BOZEMAN — Montana State University’s College of Agriculture is seeking nominations for the Outstanding Agricultural Leader award, which will be presented during the annual Celebrate Agriculture Weekend Oct. 21-22 at MSU.

The award recognizes individuals, families or businesses that have gone above and beyond for the Montana agricultural industry in the realms of public service, advocacy, production or business. Awardees will be honored during the Celebrate Ag breakfast event Oct. 22 ahead of the Bobcat home football game against Weber State.

“Celebrate Ag is a special time for our college and our Montana community. We are excited to welcome our stakeholders, supporters and alumni to campus and honor a new recipient of the Outstanding Agricultural Leader award,” said MSU Vice President of Agriculture and College of Agriculture Dean Sreekala Bajwa.

Last year’s award recipient was Dave Kelsey of Molt, who has operated his dryland farm for more than 40 years, growing small grains and raising cattle. An MSU graduate, he has served as an agriculture teacher and spent decades promoting agricultural education at all levels, while volunteering in his community and lobbying for agricultural issues in Helena and Washington, D.C.

To be considered for the award, nominees must be well respected in their agricultural community with accomplishments that have wide impact; be an industry leader or an upcoming active innovative producer; and be actively involved in the agriculture industry.

Active MSU or government employees are only eligible for the award’s “Friend of the COA/MAES” category. Retired university or government employees will be considered if they have been retired for at least two years and have shown service above and beyond their job description. Nominees who are not selected can be renominated in future years.

The deadline for nominations is Aug. 30 and supporting letters of recommendation are highly encouraged. An online nomination form is at ag.montana.edu/celebrateag/aggie_nomination, and paper copies can be requested by calling the College of Agriculture dean’s office at 406-994-3681. 

Celebrate Agriculture Weekend is an annual event to honor Montana’s agricultural legacy and current and future agricultural leaders, producers and students. Further details for the event will be posted to the Celebrate Agriculture website this summer.

HELENA – Landowners have until June 1 to apply for elk hunting access (EHA) agreements. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ EHA agreements provide landowners with an elk license, permit or combination thereof in exchange for allowing free public elk hunting access. These permits and licenses are valid only on the landowner’s property. 

EHA agreements were codified in Montana statute in 2001. The agreements were known as “454 agreements” reflecting the bill number of the original legislation. The statute was amended several times in the past 20 years, including during the 2021 session.

In general, EHA agreements allow landowners to receive an elk permit or license in exchange for allowing three public hunters on their property. One of the hunters is selected by the landowner from the list of successful permit or Elk B License applicants for the hunting district where the property is located. The other two hunters are selected by FWP from the same lists depending on the opportunities outlined in the agreement.

Application and details on how to apply are located online at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/landownerprograms/public-elk-access-agreements.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will approve 2022 EHA agreements at their June 23 meeting. The applications proposed for approval will be posted online two weeks prior to the meeting and the commission will take public comments on the applications at its meeting.

Applications must be complete to be considered. For questions, call your local FWP office or contact the FWP Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division, 406-444-3750, LndSportRelations@mt.gov.

BOZEMAN – The Museum of the Rockies will open its new exhibition, “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors,” on Saturday, May 28, with multiple celebratory events. 

The exhibit, which comes to Bozeman from Chicago’s Field Museum, explores the history, values and beliefs of this Native American community known for its horsemanship, artistic pursuits, matriarchal ways of life and its honoring of the tradition of “counting coup” – performing acts of bravery. This special exhibition highlights the art and culture of the Apsáalooke people, also known as the Crow, who are based in south-central Montana.  

Special gallery presentations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will explore Crow culture in the Museum of the Rockies’ exhibition halls. At 11 a.m., a panel will discuss “Intellectual Traditions: Crow Conversations in Land, Culture and Art” in the Hager Auditorium. Both events are included with admission to the museum. 

At 1:30 p.m., the public is invited to the Apsáalooke Social and Push Dance at the Montana State University Track and Field Complex, located south of Bobcat Stadium. This event is free and open to the public.  

