12
HAVMAT
THE NIGHTCAP
Vol. 1 — March 2015
Photos by John Paul Schmidt, Amber Wells Counter-clockwise from above: Liz Schultz sets up for a shot at The Palace David, Judy, Shandra and Connie celebrate Shandra's birthday at The Palace.
CHEESEBOOT
Alex Dreeben shoots the cue ball at The Palace. Brittne Zimmer and Melody Adamson have a drink at The Oxford in preparation for karaoke. Sammy Hokulani and Shawn-Ana Suda show off their costumes for the Zombie Prom at Shamrock's.
KOMBUCHA TEA
2
HAVMAT
Vol. 1 — March 2015
11
THE TYPECAST
HAVMAT Blue Disease
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to HAVMAT. This is Havre’s premiere arts and entertainment publication. It was created because of a dead frog. More on that later. HAVMAT is written by Havreites and Hi-Liners for Havreites and Hi-Liners. Many artists, photographers, cultural leaders, musicians and opinionated people can be found within its pages. In the first issue, at least. It could be the last one. That all depends on how many people want to see more HAVMAT. If you can submit works, submit works. Share your stories, your creations, your recipes, your opinions — and if you have no desire to share, tell others what you think about HAVMAT. Hopefully what you think are good things, but tell the bad things, too. Tell your favorite businesses you like the publication — HAVMAT needs their ads and money to live. As of March 1, this is a temporary project. It becomes permanent when Havre says it wants it to. Many (too many) people have expressed their distaste for the name. First of all, for those who don’t get the joke, HAVMAT is a play on HAZMAT, or hazardous materials. For those who knew that already — no, HAVMAT does not stand for Havredous materials. Kudos to every person who came up with that one on their own. We could have called it “Hi-Line Highlights” or “Wazzup, Havre!” but the town is not that dull. We may as well have fun with it. HAVMAT, or Havre Materials, is possibly a dumb name for a magazine. Sure. But, it conveys what the publication is trying to be — the colorful, loftier and inspirational pieces of culture in the area that makes Havre what it is. Whether it’s a recipe for Indian tacos, shorts stories and poems, columns, or plain weird stories, HAVMAT will deliver. Some have said the HAVMAT symbol displays to them something uncomfortable. One person said it reminds them of bioterrorism. That seems like a stretch. The warning labels on propane tanks do not make us think of Michael Bay movies. Here is an artist statement: HAVMAT’s biohazard warning symbol illustrates that the contents within may jarr the way you normally live your life and your
perception of where you live. There you go. Also, it helps to keep people from thinking HAVMAT sounds like a laundry facility. Thanks to those who expressed interest in the projects and lent their ideas and creations to the first issue. The publication is largely — and hopefully entirely — based on submitted works. This is not us spoonfeeding you what we think you might like; this is the Hi-Line sharing our lives with each other. We want to give special thanks to Dave Martens and his dead frog. Without the death of the certain notable amphibian to inspire this project, it would not exist. Dave came to us with a story idea for the newspaper sometime in January. A webbed patron of a local establishment (that will remain unnamed, but serves great pasta dishes) had experienced the consequences of mortality and Dave thought it would make a great story. We told him the croaked old polliwog article seemed a little too far-fetched for the Havre Daily News’ front page, and he expressed interest in creating an alternative news publication for such stories. A few days later, the idea was appropriated and HAVMAT was created. We thought of dedicating the first issue to the frog, but then we realized this might be called the “frog issue” if we did that. So, it’ll just be a nod to the croaker this time. Rest in peace, buddy. Anyway, if you like what you see here, grab a copy for yourself, for your friends. Hang the poster that lies within up on the walls of your apartments, dormitories, baby cribs and public restrooms. Try out the kombucha tea recipe. Listen to the fresh new albums reviewed by the master of radios. Like our Facebook and Twitter. Tell advertisers the only thing that’s missing is their endorsement. Praise HAVMAT from atop Mount Otis. It may be short-lived, or it may become a staple. We shall see. What ever the future may bring for this thing, here it is — Volume I, Issue I of HAVMAT. Keep Havre happening.
Heavy Hearts
with James Carden
My boyfriend and I have been dating for a year now and things have started to slow down. I think the honeymoon stage is starting to wear off. Do you have any suggestions on how to rekindle the fire? Well, I read somewhere that couples that exercise together have a long-lasting and productive relationship — maybe due to endorphins. I'm not really sure. Last night, I was outside my apartment building taking out the garbage when I saw a couple jogging together, but on closer inspection, I noticed the man was just chasing after her. My neighborhood has really gone downhill. I'm thinking about moving, I keep catching my boyfriend looking at other girls. Should I be concerned? Do you think he might not be into me? No need to panic at him glancing at other women. This is completely normal — a little inconsiderate, but normal. I check out other women constantly, but I'm single, so I guess that's not really the same thing. I'm so sure that I will be alone for the rest of my life, I got rid of my queen mattress and bought a twin. It just seems more practical. But, I feel I have gotten off track. Don't worry about the other women. You should be concerned if he is constantly staring at himself in the mirror. There is nothing worse than dating a narcissist. My last girlfriend liked her reflection so much, I would have to wear paraffin wax on my face to get her to make out with me. I really like this girl who works at my favorite restaurant but I don't know how to talk to her. How would you go about asking her out? I'm not sure I would. I get really nervous around women. I think it has to do with my low self esteem and weak hair line. I think that most women have
the ability see how I will look two years from now, and that's not the type of long-term relationship they want to be a part of. I don't blame them. My face is so oily that I have to wash it with Corexit. So that's really your favorite place to eat? If it is, and she gets freaked out — which she will because you already sound like a creeper — you will have to find a new place to eat. I don't know about you, but once I find a place to satisfy my palette, the last thing on my mind is finding a girlfriend. Also, if that restaurant is your favorite place to eat, where are you going to take her on this date? Back to the place she works. Here's my advice: when she brings out silverware, you pull out a knife, fork and spoon, look her in the eyes and say I don't need your handouts. If she doesn't kick you out, she might like you. I think my girlfriend might be cheating on me. She won't tell me the password to her phone. I think she's hiding something. What do I do? Chill out, you have nothing to be worried about. I think that you could be overreacting a bit. Hold on, wait a minute, have you seen that movie "Her" starring Joaquin Phoenix, where that man has a relationship with his phone that's a girl robot? I think she has a "Him," and that robot man phone has taken your place. He is more intelligent and much more accommodating to her then you could ever be. Sorry, bro, cut your losses and move on. (James Carden is an aspiring marriage counselor who makes gourmet sandwiches at Grateful Bread to pay for his license. If you want to ask him for his expert advice you can reach him at havmatmagazine@ gmail.com.)
