Mike Meldman - Explore Big Sky

Big Sky’s Locally Owned & Published Newspaper 

Big Sky 

March 4, 2011 

Volume 2 // Issue #5 

Greg Stump’s 

legend of ahhhs 

interview with 

Mike Meldman 

chairman & ceo of 

discovery land company 

SaCaGaWEa 

SChool’S 

WintErfESt 

the Crossing Bar and Grill in Wisdom 

Skiing 

ElEphanthEad 

Mountain 

people, passion, 

progression: 

Jason thompson 

Photography 

explorebigsky.com 

Photo by eric ladd


March 4, 2011 

VoluMe 2, Issue 5 

CEO, PUBLISHER & 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Eric Ladd 

COO & SENIOR EDITOR 

Megan Paulson 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Mike Martins 

MANAGING EDITOR 

Emily Stifler 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Kelsey Dzintars 

EDITOR 

Abbie Digel 

SALES DIRECTOR 

Hunter Rothwell 

DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR 

Danielle Chamberlain 

VIDEOGRAPHER 

Brian Niles 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Tyler Allen, Big Sky Firefighters, Bozeman 

Pet Pics, Andrew Coleman, Deb 

Courson, Angelyn DeYoung, Cloe 

Erickson, Dave Granger, Ali Havig, Kuka 

Holder, Abi Hogan, Brian Hurlbut, Mike 

Quist Kautz, Brandy Ladd, Les Loble, 

Russ Mcelyea, Reid Morth, Brandon 

Niles, Danielle McClain, Katie Morrison, 

ALex Tenenbaum, Jason Thompson, 

LeeAnn Theard, Jeni West, 

Ennion Williams 

edItorIal PolIcy 

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including Big Sky, Bozeman, West Yellowstone, 

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2 March 4, 2011 

happy St. patrick’s day - March 17 

lEttEr to 

thE Editor 

paraMEtErS 

This is a platform for readers to express 

views and share ways they would like 

to effect change. The Weekly will run 

letters, positive or negative, of 250 

words or less that are respectful, ethical, 

state accurate facts and figures, and are 

proofread for grammar and content. We 

reserve the right to edit letters. Please 

include: first and last name, address, 

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taBlE of ContEntS 

community…4 

local news…7 

regional…9 

Montana…13 

Sustainable living…15 

Profile…17 

explore…19 

health & Wellness…20 

youth…21 

Sports…23 

big Sky Weekly 

abbie digel prepares for take 

off on the big Sky zipline 

Big Sky resort offers early season 

pass rates March 9 - april 30 

Get your ‘11-’12 season pass early, and ski spring 2011. Big Sky Resort just announced their Adult 

Unlimited Gold Season Pass for $789 plus tax and a Student Unlimited Gold Season Pass for $589 

plus tax. The sale will run March 9 through April 30, and payment plans are available. 

bigskyresort.com 406-995-USKI 

real estate…25 

business...27 

classifieds…31 

gallery…33 

Food & dining…35 

outdoors…37 

reel review…41 

events…43 

column…45 

Fun...47 

back 40…48

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big Sky Weekly

letters 

The Big Sky Ski Education Foundation invites the 

community and visitors to participate in the Gransberg 

Cup Dual Challenge, Saturday, March 12 on 

Hangman’s at Big Sky. Registration is from 8:30 – 10 

a.m. in the Mountain Mall. $15 for adults, $10 for 

children. Course inspection will be 10:15 - 11:15 

a.m. The race begins at 11:30. Racers will split into 

age groups and start on a first come basis. All winners in the age class over 15 will 

receive a special edition belt buckle. 

4 March 4, 2011 

coMMunity 

On December 21, 2010, my beautiful 8-year-old golden 

retriever, Amos, was struck and killed by a speeding car on 

Spruce Cone Drive. The driver had a fight with her parents 

and was speeding, wasn’t looking where she was going, 

and hit Amos going 30-40 mph. Amos wasn’t on a leash; 

my mother couldn’t open the clasp on his leash because 

of the cold. I said it was ok because we were right outside 

my driveway; this was a dog friendly neighborhood. I was 

lagging behind because I was bagging his poop. Amos was 

running back to make sure I was still behind him…I yelled 

at the speeding car, she didn’t slow down. She killed my 

best friend. 

Please slow down on our streets. It is unacceptable to be 

going as fast as this girl was. What if it had been a roaming 

bear, a wandering moose, or a proud elk? What if it had 

been your best friend or your child who was just running 

down the street to the park? What if? 

Please be more careful in our neighborhoods. Thank You 

LeeAnn Theard 

The Big Sky Firefighters would like to thank Chief Jason 

Revisky for his years of dedicated service to the community 

of Big Sky. Throughout his 16 years of service, 

his promotion of firefighter safety and his institution of 

valuable trainings have made Big Sky Fire what it is today. 

Chief Revisky has been instrumental in providing the Big 

Sky community with 24 hour, seven day a week advanced 

life support coverage. His dedication to the community 

and all we serve is apparent in his insistence that we 

provide nothing but the best customer service possible to 

our community and its visitors. Events like the annual 

Pancake Breakfast, the Halloween haunted house, open 

houses, fire prevention with Ophir School, and public fire 

education are just a few examples of the dedication he has 

brought to Big Sky to make this community a better and 

safer place to be. 

As Big Sky Firefighters, we would also like to thank 

Chief for providing an excellent work place that is family 

oriented and above all else, safe. Beyond his fanaticism 

for community service, Chief has emphasized safety. Innovative 

thinking, open-minded outlooks, and the vision 

to bring in outside resources have made the Big Sky Fire 

Department one of the more progressive fire departments 

in the country in terms of firefighter safety, and for that 

Chief, we thank you. 

We as a fire department will never forget the words you 

taught us: “Be nice, work hard, protect lives and property, 

and return to the station alive and healthy. “ 

Always your friends, 

Big Sky Firefighters 

local Winter Games provides opportunities 

for Special olympic athletes 

by abbie digel 

It was a breezy day at Moonlight 

Basin on February 28, and most of 

the lifts were on wind hold, but that 

didn’t stop 40 athletes from competing 

in the second Big Sky Area 

Special Olympics winter games. 

Penni Kolpin, the winter games 

coordinator, beamed as she waved to 

competitors from the chairlift. “It’s 

all about providing opportunities 

for the athletes,” she said. 

There were 32 skiers, from novice 

to advanced, and eight snowshoers. 

60 volunteers came out for the 

event, and each was paired with an 

athlete to help him or her navigate 

the resort and the courses. 

Montana is divided into 12 local 

areas for the Special Olympics, and 

usually the athletes from the Big 

Sky area travel four hours to Lost 

Trail to compete. 

“It’s huge we get to 

do this locally,” said 

Kolpin. 

About a third of 

the athletes in the 

area were present on 

Monday, but Kolpin 

hopes if the games 

are consistently held 

in Big Sky, more will 

show up. 

The athletes have eight training 

sessions before the competition, and 

since the events are divided by skill 

level, most everyone has a chance 

to place. Some had their own gear, 

but other snowshoes and skis were 

borrowed from Eagle Mount, or 

donated from Round House Ski and 

Sports Center. 

The athletes, participants and 

Moonlight Staff were all smiles at 

first annual Gransberg Cup dual Challenge 

the awards ceremony, where participants 

ate refreshments and gushed 

about their scores. 

“We are proud to have hosted the 

Special Olympics Montana for the 

second year in a row. Even though 

we were faced with less than ideal 

weather, you’d never know it by the 

big smiles on the athletes’ faces,” 

said Greg Pack, GM of Moonlight. 


Big Sky fire 

department 

Please ensure the safety of your 

home and family, take a few moments 

to shovel out the fire hydrant closest 

to your property. This small task can 

make the difference when there is an 

emergency. Thank You! 

2/19 – 10:38-13:57 - EMS personnel responded 

to Big Sky Ski Patrol. Patient received BLS care 

and was transported to BDH. 


to Moonlight Ski Patrol. Patient received BLS 

care and was transported to BDH. 





to Big Sky Ski Patrol. Patient received ALS care 






to a SAR transport. Patient received BLS care and 

was transported to BDH. 

2/19 – 15:08–15:58- EMS personnel responded 

to Big Sky Ski Patrol. Mutual Aid was called to 

provide ALS care and patient was transported to 

BDH. 

2/19 – 18:57-20:01 – Fire personnel responded to 

Big Sky Resort for report of smoke. Conditions 

were mitigated and no evacuation was needed. 


to Big Sky Resort. Patient received BLS care and 

refused transport. 

2/19 – 20:37-21:15 – Fire personnel responded 

to an Alarm at Big Sky Resort. No hazard was 

found. 

2/19 – 21:45-01:00 – EMS personnel responded. 

Patient received ALS care and was transported 

to BDH. 


Patient received BLS assessment and refused 

transport. 

2/20 – 16:05-16:30 – Fire personnel responded 

to a Dumpster Fire. Hot ashes on garbage were 

extinguished and dumper left out of shed to cool. 




2/21 – 15:30-16:00 – Fire personnel responded to 

an Alarm at Big Sky Resort. No hazard was found. 

2/21- 16:00-16:30 – EMS personnel responded 

to a Vehicle Collision on Hwy 191. No injuries 

were reported and 3 patients refused care and 

transport. 


to Moonlight Ski Patrol. Patient received ALS 

care and was transported to BDH. 


Patient received ALS care and was transported 

to BDH. 


Patient received ALS care. 




Photo by reid Morth 

Skijorign at Bozeman’s Wild West Winterfest this February - Spela Bertoncelj slingshots 

around the final gate to take 2nd overall in the woman’s division.

coMMunity 

Sing out! 

by danielle Mcclain 

Big Sky Community Chorus would 

like to welcome anyone with a desire 

to be part of something bigger than 

themselves to join us on Tuesday 

evenings from 7-9 p.m. 

The choir is made up of an eclectic 

mix of community members of all 

ages and backgrounds who assemble 

as much for the fun of it as the musical 

experience. The chorus practices 

in the Big Sky Chapel; it has no affiliation 

with any religion. 

The chorus is under the energetic direction 

of John Zirkle and masterful 

accompaniment of Klaudia Kosiak, 

both of who volunteer their time and 

david Mueller 

Dave Mueller has left this planet, and 

hopefully he is sight casting to very 

large fish in the great beyond. Known 

to many Big Sky locals as BBD (Big 

Bald Dave) Dave was a skier second, 

and a fly-fishing fanatic first and 

utmost. I had the privilege of sharing 

a boat or a riffle with Dave on several 

occasions but not nearly enough of 

them to satisfy me. We will miss you 

big guy, see you in the next life. 

- Randy Spence 

experience to the project. Director JZ 

says all you need to participate is an 

open mind and commitment to the 

endeavor. 

“Aside from the fun of it all, the 

chorus is a great way to meet people 

in the community and take a muchneeded 

break from our hectic winter 

lives,” says Zirkle. “In general, singing 

with others provides that feeling 

of being a part of a whole, which is 

something we all strive for in our.” 

Some members have never sung in a 

chorus, and many have not done so 

since as far back as grade school or 

high school. The group has a solid 

David Gerard Mueller passed away 

on Thursday, February 17, 2011. 

Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, he 

traveled through the West in pursuit 

of outdoor activities, settling in 

Montana for the past 15 years. He 

worked at the Yellowstone Club, 

and was a prolific fisherman, skier, 

bicyclist and hiker. BBD’s magnetic 

personality attracted many friends. 

On Feb. 22, family and friends scattered 

Dave’s ashes on the Yellowstone 

River. Following that, a funeral 

service was held at the Catholic Community 

Center in Bozeman, and then 

a Celebration of Life at the American 

Legion Hall. Memorial contributions 

can be sent to Trout Unlimited, 

Madison-Gallatin Chapter. Condolences 

and memories may be shared 

with the family at dahlcares.com. 

core of approximately 25 people and 

is preparing for a spring concert in 

April, where they’ll sing an arrangement 

prepared by Zirkle from the hit 

show Glee, Mozart, Aaron Copeland 

and Eric Whitacre. 

For an ideal sound, the choir would 

like to expand membership to 32 

members or more. To join is to simply 

attend rehearsal and become part 

of the fun. All the music is provided. 

The goal is to make a beautiful 

noise and have a good time doing 

it. For more information contact 

johnzirkle@gmail.com 

Caleb acker 

Caleb Clay Acker, 22, of Alberton 

passed away February 14, 2011 in the 

Bridger Mountains near Bozeman. 

Caleb was born on January 5, 1989, 

in Wausau, WI to Clay W. and 

Constance P. Acker. At the time 

of his death, Caleb was a senior at 

Montana State University in the Ar- 


Madison Valley park and recreation district resolution 

rescinded; Efforts remain Steady 

On Feb. 17, 2011, the Madison 

County Commission rescinded Resolution 

41-2010, which would have 

put to a vote in May 2011 the issue of 

whether to create a Madison Valley 

Parks and Recreation District with 

a maximum taxing authority of 3 

mills. The proposed boundary of the 

District followed the Ennis School 

District boundary, including Ennis, 

surrounding Madison Valley communities, 

and the Big Sky portion 

of Madison County (Big Sky Resort, 

Moonlight Basin, Yellowstone Club, 

much of Spanish Peaks, and other 

properties). The Madison County 

Commission passed this resolution 

on Dec. 14. 

obituaries 

Shortly thereafter, a group of Big 

Sky representatives organized efforts 

to remove Big Sky from the 

proposed district. This group felt 

Big Sky would be better served by 

creation of a separate district, rather 

than paying into a larger Madison 

Valley-focused district and dividing 

the Big Sky community on the 

county line. Also, the group felt the 

proposed district might disproportionately 

tax Big Sky for park and 

recreational amenities not easily accessible 

by the town’s residents and 

visitors. The Commission received 

approximately 100 letters in support 

of Big Sky’s removal from the 

proposed district. 

This organized effort discovered 

a 1988 vote that had created a Big 

Sky Mountain Village Park District. 

This District was never ‘activated’, 

according to county documents, and 

has never imposed taxes, but remains 

on the books. Due to this, the 

Madison County Attorney advised 

the Commission to rescind Resolution 

41-2010, citing overlapping 

park districts as not legal. The Commission 

stated a referendum could 

still go to vote this year, and that 

they support creation of a Madison 

County district. The boundaries that 

district, or districts, may follow are 

not yet delineated. 

During the several public hearings 

about this issue, the Madison County 

Commission stated they would 

support the creation of a new Big 

Sky Parks and Recreation District, 

and they advised Big Sky’s community 

leadership to begin organizing 

one soon. Big Sky representatives are 

researching the issues that will come 

up in the next few months as the 

community discusses this. 

Katie Morrison, Executive Director 

of the Big Sky Community Corporation, 

will be speaking at the Chamber’s 

Town Hall meeting on March 10 

about the possible creation of a Big 

Sky parks district. 

chitecture Program. Caleb is a 2007 

graduate of Cedar Grove – Belgium 

High School in Cedar Grove, WI. 

Caleb loved the Montana outdoors, 

and he died doing what he loved 

most: snowboarding in the backcountry. 

Caleb is survived by his parents, 

Clay W. and Constance P. Acker, of 

Alberton; his siblings, Joshua W. 

(Laura) Acker, of Alberton, Sarah C. 

