Great Falls Community Guide 2015

100 1st Ave. N. Great Falls, MT 59401 406.761.4434 greatfallschamber.org MT-0000345651 Table of Contents Welcome Chamber guide highlights how About the Chamber...... 1,3 City overview...... 2 Online resources ...... 4 special Great Falls community is Great Falls history...... 5 Trolley...... 6 Living here Great Falls is very special it as much as I do. Residency requirements...... 7 place to live, work, play The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has been New resident essentials ...... 8 and raise a family. I am very the leading business organization in Great Falls since Weather...... 9 proud to call Great Falls my 1886. Many things have changed since then except our Montana basics...... 10 home. basic purpose, which is to promote, protect and serve This publication will guide Commerce the business community. We do that through our many you through our wonderful Shopping...... 11-12 committees, with volunteers who believe in the good community whether you are Dining out...... 13-14 things we accomplish and have been doing for more visiting, relocating or recently Hotels...... 15 than 128 years. have moved here. As you I invite you to check out greatfallschamber.org Economy go through the Chamber’s to learn more about the Chamber, our committees, Military...... 16 Community Guide and then Steve Grooms Employment ...... 17 start exploring, you will begin Chamber Board Chair benefits and services we offer, and to learn evene mor County demographics ...... 18 to discover just how special about Great Falls under Experience Great Falls. You Agriculture...... 19 Great Falls really is. also will find that our website is an amazing resource Business resources...... 20-21 I believe you will find this guide very helpful when for businesses, economic development, contacting your elected representatives and more. You also can follow us Government navigating Great Falls and learning about our services, amenities, culture, recreational opportunities and much on Facebook and connect via Tw itter. Contacts ...... 22-23 more. As you learn more about our community, I think, If you would like more information, please feel free to Health care you too, will find out why Great Falls is special and love contact us at 761-4434. Hospitals, clinics ...... 25-27 Senior care...... 28 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: McLaughlin Research Center...... 29 Steve Grooms, Chair Community 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union [email protected] Groups, organizations...... 30-31 Map...... 32-33 Erling Juel, 1st Vice Chair TD&H Engineering Churches...... 34-35 [email protected] Kids groups ...... 37 Media...... 38 Pat Kons, 2nd Vice Chair Pacific Steel & Recycling Recreation [email protected] City parks...... 39-40 Ross Norman, Treasurer State, national parks...... 41-42 Anderson ZurMuehlen Area recreation...... 43-46 [email protected] Spectator sports, leagues ...... 47-48 Sue Warren, Past Chair Rec centers, athletic clubs...... 49 Benefis Health System [email protected] Culture Dennis Peterson Cultural events...... 50-52 Easter Seals Goodwill Nightlife...... 53-54 [email protected] Museums...... 55-57 Sheila Rice Education NeighborWorks [email protected] Public, private schools, higher education...... 58-60 Steve Malicott, President/CEO Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Transportation [email protected] Airport, buses, etc ...... 61 Major events Calendar ...... 62-64 CHAMBER STAFF: Percy Steve Malicott President/CEO [email protected] Tom Alfrey Copyright © 2015 by Great Falls Tribune. Published by the Great Falls Vice President Tribune, Great Falls, MT. greatfallstribune.com. All rights reserved. No [email protected] part may be reproduced, stored or transitted in any form or by any Roxy Perez means without written prior permission of the publisher. Office Manager Lead editor: Amie Thompson [email protected] Copy editor: Amber L. Beckner Joann Gogo Cover & section designer: Scott Sanford Membership Director COVER PHOTO: “Sacajawea Arduous Journey”, the bronze statue by late [email protected] artist Carol Grende at the Missouri River Federal Courthouse. TOP: Red Lodge cowboy Dan Yates wrestles his steer in 11.8 seconds during the Big Sky Pro Rodeo TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO Barb Carbis Roundup at Montana ExpoPark. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER Information Coordinator BOTTOM: Claude Hawks looks at a 1946 Chevy pickup with his grandkids Madeline and Emerson Hamma at the Custom Car Show in the Trades and Industries Building. TRIBUNE PHOTO/RION SANDERS [email protected] greatfallschamber.org1 Welcome

Great Falls, located in central Montana with a population nof nearly 60,000, is home to hundreds of businesses, numerous medical facilities and museums and two universities. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER which will double production capacity to 20,000 the opening of the Hotel Arvon, Central Avenue Construction, barrels per day. Calumet refines heavy Canadian sidewalk improvements, Bennett Motors new crude oil into gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel. facilities and construction on the Rocky Mountain “There are really some exciting things happening Building this year. The Front Brewing Co. opened its new businesses here,” Doney said at the GFDA annual meeting in new brewery downtown in 2014 and it and Mighty July 2014. Mo Brewing Co. both started canning beer from Keynote speaker Bill Johnstone described his their downtown breweries. The Darkhorse Banquet spur growth experience as co-chairmen of Main Street Montana Hall and Wine Snug also opened downtown. Project, a public-private partnership set on Montana Farmers Union purchased the downtown implementing a business plan for the state. Times Square building and filled it with tenants in “We have made great progress in the face of real 2014. in all sectors challenges,” said Johnstone, chairman and CEO of “Downtown Great Falls is in an ascendency,” said Great Falls financial services firm D.A. Davidson Sheila Rice, executive director of NeighborWorks, Cos. Hard work, investment and creative entrepreneurs NorthWestern Energy completed its purchase which will build a 12-plex apartment building at are moving Great Falls forward, according to Brett of Great Falls area hydropower facilitie from PPL 1201 1st Ave. S. “We’re moving forward. Things ear Doney, president of the Great Falls Development Corporation in 2014. happening.” Authority. Pacific Steel & Recycling and Montana Specialty In 2014, the U.S. Air Force announced it would “We’ve set employment records every month (in Mills will break ground on new facilities this year in keep all of Malmstrom Air Force Base’s missile silos 2014),” he said, continuing “Our unemployment the Great Falls AgriTech Park. in “warm” status and add 216 personnel to the base. rate is 3.5 percent, well below the national average.” Great Falls Clinic started construction on a $31 The Montana Air National Guard launched its new Doney predicts that Great Falls will see continued million 19-bed hospital while Easter Seals-Goodwill C-130 mission and broke ground on its $20 million growth in the advanced manufacturing and service completed renovation of its new Central Avenue hangar project. industries in 2015. facility. Blue Cross Blue Shield opened a 150-person World-class companies have made major long- The University of Great Falls will construct new medical claims processing center in 2014. Employees term investments in Great Falls. Companies such student housing this year to accommodate its take calls and answer questions from doctors, as ADF Group, Calumet Montana Refining and expanding student population while Great Falls hospitals and staff in five states about patient Loenbro are expanding thanks to strong support College Montana State University is seeing more eligibility and benefits veco rage. Centene, one of from city, county and state officials. ADF opened enrollees in its welding program, the first in the the nation’s leading Medicaid claims processing a 100,000-square-foot Great Falls steel fabrication United States. companies, added a second shift at its Great Falls plant in 2014 and constructed a 42,000-square-foot The Great Falls tourism industry will benefit from claims center last year. paint and coatings facility. B/E Aerospace purchased construction of the Hilton Garden Inn Convention Pacific Steel & Recycling and Montana Specialty EMTEQ and is expanding its manufacturing plant, Center and the Home 2 hotel. The Great Falls Mills purchased the first 77 acres in the new Great too. Both companies continue to add employees. Visitor Center will receive an extensive make-over Falls AgriTech Park, an industrial park being Loenbro opened a new pipe fabrication business in 2015. developed by GFDA. north of Black Eagle in January and it plans to create All of this construction and job growth has more than 400 jobs over the next several years. attracted the interest of several apartment developers Great Falls is becoming a stronger shopping The rapidlyow gr ing energy services construction and several projects are underway across town. A destination, too, with addition of the East End company cuts and bends pipe to size and prepares recent study found that Great Falls could support Retail Center and new restaurants such Buffalo pipe with valves and other modifications for use about 400 new residential rentals over the next five Wild Wings, a second Starbucks and Hoagieville. in pipelines and refineries. It also does industrial years. According to the study, only 11 percent of Construction will start later this year on the retail construction at refineries, pipeline construction and renters in Great Falls live in units built since 1990; complex at 10th Avenue South and 57th Street. industrial circulation. 78 percent live in units older than 1980 and 20 Developers have not revealed what anchor tenant Calumet made significant progress on construction percent of rental units were built prior to 1940. would occupy the 189,453-square-foot building that of its $400 million Great Falls refinery expansion, Downtown momentum will continue with also includes space for five other retail buildings. 2 Welcome greatfallschamber.org Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

OFFICERS:

Steve Grooms, Chair Erling Juel, 1st Vice Patrick Kons, 2nd Vice Ross Norman, Treasurer Sue Warren, Past Chair 1st Liberty Federal Chair Chair Anderson ZurMuehlen Benefis Health System Credit Union TD&H Engineering Pacific Steel & Recycling

BOARD MEMBERS:

Carol Lindseth Dwight Holman Terry Oyhamburu Kirk Meyer Bonnie Mitchell Odyssey Tour and Tr avel Holman Aviation Great Falls Tr ibune D.A. Davidson Cos. Echoz Pregnancy Care Center

John Faulkner Kathie Avis Bill Harp Brion Lindseth Dennis Peterson David Weissman Great Falls International Benefis Health System General Mills Jardine, Stephenson, EasterSeals Goodwill Subs, Inc. Airport Authority Operations Inc. Blewett, & Weaver

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:

Cara Piccono Sheila Rice Vicki Newmiller Joe Briggs Tammy Lacey Payne Financial NeighborWorks Great Falls Clinic Cascade County Great Falls School Commission District No. 1

Bill Bronson Glenn Lambert Dr. Eugene McAllister Dr. Susan Wolff Col. Tom Wilcox Scott Shull Great Falls City Great Falls University of Great Falls Great Falls College- Malmstrom Air Force Great Falls Area Commission Development Authority MSU Base Lodging Association greatfallschamber.org3Welcome The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce works to support businesses in the greater Great Falls trade area to boost their growth and prosperity. Its website, greatfallschamber.org, offers a thorough community overview and comprehensive Websites full of local information business information and contacts.

Covering everything from weather to recreation and jobs to schools, Great Falls Great Falls Public Schools websites put information at your fingertips. Learn about schools in the district, school lunches, the school board, school The Great Falls Development Authority events and contact teachers at gfps.k12.mt.us. The Great Falls Development Authority is a public-private partnership whose Construction/Weather conditions on area roads mission is to promote growth, diversification and the creation of high wage jobs. The Montana Department of Tr ansportation’s site has a color map showing Its trade area includes 13 counties stretching from the eastern slope of the Rocky construction projects during warm weather and snow and road conditions in Mountains north to the Canadian border. Its website is available to help business cold weather. Visit mdt.mt.gov/travinfo. ventures succeed in Great Falls. For specific questions about doing business in Great Falls, visit gfdevelopment.org. Airport At flygtf.com, the Great Falls International Airport Authority provides Weather information about airlines, airport services, ground transportation and air cargo. The National Weather Service website for Great Falls, www.wrh.noaa.gov/tfx, gives forecasts, recent radar pictures and detailed information on the climate. The Higher education Weather Channel’s site, weather.com, offers regional radar and satellite maps in Find information about Great Falls College Montana State University in Great motion and five-day forecasts. Enter your ZIP code to get local weather. Falls at gfcmsu.edu. Visit msun.edu for information about Montana State University-Northern in Havre. Learn more about the UGF, a private Catholic Media university in Great Falls, at ugf.edu. The Great Falls Tr ibune offers the latest breaking local news and coming events, as well as state, national, and international news at gftrib.com. Plus, get Malmstrom Air Force Base news updates through Facebook, facebook.com/greatfallstribune, and Tw itter, Montana’s only major military installation, Malmstrom’s site is www. @GFTribune. Both TV stations, KRTV-3 (CBS affiliate) and KFBB-5 (ABC), malmstrom.af.mil, offering base news, connections to services and answers to have websites at krtv.com and kfbb.com and post on social media sites. KRTV-2 frequently asked questions. (CW) KFBB-2 (Fox) and KBGF-50 (NBC) also broadcast in Great Falls. Montana Art Gallery Directors’ Association City of Great Falls Exhibits of all sorts are highlighted at magdamt.wordpress.com. Learn about local events, history, the city codes and charter, as well as public Tourism/Visiting notices and offices at greatfallsmt.net. A Great Falls tourist-oriented website, greatfallsmt.areaguides.net offers travel Downtown Great Falls guides, maps, concert schedules, a white and yellow page listing, and a directory Find tons of information about downtown Great Falls at downtowngreatfalls. of hotels, barbers, florists or just about any business or service needed. Another net and downtowngf.com. The sites are filled with tidbits about events, useful site is the Great Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau’s genuinemontana. shopping, downtown housing and funding for businesses. com. Explore the whole state with visitmt.com and stateparks.mt.gov. Cascade County Skiing Reach county commissioners by email, learn about area history and county For trail maps, snow conditions, hotel reservations and phone numbers for 15 government departments at co.cascade.mt.us. Montana ski areas, visit wintermt.com.

4 Welcome greatfallschamber.org River winds its way through city’s history

When explorers Meriwether Lewis a transcontinental railroad. He also start of the 20th century, Great Falls late 1990s; a pair of competing and William Clark trudged through entered into treaties with Indians. began to recover from the national multimillion-dollar cancer centers what is now northcentral Montana in In 1879, Paris Gibson, a Minnesota financial crisis of the mid-1890s. were erected, and medical offices and 1805, no one was living within Great businessman, arrived in Fort Benton, The next 20 years marked one of towers continue to be built in the city’s Falls’ city limits. engaging in sheep ranching and the greatest building periods in city health corridors. That’s because the city was not mulling over prospects for railroads history. founded until 1884, 79 years later. and water power in the area. In 1882, In 1932, the College of Great Construction of a new steel When Lewis and Clark arrived, they he moved upriver and, in 1884, Falls was established by the Sisters of fabrication plant on the city’s north found a grassy plain populated with founded the city of Great Falls. Providence, and the Montana School edge, and approval for a new industrial bison, grizzly bears and other wildlife, Gibson and railroad magnate James for the Deaf and the Blind moved to park called AgriTech on the city’s Montana’s own version of Africa’s J. Hill bought land for the city, and Great Falls in 1937. northeast end, also pointed to a Serengeti — without the wildebeests, H.P. Rolfe surveyed and platted the By the 1930s, Great Falls boasted comeback in the industrial sector in zebras and African lions. city in 1883-84. Gibson and Hill sold 11 hotels, four movie theaters, several 2013. The Great Falls International Water from the Missouri and Sun two city lots to Anton Hegley on July active literary societies, indoor and Airport also completed an expansion rivers was a big attraction, as were 19, 1884, in what is believed to be the outdoor swimming pools and the other animals. Native Americans made city’s first land contract. Riverview Public Golf Course, which of the city’s airport terminal in 2013, frequent hunting trips to the area, but That was followed by Great Falls’ charged 50 cents to play 18 holes. as passenger boardings continued to there was no permanent settlement first school, built in 1885. The Great What is now Malmstrom Air increase. where the two rivers met. Falls Tr ibune began publishing that Force Base was established during Tw o megaloads arrived in Great Around noon on June 13, 1805, same year. World War II. The air base became a Falls in 2014, equipment that is part Lewis wrote in his journal that the The First National Bank was formed vital part of a changing economy in of a $400 million expansion project at Corps of Discovery had reached “the and a fire department organized in peacetime. By the end of the 1950s, Calumet Montana Refining that will great falls of the Missouri,” the largest 1886. Thanks to Hill, the railroad the base was headquarters for a double production to 20,000 barrels of five waterfalls on a small stretch of arrived in 1887, the year Cascade Minuteman missile project. the Missouri River. County was carved out of Chouteau In 1980, the Anaconda Co. closed per day. The refinery in Great Falls It was the first written record of County. The population reached its industrial plant in Black Eagle, refines heavy Canadian crude oil into Great Falls. 1,200, and a city directory was throwing hundreds of residents out gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel. Blue Lewis soon found himself chased published. of work. The famous Big Stack was Cross Blue Shield of Montana opened into the Missouri River near The city was incorporated in 1888, demolished in 1982. a provider service center at 3360 10th modern-day Sacajawea Island by a and Gibson was elected its first mayor. After a stagnant period in the Ave. S. with 120 employees in 2014. rambunctious grizzly bear. A soggy The next year, Montana became a 1980s, the city rebounded, and the The Missouri River continues to Lewis survived the encounter. state. The first U.S. census taken in community strengthened its position After the expedition left, little else Great Falls showed 3,949 residents in as a regional center for shopping and play a role in Great Falls’ history. was written about the area until the 1890. health care. NorthWestern Energy bought the early 1850s, when Isaac I. Stevens led Smelters, flour mills and electric The Marketplace shopping area river’s hydro-electric dams from PPL a survey party looking at routes for generating plants were built. At the was built off Interstate 15 in the Montana for $890 million in 2014. greatfallschamber.org5Welcome Trolley, bus tours fun way to see city, region

The Great Falls Historic Trolley, from giving trolley tours but still now in its third year being owned and operate Tour de Great Falls, providing Friday, March 27, 2015

operated by the Downtown Great visitors and locals with choices of in- Western Livestock Auction •1:00 P.M. •Great Falls, MT Falls Association, provides Historic town or out-of-town sightseeing tours. Selling 120 Yearling Bulls and Urban Adventure summer tours Gates of the Mountains is a popular and Christmas Luminaria tours. option, and Place leads trips to The Harrer family has It works in conjunction on special Hutterite colonies, too. been breedingAngus cattle events with the Downtown Chicks. in Montanafor thepast79 Trolley tours yearsproducingtopquality A Magic Mystery Art Tour is set for foryourbreedingprogram, your feedlot andyour table Feb. 28. The progressive dinner will • Phone: 727-8255 include cocktails, a spaghetti dinner • Website: greatfallshistorictrolley. and art tour. com Meanwhile, the Tour de Great Falls, a separate entity from the • Rates and hours: One-hour Downtown Trolley, offers one- or summer “Urban Adventure” tours two-hour guided tours of Great Falls, are $15 for adults and $5 for children, with departures at 1 p.m. AAR TenX7008 SA PASafeguard021 Koupals B&B Identity and passengers can learn about the LEADINGSIRES OF 2014 CALVES Friday through Sunday and 4 p.m. city’s past and present. Tours are SIRE NAME REGIST.NO. CED CEM BW WW MLK YR MARB RE $B Monday through Saturday. Tw o- AAR TenX7008 SA 15719841 88 0.4 68 22 129 1.4 0.88 145.44 available by reservation most of the Coleman Regis 904 16364794 15 13 1.1 55 25 90 0.25 0.77 66.26 year with some special dates listed on hour summer “Historic” tours are EXAR Denver 2002B 17160560 10 12 2.7 71 19 127 0.86 1.14 141.24 $22 for adults and $5 for children, GAR Retail Product 13395329 37 2.5 45 25 86 0.47 0.62 60.55 the trolley’s website. Among the prime KG Sure Shot 0266 16779935 810-0.8 55 27 99 0.53 0.32 113.61 with departures at 10 a.m. Monday Koupals B&B Identity 16710463 48 1.9 67 34 126 0.47 0.98 131.02 spots to view a beautiful Great Falls Lost Lake Pirate Y1 17188629 7140 65 20 104 0.36 0.74 107.89 landmark is a stop at Rainbow Falls, through Saturday. Tours leave from Lost Lake Professor Y411 17472164 48 1.7 53 26 93 0.58 0.33 94.16 the Visitor Information Center at Lost Lake Tavern 17178977 77 -0.5 51 30 99 0.21 0.64 107.92 overlooking the Missouri River. MF Final Answer 052 16685217 29 2.1 58 25 104 0.52 0.58 79.45 In-town passengers ride on a 15 Overlook Drive, under the big PA Safeguard 021 16772185 2101.4 54 29 102 1.02 1.01 135.25 R44 Game Day 1956 17081768 99 0.1 50 27 90 0.47 0.49 77.87 climate-controlled, motorized trolley flag. Visit the website for special Shipwheel Forefront 0567 16895439 58 1.9 60 21 118 0.12 0.79 113.02 and out-of-town tours are by small- hours and days between September SydGen Googol 3054 17501885 17 1.7 58 37 105 0.77 0.85 115.37 GrantGt&Deanna HarrerH WhyShouldYou BuyaLostLake Bull? and midsized buses. Glacier National and April. 137 Eden Road, Great Falls, MT 59405 •High quality,healthy cattle with •Our herdsire data illustrates what Park, Fort Benton, Gates of the 406-452-2010 home balanced EPDs we value in aherd bull and want to provide to our customers! Mountains, Helena and Butte are the 406-899-9061 cell •Complete data is provided Tour de Great Falls [email protected] •Low cost when other production • Varied genetics available to match herd needs most popular out-of-town tours. Wm. TorDolores Harrer Main Barn Number: 406-737-4336 expenses are high • Phone: 771-1100 406-771-8229 Jeff Schile, Manager: 406-737-4315 Visit us on the web: Carol Place, the original trolley 406-737-4393 [email protected] Windy Ridge Ranch Karen &Chuck Davis www.lostlakeranch.com owner, and her husband, Bud, retired • Email: [email protected] 00 406-737-4320 •[email protected] Montana Angus Association 2011-2012 Directory MT-0000345879 6 Welcome greatfallschamber.org Living Here