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www.twitter.com/HAVMATmagazine
Evening dawns and the humans Scurry to their holes. After a 9 to 5 Everyone wants to be left alone. Plop down on an overstuffed couch and Plug your mind into the Sewage streaming through your TV. Abandon reality for the temporary drama Played out by someone Who’s monumentally richer than you. Feed the actors’ gluttonous egos with your Devotion to their show. TV blocking a window Keeping the sunset at arm’s length Intrigue drowning children’s laughter Strangling joy, making love to a lie Face-to-face dialogue lost To a bitter sea of scripts and cheap humor I walk past each house Glancing briefly into windows as I go And bow my head in despair At that blue glow That envelops The “greatest country in the world.” Like fried bugs in a light Are the dead colonies of Americans Who check out at night. – Kimmi Boyce
The Mind blocking out the world, curled up in a shell living life but only in living hell surrounded by crying but yet in deep silence sick of the hurt, fed up with the violence reaching for help but pull the hand back yearning for light but stuck in the black. weighed down by suffering, tired from pain living life but living life in vain a crimson color everywhere and all around screams echoing even though there's not a sound creating a new evil by defeating the old trying to come out but frozen by the cold eyes keep staring but they are blind living life but lost in the mind – Nikki Gregori
Vol. I — March 2015 Havre
By Karen Bertelsen Atencio Havre, Montana, imprinted on me. My first memories and experiences were both created and nourished in the city of Havre. I was only six, nearly seven, when I left but, intentionally or not, the claim she placed on me followed me the rest of my life. My family left Montana for a tiny North Dakota town in the summer of 1953 and I spent the entire summer crying on my bed, disconsolate at losing my life and friends in Havre. I don’t think I ever completely recovered as that early move left my heart homeless. I’ve lived in many states since, North Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Nevada, Texas, and now, for many years, Colorado. I have not, however, been able to claim any of them as my true home. Yes, when someone asks where I’m from, I respond Colorado. This is where my home and most of my family are located but, at the same time, I am aware of a feeling not unlike that of a drifter, a feeling of “I’m just passing through.” My earliest recollections of that time are a bit jumbled but, for the most part, intact. My dad worked for the Great Northern Railroad, and I have many memories of the train depot. One memory when I was maybe four years old, stands out. While sleepily standing on the platform in the middle of the night waiting for an eastbound passenger train, I was jolted into awareness by the imposing noise and huge wheels of a magnificent coal driven engine pulling a train into the station. That steam engine must have been one of the last of a dying breed because, shortly thereafter, the diesel locomotives took over the duties of transporting goods and passengers around the country. My early life in Havre was one of cultural diversity. In the late forties and early fifties, American Indians in traditional dress: men in braids and hats, and women, hair braided as well and wearing long print skirts and leggings, could be seen resting on benches in the railroad park. We were also privileged to be exposed to the Japanese culture. Both our next door neighbors and a family who lived down the alley were Japanese-Americans. The older girls spent a lot of time playing with my brother, sister and I, sometimes inviting us in to see their collection of Japanese dolls and other memorabilia. And lastly, the German culture came to us in the form of my best friend who had recently moved from Germany to Havre. She and I spent many happy hours playing together. As I look back, I wonder if life was difficult for those families. Of course, sadly, the American Indians have always suffered from discrimination. I also wonder, however, about our Japanese and German friends, since World War II was not far behind us and post-war anti-German and
Japan sentiments were probably still prevalent. My family lived on Fourth Street, a couple blocks west of St. Jude’s Catholic Church and what was then, Trinity Hospital. The whole of my life, together with my sister and brother, existed in the microcosm of a few blocks. I played in a tiny park across the street and, behind that, a little neighborhood store appropriated all my pennies and nickels in exchange for candy and soda pop. My first foray into freedom was on a tricycle ridden on the sidewalk in front of our house. Once, I gleefully escaped the boundaries imposed by my parents and, pedaling as fast as I could, turned the corner and raced up the block. My triumph turned into humiliation, however, when my dad caught up with me and taught me one of those lessons you’re not supposed to forget. I have not forgotten. My life was occasionally broken up by day trips to Fresno Dam and Beaver Creek. My sister, brother, and I reveled in the dam, wading alongside the shore and pretending to swim. Attempts at fishing, but to my dad’s frustration, mostly tangling up the lines, also occupied our time. The Bear Paw Mountains were a welcome relief to the summer heat and the icy water of Beaver Creek both cooled our drinks and our feet as we joyfully splashed along the banks. Running through the green of the trees and a picnic lunch would wrap up a perfect day. When I was older, roller skating on the sidewalk in front of our house was a favorite activity and, in addition, the nearby city park provided hours of organized recreational activities and swimming. The highlight of my life in Havre, however, was turning six and finally being able to attend first grade at St. Jude’s Catholic School. Before that time, I remember sitting on the steps of our house trying to read the newspaper and wishing I could go to school. A whole new world opened up to me at that point: a life which included friends, books (that I could read myself) and a new-found independence. I had never seen myself as a child and, to me, this new life was proof that I had grown up. Perhaps this wonderful new life that I was experiencing was what made it so difficult for me when we had to leave Montana. Throughout my student years, my level of confidence and well-being never equaled what I experienced in those precious, early years in Havre. That is why, when I am asked where I grew up I always include Montana in my answer, even though my time there was short lived. That is also why, as I drive through Montana on my many trips north to visit my family, I never feel as if I’m just passing through. I feel like I am finally home.
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HAVMAT
THE INTERVIEW
(Continued from page 4) long time and gave Alex his seal of approval for Cheeseboot. Soon after, Jordan Lamphier and Gavin Swietnicki joined the band. Before A.J. came back to Havre, Jordan and Gavin were attending Cheeseboot shows and were into what they were playing. Jordan happened to play drums and Gavin played bass. Justin said they started cranking out songs one after another and Cheeseboot was doing fine. Eventually Justin and Alex saved money to go to Oregon and retrieve A.J. and move him back to Havre. They all began playing together. “We never really took it too serious,” Justin said. “We just knew that we could play music and we were just friends. We just wanted to do it because it was fun. And that’s all it still is, really — a kind of musical family.” A.J. switched between electric guitar and synthesizers in the now-fiveman group and Cheeseboot became a musical force up until 2009. But then, Gavin moved to Bozeman for school. There were some major health and family issues in the band. Cheeseboot lost speed. For a while Nicholas Charles Bowen III, party extraordinaire, played bass but dropped out eventually. They played a show or two once a year to maintain a presence, but their songs were written for a five-man band and
they didn’t have the circumstances in which they could create new music. About six to eight months ago, things changed, Justin said. He wound up with more free time and a place for them to play. They picked their instruments back up and played often, as
much as they could. “So now, we’ve written all this crazy music,” Justin said. “I don’t know how to describe it. Like, the stuff we’re doing now is nothing like the stuff we used to do.” “It’s punk polka,” Alex said, laughing. “Punk polka, prog rock. I don’t even know,” Justin said. From 2009 to 2014, they were fairly quiet. “2014 rolled around and we felt like we got our mojo
back,” he said. Alex said they had it when they were younger, but they didn’t know how to use it. Cheeseboot used to be a solid indie rock band, Justin said, but now they’re harder. More technical. “At the same time, we’re more primitive,” he said. THE PRESENT At Cheeseboot’s last show in Havre, Feb. 13 at the Bullhook Bombshell’s Zombie Prom at Shamrock’s, they were part of a three-band line-up. The opening band, China Water Symbol, played their first-ever show that night and brought new, original sounds to the town. Though cover bands have their place in town, Justin said, it’s refreshing to see people creating sounds from
Vol. 1 — March 2015 scratch. “It makes me feel good about Havre,” Justin said. “That’s the one thing that Havre has a lot of — cover bands. It’s really exciting to see an original band from Havre.” He said that they are going to try and put on more shows like the Zombie Prom. With the advent of several new musical groups in town, like Region 8, China Water Symbol and Northside Water, as well as Triple Dog Brewery kick-starting a recurring open mic night (the first is March 22), the music scene in town is going through a renaissance. The future of Cheeseboot is uncertain, and they’re fine with that. “We’re not doing it to get big,” Justin said. “We’re not doing it to get paid. We’re doing it because we like it.” “I think we started doing it because we found out we could get free drinks at the bar,” Alex joked. They said they are positive, optimistic that they’re going to keep going with their music. They’re on fire right now, they said. In trying to keep their own winning streak going, Justin said he and A.J. were trying to find new influences to stay inspired. “We were trying to find influences,” Justin said. “We were like, I need to find some new bands to get into, I need to find influences so I can find inspiration to keep doing what we’re going. But nothing sounds good to us anymore because we’re so into what we’re doing. We’re so into the stuff we’re making that we’re just, like, I can’t get into anybody.” He said that over the years, they have absorbed a lot of music, and eventually, he will find another band that inspires him, but for now, he’s alright. “Not right now,” he said. “Nothing gets me going more than what we’re doing right now.”
