MONTANA

July 2016

A Monthly Publication for Folks 50 and Better

Diving into the past

Picture perfect
Ringling Brothers descendant

INSIDE
Bookshelf..................................................Page 3
Opinion.....................................................Page 4
Savvy Senior.............................................Page 5
Big Sky Birding........................................Page 14

On the Menu.............................................Page 16
Calendar....................................................Page 19
Volunteering..............................................Page 20
Strange But True.......................................Page 22

Ad for a wife for mans son gets 12 prospects

COEUR DALENE, Idaho (AP) The father of a Salt Lake

City businessman who placed an Idaho newspaper ad seeking
women interested in marrying his 48-year-old son has received
about a dozen inquiries.
Arthur Brooks had planned to meet potential candidates at a
Coeur dAlene resort, but son Baron Brooks told the SpokesmanReview that its managers asked his father not to conduct interviews there after getting barraged with media requests.
The younger Brooks previously called the $900 ad in the Coeur
dAlene Press embarrassing but said hed let his 78-year-old
father go forward.
He says about 12 women from around the U.S. expressed interest in the ad. Arthur Brooks will interview them in the coming
weeks.
Baron Brooks says his father wants a grandchild to carry on the
family name.

40-year-old Twinkie still going strong

BLUE HILL, Maine (AP) In a glass box in a private school

in Maine sits a 40-year-old chemistry experiment still going
strong: A decades-old Twinkie.
ABC News reports the experiment started in 1976 when Roger
Bennatti was teaching a lesson to his high school chemistry class
on food additives and shelf life.
After a student wondered about the shelf life of the snack, Bennatti sent the students to the store with some money. When they
returned with the treat, Bennatti ate one and placed the still-surviving Twinkie on the blackboard.
Bennatti has since retired, but the snack now resides in the
office of George Stevens Academys Dean of Students Libby
Rosemeier.
Rosemeier told ABC News she isnt sure who will inherit the
Twinkie when she retires, but joked that the Smithsonian hasnt
called yet.

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July 2016

Bookshelf
New book on National Park Service arrives at perfect time
By Montana Best Times Staff
Just in time for the National Park Service centennial celebration comes a new book, The Wonder of It All: 100 Stories from
the National Park Service.
As the country looks
forward to celebrating 100 years, this
book is worth noting, says a news
release from publisher Yosemite
Conservancy.
If it werent for
the men and women
who work and volunteer for the NPS
itself, we wouldnt
have the life-changing moments we
encounter when we
visit our parks, monuments, memorials, and
recreational areas,
the release states.
Through a collection
of stories ranging from
charming to heartwarming to riveting,
The Wonder of It All captures recent experiences of NPS
employees and volunteers from across the United States, such as:
A park service EMT who made a daring nighttime rescue on
horseback to save the life of a hiker in Great Smoky Mountains
National Park.
An out-of-shape, unhappy guy finds that volunteering for the
NPS in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
was the best thing he could have done for himself, his career and
his marriage.
A paleontological intercessor in Dinosaur National Monument
shares his profound moments with a remarkable, dinosaur-loving
Make-A-Wish child.
A park brat recounts a memorable mosquito-infested outing
with her park ranger father who took her and her sister on an outing that would forever prepare them for lifes adventures.
Since 1916, NPS employees and volunteers have been caring
for the more than 400 American public lands, and every day they
make a connection between human beings and wildness, the
release said. More than 290 million people visit our national
parks every year.
As President Theodore Roosevelt stated 100 years ago, in
1916, the parks are Americas best idea, and their preservation
has been a cornerstone of the American democratic ideal: to protect land for the enjoyment and inspiration of all people.
The people profiled in this book make that enjoyment possible.

The Wonder of It All:

100 Stories from the National Park Service
Yosemite Conservancy (2016)
Softcover 320 pages $18.95
ISBN 978-1-930238-62-6

From Yosemite National Park in California to the Appalachian

Trail, from Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska to
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and from Acadia
National Park in Maine to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park,
national parks and other protected areas have occupied the wild
lands, historic locations, and imagination of Americans for 100
years, and will surely inspire generations to come, according to
the release.
A centennial salute to the National Park Service, The Wonder of It All will encourage more park visits and greater support,
and may even spawn new careers, while reminding the nation
that the men and women who work at Americas best idea will
always welcome visitors with a tip of a flat hat, the release
states.
The book is available at yosemiteconservancy.org or amazon.
com.

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July 2016

Opinion

Start saving family history now

July 2016

es of advice Lewistown experts give is to talk to relatives

sooner rather than later about family history.
One thing I did several years ago is tape well-known family anecdotes and stories the ones that get told and retold at
family reunions from my parents so that I could have
them down.
At some point I would like to transcribe or make copies of
them to share with family. If I sound like Im procrastinating,
I am. But like I said, I at least I have started saving stuff ...
Dwight Harriman,
Montana Best Times Editor
MONTANA

On Page 8 of this months issue of Montana Best Times is

a story out of Lewistown about conducting genealogical
research.
Its a great piece, with lots of good advice on how to get
started looking into your family history.
Many of us baby boomers are caught in a genealogical
bind we know we need to record and organize more of
our family histories, but most of us are working and have
trouble finding the time to do it.
I for one have a bulging folder in my file cabinet into which
I have stuffed every piece of genealogical material thats
come my way from my parents and family history-minded
relatives family trees, anecdotes, write-ups, photos.
And, oh, the photos. I just inherited a huge batch of historical photographs I want to scan and make available in highquality digital form to family members.
However, just ask me how far Ive gotten in doing that ...
you guessed it: Not very far.
But at least Im saving stuff. Some people dont save anything and live to regret it.
Speaking of which, in the story on Page 8, one of the piec-

A Monthly Publication for Folks 50 and Better

P.O. Box 2000, 401 S. Main St., Livingston MT 59047

Tel. (406) 222-2000 or toll-free (800) 345-8412 Fax: (406) 222-8580
E-mail: montanabesttimes@livent.net Subscription rate: $25/yr.
Published monthly by Yellowstone Newspapers, Livingston, Montana
Dwight Harriman, Editor Sean Douma, Designer

Jim Miller, creator of the syndicated Savvy

Senior information column, is a longtime
advocate of senior issues. He has been featured in
Time magazine; is author of The Savvy Senior:
The Ultimate Guide to Health, Family and
Finances for Senior Citizens; and is a regular
contributor to the NBC Today show.

Whos eligible for Social Security

survivor benefits?
Dear Savvy Senior,
Who all is eligible for Social Security survivor benefits? My
ex-husband died last year at the age of 59, and I would like to
find out if me, or my two kids ages 13 and 16 that we had
together are eligible for anything?
Divorced Widow

Dear Divorced,
If your ex-husband worked and paid Social Security taxes, both
you and your kids may very well be eligible for survivor benefits,
but you need to act quickly because benefits are generally retroactive only up to six months. Heres what you should know.
Under Social Security law, when a person who has worked and
paid Social Security taxes dies, certain members of that persons
family may be eligible for survivor benefits including spouses,
former spouses and dependents. Heres a breakdown of who may
be eligible.

Widow(er)s and divorced widow(er)s:Surviving spousesare

eligible to collect a monthly survivor benefit as early as age 60 (50
if disabled). Divorced surviving spouses are also eligible at this
same age, if you were married at least 10 years and did not remarry before age 60 (50 if disabled), unless the marriage ends.
How much youll receive will depend on how much money
(earnings that were subject to Social Security taxes) your spouse
or ex-spouse made over their lifetime, and the age in which you
apply for survivors benefits.

If you wait until your full retirement age (which is 66 for people
born in 1945-1956 and will gradually increase to age 67 for people
born in 1962 or later), youll receive 100 percent of your deceased
spouses or ex-spouses benefit amount. But if you apply between

age 60 and your full retirement age, your benefit will be somewhere between 71.5 99 percent of their benefit.

To find out what percentage you can get under full retirement
age visitssa.gov/survivorplan/survivorchartred.htm.
There is, however, one exception. Surviving spouses and exspouses that are caring for a child (or children) of the deceased
worker, and they are under age 16 or disabled, are eligible to
receive 75 percent of the workers benefit amount at any age.

Unmarried children:Surviving unmarried children under

age 18, or up to age 19 if theyre still attending high school, are
eligible for survivor benefits too. Benefits can also be paid to children at any age if they were disabled before age 22 and remain
disabled. Both biological and adoptive children are eligible, as
well as kids born out of wedlock. Dependent stepchildren and
grandchildren may also qualify. Childrens benefits are 75 percent
of the workers benefit.

Dependent parents:Benefits can also be paid to dependent

parent(s) who are age 62 and older. For parents to qualify as
dependents, the deceased worker would have had to provide at
least one-half of the parents financial support.