How to become a Montana resident

According to the state’s website, as a resident (if required to file); Leslie Stenson harvests vegetables at the River City Park Place Community Garden before a freeze in September. Montana has different residency vehicles operated in Montana must TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER requirements for different purposes: be licensed and titled as required • For the purposes of obtaining a by law; you can be registered to driver’s license, you are considered vote only in Montana; and, you a resident after 60 consecutive days cannot claim residency in any other living in the state and must have a state or country for any purpose. Montana license in order to operate There are different requirements for a motor vehicle. For a commercial members of the armed forces. For motor vehicle license, the more information, see Montana requirement is 30 days. For more Codes Annotated 87-2-102 and information on driver licensing, see the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Montana Codes Annotated 61-5- Parks website at fwp.mt.gov/default. 103 and the Department of Justice html. Motor Vehicle Division Driver • For purposes of higher education, a Licensing page at doj.mt.gov/ student must live in Montana for driving/driverlicensing.asp. one year immediately preceding • For purposes of fishing and hunting registration. Attendance as a licenses, you are considered a full-time student is not sufficient resident after 180 consecutive days. to qualify for residence. For more After residency has been established, information, see Montana Codes you must live in Montana at least Annotated 20-25-201.For more 120 days a year; your principal information about relocating home must be in Montana; you to Montana, see also the state’s Alex and Jenny Drew ice fish with Daniel Brumbaugh and Kaelyn Ramey at Wadsworth Lake. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER must file state income tax returns newcomer site, mt.gov/working.asp. greatfallschamber.org7Living Here absentee ballot. Call 454-6803 or 888-884-8683. RENTING Those looking for an apartment or home to rent have several resources in Great Falls. Here is a list of places that have updated listings of rentals in the area: • Great Falls Tr ibune: Listed in the classified section, the Great Falls Tr ibune has rentals listed in the daily paper as well as on gftrib.com. • NeighborWorks Great Falls, 509 1st Ave. S., 761-5861, 866-587-2244, nwgreatfalls.org: A list of rentals is updated and posted on the website each week. • MThousingsearch.com: The website posts information about rental properties as well as information to help with housing needs. The service can be accessed at no cost online or by calling 877-428-8844. • Great Falls Association of Realtors, Voters line up to register and receive help from election officials on Election Day. TRIBUNETO PHO \RION SANDERS 401 13th Ave. S., 453-2752, gtfar. New to the com: Rentals offered by that local • Provide proof of citizenship, registering: Realtors are posted weekly. including a certified birth certificate • Residents must be 18 or older to • Great Falls Area Chamber of area? This or a passport. register. Commerce, 100 1st Ave. N., 761- Some newcomers also may be 4434, greatfallschamber.org required to pass written and driving • In order to vote, registrants must CONNECTING UTILITIES checklist tests, in addition to a vision test. have lived in the Montana county Military personnel on active duty in which they intend to vote for at • Electricity: NorthWestern Energy, in Montana who have a valid license least 30 days. 888-467-2669, northwesternenergy. should help issued by another state and who are • Felons serving a sentence in a penal com not employed in Montana, except as institution are not allowed to • Natural gas: Energy West, 1 1st Ave. a member of the armed forces, are not register. S., 791-7510, 800-570-5688, ewst. required to hold a Montana driver’s com license. LATE REGISTRATION For those considering moving to To get a new driver’s license visit the Late registration is available at any • Water: Great Falls Water & Sewer, Great Falls or who have just arrived, Driver’s License Bureau at 207 Smelter time up through the close of polls on 2 Park Drive S., 727-7660, the following is information you need Ave. N.E. Election Day, except between noon greatfallsmt.net/publicworks/utility- to know: For more information, visit doj. and 5 p.m. on the day before the branch VEHICLE REGISTRATION mt.gov/driving. election. TELECOMMUNICATIONS Voters must provide identification According to the Cascade County SCHOOL REGISTRATION Motor Vehicle Division, new residents at the polls in the form of a voter- • 3 Rivers Communications, 202 5th The Great Falls School District can are required to register vehicles locally registration card or any current St. S., Fairfield, 216-2535, 3rivers. be reached at 268-6000. The schools upon getting a job. To buy license photo ID such as a driver’s license, net are listed in the phone directory under plates, visit the Cascade County or student or tribal ID. In addition, • Century Link, 866-642-0444, Great Falls Public Schools and on the Treasurer’s office at 121 4th St. N. Call district’s website, gfps.k12.mt.us. a current utility bill, bank statement, centurylink.com 454-6860 or visit co.cascade.mt.us. paycheck, government check or other REGISTER TO VOTE • Charter Communications, 1301 DRIVER’S LICENSE government document with your 11th Ave. S., 727-8881, charter. Registering to vote is fairly painless name and current address may be com Individuals with out-of-state licenses in Montana. Registration forms can used. must: be downloaded from sos.mt.gov/ • Dish TV, 888-291-7119, godish.com VOTING ABSENTEE • Apply for a Montana driver’s license Elections, or can be picked up at the To vote absentee, you must • DirecTV, 800-738-9402, directv. within 60 days of moving to the Driver’s License Bureau, 207 Smelter first apply for an absentee ballot. com state if seeking a non-commercial Ave. N.E., many civic offices or the Applications are available during • Eagle Satellite TV, 1900 4th St. driver’s license and within 30 days if election office at 325 2nd Ave. N. a period beginning 75 days before N.E., 453-2900, 800-386-7222, requiring a commercial license. Registration is permanent unless you fail to vote in a federal general election Election Day and ending at noon eaglesattv.com • Provide two forms of proof of and do not respond to confirmation on the day before the election. You GARBAGE COLLECTION identity, including a current driver’s mailings. Then your name is placed on may pick up an application at 325 license or a certified birth certificate. an inactive voter list. If you fail to vote 2nd Ave. N. or call and ask to have • Montana Waste Systems: 3201 15th • Provide proof of Montana residency, in two federal general elections after an application mailed to you. An St. N.E., 761-2545, 800-257-6947 including a state income-tax return, the mailings are sent, your name will application can be downloaded at sos. • Great Falls Sanitation: 1025 25th a state voter-registration card or a be removed from the voter rolls. mt.gov/Elections. Ave. N.E., 771-1401, greatfallsmt. receipt for state taxes paid. Some things to know before Any registered voter may vote by net/publicworks/sanitation-division 8 Living Here greatfallschamber.org As the saying goes — if you don’t like the Montana is a land of extremes when it comes weather in Montana, wait five minutes. to weather. Winters bring opportunities for From sun to snow, Great Falls is no exception, providing its extreme cold, and summers provide extreme heat, residents and visitors with meteorological Langlieb said. Temperatures in Great Falls in phenomena ranging from summer sun to winter 2014 ranged from 95 degrees to minus 34. snow — or, at times both in the same day. Winter Overall, northcentral Montana is a dry climate. city has four snow may warm into rain suspiciously like Wet weather comes in bursts, followed by long summer; even August nights have a crispness to periods of dry. Langlieb said that is true for their air. much of the northern plains east of the Rocky distinct seasons Predicting its twists and turns, it turns out, can Mountains. be tricky. “There is nothing to stop the cold air coming “Terrain is the biggest challenge,” said down from the north and no barriers from the Nick Langlieb, a National Weather Service Gulf of Mexico, so you can get the warm moist

Brooklin Hunter and her brother Troy rake leaves in their front yard. TRIBUNE PHOTO/RION SANDERS meteorologist. “In the mountains and around the air from the south,” he said. “The cold air and mountains, weather can vary significantly.” warm air meeting up leads to drastic changes.”

c one of three experienced doctors. c our convenient locally-owned location. c afull selection of eyewear. c more clearly.

2012 14th Street Southwest Great Falls Marketplace centralmontanaeyecare.com (406) 452-4527 (406) 453-1900

MT-0000346287 MT-0000346059 greatfallschamber.org9Living Here Treasure State FAQs

Rancher Tucker Hughes checks on cattle on his family’s ranch in the Little Belt Mountains south of Stanford. Beef cattle are one of the state’s top agriculture products. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER

• Statehood: Montana became the DEMOGRAPHICS Missoula, 69,122; Great Falls, • Manufacturing: refined petroleum, 41st state on Nov. 8, 1889. • State population: 1,023,579 59,351; Bozeman 39,860; Butte, wood products, machinery, food 33,854; Helena 29,596. products. • State capital: Helena. • Density: 7 people per square mile. • Mining: coal, petroleum, gold, • Nickname: The Treasure State. ECONOMY/CHIEF PRODUCTS • Distribution: 54 percent urban, 46 silver, copper, natural gas, • State bird: Western meadowlark. percent rural. • Agriculture: beef cattle, barley, hay, palladium, platinum. • State flower: Bitterroot. • Largest cities: Billings at 109,059; wheat, milk, sugar beets. STATE GOVERNMENT • State tree: Ponderosa pine. • Governor: 4-year term. LAND AND CLIMATE • State senators: 50; 4-year terms. • Area: 147,047 square miles • State representatives: 100; 2-year terms. including 1,490 square miles of inland water. • Counties: 56. • Highest elevation: 12,799 feet FEDERAL GOVERNMENT above sea level at Granite Peak. • United States senators: 2. • Lowest elevation: 1,800 feet above • United States representatives: 1. sea level along the Kootenai River • Electoral votes: 3. in Lincoln County. SOURCES OF INFORMATION • Record high temperature: 117 For information about tourism, degrees at Glendive on July 20, write to: Department of Commerce, 1893, and at Medicine Lake on Tr avel Montana, 301 S. Park Avenue, July 5, 1937. P. O. Box 200533, Hele-na, MT 59620 or go the website visitmt. • Record low temperature: 70 com also provides information. For degrees below zero at Rogers Pass information on the economy, write to: on Jan. 20, 1954. Department of Commerce, Census • Average July temperature: 68. and Economic Information Center, 301 S. Park Ave., P. O. Box 200505, • Average January temperature: 18. Helena, MT 59620 or visit mt.gov. • Average yearly precipitation: 15 Population figures from U.S. Census inches. One of the sure signs that spring is coming is the appearance of the Western meadowlark, Montana’s state bird. TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO Bureau, 2013, 2014 estimates.

10 Living Here greatfallschamber.org Commerce

Courteney Ferrin, left, and her mother-in-law, Sue Ferrin, opened Belles and Lace Bridal in 2014 in downtown Great Falls. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER

Shopping? tenant would occupy the 189,453-square-foot • J.C. Penney, 453-7651 — department store. building. The development also includes space for • Jensen’s Jewelers, 761-8900 — jewelry. five other retail buildings. • Maurices, 453-0367 — women’s apparel. Fill up bags at Here is a glimpse of the more concentrated shopping areas in town: • Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, 315-1002. Holiday Village Mall • Ross, 452-0174 — discount clothing and household items. niche shops, Holiday Village Mall features three major department stores — Herberger’s, J.C. Penney and • Rue 21, 452-5368 — men’s and women’s apparel. big box stores Scheels All Sports — and more than 65 name-brand • Scheels, 453-7666 — sporting goods. stores, specialty boutiques, restaurants and service • Starbucks Coffee Co., 452-0949. providers. • The Buckle, 454-2655 — clothing. Holiday Village is located at 10th Avenue South (Highway 89) and 9th Street. • Victoria’s Secret, 454-9161 — lingerie, lotions, Great Falls is a regional shopping center for fragrances. northcentral Montana and southern Alberta. It offers Stores include: visitors a wide range of shopping options, from big • Zumiez, 454-1595 — clothing, snowboards, • Bath & Body Works, 452-7599 — soaps, skateboards. box stores to downtown businesses that offer more of shampoos, fragrances. a local flavor. Downtown Great Falls • Bed Bath & Beyond, 268-0310 — linens, kitchen A mysterious development on the southeast corner supplies, home decorations. Are you looking for a unique gift? Downtown Great of 10th Falls offers a unique shopping experience featuring Avenue • Big Lots, 727-9985 — discount grocery and clothing stores, kitchen and home supplies and other For more information household. South and holidayvillagemall.com boutique shops. 57th Street downtowngreatfalls.net • Café Rio, 791-5000 — fast casual Mexican Stores include: won’t start restaurant. greatfallschamber.org • Amazing Toys, 515 Central Ave., 727-5557 — construction • Famous Footwear, 453-5593 — shoe store. until late toys, gag gifts and puzzles. 2015, developers told city planners in September. • Herberger’s, 268-2900 — department store. • Belles & Lace Bridal, 320 Central Ave., 952-0808 Developers still have not revealed what anchor • Hot Topic, 453-2470 — clothing, accessories. — bridal and prom dresses, tuxedos greatfallschamber.org1Commerce 1 • Big Horn Outdoor Specialists, 206 5th St. S., 453- 2841 — outdoors equipment and clothing. • Blue Rose, 419 Central Ave., 452-7673 — jeans, dresses and other fashion. • Candy Masterpiece, 120 Central Ave., 727-5955 — homemade candy • Dragonfly Dry Goods, 504 Central Ave., 454-2263 — clothing, jewelry and accessories. • Feather Your Nest, 311 Central Ave., 315-3410 — gifts. • Ferrin’s Furniture, 308 1st Ave. S., 761-2192 — furniture and decor. • Gallery 16 – 600 Central Plaza Complex, 453- 6103 — co-op art gallery. • Hoglund’s Work and Western Wear, 306 1st Ave. S., 452-6911 — cowboy store. • In Cahoots for Tea, 118 Central Ave., 452-2225 — tea and china. • Kaufman’s Menswear Centre, 411 Central Ave., 761-5010 — men’s clothing. ABOVE: John DeVoss adjusts a suit on display at Kaufman’s Menswear. TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO • Knicker Biker, 117 2nd Ave. N., 454-2912 — Connie Winjum, left, and her sister Jackie Kegel shop at Candy Masterpiece downtown Great Falls. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER bicycles and accessories. • Know Dice – 512 Central Ave., 315-1166 — games. • Montana Mosaics – 525 Central Ave., 788-0878 — gifts. • Motifs for the Home, 417 Central Ave., 452-6277 — housewares and decorating. • My Viola – 716 Central Ave., 771-6826 — floral arranging classes. • Pizazz, 403 Central Ave., 452-6724 — kitchen supplies. • Planet Earth, 116 Central Ave., 761-7000 — gifts. • Real Deals, 117 Park Drive S., 315-1154 — gifts. •Siren’s Cove – 318 Central Ave., 231-0572 — candles and gifts • sole.mate, 512 Central Ave. — shoes, accessories and perfume. • The Boutique by Studio Montage, 122 Central Ave., 453-0836 — clothing and accessories

Marketplace 10th Avenue South Bypass/3rd Street Northwest Great Falls Marketplace, just off Interstate 15, allows shoppers to pick up groceries, hardware, new shoes, • Ace Hardware, 3527 10th Ave. S., 727-5550 — • Ace Hardware, 215 N.W. Bypass, 216-5050 — books, office supplies and pet needs all in one trip. hardware. hardware. Stores include: • CVS Pharmacy, 2001 10th Ave. S., 453-1318 — • Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 452-3299 — books. pharmacy, health supplies, groceries, gifts. • Big Bear Sports Center, 121 N.W. Bypass, 761- • Famous Footwear, 727-6700 — shoes. • Hastings, 726 10th Ave. S., 727-3024 — books, 6400 — sporting goods. • Furniture Row, 771-1400 — furniture. music, movies. • Kmart, 1000 3rd St. N.W., 453-5424 • GameStop, 453-5242 — video games. • Jo-Ann Fabrics & Craft Store, 2515 10th Ave. S., • Sam’s Club, 401 N.W. Bypass, 453-0018. • Home Depot, 268-0630 — home improvement, 453-3929 — sewing and craft supplies. hardware. • North 40 Outfitters, 4400 10th Ave. S., 761-7441 • Shopko, 301 N.W. Bypass, 727-9620. • Michaels, 268-0800 — craft supplies and framing. — farm and ranch supply. • Staples, 207 N.W. Bypass, 453-0900 — office • OfficeMax, 452-3836 — office supplies. • Petcetera, 1525 10th Ave. S., 761-5510 — pets supplies. • Old Navy, 453-4171 — clothing. and supplies. • Walgreens, 1213 3rd St. N.W., 761-0214 — • Petco, 454-2444 — pets and supplies. • Target, 2000 10th Ave. S., 727-9281. pharmacy, health supplies, groceries, gifts. • Pier 1 Imports, 452-8795 — dishes, decorations, • Walgreens, 2301 19th Ave. S., 727-1376 — furniture. pharmacy, health supplies, groceries, gifts. • Walmart, 701 Smelter Ave. N.E., 761-5426. 12 Commerce greatfallschamber.org New eateries spice up dining scene

Mersady Foster, a server at Buffalo Wild Wings, holds a serving of traditional wings. The restaurant opened its Great Falls location in November 2014. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER

The Great Falls restaurant scene is counter and watch our pizzas being by large-screen televisions playing the cafe in 2014 making homestyle never stale, but it has been especially made.” sporting events. meals with an international flare. busy in the past year. Zpizza opened a franchise in Bowser Brewery, 1826 10th Ave. Cafe Paris is open for lunch two days With 2014’s closure of several November at 901 10th Ave. S., the S., added food to its terrific local beer a week in the summer, serving a set restaurants including the Staggering space last occupied by Salad Creations. menu in 2014. menu including a main dish, a side Ox, Reed O’s Pizza, Salad Creations Zpizza, based in Laguna Beach, Calif., “We have made a good name for and a delicious dessert for $15. and Kentucky Fried Chicken, space serves fire-baked pizza with gluten- ourselves making flavorful ewbr s and Great Falls loves its coffee, as opened up for new eateries. And, free, vegetarian and vegan options. decided to bring in a professional and evidenced by the nearly two dozen pizza and coffee fans have several new The menu includes take-and-bake very experimental chef to match our specialty stores in the city. Starbucks restaurants to visit this year. pizza, salads and pasta. beers,” said owner Evan Bowser. opened its second cafe on 10th Avenue Great Falls native Jeremy Nick Alonzo and Bob Powell are Chef Kevin Towers enjoys using the South in 2014. Williamson opened Champo’s pleased with the success their Great brewery’s beer in his creations. Patrons are drawn to the cheerful Pizzeria Italiano in May at 1012 9th Falls Montana Club location has had The tapas-style menu includes atmosphere at Miss Kitty’s Coffee St. S., a former Quizno’s location. since opening about a year and a half roasted chicken legs and cheddar- Cafe, 2501 6th Ave. N. Owners use Champo’s uses “organic Kamut ago at 907 Smelter Ave. The success scallion waffles served with Red Raider the Intelligentsia brand of coffee and, Kohresian white flour from Fort prompted them to open a Hoagieville honey hot sauce. The white bean appropriately, Black Cat espresso. The Benton’s Montana Flour and Grains,” in the Electric City, the first outside of hummus with garlic naan bread and cafe also serves soup, salad, breakfast said Williamson. The menu includes Missoula. Hoagieville, in the former seasonal vegetables sounds like a good sandwiches, fruit, oatmeal and baked pizza, pasta, gourmet hot hogs and Kentucky Fried Chicken space at 1125 choice. goods On Friday and Saturday, co- “ramp-style” onion rings from an old 10th Ave. S., serves hoagies, burgers Paris Gibson Square Museum owner Lynn Mickolio compiles a list Great Falls recipe. and famous cheese fries. of Art, 1400 1st Ave. N., has a of garage sales from the Great Falls “We have some fried items and Diners can spice things up at wonderful space where lunches used to Tr ibune, so diners can stop by for a dessert of the month pizza,” Buffalo Wild Wings, 117 Northwest be offered a decade ago. Professional coffee and grab a copy. Williamson said. “This is a family- Bypass. Buffalo Wild Wings serves food photographer, blogger and recipe Looking for a pick-me-up friendly place, kids can stand up at the chicken wings and beer surrounded developer Rhonda Adkins reopened downtown? Check out Crooked greatfallschamber.org1Commerce 3 Tree Coffee and Cakes at 501 1st keep serving the same delicious soups, including salmon, steak and chicken as Sonic Drive-In and Jimmy John’s Ave. N. Enjoy a plethora of baked sandwiches and desserts. well as burgers and pasta. Sandwiches. You’ll also spot a spinoff goods and hook up to Wi-Fi. How The Celtic Cowboy Pub and Other fine-dining options in Great of Missoula’s famous Mustard Seed about grabbing a coffee at True Brew Restaurant, 116 1st Ave. S., offers Falls include Jaker’s, 1500 10th Ave. Restaurant, Noodle Express, or swing Espresso at the corner of 9th Street everything from Irish nachos to S., and Dante’s in the Old Ironworks into Pita Pit for a quick, tasty meal. and Central Avenue? Or sample the seared duck and a wide range of draft building on 8th Avenue North. Taco Bell opened in a new building in coffees and crepes from Faster Bassett, beers, including many made by area 2014, several blocks east of its former 201 3rd St. N.W. microbreweries. Celtic Cowboy is in INTERNATIONAL spot. Getting in on the interactive theme, a historic building that once housed a From spanakopita to moussaka and Boston’s Gourmet Pizza’s first diners can watch staff roll out tortillas hotel with a stable in the lower level. dolmades to pastitsio, Dimitri’s on Montana location sits on 7th Street at Cafe Rio, 900 10th Ave. S. Meals Big Sky Bread & Pastry reopened 3rd Street Northwest is catering to South of 10th Avenue South. It has a are grilled in front of patrons at the in a bigger downtown spot a few residents longing for a taste of Greece. casual, relaxed family atmosphere with Japanese teppanyaki-style Kobe blocks from the Cowboy. Now at 4 Adding a little spice to the a separate sports bar where fans can Seafood and Steakhouse, 115 3rd St. 5th St. S., artisan baker Matt Carlson restaurant scene, Suki Cafe, 1229 cheer during a game. N.W., which opened in 2013. Based offers not only his usual bread and 10th Ave. S., serves fresh sushi and Tw o sit-down chain restaurants at on beef, shrimp and chicken, meals pastry, but also quiche and, at lunch, tasty Thai food along with sushi rolls the northeast corner of Great Falls include soup and salad. pizza. stuffed with tender tuna and smoked Marketplace offer casual dining at While new restaurants are welcome Serving tacos and burritos made eel. For the less adventurous, the Chili’s and food with a southwestern on any dining scene, there are plenty to order, Taco Del Sol, 16 6th St. S., restaurant has options such as beef flair at On the Border. that have earned their place on Great is a funky, fun restaurant that got its teriyaki. On the northwestern corner of Falls’ meal ticket. Here’s a brief start in Missoula and now has four Scattered around town, other Great Falls Market Place is the Golden rundown: locations in Big Sky Country. restaurants serving Asian fare include Corral, a buffet restaurant. A monstrous burger, homemade Best Wok, 1800 10th Ave. S.; The Denny’s, just off the interstate near LOCAL FAVES soup and pie have made 2Ks Kafe, New Peking, 1525 3rd St. N.W.; the airport, is known for its Grand Winning the honor of Montana’s 406 3rd Ave. S., a popular choice Maple Garden, 5401 9th Ave. S., and Slam breakfast special. It’s open 24 best burger from Food Network among the busy lunch crowd. Peking Gardens West, 801 Smelter hours a day, seven days a week. Magazine, Ford’s Drive In holds a Hear the siren’s call for fish ‘n’ chips Ave. N.E. Great Falls boasts two Little special place in many local diners’ at Clark & Lewie’s, 17 7th St. S., Caesars locations: 1520 3rd St. N.W. next door to the famous Sip-N-Dip and 2118 10th Ave. S. hearts. Fried mushrooms, corn dogs POPULAR CHAINS and a bevy of milkshakes are worth the mermaids. And, across from the Missouri JJ’s, 112 Central Ave., offers Popular chains on 10th Avenue River’s Broadwater Bay on River Drive drive to 1301 Central Ave. W. South include Montana’s first Bert & Ernie’s Tavern & Grill, 300 catering as well as a breakfast and South, Applebee’s is always busy. 1st Ave. S., serves a large selection lunch mix of fresh-baked bread, of microbrews and wine with lunch cinnamon rolls and other bakery and dinner, along with occasional live items, a full line of salads, pasties and CHAMBER MEMBERS: the ever-popular Reuben. music. 3D International, 1825 Smelter Ave. N.E., Black Eagle, 453-6561 If pizza is your preference, a hometown favorite is Howard’s at four STEAK IT Air Host, 2800 Terminal Drive, 727-9240 locations around town. MacKenzie Beef is king in Montana, and Great Borrie’s, 1800 Smelter Ave. N.E., Black Eagle, 761-0300 River Pizza dishes out its gourmet Falls is home to many restaurants Buffalo Wild Wings, 117 Northwest Bypass, 294-6551 pies and sandwiches with a view of the devoted to red meat. Missouri at 500 River Drive S. On the east end, Prime Cut, 3219 Cattlemen’s Cut Supper Club, 369 Vaughn Frontage Road S., 452-0702 Rikki’s Pizza & Pasta is a thriving 10th Ave. S., draws diners looking for Celtic Cowboy, 116 1st Ave. S., 868-8255 pizza-pasta-sandwich stop next door to reasonably priced steaks. City Bar & Casino, 709 Central Ave., 761-9432 Joe’s Bar on 9th Street South. Eddie’s Supper Club, 3725 2nd In Black Eagle, Borrie’s and the Ave. N., offers beef and lamb with a Clarke & Lewie’s, 17 7th St. S., 454-2141 3D International have been serving trademark campfire sauce. Dairy Queen, 2901 10th Ave. S., 454-2111 residents and visitors for more than An old favorite, the Bar S Lounge El Comedor, 1120 25th St. S., 761-5500 half a century. While prime rib, steak and Supper Club, is now on River and chicken jockey for position on Drive North. Ford’s Drive In, 1301 Central Ave. W., 452-7972 the menus, Borrie’s also offers an Moonshine Grill in the Great Falls Golden Corral, 1624 Marketplace Drive, 453-3500 unusual take on pasta. 3D serves a Marketplace offers steak and seafood, Good Eats Take Out & Catering, 801 2nd Ave. N., 452-0773 more cosmopolitan menu and a tasty, as well as pasta. entertaining Mongolian grill. If your appetite is as big as the Grand Union Hotel, 1 Grand Union Square, Fort Benton, 406-622-1882 Popular morning coffee spot Big Sky, a short drive will solve the High Plains Pizza, 101 River Drive N., Suite200, 761-3644 Schulte’s 38th Street Store and problem. Cattlemen’s Cut Supper Coffee House, 3800 3rd Ave. S., Club, 369 Vaughn Frontage Road Jaker’s, 1500 10th Ave. S., 727-1033 offers drive-through and indoor S., offers prime rib nightly, steak and Jimmy John’s, 903 10th Ave. S., 268-3278 services, starting at 6 a.m. on weekdays seafood specialties, lamb and duck. JJ’s Bakery, 112 Central Ave., 727-5910 and 7 a.m. on weekends. Schulte’s MacKenzie River Pizza, 500 River Drive S., 761-0085 added to its customer base in 2014 by FANCY FARE adding a frozen yogurt bar. For those looking for a nice night McDonald’s, 101 River Drive N., 761-0624 out, the Willow Creek Steak House, Northside Taco Johns, 10011 4th St. N., 727-2758 DOWNTOWN located in the Heritage Inn, 1700 Fox Orange Julius, 1200 10th Ave. S., 761-3191 Heidi and Thad Reiste opened Farm Road, has entered the high- Electric City Coffee at 319 Central end scene, offering saucy steaks and Subway Sandwiches, 1601 Fox Farm Road, 453-6433 Ave. in 2015. The Reistes bought the homemade sorbets. Umami, 24 5th St. S., 315-3675 former Daily Grind and moved it to The Portage Grill, located in the Wheat Montana Deli & Bakery, 1116 9th St. S., 771-7456 a new location. Thankfully, they will Holiday Inn, has a varied menu

14 Commerce greatfallschamber.org Lodging options range from small, quaint to extended stay

Anthony Rutkowski swims with his son, Casteel, 4, in the Holiday Inn Express pool in Market Place. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER Airway Motel Days Inn Holiday Inn Plaza Inn 1800 14th St. S.W., 761-8915 101 14th Ave. N.W., 727-6565 400 10th Ave. S., 727-7200 1224 10th Ave. S., 452-9594 daysinn.com/hotels/montana/ holidayinngreatfalls.com Alberta Motel Quality Inn great-falls/days-inn-great-falls/hotel- Holiday Inn Express 220 Central Ave., 761-3410 1101 Central Ave. W., 452-3467 overview 1625 Market Place Drive, 453-4000 qualityinn.com/hotel-great_falls- albertamotel.weebly.com Extended Stay America ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/ montana-MT058 en/great-falls/gtfmd/hoteldetail Best Resting Motel 800 River Drive S., 761-7524 Royal Motel 5001 River Drive N., 268-8333 extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/mt/ Imperial Inn 1300 Central Ave., 452-9548 great-falls/missouri-river 601 2nd Ave. N., 452-9581 bestrestingmotel.vpweb.com Russell Country Inn Fairfield Inn imperial-inn.com Best Western Heritage Inn 2516 4th Ave. N., 761-7125 1000 9th Ave. S., 454-3000 La Quinta Inn & Suites 1700 Fox Farm Road, 761-1900 russellcountryinn.com marriott.com/hotels/travel/gtffi- 600 River Drive S., 761-2600 bestwesternmontana.com/hotels/best- fairfield-inn-great-falls laquintagreatfalls.com Ski’s Western Motel western-plus-heritage-inn-great-falls 2420 10th Ave. S., 453-3281 Great Falls Inn By Riversage Malmstrom Inns and Suites Central Motel 1400 28th St. S., 453-6000 Malmstrom Air Force Base Starlit Motel 1521 1st Ave. N.W., 452-9597 715 Central Ave. W., 453-0161 riversageinns.com/greatfallsinn 727-8600 Greystone Inn On-base shuttle: 731-2843 Staybridge Suites Comfort Inn 621 Central Ave., 452-1470 341fss.com/lodging 201 3rd St. N.W., 761-4903 1120 9th St. S., 454-2727 Hampton Inn Mid-Town Motel ihg.com/staybridge/hotels/us/en/great- greatfallscomfortinn.com 2301 14th St. S.W., 453-2675 526 2nd Ave. N., 453-2411 falls/gtfsb/hoteldetail Comfort Inn & Suites hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/ midtownmotelgf.com Super 8 Motel 1801 Market Place Drive, 455-1000 montana/hampton-inn-great-falls- Motel 6 1214 13th St. S., 727-7600 GTFMTHX super8.com/hotels/montana/great- comfortinn.com/hotel-great_falls- 2 Treasure State Drive, 453-1602 motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail. falls/super-8-great-falls-mt/hotel- montana-MT076 Hilton Garden Inn 2520 14th St. S.W., 452-1000 aspx?num=4238 overview Crystal Inn hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/ O’Haire Motor Inn TownHouse Inns of Great Falls 3701 31st St. S.W., 727-7788 hotels/montana/hilton-garden-inn- 17 7th St. S., 454-2141 1411 10th Ave. S., 761-4600 crystalinngreatfalls.com great-falls-GTFGFGI ohairemotorinn.com townhouseinngreatfalls.com greatfallschamber.org15 Military, Montana Air National Guard operations crew members guide a C-130 cargo plane as it lands at the Great Falls International Airport. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER The approximately 8,000 people with forces squadron were recognized in from Holman Aviation. It also rents some base connection make up more February 2014 for actions during office space in the main airport families than 10 percent of Cascade County’s their deployment. Thirty-two MANG terminal from the Airport Authority. population. members were on active orders to Homeland Security Air Wing has Malmstrom workers contribute Malmstrom and 21 were deployed 52 federal law enforcement officers, part of individually to the community by overseas as of January 2015. pilots, aircrew and mission support sharing in volunteer efforts. Among MANG also has a mobile personnel from the Office of Air and the activities are annual city cleanup construction unit, the 219th RED Marine, a division of U.S. Customs efforts and base personnel who help HORSE squadron. and Border Protection. Pilots fly community deliver Meals on Wheels in Great 2014 was a busy year for the two apprehension aircraft (UH- Falls. Base personnel delivered 2,300 219th, which includes airmen fresh 60 Blackhawk), two interdiction meals to elderly and injured around out of high school up to a 58-year- aircraft (Cessna 550, Citation The military mission in Great Great Falls and collected more than 14 old member. Some are the original II), and one surveillance support Falls remains a major piece of tons of trash during MAPRIL cleanup members from when the unit was aircraft (Pilatus PC-12). The Great national security strategy. Crews in 2014. Additionally, about 45 established in 1997. Falls Air Branch conducts regular from Malmstrom Air Force Base percent of the volunteers for the Great A handful of 219th airmen returned mission patrols, is equipped for rapid are prepared to launch up to 150 Falls area Big Brothers Big Sisters are in 2014 from Croatia where they incident response and coordinates Minuteman III intercontinental military members. helped remodel bathrooms at a school with U.S. Immigration and Customs ballistic missiles from facilities Personnel and employees contribute as part of a Humanitarian Civic Enforcement, Canadian authorities, dispersed over a 13,800-square-mile financially as well, giving $101,699 Assistance project coordinated through and U.S. state and local law area in and around Great Falls. The to the Combined Federal Campaign, the U.S. State Department. enforcement. missiles are housed in silos surrounded a charity akin to United Way, in Other members of the 219th helped The U.S. Army Reserve 889th by fencing and placed throughout the 2013, and $48,127 to the Air Force repair the main switchback road in Quartermaster Company, a supply plains of northcentral Montana. Assistance Fund to help Air Force Makoshika State Park as part of their unit that specializes in handling The base east of Great Falls, with families in need. 2014 figures had not annual training, in cooperation with potable water, operates out of Great gates at 2nd and 10th avenues north, been released as of press time. Montana State Parks. Another 30 Falls. also houses a helicopter squadron and Also making its home in Great members of the 219th just completed The U.S. Army 189th General a specialized deployable construction Falls is the 120th Airlift Wing of the a project they started last year at Support Aviation Battalion also force. Montana Air National Guard. Tabor Dam, in cooperation with the is located in the Electric City. While most of MAFB’s defense Eight C-130 cargo planes are Confederated Salish and Kootenai Components of the 189th have work is in Montana, 44 Malmstrom assigned to the unit on Gore Hill. Tr ibes of the Flathead nation. deployed multiple times from 2000- personnel were deployed overseas as of The primary mission for C-130s The 219th was presented with the 2013, according to the Montana September 2014, including members is moving people and cargo. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award National Guard. Guardsmen from the of the 341st Missile Wing and 819th C-130s in Great Falls are not equipped in 2014. 189th returned in February 2014 from RED HORSE squadron, a mobile for firefighting, but that capability For monthly training, members nine months in Kuwait. Members construction unit. could be added later. The C-130s of the 219th come from all over of the Guard’s 163rd Combined In addition to being a force in assigned to the 120th is also slated Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Arms Battalion and 163rd Infantry Operation Enduring Freedom and for modernization funding through a Wyoming, Idaho and Washington. Regiment Company also are based in national security, the base and its provision in the defense authorization U.S. Customs and Border Great Falls. airmen are major players in the bill for fiscal year 2015. MANG’s Protection contracts with the Great The U.S. military components Great Falls economy. Malmstrom C-130H models need avionics Falls International Airport for the include active duty, National Guard contributed an estimated $294 million upgrades by 2020 to comply with hangar and terminal space necessary and Reserve troops. The Reserves in 2013 to the Great Falls area. Federal Aviation Administration for housing the Northern Border Air are controlled by federal authorities. There are about 3,100 military and International Civil Aviation Wing. Guard members typically serve on a employees with about 3,000 family Organization Communication, As part of the lease, the air wing part-time basis, usually one weekend members. MAFB also employs 1,330 Navigation, Surveillance/Air Tr affic rents two hangars sharing a common each month and two weeks during civilian workers, while hundreds Management mandates. wall with a combined 21,000 square the summer and report to their state’s of others do additional work with Several members of the security feet of space, as well as office space governor unless called to active duty. Malmstrom under private contracts. 16 Economy greatfallschamber.org Top Private employers in Great Falls 2014 Rank Employer Address Business Type Employees 1 Benefis Health System 1101 26th St. S. Health care 2,955 2 Great Falls Clinic 1400 29th St. S. Health care 472 3 Wal-Mart 702 Smelter Ave. N.E. Retailer 413 4 Asurion (formerly N.E.W.) 321 Central Ave. Service plan center 370 5 Centene Corp. 2000 26th St. S. Insurance services 319 6 Easter Seals - Goodwill 4400 Central Ave. Services for people with disabilities 303 7 Albertson’s 2250 10th Ave. S./1414 3rd St. N.W. Grocery stores 285 8 University of Great Falls 1300 20th St. S. University 235 9 Missouri River Care and Rehabilitation 1130 17th Ave. S. Nursing and rehabilitation 225 10 McDonald’s 1721 10th Ave. S./2000 14th St. S.W./1710 3rd St. N.W. Restaurants 220 11 D.A. Davidson Cos. 8 3rd St. N. Financial services 217 12 Quality Life Concepts 215 Smelter Ave. N.E. Services for people with disabilities 205 13 Heritage Inn 1700 Fox Farm Road Hotel 178 14 Town Pump Various locations Convenience stores, hotels, casinos 171 15 Loenbro 409 14th St. S.W. Energy services, construction 165 16 Sam’s Club 401 Northwest Bypass Retailer 165 17 Center for Mental Health 513 1st Ave. S. Mental health services 161 18 ADF International Inc. 1900 Great Bear Ave. Airplane parts, painting 150 19 BNSF Railway 121 4th St. N. Railroad 145 20 Shoot the Moon 1420 Market Place Drive Restaurants 137 21 United Materials 2100 9th Ave. N. Construction 115 22 Great Falls Tribune/Rivers Edge Printing 205 River Drive S. Media and printing 112