Curated by Nina Sanders and jointly organized with members of the Apsáalooke community, the Field Museum and the Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society at the University of Chicago, the exhibition will feature numerous Apsáalooke war shields, horse regalia, a 9-foot-tall modern tipi reproduction, and more than 20 works of contemporary art including paintings, photographs, beadwork, and fashion.   

The exhibition will be at the Museum of the Rockies from May 28 through Dec. 31. Museum members can access the exhibition early at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 27. Admission is free for members and children under age 5. Ticket prices range from $10.50 to $16.50 for youth, adults, and seniors.  

To learn more about the event and related programming, visit museumoftherockies.org/aww. 

EMIGRANT, Mont.  — The Old Saloon, just 25 miles north of the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, is celebrating its 120th anniversary. The historic and legendary establishment has been serving outlaws and cowgirls since 1902.

The Old Saloon kicks off the celebration with its 6th Annual Testicle Festival Sunday, May 29, 2022. This free event has become a local favorite with cornhole and plenty of dancing.

“We continue to be excited about being stewards of The Old Saloon and look forward to a great year celebrating our 120th anniversary,” says Brett Evje, co-owner and operating partner for the establishment.

There is a stand-out Summer Music Series planned. In addition to weekly music the Headliner ticketed shows are:

June 4: Tylor & The Train Robbers
June 17: Jackson Taylor & The Sinners/Jesse Daniel
June 24: The Steel Woods
July 8: Steve Earle & The Dukes with special guest The Whitmore Sisters — also our special 120th Celebration
July 14: Paul Cauthen
July 15: Jamey Johnson
July 16: Midland
July 17: Shakey Graves
July 27: The Dead South
August 4: Reckless Kelly with Josh Meloy
August 13: Mike and the Moonpies with The Wilder Blue
August 19: Pure Prairie League
August 20: Randy Rogers Band with Wade Bowen
September 17: Marshall Tucker Band

MORE INFORMATION:
Music starts at 7 p.m. / doors 5:30 p.m.
For the full schedule and ticket information: https://www.oldsaloonmt.com/events/

Evje adds, “There was a time when the dining room ran as a separate business called the Livery Stable, but historically it was simply the dining room for The Old Saloon. We will be restoring the front of the building to reflect the former reference. We hope everyone will come out this summer for a good time.”

ABOUT THE OLD SALOON:
Established in 1902, The Old Saloon is a classic western bar and eatery that not only offers great food, cold beer & whiskey but also hosts big name music during the summer and local music all year round.

Road work construction has begun near N Tracy Ave in the alley to begin the stormwater upgrade project. The work will be conducted at alley manholes in select locations from Tracy to Rouse, in that direction. There will be no open excavation trenches. A dewatering hose or two will run down the alleys as necessary for stormwater bypass pumping. The crews will work into the night as necessary to complete the work as expeditiously as possible. Sidewalk pedestrian access will remain open and trash service will be coordinated. Work is expected to be completed by end of the day Friday, May 27th.

Traffic Control Plan

Bozeman, MT— The Bozeman Public Library has a summer calendar full of special events and “oceans of possibility” for all ages.

On Tuesday, May 24, Teen Book Fest will feature award-winning authors Tiffany D. Jackson and Jeff Zentner. High School students will hear from the authors at 10:20am at Gallatin High School and at 12:55 at Bozeman High.

Head of the Bozeman Public Library’s Youth Services Department, Ellie Newell says, “the ‘why’ of this event is really to connect youth and the broader community with award-winning authors and the world of young adult literature. We are really excited to host these special guests in Bozeman.”

An evening event is open to the public and will be hosted in the Bozeman Public Library Meeting room at 6pm. No tickets or reservations are needed for the evening event.

Teen Book Fest is one of many Bozeman Public Library events that celebrate learning, exploration, and community for folks of all ages. This year’s Summer Learning Programs at the Bozeman Public Library are focused on the theme of “Oceans of Possibility” and feature daily hands-on activities in art, music, reading, and outdoor exploration for kids of all ages and their caregivers.