But be aware that Social Security has limits on how much a

family can receive in monthly survivors benefits usually 150 to
180 percent of the workers benefit.
You also need to know that in addition to survivor benefits, surviving spouses or children are also eligible to receive a one-time
death benefit of $255.

Maximizing strategies

Social Security also provides surviving spouses and ex-spouses

some nice strategies that can help boost your benefits. For example, you could take a reduced survivor benefit at age 60, and
could switch to your own retirement benefit based on your earnings between 62 and 70 if it offers a higher payment.
Or, if youre already receiving retirement benefits on your
work record, you could switch to survivors benefits if it offers a
higher payment. You cannot, however, receive both benefits.
You also need to know that if you collect a survivor benefit
while working, and are under full retirement age, your benefits
may be reduced depending on your earnings.

For more information, visitssa.gov/survivorplanor call 800772-1213.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443,
Norman, OK 73070, or visitSavvySenior.org.
July 2016

Picture Perfect

Tony Manolis perfects his photography craft

Photo by Tony Manolis

A rodeo clown flips upside down as he flies off a bull at the Crow Agency rodeo in April 2014. Manolis may often
be seen taking pictures from behind the gate at local rodeos.

By Andrew Turck

Montana Best Times
HARDIN Many Big Horn County residents know Tony
Manolis as the grocery manager at Reese & Rays IGA in Hardin,
recognizable by his friendly demeanor and an ever-present King
Ropes trucker cap (they come in several colors).
More recently, Manolis, 53, has become known for his work
through Tony Manolis Photography sometimes action-packed,
sometimes serene.
In his photos, he draws from a background well-acquainted
with the country life, having been raised on a family farm along
the Little Bighorn River just outside of Lodge Grass. His favorite
time of year growing up better than Christmas Day was
when he got together with his family and friends to brand cattle.
I dont know how to explain it, he said. Wrestling calves
its just the excitement of living, I guess.
As he looked through photographs recently on his office laptop, Manolis pointed out some of his nature shots, taken at Yellowstone National Park two weeks before this interview.
Thats the grizzly bear, he said, looking at a photo by Blacktail Lake with birds making ripples across the water in the backJuly 2016

ground. He ate and ate, and then he took a nap.

As he scrolls through the photos, he reaches the one he took the
following day of a trumpeter swan floating on the Fire Hole River
with a drop of water still on its bill.

Photo by Andrew Turck

Tony Manolis discusses photography in his office at Reese &

Rays IGA in Hardin.

He was hooked, and has stuck with Canon cameras ever since.
To learn the fundamentals of shooting, rather than keeping his
camera on auto-focus, Manolis decided to enroll at night classes
50 miles away in Billings.
In the first exercise of his projects class, taught by photographer Warren Dignen, Manolis recalled entering a room with half
the lights off and being told to photograph a spinning fan at the
settings necessary to read a message on its blades.
He exited the course knowing how to use all the buttons on his
camera.
I signed up for his classes and had a great time, Manolis said.
As a matter of fact, most of them I took twice.

Every setting is a
trade-off.
Tony Manolis, discussing decisions
on camera settings

Taking the right shot

Photo by Tony Manolis

Tony Manolis photographed this trumpeter swan on May 10

at the Fire Hole River while lying on a river bank. According
to Manolis, shooting a scene from a different angle than usual
can add a unique touch and make it more interesting.
The river bank was only (a little) higher than the water, he
said, so I laid on the river bank and got a straight-on perspective
shot.

Learning the ropes

Photography for Manolis began in 2008, when he wanted to get

pictures of his son wrestling in tournaments for the Hardin High
School Bulldogs. He had watched others take photographs at
tournaments and wanted to try it for himself.
For pictures of the various holds, shots and throws, he first
used a Nikon film camera purchased by his wife, Jan, back when
she, herself, was in high school.
I would take her camera, go down to the mat and try to get
action shots, Manolis said. I didnt know how to work it or
anything; Id just hand it to her and say, Here, set this for me.
Then, he was introduced to the Canon Rebel XTI, which shot
clearly and in a digital format.
We were at a tournament and Don Warren said, Here, try
mine, Manolis said. Man, I went and shot all kinds of stuff. I
stopped on the way home and bought one just like it.

When he sat down to talk and be photographed for this interview, Manolis moved a bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
out of the frame. Even a perfect photograph of ranch dressing, he
quipped, is likely going to be boring.
According to Manolis, the first thing to keep in mind when taking a photo is ones subject. He believes a photographer should
ask, Is this a worthwhile shot?
He received further advice on the subject from Wes Eben
who at the time was publisher of the Big Horn County News
while taking photos of local wrestling events.
I could catch someone in the middle of a flip and Id think,
Man, I really have a shot here, because it was sharp and in
focus, and youd really be at the peak of the action, Manolis
said. He told me early on that it doesnt matter how much
action is in the shot if you dont have a face.
Second, Manolis said, a photographer should take into account
the areas lighting. His favorite events are rodeos kinetic competitions that are naturally clearer on sunny versus overcast days.
Adjusting for lighting is helped by a solid understanding of
what he calls the Exposure Triangle: ISO, shutter speed and
aperture. ISO designates a cameras sensitivity to light, shutter
speed is the time a camera shutter is open and aperture is the
amount of light allowed to pass into the camera body during that
period.
Every setting is a trade-off, he said. You can slow your shutter speed down, but then it will be overexposed. So then you have
to close your aperture down a little bit to let the same amount of
light in.
Third, he said, make sure the camera is focusing on the correct
object so it isnt blurry. To illustrate, he borrowed this reporters
camera and laid three pens on a nearby counter, focusing on each
pen individually and then all three.
He learned about focus during his classes by taking pictures of
different lengthwise increments on a yardstick.
Finally, he said, going back to his trumpeter swan picture,
See Picture Perfect, Page 15
July 2016
7

MT Best Times photos by Deb Hill

Above and on the cover: Sandy Hanson, left, and Edna Stowell share some of the materials theyve discovered during their genealogy research. The two volunteer at their churchs family history center, helping others learn how to do family history research.

Diving into the past

Genealogical research connects the generations

By Deb Hill
Montana Best Times
LEWISTOWN So, whos your daddy? No, really do you know?
This and similar questions are behind
ancestry research, a growing field of both
professionals and family history enthusiasts. Its safe to say what keeps many of
these historians going is the urge to know
where, or more precisely who, they came
from.

Getting hooked

Ive been researching my family tree for

over 40 years, said Sandy Hanson, of
Lewistown. It started when I was looking
for my ex-husbands family in North Carolina. The first thing I found was a will listing specific items to be inherited by family
members, including my husband.
It was like throwing gasoline on a fire,
she said, remembering the effect that
uncovering just this small amount of information had on her at the time. I was
July 2016

hooked on family history research.

For Edna Stowell, a 50-year veteran of
genealogical research, finding information
about her grandfather had the same effect.

Once the
genealogy bug
infects you, you are blessed
with a whole new calling.
Sandy Hanson
We knew he was from Germany, and we
knew he changed his last name to Bailey
after he arrived in the U.S., but we didnt
know much more. Then, some years ago
when Ancestry.com started, suddenly I got
all this information on him. Someone had
posted his photo, which we never had, and
someone else had a diary he wrote when he
went from Germany to England and then to
the U.S., Stowell said. For me, this is
what its about.

LDS center help

Both Hanson and Stowell volunteer at

the Church of Latter Day Saints Family
History Center in Lewistown, where they
spend their time helping others trying to
learn more about their roots.
Theres a difference between genealogy
and family history, Stowell said. Genealogy is the list of names and dates, but family history is the stories and really getting to
know the people in your personal history.
The Lewistown Family History Center is
run by Director Ron Brurud, who said it is
open to anyone, not just church members,
and its free.
The Lewistown center is a good one,
Brurud said, but many of the Mormon
Church wards Fort Benton, Great Falls,
Malta, Havre, Harlowton also have
good ones. Anyone who wants to get started researching their family tree can come in
and use our resources.
You dont have to worry that well try to
convert you, either, he added, smiling.
Brurud, who has been researching his
own family for more than 40 years, said he

10 minutes or so, but

you find out you
cant quit, he
warned.
Hanson agrees.
Three hours, six
hours, 10 hours later
you find yourself still
looking, she
laughed. Once the
genealogy bug
infects you, you are
blessed with a whole
new calling.

