Are you a major foodie who is always looking for new hacks to try? If so, you’re in luck as the following are five of the best food and drink hacks from the internet. Let’s start with signing up for a monthly subscription box and the treats that you can enjoy.

Monthly Subscription Boxes
Do you miss the sweet smell of Thai basil from your travel days? Are you a chocolate lover that likes to try new and exciting combinations like chili chocolate? Do you love the idea of getting the newest, most unique, and best tasting snacks from all around the world delivered to your door? Perhaps you love baking and you’d like to try out new recipes each month? Signing up for a subscription box is the best way of doing just that. There’s literally a box for everything and they are a great way of trying out new and interesting items that you might not have thought about so why not join the club and get yourself set up with one today?

Cook Eggs in the Microwave
Did you know that most types of eggs can be cooked in the microwave? From the TikTok trend of poaching eggs in there to scrambled eggs being mixed together in old takeout containers, there are lots of different methods to help you make eggs quicker and easier than traditional methods using a stove.

Section Ground Mincemeat Before Freezing
Do you use minced beef, pork or Quorn regularly? To avoid waste, take some time to portion out the amount you buy in zip-lock bags before freezing. By doing so, you can defrost what you need for dinner and keep the rest in the freezer for another day. This leads to less waste and more money in your pocket – it’s a win-win!

Reuse Pickle Brine
What Pickle Rick failed to mention is that the brine used in pickles – and any other pickled items for that matter – can be reused repeatedly. If you like pickles, you can get a cucumber and drop them into the brine, reseal the jar and leave for a few days in the fridge and you have new pickles ready to eat. Likewise, if you prefer something like kimchi then you could drop some cabbage and radish in there and have your own homemade version. Pickling is part of popular dishes in many countries so if you wanted to try pickled eggs, for example. Because of the high acidity of the brine, it shouldn’t go off but it will retain some of the features of the last item in there so be careful if you are going to move from beetroot to eggs, for example, as the color may transfer.

Wet Your Fingers to Remove Eggshell
Everyone hates removing shells from eggs as it can seem like an impossible task. The trick is to use hydrostatic action to your favor by running your fingers under a cold tap for a minute before taking off the shell from the egg. As a result of the dampness and the static motion, the shell should stick to your fingers and glide right off. This is a hack you’ll have to try ASAP if you’re an egg-lover.

GVLT recently learned that a 12-acre parcel on the southern end of Peets Hill is for sale. The undeveloped parcel would increase the size of Peets Hill/Burke Park by 30% and includes a well-established spur trail that connects Peets Hill to Kagy Boulevard and the rest of the Main Street to the Mountains Trail system.

GVLT acted swiftly to make an offer on the property within 24 hours of its listing but a strong competing offer from a developer was accepted. GVLT submitted a backup offer and after the original buyer terminated their contract, GVLT’s offer was accepted to purchase the property.

“When opportunities like this arise, we have to be quickly reactive,” said Chet Work, Executive Director of GVLT. “If we missed this opportunity, the property would be developed and the chance to protect Peets Hill’s last piece would vanish forever. Peets Hill is the crown jewel of Bozeman’s park and trail system. We knew we had to move at the same pace as the developers to have a chance to save this special piece of land.”

GVLT has until January to secure the necessary funds, complete due diligence and close on the property. Over the last 30 years GVLT has partnered with the City of Bozeman to stitch together what we know as Peets Hill and Burke Park. For this opportunity, GVLT again turned to the City of Bozeman for help. The two are currently in conversations about funding the acquisition of the property and related improvement and enhancements to the parkland. GVLT has identified two promontories on the property that could serve as established lookouts and locations for educational and interpretive experiences. They have also identified opportunities for additional trail connections and improvements to the existing trail. Once purchased, GVLT would transfer the 12 acres to the City of Bozeman as expanded parkland. If GVLT and the City of Bozeman cannot secure the necessary funding, the property will be listed again on the open market.