3
HAVMAT
THE METRONOME
Vol. I — March 2015
RICK'S PICKS
STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES — "TERRAPLANE"
Lightnin' Hopkins once said "The blues dwell with you each and every day." Steve Earle knew that one day, when it was time, he would make this record. After prison, drug addiction and seven failed marriages, "Terraplane" provides no soft landings but plenty of blues swagger. From the opening shuffle "Baby Baby Baby," hellhound drama of the "Tennessee Kid" and the blues rock stomp of "Go-Go Boots Are Back," the Dukes strafe and soar. Pretty damn essential.
JD McPHERSON – "LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL"
JJ GREY & MOFRO — "OL' GLORY"
JD and his band of roots rockers pull off the rare feat of a second album better than the debut. Sounding as if Buddy Holly and Billie Lee Riley rambled into Memphis and skidded sideways into Sun Studios, try to keep still to the title track or "It's All Over But The Shouting." In this era, when Imagine Dragons win awards for rock bands, these young men remember the "roll" in Rock n' Roll using reverb and slapback instead of auto-tune. Turn off your Twitter and turn up your tweeters!
True originals and swamp rock kings, Florida's Mofro return with their new album cut as always to analogue at Retrophonics Studios. Grooves thick as gators at breakfast dominate the tracks with guitar titans Luther Dickinson and Derek Trucks (slide sorcery on "Every Minute") adding some 'shine to the mason jar. '70s funk clavinet propels the lengthy band workout and testifyingly raucous title track which I'm hoping will be a new centerpiece for their incredible live show. One of America's best bands burns it down again!
MONDAY
THURSDAY
TUESDAY
FRIDAY
2-4 p.m. — Logan — Dance Music 6-8 p.m. — Steve — Hard Rock & Metal 8-10 p.m. — Mikal — Metal
9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Rick — Roots Rock 6-8 p.m. — Dan — Eclectic 8-10 p.m. — Jay & Isabelle — Punk Pop
WEDNESDAY
7-9 a.m. — Cory & Dan — Rant & Roll 12-3 p.m. — Spike — Hard Rock and Blues
SATURDAY
10 a.m.-11 a.m. — Tori — Dance & Pop
9 a.m.-12 p.m. — Rick — Rock & Blues 5-7 p.m. — Johnny & James — The Mix Tape 7-10 p.m. — Rick — Rock & Roll
Support your local college radio! Tune in to KNMC 90.1 FM for a variety of music tastes and a break from the rigamarole of corporate stations that play one song thrice an hour. Want to become a KNMC deejay? Student or not, anyone can sign up to play in available slots. Call 265-3709 to talk to a deejay or leave a message to begin sharing your music with Havre.
12-3 p.m. — Craig – Classic Rock 5-6 p.m. — Becca — Electronic Dance Music 7-9 p.m. — Dave — Rock
SUNDAY
12-3 p.m. — Jay & Isabelle — Pop Punk
Visit Triple Dog Brewery at 5 p.m. March 22 for the KNMCsponsored open mic night
4
THE INTERVIEW
HAVMAT
Story by John Paul Schmidt Photos by James Carden, Amber Wells
Cheeseboot, in some incarnation or another, has been a tonal aggregate of Havre for almost ten years. The band has been quiet for some time but has lately been producing an impressive amount of tracks to their prolific collection of songs. The three-man Cheeseboot consists of Justin Shandorf on electric guitar and lead vocals, Alex Leyba on bass and A.J. Rucinsky on drums. They’ve played Chinook, Great Falls, Helena and Bozeman in their travels. They just played a show in Missoula and are booking more shows lately than they have in the last four years. Their brotherhood has kept them going more than their music. It kept the band alive after a hiatus brought on by outside forces, and it keeps them recording still. Them coming together in the first place was serendipitous. “I would say getting Alex, A.J. and myself together is the equivalent of winning the lot-
Vol. I — March 2015
CHEESEBOOT
tery,” Justin said. “In Havre, Montana, population 10,000.” Their dream-state, cerebral melodies are unlike any sound in Havre and the Hi-Line. The
sound has evolved and morphed throughout the years they’ve been playing together, but the galvanizing, intelligent air has been present in their music since their earlier days. When they get on stage, they feel it and the crowd can feel it as well. That’s the reason they play shows. They love their music and enjoy playing shows. “It just kind of flows,” Alex said. “I don’t want to sound crazy, but there’s an energy we all tap into.” Justin agreed. “I go into a trance,” he said. “The whole show feels like its five minutes long. That’s the thing, we practice this stuff all the time, but when we get in front of people, it changes. It turns into something else. It manifests into a whole new thing. I feel like we’re feeding off the crowd. We’re feeding off the energy.” Cheeseboot is a vacation from prepackaged pop and they are proud their music comes from a real place. “A lot of the stuff that’s playing on the radio nowadays, it kind of makes me sick to my stomach,” Justin said. “That people listen to that stuff and enjoy it. … It makes me proud of what I do. It’s all engineered. It’s not
original. None of it comes from the heart anymore.” The three of them as individuals are polarized. Justin is the chatty, opinionated ringleader. Alex is quieter, a little dark and composed. A.J. is the comedic relief of the group and his humor affects much of what he does. Their differences are transparent once they begin to play. They meet each other in the middle and create a sound solid within itself and, unwaveringly, Cheeseboot music. THE BEGINNING On the day of its birth, Cheeseboot consisted of A.J. and Justin. The name came from a “tantric experience,” A.J. said, jokingly. “One day, (A.J.) looked up at me and said ‘dude, Cheeseboot, man,’” Justin said. Thus began the oddly-named Havre group. Justin and A.J. played music together in middle and high school and once they graduated, they didn’t know what to do with themselves. Justin said they never took their music anywhere during school and once they were out, the band was formed. That was 2006. “We started making music that we wanted to do — that was
Listen to Cheeseboot at www.soundcloud.com/cheeseboot
kind of different,” Justin said. Alex said his biggest musical influence would have to be Les Claypool. Justin said his would definitely be Modest Mouse.