Advice from
experts

Think you want to

get started? Here is
some advice from the
three experts:
Start with yourself. Write down
everything you know
Some of the many documents, stories and books resulting about your immediate
from Edna Stowells family research cover a table. Stowell family, including full
names and any dates
distributes the materials at family gatherings.

of birth, death or marriages you know.
started with his living parents and grand Talk to your relatives now dont
parents.
put it off. Ask questions about what they
I found out what they knew and wrote
remember about immediate family memit all down, he said. I entered that on
bers.
family pedigree charts. My grandma had
Write down stories and anecdotes
boxes of photos, and I had copies made.
about family members.
For some she knew who the people were,
Visit a family history center or use an
and for some she didnt. Now I have boxonline program to enter the information
es of family photos myself, and its the
you already have and find out what addisame some I know, some I dont.
tional information is out there.
Brurud said he spent hours in church
See if there are genealogy classes
family history centers, courthouses and
offered in your area. The Lewistown Famother places where records are stored,
ily History Center offers a free six-week
before the internet made genealogical
class to help people get started with their
research easier.
family research. Other classes might be
I used to be hunched over microfilm
available in your region.
and microfiche readers, he said. Now
Write down what you find out, make
Im on the computer looking at the same
sort of thing: birth and death records, mili- copies of photographs, and give them to
other members of your family.
tary records, census lists, marriage certifiYou owe a great deal to those in your
cates much of it is online now.
past. These people, your ancestors, are
Brurud said the development of webpart of who you are, Stowell said. You
sites such as www.Ancestry.com or the
need to know where you came from. Our
free LDS version, www.familysearch.org,
have made this type of research much eas- ancestors give us strengths. Weve had
some doozies in my family, but the stories
ier, something he feels has led to the
about them, good and bad, are why I love
increased interest in genealogy.
doing this research.
Im retired, and this is an intriguing

and engrossing avocation, Brurud said.

However, he does have a caution for
Deb Hill is the managing editor of the
would-be genealogists: You find yourself Lewistown News-Argus. Reach her at ediwith a few free minutes and you think
tor@lewistownnews.com or (406) 535youll just sit down and look things up for 3401.

Caution: Unexpected
emotional connections
may occur

enealogy is like a mystery to

Sandy Hanson, but although she
loves playing detective, she had
no idea her passion for family history
might lead to solving the largest mystery
in her own life.
Hanson was adopted as a baby, and
while she grew up knowing that, she did
not know anything about her birth family,
with which she had no contact.
When I turned 50, I started becoming
concerned about health issues and
thought it was time to find out about my
genetic family, she said. Because I
know how to research, I was able to find
my birth mother. I knew she was 21 when
she had me, and I knew where Id been
born. I just took it from there.
Sadly, Hansons research did not lead
to a happy, Hollywood-style ending, at
least not right away.
I spoke with my birth mother once, on
the phone, she said. She didnt suggest
meeting or make any effort to stay in
touch. But for many years I would send
her a card once a year with photos of my
children. I thought shed like to see them.
A few years ago Hanson tried to
arrange a face-to-face meeting but, she
says, I was informed that she didnt
want to meet me.
Communication lapsed until Hanson
decided to send her mother an 80th birthday card, and went online to check the
address. It was then she learned her birth
mother was deceased.
From the obituary, I learned my mothers oldest sister was still alive, Hanson
said. She was 95. So I reached out to
her, and recently I spent six days visiting
her. It was amazing. I love my adoptive
family, and they were wonderful to me,
so I didnt expect this visit with my aunt
to be so emotional.
But when I saw her, I felt like it filled a
hole in my heart that I didnt know existed. I could see my own self in her, my
eyes, my smile, my face. Now I can look
in the mirror, and know I look like somebody else. Because I knew how to do this
history, I was able to find my aunt and its
been the best experience of my life.
July 2016

Montana descendant of circus family

recalls days under the big top
phur Springs. Fresh out of high
school, he joined the family
business for five years on
theroad, and did everything
from handling ticket sales to
ensuring things were set up to
advertising.
It was a hard life.
If you did not like to work,
you did not join a circus, he
said.
At 96, Paul is still driving,
active and his mind is sharp as
a tack as he reminiscences
about the familys circus
andthe years he was a part of
the greatest show on earth.

History of the circus

MT Best Times photos by Elaine Forman

Paul Ringling is pictured inside his Miles City home recently.

Ringling is a grandson one of the Ringling brothers who
helped found the original Ringling Brothers Circus.

By Elaine Forman

Montana Best Times
MILES CITY Bright
lights, elephants, tigers,
giraffes, rhinos, performers
and a crowd of more than
14,000 allunder the Big Top
for the greatest show on Earth:
the Ringling Bros. and Barnum
and Bailey Circus.
July 2016

10

One of those who was a part

of it all is Miles City resident
Paul Ringling, a grandson of
one of the Ringling brothers,Alfred Theodore Ringling,
whom they called Alf T.
Pauls father, Richard,
owned a third of the circus at
one time. He died when Paul
was 11 years old.
Paul grew up in White Sul-

Pauls great-grandfather
Gus Ringling was a harness
maker, and he and his wife,
Marie Salome, were German
andFrench emigrants who settled in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Five of their children
Albert Al, Otto, Alf T., Charlie and John founded the
original Ringling Brothers Circus.
Over the years, Al directed
the performance; Otto handled
the money and had the nickname the King; Alf T.handled the booking and advertising; Charlie handled general
management; and John took
care of logistics.
Al, the oldest brother, actually worked with a circus previously and in 1884 the Ringling Bros. Circus began
inBaraboo.
Back then, circuses were
referred to as mud shows
because they traveled by horse
teams, which was a dirty
wayto travel, Paul said.
The circus season began the
first of April and ran until the
first week of November.
The first performance of the
year was a 30-day engagement
at Madison Square Gardens in

New York City. Afterthat there

were seven days in Boston,
five in Brooklyn, three in
Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, then one day in JerseyCity. Every stop after that
was a single-day stop.
The Madison Square Gardens and Boston performances
were in buildings, while all the
rest were under thecanvas,
Paul said.
The big top could hold 200
more people than Madison
Square Garden did, Paul said,
and each could hold more
than14,000 people.
In 1907 the Ringling Bros.
bought out the Barnum and
Bailey Circus and operated the
circuses separately for afew
years. In 1919 they combined
the two to be the Ringling
Bros. and Barnum and Bailey
Circus the name it still
hastoday, almost 100 years
later.

Pauls role
in the circus

Paul began working in the

family business once he graduated from high school in 1937.
In 1937 any kind of job was
a good job, he said.
The first day of work was in
Worcester, Massachusetts.
I liked it. I liked having a
job. I was interested in what
was going on, he said.
He had two sisters Jane
and Mable.
Mable was a bally girl,
riding saddle horses and
swinging on ladders, Paul said.
In those next five years, he
traveled all over the country
and into Canada.
The circus traveled town to
town by train, which was
divided into four sections:
The squadron, which had
the cook house and similar
cars.

Above: An original poster from the early days of the Ringling Bros. Circus, before the Ringlings bought out Barnum and Baileys circus.
Below: A carver made a one-of-a-kind woodcut of the Ringling Bros. Al, Charles, Otto, Alf
T. and John long ago, which belongs to Paul Ringling.

The second section had the

big top canvas and most of the
physical part of the set-up.
The third was the sideshow,
ticket wagons and the animals.
The fourth was the actors
in the Pullman cars.
When I worked the circus,
it was a 100-car railroad train.
(The train cars) all belonged to

the circus, he said.

The first two years I worked
were the last two years the circus used teams of four, six and
eight horses to move everything into place. After that they
used tractors and trailers, he
said.
Each railroad car was 72 feet
long, compared to todays cars

that are 35 feet long, Paul said.

He remembers the wake-up
call was at 3 a.m., and they
worked until the circus performance ended at 10 p.m.,
thenthey had to roll out of
town to make the next show.
At each stop, the layout of
every tent and wagon had to be
in the exact same place in relation to everything else.
Everything had to work.
You moved to a new town
every day, Paul said.
The circus consisted of
1,200 animals and 1,200 people that had to be moved each
day.
The first two years, he
worked in the ticket department and the second two years
he worked with the operation
ofthe circus.
I made sure everything was
set up and everything was
working, Paul said.
The last year he worked with
the outdoor advertising on bill-

boards and store buildings. He

ran about 12 daysahead of the
circus and posted bills (posters) and banners.
He served in World War II
first in the First Army Signal Corps, then in the Air
Corps in Italy and North
Africa.After the war, he went
to school on the GI Bill.
In 1946 he was going to go
back to the circus, but he and
his wife Althea, hadnt seen
each other for three years,
sohe decided to settle down
and ranch. He never returned
to the circus again, either as an
employee or a spectator.
Paul and his family lived
near White Sulphur Springs in
Springdale, then in Carter
County in the southeast corner
ofthe state.
He remembers his days with
the circus fondly.
It was the best-paying job
in my life, he said.
His home has several pieces
of memorabilia on display: a
one-of-a-kind woodcut picture
of the five Ringlingbrothers, an
original circus poster printed
before the Ringling Bros.
bought out Barnum and Bailey
and a couple ofcartoon
drawings of the circus, including two from newspaper cartoonists Raymond C. Ewer and
Alfred Frueh that wereautographed to the brothers.

