Explore Big Sky - July 27 to August 9, 2023

RECAPPING BIG SKY’S BIGGEST WEEK; RODEO CLOWN FLINT RASMUSSEN RETIRES IN BIG SKY

WAYNE HILL TURNS 100

HOUSING: ‘GOOD DEEDS’ GRANTED $1.39M

ACTIVISTS DISCUSS MONTANA HEADWATERS LEGACY ACT

PLUS: LOVERS OF MUSIC AND RIVERS AWAIT THE WILDLANDS FESTIVAL

July 27-August 9

Volume 14, Issue No. 15

Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana PUBLISHER

Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Jack Reaney | jack@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

Leslie Kilgore | leslie@theoutlawpartners.com

DIGITAL PRODUCER

Jen Clancey | jen@theoutlawpartners.com

CREATIVE

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Trista Hillman | trista@theoutlawpartners.com

SALES AND

OPERATIONS

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Treston Wold | treston@theoutlawpartners.com

VP DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Hiller Higman | hiller@theoutlawpartners.com

MEDIA AND EVENTS DIRECTOR

Ersin Ozer | ersin@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTENT PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Tucker Harris | tucker@theoutlawpartners.com

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD

Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Taylor Allen, Bailey J. Beltramo, Daniel Bierschwale, Mario Carr, Gabriella DiCenzo, Doug Hare, Rachel Hergett, Joseph T. O’Connor, Benjamin Alva Polley, Shannon Steele, Paul Swenson, Andy Watson

Although young Hayze Louis was honored with a stadium-sized interview for winning mutton bustin’ on the third and final night of the Big Sky PBR, young cowgirl Quinn Welker earned her own keep. She won three consecutive mutton bustin’ events in one week—first at the Big Sky Community Rodeo, and then the first two nights of Big Sky PBR. Six-year-old Welker told EBS the strategy is to close your eyes, put your head down and squeeze the wool. She did not attend the final night of PBR—her absence leaves the epic showdown between Louis and Welker to our imagination.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HOUSING: ‘GOOD DEEDS’ GRANTED

$1.39M

The Big Sky Community Housing Trust succeeded in its first year running the Good Deeds program, which places deed restrictions on homes to ensure they will be occupied—and owned—by members of Big Sky’s full-time workforce. After quickly exhausting its first fiscal year budget, the housing trust was awarded a total of $1.39 million to continue operating Good Deeds through collaborative grants from Big Sky organizations.

WAYNE HILL TURNS 100

A Big Sky resident since 1985, Wayne Hill will celebrate 100 years on Aug. 14. Wayne’s years in Big Sky have included fly fishing and river floats, concerts, biking and hiking, skiing until age 92, and even key leadership to set up Big Sky’s first official water and sewer district—in fact, Wayne told EBS his role as president was a top highlight from 38 years in Big Sky. He continues to live unassisted with his wife, Marilyn, 92.

ACTIVISTS DISCUSS MONTANA HEADWATERS LEGACY ACT

EBS contributors Scott Bosse and Kristin Gardner help lead American Rivers and Gallatin River Task Force, respectively, a pair of nonprofit organizations fighting for river conservation and stewardship. Healthy rivers are essential to ecosystem health in Gallatin County and beyond, and proposed legislation—the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act—could protect a significant share of Montana’s rivers by designating them as “Wild and Scenic,” but Montanans need to show support.

PLUS: LOVERS OF MUSIC AND RIVERS AWAIT THE WILDLANDS FESTIVAL

ON THE COVER:

With Foo Fighters and Lord Huron headlining the Wildlands Festival on Aug. 4-6 in Big Sky, the meaning behind the music is just as important: the three-day event hopes to raise significant funds for American Rivers and the Gallatin River Task Force, while increasing awareness about the issues threatening rivers in our backyard—and possible solutions that exist to protect them while they remain healthy.

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL POLICY

POLICIES

Outlaw Partners, LLC is the sole owner of Explore Big Sky. EBS reserves the right to edit all submitted material. Printed material reflects the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the opinion of Outlaw Partners or its editors. EBS will not publish anything discriminatory or in bad taste.

EBS welcomes obituaries written by family members or from funeral homes. To place an obituary, please submit 500 words or less to media@theoutlawpartners.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the editor allow EBS readers to express views and share how they would like to effect change. These are not Thank You notes. Letters should be 250 words or less, respectful, ethical, accurate, and proofread for grammar and content. We reserve the right to edit letters and will not publish individual grievances about specific businesses or letters that are abusive, malicious or potentially libelous. Include: full name, address, phone number and title. Submit to media@outlaw.partners.

ADVERTISING DEADLINE

For the July 27 issue: August 2nd, 2023

CORRECTIONS

Please report errors to media@outlaw.partners.

OUTLAW PARTNERS & EXPLORE BIG SKY

P.O. Box 160250, Big Sky, MT 59716 (406) 995-2055 • media@theoutlawpartners.com

© 2023 Explore Big Sky unauthorized reproduction prohibited

American folk band Caamp came to the Big Sky Events Arena on July 11 to a full venue of fans. Lone Mountain put on her own show at sunset, offering a spectacular view as the night came to a close. PHOTO BY JOE ESENTHER

PHOTO BY TAYLOR ALLEN

Get to Know YOUR Elected Officials

Big Sky Resort Area District's Board of Directors

Sarah Blechta Chair

Sarah has spent most of her life calling Big Sky home. She looks forward to helping continue to shape Big Sky as a sustainable community, a place where individuals and families want to stay. A huge advocate of collaboration, Sarah embodies the District’s vision that we are better together.

Steve has actively served the community for decades as a volunteer, trustee and board member for countless Big Sky organizations. He favors strategic planning to buy assets over time while understanding the administrative and maintenance needs required to operate those assets.

Steve Johnson Secretary & Treasurer

An avid outdoorsman, Kevin is focused on the future of our community. He supports the capital improvements necessary to address critical infrastructure needs, and is passionate about finding real solutions for our workforce - from housing to daycare to transportation and everything in between.

A Bobcat Alumna, Ciara uses her extensive and diverse nonprofit leadership to the Resort Tax Board. She uses an objective approach to evaluate funding requests and prioritizes listening to the community to help with decision making

A Big Sky resident for over 20 years, Grace has developed a keen sense of place. Her role on the BSRAD Board is very personal to her – she regards community members as neighbors and family – and strives to make this a place that everyone wants to call home.

Get to know more about the Big Sky Resort Area District Board at ResortTax.org, or attend a meeting and see them in action.

Grace Young Director

Kevin Germain Director

Ciara Wolfe Vice Chair

LOCAL NEWS IN BRIEF

ARTS COUNCIL HOSTS BIG SKY ARTISAN FESTIVAL

EBS STAFF

The Big Sky Artisan Festival assembled nearly 100 artists at Len Hill Park on July 22 for an all-day art showcase hosted by the Arts Council of Big Sky.

Four performances helped fill the sunny day, including the Montana State University African Student Association, a representative of the Blackfoot Tribe, a “Sizzling Salsa” performance and country line dancing with the Western Roots Dance Company.

“I can’t stress enough how organic it is… it’s very special… the artist community runs deep,” said Jane Liivoja, events director for the Arts Council, when explaining how the festival has steadily grown over the years.

WOMAN KILLED IN BEAR ENCOUNTER NEAR WEST YELLOWSTONE

EBS STAFF

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced on July 24 that a woman was killed in a bear encounter on the Buttermilk Trail near West Yellowstone. The woman was identified as 48-year old Amie Adamson of Derby, Kansas.

MFWP received the call that a hiker had found the woman on July 22 at 8 a.m. “FWP wardens and bear specialists, along with staff from other agencies, found that the woman had wounds consistent with a bear attack,” the release stated. The coroner’s office confirmed the cause of death was due to bear mauling, and it remains under investigation.

There were no signs of a daybed or animal carcasses in the nearby area. “The hiker was believed to be alone during the encounter, and no bear spray or firearms were found at the scene,” the release stated.

FIRES BURN IN WESTERN MONTANA, YNP SEES FIRST FIRE OF THE SEASON

EBS STAFF

Smoke reached southwest Montana on July 23 from several wildfires burning northwest of Big Sky: The Colt Fire in Lolo National Forest north of Missoula and the Bowles Fire in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.

The Colt Fire is 15 miles northwest of Seeley Lake and started on July 17 due to a lightning strike. As of July 26, the fire spans 4,390 acres and is 0% contained. Personnel plan for a July 29 containment date according to updates on InciWeb from the Incident Commander.

The Bowles Fire is burning southwest of Skalkaho Pass. It began after a lightning storm hit the area and was found on July 20. The wildfire spans 1,663 acres as of July 26.

Yellowstone National Park confirmed its first fire of the season on July 24, but the .1 acre blaze was quickly extinguished. Park officials declared fire danger in the park as HIGH but did not enact any fire restrictions.

BOZEMAN POLICE DEPARTMENT ARREST 18 AFTER HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND CHILD EXPLOITATION INVESTIGATION

EBS STAFF

The human trafficking and child exploitation investigation was conducted by the Bozeman Police Department from July 20-22, resulting in the arrests of 18 people, according to a news release from the department’s Facebook page.

“These individuals have been charged with 18 counts of patronizing a prostitute, five counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of patronizing a victim of sex trafficking for a child victim,” the release stated.

According to reporting by Nora Shelly of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, among the arrested were a school district trustee and an assistant football coach at Bozeman High School.

The investigation is ongoing and the Bozeman Police Department hopes the investigation will educate the community.

HEALTH AUTHORITIES RELEASE FINAL REPORT ON DAVE’S SUSHI INCIDENT

EBS STAFF

Two individuals died and three were hospitalized after eating at Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman on April 17 and becoming ill from suspected foodborne causes related to morel mushrooms.

A recent investigation showed a strong association between consuming morel mushrooms at the restaurant and developing gastrointestinal illness. The study also showed an association between likelihood of illness and quantity of sushi consumed. Between March 28 and April 17, more than 50 individuals reported becoming sick with gastrointestinal symptoms after eating at Dave’s Sushi.

“DNA sequencing was performed on the morel mushroom samples, and identified the species as Morchella sextelata, a type of true morel,” a press release from Healthy Gallatin states

The full report is available at healthygallatin.org.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To all real property owners in Gallatin County:

Like every property owner I have talked to or who has contacted me, I’m in “Sticker Shock” over my recently received 2023 Classification & Appraisal Notice from MT DOR.

Commissioners & Councilmembers in Municipalities and Gallatin County will soon be finalizing their annual budgets (August).

MT DOR will soon be certifying and sending taxing jurisdictions (Municipalities and Gallatin County) the total taxable value of property in each jurisdiction (the first Monday in August which is August 7, 2023).

Municipalities and Gallatin County use the following formula to generate your property tax bill:

Taxable Value x Mill Levy = General Property Tax

Based on the Classification & Appraisal Notice, I’m certain the total taxable value of property in each jurisdiction will be much higher than it was last year. Your Clerk and Recorder should have a record of taxable value certifications from previous years should you choose to compare.

When municipalities and Gallatin County apply the formula above, they should lower the number of mills they levy because the taxable value is much higher.

If you want to do something about your upcoming property tax bill (payment due November 30th), I suggest you attend City and County budget meetings. Speak up. Send emails. Hold your elected officials accountable. Let City and County Commissioners know they should REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MILLS THEY LEVY this year.

From,

Senator Shelley Vance PO Box 1, Belgrade, MT 59714

GOOD DEEDS

BY JENNIFER CLANCEY

BIG SKY—In Big Sky, no good deed goes unnoticed. After exhausting the Good Deeds program budget halfway through its inaugural fiscal year, the Big Sky Community Housing Trust knew that the local workforce would be interested in owning affordable Big Sky homes.

Good Deeds started in the spring of 2022 and aims to preserve existing housing for working residents, provide grants for down payments and place permanent deed restrictions on properties for people serving the Big Sky community. The program takes after efforts in similar towns, like Vail’s InDeed program.

On June 22, Elevate Big Sky provided Good Deeds with a collaborative grant totaling to $1.39 million: $800,000 from Resort Tax and $560,000 from Elevate Big Sky’s board.

Ruthi Solari, director of community impact at the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, discussed the grant’s significance to Elevate Big Sky: “When we first formed Elevate Big Sky in 2022, there was 100% consensus that affordable housing was the number one issue that has been most urgent to the funding partners, our corporate leaders as well as the community,” she said.

MILLION TO

HOMEOWNERSHIP

She describes Elevate Big Sky as “a collaborative giving framework, bringing together public and private dollars to leverage funds and encourage collaboration in the community.”