A.J.’s is R. Stevie Moore. They don’t listen to a lot of the same music now, Justin said, but when they were in high school, they listened to many of the same artists. They came from the same place, more or less. They made their first album the year after graduation, “a crappy little mix CD.” They placed the disc with a sleeve of a cockroach destroying a city into the selection at Creative Leisure and gave another copy to Alex. Shortly after that first CD, however, A.J. moved to Oregon with family. Justin and Alex had played together some in high school and they started up again after A.J. left. Justin said that the music he and Alex, who played acoustic guitar, created together turned into something cool as well. They played sets with programmed drums, synthesizers and called it Cheeseboot as well. Alex told a story about he and Justin playing together and A.J. being accidentally called. A.J. listened to them play for a (Continued on page 10)
9
HAVMAT
INK AND INTEREST
Havre's Queen Anne Architecture Emily Mayer The architectural history of Havre reflects the times in which it was founded, what was popular at the time and economic booms and busts. Havre was incorporated September 5, 1893; however, riches didn’t come to this area overnight. Havre’s first home was a log cabin built by John Bell, a former sergeant stationed out at Fort Assinniboine. He and his Indian bride lived in the little log cabin for a few years before it was purchased by Simon Pepin. Pepin himself built a modest structure a short distance away, later enlarging that home into a 14-room mansion. It took more cosmopolitan communities such as Helena time to gain its wealth and Helena’s prosperity can be seen in the historic homes and churches in its Historic District around the St. Helena’s Cathedral area, in the business district, and in its West Mansion Historic District. The era both communities share is the Victorian era, named after Queen Victoria who reigned from 1837 to 1901. Several architectural styles are associated with this time period, and they tend to be lumped into the name “Victorian," which is a misnomer; Victorian is a time period, not an architectural style. Of these architectural styles, none embodies the spirit, optimism, creativity, inventiveness, curiosity, intrigue, flamboyancy and excess as the Queen Anne. The Queen Anne style of architecture is what comes to mind when one thinks of “Victorian home." The Queen Anne is an asymmetrical form of architecture, and its porches, windows, turrets, changing rooflines and gingerbread woodwork are testament to the phrase most Victorians held dear: “Nothing succeeds like excess.” The Queen Anne was meant to show off wealth, one’s status in society and project an image of culture and refinement, both on the outside and the inside of the home. The exterior image was very important to the Victorians, so much so that oftentimes the interior rooms are a mish-mash of sizes and configurations, meant to fit into t h e h o m e ’ s e x t e r i o r p r o p o r t i o n s. Oftentimes, one sees a set of windows on the outside, but on the inside, those windows may be in completely separate rooms; perhaps one window might be in a bedroom and the other in a closet. Due to the time period of the Queen Anne’s popularity and the founding of Havre, we do not have a large amount of these fantastic, sexy pieces of architecture. We do, however, have a few and the grand d a m e o f t h e m a l l i s t h e h i s to r i c Gussenhoven home, located at 26 Third
Street. Affectionately known as The Castle, this Queen Anne has everything going for it — a turret capped with a witch’s hat roof, a generous front porch, beautiful stained glass, a wild roofline, and interior rooms reflecting the more formal lifestyle the Victorians enjoyed, with formal parlors and dining room on the main floor, and private rooms on the second floor. The third floor contains apartmentstyle living, hinting at the use of house servants many Victorian homes employed. The Victorians also enjoyed their lawns and gardens, and the current owners have done a fantastic job adding flowers and other plantings the Victorians would have approved. Another Queen Anne home in Havre is the Carnal and Valadon Home, located at 502 Third Avenue. While not as ornate as The Castle, this darling of Havre homes has a roofline with many projections, stained glass, shaped shingles on the gables, and beautiful wrought iron work, which was added in later years by Mrs. Valadon. The home once had an open-air porch, but that was later enclosed by Mrs. Valadon, presumably to add more living space for her family. The Stringfellow Home at 332 Second Avenue is another example of the Queen Anne style. It once had a tower on its northeast corner, but it has since been removed. It’s very steep roofline, gorgeous front porch and charming bay window still add grace and elegance to Havre’s Residential Historic District. All of these homes contain architectural work that reflects the artistry and craftsmanship of the builder, and sometimes subsequent owners. Mrs. Valadon added the aforementioned wrought iron to her home many years after it had initially been built, and past owner Jim Pasma added scroll work on some of the gables of The Castle to honor certain ethnic groups that settled in Havre. One gable on the east side honors those with Japanese and Chinese ancestry, and one gable on the west side honors those with English, Scottish and Irish heritage. The current owners added their unique touches to the home, notably the very attractive fence and ornate gate, announcing to those visiting they have arrived at “The Castle.” Havre’s architecture is one of the things I love about having long and deep Havre roots. I enjoy studying our history and sharing it with others. Each piece has its own story that needs to be told. This creates awareness and hopefully in turn, will lead to the preservation of these homes for future generations to study, love, and cherish.
Brewing the Booch Beth Hannah A few months ago, I opened a priority mail box. Inside was plastic bag filled with liquid and what appeared to be a gelatinous, white, blobby creature. Personally, I was terrified to touch it! After a couple of days, I finally opened the bag and unearthed my SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and set to making my first batch of kombucha. I did not get too crazy with this first batch, simply doing as follows:
STEP ONE:
WASH THOSE HANDS! Boil some water. Usually a pot-full, depending on how large your vessel for fermenting is. I like big pickle jars — you can get them from the Lunchbox for $.75. While that’s boiling, I put 5 black tea bags into the jar.
STEP TWO:
Pour the boiling water into the jar over the tea bags. Let them sit for 10 minutes or so. Occasionally, you can stir it, but don’t need to. Feel free to do something fun, like read the rest of the HAVMAT section.
STEP THREE:
Using tongs or something similar, remove the tea bags. Then, pour in about a cup of sugar. I have used both regular ol’ sugar from the store, but many people use organic. Whichever you pick, you have to stay with for future SCOBYs! I then swish it around with the tongs, letting the sugar dissolve.
Vol. I – March 2015
under the SCOBY (be gentle) and tasting it. It should have a good acidic flavor but not be too strong. Once you feel it’s ready, you can bottle it! Remove your SCOBY and put it in a bowl with some of the liquid — so you can start your next batch. I like to cover my SCOBY with a towel during this part. Using a funnel, carefully pour the liquid into other containers. I like wine bottles with screw lids or other such containers. Just make sure you can completely cover them. At this point, you can also add fruit or juice to it to flavor it. You can start your next batch of kombucha using the above steps.
STEP NINE:
Let it sit for a few days in the bottles. This is the second ferment. Burp the bottle often. The more citrusy the fruit, the more fizz you will have. Keep an eye on the bubbling. After a few days, open it up and taste it. If you like it, it’s time to drink it!
STEP TEN:
Enjoy your kombucha! Share with friends! Let your tummy be happy with the delicious fermentation! Also important, these steps are for the batch brewing system — there is also a continuous brewing technique. Metal jars are not recommended, as the metallic taste can leak into the booch and give it a really gross taste.
STEP FOUR:
Pour in some distilled/filtered water. Leave room for the SCOBY and some starter. I have never used tap water; I just spend the money and use distilled. Let the hot water cool and bring it to room temperature. This might take a few minutes. Call your mom and have a quick talk with her while you are waiting.
STEP FIVE:
This is the weird part. You have to hold the SCOBY and gently put it into the room temperature liquid. Then once it’s nice and settled, pour some of your starter liquid over it.
STEP SIX:
Tell the SCOBY you love it and send it some good vibes! This is important! The SCOBY loves and thrives from good energy!
STEP SEVEN:
Take some cheesecloth or a coffee filter and rubber band it around the top of your jar. This way, pesky flies and such don’t get in!
STEP EIGHT:
Now we wait! I go usually 5 to 7 days. You can test your solution by sticking a straw
Photo by Beth Hannah A pickle jar of Hannah's kombucha ferments in her home
6
HAVMAT
CREATE AND CAPTURE
Vol. I — March 2015
7
HAVMAT
CREATE AND CAPTURE
Vol. I — March 2015
"Heaven & Earth," inspired by late summer wheat fields
My name is Stefan Johnson.
One part of three-piece "Triple Threat"
I was born in Havre roughly 26 years ago. I have always enjoyed the outdoors. I think that comes with being from Montucky. I work north of town for a local family farm who treat me like family. They are great people! Because of my job, I spend a great deal of time outside, which feeds my "needing-to-be-outside" fix. Long days in the field means I get to see a lot of sunrises, sunsets and our great landscape and animals. Due to all of my days spent on the farm, there were plenty of times I've seen things and wished I had a camera. Thanks to smartphones, I was able to capture a lot of these beautiful things happening around us. I always wanted to take it to the next step and invest in a nice camera and would talk to my girlfriend about it. Well, Christmastime came around and there waiting under the tree was a big ol' box with my name on it. I opened her up and there she was — a very nice Nikon camera from my beautiful girlfriend! Been taking pics ever since! I hope everybody enjoys my photos. I'm no professional and I don't know a lot about it. All's I know is I enjoy it.
Terri Meyer is my name. I am an artist, who is inspired by sounds, colors and shapes. I am very expressive in what I paint, and often paint how I feel. I am constantly learning, and evolving. I use acrylics and occasionally will add texture mediums to add some depth. I love color, all kinds of music and I like to think I have a great sense of humor.
