WINTER 2022 CUTTING FENCES & BRIDGING THE GAP THE LIFEBLOOD OF RURAL MONTANA TOWNS Small Town General Store FOR THE LOVE OF DENTON
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contents WINTER 2022 10 4420 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 STU HOEFLE 10 CUTTING FENCES & BRIDGING THE GAP by Cyd Hoefle 16 WINTER IN GLACIER by Amy Grisak 20 WINTER FUN - WESTERN STYLE by Cyd Hoefle 22 JEAN'S CUSINES by Jean Petersen 24 THE LIFEBLOOD OF RURAL MONTANA TOWNS by Cyd Hoefle 25 BIG SKY HARDWARE, LUMBER AND GROCERY - RICHEY by Cyd Hoefle 28 THE BREAKS GENERAL STOREWINNETT by Cyd Hoefle 32 MELSTONE MERCHANTILEMELSTONE by Cyd Hoefle 36 FOR THE LOVE OF COMMUNITY by Gayle Irwin 40 RISING FROM THE ASHES by Cyd Hoefle 44 RUSTLING UP MONTANA'S WESTERN HERITAGE by Cathy Moser 46 OUT & ABOUT 4 // www.raisedinthewest.com
WE KNOW MONTANA. © Sonny Todd Real Estate | www.sonnytoddrealestate.com | info@sonnytoddrealestate.com 301 W. 1st Ave., Suite C, PO Box 828, Big Timber, MT 59011 | 406.932.1031 West White Beaver Creek Pasture & Elk Camp N E W L I S T I N G ! Lazy YK Ranch on the Tongue River 105 E. Boulder Court $5,000,000 $13,995,000 $899,000 3,908+/- Total Acres Big Timber, MT Sweet Grass County 17,144+/RosebudAshland,AcresMTCounty 2 City Lots Big Timber, MT Sweet Grass County • 3rd Generation in the business • 5th Generation Montanans • Locally owned and operated • Full service real estate team • Serving you for over 30 years Whether buying or selling, Sonny Todd Real Estate is here for you. Call us today!
People making a difference one person at a time, or a community at a time, giving their heart and soul to make this place we call home a better place to live. “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” Hebrews 13:16
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 FOLLOW US! 6 // www.raisedinthewest.com
You might wonder about the cover of this issue – it’s a two-lane highway - no Pure Prairie League pun intended. The point is that these two-laners connect the dots of a lot of little towns scattered across Eastern Montana and one of the features in this issue is about small-town general stores, and the heroes that run them. These stores, scattered across our prairies, provide an invaluable service to their communities and save the locals a whole lot of windshield time looking at scenes like the one on our cover.
note from the publisher
On the subject of small towns, we take a close look at the community of Denton, which suffered an unprecedented tragedy in early December when a wildfire raged through the town destroying dozens of homes and businesses. Within days of the aftermath, folks began banding together and stepping up to help. Communities throughout Montana and beyond sent truckloads of goods and weeks after the tragedy, donations continue to pour into Denton ensuring that the community rebuilds stronger and Webetter.visited with Kendra Joyce of Cutting Fences, who is making big strides in her cause to help disabled farmers and ranchers across the state adapt to a lifestyle that was unexpectedly thrust upon them as they recover from the trauma of an accident. Through all our story gathering we found exceptional people.
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contributors
PHOTOGRAPHER Melanie is an amateur photographer originally from Denton, MT who loves photographing Montana’s beautiful landscapes. Denton will always have a place in her heart as her dad’s family came to Montana to farm in 1910 and new generations continue to farm there today. Since living in other regions of Montana, returning for a visit feels like home. The row of grain elevators along the railroad tracks has a nostalgic presence due to their timeless importance in this farming community. Melanie now resides in Gallatin County with her hiking dog, Bailey.
8 // www.raisedinthewest.com
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 author 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
MELANIE PLOYHAR
COPY EDITOR/WEBSITE DESIGNER Originating from a fifth-generation Montana ranch, Kayla Walker has a real connection to the agriculture industry and the cherished western lifestyle. After several years as editor of Western Ag Reporter, she was recently able to return to her roots when she and her husband were wed and embarked on the journey to start a ranch of their own. At the same time, Kayla launched Ranch Raised Media to compliment the work they do on the land. Whether it be through photography, writing, social media, graphic design, or web design she strives to share the story of this way of life on a day-to-day basis. Follow Ranch Raised Media on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.ranchraisedmedia.com to view her work and check out daily Montana ranch life.
CATHY MOSER
WRITER 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 gaylemirwinauthor.com.
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
GRAPHIC DESIGN Melanie was raised on a farm on the banks of the Clarks Fork River in Belfry. Her life-long love of art lead 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, ATVing, collecting rocks and watching the sunset. Check out her art at www.melaniefab.com and follow her on Instagram @ melaniefabart.
AMY GRISAK
WRITER Catherine 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.
JEAN PETERSEN 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
MELANIE FABRIZIUS
TO PLEASEADVERTISECONTACT: Cyd advertising@raisedinthewest.compublisher@raisedinthewest.com406.860.0292HoefleDevinMurnin406.696.1502
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.indd 1 1/13/22 9:07 AM 800.743.2125 | northwestfcs.com There’s never been a better time for country life. So if you’re looking to buy or build in the country, we’re here to help you get the financing you need. RURAL HOME LOANS BARE LAND LOANS 1 STEP CONSTRUCTION LOANS REFINANCING Love open spaces? We do too. WINTER 2022 // 9
LAUREL MONTANA WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY LACIE JACE PHOTOGRAPHY AND CONTRIBUTED BY KENDRA JOYCE 10 // www.raisedinthewest.com
BRIDGING THE GAP WINTER 2022 // 11
Kendra, who prefers “Kenny,” lights up as she talks about her newly formed LLC, Cutting Fences. It’s easy to see that she’s passionate about her new Aftercareer. graduating from Montana State University, Kenny received her doctorate in occupational therapy from Rocky Mountain College in Billings. But before she even considered finding work, she found herself moving forward with what started out as her capstone project in her final semester of school. Her background in ag and her doctorate in occupational therapy allow her to combine the two things she enjoys the most.
