Your ag operation is one of a kind, and you need a bank that understands. As Montana’s largest Ag Bank, we have the knowledge and expertise to assist you in all stages of your ag business. We are Montana’s homegrown bank. Come experience the difference.
As we worked to build the content for our February magazine, a theme weaved its way through the issue. As the stories unfolded a spirit of gratitude rose to the surface. It was more evidence that we live in an area where people are naturally neighborly and deeply care from the heart for each other.
We visited with the founders of a military veteran’s outreach group in Big Timber, started four years ago, that has brought almost sixty military veterans to Montana to hunt. Not only were the veterans exposed to the adventure of hunting, but they were brought together with other veterans that have served our country. The fun and camaraderie these guys experienced is something they will never forget – thanks to the generosity of their hosts.
In Absarokee, a group of passionate community members visited with us about their campaign to save the Sandstone, the town’s oldest school, from demolition. When asked why they are fighting so hard to save it, their answer: so the kids in the community understand history and have a reason to be proud of their heritage.
We visited with an Ag lending company that gives thousands of dollars in grants to communities around the state. They’ve updated rural emergency services and contributed to fire protection. They’ve given scholarships to 4-H and FFA members and helped new ag producers. They are continually looking for ways to help our rural communities with challenges and opportunities.
If the winter blues have beaten you down, we have a few ideas to enjoy the season. How about a winter trip to Yellowstone National Park? It’s a great time to avoid the crowds and admire the snow-covered, steamy beauty of the park. Or maybe try some ice fishing! It’s a fun, inexpensive way to make family memories and catch some tasty dinner!
For the gardeners pouring over seed catalogs, we’ve included a plan for planting a few of those vegetables and flowers now – in the snow! Check out Amy Grisak’s winter gardening tips in our gardening column.
And you can’t survive winter without some delicious food! Jean Petersen gives us a variety of bread recipes that are sure to fill your home with incredible aromas and please your family’s palates.
We hope you enjoy our Winter issue. Stay safe, stay warm and enjoy another one of Montana’s unique seasons.
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
MELANIE FABRIZIUS
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Melanie grew up on a farm in Montana and is currently living in Billings. Her life-long love of art led her to a career as a freelance graphic artist. Melanie enjoys camping, rockhounding, fashion and watching the sunset with her two dogs, Comanche Sue and Pistol Annie. Check out her art at www.fancymf.com
MELANIE LIMPUS
ASSISTANT PUBLISHER
Melanie was born and raised in Billings and is a fifth generation Montanan. She moved to Wyoming in 2013 to attend the University of Wyoming where she earned a degree in Marketing. She fell in love with Wyoming and her husband, Blaine, and the two of them make their home in Lander. Mel enjoys climbing, painting (Acrylic Melon), skiing, biking, graphic design, and her crazy cat. Reach her at publisher@adventuresinthewest.com
CAROLYN FRASER
COPY EDITOR
Carolyn is the fourth generation from a Montana ranching family. Raised on a registered Hereford cattle ranch at Reed Point, MT, cattle and horses are in her blood. But so is writing. She has been freelance writing since high school for various agricultural publications. Married to John Deeney, the couple ranch near Grass Range and raise Hereford and Red Angus cattle.
KAYLA WALKER
WEBSITE DESIGN
Originating from a fifth-generation Montana ranch, Kayla now ranches with her husband, Chace, and owns Ranch Raised Media. Whether it be through photography, writing, social media, graphic design, or web design she strives to share the story of the western lifestyle on a day-to-day basis. Follow Ranch Raised Media on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.ranchraisedmedia.com to view her work.
AMY GRISAK
WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER
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. She’s published several books which can be found at amygrisak.com
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 lives near the Beartooth Mountains in Red Lodge with her 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 books at www.jeanpetersen.com
There’s a foot of snow on the ground and the temperature is in the single digits but many of us are itching to plant something! Seeding annuals, perennials, and cool-season vegetables allows us to satisfy the need to plant something, while gaining time in the spring allowing for an earlier harvest. While starting seeds indoors is a right of passage for many gardeners, winter sowing is an easy way to gain a jump on the season with minimal effort.
For decades I’ve started many of my vegetables, flowers, and herbs in the house, seeding peppers, basil, and onions in late January, and progressively adding to the list until March.
The biggest challenge with this traditional way of starting seeds indoors is light and space. Providing the 10 hours of light they need to grow well can be difficult though I’ve managed to make it work by moving plants from window to window, and thankfully LED lights are portable and terrific for seed starting.
Sowing indoors also takes up a considerable amount of space inside the house, at least for a while, especially if “one little container” turns into 20 flats of seedlings like it often does for me.
I have had 20 flats of seedlings covering the table and countertops until I could safely move them to my small greenhouse.
Right now the ground is frozen and as hard as a rock, but for winter sowing we plant the seeds in containers that are set outdoors. The thought is that there are certain plants that need stratification, known as a chill period, for them to germinate properly.
There are also some seeds that overwinter just fine, and these will germinate on their own time schedule. Think about it, how many times have you had lettuce or spinach reseed without any help from you? That’s how this works, but in a more controlled setting.
As for timing, most northern gardeners wait until after the New Year and seed outdoors from February to the first part of March. So, whenever you feel you need to plant something, grab your containers, potting soil, and seeds and go for it.
1. Any seeds that you collected in the fall can go into containers now. I am starting a couple of new-to-me penstemon varieties sent to me by the American Penstemon Society, along with other perennials such as Echinacea and delphiniums.
2. Perennials: Winter sowing is an excellent method for many species, particularly with native varieties. Most, if not all, of these require a certain amount of time in cold conditions, and winter sowing mimics these natural conditions.
3. Flowers: Look for varieties that say “self-sowing.” I love cosmos, zinnias, bachelor’s buttons, and marigolds for this method. These will all reseed in the garden, but you’ll have flowers sooner if you plant them in containers now.
4. Vegetables: Cool season crops such as lettuce, spinach and other greens are a top choice. So are cabbage, broccoli, and others in the Brassica family.
