for his care, only to be returned by the railroad men. At least 50 sheepherders begged to have him, and some even traveled to Fort Benton to make their request in person. But Shep was a shy, distant dog who disliked attention, so the railroad men gently declined all offers to adopt him. It was clear he was a one-man dog. Over the years, Shep’s hearing and sight diminished. Stiffening joints slowed his once brisk trot to a painful stroll. A dusting of snow covered the train yard on the morning of January 12, 1942 as the Great Northern No. 235 chugged into the station. When Shep tried to leap off the snow-dusted rails to greet the passengers, he slipped and fell under the train wheels where he died instantly.
News of his death traveled over the Associated Press wires. The Great Northern workers mourned their loss. On the afternoon of January 14, the Fort Benton Boy Scouts carried a small wooden casket to the top of a bluff overlooking the train yard. Hundreds of mourners trailed the boys, including the Fort Benton mayor and Ed Shields, then-Mayor of Great Falls. Local minister Ralph Underwood delivered a eulogy praising Shep’s devotion, and the scouts carefully lowered the casket as a bugler played Taps. A concrete monument was later erected at the gravesite and still stands today.
Ed Shields didn’t forget Shep’s vigil. A few years after the dog’s death, he turned his articles into a booklet the Great Northern sold to its passengers for a quarter. Shields also established the “Shep Fund,” with the proceeds benefiting the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind in Great Falls. The school received more than $50,000 in donations.
Instead, he dug a bed beneath the station platform and beat a mile-long path to the Missouri River where he drank. Station agents quit shooing him away and sympathetic stewards staffing the dining car started tossing him food scraps. The crew named their new companion Shep.
By 1939, Ed Shields, a Great Northern conductor, had pieced together bits of Shep’s history. No one could recall the sheepherder’s name, only that he died, and his body was sent East for burial. Shields’ interest in Shep inspired articles which he wrote for the local newspaper, The River Press. Railroad magazines and newspapers worldwide soon picked up and published Shields’ articles. The stories about Shep’s unflagging devotion brought hope and pleasure to Americans weary of the Great Depression. Fan mail swamped the Great Northern railroad office, and a secretary was assigned specifically to handle it. The nation’s train travelers hoping to see Shep requested they be routed through Fort Benton. Thousands of passengers peered at Shep through train windows. Multitudes snapped his picture as he stood on the station platform. Children tried to entice him to play, but the many friendly gestures only overwhelmed Shep and he retreated to the security of his dirt bed underneath the platform.
In 1992, fifty years after Shep’s death, the Fort Benton community launched fundraising efforts to erect a monument on the levee. That goal was reached on June 26, 1994, and renowned sculptor, Bob Scriver, was contracted to create a large bronze of Shep. Hundreds of people gathered to dedicate the Shep Memorial. The homage inscribed in the pedestal states, “Forever Faithful.”
CHRISTMAS 2021 // 45
train and sniffed every passenger. After each inspection, his tail stopped wagging and drooped as he turned away.
The men manning the Great Northern train yard assumed the dispirited dog would eventually wander away, but he never did.
The Wind River Canyon where the Wind River which is the upper reaches of the Big Horn River flows from Shoshoni to Thermopolis.
The mouth of The Sinks where the river disappears underground into limestone caverns
CRISS CROSSING THE REGION
OUT ABOUT ★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★★
The Rise of the Sinks, where the river ¼reappearsmiledown the canyon.
The Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River weaves down the Sinks Canyon 46 // www.raisedinthewest.com
The waters of the Middle Fork eventually flow into the Boysen Reservoir at the head of the Wind River Canyon
Thanksgiving weekend and a wonderful trip to Lander, WY to visit our daughter and her fiancé. God blessed us with incredible weather, sights, and time. At the foothills of the Wind River Range in Fremont County is one of the geological wonders of Wyoming, Sinks Canyon.
To see if you are at risk, visit billingsclinic.com/Stroke We care where you are. Stroke happens suddenly. Be ready to BE FAST! Loss of balance or corrdination. Headache or dizziness. Trouble seeing in one or both eyes, with blackened, blurred or double vision. One side of the face is drooping or numb. Weakness in the arm, leg or face, especially on one side of the body. Seconds count! All 911 now! World InterventionalClassStroke Care Close to Home Vance Fredrickson, MD Primary Stroke Center I 406-238-2410 or 1-800-332-7156, 801 North 29thSt., Billings Billings Clinic is the only facility in Montana and Wyoming to have a full-time neurosurgeon, Dr. Vance Fredrickson whouses computerized tomography (CT) and biplane angiography (an imaging procedure that tracks blood flow) to treat stroke, aneurysms and other vascular diseases in the brain. This means stroke patients do not have to fly out-of-state to Utah or Denver to receive this life saving procedure. Dr. Fredrickson joins our multidisciplinaryStroke Team which consists of neurosurgeons, neurologists, neurointerventional radiologists, neurohospitalists, advanced practitioners, nurses, social workers, and speech and occupational therapists.
On any purchase of Ariat footwear, apparel or accessories from 11/21/21-12/15/21. $40SPEND $300 GET BACK $20SPEND $200 GET BACK $10SPEND $125 GET BACK HOLIDAY REBATE EARN CASH BACK On any in-store purchase of Ariat footwear, apparel, or accessories from 11/21/2021–12/15/2021 at a participating retailer. Online purchases do not qualify. Limit one rebate per name, home or email address and household. Full terms, online entry, downloadable rebate form, and a list of participating retailers can be found at www.ariat.com/holidayrebate. Offer valid in the 50 US States and DC for legal residents, age 18 and older; Void where prohibited. ©2021 Ariat is a registered trademark of Ariat International, Inc. All rights reserved. BIG R WEST 2600 Gabel Road (406) 652-9118 BIG R HEIGHTS 1908 Main Street (406) 384-0099 BIG R EAST 216 N. 14th Street (406) 252-0503 BIG R SHERIDAN 2049 Sugarland Dr. (307) 674-6471 BIG R LEWISTOWN 825 NE Main Street (406) 350-4422 BIG R HARDIN 1001 N. Center Ave. (406)-953-5111 www.shiptonsbigr.com