Top Public Sector Employers in Great Falls Rank Employer Address Business Type Employees 1 Malmstrom Air Force Base 21 77th St. N. Air Force 4,476 total, 3,146 military 2 Great Falls Public Schools 1100 4th St. S. Public school system 2,078 3 Montana Air National Guard 2800 Airport Ave. B National Guard 1,004 total; 990 military 4 City of Great Falls 2 Park Drive S. Government 574 5 Cascade County 415 2nd Ave. N. Government 500

7145th St S

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Great Falls, MT 59403 MT-0000345923 Fax: 406-771-0435 MT-0000346009 MT-0000345790 greatfallschamber.org1Economy 7 Portage 87 Vaughn Sun River Great Falls Manchester Fort Shaw CASCADE COUNTY Simms 200 Ulm Tracy Belt Sand Coulee 15 Below poverty line: Stockett Centerville PEOPLE County: 14.9% State: 15.2% HOUSEHOLDS Cascade 89 Marital status for 66,116 Eden Population: 82,384 Households: 33,430 adults over the age of 15: CASCADE COUNTY Female: 49.7% Male: 50.3% Never married 16,950 25.6% Average household size: County: 2.37 State: 2.39 Nation: 2.64 Monarch Largest city: Great Falls, 59,351 Married 35,266 53.3% Separated 972 1.5% Number of households by size: Population per sq./mi.: 30.1 Widowed 4,737 7.2% Neihart Divorce 8,191 12.4% 1 person 10,464 31.3% 2,697 square miles State: 6.8 Nation: 87.4 2 people 12,369 37.0% 6,985 square kilometers Population by race: 3 people 4,680 14.0% Median age: 38.8 Race Number %U.S.% 4 people 5,917 17.7% State: 39.9 Nation: 37.5 White 75,544 92.6% 76.4% Population by age: Black 1,771 2.2% 13.6% Owner-occupied housing: FINANCES Indian 5,516 6.8% 1.7% County: 65.6% State: 68.3% Age Number %U.S.% Asian 1,215 1.5% 5.7% Annual income by household Under 5 5,481 6.7% 6.4% Hispanic 2,922 3.6% 16.6% Renter-occupied housing: Income Number %U.S.% 5-9 5,214 6.4% 6.6% County: 34.4% State: 31.7% 10-14 4,810 5.9% 6.6% Most common ancestry: Under $10,000 2,261 6.8% 7.2% 15-19 5,168 6.3% 7.0% Vehicles available per household 20-24 6,102 7.5% 7.1% German 26.4% $10,000-24,999 6,660 19.9% 16.2% 25-34 10,890 13.3% 13.4% Irish 14.7% None 6.9% $25,000-34,999 3,892 11.6% 10.3% 35-44 8,927 10.9% 13.1% English 10.9% One 30.6% $35,000-49,999 5,351 16.0% 13.6% 45-54 11,471 14.1% 14.3% Norwegian 10.4% Two37.2% $50,000-74,999 6,822 20.4% 17.9% 55-59 5,690 7.0% 6.5% American 5.7% Three or more 25.3% $75,000-99,999 3,845 11.5% 12.2% 60-64 4,854 5.9% 5.6% Italian 4.9% 6,923 8.5% 7.4% $100,000-149,000 3,300 9.9% 12.9% 65-74 3.3% Great Falls-area home values 75-84 4,438 5.4% 4.2% French $150,000-249,999 1,299 3.9% 9.7% Swedish 3.0% 85+ 1,653 2.0% 1.8% Median sales price: $165,500 Scottish 2.9% Per capita income: $24,727 Historical population trend: 160 Montana’s largest counties: $94,500 State : $25,373 Nation: $28,155 Decennial census data 140 81,327 Yellowstone County 154,162 120 Median household income: $44,963 Missoula County 111,807 State: $46,230 Nation: $53,046 90 81,804 100 80 Gallatin 94,720 70 Flathead 93,068 80 60 Cascade 82,384 60

OUSANDS BUSINESS 50 Lewis and Clark 65,338

40 40,823 TH 40 Ravalli Private nonfarm establisments (2012) 30 Silver Bow 34,523 20 20 THOUSANDS 29,017 County: 2,413 State: 36,241 10 Lake 0 0 Lincoln 19,460 ’00 ’02’04 ’06’08 ’10 ’12 Private nonfarm employment (2012) ’00’’20 40 ’80’60 ’00 Montana 1,023,579 Mobile homes not included. County: 29,168 State: 343,842 Veteran population: Workers by industry, top 5 areas Private nonfarm employment change Percentage that are vets: 12.5% (rank, business type, employees, percent of work force) 2011-2012 County: 0.1% State: 2.3 % Sources: U.S. Census 2010-2013 Quick Facts, 1Educational services, health care and social assistance 8,765 23.8% Americian Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2Retail trade 4,847 13.2% Great Falls Association of Realtors 3Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services 4,328 11.8% 4 Construction 2,965 8.1% TRIBUNE PHOTO BY LARRY BECKNER 5 Professional, scientific, management, administrative 2,868 7.3% TRIBUNE GRAPHIC and waste management services

18 Economy greatfallschamber.org Ag industry is king in Montana

Montana has produced the most lentils in the nation for the past three years. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER

Farming and ranching is big combining and calving. And 1.25 million acres in agriculture. The • Montana Farmers Union is based in business in Big Sky Country, and agriculture is ingrained in the fabric market value of crop and livestock Great Falls. northcentral Montana is no exception. of the region. Stores serve third- and sales was more than $111 million in • Montana Grain Growers Association Agriculture is the state’s No. 1 fourth-generation customers. 2012. is based in Great Falls. industry, and the 59.7 million acres In Cascade County, the ag industry In 2014, cattle prices in Montana in farms or ranches — 64.2 percent contributes to 2 percent of the labor were at a record high of approximately • The Montana State Grain of all land — ranks No. 2 nationally, income according to the University $2.50 per pound, which hopefully Laboratory, the only federally based on 2013 data from the U.S. of Montana Bureau of Business and helped offset the rising cost of hay for certified grain lab in the state, is Department of Agriculture’s National Economic Research. ranchers. here. Agricultural Statistics Service. According to 2012 Montana But the news wasn’t as good for area • The Montana Wheat and Barley The value of Montana’s agricultural Agricultural Statistics, the county grain growers when record rainfall in Commission, which markets the products surpassed $4.2 billion in ranks 20th in crop production, August 2014 damaged wheat crops state’s grain crop, is based here. 2013, seeing the longest modern bringing in more than $53 million in just as they were going to harvest. In period of historic price increases. cash receipts. Livestock production, the long-term, experts say the August The average farm size in 2013 was primarily beef cattle, also is very rains will help the soil, but the short- 2,125 acres. That’s also second in the important, generating more than $57 term effects definitely hurt. BY THE NUMBERS nation. The average value for a farm or million in cash receipts and ranking In addition to being an agricultural • $4.2 billion: Annual sales produced ranch is more than $2 million. ninth in the state. trade center for northcentral Montana, in 2013 by Montana agriculture. For many in northcentral Montana, In 2012, the most recent year land Great Falls also is home to several ag- life — and work — follows the figures were available, the county • 1,105: Farms in Cascade County in related manufacturing businesses and 2012, covering 1.25 million acres. seasons: seeding, cultivating, had 1,105 farms and ranches and organizations: • 4.16 million: Bushels of wheat • Malteurop operates a malt plant produced by Cascade County in north of Black Eagle. The plant 2013 out of the state’s 81.7 million- makes malt, a key ingredient in bushel crop. beer, from the area’s premium barley. • 79,000: Cattle raised in Cascade County in 2013 out of the 2.6 • Pasta Montana makes high-quality million in Montana. pasta products from flour made with Montana-grown durum wheat. • 5,000: Head of sheep raised in About half of the pasta is exported. Cascade County in 2013 out of the state’s 235,000. • The General Mills’ flour plant mills flour for retail sale, commercial • 16,500: Hogs and pigs raised in bakeries and Pasta Montana. Cascade County in 2012 out of the 175,000 in Montana. • Montana Specialty Mills processes oil seeds. ON THE WEB • Montana Milling specializes in milling organic grain. • agr.state.mt.us • Western Livestock Auction north of • nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/ Great Falls is one of the state’s most Montana active auction yards. • montanakids.com A ewe cleans up her twin lambs on the Warner Ranch south of Fort Shaw. TRIBUNE PHOTO\BRETT BYERS greatfallschamber.org1Economy 9 Help, advice, training available for businesses, employees

Great Falls has plenty of resources available so businesses can be successful and hire local workers. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER For business owners, or for those Website: bsd.dli.mt.gov registering construction contractors, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT looking to start a business, there are Address: 301 S. Park Ave., Room 430, establishing medical-fee schedules, a number of resources in Great Falls Helena, MT 59620 and issuing independent contractor AND BUSINESS and state agencies that can help. Below Phone: 406-841-2333 determinations. COUNSELORS is contact information for many of Department of Commerce, Census and Website: erd.dli.mt.gov/workers- Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce them: Economic Information Center comp-regulations-bureau.html Advocates, promotes, networks, Provides demographic and Address: P. O. Box 8011, Helena, MT and supports businesses in the Great CITY AND COUNTY economic data about Montana and its 59624-8011 Falls trade area. The Chamber also AGENCIES cities and counties. Phone: 406-444-6541 provides Tools for Business Success Website: ceic.mt.gov Department of Commerce, Business at toolsforbusiness.info, a webfeed City of Great Falls Planning and Address: 301 S. Park Ave., Helena, of more than 800 links to business Community Development Resource Division-Finance Information MT 59620 Center startup and development information Responsible for code enforcement, that are continually updated and Phone: 406-841-2740 Provides information for the building safety, licensing, parking, expanded. The information includes most significant financing resources planning and zoning, variances the best-of-the-web, federal, state, Department of Revenue, Business available from state, federal and local and flood-plain permits, including regional, and local resources, including institutions. development and redevelopment of Services, One-Stop Licensing funding programs available to our Website: mtfinanceonline.com property, and planning for growth and Allows businesses to obtain or businesses, guidelines on how to go Address: P. O. Box 200505, Helena, transportation. renew business licenses, permits and green, every form a business needs to Website: greatfallsmt.net fees from one centralized location. MT 59620-0505 file for the next 90-days, basic start-up Address: P. O. Box 5021 Website: revenue.mt.gov/forbusinesses Phone: 406-841-2732 forms and more. Phone: 454-0495 Address: P. O. Box 8003, Helena, MT Montana State Fund Websites: greatfallschamber.org and Cascade County Planning 59604 Provides liability-insurance coverage toolsforbusiness.info Phone: 406-444-6900 Administers Montana and Cascade for the legal obligation of an employer Address: 100 1st Ave. N. County subdivision regulations, Secretary of State to pay damages because of bodily inju- Phone: 761-4434 enforces flood-plain regulations and Oversees elections; maintains ry or death of an employee. Great Falls Development Authority over-all land-use management for the the official records of the executive Website: montanastatefund.com Creates incentive packages, markets county. branch and the acts of the Legislature; Address: P. O. Box 4759, Helena, MT and advertises Cascade County, and Website: co.cascade.mt.us reviews, maintains and distributes 59604-4759 finds local opportunities for businesses Address: 121 4th St. N., Suites 2H-2I public-interest records of businesses Phone: 800-332-6102 or 406-495-5000 interested in Cascade County. Phone: 454-6905 and nonprofits. • Administers business-loan programs Website: sos.mt.gov Department of Labor and Industry- including a revolving loan fund for STATE AGENCIES Address: P. O. Box 202801, Helena, Unemployment Insurance Division businesses in Cascade County; a MT 59620-2801 Department of Labor and Industry, Handles benefits for unemployed loan program for business out-side Phone: 406-444-2034 Business Standards Division individuals. Great Falls’ city limits in Cascade Administers building codes, Department of Labor, Workers Website: uid.dli.mt.gov County and in Glacier Pondera, business and occupational licensing, Compensation Regulation Bureau Address: P. O. Box 8020, Helena, MT Teton and Toole counties; a micro- health care licensing and weights and Responsibilities include licensing 59604-8020 loan program for up to $35,000 measures. professional employer organiza-tions, Phone: 406-444-3783 for businesses in Cascade, Glacier, 20 Economy greatfallschamber.org Pondera, Toole, Teton, Judith Better Business Bureau Basin and Fergus counties; and Tr acks businesses’ records of Small Business Administration 504 delivering results and addressing program loans. customer concerns in accordance with • Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center: Provides BBB standards; serves as an unbiased professional and knowledgeable source for consumers and businesses; technical assistance to those who provides free educational information currently are or want to participate and expert advice. in the government marketplace; Website: spokane.bbb.org serves government procurement personnel by connecting them with Address: 152 S. Jefferson, Suite 200, responsive, qualified suppliers of Spokane, WA 99201 goods and services. Phone: 509-455-4200 • Small Business Development Center: Manages small business technical assistance services, entrepreneur EMPLOYER RESOURCES education, and coordination of Great Falls Job Service Workforce the regional business development network; offers confidential Center counseling, business training, and Assists businesses with information information to small business owners. on wages, employment law, labor Website: gfdevelopment.org market, and personnel matters; offers Address: 300 Central Ave., Suite 406 Wokers install 7x12-foot photographs at the Great Falls International Airport. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER Phone: 771-9020 job training programs, employment- related computer access, proficiency Service Corps of Retired Executives Great Falls Business Improvement Montana Cooperative Development testing and various employment- Provides one-on-one counseling to District Center related workshops. people who want to start a business Maintains, beautifies and stimulates Promotes and develops cooperatives and to existing business owners development in the historic downtown to meet the economic and community Website: wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/ who need assistance in long-range greatfalls planning, expansion or have other district. needs of rural Montana. Address: 1018 7th St. S. business-related concerns. Website: greatfallsbid.com Website: mcdc.coop Website: greatfalls.score.org Address: 13 5th St. N. Address: 12 3rd St. N.W., Suite 110 Phone: 791-5800 Phone: 761-4434 Phone: 727-5430 Phone: 727-1517 Job hot line: 453-5556

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MT-0000345793 greatfallschamber.org2Economy 1 Government

The Cascade County Commission meets at 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the Cascade County Courthouse Annex, 325 2nd Ave. N. TRIBUNE PHOTO

Reach office; city attorney; city planning CITY COMMISSION • Profession: Retired police chief and community development; • Address: P. O. Box 5021, Great Falls, • Phone: 453-5005 fiscal services; fire rescue; parks and MT 59403 government recreation; public library; police and • Email: via greatfallsmt.net Commissioner Bob Kelly public works. • Website: greatfallsmt.net • Commissioner since 2012; serving City Judge Steven Bolstad oversees second term, which ends Dec. 31, officials Municipal Court and is not required Mayor Michael Winters 2015. to report to the city manager or the • Re-elected November 2013; serving commission. third two-year term, which ends • Profession: Retired municipal bond in person, Volunteers participate in nine Dec. 31, 2015. underwriter and trader neighborhood councils and offer • Profession: Retired postal official • Phone: 870-0212 advisory input to the city. and businessman by email, The commission votes on matters of • Phone: 455-8451 PUBLIC SAFETY city government. Each of the councils Emergency number is 9-1-1. have five members who serve two-year Commissioner Bill Bronson phone terms. Meeting schedules are available • Commissioner since 2008; serving second four-year term, which ends Addresses and nonemergency phone at greatfallsmt.net. numbers: The City Commission is made upof Dec. 31, 2015. • Profession: Attorney or mail four commissioners who serve four- • Phone: 452-5921 Great Falls Fire/Rescue year terms and a mayor who serves • Address: 105 9th St. S. a two-year term. Commissioners are Commissioner Fred Burow • Phone: 727-8070 CITY GOVERNMENT elected at-large and on a nonpartisan • Commissioner since 2010, serving Great Falls operates under a basis. City Commission meetings are second four-year term, which ends Great Falls Police Department commission-manager form of 7 p.m. on the first and third Tu esday Dec. 31, 2017. • Address: 112 1st St. S. government in which a city of each month in the Commission • Profession: Auctioneer • Phone: 771-1180 commission, made up of elected Chamber on the second floor of the • Phone: 727-0930 officials, makes policy, and a Civic Center. city manager handles day-to-day • Address: Civic Center, west end of Commissioner Bob Jones Cascade County Sheriff’s Office operations. Central Avenue, 2 Park Drive S. • Commissioner since 2010, serving • Address: 3800 Ulm N. Frontage City management is divided into • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays second four-year term, which ends Road nine departments: the city manager’s • Website: greatfallsmt.net Dec. 31, 2017. • Phone: 454-6820 22 Government greatfallschamber.org Great Falls Office of the Montana Lt. Gov. Angela McLean Highway Patrol • Address: Office of the Governor, • Address: 812 14th St. N. P. O. Box 200801, Helena MT • Phone: 453-1121 or 452-9311 59620-0801 • Phone: 406-444-3111 CASCADE COUNTY • Website: governor.mt.gov Cascade County is governed by three elected county commissioners U.S. CONGRESS who oversee county departments. Sen. Jon Tester (D) Commissioners meet at 9:30 a.m. • Address: 706 Hart Senate Office on the second and fourth Tu esday of Building, Washington, D.C., each month in the Cascade County Courthouse Annex, 325 2nd Ave. N., 20510-2604 The Cascade County Courthouse is located at 415 2nd Avenue North. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER Room 111, unless otherwise noted. • Phone: 202-224-2644 Cascade County offers a wide array of • Fax: 202-224-8594 • Website: tester.senate.gov public services. To see a full list, visit Commissioner Jane Weber • Local Address: 119 1st Ave. N., the county’s website at co.cascade. • Phone: 454-6814 CASCADE COUNTY Suite 102 mt.us SHERIFF-CORONER’S Courthouse CLERK AND RECORDER • Phone: 452-9585 • Address: 415 2nd Ave. N. OFFICE Rina Moore • Phone: 454-6810 Sen. Steve Daines (R) • Address: 121 4th St. N., Suite 1B-1 Bob Edwards • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays • Phone: 454-6801 • Address: 3800 Ulm N. Frontage • Address: 1 Russell Senate Courtyard, Road Washington, DC 20510 COUNTY COMMISSION COUNTY TREASURER • Phone: 454-6820 • Phone: 202-224-2651 Address: Cascade County Courthouse Jamie Bailey • Website: daines.senate.gov Annex, 325 2nd Ave. N. • Address: 121 4th St. N., Suite 1A STATE GOVERNMENT • Phone: 454-6850 Gov. Steve Bullock Rep. Ryan Zinke (R) Commissioner Joe Briggs • Address: Office of the Governor, • Address: 113 Cannon House Office • Phone: 454-6815 COUNTY ATTORNEY P. O. Box 200801, Helena MT Building, Washington, DC 20515 John Parker 59620-0801 • Phone: 202-225-3211 Commissioner Jim Larson • Address: 121 4th St. N., Suite 2A • Phone: 406-444-3111 • Fax: 202-225-5687 • Phone: 454-6816 • Phone: 454-6949 • Website: governor.mt.gov • Website: zinke.house.gov

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252014th St. SW •Great Falls, MT 230114th St. SW •Great Falls, MT (Located next to the Great Falls Market Place) (Located next to the Great Falls Market Place) 406-452-1000 406-453-2675 www.greatfalls.hgi.com www.greatfalls.hamptoninn.com MT-0000345527 greatfallschamber.org2Government 3 LB?NQ?NNHDC @C: my doctor really listenstome.