Acker, of Washington, D.C., Grace 

E. Acker, of Los Angeles, Calif.; 

nephews, Silas Acker and Micah 

Acker; and niece, Rainier Acker. 

The viewing was Feb.19 at Sunset 

Memorial Gardens, followed by a 

funeral service at 1 p.m. also at Sunset 

Memorial Gardens with Pastor 

Daniel Disch officiating. 

March 4, 2011 5


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Big Sky Water and Sewer 

Sponsoring Manhole 

Cover design Contest 

Winner to receive $1,000 prize 

by eMily StiFler 

Grant Burroughs has worked at 

Big Sky Water and Sewer for 16 

years. In his travels, the wastewater 

Superintendent always looks at 

manhole covers. 

“I’ve noticed a lot of different 

styles,” he says. “There are some 

really cool ones out there.” It really 

came home when he noticed Bozeman’s 

manhole covers, which have 

the city’s seal of a horse drawn cart. 

“I saw those lids and got to thinking 

maybe it’d be neat to re-design 

ours.” 

Big Sky’s standard lid reads 

WSD363—pretty boring. 

local neWS 

Burroughs approached the Board 

of Directors of the Big Sky Sewer 

District with an idea: hold a contest 

for the best design. The Board agreed 

to the idea, and together, they came 

up with a set of rules and a prize for 

the winning design: $1,000. 

Burroughs says the city of Spokane 

held a similar contest, and an eightyear 

old girl won. 

Big Sky’s cash prize will come from 

the Sewer reserve fund. The new 

lids will cost the same as the current 

standard, Burroughs says. He’ll send 

a drawing of the winning design to 

the foundry, and once they have the 

mold made, the price is the same. 

The intent isn’t to replace every 

manhole lid—but many of Big Sky’s 

manhole covers are 35 years old, 

and Water and Sewer replaces 10-15 

of them a year, also providing new 

lids any time a developer builds a 

sewer extension. 

The District will accept design submittals 

until April 25, 2011. A panel 

consisting of community members 

and District representatives will 

hold a blind judging. 

fire Chief revisky 

announces departure from 

Big Sky fire department 

by leS loble 

Fire Chief Jason (“Rif”) 

Revisky, of the Big Sky Fire 

Department, has announced 

his departure from the Big Sky 

Fire Department, effective 

March 2, 2011. Revisky has 

served with the BSFD for 16 

years, and now has accepted a 

position with the Sourdough 

Fire Department in Bozeman. 

A celebration of his career 

in Big Sky was held Monday 

night at the Bugaboo Café. 

bigskywatersewer.com/lidcontest.htm 

After beginning as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT-B with the Big Sky Fire Department 

in 1994, Revisky went on to serve the Big Sky community as a Paramedic, 

Captain and Assistant Chief, and was promoted to Fire Chief position in 2003. 

Prior to joining the fire department, Revisky came to Big Sky as a fly fishing guide. 

He married Sandy Revisky, a local realtor, and they have three children, and—in 

the Big Sky tradition—two dogs. 

I worked for Rif as a volunteer for five years and know firsthand his many accomplishments. 

Between 2002 and 2007, he reduced the response time by 22 percent 

(four minutes) and tripled the number of training hours. The Board, the firefighters 

(volunteer and paid), and the emergency medical, support and administrative staff 

all wish Rif and Sandy the very best in this next phase of their busy lives. 

Les Loble is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Big Sky Fire Department. 

Integrity. 

Vision. 

Craft. 

406-995-2174 

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What’s in Store for Yellowstone? 

new draft of Winter use Plan 

by brandy ladd 

regional 

In regards to motorized travel, Yellowstone 

National Park’s temporary 

winter use plan will expire this 

March. The plan currently allows 

318 snowmobiles and 78 multi-passenger 

snow coaches (led by commercial 

guides) to enter the park 

daily. Snowmobiles are required to 

have, “Best Available Technology” 

such as four-stroke engines, which 

discharge less noise and emissions. 

For over a decade, the subject of 

over snow vehicles in the Park has 

raged a litigious battle. What is in 

store for the newest draft? 

I graduated from Gardiner High 

School in 1993. That same year, 

the Forest Service and Park Service 

began to address the growing 

popularity of winter recreation in 

the Greater Yellowstone Area. I 

remember trailer-loads of snowmobiles 

and bubble-headed adventure 

seekers flocking to Jardine, Mammoth 

and Cooke City. Business was 

flourishing in Gardiner and the 

other border towns – Cooke City, 

Big Sky, West Yellowstone, Cody, 

Flagg Ranch and Jackson. That 

winter, the snowy roads supported 

140,000 visitors, 90,000 of whom 

rode snowmobiles, and 10,000 rode 

in snow coaches. 

In the mid ‘90s, the combination 

of large visitors numbers and high 

bison mortality rate caught the 

attention of wildlife protection 

groups. After the ensuing federal 

court case in Washington, D.C., an 

environmental group petitioned 

banning recreational snowmobiling 

within all national parks. 

In 2000, the park service responded 

with a plan to phase out most 

snowmobile use in Yellowstone 

and Grand Teton parks. The basis 

for the plan was to reduce air and 

noise pollution, while maintaining 

the natural splendor for the enjoyment 

of the people. Snowmobiling 

groups then sued the Park Service, 

and once again, the case found its 

way to the federal court, this time 

in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where the 

decision was overturned. 

Finally, in 2009, after more trips 

to the federal court, a temporary 

winter use plan was implemented. 

Meanwhile, tourist-dependent 

border towns suffered. Families 

scrambled to restructure businesses 

to accommodate for the new laws. 

Now, a new winter use plan has 

been through a public scoping 

process. Over 9,000 letters and web 

submissions suggested needs and 

objectives to be examined in the 

upcoming Environmental Impact 

Statement (EIS). Consideration will 


“over 9,000 letters and web submissions suggested 

needs and objectives to be examined 

in the upcoming environmental impact 

Statement (eiS).” 

BUYERS 

SELLERS 

Ryan Kulesza 

BROKER 

Office:(406) 995-2244 

Cell:(406) 539-4666 

Fax:(406) 995-2249 

ryan.kulesza@sothebysrealty.com 

focus on wildlife habitat, soundscapes, 

air quality, visitor use and 

experience, socioeconomics, and 

park operations and maintenance. 

A draft of six alternative plans has 

been proposed for the EIS. The 

plans range from prohibiting all 

winter motorized travel, to continuing 

the current plan, to increasing 

daily snowmobile numbers. Nonguided 

permits are also a consideration 

in the alternatives. The Final 

EIS will be released this fall. 

parkplanning.nps.gov/projecthome.cfm?projectId=29281 

snowmobilers.org/docs/yellowstone 

WE REPRESENT PRE-QUALIFIED 

BUYERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THE 

FOLLOWING PROPERTIES: 

• Blue Grouse Condo 

• Cash Investor in Moonlight Basin Ski-in Ski-Out property 

• 4 bedroom home under $500,000 

• House anywhere in Big Sky under $300,000. 

WE REPRESENT MOTIVATED SELLERS 

WHO WOULD LIKE TO TRADE THE 

FOLLOWING PROPERTIES: 

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Cell:(406) 600-8081 

Fax:(406) 995-2246 

tallie.jamison@sothebysrealty.com 

March 4, 2011 9

egional 

MSU to hold Make-a-Wish Event 

Give back to your community while 

burning some calories at Lift-A- 

Wish on March 5 from 10 a.m. to 

6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the 

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of 

Montana. 

Held at the MSU\ Marga Hosaeus 

Fitness Center, the Lift-A-Wish 

event will encourage teams of two 

to perform as many bench press 

and squat repetitions as possible 

in a given amount of time to help 

make wishes come true. A grand 

prize will be awarded to the team 

Big Sky, Montana 

www.grizzlyoutfitters.com 

10 March 4, 2011 

who can raise the most amount of 

money, while other prizes will be 

awarded to teams who complete the 

most repetitions in a half-hour. 

Each team is responsible for collecting 

donations and sponsorships 

from local individuals and businesses 

to benefit the Make-A-Wish 

Foundation. Everyone is welcome 

to join low weight exercises to 

achieve the maximum amount of 

repetitions. 

montana.wish.org. 

director of MSU’s farrier School 

named to international hall of fame 

Tom Wolfe, Director of the MSU 

Farrier School, was recently inducted 

into the International Horseshoeing 

Hall of Fame in Kentucky, for his 

contributions to farrier education. 

The award honors farriers around 

the world who have made significant 

contributions to the profession 

and have left a permanent positive 

impression on peers and clients. 

Wolfe has been a full-time professional 

farrier since 1971. Before his 

position as instructor in charge of 

the MSU Horseshoeing School, he 

worked in Albuquerque, NM. Wolfe 

is a member of the Montana Professional 

Horseshoer’s Association, has 

served three years on the executive 

committee for the American Farrier 

Association, and is a journeyman 

farrier for the AFA. He received his 

bachelor’s degree in biology from the 

University of New Mexico. 

- from MSU wire service 

Mustapha El Qadery, 

a renowned 

North African 

scholar, historian and 

anthropologist, will 

speak in Bozeman 

about the current 

political turmoil in 

the Middle East and 

North Africa. On 

March 3, El Qadery 

presented “The 

Berlin Wall Falls in 

the Middle East and 

North Africa,” at 

MSU. On March 4, he 

will present “How Arabism 

Hijacked Islam,” at the Bozeman 

Library, from 12:10 - 1 p.m. 

El Qadery is a Fulbright Scholar in 

Residence at Virginia State University 

In Morocco, he works at the National 

Library of the Moroccan Kingdom and 

in the Faculty of Law at Rabat University. 

El Qadery has published over 30 

papers on his fieldwork, which focuses 

on Colonial and Postcolonial Political 

Systems in Africa and the Middle East. 

He is now finishing a book, written 

in Arabic and French, titled Nationalism 

of the Self-hate. Also a documentary 

film producer, he was recently 


north african Scholar Speaks 

about regional turmoil March 3, 4 

Mustapha El Qadery (left, white turban) discusses development 

work with village leaders in Zawiya Ahansal, Morocco. 

awarded two Moroccan film awards 

regarding his work on the history of 

the Colonial Conquest in the Eastern 

Moroccan Sahara. 

For the past five years, El Qadery has 

worked closely with Cloe Erickson, 

MSU alumni and founder of the Atlas 

Cultural Foundation, on community 

development work and an MSU study 

abroad program in a remote region of 

Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains. In 

addition, El Qadery has been a guest 

scholar for the Livingston-based travel 

company Bella Treks. 

atlasculturalfoundation.org.

Sixth graders learn winter skills at 

Sacajawea School’s 17th annual Winterfest 


regional 

On a Friday in February, Sacajawea Middle School 

teacher Peter Jacoby stood in front of a group of his 

sixth graders at the old Bear Canyon ski area, teaching 

class. 

“I’m going to tell you why you should ski in the 

backcountry,” Mr. Jacoby said. The kids listened 

from a bench, next to a pile of cross-country skis and 

boots. “First, you can ski powder,” he said. “From 

this trailhead, you could literally ski almost to Salt 

Lake City without crossing a road or encountering 

anybody… Being in the backcountry is harder work 

than riding lifts.” 

Mr. Jacoby and two other Sacajawea Middle School 

teachers, Cindy Whitmer and Carrie Sampson, 

brought more than 90 sixth graders to Winterfest 

this year. Together with parents and community 

volunteers, they taught: cross country skiing, search 

and rescue, avalanche safety and winter camping. 

Kids learned how to use avalanche beacons, dig 

snow pits and assess stability, build igloos, and set 

up a camp and melt water for cooking. Special guests 

included avalanche expert Scott Savage and his 

search and rescue dog, Gobi, and Angela Patnode 

with Friends of the Avalanche Center. 

The day was part of a week-and-a-half winter program 

that teacher Cindy Whitmer has organized for 

17 years. This year, to kick off the week, avalanche 

survivor and cyclist Sam Cavanaugh visited the 

classes and told his story. In literature groups, the 

students read and discussed Jack London’s To Build 

a Fire. 

“These activities are lifetime opportunities, especially 

if the kids stay in Montana,” Whitmer said. 

“We take them downhill skiing once a year, 

… and we wanted to get kids interested in 

cross country skiing and backcountry trekking, 

too.” 

At one station, students sat in a circle on 

a bench dug out of the snow, and Dennis 

Treut taught winter camping. Treut showed 

his warm sleeping bags, his bivouac sac, and 

his big winter backpack. Then they talked 

about cooking. 

“This is white gas,” Treut said, holding a red 

fuel bottle attached to a Whisperlite stove. 

“It’s pressurized.” He pointed to the fuel 

line where the gas enters the stove. Then he 

filled a pot with water and snow and lit the stove. 

“Is one bottle enough?” asked a student. 

“That depends how long you’re going out for,” 

Treut said. 

“If you wanted fondue, what would you do?” 

“Well, I’ve never done fondue in the backcountry.” 

Treut smiled. 

“We have wild rice, dehydrated vegetables and 

beans, which are lightweight.” Treut handed around 

bags of dried food. “We can cook these in the water.” 

The snow had melted, so he picked up the steaming 

pot and everyone crowded around to look into the 

warm water. 

“Eew, look at the dirt on the bottom! Do you drink 

that?” 


BYEp’s Character Education Empowers local Youth 

by dave granger 

Most people know Big Sky Youth Empowerment 

(BYEP) supports local, at-risk youth in ultimate 

outdoor adventures like snowboarding, rafting and 

climbing. However, fewer folks realize the crux of 

BYEP programming is the character education curriculum. 

Delivered in weekly regional workshops 

to groups of six youth with three adult mentors, 

BYEP’s curriculum educates participants on everything 

from the essentials of trust and teamwork, to 

the importance of community stewardship. BYEP’s 

unique blend of character education and stellar 

adventures results in broader perspectives, positive 

change, and a reduction of problematic behaviors. 

Feeling a sense of place in one’s hometown or knowing 

where to turn to help a friend in crisis are examples 

of qualities and knowledge bases which are 

emphasized in BYEP workshops. Beginning with 

broader topics like Effective Communication and 

honing in on equally important, but far more sensitive 

subjects like Suicide Awareness and Prevention, 

BYEP workshops provide a safe, confidential 

setting for participants to share and become aware. 

Regardless of the topic, BYEP workshops always 

begin with a “check-in.” Each group member has 

the opportunity to share how they are doing and 

comment on personally significant current events in 

their respective lives. Once check-ins are complete, 

groups use various icebreakers 

to start thinking about that 

week’s workshop topic. At 

the beginning of the Identity 

and Consumerism workshop, 

for example, participants 

identify something they feel 

they couldn’t live without. 

Answers vary from qualities 

(“my courage”) to consumable 

goods (“my iPod”). What follows 

is a lesson plan utilizing 

initiatives, which challenge group members to critically 

examine who they are and what defines them 

at this point in their lives. 

In a continuum facilitating group bonding and 

growth, BYEP workshops focus on teamwork and 

trust, effective communication, identity and consumerism, 

conflict resolution, respect and healthy 

relationships, suicide awareness and prevention, 

drug education, sexual reproductive health, and 

stewardship. 

BYEP also invites select organizations into its 

workshops to create a network of expert support. 