(Tomatoes, peppers, and squash don’t do well with this method because they like hot temperatures and are far more cold sensitive. Even though they might germinate with nicer weather and sunny days inside of the outdoor containers, a spring frost will kill them.)
1. Gallon Milk Jugs: One of the best aspects of winter sowing is you can use recycled plastic containers of all sorts. Cut them in half, leaving a piece of plastic hanging on like a hinge, or cut a window in the side to vent the jug when the weather improves.
2. Clear Plastic Containers: Reuse the containers from the store that mixed greens and fruit come in. Even the ones for rotisserie chickens will do the trick! It’s terrific to be able to use these again instead of just throwing them in the trash.
3. Ziplock Bags or Clear Totes. Gallon-sized Ziplock bags are good for seeding a large amount of a specific plant. When using bags, they can be set in a large tub to keep them together, or a nifty method is to hang them from dowels.
4. Drill or cut holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain through. If you’re using baggies, snip three or four holes in the bottoms.
1. Fill the containers with two to four inches of potting soil. Set container in the sink or in a bowl and fill it with water until it drains out the bottom.
2. Sprinkle the seeds on top of the potting soil. Be generous in this regard because you will most likely not have 100% germination. Plus, you’re going to transplant the seedlings to the garden when the time is right so they can be a little thick on those instances when all the conditions work out right. After seeding, scatter a thin layer of potting soil on top of the seeds.
3. Close the containers, leaving just a slight opening for ventilation. For the milk jugs, even if you tape the seam, leave a small space untaped. Later, when the weather warms, you’ll be able to remove the lid to aid air flow. If it’s a salad container, cut a small square Use a waterproof marker to write what you planted and the date somewhere on the container.
4. Place the seeded containers in a sunny spot that is sheltered from the wind. You don’t want to watch your milk jugs tumbling across the yard! It’s fine if they are buried with snow and the thermometer drops well below zero. There is also no need to water. Just let Mother Nature take care of things for a while.
When the end of winter finally rolls around with longer days and warmer weather, the seeds follow nature’s cues and they germinate in their protected containers. During this time, you’ll want to watch the weather to crack or remove the lids during warm, sunny days so the tiny plants don’t cook, but for the most part, they don’t require much care until the soil is warm enough for you to plant the transplants in the garden.
If you want to experience the easy way to start a few of your
During the frigid days of winter, I enjoy baking bread for my family and friends. It warms our home and fills it with aromatic scents of spices and fruits. The following recipes are a few of my “go-to” favorites. Each of these recipes can be split into mini loaf pans to share, freeze, or have ready for your next meal.
Over the years, I have sometimes substituted honey for sugar, I’ve also used Agave syrup. When using Agave, I’ve found that the
INGREDIENTS
• ⅓ cup butter unsalted
• ½ cup warm milk
• 1 egg
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• 3 ½ cup bread flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 package or 2 ½ tsp yeast
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS TO ADD: parmesan or cheddar mixes, minced garlic, onion flakes, cinnamon, ginger, etc,
DIRECTIONS: A bread machine is the way to create this ‘on the go’. Set the machine to the ‘dough’ setting. Soften the butter in the microwave for 40 seconds. Layer the ingredients in the bread machine in the order of the recipe. When adding the flour, spoon it in the measuring cup, so as not to pack it. Move a spoon sized scoop of flour to the side and drop the yeast into the center. The dough setting typically goes for 90 minutes. Let it process.
While the dough is mixing, add one of the optional ingredients. Once the dough is complete, remove and roll out on a lightly floured cutting board. This is the opportunity to create croissants, biscuits, rolls, bread sticks, cinnamon rolls or more. Once the dough is formed, let it rise, 1-3 hours. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bake for 11 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Substitute options for the recipes could be ⅓ cup canola or avocado oil instead of butter and 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp agave instead of sugar.
ratio is to use about 40-50% less of the recipe’s sugar, just like honey. Both substitutes are sweeter than sugar. While both are good substitutes, honey is the most structurally like sugar. While I don’t use these substitutes every time, they do work and our family and friends like them, which is what matters most, as we cozy up together on these cold winter days to enjoy a slice with a cup of soup or by itself.
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups bread flour
• ¼-½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups using any combination of the following of the A-Z ingredients: apples (grated), applesauce, apricots (chopped), bananas, carrots (grated), cherries, dates, figs (pitted and chopped), honey (omit sugar) or marmalade (omit 1 cup sugar), peaches, raspberries, raisins, yams, pineapple (crushed), yogurt (plain or flavored) or zucchini.
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine the dry ingredients, sift and set aside. Mix the wet ingredients and cream well. Add the A to Z ingredients. It will be very thin. Add the dry ingredients, mix well. Pour into two well-greased loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cups oil or substitute with ½ cup applesauce
• 1 ½ cups shredded zucchini
• 3-4 bananas, mashed about 1 cup
DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients and mix. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Add zucchini and bananas. Grease two loaf pans and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
INGREDIENTS
• Can be made in either a bread machine, or traditionally
• 1 ¾ cup warm water, plus a tbsp
• ½ cup oil
• 2 cups Instant Potatoes (buds or flakes)
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp sugar
• 3 ¾ cups bread flour
• 4 tsp yeast
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees or ready a bread machine for ‘fast/quick bake’. Mix water and yeast, set aside. Combine remaining ingredients in the bread machine canister or a medium bowl, mix well. Add water and yeast. Place in the bread machine and let it process and bake.
If baking in the oven, cover the dough allow to rise for 2 hours. Once dough has doubled in size, remove from the bowl and place on a lightly floured cutting board. Fold over to create a loaf and split into two equal sizes. Place dough in two greased loaf pans and let rise for 30 – 45 mins. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until golden brown.
“They are the reason we have the lives that we have,” David Bradley said. “We hold them close to our hearts because of it.”
The Big Timber man was referring to military veterans and the reason he and his wife Anne, along with Brian and Kary Engle, also of Big Timber, started the non-profit Big Sky Warrior Outreach (BSWO) four years ago. BSWO’s mission is to honor service members, with an emphasis on combat veterans, who have served or are serving sacrificially for our country. To show their appreciation, the four began the organization dedicated to providing outdoor Montana adventures for veterans.
