December 2015 • A special publication by the Havre Daily News
Live nativity to illustrate the birth of Christ The first Saturday of Christmas, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. is a special time for the people of Van Orsdel United Methodist Church. Prior to 5 p.m., there is hustle bustle as people make final plans for the annual Living Nativity Scene that takes place just adjacent to the church. But at the strike of 5 o’clock, there is silence. Church members portray the birth of Christ as it was explained in the gospels. Jesus and Mary watch over the baby Jesus, sometimes portrayed by a live infant if one is available from the congregation. Shepherds and wise men stand in solemn observance. Along with the people is a host of of animals, as there was on the first Christmas.
One of the donkeys has been with the Nativity Scene for the entire history of the pageant, which has been going 17 or 18 years, said Ray Toth, who has also been with the program from the beginning. This year there also will be a lama, at least one alpaca, sheep, a miniature donkey and a miniature horse and perhaps even a cow. Fifth Avenue remains hectic throughout the twohour program, but many people stop to enjoy the silence and meditate, Toth said. Every half-hour or so, he said, performers are given a rest and other parishioners take their place. Havre Daily News/Stacy Mantle Participants enact the annual living nativity scene at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church along 5th Avenue.
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December 2015
VISIT Havre & the Hi-Line
Welcome Welcome our Canadian neighbors and friends … to Havre.
Our area is rich in history of the American West. Havre was settled more than 100 years ago, after James J. Hill forged the Great Northern Railroad, now Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, across the Great Plains. Havre quickly became the transportation hub of the area, providing goods and supplies to the area trappers, miners and military stationed at Fort Assinniboine. Area museums and attractions set the stage for a visit, showcasing and re-creating local history. The Havre Daily News is pleased to bring this community tourism information guide for visitors to the area. Recreation can be found in town at city parks, the golf courses, historical attractions and art venues. Western hospitality is no catchpenny phrase in Havre. Hospitality and friendliness are a charming part of the town’s personality, as genuine and as real as the surrounding hills. Havre is a town where visitors are warmly welcomed whether the
stay is an hour, a day or a week. Outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities beckon with camping and fishing in Beaver Creek Park located in the Bear Paw Mountains and at Fresno Reservoir. Beaver Creek Park, 10,000 acres in size, provides a beautiful natural recreation area. Historical and archeological sites await visitors, including the bison kill site, on the western edge of Havre, and Fort Assinniboine, one of the largest forts in the nation built at the end of the Indian Wars just south of Havre. The arts also embrace Havre, from art shows to theater productions performed by local actors and concerts and shows by nationally recognized talent. A variety of attractions also exist in surrounding communities. Numerous museums, historical sites and other attractions are all awaiting within a few hour drive of Havre. A smiling welcome awaits visitors, who can use this guide to find activities, accommodations, shopping, restaurants, taverns and services while they enjoy Havre and the Hi-Line.
Know Before You Go A little preparation will help simplify the process of entering the United States. Customs and Border Protection reminds travelers:
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older, to present a valid acceptable travel document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. U.S. and Canadian citizens under age 16 may present a birth certificate or alternative proof of citizenship when entering by land or sea. WHTI - compliant documents for entry into the United States at land and sea ports include: o U.S. or Canadian passports; o Trusted traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST/EXPRES); o U.S. passport card; o State- or province-issued and enhanced driver’s licenses (when and where available). For more information, visit the WHTI website at GetYouHome.gov. A radio frequency identification-enabled travel document, such as a U.S. passport card, enhanced driver’s license/enhanced identification card or trusted traveler program card, expedites entry and makes crossing the border more efficient. Other programs that facilitate the entry process for international travelers coming into the country to visit, study or conduct legitimate business include trusted traveler programs, such as SENTRI, NEXUS and Global Entry. For more information about these programs, visit www.cbp.gov. The • • •
hours at the ports near Wild Horse are: Sweetgrass, MT: open 24 hours per day all year Wild Horse, MT: open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during winter hours Willow Creek, MT: open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all year
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VISIT Havre & the Hi-Line
December 2015
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Calendar of events DECEMBER 2015