Peer educators from MSU’s VOICE Center and 

Bridger Clinic inspire participants to think and act 

“outside the box” in favor of positive change related 

to healthy relationships and sexual reproductive 

health. Matt Dexheimer and Jessica Buboltz, representatives 

from Bozeman’s HELP Center, educate 

group members by highlighting the warning signs, 

current statistics, and local support agencies for 

suicide. 

BYEP’s character education curriculum encourages 

participants to be informed, take responsibility for 

their actions, and reach positive potentials. 

Learn more about Big Sky Youth Empowerment 

today, and make a positive connection with your 

community. Visit byep.org or call Pete MacFadyen 

at (406) 539-0399. 

Dave Granger is Program Director for Big Sky 

Youth Empowerment. 

A serious discussion ensued about the detritus, and 

Treut showed how to pour off the water, leaving 

the debris in the bottom. 

“But do you cook your food in it?” 

Treut shrugged. Sometimes you just have to eat a 

little dirt. 

What’s so great about winter camping, anyway? 

“Anybody can do it,” Treut said, in conclusion. 

“The nice thing is, it doesn’t cost anything. All you 

need to get is your sleeping bag and gear.” 

“And it’s really fun!” shouted several sixth graders, 

at once. 

“If we needed to survive, we know how to do it,” 

Alexa Coyle said. “They told us how.” 

March 4, 2011 11

12 March 4, 2011

Montana 

former forest Service 

Chief disappointed 

with Budget Moves 

by deb courSon 

Camping, hunting and hiking experiences 

in Montana would likely 

change if Forest Service budget cuts 

under the House Republican budget 

proposal became final, according to 

a former Forest Service chief who 

lives in Montana. 

Dale Bosworth is questioning the decisions 

because he says the programs 

targeted for cuts are associated with 

things well-loved and appreciated by 

the public. 

“Clean water: 50 percent of drinking 

water come off National Forest land. 

Road maintenance. Trail maintenance. 

Campgrounds. Habitat improvement 

for things like elk and deer.” 

Cuts targeting the Forest Service 

have been part of a long-term trend, 

Big Sky teachers and 

Students learning online 

Montana digital academy 

connects Montana schools 


Cassie Kapes, a Spanish teacher at 

Ophir School and LPHS, also has 

students from Libby, Colstrip, Conrad, 

Victor and other rural towns 

across Montana. Mrs. Kapes is one of 

over 60 Montana teachers working 

as part of a brand new online teaching 

program called Montana Digital 

Academy (MTDA). Enrollment was 

free this year, and MTDA offered 

accredited classes ranging from core 

subjects to AP and electives. 

One of five Spanish teachers in 

the program, Mrs. Kapes assigns 

lessons every day and a quiz every 

couple weeks. Her students also 

have writing and speaking quizzes 

they record directly onto a 

computer program. She says for 

students who wouldn’t have the 

option to take Spanish, it’s a great 

opportunity—as long as they are 

self motivated and driven. 

“I do harp on them if they’re not 

getting their work done, but they 

can ignore my emails and feel no im- 

Bosworth says, and are hamstringing 

the agency’s ability to do its job to 

keep forests healthy and accessible. 

“What I’m really concerned about 

on this is that the Forest Service has 

been so underfunded for so long, and 

now, looking at more reductions, 

they’re just not going to be able to 

meet the expectations of people.” 

He’s hopeful that the U.S. Senate 

will find ways to reverse the 

budget squeeze on national forests 

and bolster programs that promote 

collaboration in problem-solving, 

forest restoration work and rural 

jobs. Bosworth adds that the House 

Appropriations Subcommittee 

chairman, Rep. Mike Simpson, 

R-Idaho, did help limit some of the 

proposed cuts. 

mediate consequences, because I’m 

not physically there.” She adds that 

language can be hard to learn online. 

MTDA’s website reports Spanish I 

and Digital Photography were the 

most popular courses in the opening 

semester. Physical Education, English 

1, Psychology, Health, French I, Web 

Design, Earth Science, Latin I, and 

U.S. History round out the top ten. 

Big Sky kids are also on board, 

with several students enrolled in 

virtual classes. 

Montana Digital Academy allows 

students to access coursework 

“whenever and wherever they want 

and learn at their own pace.” The 

program aims to help students meet 

college admissions requirements, 

make up missed or failed classes, resolve 

scheduling conflicts, and take 

advanced coursework—“allowing 

more students to graduate on time.” 

montanadigitalacademy.org 

Retailers that want to 

promote Montana farm 

products can receive minigrants 

this year to help 

pay marketing costs under 

a program available from 

the Montana Department 

of Agriculture. 

The Montana Farm to 

Table Advertising Grant 

program matches up to 

$500 of money spent on advertising 

of Montana farm products, encouraging 

more than $40,000 worth of 

consumer advertising during the 

coming year. 

“There are Montana farm products 

sold in retail stores all across the 

state,” says Ron de Yong, director of 

the Montana Department of Agriculture. 

“We get the biggest bang for our 

buck if we help retailers place their 

own ads to let consumers know about 

these local products. Then consumers 

are encouraged to shop locally for 


Growth through agriculture 

Montana department of agriculture 

offers advertising grant Program 

by angelyn deyoung 

Montana’s farm products, providing a 

big assist for our state’s economy and 

rural communities.” 

The program was funded out of 

the Department’s Growth Through 

Agriculture program, a grant program 

designed to offer investments for new 

and innovative agriculture marketing 

ideas or agribusiness development. 

Montana retailers, including grocery, 

convenience and gift stores; restaurants; 

farmers’ markets; and distributors 

are the only eligible applicants. 

agr.mt.gov/business/Gta.asp 

Full Service Flyshop & Guide Service 

montanaflyfishing.com | (406) 995-2290 

1/2 mile past Big Sky turnoff on HWY 191 

Big Sky’s only year 

round Fly Shop 

Montana Outfitter #235 

Winter Trips Available 

March 4, 2011 13

14 March 4, 2011 

90% OF BUYERS UTILIZE THE INTERNET TO 

FIND THEIR PROPERTY 

If you are serious about selling your property in 2011, it’s time to ask your listing broker exactly 

how they are going to be marketing the property. 

Montana 

YOUR HOME IS IN 

JEFF HELMS 

Big Sky Sotheby’s International Realty 

123 Lone Peak Drive 

Big Sky, Montana 59716 

tel 406.995.2244 

cell 406.539.0121 

jeff.helms@sothebysrealty.com 


sothebysrealty.com represents the starting point of a comprehensive online marketing strategy that 

expands the exposure of your property to the most significant media companies and real-estate 

focused websites in the world.

Until the mid-1960s, American soda and beer drinkers returned 

glass bottles in exchange for a deposit. Coke began 

selling “no-deposit” bottles in 1967—bottles not meant to be 

returned. Oregon’s 1972 “bottle bill” was the first of its kind, 

and required consumers to pay a deposit on cans and bottles, 

redeemable upon return. Other forward thinking states soon 

followed, essentially paying people to recycle and reducing litter 

by more than half. 

Today, the Coors factory in Golden, Colorado is the closest facility 

to Montana that recycles glass – actually melting it down 

and turning it back into glass. Since 2008, Livingston, Montana 

has pulverized its old glass for use in trail and road projects. 

Until a few years ago, Bozeman did the same, using it for civic 

projects and then as a landfill drainage cover. Now in the Gallatin 

Valley, residents throw used glass in the trash or pay private 

companies to haul it to Livingston. 

Seem backward? That’s what a group of concerned Bozemanites 

thought, too. 

“We were frustrated,” says Michelle Gantt, cofounder 

of the Gallatin Zero Waste Coalition (GZWC). The 

group came together almost two years ago, in an effort to 

create a glass recycling program in Bozeman. 

On April 16 this year, GZWC will hold their second annual 

glass recycling event. Coinciding with Gallatin Earth 

Celebration Clean-up Day, the collection will be in the 

Fairgrounds parking lot in Bozeman. GZWC is encouraging 

people to start saving glass now for the drop off. 

Last year, the group collected 21 tons of glass. 

Full Circle Recycling, a private recycling 

company based in Four Corners, carted the 

glass to Livingston’s pulverizer. Donations 

covered the cost of crushing, and 

Full Circle didn’t charge for manpower or 

equipment use. 

Glass is 100 percent recyclable, but it’s 

difficult to deal with because it breaks, is 

heavy, has little value, and the process is 

expensive. While bottle factories can melt 

down and truly recycle glass, pulverizers 

like Livingston “downcycle” the material, 

turning it into aggregate and reusing it. 

Montana is still trying to establish recycling 

infrastructure, in general. In terms 

of glass, the Montana DEQ says the state 

doesn’t produce enough consumer glass 

to be an effective source for a “full scale” 

recycling program. Not having a nearby 

bottling plant would then require shipping 

glass out of state to be recycled – an 

expensive prospect, especially considering 

glass’ primary ingredient is silica, one of 

the most abundant minerals. 

In an effort to reduce all kinds of waste, 

the Gallatin Zero Waste Coalition has 

expanded beyond glass. At a Gallatin 

County Solid Waste Board meeting in 

February, the Coalition proposed creating 

a “Waste Reduction Task Force.” 

GZWC envisions this group would 

be made up of citizen experts and solid 

waste board members. 

Gantt says, “The task force could spend 

time researching new waste reduction 

efforts, providing education and outreach 

and working on other projects that would 

be beneficial to the solid waste board and the 

community.” 


Gallatin Zero Waste Coalition is Expanding 

Join the group for its second annual 

glass recycling day 


SuStainable living 

GlaSS faCtS 

from mt.gov/recycle/glass 

• glass constituted 5.5 percent of the u.S. municipal 

solid waste stream by weight and 1.5 

percent by volume. an estimated generation 

of glass for Montana in 2007 was 47,893 

tons. 

• glass is heavy and weighs 2,800 lbs per yard. 

• all glass food and beverage containers can 

be recycled. 

iMpaCtS froM rECYClinG 

recycled savings per consumed Product 

Recovered 

Glass 

BTUs Oil Greenhouse 

Gases 

optionS for 

GlaSS rECYClinG: 

Private companies like 

full Circle recycling, J & 

K recyclers, triple r recycling 

and Gone Green 

offer curbside recycling 

services. 

as part of a national 

program, target collects 

glass with other recyclables, 

then transports it 

to the closest distribution 

center – ours is in albany, 

oregon. 

Form a neighborhood 

collection, and then 

send a truck once a 

month to the livingston 

pulverizing facility. 

Gallatin Zero Waste 

Coalition’s april 16 Glass 

recycling Collection 

at the Fairgrounds. For 

more information or to 

get in touch with gZWc, 

find them on Facebook. 

headwaters recycling 

Cooperative 

headwatersrecycle.com 

Trees Electricity Water Landfill 

Diversion 

Tons Millions Barrels Tons Count KWh Gallons Dollars 

3,000 10,799 1,982 320 51,000 12,300,000 21,000,000 111,000 

10,000 35,996 6,605 1,066 170,000 41,000,000 70,000,000 370,000 

mt.gov/recycle/glass 

March 4, 2011 15

BiG SKY nordiC 

SKi fEStiVal 

at lone Mountain ranch 

Don’t miss the first annual Big Sky Nordic Ski Festival, co-hosted 

with Lone Mountain Ranch, March 6- 13, 2011. Events are designed 

to be fun and are scheduled so folks who work and have kids in 

school can still be part of the festivities. 

With some of the best cross-country skiing in the country, Lone 

Mountain Ranch is an important part of the Biggest Skiing in America. 

This event has something for everyone: serious and recreational 

skiers, people who just want to stroll and dine on gourmet local 

food, families, kids and even dogs. 

Staying community-based, the Nordic Fest will be a fundraiser for 

the Big Sky Ski Education Foundation’s nordic program. Festival 

organizer Katie Smith says, “Nordic skiing has been growing in the 

past few years. Come see why!” 

16 March 4, 2011 

EVEnt linEUp: 

sunday, March 6 

third annual Glide and Gorge 

Ski or snowshoe on the Golf Course trails, 

stopping along the way for gourmet appetizers, 

soups, entrees and desserts. Local breweries 

and wine distributors will provide spirits. 

12-3 p.m. 

Monday, March 7 

Clinics and XC Ski Gear demos 

Aimed toward improving techniques like 

downhill control and skating uphill, there are 

clinics for all ages and abilities. Gear demos 

with Fisher and Madshus and a waxing clinic 

with Toko. Meet at LMR Outdoor shop. 

tuesday, March 8 

King and Queen of the Mountain race 

A downhill race on cross-country skis, beginning 

at the high point of the Ranch’s trails. 

Starts at 4 p.m. Meet at LMR Outdoor shop. 

Wednesday, March 9 

family Sprint races 

Races and events for all family members, 

including dogs, on the Town Center Trails. 

Prizes, refreshments at the warming hut, 

and lots of fun. 4 – 6 p.m. Meet at the Town 

Center Trails. 

Yellowstone Science presentation 

Join Big Sky Institute researchers John Varley, 

and Steph McGinnis, M.S., at the Town 

Center for a special presentation: “Yellowstone 

Science and Creatures of the Lake Depths 

Yellowstone Lake, the jewel of the Greater 


Yellowstone Ecosystem.” Varley and McGinnis 

have been studying the oasis of life at the 

bottom of Yellowstone Lake, which supports 

the truly unique ecosystem forming the 

underlying resource for an enormous food 

web – from microscopic organisms to trout and 

grizzly bears. 6 p.m. 

thursday, March 10 

terrain park Challenge 

Terrain park on nordic skis? You bet! Come 

pull some tricks and win prizes and listen to 

music at the LMR cross-country ski terrain 

park. Meet at the Town Center Trails. 

Friday, March 11 

Skijoring races 

Bring your canine pal and join races and other 

events on the Town Center Trails. 3-6 p.m. 

Prizes sponsored by Barkenhowell’s dog supply 

store in Bozeman and Westpaw Designs. 

Meet at the Town Center Trails. 

saturday, March 12 

ninth annual Gallatin Glissade 

20 km cross country ski races. Meet at the 

Bunker. 

sunday, March 13 

Mad Wolf Classic 

The week’s festivities culminate with the reintroduced 

Mad Wolf Classic ski from the top 

of Andesite Mountain at Big Sky Resort to 

Lone Mountain Ranch. This awesome event 

has a rich history. Prizes for the winner and 

the best costume. Join the party!

ProFile 

Since fall 2009, Discovery Land 

Company has managed operations at 

the Yellowstone Club. Over President’s 

weekend, the Big Sky Weekly sat 

down with Mike Meldman, Discovery 

Land Company’s Chairman and CEO, 

and discussed Yellowstone Club, dive 

bars and the Big Sky community. 

Who is discovery land company? 

We do private club communities, 

which are resort communities without 

the hotel and resort amenities. 

We have them around North America 

and are looking around the world. 

I started doing this in 1994. Before 

that I graduated from Stanford, 

and originally wanted to go to law 

school. Instead I went to Lake Tahoe 

and dealt black jack at Harrah’s. 

In 1981, I started as a commercial 

real estate builder in Silicon Valley. 

I was in Fremont, which was farmland. 

I met with farmers and helped 

them sell their land. I put a sign up 

and hoped someone would call… I 

sold all of it and made a fortune. I 

thought, ‘that was easy.’ I was 23. 