Montana ties

Besides being raised in

White Sulphur Springs, his
great-uncle John Ringling built
and promoted an independent
railroad branch from a small
communitycalled Leader,
which was later renamed Ringling, to the Milwaukee Railroad tracks in White Sulphur
Springs.
Later, a town in Oklahoma
was renamed Ringling because
John built a railroad branch
line there also.

Elaine Forman is the news

editor at the Miles City Star.
Reach her at starcity@midrivers.com or (406) 234-0450.
July 2016

11

Travel

Here are some close-to-home

cruises on our inland
waterways and Great Lakes
By Kathy Witt
Kathy Witt/TNS
Bourbon, blonde bombshells and behind-the-scenes tours of
Mark Twains Hannibal hometown cruises on Americas
inland waterways and Great Lakes step up the fun factor this
summer with themed voyages aboard several close-to-home
cruise ships.

Bourbon and water

The worlds largest steamboat, the grand and elegant American Queen, journeys from St. Louis to Cincinnati and the reverse
on two nine-day themed itineraries: Bourbon (July 10-18) and
Presidents & Politics (July 17-25). Both excursions take passengers right into Americas heartland: St. Louis and Cape
Girardeau, MO; Paducah, Brandenburg and Louisville, KY; and
Cincinnati, Ohio.
On the former, youll dip into the history and culture of bourbon and bourbon making with noted experts: Makers Marks
legendary master distiller Bill Samuels Jr., who crafted Makers
46; Donn Flinn of Buffalo Trace Distillery, the worlds most

Photo courtesy American Cruise Lines/TNS

Laze on the sun deck aboard an American Cruise Lines paddlewheeler, copy of a Mark Twain classic in hand.
award-winning distillery; and Michael Veach, a leading authority
on the history of bourbon and author of Kentucky Bourbon
Whiskey: An American Heritage.
Calls will be made at some of Kentucky Bourbon Countrys
most famous bourbon distilleries for complimentary tours: Jim
Beam Distillery at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, Heaven
Hill Bourbon Heritage Center, Willett Distillery and Wild Turkey. Of course, several are located in the Bourbon Capital of the
World Bardstown, Ky.

Dementia

Our Commitment

to Caring

406-628-8251

820 3rd Ave., Laurel, MT

www.laurelhealthandrehab.com
July 2016

12

Nursing Services
Rehabilitation Services
Post-Acute Care
Activities Program
Social Services

Coinciding with the GOP Convention is American Queens

Presidents & Politics cruise, featuring onboard presentations,
including a Presidential Press Conference with Mr. Lincoln,
The Laughter of Politics, Presidents Who Changed the Office
and Presidency and the Media, among others.
Special onboard guests include Dr. Michael Nelson, historian
and author of more than 25 books on the presidency, elections,
southern politics and other topics; George Buss, a sixth generation Illinoisan who has interpreted Abraham Lincoln for a quarter
century and to critical acclaim; and Mark Russell, who offers
humorous commentary on topical political news.

The mighty Mississippi

American Cruise Lines voyages into Mark Twain Country with

its tribute cruises to Americans foremost humorist and author.
Departing from St. Louis, authentic paddlewheelers Queen of the
Mississippi or America ACLs newest, which sailed her maiden voyage in May, 2016 will visit upper Mississippi towns,
including Hannibal, MO; Davenport, Dubuque and La Crosse,
Iowa; and Red Wing and St. Paul, MN.
The Mississippi River towns are comely, clean, well built, and
pleasing to the eye, and cheering to the spirit, Twain wrote in
Life on the Mississippi. The Mississippi Valley is as reposeful as
a dreamland, nothing worldly about it . . . nothing to hang a fret
or a worry upon.
So relax with a copy of Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as you glide along a picturesque shoreline, cosseted
in the elegant comfort of the vessels Victorian-style decor. The
highlight of this trip? An exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the
town where Twain lived from age four to 17 that includes the
Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum and the Becky

Thatcher House.
Departure dates for this cruise are July 16, 23 and 30, Aug. 27,
Sept. 3 and 24 and Oct. 1 and 8.

Jazzed about nostalgia

It is fitting that two of Un-Cruise Adventures music-themed

cruises take place on its replica 1900s coastal steamer, the SS
Legacy. Resplendent with Old World charm and turn-of-the-century decor, this modern small ship is both elegant and casual
and the perfect backdrop for summer jazz and 1940s-style music
cruises on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Headlining the July 23 departure is Josephine Josie Howell.
With vocal talents ranging from jazz to R&B, Howell is considered one of the best female vocalists in the Pacific Northwest and
was runner-up in the Seattle Stars singing competition. Accompanying Howell will be Paul Richardson, noted keyboard player
who has performed with such pop and jazz stars as Herbie Hancock, The Headhunters and Blood, Sweat and Tears, among many
others.
On July 30, Americas Bombshell Duo, Erinn Diaz and
Amanda Newman of the group Letters From Home, brings the
1940s to the SS Legacy. Known for their comedic and moving
patriotic performances, the two entertainers combine beautiful
harmonies, brilliantly choreographed tap dancing and audience
interaction in their shows.
Both have impressive resumes. Diaz is a national tap dance
champion and published author who has worked on over 250 theatrical productions nationwide and been in several TV shows and
movies. Newman is a dancer who has competed nationally, a choreographer and dance teacher who has performed for a number of
theatres and dance companies.
See Close to home, Page 18

Jody invites you in to

TAKE A PEEK!
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experience in the automobile industry. His focus is on
excellent customer service and value.

FOR NICE CLEAN PRE-OWNED

CARS, TRUCKS AND SUVS

Auto Connection
Auto Sales

317 E. Main St., Laurel, MT 59044

406-672-5550

Auto Connection can locate any type of vehicle you are looking for!
Give Jody Fischer a call and deal directly with the dealer/owner NO DOC Fees!
July 2016

13

y
k
S
g
Bi
Birding
Terry McEneaney is ornithologist emeritus for Yellowstone National Park, and is the author of three books: Birding Montana, Birds of
Yellowstone, and The Uncommon Loon. He has been watching birds for 50 years and is one of Montanas most experienced birders.

A rare bird habitat taken to the extreme

EDITORS NOTE:
Montana Best Times
has been featuring
some of the fascinating adventures Terry
McEneaney had
when he was Yellowstone National Parks
ornithologist. Following is another
excerpt from a new book he is writing,
Lucky Feathers: Adventures and Experiences of a Yellowstone Ornithologist.

Anyone familiar with Yellowstone

National Park knows the overall general
tree species found throughout the park.
They include lodgepole pine, Engelmann
spruce, Douglas-fir, aspen, narrowleaf cottonwood, and sub-alpine fir. But what
about ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)?
No, if you look at a range distribution
map for the ponderosa pine, it can be
found distributed in northwest and central
Montana and central and eastern Wyoming, usually in warmer, drier areas with
less snow pack. The ponderosa pine is
found a long way from Yellowstone
National Park, right?
Today there is not a single ponderosa
pine tree in Yellowstone, but what if I told
you in the 1990s there was one ponderosa
pine. That is right, one lone tree situated in
Mammoth. And how did it get to Mammoth, Wyoming? It was a gift to Yellowstone National Park from the governor and
citizens of Montana, and the gift was the
ponderosa pine, the state tree of Montana.
So the gift tree was planted next to the
superintendents stately stone house in
upper Mammoth in the early 1990s.
Incidentally, the tree no longer exists in
Mammoth it was removed in the early
21st century because it did not represent a
tree species native to Yellowstone National
Park. The gifted ponderosa pine tree grew
July 2016

14

about a foot a year, so it started to become

noticeable in size in the late 1990s. I
watched the tree grow over the years as
viewed through my office window, and
could never figure out its true ecological
value to Yellowstone other than a gift with
goodwill intentions.

streak on its wing.

Flammulated owls are the size of a
medium human fist so about 6 inches
long, and weigh a mere 1-2 ounces. Flammulated Owls are the only small owl species with dark eyes in North America.
Larger owl species such as Barn, Spotted,
and Barred owls also possess the atypical
dark eyes. Most North American owls possess yellow eyes, but the darker-eyes owls
are reserved for the more strictly nocturnal

Flammulated owls are the size

of a medium human fist ...
about 6 inches long, and
weigh a mere 1-2 ounces.

Photo by Greg Lasley/

courtesy U.S. Geological Survey

Pictured is the diminutive Flammulated Owl.