For the housing trust, this is an opportunity to continue to keep local workers and families in the Big Sky area.

“I arrived here at a time when it was still possible to arrive in this community and work hard and integrate into the community and… and start a life here and buy a house and start a family… and that’s a cycle that is no longer doable,” said David O’Connor, executive director of the housing trust.

“This is one of the primary tools that we’ll be able to use to try to open up a path for today’s Big Sky residents that has been open for the rest of us up until now,” he added.

A property placed under a deed restriction through Good Deeds prevents the home from becoming a shortterm rental, requires the home be workforce occupied and allows for Big Sky workers to live in the area. Good Deeds participants also avoid common hurdles like high down payments on properties. This is important especially

for owners who can afford the monthly payment but are stopped by hefty upfront costs.

“So, in that instance, it’s a down payment assistance grant,” O’Connor explained.

Good Deeds has seven deed-restricted properties under their belt so far, which has helped the housing trust project the number of homes they can secure in a year’s time.

“We think the market pace is about 20 per year,” O’Connor said. “We’re just getting started. What we would like to get to is something that looks like 20% of the total properties that are priced under a million and a half.”

O’Connor explained that this 20% target is likely decades away.

Deed restrictions have become a way to preserve communities in blossoming resort towns across the West. O’Connor hopes that the method may attract potential homeowners who bring value to Big Sky.

“It’s an old tool, but using it this way, is a new idea.”

GRANTED $1.39

SUPPORT WORKFORCE

WITH SEVEN DEED-RESTRICTED PROPERTIES IN THE ‘GOOD DEEDS’ PROGRAM, THE BIG SKY COMMUNITY HOUSING TRUST AIMS FOR MORE AFTER COLLABORATIVE GRANT FROM ELEVATE BIG SKY

BIG SKY EMBRACES ‘A PIECE OF THE PBR’S HISTORY’

AS THE SUN SET ON A WILD BIG SKY PBR WEEKEND, FLINT RASMUSSEN RETIRES FOLLOWING A STORIED CAREER IN WESTERN SPORTS

BY MIRA BRODY

Big Sky’s Biggest Week is produced by Outlaw Partners, publisher of Explore Big Sky.

BIG SKY—On July 20, 21 and 22, the Big Sky Events Arena once again filled its bleachers to the brim, serving as the gathering place for the 12th Big Sky PBR, showcasing some of the best bulls and bull riders, celebrating victory after an 18-yearold rookie’s winning ride, a visit from Professional Bull Riders CEO Sean Gleason, as well as two governors, a presidential candidate, energetic spectators, and as always—breathtaking sunsets.

Once a sagebrush field and an idea, Eric Ladd, chairman and CEO at Outlaw Partners, alongside Andy and Jacey Watson of Freestone Productions and Jim Murphy, joined forces to create something authentic to Montana. Now over a decade later, Big Sky PBR has won Event of the Year nine times consecutively, an honor bestowed within the PBR circuit by the touring cowboys. Surrounded by the quickly developing Big Sky Town Center, the Big Sky Events Arena is one of the last patches that remains unchanged since the event began, and emulates the grit that brings it to life each summer.

“There’s a lot of conversation and things that are going on here in Big Sky and a lot of growth, but we’re hoping that this piece of land is here for the next 25 years so we can be the 34-time Event of the Year in Big Sky, Montana,” Gleason said during the night’s Event of the Year award presentation.

The weekend also staged a standing ovation for an icon in the industry, Flint Rasmussen.

Over his 30 years in the game Rasmussen, in his familiar Cooper Tires jersey, straw cowboy hat and unmistakable mask, has walked (and danced) on a lot of rodeo dirt. He’s become familiar with arenas coast to coast, many boasting audience capacities of over 20,000. But on July 22, it felt fitting in front of 3,200 people at the Big Sky Events Arena on the final night of Big Sky PBR, to clown his last show.

For most of the three-day event, it felt like the 55-year-old rodeo entertainer’s normal routine— dancing to Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA,” offering tongue-in-cheek commentary during the dance-off and flinging his hat at a rowdy bull who promptly about-faced and charged. Driven by decades of honed intuition against 2,000-pound bovines, the rodeo clown hopped onto the arena gates to safety as the audience gasped.

Even the bulls were trying to get their last act with a piece of Western sports history before his retirement.

“PBR isn’t just bull riding, PBR is entertainment,” said Gleason during a special segment honoring Rasmussen. “We love to entertain fans, we love to win your hearts and minds and we wouldn’t have done it without ‘The Clown Boy’ as I affectionately call him, Mr. Flint Rasmussen. Flint, we owe you the world—thank you.”

Growing up, rodeo dirt made up much of Rasmussen’s DNA; his father and brother were

both rodeo announcers and after summers entertaining between college semesters, the Montana-native’s high school teaching career took a sharp left turn into the arena for good. In 1998, he signed on as the exclusive entertainer for the PBR tour.

“I was successful at it because all I ever wanted to be was some sort of performer,” Rasmussen told EBS, reflecting on his weekend. “It was just my avenue to be in the entertainment business.”

At the Big Sky PBR, announcer Matt West referred to him as “A piece of the PBR’s history.”

“He was the one man we trusted every single weekend to help make those memories,” West said of Rasmussen’s impact on rodeo fans across the country.

He was presented with a gold rifle by Outlaw Partners, an offering of welcome from the community for his service. Rasmussen, who officially announced his retirement in May, told fans that he preferred his final send off to take place here, in Big Sky.

“I come from a town of 1,600 people, Choteau, Montana, and I started at rodeos like Gardiner

and Absarokee and Big Timber and Havre, and I know Big Sky’s not exactly like those little towns,” Rasmussen told cheering fans. “I thought, yeah, what the hell, let’s just do the last one at Big Sky and go out with a bang.”

An arena for special victories

The rodeo’s closing night crowned 18-year-old Kade Madsen the Big Sky PBR champion with his 91.5 point ride on a bull named Tulsa Time, a ride that took him so much by surprise that he turned to exit and dropped his hat, only to be collected by Rasmussen, who lifted his arm in victory toward a cheering crowd.

“It’s awesome,” Madsen told EBS shortly after his ride. He acknowledged his older brother, Briggs Madsen, who also rode this weekend. “Just to be here at 18 years old and have this opportunity to ride here with these great athletes and get on these great bucking bulls, it’s just something special.”

The night also crowned the weekend’s PBR Mutton Bustin’ champ, Hayze Louis, who left the dirt with a trophy about the size of himself. Louis’ father, PBR athlete and Browning, Montana-native Dakota Louis, greeted him proudly after his ride.

18-year-old Kade Madsen on Tulsa Time for the event-championship ride.

Josh McCain and Officer Marshall of Big Sky Bravery accept money raised from the Calcutta.

“I got the same start out there with my dad showing me and stuff,” Dakota said of his son. “I’m very thankful that we get to live in a world with freedom and get to have these opportunities.”

Hayze’s secret?

“Have fun,” he told EBS.

Another young athlete claimed their limelight during the Dance Your Boots Off competition; 12-year-old Big Sky local and freestyle skier Owen Edgar awed the crowd by landing a backflip off the side of the arena gates—all after returning from a 10-day ski training camp at Mount Hood, Oregon.

“I knew that if I got picked I was gonna do a backflip… I wanted to try to walk on the barrel, but it was too heavy to do that,” Edgar said of his routine.

Saturday was a culmination of not only three nights of bull riding but a schedule of events known as Big Sky’s Biggest Week featuring nearly two weeks of family-friendly activities including the Big Sky Community Rodeo presented by the Yellowstone Club, Community Day & Mutton Bustin’, Community Street Dance, golf tournament, bingo night, and three nights of post-PBR live music.

Behind these events follows an ethos of not only community gathering, but also of charity—with a total of $304,800 raised from this year’s Big Sky PBR events. The Big Sky PBR Golf Tournament brought in over $56,000 for Western Sports Foundation, a nonprofit that provides aid to injured cowboy athletes, and the Dick Allgood Community Bingo Night raised $34,800 for Wellness in Action, a nonprofit that provides counseling, wellness and other support services for Big Sky residents.

PBR’s nightly Calcutta and 50/50 raffle brought in over $194,000 that benefitted numerous charities including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Civil Air Patrol, Montana State University Athletics & MSU Rodeo, Big Sky Search and Rescue and Big Sky Bravery.

“I don’t have to explain to people at a rodeo why the star field is facing forward on this flag,” said Officer Marshall, a participant and volunteer for Big Sky Bravery, nonprofit that has helped him and other active duty Special Operations Forces. He shared the dirt on Saturday with organization founder, Josh McCain. In addition to the Calcutta, Marshall auctioned off the flag and call sign patches he wore in combat bringing in an additional $20,000.

“I wore this patch on hundreds of combat operations, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and elsewhere,” Marshall said. “It’s been there through thick and thin.”

The arena in Big Sky was also the stage for a dramatic thunderstorm on Thursday night during which, true to his craft and unperturbed by the pouring rain, Rasmussen danced to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” while fans waited out a short delay. Friday delivered an adrenaline-dousing Bounty Bull ride on a high-stakes bull, Viper, earning rider Vitor Losnake $20,000; and a visit from Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and North Dakota Governor and presidential candidate, Doug Burgum.

“Hello Big Sky, who’s ready to rodeo?” Gov. Gianforte, accompanied by First Lady Susan Gianforte, riled the crowd on Friday night.

Just before Friday’s PBR during a reception event, Burgum was introduced by fellow North Dakotan and PBR stock contractor Chad Berger, a man who has been moving bulls since the 1960s. Both men voiced their passion for small town values.

“I know that in America, we can win every battle we’re up against because of the kind of people that are in this town tonight,” Burgum said.

A final dance

The night before his show on Saturday, Rasmussen said his daughter Shelby was watching him do his makeup; he couldn’t seem to get it right.

“It just reminded me it was the last time,” he laughed. “For my girls, this is all they know, this is dad’s job. It’s been a long time, day after day, 100 times a year.”

“Montana is the only place I’ve lived,” he added. “Why not end this great ride anywhere else then where it started, in Montana?”

Just as other entertainment legends have left their mark, Rasmussen sunsetted his career on the dirt doing what he does best—engaging with his crowd through the art of song. Surrounded by a galaxy of cellphone lights bobbing respectfully in the full stands of the Big Sky Events Arena, the rodeo clown pulled out a harmonica, and with the help of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” on the loudspeaker, danced for us all one last time.

The article includes reporting by Jack Reaney.

Photos by Taylor Allen.

Outlaw Partners receives the 9x Event of the Year award from PBR CEO Sean Gleason.

Flint Rasmussen and Kade Madsen celebrate after his winning ride.

Owen Edgar lands a backflip during the Dance Your Boots Off competition.

Flint Rasmussen bows to his adoring fans.

Hayze Louis salutes during Saturday night’s mutton bustin’ event.

Big Sky’s Biggest Week

“It takes a vision, it takes intention, it takes leadership, it takes a village to execute flawlessly and ensure hic-ups are behind the scenes... We love and cheered Kade Madsen the rookie... Thank you to you and your team for another successful PBR. Please acknowledge everyone on our behalf and please let them know we appreciate their efforts. We had a wonderful time for our 10th year in a row!”

—Johanne and Keith Bouchard

“[Friday night] was awesome show. We are just leaving. [It] made me cry I was so happy to be there. Took my posters to get framed today, can't wait to put them up.”

—Sandy Thompson

“I’ve attended [at least 15 National Finals Rodeos] in Oklahoma City, Las Vegas and Dallas... six PBR Finals in Las Vegas and Fort Worth and multiple other rodeos in various cities. The four Big Sky PBRs that I have attended are the best overall Western sports events I have ever been to. The combination of the location, quality of bulls and riders and the crowd is unmatched. [I] look forward to seeing you guys in Fort Worth in May 2024 to pick up PBR event of the year for the 10th time.”

—Steve Anglin, of Texas.

LOCAL KING OF THE HILL

WAYNE HILL, A WORLD WAR II VETERAN, WILL LIGHT 100 CANDLES ON AUG. 14

BY JACK REANEY

BIG SKY—He doesn't look a day over 80, but Wayne Hill will celebrate his 100th birthday on Aug. 14.

Big Sky residents since 1985, Wayne and his wife Marilyn, 91, continue to live unassisted—they climb two staircases in their three-level home and take road trips for concerts. They’re done skiing, but Wayne is proud to say he never hurt himself before he stopped at age 92. Marilyn still considers an occasional bike ride, but Wayne gave up his two wheels around age 95. Above all, they enjoy health and happiness in Big Sky.