All I knew was land. I started buying 

land and taking it through the entitlement 

process. In order to develop 

land, you have to be an environmentalist 

and you have to do it properly. 

I took that attitude with me toward 

development to reduce density to 

make it as natural as it could be. 

My core philosophy is the money 

is in the land. Anyone can build a 

building and just take the money. 

Mike Meldman 

When did dlc come to yc? 

We were always trying. Tim [Blixseth] 

… cut a deal with me to buy it 

and then went and sold it to Sam 

[Byrne]. That was the best thing that 

ever happened to us, because we 

didn’t have to go through that year 

of drama and diligence that Sam did. 

Sam had a passion for the place, and 

they wanted him to save it. 

how has your progress been 

since you’ve been at yc? 

This is such a unique piece, because 

of the skiing, magnitude and scope. 

Operations will take it to the next 

level. 

2009 was the bankruptcy year, and 

nothing was really going in terms of 

projects. The high-end market became 

inelastic. No one was buying 

at any price. For example, in 2009 

we [Discovery Land Company] had 

40 million in sales, down from 800 

million. That shows how much the 

market was affected. People started 

buying around Thanksgiving, a year 

ago. We had 750 million in sales. 

The market has come back, and it’s 

very elastic now. People are paying, 

but not top dollar. 

do you see the trend continuing 

to grow? 

We need to promote Big Sky. It’s the 

most undervalued, underrated place 

ever. There’s not enough flights 

coming in. We have pretty good 

commercial access in the summer, 

but it stops in the winter. I think 

that’s backwards. 


March 4, 2011 


discovery land company 

Entrance to Yellowstone Club - private ski and golf community in Big Sky, MT 

“We need to promote big Sky. it’s the most undervalued, 

underrated place ever.” 

how have you dealt with the economic 

downturn? 

We did everything with equity— 

because of our brand [and our] 

strong membership base—and we 

were able to get sales early. Our 

projects became self-financed, and 

we always had big investors to carry 

through. We are very fortunate it 

happened that way. 

tell us about your experience 

with Montana. 

I’ve been in Montana for 15 years. I 

was looking at the stockyards, and 

someone showed me Whitefish. I 

fell in love. I thought, ‘Now there’s 

a four seasons resort that will be the 

most popular place in the world.’ 

Not only 

was the 

property 

beautiful, 

but the 

whole Montana 

lifestyle 

was there, 

too. 

Ironhorse 

[in Whitefish] 

was the 

third resort 

Discovery 

ever did. I 

was developing 

it before 

YC even 

started, and I’ve been coming to YC 

since it started. I always knew we’d 

be involved [with YC] somehow, 

because no one really develops on 

this scale [besides] us. 

tell us about your family. 

I’ve got two boys, and I’m a single 

dad. My kids grew up in San 

Francisco, and now they’re 23 and 

20. Hunter works at the Club, in 

sales. They’ve been wakeboarding 

since they were kids and are great 

snowboarders. They learned to tie 

their own flies when they were 10. 

We do backcountry trips to the Bob 

Marshall and Glacier. 

how many employees does yc 

have? Is it important to bring in 

local labor? 

350 employees [year round], with 

650 to 700 in peak season. We’re 

lucky we’ve had no issue finding 

labor for Club operations, ski operations 

or construction. 

Most employees are local. Bringing 

people in isn’t cost effective, and 

the local labor base here is strong. 

We do that everywhere, because we 

operate in small communities. We 

have to incorporate local people and 

culture in order for our properties 

to work. For example, people want 

to ski with a person who lives here 

and knows the area. 

March 4, 2011 17

18 March 4, 2011 

ProFile 

What makes the discovery land 

company approach successful? 

All of the clubs are different, and 

not one is cookie cutter. Each one is 

custom-made to the environment. 

People come to Montana to be 

mountain men. It’s different from 

going to Sun Valley, where you see 

everyone you know at the coffee 

shop. People here don’t want that. 

They want the local culture, flavor, 

and experiences. Here it’s skiing, 

mountain activities and fishing. In 

the Bahamas it’s water sports, snorkeling, 

surfing, diving and water 

activities. 

It seems you’re bringing in bigger 

names than yc did in the past. 

Our projects attract people who 

are at the top of their industry, 

whether it’s sports, entertainment 

or business. People like the privacy, 

the service, the whole package. 

are there aspects of dlc that 

stand out and affect membership? 

You never know what a buyer is going 

to like. My philosophy is every 

detail has to be perfect, from the 

toilet paper to the food. 

RIVER RUN SITE 

What’s your favorite part of yc? 

I haven’t skied much in the past 30 

years, so getting back into that has 

been fun. 

have you skied Moonlight or 

big sky? 

No, but its pretty amazing when 

you look at the whole Big Sky package. 

how would you like to see big 

sky grow? 

We could use few more restaurants…as 

many venues as possible 

outside the Club. 

do have a favorite spot in town? 

Probably Milkies. We love it up 

here. Everyone thinks we are some 

corporate group coming from the 

outside, but we’re not. The roots of 

the company are in Montana. 

how much time do you spend here? 

I’ve been here since Christmas. I was 

born in Milwaukee, my main house 

is Arizona, but I’m always traveling. 

I come in the summer, too. 

RIVER RUN 

A T Y E L L O W S T O N E C L U B 

Fly Fishing · Horses · Skiing 

RIVER RUN 

A T Y E L L O W S T O N E C L U B 

Fly Fishing · Horses · Skiing 

Baker’s Bay - a Discovery Land Company property in the Bahamas 

how does dlc give back to the 

community? 

[Here in Montana] we have the Yellowstone 

Club Community Foundation, 

and we raise money for them. 

Our members come here because 

they love the place, the environment 

and the culture... The community 

has become part of their lives. 

Whitefish was a pretty sleepy 

town, and Ironhorse people bought 

a lot of property there. Now, it 

has one of the greatest hospitals 

you’ll ever see, and a great community 

center. People really give 

Available for purchase: 


back there, but that was a ten-year 

process. We’d like to see that happen 

here. 

What is the future of yc? 

We’re excited about it. We’re planning 

a core village around the Warren 

Miller lodge. It has a pretty big 

ski population, but members don’t 

use this place in the summer as they 

should. We have the golf course, 

ropes course, tennis and basketball. 

It’s a great spot. 

See video portions of this interview 

at explorebigsky.com. 

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habihut Building on Success in haiti and africa 

belgrade social entrepreneurs creating villages, 

solar powered water kiosks 


Haiti, says Bruce Leep, was really hot. His photos 

show a collection of small, white shelters called Habi- 

Huts, grouped in a meadow. This February, Bruce 

and his brother, Brian, both Montanans, spent five 

days in Jacmel, a half hour outside Port-au-Prince. 

Working with a group of eight local men, they set up 

the village of shelters for earthquake survivors. With 

three people working, each hut went up—with ease, 

aside from the heat—in about two hours. 

Through HabiHut, Bruce has also worked in Kenyan 

slums. “To be there and see, smell and hear how bad 

it is, was a big eye opener,” he says. 

For 20 years, Bruce and his father Eldon had a construction 

business together in Montana. They first 

started designing the HabiHut in 2008. While creating 

the concept, the Leeps partnered with Ronald Omyonga, 

a Kenyan architect who’d worked with MSU 

engineering students. Omyonga suggested designing 

a shelter that was easy to put up, lightweight and low 

cost. They wanted it to be long-lasting, strong, easy to 

disassemble and move, resistant to wind, rain and fire, 

expandable and environmentally friendly. 

They came up with a 400-pound, 118-square-foot 

structure made of durable, corrugated polypropylene 

and high strength aluminum. The hexagonal floor 

plan and high-pitched roof create 100 percent space 

usage, and the roof and windows allow cross ventilation. 

The double panel walls repel rain, wind, dust 

and UV, and insulate from outside temperatures. 

Minimal tools are required for setup. A single unit 

can be packed in a 96”x 48”x 24” box, costs $2500 

U.S., and is recyclable. 

“[This is] the first time I’ve seen the world from a 

global point of view,” says Eldon, who was also a 

minister for many years. “I was born and raised in the 

Gallatin Valley, and that’s really all I saw for most of 

my life. Now I’m seeing much more, and caring about 

much more.” 

Back in Montana, the Leeps and HabiHut President 

Buz Weas are reviewing Bruce’s trip to Haiti, as well 

as another recent success: Last year, in cooperation 

with NGOs, HabiHut installed three solar/water 

kiosks in Kenya. 

The units took a day to install, versus the six months 

it takes other established water kiosks—and at a third 

less the cost. Solar panels provided light and cell 

phone charging. During the first three months, 85 

percent of total sales were in water, and 15 percent 

in phone charging. Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., each 

kiosk served an average of 2,600 customers monthly. 

At night, the solar-powered lights provided added 

neighborhood safety, another advantage over other 

existing kiosks. 

SIDA, a Swedish NGO that was involved in the program, 

says this pilot was one of their most successful 

projects that year. Based on the program’s success and 

proven financial viability, HabiHut is creating the 

“Hot Spring Micro-Franchise” initiative, a turn-key 

business ready to sell to micro-entrepreneurs for immediate 

in the developing world. In addition to water 

“to be there and see, smell and hear 

how bad it is, was a big eye opener.” 

-bruce leep 

sales and phone charging, the franchises will offer 

billboard advertising and pre-paid cell phone card 

sales as additional revenue streams. 

The Initiative will work with cell phone service providers, 

cell phone trade associations, water NGOs, 

and micro-finance organizations. Weas says HabiHut 

is “very close to signing one of the world’s largest 

companies as a major sponsor.” That company is a 

significant player in water technology. “We are also 

pretty far along in dialogue with a key mobile phone 

carrier that will sponsor this initiative,” he adds. 

HabiHut will announce these strategic partnerships 

in April. “If we convince them in the whole 

enchilada, that would be a million dollar project,” 

Weas says. 

Their goals for the initial Kenyan program are: 

1. To provide 100,000 people with clean drinking 

water. The average person needs 2.5 liters 

of water per day. They plan to provide 5 liters 

per day, per person. 

2. Provide cellular charging for 2,500 phones 

per day. 

3. Provide 100 economically sustainable microfranchise 

businesses. 

4. Provide 150 jobs. 

5. Provide shelters for 100 families. 

HabiHut’s creators are thinking big: “The potential 

to help people is awesome,” says Eldon. 

“Potentially millions of people could benefit.” 

Company President Buz Weas, a successful entrepreneur 

and former Yellowstone Club builder, 

says it’s different being involved with a company 

that has social responsibility. 

“None of us have been paid anything for our 

efforts for the last year and a half. We keep 

scratching our way forward and pushing on this 

thing hard, just because we really want to make a 

difference.” 

March 4, 2011 19

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20 March 4, 2011 

health & WellneSS 

training for the 

ironman at Elevation 

by andreW coleMan 

It wasn’t until Town Center was in 

my proverbial rearview that I began 

to understand exactly what I was 

up against. I pointed my headlamp 

up Route 64 as it snaked tortuously 

up to the base of Lone Peak. As a 

two-time Ironman finisher, I was 

relatively sure that I could handle 

running the 12-miles with 2000 feet 

of elevation gain between Ramshorn 

and the Medical Clinic of Big Sky just 

off the White Wing ski run. But as 

the roadway steepened, the temperature 

dropped, and the air thinned, I 

began to fixate on a conversation I had 

earlier in the day about high altitude 

illness (HAI). 

HAI is a medical syndrome caused 

by decreased oxygen levels in the air 

we breathe. Normally, traveling from 

lower to higher elevations triggers 

the body to increase its respiratory 

rate to bring more air into the lungs 

and its heart rate to supply more 

blood to the body’s tissues. But 

in some cases, the acclimatization 

process is derailed by accumulation of 

fluid in the brain, leading to HAI. In 

its mild form, called acute mountain 

sickness (AMS), HAI causes headache 

and decreased appetite. When 

moderate, nausea and vomiting can 

occur along with the headache. In 

severe cases of HAI—uncommon at 

altitudes attainable in the continental 

states—severe brain and lung swelling 

occur, followed shortly by death 

if the patient does not descend to a 

lower elevation. 

So there I was, passing mile marker 

five en route to the base of the Peak, 

out of breath and alone but for my 

mounting paranoia about becoming 

the poster child for why lowlanders 

should take it easy when they first get 

to Big Sky. With 25 percent of AMS 

(i.e., mild HAI) occurring between 

Medical clinic Of Big Sky 

Physicians available after hours for emergencies 

Mountain Village - 995-2797 

Located next to Big Sky Ski Patrol 

6600 and 9800 feet, I was at risk anywhere 

in Big Sky, let alone my destination 

(base elevation, 7500 feet). 

I had only been in Big Sky for a few 

days, not long enough for my body 

to completely acclimatize, and with 

all the Montana microbrew sampling 

I had been doing, I had inevitably 

slowed the process (alcohol hinders 

acclimatization). Further increasing 

my risk was the weather: low 

temperatures and inclement weather 

both decrease oxygen levels in the 

air. But I pressed on, rationalizing 

that my cardiovascular fitness would 

compensate for the decreased oxygen 

availability. As it turns out, however, 

Ironmen are no less susceptible to 

HAI than your 85-year-old grandmother. 

In fact, young athletic males 

may be at the greatest risk because 

we tend not to give our body sufficient 

time to acclimatize and will 

often continue to ascend despite the 

presence of HAI symptoms. 

Just as I arrived at Summit Lodge, my 

head began to pound. I’m not sure if 

this was HAI or perhaps just dehydration, 

but I was glad I’d be taking 

the Summit Express back to lower 

pastures. It’s not likely that the 

denizens of Big Sky will experience 

HAI—after all, if you live here your 

body has long since acclimatized. But 

please, do me a favor: remind us lowlanders 

to give our bodies a chance 

to get used to the altitude before 

we run up mountains and, should 

you see the more severe manifestations 

of HAI take hold of someone, 

remember that the only treatment 

for moderate and severe HAI is to 

descend to lower elevations. 

Andrew Coleman will be graduating 

from Duke University Medical School 

in the spring. He plans to pursue a 

career in emergency medicine. 

The Mountain Village Clinic is open 7days a week throughout ski season 10am - 5pm 

Meadow town center - 993-2797 

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youth 

apEC 2011 

by kuka holder 

The 2011 Annual Asian Pacific Economic 

Cooperation (APEC) is kicking 

off its series of events and meetings 

in Big Sky in May. The events 

will culminate in Honolulu where 

the APEC leaders will meet. This is 

the first time it is being held in the 

U.S. since 1993. APEC was created 

in 1989 to promote cooperation 

among the member countries of the 

Asian Pacific region. Although this 

will be a big meeting and a great opportunity 

in Big Sky, it is only one 

in many. Big Sky will host the 32nd 

Small and Medium Enterprise Working 

Group Meeting where trade and 

SME (small medium enterprise) 

ministers will get together and talk 

about many economic concepts and 

ideas for small businesses. 

The member countries, which border 

the rim of the Pacific Ocean, are: 

the U.S.A, Chile, Russia, Australia, 

Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, 

Republic of Korea, Thailand, the 

People’s Republic of China, and many 

more. The Asian pacific region is 40% 

of the world population, 60% of the 

world’s production, 58% of U.S.A 

exports and 40% of world trade. 

