Voice of the Glacier Park Foundation ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ Volume XXX, No. 1 Many Glacier’s Circular Staircase 100Historic Years Icon and at Preservation Conundrum

Blueprint of Lake McD the fountain, around which the double- helix staircase wound from the Many Glacier Lobby to the Grill on lake level.

(from the Ray Djuff collection)

In this issue: • 100 Years at Granite Park and Sperry Chalets • A Harrowing Night on Mt. Allen • Battlefield Promotions at Glacier Park Lodge • Lake McDonald Memories • Eddie’s Cafe • Sliding Down Grinnell Glacier in 1936 • A Glacier Crossword • A Beatles Mystery With Ties to Glacier • Inside News of Glacier Park Many Glacier’s Centennial - and a Preservation Quandry been renovated in an impressive The Circular Staircase stood at the front of the manner. current gift shop. The gift shop is to be moved he next step in the process involves downstairs to the St. Moritz Room. Many Glacier’s lobby. Rooms there will be upgraded, and changes will 2015 is the centennial of Many lobby – a Centennial Hootenanny be made to replicate original décor. Glacier Hotel, the largest of Glacier and a Centennial Serenade. hose Most notably, the Park Service plans National Park’s historic lodges. A programs will commemorate decades to reinstall the Circular Staircase, great community celebration will be of similar performances in the lobby Many Glacier’s iconic feature from held at the hotel. (See p. 32) It will and on the St. Moritz Room stage 1915 until 1957. complete a cycle of centennial cel- downstairs. ebrations for the Park itself (2010), he Circular Staircase stood at the he performances dramatize a quan- for Glacier Park Lodge (2013), for front of the current gift shop. he dary in the historical preservation Lake McDonald Lodge (2014), and gift shop is to be moved downstairs efort at Many Glacier Hotel. he most recently for Granite Park and to the St. Moritz Room. he rein- National Park Service has invested Sperry Chalets. (See pp. 13-14) stallation of the staircase will destroy millions of dollars in the building. the performance space both in the he celebration will feature two he roof, the exterior, the dining lobby and in the St. Moritz. historic musical programs in the room, and the Main wing all have he Glacier Park Foundation’s recent annual meeting produced an intense The reinstallation of the staircase will destroy the debate on the wisdom of replicating the Circular Staircase. he pros and performance space both in the lobby and in the cons are discussed below. (See pp. St. Moritz. 3-7) his is a diicult issue, involv- ing closely-balanced, competing val- Glacier Park Foundation Oficers: ues. But those on all sides of it are P.O. Box 15641 John Hagen, President earnestly committed to preserving Minneapolis, MN 55415 Carol Dahle, Vice President the history of Many Glacier Hotel. www.glacierparkfoundation.org Mac Willemssen, Secretary [email protected] Tessie Bundick, Historian Board of Directors: Jim Lees, Treasurer The Inside Trail takes its name Joe Blair Laura Chihara, Webmaster Mike Buck Rolf Larson, Inside Trail Editor from the famous old trail Tessie Bundick which connected Glacier Laura Chihara Park Lodge with the vanished Janet Eisner Cornish The Glacier Park Foundation was Carol Repulski Dahle formed by Glacier Park employees chalets at Two Medicine, Joyce Daugaard and visitors who have a deep love for Cut Bank, and St. Mary. The this special place. The Foundation is Ray Djuff name thus emphasizes the Emily Trapp Hackthorn commited both to the importance of wilderness preservation and to John Hagen publication’s focus on the the importance of places like Glacier Einar Hanson as classrooms where people can lore and history of Glacier Paul Hoff experience wilderness in intense National Park. We invite Mark Hufstetler meaningful ways, learning not only a submission of historical, Jeff Kuhn love for the land, but also a respect Linda Young Kuhn that nurtures the skills necessary to scientiic, or anecdotal ar- Rolf Larson preserve that land. The Foundation ticles, commentary, poetry, Greg Notess has a special interest in Glacier Park’s John Sauer history, traditions and visitor facilities. or artwork for publication in Rick Taylor future issues. Mac Willemssen

2 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail THE CIRCULAR STAIRCASE Icon and Conundrum

((T.J. Hileman photo from the Ray Djuff collection)

By Ray Djuf (Prince of Wales 1973- tiful. he hotel lay beside the serene the lobby, soaring four storeys to 75,’78) and John Hagen (Many McDermott (now Swiftcurrent) ceiling skylights. Bulbous Oriental Glacier 1970-80) Lake. Mountains rose thousands lanterns hung at various heights of feet from the lake in every direc- from the ceiling. When tourists arrived at Many tion, and between them three valleys Glacier Hotel following its opening On each column was a bison skull converged, all meeting at the base of in July 1915, they found a building and below it an Oriental lantern that Mount Grinnell, immediately across bigger and grander than anything would throw an eerie light on the the lake from Many Glacier Hotel. else they’d seen so far on their jour- skull in the evenings. On the wood- ney through Glacier National Park. Inside the hotel, guests walked into en balcony railings were animal skins he chalet colonies were welcome a lobby as grand as, though smaller representing many of the major spe- sights, ofering a host of big city than, the lobby at Glacier Park Ho- cies in Glacier Park, dominated by features in the midst of the wilder- tel. It was a scene of confusing and the stufed head of a moose looking ness, and Glacier Park Hotel (now conlicting elements. Huge Douglas down from the second loor balcony Lodge) in Midvale (now East Glacier ir logs, stripped of their bark, cre- on the south end of the lobby. Park) was impressive. But they paled ated a structural colonnade around he two most striking features, other in comparison to than the tree-trunk the newly opened The double-helix staircase was the irst feature columns, were a Many Glacier, the circular staircase pride of the Great hotel guests and visitors saw when walking into with a fountain at Northern Railway. the lobby.... The circular opening featured two its center, and an Outside, the site sets of stairs that spiraled around the central open “campire” was sublimely beau- fountain to the lake level of the hotel. under a copper

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 3 The double-helix staircase remained a feature of Many Glacier Hotel’s lobby for 42 years.

(T.J. Hileman photo from the Ray Djuff collection) canopy and lue pipe suspended a pool at the base of the fountain. Cutter was also known to Hill and from the ceiling. While the camp- In the pool were trout captured live other railway oicials overseeing the ire immediately drew appreciative from Swiftcurrent Lake. Great Northern’s developments in travellers on cold days, the staircase Glacier for his submission of a plan Along the railing around the open- and fountain were the architectural for the initial Belton Chalet. ing for the staircases were more marvels. potted plants, creating a refreshing McMahon and Cutter visited the he Staircase and Fountain oasis of greenery in the middle of Many Glacier valley in the spring he double-helix staircase was the the lobby’s brightly painted orange of 1914. Cutter is reported to have irst feature hotel guests and visitors loor. Visitors and hotel guests were submitted two sets of pencil sketch saw when walking into the lobby, amazed by the sight, which would plans and blueprints for a hotel on as it was almost immediately inside have pleased railway boss Louis Hill Swiftcurrent Lake. Cutter’s efort the front doors. he circular open- Sr., who had overseen every detail of did not impress Louis Hill. Hill ing featured two sets of stairs that the hotel’s design. wrote: “We have not the plans per- spiraled around the central fountain fected yet and will not do anything It’s believed the double helix staircase to the lake level (basement) of the on this building this year.” and fountain were the handiwork hotel. he railing around the open- of homas McMahon, an architect By fall, Hill decided to turn the ing and down the stairs matched the on staf with the Great Northern project over to McMahon, who gingerbread style used for the balco- Railway. However, McMahon was had done the design work for the nies above. not the only architect to have taken railway’s Glacier Park Lodge at East At the center of the two staircases a crack at designing the hotel. Glacier Park. We don’t know wheth- was the cone-shaped stone and er the double-helix lobby staircase Spokane, Washington architect mortar fountain, a mass of greenery, originated with Cutter and was Kirtland Cutter was also asked to featuring ferns and lowers tucked adapted by McMahon from Cutter’s submit drawings. Cutter had just in niches along its height, which ran drawings, or was McMahon’s handi- come of the successful construc- from the basement (lake level) up work. tion in 1913-14 of his plan for the to a summit about ive feet above Hotel Glacier (now Lake McDonald he double-helix staircase remained the lobby loor. Water trickled from Lodge), a private venture that the a feature of Many Glacier Hotel’s the top, down among the plants, to Great Northern would later acquire. lobby for 42 years. While admired,

4 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail While admired, it was also seen as a problem. Where the stairs landed ... was the site of a bar until Prohibition. Hotel guests would congregate for dances performed by bands hired by the hotel company each summer. (photo from the Ray Djuff collection) it was also seen as a problem. Where Removal of the Staircase shop. he workers who tore out the the stairs landed in the basement In 1957, operation of Many Glacier showpiece found a surprise in the was the Bamboo Room, later called and the other hotels in the Great hollow of the fountain. hey discov- he Grill. he room was the site of Northern chain in Glacier was taken ered the inside was packed tight with a bar until Prohibition. Hotel guests over by Don Knutson. He ran the bars of hotel soap that packrats had would congregate for dances per- Knutson Hotel Corporation of swiped and squirreled away. Remov- formed by bands hired by the hotel Minneapolis, which did construc- al of the staircases and fountain were company each summer. tion and owned hotels in Minnesota justiied by Knutson on the basis of and North Dakota. He was brought increased sales that came from the he opening for the staircase proved in by the railway to modernize the enlarged gift shop. perfect for carrying music from he facilities in preparation for sale, and Grill into the lobby. When dances An unplanned beneit of the removal also as a potential buyer for the hotel went on later into the evening, early- of the staircases and fountain was the chain. to-bed guests with rooms around creation of the St. Moritz Room on the lobby would either fall to sleep he double-helix staircase was ripped lake level. hat space proved per- to the sweet strains of the songs or out by Knutson to expand the gift fect as an entertainment venue and complain about the noise. became the home for Many Glacier Hotel’s annual Broadway musical productions. he musicals were the The double-helix staircase was ripped out ... to idea of manager Ian Tippet and ran expand the gift shop. The workers who tore out throughout his 23-year stint at the hotel, 1961-83. hey were put on the showpiece found a surprise in the hollow by the hotel staf, which Tippet se- of the fountain. They discovered the inside was lected personally for their capabilities packed tight with bars of hotel soap that packrats to fulill all the needed roles: singers, dancers, actors, stagehands, lighting had swiped and squirreled away. and sound specialists, musicians and so on.