They discovered Big Sky while camping and fishing the Gallatin River in 1976 when a friend and fishing guide from West Yellowstone recommended they fish between mile markers 40 and 50.

“We saw [the Big Sky] entrance down there, and said, ‘Oh that’s that place Chet Huntley started,’” Wayne recalled. “And so we drove up in here, and that was it for us.”

Two years later, they purchased a lot on a dirt road called “Little Coyote” and eventually built their retirement home in 1985.

On a sunny morning in July 2023, the Hills welcomed EBS into that cozy home to share memories from the past century and nearly four decades spent in Big Sky.

“I was born in 1923, and that’s some kind of a TV-series or something right now, I don’t understand. But anyhow, I was born in northern Idaho in the panhandle and grew up during the Great Depression,” Wayne began.

He said his generation was toughened by the Great Depression.

“It was preparing us, my generation, for World War II,” he explained.

America joined the war while Wayne was in college at Eastern Washington University. He put his big-league dreams to rest—a long-ball-hitting first baseman, Wayne knew he lacked speed—and joined the U.S. Army for three years, including 19 months in Europe. Ever grateful for the G.I. Bill, which he called “the greatest thing that you could ever have,” Wayne finished college at Stanford University after returning from war.

Next, he spent more than three decades teaching sociology at San Diego State University. He was thankful to find a comfortable and enjoyable way to make a good living.

When he retired and the Hills moved to Big Sky, Wayne got right back to work.

He became the first president of Big Sky’s water and sewer district. Wayne told EBS his favorite memory from years living in Big Sky was the successful creation of a formal water and sewer district during his eight years of volunteer service.

“But what are your favorite memories of living here for 38 years?” Marilyn pleaded, after Wayne—a lover of rivers, trails, music and the great outdoors—cited a public works project as his top highlight.

“Well, when we finally got the district set up that was the favorite,” Wayne responded.

After all, current district General Manager Ron Edwards remembers Wayne stopping by the office for coffee on his morning walks, years after Wayne gave up his seat in 1995.

“Wayne was always community minded,” Edwards wrote to EBS. “He had no agenda other than making Big Sky a better place.”

“And he’s one hell of a fly fisherman!” Edwards added. Nevertheless, Wayne said his favorite days were those spent setting up the infrastructure upon which Big Sky has vastly grown.

“I’m afraid that water and sewer is not my favorite memory,” Marilyn said, laughing. She reminisced about helping establish public concerts as a board member with the Arts Council of Big Sky—Marilyn laid the groundwork for Music in the Mountains, bringing acts including the Bozeman Symphony to the tent at the present-day community park.

Wayne conceded and told another story: with his son and grandson, he capsized his small boat at House Rock, an infamous rapid, in Gallatin Canyon.

“I always had known how you get yourself set for the rock,” Wayne remembered. “I just didn’t get it quite right, and we hit the damn thing and turned the boat over, right in the middle of House Rock.”

Wayne Hill, alive nearly a century, and his wife Marilyn have lived in Big Sky since 1985. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

COURTESY OF WAYNE HILL

COURTESY OF WAYNE HILL

Marilyn added that they used to fish and float rivers across the region. Wayne’s favorite fishing spot has always been Earthquake Lake on the Madison River, he said.

“Big Sky was just a centrally located, beautiful place to live,” Marilyn said. “Centrally located for all the things we like to do.”

In their early years, Wayne said Lone Mountain Ranch was their center of life, almost like extended family. In those days, he remembers knowing every person in Big Sky.

“When I go to the post office now, I don’t see anybody I know. Nobody. It’s just so different than it was, way back then,” Wayne said. Marilyn agreed, they aren’t “in the know” anymore. When they first arrived, they never imagined homes being built between Lone Mountain Ranch and Big Sky Resort.

“There’s so much going on here,” she said. “I don’t even try to learn the names of different developments. It’s out of my purview.”

Though increasingly unfamiliar, Wayne said they’re still very comfortable with their Big Sky life.

“Of course, she’s stuck with an old guy who can’t do very much. It’s a problem for her, she just works her tail off trying to keep things going,” Wayne added.

Four secrets to a long life

For a man who’s kept his mind sharp and his body strong aside from a touch of hearing loss, Wayne keeps humble about his age. He’ll say his memory is slipping, but Marilyn disagrees.

“Oh, he remembers,” she said. “He knows how to get any place in the country. He knows every river—which river runs into other rivers, whether [a place is] low elevation, high elevation... When we’re going someplace, I’m driving now but he’ll tell me what’s over here, or which way to turn.”

THE BEST MONTANA MADE JERKY & TREATS

“Or where the first rest stop is,” Wayne added with a chuckle.

“He absolutely knows where the rest stops are between here and San Diego,” Marilyn confirmed.

Wayne shared his four secrets to a long, healthy life:

“The first one is... you have to have Norwegian ancestors, that’s No. 1. And No. 2, you gotta be married to a girl like this, who insists on healthy diets. The third one is living at Big Sky, with the elevation, all the activities, and so on.

“And the last one, I can’t remember what it is,” Wayne said, a playful jab with a youthful smile.

So here’s to Wayne Hill, likely Big Sky’s oldest and surely one of its finest.

The year prior to their House Rock spill, Marilyn captured this shot of the same crew navigating House Rock successfully. When they returned, she captured a similar image—but the outcome was perilous. PHOTO BY MARILYN HILL

Wayne and Marilyn on the slopes. COURTESY OF WAYNE HILL

GOLF COURSE SEES NEW YELLOWTAIL DEVELOPMENT UNDER WAY DEVELOPERS PROJECT INITIAL COMPLETION BY EARLY 2025

BY HUDSON WILLETT EDITORIAL INTERN

BIG SKY—A new multifamily development is coming to Big Sky. The Yellowtail Residences, headed by local developer Kenny Holtz, are under construction between the 10th and 11th hole at the Big Sky Golf Course.

This will be the final multifamily development on the Big Sky Golf Course, and the site has been zoned for one since the 1973 Meadow Village covenants, according to Holtz, who has been in Big Sky since 2003. The project will include six duplex townhomes and the 23-condominium Yellowtail Residences building. The development team has made every effort to bring a thoughtful, meticulously designed, positive addition to the Big Sky community, Holtz told EBS.

“We are just looking to make it one of the most proud developments in the Meadow Village,” Holtz said. With most of the parking underground and most units standing at two stories, Holtz wants to leave views largely unimpeded, and has worked to blend the project thoughtfully with the surrounding homes and area.

“The life and heart of Big Sky on a day-to-day basis is here in the meadow,” Holtz said “You have local businesses, the hospital, the golf course, the resort a short drive away, it’s all right here.”

The Yellowtail Residences will be built in three phases. The first phase, which has already broken ground on amenities and infrastructure such as water and sewer extensions, electrical and fiber optic internet lines, will include three of the six eventual duplexes. The third phase will finish the final three duplexes.

The second phase will be the largest: the Yellowtail Residences building will include 23 condominiums, seven of which are reserved for local Big Sky professionals—units the project calls “Locals Only.”

The average unit size for the Yellowtail Residences building is about 2,300 square feet with the smallest being 1,485 square feet with two units at 5,000 square feet.

“The ‘Locals Only’ units are integrated right into the other units, there is no separate wing or anything.

They are still luxury dream homes, offered below our market price, for people that work and live in Big Sky,” Holtz said.

“The greater Big Sky community is really a partner on this project, and we owe it to Big Sky to bring the best quality and mix of products to the heart of Big Sky,” he added.

The first phase has a goal of completion by late 2024 or early 2025. Holtz hopes phase two will be complete by fall 2026, and phase three does not yet have a start date.

Digital rendering of Yellowtail's position on the golf course at full construction. COURTESY OF KENNY HOLTZ

Holtz stands with a tabletop model of Yellowtail. PHOTO BY HUDSON WILLETT

‘PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN’ DENTAL CLINIC SUPPORTS BIG SKY’S SPANISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS STILL SEEKING ANOTHER DENTAL HYGIENIST FOR JULY 30 PROGRAM

BY MARIO CARR EBS CONTRIBUTOR

BIG SKY—It’s hard to get some people to go to the dentist. Add a language barrier and going to the dentist may only be the result of absolute necessity for many people. Two dentists in Big Sky are seeking to help the members of their community receive the care they may need, by working on a Sunday and out of their own pockets.

On Sunday, July 30, Lone Peak Dental will be offering a “pay-what-you-can” dental clinic for Spanishspeaking workers and residents of Big Sky. Dentist Ryan Boswell and his wife Jesse, co-owners of Lone Peak Dental, have teamed up with Samantha Suazo (a Lone Peak High School graduate and immigrant from Honduras, who now attends Yale University) and Ursula Blythe (a soon-to-be LPHS freshman) to organize this event. Big Sky resident Barbara Rowley (who has also been a mentor to both Suazo and Blyth) helped connect the dots to organize this event through a new program called “Sonrisas”—Spanish for “smiles.”

Focused on improving access to dental care for community members who may struggle, the event is funded by the Spanish Peaks Community Foundation, the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and with additional help from MSU’s Proyecto Salud. In

addition to the dental service, Proyecto Salud will be providing baseline health screenings like blood pressure checks.

“We’re here for [the community]. And that goes for everybody,” Ryan Boswell told EBS. “I think one of the helpful things is, Jesse is fluent in Spanish. I studied in Spain, she lived in Chile for a long time. This is a group of people in this community that we’re able to be there for, but a lot of people might not be able to—just due to the language barrier.”

“We’re gonna feel really happy and satisfied that so many people are receiving dental care because of the generosity of these foundations—and in particular this dentist and his wife,” Rowley told EBS.

All 22 spots are filled for Sunday’s clinic, with patients identified through community connections by Rowley, the Boswells, Suazo and Blythe. Patients will be receiving cleanings, X-rays, and small fillings or sealants for children. Larger procedures will have to be scheduled for weekday appointments. In offering these services for no profit, the Boswells are hoping to open the door to follow-up care if necessary.

Everybody involved is hoping that by providing this service to the community, other dentists will consider similar outreach themselves. They are also seeking another dental hygienist willing to volunteer, or to simply work for their regular fee, to allow the clinic to

see double the capacity for patients on July 30.

“We would love people to copy our idea in other towns,” Rowley said. “There are foundations out there that understand that this is a health issue. There are people out there that—it’s documented—have a special need for this. And there are professionals who can help and these professionals don’t have to work completely for free.”

Ryan and Jesse Boswell run Lone Peak Dental and both share experience in social work, health and human services. COURTESY OF RYAN BOSWELL

OPINION

A LA CARTE

HRABOVSKY KEEPS IT FRESH, LOCAL

BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST

When I think of Alex Hrabovsky, a photo from our college years comes to mind. We’re at a black tie house party, joined by our friend Grant, and have stolen the garnish from someone’s appetizer plate to serve as silly mustaches for the picture.

Hrabovsky has been on my list of ideas for this column since its inception, and not just because he can rock a killer lettuce mustache. Though taken almost two decades ago when Hrabovsky was studying philosophy at Montana State University, the photo gives me a glimpse into his current world.

Hrabovsky has come a long way since he first learned how to bake a cake in his high school home economics class, fascinated that he could create a cake out of simple ingredients — and for cheap! While in college, he worked his way through increasingly fancy Bozeman kitchens, MSU catering, Pickle Barrel and Cafe Fresco among them. But it would be an ultimate frisbee tournament in Las Vegas that led him to pursue more education as a chef.

While friends pocketed their winnings from the tables after the tournament, Hrabovsky took his cash to Joël Robuchon’s restaurant, indulging in what remains the most expensive meal of his life, and the most life-changing.

“That dinner made me realize the difference between cooking and culinary arts,” Hrabovsky said.

From there, he went to Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco and worked his way through restaurants in the Napa and Sonoma valleys, picking up a love of fresh, seasonal ingredients and the knowledge of how to work with local food purveyors.

It makes sense to me that Hrabovsky has landed as the chef at Bodhi Farms’ Field Kitchen Restaurant, which boasts a serene outdoor locale and a “food mantra” on its website:

“Every plate that we serve you has a story rooted in the history of our surroundings as well as our local community,” it reads. “The philosophy of sustainable cooking is at the core of all of our culinary creations.”

The sun was still blazing when I got to Bodhi Farms on a Monday night in July to watch Hrabovsky in the kitchen. He was on hour 12 and his third pot of coffee, but in good spirits. Gone, he said, are the days when staff are willing to take the abuse of chefs to keep the kitchen running. Hrabovsky prefers to lead by example. He knows that the best food is made by people who love what they are doing.