APEC is the main vehicle of stimulating 

open trade in this region. It 

helps bring together a community of 

countries that work together, free of 

unnecessary trade restrictions. 

APEC’s goal is to make ways to keep 

the economy growing and create 

economic prosperity which means 

more jobs, a better quality of life, 

and better standards of living. Other 

goals are: to remove barriers to trade 

and investment, and to help Small 

Medium Enterprises become visible 

in the international world of trade. 

The interaction between countries 

will help them teach and learn from 

each other. It will also help create 

long-lasting economic growth. 

Something that may be overlooked 

is the economic impact locally, due 

to the conference being held in 

Big Sky. Thousands of people will 

be coming to the resort, using our 

airport, local transportation, hotels, 

restaurants, national parks, and our 

many recreational offerings. Security, 

housing, and airport transportation 

are just a few of the complicated 

issues surrounding a this event. The 

event is taking place during what is 

normally our offseason, when the 

resort would be closed. However, an 

extra three weeks of business will be 

added to our local season. 

Another boost to Big Sky, Bozeman, 

and to all of Montana, will be 

the recognition we receive from an 

international event of this magnitude. 

The conference is expected 

to be broadcasted on national news 

stations across the country, and the 

world. Montana locals will be the 

background focus of most news for 

three long weeks in May. 

First grade Ophir students and BSSEF team members Luke Kirchmayr and Kassidy 

Boersma proudly showing their medals. Between the two inspiring young racers 

they have completed 12 races in a span of two weeks in Great Divide and Showdown. 

Luke and Kassidy proudly represented Big Sky by earning 10 first places and 

two second places in the J7 Northern Division. Way to go Luke and Kassidy! 

- Markus Kirchmayr 

as part of a language arts assignment, ophir Fifth 

grade teacher dave neal asks his students to 

write newsworthy articles for the Big Sky Weekly. 

Do you have a one dollar bill in your 

pocket? If so pull it out or go get one. 

The one dollar bill first came off the 

presses in 1957. Paper money is actually 

a cotton and linen blend. You 

can wash it without it falling apart. 

(Unlike a tissue or regular paper.) It 

is over printed with symbols and 

then it is starched to make it water 

resistant and pressed to give it a nice 

crisp look. 

Look closely at the back of a one 

dollar bill. You will see two circles. 

In the circle to the left there is a 

pyramid. Notice that the face is light 

and the western side is dark. That 

is because at the time of its origin 

we had not explored the West, or 

decided what we could do for the 

Western civilization. 

The pyramid is uncapped, signifying 

that we were not even close to being 

finished. Inside the top, you have 

the all Seeing Eye. It’s an ancient 

symbol of divinity or holiness. The 

Latin above the pyramid ANNUIT 

COEPTIS, means, “God has favored 

our undertaking.” 

The Latin below the pyramid, NO- 

VUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, 

“A new order has begun.” And at the 

base of the pyramid is the Roman 

Numeral for 1776 (MDCCLXXVI) 

Now look at the right hand circle 

and check it carefully. It is on every 

national cemetery in the U.S. Altered 

slightly, it is the seal of the President 

of the United States of America. 

The bald eagle was selected as a 

symbol of victory for two reasons. 

First, he is not afraid of storms. He 

is strong, and he is smart enough 

to soar above a storm. Secondly, he 

wears no crown. We had just broken 

from the king of England. Also notice 

that the shield is unsupported. 


thE onE dollar Bill 

by abi hogan 

It meant that this country can now 

stand on its own. At the top there is 

a white bar that signifies congress. 

We were coming together as one 

nation. In the eagles beak there is 

a banner that says, “E PLURIBUS 

UNUM” meaning “one from many.” 

Notice what is in the eagle’s talons. 

In one he holds an olive branch; in 

the other he has arrows. That means 

this country wants peace but we will 

never be afraid to fight to preserve 

peace. The eagle always wants to face 

the olive branch, but in the time of 

war he is looking at the arrows. 

If you look on the front of the dollar 

bill, look on the bottom left corner. 

Put it in the light. If you look 

closely you can make out the shape 

and body of an owl. 

Almost every one thinks that the 

number 13 is unlucky. But think 

about this: 

13 original colonies 

13 signers of the Declaration of 

Independence 

13 stripes on our flag 

13 steps on the pyramid 

13 letters in “ANNUIT COEPTIS” 

13 letters in “E PLURIBUS UNUM” 

13 stars above the eagle 

13 bars on that shield 

13 leaves on the olive branch 

13 fruits and 13 arrows 

I never realized how much the one 

dollar stands for until now. Share 

this with your friends and family 

so everyone can learn what the one 

dollar bill stands for, and how much 

it means for this country. 

March 4, 2011 21

22 March 4, 2011 


SPortS 

Melo Movement 

by brandon nileS 

I was going to talk about the NBA 

All-Star game and the very cool 

over-the-car slam that Blake Griffin 

performed to win the dunk contest 

this year. I was going to bring up 

the Celebrity game where we got to 

see that Scottie Pippen still has it, 

Michael Rapaport is still fantastically 

obnoxious, and somehow Justin 

Beiber had game. I was even going 

to mention All-Star snubs (LaMarcus 

Aldridge) and top performers 

(Kobe Bryant). However, in the 

wake of bigger news, I must forego 

the All-Star discussion and focus 

on what will probably go down as 

the most controversial trade in the 

NBA this year. 

Carmelo Anthony (Melo), longtime 

star of the Denver Nuggets and 

one of the ten best players in the 

game right now, was traded to the 

New York Knicks. This is a fantastic 

piece to the puzzle for the Knicks, 

who already have a top ten player in 

Amare Stoudemire. With these two 

star players, the Knicks are definitely 

in a good position to compete 

for a playoff position in the Eastern 

Conference. 

The question remains however, is 

this a good trade for the Knicks in 

the long 

term? 

The 

Knicks 

essentially 

gave up 

three key 

players, 

two guys with potential, and a first 

round draft pick for Melo, point 

guard Chauncey Billups, and backup 

shooting guard Corey Brewer. While 

Billups will be a temporary upgrade 

at the position, he’s only likely to be 

with the team for two or three years 

at the most. He’s not the long-term 

solution at the position. Addition- 

ally, losing so much young talent 

could potentially put the Knicks in 

a position where they lack enough 

role players to compliment their 

stars. 

Most surprising is the fact that Melo 

would’ve been a free agent after this 

season. He also 

has explicitly 

stated on multiple 

occasions 

that he wants 

to play for 

the Knicks, 

and only 

the Knicks. 

Instead of giving up so much, why 

didn’t the Knicks just wait until the 

end of the season and sign Melo to 

a free agent contract? Even if they 

took that gamble and Melo signed 

elsewhere, they’d still have a shot 

at another marquee player next year 

in Chris Paul or Dwight Howard. 

Both players are arguably better than 

“While Melo and amare pairing up 

in new york will definitely sell seats 

and will surely help them put up 

some points, the price was too high 

and the timing was all wrong.” 

Big Sky Broomball Pasta Monday 

The Big Sky Employee Broomball Games are every Tuesday night from mid- 

February through mid-March. 10 teams duel it out between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

In mid-March, playoffs begin, and teams will take on last year’s winners, 

“Tramdangle,” who went all season undefeated and are still waiting for a team 

to beat them. In this photo from a February 2011 game, last year’s second 

place team tries their best against the champs, however Tramdangle still came 

out victorious. 

- Danielle Chamberlain 

Tony’s “Little Italy Night” 

whisky wednesday 

Walleye Fry 


Melo, and both have expressed 

desire to play in New York. 

New York was desperate for a guarantee 

of Melo’s services. As a result, 

their long-term future could suffer. 

While Melo and Amare pairing up 

in New York will definitely sell seats 

and will surely help them put up 

some points, the price was too high 

and the timing was all wrong. Kudos 

to Denver for getting a lot out of a 

guy who was leaving at the end of 

the season anyway, and shame on the 

Knicks for competing against themselves 

in this negotiation. 

Brandon Niles 

has done online 

freelance writing 

about the NFL since 

2007. He is a Communication 

Studies 

graduate student 

at the University of North Carolina 

Greensboro. 

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March 4, 2011 23

howlin’at 

the Moon 

Snowshoe 

Shuffle 

Photos by bozeman Pet Pics 

24 March 4, 2011 

The Seventh Annual Howlin’ at the 

Moon Snowshoe Shuffle was a great 

success this year, raising a record 

$18,195 for Heart of the Valley Animal 

Shelter. Event organizer, Tracie 

Pabst, says the Saturday, February 26 

event at Moonlight Basin was “a howlin’ 

good time.” 

“Dogs happily chased balls and played, 

awaiting the start of the snowshoe,” 

she says. After the walk, the party 

convened around a blazing bonfire and 

in the Headwaters Grille for chili. 

During the raffle, Auctioneer Cory 

Vellinga energized the evening with 


howlin’ at the Moon Snowshoe Shuffle raises 

record amount for animal Shelter 

his “fast talking enthusiasm.” $8500 

in prizes had been donated by local 

businesses, and winners went home 

with trips, skis and gifts. Goody bags 

included dog and people treats and 

event t-shirts. After, the crowd filled 

the Madison Lodge to capacity, dancing 

to live music from Mountain Grip. 

Pabst reported that of the five HOV 

shelter dogs “strutting their stuff on 

stage,” two were adopted. Ajax and 

Pepsi, husky mixes, and Osa, an Australian 

Shepherd mix, are still waiting. 

heartofthevalleyshelter.org 

moonlightbasin.com

Video: the future of 

real Estate Marketing 

insight from brian niles, 

outlaw Partners director of 

video Production 


real eState 

In 2009, an individual in Bend, Oregon 

sold his million-dollar home to 

a buyer from Seattle, sight un-seen. 

How did he convince the buyer into 

such an investment? It was easy. The 

listing agent had a video tour made 

of the property, posted it to a couple 

key online sites, and the buyer was 

hooked. 

Brian Niles works in Bend, Big Sky, 

and filming locations across the 

globe. He’s been making videos like 

these for six years, and sees the real 

estate industry changing drastically. 

“There are more efficient methods 

of marketing a home now than there 

were, even five years ago,” says Niles. 

“Online video is where the industry 

is going.” 

Through websites like YouTube, realtor.com 

and Facebook, agents have a 

much broader reach for listings. From 

realtors, Niles has heard numerous 

accounts of a buyer watching one of 

these videos and making an offer, or 

sparked interest that led to a purchase. 

“Video is the most compelling online 

medium these days,” Niles says. It’s a 

far more effective and efficient marketing 

plan for real estate.” 

Victoria Smith, a realtor in Bend, 

started using Niles’s videos last summer 

for Alpenglow Vacation Rentals. 

“When compared to a home of the 

exact same price and neighborhood, 

[people] chose my house to rent because 

of the video,” she said. 

Niles says the beauty of video is 

that it can be customized. “Every 

home has its own unique story, and 

we showcase that story through a 

lens.” From there, the options are 

expansive: “From the basic tour 

that is edited to music and bullet 

style text, to full-on aerial filming 

and voiceover.” 

Bryant Green, a broker who works 

with Niles in Bend, says most buyers 

are looking at each home online 

for an average of 30 seconds. “You 

need to catch their attention, and a 

video tour is a great way to do that.” 

Video tours are advantageous to 

both buyers and sellers. They save 

time, energy and money for realtors 

and clients. 

Niles says it’s all about first impressions. 

“If I’m looking at houses online 

and the first photo I see is a zoomed in 

picture of a bathroom, or a washed out 

photo of a wall…. I’m out. We’ve got 

an edge, and we take pride in helping 

agents be successful.” 

The Outlaw Partners offers a range 

of video options for any budget, and 

also provide training on making a 

video tour go viral through home 

search sites across the country. 

Check out Brian Niles’ work online 

at explorebigsky.com. To schedule 

a video tour, call him at (541) 771- 

3047 or at the Outlaw Partners office 

at (406) 995-2055. 

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March 4, 2011 25

26 March 4, 2011 


uSineSS 

CEos Say they’re hiring, 

recovery is accelerating 

by alex tenenbauM 

For the first time in three years, the 

majority of small-business CEOs 

nationwide said they plan to hire 

in the next twelve months, according 

to a recent Vistage CEO Confidence 

Index study. Of the 1,729 

respondents in the quarterly study, 

77 percent expect increased revenues 

and 63 percent foresee higher 

profits in their own companies. 

A whopping 54 percent expect to 

expand their staffs in 2011, while 

only one in 20 said they’d have to 

trim back. 

“On the whole, companies are coming 

out of their bomb shelters,” said 

Becky Smith, Ed.D., the Vistage 

Chair in Bozeman. “They are no 

longer in survival mode. Increasing 

revenue means there’s more money 

to invest in growth, more money to 

invest in people, and more money 

to enter into new markets.” 

The quarterly Vistage CEO Confidence 

Index is the nation’s largest and 

most comprehensive report on the 

opinions and projections of CEOs 

at small- to mid-sized businesses 

(grossing at least $5 million annually). 

Since its inception in 2003, the 

index has fairly accurately predicted 

changes in GDP and employment 

two to three quarters hence. 

The overall confidence of CEOs 

spiked in the fourth quarter. After 

reporting an overall confidence rating 

of 93.7 for the first quarter of 

2010, 94.4 for the second and 95.1 

for the third, the index exploded to 

106.3 for the fourth quarter. 

The surge in confidence is tempered 

by hardship. Nearly half of 

the CEOs surveyed said they used 

personal assets in the last three 

years to keep their companies afloat 

and their people employed. 

“CEOs are pouring a lot of blood, 

sweat and tears into their companies 

right now. They will be the heroes of 

our economic recovery,” Smith said. 

Christian James of Xcentric, a cloud 

data hosting company for accounting 

firms, with offices in Bozmeman and 

Atlanta, participated in the Vistage 

survey. A Vistage member CEO for 

six years, he said he expects his company 

of 40 current employees will 

add four new positions in Atlanta, 

and another four to six in Bozeman 

in 2011. All of these positions will 

be in computer technology. 

“We have a desire to invest and to 

grow, and the way the economy 

looks, we’re pretty confident in doing 

so,” he said. 

At the depths of the recession 

in late 2008, 97 percent of the 

CEOs said their companies were 

in decline. In this latest study, just 

seven percent reported continuing 

declines. For the broader economy, 

58 percent of CEOs expected improvement 

during the year ahead, 

while just five percent expected any 

further declines. That’s the most 

favorable outlook for economic 

growth since the start of 2004. 

Revenue growth was expected by 

77 percent of all firms in the 4th 

quarter survey, up from 59 percent 

one year ago and 36 percent two 

years ago. Just fiver percent anticipated 

declines in revenues, the 

lowest proportion in five years. 

Given that 60 percent of firms 

expected no increase in the prices 

they charged, most of the revenue 

gains were expected to come from 

increased sales. The relative inability 

to pass along cost increases to 

their customers meant that managing 

costs was a top priority for 

one-in-five firms. Another one-infour 

firms placed greater emphasis 

on maintaining or expanding their 

customer base. 

Two thirds of all firms expected 

increased profits during 2011, 

double the number of CEOs who 

expected rising profits at the low 

point two years ago. 