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 5 The Circular Staircase (continued) Upstairs in the lobby, Tippet inau- drama majors from many schools. be expanded under Xanterra, Gla- gurated a cycle of evening perfor- Hotel stafers went on to distin- cier’s new hotel concessioner. mances in the open space directly in guished careers with symphony hose hopes now have been cast in front of the gift shop. Monday night orchestras, on college music facul- doubt. he National Park Service was the Hootenanny (folk-singing), ties, and in venues such as A Prairie is renovating Many Glacier and Wednesday night was the Com- Home Companion. restoring its original decor. It plans to reinstall the stone fountain and An unplanned beneit of the removal of the the double-helix staircase and move staircases and fountain was the creation of the St. the gift shop downstairs to the St. Mortiz Room. hese plans would Moritz Room on lake level. eliminate the St. Moritz stage and audience area as well as the perfor- munity Sing, and hursday night In more recent decades, the con- mance space in the lobby. was the Serenade (a variety show of cessioner, Glacier Park, Inc., hired Renovation at Many Glacier classical music, choral music, show professional entertainers to perform he Park Service renovation work at tunes, dramatic cuttings, and dance in the St. Moritz Room. he Hoo- Many Glacier throughout the past numbers). On other nights, recitals tenanny was revived in 2007 and decade has been well-conceived and were given by individual perform- has been held weekly in subsequent impressive. As of June 2013, the ers. hese programs were held all summers. Alumni have hoped that Park Service had spent $25 million summer, except for the two weeks in amateur musical performances could on the building. It performed large- August when the Broadway musical was shown. he Tippet-era performances were That space proved perfect as an entertainment amateur but of exceptional quality. venue and became the home for Many Glacier Many Glacier acquired a national Hotel’s annual Broadway musical productions. reputation and drew music and

Ferns were planted in the fountain at the center of the double-helix staircase in the lobby of MGH.

(T.J. Hileman photo from the Ray Djuff collection)

6 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail The Circular Staircase (continued) design doesn’t give the property the The musicals were the idea of manager Ian level of respect it deserves,” said one Tippet and ran throughout his 23-year stint at director, a professional historian. the hotel, 1961-83. Other directors oppose the project. One said, “he [present-day] lobby scale structural work to eliminate a programs, but this would involve lo- is much more functional, even with dangerous lean that threatened to gistical problems. Music still might the gift shop, both for guest enjoy- topple the north (“Main”) wing into be ofered in the lobby, but the stairs ment and musical programs. If the the lake. It reroofed the building, would leave little performance space helical staircase goes back in, there is renovated exterior siding, restored and produce disruptive traic. a zero-sum efect with where lobby the Ptarmigan Dining Room’s origi- space and the gift shop go, to say he Glacier Park Foundation recent- nal look, corrected problems with nothing of eating up a good portion ly was invited to help raise funds for balconies, renovated the Main wing’s of the St. Moritz Room and its non- the project. Reinstalling the stairs guest rooms, and ensured that the use for programs.” He further noted and the fountain would cost about building met life, health and safety that the hotel has been without the $100,000. he Park Service present- codes. staircase feature (58 years) longer ly lacks those funds, and has asked than it was with it (42 years). Two inal phases of renovation will the Glacier National Park Conser- address Many Glacier’s lobby and vancy to raise them. he Conser- he Foundation’s membership meet- southern wing (the “Annex”), at a vancy, Glacier’s private philanthropic ing last fall saw intense and some- cost of some $18 to $20 million. partner, asked the Foundation to times impassioned debate on the he work will restore some of the take part. issue. Numerous members spoke former glory of the building, which pro and con. he Foundation’s core mission is was declared a National Historic historic preservation in Glacier Park. Proponents of reinstalling the Landmark and listed on the National Because the staircase project involves staircase stressed the professional- Register of Historic Places in 1976. competing historic values, it has ism and excellence of the renovation he Park Service plans to reinstall been intensely debated among the work which the Park Service has the staircase in 2016 as part of this organization’s directors and mem- done to date. Older alumni who work. bers. had seen the staircase during the he restoration is controversial Great Northern era spoke in favor Pros and Cons because of the loss of performance the project. (One of those members, Some directors favor reinstalling the space. Alternative venues for enter- Bob Megard, gives his perspective in staircase. “For the sake of the hotel, tainment programs are problematic a sidebar with this article.) I think it’s crucial that the planned at best. he Lucerne Room conven- work be completed as originally en- Critics of the project questioned tion hall has a stage, but it is shal- visioned – both the structural work, the emphasis on originalism. hey low and has no wings. he dining and the historic enhancements. A argued that history is ongoing and room might be used for late-evening mix of 1910s and 1950s interior that original designs may not be

[These musicals] were put on by the hotel staff, which Tippet selected personally for their capabilities to fulill all the needed roles: singers, dancers, actors, stagehands, lighting and sound specialists, musicians and so on.

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 7 good ones. (Many ’s original dé- Members earnestly discussed Many he debate produced no consensus. cor included numerous grizzly bear Glacier’s musical tradition. Some he membership agreed that the skins, which no one would wish to stressed the importance of the music pros and cons of the issue should be replicate now). hey stressed func- in promoting a sense of community, covered in he Inside Trail. Individ- tionality (“you don’t want a beautiful uniting employees and guests. Oth- ual Foundation members who wish lobby that’s not functional”), the ers cautioned that maintaining the to help fund the staircase project loss of space and the “sound tunnel” tradition would require “Tippet-like may contact the Glacier National noise factor. leadership,” and questioned whether Park Conservancy, P.O. Box 2749, that is feasible. Columbia Falls, Montana 55912.

Staircase Tales

Memories of the Circular Staircase Memories of the Staircase Fishpond By Bob Megard (Many Glacier 1953-57) By Ray Kinley (Many Glacier 1922-1987) as told to John Hagen I think that the spiral staircase at MGH should be restored for the same reasons that the rest of One summer, the trout in Swiftcurrent Lake were the hotel is being restored. The staircase was an not biting. You couldn’t catch ish with dynamite. intrinsic feature that added quaint charm to the But there was a 12-year-old boy, a hotel guest, lobby. I worked in the lobby for ive summers, who came into the lobby day after day with strings irst as a lobby porter, then a bellhop, and inally of handsome ish. His success was the envy of all head porter. the dozens of frustrated ishermen, who swarmed around him and besieged him with questions. The stairs coiled around a ield-stone “mountain” Oh, he was the man of the hour! that was a central rock-garden. It had small pools of water among the stones, complete with ferns Many Glacier’s gardener was a French Canadian and mosses that struggled to survive in the low- named Jean Boutonniere. Jean noticed that the light environment. The gardener, who was more trout in the pool at the foot of the Circular Stair- attuned to his larger outdoor projects, thought it case seemed very sparse. He concealed himself was too “fussy” and sadly neglected it. With some behind a pillar in the Grill room to watch the careful attention to design, especially lighting, a re- pool. stored spiral stair with an alpine rock-garden could Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the boy ap- be a striking visual feature of the lobby! peared with a large dip-net in hand. He thrashed The staircase wasn’t just decorative. It also provid- the water to frighten the ish off in one direc- ed a convenient alternate route to the convention tion, and then ran around the pool the other way hall and bar on the lower level. This was impor- to catch them in the net as they swam by. Jean tant architecturally because the main stairwell pounced on him and marched him up the stairs was located at the other end of the lobby, behind by the scruff of the neck, shouting in his French the Transportation Desk, where it was not easy for Canadian accent: “Dis de one! He do it!” guests to ind. You won’t believe how many times I had to show our guests where the Convention Hall was, to say nothing about the Bar.

8 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail 100 Years at Granite Park & Sperry Chalets

Granite Park sits on a bluff with an unfettered view of Heaven’s Peak. Sperry Chalet sits on the ledge of a cirque, which drops off 1,000 feet to the valley below. (photos courtesy of the Ray Djuff collection.)

By Ray Djuf (Prince of Wales 1973-75, Today, as in yesteryear, they are respites Author Mary Roberts Rinehart had 1978) for hikers and riders – as they can only this to say of lunch at Sperry Chalets be reached by foot or on horseback. in 1915: “No more ham and cofee his is a recap of a talk by historian over a wood ire, the cutting of much and Glacier Park Foundation board Right from the beginning, the chalets bread on a lat stone. Here were tables, member Ray Djuf at last summer’s were seen as backwoods retreats, for chairs and linen. Alas, there was a centennial celebration of Granite Park the extent of the services ofered so waitress who crumbed the table and and Sperry Chalets. Celebration or- far from civilization. Journalist W.O. brought in dessert.” ganizer Kathleen Aasheim asked Djuf Chapman wrote in1911 of his saddle- not to focus on buildings, but rather horse tour of the park: “Lifeboat never As much as anything, it has been the on stories of the people associated brought more joy to shipwrecked sail- managers and staf who have made with them. His talk was a random or than the site of this camp brought these chalets memorable. hey repeat- collection of chalet-related stories. to the city dwellers, who, in the role of edly surpassed the expectations of the explorers, arrived here at noon.” Great Northern Railway oicials who Sperry and Granite Park Chalets are hired them. hey came from all over high mountain lodges unlike any oth- While Sperry was but a tent camp, and from all backgrounds. ers in Glacier National Park. hey are as was Granite Park, in 1911, it was the only ones made of stone, they are nonetheless a momentous occasion In 1926, the Sperry Chalets were precipitously perched on ledges, and for Chapman: “It is a joy at the end under the command of Mrs. Chester they have vast, exceptional views of of a hard ride, when all are tired and Healy, 39, working her irst season. the surrounding mountains. hungry, to learn that dinner or supper, While she had no hotel experience, with warm food and steaming cofee, Mrs. Healy was selected personally is ready to serve.” for the job by H.A. Noble, president