Hrabovsky asked if I wanted to try the food, and while I salivated over the giant cast iron skillet heaping with veggies and a roast of Wickens Ranch beef, it was too hot for me to be very hungry. I asked for the gazpacho starter, and Hrabovsky brought my chilled soup with the hummus plate on the side.

The night before my Bodhi Farms visit, I made a blanket statement that I don’t like hummus. Hrabovsky proved me wrong with his white bean and za’atar version. It wasn’t heavy like garbanzo hummus and the charred broccoli to dip was the perfect accompaniment.

Hrabovsky showed me around the farm, offered some excess garlic to take home, and recounted culinary triumphs and adventures (think bears and other wildlife visiting the Field Kitchen). It was nice to see that he’s still that same guy I knew way back when, and would probably still rock a lettuce mustache if asked.

When I got back into town, a couple people commented that they didn’t know Bodhi Farms’ restaurant was open to the public. It is.

Dinner is served from 5 to 8 p.m. daily, and brunch is served Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are recommended at www.bodhi-farms.com. Bodhi Farms is also hosting a Montana Farm to Table Festival on Wednesday, July 26, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The farm and event space is located at 13624 S. Cottonwood Rd. outside of Bozeman.

I’m excited to try more from Hrabovsky and the local chefs and purveyors that will join the festivities. I’ll definitely be back, especially because I forgot the garlic.

Rachel Hergett is a foodie and cook from Montana. She is arts editor emeritus at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and has written for publications such as Food Network Magazine and Montana Quarterly. Rachel is also the host of the Magic Monday Show on KGLT-FM and teaches at Montana State University.

Chef Alex Hrabovsky serves local, farm fresh and sustainable food at Bodhi Farms’ Field Kitchen Restaurant.

PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT

Hrabovsky at his farm-to-table restaurant. PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT

DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD: HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF

MONTANA FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION TARGETS MOUNTAIN LION NUMBERS

BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST

I’ve been working and recreating in the forests and mountains of the West (mostly Montana) for over two decades. In all that time, I’ve only seen four mountain lions. Three of them were from cars, me on the inside, them on the outside. And then there was the lion I encountered when we were both outside.

In the summer of 2012, I was stationed for over 70 days at Prairie Reef Fire Lookout in Montana’s 1.5-million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness. The area was high, remote and wild. Mountains marched in all directions along the horizon.

Around 6:30 p.m. one evening, I heard hoary marmots whistling alarm calls outside the oneroom lookout: a drawn-out whistle followed by a long pause, repeated at intervals. A whole colony of marmots was strung along the cliffs of this mountain kingdom. I tuned in to their communication, an invisible wire alerting others of danger beyond my periphery. I searched for clues as to why these animals, which weren’t nicknamed the “whistle pig” for nothing, were making a racket. I scanned down the trail for hikers, but people rarely came in this late since the lookout was a long day hike at 15 miles back. I checked the skies for the golden eagles that hunt marmots. I looked over the cliff’s edges for wolverines or grizzlies that would also take a marmot. I saw nothing. The alarms continued.

Suddenly, the calls changed to short rapid beeps with brief breaks like birdsong.

Then I saw it. A mountain lion stole silently below on big furry paws. I watched the profile of its long, black-tipped tail airbrushing the sky as the muscular feline crouched, then leaped toward a bumbling marmot. The marmot dived down its black hole, barely escaping with its life. I realized the first wave of marmot whistles had meant a general danger, and the other ones were more specific: stalking lion. My glimpse of the ghost of the Rockies lasted seconds before the cat vanished under the rock walls.

That moment was one of the highlights of my life. I moved to Montana over twenty years ago because it is the only state that retains most of its original biodiversity—besides Alaska. I wanted a chance to see grizzlies, lions, lynx, wolves and wolverines outside of zoos. As Kris Tompkins recently said in Wild Life, “A landscape without wildlife is just scenery.” And frankly, I’m not interested in just scenery. But moments like this one may become rarer in a state administration proving itself to be anti-predator. It feels like history repeating itself.

On June 8, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, appointed by Gov. Gianforte, voted to increase hunting quotas for cougars statewide, hoping to reduce the overall population by 40 percent in the next six years.

The motivation, the commission says, is to elevate deer, elk and sheep populations, which they say are on the decline. To reach this target, hunters must kill 86 percent more lions yearly than the current annual rate, according to reporting from the Missoulian.

It’s the latest in a string of policies by the commission increasing quotas on predators: first wolves, then grizzlies and now lions. The commission increased wolf kills and then desired to delist grizzlies from the Endangered Species List. Critics see these moves as self-interested; hunting outfitter and Commission Chairman Patrick Tabor, for instance, charges clients thousands of dollars per mountain lion and wolf hunt, and perhaps would for grizzlies, if they were delisted.

Many lion hunters are alarmed by the recent move to increase lion quotas, believing it fails to address the root causes of declining ungulate numbers.

“I have hunted Montana most of my adult life, and the ungulate population has waxed and waned every five to 10 years,” Nathan Wolf, a member of the Montana State Houndsmen Association, told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. “And to focus on lions when there are so many other factors, there doesn’t seem like an appropriate decision to make such an aggressive move.”

Many agency biologists are alarmed by the current administration’s stance on predators.

“Now, we have these new politicians in office who are pandering to the most extreme anti-[wildlife] elements, like we’re back in the 1800s,” said Chris Servheen, former grizzly bear recovery coordinator with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to me in my Mountain Outlaw story. “We don’t live [in Montana] to exterminate all the predators and drive them into small pockets. Politicians shouldn’t be making wildlife policy.”

Throughout the twentieth century, an all-out war was declared on predators to boost game species like deer and elk. Humans hunted fur-bearing predators near extinction with our guns, poisons, and steel. Historically, lions ranged throughout the Lower 48 from coast to coast but now are relegated mainly to western states, the northern Great Plains, the Great Lakes region and Florida’s Everglades, with a few solitary males roaming into Ohio and Pennsylvania. One collared male trekked 1,500 miles from South Dakota to Connecticut. Mountain lions are reinhabiting places they once inhabited, the only large cat whose global population is increasing; every other large cat population is threatened or endangered. Mountain

lions are the most successful predator in the Americas ranging from South America’s Tierra del Fuego to Canada’s southern Yukon, thanks to conservation efforts nationwide.

The Mountain Lion Foundation reports that from 1902-2014, at least 13,188 lions have been killed in Montana, not including vehicle collisions, inadvertent poisoning, poaching, euthanization by FWP or unknown deaths. Although their numbers declined, Lions were never put on the Endangered Species List. Lion hunters and conservationists rallied in the early 1970s and 1990s to convince FWP to lower quotas to preserve mountain lion numbers.

Now, thanks to lion hunter advocacy, Montana has a healthy lion population.

But this anti-predator sentiment of the current state government could take us back to the 1800s when wildlife had to hide in remote pockets of wilderness to survive.

Do Montanans want that?

Hopefully, the ghosts of the mountains and forest stay undetected, and more people will voice opposition against the fearmongers wanting to exterminate all predators.

Predators are keystone species that are necessary for healthy ecosystems. Predators keep ungulates on the move and allow plants to rebound. Otherwise, herbivores will browse everything to stubble.

Montana’s landscape without predators is just scenery. I rejoice in wild Montana, which includes lions, bears and wolves. Oh, my. I count my lucky stars for all the predators I have been graced with seeing in this lovely state.

Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller with stories published in Outside, Adventure Journal, Popular Science, Field & Stream, Esquire, Sierra, Audubon, Earth Island Journal, Modern Huntsman and other publications at his website www.benjaminpolley.com/stories. He holds a master’s in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

BY PAUL SWENSON EBS COLUMNIST

I was first introduced to the idea of “noxious weeds” when I visited the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula in the late 1970’s. I was going to a training camp with my coach and some friends. Along the highway were fields filled with 3-foot-tall plants covered in purple flowers. My first thought was they were some type of crop that I was unfamiliar with so I enquired—I was told that the plant was in fact spotted knapweed, and that it was displacing all the native vegetation in the valley. ‘That sucks,’ was my initial thought. Then in the early 1990’s the Montana Department of Tourism had a television ad campaign to draw people to the state. “Come to Montana to see its beauty,” it boasted, with pictures of Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park (mostly Wyoming), then a full 10 seconds of the wildflowers, all knapweed. I figured the producer was either laughing at the irony, or actually found knapweed pretty. I guess it’s in the eye of the beholder.

Knapweed is ubiquitous along all roadways in Montana now. It was brought to North America sometime in the 1880s via crop seed from central Europe, its native range. It may also have been part of the gravel used as ballast in ships arriving on the West Coast. Either way, the first identified knapweed was in Victoria, B.C., around 1883 and soon afterwards in Washington state. It moved slowly eastward until the building of the interstate highway system, which became a superhighway for seed distribution.

Big Sky certainly has its own noxious weed problems. Most of the weeds grow best in disturbed soil and are transported via imported gravel, soil, cars, trucks, horses, ATV’s, wind, rivers, etc. You get the point. Once we move into an area, weeds will follow.

If you ask anyone that knows me, or has taken a tour with me, they will tell you I am passionate about my weeds. I point them out as I drive by, shaking my fist. Or I pull them up by the roots when I’m out fishing or hiking. And there are a lot to find. I have already mentioned knapweed, but since it is not flowering yet, I encourage you to do some research to see what it looks like. It will be in bloom starting the last week of July through August.

Oxeye Daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare, is another noxious weed that EBS readers and Big Sky residents should know about. Most people love the sight of these plants—they have a beautiful flower and are easy to take care of. And that’s the problem. Once released out into the wild, these plants easily outcompete the native plants.

Take a drive anywhere around Big Sky and you will see daisies pretty much wherever you look. In some cases there are thousands of plants taking over the range. While I was out taking photographs for this article I quickly surveyed a hundred-square-foot daisy patch and found only two species of native plants, whereas next to it the same size area without daisies contained more than 20 species of native plants. That’s a huge difference when considering that wildlife will not eat daisies.

The saving grace, unlike knapweed, daisies are easy to control using herbicides. The problem is that they are way ahead of us and people don’t like getting rid of pretty flowers. Eye of the beholder, I guess.

Next is Yellow Toadflax, Linaria vulgaris. This is my nemesis. I try every year to pull, spray, mow, dig, and whatever I can do to get rid of it, and it never seems to work. The toadflax in my yard and surrounding range keeps increasing in numbers and size. It is exhausting since it has only grown in my yard for 5 years. Why?

Toadflax propagates by seed, but also by creeping rhizomes which are its root system. Pulling a plant up by the roots still leaves rhizomes in the soil which will come back as plants the next season. Each plant produces 30,000 small, wispy seeds that are dispersed by wind, animals and streams. I found a patch of toadflax next to the trail six miles up middle basin 10 years ago that is now close to one quarter of an acre in size. And to add insult to injury, the seeds stay viable in the soil for eight years. It’s not a fair fight.

So how did they get here? Again, it’s the flowers. They were imported from Eurasia in the 1600’s as a landscaping plant, and have been used ever since. They were sold under the name “butter and eggs” or “false snapdragon.” Hopefully no one around here is transplanting them because they take over the range.

I could keep going and going. We have so many species of noxious weeds, every reader should become knowledgeable. Thankfully, Grow Wild is

a Gallatin Valley organization focused on education and invasive species reduction. Please visit their website to learn more about what you can do: growwildmt.org

Paul Swenson has been living in and around the Big Sky area since 1966. He is a retired science teacher, fishing guide, Yellowstone guide and naturalist. Also an artist and photographer, Swenson focuses on the intricacies found in nature.

Oxeye Daisy taking over a hillside and displacing native species such as the Paintbrush, seen dwarfed against the daisy. PHOTOS BY PAUL SWENSON

Oxeye Daisy along Lone Mountain Trail. PHOTO BY PAUL SWENSON

Yellow Toadflax flowers. PHOTO BY PAUL SWENSON

Be a river hero.

Since 1973, American Rivers has been the leading conservation organization working to protect and restore our nation’s rivers and streams. Today, our rivers face more threats than ever due to harmful development and climate change. That’s why we’ve committed to protecting 1 million river miles by 2030. We’re getting started by working to pass the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act to permanently protect 20 of our state’s most cherished rivers, including the Gallatin and Madison.

Help us protect the rivers you love.