“I’ve always had a heart for people with disabilities and special needs. I was a peer tutor in high school and knew that someday I wanted a career serving them somehow,” she said. For her project, Kenny’s plan was to develop a podcast that featured individuals in the ag industry with disabilities. “I reached out to several friends that might know someone with a disability that I could interview. In just a few minutes I had the names of several. I had my lightbulb moment, and this was something that I needed to pursue.” That project launched her into what has become a successful startup company that makes a difference in the lives of farmers and ranchers suffering from injuries, accidents, disabilities, and mental health issues. She even touches on suicide prevention. “It’s hard enough at times to be a farmer or rancher,” Kenny said. “But incredibly difficult to operate with a disability. I was hoping that my podcast would bring an awareness of the need for occupational therapy for those that are suffering.”
Kendra Joyce loved growing up with her three brothers on her family’s ranch at Geraldine. But it was her family’s fuel and feed store, in the family since 1916, that launched her entrepreneurial spirit and helped her to believe that she has what it takes to do what she does.
“My project was to develop a podcast that featured individuals in the ag industry with disabilities... I had my lightbulb moment, and this was something that I needed to pursue."
—KENDRA JOYCE
12 // www.raisedinthewest.com
“I think what Kenny is doing with Cutting Fences is a great idea,”
“I’ve learned a lot myself this year,” she said. “I had no idea how to do a podcast before I got started.” Her first podcast interview was with Scobey rancher DuWayne Wilson, who was paralyzed from the waist down after a ranching accident six years ago. He has since become one of her greatest advocates.
interviewed dozens of farmers and ranchers across the state who have been willing to share their stories about how they adjusted after their accidents and how they’re coping on a daily basis. With her background in agriculture, and her caring personality, Kenny connects with her guests immediately and sets them at ease.
“The people I’ve met have changed me in so many ways,” she continued. “Several of them have said it wasn’t easy to tell their story, but that it was therapeutic at the same time.” Her interviews are done through Zoom making it possible for her guests to share their stories from their own homes. She then does all the editing and cuts herself before she posts the podcast on her website and social media platforms.
“Ag people are so independent,” added DuWayne, who is already acting in a peer mentor role to several other disabled ag people. “They just don’t ask for help. Maybe some of us can make the first call.”
As the months have passed, Kenny has sharpened her vision for what the business could be. She wants to eliminate barriers experienced by disabled folks and unite the agricultural and occupational therapy fields. Hence the name Cutting Fences, which to Kenny is something that not only surrounds farmers’ fields and ranchers’ pastures, but also symbolizes the opening up of community, compassion and connection. “Ag people are so independent. They just don’t ask for help. Maybe some of us can make the first call.”
“It’s very special to me that people are willing to share what they’ve gone through,” Kenny said. “I hope their stories impact those that are hearing them, and a connection is made.”
If I’d have known for example, about the Life Essentials Lift, I maybe would have gone that route and not spent all the time and money buying other things. I just didn’t know about it.”
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—DUWAYNE WILSON WINTER 2022 // 13
“Cutting Fences will become a real clearinghouse for others who get hurt,” DuWayne continued. “Kenny’s trying hard to bring us information on the latest equipment and therapy available.” Kenny hopes that by providing a platform to share their experiences, farmers and ranchers with disabilities will reach out not only for their needs, but to help others dealing with similar circumstances.
The Life Essentials Lift is a platform lift specially made to fit on farming equipment such as tractors and combines or on the back of a flatbed truck, making it quicker, easier, and safer to access equipment.
Locally.
DuWayne said. “The kind of support she is offering wasn’t available when I got hurt.
To help, Kenny’s also started a clothing line with the proceeds going toward financial costs. “Most insurance covers just one piece of equipment,” she said. “They need more than that. The proceeds from the sales of clothes will go directly into that account.”
In addition, she hopes to continue to add resources and has met with an adaptive equipment company that manufactures wheelchairs with all terrain tracks on them.
“It’s very special to me that people are willing to share what they’ve gone through. I hope their stories impact those that are hearing them, and a connection is made.”
“People in farming and ranching are so resilient and they’re ready to push forward because they have to,” Kenny said. “I hope to be able to provide them with tools and equipment to make their lives Kennyeasier.”has set up booths at agricultural trade shows and has met with businesses that are now sponsoring her endeavor. She’s working toward making Cutting Fences LLC a nonprofit so she can apply for grants and accept monetary donations. Equipment such as the Life Essential Lift can cost upwards of $30,000. “I am working on a crisis fund to help with financial assistance to those that have needs but aren’t able to get them because of the costs,” Kenny said. “My hope is that a financial barrier would never be a reason for someone to quit ranching or to not have the equipment they need.”
“So many wheelchairs are perfectly adequate for inside homes, but these people are still trying to be part of the working ranch and need equipment that can get them on their tractors and checking livestock,” Kenny said.
—KENDRA JOYCE 14 // www.raisedinthewest.com
Here for your
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“Montana is pretty large, and logistically I can’t be everywhere, but I still want to meet with as many people as I can and help them adapt to their new lifestyle or improve on what they are working with,” she said. “I also hope to help them become part of a supportive community that understands what they are going through. I just want what I’m doing to mean something to someone.” way of life.
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As she tirelessly works to bring comfort and maneuverability to the industry that she loves, she also is working on a way to offer her occupational therapy to patients.
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Glacier park WINTER IN GLACIER PARK WRITTEN BY AMY GRISAK // PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY GRISAK 16 // www.raisedinthewest.com
One of the most popular areas to visit during the winter is the west side of the park. The Apgar Visitor Center is sometimes open on the weekends during the winter, depending on staffing availability, but even if the interpretative rangers are not there, the restrooms are open. There are also vault toilets at Lake McDonald Lodge for those wishing to venture along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Here are a few of the options along this side of the park: Going-to-the-Sun Road is just shy of six miles from the Lake McDonald Lodge parking area to the Avalanche Lake campground and trailhead to Avalanche Lake, making this a popular trip for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The road is never groomed along this fairly level section of the road, but there are have a full tank of gas and everything you need before venturing beyond West Glacier. The east side is also known for its wind, and do not take it lightly. Even a brisk breeze can cause wind chill issues, along with reduced visibility.