“Peets Hill was GVLT’s very first conservation project, more than 30 years ago,” Work said. “Securing this last piece of the community’s central park would bring our mission full circle and allow us to continue expanding and enhancing the Main Street to the Mountains Trail System. Protecting this property for public use would be a victory for all locals and visitors alike.”

City Manager Jeff Mihelich said, “Peets Hill is a community asset and we are excited at the possibility of keeping this great resource for public use. GVLT’s work supports our strategic plan commitment to maintain and expand our interconnected system of parks, trails and open spaces. The chance to partner on this project is a terrific opportunity!”

Fundraising for this project has just begun but GVLT is interested in speaking to anyone who may be interested in making leadership level gifts to the acquisition of Peets’ last piece. Interested individuals can contact Justin Barth, justin@gvlt.org. This is the community’s park, the heart to our arteries of trails throughout the town. There is a place for every person in this project. Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage!

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Starting on Saturday, August 28th a new fairy village will be free to visitors at Glen Lake Rotary Park (formerly East Gallatin Recreation Area).

Produced by the same magical hands and pixie dust that created Bozeman Beautification Award Winning Flutterby Thicket in 2020, this year’s village will be twice the size with 20 fairy homes and businesses made by Bozeman artists (complete list on our website).

This is a self-guided experience offered for free in partnership with the Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department & Gallatin Valley Land Trust. It's a 10 minute trail walk from the main parking lot of Glen Lake Park to the village - we highly recommend downloading the map and directions from randomactsofsilliness.com (available starting August 27th). The fairies will be hanging around through September 12th so spot them while you can!

New this year is an original walking-play by local playwright Cody Henderson of Wildarts Bozeman, inspired by the fairy village. Limited tickets available and advanced reservations required.

Open Saturday August 28 - Sunday September 12 Location: Glen Lake Park (see map for details)

This is an outdoor, free, self guided exhibit - available for visitation anytime during the park’s hours of 7 am - 10pm. 

 Bozeman, MT— Effective as of August 26, 2021 Bozeman Fire Chief Josh Waldo has lifted the emergency order on burning in Bozeman city limits. This does not apply to any currently existing orders that may still be in place in other jurisdictions, including Gallatin County.  
 
Open burning, recreational fires, outdoor fire pits, and charcoal grills are now allowable.
 
Fire Chief Josh Waldo says, “With the recent rainfall in Bozeman the I have decided to rescind the burn ban implemented on July 21, 2021.  The normal burning regulations found in the Bozeman Municipal Code are back in effect effective today.  We continue to monitor the fire conditions within the City and surrounding areas and are prepared to reinstate the burn ban if necessary.”

 
The public is reminded that fireworks are prohibited in city limits with the exception of certain times and days during the Fourth of July and New Year’s holidays.
 
To view the entire order visit the City’s website. To view the normal burning regulations in the City of Bozeman Municipal code visit the City’s website.
 

Montana State University’s MilTech, which accelerates the transition of new technologies to the federal government in order to help with military equipment needs, has received a prestigious award from the U.S. Department of Defense.

MilTech has been selected as a winner of the 2020 Nunn-Perry Award, which recognizes “superb performance” in the Defense Department’s Mentor-Protégé Program, according to the award letter. MilTech was one of six winners selected from among 14 participants in the award competition.

The award recognizes MilTech’s work since 2018 with Conductive Group, a material manufacturer in Heber City, Utah. Through improvements in lean manufacturing, design and assembly processes, quality control and cybersecurity, MilTech helped the company provide the Defense Department with high-performance materials for electromagnetic shielding and other specialized uses, according to August Uhl, who leads MilTech’s industrial base team.

“We’re pleased that, together with Conductive Group, we can bring this award to MSU,” Uhl said. “The Mentor-Protégé Program is a great way to strengthen the defense industrial base and provide the military with innovative equipment.”