Since the organization’s first hunt in January 2022, nearly 60 veterans have traveled to Montana to hunt antelope on the prairie and elk in the mountains. They have fished the Yellowstone River and hunted pheasants on the plains, all while enjoying delicious
meals and gracious hospitality –with all costs covered by BSWO.
With very little advertising and using the social media platform Facebook, Big Sky Warriors Outreach has reached veterans interested in participating as well as supporters that have contributed to sponsoring trips and donating to the organization.
“We’re getting the word out,” Brian said. “It’s taking time, but we’re growing at a steady pace.”
BSWO partners with area landowners who allow the veterans to harvest deer, antelope, elk and pheasant from their property, typically outside of the general hunting season.
In early January, Eric Christophersen, 16 Mile Outfitting guide, hosted two veterans who were guests on the ranch for four days and each successfully harvested a cow elk.
“We’re very grateful for the generosity of the landowners,” David said. “We couldn’t do this without them.”
Brian and Kary own Pioneer Meats and Meats of Montana and process the hunter’s game for free including shipping the meat to the homes of the veterans.
“I’m not a veteran myself,” Brian explained. “But I can’t thank them enough for the sacrifices that they have made for us.”
He makes specialty meats for the veterans including summer sausages and snack sticks in addition to usual cuts. Last year, Brian and his crew processed four antelope and six elk for the veterans.
The pheasant hunt is held at the Three Cross Ranch, a private preserve near Rapelje. The event is restricted for Montana veterans.
Randy Koliha, retired Air Force Law Enforcement, was chosen for the hunt. He, along with about eight other veterans met for the hunt in February of last year.
“There’s a CAMARADERIE that happens in the military and when you get out, it tends to get lost...When an opportunity to get around guys that have that combat experience; it’s amazing how quickly we remember that COMFORT and the CHAOS.”
— MICHAEL LETCHER RETIRED ARMY VETERAN
“It’s become a tradition on the last day of the hunt that our veterans stop by and pick up their meat or make arrangements to have it shipped back to them,” David added. “It’s an exciting part of their time here.”
“It was really a great time of sharing,” he said. “The camaraderie, the bonding – we really felt valued and appreciated for what we did. Guys came from all over the state, and we didn’t know each other, but we’re military, we have an understanding of each other and in a very short time we really bonded. The bonus of the day was the pheasants.”
Part of BSWO's mission is to give veterans an opportunity to be vulnerable with others. Ages have varied from 30 to 80, time of service varies, and the branch of military varies. But for the guests that have had the privilege of traveling to Montana and
taken part in the program, the bond of being a veteran unites them in ways that civilians cannot share.
Michael Letcher, from Arizona, is a retired Army veteran who served time in Iraq. He was selected, along with another Army veteran and two Marines to participate in the Purple Heart Antelope Hunt last October. The hunt is dedicated to veterans awarded with the Purple Heart. Michael and his companions were guests of BSWA for four days in October.
“There’s a camaraderie that happens in the military and when you get out, it tends to get lost. A lot of guys struggle with that. They aren’t around people that understand what they experienced - their sense of humor, the jokes that we get – the comfort and the chaos. When an opportunity to get around guys that have that combat experience; it’s amazing how quickly we remember that comfort and the chaos.” Michael said.
With the mission to provide outdoor experiences, camaraderie and relationships along with rekindling a love of the outdoors, BSWO hopes the veterans not only enjoy the hunt, but that they come together mentally and emotionally.
“Getting out in nature just seems to relax these guys,” David said. “For some of them it’s a chance to do something that
“A lot of veterans don’t like to talk about their experiences. They are very humble guys that are true to their heart. We give them a SAFE PLACE to talk about it with other veterans.”
— BRIAN ENGLE
they may likely never do.”
Michael scored an antelope on his visit and Brian processed the meat.
“I’m a hunter and I’ve had a lot of wild game before,” he said. “But that antelope is by far the best meat I’ve ever had. My family agrees.”
During the pheasant hunt, Randy felt a connection with several of the guys and has kept in touch with them.
“I can’t say enough great things about BSWO,” Randy continued. “It takes a lot of effort to make these hunts happen.”
Last summer the organization hosted a weeklong couples retreat, and it was so successful that they have once again added it to this year’s events.
For six days two couples enjoyed a summer adventure in Montana, which included rafting, ziplining, fishing and a day of horseback riding. At night they were guests in the Bradley’s home.
“A lot of veterans don’t like to talk about their experiences,” Brian said. “They are very humble guys that are true to their heart. We give them a safe place to talk about it with other veterans.”
Anne Bradley acts as the organization’s secretary/ treasurer. She’s spent her career as a medical doctor in Glasgow, MT and when the VA clinic was built, she lost many of her veteran patients.
“I just really missed them,” she said. “I liked trying to help them with their health problems and David has a big interest in hunting. When we realized we could put it together and bring veterans to our state to hunt, it made sense.”
As the program continues to grow, the Bradleys and Engles hope to add several more hunts, particularly a parent/child hunt.
The cost to bring a veteran to Montana, which includes travel expenses, lodging, and the hunt is roughly $4,000 to $5,000. The Bradley’s have financed many of the hunts themselves, but with BSWO’s continued growth, companies and organizations are beginning to take notice and help. Last year, $17,000 was raised from several businesses and private donations.
The desire to increase the number of hunts and allow more veterans to take part will depend on funding. They are currently looking for individuals and businesses that would consider sponsoring all or part of each veteran’s experience.
“Every amount helps,” David said. “If people have travel miles that they aren’t using and would donate them toward airline tickets or pay for a couple of nights lodging for our couple’s retreat or even donate toward a meal it is really appreciated. We hate to turn anyone away, they are all so deserving, but logistically, we have to.”
David, Anne, Brian and Kary take no payment or reimbursement from BSWO and as business owners working full time, they devote as much of their time as possible. They are hoping volunteers will come alongside to ensure they can continue offering the same caliber of experience. They are seeking seasoned hunters with a heart to teach and help first time hunters with some of the hunts this year.