SNOW SHOEING AROUND SAINT
The road into the Two Medicine Valley is gated approximately four miles past East Glacier as a starting point for a trip into this secluded area. There are not as many stunning views during most of the trek into the valley because of the trees along the way, but it is roughly five miles to the Running Eagle Falls parking area. This unique waterfall features water flowing through the middle of the rock face, as well as over the top when the water is flowing strongly, but will very likely be a frozen ice sculpture this time of year. The Saint Mary area is always stunning and offers a number of outings of various difficulties. The historic 1913 Ranger Station near the large parking area for the Beaver Pond Loop trail is a good jumping-off point for several outings. The Beaver Pond MARY’S
to carve out the high country of the park, Glacier National Park shines in the winter. The mountains appear larger and more imposing, the air crisper, and the quiet almost palpable. It takes more effort to see these sights, but with snowshoes or crosscountry skis, visitors are bound to have a memorable experience.
WINTER 2022 // 17
LAKE MCDONALD IN THE WINTERTIME CROSS COUNTRY SKIING ON THE GOING-TO-THE-SUN-ROAD 18 // www.raisedinthewest.com
NATIONALGLACIERPARK BEAUTIFUL FROZEN LAKE MCDONALD
As magical as Glacier is during the winter, it’s not without inherent dangers. Always be prepared with proper clothes and appropriate gear as the weather can shift from a blue-sky day to snow and strong winds in a heartbeat. And always tell someone where you are going and when you plan on returning. Avalanche danger needs to be on the top of everyone’s mind when preparing for a winter trip into Glacier. Check the Flathead Avalanche Center for recent conditions, and for those venturing into avalanche-prone areas, carry the necessary gear, including an avalanche beacon, avalanche probe, shovel and a satellite communication device. The avalanche airbag systems are also potential lifesavers. These instantly deploy upon impact and help the person rise closer to the top of the debris field. The best course of action is to do everything to avoid an avalanche in the first place, but these tools increase the chance of survival. There are so many opportunities to explore in Glacier during the winter that it’s almost sad to see the snow melt in the spring. Even for a brief moment, it’s a unique chance to feel as if you have the park to yourself and to appreciate the frozen beauty that makes Glacier special.
On calm days, it’s also a treat to snowshoe or ski along Going-tothe-Sun Road. It’s nearly eight miles one-way, with a gradual climb from the St. Mary entrance to Wild Goose Island, but there’s amazing views and possible wildlife to see along the Oneway.ofthe least-visited areas at any time of the year is the area around Marias Pass. Keep in the mind that there is no cell service, nor any businesses or homes nearby that can lend assistance, so be well-prepared. Also, check the weather ahead of time because even when it’s beautiful and blue skies in West Glacier, it can be horrible at the summit.
WINTER 2022 // 19
Loop is only three miles of gently rolling hills. It's perfect for snowshoeing, particularly with kids. Starting in the same area, it's possible to ski or snowshoe four miles one-way to a beautiful overlook along the Red Eagle Lake trail.
RED LODGE MONTANA WINTER FUN
The unique shape of the course makes it challenging for horses and skiers alike. Riders must keep their eyes in front and in back as they guide their horses while racing at top speed, while making sure the rope between the horse and the skier is taut and the skier is safe. And always they try to give the skier a chance at the fastest time possible.
Red Lodge will once again be hosting the National Finals Ski-Joring races this March with the top riders and skiers in the sport making their way to the mountain town to enjoy some small-town hospitality and to compete for the fastest time during the twoday event. The competition draws competitors from many surrounding states. The Red Lodge course is unique in that it is a horseshoe shaped course making it easier for spectators to see the entire race up close as the horse gallops past pulling a skier through turns, sending snow covering the bystanders, all while competing with the clock.
PHOTO BY COLLEEN KILBANE BY
Ski-joring is an action-packed winter sport in which a person on skis is pulled by a horse and rider over a snow-packed course of gates, jumps and obstacles. It’s the bringing together of two entirely different kinds of people, cowboys and skiers, and teaming their talents to compete against the clock and entertain the crowd.
ELORA ATKINS 20 // www.raisedinthewest.com
Red Lodge’s event is a draw for the entire family as they not only host the ski-joring, but throughout the weekend, activities are available that are directed toward children. Make sure to mark the dates on the calendar and we’ll see you in Red Lodge!
PHOTO
JEAN’S CUISINES Custom Homes NewRusticCabinetsConstructionFurniture 406-425-1245 PETERSENBUILDING.COM • 2 pounds venison stew meat • 2 onions, sliced • 1 ½ tsp garlic, minced • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 2 bay leaves • 1 teaspoon dried oregano • ½ teaspoon dried thyme • ½ teaspoon dried parsley • 1 tablespoon kosher salt • 4 cups broth-beef or vegetable • 5 small yellow potatoes, peeled and quartered • 1 heaping cup carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces • 1 heaping cup green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces • ¼ cup all-purpose flour or cornstarch • 4 tablespoons butter • Additional water as desired-½ to 1 cup • ¼-½ cup Soy sauce to marinade venison Venison STEW DIRECTIONS: Marinade venison in soy sauce for at least two to four hours prior to slow cooking. Marinating will help reduce the gaminess in flavor of the venison if needed. Place all ingredients in a slow-cooker for 4-6 hours. The last half hour add cornstarch or flour to ½ or 1 cup of hot water, mix until it's not lumpy, and add to the stew. Serve hot with cornbread or biscuits and honey butter. • 2 cups flour• 1 teaspoon baking soda• ⅓ German Chocolate Chip or mini-semisweet chocolate• 1 cup butter• ¾ cups sugar• 1 tablespoon Corn Syrup (up to 3tablespoons) DIRECTIONS: Shape into long, wrap andrefrigerate overnight.Slice and Bake 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Swedish Farmhouse COOKIES 22 // www.raisedinthewest.com
Downtown Location on SCL Health Campus 1144 N (406)Billings,BroadwayMT59101237-5900 West Location off Zoo Drive Exit 1739 Spring Creek Ln Billings, MT 59102 (406) 237-5150 We Make It Better.YellowstoneSurgeryCenter.com Voted Billings BestCenterSurgery Still Struggling With CPAP? Get relief with Inspire. No mask, no hose, just sleep. Inspire Therapy is a new FDA-Approved sleep apnea surgery for those who cannot tolerate CPAP. This outpatient surgery is covered by most insurance plans for patients who qualify. Our Inspire therapy-trained doctor at ENT Associates will evaluate your overall health status and perform a physical examination of your airway to determine if Inspire therapy might be a suitable CPAP alternative for you. Request an Evaluation To learn more about Inspire Sleep Apnea Innovation, call ENT Associates at (406) 238-6161. Joel Dunn, MD Board-Certified Otolaryngologist Ear, Nose & Throat Associates 2900 12th Avenue North, Ste 330W Billings, MT 59101 (406) entabillings.com238-6161www.inspiresleep.com Are You A Candidate? You might be a candidate for Inspire Therapy if: • you have moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (AHI of 20 to 65) • you are unable to use or get consistent benefit from CPAP • you are not significantly overweight • you are over the age of 22
SMALL TOWN GENERAL STORE
MontanAOF RURAL
Montana is known for its wide-open spaces. There are miles and miles of two-lane highways between sparsely populated communities. In fact, according to the 2020 census, there are over 150 towns peppered across Montana with under 200 residents.