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 9 of the railway’s hotel company. Mrs. “Miss Patricia Whitwell said yes, trek to the outhouses and, hopefully, Healy had been a housekeeper in indeed, I could have a hot bath” Pyle prevent male guests from using the Noble’s home for 15 years, so he knew recalled in his book Home Country. sinks in the rooms as urinals. Each well her strengths and weaknesses “In a few minutes I saw her hurrying morning staf would collect the cham- given the demanding task of operating up the outside stairs carrying an old- ber pots to empty them. “he refuse is a chalet so far from “civilization.” fashioned tin washtub. hen she made carried over [and tossed over] the face trip after trip with porcelain jars, and of a clif,” a 1920 report indicates. At Granite Park that same summer she carried up a teakettle of boiling was Mrs. Jennifer Fancher, 45, starting And while both lodges had phone water for the inishing touch. It was her second summer. She “did well last lines to major hotels below for daily the irst time in more than 20 years I season” and was brought back, Noble notices on how many tourists were had bathed in a washtub.” wrote to his railway boss Louis Hill, in coming, the staf had to be ready for assuring Hill about the qualiications On another occasion, Irene Eldred’s unexpected company. of managers at the various chalets. mother, Mrs. Essenman, was pressed Joan Shipley, a waitress, and Dick Far- into service. She and Patricia disap- Irene Eldred was the manager at Gran- icy, a busboy, both working at Glacier peared into the kitchen, returning ite Park Chalets in the early 1930s. A Park Hotel (now Glacier Park Lodge) with some ice cream they had “made teacher, she and her staf are examples in 1958, were determined to hike by the pioneerish process of stirring it of outstanding service. to Sperry Chalets on their day of. with a spoon in a bucket set in un- hey were late hitching a ride to Lake When journalist Ernie Pyle showed melted snow.” McDonald Hotel to start the hike, but up at Granite, Pyle was the only he management and staf at the despite the late hour, pressed on. It guest and said he wanted to take a chalets put up with a lot, compared would be an unforgettable adventure bath. here was no shower then, nor to today. At Sperry, for instance, there that Shipley recalled in the Fall 1998 plumbing for a bath – just a well and a were chamber pots in the rooms to edition of he Inside Trail: propane-fueled stove. spare guests from making a midnight

Ross-Kay Luding and family at Sperry - 1954

(photos from the Ray Djuff Horseback party at Sperry - 1919 collection)

10 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail The Chalets (continued) First, there was the bear on the trail: “I our hands and knees, so that we could and surpassed the mountains and ev- looked up to see what was ahead, and FEEL the trail ahead of us.” erything else that was wonderful about there on this relatively level cutback the place in those days … Evening When the clouds cleared and the about 50 yards away was a bear … I moon came out, Shipley and Far- said, ‘Maybe if we don’t bother him, icy could see their way and walked he won’t bother us.’ here was a long upright the rest of the trail to Sperry pole-like stick that had fallen down Chalets, showing up at 10 p.m. the wall … I remember saying, ‘I’ll take the pole, hold it out in front of “When we knocked on the door of us, and just try to keep him at bay … the chalet, we could hear Mrs. Black. here’s a rock, You carry that.’ … As As she came to answer the door, she we got closer, we began to see that exclaimed. ‘Who could that be? In there was a huge, deep ravine. At the all my years up here no one has ever end of our cutback we saw a bear with climbed that mountain at night.’ ” two small cubs on the OTHER side If there was ever a hostess with the … My heart leaped with hope.” “mostess,” it was Ema (Ma) Perkins hen it got dark and rained: “he dark at Granite Park Chalets. With all due clouds dumped cold rain on us, and respect for Kay Luding, Ma Perkins we were especially worried about the was unique. trail getting slippery. We came to a trail Dick Schwab, a bellman at Many marker that pointed to a log that was Glacier Hotel in the late 1940s and bridging another deep ravine. I was ter- early 1950s, has written an ode to Ma riied … I panicked. ‘Dick, I can’t walk Perkins, and her daughter Millie Jean. that log even in dry daylight, let alone hey ran Granite from 1936 to 1949, in this!’ ” Shipley eventually straddled certainly one of the longer tenures as the log and pulled herself across. manager. By that point, it was pitch black. “It “he luminous spirit of Ma Perkins,” Rum Cashman was so dark that we started to crawl on Dick Schwab wrote, “illed the chalet

“They are amazing buildings, but more than that, it’s really about the people.”

(photos from the Ray Djuff collection)

1936 - Ma and Millie Perkins and crew

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 11 was the most enchanting time of all thing. I’ll never forget Granite Park hese weren’t just small birds that Fol- at Granite. After dinner, when the last and the time spent here.” Signed, let would haul into Sperry: morsel had been enjoyed, we repaired Helen Miliner, Arlington, VA “here was one time at dinner [Follet] to the front porch to chat and joke, When Ma Perkins failed to return in came to me and asked if I could carve or strolled around the chalet area, 1950 due to illness, she was replaced a turkey, the piece de resistance for that watching the stunning sunset turn by Rosemarie Cashman. Rum, as ev- night,” John Mauf recalled. “I said I the sky and mountains all conceivable eryone called her, was a sprite – efer- prided myself on my cutting up, so . . . miraculous and brilliant colors. As vescent, outgoing, a leader among the they brought out a magniicent roasted darkness fell a campire was kindled, staf at Many Glacier Hotel, where she bird of 23 pounds! I wasn’t daunted when the weather permitted it; and worked. Her story, though, is tragic, as and carved and carved, and the pile of we all gathered around it to talk, sing, told by her daughter, Bridget Tuma: slices of breast mounted and mounted. and tell stories … I can say never before or since have I “From the best I can tell, Rum started “hen came the high point of the eve- tackled that weight a bird.” working her summers in the park ning. Ma read everybody’s fortunes in around 1933 continuing through It’s fascinating, in my research, to the tea leaves. She adopted the manner 1951 … Along with her hotel jobs, discover just who has been coming to of Madame Arcati at a séance. Her she managed to hike every trail Granite Park and Sperry Chalets all eyes glittered, and her voice became throughout the park, and judging these years. Amazingly, whether in the hushed and solemn. here was many from [her] photo collection, I think 1910s or the 2010s, I believe it’s the a signiicant pause and a worried look. she photographed most of it too along same type of person. It was a perfect performance. Ma with all of the employees and guests was one of the shrewdest students of Here’s a description of a Glacier … My parents met in Glacier and human nature, and she could size up enthusiast written by Mathilde Holtz after their marriage they spent the irst someone in an instant. hus, some of and Katharine Bemis from their 1917 winter … as winter caretakers of Lake her fortunes were eerily accurate.” book about the park. While nearly McDonald Lodge. 100 years ago, it shows the appeal Not to be outdone, Martha Russell, “he spring of 1952 my parents staked of the park is timeless, just like the the manager at Sperry Chalets, tried a homestead in Alaska and I was born chalets: desperately to match Ma Perkins if not there that summer. Unfortunately for style, at least for proitability of “He is here because he knows that my mother Rum contracted hepatitis operation. in Glacier Park can be seen the most from infected plasma she received varied and awe-inspiring scenery of “Martha Russell was, temperamen- and she died … My father raised me the American continent. He has read tally, the antithesis of Ma Perkins,” most of my life in Colorado where he all available subject-matter and has a wrote longtime Glacier hiker and taught me to love skiing, hiking and deinite idea of what is to be seen. He enthusiast John Mauf. “And [she] the mountains. We just never went to possesses an appreciation of nature and detested it when anyone called her Glacier.” loves it. he cold bracing air with its ‘Ma Russell.’ he two managers had Bridget Tuma did eventually visit Gla- tang of balsam and pine is tonic to his a certain rivalry: the railroad accepted cier, for the irst time in 2005. nerves; the mighty mountains impart the fact both were usually ‘in the red’ their strength to him; the glaciers at the end of the season, and as I recall A tradition at Sperry that was never impress him with their mighty silent it was said each vied with the other as matched at Granite was roast turkey, work, the result of which will be known to which was less ‘in the red.’ ” served each week. On various oc- and seen ages hence … he matchless casions, seasonal park ranger Doug Ma Perkins was the hands-down favor- beauty and grandeur of the combined Follet brought the bird up, carried in ite of the two women, as witnessed in wonders serve to develop in him a his backpack. A high school teacher, the praise for Ma Perkins recorded in greater gratitude to the Creator whose he was incredibly it and so fast hiking her “Big Black Book.” It is overlowing hand has so bountifully equipped this from Lake McDonald Lodge to Sperry with efusive comments. Here’s just marvelous place for the beneit and that he could carry several insulated one notation: enjoyment of His creatures.” pails of ice cream to the chalet without “Many thanks, Ma, for your wonder- them melting. Let’s hope it will always be such. ful cooking, hospitality and every-

12 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail Chalet Centennial

More than 250 people gathered on August 20, 2014 at the Glacier Outdoors Center, to mark the 100th anniversary of Granite Park and Sperry Chalets. But the events, orchestrated by Kathleen Aasheim, were more than a birthday party.

By Ray Djuf shared with the 100 or so people razed. “he Ludings came to the (Prince of Wales 1973-75, 1978) who showed up. rescue and without intending it, they created a legacy,” Warrington said. WEST GLACIER – More than 250 he afternoon included a talk about people gathered on August 20, 2014 at the history of the chalets, given by He further noted that Ross and Kay the Glacier Outdoors Center, to mark interpretive ranger Diane Sine of the were able to do something the Great the 100th anniversary of Granite Park National Park Service, who recalled Northern had never been able to: and Sperry Chalets. But the events, good, bad and funny moments “Suddenly they made money, which orchestrated by Kathleen Aasheim, were involving the chalets. Sine, a former the railway couldn’t do.” Congratu- more than a birthday party. Many Glacier Hotel singing waitress, lations for the Luding family came Glacier enthusiasts, invited dignitar- noted the eforts of Ross and Kay from Glacier Guides, which ran ies, and former and current chalet Luding to take on the chalets, start- Granite Park Chalet from 1998 to staf also marked 60 years of the ing with Sperry in 1954 (Granite 2004, and Jan Knox, chief of conces- Luding family operating Sperry and Park the following year). he Great sions management in Glacier. Northern Railway, which had built Granite Chalets. And they further Blackfeet singer-songwriter Jack both chalet groups, had just turned celebrated the National Park Service’s Gladstone provided musical enter- them over to the Park Service, and announcement just days earlier that tainment that wrapped up the public their future was in doubt – until the the Luding family corporation, Bel- portion of the centennial party. Ludings took on the challenge. ton Chalets Inc., had been granted a Gladstone gave an insightful look new, 10-year concession contract to In recalling that momentous deci- through story and song at the history continue operating the buildings. sion, Kevin Warrington, who now of Glacier Park and the Blackfeet. he celebrations kicked of in the heads Belton Chalets Inc., said Ross He was accompanied by Linda Kuhn afternoon with a public event at and Kay became “stewards on behalf and David Griith. which two birthday cakes -- one of the U.S. public” to keep the facili- white, one chocolate -- were cut and ties from being abandoned and likely

Dunagan ... said she was thrilled when Sperry reopened in 1999 ... and was further elated when chosen to be one of the Sperry staff for that season. “I would have paid to be part of the staff,” she was later overhead telling a friend. “Lanny regretted paying me after he heard that.”