"Winter Sunrise," inspired by pink mornings, black, stark branches and possibilities
6
HAVMAT
CREATE AND CAPTURE
Vol. I — March 2015
7
HAVMAT
CREATE AND CAPTURE
Vol. I — March 2015
"Heaven & Earth," inspired by late summer wheat fields
My name is Stefan Johnson.
One part of three-piece "Triple Threat"
I was born in Havre roughly 26 years ago. I have always enjoyed the outdoors. I think that comes with being from Montucky. I work north of town for a local family farm who treat me like family. They are great people! Because of my job, I spend a great deal of time outside, which feeds my "needing-to-be-outside" fix. Long days in the field means I get to see a lot of sunrises, sunsets and our great landscape and animals. Due to all of my days spent on the farm, there were plenty of times I've seen things and wished I had a camera. Thanks to smartphones, I was able to capture a lot of these beautiful things happening around us. I always wanted to take it to the next step and invest in a nice camera and would talk to my girlfriend about it. Well, Christmastime came around and there waiting under the tree was a big ol' box with my name on it. I opened her up and there she was — a very nice Nikon camera from my beautiful girlfriend! Been taking pics ever since! I hope everybody enjoys my photos. I'm no professional and I don't know a lot about it. All's I know is I enjoy it.
Terri Meyer is my name. I am an artist, who is inspired by sounds, colors and shapes. I am very expressive in what I paint, and often paint how I feel. I am constantly learning, and evolving. I use acrylics and occasionally will add texture mediums to add some depth. I love color, all kinds of music and I like to think I have a great sense of humor.
"Winter Sunrise," inspired by pink mornings, black, stark branches and possibilities
4
THE INTERVIEW
HAVMAT
Story by John Paul Schmidt Photos by James Carden, Amber Wells
Cheeseboot, in some incarnation or another, has been a tonal aggregate of Havre for almost ten years. The band has been quiet for some time but has lately been producing an impressive amount of tracks to their prolific collection of songs. The three-man Cheeseboot consists of Justin Shandorf on electric guitar and lead vocals, Alex Leyba on bass and A.J. Rucinsky on drums. They’ve played Chinook, Great Falls, Helena and Bozeman in their travels. They just played a show in Missoula and are booking more shows lately than they have in the last four years. Their brotherhood has kept them going more than their music. It kept the band alive after a hiatus brought on by outside forces, and it keeps them recording still. Them coming together in the first place was serendipitous. “I would say getting Alex, A.J. and myself together is the equivalent of winning the lot-
Vol. I — March 2015
CHEESEBOOT
tery,” Justin said. “In Havre, Montana, population 10,000.” Their dream-state, cerebral melodies are unlike any sound in Havre and the Hi-Line. The
sound has evolved and morphed throughout the years they’ve been playing together, but the galvanizing, intelligent air has been present in their music since their earlier days. When they get on stage, they feel it and the crowd can feel it as well. That’s the reason they play shows. They love their music and enjoy playing shows. “It just kind of flows,” Alex said. “I don’t want to sound crazy, but there’s an energy we all tap into.” Justin agreed. “I go into a trance,” he said. “The whole show feels like its five minutes long. That’s the thing, we practice this stuff all the time, but when we get in front of people, it changes. It turns into something else. It manifests into a whole new thing. I feel like we’re feeding off the crowd. We’re feeding off the energy.” Cheeseboot is a vacation from prepackaged pop and they are proud their music comes from a real place. “A lot of the stuff that’s playing on the radio nowadays, it kind of makes me sick to my stomach,” Justin said. “That people listen to that stuff and enjoy it. … It makes me proud of what I do. It’s all engineered. It’s not
original. None of it comes from the heart anymore.” The three of them as individuals are polarized. Justin is the chatty, opinionated ringleader. Alex is quieter, a little dark and composed. A.J. is the comedic relief of the group and his humor affects much of what he does. Their differences are transparent once they begin to play. They meet each other in the middle and create a sound solid within itself and, unwaveringly, Cheeseboot music. THE BEGINNING On the day of its birth, Cheeseboot consisted of A.J. and Justin. The name came from a “tantric experience,” A.J. said, jokingly. “One day, (A.J.) looked up at me and said ‘dude, Cheeseboot, man,’” Justin said. Thus began the oddly-named Havre group. Justin and A.J. played music together in middle and high school and once they graduated, they didn’t know what to do with themselves. Justin said they never took their music anywhere during school and once they were out, the band was formed. That was 2006. “We started making music that we wanted to do — that was
Listen to Cheeseboot at www.soundcloud.com/cheeseboot
kind of different,” Justin said. Alex said his biggest musical influence would have to be Les Claypool. Justin said his would definitely be Modest Mouse.
A.J.’s is R. Stevie Moore. They don’t listen to a lot of the same music now, Justin said, but when they were in high school, they listened to many of the same artists. They came from the same place, more or less. They made their first album the year after graduation, “a crappy little mix CD.” They placed the disc with a sleeve of a cockroach destroying a city into the selection at Creative Leisure and gave another copy to Alex. Shortly after that first CD, however, A.J. moved to Oregon with family. Justin and Alex had played together some in high school and they started up again after A.J. left. Justin said that the music he and Alex, who played acoustic guitar, created together turned into something cool as well. They played sets with programmed drums, synthesizers and called it Cheeseboot as well. Alex told a story about he and Justin playing together and A.J. being accidentally called. A.J. listened to them play for a (Continued on page 10)
9
HAVMAT
INK AND INTEREST
Havre's Queen Anne Architecture Emily Mayer The architectural history of Havre reflects the times in which it was founded, what was popular at the time and economic booms and busts. Havre was incorporated September 5, 1893; however, riches didn’t come to this area overnight. Havre’s first home was a log cabin built by John Bell, a former sergeant stationed out at Fort Assinniboine. He and his Indian bride lived in the little log cabin for a few years before it was purchased by Simon Pepin. Pepin himself built a modest structure a short distance away, later enlarging that home into a 14-room mansion. It took more cosmopolitan communities such as Helena time to gain its wealth and Helena’s prosperity can be seen in the historic homes and churches in its Historic District around the St. Helena’s Cathedral area, in the business district, and in its West Mansion Historic District. The era both communities share is the Victorian era, named after Queen Victoria who reigned from 1837 to 1901. Several architectural styles are associated with this time period, and they tend to be lumped into the name “Victorian," which is a misnomer; Victorian is a time period, not an architectural style. Of these architectural styles, none embodies the spirit, optimism, creativity, inventiveness, curiosity, intrigue, flamboyancy and excess as the Queen Anne. The Queen Anne style of architecture is what comes to mind when one thinks of “Victorian home." The Queen Anne is an asymmetrical form of architecture, and its porches, windows, turrets, changing rooflines and gingerbread woodwork are testament to the phrase most Victorians held dear: “Nothing succeeds like excess.” The Queen Anne was meant to show off wealth, one’s status in society and project an image of culture and refinement, both on the outside and the inside of the home. The exterior image was very important to the Victorians, so much so that oftentimes the interior rooms are a mish-mash of sizes and configurations, meant to fit into t h e h o m e ’ s e x t e r i o r p r o p o r t i o n s. Oftentimes, one sees a set of windows on the outside, but on the inside, those windows may be in completely separate rooms; perhaps one window might be in a bedroom and the other in a closet. Due to the time period of the Queen Anne’s popularity and the founding of Havre, we do not have a large amount of these fantastic, sexy pieces of architecture. We do, however, have a few and the grand d a m e o f t h e m a l l i s t h e h i s to r i c Gussenhoven home, located at 26 Third
Street. Affectionately known as The Castle, this Queen Anne has everything going for it — a turret capped with a witch’s hat roof, a generous front porch, beautiful stained glass, a wild roofline, and interior rooms reflecting the more formal lifestyle the Victorians enjoyed, with formal parlors and dining room on the main floor, and private rooms on the second floor. The third floor contains apartmentstyle living, hinting at the use of house servants many Victorian homes employed. The Victorians also enjoyed their lawns and gardens, and the current owners have done a fantastic job adding flowers and other plantings the Victorians would have approved. Another Queen Anne home in Havre is the Carnal and Valadon Home, located at 502 Third Avenue. While not as ornate as The Castle, this darling of Havre homes has a roofline with many projections, stained glass, shaped shingles on the gables, and beautiful wrought iron work, which was added in later years by Mrs. Valadon. The home once had an open-air porch, but that was later enclosed by Mrs. Valadon, presumably to add more living space for her family. The Stringfellow Home at 332 Second Avenue is another example of the Queen Anne style. It once had a tower on its northeast corner, but it has since been removed. It’s very steep roofline, gorgeous front porch and charming bay window still add grace and elegance to Havre’s Residential Historic District. All of these homes contain architectural work that reflects the artistry and craftsmanship of the builder, and sometimes subsequent owners. Mrs. Valadon added the aforementioned wrought iron to her home many years after it had initially been built, and past owner Jim Pasma added scroll work on some of the gables of The Castle to honor certain ethnic groups that settled in Havre. One gable on the east side honors those with Japanese and Chinese ancestry, and one gable on the west side honors those with English, Scottish and Irish heritage. The current owners added their unique touches to the home, notably the very attractive fence and ornate gate, announcing to those visiting they have arrived at “The Castle.” Havre’s architecture is one of the things I love about having long and deep Havre roots. I enjoy studying our history and sharing it with others. Each piece has its own story that needs to be told. This creates awareness and hopefully in turn, will lead to the preservation of these homes for future generations to study, love, and cherish.