THE LIFEBLOOD
RICHEY MONTANA WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY STU HOEFLE 24 // www.raisedinthewest.com
But what about those communities that are more remote? What do residents do when they need to feed their families or their livestock, or they have a plumbing issue or an electrical need?
For three small communities in eastern Montana, the owners of multi-purpose businesses, or what we call general stores, have dedicated their lives to accommodating their communities by offering as many products as possible. They are unsung heroes as they work to fill the needs of their customers at the cost of long hours, marginal profit and rare time away. Here are three: towns
Most of the smaller towns have a grocery store, post office, gas station, a bar and a church, and for the most part they are located close enough to larger communities that residents who can’t find what they need in their own community can drive a short distance to find it.
Richey Montana, population under 200, is in the heart of Dawson County. Located 45 miles from both Sidney and Glendive, it’s a bit remote by most standards. A glacial plateau formed what is now prime wheat country as far as the eye can see on both sides of the two lane highway leading in from Glendive.
Cattle and sheep ranches checkerboard the breaks, and homes and barns are few and far between. On the main street of Richey is the one and only retail business in town. Big Sky Hardware, Lumber and Grocery has been dubbed by the locals as both “Richey Mini Mall” and “Richey Walmart.” A step inside the front door would confirm that both names are Ownedappropriate.bytheBrost family since 1974, the store has just about everything you can imagine. On a recent Saturday, Tonya Brost was working alone, which isn’t unusual, ringing up purchases while asking customers about their family, their projects, or if they had started lambing yet. It’s easy to see she’s not only a shop owner but a friend to many.
“We couldn’t have a town without groceries,” Vern said. “We had to fill that gap.” With a new building, Vern put in groceries and a beauty shop. “We had to give people a reason to stay in town,” he added.
TONYA BROST SMILES AT ONE OF HER CUSTOMERS MAIN STREET RICHEY WINTER 2022 // 25
“We try to have a little bit of everything,” Tonya smiled. “Our selection isn’t huge for each item, but at least we have them.”
At one point, the distribution center for groceries in Billings closed and
Back in 1974, when Vern Brost, Tonya’s father-in-law, bought the store, it was a hardware store and John Deere implement store. Vern bought it knowing that the implement store was pulling out of Richey, and he started expanding from the hardware to a repair shop and lumber. In 1985 when the only grocery store in town closed, it only seemed natural that the Brosts would offer groceries, too.
Customers steadily filtered in to buy everything from ingredients for a birthday cake, to air filters, hose couplings, eggs, milk, dog food, a couple of 2x4s, and hot coffee.
➥ 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 A WELL STOCKED SUPPLY OF HARDWARE AT BIG SKY HARDWARE “We couldn’t have a town without groceries. We had to fill that gap. We had to give people a reason to stay in town.” —VERN BROST 26 // www.raisedinthewest.com
Vern retired and moved to Billings to manage a hardware store when his son, Jeff, and Tonya took over in 1996. Jeff also manages the family’s lumber store in Circle and his son, Kimball, oversees the sale of an impressive selection of farm and ranch supplies and offers a delivery service as well.
Residents in the small town depend on Tonya and her family for their needs. Supply trucks come twice a week to the store, once for the hardware and once for the groceries.
“I understand that,” she says. “But most of the time, it’s not worth the time to drive to town to save a few dollars. What might be saved in dollars has to be weighed against time away. We are a convenience for most of our customers. They appreciate that we have what they are looking for.”
Tonya knows that when her friends and customers leave Richey for business in Glendive, Sidney or even Billings, that they sometimes stock up on things, and she knows that Amazon has played a part in stealing sales in rural areas around the country, but she keeps a positive attitude.
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“It was a big number,” Vern said. “So, we put it to the community, ‘If you want groceries, you’ll have to commit to shopping here.’ They stepped up and we’ve run far ahead of the minimum order ever since.”
It’s a huge convenience for Richey residents, who count on the store to be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Sundays.
Tonya uses Facebook to announce if there’s been a shortage of something or when she’s running a special. She knows the needs of her customers and tries her hardest to meet them. Beyond being the only store in town, the hardware/ grocery/ranch store is a place where residents come to socialize. Lengthy conversations can be heard in the hardware aisle as a couple of ranchers debate that afternoon’s football game and two young mothers compare notes on their kids’ school projects.
Inventory is tracked by computer and the Brosts can tell at a glance when they are running low on items, and what the best seller is. In addition, Tonya’s happy to place special orders for folks.
“It’s the heartbeat of our town,” a customer said as she finished her purchases. “It would be a very sad day for this community if they ever decided to close.” 201 Sugar Avenue Billings MT 59101 (406) 248-3631 or nutralix@nutralix.comwww.nutralix.com(800)568-6952
“But there’s always something going on. You never know what a customer will want.”
the nearest location to order from became Salt Lake City. The Brosts were told they would have to have a minimum order every month in order for a truck to come to them.
“It’s our life,” Tonya continued. With just one part-time employee, the hours can be long.
“I thought I’d be in a good position to own it having worked here so long,” she laughed. “But owning a business is completely different from just working there. I’m still learning things.”
“A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING” GENERAL STORE 28 // www.raisedinthewest.com
“It can get bad out here,” Kardy Eickhoff said. “You don’t want to be stranded without food and necessities.”
Kardy and Leonard have owned The Breaks General Store on main street in Winnett for five years. Kardy worked there for 13 prior to owning it.
WINNETT MONTANA WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY STU
About 100 miles due north of Billings and 40 miles east of Lewistown lies the tiny town of Winnett. It’s the only town in, and the county seat of, Petroleum County and at the last census, had a population of just under 200.