One of the easiest ways to help out BSWO is to donate a hunting license through the Fish Wildlife and Park’s Purple Heart Program. Residents and nonresidents can donate their hunting license to a disabled military veteran or disabled active-duty service member who has received the Purple Heart and has a 70% or greater disability rating.
BSWO is currently taking applications for the 2025 hunts and couple’s retreat.
“I highly encourage veterans to apply for the hunting programs that Big Sky puts on,” Randy continued. “When you have a successful organization like BSWO and you think about the time and effort that they have put forth and all the behind the scenes planning that goes on - the coordination with the ranchers, hunting guides, meat processing, travel arrangements - these guys are amazing!”
“Their hospitality is second to none,” Michael added. “It’s practically unheard of for an organization that goes above and beyond in every area and to do it for free. They are top-notch all around. I hope they have many years of continued success. David told me all I had to do was show up and get ready to have some fun and I sure did.”
AgWest Farm Credit leads the way in serving the farmers and ranchers of Montana and beyond with their commitment to providing insurance and financial services to people involved in agriculture.
“What makes us different is that we are a cooperative owned by our customer-members. We have a greater understanding of how agriculture works and what our producers are facing,” Jessica Duray, Branch Manager and Relationship Manager of the Billings branch said. “The ag industry is not consistent from year to year. Being flexible and knowing how to structure their loans appropriately contributes to their success.”
Catering exclusively to the agricultural industry, AgWest offers real estate financing and operating lines of credit, equipment loan purchases and specialized lending. Customers vary from the part-time farmer, who works in town and runs a few cows on several acres, to large agribusinesses.
As a cooperative, customers also have the benefit of profit sharing through the patronage program. In 2023, AgWest paid $387 million back in patronage dividends to their customer-owners.
But there’s more to the lending cooperative than their financial services; AgWest is dedicated to helping rural communities address challenges and opportunities through their generous stewardship grant programs.
“Most of the small towns rely on fundraising to pay for their needs,” Jessica said. “At times, their resources can be limited. We hope our support can help them cross the finish line so they can make progress on their projects.”
Jessica is especially proud of their New Producer Grant. Geared to those just starting out in the ag industry, the one-time grant of $15,000 is meant to assist in startup costs for new agriculturalists.
Since 2023, nine new producers in Montana have been the recipients; including cattle and hay producers, as well as producers wanting to start a creamery or a high tunnel greenhouse. Applications open for the 2025 New Producer Grant March 1, 2025, with a deadline of May 31, 2025.
From youth programs to college scholarships and local food banks, AgWest has given generously to support the economic and social wellbeing of rural communities.
OUR RURAL COMMUNITY GRANTS ARE A BIG PART OF WHO WE ARE. LAST YEAR WE GAVE OVER $1 MILLION IN COMMUNITY GIVING ACROSs THE STATE.
— JESSICA DURAY, Branch Manager and Relationship Manager of the Billings office
“Our rural community grants are a big part of who we are,” Jessica continued. “In 2023 we gave over $1 million in community-giving across the state.”
Some of the community-giving included Rapelje Volunteer Fire Department receiving funds to install fire hydrants and a water system for their tanker trucks. The Wildhorse Volunteer Fire Department at Havre was given a grant for a new fire truck and Circle received money for the purchase of an ambulance. Funds were sent to help fight the Elk Fire in Wyoming and to Hilger to update the community’s fire protection and a grant was given to the community of Big Timber for their all-season outdoor event space.
Last year, 21 high school or college students received scholarships. Youth are also supported with donations to local 4-H and FFA chapters. In prior years, shot clocks were purchased for the state’s Class C schools and rural community grants have supported updating parks in Lockwood, Huntley and Joliet.
Jessica and her team at the Billings branch of AgWest Farm Credit, also are known to roll up their sleeves and help out physically. They’ve cleaned up parks, helped replace fence at the Ryegate School Farm and volunteered at Family Services.
“Strong communities are the core of rural America, where we live, work and raise our families,” Jessica said. “We will continue to do what we can to ensure they stay that way.”
AgWest Farm Credit is looking for projects to help communities build resiliency and foster well-being. Rural Community Grant applications are reviewed monthly, and applicants are typically notified with 60 days of application submission.
For information on RURAL COMMUNITY GRANTS
email: Stewardship@AgWestFC.com or scan QR Code
For information on NEW PRODUCER GRANT
email: AgVision@AgWestFC.com or scan QR Code Applications open March 1, 2025 and close May 31, 2025
For information on SCHOLARSHIPS
email: Stewardship@AgWestFC.com or scan QR Code
Yellowstone is a magical place in the winter, but in its very early days as a national park, it was mostly bereft of human visitation. It wasn’t until after WWII that visitation increased enough to consider winter adventures as a separate season; beckoning hearty souls to experience “Wonderland” when everything is frozen and covered in a white blanket of snow.
With temperatures capable of plummeting to -40F and snow amounts ranging between 50 to 600 inches, a winter trip to Yellowstone took careful planning. There was no official road until around 1882, and most of the lodging was ill-equipped for the cold and closed for the season.
The one exception was G.L. Henderson’s National Hotel (later named the Cottage Hotel) in Mammoth, which opened on Christmas Day in 1885. Visitors at this time explored the thermal features in the Mammoth area and soaked in the healing water of hot springs piped into the facility.
In 1886, the federal government sent the US Army to apprehend poachers and protect the park’s vulnerable resources. These soldiers, many arriving from Arizona, had no experience skiing let alone dealing with the harsh winter conditions, but they became proficient on the Nordic-style skis. They covered many miles traveling to backcountry cabins and patrolling the snow-covered landscape for nefarious characters, such as the notorious Ed Howell, whose apprehension led to the push to save what was left of the nation’s bison herds.
On January 5, 1887, well-known photographer Frank J. Haynes coordinated with Arctic explorer Frederick Schwatka and eleven guides to take the first winter photographs of Yellowstone. These brave souls spent 29 days snowshoeing and skiing over 200 miles, experiencing -52F temperatures and a blizzard that trapped them on the slope of Mount Washburn for three days. Still, Haynes successfully took 42 photos during the harrowing journey.