December 4th-5th – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “A Seussified Christmas Carol” – 8pm – MSU-N Theater December 4th-6th – Chouteau County Country Christmas – Big Sandy, Carter, Fort Benton, Geraldine, Highwood, Loma & Virgelle December 5th – St. Jude Christmas Bazaar – 10:30am-2pm – Holiday Stroll through Havre Beneath the Streets – 1pm-4pm – Cowboy Christmas – 5pm – MSU-Northern Gym December 5th-6th – Winterfest Craft Show – Holiday Village Mall – Pictures with Santa – Noon-3pm – Holiday Village Mall December 6th – Piano & Pipes Christmas Concert – 2pm – First Lutheran Church December 10th-12th – Native American Classic Basketball Tournament MSU-Northern Gym December 11th-12th – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “A Seussified Christmas Carol”– 8pm – MSU-N Theater December 12th – Lunch with Santa – Noon – Holiday Village Mall – Dinosaur Christmas Party – 1pm-3pm – H. Earl Clack Museum – Xmas Recital on Ice – Noon – Havre Ice Dome – American Heart Association CPR/First Aid Class 9am-3:30pm – HRDC December 12th-13th – Citywide Bake Sale – Holiday Village Mall – Pictures with Santa – Noon-3pm – Holiday Village Mall December 13th – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “A Seussified Christmas Carol” – Matinee 2pm – MSU-N Theater December 18th-19th – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “A Seussified Christmas Carol” – 8pm – MSU-N Theater December 19th – Recycle Drive & E-Waste Collection – 8:30am-11:30am Pacific Steel & Recycling December 19th-20th – Pictures with Santa – Noon-3pm – Holiday Village Mall December 20th – Eagles Kids’ Christmas Party – 2pm – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “A Seussified Christmas Carol”– Matinee 2pm – MSU-N Theater December 22nd-23rd – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “A Seussified Christmas Carol”– 8pm – MSU-N Theater December 24th – Christmas Eve December 25th – Christmas Day – Community Christmas Dinner – 11am-2pm – Eagles Club December 26th – Boxing Day (Canadian Holiday) December 31st – New Year’s Eve
JANUARY 2016
January 1st – New Year’s Day – Chamber Office Closed January 15th-16th – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “God of Carnage” 8pm – MSU-N Theater January 16th – Recycle Drive & E-Waste Collection – 8:30am-11:30am Pacific Steel & Recycling January 18th – Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Chamber Office Closed January 20th – Chamber Annual Meeting – Noon – Duck Inn Olympic Room January 21st-23rd – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “God of Carnage” 8pm – MSU-N Theater January 28th-30th – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “God of Carnage” 8pm – MSU-N Theater January 30th-31st – 5th Annual Fresno Ice Fishing Derby – Fresno Reservoir
FEBRUARY 2016
February 2nd – Groundhog Day February 6th – MSU-Northern Ball February 9th – Tavern Association Dinner – 6pm – Duck Inn Olympic Room February 12th – Friends of the Havre/Hill County Library Pie Social – 4pm
OFFICE
(406) 265-6795 • 1-800-993-2459
PUBLISHER Stacy Mantle smantle@havredailynews.com EDITOR
John Kelleher jkelleher@havredailynews.com
DESIGN
Stacy Mantle, Jenn Thompson & Britnee Dyrland
ADVERTISING SALES Taylor Faulkinberry Danielle Warren Amber Wells
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES Rhonda Petersen rpetersen@havredailynews.com
For advertising information, contact Havre Daily News 119 Second Street P.O. Box 431 Havre, MT 59501 406-265-6795
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VISIT Havre & the Hi-Line
December 2015
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BORDER-CROSSING ACCESS POINTS
1. Rykerts - Porthill: BC 21/SH 1 2. Kingsgate - Eastport: BC 95/US-95 3. Roosville: BC 93/US 93 4. Chief Mtn: Hwy 6/MT 17 5. Carway - Piegan: Hwy 2/US 89
6. Del Bonita: Hwy 62/MT 213 7. Coutts - Sweetgrass: Hwy 4/1-15 8. Aden - Whitlash: Hwy 880/MT 409 9. Wild Horse: Hwy 41/MT 232 10. Willow Creek: Hwy 21/MT 233 11. Climax - Turner: Hwy 37/MT 241
Havre’s Community Christmas Dinner Several years ago, the Havre Eagles Club took over operation of the annual Christmas dinner. For 30 years prior, local families had run the event. Eagles Club manager Tom Farnum said he quickly realized the importance of the dinner to the community. One year, he said, he saw a man he knows to be a millionaire having dinner and chatting with a guy he said most people would consider a bum. “They were just sitting there having a good time,” he said. Diners can eat for free or make a donation to supplement what community groups, social organizations and anonymous donors contribute to make the dinner a success. The dinner, held Christmas Day, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Eagles Club, is not aimed to serve just the poor or the lost and lonely. It’s for everybody. Sometimes older couples don’t want to go through the effort to prepare a
Christmas meal. Sometimes families plan on celebrating Christmas before or after the actual holiday, but want something to do on Christmas Day. In any event a large crowd usually turns out for the festivities. If you don’t know anyone coming, you will find friends quickly, Farnum said. “All you have to do is show up and bring a smile,” Farnum said. The food is prepared and served by volunteers who then help to clean up. Some of the volunteers have been there for years. One couple comes in from the Bear Paws, 20 miles south of Chinook to volunteer every year. Others are newcomers, just looking to get into the spirit of the season. People who want to volunteer need only show up, he said. And people who would like a hot meal on Christmas Day and can’t make it to the Eagles Club should call them ahead of time at 265-9551.
Have a very Dino Christmas H. Earl Clack Museum is hosting its fourth annual Dinosaur Christmas Saturday, Dec. 12, from 1 to 3 p.m., with dinosaur-themed activities for elementary-age children. To honor the museum’s prize display of a dinosaur nest complete with eggs, kids will be making their own dinosaur eggs. They can also frost dinosaur cookies and make dinosaur decorations for the museum’s Christmas tree. Along with these activities, Cory Pierson will be making balloon animals. All the action will be taking place in the main walkway in front of the museum at the Holiday Village Mall. There is no cost to attend and participate, and, though all kids are welcome to attend, activities
are geared toward kids in elementary school. Organizer Judi Dritshulas said that the second year of the event drew considerably larger crowds than it did the first year. Though organizers were surprised by the number of participants, she added, this year they are better prepared for those numbers. “You know, kids love dinosaurs, so it’s not a hard sell," Dritshulas said about kids coming to join in the activities. "It's just a lot of fun," she added.
12. Monchy - Morgan: Hwy 4/US 191 13. West Poplar River - Opheim: Hwy 2/MT 24 14. Coronach - Scobey: Hwy 36/MT 13 15. Big Beaver - Whitetail: Hwy 34/MT 511 16. Regway - Raymond: Hwy 6/MT 16