Appearance of the owl

But on the 30th of October 1999, I

quickly changed my mind as to the unintended value of this ponderosa pine.
Because sometime during the darkness
of the evening of Oct. 29 and the morning of Oct. 30, a small owl landed in the
lone ponderosa and stayed there until
early morning light. The bird in question
was identified as a Flammulated Owl
(Psiloscops flammeolus), named flammulated for its reddish flame-colored
feathers on its face and bold scapular

hunters. Flammulated owls are unique in

that they feed almost exclusively on
insects. In addition, Flammulated Owls are
highly migratory, spending the summers in
the ponderosa pine habitats of western
North America, and wintering in similar
long-needle pine habitats of Mexico and
Central America.
Getting back to the morning of the 30th
of October 1999, this particular Flammulated Owl was chased by several Blackbilled Magpies (Pica hudsonica) from Yellowstones only ponderosa pine to a nearby spruce tree (called the Yellowstone
Christmas tree located between the superintendent house and the administration
building), where it was killed by the menacing magpies.

Habitat specific

The death of the Flammulated Owl represented many firsts. It represented the
first and last record of a ponderosa pine in
Yellowstone. It represented to date the first
and only sight record of a Flammulated
Owl in Yellowstone National Park. It also

represents the only museum specimen of a Yellowstone Flammulated Owl.

But most importantly, it emphasizes that some birds are
very habitat specific, and imprinted on their habitat habitat imprinted sort of speak. In the final analysis, it showed
how remarkably imprinted Flammulated Owls are to their
ponderosa pine habitat. Strange as it sounds, the Flammulated
Owl was found in a ponderosa pine in Yellowstone. As the

park ornithologist, it was imperative that I saved the carcass

and preserved it as a museum study skin for the historical
record.
So if you are ever passing by Mammoth, Wyoming and the
Fort Yellowstone administrative area of Yellowstone National
Park, you might recall this story of the rare Flammulated Owl,
the lone ponderosa pine, the recovered museum specimen, and
literally the rare bird habitat taken to the extreme.

Photo by Jim Eshleman

Tony Manolis monitors his first ever gallery opening at the Big Horn County Historical Museum on May 17. He takes photos
of many events, though his favorite subject is a rodeo.
Picture perfect, from Page 7

aiming a camera at the right angle can

often give a shot that extra spark.
Everybody sees them from a higher
angle, because youre standing up, he
said of the picture, but if you get down
on the water level and shoot straight at the
bird, people dont see that often, and it
makes the photograph interesting.

Opening a gallery

When Diana Scheidt, director of the Big

Horn County Historical Museum, asked
Manolis to put his photos in the buildings
gallery, he was at first reluctant.
I was visiting with Tony at the IGA
store and he said, Diana, I want to show
you some work, she said. He took me
upstairs and was showing me the photos,
and the stories behind the photos were just
fascinating. I said, Tony, youre so good.
Have you ever had a show?
He said, Youre just embarrassing me.

Youre embarrassing me.

Those acquainted with Scheidts persistence wont be surprised to learn his gallery opened on May 17 and will continue
showing until July 30.
Preparing for the show, Manolis wanted
to make sure he picked the right photographs and didnt overload the room with
one topic. The day of the grand opening,
he said, he was really nervous.
One thing I did I probably shouldnt
tell you one thing I did before I went,
he said, I stopped by 4 Aces and had a
whisky.
The response to the gallery, according to
Manolis and Scheidt, was positive.
It was an honor to give him that
showing, Scheidt said, because he does
have a love for the community and the
history.
In the meantime, those visiting the
county for rodeos, Crow Fair, Little Big

Horn Days and more will likely find

Manolis on the sidelines with his camera.
At this point, he said, his photography
habit has become self-perpetuating.
The more pictures I took, the more
gear I wanted, he said, and the more
gear I wanted, the more pictures Id have
to take to get (more gear).
Just recently, he has purchased a Canon
7D Mark II, a camera with a 10-framesper-second continuous shooting speed
designed for sports and wildlife photographers. He also intends to upgrade his current lens.
His photography is available at www.
tonymanolisphotography.com, and he may
be reached at (406) 665-5167.

Andrew Turck is the editor of the Big

Horn County News. Reach him at news@
bighorncountynews.com or (406) 6651008.
July 2016

15

On The Menu

A new approach to a summer

staple drink, a Mango Margarita
consists of two cups of ripe mango, some lime juice and tequila.

A new twist to chicken and noodles, this recipe calls for avocados
and jalepeos for sauce on zucchini noodles and features grilled
chicken breast.

July 2016

16

Time to Celebrate!!

July is a month that is made for celebrating. Not

only is the anniversary of our nations independence
in July this is the month when its warm enough
that even old guys like your Best Times recipe contributor can be comfortable outside in shorts and a
T-shirt.
Many of us mature citizens run to the closet
and don a down parka at the sight of the first snow
flake in September. But Old Man Winters return to
the Treasure State seems to be a very long way off
in July.
On days when it gets to be a bit overly warm in
the house, the air conditioner will save the day.
Since it doesnt make sense to be cooling down the

With Jim Durfey

house with one unit and heating it up with another

(your kitchen oven), the recipe below is perfect for
the warm months. The chicken in the dish is cooked
on the outdoor grill.
If you have friends who are gluten intolerant, this
recipe also fits in their diet plans.
A cool, fruity libation is the perfect aperitif during
the warm month of July. The mango margarita recipe below will get rave reviews from your dinner
guests if you use ripe mangos.
Because ripe mangos sometimes have a slightly
stringy texture, its a good idea to give the mango
pieces plenty of time to break down in the blender.

MANGO margaritas
Place all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth.
Pour salt on cutting board or in small bowl.
Run lime wedge around rim of each glass.
Dip glass rim in salt.
Chill glasses.
Pour margarita mixture into glasses and serve.

Spicy avocado sauce

over chicken & zoodles
Place first seven ingredients in blender and puree.
Slowly add oil.
Gradually add water until desired consistency is reached.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Place zucchini noodles on plate.
Put a chicken breast over noodles.
Top with avocado sauce.

2 c. ripe mango,
chopped
1 c. lime juice
c. agave nectar
1 c. tequila (tequila made from
100 percent agave is best)
2 c. ice
For garnish:
Salt
Lime slices

2 ripe avocados, pits removed, scooped and cubed

2 garlic cloves, minced
Juice from 1 lemon
1 jalapeo, stem and seeds removed
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. ground chipotle pepper or more to taste
3 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 c. water
Salt and pepper to taste
Boneless chicken breast halves, grilled
Zucchini noodles that have been peeled to form spirals

July 2016

17

Close to home, from Page 13

Great lakes magic

Blount Small Ship Adventures has three eight-night Magical

Lake Michigan voyages that live up to the name with visits to
these enchanting ports in Michigan and Wisconsin: Holland, its
Dutch heritage reflected in an authentic 275-year-old working
windmill and cobblestone sidewalks; Beaver Island with its scenic beaches; Mackinac Island with its movie set good looks, proliferation of fudge shops and horse-drawn carriages and Grand
Hotel lined with 100 rocking chairs; Sturgeon Bay, a coastal idyll
marked by lighthouses and charming downtown; and lively Milwaukee, where you can hoist a craft beer from one of many brewpubs.
Cruising from Chicagos bustling Navy Pier, the parks iconic
Ferris wheel looming large against the skyline, departures take
place on July 14, July 23 and August 1. Likened to sailing aboard
a friends yacht, onboard life is personalized and relaxed, with
family-style meals, a welcome BYOB policy (Blount provides
mixers) and casual evening gatherings.

Planning your travels

American Cruise Lines, www.AmericanCruiseLines.com,

800-460-4518. The largest U.S. cruise company and operator of
the newest fleet of small cruise ships and riverboats in the United
States, American Cruise Line offers more than 35 itineraries,
from four to 21 nights, to the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, New
England, the Southeast and the entire Mississippi River system.
Daily lectures, ranging from history and ecology to culture and
cuisine, plus complimentary evening cocktail hour and wine and
beer with lunch and dinner are part of the fun.
American Queen Steamboat Company, www.AmericanQueenSteamboatCompany.com, 888-749-5280. Cruise fare
includes complimentary hop-on/hop-off shore excursions in each
port of call, a deluxe hotel stay the night before your voyage and
transfers to the American Queen, all onboard meals, 24-hour
room service, complimentary wine and beer with dinner and specialty coffees, tea, bottled water and soft drinks throughout, daily
lectures by the onboard Riverlorian historian and more.
Blount Small Ship Adventures, www.BlountSmallShipAdventures.com, 800-556-7450. Fare includes including complimentary house wine and beer with lunch and dinner and entertainment like glass bottom boat tours, snorkeling excursions and
performances by local musicians, storytellers and area experts.
Three Magical Lake Michigan departures are offered this summer, each with a discount: 20 percent off per person July 14;
30 percent off per person July 23rd; and 20 percent off per
person _ August 1. NOTE: These offers expire July 15, 2016.
Un-Cruise Adventures, www.Un-Cruise.com, 888-8628881. Celebrating 20 years of small ship cruise adventures in
2016, this line offers off-the-beaten-path explorations: smallgroup up-close discoveries, unspoiled natural wonders, insightful
cultural encounters. Anniversary special: Save $300 per couple
($150/person) on NEW bookings for travel now through November 19, 2016.
Valid on new reservations made by July 1, 2016; call for details
and offer code.