The construction of the Old Faithful Inn depended upon the frozen landscape. Before beginning the project, Harry Childs of the Yellowstone Park Company, the mastermind of this monumental project, ordered sledges to haul lumber and materials over the frozen landscape in December 1902. He rightly assumed that the heavy loads would be impossible to move over the soft ground of the spring, making it difficult, if not impossible, to bring in what they needed to begin in June 1903.
The builders began work in the early summer and had the bulk of the structure completed by the time winter set in for real. To continue progress, 45 craftsmen endured prolonged sub-zero temperatures in the uninsulated, massive building and completed the 67-foot-tall structure (considered the largest log building in the world at that time) by the following June.
As park infrastructure improved, more people became interested in winter travel, and a hodgepodge of over-the-snow vehicles came on the scene to shuttle people through the frozen landscape. One of the early machines was called a “screw-tractor” and consisted of a tractor body mounted on two cylindrical, raised-
spiraled screws. It’s difficult to picture this gadget in action, but supposedly the screws acted as paddles that pulled the machine over the snow.
The prosperity and patriotism that rippled throughout the country after WWII took shape in the love of our national parks as growing families loaded into their cars and set out for a true American adventure. While visitation increased significantly during the summer months, the winters also saw an uptick.
Innovations developed during the war found a new purpose in
the parks. Studebaker developed the “Weasel,” the M-29 cargo carrier for the US Army in 1942, but it was only briefly used in combat. Fortunately, with a functional, cargocarrying design, powered by tank-like tracks that effectively handled the snow, this Army surplus machine was a useful tool for park personnel for several winter seasons.
Yet, more people sought a winter adventure in Yellowstone, and there was growing pressure to plow the roads, creating access within the park’s interior. To offer a unique experience, in 1949, West Yellowstone resident Walt Stuart employed three snow planes to take visitors on park tours. Invented in 1929 in Saskatchewan, the snow plane incorporated a small plane body with three skis powered by the engine and a propeller mounted on the rear. This safety nightmare, yet thrilling experience, enabled the driver and guests to skim across the snow and frozen lakes, similar to the airboats in the Everglades.
Stuart and his team ushered 35 guests through the icy wonderland the first year, and by the winter of 1954, 171 tourists saw the park from the snow planes during the winter.
Besides touring visitors, the National Park Service occasionally tapped Stuart to assist in winter tasks. There is one story of him shuttling supplies to a ranger cabin across Yellowstone Lake in the spring. Although the frozen lake appeared solid during the trip out, he dared not look back as pieces of ice gave way behind him during his race back to safety.
The “Bombardiers” were the first snow coaches, purchased in 1955 by the Yellowstone Park Company to accommodate the growing number of winter guests. The tear-dropped shaped, enclosed vehicle was equipped with tracks to handle Yellowstone’s winter terrain. Created by Canadian inventor Joseph-Armand Bombardier, it was his answer to a reliable means of over-thesnow travel after his son died of a burst appendix in 1934 because they could not take him to the hospital due to snow-blocked roads. The Bombardier snowmobiles, as they were originally called, were born.
Drivers loved the “Bombs,” even though they were so loud they required ear protection. These tough machines glided along the snow-covered terrain and could blast through drifts with ease. While conversion vans and larger snow coaches eventually came onto the scene, the Bombardiers created memories for Yellowstone visitors until 2016, when the park retired its 21-coach fleet.
of the first snowmobile in 1963; the Polaris “Snow Travelers.” Even though only three entered the park that season, these snow machines soon became an extremely popular way to experience Yellowstone. By 1973, the park was grooming the roads, and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, originally built in 1958, housed visitors keen on snowmobiling, snow coach tours, or skiing the snow-covered trails to see the thermal features in their winter attire.
By the early 1980’s, winter visitation exceeded 100,000 guests and during the winter of 1992, more than 140,000 visited; a number that officials hadn’t planned to see until the year 2000. During its peak, an average of 795 machines toured the roads each day launching a heated debate.
These early snowmobiles were extraordinarily loud, many reaching over 100 decibels. They also spewed copious exhaust, including carbon monoxide. At one time, there were so many machines at the West Yellowstone entrance that it nearly violated the Clean Air Act. Snowmobiling was banned for several years in the early 2000’s. While many visitors loved the thrill of riding through the park in the winter, the noise and air pollution detracted from the experience for many others.
The other challenge was run-ins with wildlife, particularly bison that preferred to use the groomed roads. Multiple incidents with bison charging snowmobilers who did not respect their distance or rode up on the animals too quickly fueled the debate.
During the winter of 1996-1997, Yellowstone (and many other parts of Wyoming and Montana) received 150 percent of its annual snowfall. To make matters worse, a thin layer of ice prevented bison from plowing through the snow to reach vegetation. So bison did what bison do. They walked to better ground, and this time they followed the groomed roads out of the park.
Concerns that bison would transmit brucellosis (a disease that causes cows to abort their calves) to domestic cattle, led park officials to manage the culling of 1084 bison that wandered from the park. The Fund for Animals sued the National Park Service (NPS) and for a short time it looked like there would be no more snowmobiling in the park. Fortunately for winter recreationists, the NPS agreed it would study the issues to mitigate the problems, and the machines continued.
Snowmobile technology has created quieter and more efficient engines that meet much lower emissions standards.
With nearly 140,000 winter visitors each
WERE THE FIRST SNOW COACHES, PURCHASED IN 1955 BY THE YELLOWSTONE PARK COMPANY TO ACCOMMODATE THE GROWING NUMBER OF WINTER GUESTS.
year, it’s no longer the proverbial Wild West. There is a concerted effort in balancing the thrill of this unique experience with the wild aesthetic. Presently, visitors who wish to see the park via snowmobile can coordinate with a guiding service or apply in August for the lottery drawing for a private permit.
There are plenty of ways to see Yellowstone in the winter, even if you don’t want to ride a snowmobile. Over-the-snow travel to Old Faithful, Madison, Canyon, Biscuit Basin and points in between are available through snowcoach tours from mid-December into March, and skier shuttles can drop guests at several locations for extended outings.
Winter visitors can drive from the north entrance at Gardiner to Cooke City through Lamar Valley, which is an excellent place to see wolves in the winter.