The Mentor-Protégé Program pairs larger military contractors and other Defense Department partners with small businesses to help them develop their technical capabilities and grow their business with the military. Established during the Gulf War in 1991, the program is the oldest continuously operating federal program of its kind and has helped more than 190 small businesses, according to the Defense Department.

Since 2004, MilTech has performed over 150 technology acceleration and transition projects involving every branch of the military.

Three bridges in Bridger Canyon will be replaced in coming years

BOZEMAN, Montana (August 24, 2021) – While safe, the bridges on picturesque MT 86 cannot be expected to continuously bear progressively heavier loads and increasing traffic. Replacements are needed to bring three aging bridges up to current standards while accommodating Bozeman and surrounding areas’ growth. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is addressing this need with engineering partner Morrison-Maierle through the MT 86 Structures project. Through this work, three bridges over Cache Creek, Carrol Creek and Flathead Creek will be replaced.

“Some of these wooden bridges date back to 1939, a time when the Gallatin Valley looked very different from today,” said William Fogarty, Butte District Administrator for the Montana Department of Transportation. “As the valley expands and brings increasing and heavier loads onto the highway, stronger structures are needed.”  

The MT 86 Structures project will analyze three bridge crossings and determine the best route for replacement. Staff will explore the feasibility of replacing a bridge with a box culvert, a tunnel-like structure, or whether a new bridge will be needed. Once the right solution is chosen, engineers will begin the process of creating project plans and designing each structure.

The three bridge crossings in this project are all located north of Bridger Bowl, nearby Fairy Creek Road, Sedan Road, and Flathead Creek Road.

Funding for construction has not yet been identified or secured. As such, a target date for completion is not yet in place. However, the project team aims to complete plans by 2023. By having plans ready within the next few years, this project is in a better position for construction should funding become available.

Those interested in updates or more information on the MT 86 project are advised to email takami@bigskypublicrelations.com. Information is also available on the project web page, www.bitly.com/bridgerstructures, and will be continually updated throughout the course of the project.    

Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided on request. Persons who need an alternative format should contact the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, PO Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620. Telephone 406-444-5416 or Montana Relay Service at 711.

Montana State Parks recorded more than 1.5 million visitors from January through June of this year. Compared with same time period last year, visitation increased by 11.1% and increased 44.1% in comparison with 2019 visitation. Of the 45 state parks that were seasonally open during the first half of the year, 27 experienced an increase in estimated visitation compared with last year.

“For the second straight year, the state parks system has experienced significant visitation growth for the first half of the year,” said Beth Shumate, state parks division administrator.  “Our staff, volunteers, and partner organizations have done an excellent job of providing a safe and inviting place for people to experience some of the most outstanding historical, cultural, and recreational opportunities that Montana has to offer.”

The top five most visited parks between January and June of this year were: 

1. Giant Springs State Park, Great Falls – 212,329 visits (up 6.3% from last year?)
2. Spring Meadow Lake State Park, Helena – 152,515 visits (up 91.5%) 
3. Flathead Lake State Park (all units), Flathead Lake – 147,003 visits (down 8.4%)
4. Cooney Reservoir State Park, Roberts – 124,834 visits (down 16.6%)
5. Lake Elmo State Park, Billings – 106,754 visits (down 11.6%)

State park snapshots from around the state:

Northwest: Flathead Lake State Park (all units) had the highest visitation in the region at 147,003, visits, a decrease of 8.4%

West: Milltown State Park had the highest visitation in the region with 48,361 visits, an increase of 88.1%

Southwest: Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park had the highest visitation in the region with 57,177 visits, an increase of 262.8%.

North-central: Giant Springs had the highest visitation in the region as well as the state at 212,329 visits; an increase of 6.3%

South-central: Cooney Reservoir State Park had the highest visitation in the region with 124,834 visits, a decrease of 16.6%.

