Roadhouse Bread

Machine Rolls

• 1/4 cup water, warmed for 25 seconds

• 1 cup milk, warmed for 40 seconds

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 ½ teaspoon butter, melted

• 1 egg

• ¼ cup sugar

• 3 ¼-1/2 cups bread flour

• 1 envelope dry active yeast or 2 ¼ teaspoon

DIRECTIONS:Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place ingredients in bread machine in the order listed. Set the bread machine for the dough cycle. Once complete, remove dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle with a 1/2" thickness. Fold the dough in half and let it rise for 15 minutes. Use a roller cutter and cut into even squares (16-18). Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and brush the tops with butter. Spread with Huckleberry-Cinnamon butter over the top while rolls are warm and serve.

The Production Of The Products

When people hear the brand name “Montana Silversmiths,” the first thing that typically comes to mind is belt buckles. That’s not surprising since the company manufactures and ships thousands of buckles across the country each year. What may be surprising, though, is the time and effort behind the creation of every single buckle and piece of jewelry.

“We are creating traditions and memories that become family heirlooms, and that takes time,” Design Director, Libby Snouffer said. “We want our buckles and jewelry to have a history behind them.”

Maintaining the mission to offer beautiful, unique products at affordable prices, work is closely monitored during the multifaceted production of each piece, ensuring the product quality Montana Silversmiths has staked their reputation on stays unassailable. From the finest silver to the precious stones, Montana Silversmiths constantly monitors raw material sources and works diligently to forecast costs and projections in an effort to maintain the costs of their pieces while upholding the quality.

“It’s amazing that we’re able to do everything within the walls of our facility, but that’s also the beauty of who we are,” Libby continued. “The amount of pure craftsmanship and talent that’s right here in Columbus is mind blowing.”

As is the state-of-the-art facility in the small central Montana town, which allows the team to deliver the utmost quality and multiplies the pride they have in their work.

Libby joined the company with a background in global manufacturing and product development. In her role with Montana Silversmiths, she’s constantly on the lookout for new elements of design to incorporate into products. She leads the creative team of artists and craftsmen in fashioning appealing designs, which are both exciting and new, yet maintain the western style for which the company is famous.

“We work a year ahead of production,” she explained. “I immerse myself into the western lifestyle, pulling inspiration from sources that reflect on classic western design to be integrated into our products.”

For Montana Silversmiths catalog products, it takes 12 to 18 months from the time a buckle or a piece of jewelry is transformed from a concept to a finished product and each step in the process counts. Once a finished product is packaged and ready to ship, no less than twenty sets of hands have contributed to building the wearable masterpiece. Whether it be designing, soldering, engraving or polishing, each phase is full of intricate attention to detail – even the packaging is first class, with each piece secured in the signature blue velvet box.

“There’s something about a velvet box,” Libby said. “Jewelry seems to be cherished more when it’s received that way.”

Belt buckles and jewelry are often accompanied by stories of how it was won or who it was gifted by as they transfer from generation to generation. It’s a common narrative of Montana Silversmiths products, and one the company never tires of hearing. With four product catalogs published every year, and hundreds of new products to choose from, new and returning customers can be certain their choice will stand the test of time.

“We have a legacy because of our reputation,” Libby concluded. “We’re proud of what we do and the caliber of products that we design.”

130 YEARS OF EVERLASTING HISTORY

Some say a ghost lives on the third floor and late at night, a glimpse of her may be caught scurrying down the hallway in a yellow gown, leaving the faint smell of French perfume in her wake.

Others, however, say the ghost is not a woman, but instead a guy, and a very friendly one at that. Named “George” by hotel staff when he made his appearance in the 80s, he allegedly enjoyed teasing the staff, making phones ring in the guest rooms, leaving fingerprints on freshly cleaned mirrors, and even filling the air with the aroma of warm popcorn or fresh coffee at odd hours.

Folklore or not, ghost stories and other entertaining tales abound over the 13 decades The Pollard has been standing at the corner of Broadway and 11th in Red Lodge, Montana. The stately building has seen much change since its opening on July 4, 1893.

In the late 1800s, through the labor of hundreds of immigrants, coal mining was making its mark in the rugged Beartooth foothills. In need of lodging for the workers, the construction of a hotel in the booming town of Red Lodge seemed logical to the Rocky Fork Coal Company.