Author and travel and lifestyle writer Kathy Witt feels you
should never get to the end of your bucket list; theres just too
much to see and do in the world. Contact her at KathyWitt24@
gmail.com, @KathyWitt.
July 2016
18

July 8

2-Day Folk Music Festival in the nations largest

National Historic Landmark District, Butte, MT. $215/
ppd.

July 20 6-Day Iceland Land of Fire and Ice. A unique

destination of pristine nature, geothermal pools,
waterfalls vibrant culture deeply rooted in ancient
heritage. $2999/ppd., including RT air from Billings.
Call for availability.
Aug. 5

9-Day Nova Scotia & Canada Maritime, featuring

Halifax, the Cabot Trail and Prince Edward Island.
$3248/ppd, including RT air from Billings. Call for
availability.

Aug. 23 2-Day Medora Musical, Pitchfork Steak Fondue

Dinner, Tour the Chateau de Mores, and more
$346/ppd..
Sept. 27 4-Day Annual Norsk Hostfest Festival, Minot, ND.
Guess whos back? Yes, Daniel ODonnell & Mary
Duff; 2006 Top Female Vocalist, Singer & Songwriter
Sara Evans; daily unlimited entertainment by wellknown artists and groups; tours and more $899/
ppd; add $349 for single.
Oct. 10 3-Day Deadwood Getaway - Fall Trip. $158/ppd..
This popular trip will soon sell out. Reserve your seat
early!
Nov. 14 5-Day Branson Musical Tour. Branson is undoubtedly
known for its hospitality, friendliness and amazing
world-class shows, including the much awaited
return of Daniel ODonnell; Jerusalem with Dudu
Fisher (known for his stirring performance as Jean
Valjean in the hot Broadway Musical, Les Miserable);
Showboat Branson Belle; and more. $1,728/ppd,
including RT air from Billings.
Dec. 3

8-Day Christmas Market Cruise on the Danube.

Germany and Austria. Join-in the festive atmosphere
and Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Regensburg,
Passau, Linz and Vienna. Starting at $3684/ppd.,
including RT air from Billings and port charges.

For additional tours, please call Lily Moore at:

(406) 256-1492 or email her at lily@gdplanners.com.
You may also visit company website: www.gdplanners.com

 Friday, July 1
Leisure and Luxury in the Age of Nero: The Villas of
Oplantis Near Pompeii, through Dec. 31, Museum of the
Rockies, Bozeman
Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum, through October,
Glendive
Beast Benefit Reception and Family Night with Jack Hanna, Banovich Art Center, Livingston
Chicago, the Musical, through July 10, Shane Lalani Center
for the Arts, Livingston
Landscapes and Lathes, through July 2, Livingston Center for
Art and Culture, Livingston
Music at Pine Creek Lodge, through July 13, Livingston
The Art of Tom L. Roberts and 1916: 100 Years ago in Park
County, through Sept. 30, Yellowstone Gateway Museum of Park
County, Livingston
Yellowstone Engraved, through July 31, WaterWorks Art Museum, Miles City
 Saturday, July 2
Gallatin Valley Farmers Market, Saturdays through Sept. 10,
Gallatin Valley Fairgrounds, Bozeman
Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train, 5:30 p.m.,
Hanover Boarding Station, Lewistown
Festival of the Arts, through July 4, Depot Rotary Park, Livingston
Livingston Roundup PRCA Rodeo, through July 4, Park
County Fairgrounds, Livingston
Crow Scout Party tee-pee camping on the Crow Reservation, through Sept., Lodge Grass
Yellowstone Engraved, through July 31, WaterWorks Art Museum, Miles City
 Monday, July 4
Music in the Mountains, through July 28, Big Sky Town Center, Big Sky
 Tuesday, July 5
Bogert Park Farmers Market, Tuesdays through Sept. 27,
Bogert Park, Bozeman
 Wednesday, July 6
WSE Livingston Farmers Market, Wednesdays through Sept.

21, Miles Park, Livingston

 Friday, July 8
Crazy Mountain Dulcimer Players, 5-7 p.m., Big Timber
Carnegie Library, Big Timber
53rd Annual Yellowstone River Boat Float, through July 10,
Mayors Landing, Livingston-Columbus
 Friday, July 15
Art Walk, 5:30-8 p.m., downtown Livingston
Summerfest Along the Yellowstone, 2-10 p.m., Miles Park,
Livingston
 Saturday, July 16
Gallatin Valley Swap Meet, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Gallatin County
Fairgrounds, Bozeman
KISS Freedom to Rock Tour, 8 p.m., Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, Bozeman
Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train, 5:30 p.m.,
Hanover Boarding Station, Lewistown
 Monday, July 18
James Taylor and his All-Star Band, 8 p.m., Brick Breeden
Fieldhouse, Bozeman
 Thursday, July 21
Roundhouse Roundup, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Livingston Depot
Center, Livingston
 Saturday, July 23
Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train, 5:30 p.m.,
Hanover Boarding Station, Lewistown
 Saturday, July 30
20th annual Fiesta Car Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., South Park,
Billings
63rd Annual Mexican Fiesta, South Park on 6th Avenue South
and South 30th St., Billings
Mexican Fiesta Dance, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., Radisson Billings Hotel
Convention Center, 5500 Midland Road, Billings
July 2016

19

RSVP

Below is a list of volunteer openings available through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in
communities across southern Montana. To learn more about RSVP, call (800) 424-8867 or TTY (800) 833-3722;
or log on to www. seniorcorps.org.

Custer & Rosebud counties

- CNADA: Needs a volunteer to answer

phones and other receptionist duties. You
choose the hours and days.
- Clinic Ambassador: Need volunteer to
greet patients and visitors, providing directions and more, two locations.
- Custer County Community Table
Volunteers needed to serve meals, wash
dishes and greet the public at the Soup
Kitchen.
- Custer County Food Bank: Volunteer
assistants needed for 8 a.m-1:30 p.m.,
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to
process donations, stock shelves and more.
- DAV van: Drivers needed to provide
transportation to veterans to medical
appointments.
- Eagles Manor: Volunteer exercise
class leader needed, 1-2 days a week, you
pick the days and the exercise for residents.
- Health Clinic: One ambassador needed
for afternoon shifts.
- Miles City Soup Kitchen: Desperately
seeking servers and greeters Monday-Friday; pick a day of the week you would
like to serve.
- St. Vincent DePaul: Volunteers to
assist in several different capacities.
- VA Activities: Application packet
available at VA Activities Directors
Office.
- RSVP: Volunteers needed to help with
Gramma's Ice Cream Shoppe during the
Eastern MT Fair, to prepare and serve dinner for 4-H members on Aug. 9, Harvest
for Seniors, and Adopt-A-Spot Clean Up.
- WaterWorks Art Museum: Needs volunteers to assist in summer kids classes.
Also need volunteer receptionists, 2-hour
shifts Tuesdays-Sundays;
If you are interested in these or other volunteer opportunities please contact: Betty
Vail, RSVP Director; 210 Winchester Ave.
#413, Miles City, MT 59301; phone (406)
234-0505; email: rsvp05@midrivers.com.

Fergus & Judith Basin counties

- American Red Cross: Seeking to build

a Fergus County Disaster Action Team to
assist during local emergencies.
- Art Center: In need of volunteers on
Saturdays.
- Boys and Girls Club: seeking a seasonal volunteer to maintain their memorial
July 2016

20

garden.
- Central Montana Fairgrounds: Seeking
volunteers to manage the ice machines at
the Central Montana Fair 2016.
- Central Montana Youth Mentoring:
Seeking clerical support.
- Community Cupboard (Food Bank):
Volunteers are needed to help any week
mornings as well as with deliveries.
- Council on Aging: Volunteers needed
to assist at the daily Grubstakes meal and
with clerical help during the busy lunch
hour.
- Library: Volunteer help always appreciated.
- Relay for Life: Seeking volunteers to
work various roles before and during the
annual event held on July 8, 2016.
- ROWL (Recycle Our Waste Lewistown): Looking for volunteers to join
teams baling recyclables.
- Treasure Depot: Thrift store needs volunteers to sort, hang clothes and put other
items on display for sale, especially need
additional volunteers on Saturdays.
-Valle Vista: Multiple opportunities to
volunteer with the elderly residents.
- Office of Veterans Affairs: Seeking
clerical support.
- RSVP always has various needs for
your skills and volunteer services in our
community.
Contact: RSVP Volunteer Coordinator
Sara Wald, 404 W. Broadway, Wells Fargo
Bank building, (upstairs), Lewistown, MT
59457; phone (406) 535-0077; email: rsvplew@midrivers.com.