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 13 For anyone seeking a souvenir of Aasheim lauded the leadership of were going steady in high school. the chalets, authors Bret Bouda and Lanny Luding, eldest son of Ross Of the many skills Kay Luding pos- Beth Dunagan were on hand to sign and Kay Luding, who “pushed us sessed, Follet said he most admired their books. Kalispell photographer hard to bid” on the concession 10 her as a blister treatment specialist. Bouda’s book, he Era of the Cha- years ago and kept the company Over the years, Follet, said, she’d seen lets, ofers stunning color images going through thick and thin. Lud- it all when it came to hikers with of both chalets. Dunagan, who has ing’s leadership was crucial when blisters. So many of those who came worked on and of at Sperry Chalet Sperry was closed for six years due to over Gunsight Pass were neophyte since 1954, had copies of her newly substandard sewage and water sys- outdoor enthusiasts “who should released remembrance, Welcome to tems and lack of funds to correct the never have left Main Street,” he said. Sperry Chalet., with its insights into problems. She said that the fund- operation of the chalet and observa- raising push by the Save the Chalets Follet said Kay kept a roll of two- tions on Sperry’s enduring appeal. campaign helped assure the future inch tape at Sperry and used it to of the buildings by showing the Park wrap the feet of hikers so they could Dunagan worked for both Kay Lud- Service the keen public interest in make it to Lake McDonald Lodge. ing and her son Lanny, who succeed- maintaining the facilities and having While some hikers balked at the ed his parents in operating Granite them continue to serve the public. treatment, Kay assured them that the Park and Sperry Chalets. She said she tape would do the trick – and come was thrilled when Sperry reopened in Of the iasco that led up to the of easily in a hot bath. 1999 after a hiatus of six years, and construction of the so-called “mil- was further elated when chosen to be lion dollar toilet” at Sperry, Aasheim Follet had his own memories of one of the Sperry staf for that season. recalled Lanny lamenting that “we Sperry Chalets, among them of “I would have paid to be part of the can get a man on the moon, but one evening he stayed over and of staf,” she was later overhead telling can’t come to terms with a decent conversations inadvertently heard a friend. “Lanny regretted paying me crapper” at Sperry. through the notoriously-thin walls after he heard that.” between rooms. he featured speaker for the evening he evening was given over to a was Glacier seasonal ranger and natu- “I heard this one girl say she had to private dinner and celebration ralist Doug Follet, who had the audi- go – badly. ‘If I don’t go soon, it’ll hosted by the Luding family, with ence in stitches for much of his talk. run down my leg,” she exclaimed. It Kathleen Aasheim as host. Aasheim, was fun to go out later and see if I Follet is uniquely suited to talk who is active in Belton Chalets Inc., could igure out who had said that.” about Kay and Ross Luding. He ensured staf past and present were grew up in their Whiteish neighbor- Lars Phillips, a third generation Lud- recognized for their services, hand- hood, considered himself a family ing relative to work at Granite Park, ing out gifts. he role of now a third friend. (Kay’s mom regularly made summed up the thoughts of many at generation of the extended Luding doughnuts, which was the reason he the centennial celebrations for Gran- family in keeping the chalets func- befriended Kay’s younger brother.) ite Park and Sperry Chalets. “hey tioning was repeatedly recognized. He remembered when Kay and Ross are amazing buildings, but more than that, it’s really about the people.”

Lars Phillips, a third generation Luding relative to work at Granite Park, summed up the thoughts of many at the centennial celebrations for Granite Park and Sperry Chalets. “They are amazing buildings, but more than that, it’s really about the people.”

14 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail From top right: Diane Sine; Bret Bouda ... once upon a time and Doug Follet; Kathleen Aasheim; Jack Gladstone (with Linda Kuhn and David Grifith); and the Cast of the Celebration. Event hosts for were the Luding family.

... and they all lived happily ever after! (photos courtesy of Ray Djuff)

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 15 A Harrowing Night on Mount Allen

This is an account of how three otherwise not mentally challenged young men turned an ordinary hike into a harrowing, life-threatening, ridiculously dumb decision to “take a short cut.”

(Map courtesy of John Hagen.)

By Jim Vienneau On August 25, John had the day of. small backpack to put such things into, He and Chris and I decided to hike to had we brought any along. It appears, his is an account of how three oth- Cracker Lake. he lake lies in a giant in retrospect, that we didn’t have brains erwise not mentally challenged young cul-de-sac at the head of a canyon or heads in which brains would be put. men turned an ordinary hike into a between Mt. Allen and the clifs of Mt. But of we went, telling my parents we harrowing, life-threatening, ridiculous- Siyeh. he trail leads up the canyon, would be back around 4 p.m. ly dumb decision to “take a short cut.” and the only practical way out is to re- But irst, let’s set a little context. Our hike to Cracker Lake was pleas- verse course. hat, of course, was our ant and uneventful. We saw plenty of In 1974, my sisters Jeanne and Lori plan, and we studied the map carefully birds, marmots and other critters along parlayed their considerable performing before setting out at around 8 a.m. the trail, but thankfully, we encountered arts talents and their ability to carry a We planned to be back by 4 p.m., and no angry bears. he lake is a stunning plate full of food and deposit it onto a therefore brought nothing but some blue-green color which is caused by the table without dumping it onto the laps sandwiches for lunch. We planned to sun refracting through the suspended of unsuspecting diners, into a sum- drink glacial creek water on the trail, so glacial silt carried into the lake from the mer job at Many Glacier Hotel. hey we didn’t bring a canteen. We dressed slowly melting Siyeh Glacier. returned in 1975. Jeanne’s husband- for the climate: lannel shirts, blue jeans, to-be, John Wade, also got a position We found a large rock outcropping hiking boots. We didn’t have ire-mak- that summer pumping gas at the Many on which we settled to eat our lunch. ing implements, rain gear, or a tarp to Glacier fuel station. We spent much of the afternoon create a shelter. We didn’t even have a In August 1975, my parents, my three younger sisters and I drove to Glacier to visit Jeanne, John and Lori. I was We were still at the lake, 6.3 miles from 16 years old at the time. Another teen- age boy, Chris Adams, a friend of the the hotel and we needed to get back fast. family, also made the trip with us. John had an idea.

16 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail climbing around on the rock face of stood between us and the hotel, we our elation was short-lived. A massive this outcropping and taking photos agreed to give the short cut a try. thunderstorm was bearing down on of each other on the small clifs. As the area. With no shelter, no rain gear, As we started to move up the side of the sun began to dip behind the huge and no way to start a ire, we knew that Allen, we found long, steeply pitched vertical wall of Mt. Siyeh, we decided we could be in trouble. ields of large rocks. hese rocks we should get in our last sightseeing ranged in size from the size of the aver- Standing on the summit, we peered before heading back. We walked to age desk chair to the size of the average down a sheer clif face of at least a the back side of the lake where there desk. Footing was precarious, and each thousand feet. We moved northeast- was old equipment left over from an up and down motion taxed our legs far ward along the ridgeline to a nego- abandoned copper mine dug around beyond what we were used to. Progress tiable slope. It was scree, which allowed the turn of the century. Among the was slow, and we tired quickly. us to descend quickly, but it abruptly came to an end above more clifs. he Progress was slow, but steady. We inally sun had long since dipped behind the peaks, so we couldn’t see how far down reached the summit around 8:30 p.m. The the clifs went. I picked up a rock, view was incredible, but our elation was short- heaved it over the edge and waited for it to strike the rocks below. We waited. lived. A massive thunderstorm was bearing And waited. After what seemed like down on the area. many moments, we heard the distant crack of rock against rock. detritus of days gone by, an old ore car As we got to the top of the irst rise, We moved both left and right as far still stood on the rails at the mouth of another false summit rose ahead of us. as we could, hoping to ind a way the mine. After making it to two or three such around the clifs. Since there was very points, we knew that we had a long At this point, we had spent a bit more little light left, we didn’t get very far. way to go. Upon reaching each rise, time at the lake than we expected and We quickly decided that we were not we encouraged each other, saying, “he realized that we were already overdue equipped to scramble down. And we real summit is just over the next rise.” at the hotel. We had told my folks that were not about to climb back up the We said those words many, many times we would be back around 4 p.m. and it scree ield, down the other side of Al- that afternoon and into the evening. was already almost 4. We were still at len, and back onto the Cracker Lake the lake, 6.3 miles from the hotel and I had just recovered from a bout of Trail. herefore, we decided to huddle we needed to get back fast. John had an idea. The rain fell steadily for at least an hour, soaking He knew (without consulting the map that we of course had failed to bring us through and through. We began to shiver. with us) that the hotel was just on the Shivering gave way to more violent shaking as our other side of Mt. Allen, at which we core temperatures dropped to hypothermic levels. were now staring. All we needed to do was climb up this apparently small mountain and traverse down the other mononucleosis, and wasn’t in peak up on the clif edge under some pine side, and we would be home in half the form. John and Chris were well-condi- trees and tough out the night. he time. tioned, but also began to show signs of light was all but gone, and the storm the altitude, dehydration and fatigue. clouds we had seen in the distance were Among the many things wrong with Exacerbating this was the fact that all now descending upon Mt. Allen. this idea were the following. Mt. Al- we had eaten for lunch was a couple of Within minutes, we felt the irst drops len is actually pretty high at 9,396 ham sandwiches, and all we had drunk of rain. Steadily, the rain increased feet above sea level, with a rise from was water from the glacial stream. Cracker Lake of 3,486 feet. he “peak” and we began to see lightning lashes we were looking at was actually just Progress was slow, but steady. We i- that temporarily lit up the surrounding the irst rise. With the illusion that a nally reached the summit around 8:30 area. At times, the lightning would relatively small mountain was all that p.m. he view was incredible, but light up the valley below, showing us