When winter hits there’s a good chance that someone will be snowed in for a while. Most residents of the county live a fair distance from town and are accustomed to stocking up under normal circumstances, but when winter sets in, the locals make sure to have their pantries full.
“We try really hard to keep our inventory full, especially during HOEFLE
Kardy and Leonard Eickhoff own the only grocery store in town. In fact, it’s the only store in the county and it’s their commitment to make sure they have what the people of Petroleum County need.
A surprisingly large building for the size of the community, the exceptionally clean and well-organized store displays shelf after shelf of canned food, boxed goods, paper products, toiletries and more. A brightly lit wall of coolers has every fresh produce available, along with meats and dairy. The freezer is full of fruits, vegetables and an impressive selection of beef, chicken, pork and even turkeys.
The Eickhoffs support locals because the locals support them, but they point out that sportsmen also account for a lot of their “Huntingsales. season and summer are both huge for us,” Kardy continued. “People from Billings and Lewistown stop for lastminute purchases—ice, beer, chips and meat. We have it all. Recreation is huge around here from fishing and boating at Petrolia Lake and Fort Peck to fall hunting and then on into icefishing. We stay very busy during those months.”
KARDY AND LEONARD EICKHOFF WINTER 2022 // 29
The store is stocked to the ceiling, up and down every aisle. From the colorful entrance that beckons customers with Montanamade jams and jellies and locally made art and crafts, the Eickhoffs have done an incredible job of merchandising the tens of thousands of items. A hand-painted mural on one wall, done by a local teenager, is just one example of how deeply the Eickhoffs feel about their community.
“We want to support our youth,” Kardy said. “That’s why I had him paint it. The space was perfect for a mural, and I wanted to give him a chance.”
True entrepreneurs, they even bag their own ice and mix their own paint. A brightly lit corner of the hardware store sports a paint gallery that would rival any hardware store in a bigger town. Paint
these crazy times,” Kardy said. “We’ve been able to do just fine, with the exception of the beginning of the pandemic when people from everywhere were buying toilet paper!”
In addition to groceries, The Breaks General Store is truly a general store with an impressive hardware section filled with rows of electrical, and and supplies.
ranch
samples in hundreds of colors sit ready to be selected for a customer with any size paint
camping
“Ifproject.wecan save someone the time to drive somewhere to purchase elsewhere, it helps both of us,” Kardy said.
bolts
Another corner, dubbed “The Breaks Zone,” is a trove of treasures that changes with the seasons. Hunting, and gear take turns depending on the season, and during the it’s filled with and
holidays
gift ideas, toys
decorations. “We try to have just about everything you “Leonard has the biggest heart... He goes above and beyond. It’s just what you do in a community like Winnett.” —KARDY EICKHOFF Reed Point 326-2484 Worden 967-3100 Custer 856-4156 Hysham 342-5221 Miles City 234-2098 VFARMERS.COM • VPROPANE.COM Your CooperativeLocal • Agronomy • Bulk & Retail Fuel • Propane SINCE 1938 • Retail Farm Supply & StoresConvenience *NOW AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE | DISTRIBUTED BY THE PEPSI-COLA BOTTLING CO. | BILLINGS, MT 30 // www.raisedinthewest.com
plumbing, tools, nuts
fishing
“Almost all of the ranches have an account with us,” Leonard explained. “It really helped us with capital in the beginning and it’s a convenience for them because they can stop anytime and pick things up or have someone else do it for them.”
can possibly need, even socks and underwear,” Kardy laughed.
“There’s been a lot of very happy people glad to know we have Muchthem.”like yesteryear when customers could run an account and pay up at the end of the month, the Eickhoffs offer the same feature, only in reverse. Customers can open a pre-paid account and charge until it’s empty—an ingenious way to do business.
The Eickhoffs are more than just business owners. In a town as small as Winnett, they jump in wherever they can to help others out.
“Leonard has the biggest heart,” Kardy said. “He’ll help stranded travelers fix their vehicle and he’s helped bicyclists pedaling the Lewis and Clark Trail fix their tires. He’s always helping our elderly customers. He goes above and beyond. It’s just what you do in a community like Winnett.”
With the store open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Eickhoffs say the days can be very long. Twice a week they receive supply trucks, usually before 6 a.m., and working with a staff of just three, the two take little time for themselves as they faithfully serve the community they love so much. “We love it here,” Leonard said, “I’m not sure what we’d do if we weren’t running the store.”
WINTER 2022 // 31
BECKY STENSVAD, PROPRIETOR MERCANTILE Melstone 32 // www.raisedinthewest.com
The guys lingered for a while and caught up before getting the day going. It wasn’t too long before the store was quiet and the sound of diesel engines faded down the road.
MELSTONE MONTANA WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY STU
“I love that a lot of my coffee customers are guys,” Becky said. “You’d be surprised how many of them like to start their day with a cup of our hot coffee.”
“It’s definitely been a culture shock for me going from a career in nursing to knowing the different sizes of bolts and what veterinary supplies are the best to have on hand,” she laughed. “But it’s been good. My customers are teaching me a lot of things!” HOEFLE
On a recent winter day, three muddy diesel trucks sat idling outside the Melstone Mercantile on main street in Melstone. Inside the warm, inviting store, the owners of those pickups, guys wearing blue jeans, Carhartt coats, cowboy hats and mudcovered boots, were talking and laughing with each other as the proprietor, Becky Stensvad, made their coffees.
Not just any coffee, her signature cups—The Rancher, specially made with the ranchers in mind, with a shot of white chocolate. The guys joked with each other as they waited for their lattes.
Owning a general merchandise retail store in her hometown of Melstone was not a goal that Becky had set for herself. In fact, the single mother of three is a registered nurse and works multiple days per week in Forsyth, a community 65 miles away. But when the opportunity to purchase the established hardware and grocery store came up, she took a hard look at it and ended up buying it.
The original building has been added on to several times and Becky is working through sorting her inventory and displaying it creatively. Toward the back of the building is an unheated area where she stores all the merchandise that doesn’t need to be in a heated building, things like fencing and building supplies, hoses and ropes, pellets and dozens of bins of nails. Two barn cats patrol the area. The packed aisles and dark corners seem to promise that if you take enough time, you’ll surely find a treasure.
BAR WINTER 2022 // 33
“I bought the inventory along with the purchase,” Becky said. “There’s a lot of treasures here!”