Among all firms, 46 percent 

planned to increase their investment 

spending, up from 34 percent 

one year ago. While there remains 

some uncertainty about whether 

the strength in their future sales 

would be long lasting, the investments 

now planned by CEOs have 

increasingly reflected the likelihood 

that growth in their firm’s 

sales would justify those investments 

over the foreseeable horizon. 

This is certainly a bevy of good 

news for national and state economies, 

especially since the index 

has proven to be a reliable indicator 

of economic shifts, predicting 

the Great Recession six months 

before the markets slid. However, 

the companies represented in the 

index are not a random sample. 

Rather, they all have one thing in 

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Celebrating 40 years of business serving 

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March 4, 2011 27

28 March 4, 2011 

buSineSS directory 

FOR SALE BY OWNER 

2605 Little Coyote Rd. Meadow Village 

Recently built. 2800 sq ft. 3 BD 3BA plus large loft. 2 car heated 

garage, finest fixtures and finishes, custom cabinets, beautiful 

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see. Minutes to golf, world class fly fishing & hiking trails in 

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Skiing at Lone Mountain’s Big Sky Resort just up the mountain. 

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PERSONAL TRAINING 

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Business profile 

of the Week: 

locals love the 

Wrap Shack 


Now in their seventh year of business, Josie Bolane and Lindsie Hurlbut roll huge 

burritos and wraps with scrumptious fillings. Both women are young mothers. 

“We had an idea that Big Sky needed a burrito place, and we went for it,” 

says Hurlbut. She opened the Wrap Shack with two ski buddies, Bolane, and 

Jason Luchini, who recently left the business to pursue other interests. 

“We all wanted to be [in Big Sky], but we didn’t want to be working three 

different jobs each. The three of us wrote a business plan, and got a loan,” 

Hurlbut says. The space housed a hot tub business before the trio revamped 

it into the island and travel themed establishment it is today. “We did all the 

demolition, put in the floors, and recycled as much material as we could. We 

made this our home” 

Hurlbut gushes about the familial atmosphere of the Shack. “The last few 

years have been tough, but we’re still excited. I love my business partner. 

We’re great friends, and we love going to work. The most important thing is 

a love of the job.” 

The Shack has six employees, and is a tried and true local business. “We are 

here primarily for the locals. That’s who we want, it’s who is always here, 

and who we like to see. The locals are who we work for.” Monthly and daily 

specials geared toward that demographic include the $5 after five deal, the 

Big Sky Meadow Village 

Across from the Post Office 

406-995-3113 

Monday - Saturday: 10-5 

Sunday: 11-5 

horse of a different color 

Live with the things you Love

Powder Pounder (free beer if it snows more than six inches), the Weekday 

Work Special, and the Ski Pass deal ($5 for two tacos and a drink). 

On top of rolling fat burritos, The Shack also offers alcohol catering at 

events, and Hurlbut says they’d like to expand their food catering services. 

“The product we offer is totally different, specific and easy.” The ladies 

would also love to have another location on the mountain. 

They also give back to the community. The Wrap Shack’s fundraising program 

allows local organizations to pass out Wrap Shack coupons; when those 

coupons are redeemed, the Shack donates 20% of all sales generated from the 

coupons back to the organization. 

But what do locals love the most about the Wrap Shack? “The Margaritas. 

People come in all the time for just margaritas,” says Hurlbut. “It doesn’t matter 

if it’s winter.” The ladies have a secret ingredient that gives the tangy drink 

its popularity, but you’ll have to try one to find out. werollemfat.com 

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Certified Integrative Relaxation Facilitator 

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March 4, 2011 29

This is how Big Sky gets 

into hot water. 

30 March 4, 2011 

Nordic Hot Tub 

We service what we sell! 

Spa sales to fit your budget 

Pool and spa care after the sale 

Custom maintenance plans 

Spa covers and custom lifts 

Lots of accessories for your spa 

Special orders available 

www.BigSkyHotTubs.com 

(406) 995-4892 • NordicHotTub@aol.com 

47520 Gallatin Rd. • Big Sky, MT 59716 

notiCE of annUal 

MEMBErShip MEEtinG 

The 58th Annual Meeting of 3 Rivers 

Telephone Cooperative, Inc., 

will be held on Monday, March 21, 

2011, in the Fairfield Community 

Hall, Fairfield, Montana. 

A smorgasbord dinner will be 

served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Registration will begin at 10:30 

a.m., and the meeting will be called 

to order at 1 p.m. 

The business agenda includes 

election of three trustees, an Audit 

report by Moss Adams, LLP, report 

by the General Manager, and other 

business that may come before the 

membership. 

The following members have been 

nominated by the Nominating 

Committee for trustees pursuant 

to the bylaws: from the Ennis/Harrison 

area – William R. Dringle; 

the Geyser/Raynesford/Neihart/ 

Belt/Stockett area – Mary E. Hill; 

and the East Conrad/Conrad/ 

Brady/Shelby/Power area – Kyle 

Want an amazing true 

ski-in/ski-out rental 

property for your ski 

vacation? 

Burgmaier, Ken Johnson and 

Catherine Odden. Each nominee 

will have the opportunity to give a 

three-minute speech. Additional 

nominations for trustees may be 

made as per the bylaws. Voting by 

proxy is not permitted, so we urge 

you to attend and cast your ballot. 

Door prizes will be awarded during 

the afternoon. The Business 

Office will be closed the day of 

the Annual Meeting from 11 a.m. 

to 3 p.m. for walk-in traffic, but 

will still be taking phone calls and 

trouble reports. 

Please mark the date on your calendar 

and plan to attend. If you are 

unable to attend and want to watch 

this via the Internet, log onto 3rivers.net 

and follow the link to the 

annual meeting. 

Brian E. McCollom, 

Secretary 

BDM/ei 

Call 888.898.4938 

Visit us online eastwestbigsky.com

BiG SKY WEEKlY 

hoME of thE 

10 

ClaSSifiEdS! 

$ 

$15 With photo 

Each ad can 

be up to 4 lines 

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additional lines 

are $5 per line, 

Maximum of 8 

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Email classifieds and/or 

advertising requests to: 


(406) 995-2055 

Ophir School District #72 

school board trustee Position 

Ophir School District #72 has one 3 year term school board trustee 

position available. Election will be held May 3, 2011. Any person who 

is qualified to vote in Ophir School District #72 is eligible for the office 

of trustee. Nomination petitions are available from the main office at 

Ophir School or by calling Marie Goode, District Clerk, at 995-4281 ext. 

202. A valid nomination petition requires five signatures of registered 

voters from the district. The deadline for filing a petition is March 24, 

2011. NO CANDIDATE MAY APPEAR ON THE BALLOT UNLESS 

HE OR SHE MEETS THIS DEADLINE. No person signing a petition 

may sign more nomination petitions than there are trustee positions 

open. 

for rEnt 

Office Spaces across from the Post 

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Great space with reception area 

and 3 seperate rooms. $500.00 per 

month. For more information call 

406-580-5191 

for SalE 

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SErViCES 

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All fitness levels welcome. 

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Want to adVErtiSE? 

Contact Outlaw Partners at 

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March 4, 2011 31

32 March 4, 2011 

Big Sky Resort Village Center 

Meadow Spanish Peaks Club Condo 

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19 Meadow Village Drive, Big Sky, MT 59716 

406.995.2211 

info@bigskysothebysrealty.com 

biskysothebysrealty.com

gallery 


March 4, 2011 


Jason thompson photography: 

People, Passion, Progression 

Maybe a childhood on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington 

gave photographer Jason Thompson his honest, 

mischievous, grin. Or maybe it’s his “outside office”—Since 

graduating from MSU in 2002, Thompson 

has been a Big Sky ski patroller and a mountain 

guide in Washington and Alaska, all while building 

a career in adventure photography. e.s. 

I started skiing when I was 12. We were in upstate 

New York, visiting family. My uncle took 

me out, and I remember thinking ‘I’m gonna do 

this for a long time.’ 

Hurricane Ridge is 

a tiny ski area near 

where I grew up. It 

has a rope tow. During 

high school I skied at 

Crystal, Alpental and 

Mount Baker. 

I have a sister and 

three brothers, all 

younger. My sister is a 

surfer, and one of my 

brothers skis. Another 

brother is a chef in San 

Francisco, a culinary 

artist. 

I knew I wanted to be 

a photographer when I 

was 12 or 13. I had an 

old-school Olympus and took painting, drawing 

and photography classes in high school. I took action 

photos of skiing, backpacking, soccer. 

I’ve been guiding for ten years. I work in Alaska, 

in the North Cascades and on Mount Rainier. 

I skied at Bridger before I started working at Big 

Sky in 2004. My favorite part of ski patrolling is 

the people… and the avalanche control… and the 

powder skiing. 

In 2008, on a Hans Saari Grant, I went to the 

Svaneti Region of the Republic of Georgia with 

Tyler Jones and Seth Waterfall. Our host family 

in the village of Ushguli was friendly and 

welcoming. They thought our idea of skiing on 

Mount Shkhara (17,200’) was absurd. 

I’m more of a skier. I like combining skiing and 

climbing. For me, that’s the ultimate. 

Photography is a way to creatively document people’s 

passion for the outdoors. It’s cool to … see 

how athletes I shoot have progressed, to see how 

we all become more competent in the mountains. 

My style is raw, unposed. 

I’m going to stay based out of Bozeman as long as 

I can. I love the community of likeminded people. 

It’s centrally located, … [and we have] mountains 

in our backyard. 

This March, Ann Gilbert and I are going on a skiing/climbing 

trip in the Canadian Rockies. Then 

I’m going to take pictures of heli skiing in Cordova 

with Points North. 

jthompsonphotography.com 

March 4, 2011 33

34 March 4, 2011 

Purify ionize AlkAlize 

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Offering Living Water 

with the revolutionary 

Direct Disk Ionization 

Technology for drinking water 

Yellowstone living 

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47250 Gallatin Road Unit 1 (South 

of the Exxon) Big Sky, Montana 

YellowstoneLivingWater.com 

Sleek, stainless steel, easily installs 

to your existing faucet For a healthy 

body, healthy home and healthy life 


Or drop in for a drink at our new store! 

For more information call: 

faith 406.581.0616 

Also other natural organic 

alternatives for Big Sky Homes 

Environmental Purity

Food & dining 

rising from the ashes 

after a devastating fire, the havig family 

re-opened the crossing bar & grill at Fetty’s 

Dennis and Diane Havig moved from Livingston 

to Wisdom, Montana in 1988, when Dennis 

transferred to the Big Hole Valley with the Forest 

Service as a District Ranger. In 1994, Diane bought 

a struggling restaurant in Wisdom. 

“It was her first venture into the food industry, but 

she had eaten out quite a bit, knew what she liked, 

and was ready to go with her instinact and some great 

recipes passed down to her,” says Diane’s daughter, 

Ali. With delicious, made-from scratch fare and 

Diane’s outgoing personality, The Big Hole Crossing 

grew a loyal clientele. Customers came from Salmon, 

Butte, Dillon and the Bitterroot every week. 

On May 31, 2010, a fire destroyed the restaurant 

and a neighboring art gallery. That summer 

the Havigs and their two daughters cleaned their 

burned equipment and considered their options. 

That December, they bought out their competition, 

Fetty’s Bar and Café, and spent the New Year 

renovating the building. The new restaurant opened 

January 14, 2011, and now seats 100, between the 

dining room and the bar. 

Ali describes their food as “simple, delicious homemade 

American food,” and says they make their own 

Archived newspaper covering a 1925 fire in Wisdom 

The original Fetty’s 

bread, bagels, biscuits, pies, cookies, desserts, soups, 

and “anything and everything we can from scratch.” 

Prices range from $3.50-$25, and the meals make 

your mouth water: biscuits and gravy, steak and eggs, 

double bacon blue cheese burger, liver and onions, 

hot veggie dinner, or prime rib. 

“My mom’s philosophy is to do simple food with the 

best ingredients and to make things as healthy as possible. 

We use non trans-fat cooking oils and shy away 

from processed ingredients or pre-made foods.” 

The Crossing’s fire put them in good company: 

Dennis estimates 60 percent of Wisdom, Montana’s 

buildings have burned over the years. He says old 

houses with dry walls and roofs, wood stoves and 

bad wiring typically have problems with fires. Some 

of the businesses that have burned include the 

town’s gas station and car dealership, the bar, and 

numerous houses. The Havigs are glad to be up and 

running in their new location. 

“It’s awesome to be finally open,” says Ali. “Everyone 

seems so excited.” 

e.s. 

thecrossingbarandgrill.com 

heading over for a ski weekend 

at lost trail and a soak at 

Jackson hot Springs? be sure 

to stop in at the crossing bar & 

grill at Fetty’s in Wisdom. 

in the Big hole during the 

week? Stop by for cribbage 

night on tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. 

this summer during fishing 

season, they’ll be open seven 

days a week. 


Pork PoZole SouP 

(SouthWeSt hoMiny SteW) 

cook 1 ½ hours 

Prep 40 minutes 

4 c chicken broth 

10 oz pork loin (pork chops 

w/ bone give extra flavor) 

½ tsp cumin seeds, crushed 

¾ c onion, diced 

½ c chopped celery 

¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper 

2 oz can chopped mild green chilis 

½ c medium hot salsa 

15 ½ oz can golden hominy 

( with juice) 

salt to taste 

cook above in a large pot for 

about an hour and a half. remove 

bones from meat and cut up. return 

to soup. 

to Serve: top soup with corn tortillas 

cut into 1/4” x 1” strips that 

have been deep fat fried and 

salted. add shredded cabbage 

(red cabbage is ok), radish slices 

and a squeeze of lemon. 

Source: Pork pozole soup is the 

union of a recipe from glorious 

Soups and breads by nancy brannon, 

and the imagination of Serena 

towry, who worked at the 

big hole crossing restaurant for a 

number of years. 

March 4, 2011 35

36 March 4, 2011 


outdoorS 

ElEphanthEad 

MoUntain 

a Wilderness adventure Minutes 

from livingston 

by tyler allen 

As we climbed toward the looming 

face of Elephanthead Mountain, 

the skiing possibilities unfolded. A 

steep headwall rose above us. Technical, 

narrow couloirs sliced through 

it for nearly 1,000 feet. West of the 

summit, a huge amphitheater offered 

descents on just about every 

aspect. The snowfield on the north 

side of the peak, our intended route, 

was capped with a plume of spindrift 

that made the mountain appear like a 

smoking volcano. 

At the northern edge of the Western 

Beartooths (also known as the Absarokas), 

Elephanthead Mountain is a 

short drive from Livingston. While 

it certainly is not the highest or most 

imposing summit in this complex, 

rising to a mere 9,431 feet, its north 

face lures skiers from Southwest 

Montana with aesthetic ski terrain 

and easy access. With its short approach 

and straightforward ascent, it 

is a great introduction to ski touring 

for novice backcountry explorers. 

For those same reasons, it is not to be 

overlooked by the experienced backcountry 

skier either, and was why we 

chose Elephanthead for a late December 

2010 tour, when the daylight 

hours were short. 

The final few hundred feet of the 

climb took us around giant dolomite 

boulders, to the summit, where the 

sheer south face drops thousands 

of feet into the heart of the range. 

The view from this perch includes 

the spectacular summit of Mount 

Delano, the long sweeping ridge of 

Shell Mountain with the Beartooth 

Plateau spreading east beyond it, 

and the southern end of the Crazy 

Mountains dropping into the Yellowstone 

basin. 