Visiting Yellowstone in the winter is a reprieve from the summertime crowds and an opportunity to immerse yourself in this frozen, truly wild country.
WORLD FAMOUS MILES CITY BUCKING HORSE SALE
WORLD FAMOUS MILES CITY BUCKING HORSE SALE
Mark your calendars for May 15 – 18, 2025 and make plans now to attend the annual World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale (MCBHS). For four days, beginning the third weekend of May, Miles City rolls out the red carpet, doubling in size, as guests from across the state and around the world converge on Eastern Montana’s premier social event of the year.
For over seven decades, the Bucking Horse Sale has paid tribute to the lifestyle of the historical Old West and is a world-renowned event where authentic cowboys and cowgirls alike gather to experience what the locals dub “Cowboy Mardi Gras”.
“We’re a western show that’s one of a kind,” said Tracy Hauk, Marketing Director of the MCBHS board. “There are so many different things going on that weekend.”
First started in 1950, today the auction is hailed as a major auction of bucking horse rodeo stock that markets hundreds of horses at the yearly event. Back then, Les Boe, owner of the local livestock yards, came up with the bucking horse sale as an innovative way to sell a few dozen head of bucking horses that he had taken in on trade.
taken turns in the arena trying their best to ride out the broncs in rain or shine, dust or mud.
Today it’s less about the bucking horse sale and more about a celebration of Western culture.The sale has become just one of many events over the entire weekend tailored to appeal to guests of all ages. It’s impossible to attend and not come away with a story or two.
And stories there are;from the town sheriff riding his horse into the bar after the parade to the tales of fist fights and gun fights, of friendships made and marriage proposals offered and even fulfilled.
Local historians share that Les decided the best way to market the horses was to “let them buck.” Along with inviting local cowboys to try their skills at riding the broncs, Les asked several horse buyers, area ranchers and rodeo contractors to check out the horses. As each cowboy took a turn on a horse, it was auctioned off to the highest bidder. The event was successful and entertaining and became an annual event. Year after year, legendary saddle bronc riders and local legends-to-be have
The board of the MCBHS has worked hard to appeal to a wide set of patrons and the town puts its best foot forward to provide entertainment for families including camping at the fairgrounds, the parade and tradeshow, barbeques, paramount horse racing, and wild horse races, saddle bronc riding, street dances and of course the bucking horse sale.
“It truly encompasses the entire western experience from the kickoff concert to some of the most amazing broncs in the nation as well as top cowboys in the world,” Tracy continued.
One of the fastest growing attractions is the Trade Show. For three days, over 100 vendors from all over the country will showcase home décor, western attire, jewelry, art, and tack filling two buildings and overflowing outside where popup shops, boutiques, tack shops and food are plentiful.
“There are people that just come for the vendor show,” Tracy said. “The shopping is that good!”
Guests can expect the romance of the west to meet them as they take part in the community’s hospitality. The four-day weekend kicks off on Thursday, May 15 with the Pendleton Whisky concert featuring Tigerlily Gold and headliner Gary Allan.
An economic boon for the community, Bucking Horse weekend brings millions of dollars to the local economy and is the biggest economic weekend for many businesses in Miles City.
But the fun in Miles City doesn’t just start with the Bucking Horse Sale weekend. For the two weeks leading up to the event parimutuel horse racing will be offered. Beginning on Saturday, May 3rd with the Derby Day Races, including a live Churchill Downs Simulcast from the Kentucky Derby with betting and going through Mother’s Day on May 11 with a full day of horse racing and free admission to all moms.
“We are giving people a lot of reasons to visit Miles City,” Tracy said. “You don’t have to wait until the weekend of the Sale.”
Staying with the roots of the Bucking Horse Sale, the committee continues to have the sale on Saturday but offers a Permit Challenge open to fifty riders on Friday with the top two advancing to the Bronc Match on Sunday. There’s something to see or attend every day from Thursday to Sunday.
“We’ve coined the Bucking Horse Sale, ‘Where the Spirit of the West Comes Alive,’” Tracy said. “It was once just the bucking horse sale and a street dance, but we’ve grown into a premier event. If you haven’t attended, it needs to be on your bucket list, and this is the year you should come.”
“The most important thing we can do for our children is to give them a sense of their history,” Clara Borland said. “A sense of belonging and a reason to be proud of their heritage.”
Clara was speaking from her home outside of Absarokee where she, her husband Gary and a handful of other “Save the Sandstone” supporters gathered, reminisced and shared stories about what the Sandstone School in Absarokee has meant to them. Clara and Gary attended Sandstone as did their children and one grandchild attended daycare.
Julie Sanders, another supporter in attendance, was a classmate of Clara and Gary and later taught at the school. The three, all in their 80’s, and several others spent a recent afternoon looking over the Borland’s collection of Sandstone annuals dating back to the 1940’s.
“Ah, those were good days,” Julie exclaimed. “So many memories!”
The Sandstone School, a stately limestone building, was built in 1910. It lies just behind the familiar Cobblestone School and next to the current elementary school, on the main street through Absarokee. Local rancher, PH Hawkins donated the land that the school is on and had two requests: that it always be used for continued education and that it be built on a North/South/East/ West axis, because as he said, “It needs to sit true with the world.”
The first school in the community was a small one-room log building which opened in 1905. But within years the rapidly growing community outgrew it, and it was replaced by the tworoom stone building that was the start of Sandstone School.
Old photos are evidence that the school was built when the town was just beginning to flourish. According to local history, in 1909, seven local women set out to raise enough funds to build the much-needed school. They worked diligently holding a bazaar,
dance and a minstrel show and relied heavily on donations to raise the $1500 needed to construct the school.
Montana Sandstone Company of Columbus began construction in the spring of 1910 and finished in time for first through eighth grade students to begin the new school year. Printed in the Columbus News was this announcement; “The new school building at the upper end of town is the pride of the village, and may well be, for it is a monument to the loyalty, devotion and the intellectual advancement of the people who live there.”
It wasn’t long, however, before more classroom space was needed and an addition with two more classrooms was added, doubling the size to four classrooms.