BULL ROAD, BIG SKY

This Big Sky Mountain Village Home was designed to absorb the warm winter sun yet remain cool during the summer months. Great floor plan with private 2 bed/2 bath suites, located at opposite ends of the home with large lofts above each. Large two-sided fireplace separates the kitchen and living room, with a large entertainment/great room located in the middle of the home. Opposite the air lock entry is a large two-door, 4-car garage. $3,150,000 #380923 DAN DELZER 406-580-4326

46950 GALLATIN ROAD, BIG SKY

COMMERCIAL LAND | 3.93 ACRES

Located on Highway 191, minutes to The Big Sky Resort. This rare piece of property is adjacent to Montana State Land with access to the Gallatin River. Views abound. No covenants. Septic, well and power utilities are in place. $5,300,000 #377231

KATIE HALEY GRIMM 406-580-3444

“SAV

Photo

WRITERS ON THE RANGE

TOO MANY TOURISTS FOLLOW A LEADER

BY MARJORIE “SLIM” WOODRUFF WRITERS ON THE RANGE

A spectacular picture recently appeared on social media of a young lady in Arizona. She was poised on the edge of a cliff emblazoned with sunset colors. Immediately her online followers clamored to know where the picture was taken, so “I can get one just like it.”

Turns out that it was taken on an off-trail route at the end of a potholed dirt road on the Navajo Nation, and required a permit to even enter the area. Also, I bet she did not climb to that precarious perch on that cliff wearing those fancy shoes.

A local guide lamented that the area would now be getting a slew of “Instagram tourists.” These people would be seeking to replicate the pose with themselves perched on the very same edge, probably wearing those same shoes.

This kind of thing has led to some decrying the unsavory habits of Instagram influencers. These are the folks who trample fields of wildflowers in order to get a shot of themselves displaying a sponsored product. Or who photograph their colorful paintings on wilderness rock faces.

Instagram photos taken on private land have had owners locking their gates because of the hordes of people wandering through looking for the exact location of that idealized post. A perfect shot, however, does not show the queue of people waiting impatiently for their turn at glory.

Even blatant scofflaws get into the act. Some men swam illegally with endangered pupfish in Nevada, not realizing the National Park Service had set up cameras. Whatever the men were thinking, it made law enforcement easier.

What has happened to old-fashioned spontaneity? Imitation is a form of flattery, but is the only picture worth having one that’s copied from someone else’s? There’s even a website which apparently allows one to paste family pictures into vacation spots without bothering to visit them. A great time saver.

One day while riding my bike, I passed a couple setting up for their flawless picture. When I came back an hour later, they were still working on getting the hair, clothing and attitude just right. The scenery was an afterthought.

People are also falling into copycat mode because apparently just standing on a rim isn’t sexy enough . One has to jump or pretend to fall, which unfortunately may segue into the real thing. Search and Rescue groups decry the glut of visitors who just want the “perfect” picture. There is even a word for them: Killfies.

I’m reminded of the old “mom” adage where wayward children are asked: “if all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?”

Then I discovered an entire genre of Instagram posts dedicated to ladies who hike and climb in high heels. I assumed that they hiked in real shoes and then changed for the shot, but no,

some of them climb mountains in heels. What could possibly go wrong?

Back in the day, we visited the backcountry to get away from other people. Now we invite them digitally to follow and give us “likes.” If a person climbs a mountain and does not post it online, did the hike really happen?

Sometimes an experience doesn’t even need to exist in reality. One summer, I worked as an “educational liaison” at a local business that featured a diorama of the Grand Canyon in their courtyard. Busloads of tourists would line up to get their picture in front of… that picture of the canyon. I wanted to yell, “The real thing is only seven miles away!”

My son has encouraged me to become an influencer. He tells me there are not a lot of women my age who do the things I do. I guess that is a compliment. But if I did, my influence would be unfiltered. No makeup, just hiking boots, clothes made for roughing it and hair wild as an old West hooraw.

Perhaps I could start a trend: Down-and-dirty influencing. Sweaty, beyond tired, what it really looks like to have hiked up to that cliff.

Think it would catch on?

Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She is an outdoor educator in Arizona

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

PROTECTING A MILLION RIVER MILES BEGINS AT HOME

MONTANA HEADWATERS LEGACY ACT WOULD PROTECT 385 RIVER MILES—BUT NEEDS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

BY SCOTT BOSSE AND KRISTIN GARDNER GUEST CONTRIBUTORS

Most of us learned in grade school that the earth’s surface is 71% water, and all life forms are composed primarily of water.

But did you know that only 3% of our planet’s water is freshwater, and freshwater species are vanishing three to five times faster than their marine and terrestrial counterparts? Moreover, 80% of wildlife species in the arid West depend on riverside habitats for at least part of their life cycle.

The bottom line is: without clean, freeflowing rivers, life cannot exist.

And really, who would want to live in a place without healthy rivers to fish, paddle, and nourish our souls in? Would you still want to live in Big Sky or Bozeman if the Gallatin and Madison rivers were so polluted you couldn’t recreate on them?

That, in a nutshell, is the driving force behind this year’s Wildlands Festival from Aug. 4-6. The goal of the festival—besides bringing world-class music to Big Sky—is to raise one million dollars for river conservation.

Experience shows us the best time to protect a river is when it’s still healthy, and here’s why:

First, once a river is severely altered by dams or pollution, it’s very difficult to restore it to its former condition. Second, it’s much cheaper to protect a river that’s still intact than it is to restore a river that’s been badly degraded.

As the proverb goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Fortunately, the U.S. is one of the few nations on earth with a law that allows us to proactively and permanently protect a river— the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. The idea for the Act was conceived in Montana in the 1950s when the famed wildlife biologist twins, Frank and John Craighead, were fighting a proposed dam on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River along the southern border of Glacier National Park. They won that battle, then spent the next decade lobbying for a national system of protected rivers. Congress eventually embraced the idea, and President Lyndon Johnson signed the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act into law on October 2, 1968.

Today, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System protects 13,396 miles of 226 rivers

across the country, including five rivers in Montana. The upper Missouri River and three forks of the Flathead River were protected in 1976, while East Rosebud Creek won protection in 2018.

But that represents less than one-half of one percent of the nation’s, and Montana’s rivers that are protected. We can and we must do better. That’s why American Rivers, the leading conservation group working to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and streams, has set a goal of protecting one million river miles by 2030.

To help make that happen, both American Rivers and the Gallatin River Task Force are championing the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act (MHLA). Sponsored by Senator Jon Tester, this visionary legislation would protect 385 miles of 20 new Wild & Scenic Rivers in the upper Missouri and Yellowstone river drainages. Among the storied rivers that would gain protection under the MHLA are the Boulder, Gallatin, Madison, Smith, Stillwater, and Yellowstone.

To get the MHLA passed during this Congress, we need your help in two ways. One, we need your financial support so we can conduct public outreach and bring local citizens and business owners to Washington, D.C. to meet with our elected leaders. Two, we need you to call Senator Steve Daines (202-224-2651) and Representative Ryan Zinke (202-225-5628) and urge them to support the MHLA.

For those of you who will be joining us at the Wildlands Festival, thank you for purchasing your tickets, a portion of the proceeds of which will help us continue our efforts to protect rivers here in southwest Montana and across the nation. To learn more about our organizations and what you can do to help, visit: https://www.wildlandsfestival. com/charity/

Scott Bosse is the Northern Rockies Regional Director for American Rivers based in Bozeman. Kristin Gardner is the Chief Executive and Science Officer for the Gallatin River Task Force based in Big Sky.

The Smith River is one of 20 that would gain protection with passage of the MHLA. PHOTO BY SCOTT BOSSE

The Gallatin River would earn "Wild and Scenic" protection under the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act. PHOTO BY SCOTT BOSSE

BY MARNE HAYES EBS COLUMNIST

Having a landscape that works with a nuanced climate is not an easy task. Terms like drought prone, fire prone, noxious, resilient, water-wise and so forth are tossed around in conversations focused on changing the way we plan for and mitigate the effects of our community climate—and our behaviors—on our water resources.

It is important to understand that how we use community water for our landscaping affects not only our groundwater but also our natural resources and eventually our river and tributaries; learning and understanding this requires a shift in behavior and putting appropriate practices in place.

In Big Sky, our community climate undoubtedly influences our landscapes, and our landscaping in turn influences our

community water supply. In an average year, summer water use accounts for seven to eight times more total water use than winter, even though winter sees far higher visitation. Most of this use can be attributed to how we use water to irrigate our lawns, our green spaces and our community landscaping. Landscaping can have an enormous impact on water quality and quantity, and how we design and manage our landscapes for our unique climate can benefit the environment just as easily as it can deplete our resources.

Considerations for water quality, wildlife, drought, fire and defensible spaces, and the proliferation of noxious weeds are all at play in and around Big Sky’s community properties, both public and private. Choosing native landscaping saves a considerable amount of community water, allowing plants suited for this climate the opportunity to grow and survive, and eventually become established to the point that they require little to no supplemental irrigation to survive.

Because native plants have evolved in our semi-arid ecosystem, they do not need fertilization, and require only normal rainfall

once established. They are the best choice for resilient landscapes, and are the “lazy gardeners’ dream,” according to our friends at Grow Wild Montana, experts in the field (literally) of the dos and don’ts for planting a sustainable and climate/fire/drought resistant and water-wise landscape.

Making these kinds of choices during the new construction of a home, or during a remodel, updating or redesigning a landscape can help build a more resilient community profile where our vegetation and our water resources survive in drought and fire-prone seasons. If you are building, consider best practices into a new design that take into account native plants and lawns that require less water and less maintenance.

Take advantage of the Big Sky Water Conservation resources and rebates for assistance in new and efficient irrigation methods, and choose a small area of an existing lawn to implement better growing techniques and automated landscape technologies that can help you achieve a more sustainable landscape for less time and less money.

ENJOYING THE RIDE INVESTING

IN WOMEN: IT’S GOOD FOR BUSINESS

BY SARAH MAY

Paid Ad

In 2020 the Los Angeles-based Angel City Football Club announced it would take the pitch as the newest team in the National Women’s Soccer League. Unlike other professional sports teams, Angel City FC was backed by female investors and continues to be majority owned by women. The first, but not the last of its kind. Angel City FC not only invests in women athletes, but also in its community, with 10% of each corporate sponsorship going to community outreach.

Large corporations have taken notice and are starting to invest in women’s sports, expecting to see a steady return on their investment. According to The Fan Project, women’s sports fans are up to four times more loyal to sponsoring brands compared to general sports fans.

The playing field isn’t the only arena we’re seeing positive trends in investing in women. Women are investing their own money, and the returns are strong. As of 2021, 67% of women invested outside of their retirement plans, up from 44% in 2018, with younger generations showing a larger percentage of active investors.

Moreover, A 2021 study by Fidelity Investment (1) concluded that women are out-performing men by .4%, based on an analysis of 5 million investors over a 10-year period. While women

aren’t as self-confident as men when it comes to investing and money management, women appear to be making more calculated investment decisions, and are calmer during volatile markets, and it’s paying off. This is great news for female investors of all ages.

While the gap between men and women investing is closing, women still have ground to cover in efforts to become financially confident. The numbers don’t lie, and we know women are proving to be savvy investors, but how do we build the confidence they lack? While there’s not one answer, one key contributing factor shown to foster a women’s self-confidence and future business success is playing youth sports.

A joint study between Ernst and Young and ESPNW (2) surveyed 400 women in executive positions and found that 94% of the female executives were former athletes. 52% of female c-suite executives played collegiate sports, while 39% of women at the management level played collegiately.

By investing in women’s sports, we can help give women the confidence to invest their own money, run a successful business and create a loyal fan base to encourage the next generation. If you find yourself watching the Women’s World Cup in the coming weeks, take note of who is investing in women’s sports. Investing in women is a solid business strategy. So, kick back, catch a game, and enjoy the ride.

Sarah May is the Marketing Associate at Shore to Summit Wealth Management.

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Shore to Summit Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN. Shore to Summit Wealth Management is located at 105 E. Oak Street, Unit 1A Bozeman, MT 59715 # 406-219-2900 CAR-0723-01152

(1) Fidelity Investments (2021). "2021 Women and Investing Study.

(2) Why Female Athletes Make Winning Entrepreneurs (2020) Why Female Athletes make winning entrepreneurs report

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO'

ASK: LONE MOUNTAIN LAND COMPANY

Has LMLC started planning out Town Center and if so what percentage will be commercial, residential, open space, community amenities?

Since the acquisition of the remaining Town Center land, LMLC has been refining the Master Plan around housing, conservation, sustainability, and transportation. That road mapping includes engaging the Big Sky community, consultants and community organizations to ensure a sustainable path forward for a growing Big Sky community.

As LMLC looks to further define Town Center as Big Sky’s central hub, the near-term focus is improving the plaza through new amenities, retail offerings, and food and beverage opportunities. The planning includes collaborating with BSCO in the creation of open space, parks, and contiguous trail systems throughout Town Center. We hope to have more concrete plans in the upcoming months to share with the community, and we will not be breaking ground on anything for the remainder of 2023.