Brewing the Booch Beth Hannah A few months ago, I opened a priority mail box. Inside was plastic bag filled with liquid and what appeared to be a gelatinous, white, blobby creature. Personally, I was terrified to touch it! After a couple of days, I finally opened the bag and unearthed my SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and set to making my first batch of kombucha. I did not get too crazy with this first batch, simply doing as follows:
STEP ONE:
WASH THOSE HANDS! Boil some water. Usually a pot-full, depending on how large your vessel for fermenting is. I like big pickle jars — you can get them from the Lunchbox for $.75. While that’s boiling, I put 5 black tea bags into the jar.
STEP TWO:
Pour the boiling water into the jar over the tea bags. Let them sit for 10 minutes or so. Occasionally, you can stir it, but don’t need to. Feel free to do something fun, like read the rest of the HAVMAT section.
STEP THREE:
Using tongs or something similar, remove the tea bags. Then, pour in about a cup of sugar. I have used both regular ol’ sugar from the store, but many people use organic. Whichever you pick, you have to stay with for future SCOBYs! I then swish it around with the tongs, letting the sugar dissolve.
Vol. I – March 2015
under the SCOBY (be gentle) and tasting it. It should have a good acidic flavor but not be too strong. Once you feel it’s ready, you can bottle it! Remove your SCOBY and put it in a bowl with some of the liquid — so you can start your next batch. I like to cover my SCOBY with a towel during this part. Using a funnel, carefully pour the liquid into other containers. I like wine bottles with screw lids or other such containers. Just make sure you can completely cover them. At this point, you can also add fruit or juice to it to flavor it. You can start your next batch of kombucha using the above steps.
STEP NINE:
Let it sit for a few days in the bottles. This is the second ferment. Burp the bottle often. The more citrusy the fruit, the more fizz you will have. Keep an eye on the bubbling. After a few days, open it up and taste it. If you like it, it’s time to drink it!
STEP TEN:
Enjoy your kombucha! Share with friends! Let your tummy be happy with the delicious fermentation! Also important, these steps are for the batch brewing system — there is also a continuous brewing technique. Metal jars are not recommended, as the metallic taste can leak into the booch and give it a really gross taste.
STEP FOUR:
Pour in some distilled/filtered water. Leave room for the SCOBY and some starter. I have never used tap water; I just spend the money and use distilled. Let the hot water cool and bring it to room temperature. This might take a few minutes. Call your mom and have a quick talk with her while you are waiting.
STEP FIVE:
This is the weird part. You have to hold the SCOBY and gently put it into the room temperature liquid. Then once it’s nice and settled, pour some of your starter liquid over it.
STEP SIX:
Tell the SCOBY you love it and send it some good vibes! This is important! The SCOBY loves and thrives from good energy!
STEP SEVEN:
Take some cheesecloth or a coffee filter and rubber band it around the top of your jar. This way, pesky flies and such don’t get in!
STEP EIGHT:
Now we wait! I go usually 5 to 7 days. You can test your solution by sticking a straw
Photo by Beth Hannah A pickle jar of Hannah's kombucha ferments in her home
10
HAVMAT
THE INTERVIEW
(Continued from page 4) long time and gave Alex his seal of approval for Cheeseboot. Soon after, Jordan Lamphier and Gavin Swietnicki joined the band. Before A.J. came back to Havre, Jordan and Gavin were attending Cheeseboot shows and were into what they were playing. Jordan happened to play drums and Gavin played bass. Justin said they started cranking out songs one after another and Cheeseboot was doing fine. Eventually Justin and Alex saved money to go to Oregon and retrieve A.J. and move him back to Havre. They all began playing together. “We never really took it too serious,” Justin said. “We just knew that we could play music and we were just friends. We just wanted to do it because it was fun. And that’s all it still is, really — a kind of musical family.” A.J. switched between electric guitar and synthesizers in the now-fiveman group and Cheeseboot became a musical force up until 2009. But then, Gavin moved to Bozeman for school. There were some major health and family issues in the band. Cheeseboot lost speed. For a while Nicholas Charles Bowen III, party extraordinaire, played bass but dropped out eventually. They played a show or two once a year to maintain a presence, but their songs were written for a five-man band and
they didn’t have the circumstances in which they could create new music. About six to eight months ago, things changed, Justin said. He wound up with more free time and a place for them to play. They picked their instruments back up and played often, as
much as they could. “So now, we’ve written all this crazy music,” Justin said. “I don’t know how to describe it. Like, the stuff we’re doing now is nothing like the stuff we used to do.” “It’s punk polka,” Alex said, laughing. “Punk polka, prog rock. I don’t even know,” Justin said. From 2009 to 2014, they were fairly quiet. “2014 rolled around and we felt like we got our mojo
back,” he said. Alex said they had it when they were younger, but they didn’t know how to use it. Cheeseboot used to be a solid indie rock band, Justin said, but now they’re harder. More technical. “At the same time, we’re more primitive,” he said. THE PRESENT At Cheeseboot’s last show in Havre, Feb. 13 at the Bullhook Bombshell’s Zombie Prom at Shamrock’s, they were part of a three-band line-up. The opening band, China Water Symbol, played their first-ever show that night and brought new, original sounds to the town. Though cover bands have their place in town, Justin said, it’s refreshing to see people creating sounds from
Vol. 1 — March 2015 scratch. “It makes me feel good about Havre,” Justin said. “That’s the one thing that Havre has a lot of — cover bands. It’s really exciting to see an original band from Havre.” He said that they are going to try and put on more shows like the Zombie Prom. With the advent of several new musical groups in town, like Region 8, China Water Symbol and Northside Water, as well as Triple Dog Brewery kick-starting a recurring open mic night (the first is March 22), the music scene in town is going through a renaissance. The future of Cheeseboot is uncertain, and they’re fine with that. “We’re not doing it to get big,” Justin said. “We’re not doing it to get paid. We’re doing it because we like it.” “I think we started doing it because we found out we could get free drinks at the bar,” Alex joked. They said they are positive, optimistic that they’re going to keep going with their music. They’re on fire right now, they said. In trying to keep their own winning streak going, Justin said he and A.J. were trying to find new influences to stay inspired. “We were trying to find influences,” Justin said. “We were like, I need to find some new bands to get into, I need to find influences so I can find inspiration to keep doing what we’re going. But nothing sounds good to us anymore because we’re so into what we’re doing. We’re so into the stuff we’re making that we’re just, like, I can’t get into anybody.” He said that over the years, they have absorbed a lot of music, and eventually, he will find another band that inspires him, but for now, he’s alright. “Not right now,” he said. “Nothing gets me going more than what we’re doing right now.”
