Hot Springs to stage rodeo, live music

Homesteader Days in Hot Springs may look somewhat different this year, but for fans of the rodeo and live music, those are two things they can count on at the upcoming event.

Northwest Montana band The Good, the Bad & the Ugly will perform on Main Street in Hot Springs from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 12-13.

The rodeo will be held at the arena on Montana 77. It begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 13, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14.

Lawrence Walchuk, one of the event organizers, said it was a tough decision to make.

“We know there’s worry and concern because of COVID-19, but there was a lot of support for it to continue from the sponsors and community members,” Walchuck said. “We just ask people to be responsible and respectful of others. People showing symptoms or for those whom feel concerned they are at risk, we ask they don’t come.”

The open rodeo is in its 71st year, making it a mainstay in Western Montana.

“There was a lot of interest from people to have it and also the tradition of keeping it going were important factors,” Walchuk said.

Entries are due Monday, June 8 and can be made by calling or texting 307-223-2156.

Among the events are bull riding, saddle bronc, ranch bronc, bareback, calf roping, team roping, chute dogging, ladies barrels, ladies breakaway, junior breakaway, junior steer riding, junior barrels and kids (9 and under) barrels.

Brash Rodeo, based in Columbia Falls, which operates the weekly rodeos at the Blue Moon Arena, runs the Homesteaders event.

Also, there will wild cow milking Saturday and the calf bloomer race Sunday. Admission is $10. Children 6-and-under get in free. Food and beverage will also be available.

— Lake County Leader

Every summer, the Bigfork Summer Playhouse brings in some of the country’s top collegiate theater students for a series of high-quality performances throughout the summer months. But this year’s season is off to an unusual start. Before the 50 playhouse members can hit the stage, they’ll have to finish quarantining in line with the state’s Phase 2 reopening guidelines, which requires all out of state travelers to isolate themselves for a 14-day period.

To make them feel more at home in this strange time, local resident Shannon Barrett organized a meal drive to provide dinners for the company every other night during their quarantine. Barrett, who has a long history with the playhouse as both an employee and volunteer, wanted to alleviate some of the grocery shopping needs for the Playhouse members.

“We don’t want them shopping for their own food, sheets, towels, etc., but to just go straight to the dorm when they arrive in Bigfork. Providing dinners every other night during quarantine will help that process,” Barrett said. “I also thought it might provide a morale boost during quarantine.”

Actors, musicians and crew members began arriving as early as May 25, with the majority of them hailing from the southeastern United States, along with a few from Montana.

The first dinner was held May 30 and the final meal will take place June 11, and as of June 2 all of the donation slots had been filled. Barrett divided each meal into parts and individuals could sign up for one or more groups of items, rather than be responsible for an entire meal. Donors left their contributions on the back porch of the dorm and returned after dinner had been served to pick up their dishes.

“This is such an important part of the Bigfork community,” said Tawyna Bell, whose children participate in the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre. “We just thought it was a neat way for our community to rally around them and let them know that they are welcome even though it’s an odd time.”

— Bigfork Eagle

The Whitefish Schools Family Involvement Team is giving students a chance to say goodbye to the old Muldown Elementary School building next week.

From June 8-10 during normal school hours, students can come by the third grade wing of Muldown to sign the bricks on the outside of the building.

A portion of the building will be demolished and a new school building is set to open in the fall.

Students should bring their own Sharpie, and volunteers are needed to allow a few families into the playground area at a time. Those interested can sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0445ABAF2E5-sign.

On June 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., there will be a photo opportunity for students in front of the school. The following day on June 11, fourth-grade students will have a chance to visit and say goodbye to their teachers from their vehicles.

Parents are asked to drive eastbound on Seventh Street to the kindergarten loop, then return back on Seventh Street. Teachers will be along the Seventh Street sidewalk to wave to students and say goodbye. For more information, visit whitefihseducationfoundation.org.

— Whitefish Pilot

The Columbia Falls City Council last week approved a conditional-use permit for a new dog kennel business on Rogers Road.

Andrea and Will Brunz plan to build a dog training and daycare service on more than 11 acres that could accommodate up to 60 dogs.

The 3,800-square foot kennel building itself will be soundproofed with insulation in the walls and baffles in the roof. Waste will be incinerated in a medical-grade incinerator. City planner Eric Mulcahy said planning and county staff investigated the brand of the incinerator and found it to be used for a wide variety of uses, including incinerating COVID-19 waste for medical facilities. The incinerator produces no smoke or fumes.

No one from the public spoke against the kennel during a public hearing. The business has several conditions, including the requirement for a 6-foot privacy fence to the west.

A subdivision has been approved, but not built, west of the kennel. About one-third of the acreage will be used for the dog business. The couple already runs a similar business in the area and plan to relocate. The business will also have training yards and play yards for dogs to roam during the day.

— Hungry Horse News