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LIFE TAKES GREATCARE FDH?NG?>>C P>@E@P ·FDH?N G?>>C P>@E@P QHI@P?> PHENHD ·FDH?N G?>>C P>@E@P CMDFHDKPHENHD

MT-0000345508

24 greatfallschamber.org Health Care

Montana State University of College Nursing student Alexandra Nooney, left, checks Sabrina Gregori’s cholesterol and glycerin levels at the Benefis Health System booth at Want Women Want Expo. Heath care TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER model of care coordination between their doctors, nurses and other WALK-IN FACILITIES facilities providers. Benefis Walk-in Care Center, 1401 25th St. S., 731-8888 With two large, private hospitals, Community Health Care Center, 115 4th St. S., 454-6973 numerous private practice offices and Family Health Clinic, 900 6th St. S.W., 727-3242 a world-class biomedical research First Choice Family Healthcare, 914 13th Ave. S., 453-0810 concentrate facility, Great Falls is known as the Great Falls Clinic Immediate Care Center, 1400 29th St. S., 454-7200 health care hub for northcentral Great Falls Clinic Northwest, 1600 Division Road, 268-1600 Montana and its thousands of Indian Family Health Clinic, 1220 Central Ave., 268-1510 on patient residents. Providers serve patients Missouri River Health Care, 601 1st Ave. N., 761-5252 living in a sparsely populated area of Montana five times the size of New the west campus is up for remodeling services and behavioral programs for experience Jersey. soon. urban Native Americans. GFC rolled out a new patient portal Benefis completed the first phase of in spring 2014 that helps patients take the Grandview, a senior living facility BENEFIS HEALTH SYSTEM more of an active role. They can access located at the corner of 29th Street The world of health care is their medical records online and ask and 18th Avenue South, in 2013. Website: benefis.org changing, and medical facilities need their providers questions or schedule The Grandview includes independent • Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute, to change with it. appointments. and assisted-living facilities. Benefis 1117 29th St. S., 731-8200 That’s something Benefis Health “People are already more engaged Senior Care Center is undergoing a — The Benefis Sletten Cancer System CEO John Goodnow than ever before because of the access renovation of its dementia unit. Institute offers comprehensive welcomes. to information,” McMurray said. Both GFC and Benefis offer cancer care, including state-of- Some people paint the picture of “They care about their health partly extensive cancer treatment. the-art CyberKnife procedures, American health care with a dark because it’s so expensive, and they’re Several independent physicians add in which malignant and benign palette, but Goodnow, who oversees taking an active role.” to the broad range of medical services tumors previously considered the operation of an inpatient and Benefis also has added a patient in the community. inoperable can be removed through outpatient facility that employs nearly portal where patients can access In addition, scientists at radiosurgery. Benefis SCI also 3,000, does not. records online and smart cards to help McLaughlin Research Institute offers patient support, Gift of Life “I think it’s a pretty exciting time for them sign in to appointments quickly. study illnesses including Alzheimer’s, housing for patients and families, American health care,” he said. GFC broke ground in 2014 Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. rehabilitation services and financial The Great Falls Clinic staff agrees on a 60,000-square-foot facility Cascade City-County Health counseling. as it is embracing a new concept for that will house a 19-bed hospital, Department includes the Community health care called population health operating rooms, procedure room Health Care Center, which serves • Emergency/Trauma, 1101 26th management. Employees are hoping and emergency room. The new GFC all members of the community but St. S., 455-5200 — Benefis’ it will improve the health of their Medical Center will be attached to the focuses its services on those who are Williams-Ario Regional Emergency patients while decreasing costs. clinic’s Specialty Center at 3000 15th uninsured, underinsured or otherwise and Tr auma Center is a Level II “It’s treating the whole person Ave. S. The new center carries a $23.5 cannot afford health care. trauma center. The emergency instead of one ailment at a time,” million price tag, with another $7 The Center for Mental Health, room and trauma center is one said Tami McMurray, program million budgeted for equipment. based in Great Falls, serves more of the busiest in the state, in part manager for population health Embarking on another round of than 6,000 children and adults in 13 because of an active Mercy Flight management at GFC. Patients might updating and improving its facilities, northcentral Montana counties. operation that brings patients to notice some changes at their doctors’ Benefis is concentrating on outpatient The Indian Family Health Clinic Benefis from outlying communities. appointments, thanks to the new services. The Tr ansitional Care Unit on provides primary care, wellness Benefis upgraded its air ambulance greatfallschamber.org2Health Care 5 service in 2013 by adding a Cessna and 1-4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Citation Mustang medical jet and Friday; free, confidential walk-in HIV Eurocopter EC135 helicopter. testing 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. • Benefis Birth Center, 1101 26th weekdays. St. S., 731-8750 — In 2009, a Website: cchdmt.org new birth center opened on the Community Health Care Center seventh floor of Benefis South Address: 115 4th St. S. Tower. Equipped with an advanced Phone: 454-6973 for appointments neonatal care unit, 19 labor, Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays delivery, recovery and postpartum by appointment rooms, five rooms for high-risk Website: cchdmt.org pregnancies, two operating rooms The City-County Health and a three-bed triage area, the birth Department offers prevention services center welcomes about 1,400 babies such as vaccinations, tobacco cessation annually. After the birth, mother programs and STD testing. It employs and baby are cared for together in three public health nurses and several a shared room. A highly advanced prevention specialists. neonatal intensive care unit with 17 The health department administers rooms is available also. Great Falls Clinic pediatrician Dr. Nancy Maynard gives Luke Hartley a check-up. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER low or no-cost breast, cervical and • Benefis Senior Care Center, 2621 to 7 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 a hospital stay. Those include colorectal screenings for those who 15th Ave. S., 455-5902 — The 146- p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 ophthalmology, orthopedics, ENT, qualify. bed center offers a transitional ecar p.m. Sunday and holidays. No general surgery, urology and plastic There are breast and pelvic exams, return-to-home rehabilitation and appointment necessary for walk-ins. surgery. Pap tests, mammograms, fecal occult therapy services program, as well as • Main Clinic, 1400 29th St. S., • Foot & Ankle Clinic of Montana, blood tests, colonoscopies and follow- a long-term care program including 454-2171; walk-in care, internal 1301 11th Ave. S., 761-2222; up diagnostic testing for abnormal test a dementia care unit. and family medicine, lab services, comprehensive foot care services results. • Benefis Peace Hospice of Montana, dermatology, pediatrics and sleep and on-site physical therapy. CCHD also offers family services 2600 15th Ave. S., 455-3040 medicine. such as maternal and child health — Benefis Peace Hospice offers • Northwest Clinic, 1600 Division INDIAN FAMILY programs and the supplemental end-of-life care at a patient’s place of Road, 268-1600; pediatric and HEALTH CLINIC nutrition program for women, infants residence or in the 20-bed hospice family care, X-ray, lab services, and children. Several public health Address: 1220 Central Ave. facility. and walk-in services, 8 a.m. to 7 nurses and a dietician work in the Phone: 268-1510 • Benefis Walk-In Care, 1401 25th p.m. Monday through Thursday family services division. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, St. S., 731-8888 — The recently and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays. No The Community Health Care Tu esday and Thursday; 8 a.m. to noon remodeled Benefis Walk-In Care appointment necessary. Center, a division of the CCHD, Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday; offers walk-in services for a broad strives to provide quality health care • Specialty Center, 3000 15th Ave. closed noon to 1 p.m. weekdays; walk- range of illness and injuries. Benefis to those who otherwise wouldn’t have S., 454-2171; allergy and asthma in times Walk-In Care is open 7 a.m. to 8 access. treatment, heart center, internal Website: indianfamilyhealth.org The center serves the uninsured, p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6:30 medicine, nephrology, orthopedics, p.m. weekends. underinsured and Medicaid recipients podiatry, physical therapy, The Indian Family Health Clinic who have a difficult time finding • Benefis Medical Group, 1401 25th pulmonology, radiology, including takes a holistic approach to health, providers, said Alicia Thompson, St. S., 731-8888 — Benefis Medical MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, treating the mind, body and spirit, executive director of the CCHD. Group employs about 100 providers mammography, speech pathology, offering an on-site fitness center. The health care center, established across a broad range of specialties, urology. The members-only fitness and in 1995, offers medical and dental including family medicine, wellness center in the lower level of the • Clinic Cancer Care, 3000 15th Ave. services. pediatrics, OB-GYN, infertility, clinic has cardiovascular equipment S., 454-2171; comprehensive cancer All patients, regardless of income, internal medicine, cardiology, treatment, including clinical trials and a weight room. pulmonology, oncology, urology, Pink Gloves boxing for women pay a fee based on a sliding scale. The and patient counseling and support clinic is open to anyone who may not bariatrics, sports medicine, wound groups. The facility also has an and sessions with a trainer also are be able to afford care elsewhere. care, endocrinology and more. appearance center, support groups available. The CHCC also offers a • Benefis Orthopedic Center of and complementary medicine such The clinic serves urban Native pharmacy assistance program, with Montana, 1401 25th St. S., as yoga and massage therapy. Americans, those from surrounding areas and non-Native patients, offering free medications to patients who 731-8900 — The center offers a • Medical Center, 1411 9th St. S., general, gynecological and diabetes cannot afford them. Pharmaceutical full range of orthopedic services, 216-8000. The inpatient hospital care, as well as behavioral health and companies provide the medications, including joint care, spine care, offers private, state-of-the-art rooms substance abuse counseling. and patients pay an administrative fee. digital radiology, MRI, pain and additional amenities typically Native Americans are treated for management, walk-in injury found in a four-star hotel. Services free. The clinic accepts insurance and treatment, physical, occupational, include four operating suites, ALTERNATIVE/ charges a low fee for services for non- speech and pediatric therapy, sports inpatient surgical procedures and Native patients. HOLISTIC HEALTH medicine and RESULTS sports inpatient medical services. Detailed • Acupuncture Care, Marian performance training. meal and nutrition services and Gallagher, C.A., 1100 1st Ave. N., discharge planning also available. COUNTY HEALTH CENTERS Suite 2, 771-6545 GREAT FALLS CLINIC • Surgery Center, 1509 29th St. City-County Health Department • Benefis Acupuncture Care, Saneyee Website: gfclinic.com S., 771-3500. Certified by the Address: 115 4th St. S. Karve, 400 13th Ave. S., Suite 206, • Immediate Care Center, 1400 Accreditation Association for Phone: 454-6950 29th St. S., 454-7200; walk- Ambulatory Health Care, the Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; 455-2870 in services for acute medical surgery center offers a variety vaccinations walk-in times 8:30- • Birth with Love, 310 52nd St., injuries and illness; open 7 a.m. of surgeries that do not require 11:30 a.m. Tu esday through Friday 315-1591 26 Health Care greatfallschamber.org • Dragon Well Acupuncture, 914 CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES • Trosper Chiropractic Clinic, 1500 Health took the lead on the Youth 13th Ave. S., 750-3802 6th Ave. N., 452-7585 Crisis Diversion Plan that gets youths • Advanced Chiropractic Center, in crisis to a safe place without • Family Birth Center, Elaine Becker, 1301 12th Ave. S., 315-3037 C.N.M., 1406 16th Ave. S.W., MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES incarcerating them. 770-3022 • Back & Neck Clinic of Great Falls, It’s also heavily involved in the 205 9th Ave. S., 771-8431 Center for Mental Health Community Health Improvement • Great Falls Holistic Health Clinic, Address: 915 1st Ave. S. Plan, which identified access to health Kennedy, Kate, N.D., 1309 9th • Big Sky Chiropractic, 209 Smelter Phone: 761-2100 Ave. N.E., 454-2225 care as one of three health needs in Ave. S., 727-6680 Website: center4mh.org Great Falls. Making sure people with Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays • Healthy Horizon, Lynn Evans, • Crane Chiropractic, 1400 16th mental illness can get care quickly is a For four decades, the Center for R.N., M.S., C.N.W., 824 2nd St. S, Ave. S.W., 590-5900 priority to Blair and the entire staff. Mental Health has provided mental 268-8480 • Family Chiropractic Clinic, 411 The center also has a staff of health services to Great Falls and the 13th Ave. S., 727-6331 counselors and psychologists who can • Holistic Pain Relief Clinic and surrounding area. help both children and adults who Advanced Colon Hydrotherapy, • 15th Street Chiropractic, 222 15th Forty years into its mission, the need treatment for a mental illness or John Preston, N.M.T., and Lesa St. S., 771-1222 center has no plans to slow down. families who might be having strife or Preston, C.T., 1720 10th Ave. S., Located in the historic Largent • Gilbert Chiropractic, 1308 9th other difficulties. 727-6444 Ave. S., 453-1369 School on 1st Avenue South in Great Falls, the Center for Mental Health There’s a variety of services — from • Holloman, Jennifer, L.Ac., LMT, • Great Falls Chiropractic Clinic, counseling for people with eating 1308 12th Ave. S., 453-8885 offers services to people regardless of 400 13th Ave. S., 727-1660 insurance status. disorders to family counseling to • Inner Reflections Health Care • Jimmerson Chiropractic Clinic, The center is about more than just the capability to treat people with & Associates, Nancy Patterson, 307 9th St. S., 727-5231 offering clinic-based or counseling schizophrenia, depression or bipolar N.D., 1601 2nd Ave. N., Suite 520, disorder, Blair said. • Kuka Chiropractic Clinic, 906 7th services, though it does a great deal 453-1254 of that. Its staff is also out in the In Great Falls, partnerships with St. S., 727-9101 • Naturopathic Family Practice, community, identifying ways it can community health officials, schools Jacque Arnold, N.D., B.S.N., 1100 • Mountain View Chiropractic, 1520 help the population with mental and law enforcement help spread a 1st Ave. N., Suite 2, 770-3790 3rd St. N.W., 727-5757 illness and making it happen. web of support to people with mental “We do it all because we know it’s a illness. • Rejoice in Life Midwifery, Mary • Purvis Chiropractic, 1308 12th need,” said Sydney Blair, CEO of the While 80 percent of the Center Anne Brown, L.M., C.P.M., 1410 Ave. S., 453-8885 Center for Mental Health. for Mental Health’s clientele is on 3rd Ave. N., 727-0550 or 788-3574 • R.A. Reynolds, 1125 2nd Ave. N., That means the center is involved Medicaid, the organization accepts • Robbins, M. Joann, WHNP, 452-6431 in housing, vocational support and all payer types and offers services on C.N.M., Nurse Midwife, 1522 9th • Six Chiropractic Clinic, 1424 10th various educational programs. a sliding fee scale for people without St. S., 761-7924 Ave. S., 452-6929 Recently, the Center for Mental insurance.

MT-0000345848 greatfallschamber.org2Health Care 7 Services, lodging help seniors find activities, peace

Linda Wrobel, left, and Nancy Wilson fill trays with food for Meals on Wheels, a program which is fundedbyUnited Way to help feed an average of 300 senior citizens one meal for five days a week around Great Falls. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER

With nearly 22 percent of Great Elderly Legal Services (Voice & Emerald, 453-0607: cottage-style Renaissance Senior Care, 2000 Falls residents older than 60, senior TTY) 800-332-2272, 406-444-4077 living, with assisted-living services and 2010 16th Ave. S., 453-2882: services continue to expand. The Great (direct line) available. Home-like atmosphere for up to 20 Falls Senior Center offers meals and Meals on Wheels: 454-6993 Golden Eagle Plaza, 1615 9th St. residents in need of elder care or with activities five days per week. In 2014, Medicare: 800-633-4227 S., 268-0100: Retirement and assisted- Alzheimer’s or dementia. more than 4,000 people took part in Senior Citizen Center: 1004 living facility with 71 apartments. River’s Edge Assisted Living, senior center activities. Central Ave., 454-6995 Goldstone, 5200 9th Ave. S., 4800 Lower River Road, 952-0262: Meals on Wheels feeds more than 452-1239. Family style, personal-care 12 beds, with assisted-living services 300 seniors a week as well as people SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES home with space for up to 13. available. with disabilities. Seniors are asked to Angels Home Care Center, 5010 The Grandview at Benefis, 3015 Ruby House, 811 2nd Ave. S., 453- donate toward the cost of the meal 9th Ave. S., 761-0829: Eight-bed 18th Ave. S., 771-6200: 48 assisted- 0607: 16 beds, with assisted-living if they can afford it, and only eto giv assisted-living home. living apartments; 16 private suites for services available. what they are able to. Azalea Place Assisted Living, 1 residents with early-stage dementia. Sapphire, 815 2nd Ave. S., 453- After two years of construction, Prospect Drive, 452-4500: Eight-bed Highgate Senior Living, 3000 5720: 13 beds, with assisted-living residents and staff began moving assisted-living facility. 11th Ave. S., 454-0991: Assisted- services available. into the $30 million Grandview at Bee Hive Homes, 761-3080, has living apartments, options for couples, Soroptimist Village, 2400 13th Benefis in 2013. The senior living six locations throughout Great Falls, pet-friendly apartments, memory Ave. S., 453-9379: Independent living campus at the corner of 29th Street including two 13-room facilities for care, care tailored for high-need or for those over 62 or with a disability; and 18th Avenue South is the only those who do not require full-time minimal-care residents. 55 apartments, both studio and one- facility offering a continuum of ecar nursing care; three memory care Hosanna Home, 1517 and 1521 bedroom. in northcentral Montana, an asset that locations, with a total of 51 rooms; and 3rd Ave. N., 453-1171: 24-room a 13-room traumatic brain injury house. brought John Wallace, the director of assisted-living facility. SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES Bluebird Assisted Living, 1101 assisted living, out of retirement. The Lodge, 1801 9th St. S., 771- Benefis Senior Care Center, 24th Ave. S.W., 453-5800: Eight-bed The Alzheimer’s unit at Benefis 7440: 69-unit assisted-living facility. 2621 15th Ave. S., 455-5902: 146- assisted-living facility. Senior Care Center was recently Meadowlark Assisted Living, 1009 Cambridge Court, 1109 6th bed center with return-to-home remodeled. The locked unit features 3rd Ave. N., 452-6400: 20-room Ave. N., 727-7151: 89 retirement rehabilitation and therapy services, a tranquility room to help dementia assisted-living facility. apartments, with assisted-living and as well as a long-term care, including patients remain peaceful. Mountain View Home, 2806 16th memory care services. dementia care. MT Gems, which operates the Ruby Ave. S., 452-5810: Assisted-living Cambridge Place, 1104 6th Ave. The Grandview at Benefis, 3015 and Sapphire assisted-living homes, facility for up to nine residents. 18th Ave. S., 455-5960: Senior Care opened a third home called The N., 727-0447: 61 independent-living apartments. Park Manor, 100 Central Ave., Cottages, three separate cottages with Emerald in 2014. 761-1444: 99 apartments for seniors 16 private rooms. Seniors can tap into services such as Cascade Ridge, 3001 15th Ave. S., 315-1596: 40 one- and two-bedroom and disabled. Kindred Transitional Care and Meals on Wheels and find out about independent-living apartments for The Portage, 1521 23rd St. S., Rehabilitation - Park Place, 1500 volunteer opportunities by contacting low-income seniors. 452-0970: 48 low-income, senior 32nd St. S., 761-4300: 180 beds; the Cascade County Aging Services. Donnalee’s Assisted Care, 2201 apartments for independent living; rehabilitation department staffed by 11th St. S.W. 452-7559: Family-style, some services available if arranged by therapists. SENIOR SERVICES personal-care home with 12 beds. residents. Missouri River Center, 1130 17th Cascade County Aging Services/ Eagles Manor Retirement Home, The Rainbow, 20 3rd St. N., 761- Ave. S., 771-4500: Independent and Area VIII Agency on Aging: 1501 9th St. S., 453-6521: 129 6661: 110 retirement apartments with assisted-living options, rehabilitation 454-6990 retirement apartments. assisted-living services available. and therapy services. 28 Health Care greatfallschamber.org Dr. George Carlson, director of the McLaughlin Research Institute, works in his Great Falls lab. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER

Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple chain called amyloid beta also has a mystery, so could the research from Scientists sclerosis. role in Alzheimer’s, forming plaques the other brain diseases the institute Institute director George Carlson and disturbing brain connections, studies. focuses his research on Alzheimer’s Carlson said. MRI collaborates with Benefis work on disease, Not only Health System on the Center for the brain- FOR MORE INFORMATION could the Aging and Memory Care, Montana ravaging, research specific State University’s mental health Website: mclaughlinresearch.org national progressive to Alzheimer’s research center and University of illness that disease be the key Montana’s brain initiative. eventually to unlocking its disease robs its sufferers of their memory and ability to communicate. What began in 1954 as a small floors of research in research laboratory headed by an Brand Name ambitious scientist has evolved into OVERDOORCO. Furniture one of the top biomedical research •Over 60 Years Amish ★Sealy Great Falls centers in the country. Combined Technical 5★ Prions are pathogenic agents that Experience ★Lane ★Stressless cause misfolding of proteins in the •Residential, ★Flexsteel Recliners Commercial, Farm brain. When misfolded, the proteins •WeService All Free Local Delivery can cause catastrophic diseases in Brands of Doors and McLaughlin Research Institute humans and animals. Openers FERRIN’S has become a biomedical outpost of Carlson said misfolded tau prions •FREE ESTIMATES the Montana prairie. Inside its blue that start in a small part of the brain FURNITURE 815 18th St. N. •Great Falls, MT 59401 and orange exterior, MRI scientists and eventually begin to spread, have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease in www.wallysoverdoor.com 308 1st Ave. So. have built reputations studying 406-761-2192 neurodegenerative brain diseases like MRI’s studies of mice. 406-453-1425 Kristine Habel Wayne Petrini www.ferrins.com MT-0000345788 The clustering of an amino acid MT-0000345392 greatfallschamber.org2Health Care 9 Community

Lucas Lopes, 2, and Logan Lopes, 4, watch as a train passes at the Montana Museum of Railroad History. The Great Falls Model Railroad Club maintains the display. TRIBUNE PHOTO\JENNY GESSMAN • Audubon Society, Upper Missouri Breaks • Connect Great Falls — connectgreatfalls@gmail. Local organizations Audubon Chapter — Meets at 7 p.m. on the com, www.facebookcom/Connect Great Falls. second Monday each month from September • Daughters of the Nile Club, No. 3 — Meets at to June at the Region 4 Headquarters for Fish cater to all interests Wildlife & Parks, 4600 Giant Springs Road. 12:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday each month Speakers and opportunities for learning to identify September through May at Dimitri’s, 1919 3rd St. birds at monthly meetings. Call 453-0170 or visit N.W. Call 454-1244. Whether it’s gardening, bird-watching, restoring audubon.org.. • Delta Lodge No. 128 — Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the classic cars or helping with charitable activities, • Big Sky Radio-Controlled Modelers — Meets second Wednesday each month from September there’s sure to be an organization or club that at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday each month at through June at the Masonic Temple, 821 Central matches your interests in Great Falls. Here is a Hardees, 2625 10th Ave. S. Call 868-1212 or visit Ave. Call 452-1990 or visit delta128.org. bigskyrcm.org. sampling: • Eagle Falls Toastmasters — Meets at 6 p.m. on • Black Eagle/Assinniboine Chapter DAR — Thursdays at the Paris Gibson Education Center, Meets at noon on the second Saturday each 2400 Central Ave., Room 108. Call 453-7255 or • AAUW (American Association of University month at various locations. Visit great-fallsdar. Women) — For women with two- and four- weebly.com. visit toastmasters.org. year college degrees; most meetings at 7 p.m. on • Black Eagle Civic Club — Meets at 7 p.m. on • Electric City Lions Club — Meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday each month in the Providence the first Wednesday each month at Black Eagle on the first and third Monday each month at Forum, McLaughlin Center, University of Great Community Center, 2332 Smelter Ave. N.E. the Montana Club, 907 Smelter Ave. N.E. Call Falls, 1301 20th St. S. Call 452-8769 or visit • Camera Club — Meets at 7 p.m. on the second 453-5254. greatfalls-mt.aauw.net. and fourth Thursday each month from September • Electric City Noon Toastmasters — Meets at to May on the third floor of the Ursuline Centre, • Altered Classics (Family Car Club) — Meets noon Thursdays at the Community Recreation 2300 Central Ave. Call 453-6115 or visit at 7 p.m. on the second Tu esday each month at Center, 801 2nd Ave. N. Call 788-9976 or visit greatfallscameraclub.com. the Eagles, 1501 9th St. S. Open to owners of toastmasters.org. • Cascade Lodge No. 34 — Meets at 7:30 p.m. on any classic makes, models or vehicles of special • Euclid Lodge No. 58 — Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tu esday each month from interest. Vehicle need not be in pristine condition. September through June at the Masonic Temple, the first and third Tu esday each month from Call 454-1155 or visit alteredclassics.com. 821 Central Ave. Call 453-0604. September through May and the third Tu esday each month from June through August at the • Amateur Radio Club — Meets at 7 p.m. on the • Central Montana Astronomy Society —Meets at Masonic Temple, 821 Central Ave. Call 923-1020 first Monday each month at Cascade County 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday each month or visit euclidlodge.com. DES Complex, 521 1st Ave. N.W. Parking and September through May at the Paris Gibson Education Center, 2400 Central Ave., Room 216. entrance in the back fenced area. New people • Exchange Club — Meets at noon on the second Also holds occasional star parties highlighting and fourth Tu esday of each month at Rikki’s welcome. Call 791-8322 or visit w7eca.org. views of the moon, star clusters, galaxies and more Pizza and Pasta, 1220 9th St. S. Group focuses on through large telescopes at the Lewis and Clark • Archery Club — Meets at 7 p.m. on the Americanism, child abuse prevention, community Interpretive Center, 4201 Giant Springs Road. first Tu esday each month at the Black Eagle involvement, youth awards and honoring Call 965-3139 or visit cmasweb.com. Community Center, 2332 Smelter Ave. N.W. Call firefighters and police officers. Call 771-1191. 231-9821 or greatfallsarchery.com. • Central Montana Friendship Force — Meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday each month at • Falls Quilt Guild — Meets at 7 p.m. the second • Arts Association of Montana — Meets at 11:45 various locations. Promote global understanding Tu esday each month at Great Falls Senior a.m. on the third Wednesday each month at the across the cultural barriers that separate people. Call Center, 1004 Central Ave. Call 750-1422 or visit O’Haire Motor Inn, 17 7th St. S. Call 761-2329. 868-5252 or visit friendshipforcemontana.org. fallsquiltguild.org. 30 Community greatfallschamber.org • Great Falls Advertising Federation — Meets • Kiwanis Club — Meets at noon Tu esdays at Clark • Rotary Club of Great Falls — Meets at noon at noon on the first and third Wednesday each and Lewie’s, 17 7th St. S. Call 471-2228. Tu esdays at Meadow Lark Country Club, 300 Country Club Blvd. Visit greatfallsrotary.org. Call month September through May at various • Lamplighters — Those single and age 55 or older 761-0420. locations; membership through application can attend game night at 6:30 p.m. on occasional process. Call 761-6453 or visit gfaf.com. Thursdays at the Black Eagle Com-munity Center, • Safari Club, Great Falls Montana Chapter — • Great Falls Bicycle Club — Upcoming events 2332 Smelter Ave. N.W. Call 761-2629 or Club goals are to conserve wildlife, promote outdoor education and preserve hunter’s rights. listed on greatfallsbicycleclub.org or call 761- 761-2813. Call 761-6211 or visit safariclubgreatfalls.org. 7021. • Lego Club — Meets at 3:30 p.m. on the first • Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary — Meets at and third Friday each month at the Children’s • Great Falls Conservation Council — Meets at 10 a.m. on the second Monday each month at the noon the third Wednesday each month September Museum of Montana, 22 Railroad Square. Call Salvation Army, 1000 17th Ave. S. Call 452-7622. through May at the Celtic Cowboy, 116 1st Ave. 452-6661. • Scottish Rite — Meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth S. Call 727-7469.or 452-3476 or 761-0305. • Lewis and Clark Golden Wing Motorcycle Monday each month from August through May at • Great Falls Flower Growers — Meets at 12:30 Chapter — Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first the Scottish Rite, 1304 13th St. S. Call 452-2063 p.m. on the first Friday each month at Good Eats Tu esdays each month at the Golden Corral, 1624 or visit greatfallsscottishrite.org. Café, 801 2nd Ave. N. Call 452-8789 or visit Marketplace Drive. Call 564-8875. • Senior Center Bridge clubs — Any interested mtfgc.org. • Medicine River Canoe Club — Holds many bridge player can join games at the Great Falls • Great Falls Iris Society — Meets at 12:30 p.m. canoeing events during the year. Open to kayakers Senior Center, 1004 Central Ave. Call 454-6995. on the fourth Wednesday each month, March and canoeists. Call 788-8326 or 727-2762. • Lodsen Lodge, Sons of Norway — Meets at 7:30 through October, at various locations. Call 453- • Montana Pioneer and Classic Auto Club, Skunk p.m. on the second Friday each month at the Sons 0870. Wagon Chapter — Meets at 8 p.m. on the first of Norway Hall, 1314 7th St. S. Call 964-0030 or visit sofn.com. • Great Falls/Jeannette Rankin BPW — Meets at Friday each month at the Eagles, 1509 9th St. 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays each S. Enter via back door. Call 452-9816 or visit • Sons of Pioneers — Meets at noon on the second month at Perkin’s Restaurant, 526 2nd Ave. N. montanapioneerandclassicautoclub.org. Thursday each month at the O’Haire Motor Inn, 17 7th St. S. Call 270-8149. Call 727-7069 or visit mtbpw.org. • Montana Plainsmen Black Powder Shooting • Great Falls Lions Club — Meets at noon Tu esdays Club — Meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tu esday • Soroptimist International of Great Falls — Meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday each at the Golden Corral, 1624 Market Place Drive. each month, Amigo Lounge banquet room, 1200 month at the Soroptimist Village, Bldg 1, 2400 Call 727-7382. 7th St. S. Call 453-8648. 13th Ave. S. Call 452-8768. • Montana Wilderness Association, Island Range • Great Falls Model Railroad Club — Meets at • Sports Car Club of America, Montana Region Chapter in Great Falls. Call 453-9434 or visit 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Montana Museum of — Meets at 7 p.m. the last Thursday each month Railroad History at the Montana ExpoPark. This wildmontana.org. at the Great Falls Education Associa-tion, 511 club is for anyone interested in model trains or • MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) — There ear 13th Ave. S. Call 453-3494 or visit mtscca.com. railroad history. Call 453-3025 or visit gfmrrc. several groups in Great Falls that meet monthly, • Studio 706 Artist’s Guild — Meets at 6 p.m. on tripod.com. including a group for teen mothers and one for the third Thursday each month at 706 7th Ave. S. • Great Falls Pachyderm Club — Meets at noon military families. Call 727-1263 or visit MOPS. Offers open studio time and art classes. Provide every Thursday at the Russell Room of the org. opportunities for participants to show/sell their Holiday Inn-Great Falls, 1105 5th St. S. Group • Myrtle Rebekah Lodge No. 20 and Rainbow work. Call 761-8228. is patterned after civic clubs; centered around OddFellows Lodge No. 28 — Meets at 7:30 p.m. • Speakeasy Toastmasters Club — Meets at 6:30 community invovement in public policy issues, on the second and fourth Thursday each month at a.m. Tu esdays at the Community Resource government and politics. Contact 799-5605 . the OddFellows, 2905 15th St., Black Eagle. Call Center, 1123 Central Ave. Call 788-6078 or visit 291.toastmastersclubs.org. • Great Falls Retired Postal Employees — Meets at 727-2620 or 453-6805. 9:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday each month at • North Central Retired Educators — Meets • Sun River Skeet Club — Open for shooting from the Great Falls Senior Center, 1004 Central Ave. at noon on the second Friday of September, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Payment of dues allows Call 453-3897. December, February and May at Good Eats Café, member to shoot on black powder, pistol, and • Great Falls Sunrise Lions Club — Meets at 6:30 801 2nd Ave. N. Call 761-5009 or visit mrea. rifle ranges as well as to shoot skeet. Club located a.m. on the second and fourth Tu esday each info/Units2.html. at the Great Falls Shooting Sports Complex, month at Perkins Family Restaurant. Call 453- • Olive Chapter No. 10 OES — Meets at 7:30 p.m. off Ryan Dam Road. Call 761-2815 or visit 6618. on the second and fourth Fridays each month at sunriverskeetclub.org. • Great Falls Woodcarvers — Holds open the Masonic Temple, 821 Central Ave. Call 453- • Sound of the Falls Chorus (Sweet Adelines) — woodcarving gatherings at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the 9080 or visit montanastars.org/montanaoes. Meets for rehearsals at 7 p.m. Mondays at Sunrise Great Falls Senior Center, 1004 Central Ave. Call • Optimist Club of Great Falls — Meets at noon Presbyterian Church, 3809 6th Ave. S. Call 952- 452-1126 or visit montanastatewoodcarvers.com. Wednesdays at the Holiday Inn, 400 10th Ave. S. 1053 or visit soundofthefalls.com. • Harley Owners Group (HOG), Big Sky Chapter Call 771-2946. • Uptown Optimist Club — Meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Pit Stop Tavern and Raceway — Meets at 10:30 a.m. on the second Saturday • Pachyderm Club — Meets at noon on Café, 1600 25th Ave. N.E., Black Eagle. Call 727- each month at 4258 10th Ave. S. New-comers Thursdays. Call 406-277-3286 for location. Visit 7978 or visit uptownoptimistclub.com. welcome. Call 771-1167 or visit bigskyharley.com. pachyderms.org. • Weaver’s Guild — Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the • Helen C. Roberts No. 73, OES — Meets at 7:30 • The Rainbow Garden Club — Meets at 12:30 third Thursday each month at the Columbus p.m. on Fridays at the Masonic Temple, 821 p.m. on the second Thursday each month Center, 1601 2nd Ave. N. Call 452-3238 or vis-it Central Ave. Call 453-9080 or visit mon-tanastars. September through May at Chapel Café & Cater- greatfallsspinnersweaversguild.weebly.com. org/montanaoes. ing, 1601 2nd Ave. N. Club works on several • WOW, Writing our Way — Meets at 6 p.m. on • Junior League of Great Falls — A women’s beautification projects around town. Call 761- the fourth Tu esday of every month at the Great organization committed to promoting 0206 or visit mtfgc.org/Grfallsrainbow.htm. Falls College-MSU library, 2100 16th Ave S. Call volunteerism, developing the potential of women • River’s View Toastmasters Club — Meets at 455-6412. and improving the community. Meets at 7 p.m. 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays at Sletten Construction on the second Tu esday each month at various Co., 1000 25th St. N. Call 870-0315 or visit Many of these organizations also have Facebook locations. Call 452-6661. riversviewtm.toastmastersclubs.org. pages. greatfallschamber.org3Community 1 NAVIGATING Parks 1 Bel View B-1 14 Gallatin D-6 28 Morony E-4 41 Sunrise H-3 2 Boston Heights G-4 15 George Pinski I-3 29 Noah’s Ark Park C-5 42 Tourist P 3 Broadwater Overlook D-3 16 Gibson Park D-4 30 North Kiwanis G-5 43 Valley GREAT FALLS 4 17 31 44 Cambridge Court E-5 Grande Vista C-1 Oddfellows Park D-3 Verde D-2 5 Carter E-3 18 Graybill H-5 32 Pacific Steel Trailside Dog 45 Wadsw 6 Charles Russell H-2 19 Heren I-4 Park E-4 46 Warden P 7 Chowen F-3 20 Horizon D-7 33 Rhodes C-4 47 West Bank P 8 City Recreational Ball Park 21 Hyland Heights E-2 34 Riverview D-6 48 West Hill P E-2 22 Kranz F-3 35 Roosevelt G-4 49 West Side Kiw 9 Clara H-3 23 Lions G-3 36 Sacajawea E-7 50 West Side 10 Dudley-Anderson H-3 24 Madison D-6 37 Sand Hills G-2 51 Westw 11 Eagle’s Crossing Park F-7 25 Meadow Lark C-1 38 Seible Soccer Park I-4 52 Whittier P 12 Elks Riverside Park D-4 26 Memorial F-4 39 Skyline E-7 13 Fox Hollow C-1 27 Montana C-2 40 Sunnyside F-2 A B C D E Government 49th Ave NE 11 11th St NE 10th St NE

12th St NE 46th Ave NE 45th Ave NE

Higher Education 9th St NE 44th Ave NE

1 Kesterl Ct University of Great Falls F-2 7 Peregrine CT 2 Great Falls College Montana State 41st Ave NE

University F-2 40th Ave NE 1. Meadow Ct 7. 6. 39th Ave NE 2. Barberry Ct 8. 3. Buckhorn LnCountryside Dr 1. 39th Ave NE 3 4. Butternut Ct 5. MSU-Northern in Great Falls F-2 38th Ave NE 5. Millberry Ln 2. 9th St NE 38th Ave NE 6. Snowberry Ct 3. 4. 7. Willow Ln 37th Ave NE 4th St NE 37th Ave NE 8. Countryside Vil

4 7th St NE MSU-Bozemen College of 36th Ave NE 36th Ave NE

Rd 35th Ave NE 35th Ave NE e NE 35th Ave NE rd Av e NE ya 11 34th Ave NE e NE

4th St NE 34th Ave NE Nursing E-2 39 34A Av Av Vine

33B 34th Ave NE 11th St NE

33rd Ave NE 6th St NE 33rd Ave NE 33A 1st St NE Skyline Ct 14th St NE 2nd St NE 32nd Ave NE 12th St NE Middle & High Schools 3rd St NE Skyline Dr NE Skyline Dr Skyline Dr 3A St NE 5A St NE 4th St NE 5 6 Sacajawea Dr C.M. Russell High D-5 Skyline Dr NW 30th Ave NE 29A Ave NE 9th St NE Old Havre Hwy

29th Ave NE 5th St NE 22 36 Southview Ct 6 20 29th Ave NE Great Falls High D-8 28th Ave NE Riverview Dr Division Rd Ottawa St Winnipeg St Rivervie Ln 27th Ave NE 8 7 Vermont A ve 8W 7W Riveriew Dr 6W East Middle H-4 5E 26th Ave NE 26th Ave NE 7W 5W 4E Massachussetts D James 3E 25th Ave NE

8 C Riverview Pl 6W 12th St NE Connecticut A ve 2E North Middle E-6 B 24th Ave NE 25th Ave NE 4W Riverview 1E 14 Howard 23rd Ave NE 3W 24 Montana Ave

22nd Ave NE 8th St NE 10th St NE Specialty Schools Montana A ve 22nd Ave NW 6th St NE 5 Riverview Blvd 21st Ave NE Smelter Ave Colorado A ve

21st Ave NW Riverview B Riverview A

9 4th St NE Smelter Ave P

Montana State School for Smelter A ve NE

20 St 14th St NE

34 13th St NE 18th Ave 12th St NE

Rainbow Ct 11th the Deaf and the Blind H-4 Ave North RIver Rd

Stuckey Rd 19th 2nd St NW 17th Ave 5 Division Rd e NE 10 16th Ave Av e E 17th Trail Paris Gibson Education Center F-4 11th St NWAv 29 5th St NW e D 6th St NW 15th Ave lley View Dr Av 16th Ave NW 5 River's Edge 11 Va e C Early Learning Family Center Ave D Av e B Av e C Av 9th St NW 14th Ave NW 51 9th e A Ave NW Av at Skyline School D-7 Ave B 24

Exit 282 14th St TO 12th St 6 CANADA, 43 10th Ave NW 3rd St NW 32 NW Bypass 10th Ave N Elementary Schools VAUGHN, Va ughn Rd 7th 5th A ve NW FA Av 12 IRFIELD, CHOTEAU e NW 8th A ve NW MISSOURI RIVER 15 Montana 8th Ave N Chief Joseph I-4 89 ExpoPark 12

7th A ve NW 9th St NW 11th St NW 10th St NW ail Tr Elks 7th Ave N 13 91 16th St NW 6th A ve NW 5th A ve NW 45 4th A ve NW Riverside C Lewis and Clark H-4 47 Park 200 4th A ve NW River's Edge16 4 14 Va 3rd Ave NW ughn Rd 5th Ave N Lincoln G-3 12th St NW 3rd Ave NW 4 rk Dr CM Russell