Every morning, Becky posts her lunch special on the Mercantile’s Facebook page. It keeps her customers abreast of what’s going on. “Some still don’t have Facebook, so I get calls every morning anyway.” They can either grab and go or sit for a bit at the oak table gracing the center of the store.
Five stools in bright red vinyl flank the counter where customers are accustomed to chatting as they wait for their favorite coffee Inbeverages.themiddle of the café part of the store is an original phone booth that was in another portion of the store and used to store “It’sstock.so pretty,” Becky said, “and reminds people of times gone by.” The phone book hanging on it reads 1984, a reminder that it wasn’t that long ago that cell phones were nonexistent, and most people depended on finding a phone booth to take care of business when they were away from home.
The original building was built in 1912—and Becky’s great-greatuncle was the pharmacist.
“Back then it was a pharmacy, liquor store and general store,” Becky said. “Actually, minus the liquor, it wasn’t much different than it is today.”
Beyond being a terrific coffee shop and a deli that specializes in fresh, homemade soup on a daily basis, the store is packed with just about any merchandise one would need. Plumbing supplies, fencing, kitchen items, animal health products, pellet stoves and pellets and hunting and camping gear are all jammed into the tightly packed shelves. The hand-painted signs hanging above the aisles reflect what is below.
BECKY
Since Becky purchased the building just over a year ago, she has repurposed much of the original furnishings. The bar that was used for liquor has become the back wall of the coffee shop.
BECKY’S DAUGHTER,
“Can you believe the nails?” Becky asked. “I have every size you could ever imagine!” Just a short distance away are boxes of rubber overshoes with metal buckles, which have lost their fashion and function to muck boots. STENSVAD TEIGEN, WORKS THE COFFEE
JENNIE GROSHELLE 406-672-7751Broker/Owner TANA LEE 406-670-5485Broker/Owner FIND US www.RedTruckRealEstate.comON WE PUT OUR CLIENTS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT! PHONE BOOTH PROMISES CONVERSATION ROWS AND ROWS OF TREASURES RELIC FROM YESTERYEAR 34 // www.raisedinthewest.com
—BECKY
STENSVAD WINTER 2022 // 35
Eat! Drink! Play! 406-348-2400 ★ 139 NORTHERN AVE ★ HUNTLEY, MT ★ BREAKFAST Served 8am-1am ★ PRIME RIB Fri & Sat Night ★ BROASTED CHICKEN ★ PIZZAS Made from scratch! ON FACEBOOK! Menu www.bluecatbarandgrill.com DINE-IN ★ CARRY-OUT SCAN TO CHECK OUT OUR “I don’t think these are even made anymore,” she said. “I mean, does anybody wear overshoes anymore?”
Becky heats the old building with a diesel furnace and two wood stoves, a chore that takes close tending on cold “Wedays.don’t run out of things to do, that’s for sure,” she said.
“She’s great help,” Becky said. “She’s organized several areas of the store already and makes a great latte!”
She takes in stride the work ahead of her as she slowly clears the outdated merchandise and replaces it with more current products. At the same time, she’s also entering everything into a computerized system. It’s a daunting project that will take months to “Allcomplete.theordering was done by hand before,” Becky said. “It will be the biggest improvement I make to get all my inventory on the computer.” Help comes from several part-time employees and her daughter, Teigen. A junior at nearby Melstone High School, Teigen comes over after school to give her mom a hand.
The community has supported Becky and her daughters well. Having grown up on her family’s nearby ranch has helped, and she has the only store between Forsyth and Roundup. “There’s an outfitter not too far from here that has told his clients that if they can’t find what they are looking for at our mercantile, then he’ll pay them $100.” she said. “So far, he hasn’t had to pay anyone.” “It’s definitely been a culture shock for me going from a career in nursing to knowing the different sizes of bolts and what veterinary supplies are the best to have on hand. But it’s been good. My customers are teaching me a lot of things!”
serves on the Denton Volunteer Ambulance Department, set up at Incident Command near the community park and school football
Tova Gerer and her family also noticed the fire to the west from their home just outside of Denton. “We went out and looked, and then I went and got my mom,” she said.
When residents of Denton, Montana, evacuated on Dec. 1, 2021, in the face of the raging West Wind Fire, no one knew what to expect when they returned. The inferno destroyed more than 25 homes and six commercial structures and many other buildings were severely damaged. . In the days and weeks that followed, love of community shone like a lighthouse beacon, and that radiance continues months later.
Her mother, Helen Lodman, lived in Denton. Her house was badly damaged in the fire and she’s now living with Tova. “I up and left quickly,” Helen said. “I grabbed some clothes and my medicines and Tova,left.”who
DENTON MONTANA WRITTEN BY
36 // www.raisedinthewest.com
“Wheneverfield. structures are involved, the ambulance is required to standby,” she explained. “I was stationed with the ambulance from 2:30 p.m. on the first day until 7 p.m. the next night. I slept in my pickup next to the ambulance.” She witnessed first-hand the response not only of her neighbors and friends, but also the community at large.
“People came together. Being there at Incident Command and just watching the names on all the different fire trucks – they were from all over.” GERER GAYLE M.
—TOVA
COMMUNITIES RALLY AROUND DENTON AFTER THE FIRE
IRWIN // PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED
Betty Brinkman and her husband, Ron, live on the family farm about 10 miles west of Denton near the tiny town of Coffee Creek. She remembers looking out her living room early that Wednesday morning, about 90 minutes after Ron responded to the Coffee Creek Volunteer Fire Department pager. “I couldn’t believe what I saw,” Betty recalled. “The fire was so big, and I thought it was headed straight for Coffee Creek. I said aloud, ‘How are they going to put that out?’”
PHOTO BY MELANIE PLOYHAR
“People came together,” she said. “Being there at Incident Command and just watching the names on all the different fire trucks – they were from all over.” She remembered firefighters came from Lewistown, Geraldine, and Geyser, as well as other small communities in and around Fergus County. She also recalled crews from other parts of Montana.
“Missoula, Bozeman, Helena – there were trucks from everywhere!” she said.
The bank operates an account to which money can be donated. Funds began arriving as news about the West Wind Fire spread. People from throughout Montana gave.
“Community extends beyond the borders of a town or even county,” said Josh Webber, Opportunity Bank branch manager in Denton. “The towns all have different names, but it seems like we’re all one community in a situation like this.”