Gallatin County

- American Cancer Society-Road to

Recovery: Drivers needed for patients
receiving treatments from their home to
the hospital.
- American Red Cross Blood Drive:
Three volunteer opportunities available:
Blood Drive Ambassador needed to welcome, greet, thank and provide overview
for blood donors; Team Leader Volunteers
needed to recruit, train and schedule
Donor Ambassadors and Couriers; Community Outreach Specialist to seek out
locations to set up sign up tables for prospective volunteers and/or blood donors.
Excellent customer service skills needed,
training will be provided, flexible schedule.
- Befrienders: Befriend a senior; visit on

a regular weekly basis.

- Belgrade Senior Center: Meals on
Wheels needs regular and substitute drivers MondayFriday, to deliver meals to
seniors before noon.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters: Be a positive
role model for only a few hours each
week.
- Bozeman and Belgrade Sacks Thrift
Stores: Need volunteers 2-3 hour shifts on
any day,MondaySaturday 9:30 a.m.6
p.m.
- Bozeman Deaconess Hospital: Volunteers needed for the information desks in
the Atrium and the Perk,8 a.m. to
noon,noon to 4 p.m.; volunteer to escort
patients through the hospital, must be able
to be on your feet for long periods; volunteer needed at the Care Boutique in the
Cancer Center to help customers and to
keep merchandise in order.
- Bozeman Senior Center Foot Clinic:
Retired or nearly retired nurses are urgently needed, 2 days a month, either 4- or
8-hour shifts.
- Bozeman Symphony: Volunteers to
greet patrons, check tickets and hand out
programs; ushers to guide patrons to their
seats; someone to set up the Underwriter
Room, and treats for the musicians are
needed.
- Bozeman Symphony Sunday Matinees:Need volunteer head of concessions
to set up and tear down concessions areas
and keep them clean during the concert,
must be able to stand for long times and
able to lift no more than 50 lbs.
- Cancer Support Community: Volunteer
receptionist needed for the last two Tuesdays of the month from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.;
position would be shared with another volunteer so there could be flexibility of
schedule.
- Galavan: Volunteers needed to make
reminder calls and to confirm rides for the
following day; also need a volunteer for
morning dispatch to receive phone calls/
messages and relay information from clients to staff as required; drivers neededMonday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.CDL
required and Galavan will assist you in
obtaining one. Volunteers also needed to
make reminder calls and confirm rides for
the following day.
- Gallatin Rest Home: Volunteers wanted for visiting the residents, sharing your
knowledge of a craft, playing cards or
reading to a resident.

- Gallatin Valley Food Bank: Volunteers

needed to deliver commodities to seniors
in their homes once a month. Deliveries in
Belgrade are especially needed.
- HRDC Housing Department Ready to
Rent: Curriculum for families and individuals who have rental barriers such as lack
of poor rental history, property upkeep,
renter responsibilities, landlord/tenant
communication and financial priorities.
- Habitat for Humanity Restore: Belgrade store needs volunteers for general
help, sorting donations and assisting customers.
- Heart of The Valley: Compassionate
volunteers especially needed to love, play
with and cuddle cats.
- Help Center: Computer literate volunteer interested in entering data into a social
services database; volunteers also needed
to make phone calls to different agencies/
programs to make sure database is up to
date and make safety calls to home bound
seniors.
- Jessie Wilber Gallery at The Emerson:
Volunteers needed on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to greet people at the
main desk, answer questions and keep
track of the number of visitors.
- Museum of the Rockies: Variety of
opportunities available such as helping in
the gift shop and more.
- RSVP Handcrafters: Volunteers to
quilt, knit, crochet and embroider hats for
chemo patients, baby blankets and other
handmade goods once a week (can work
from home); also need volunteers to tie
and finish quilts. Note: Donations of baby
yarn are needed for the quilting, knitting
and crocheting projects and can be
dropped off at the RSVP office upstairs in
the Senior Center.
- Seniors: You may qualify for $192$600 a years for grocery and food assistance.
-Three Forks Food Bank:Volunteer
needed on Mondays and/orThursdaysto
help with administrative duties, including
answer phones and questions, some paper
and computer work. They will train.
- VITA: Volunteer at the Community
Caf to serve as the first point of contact
for customers, set a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, monitor site traffic and
sign in procedure, Monday, Wednesday
and Friday afternoons noon-3 p.m.
- Warming Center: Volunteers needed
for a variety of different shifts, 7 p.m.-7
a.m.; training held every Tuesday at the
Warming Center.Please call for more
information.
- Your unique skills and interests are

needed, without making a long-term commitment, in a variety of ongoing, special,

one-time events.
Contact: Debi Casagranda, RSVP Program Coordinator, 807 N. Tracy, Bozeman,
MT 59715; phone (406) 587-5444; fax
(406) 582 8499; email: dcasagranda@
thehrdc.org.

Musselshell, Golden Valley &

Petroleum counties

- Central Grade School: Needs volunteer

tutors to encourage children with their
reading skills in the America Reads program. Also volunteers needed to assist
younger students with lunch, clear tables
and serve from the salad bar.
- Food Bank: Distribute food commodities to seniors and others in the community; help unload the truck as needed.
- 4-H Fair: Volunteers needed to sit at
the table in the art building.
- Nursing Home: Piano players and
singers needed on Fridays to entertain residents, also assistant needed in activities
for residents to enrich supported lifestyle.
- RIDE: Volunteers needed for selling
tickets at the night shows.
- Senior Center: Volunteers are needed
to provide meals, clean up in the dining
room and/or keep records; meal provided.
- RSVP offers maximum flexibility and
choice to its volunteers as it matches the
personal interests and skills of older
Americans with opportunities to serve
their communities. You choose how and
where to serve. Volunteering is an opportunity to learn new skills, make friends
and connect with your community.
Contact: Shelley Halvorson, South Central MT RSVP, 315 1/2 Main St., Ste. #1,
Roundup, MT 59072; phone (406) 3231403; fax (406) 323-4403; email:
rdprsvp2@midrivers.com ; Facebook:
South Central MT RSVP.

Park County

- Big Brothers Big Sisters: Volunteers

needed as positive role models to children,
only a few hours a week.
- Chamber of Commerce: Has a number
openings for the 2016 NPS Centennial
Park County Days, Aug. 14-21 at various
locations in town; each day has a different
event.
- Food Pantry: Volunteers needed to
help on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Fix-It- Brigade: Volunteers of all ages
and skill levels needed to help with small
home repairs such as mending a fence, or
something as simple as changing light

bulbs. You will be helping seniors or veterans for a 2-hour or less task, on your
time schedule.
- Handcrafters: Join this group on
Thursdays 1-2 p.m. in making crocheted
or knitted caps and scarves for children at
Head Start. Also making gifts for the prenatal classes and baby hats and afghans for
the hospital newborns. Sewers needed to
make simple pillowcases for soldiers overseas.
- Livingston Depot Center: Looking for
volunteers through Mid-September as gifts
shop attendants, maintenance helper, and
off-season office assistants; schedules vary
and training is provided.
- Livingstons Fly Fishing Fair: Volunteers needed to help in several areas, Aug.
2-6 at Park High School.
- Loaves and Fishes: Volunteers needed
to prepare a dinner meal.
- Mainstreeter Store: Needs someone
who enjoys working with the public. Help
greet customers, label and hang clothes
and accept donations. Volunteer 4 hours a
week and get 50 percent off your purchases.
- Meals on Wheels: In need of substitute
drivers to deliver meals to seniors in their
homes.
- Senior Center: Volunteers needed to
cut unsold clothing into rags Thursdays, 1
p.m.
- Senior Center Foot Clinic: Volunteers
and nurses needed twice a month to help
the seniors with foot care.
- Spay and Neuter Clinic: Needs strong
volunteers on Wednesdays, this summer at
the Farmers Market to set up and take
down the wooden booth lemonade stand.
- Stafford Animal Shelter: Gentle compassionate volunteers to socialize and play
with the kittens and cats and walk the
dogs. 1-hour safety training provided.
- Transportation: Drivers needed to help
patients keep their doctor appointments in
Livingston and/or in Bozeman. Gas reimbursement may be provided.
- Yellowstone Gateway Museum: Volunteer needed to man the front desk and help
catalog and label items.
- RSVP: Has many one-time events,
including mailings and fundraising events
this summer that require volunteers, such
as at the Hoot. Your unique skills and
interests are needed, without making a
long-term commitment, in a variety of ongoing and special one-time events.
Contact: Deb Downs, Program Coordinator, 111 So. 2nd St., Livingston, MT
59047; phone (406) 222-2281; email: debdowns@rsvpmt.org.
July 2016
21

By Bill Sones and Rich Sones, Ph.D.