By 1920, as hundreds of settler families continued to migrate to Stillwater County, the county soon needed a high school, and the nearby Cobblestone School was built. To satisfy those that preferred to see the new building parallel to the county road, (S Woodard Ave), the new building departed from the cardinal points adhered to in the construction of the Sandstone.
Sandstone continued as the elementary school in Absarokee for decades, educating three and four generations of Stillwater County families, many still residing in the community. In the 1950’s the current elementary school was built to accommodate the high school and in 1990 when the new high school was built, that building became Absarokee Elementary School and the Sandstone School became a community daycare and preschool facility offering muchneeded childcare for the residents of Absarokee.
In 2019, the Sandstone was vacated due to concerns about the condition of the roof. The building was declared condemned and has remained vacant since then. What to do with the building is a concern and it’s divided the community. The two choices are simple. Fix it or tear it down.
“SAVE
It’s that simplicity that has the opposition believing that tearing
it down would be the best solution. But as news that the school might be demolished rippled through the community, residents opposed to its demolition joined forces.
Janel Brunckhorst, Afton Lamoreaux, Jackie Walker and Shari DeSaveur started the committee they call, “Save the Sandstone.” They have been working diligently with engineers, architects and grant writers to ensure viability and move forward with a plan. They all believe that their project of saving the historic 114-yearold Sandstone School is essential for preserving the history of Absarokee and for the future of the youngest generation living in the community.
A feasibility study from High Plains Architects revealed that the building is structurally sound except for the roof, which needs to be replaced. The bid for the replacement of the roof came in at $355,000.
Since then, the women have successfully raised over thirty percent of the amount needed and more community members have stepped up with support.
Shari and Afton headed to Helena in January to testify before the legislature on behalf of “Save the Sandstone.” Their project, along with sixty others, was brought before the Montana Historic Preservation Grant committee in hopes that they would be selected to receive funds to help with the roofing.
“We just hate to see historic buildings torn down,” Shari said. “As communities, we need to take care of them before it gets to the point that the only option is to tear them down. We can save them if we take care of them.”
“It would be such a shame to see it torn down,” Afton said. “We just can’t see that happen.”
They, along with fellow board members are doing what they can to educate the community about the history of the school and have become a common sight at community events to share their vision. They are currently selling raffle tickets for a $500 gas card to be awarded this spring.
Janel Brunckhorst along with Julie Sanders both taught at the Sandstone School and have fond memories of their time there.
“It’s unique to the town,” Janel said. “It’s touched so many lives of the people that live here. We need to preserve that. We need to do it for the students and for the future of Absarokee.”
As the only daycare in town, the community has felt a tremendous loss since its closing. Many families have been forced to move because of lack of childcare and others have had to drive to nearby Columbus for childcare.
“That’s just wrong for our community,” Janel said. “Families should have the confidence that we have childcare for them. If we don’t, more families will move, and we’ll lose students.”
With that plan in mind, it seems only natural that a community daycare should inhabit the building.
Afton
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, the Sandstone School is named as one of Montana’s earliest historic properties and deserving preservation. It retains an exceptional degree of integrity, reflecting its historical significance and character. The school holds educational importance for Absarokee and the surrounding region and symbolizes the proud rural heritage of Montana and the impact of education in small communities.
The spirit of the West has been in artist Ryder Gauteraux's blood since before he was born. Growing up in an off-grid log cabin that his folks built in the Blue Mountains of Central Oregon, Ryder and his siblings lived an untethered life in their beautiful, wild landscape. These early experiences—and his time competing in the rodeo as a young adult—manifested into sharing his vision of the rugged, uniquely American lifestyle in the many forms of his artwork.
An artistic path is never a direct one. Ryder’s years in the rodeo circuit and the realities of this rough-andtumble livelihood inspired him to go beyond the standard rodeo life when he discovered a closely related, practical avenue.
Being a practical fellow, when he needed a pair of chaps, he fashioned a leather pair for himself, which eventually evolved into a business. It wasn't long before he created his first pair of cowboy boots, and his unique and much sought-after form of art was born.
In his Wallace, ID studio during the early 2000s, he created colorful and finely crafted boots for everyone, from those who walked the red carpet to those who worked cattle. He said on numerous occasions he left a beer garden barefoot after selling the boots he wore to an interested party. Each pair was one-of-kind.
Creating silver jewelry was the next step. "Jewelry is basically small sculptures. I learned the whole (bronze) process through making jewelry," Ryder said. "I love these little Bronc Rider bolo ties."
Yet, he yearned for something bigger. "I started shifting to bronze a couple of years ago."
It seemed the natural next step in his world. "When I was out of high school, I thought the bronc riders were the coolest. Then, when I was doing art shows, I thought the bronze sculptors were the cool guys," he said.
In studying the artwork of Charlie M. Russell and Frederick Remington, he said that they also earned their "cool" title with their bronzes. Their works deeply inspired him as they chronicled the final days of the iconic West when cowboys and their Native counterparts shared the landscape replete with its wild inhabitants. At this time, the buffalo still roamed the Plains in remarkable numbers, and grizzlies were the true symbols of the unyielding wilderness.
With an affinity to this life and its excitement, Ryder was also determined to be one of those cool guys, so he offered his vision in the heavy, solid art of casting bronze.
When he asked an art buddy how to create a bronze, he realized that the first step was forming the scene out of wire and clay. "He set me off in the right direction." But when many people launch into a new project, they begin with a simple, usually single, topic. Not Ryder.
"A lot of sculptures start out small, but (my first) is essentially seven different sculptures," Ryder explained. "I had this vision in my head called Cowboy's Vision Quest. It's a cowboy riding a buffalo. I made them out of wire, to begin with. I had to teach myself how to sculpt, but you just keep trying," Ryder explained. He worked on the piece for over four years until it became the reality he had in his head.
Studying the Cowboy's Vision Quest, the scene is all about movement and anticipation. We are brought into the excitement of five Native men running at a full gallop on their horses. One carries a cowboy who is about to jump on the back of a running bison, while another ponies the cowboy's horse towards the end of the speeding line of horses fueled on adrenaline.