He had served on the town’s volunteer fire department many years earlier. His father was already on one of the fire trucks “and then the old truck came through and I hopped on,” Rick said.
While firefighters from the larger communities dealt with burning homes and other buildings, such as the grain elevators, Rick Brinkman and others set out to assist wherever needed. One of the first places Rick and his firefighting partner helped at was a shelter belt on a property near Denton. Rick said they fought to keep the fire at this location for almost five hours.
Love and compassion poured upon the town like a refreshing rain.
“They just supported our little community during and in the aftermath,” Josh said. “Our state was here” Donations from other states poured in as well, including Wyoming, the Dakotas and Colorado, Josh said.
Rick Brinkman, one of Betty and Ron’s sons, also calls Denton home. He, too, noticed the fire during the early morning hours. He said he smelled smoke and drove to the Denton Fire Hall.
“I don’t know how that house didn’t go up, but it didn’t,” he Hisrecalled.brother, Lee, who lives in Stanford, helped in town. Rick believes Lee helped protect his home and some of his neighbors. “Lee said he was around my house and there were hot coals falling out of the sky,” Rick said. “That had to have been from the elevator.”
WINTER 2022 // 37
Denton’s annual Christmas Stroll, usually scheduled for the first Sunday in December, was postponed for a week. The event also changed location from the Town Hall to Denton School Gym, allowing for more vendors and attendees.
Denton Mayor Joel Barber, who owns the Shade Tree Café, couldn’t attend the Christmas Stroll due to work. However, he said he heard the 2021 event was “the busiest the community ever had.” The fire had occurred just 10 days earlier.
Stockman’s Bank also established an account, and Go Fund Me pages lit up the internet. The financial assistance continued, including two auctions that took place at the Central Montana Fairgrounds in Lewistown on January 21 and 22.
A primary reason the Stroll changed locations was the tremendous amount of material donations at the Town Hall—from food items and clothing to toiletries and pet food.
—JOSH WEBBER
The disaster relief began after two fires in the county prior to the West Wind Fire consumed a total of about 38,000 acres. The West Wind Fire ravaged about 10,600 acres.
“The donations that came in were just mind-boggling, how much stuff and support showed up,” Joel said. “The Town Hall was packed wall to wall with tables of stuff for everybody – it was really amazing. What people don’t realize is that the women of Denton and the volunteers … when you get the amount of donations that we did, we had a group of women who worked tirelessly for “They just supported our little community during and in the aftermath. Our state was here.
✔ Trustee Election ✔ Scholarship Drawings ✔ Prizes and More Cooperative Difference DELIVERING THE Annual Membership Meeting March 31, 2022 DOORS OPEN AT 12:30 MEETING BEGINS AT 1:00 MetraPark Pavilion DONATIONS PILE UP AT THE TOWN HALL 38 // www.raisedinthewest.com
The Central Montana Foundation distributes the funds, Josh said.
The Denton Lions Club also pitched in. Tova, a member of the club, said they called an emergency meeting, and within days, “everybody took somebody in the community to keep tabs on, and make sure they’re doing OK.”
three days, organizing, sorting, boxing. All this stuff is showing up in mass quantities, and it really took an effort from these town ladies to get it organized and disbursed.”
Other quiet volunteers came from the Red Cross, especially during the evacuation and days thereafter. In cooperation with the Lewistown Civic Center, the Red Cross of Montana and Idaho established a shelter for displaced residents the day the fire roared into Denton. As clean-up efforts move forward this winter and spring, residents continue helping their friends and neighbors. “The people of Denton are wonderful people,” said Helen. “They just pull together for everybody.” Her daughter agreed. “There’s still sorrow—our community is never going to be the same again,” Tova said. “But Denton has always been resilient—we’ve been hard hit a lot of times. But we get up and we go on; that’s just what Denton does.” STROLL JUST WEEKS
THE CHRISTMAS
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LEWISTOWN MONTANA WRITTEN BY CYD HOEFLE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY STU HOEFLE ashesrising FROM THE 40 // www.raisedinthewest.com
There’s something about Montana folks when they rally. It’s an impressive movement. Be it hay for ranchers whose crops burned or to help a neighbor put up their harvest. Generosity is a given when it comes to need. And generosity was on full display at the Lewistown Fairgrounds the third weekend of January, where a vast array of items had been donated and were up for auction. Donations included hay bales, lumber, a safari, weekend vacations in Red Lodge and Whitefish, tools, packages of burger, whole hogs and steers, veterinary services, paintings, photos, antique furniture, guided trips, puppies, smokers and snowblowers. It seemed nothing had been overlooked. Businesses and individuals donated freely, and a packed house of supporters took up the bidding and let loose the reins.
—KYLE SHOBE WINTER 2022 // 41
Kyle is a Lewistown native who owns United Country Shobe Auction and Realty. After the fire, he and a handful of others quickly formed a board of directors to distribute the money coming in.
Homemade apple pies were selling for $500 as the auctioneer livened up the crowd with his smooth chant, his ring men yelling, “Yeaaah,” when they saw a bid. The crowd bantered back and forth with one another as they tried to outbid each other.
Tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise, services, products and livestock, making up over 150 lots, were donated for the two-day auction with the proceeds going to the fund to assist residents of the small community of Denton.
“There’s been tremendous support,” said Kyle Shobe, the lead auctioneer and one of the organizers of the event.
“Within just a couple of weeks of the fire, people were trying to figure out what to do for the folks of Denton.”
Accounts had been set up at several local banks, but because they aren’t nonprofits, it complicated how the money could be received and distributed.
“It opened our eyes to the need for a foundation in central Montana to be available for things like disasters,” Kyle said. “Central Montana encompasses Lewistown and about eight other small “There’s been tremendous support. Within just a couple of weeks of the fire, people were trying to figure out what to do for the folks of Denton.”
$500 might seem like an incredibly expensive pie and it is, but the bidders were taking part in the disaster relief auction for the town of Denton, which had been hit hard by a wildfire on Dec. 1, and their generosity was driving the prices up high.
The cross-section of people who make up the new foundation represent every facet of Fergus County, from ranches to businesses to professional firms, and the speed with which they expedited the funds has allowed the people of Denton to move forward.
Samantha became the administrator of the Denton Fire Relief Auction Facebook page, which was started in December and quickly grew to over 4,000 followers. An online Facebook auction in mid-December and a Go Fund Me site generated tens of thousands of dollars.