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 17 Harrowing Night (continued) the immense distance between where he rain continued to fall. With no small pine trees that had taken root in we were and where we needed to go. other light besides the frequent light- the crevasses, clinging to the soil that We saw how impossible that distance ning lashes, John began to carefully collected there. We avoided using would be to traverse under these cir- pick his way down issures in the rock these little trees as handholds, believing cumstances. face. He called out the locations of that they were likely not rooted irmly footholds and handholds he found. enough to hold our weight. We didn’t have a thermometer, but Like an Army Ranger, he called to us, during lightning lashes we could see John and Chris were about twenty feet “Follow me!” below me, picking their way down and shouting out where the best hand and We simply kept going because there was no footholds were. Once again, I faltered. alternative. Stop and die. Keep going and live, My foot slipped of a small toehold maybe. Just don’t fall. and I reacted instantly by grasping for anything to stop my fall. My hand found one of those baby trees. For the vapor from our breathing. he rain We had no way of knowing how far several seconds, my whole body was fell steadily for at least an hour, soaking down we had to climb before clear- suspended, hanging by one hand. he us through and through. We began ing the clifs. We simply kept going tiny tree was anchored well enough to to shiver. Shivering gave way to more because there was no alternative. Stop stop my fall, and that gave me time to violent shaking as our core tempera- and die. Keep going and live, maybe. scramble onto other holds. tures dropped to hypothermic levels. I Just don’t fall. felt a fever from my mono kick in and Oddly enough, these close calls felt But I fell. John and Chris had made began to feel nauseated. We knew we like nothing more than losing my grip it down to a ledge big enough to hold had to get out of the rain or we would on monkey bars, four feet above a soft them both, with a bit of room to spare. be in serious trouble. sandy playground. It just seemed part I was ten to ifteen feet above them of the ride. In the dark, with only During a lightning lash, Chris spot- when one of my handholds broke lightning to show us our next move, it ted a rock outcropping nearby which loose. I tumbled toward the ledge. was impossible to grasp how close to had vertical issures big enough for John and Chris had been looking up disaster we were. the three of us to squeeze into. We at me, guiding my every move. When squashed ourselves in and huddled to- the rock broke free, I fell directly into After several hours of scrambling, we gether to conserve our warmth. Over their arms, and we all collapsed on the were still a long way from the safety of the next thirty minutes or so, Chris ledge. the valley below. But there was some developed such violent shaking that good news. he rain was stopping. We continued to descend. Ledge after he could hardly remain standing. He ledge. Handhold after handhold. he With the end of the rain came a clear- began to babble, exclaiming that he rain continued. We were cold. Our ing of the skies, which revealed a large, was going to jump and John and I held muscles ached and our hands were raw incredibly bright moon. he moon’s him close, rubbing his arms and legs from the rocks. appearance was the biggest morale to generate heat. his activity helped booster we could have imagined! We Chris and also helped John and me get As we descended further, beneath the could now see what appeared to be the a bit warmer too. timber line, we started to encounter At this point, we realized that stay- ing where we were would likely mean death. We were going to have to John was in the lead, and I watched him take our chances with the clifs if we disappear on a regular basis, only to hoped to survive. Chris had recovered enough for us to agree on a plan to reappear exclaiming, “I’m okay. Drop here! free-climb down the clifs, using light- Traaaayyy-aaaallll!” ning lashes to guide our way.

18 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail see a leeting signal ire on the side of Just then, a ranger arrived to inform the group Allen Mountain. It was no more than a lash, and then it was out. But it let that another hiker was missing. them pinpoint where they thought we were. Given the calls and the signal end of the clifs below us and a large and that knowledge made us sing our ire, everyone was certain that one of us sloping meadow reaching all the way to trail song even louder. was seriously injured. Lake Josephine. At about 4:25 a.m., we saw the glim- Just then, a ranger arrived to inform Moving down the rest of the clifs now mering lights of the Many Glacier the group that another hiker was became much simpler. Hand over Hotel parking lot. My family, along missing. His planned route loosely hand, we continued to descend until with a number of other hotel employ- conformed to the location of the signal we reached a ield of long grass the ees, was gathered just inside the lobby, ire. My family was convinced that the height of our waists. We moved of in hoping and praying for our safe return. search party would come upon all four the direction of the lake and the Piegan As we marched in, Jeanne was the irst of us together. hey igured that we Pass Trail that we knew was between us to see us. She squealed her relief. he three must have heard the calls for help and the water. rest of the group, including my mom and come to the other hiker’s rescue. and dad, surrounded us and we all We had been in the mountains enough he rescue party was delayed by the engaged in a group hug. to know that we should make a lot onset of heavy rain and lightning on of noise to warn bears that we were As the crowd around us wiped away the mountain. hey left the hotel coming. Chris, who was a classically- trained baritone, provided a thunder- At about 4:25 a.m., we saw the glimmering ous two note mini-song using the word, “Trail.” He broke the word into lights of the Many Glacier Hotel parking lot. two syllables, sang the irst syllable at a higher pitch, and lowered the pitch for tears of relief, they began to tell us an when the storm subsided at about the second syllable. amazing story. he previous evening, 10:30 p.m. My family and other while we were overdue and stranded onlookers watched for about ive hours he grass we were moving through was on Mt. Allen, another hiker also was as the rescue team’s head lamps made tall and it obscured the ground below. stranded there! His cries were heard at their slow ascent. he team was in ra- It also hid drops of several feet. John the hotel, and everyone thought that dio contact with those on the ground. was in the lead, and I watched him they came from us. Upon reaching the fallen hiker, the res- disappear on a regular basis, only to cuers announced that he was ALONE. Around 8:30 p.m., my father and my reappear exclaiming, “I’m okay. Drop He had sufered a broken leg, but sister Ruth had been standing outside here! Traaaayyy-aaaallll!” would be ine once they had carried in the Many Glacier parking lot. hey him down. Finally we reached the Piegan Pass heard eerie calls for help above them Trail. We immediately turned north- on Mt. Allen. My Dad called back My family and friends now feared the east toward Swiftcurrent Lake and the asking, “How many are you?” he worst for us, probably involving a bear hotel. Our eyes darted left and right response was hard to understand, attack. My father was a man of action. continuously, searching for movement but Dad and Ruth thought that they He began to organize his own search that would indicate that we were not heard, “hree.” Naturally, they be- and rescue operation. John Hagen, alone. his, quite frankly, was what lieved those calls were from us. the head bellman at the hotel and a frightened us most. he thought of good friend of Jeanne, Lori and John, As twilight fell, a ranger rescue opera- encountering a grizzly was much scari- set gathered gear for a trek to Cracker tion was organized in the hotel lobby. er than all the mountaineering we had Lake. As they were making their inal Suddenly, the power failed and the just done. A family had been attacked preparations for departure, we emerged hotel went dark. My family and the and mauled a few weeks before on the out of the dark – wet, cold, dehydrated rangers spilled outside, just in time to Grinnell Lake Trail, across the valley, and very weary. Ah, but alive!

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 19 JOHN TURNER Turns 99

(photo courtesy of Leroy Lott.)

By Leroy Lott (Gearjammer 1949-50) When I learned of this unique event, I It was appropriate for club members to discovered that John was the oldest liv- wish John a happy birthday, so I sent a John Turner’s 99th birthday party ing gearjammer. My thoughts went to message to them. John was inundated was held at Angelo’s Restaurant in making the birthday especially memo- with calls (one from Japan!), letters and Chatsworth, California on October 17, rable for John. I e-mailed all those who e-mails, and a thick album with dozens 2014. John is the dean of Glacier Park’s had attended the 2010 Gearjammer of personal birthday wishes. When the gearjammers, having driven a red bus Reunion. I asked each of them to send album arrived, John cried. from 1936 to 1939 and then served as a letters, e-mail congratulations, or phone transport agent in 1940 and 1941. He was honored by fellow gearjammers, as he has been on his birthday for several years. John is the dean of Glacier Park’s gearjammers, John’s recent parties have been hosted by having driven a red bus from 1936 to 1939 and Don Perry and Ed Baretta, who met as then served as a transport agent in 1940 and 1941. law students at the University of South- ern California. hey worked together as Red Bus drivers in the summer of 1959. calls to John. A great number of them Perhaps the most special greeting came Decades later, in 2012, they learned in contacted him with birthday wishes. from a Tejas Brave missionary in South Sudan. A photo attachment included a conversation that John was about to I also realized that if John was the th the Tejas Club alumnus with about ten celebrate his 97 birthday. oldest jammer, he likely was also the Sudanese children and 3 adults. he oldest Tejas Club member. he club is Once a gearjammer, always a gearjam- children held a large chalk board with a character-building and service fellow- mer! Ed and Don wanted to honor their the message “Happy 97th John.” All of ship founded at University of Texas in elderly colleague on this momentous oc- this in vivid color! casion. hey contacted John, introduced 1925. Its members are known as “Tejas themselves, and took him to dinner at Braves.” It has a long tradition of pro- John eventually learned that I was the Angelo’s (John’s favorite restaurant). viding red bus drivers for Glacier Park. culprit who had generated these greet-