3
HAVMAT
THE METRONOME
Vol. I — March 2015
RICK'S PICKS
STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES — "TERRAPLANE"
Lightnin' Hopkins once said "The blues dwell with you each and every day." Steve Earle knew that one day, when it was time, he would make this record. After prison, drug addiction and seven failed marriages, "Terraplane" provides no soft landings but plenty of blues swagger. From the opening shuffle "Baby Baby Baby," hellhound drama of the "Tennessee Kid" and the blues rock stomp of "Go-Go Boots Are Back," the Dukes strafe and soar. Pretty damn essential.
JD McPHERSON – "LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL"
JJ GREY & MOFRO — "OL' GLORY"
JD and his band of roots rockers pull off the rare feat of a second album better than the debut. Sounding as if Buddy Holly and Billie Lee Riley rambled into Memphis and skidded sideways into Sun Studios, try to keep still to the title track or "It's All Over But The Shouting." In this era, when Imagine Dragons win awards for rock bands, these young men remember the "roll" in Rock n' Roll using reverb and slapback instead of auto-tune. Turn off your Twitter and turn up your tweeters!
True originals and swamp rock kings, Florida's Mofro return with their new album cut as always to analogue at Retrophonics Studios. Grooves thick as gators at breakfast dominate the tracks with guitar titans Luther Dickinson and Derek Trucks (slide sorcery on "Every Minute") adding some 'shine to the mason jar. '70s funk clavinet propels the lengthy band workout and testifyingly raucous title track which I'm hoping will be a new centerpiece for their incredible live show. One of America's best bands burns it down again!
MONDAY
THURSDAY
TUESDAY
FRIDAY
2-4 p.m. — Logan — Dance Music 6-8 p.m. — Steve — Hard Rock & Metal 8-10 p.m. — Mikal — Metal
9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Rick — Roots Rock 6-8 p.m. — Dan — Eclectic 8-10 p.m. — Jay & Isabelle — Punk Pop
WEDNESDAY
7-9 a.m. — Cory & Dan — Rant & Roll 12-3 p.m. — Spike — Hard Rock and Blues
SATURDAY
10 a.m.-11 a.m. — Tori — Dance & Pop
9 a.m.-12 p.m. — Rick — Rock & Blues 5-7 p.m. — Johnny & James — The Mix Tape 7-10 p.m. — Rick — Rock & Roll
Support your local college radio! Tune in to KNMC 90.1 FM for a variety of music tastes and a break from the rigamarole of corporate stations that play one song thrice an hour. Want to become a KNMC deejay? Student or not, anyone can sign up to play in available slots. Call 265-3709 to talk to a deejay or leave a message to begin sharing your music with Havre.
12-3 p.m. — Craig – Classic Rock 5-6 p.m. — Becca — Electronic Dance Music 7-9 p.m. — Dave — Rock
SUNDAY
12-3 p.m. — Jay & Isabelle — Pop Punk
Visit Triple Dog Brewery at 5 p.m. March 22 for the KNMCsponsored open mic night
2
HAVMAT
Vol. 1 — March 2015
11
THE TYPECAST
HAVMAT Blue Disease
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to HAVMAT. This is Havre’s premiere arts and entertainment publication. It was created because of a dead frog. More on that later. HAVMAT is written by Havreites and Hi-Liners for Havreites and Hi-Liners. Many artists, photographers, cultural leaders, musicians and opinionated people can be found within its pages. In the first issue, at least. It could be the last one. That all depends on how many people want to see more HAVMAT. If you can submit works, submit works. Share your stories, your creations, your recipes, your opinions — and if you have no desire to share, tell others what you think about HAVMAT. Hopefully what you think are good things, but tell the bad things, too. Tell your favorite businesses you like the publication — HAVMAT needs their ads and money to live. As of March 1, this is a temporary project. It becomes permanent when Havre says it wants it to. Many (too many) people have expressed their distaste for the name. First of all, for those who don’t get the joke, HAVMAT is a play on HAZMAT, or hazardous materials. For those who knew that already — no, HAVMAT does not stand for Havredous materials. Kudos to every person who came up with that one on their own. We could have called it “Hi-Line Highlights” or “Wazzup, Havre!” but the town is not that dull. We may as well have fun with it. HAVMAT, or Havre Materials, is possibly a dumb name for a magazine. Sure. But, it conveys what the publication is trying to be — the colorful, loftier and inspirational pieces of culture in the area that makes Havre what it is. Whether it’s a recipe for Indian tacos, shorts stories and poems, columns, or plain weird stories, HAVMAT will deliver. Some have said the HAVMAT symbol displays to them something uncomfortable. One person said it reminds them of bioterrorism. That seems like a stretch. The warning labels on propane tanks do not make us think of Michael Bay movies. Here is an artist statement: HAVMAT’s biohazard warning symbol illustrates that the contents within may jarr the way you normally live your life and your
perception of where you live. There you go. Also, it helps to keep people from thinking HAVMAT sounds like a laundry facility. Thanks to those who expressed interest in the projects and lent their ideas and creations to the first issue. The publication is largely — and hopefully entirely — based on submitted works. This is not us spoonfeeding you what we think you might like; this is the Hi-Line sharing our lives with each other. We want to give special thanks to Dave Martens and his dead frog. Without the death of the certain notable amphibian to inspire this project, it would not exist. Dave came to us with a story idea for the newspaper sometime in January. A webbed patron of a local establishment (that will remain unnamed, but serves great pasta dishes) had experienced the consequences of mortality and Dave thought it would make a great story. We told him the croaked old polliwog article seemed a little too far-fetched for the Havre Daily News’ front page, and he expressed interest in creating an alternative news publication for such stories. A few days later, the idea was appropriated and HAVMAT was created. We thought of dedicating the first issue to the frog, but then we realized this might be called the “frog issue” if we did that. So, it’ll just be a nod to the croaker this time. Rest in peace, buddy. Anyway, if you like what you see here, grab a copy for yourself, for your friends. Hang the poster that lies within up on the walls of your apartments, dormitories, baby cribs and public restrooms. Try out the kombucha tea recipe. Listen to the fresh new albums reviewed by the master of radios. Like our Facebook and Twitter. Tell advertisers the only thing that’s missing is their endorsement. Praise HAVMAT from atop Mount Otis. It may be short-lived, or it may become a staple. We shall see. What ever the future may bring for this thing, here it is — Volume I, Issue I of HAVMAT. Keep Havre happening.