Summer learning is especially important to combat “summer slide,” the phenomenon in which kids who don't read, do math and science, and learn during the summer lose educational skills. Summer reading isn’t just encouraged for kids; reading can improve your health and happiness at any age. Adult programs include movement and mediation classes and book club.

Learn more and register at bozemanlibrary.org/summer.

If you’re house hunting, you might prioritize different things. Maybe you want to find a larger house because you’re expanding your family. Perhaps you’re trying to find a location with excellent schools, nice public parks, a thriving restaurant and bar scene, or something else.

You may also decide you want to look for brand-new homes rather than older ones. You might like living in an older home with a lot of history, but you can’t ignore some nice things about moving into a brand-new property that’s never seen a resident.

We will talk about some reasons why looking for new homes for sale makes sense in the following article.

You’re Getting a Clean Property

When someone sells a home, they will presumably try to clean it up as best they can. Assuming they move their furniture out, they’ll get to work scrubbing the floors, dusting everywhere, and generally making the place look as spotless and attractive as possible.

If you buy a brand-new property that a construction company just finished erecting, you don’t have to think about any of that. You can get yourself a clean property that has never seen any accumulated dust, dirt, grime, trash, etc.

It’s similar to buying a brand-new car that still has that noticeable smell to it. You’re the first person to experience this house and make it your own, and that cleanliness might appeal to you.

You Don’t Have to Repair Anything

Some realtors talk about “turn-key ready” homes. That means you don’t need to fix anything when you move in. You don’t need to replace the roof, fix some plumbing or electricity issues, and so forth.

In reality, it’s rare you can find a home that’s turn-key ready. Even if the person selling the property has tried to fix things up as much as possible, your inspection might turn up all kinds of issues you don’t like. If they don’t find anything major, you might make an offer at that time. You might also demand that the current owner fix up some additional problems before you make an official offer.

If you buy a brand-new home, you don’t have to worry about any of that. You can get a house with no issues whatsoever that you can simply move into and start enjoying.

High-Rated Energy Efficiency

It’s hard to buy an energy-efficient home if it’s a hundred years old. For instance, if you purchase an old farmhouse or a building from the Victorian era, you will likely have to make a few adjustments or improvements if you want to even approach modern energy efficiency.

If you buy a brand-new house, you know the builders probably designed and made it energy efficient. It should conform to modern standards.

It will likely have a tankless water heater, and it may have solar panels. The electrical system shouldn’t waste any power, and the windows and doors won’t let any warm air out during the winter or cool air during the summer.

You Will Probably Find a Lot to Like Nearby

Brand-new homes also attract new businesses. If you buy a property that’s in an up-and-coming neighborhood, you might expect to find all kinds of nice places nearby.

You might buy a brand-new home that’s right next to a big shopping center. You can enjoy a nice grocery store or specialty food store with international items. You might find some cafes or bookstores nearby.

You may purchase a brand-new house that’s next to a public park with some jogging and bike trails. You might find yoga studios or gyms nearby. New construction usually comes with establishments you’ll want to frequent and places you’ll want to explore.

The Right Size and Fit for Your Family

Some older houses have odd floor plans because they didn’t start out looking like they do right now. For instance, you might buy a house that has two stories now, but it only had one when the builders first erected it. It might have strange alcoves or not very much closet space.

It might have only one bathroom or one full and one-half bath. Perhaps it doesn’t have a room you can turn into a home office if you want to work from home.

A brand-new home will probably have all the modern conveniences and all the floor space you want. You can find one that’s an ideal size for your family and has all the features that everyone needs.

BIG SKY, Mont. – Construction on the new tram coming to Lone Peak started off with a blast. Since Big Sky Resort closed for the winter season on April 24, three to four feet of snow have fallen on the summit. While the spring precipitation is welcomed, beginning construction for the new tram required blasting a large cornice overhanging the eastern face from the summit. Ski patrol fired off 56 pounds of explosives, rappelling off the cornice to bury charges in the snow. Burying the charges helps to remove more snow, exposing rock and kickstarting the melting process.  