The skiing off the summit was firm 

and wind-scoured, but once the slope 

rolled over into the steeper, northfacing 

chutes, the wind-sheltered 

snow was soft and boot-top. We 

leapfrogged the 1,200-foot pitch toward 

the valley floor, finding powder 

skiing all the way to the trailhead. 

It was almost dark by the time we 

skated across the road to our car, but a 

full moon on the rise illuminated the 

frozen expanse. 

The toughest decision we faced that 

day had nothing to do with route 

finding or what to ski, but where to 

celebrate our success in Livingston. 

This little town has plenty of après 

ski options. Fishbowl margaritas at 

the Rib and Chop House, or strong 

cocktails in a classic Montana bar 

setting at the Mint. We settled on 

the Murray Bar, in the heart of 

town. It was pizza night, with small 

pies from the adjacent 2nd Street 

Bistro on special for five dollars. A 

trip to Elephanthead offers just another 

excuse to enjoy the appealing 

atmosphere and culinary delights of 

historic Livingston, gatekeeper to 

endless mountain adventures. 

Tyler Allen writes from Bozeman. 


Skinning towards the summit of Elephanthead. 

Joshua Boulange skiing off the summit 

of Elephanthead Mountain. 

hoW to GEt thErE: 

From livingston, dirt roads take you about nine miles 

southeast of town, to a ranch at the mouth of the 

Mission creek drainage. if the road is clear, take a 

right at the ranch gate and follow it for 1.5 miles to 

the trailhead. the landowners do not take kindly to 

people parking on their property, so if you cannot 

make it all the way to the trailhead, turn around and 

park outside the gate. 

21st annual Snowmobile Expo 

On March 11- 13 join snowmobilers from around the world in West Yellowstone 

for the 21st Annual Snowmobile Expo. Recognized as the “Largest 

Snowmobile Event in the West,” the event features the unveiling of new 

2012 snowmobile lines, exhibits, racing events and competitions and tours 

through Yellowstone Park. Highlights of the event inlcude Dane Ferguson’s 

World Record backflip attempt and the TOUGHMAN ENDURO Race 

scheduled for Saturday, March 12th beginning at 2:00 P.M. Racing and other 

outside events take place just west of Iris Avenue on the ‘old’ airfield. Newcomers 

to the sport are welcome. For lodging, please visit 

destinationyellowstone.com. snowmobileexpo.com 

March 4, 2011 37

38 March 4, 2011 

outdoorS 

flY fiShinG in BiG SKY 

by ennion WilliaMS 

Fly fishing in Big Sky, Montana is a 12 month 

passion for some, an eight month passion for many, 

and is a full time job about five months of the year. 

This is a new column for the Weekly, aimed to keep 

both the year round angler and the visiting enthusiast 

interested and informed about fly fishing 

opportunities in Southwest Montana. 

This area is blessed with some of the most 

productive trout fisheries in the world. 

The history and current conditions of our 

rivers reflect both the positive and negative 

impacts fishing has had on the natural 

environment. As we move ahead in conservation, 

preservation and sustainable 

management of our resource, we must 

strive to educate, enlighten and share the 

passion for trout streams across Montana. 

Through reports and stories from regional 

professionals and interested parties, this 

column will celebrate the passion of fly 

fishing on the rivers of the Yellowstone 

Ecosystem and Southwest Montana. 

WintEr 2010-2011 

Winter fishing this year has been very productive 

on both the Gallatin and Madison rivers. 

Frigid temperatures have been intermittent, with 

warm pleasant weather making for optimal fishing 

conditions. On these warmer days there has been 

decent midge activity and significant hatches on 

the Madison. 

During the winter months, trout’s metabolism 

lowers, so they can survive long periods without 

a steady food supply. For this reason, trout are 

aggressive when they see a fly. In the Gallatin and 

Madison rivers, fish will gather in deep holes. 

There, the water is moving slowly, so fish do not 

Winter Catch: Big Sky local, Louise Astbury holds up a nice brown trout 

caught on Gallatin River. 

have to exert much energy. Fly patterns in this 

season range from very small mayfly and midge 

nymphs to larger stonefly nymphs, which the trout 

can see. 

The optimal time to fish in the winter is through 

the middle of the day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

As the sun goes down, so does the productivity of 

the fishing. 

helping owners of rental properties 

enjoy a pleasant, hassle-free and rewarding 

second home ownership since 1999. 

east westbigsky.com | 877.512.9794 


In the next couple of weeks, fly fishing will only 

improve. As the days get longer, the window of 

productive fishing increases. To the local angler 

this means now there is enough time in the day for 

a float trip. This spring will pose challenges to the 

float fisher, as there is so much snow and ice that 

access with be an issue. 

For those eager to float, the Lower Madison 

River near Bear Trap Canyon will offer the 

best early access. The Madison River from the 

McAtee Bridge down to Ennis takeout is a good 

option, as well. Remember the section from 

Earthquake Lake Outlet to Mactee Bridge is 

closed from March 1 until May 21. Ice dams 

and diverted channels are hazards that may be 

encountered during an early float. Be careful, 

and consult a local shop before venturing onto 

the rivers. 

For a spring float trip, raid the fly rod quiver 

and rig up a dry rod, a nymph rod and streamer 

rod. It may seem like overkill to show up with 

three rigged rods but you’ll be happy when 

you can change methods according to the water 

you’re fishing. Plan on short floats, and get out to 

wade productive sections. Remember, the fish are 

holding in the deeper, slower sections this time of 

year, and these locations need more attention and 

time to have a successful day. 

Ennion Williams is a professional Fishing Guide and 

Outfitter in Big Sky. He can be reached at (406) 579- 

7094 or at ennion3@yahoo.com. 

East West considers the relationship with our Big Sky and 

Moonlight Basin homeowners a partnership. We’ll work together 

to maintain and improve the condition of your Big Sky/ 

Moonlight property and its rental performance.

outdoorS 

StEEp and EMptY 

Moonlight’s north Summit Snowfield 

by ruSS Mcelyea 

It’s difficult to understand how 

massive and wild Moonlight Basin 

is without skiing the North Summit 

Snowfield. 

My first trip down this incredible 

route was several years ago with Merik 

Morgan of the Moonlight ski patrol. 

Merik is a veteran with a love of steep, 

empty places where the rules are different 

and decisions have consequences. 

He gets quiet joy from sharing 

these places with others. Merik told 

me he patrols for Moonlight because 

terrain like North Summit gives him 

“Fear was replaced by pure, 

deep joy and a profound conviction 

that nothing mattered 

but this time and this place.” 

a full opportunity to use a craft built 

over a lifetime. 

Unlike Merik, I spend most of my day 

at Moonlight on the phone, in front of 

a computer, or in meetings. Although 

I’d skied Moonlight’s lower mountain 

before there were chairlifts, and have 

skied many great lines at other resorts 

and in the backcountry, I’d never 

made time for the North Summit. I 

thought it was just another nice route 

among many. I was wrong. 

The tram ride to the top of Lone Peak 

was typical. Conversation died as we 

got closer to the Big Couloir, and each 

skier became lost in his or her own 

thoughts. Merik and I made the short 

hike around to the Moonlight patrol 

shack, checked gear and signed in. I 

ventured a peek off the north side. 

There was no bottom, only vast space 

and a world tipped vertical. 

Like many skiers pushing 50, I 

remembered what it was like to be 

25 and log a 100 plus days a season. 

But those days were gone, and places 

like the North Summit force a hard 

reality check. I knew my timing was 

off, my legs were not what they used 

to be, and that too many days behind 

a desk might produce a reckoning I 

was unprepared to accept. Despite the 

friendly banter in the patrol shack, 

my heart rate accelerated, and my 

breathing flattened. As we waited for 

the Snowfield to clear, I wondered 

whether I had gotten into something 

bigger than I could handle. If Merik 

sensed this, he said nothing. 

After a briefing on protocol, we began 

the descent to the top of the route. By 

the time we got to the entrance, I had 

forgotten most of what I knew about 

skiing, and a potent mix of fear and 

exhilaration dominated. My belief 

that the North Summit was just another 

line was gone. Merik invited me 

to go, and I knew I had to stick those 

first turns. The snow was creamy and 

forgiving, and all those years of skiing 

came back in a rush. Fear was replaced 


by pure, deep joy and a profound conviction 

that nothing mattered but this 

time and this place. I was completely 

and fiercely alive for the first time in a 

long while. 

The first safety zone came too quickly. 

Merik and I paused, and talked operations: 

whether we could, or more importantly, 

should build a lift to serve 

this incredible terrain. We looked into 

Great Falls, decided it was thin, and 

traversed into a world of awesome 

steepness. For the first time, I saw the 

bottom and our objective, the Meeting 

Trees. Each pole plant was a long reach 

of faith; each turn burned vertical 

gone forever. 

Then it was over. 

I’ve skied the North Summit a number 

of times since. I, too, have felt the 

satisfaction of sharing this experience 

with others; and each time has been 

a reminder that life is only full at the 

boundaries where outcomes are uncertain. 

With experience, I have a different 

perspective on the Snowfield, 

and although familiar now, it stands 

beautiful and undiminished. 

But there was only one first time, and 

it profoundly changed how I think 

about our mountain and the people 

who work here. Thanks, Merik, and 

the entire Moonlight team for this gift. 

Russ McElyea is COO at 

Moonlight Basin. 

March 4, 2011 39

Big Sky’s 

40 March 4, 2011 


LARGEST GROCERY 

SELECTION 

• Fresh, Hand-Cut Meats 

• Deli & Snacks 

• Gourmet Items 

• Beer & Wine 

Affordable prices 

Delivery available 

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Open Daily from 6:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Located in the Meadow Village Center 

next to Lone Peak Brewery

eel revieW 

the Wild and 

Wonderful Whites 

of West Virginia 

by hunter rothWell 

The White family of Boone 

County, West Virginia, is 

infamous in Appalachian folklore. 

That unique mountain area 

between Northern Alabama and 

Southern New York State has 

produced a history of moonshining, 

clan feuding, and a culture 

of rebellion and lawlessness. The 

people there are often stereotyped 

as hard partying, uneducated, and 

prone to impulsive violence. 

In his newest indie documentary, 

“the Wild and Wonderful 

White’s of West Virginia,” director 

Julian Nitzberg, with executive 

producer Johnny Knoxville of 

“Jackass” fame, records day-to-day 

adventures of a family who are the 

last remnants of an outlaw mountain 

people as old as America. 

The Whites first gained attention 

when family patriarch D. Ray White 

was profiled in a Smithsonian Folkways 

documentary called, “Talking 

Feet: Solo Southern Dance: Buck, 

Flatfoot and Tap.” He was known as 

the last of the mountain tap-dancers, 

before being murdered in 1985. D. 

Ray and his wife Bertie Mae had 13 

children; four of their sons aspired 

to fill the shoes of their father and 

become his heir apparent. Jesco 

White continued the tradition, and 

was featured in a 1991 PBS special, 

“The Dancing Outlaw,” that became 

a cult classic. 

“The Wonderful Whites of West 

Virginia” follows the exploits of 

Bertie Mae White, her surviving 

children and an ever-growing number 

of grandchildren. Interviews with 

Boone County law enforcement and 

attorneys explain the White family 

is involved in shoot-outs, robberies, 

drug dealing, pill popping, wild 

partying and murder. 

“The Whites live at three times the 

speed of ordinary lives,” said director 

Julian Nitzberg in a 2010 interview. 

“They have way more drama than 

most people could handle without 

going mad.” 

In a tragic yet comical scene, Jesco describes 

his “brain damage” from huffing 

gasoline for ten years—he just can’t 

figure out which brain cell was actually 

affected. This hasn’t slowed old Jesco 

down; he still loves “gettin’ plastered 

and ripped out of the frame.” 

“even though they might be 

the most hated family, well, 

they are probably the most 

free. they are the true rebels 

of the South.” 

-hank Williams iii 

Over the past decade, Jesco, his 

sister, Mamie, and the White family 

gained attention when their 

lives showed up in popular country 

music. “Jessico” by the Kentucky 

Headhunters, “Comin’ to Your 

City” by Big & Rich, and “The 

Legend of D. Ray White” by Hank 

Williams III are a few examples of 

White family inspired songs. Hank 

III appears in the documentary and 

acoustically performs three of his 

popular songs to the accompaniment 

of Jesco’s skillful tap-dancing. 

Some will find this family entertaining 

and funny, others will 

be awed by the spectacle of their 

unbelievable exploits, and still 

others will be offended by the pillsnorting, 

foul-mouthed, hardcore 

ways of a group of people who do 

not understand the word discretion. 

The Whites are a product of 

a mountain culture isolated by geography 

for generations. A significant 

theme resonates throughout 

the film, concerning the powerful 

forces of poverty and corruption 

that are the result of a dominating 

coal industry. 

“Even though they might be the 

most hated family, well, they are 

probably the most free. They are 

the true rebels of the South,” says 

Hank III in the film. 

With technology bringing us 

closer and making us more alike, 

the uniqueness of the Whites is 

becoming a rare phenomenon in a 

country founded on personal freedom, 

individualism and cultural 

variety. The Whites are a deep 

and smart group, but also self-destructive 

in their love of sex, drugs 

and crime. Bo White put it best: 

“We’re good people. Everybody 

puts us down here and there, but 

you can’t believe everything you 

hear. Seeing is believing...from my 

heart we’re just right down, dirty, 

good ol’ people—hillbillies.” 

Over 3 decades 

building in 

Montana 


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Big Sky, MT 59715 

406-995-4579 

BlueRibbonBuilders.com 

March 4, 2011 41

42 March 4, 2011 

Aprés Ski 


HEADQUARTERS 

March Music 

Wed. 2nd : Open Mic Night 

Sat. 5th : Kayli Smith 5:00-7:00 

Sat. 5th : Bottom of the Barrel 9:30 

Wed 9th: Open Mic Night 

Sat. 12th : Kent Johnson 5:00-7:00 


Fri. 18th : One Leaf Clover 9:30 

Sat. 19th : Big Water 5:00-7:00 

Wed 23rd: Open Mic Night 

Sat. 26th: Hairy Dog Show 5:00-7:00 


OPEN DAILY AT 11:30 A.M. 

LUNCH & DINNER 

• Daily drink specials 

• Live Music 

• 12 HDTVs 

• Amazing Food 

• 100 beers 

• 100 wines 

OPEN MIC/LADIES NIGHT* - EVERY WEDNESDAY 8:30 P.M. - CLOSE 

*½ price drinks for ladies 

HAPPY HOUR* - MONDAY-FRIDAY 3:00-5:00 PM 

*½ price well drinks and pints 

LOCATED IN THE BIG SKY 

TOWN CENTER 

big sky, montana 

406-995-3830

eventS 

BiG SKY 

5th annUal hUCK-a- 

BErrY JaM 

Moonlight Basin 

saturday, March 5th 

8 a.m. 

WatEr throUGh thE 

SEaSonS: 

Avalanche Safety and the Dynamics 

of Snow Science 

Big Sky Resort 

March 5 

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

bsi.montana.edu 

dEnnY & thE 

rESonnatorS 

Live @ the Half Moon Saloon 

March 5 

9:30 p.m. 

