On Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 6:54 pm, the Gallatin County Dispatch Center received a Garmin Device Activation requesting assistance for two lost snowmobilers that had become separated while recreating together.  The Garmin device put them in the area of Slide Creek off Taylor Fork Rd, south of Big Sky. Volunteers from the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section responded to assist the snowmobilers.

Volunteers deployed two teams and quickly located the first individual on the trail. One team remained with the first snowmobiler and warmed them in an enclosed Snowbulancewhile the other team went on to locate the second individual.  The second individual was found shortly after and both were returned safely to the trailhead.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that having communication and knowledge of your location is crucial information in the event of an emergency.  These two individuals prevented a prolonged scenario by being capable of providing their location and status to GCSSAR responders.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

Playing a musical instrument has many benefits beyond the mere pleasure of making music. Even those who never plan on becoming professional musicians can still benefit from learning how to play an instrument. No matter what type of instrument you decide to pick up – whether it's a guitar or a piano – rest assured that it will bring numerous benefits into your life that go beyond just the joys of making music. Notably, with the help of contemporary technologies such as chords finder, learning instruments like the piano and guitar has become much more manageable. The technology helps learners find the chords to any song they wish to learn to play. It helps save time and energy in identifying the right chords to a song. So, what are some of the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument?

Enhanced cognitive abilities

Learning to play an instrument can have a positive impact on your cognitive abilities. Studies have shown that playing music can improve memory, concentration and problem-solving skills. It also helps multitask and increases the ability to focus on complex tasks. Additionally, playing an instrument has been linked to improved language skills, such as reading comprehension and verbal fluency. Playing music also encourages creativity and self-expression, which can help boost confidence levels. Furthermore, it has been found that playing music can reduce stress levels and increase overall happiness. All these benefits make learning to play an instrument a great way to enhance your cognitive abilities while simultaneously having fun.

The social and emotional benefits

Playing an instrument can profoundly affect a person's social and emotional well-being. It can help them develop better communication skills and increase their self-confidence and self-esteem. Playing an instrument also helps people express themselves in ways that words cannot, allowing them to explore different emotions and feelings. Furthermore, playing a musical instrument can be a great way to connect with others, whether it's through joining a band or orchestra or simply jamming with friends. This connection can lead to increased social interaction and improved relationships. Finally, playing music is often seen as a therapy for many people struggling with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. By engaging in this creative activity, people can focus on something positive while healthily expressing themselves.

Economic/career-related advantages

Learning a musical instrument can provide numerous economic and career-related advantages. For starters, it can help you develop highly sought-after skills in the job market, such as creativity, problem-solving, discipline and teamwork. These skills can be applied to any field of work and make you more attractive to potential employers. Additionally, learning a musical instrument can open up opportunities for freelance work or teaching music lessons. It could be a great way to supplement your income or even become your primary source of revenue if you can build up enough clientele. Furthermore, knowledge of music theory and reading sheet music is an invaluable asset when working in the entertainment industry or with audio engineering software programs like Pro Tools. Finally, playing an instrument can also give you access to networking opportunities that otherwise may not have been available.

In conclusion, learning to play a musical instrument can have numerous physical and mental health benefits, as well as providing an enjoyable hobby and a potential career.

Damaged railway bridge removed

LIVINGSTON – A closure on an 8-mile section of the upper Yellowstone River has been lifted now that a damaged railway bridge near U.S. Highway 89 has been removed. The Highway 89 Bridge Fishing Access Site, which was part of the closure, has also reopened to public access.  The river closure extended from Mayor’s Landing Fishing Access Site to Sheep Mountain Fishing Access Site. It was in place since July after significant flooding damaged the railway bridge, causing a safety hazard.  

For a current list of waterbody restrictions and closures, visit fwp.mt.gov.  

At first glance, it is difficult to say what can be similar between an artist and a businessman. Well, it is worth starting with the fact that both are creators. This is quite a similarity. Indeed, the type of project management now can be compared to the art of classicism, where the artist depicted in the picture what he saw.

In the same way, business leaders take as a basis already known schemes and follow a well-trodden path. The artists decided not to stop there and keep up with the times. Despite even the fact that the imperialists succumbed to public condemnation at the presentation in the previously calm Salon, offering fleeting moments of light, color, and shadow, this did not stop them.

Modernism is a philosophical and artistic movement that, along with cultural currents and changes, arose due to large-scale and far-reaching transformations in Western society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

It was a completely new trend with creative ideas, a non-standard performance technique that went beyond the existing framework. Business leaders have a lot to learn from such artists. This will allow the transformation of the business and the fortunes of the founder into something truly unique and successful.

Let's consider several options for where to start.