Heavy Hearts
with James Carden
My boyfriend and I have been dating for a year now and things have started to slow down. I think the honeymoon stage is starting to wear off. Do you have any suggestions on how to rekindle the fire? Well, I read somewhere that couples that exercise together have a long-lasting and productive relationship — maybe due to endorphins. I'm not really sure. Last night, I was outside my apartment building taking out the garbage when I saw a couple jogging together, but on closer inspection, I noticed the man was just chasing after her. My neighborhood has really gone downhill. I'm thinking about moving, I keep catching my boyfriend looking at other girls. Should I be concerned? Do you think he might not be into me? No need to panic at him glancing at other women. This is completely normal — a little inconsiderate, but normal. I check out other women constantly, but I'm single, so I guess that's not really the same thing. I'm so sure that I will be alone for the rest of my life, I got rid of my queen mattress and bought a twin. It just seems more practical. But, I feel I have gotten off track. Don't worry about the other women. You should be concerned if he is constantly staring at himself in the mirror. There is nothing worse than dating a narcissist. My last girlfriend liked her reflection so much, I would have to wear paraffin wax on my face to get her to make out with me. I really like this girl who works at my favorite restaurant but I don't know how to talk to her. How would you go about asking her out? I'm not sure I would. I get really nervous around women. I think it has to do with my low self esteem and weak hair line. I think that most women have
the ability see how I will look two years from now, and that's not the type of long-term relationship they want to be a part of. I don't blame them. My face is so oily that I have to wash it with Corexit. So that's really your favorite place to eat? If it is, and she gets freaked out — which she will because you already sound like a creeper — you will have to find a new place to eat. I don't know about you, but once I find a place to satisfy my palette, the last thing on my mind is finding a girlfriend. Also, if that restaurant is your favorite place to eat, where are you going to take her on this date? Back to the place she works. Here's my advice: when she brings out silverware, you pull out a knife, fork and spoon, look her in the eyes and say I don't need your handouts. If she doesn't kick you out, she might like you. I think my girlfriend might be cheating on me. She won't tell me the password to her phone. I think she's hiding something. What do I do? Chill out, you have nothing to be worried about. I think that you could be overreacting a bit. Hold on, wait a minute, have you seen that movie "Her" starring Joaquin Phoenix, where that man has a relationship with his phone that's a girl robot? I think she has a "Him," and that robot man phone has taken your place. He is more intelligent and much more accommodating to her then you could ever be. Sorry, bro, cut your losses and move on. (James Carden is an aspiring marriage counselor who makes gourmet sandwiches at Grateful Bread to pay for his license. If you want to ask him for his expert advice you can reach him at havmatmagazine@ gmail.com.)
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Evening dawns and the humans Scurry to their holes. After a 9 to 5 Everyone wants to be left alone. Plop down on an overstuffed couch and Plug your mind into the Sewage streaming through your TV. Abandon reality for the temporary drama Played out by someone Who’s monumentally richer than you. Feed the actors’ gluttonous egos with your Devotion to their show. TV blocking a window Keeping the sunset at arm’s length Intrigue drowning children’s laughter Strangling joy, making love to a lie Face-to-face dialogue lost To a bitter sea of scripts and cheap humor I walk past each house Glancing briefly into windows as I go And bow my head in despair At that blue glow That envelops The “greatest country in the world.” Like fried bugs in a light Are the dead colonies of Americans Who check out at night. – Kimmi Boyce
The Mind blocking out the world, curled up in a shell living life but only in living hell surrounded by crying but yet in deep silence sick of the hurt, fed up with the violence reaching for help but pull the hand back yearning for light but stuck in the black. weighed down by suffering, tired from pain living life but living life in vain a crimson color everywhere and all around screams echoing even though there's not a sound creating a new evil by defeating the old trying to come out but frozen by the cold eyes keep staring but they are blind living life but lost in the mind – Nikki Gregori
Vol. I — March 2015 Havre
By Karen Bertelsen Atencio Havre, Montana, imprinted on me. My first memories and experiences were both created and nourished in the city of Havre. I was only six, nearly seven, when I left but, intentionally or not, the claim she placed on me followed me the rest of my life. My family left Montana for a tiny North Dakota town in the summer of 1953 and I spent the entire summer crying on my bed, disconsolate at losing my life and friends in Havre. I don’t think I ever completely recovered as that early move left my heart homeless. I’ve lived in many states since, North Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Nevada, Texas, and now, for many years, Colorado. I have not, however, been able to claim any of them as my true home. Yes, when someone asks where I’m from, I respond Colorado. This is where my home and most of my family are located but, at the same time, I am aware of a feeling not unlike that of a drifter, a feeling of “I’m just passing through.” My earliest recollections of that time are a bit jumbled but, for the most part, intact. My dad worked for the Great Northern Railroad, and I have many memories of the train depot. One memory when I was maybe four years old, stands out. While sleepily standing on the platform in the middle of the night waiting for an eastbound passenger train, I was jolted into awareness by the imposing noise and huge wheels of a magnificent coal driven engine pulling a train into the station. That steam engine must have been one of the last of a dying breed because, shortly thereafter, the diesel locomotives took over the duties of transporting goods and passengers around the country. My early life in Havre was one of cultural diversity. In the late forties and early fifties, American Indians in traditional dress: men in braids and hats, and women, hair braided as well and wearing long print skirts and leggings, could be seen resting on benches in the railroad park. We were also privileged to be exposed to the Japanese culture. Both our next door neighbors and a family who lived down the alley were Japanese-Americans. The older girls spent a lot of time playing with my brother, sister and I, sometimes inviting us in to see their collection of Japanese dolls and other memorabilia. And lastly, the German culture came to us in the form of my best friend who had recently moved from Germany to Havre. She and I spent many happy hours playing together. As I look back, I wonder if life was difficult for those families. Of course, sadly, the American Indians have always suffered from discrimination. I also wonder, however, about our Japanese and German friends, since World War II was not far behind us and post-war anti-German and
Japan sentiments were probably still prevalent. My family lived on Fourth Street, a couple blocks west of St. Jude’s Catholic Church and what was then, Trinity Hospital. The whole of my life, together with my sister and brother, existed in the microcosm of a few blocks. I played in a tiny park across the street and, behind that, a little neighborhood store appropriated all my pennies and nickels in exchange for candy and soda pop. My first foray into freedom was on a tricycle ridden on the sidewalk in front of our house. Once, I gleefully escaped the boundaries imposed by my parents and, pedaling as fast as I could, turned the corner and raced up the block. My triumph turned into humiliation, however, when my dad caught up with me and taught me one of those lessons you’re not supposed to forget. I have not forgotten. My life was occasionally broken up by day trips to Fresno Dam and Beaver Creek. My sister, brother, and I reveled in the dam, wading alongside the shore and pretending to swim. Attempts at fishing, but to my dad’s frustration, mostly tangling up the lines, also occupied our time. The Bear Paw Mountains were a welcome relief to the summer heat and the icy water of Beaver Creek both cooled our drinks and our feet as we joyfully splashed along the banks. Running through the green of the trees and a picnic lunch would wrap up a perfect day. When I was older, roller skating on the sidewalk in front of our house was a favorite activity and, in addition, the nearby city park provided hours of organized recreational activities and swimming. The highlight of my life in Havre, however, was turning six and finally being able to attend first grade at St. Jude’s Catholic School. Before that time, I remember sitting on the steps of our house trying to read the newspaper and wishing I could go to school. A whole new world opened up to me at that point: a life which included friends, books (that I could read myself) and a new-found independence. I had never seen myself as a child and, to me, this new life was proof that I had grown up. Perhaps this wonderful new life that I was experiencing was what made it so difficult for me when we had to leave Montana. Throughout my student years, my level of confidence and well-being never equaled what I experienced in those precious, early years in Havre. That is why, when I am asked where I grew up I always include Montana in my answer, even though my time there was short lived. That is also why, as I drive through Montana on my many trips north to visit my family, I never feel as if I’m just passing through. I feel like I am finally home.
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HAVMAT
THE NIGHTCAP
Vol. 1 — March 2015
Photos by John Paul Schmidt, Amber Wells Counter-clockwise from above: Liz Schultz sets up for a shot at The Palace David, Judy, Shandra and Connie celebrate Shandra's birthday at The Palace.
CHEESEBOOT
Alex Dreeben shoots the cue ball at The Palace. Brittne Zimmer and Melody Adamson have a drink at The Oxford in preparation for karaoke. Sammy Hokulani and Shawn-Ana Suda show off their costumes for the Zombie Prom at Shamrock's.
KOMBUCHA TEA