BiG SKY nordiC SKi 

fEStiVal 

Lone Mountain Ranch 

March 6 - 13 

995-4644 

ViSitinG aUthor: JEff 

StriCKlEr 

Big Sky Community Library 

March 8 

7 p.m. 

YElloWStonE SCiEnCE 

and CrEatUrES of thE 

laKE dEpthS 

Big Sky Nordic Center Warming 

Hut 

March 9 

6 p.m. 

bsi.montana.edu 

planninG an EVEnt? let us know! Email abbie@theoutlawpartners.com and 

we’ll spread the word. Check explorebigsky.com for an extended calendar. 

31St annUal ophir 

SChool piE aUCtion 

Buck’s T-4 Lodge 

March 12 

7 p.m. 

hopE on thE SlopES 

ACS Fundraiser 

Big Sky Resort 

8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

March 12 

aCBS dinnEr ConCErt 

SEriES prESEntS 

Chuck Suchy 

Buck’s T-4 Ballroom 

March 13 

5:30 p.m. 

friEndS of thE liBrarY 

MEEtinG 

Big Sky Community Library 

March 16 

annUal St. patriCK’S 

daY CElEBration 

Half Moon Saloon 

March 17 

5 p.m. - 11 p.m. 

Free shuttle 

pEnniES for pEaCE 

Ophir School and Lone Peak High 

School 

March 1-11 

7 pm. 

BoZEMan 

BiSon CitiZEnS WorKinG 

Group Meeting 

Bozeman Public Library 

March 7 

4 - 8 p.m. 

Chuck Suchy at Buck’s t-4 for 

aCBS dinner Concert Series 

by brian hurlbut 

As part of the annual Peggy Dicken 

Schwer Memorial Fund Concert 

Series, the Arts Council of Big Sky is 

bringing regional and national musicians 

to Big Sky. The events will be 

held at several local venues and will 

include dinner served up by some of 

Big Sky’s best chefs. 

On Sunday, March 13, the winter’s 

final concert will feature acclaimed 

singer songwriter Chuck Suchy, at 

the Buck’s T-4 Ballroom. The evening 

starts at 5:30 with a social hour/cash 

bar, followed by a three-course dinner 

at 6:45 p.m., and the concert at 8 p.m. 

Chuck Suchy (pronounced soo-key) is 

one of the foremost musical voices of 

the American Great Plains. A working 

farmer, Suchy’s music is influenced 

by a childhood in the blue hills along 

the Missouri River south of Mandan, 

North Dakota. His ballads and songs 

are honest portrayals of contemporary 

American farm life from an insider’s 

point of view. Suchy is an astute 

observer of the Plains—he’s seen farm 

crises, population loss, and a major 

restructuring of the agricultural 

economy. His songs chronicle not only 

the events, but also the emotions and 

feelings accompanying such upheaval 

and change. 

Crossroads Magazine called Chuck 

Suchy “…one of the shining lights of 

the Upper Great Plains.” His music 

and stories speak to everyone – urban 

and rural – because laughter, love, 

gain and loss are common human 

property. The Boston Globe proclaims 

Suchy is “a man with a rich, wideopen-spaces 

voice.” 

Check bigskyarts.org for a complete 

schedule of the concert series, 

or call the ACBS office at (406) 

995-2742. Tickets are $40, are by 

reservation only, and must be made 

by calling the office. 

rEaCh oUt! 

AIDS Outreach Fundraiser 

Emerson Ballroom 

March 8th 

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

SprinGtiME WondErS 

and rECrEation in 

YElloWStonE 

REI Bozeman 

March 10 

6:30 p.m. 

Montana raptor 

ConSErVation CEntEr 

REI Bozeman 

March 12 

1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

BiKE MatinEnanCE 

BaSiCS 

REI Bozeman 

March 17 

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

liVinGSton 

frEE SpaY nEUtEr CliniC 

Hosted by the Park County Fixer 

Uppers 

Washington School 

March 6 

222-2134 

GardinEr 

Chili ContESt 

March 5 

6 p.m. 


thE aMEriCan lEGion 

poSt 118 

An evening of camaraderie and fun 

Community Center 

March 19 

7 p.m. - 11 p.m. 

WESt 

YElloWStonE 

32 annUal rEndEZVoUS 

raCE 

Rendezvous Ski Trails 

March 5 

rendezvousrace.com 

YoUth SKi fEStiVal 

March 6 

rendezvousskitrails.com 

21St World 

SnoWMoBilE EXpo 

March 11, 12, 13 

snowmobileexpo.com 

YElloWStonE CloSES 

to oVEr-thE-SnoW 

traVEl 

March 15-april 16 

Morningstar learning center’s 

Dance and Wine Tasting at Buck’s T-4 

Saturday 

April 2, 2011, 

7:00 p.m. 

Auction and Rafflfflle items 

Jeni Fleming and band 

will perform for the event and 

Natalie’s Estates Winery 

will be featuring their fabulous wines 

995-2565 

mlcbigsky@gmail.com 

Tickets on sale March 5 at Morningstar Learning Center 

March 4, 2011 43

T H E W E S T M A Y B E W I L D , 

N E W M E N U ! F e a t u r i n g 

44 March 4, 2011 

but it’s not uncivilized 

• Roasted Locally Grown Organic Beets, Arugula, Amalthea Dairy Chevre, Orange Supremes, Fine Herb Vinaigrette 

• Asian Barbecue Glazed grilled Quail, Braised Greens, Fingerling Potato, Blood Orange Gastrique 

• Braised Szechuan Spiced Rubbed Bison Short-ribs, Parsnip Potato puree, Broccolini, Braising Jus 

COUPLES GETAWAY 

DINE AND STAY PACKAGE 

$125 per person 

(minimum package is 2 people) 

Price includes: 

- Riverside Room 

- 4 Course Dinner 

- $30 Wine Credit 

- Continental Breakfast 

*limited space available, reservations required 

Offer good through April 15th, 2011 

RAINBOW RANCH RESTAURANT 

Open 6 days a week, Tuesday - Sunday • Dining room hours 5:30-9:30 p.m. 

800-937-4132 • 406-995-4132 • Five miles south of Big Sky entrance on Hwy 191 

Reservations recommended • www.rainbowranchbigsky.com

coluMn 

Getting over 

the fear factor 

learning to look at life 

with an open mind 

by Jeni WeSt 

Satellites falling out of the sky, every 

inactive volcano becoming active, 

the earth spinning completely off its 

axis… Somewhere between morning 

sickness and finally being able to hold 

my newborn son, I believed wholeheartedly 

in these fear-based thoughts 

I’d contrived from hearsay, media and 

hype. I’d stay up for hours at night 

thinking about what to do and where 

to run and I was projecting all these 

fears onto my son. 

Then, something changed. With a 

shift in consciousness, I began looking 

at life differently. It was the beginning 

of something new: letting go of that 

which I could not change, and just accepting 

what is. 

How did I get to that realization? I 

was tired of feeling so low. Horrified 

to look at myself, I was always seeking 

change in others. But when I did 

finally look inward, I found the key, 

and answers to lifelong questions. Listening 

to my body instead of my ego, I 

became sensitive to the world around 

me. As a result, I am a better mother, 

a better friend, and life is good. Is it 

perfect? No way, not even close. I 

wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Change is certain. We are in continuous 

motion and evolution. By accepting 

this, we can embrace a new way of 

life, become more in touch with our 

rhythms, as well as the world’s. Stop 

and listen to yourself, listen to your 

children. We can make decisions that 

honor our bodies, mind and spirit. 

Ghandi said, ‘Be the Change you wish 

to see in the world’. It begins with me. 

It begins with you. 

Begin by being present. You may find 

yourself in the tram line, impatient, 

or in line at the post office, in disbelief 

the person in front you needs to 

mail 37 letters, all weighed individually—and 

all you need is one stamp. 

In those moments, take a deep breath 

and remember, ‘nothing is next’. Take 

a look around and realize you are here, 

nowhere else. How does that feel? 

Eckhart Tolle said, ‘There was never a 

time when your life was not now, nor 

will there ever be.’ 

Don’t let one moment go un-noticed. 

When we’re present, we’re at 

ease, focused, and in alignment with 

the universe and ourselves. In those 

moments we radiate, open in heart 

and mind. 

Practice being present for one moment 

a day. It is remarkable, uplifting and 

will come easier and easier. 

Jeni West spent most of her life romping 

around the mountains of Northwestern 

Montana, and has lived full time in 

Big Sky since 2006. She is a mother of 

a beautiful three-year-old boy and is 

a certified Yoga Instructor under Yogi 

Amrit Desai. 

“there was never a time when your life 

was not now, nor will there ever be.” 

-eckhart tolle 

AUTHENTIC THAI 

& ASIAN CUISINE 

Try our specials- 

available nightly 

995-2728 

Takeout available 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. nightly 3090 Pine Drive #2, Big Sky 

Please call early to place your takeout order so we may best accomodate 

Shawna Winter 


www.MTwinter.com Shawna@MTwinter.com 

Winter & Co. Welcomes 

Aimee Gerharter 

406-599-4448 aimeegerharter@msn.com 

March 4, 2011 45

46 March 4, 2011 

Subscribe now 


Big Sky’s Locally Owned & Published Newspaper 

& 

$75 for 1 year subscription to the Big Sky Weekly 

and Mountain Outlaw Magazine 

MOUNTAIN 

Credit Cards accepted for subscriptions 

call or email us today 406-995-2055; media@theoutlawpartners.com 


EXPLORING LIFE & LAND IN SOUTHWEST MONTANA

pEoplE on 

thE StrEEt 

iF you could have a SuPer 

PoWer, What Would it be? 

Mitch Casey 

tIMbers delI 

“Flight, obviously.” 

Fun 

Jan Ethen 

WIlloW boutIque 

“Rid the world of hate and violence.” 

Patrick Hudson 

VIsItInG bIG sKy FroM baltIMore, Md 

“You might think this would be a supermicrowave, 

but I would have the power to put anything in the 

microwave and have it come out as a perfect, delicious 

meal.” 

The Outlaw 

bIG sKy 

“I already have superpowers.” 

KatiE’S JoKE CornEr 

What do you call a snail 

on a sailboat? 

a snailor! 


What does a cloud 

wear under its shorts? 

thunderpants 

March 4, 2011 47

48 March 4, 2011 

Noun: wild or rough terrain 

adjacent to a developed area 

Origin: shortened form of 

“back 40 acres” 

Over the last few years I’ve watched ski movies with less 

and less enthusiasm. Each fall a new stokefest is distributed 

from the Tetons, in which athletes take wild risks and the 

filmmakers take none. While the narration uses the word 

“progressive” liberally to describe the skiing, the same 

adjective rarely applies to the filmmaking. The movies are 

cooked up like cake mixes. 

Each fall I’ve wondered what happened to Greg Stump. 

Stump made the 1988 classic “Blizzard of Aahhh’s” and 

helped launch a reinvention of American skiing. By assuming 

risk in the mountains and in the editing studio, he 

produced a body of work that is offbeat, intelligent and prescient. 

Stump’s films predicted and precipitated shifts in the 

core of the sport: from extreme skiing (“Blizzard”), to the 

influence of snowboarding (“P-tex, Lies and Duct Tape”), to 

Johnny Mosely’s Olympic stardom (“Fistful of Moguls”). 

After premiering “Fistful of Moguls” at Sundance in 1999, 

Stump stopped making feature ski movies. For more than a 

decade he’s been somewhere else. Hollywood, Maui, Whistler, 

Aspen? A search of the internet turns up 2155 Facebook friends, Finnegan’s 

Wake as one of his favorite books, and a birth weight of six pounds two ounces. A 

foam puppet maker in Brooklyn lists Stump as a client who commissioned a sixfoot 

tall pink yeti for a Dinosaur Jr. music video. The address for his production 

company is on the Idaho side of the Tetons. 

You can also find Stump making the case that Extreme Combos at Taco Bell and 

Big Sky’s Lone Peak tram owe their existence, in part, to “Blizzard of Aahhh’s.” 

He describes current ski movies as montages of “bad music with big jumps” narrated 

with bro-speak. In an interview with ESPN.com he says, “But maybe I’m 

jaded. It’s like, do lions eat their young? Maybe I’m just old now and I don’t get it. 

It’s possible I’ve turned into what I was rebelling against.” 

Perhaps to explain where he’s been, perhaps as a retrospective of his own work, 

or maybe to prove he’s still a lion, Stump finally has a new movie. On March 

25, the legend himself will be in the control booth at the Emerson Theater in 

Bozeman, screening a special pre-premier version of “The Legend of Aahhh’s.” 

He describes the new movie as a reinvention of the documentary; part rock op- 

For the big Sky Weekly, the back 40 is a resource: a 

place where we can delve into subjects and ask experts 

to share their knowledge. topics include regional 

history, profiles of local artists and musicians, snow and 

avalanche education, how-to pieces for traditional or 

outdoor skills, and science. 


the lion of Winter 

greg Stump’s pre-premier of “the legend of aahhh’s” will be in bozeman 

by Mike QuiSt kautZ 

From the 1988 film, “Blizzard of Aahhh’s” 

era, part autobiography and part ski film. If “Legend” is vintage Stump, maybe 

it will serve as a reminder that “progressive” is an adjective that can be used for 

ski filmmakers too. 

Mike Quist Kautz is a Mainer who moved to Bozeman, Montana from Erzurum, 

Turkey. He has worked as a potato truck driver, a longshoreman, a newspaper 

photographer, a logger, and a middle manager. Look for his exclusive interview with 

Greg Stump in the upcoming March 18 issue of the Weekly. 

now that Greg Stump’s catalog is available on dVd and netflix 

instead of VhS you can pick out segments to watch without all the 

fast-forwarding or rewinding. here are four not to miss: 

@ 8:34 in “groove requiem:” bozeman’s tom Jungst describes how 

Montana is populated by guys who don’t eat vegetables, followed 

by footage of him tearing up big Sky and bridger back when a 

young man could wear a mustache without irony 

@ 51:00 in “P-tex lies and duct tape:” a strange and haunting segment 

on rogers Pass in the Selkirks that includes archival footage 

of steam locomotives, the narratives of old railway workers and a 

snowboarder in a hooded robe pretending to be the ghost of an 

avalanche victim 

@ 1:13.35 in “license to thrill:” glen Plake displays humility, an understanding 

of ski history’s continuum (the ski was invented before the 

wheel), and an ability to self-reflect, three qualities not often summoned 

by modern ski movie stars. “We’re not the best in the world,” 

he says. “We’ve just been skiing, and there’s been a lot of people 

that’ve been skiing for a long time.” 

@ 1:05.15 in “blizzard of aahhh’s:” Montana-raised, bridger-schooled 

Scot Schmidt at les grandes Montets, France, proving the vision 

of skiers was far beyond their rear entry boots and 55mm-wide skis. 

Schmitdt’s direct line and huge air preceded fat skis and the use of 

the word “tomahawk” as a verb by 10 years. 

at 7:30 p.m. on friday, March 25, Greg Stump be giving an unofficial, 

pre-premiere, off-the-record, test screening of “the legend of 

aahhh’s” at the Emerson in Bozeman with a Q&a to follow. tickets 

will be $10 at the door.

Mike Meldman - Explore Big Sky

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