Look at the world

You never know what exactly can inspire you and lead to the emergence of a brilliant idea. A practical example is the artist Marcel Duchamp, known to us as a Dadaist. After four years in New York, he returned to Paris and strolled through the city. And suddenly, he comes across an ordinary postcard with a reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci's “Mona Lisa.”

Later, over a cup of coffee, he took a postcard out of his pocket and painted Gioconda's mustache and goatee. Then he set the date and wrote a small abbreviation, the meaning of which can be reduced to the fact that the author tells us to treat everything more simply and not glorify artists. This seemingly absurd work was sold at auction for more than 600,000 euros.

As a business leader, you should also spend more time not only on mechanical work. Delegation is the basis of success. For the operational part, you can use business analysis services. Walking, watching people and everything that is done around, visiting exhibitions and reading books about art, and more.

Thus, in the most unexpected places, you can find extraordinary solutions to business problems and add curiosities to the existing model.

Look at things from a different angle

Try to distance yourself from a flat vision and look at a business like the artists of modernism. Almost all artists of this movement had a professional education, where, of course, they were taught the basics of composition, the correct distribution of light, and much more. And only this enabled them to experiment with specific knowledge.

As Jacques Fresco said: "Creativity means taking already known elements and uniquely combining them." There is no need to forget everything you know about business management; just use this knowledge in a new way.

A good idea will involve creative people whose task will be to develop ideas. You and the team can organize brainstorming sessions, as a result of which you will get unexpected ideas through diligent efforts and discussion.

Conclusion

Developing artistic thinking for business leaders is not only necessary but extremely important. If you want to stay ahead of your competitors, the usual schemes of doing business will not be able to give you that. Don't be afraid to start something new and maybe even crazy. Not all artists become recognized immediately, but there comes a time when their works become priceless.

Author’s bio: Anastasiia Lastovetska is a technology writer at MLSDev, a software development company that builds web & mobile app solutions from scratch. She researches the area of technology to create great content about app development, UX/UI design, tech & business consulting.

On Saturday, January 28, 2023, Yellowstone National Park requested assistance for a snowmobile crash 1 mile west of West Yellowstone on the West Entrance Road. The snowmobiler was reported to have fractured their femur in the accident.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, Custer Gallatin National Forest Service and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District responded to assist with the rescue.

Volunteers quickly made contact with the patient, then packaged and transported them to the West Entrance where medical care was turned over to the waiting Hebgen Basin Ambulance for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind snowmobilers to ride within their abilities and be aware of changing trail conditions.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

BOZEMAN – Chris Murray, president and CEO of the Montana State University Alumni Foundation, will retire on Feb. 28.   

Since Murray’s arrival in August 2014, the Alumni Foundation has raised over $630 million to fuel MSU’s people, places and programs. He was responsible for cultivating relationships with alumni and donors and securing private support to advance MSU. 

“Though retiring is bittersweet, the best time to leave is on a high note,” said Murray. “I’d say a $208 million record-breaking year is just that.” 

During fiscal year 2022, MSU announced a philanthropic gift of $101 million, the largest donation to any college of nursing in the U.S. at the time. Six months later, in February 2022, a $50 million gift from the Gianforte Family Foundation was announced that would support a building for MSU’s Gianforte School of Computing. 

Murray was also at the helm of the Alumni Foundation when it launched the public phase of its first comprehensive capital campaign in 2015, seeking to raise $300 million in private support. That campaign, “What It Takes,” ultimately raised $413 million from 41,000 donors, the largest fundraising effort in the state of Montana at the time. 

“Under Chris Murray’s leadership, the MSU Alumni Foundation team helped provide significant opportunities for our students, faculty, staff, as well as academic and research programs through philanthropy,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “We’re grateful for his dedication to the university's mission of serving our students and the people of Montana." 

Murray came to Montana State after stints at the University of Idaho and the University of Oregon, where he built fundraising programs and led two significant fundraising campaigns. During Murray’s tenure at the Alumni Foundation, annual fundraising totals have grown from $27.6 million to more than $75 million, and gifts to the endowment increased by $92 million, which nearly doubled endowed gifts, from $98 million to $191 million.  

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the incredible team at the Alumni Foundation and to have worked with some truly wonderful administrators, staff and faculty at MSU,” Murray said. “The Alumni Foundation team and the Board of Governors are unparalleled and will assure that the tremendous success we have achieved will continue long into the future.” 

“Chris has done an extraordinary job building an organization that is the envy of our peers,” said Greg Collins, chair of the Board of Governors. “His expertise, tenacity and tireless energy have been instrumental in our success and the very real impact on the university, the students, faculty and communities we support.”  

The Board of Governors will work with MSU to conduct a national search for Murray’s replacement.