2nd A ve NW River Dr Pa Museum K

15th St NW 14th St NW 15 13th St NW 25 2nd A ve NW Longfellow E-3 49 B 26 1st A ve NW 1st A ve NW 3rd Ave N

Gibson

27th St. NW

11th St N 10th St N Exit 280 14th St N 26th St. NW Park

31st St. NW Central A ve W

4th St N

5th St N

6th St N 7th St N Central A ve W 8th St N 16 3rd St N

Loy I-4 2nd Ave N

22th St. NW

12th 13th 14th 1st A ve 15th 33 17 P 1st Ave N 28 2nd A ve SW N Meadow Lark C-2 1st A ve SW 50 52 Central Ave

Childrens 1

8th St SW

4 St SW 7th St SW 6th St SW 2nd A ve SW 3rd Ave SW 5th St SW 18 Museum 2nd A ve SW 42 1st Ave S

32nd St. NW of MT Morningside H-4 4th A ve SW

18th St. SW Bus Sunset P ark Station 2nd Ave S 20th St. SW 5th A ve SW Police 19 American Station Mountain View H-2 4th A ve SW Ave 24th St. SW 3rd Ave S Sunset

20 16th St. SW Miles Ct 4th Ave S 14th St S

Riverview D-5 5th A ve SW

9th St S

4th St S

5th St S

6th St S

7th St S 8th St S

Hickory Swings Ke M 3rd St S 31 11th St S ogh Ct 10th St S Golf Course Cascade County 5th Ave S 21 Huffman Ct HIstorical Society Roosevelt G-4 7th A ve SW

31 6th Ave S

14th St. SW rk Dr

3 Huffman Dr 2nd St 8th A ve SW Cresent Cir 22 Pa 15 ogh St 5 Sacajawea E-6 7th Ave S Sun River Rd Ke 23 8th Ave S e SW Sunnyside F-2 9th Av 2nd St SW 9th Ave S 3rd St SW

6th St SW 24 Ave SW 19th St. SW Cresent Dr 10th 10th Ave S

Valleyview C-5 13th St. SW 2 25 10th A ve SW West C-4 A 3 We st Hill Pl SUN RIVER Visitor 26 e SW Center 46 Whittier E-4 13th Av 13th Ave S

r 13th Ave S 4th St S D rk la 14th Ave S H st Hill Dr 14th A ve SW w Meadowlark o 14th Ave S d Country st Hill Dr We 15th Ave S a

Private Schools 16th 15th Ave S e Club Golf r We D M Course 4 2nd t 16th Ave S H 16th A ve SW c e 3rd p 27 14th St S s 17th Ave S

17th A ve SW 17th o

r 16th Great Falls Central Catholic SW St 10th

P Dunn 2 18th A ve SW 18th Hylande Dr 17th 18th Ave S 48 19th A ve SW High School G-2 Great Falls 18th 1st St S 27 Dahlia 44 e Dr 21 International st Hill Dr 20th 19th Ave S

Airport Court 20th A ve SW rd Av Airport We rm Road Elm 19th e S 28 21st Ve Glenwood 20th Ave S 8 Foothills Community Exit 278 7 Fa Forest 22nd Fox 21st Ave S 13th 17 Grape 21st Ave S 23rd

Christian School F-5 11th St SW Holly 22nd Ave S Te Alder

rminal Dr Beech

24th A ve SW Cherry Ivy 3A St S 4th St S 29 3rd St S 23rd Ave S Marketplace Rd 25th A ve SW

easure State Dr Heritage Baptist School I-5 Sundance Juniper Av 14th St. SW 24th Ave S e A Tr 26th A ve SW 25 30 Belle Vista Dr Park Gar den Rd Riverview Ct 9th St S Bitterroot Dr 7th St S Av 25th Ave S 8th St S 11th St S 10th St S 12th St S

Holy Spirit Catholic School G-4 13th St S e B Park Gar den Rd Fernando Anita Clover Dr A Ave Robin Av Evergreen Dr Rosita

31 Dawn Dr Linden

Alamo Carmel

hRd

e C Delmar GreenbriarFern Dr Dr Bonita Our Lady of Lourdes Madera Swan B Ave Huckleberry Dr

Av Ana rk Garden

Airport 3rd Maria Coyote Ln Castle Pines Dr

e D Granada 29 th Ave S Pa

15 Estates rk Garden Lane

Airport 2nd Big Ranc Catholic School E-4 1 Ivy Dr 13 Pa Airport Rd 32 Lower River Rd 30th Ave S

HELENA Chickadee Fox Dr Adobe 32 Buena Jasper Rd CtCentennial

Five Falls Christian School B-1 Old AirportTO Rd Encino Dove 31st Ave S Jay

Eagle te Deer Dr Carlos

rk View Dr

yo Durango 33 Centennial Dr Kinglet 3rd St S

Flood Rd 17 Bison

Upper River Rd 32nd Ave S

Falcon Antelope 7th St S 8th St S 9th St S Pa 10th St S Treasure State Baptist Academy I-4 1 El Paso Co

Kingwood Derby Dr Grizzly Dr Exit 277 Poplar Dr Fox Ct 33rd Ave S First Peoples Buffalo Ferguson East Fiesta

Alpine Dr 14th St S Jump State Park Great Falls Visitor Center Ice Rink 9 miles SW L Beargrass Dr of Great Falls Camas Dr

A B Delea Dr C D E

32 greatfallschamber.org Shopping Government

Sunrise H-3 1Downtown, home to a 3 University Plaza, 2200 10th 5 Wal-Mart E-6 • Great Falls city offices, Civic Center, 2 S. Park Drive, D-5 ourist Park D-4 variety of shops, specialty Ave. S., includes a 6 Kmart/Shopko/Sam’s Club y View Park C-5 stores, offices and Times supermarket, Target and Complex, on the Northwest • County offices, Cascade County Courthouse, 400 2nd erde D-2 Square, a small mall. E-4 other shops. F-3 Bypass, includes discount Ave. N. and annex, 300 3rd Ave. N., C-6 adsworth A-5 2 Holiday Village Mall, 1200 4 10th Avenue East End stores and a sporting • Great Falls Police Department, 1 1st Ave. S. D-5 arden Park D-3 10th Ave. S., the city’s Shopping, 4800 10th Ave. goods center. C-5 est Bank Park D-5 • Juvenile Detention Center, 1600 26th St. S., E-8 largest mall with about 80 S., farm and ranch 7 Great Falls Marketplace, est Hill Park B-2 stores, including major equipment, furniture • Cascade County Adult Detention and Regional est Side Kiwanis C-4 includes both large and Correctional Facility, 3800 N. Ulm Frontage Road, retailers, specialty stores retailers and a restaurant. small specially stores, est Side Viaduct B-4 and restaurants. E-3 I-3 G-1 estwood Park supermarket and multiplex Whittier Park D-4 theater. B-2 • City public works complex, 1025 25th Ave. N.E., B-6 • City water plant, 1301 Lower River Road, E-5 • County Extension Service, 3300 3rd St. N.E. F G H I J • Driver’s license testing office, 207 Smelter Ave. N.E., 11 B-4 46th Ave NE • State Fish, Wildlife and Parks headquarters, 4600 Giant Springs Road, A-11 7 • State Job Service office, 1018 7th St. S., E-6

ail • Lewis and Clark National Forest, 1101 15th St. N., C-7 Tr r ge • National Weather Service, 5323 Tr i Hill Frontage Bootleg Road, G-1 34th Ave NE • U.S. District Court, 125 Central Ave W., D-4

17th St NE Black Eagle Rd 33rd Ave NE 19th St NE 32nd Ave NE F 32nd Ave NE 29th St NE 30th St NE 27th St NE 28th St NE Giant Springs 6 Essentials Rainbow Dam Rd G 87 ail Tr Rainbow 26th St NE 25th St NE 24th St NE River's Edge Falls & Dam • Benefis Health System, east campus, 1101 26th St. S., 27th Ave NE Lewis and Clark River Ave Interpretive 26th Ave NE E Center G-2 Anaconda WiremillChicago Rd Ave Hills Golf 16th St NE Course 25th Ave NE 17th St NE • Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute, 1117 29th St. S., G-2 Butte Ave About 1/2 mile Montana Ave

Colorado Ave • Benefis Health System, west campus, 500 15th Ave. S., 19th St NE Giant Springs Road 18th Ave N 17th St NE Summit Dr E-2 20th St NE 15th St NE North Park Trail • Black Eagle Post Office, 1321 Smelter Ave., E-5

Black Eagle 5 Falls & Dam • Chamber of Commerce, 100 1st Ave, N., E-4 River Dr D Eagle Falls Municipal Golf North Star Blvd Course Cypress Dr Walnut St. • C.M. Russell Post Office, 3501 10th Ave., S., H-3

USFS & BLM Centene 12th Ave N Baseball Park Olive Ct

Q 29 Dr. Fir Douglas Magnolia Dr. • Easter Seals Work Activity Center, 4400 Central Ave., lebryCt. Elderberry

10th Ave N Ct. Hawthorn amn Ct Jasmine 10th Ave N 19th St N Avenue C E-4 N

18 St 38 8th Ave N Locust St • Great Falls Clinic Main, 1400 29th St. S., G-2

18 52nd

Cedar St

44th St N

42A St N

45th St N

43rd St N

50th St N 49th St N 7th Ave N 48th St N Kapok St ood Joshua St Av Oakwood enue B 6th Ave N • Great Falls Clinic Medical Center, 1411 9th St. S., G-2

Pine

Ridge rimeter RD St

Creek

Willow Riverw Woodbird Pe ch

St

39th St N 41st St N 5th Ave N 39A St N 30 Bir Silverwood 16 ry Aspen St

28 19 ko 4 • Great Falls Clinic Specialty Center, 3000 15th Ave. S., 4th Ave N Ironwood St

Hic

Gumwood St Ave N

N N Clearwater

N

Deerfield

Sweetgrass Beaverhead

Fuschia St

Eder St Columbine St St St 3rd Ave N St

Dogwood St G-2 Lincoln Dr

Goddard

21st St N

24th St N

15th St N

16th St N

27th St N

17th St N

28th St N

18th St N 29th St N

19th St N

23rd St N

34th St N

35th St N 37th St N

36th St N 38th St N 44th

40th 57th 33rd St N

22nd St N 21 26 35 42nd 2nd Ave N H Malmstrom • Great Falls Clinic Surgery Center, 1509 29th St. S., E-2 1st Ave N 9 33 Air Force Base Paris Gibson 2 Museum J Square Central Ave • Great Falls International Airport, Gore Hill, A-1 Ursuline Lewis A ve

30 59th St Centere P 10 1st Ave S 13

7 S S S Arbor Dr Clark A ve Bypass St St St

2nd Ave S Jefferson A ve 12 St • Great Falls Post Office, 215 1st Ave. N., E-4

62nd St 58th St

46th

51st St S 52nd St S 50th 57th 3rd Ave S 42nd 3rd Ave S S S S S S S S 6 S 4th A ve Malmstrom • Great Falls Visitors Center, 15 Upper River Road, D-2 15th St S 22 4th Ave S Carol St St St St St St St St Air Force Base Diana

21st St S Silver

24th St S

25th St S

26th St S

27th St S

28th St S

29th St S

18th St S

30th St S 20th St S 23rd St S Beth 41st 34th 35th 36th 37th 38th 40th

5th Ave S 39th 22nd St S Carol 5th A ve 5th A ve 5 1/2 Ave S 5th A ve om • Malmstrom Post Office, 1084 Malmstrom, MAFB, J-4 6th Ave S Copper 15

6th Ave 3 Malmstr 7th Ave S S S 14 S • Montana ExpoPark and Four Seasons Arena, C-4 St St Alice DrBeth St 7 8th Ave S Gold Carol d

10 46th St

56th St S

55th St S 54th St S

47th St 52nd 51st

Doris 53r 41 48th St 23 9th Ave S Ella 49th St P Ella A ve 9 E 50th 9th St S 10th Ave S I Attractions

3 11th Ave S Lewis & Clark 11th Ave S 11th Ave S 4 Portage Marker A 26th St S

12th Ave S 47th St S 50th St S Broadwater Overlook D-2 H 12th Ave S 12th Ave S 200 20th St S 23rd St S 13th Ave S S

S B 43rd St S 24th St S 25th St S 39th St S

1 St 87 Sunnyside St Gibson Park D-4

d 13th Ave S

14th Ave S 15th Ave S 28th St S 29th St S 33r 32nd 34th St S 35th St S 89 C 40 O Riverside Park D-5 15th Ave S Desert Dr 14th Ave S Galeria TO LEWISTOWN - BILLINGS Trinitas D 16th Ave S 15th Ave S 15th St S 16th St S 17th St S 37 15th Ave S Black Eagle Falls and Dam G-5 lm Ct

High St Otter Way 19 S 17th Ave S Sand Ct Pa Oasis Ct Rocky Ct 6 16th Ave S 2 E 2 3 Bobcat St Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center H-6 18th Ave S 18th Ave S 17th Ave S 23 Way 17th Ave S 38th F Ferret Way Lynx Way 19th Ave S Lemming 27 18th Ave S 18th Ave S Giant Springs I-7 Badger Way e S 20th Ave S Av 19th Ave S View Dr 19th Meadowlark Rd. G 21st Ave S Rainbow Falls and Dam J-7 21st Ave S 20th 20th Ave S Mountain H 22nd Ave S Malmstrom Air Force Base Museum J-4 Mount Olivet Whispering Ridge Dr

23rd Ave S 18th St S 19th St S Lewis & Clark Portage Route Cemetery I 24th Ave S The Lewis And Clark Portage Marker I-3 25th Ave S J 25th Ave S Paris Gibson Square F-4 Balsam Ct 26th Ave S K Spruce Ct 27th Ave S C.M. Russell Museum Complex E-4 Castle Pines Way 27th Ave S 28th Ave S L Ulm Pishkun Visitor Center 29th Ave S 1 30th Ave S (Off Map – 9 mi. southwest of Great Falls) 31st Ave S M 32nd Ave S 33rd Ave S Cascade County Historical Society D-3 Gibson Flats Road N

15th St S 16th St 17th St 18th St 19th St Children’s Museum of Montana D-4 O Highland Cemetery Galerie Trinitas F-2 F G H I J P Ursuline Centre F-4

greatfallschamber.org33 Find a church that fits your style

The Rev. Martin Skierka is the priest at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, an unofficial Catholic church located in Black Eagle. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER

Choosing a church can be for churches through the you. Westside Baptist Church Holy Spirit Catholic Parish like choosing a spouse, and phone book or online, said Finding the right church 1300 6th St. N.W. and School the best way to find the best the Rev. Gene Hartung of is an important decision, 761-3511 201 44th St. S. fit among the more than 80 Metropolitan Community so don’t be afraid to ask Bible churches 452-6491 options in Great Falls may be Church, a congregation questions. “dating.” that includes gays and Some churches, such as Emmanuel Bible Church Immaculate Heart of Mary Compile a list of likely lesbians. Members also have Catholic and Lutheran, 3400 11th Ave. S. Church candidates based on your found his church through involve more rituals than 761-0464 2200 Smelter Ave., Black background, interest and recommendations. others, such as Baptist Solid Rock Bible Church Eagle location. Attend some The internet allows people and Methodist. Some are 751 4th Ave. N.W. 452-9021 services at each church. to find out many things Pentecostal or charismatic, 453-0895 Consider each churches’ about a church even before where people pray and sing Our Lady of Lourdes worship style, rituals, music, paying a visit, Hartung said. with their hands in the air. Ulm Bible Church 409 13th St. S. missions and ministries. Be Most important is finding All churches listed below 14 Ulm Vaughn Road, Ulm 452-6464 sure the church is a good fit. a church that delivers a are located in Great Falls 866-3305 St. Ann’s Cathedral Many people search message that connects with unless otherwise noted. Valley Community Bible 715 3rd Ave. N. Church 761-5456 Assemblies of God Fairview Baptist Church Heritage Baptist Church 3400 Flood Road Christian, non-denominational, Central Assembly of God 216 9th St. N. 900 52nd St. N. 452-4432 community and other 2001 Central Ave. 761-3654 454-2028 Vaughn Community Bible Church Chapel Malmstrom AFB 453-5524 First Baptist Church Highland Baptist Church 150 Couch Ave., Vaughn 315 72nd St. N., Malmstrom Baptist 525 2nd Ave. N. 3601 1st Ave. S. 965-3244 AFB 453-6614 453-8998 Calvary Baptist Indian Catholic churches 731-4235 Church First Southern Baptist Skyline Missionary Baptist Catholic Diocese of Great Calvary Chapel of Great 1008 1st Ave. N.W. Church Church Falls-Billings Falls 453-7875 2925 9th Ave. S. 137 Skyline Dr. N.E. 121 23rd St. S. 101 44th St. S. Crossroads Memorial 453-5079 453-4036 727-6683 455-6890 Church Grace Baptist Church Temple Baptist Church Corpus Christi Church Central Christian Church 1700 Market Place Dr. 3525 1st Ave. N. 313 18th St. S.W. 410 22nd Ave. N.E. 1025 Central Ave. 453-5925 761-0186 761-3224 453-6546 453-4317 34 Community greatfallschamber.org Christian Church in Seventh Day Adventist The Church of Jesus Christ Redeemer Lutheran Church Eastern Orthodox Montana Regional Office Church of Latter-day Saints 332 Riverview 3 W. Saints Constantine and 1019 Central Ave. 16 14th St. S. 46th Street Chapel 453-2351 Helen Greek Orthodox 452-7404 452-3413 4601 3rd Ave. S. Saint John Lutheran Church Church Sunnyside Church of God 452-3085, 452-7298 Christ’s Church of Great 5300 9th Ave. S. 1101 1st Ave. N. Falls 1801 17th Ave. S. The Church of Jesus Christ 453-6721 452-3670 2902 17th St. S. 452-4665 of Latter-day Saints 452-9891 Valley Community Bible East Stake Building Trinity Lutheran Church Pentecostal 1015 15th Ave. S. Christ’s Church On The Hill Church 1226 1st Ave. N. Alexander Temple Church of 727-9479 809 Smelter Ave. 3400 Flood Road 452-2121 God In Christ 452-4432 453-9010 Lutheran churches Triumph Lutheran Brethren 3726 5th Ave. N. Church of Christ Victory Christian Church Bethel Lutheran Church Church 452-8820 3220 11th Ave. S. 3400 Central Ave. 1009 18th Ave. S.W. 1304 4th Ave. N. Lighthouse United 452-6451 453-3379 761-1543 453-7043 Pentecostal Church Vineyard Christian Faith Center Faith Lutheran Church 1600 5th Ave. N.W. Fellowship Methodist 4700 10th Ave. S. 3125 5th Ave. S. 453-2287 761-5737, 761-0277 1617 6th Ave. N. 454-1309 Christ United Methodist 452-8448 Church Praise Tabernacle United Great Falls Christian Center First English Lutheran Pentecostal Church Christian Science churches Church 2900 9th Ave. S. 4114 N. Park Tr ail 2121 13th St. S. 727-4849 Christian Science Reading 726 2nd Ave. N. 454-3851 268-1780 Room 453-9551 Great Falls Community First United Methodist 17 6th St. S. Church of God Mountain View Lutheran Church Presbyterian 453-7956 3300 3rd Ave. N. Church 610 2nd Ave. N. First Presbyterian Church 452-6147 First Church of Christ 800 Sacajawea Dr. 453-3114 1315 Central Ave. Scientist 452-1286 Great Falls Rescue Mission 453-1411 1300 1st Ave. N. Union Bethel AME Church 326 2nd Ave. S. New Hope Lutheran 761-8390 916 5th Ave. S. Sunrise Presbyterian Church Ministries 761-2653 3809 6th Ave. S. Congregational 1219 13th St. S. 727-7998 Harvest Springs Community 453-2031 268-0868 West Side United Methodist Church First Congregational United Quaker 1001 36th Ave. N.E. Church of Christ Our Saviors Lutheran Church 761-3903 2900 9th Ave. S. Church 726 Central Ave. W. Quakers Society of Friends 453-4316 1326 1st Ave. N. 452-3900 KARE Christian Church 3026 5th Ave N. 727-4304 183 Highwood Drive Episcopal Nazarene 453-2714 727-4250 Episcopal Church of the Peace Lutheran Church and Baha’i Christ Lutheran Church for First Church of the Metropolitan Community Incarnation the Deaf Nazarene Baha’i Faith Church 600 3rd Ave. N. 3340 11th Ave. S. 1727 2nd Ave. S. 1530 5th Ave. S. 1220 17th St. S. 453-4167 761-7343 453-3941 727-1120 771-1070 Evangelical Mount Olive Christian First Alliance Church Fellowship 908 47th St. S. 2401 6th Ave. N. 452-8647 452-4345 Hebrew New Apostolic Church Great Falls Hebrew 117 16th Ave. N.W. Association, Congregation 771-0629 Aitz Chaim New Hope Christian 1009 18th Ave. S.W. Church (meetings at Bethel Lutheran 901 Ave. B N.W. Church) 452-4136 731-3721 or 322-2705 Northwest Family Jehovah’s Witness Fellowship Jehovah’s Witness North 300 23rd Ave. N.E. and East 727-6933 3826 7th Ave. N. River of Hope Church 761-2967 111 6th St. S. Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s 771-6508 Witness West The Salvation Army 926 Smelter Ave. N.W. 1000 17th Ave. S. 727-8781 453-0391 Latter-day Saints Set Free Christian The Church of Jesus Christ Fellowship of Latter-day Saints The stained glass windows in the First Baptist Church were built by community members in the late 1980s. Each one has a different meaning. There are 3,076 pieces of 613 Central Ave. 1401 9th St. N.W. stained glass in the windows. TRIBUNE PHOTO/KYLIE RICHTER 453-4479 453-4280, 761-2430 greatfallschamber.org Community 35 (4C<4C: D954C<$6D49 $"436 =D-D6$? <$CB:6D9- $9= +4JD6$55:!6A G43C "3AD9:AA@ A!+:=3?: $9 $..4D96<:96 JD6+ G43C $=0:C6DAD9- $!!4396 :I:!36D0: 4C &DB: '$B:@ %CF*D-D6$? %.:!D$?DA6 ),/E;H >>1)7822 4C &'$B:#-C:$65$??A6CD"39:F!4<