// www.raisedinthewest.com
Not only were homes and equipment lost, but businesses experienced loses and area ranchers lost hay, fence line and outbuildings. The board of directors will help distribute the funds in a timely and appropriate manner.
“It was overwhelming,” Samantha Wheeler, a Denton resident said. “Before the fire was even out, we had donations arriving.”
“Central Montana is still an ag community,” Kyle said. “It’s the anchor here. Our people and businesses in Lewistown and the other communities in the area support one another. They are very giving when someone is in need.”
towns. We hope we don’t need the foundation, but we want to be ready if something happens.”
Most of the money raised during the two-day auction and all the donations leading up to it are earmarked for Denton. But some of it will remain in an account to have on hand down the road.
Samantha also helped spearhead the Fire Relief live auction in Lewistown, which drew hundreds of people from all over Fergus County, and from as far away as Billings and Great Falls. Already much of what was left of the burned buildings, including the grain elevators, has been hauled away. Necessary environmental studies have taken place to facilitate rebuilding. Businesses are moving forward and families are making decisions about future homes. “Denton continues to move forward,” Samantha said. “We’re filled with hope that things will get back to normal and we’re thankful for everyone that has contributed in any way to help us.” 42
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Born in Minnesota on Nov. 16, 1954, Bernice was raised on a dairy farm. She once quipped that she was horseback before she was born, as her mother rode also. Bernice, a teacher of classical ballet for 25 years, studied and taught dressage, or “horse ballet.” One day she and a couple of thoroughbreds reached a mountaintop. Inspired by the incredible view, she wanted to try something new. Bernice was aware of long-riding, but never considered it as something she’d ever do. That changed at age 50. From her cabin in northwest Montana, she plotted her route, arranged logistics and set off in 2005 for her sister’s home in New DependingMexico. on the dispositions of her saddle horse and pack horse, Bernice would either sleep with the reins firmly wrapped around her wrist or picket the animals. She slept in the shelter
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center is always in search of a rousing tale about the good, the bad and the epochal.
The second half of the Class of 2020 induction ceremony shifted from the “Legacy” awards to the “Living” awards that recognize 12 contemporary Montanans advancing Montana’s Western heritage. Bernice Arlene Ende, also known as “Lady Long Rider,” epitomized the pioneer, can-do spirit while riding a horse thousands of miles across America.
ACROSS MONTANA WRITTEN BY CATHY MOSER // PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED LINDERMANWALTBULLDOGSWITHHISHORSE,SCOTTIE RUSTLING
Walt was born into a rodeo family on March 26, 1936, in Red Lodge. He entered his first competition in White Sulphur Springs and won the steer wrestling event. By 1961, the cowboy co-owned a team of steer wrestling horses. His best, a chestnut named Scottie, debuted in 1965 and carried his first steer wrestler to a rodeo championship. Foaled in 1957, California-bred Scottie was sired by Franks Quarter Master, out of Sandy Bug.
Montana’sUPWesternHeritage
44 // www.raisedinthewest.com
A trail of people, animals, places, objects and events of various reputation have already illustrated the MCHF mission “to preserve and pass forward our cowboy way of life, American Indian cultures and collective Montana Western heritage.” The Hall receives dozens of nominations annually, but MCHF trustees select only 24 nominees for “Legacy” and “Living” inductions. Since the nominations are rich in subject matter, it’s no wonder that colorful, engaging and diverse stories abounded at the Class of 2020 induction ceremony in Great Falls, held in August, a year late because of covid. The event included 12 “Legacy” awards honoring Montanans who’ve ridden into the sunset for good, such as Walter F. Linderman and his famed horse, Scottie.
For the next ten years, Scottie and Walt dominated rodeo arenas as a steer wrestling team. Walt qualified for nine National Finals Rodeos (NFR), finishing runner-up in 1966, ’70, and ’71, and twice he finished third. In 1967, he won the NFR Steer Wrestling Scottie’saverage. fame expanded further, as the horse also carried steer wrestlers other than Walt to six National Finals Steer Wrestling titles and four World Championships. For several years, seven of the top 15 steer wrestlers rode the chestnut. “If you didn’t ride Scottie, probably you wouldn’t dominate the steer wrestling ranks,” said Walt’s son, Jay Linderman. “He never bucked, but he was never still, either. He was always wanting to GO.” Scottie was retired in 1977 and pensioned to a Wyoming ranch. He died there in 1980. Walt Linderman died on May 25, 2005. His legacy wasn’t championships won or lost, according to Jay, but pioneering the concept of steer wrestling schools. Many of Walt’s students went on to successful careers in the sport. In 2016, the year Scottie was honored with an induction into The Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Walt was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Heritage Center in Oklahoma City.
The council evolved into the nonprofit MCHF and WHC, receiving legislative recognition as Montana’s official Cowboy Hall of Fame. To catch up, the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame will hold its 2021 ceremony in April.
The Hall of Fame concept is attributed to the late Leo Cremer of Sweet Grass County. Cremer was a rancher, rodeo producer and promoter extraordinaire who talked up the need for an entity charged with preserving Montana’s Western heritage. He served consecutive state Senate terms in 1949 and 1951, but the historical record is unclear whether his actions went as far as introducing legislation for such a place. Cremer died in 1953 at age 62. In 1979, the man known as “Mr. Rodeo” was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. He has a berth in the MCHF, too, as a member of the Class of 2010. As the 21st century unfolded, Cremer’s concept was revived by Wolf Point Historical Development Inc., brainstorming ideas to promote tourism in northeastern Montana.
of a tarp, snuggled up with her dog. A small propane stove heated water for tea and oatmeal. Dandelion greens, lamb’s quarter, nettles and watercress supplemented her diet. Bernice reached New Mexico nearly 2,000 miles later. The miles traveled were twice the distance required to qualify as a long rider. Her longest ride was from Montana to the Maine coast, back to the Pacific coast, and home. It took her more than two years to complete the 8,000-mile trip. Bernice, who passed away shortly after her induction, was in her 60s, and rode more than 30,000 miles solo on horseback. Bernice claimed that she would ride as long as it took to change her completely. She said, “At somewhere around 21,000 miles, I felt seasoned and a sense of accomplishment,” Bernice said.
BERNICE ARLENE ENDE, “LADY LONG RIDER” WINTER 2022 // 45
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