“This was a special mission in a different way,” said Mike Buotte, Big Sky Ski Patrol’s director of snow safety. “Unlike the work we do during the ski season, this was less about mitigating avalanche hazards, and much more about snow removal from the summit.”  

With the construction platform on the summit safely created, a Chinook helicopter transported equipment that will be used in the construction of the tram’s new upper terminal and tower. The dual-rotor helicopter made five passes to the peak, carrying an 8x8’ toolbox, air compressor, fuel cell, skid steer, and mini excavator. Big Sky Resort’s Lift Maintenance team was on hand at the launch site to rig the equipment to the helicopter, and on the summit to receive each drop. Due to the small construction site and remote location with no service road, much of the construction will be done by hand, with helicopter supply drops happening frequently. 

Snow removal and the installation of safety equipment on the summit will be the next big steps to move forward with construction. At the lower terminal, snow removal and surveying are taking place to prep for groundwork and concrete pouring. 

Follow weekly tram construction updates all summer long. 

Building or enhancing financial security during middle-age is a lifestyle choice of paramount importance. Whether you're single or married, with or without children, you'll be making some of life's most critical decisions between your fortieth and sixtieth birthdays. For many who are nearing retirement, downsizing is the central area of concern. A huge number of working adults sell their homes when they're around 50 and do so in order to find a smaller place.

Other tactics for upping your fiscal stability include selling unneeded term insurance policies, for which you can get instant cash payouts. Before you retire, be sure to retire those high-interest credit cards that continually eat into savings. Liquidate assets that are earning no interest or just sitting around in the garage collecting dust. Finally, do a thorough revision of the monthly budget to see where you can pare down a few expensive items. Here's how to get started.

Downsize
Millions of middle-aged adults start thinking about downsizing their living space after kids move out, or they just feel like they need a less costly lifestyle. Selling a house and buying a smaller, more efficient one is at the top of the list for many homeowners who are looking to save money. It's a wonderful and wise way to be a responsible person and build long-term financial security because mortgage payments are the single largest monthly expense for the vast majority of adults.

Sell Your Term Insurance Policy
Most people between 40 and 60 own insurance policies, many of which are term-type coverage. What many do not know is that they can sell term policies for cash through a process called a life settlement. There are companies that will help you to unload an unwanted policy and get instant cash you can use for any purpose you choose. Middle-aged adults often use the money to add to retirement accounts. Other reasons for selling a term life insurance policy include:

Revise the Monthly Budget
You won't need to hire an expert or put in long hours to revise your monthly budget. Set aside some time on a weekend afternoon and focus on combing through all the expense items line by line. You'll likely be surprised to discover at least two areas where you can do some slicing and dicing. Put discretionary spending, like meals out, fast food, and convenience store purchases under the microscope. Most working adults can afford to eliminate most, but not all, of those purchases. Allow yourself some restaurant meals each month as well as an occasional impulse buy at the service station. The goal is to become financially secure, not live like a monk.

Retire High-Interest Credit Cards
One of the biggest monetary drains for individuals of all ages is high-interest credit. If you have cards with higher-than-normal rates or balances, work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. One way is to make a detailed two-year plan for paying all balances quickly and reaching zero owed and thereafter paying card balances off each month to avoid accumulating any interest.
 

ANACONDA – The gate and road at Lost Creek State Park will open for the 2021 season on Friday, May 20. The campground will also open at that time.

The park campground is offered on a first-come, first-served basis through October. Visitors should keep in mind that sites that can accommodate camping vehicles more than 23 feet long are limited. The park has one hand pump for potable water, and visitors must pack out their own trash. Please plan your camping stay at the park accordingly.

Lost Creek State Park boasts spectacular gray limestone cliffs with pink and white granite formations that rise 1,200 feet above the canyon’s narrow floor. Lost Creek Falls, in the northwest corner of the park, cascades over a 50-foot drop to provide one of the most scenic and popular spots in the park. This area also abounds with opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and viewing wildlife.

Lost Creek State Park is about 12 miles north of Anaconda. For more information about Lost Creek, visit fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/lost-creek or call 406-244-0833.