20 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail her three weeks later at a dance at the John had vivid adventures in Glacier. He hotel. He asked her to dance, he was helped ight the 1936 Heaven’s Peak Forest ever so pleased when she provided her name! hey began their courtship while Fire at Many Glacier. walking on the golf course at night, sip- ping from one bottle of beer. ings. When the e-mails, cards, letters, cares for several buses that ran in Glacier and telephone calls began arriving for in the 1920s and ‘30s. John and Mary were married that same his 99th, John, who is wheelchair bound, year. hey had a 62-year marriage, In recent years, Bruce has provided two persuaded me to ly to his home so that raising ive children, until her death in historic Glacier Reds to drive in the we could meet for the irst time. 2004. John had a distinguished engi- Tournament of Roses Parade on New neering career in California. He devel- Another person entered this story Year’s Day. Bruce arranged for the oped ejection seats for military jets and decades ago. Her name was Donna chairperson of the parade to go to John’s worked on the Gemini space capsule. Cooper. Donna worked as a maid at home and invite him to ride as a passen- During the latter project, he met all of Lake McDonald Lodge in 1949 and as a ger. Needless to say, John was excited. the Mercury astronauts. waitress there in 1950 and 1951. I got He rode in a front seat wearing a red to know her while dating another Lake cap from the Gearjammers’ Reunion. John had vivid adventures in Glacier. McDonald waitress in 1949 and 1950. He helped ight the 1936 Heaven’s Peak John referred to the vintage Red (manu- Forest Fire at Many Glacier. He has I’ll fast forward to the time when three factured in 1925) as a “cranker.” He’d shared that experience in the pages of of us were organizing the great Gearjam- driven a similar bus in Glacier in 1936, he Inside Trail. mer Reunion in 2010. We were having and had been obliged to start it with a diiculty locating former drivers be- hand crank. At his birthday party, John shared some cause there were no records to be found. other hair-raising escapades from 1936. John met his wife Mary in Glacier in One of my colleagues (then driving in First, he went swimming in Iceberg 1941. As Transport Agent at the En- Glacier as a second-career, senior gear- Lake. Second, he slid down Grin- trance (now Glacier Park Lodge), John jammer) met Donna. He learned about nell Glacier and stopped inches from was furnished an advance list of employ- her background at Lake McDonald and a crevasse (he dropped a rock into the ees arriving on the Great Northern’s Em- told her of our need for the names and crevasse, and never heard it reach the pire Builder. John perused the list and addresses of former drivers. bottom!). Finally, he climbed out on ran across the name of Mary Treacy. He a tree limb above a 300-foot drop and Donna remembered me and mailed says that he fell in love with her name. stood on his head! me the complete lists of Glacier Park John tried diligently to cross Mary’s Transportation Company employees I assume that John didn’t tell Mary any path on her arrival at the depot. He for 1949-1951. hose lists were a great of those stories until long after their missed her there and irst encountered boon in creating our jammer database marriage! and in recruiting drivers for the reunion. Telephone calls and e-mails were ex- changed, and a close friendship ensued. I assume that Donna’s married name is Tripp, and she John didn’t tell and her husband Doug live in Anaheim. During one of our phone calls we learned Mary any of that she and Doug had been married on those stories until June 20, 1953 – the same day that Billie and I became man and wife! long after their marriage! John knew about my friendship with Donna and invited Doug and Donna to attend his 99th birthday party. Also attending were several members of his family, Ed Baretta, Don Perry, and Bruce Austin. Bruce is a national authority on historic buses. He owns or (photo courtesy of Leroy Lott.)

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 21 Lake McDonald Memories

The people, the place, the magic ticket that (photos courtesy of Mary brought us there. (Bigelow) Connelly.)

By Mary (Bigelow) Connelly (Lake was to take the sheets that had just McDonald Lodge 1952-53) been washed and feed them into a Ann and I were assigned to the series of metal rollers. hese rollers In 1952, I was taking a summer class laundry at Lake McDonald Lodge, were several feet long and about a at the College of St. Catherine in St. while Fran worked at a diferent foot in diameter. hey were very hot, Paul, where I was earning a degree hotel. We had never traveled outside and if you touched them you would in education. Towards the end of the of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, so get burned. We would feed the wet class my friend, Fran, asked me if I we were very excited about this new sheets into the rollers, and they would like to work at Glacier Na- adventure. would exit dry and pressed. tional Park with her for the last half of the summer season. he laundry was in a separate build- We had so much fun working in the ing away from the lodge. Our job laundry! It was very hot and steamy, I don’t know what Fran’s connection was to the Park, but she got jobs for my sister Ann and me. We did not [M]y friend, Fran, asked me if I would like to have to go through the ordinary ap- work at Glacier National Park with her . . . . I plication process. On July 26, Fran, Ann, and I boarded the train called don’t know what Fran’s connection was to the he Western Star at St. Paul’s Great Park, but she got jobs for my sister Ann and me. Northern Depot.

22 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail and the work was hard, but we found My sister and I came back to work at beautiful to hear that music as we ways to make it fun. he people on Lake McDonald in 1953 as wait- worked. the other side of the rollers would resses. We were all young and trim, One time I served a family with a fold the clean linens. For a laugh, my because waitressing involved a lot of daughter who was trying to decide sister and I would feed the bed sheets walking and lifting. he serving trays where to go for college. hey asked into the rollers all scrunched up, just were huge and carried ive plates full me where I went and I told them to watch the reaction of the people of food. We would carry them shoul- that I attended St. Catherine’s. I later folding on the other side! der high through the dining room found out that she decided to go on one hand. When we arrived at a I remember taking cat naps during there in part because of our conver- table we would swing the tray down our morning break. I was so tired sation, and we ultimately became to a nearby service table. You were because we would stay up late party- friends. very it by the time you left that job! ing some nights. I had no problem he vivid memories of my time at sleeping deeply for 10 or15 minutes he kitchen was crowded, but the Glacier show how much the experi- on the folding tables in the laundry process there was streamlined. I ence meant to me. Prior to working and then getting back to work. remember a neat contraption that there I had been so wrapped up in was used to cook eggs for breakfast. We spent a lot of our free time explor- my studies that I didn’t have much It had a series of metal cups that ing Glacier Park. We would often go time for fun. Although the work dipped into boiling water to soft-boil on long hikes to St. Mary Lake and was hard, there was plenty of time or hard-boil the eggs. to Many Glacier, taking the Garden to hike in the Park and spend time Wall trail. he trails were very nar- We had a quintet of professional with other workers from all over the row in places with a long fall if you musicians in the dining room for the world. It has been over 60 years since stumbled. When we were too tired to evening meal. hey played classi- I worked at Glacier, and I still cher- hike anymore, we could always get a cal music with string instruments ish the memories. I can almost smell ride home from the “gearjammers” (piano, violin, bass, cello). It was the air perfumed with the fragrance who drove the Park’s red buses. of the outdoors!

It has been over 60 years since I worked at Glacier, and I still cherish the memories. I can almost smell the air perfumed with the fragrance of the outdoors!

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 23 Glacier Crossword Puzzle and Clues

So, you’re a Glacier expert?

You know the Where’s and What’s of Glacier Park. You’ve seen both the secrets and ‘what’s the hecks’ of this majestic place.

Well, it’s time to put the “Sole to the Scree!”

Will you be equal to the quest? Enter here. . . .

Crossword Puzzle by Dan Manka, Many Glacier 1975)

ACROSS 15. the most common mode of trans- 25. destination of a short hike east of 1. nickname for hotel on Swiftcurrent portation of Glacier Park visitors the road to Many Glacier near Lake Lake 16. Rocky Mountain ______; often Sherburne 8. activity necessary to make the Ptar- found in herds at Many Glacier and 27. a character trait necessary to hike migan Tunnel other Glacier valleys on the Highline Trail and the Swiftcur- rent Pass Trail 10. last name of “the father of Glacier 17. can come from snow; sometimes Park,” one taught by Mrs. John James called irn 29. term for a big hike Audubon, George Byrd ______19. motivational word for determining 30. mode of transportation used by FDR 12. mountains like the Lewis Range in to attempt a challenging hike or climb, in touring Glacier Park Russia between Europe and Asia “Let’s ____ !” 31. adult female ptarmigan 13. special government land consisting 21. a young grizzly 33. mule or white-tail for examples of the Lewis Mountains 23. what one does when recounting an 34. Indian name for elk 14. Going ____ The Sun Mountain old story from our past experiences in Glacier 36. commanding prominence just south of U.S. customs building north of Babb

24 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail 38. name for ish eggs 4. alternate name for Governor’s 34. a typical reason for visitors to 39. mountain named for a Imazi-imita, Pond; named for Montana Governor suddenly choose to travel to Glacier a 1879 survivor of the Baker massacre, ______Aronson, the Galloping National Park though crippled for life Swede 35. quality of snow necessary for tra- 41. a variety of broadleaf tree made 5. name for a body of water in Wa- versing without causing an avalanche popular by the old song “The _____ terton Nation Park; this body of water 36. a group of Blackfeet Indians banded Grove” is hidden in the mountains, can be together by ancestry or birth reached by passing through a tunnel, 43. symbol of the state in which Glacier and extends to the U.S. border 37. what one does on a climbers rope Park, Inc. headquarters was located before committing oneself to depending 6. mountain near Many Glacier named on the rope 44. Smoky The Bear’s middle name for Joseph ______who lived near 45. a large low of irn that was named Lower St. Mary Lake; He was known to 40. a beautiful body of water up above by G. B. Grinnell for the local tribe; the Blackfeet as Red Sore Eyes. the former town of Altyn and thousands of feet directly below Mount Siyeh; this originally known as “Old Man Ice” by 7. a high meadow in glacial mountains; the Kootenais body of water is known to have snow- a hanging valley like Shangri-La; or a bergs that can roll over in the middle of 48. a nocturnal predator fowl high pointed mountain; a glacial horn the night 49. the other name for Bosporus; the 8. body of water in the plains near 42. Elizabethan English for “show” narrow spot in the Canadian part of Babb 43. a large number of girls are hired Waterton Lake near the Prince of Wales 9. what some senior citizens raid in Hotel each year, each one to be a “Many order to pay for their trip to Glacier ______” at Many Glacier Hotel; they 52. a piece of information displayed on 11. initials for a pinnacle on Chief prepare and clean from room to room a G.P.S. that tells the driver when they Mountain which means “North Soldier” each day can expect to pull up to Lake McDon- ald Lodge 14. _____ Medicine Lake 45. the condition of George Kootenai Brown now in Waterton National Park 53. beautiful mountain of alternating 17. what a hiker can become if he does curves of snow and rock seen best from not use water puriication tablets in his 46. what we did at Johnson’s Cafe Granite Park Chalet canteen 47. a large animal that came into a 56. what one pays for and looks for- 18. stands for “cosine” in geometry; room in Many Glacier Hotel when I left ward to at Lake McDonald Lodge after used by government surveyors for the door open for a minute a strenuous all-day hike triangulation of inaccessible points in 50. one of the 16 points of a compass mountainous terrain 57. what a horse does when it goes 51. what tourists used to pay for in the faster than a trot 19. land west of the current Blackfeet lower level of Many Glacier Hotel dur- Indian Reservation 61. the call of a Rocky Mountain Sheep ing one of their musical dramas 20. what a mountain climber does just 53. ______Runner Mountain 63. irst word in the hymn title “____ before he “zags” on the way down from The Deer” the peak 54. typical time visitors congregate for 64. a high shelf just below Swiftcurrent lunch at Many Glacier Hotel’s Ptarmi- 21. symbol for metal for which miners gan Dining Room Pass on the Garden Wall; it has a com- sought manding view of Heavens Peak 55. generic term for an aggravating 22. towering falls seen from the Going mosquito 66. “____ Eagle Pass” To The Sun Road on The Garden Wall 56. a compass direction 67. “____ Mary Lake” 24. explorer for whom the mountain 68. large hoofed mammal range in Glacier is named 59. what we now have and lacked much of when we worked in Glacier 26. what tourists pay to enter the park DOWN: 60. Mr. Tippet’s irst name 28. a small mammal whose presence is 2. village at the south end of Lake undesirable in and around the lodges 61. nocturnal lying mammal McDonald named for Milo B. ______and cabins 62. symbol for Arkansas who crossed Marias Pass with a two wheeled cart in 1892 32. organization that prints The Inside 65. what one writes at the end of a let- Trail ter home just before adding one more 3. Southern port for the launch Inter- thought about Glacier National Park national, just south of the Canadian border; summer home of a U.S. cus- toms agent Key on page 29.