Send STRANGE questions to brothers Bill and Rich at strangetrue@cs.com

Garbage collecting: A more dangerous

vocation than you think
Q. They risk death for you, fight crime and are tough as
superheroes to boot. Who are these praiseworthy folks?
A. No, theyre not police officers or firefighters but rather
everyday garbage collectors, who face dangerous situations more
often than you might imagine, reports Samuel Anderson in
Mental Floss magazine. With 33 fatalities per 100,000
employees a year, sanitation work is one of Americas deadliest
jobs two to three times as dangerous as being a police officer
and seven times as dangerous as firefighting. Also, in some areas
theyre neighborhood watchpeople who report suspicious
activity to police.
As to their superhero status, back in the 1940s, sanitation
workers in New York City were required to lift a 120-pound
trash can onto a tall ledge, climb an 8-foot fence, and run a
football field with 50 pounds in each hand (the so-called
Superman test, which has since been relaxed).
Interested in joining their ranks? Not so fast! In 2014, out of
96,000 job applicants in New York City, only 500 were hired, for
an acceptance rate of less than 1 percent, making the field more
cutthroat than Harvards six percent.
Q. Whats a decidedly unique way to think about food
waste?
A. When the USDA does the math, the average daily food
intake in the U.S. comes to about 2,100 kilocalories (kcal) per
person, compared to a food supply of 3,600 kcal per person, says
Vaclav Smil in IEEE Spectrum magazine. Subtracting intake
from supply equals a loss of 1,500 kcal, which means about 40
percent of our food goes to waste. Thats enough to provide
adequate nutrition to about 200 million people, or the entire
population of Brazil, the worlds sixth most populous country.
Yet even as they waste food, Americans are still eating far
more of it than is good for them, Smil continues. Some 36 percent of adults 20 years and older are identified as obese while 74
percent of adult males and 64 percent of females are overweight.
The US needs to produce considerably less food and consume
it with considerably less waste, Smil argues, perhaps by finding
clever ways to halve waste to a more acceptable 20 percent. Of
other high-income countries, only Japan keeps food waste at a
moderate level, and surprisingly even many low-income countries
with a barely adequate food supply experience such waste. As he
concludes, cutting that waste in half would lead the way to a
more rational use of food worldwide.
Q. Creme Puff, a Texas feline that allegedly subsisted on
bacon, broccoli, and heavy cream, is said to have lived 38
years. Bluey, an Australian cattle dog, at age 29 became the
oldest canine on record. So, we wonder, why do we tend to
July 2016

22

outlive our beloved pets?

A. As a general rule longevity favors the big guys, says
David Grimm in Science magazine. For example, a bowhead
whale at about 220 thousand pounds can live for about 200 years;
a Galapagos tortoise at about 265 pounds can go 180 years.
According to biogerontologist Steven Austad, it may be that large
animals like whales and elephants face fewer dangers so they can
afford to take their time growing and maturing.
When it comes to our pets, the bigger-is-better theory gets
flipped on its ear, says Grimm. Cats live an average of 15 years,
compared with about 12 years for dogs, despite generally being
smaller. And small dogs like the 4-kilo Papillon can live 10 years
longer than the 70-kilogram Irish Wolfhound. Yet overall dog life
expectancy has doubled in the past four decades, and house cats
now live twice as long as their feral counterparts, perhaps due to
better health care and better diet. Americans will spend $60 billion on their pets this year, with a large part going to humanlike
health care (think annual physicals and open-heart surgery) and
premium food.
It could be that our pets hold the clues to slowing down the
body clock for all of us, adds biogerontologist Joo Pedro de
Magalhes, who maintains the worlds largest database of animal
life spans. I dont think theres a set max. longevity for any species, he says.
Q. This is not to say that mosquitoes are smarter than you,
but as Science News magazine puts it, Good luck outsmarting one of them. Why?
A. The ways mosquitoes have for sensing the presence of
bitable bodies are annoyingly robust, says the magazines Susan
Milius. As chemical ecologist Ben Webster noted in one study, the
carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaled breath betrays a living target,
and blood-hunting mosquitoes prove sensitive to the merest
whiff of CO2, even as little as 0.015 percent above regular air.
Now a new report in Current Biology by Floris van Breugel
of Caltech suggests that mosquitoes use other clues since CO2
plumes can get scattered. For example, researchers found that
plastic filters and dark spots that contrasted with the flooring
piqued the insects interest. Added to visual contrasts was the lure
of heat since warm objects didnt require the puff of CO2 as a
trigger. Their conclusion: The interactions of these clues mean
that a mosquito catching an exhalation of CO2 can fumble along
until some visually interesting or warm object invites closer scrutiny.
A final warning comes from the studys co-author, neuroscientist Michael Dickinson: Mosquitoes make mistakes, but when
they fly to a rock instead of a person, they pull back and try again.
And again. Its the relentlessness that ensures success.

Q. Drawing on some practically untranslatable words from

the worlds languages, what are a few that might be welcome
additions to English?
A. Lets start with the Yiddish word kvell, meaning to glow
with pride and happiness at the success of others (often family
members), says Steve Mirsky in Scientific American magazine, citing psychologist Tim Lomass cross-cultural linguistics

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study for the Journal of Positive Psychology. Other languages

lack a single word to express this idea.
Have you ever felt so excited about waiting for someone that
you keep going outside to check if theyve arrived? Theres an
Eskimo Inuit word for that: iktsuarpok. As Lomas explains, the
value of untranslatable words is that they may give voice to
hitherto unlabeled experiences. Consider the Georgian word
shemomedjamo for continuing to eat even when full because it
was just so enjoyable; or utepils in Norwegian for drinking
beer outside on a hot day; or the Portuguese desbundar for
becoming uninhibited while having fun. Bantus even more specific mbukimvuki involves whipping off your clothes to dance,
Mirsky adds. Hey, its tough to dance in tight pants.
Q. Its not often that DNA identification gets dog owners
into trouble, but whats one exception to this rule?
A. In the Spanish city of Tarragona, authorities have amassed
registration databases to keep track of various canines and their
DNA, reports New Scientist magazine. Now when this same
DNA turns up in uncleared dog feces, it points the finger at the
offending owner. Such schemes already operate in some upmarket neighborhoods in the U.S.

1320 28th Street West Billings, MT

406-652-4180 www.darnielle.com

Crossword

Across
1 Splitting target
5 Taqueria adjective
10 Heavy wind?
14 Splitting
16 Author Blyton
17 Degree seekers
18 Hendrix hairdo
19 Alert follower, perhaps
20 They may be spilled
22 Reason for many a
school absence
24 In __, I know not why I
am so sad: The Merchant
of Venice
25 90s Philippine president
Fidel
28 JAMA subscribers
30 It merged with SAG in
2012
32 Cals East of Eden
brother
33 1996 Richard Gere
thriller
35 Nigerian native
36 Some vents
37 GPS suggestion
38 Premium Scotch choice
40 Enthusiastic
41 Flummoxed
42 Blues with sticks: Abbr.

43 Performed, in
Shakespeare
44 __ scheme
46 The Other Side of Oz
autobiographer
48 Buddy
50 Sticks around
54 Eclectic magazine
55 Hardly a light six-pack?
57 Staple in
48-Down
58 NYC saloon featured in
a 2000 film
59 The Stans were among
them: Abbr.
60 Ministers
61 Chinese
menu possessive
Down
1 Essentials
2 Corner
3 Santa Ynez
Valley prefix
4 Badger State
City
5 Help, in Le
Havre
6 Percussion
staples
7 G-man

8 Union
requirement
9 Church areas
10 Detach, in a way
11 Free
12 Demographers concerns
13 Flaps
15 Highland attire
21 Barbecue supply
23 Like much property
25 Mrs. Gorbachev
26 Resolves, as a contract
dispute
27 Still runner

29 Detect vulnerability
31 Isnt for you?
33 Baltimore bard
34 Wall adornment
36 Beast of burden
39 Springs with steam
40 18th-dynasty Egyptian
pharaoh
43 Crowded
45 Make official
47 Goes through carefully
48 57-Across sellers
49 High wind?
51 Lines of thought?
52 Pull up stakes,
informally
53 Stone and others
56 Preserves, for keeps:
Abbr.

July 2016

23

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