Southeast: Makoshika State Park had the highest visitation in the region with 72,650 visits, an increase of 24.3%.

For more information on state park visitation call Kyan Bishop at 406-444-3364. To view the complete report visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/stateparks/reports/2021-midyear-visitation-report.pdf. Or visit online and click on “Montana State Parks Visitation Reports.”

The day we've been waiting for: Snow is back on the summit of Lone Mountain. 

After a few days of precipitation, the clouds parted to reveal a winter wonderland at 11,166 feet. Four inches of snow blanketed the mountain - a reminder that winter is just around the corner.

See you in 97 days for Opening Day of the 2021-2022 ski season! 

Please feel free to share images and b-roll on broadcast, web, or social media platforms with credit to Big Sky Resort. 

Several “hoot owl” restrictions currently in effect on portions of some Montana rivers will be lifted at 2 p.m. today.

Restrictions will be lifted on:

• Missouri River from the Cascade boat ramp to Holter Dam (river mile 2,166.2 to 2,202.1)
• Madison River from Ennis Dam to the border with Yellowstone National Park (river mile 40 to 131)
• Stillwater River from the confluence with the Yellowstone River to Absaroka Fishing Access Site (river mile 0.0 to 13)

The hoot owl restriction on the lower Madison River from the confluence with the Missouri River to Ennis Dam (river mile 0.0 to 40) remains in place due to high water temperatures.

Hoot owl restrictions means fishing is closed from 2 p.m. to midnight each day.

Angling restrictions are implemented based on several considerations: stream flow, water temperatures, angling pressure and other angling restrictions in the area that may divert use to waterways where circumstances are increasing stress on the fishery.

Before you go fishing, please be aware of the conditions. Numerous other rivers in Montana are also under fishing restrictions. For a full list, visit FWP’s website: https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions.

If you’re looking for angling opportunities, many ponds, lakes and reservoirs in Montana provide good mid-summer angling options. For more information go online to fwp.mt.gov. Streams at higher elevations that don’t experience higher temperatures are another good option.

HELENA – Full fishing closures will go into effect on portions on the Big Hole River Aug. 17. Full fishing closures prohibit fishing at all times of day. These closures will stay in effect until conditions improve.

These closures go into effect, Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 12:01 a.m.:

• Dickie Bridge to North Fork Big Hole River.
• Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site Maiden Rock Fishing Access Site.

“Hoot owl” restrictions currently in effect on several Montana rivers are expected to be lifted this week. Hoot owl restrictions means fishing is closed from 2 p.m. to midnight each day.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ drought policy provides for angling closures when flows drop below critical levels for fish, when water quality is diminished, or when maximum daily water temperatures reach at least 73 degrees for three consecutive days. Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue during the coming weeks.

Angling restrictions are implemented based on several considerations: stream flow, water temperatures, angling pressure and other angling restrictions in the area that may divert use to waterways where circumstances are increasing stress on the fishery.

When conditions are stressful for fish, disease outbreaks and fish kills are to be expected. The public should report any unusual sightings of dead or diseased fish to their local FWP office.

Under normal conditions, fish can fight off infections. However, under the stress of high temperatures and low flows, they are more susceptible to these diseases.

Anglers can help reduce stress for fish by following these practices when catching and releasing fish, though fish mortality may still occur:

• Fish during the coolest times of day, where permitted.
• Land the fish quickly.
• Keep the fish in water as much as possible.
• Remove the hook gently. Using artificial lures with single and barbless hooks can make hook removal faster and easier.
• Let the fish recover before releasing it.

Before you go fishing, please be aware of the conditions. Numerous other rivers in Montana are also under fishing restrictions. For a full list, visit FWP’s website: https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions.

If you’re looking for angling opportunities, many ponds, lakes and reservoirs in Montana provide good mid-summer angling options. For more information go online to fwp.mt.gov. Streams at higher elevations that don’t experience higher temperatures are another good option.