Why do we need more hotels in Big Sky’s Town Center?

The presence of more hotels in Town Center attract more tourists and business travelers, leading to increased economic activity. This, in turn, can create job opportunities and generate revenue for the local community and businesses, and help expand retail and commercial opportunities for the entire community. Big Sky’s shortage of hotel rooms also contributed to the explosion of shortterm rental properties the last 5 years, with over 1100 homes in Big Sky converted from long-term to short-term rental, exacerbating the housing situation. Even a small increase in additional hotel rooms can help alleviate this problem and create more opportunities for long-term rental.

How involved is LMLC in traffic studies? Have they considered a reroute through Town Center to avoid construction around Big Sky Roadway 64 and Ousel Falls Road?

LMLC maintains regular communication with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), sharing drone and video footage to keep them updated on Big Sky’s traffic situation. We installed traffic cameras on our buildings to aid TIGER Grant applications for funding improvements, while promoting carpooling to job sites. Because Ousel Falls Road has Big Sky’s only traffic light, it has been determined that using the road for a reroute wouldn’t be beneficial. LMLC supports MDT’s infrastructure projects on MT 64 and Hwy 191, prioritizing traveler safety. Additionally, we contribute to updating the Transit Master Plan and developing a comprehensive long-term plan and funding potential to enhance public transportation in collaboration with the Transportation District.

In Town Center, if LMLC has only broken ground on community housing projects in the last two years, what are the large white boxes to the east of Town Center?

The mysterious white boxes are actually modular units for the RiverView Place Community Housing development. This is a temporary storage solution in the field. We are preparing to start assembling them on the RiverView site the week of July 31.

Last summer LMLC had a farmer’s market booth collecting feedback from the community for Town Center. What were the top suggestions received?

There were many great suggestions, these were the most frequently received: Swimming Pool, Rooftop Bar, Dog Park, Bowling Alley, Pickleball Courts, Nail Salon, More Trails

Artist’s conceptual rendering of RiverView

WHEN NATURE + TECH COLLIDE

Season-spanning, all-conditions gear built to outperform and outlast.

EMBRACE THE ELEMENT™

Sun Protection

Water Resistant

Quick Drying

Moisture Wicking

FLAGSHIP STORES

Pagosa Springs, CO

Bozeman, MT

HOODIE

ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED IS DEEMED RELIABLE BUT IS NOT GUARANTEED AND SHOULD BE INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED. INFORMATION AND DEPICTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, PRIOR SALES, PRICE CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. NO GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY HAS JUDGED THE MERITS OR VALUE, IF ANY, OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT OR ANY REAL ESTATE DESCRIBED OR DEPICTED HEREIN. THIS MATERIAL SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL IN ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE PRIOR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED OR WHERE SUCH AN OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED, AND THIS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION IF YOU ARE WORKING WITH ANOTHER REAL

WILDLANDS FESTIVAL A CELEBRATION OF CONSERVATION

BY GABRIELLA DICENZO CONTENT MARKETING INTERN

BIG SKY– Wildlands Festival, a celebration of nature and music produced by Outlaw Partners, embodies a strong charitable ethos, aiming to make a positive impact on the environment and our local community.

At its core, Wildlands is dedicated to supporting environmental conservation and sustainability efforts. By bringing together a diverse range of performers, the festival raises awareness and funds for organizations committed to protecting our wildlands and rivers.

One prominent charity involved in the festival is American Rivers. With a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the nation’s waterways, American Rivers works to restore and protect rivers, aiming to preserve 1 million miles of rivers nationwide by 2030. Additionally, the oraganization's goals include protecting the Gallatin River from nutrient pollution and the Smith River from mining, urging Congress to advance river protection legislation and conserving public water on public lands. Through their collaborative efforts and advocacy, American Rivers plays a vital role in preserving our precious rivers for future generations to enjoy.

Another participant charity in the Wildlands Festival is the Gallatin River Task Force.

Focused on the conservation and stewardship

of the Gallatin River, this organization works tirelessly to address nutrient pollution, wastewater treatment, river access, water conservation and advocacy for federal and state protections to ensure the sustainability of the Gallatin River. By engaging in monitoring, restoration and education initiatives, the Gallatin River Task Force serves as a crucial guardian of our vital waterways.

The funds raised through the 'Hooked on the Gallatin' Fundraiser Dinner and music nights directly support the endeavors of American Rivers and the Gallatin River Task Force. Money from ticketing fees, general give, auction items and 50% of Champion of Conservation tickets will be split equally between the two organizations. Additionally, merchandise sales will go to their respective entities, and the promoter has agreed to donate 20% of the festival’s profits to these nonprofits. This synergy enables the charities to implement essential conservation projects and foster a deep appreciation for our natural world.

Wildlands Festival serves as a powerful platform for both artistic expression and environmental advocacy. Through their partnership with these charities, the festival aims to protect our wildlands and ensure the longevity of our rivers. By attending these events, you can become an active participant in this cause, leaving a lasting impact on the preservation of our natural heritage.

EVENTS SCHEDULE:

To actively involve attendees in the mission of these charities, Wildlands Festival offers a range of events. Here’s what you can expect from Aug. 4-6.

FRIDAY, AUG. 4

• Hooked on the Gallatin Charity Dinner

• Speaker panel with Tom Skerritt and friends

• Comedy by Orlando Leyba and Forrest Shaw

SATURDAY, AUG. 5

• Lord Huron

• James McMurtry

• Regina Ferguson

SUNDAY, AUG. 6

• Foo Fighters

• The Breeders

• Taipei Houston

Gates open at 5 p.m. , opening acts begin at 5:30 p.m. and the headliner begins at 8:45 p.m.

WILDLANDS FESTIVAL RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM LEADING BRANDS TO BENEFIT

AMERICAN RIVERS AND GALLATIN RIVER TASK FORCE

OVER $250,000 IN SILENT AUCTION ITEMS SECURED FOR THE EVENT’S CHARITABLE AUCTION FUNDRAISER

OUTLAW PARTNERS

Outlaw Partners is pleased to share that Wildlands Festival has received significant donations made by a group of esteemed brands to support this year’s designated Wildlands Festival charities: American Rivers and Gallatin River Task Force. Through their generous partnerships, VOORMI, Hey Bear, MIZU, Baldface Lodge, Boundary Expeditions, Stern Pinball, Las Rosadas, Canyon Ranch, Madison RR, Peak Skis, Elevee, Stone Glacier, SIMMS and Aire have stepped forward to make a meaningful impact to preserve and protect our nation’s vital waterways.

Products, trips and once-in-a-lifetime experiences totaling over $250,000 donated by the brands will be auctioned off via an online portal beginning July 20 with a live auction finale during the Aug. 4 'Hooked on the Gallatin' charity dinner and festival kick-off.

"We are deeply grateful to all our donors and sponsors for their outstanding commitment to our mission," said Megan Paulson, cofounder and CMO of Outlaw Partners. "Their generosity will enable us to amplify our efforts in preserving and restoring America's rivers, ensuring their sustainability for generations to come."

VOORMI, a Colorado and Montana-based clothing company leading textile technology development that’s transforming the clothing industry, Hey Bear, the foremost bear safety and education leader in Southwest Montana, and 406 Agave premium tequila, have additionally stepped up as title sponsors of the event. All share a strong ethos that supports the preservation of water for wildlife habitat and recreational activities. Their support will not only contribute to the success of the Wildlands Festival but also create lasting benefits for the ecosystems and communities that rely on clean and healthy rivers.

In their efforts to support sustainability and end single-use plastics, Mizu water bottles has chosen Wildlands Festival to receive funds from their annual 1% For The Planet donation, and will be contributing reusable customized drinkware for the event.

“Water is a foundation,” said Stephanie Pogue, VP of Mizu. “With funds from the Wildlands Festival supporting American Rivers and the Gallatin River Task Force, Mizu is proud to contribute towards protecting one million miles of rivers by 2030.”

Baldface Lodge, a renowned backcountry snowcat lodge in British Columbia, has donated two spots on their 2024 trip roster, which has a five-year waiting list.

"Supporting Wildlands Festival aligns perfectly with our commitment to protecting our natural resources," said Jeff Pensiero, founder of Baldface Lodge. "We are proud to contribute to the festival's designated charities and help them in their mission of preserving the beauty and purity of our rivers."

Arcade game company, Stern Pinball, has created a highly collectable, limited edition Foo Fighters pinball machine. One bidder will bring the Foo Fighters concert experience home as players are immersed in an epic pinball adventure featuring 15 iconic songs spanning the band’s expansive catalog.

Boundary Expeditions, leader of premier river trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, has donated a fully inclusive private charter trip for a group of up to 20 people on select 2024 dates.

“What better way to celebrate rivers and connect with our wild and scenic spaces than to experience a 5-night, 6-day private trip in one of the most scenic places on earth with your closest friends and family,” said Boundary Expeditions owner Eric Ladd. This exclusive trip retails for $150,000.

A preview of additional items includes:

• Las Rosadas - Three-night stay in a spacious three-bedroom Ocean Club Casita located on Mexico's stunning Pacific Coast in Costalegre.

• Canyon Ranch - All-inclusive threenight stay for two guests at the prestigious Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, Lenox, Massachusetts, or Woodside, California.

• Madison Double R - Two-night, allinclusive stay with one day of guided fishing at Madison Double R in Ennis, Montana.

• Peak Skis - Two pairs of high-performance Peak Skis, accompanied by a priceless touch of skiing history - a hat signed by Bode Miller.

• Elevee by Rickey - A gift certificate for a custom jacket by Rickey Lamitie of Elevee Custom Clothing.

• Stone Glacier - Complete hunt kit including Stone Glacier's Solo 3600 Backpack, Chilkoot 15° Sleeping Bag, and Skysolus 1-Person Tent.

• SIMMS Freestone Wading Kit - Freestone Waders, Boots, Hip Pack, and Jacket.

• SIMMS Travel Kit - Modern angler's essentials including 110L GTS Roller, secure GTS Rod & Reel Vault and GTS Tri-Carry Duffel.

• Aire Tributary Tomcat Tandem Inflatable Kayak - Two inflatable seats, impressive load capacity suited for tackling whitewater In support of American Rivers and the Gallatin River Task Force (GRTF), Wildlands Festival will kick off at the ‘Hooked on the Gallatin’ fundraiser dinner on August 4 with actor Tom Skerritt and Friends, a speaker panel, silent auction, and a comedy show followed by two nights of music August 5 and 6 with headliners Lord Huron and Foo Fighters, respectively.

The event will also honor the 30th anniversary of the film "A River Runs Through It," the 50th anniversary of American Rivers, and the important work GRTF is doing to keep the Gallatin River a thriving resource for southwest Montana. Limited tickets are available at wildlandsfestival.com

A&E ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

‘HELAMBU’ RETURNS TO BIG SKY’S BIG SCREEN

CREATED BY LOCAL NONPROFIT TSERING’S FUND, FEATURE-LENGTH FILM IS MAKING GLOBAL WAVES

BY JACK REANEY

BIG SKY—After taking first place at the London Mountain Film Festival in March 2023, “Helambu” returns home to Big Sky on Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Now a global phenomenon showing at film festivals from Banff and Vancouver to New Zealand and Spain, the 46-minute film was produced by Big Sky’s longtime dentist Peter Schmieding. The film will return for a free screening at The Waypoint on Aug. 8., one year after its global premiere in Big Sky. Attendees can meet and greet with Schmieding and his adopted daughter Maya Hyolmo, who stars in the film. The movie highlights hope and heritage as Western medicine and education— primarily education of young women—reach the Helambu Valley, high in the mountains outside Kathmandu, Nepal.

Schmieding spoke with EBS, thrilled about the film’s return and hopeful that the Big Sky community will come and support the film’s second showing in Big Sky—the first since it gained global acclaim.

“Helambu” was created by Tsering’s Fund, a local nonprofit founded in 2007 by Peter and his wife Karen Fellerhoff Schmieding. Tsering’s Fund helps create access to English education for Nepali children, especially young girls who have historically been excluded from higher levels of schooling in remote regions like the Helambu Valley.

According to the nonprofit’s website, “The chronic underdevelopment of Nepal will not be resolved until girls in Nepal have the same opportunities as boys to pursue a quality education.”

On Aug. 8, viewers will have a chance to ask questions and learn firsthand about the wonders and challenges of living in Helambu, while the event raises money for Tsering’s Fund. Schmieding said the majority of donors and sponsors who funded the film—and Tsering Fund’s educational efforts—are from Big Sky.