"When I look at this piece, it has way more meaning than I realized. This cowboy is about to jump on this buffalo for fun, or that's when it all started," he said. But as the piece has evolved, Ryder feels a different resonance. "It's how we should attack and ride life. It's the mindset to lean into it--and jump."
For Ryder, this epic leap into bronze was not only a lesson of patience but also an immersion into the nuts and bolts of clay sculpting and all its possibilities. "Looking back, I had to teach myself a lot," he noted, but he’s taking the knowledge he’s earned to new levels.
And like Russell and Remington, Ryder wants to capture the spirit of this world, and like them, he brings his own experiences into the effort.
He said he's lived on Native reservations for several years and occasionally herded wild horses. "I never considered myself
someone that knows the conformation of horses really well, but when I started sculpting them, I figured I did pay attention. Chasing wild horses taught me how a horse works," he said, illustrating how his life, even though he didn't know it then, was a study for his future endeavor.
Always working on the next vision, Ryder is looking forward to attending the Best of the West Art Show in March 2025 in Great Falls. "It's kind of exciting that I'm launching into the bronze world. I'm going to bring a piece I'm working on now… the cowboy trying to rope a grizzly. It'll be a mantlepiece."
Residing in Glendive, Ryder has wide open spaces big enough to hold the grandness of his artistic vision. "At my place, I have a leather shop, then there's the silver shop, and I'm building a (bronze) studio."
In this new shop, Ryder will be able to let his creativity loose as he pours scenes into bronze inspired by the Western landscape he loves so much.
There’s something intriguing about walking on the surface of a lake – a frozen lake, of course. It might not be a truly Biblical experience, like actually walking on water, but it is something of a pilgrimage and there is water involved - albeit frozen. Still the question remains: why would someone wander out to the middle of the lake and then drill a hole in it? What would possess someone to sit for hours, over a round hole waiting for a slim chance that a fish might actually come upon that circumference of area and take a bite out of whatever has been planted on the hook? Well, a lot of people do. Me included. It’s an adventure that I’ve loved for the better part of my life – Ice Fishing!
looked like frozen tundra. Underneath that snow, there was twelve inches of ice and underneath that ice, were schools of Rainbow trout that they were pulling through the hole with a fishing pole about 2 feet long.
The art of “Ice Fishing” started eons ago as a way for hunters and gatherers to forage for food. Today, it’s a continuation for fishermen to enjoy fishing all year long.
There’s a short period of time between the last days of fall fishing to when it’s safe to begin winter fishing. Those of us waiting for the ice to safely freeze over gear up for the months ahead when the lure of pulling a fish through an eight-inch round hole will sustain us until the icy slush melts away from the rivers and we can once again tie a fly to the end of the line on our flyrod.
It looked like a blast, and we were in! We bought a couple of rods and a hand-crank auger. We put everything in a couple of five-gallon buckets which also served as a place to sit as we watched our holes and waited for our lines to jerk. After that first experience, we could no longer make it through winter without numerous attempts to feel a tug on our line and see a pole bend. We also liked to eat fish and the “catch and keep” limits back in the day were a bit more generous.
There was the lure of adventure as well. What else would you call it when one ventures out in zero-degree temps with a bucket, a fishing pole, a hand auger, some corn and a few worms with lots of layers on? As we became more sophisticated for these forays, we fashioned a sled to carry our gear, added chairs to lounge on, a cook stove to boil our dogs, and maybe a six pack or two (one wants to stay hydrated when out in the elements). Ah, the good old days fishing through the ice.
Back in high school, some fifty years ago, my good buddy, Jack and I became “jerk junkies.” As with most ice fishermen, we became intrigued after seeing guys hovering over holes on what
Once I married, my wife went from thinking we were nuts to actually loving the sport herself. She loves to tell the story of one of our escapades in which we scored our limit at Hebgen Lake.
Seven months pregnant, she asked for one last time for the two of us to get away before our baby arrived, so I talked her into a weekend of ice fishing at Hebgen.
As we pulled up to the lake, the first thing we noticed was that there were no other fishermen. Too foolish to find out why, we treaded across the frozen water and settled on a spot. I drilled and she set up gear. Within no time we were pulling fish out of our holes and cheering each other on. Before too long another die-hard fisherman sauntered close to where we were and commented on the pile of fish we were accumulating.
We asked him if he fished here often. He said he did. We asked why the lake was empty of other fishermen especially when the fishing is so good. “Are you kidding?” was his reply, “It’s minus 20! Only crazy people are out here!”
That craziness has stuck with me all these years. Once our kids were old enough and the fear of losing one of them through one of the holes we’d drilled was over, we taught them to ice fish too. They were hooked. Plus, it was an inexpensive way for us to entertain them.
Today ice fishing has evolved into a sophisticated sport with high- tech gear, tents, electronics, buggies to transport gear, power augers, even social media pages covering general ice fishing in Montana to specific lakes.
It’s fun to drive up to a lake and see families out enjoying the sport, laughter echoing across the lake, bets being made on who catches the first and the most, kids being pulled on sleds, bodies hovered over portable cook stoves warming up hot chocolate and hot dogs. It’s a winter sport in our neck of the woods, that will not die. And that’s fun to see.
Central Wyoming College leads the way in Equine Studies, Rodeo, Ranch Horse, Livestock Judging, Agriculture, and Meat Science. CWC offers hands-on training and professional internships. Students will gain expertise in the agriculture and equine field. Apply Today!
Central Wyoming College leads the way in Equine Studies, Rodeo, Ranch Horse, Livestock Judging, Agriculture, and Meat Science. CWC offers hands-on training and professional internships. Students will gain expertise in the agriculture and equine field. Apply Today!
Becoming grandparents has given my wife and I another generation of teaching kids to enjoy nature, and eating fish, but there’s more. It’s a time to appreciate what we have, to spend time together, to enjoy being outdoors, and of course – to catch fish.
www.cwc.edu
It seems like Winter Storm Warning's were a daily occurrence this year. Lewistown had record snowfall burying the town with almost 3 feet in one storm alone. We asked for photos and sorted through over 100 to show our readers just what they tackled!