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 25 Memories of Apgar and Eddie’s Cafe

When I was a child, my family vacationed a lot in Glacier National Park.

(photo from Jill Smith’s personal collection.)

brought me to my home for the summer. It was a rundown building tucked just behind the cafe and adja- cent to their home. I was told that it By Jill Smith (Eddie’s Cafe 1986-88) he summer after 9th grade, I de- had been the original post oice for cided I wanted to work in the Park Apgar Village. When I was a child, my family when I got older. My family had vacationed a lot in Glacier National Some eight to ten girls lived in the been dining at Eddie’s Cafe in Apgar, Park. My father was a wheat farmer dormitory building with a few mice. and I asked a waitress there how she from the prairies of northwestern he Larsons could keep a good eye had gotten her job. She wrote down Minnesota who loved to go and visit on us from their home a few feet the owners’ address on a little sheet away. Boys were NOT allowed th inside the dormitory, and that was The summer after 9 grade, I decided I wanted to made very clear! he girls had a sign work in the Park when I got older. My family had made that hung above the front door been dining at Eddie’s Cafe in Apgar, and I asked a – “he Manless Mansion.” waitress there how she had gotten her job. It was my irst waitress job. he Larsons trained us to their high stan- the mountains. In the last week of of paper and told me to write them dards, and mistakes were not an op- June, when the crop was planted and when I was ready. I saved that little tion. he job was hard work, and I before the harvest, my parents would sheet of paper as if it were a piece of hated wearing the checkered yellow, load four kids into the car for the gold! Four summers later, after my green or orange pinafore outit. But long drive west on Highway 2. freshman year at the University of the money was good (it allowed me North Dakota, I was working at Ed- to put myself through college). And he Village Inn in Apgar Village was die’s Cafe as a waitress. the views of Lake McDonald out the our irst stop on the west side. here windows were amazing! was always a race to see who could I travelled to the Park that summer get their swimsuit on irst and run by Amtrak with a few bags and my Some of the signature items on the into the cold water of Lake McDon- bike. he owners of the cafe, the menu at Eddie’s Cafe were the “bear ald! Larson family, picked me up and paw pie” (Oreo cookie crust, cofee

26 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail couldn’t get into the car fast enough, he wrote down the owners’ address on a little screaming and laughing all the way! sheet of paper and told me to write them Working at Eddie’s and spending when I was ready. three summers in Glacier was one of the best experiences of my life. We ice cream, caramel fudge, whipped I had my own car, my sister (a new worked hard and played hard. he cream) and the homemade apple pie Eddie’s girl) and I hiked a lot in the memories of daily bike rides from with cinnamon ice cream. he trout Waterton and Banf, Canada areas. I Apgar to Lake McDonald Lodge, dinner was very popular, and we loved the lexibility the car gave. of hiking the many trails in Glacier often were asked if it was caught in and Waterton, of making wonderful Lake McDonald (the rangers certain- A few times over the summer, the friendships and of meeting people ly would have frowned if ishing had Eddie’s Girls would get dressed up from all over the world, are priceless been done on that scale!). We had and head into Kalispell or Bigfork and never will be forgotten. to illet the trout at the customers’ for dinner and a show at the Bigfork Glacier National Park will always be tables, which always impressed them. he Larsons always hired a nice The Larsons always hired a nice group of young group of young women. We were a bright cheery group known as the women. We were a bright cheery group known “Eddie’s Girls.” We had two-and- as the “Eddie’s Girls.” half days of per week, and for me that was always hiking time. Playhouse. On the way, we would my special place. To this day, I con- I remember my irst hike, up Mt. stop at the many bars along the tinue to hike and bike there with my Brown with its many switchbacks, in road. I’ll never forget an occasion family and friends. I often said that June of 1986. My Nike tennis shoes when we stopped at the Dew Drop those summers working in Glacier got my up the 4,305 feet of eleva- Inn. Within a few minutes, we all were the best ones of my life, and tion gain. Two summers later, when were rushing out of the bar to escape after all these years I still agree! the aggressive “mountain men.” We

Boys were NOT allowed inside the dormitory, and that was made very clear! The girls had a sign made that hung above the front door – “The Manless Mansion.”

(photo from Jill Smith’s personal collection.)

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 27 I SPLATTERED EVERYONE! Battleield Promotions at GPL

By John Dobbertin (Glacier Park food and beverages. It had a long Lodge 1963-65) counter with 12 stools. he working laundry when we heard a rumor the area was a back-bar arrangement so Glacier Park, Inc. public relations hree 1960s-era Glacier Park Lodge customers could clearly see how their director had been ired for some alums shared memories over a orders were being prepared. major infraction of the rules,” Dob- Christmas breakfast in Las Vegas in bertin said. “I walked directly out early December 2014. Jim Dufy here was nothing for Jim and Paul of the laundry to the oice of the (’63-‘64’-65), Paul Nordberg (’63- to do but start preparing orders! company’s owner, Don Hummel, in the basement of Glacier Park Lodge. I said to Hummel, ‘I have journalism All three GPL alums received major promotions experience and I can do that job.’ in their irst year at the Lodge. “I was 19 and covered in laundry lint from head-to-toe. Hummel must have been amused, but he said: ‘he ’64), and John Dobbertin, Jr. (’62- One of the irst orders was for one of job is yours.’” ’63) were joined by their signiicant the Tipi Room’s wonderful milk- others (who found other things to shakes. Following law school, Jim Dufy discuss!) at the Las Vegas Orleans. moved to Hawaii and practiced law “I took one of the old-fashioned tins there before becoming a member of All three GPL alums received major used to mix the milkshakes and illed the Hawaii Supreme Court. Now promotions in their irst year at the it to the top with the necessary in- retired from that position, Jim inds Lodge. Dobbertin moved from the gredients,” Jim said. “Filling the tin satisfaction in mediation work. Paul laundry to become Glacier Park, to the brim was a mistake. I turned Nordberg was in the U.S. Air Force Incorporated’s public relations direc- on the blender and splattered ev- for many years and is now retired. tor, and Dufy and Nordberg moved eryone in the Tipi Room, including from washing pots and pans to run- myself.” As the summer progressed, John Dobbertin, Jr. began his career ning the Tipi Room. Jim and Paul became proicient in in journalism, moved to public rela- “Our move from potwashing to the Tipi Room was sudden,” said Dufy. Dobbertin moved from the laundry to become “I’m not certain what became of the Glacier Park, Inc’s public relations director, and Tipi Room staf, but management needed someone in there right away. Duffy and Nordberg moved from washing pots Paul and I were selected. here was and pans to running the Tipi Room. no time for training … and we had no experience running anything like running the Tipi Room to the point tions, and then to trade show and the Tipi Room.” of receiving compliments from the public event management. He now On the west side of the GPL lobby – management. is retired and involved in projects of interest to him, including having or- now converted to the gift shop – the Dobbertin’s promotion was also ganized the 400-person Glacier Park Tipi Room for several decades served abrupt. “I was working in the Lodge alumni reunion in 2013.