“A lot of these girls have a chance due to the generosity of people in the Big Sky area,” he said. He said there’s hardly been a dry eye when the film shows at festivals, and he expects the same when the flick returns to Big Sky. The film was inspired when Maya once told him that she was the only girl left among her peers with who hadn’t been married off or sent away to work.

As executive producer, Schmieding decided he didn’t want to overwhelm the audience with the “gut punching” details. But he often speaks to the audience before the film is shown, which helps him set the stage.

“When you put Maya’s life in context before you watch it, and then you see what she experienced during the film… It’s a lot,” he said.

Purna Gautam, principal and founder of Melamchi Ghyang secondary school, is another main character in the film. Tsering’s Fund has helped support that school’s growth, which now educates more girls than boys, as stated in the film.

He added that “Helambu” is a breakthrough for Wes Overvold, a filmmaker based in Bozeman and Big Sky since 2014.

“Wes’s style is really powerful. He’s a really talented young man, and I’m really glad this film is taking off,” Schmieding said.

Erika Share, another Bozeman-based filmmaker, contributed to the film as well. She specialized in artistic close-ups and managed the soundtrack.

Schmieding said Overvold and Share’s process was fascinating, as they organized more than 60 hours of footage—shot almost entirely in foreign Yolmo dialect.

“We would [film] these incredible scenes when we knew something dramatic was happening, but nobody knew what they were saying until later,” Schmieding remembered.

A grand arrival

Maya Hyolmo has never been to the U.S. In fact, she’s never flown on an airplane, Schmieding said.

That changes on July 30, when Schmieding flies into Bozeman, bringing Maya. He expects an emotional reception at the Bozeman airport. Maya’s biological brother Karsang Hyolmo, a junior at Montana State University, will be on hand to greet her. Schmieding also expects a moderate crowd of Tsering’s Fund supporters to celebrate their arrival around 3 p.m.

“It’s amazing what Maya has been through, her perseverance as a child—God has chosen her,” Schmieding said “She’s going to do more to change that region, other than [educator] Purna Gautam, than anyone in history.”

"Helambu" is an award-winning, 46-minute film about the impact of education and modern health care in Nepal. COURTESY OF TSERING'S FUND

A member of the village plays a traditional instrument in “Helambu.” COURTESY OF TSERING’S FUND

MESHIKA HATSCRAFTING CUSTOM STORIES, ONE HAT AT A TIME

BY GABRIELLA DICENZO CONTENT MARKETING INTERN

Special advertisement

In the realm of custom hat-making, Alberto Hernandez has established himself as a true artisan. As the founder of Meshika Hats, Hernandez’s journey in the industry has been shaped by inspiration and passion for creating beautiful headwear. From humble beginnings to collaborating with renowned individuals like famous quarterback Cam Newton, his story is as captivating as the hats he designs.

The inspiration behind starting Meshika stemmed from his deep connection to the art of hat-making and his family's rich heritage. As a third-generation hat maker, Hernandez’s roots can be traced back to California, where his business partner's involvement in the industry opened his eyes to the world of hat-making. Hernandez had already been making hats for movies, and being in California, a hub of fashion and style, further fueled his passion for creating hats. This love for the craft became an intrinsic part of his identity and five years ago, with the support of friends, family, and business partner Cam Newton, he founded Meshika.

What sets Meshika apart from other hatmaking stores is the unique experience it offers customers. When you step into Meshika, you don't just get a hat–you become a part of the hat-making process. Customers have the opportunity to design their own hats, and Hernandez also creates collections for all customers to enjoy. Each hat at Meshika is personalized, and as he believes, "A good hat always tells a good story."

Creating custom hats involves a meticulous process. The store offers a variety of styles and shapes for customers to try on. Once the desired shape is chosen, the focus shifts to colors, materials and other details. Hernandez takes pride in using premium materials such as beaver felt, rabbit felt, chinchilla, mink and wool. The selection of beaver felt, known for its durability and water-resistance, is a testament to his

commitment to quality. He ensures that only the finest materials are used to craft hats that can withstand anything.

Over the years, Hernandez has had his fair share of memorable customer stories and experiences. One notable memory revolves around Abraham Lincoln's hat for the film Lincoln. He was tasked with replicating it and personally visited Paramount Pictures to study the original stovepipe hat. The attention to detail and use of long-haired beaver felt in the hat resulted in an exceptional re-creation.

Staying updated with the latest hat trends and fashion styles is crucial for any hat-maker, and Hernandez is no exception. However, he takes a different approach, preferring not to rely on outside influences. His focus is on being an innovator and setting trends rather than following them. His collaboration with Pharrell, where he designed the iconic Vivienne Westwood hat worn at the 2014 Grammy Awards, is a testament to his ability to push boundaries and create distinct styles.

In the face of challenges, Hernandez remains true to himself and his brand. Competition is an ever-present obstacle, but instead of looking at other hat-makers, he stays original and authentic.

“I choose not to look at them [competitors] and be original and stay true to myself,” Hernandez said.

Maintaining a balance between offering custom designs and catering to different customers' preferences is a delicate art for Meshika. Hernandez manages this by implementing a well-structured timeline for customers, ensuring he is prepared and fully focused on each individual. By prioritizing his customers and valuing their time, he strikes the perfect equilibrium.

Collaborations and partnerships have been a part of Hernandez’s journey. He has worked with various brands and artists, including Lebron James, Justin Bieber, David Beckham, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Future and

Johnny Depp. These collaborations not only expand the reach of Meshika but also bring together different creative visions and elevate the art of hat-making.

Looking toward the future, Hernandez envisions further growth for Meshika. His plans include establishing a stronger presence in the cowboy hat market and reviving old hat styles. His ambition extends beyond the business itself; he wants to represent his heritage and culture through hat collections that incorporate elements of American Navajo traditions.

For anyone interested in starting their own custom hat business, Hernandez offers valuable advice.

“Be original and true to yourself,” he said. “In order to stand out and make a mark in the industry, embracing your uniqueness is key.”

As Alberto Hernandez continues to shape stories, one hat at a time, Meshika remains a testament to the power of unwavering dedication. With each meticulously crafted hat, the artisan takes his customers on a journey of self-expression and style, celebrating the artistry inherent within each design.

Meshika Hats is located in Downtown Bozeman at 234 E Main St.

PHOTO BY GABRIELLA DICENZO

Alberto Hernandez has made hat-making an art form right here in the Gallatin Valley. PHOTO BY GABRIELLA DICENZO

BIG SKY EVENTS CALENDAR

Thursday, July 27 - Wednesday, August 9

If your next event falls between August 10-23, please submit it to media@theoutlawpartners.com by August 4.

THURSDAY, JULY 27

Music in the Mountains

Pregame Party

The Waypoint, 2 p.m.

Kids Movie Series: Minion Rise of Gru

The Waypoint, 3 p.m.

Al Anon Meeting

Big Sky Chapel, 4 p.m.

Music in the Mountains: Funk You

Len Hill Park, 6 p.m.

AA Meeting

Big Sky Chapel, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY JULY 28

All Levels Pottery Session

BASE, 2 p.m.

Open Pottery Studio

BASE, 4 p.m.

Walt the Magician

Big Sky Community Library, 4 p.m.

Karaoke

The Waypoint, 9 p.m.

Live Music: ScavengerBig Sky Metal Tips Up, 9:45 p.m.

SATURDAY JULY 29

AA Meeting

Big Sky Chapel, 7:30 a.m.

St. Joseph Mass

Big Sky Chapel, 5 p.m.

Live Music: Dad Habit

The Waypoint, 8 p.m.

DJ Big Lou: Top 40 & Latin Beat Tips Up, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY JULY 30

St. Joseph Mass

Big Sky Chapel, 8 a.m.

All Saints Big Sky Service

Big Sky Chapel, 10 a.m.

Sunday Service Soldiers Chapel, 11 a.m.

Sunday Funday

The Waypoint, 2 p.m.

Big Sky Christian Fellowship Service

Big Sky Chapel, 4:30 p.m.

Throwback Movie Night

The Waypoint, 8 p.m.

MONDAY JULY 31

Family Night

The Waypoint, 5 p.m.

NA Meeting Big Sky Medical Center, 6:30 p.m.

Mario Kart Tournament

The Waypoint, 7 p.m.

Trivia Tips Up, 9 p.m.

TUESDAY AUGUST 1

Tiki Tuesdays

The Waypoint, 5 p.m.

Grow Wild's 'Bag the Peak' Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser Crail Gardens at Historic Crail Ranch, 5 p.m.

AA Meeting

Big Sky Chapel, 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2

St. Joseph Mass

Big Sky Chapel, 12 p.m.

AA Meeting

Big Sky Medical Center, 12 p.m.

Life Drawing BASE, 3:30 p.m.

15th Annual Big Sky

Farmers Market

Big Sky Town Center, 5 p.m.

Community Art Class: Illustrate Your Tarot BASE, 6 p.m.

Trivia Night

The Waypoint, 8 p.m.

Music in the Mountains

Pregame Party

The Waypoint, 2 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3

Al Anon Meeting

Big Sky Chapel, 4 p.m.

AA Meeting

Big Sky Chapel, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY AUGUST 4

Gallatin River Task Force: Hooked on the Gallatin Big Sky Events Arena, 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY AUGUST 5

AA Meeting

Big Sky Chapel, 7:30 a.m.

Town to Trails 5K to 10K Len Hill Park, 9 a.m.

St. Joseph Mass

Big Sky Chapel, 5 p.m.

Wildlands Music Festival

Big Sky Events Arena, 5 p.m.

SUNDAY AUGUST 6

St. Joseph Mass

Big Sky Chapel, 8 a.m.

All Saints Big Sky Service

Big Sky Chapel, 10 a.m.

Sunday Service

Soldiers Chapel, 11 a.m.

Big Sky Christian Fellowship Service

Big Sky Chapel, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday Funday

The Waypoint, 2 p.m.

Wildlands Music Festival

Big Sky Events Arena, 5 p.m.

MONDAY AUGUST 7

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks: Measure for Measure

Town Center Plaza, 5:30 p.m.

NA Meeting

Big Sky Medical Center, 6:30 p.m.

Trivia

Tips Up, 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8

Tiki Tuesdays

The Waypoint, 5 p.m.

AA Meeting Big Sky Chapel, 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9

Big Sky Resort Area

District Meeting

BSRAD boardroom, 9 a.m.

St. Joseph Mass Big Sky Chapel, 12 p.m.

AA Meeting Big Sky Medical Center, 12 p.m.

Life Drawing BASE, 3:30 p.m.

15th Annual Big Sky Farmers Market

Big Sky Town Center, 5 p.m.

Community Art Class: Resin Floral Pendants and Earrings BASE, 6 p.m.

Trivia Night

The Waypoint, 8 p.m.

FEATURED EVENT:

Hooked on the Gallatin 2023

Friday, Aug. 4 at 5:30 p.m.

A ticketed fundraiser dinner and annual gala hosted by the Gallatin River Task Force at the Big Sky Events Arena, in partnership with the Wildlands Festival.

BUSINESS

MAKING IT IN BIG SKY: HEATHER RAPP

BY GABRIELLA DICENZO CONTENT MARKETING INTERN

BIG SKY– From radiant wildflowers in the summer, to gold and orange aspen trees in autumn and the majestic Lone Mountain in the winter, each season makes its way onto a canvas and serves as an inspiration for local artist Heather Rapp.

For this issue of Making it in Big Sky, we had the opportunity to speak with Rapp about her business and the vision behind her abstract and unique pieces.

This series is part of a paid partnership with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce. The following answers have been edited for brevity.

Explore Big Sky: How long have you been in Big Sky and what brought you to the area?

Heather Rapp: I've lived in Big Sky since 2012, and I've lived in Montana for most of my life. I was born in Colorado and we moved outside of Bozeman to Amsterdam when I was nine. When I graduated from Manhattan Public High School in 2003, I moved to Portland, Ore. to go to college at the Art Institute for a degree in graphic design. I'm so grateful to call Montana home!

EBS: How long have you been painting and what got you into it?

HR: I've been painting for 15 years and started my senior year of college. I took one painting class and ended up not really liking it... all we did was paint still lifes and I found it fairly boring, each week painting the same group of objects arranged in a different way. Having lived in Colorado and Montana, and then Oregon, I was always inspired by nature, mountains, and the ocean and wanted to paint what inspired me. I learned a lot about painting light and shadow in that class but always wanted to be painting grander things. After I graduated in 2007 and while working a restaurant job, I tried to find a job in my field of graphic design but it was extremely difficult because of the recession around that time. I had found a new love of painting so I just dove in and ended up finding my true passion, all the while still working various service industry jobs.

EBS: What is your favorite thing about being a business owner in Big Sky?

HR: I love making connections with people and seeing their eyes light up when they see my art or when they create a painting of their own at one of my paint parties and realize that they really are creative. It's always such a gift to be able to paint something special for someone, whether it's commemorating an important event like a wedding or a special place... I've created several commissioned pieces for locals that have been super special projects and mean a lot to them. I've also painted several murals around town and those are really fun projects to work on, [celebrating] community and connection.

I think one of my favorite murals I completed last year was for a local little girl in her bedroom. It was inspired by the scene in Alice in Wonderland when Alice is small and is among all the larger-than-her flowers. It was so fun painting giant wildflowers and letting the little girl help me paint some of the mural since she is also really into art. Such a fun project!

I'm incredibly grateful for the support I've gotten from this community and anyone who has appreciated or purchased art from me or attended one of my paint parties. I wouldn't be able to live my dream as an artist without that support!

EBS: What inspires your pieces?

HR: Nature and mountains have always been a focal point in my work, especially being lucky enough to live in Big Sky and Montana in general. My paintings have a seasonality to them, too, since I'm inspired by each season's unique beauty. I often paint colorful winter images of Lone Peak or abstract landscapes with white paint splattered on the canvas to suggest snow, while in the summer I'll paint Beehive Basin with the beautiful wildflowers that bloom in the meadows and in the fall, the aspens with all their beautiful gold and orange leaves as they change. I think living in such a seasonal place

really influences how my work changes throughout the year. I also love painting the animals that you find in Montana since we have such a wide range of wildlife that live here. Owls are my favorite animal to paint, they are such amazing and mystical creatures.

EBS: I know you’ve also worked with Beehive Brewing for a while and brewing organizations like Pink Boots. Do you find that the craft of brewing beer and painting sometimes overlap?

HR: I've worked at Beehive as a beertender since we opened in 2015 and feel lucky to have been a part of production as the Assistant Brewer for a couple years, as well as the fact that they let me hang my art on the walls. I think both painting and brewing are very creative processes. As an artist or a brewer, you have to think many steps ahead while also staying open to change. A painting often takes planning a concept or sketching before you start, just like a recipe when you're brewing a beer... You get to see where the creative process can take you without letting the inner critic get in your way. With brewing, it's more structured like a realistic painting with a recipe you go by but it's also always an experiment to some degree, which is why you have to stay open to change and think quickly when things get interesting. You may have something go wrong with your equipment, some ingredients may not work as well as you thought, or your yeast may mutate, changing your beer entirely. Improvisation and a creative mind are a common thread with both endeavors.

EBS: What are you doing when you aren’t painting?

HR: Adventuring outside with friends or family. In the winter and spring I snowboard or Nordic ski. In the summer and fall I like to mountain bike, hike, and camp. Anything that gets me out in nature with the people I love and helps inspire new paintings. I love traveling and would like to do more of that in the future. Travel provides such amazing inspiration, both for life and in painting.

EBS: What is the best business advice you’ve ever received?

HR: "Keep going." Being an artist isn't for the faint of heart. I've thought of quitting many times. You have to work really hard and have grit, not unlike a lot of other jobs. I've kept on persevering, with a lot of cheerleading from my partner, family and friends... Taking time to refuel and find new inspiration, as well as experimenting and creating art just for yourself without the intention of selling it is important. Create things that feed your soul and you'll reinspire yourself. Once you start, I've found it's inevitable that you will tap into your creativity and find the flow.

I always come back to this quote by Elizabeth Gilbert from her book "Big Magic" when I'm feeling uninspired or burnt out....“Pure creativity is magnificent expressly because it is the opposite of everything else in life that’s essential or inescapable (food, shelter, death, etc.)... Pure creativity is something better than a necessity; it’s a gift. It’s the frosting. Our creativity is a wild and unexpected bonus from the universe.”

Heather Rapp finds inspiration from the landscape around her—which is of no shortage here in Big Sky. PHOTO COURTESY OF HEATHER RAPP

Being an artist isn't for the faint of heart. I've thought of quitting many times. You have to work really hard and have grit, not unlike a lot of other jobs.

– Heather Rapp, Artist

August 3rd – August 5th

August 3rd – Cocktail Party, 5-7pm, featuring the Designer, Shawn Hecox - register to win a $500 Gift certificate to be drawn on Aug. 5th!

August 4th – Private appointments are available with Shawn—Call or message to set up! Register to win a turquoise beaded bracelet from The Woods!

August 5th – Enjoy shopping The Woods

raffle drawings!

A BENEFIT FOR RIVER CONSERVATION

SPONSORS:

Enjoy a panel featuring Tom Skerritt, comedy performance, silent & live auction, food & drinks all under

PEAK SKIS SHOWROOM

BACK 40

THE MAN AND THE MASK

FEATURED OUTLAW FLINT RAMUSSEN:

BY BAILEY J. BELTRAMO

It’s about consistency and attention to detail: White goes around his right eye first, always. His mouth is next, left eye after that. Muscle memory then kicks in, developed from decades of performing. Red fills in between islands of white outlined in blue. Black wrinkles and freckles. With every finger stroke of makeup, his features become more accentuated, the excitement builds and a stage persona rises. The final touch before facing a crowd of thousands is writing a small “F.R.” in red just below his right cheekbone.

The transformation is complete: Flint Rasmussen steps into the arena.

Ask fans of bull riding to name the greats in their sport and a list will form. J.B. Mauney and Jess Lockwood are household names. Chris Shivers, Ty Murray and Justin McBride have secured seats in bull riding history. Even some bulls have risen to stardom such as SweetPro’s Bruiser, Pearl Harbor and Bones. Flint Rasmussen is not a bull nor rider. But he has earned his place in the history books and is beloved by many—newcomers, seasoned fans and cowboys alike.

Flint is the exclusive entertainer for the Professional Bull Riders tour, better known as the PBR. Part stand-up comic, part dancer, 100 percent rodeo expert, his upbringing and natural talents have allowed him to revolutionize the role of rodeo clown and carve out a unique position for himself in the western sports world.

Growing up, his talents ran the gamut from natural athleticism on the field and court to musical inclination to a flair for the performing arts. And he was gifted a consistent behindthe-scenes view of rodeos as he followed his father’s announcing career from arena to arena across Montana, learning through osmosis. “The production, the timing of the announcer, knowing when my dad as the announcer needed to talk about something and needed to sell somebody, when he didn’t—that was just ingrained in us, it wasn’t like we set out to learn,” Flint explains.

Eventually, his talents coalesced into a foundation upon which Flint built a rodeo clown role during college summers. Even then, he stuck to the traditional mold of baggy-overalls and scripted skits with props to carry the bulk of his act. But it didn’t take long for his humor and knack for unscripted comedy to rise to the top.

“He took the rodeo world by storm,” says brother Will Rasmussen, an acclaimed rodeo announcer in his own right. “He was the most sought-after clown and entertainer there was.”

Three years after stepping into the arena fulltime—an unplanned career change from his postcollege job as a high school math teacher—Flint performed at his first National Finals Rodeo.

Eight Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association Clown of the Year awards later, he signed on exclusively with the PBR .

It was then that Flint really began to break away from the old school acts and pioneer his style of “walk and talk” that’s become popular. As longtime friend and PBR photographer Andy Watson explains: “Flint took the job position of rodeo clown and turned it into rodeo entertainer.” It’s safe to say the transition has been well received.

“There’s more signs in the crowd for Flint than there are for J.B. Mauney,” Watson says.

For Explore Big Sky, the Back 40 is a resource: a place where we can delve into subjects and ask experts to share their knowledge. Here, we highlight stories from our flagship sister publication Mountain Outlaw magazine.

Noun: wild or rough terrain adjacent to a developed

area

Origin: shortened form of “back 40 acres”

Flint doing what he does best at the Arlington PBR Global Cup: entertaining. PHOTO BY ANDY WATSON

Flint Rasmussen during the first round of the Duluth Unleash the Beast PBR. Forgoing the jersey and makeup, Flint took up the commentating role in the PBR’s first closed-to-public broadcast.

Photo by Andy Watson

BY ANDY WATSON

If the grandstand metrics aren’t enough, countless social media comments laud Flint with fandom.

“I’ll be there tonight! Wish my horse Flint (named after you) was coming with!” wrote one Instagram user. “So excited I kicked cancer’s ass so I’m able to take my daughter to the show Saturday night. Can’t wait to see you Flint!” commented another.

The success of Flint’s act can be broken down into three main tenets: timing, dancing and the ability to riff worthy of a cast position on Saturday Night Live. First, Flint keeps a finger locked on the pulse of a PBR show every minute he’s in an arena.

Those years of being raised at rodeos allow him to weave his act in and out of the rippling fabric of bucking bulls, adrenaline-pumping music and pyrotechnics that make up a PBR show. Successful entertainers like Flint realize timing is everything, even to the second they make their entrance.

“They know the ebbs and flows, they know a good time to be there, a good time not to be there,” Will says. The result is a seamless experience that wraps up spectators from their arrival to when the last bull bucks.

Add to this the simple fact that Flint has been able to create this experience for fans consistently, something of a rarity in the sport of bull riding. Cowboys’ careers are often not long lasting due to propensity for injury. So, while their careers might

be measured in short arcs, Flint’s has encompassed them all.

Second, Flint brought mainstream dancing to bull riding. It’s no two-step or “Copper Head Road” line dance either. In a cowboy hat, makeup and jersey, he breaks into an Elvis Presley hip-swaying shuffle or gets down to whatever pop song is mainstream at the time.

Incorporating the natural Rasmussen rhythm that both brothers claim happened organically. “The first time I went [to a PBR show] and they were playing music I instinctively started dancing because it’s what I do,” Flint says. “I didn’t do anything different than what I was good at.”

And he’s never taken a dance lesson. He does, however, recall the exact moment that learning to dance came to the forefront of his mind. After a 1983 Jackson 5 performance broadcast on NBC, Michael took the stage alone. The glove went on, the groove of “Billie Jean” kicked in, and he moonwalked across the stage. “I said, ‘I’ve got to learn what Michael Jackson did,’” Flint remembers. The concrete floor of his school’s music room provided an apropos rehearsal area, and day after day he practiced until he too could moonwalk across a stage.

The last ingredient to Flint’s recipe is his goodnatured personality that thrives on unscripted, genuine interactions with an audience.

“It’s not just telling jokes and walking around and being funny,” Watson says. “It’s actually interacting with the crowd. It’s finding out what that crowd wants and then giving it to them.”

That personable element comes in the form of paying attention to the tiny details of wherever he is performing. He’ll buy a local paper to stay up on a community’s current events or even don the jersey of a home team. Will puts it simply: “He seems tangible.”

In exchange for his high-energy interaction, audiences have become eager to respond in kind.

“That’s the shift I see is how much more fun the crowds are,” Flint says. And he’s proud to feel some responsibility in fostering that atmosphere. For two-and-a-half hours, the goal is to connect.

At day’s end, that’s a job well done in Flint’s book. “People get asked, ‘What will your tombstone say?’ I’ve always said mine will say, ‘He made our day just a little bit better.’ I would like people to at least think or know when I’m out there performing, my heart is wanting you people to feel better.”

Flint has been making fans feel the love for 25 years now but a looming question remains: How long can the show go on? If fans had their way, forever. But having already suffered a heart attack 11 years ago, Flint acknowledges that his seasons in the arena are numbered.

He made clear his commitment to staying with the Western sports world and already has eyes on what that transition could look like. Increased social media outreach, live-stream interviews, PBR broadcasting opportunities could all be possibilities for the future. The travel reprieve caused by COVID opened doors toward that end.

A new “Flint From Home” livestream series popped up on Facebook, and Flint took up a spot on the broadcast team for the closed-topublic broadcast format PBR CEO Sean Gleason has laid out at the Lazy-E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

But no matter how Flint’s role may change down the road, his good-natured humor and genuine desire to entertain fans in order to grow the Western sports world will continue to shine through—whether it’s from behind his iconic makeup or not.

Bailey J. Beltramo hails from rural New Hampshire and has spent the past three years exploring the West. He’s fascinated with ranching culture and the grandeur of wide-open spaces. As a storyteller, his work is inspired by illuminating hidden experiences in hopes of broadening others’ perspectives.

Flint strikes his iconic Michael Jackson pose during a photo shoot at the Oklahoma City Unleash the Beast show last February.

PHOTO

An artist prepares. Photo by Andy Watson