28 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail Crossword Key

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 29 A Glacier-Themed Beatles Mystery By Cindy Lou Schobert (Gearjammer Before long, “Mama Bear, Papa Bear edge of such a thing. I was not a fan 2006-2010) and Baby Bear” were conducting tours of the Beatles’ music.” But, I ran with in those fabulous red Whites. Mr. the story as part of my commentary to “Hi, Mom! I met the most amazing Tippet was so pleased to tell us that passengers aboard my bus whenever guy today! His name is Mr. Ian Tip- there had never been a whole family the Tippet cottage came into view. pet!” working as drivers – there had been a Last summer on XM Radio a new pro- Our eldest son had finally found a mother-and-son team not long ago, gram debuted – “Talk-Talk,” hosted summer job as a Red Bus Driver in but never a father-and-son team or by Lou Simon, long time rock-and- July of 2003. His phone calls home three members of the same family. roll DJ and music trivia guru. The revealed his interest in the photo- A curious memory surfaced one day audience was asked to call in with graphic scenery and diversity of the when I was visiting Mr. Tippet in his questions. After dialing the toll-free job. His love of Glacier National Park mailroom office. Glancing about the number several times, I finally got always bubbled over at some new area room, I saw many photographs and through to the call screener. He was that he had found. Then he met Mr. newspaper articles about Rear Admi- quite interested in my question, and Ian Tippet. His weekly phone call ral Sir Anthony Tippet – Ian’s oldest I was put in the queue for the broad- home never failed to give an update sibling and only brother. Admiral? cast. When Lou heard the question he on his most recent conversation with Royal Navy? Hmm … was stumped! “Whenever I don’t know the longest-employed worker for GPI. Chad had found “the perfect summer job” through Cool Works. Without Well, without a deinitive answer from either hesitation he had submitted an applica- Paul or Ringo, I am going to suggest the tion. Even though it was already July, possibility and continue telling the story… with Richard Bond was in desperate need of drivers. Since Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is only the smallest of caveats. only a 4-hour drive to the western edge of the park, his dad and I agreed to Flashback: when I was attending an answer I go to the experts,” he said, take him over to “begin immediately.” college, I went to a special showing “so I will have to call Beatle Bob for this answer. Tune in next week!!!” Chad’s first week was spent in East of the Beatles’ cartoon movie The Yel- low Submarine. The Peter Max-style Glacier training to drive and care for The following week, my husband artistry and lively, toe-tapping music the newly restored Red Buses. At each and I listened with rapt attention. made the evening fun and enjoyable. meal time, he would seat himself near My question was the lead story that During the showing, as the reels were the storytelling Mr. Tippet to hear his evening. Beatle Bob said it was an switched (yes, it was that long ago!) latest recollections. He told stories of unusual question, but after listening to the student host/activity director held hiring young college students majoring the record he was sure that the words trivia contests. in MUSIC and the challenges of keep- were “Captain, Captain!” and that it ing the guests entertained in the deso- One of the trivia questions concerned was John doing the speaking. He did late area of Many Glacier, especially on the title song. In the bridge, various state that he had not asked the surviv- a rainy day! Ian kept the whole table background noises and words can be ing Beatles for a definitive answer. interested and wanting to know more heard – name them! Chain rattles, “Curses! Foiled again!” was my only about his career as the manager of the dive alerts, bubbling, steam releases, thought. It makes for a REALLY “Showplace of the Rockies.” and a voice (John’s, maybe) saying interesting and personal story, if that “Tippet! Tippet!” Our host comment- Fast-forward: three years later, my long-ago student’s interpretation ed that it was a salute to an admiral in freshly-retired husband, Rod, wanted were true! Well, without a definitive Her Majesty’s Royal Navy. to join our son as a jammer. Then, answer from either Paul or Ringo, I after crunching the numbers, he de- Deja vu all over again!! Was Ian’s am going to suggest the possibility and clared that I had to have a job as well. brother the admiral? I asked Mr. Tip- continue telling the story… with only pet, who responded: “I have no knowl- the smallest of caveats. 30 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail Inside News of Glacier National Park Many Glacier Centennial; Veteran Managers Hotel, Rising Sun Motor Inn and the Expanded Employee Music Rejoin Glacier Park, Inc. Two Medicine Campstore. he artists Glacier Park’s new concessioner, Familiar faces will be rejoining Glacier include John Fery, Frank Stick, Rein- Xanterra, is making plans to celebrate Park, Inc. (GPI) as managers of two hold Palenske, and Charles Defeo. the centennial of Many Glacier Hotel. of its gateway facilities on the borders he pieces, originally were owned or A centennial ceremony is planned of the Park. Todd Ashcraft will be the commissioned by the Great North- for July 4, the date on which Many location manager for GPI’s recently- ern Railway, depict iconic scenes of Glacier irst opened its doors to the acquired properties in West Glacier Glacier Park. All are believed to have visiting public in 1915. Xanterra and Apgar. Helen Roberts will be the been created between 1909 and 1915. also is working with the Glacier Park new location manager at St. Mary. Foundation to host a reunion of for- “We greatly appreciate the willing- Ashcraft spent many summers at Lake mer employees the weekend of July 31 ness of the National Park Service to McDonald Lodge, including the last to Aug. 2. (See p. 32) ensure that the original paintings be 11 years as location manager there. displayed in the lodges and properties Marc Ducharme, Xanterra’s general He now will oversee 106 rooms of within Glacier National Park, as they manager for Glacier, has made com- lodging at the Motel Lake McDonald, were intended when the Hill Fam- mitments to expand employee music Apgar Village Lodge & Cabins and the ily of the Great Northern Railway at Many Glacier to mark the centen- West Glacier Motel. Ashcraft will also commissioned the paintings in the nial. he Hootenanny program will oversee the West Glacier Restaurant & early 1900s. We are pleased that these be presented two nights a week (Tues- Bar; the West Glacier Mercantile; the beautiful images of the park’s history days and Saturdays) at 9:00 PM in the West Glacier Gift Shop; the West Gla- will continue to be enjoyed by many St. Moritz Room. Additional music cier Gas Station; the Cedar Tree Gift more generations,” said Glacier Park, may be ofered on some Sundays and Shop; and staf housing units in Apgar Inc. Vice President and General Man- Mondays as well. and West Glacier. ager Ron Cadrette. hese programs will embody a very Roberts managed Many Glacier Hotel “We are thrilled to receive this wonder- signiicant change of venue, time, and for the past seven seasons. She now ful gift from Glacier Park, Inc.,” said emphasis. In recent years, the Hoo- will oversee St. Mary Lodge & Resort Glacier National Park Superintendent tenannies were held at 6:00 PM in (116 guest rooms and cabins); the Jef Mow. “hese paintings help tell the lobby on Sundays. his restricted Snowgoose Grill; Curly Bear Café; St. the story of the early tourist accommo- their efectiveness, conlicting with Mary Grocery Store; St. Mary Gift dations in the park and the connection the dinner hour. No other times were Shop, Trail & Creek Outitters; and the the railroad had in promoting this area available, due to professional enter- Loose Moose C-Store & Gas Station. to the nation.” tainment downstairs. his summer, GPI Donates Historic Art the professional entertainment has Park Facilities Renovated to National Park Service been discontinued, with expanded Extensive renovations at Swiftcurrent Glacier Park, Inc. has recently donated amateur entertainment instead. Motor Inn and the Village Inn will be 21 pieces of historic artwork to the completed for the 2015 season. he Xanterra has hired Emily Trapp National Park Service. he art will be rooms there will appear brand new. Hackethorn to coordinate the Many displayed in the hotels and motor inns Xanterra also is completely renovating Glacier music program. Emily revived of Glacier National Park. It includes 21 the Two Medicine Campstore, which the historic Hootenannies (a mainstay paintings which have been on display at will ofer a more robust food and at the hotel from the ‘60s to the ‘80s) Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier beverage service. in 2007, and has helped lead them through the intervening summers. Xanterra is still hiring for the summer, Xanterra has hired Emily Trapp Hackethorn to and Emily encourages former employ- ees who know young musicians to coordinate the Many Glacier music program. encourage them to apply!

The Inside Trail ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ 31 Many Glacier Celebrates its Centennial CENTENNIALIn the year 1915, Babe Ruth hit his Ray Djuff, historian and member of by employees of the Great Northern CELEBRATINGfirst home run for the Boston RedGLACIER’S the Glacier Park HUNDREDTH Foundation’s Board era (pre-1960s), a panel discussion Sox, Alexander Graham Bell made of Directors. on the musical tradition, and a ses- the first transcontinental telephone sion on Ray Kinley, the great story- Finally, a Many Glacier alumni call, the liner Lusitania was sunk by teller who worked at Many Glacier reunion will be held on the weekend a German submarine, and hundreds for more than 50 years. of July 31 to August 2. Hundreds of of thousands of soldiers died in the people will attend, including former Saturday evening will include a terrible trench warfare of World War employees from the 1950s to the community picnic dinner on the I. On July 4, Many Glacier Hotel 2010s. grounds of Johnson’s restaurant at first opened its doors to the visiting St. Mary. Potential activities that public. The reunion will be anchored by two evening also include boat cruises on major musical programs in the lobby Many Glacier’s centennial will be St. Mary Lake and an alumni photo – a Centennial Hootenanny (folk observed with many events this show at the hotel. music and bluegrass) on Friday night summer. Centennial themes will be and a Centennial Serenade (mostly Alumni who haven’t yet registered incorporated in ranger talks, tours, classical music and show tunes) on for the reunion should contact Corie and photographic displays by the Sunday night. Those programs will Jones at [email protected], or by National Park Service. Xanterra, celebrate the great musical tradition of mail at 5325 Black Lake Blvd. SW, which presently manages the hotel, the hotel, especially under Ian Tip- Olympia, WA 98512, or by phone plans a much-expanded program of pet’s management from the 1960s to at 360-753-9612. Reunion partici- amateur employee music involving the 1980s. The Hootenanny is being pants must make individual room- centennial themes. organized by Tessie Bundick and the ing reservations. Rooms at the hotel A formal centennial celebration and Serenade by Carol Repulski Dahle. and at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn are rededication event will be held on sold out, but rooms may be available On Saturday, August 1, there will be the Fourth of July. Speakers there at St. Mary Lodge (call Glacier Park, several history programs. The prin- will include Jeff Mow, the super- Inc. reservations at 406-892-2525), cipal speakers will include historians intendant of Glacier Park; Marc Johnson’s of St. Mary (406-732- Bundick and Djuff of the Glacier Park Ducharme, the general manager 4207), or Thronson’s of Babb (406- Foundation and Diane Steele Sine of for Xanterra; Mark Priess, executive 732-5530). the National Park Service. Other pro- director of the philanthropic Glacier grams may include a panel discussion National Park Conservancy; and JOIN THE GLACIER PARK FOUNDATION All friends of Glacier Park are invited to join the Glacier Park Foundation. Membership includes a subscription to The Inside Trail and the right to vote for directors. Please download a membership form from our Web Site (www.glacier- parkfoundation.org) or send your name, address, phone number, and park experience to Glacier Park Foundation, Box 15641, Minneapolis, MN 55415. An annual membership in the Foundation costs $10. A “Friend of the Park” membership costs $25 annually, cumulat- ing to a Lifetime membership in ive installments. A Lifetime membership paid in one installment costs $100. The Glacier Park Foundation is a § 501(c)(3) nonproit corporation. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent per- mitted by law. (Panorama by Christine Baker)

32 ☐ Spring 2015 ☐ The Inside Trail