36 Community greatfallschamber.org From dance to camping to raising animals, groups cater to kids’ interests

Courtney Redford, age 9, picks tomatoes with the Boys & Girls Club at the Westside Orchard Garden. TRIBUNE PHOTO\RION SANDERS

Helping children grow into well- 454-6980, or drop by the 4-H office community awareness while making • Camp Fire Boys and Girls, North rounded, talented adults, local youth at 3300 3rd St. N.E., No. 9. life-long friendships. Call 453-2477 Central Montana Council, offers groups focus on fitness, the outdoors, • Boy Scouts of America plans or visit gsmw.org. activities including Saturday life skills, scholastics, relationships and activities to build decision-making, morning workshops, day camps and • For kids 5 and older, Boys & Girls more. leadership and outdoor skills. Call environmental activities, various Club of North Central Montana clubs that meet during the school • Running annually from Feb. 1 to 761-6000 or visit montanabsa.org. offers after-school care, community year, babysitter training and more. May 1, Big Sky Fit Kids is a free • Girl Scouts of Montana and service programs, arts and crafts, Call 452-8543. activity and nutrition program for Wyoming offers girls in grades K-12 youth with a focus on being active. the opportunity to participate in dances, homework help and various • Big Brothers, Big Sisters offers Visit bigskyfitkids.org. local events and activities, summer athletic activities such as football. mentoring programs that match camp, travel opportunities and Call 761-1330. high schoolers with elementary • For budding thespians, Great Falls students in a school setting — Young Actors Guild presents plays Bison Buddies and Rustler Buddies throughout the year and sometimes — among other programs. It also holds summer theater camps. Call matches adults with children in the 231-9995. The Act One Company, community. Call 453-5521. 612 1st Ave. S., focuses on music and theater for young people. Call • Alliance for Youth connects 761-8876. community resources to provide opportunities for children and • Children interested in dance families to advance healthy should check out Miss Linda’s development. Call 268-6780 or visit School of Dance, 612 1st Ave. S., allianceforyouth.org. 761-8876; Denise Harper Dance • Eagle Mount provides therapeutic, Studio, Community Recreation recreational activities for children Center, 801 2nd Ave. N., 761- and adults with physical, emotional, 6004; or Courtnee Doll’s Sole cognitive and/or behavioral Dance Academy (and Sole Dance challenges. Programs include Company for competitive dance) at adaptive alpine skiing and ice 606 Central Ave., 799-7685. skating, horsemanship, gymnastics, • 4-H has a variety of activities and and other children’s programs and many clubs to choose from. Call the Luke Hollenback, age 9, plays sled hockey during a clinic put on by Eagle Mount-Great Falls and USA Disabled Hockey at the Great Falls Ice outdoor explorations. Call 454- Cascade County Extension Service, Plex. TRIBUNE PHOTO\RION SANDERS 1449 or visit eaglemount.net. greatfallschamber.org3Community 7 KWGF 101.7 (Star Radio) • Focus: Adult contemporary • Address: 1300 Central Ave. W., Great Falls, MT 59404 • Phone: 761-2800 • Website: 1017thestar.com KINX 102.7 • Focus: Regional ag and information • Address: 1300 Central Ave. W., Great Falls, MT 59404 • Phone: 761-2800 • Website: kinx1027.com KVMO 103.9 (Big Stack) • Focus: Classic Rock • Address: 1601 2nd Ave. N., Great Falls, MT 59401 • Phone: 952-0513 • Address: 20 3rd St. N., Suite 231, • Website: montanaradio.com Media offer plenty of Great Falls, MT 59401 • Phone: 761-7600 KIKF 104.9 entertainment, information KVMO 96.3 (The Wolf) (Mo Legends) • Focus: Country • Focus: Country’s greatest hits • Address: 1300 Central Ave. W., NEWSPAPER FM RADIO • Address: 1601 2nd Ave. N., Great Great Falls, MT 59404 • Phone: 761-2800 Great Falls Tribune KGFC 88.9, 90.1 and 95.1 Falls, MT 59401 • Website: 1049wolf.com • Address: 205 River Drive S., Great (Your Network of Praise) • Phone: 952-0513 Falls, MT 59405 • Focus: Christian, religious KVVR 97.9 KQDI FM - Q 106.1 • Phone: 791-1400 or 800-438-6600 • Address: P. O. Box 2426, 317 1st St., (The River) • Focus: Active Rock • Website: gftribune.com Havre, MT 59501 • Focus: Light rock favorites • Address: 1300 Central Ave. W., • Phone: 265-5845 • Address: 20 3rd St. N., Suite 231, Great Falls, MT 59404 TELEVISION STATIONS • Website: ynop.org Great Falls, MT 59401 • Phone: 761-2800 KGPR 89.9 • Phone: 761-7600 • Website: q106rocks.com KRTV (Montana Public Radio) KIMO 107.5 (Montana’s News Station) KXGF 98.3 • Focus: News, national public radio (The Mighty Mo) • Channel: Great Falls channel 3, • Focus: Fox Sports programs, music various genres • Focus: Country cable channel 11 • Address: 1300 Central Ave. W., • Address: 2100 16th Ave. S., Great Great Falls, MT 59404 • Address: 1601 2nd Ave. N., Great • Affiliation: CBS Falls, MT 59405 • Phone: 761-2800 Falls, MT 59401 • Address: P. O. Box 2989, Great Falls, • Phone: 268-3739 • Website: 1400kxgf.com • Phone: 952-0513 MT 59403 • Website: kgpr.org • Website: mightymo.com • Phone: 791-5400 KAAK 98.9 KGFA 90.7 • Website: krtv.com (K99 Today’s Hit Music) (Air-1 Radio Network) • Focus: Current biggest hits AM RADIO KFBB • Focus: Contemporary Christian • Address: 20 3rd St. N., Suite 231, • Channel: Great Falls channel 5, KMON 560 music and educational elements Great Falls, MT 59401 cable channel 9 • Focus: Country • Phone: 888-937-2471 • Phone: 761-7600 • Affiliation: FOX-ABC • Website: www.air1.com • Address: 20 3rd St. N., Suite 231, • Address: 3200 Old Havre Highway, KHTC 99.3 Great Falls, MT 59401 KAFH 91.5 Black Eagle, MT 59414 (Montana’s Party Station) • Phone: 761-7600 (American Family Radio) • Focus: Hip hop • Phone: 453-4377 • Focus: Christian KEIN 1310 • Website: kfbb.com • Address: 512 1st Ave. N., Great • Phone: 662-844-5036 Falls, MT 59401 • Focus: Nostalgia KFBB2 • Website: afr.net • Phone: 315-1557 • Address: 3313 15th St. N.E., Black • Channel: Great Falls channel 52, Eagle, MT 59414 KLFM 92.9 KVMO 99.9 cable channel 22 • Focus: Oldies • Phone: 761-1310 • Affiliation: FOX (ESPN Radio) • Address: 20 3rd St. N., Suite 231, • Focus: Sports KXGF 1400 KBGF Great Falls, MT 59401 • Address: 1601 2nd Ave. N., Great • Focus: Fox Sports • Channel: Great Falls Channel 50, • Phone: 761-7600 Falls, MT 59401 • Address: 1300 Central Ave. W., cable 6 KTZZ 93.7 • Phone: 952-0513 Great Falls, MT 59404 • Affiliation: NBC (The Classic Rock Station) • Website: montanaradio.com • Phone: 761-2800 • Address: 100 West Lyndale Ave., • Website: 1400kxgf.com • Focus: Classic Rock KLSK 100.3 Suite A, Helena, MT 59601 • Address: 3313 15th St. N.E., Black (K Love) KQDI 1450 AM • Phone: 406-457-1212 Eagle, MT 59414 • Focus: Contemporary Christian • Focus: News/talk • Website: beartoothnbc.com • Phone: 761-1310 • Address: 1601 2nd Ave. N., Suite • Address: 1300 Central Ave. W., CW KMON 94.5 528, Great Falls, MT 59401 Great Falls, MT 59404 • Channel: Cable channel 12 (Max Country) • Phone: 727-8200 • Phone: 761-2800 • Affiliation: CW • Focus: Country • Website: klove.com • Website: newstalk1450.com 38 Community greatfallschamber.org Recreation City’s parks Campers from the Rec Center’s Kiddie Camp play on the new climbing feature in Lions Park. TRIBUNE PHOTO\RION SANDERS looks like natural boulders found in was turned into an 18-hole course in Association president. Montana’s mountains and canyons. 2014. Disc golf is played much like golf, offer plenty This man-made boulder’s exterior is “We had 18 businesses come out but uses Frisbee-style discs rather embedded with dozens of handholds of the woodwork and step up and than clubs and balls. Players start at a and crevices, designed to be easily help us put this dream to action,” said “launch,” similar to a tee in golf, and accessible to children but still offer of space for Drew Kent, Great Falls Disc Golf play to a basket, trying to make as few challenges to experienced throws as possible. climbers. Adding the larger course climbing, The climbing boulder was allows the city to host disc made possible through the golf tournaments, Kent said. efforts of the Great Falls Lions Such tournaments can draw playing Club and volunteers from the around 150 people from local climbing community. across the state. West Bank “We had been looking Park features a nine-hole to do something else in the Great Falls is a city full of park course. park,” said Mark Willmarth, space, just as the city’s founder For the adventurous, the Lions Club member. The envisioned near the turn of the city recently added two initial planning phase began century. roughly two years ago. “We nonmotorized boat launches With a park system that today wanted a unique feature. to Wadsworth and West boasts more than 550 acres of Something that was useable Bank parks, two of the city’s designated park land just inside the by kids but also appealing to many parks on the shore. city limits, Paris Gibson’s vision has adults.” The ramp at Broadwater Bay become a reality. And new features Enthusiasts helped bring was also improved in 2013. and amenities are added each year. disc golf courses to the city’s And for pet lovers, the Great Falls’ first climbing boulder parks in the past two years. Pacific Steel and Recycling was installed in Lions Park in 2014. The Great Falls Disc Golf Tr ailside Dog Park is part Standing 11.5 feet tall and 16 feet Association raised funds in of the public park system. It long, the boulder is a molded iron- 2013 to construct a small Orlando Pepion, left, Thunder Pepion, center, and Nalea Champine participate in a potato sack race at has areas for small and large frame and concrete structure that course at Warden Park which Chowen Springs Park. TRIBUNE PHOTO\RION SANDERS dogs to romp. greatfallschamber.org3Recreation 9 GREAT FALLS PARKS • Kiwanis-North, 6.94 acres, 509 23rd St. N., playstructure, tennis • Belview, 9.17 acres, 2 miles and basketball courts southeast of airport, playground equipment, walking/jogging path • Kiwanis-West, 9.45 acres, 723 1st Ave. N.W., playstructure, shelter, • Bloomingdale, 2.92 acres, 1615 8th restrooms Ave. N.W., playstructures, benches, tables • Kranz, 2.57 acres, 1605 4th Ave. S. • Boston Heights, 2.57 acres, 3300 • Lions, 14.28 acres, 2701 10th 1st Ave. N. Ave. S., climbing feature, tennis courts, playground, shelter with • Broadwater Bay, 6.15 acres, 220 tables, restrooms, disability River Drive S., boat launch/docks, accommodations restrooms • Madison, 4.04 acres, 140 Riverview • Carter, 2.5 acres, 611 3rd C, playground St. S., backstops, basketball courts, playground, disability • Margaret, 1.15 acres, 20 Park Drive accommodations S., benches, tables • Charles Russell, 6.06 acres, 3300 • Meadowlark, 11.35 acres, 2801 Fox 15th Ave. S., tennis court, walking/ Farm Road, playground, disability jogging paths, basketball courts, accommodations playground • Memorial, 2.57 acres, 1901 2nd Four-year-old Evin Nova climbs on equipment at Roberts Park. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER • Chowen Springs, 6.50 acres, 801 Ave. N., playground, shelter with 17th St. S., playground picnic tables, barbecue, disability • Sunnyside, 2.14 acres, 1412 High River Drive N., separate, fenced accommodations St., basketball courts, tables, areas for large and small dogs, • Clara, 8.24 acres, 4110 Ella Drive, benches, disability accommodations benches and fake fire hydrants benches, path • Mitchell Pool, 8 acres, 100 River Drive S. • Sunrise, 2.25 acres, 835 Beth Drive, • Smith/Peretti Property, 18.92 acres, • Community Hall, 2.2 acres, 410 tennis courts, basketball courts, north of 36th Avenue Northeast 16th St. SW, community orchard • Montana, 9.09 acres, 2000 Fox swing set and west of 7th Street Northeast Farm Road, tennis courts • Dudley Anderson, 6.07 acres, 701 • Tourist, 8 acres, 10 River Drive S., • Veterans Memorial (Legion Park), 33rd St. S., playground, disability • Morony, 2.57 acres, 111 12th St. tables 11.06 acres, 1025 25th St. N. accommodations N., basketball courts, playground • Valleyview, 9.08 acres, 1208 • Whittier, 1.2 acres, south side of • Eagle’s Crossing Park, 11 acres, • Noah’s Ark, 2 acres, 945 Ave. D 10th Ave. N.W., tables, benches, Civic Center 1411 48th Ave. N.E., playstructure, N.W., playstructure, basketball playground benches court • Verde, 8 acres, 1709 Upper River OPEN SPACE • Elks Riverside, 33.6 acres, 501 River • Oddfellow, 12 acres, 220 River Road, basketball courts, playground Drive N., tennis courts, walking/ Drive S. basketball courts, walking/ • Park Island, 0.2 acres, Corner Fox • Wadsworth, 240 acres, 4620 jogging paths, playground, shelter, jogging paths, kayak ramp, Farm Road and Park Garden Road Wilkinson Lane, lake, kiosk, playground, shelter, picnic tables, picnic tables, barbecue, restrooms benches, tables, canoe launch, dock • Sacajawea Island, 22 acres, River barbecue, restrooms Island opposite Elks Riverside Park • Fox Hollow, 5.46 acres, 3100 • Warden, 18.87 acres, 201 13th Ave. • Pinski, 9.36 acres, 4620 5th Ave. Coyote Lane S., gazebo, disc golf course, tables, • Taylor Island, 20.92 acres, south of S., shelter, tables, backstops, • Garden Home, 12.22 acres, 701 Bay benches, path Park Island in River playground, basketball court Drive, benches, table, trail • West Bank, 11 acres, 1600 4th St. • West Hill, 7.88 acres, West Hill • Gibson, 60 acres, 400 Park Drive • Roberts Park, 1st Avenue South N.W., shelter, picnic tables, disc golf Addition between the airport and N., basketball courts, walking/ between 5th and 6th Streets, course, barbecues, restrooms, canoe/ I-15 jogging paths, playground, disability playground kayak dock accommodations • Rhodes, 2.57 acres, 812 Central • West Viaduct, 2.50 acres, 1521 2nd LANDSCAPE PARKS • Grande Vista, 16.5 acres, 10 Ave. W., tables, playground, Ave. S.W. disability accommodations • 44th Street Island, 0.2 acre, 44th Ferguson Drive, basketball courts, • Westwood, 2.31 acres, 1411 2nd Street and 3rd Avenue South playground • Riverview, 4.53 acres, 130 Smelter Ave. N.W., CMR tennis courts, • 15th Street Island, 0.2 acre, 8th Ave. N.W. bleachers • Graybill, 4.06 acres, 820 36th St. Avenue North and 15th Street N., basketball courts, playground • Roosevelt, 2.57 acres, 2401 2nd Ave. N., tables, path • BelView Island, 0.1 acre, Park • Heren, 5.3 acres, 4415 4th Ave. N., SPECIAL-USE PARKS Garden Road at entrance to playstructure, shelter, path, tables, • Sacajawea, 3.50 acres, 2900 8th St. • Anaconda Hills Golf Course, 130 BelView Palisades benches N.E., Little League baseball fields acres, Smelter Avenue east end, • Fox Farm Island, 0.2 acre, Fox Farm • Highland, 1700 13th St. S. • Sandhills, 13.15 acres, 1600 23rd Black Eagle Road across from Heritage Inn St. S. • Horizon, 1.65 acres, 101 29th Ave. • Eagle Falls Golf Course, 169.87 • Overlook, 22 acres, 15 Overlook N.E. • Sight and Sound, 2.7 acres, 201 acres, River Drive North and Drive River Drive N., tables, benches • Hylande Heights, 2.37 acres, 1900 25th Street • Park Garden Island, 0.2 acre, 4th St. S., benches, walking/jogging • Skyline, 2.69 acres, 3309 10th St. • Highland Multi Sports, 28 acres, Corner Fox Farm Road and Park paths N.E. 1021 21st Ave. S., 8-field softball Garden Road • Jaycee (Gallatin), 11.82 acres, 225 • Skyline Optimist, 6.15 acres, 513 complex • Water Treatment Plant, 6 acres, 23rd Ave. N.E., tennis courts, 33rd Ave. N.E., playground, tables, • Pacific Steel and Recycling Lower River Road south of backstops, playground benches Trailside Dog Park, 2 acres, 800 Warden Bridge 40 Recreation greatfallschamber.org See the Recent new finds include a network of dried vines that the Indians wove together to create drive lanes for the beauty of bison and evidence of “tipping walls” showing the Indians brought huge rocks in to create walls that the buffalo weren’t able to get over entirely. wilderness In the tribe’s oral histories, this site has always been known as a place of peace and gathering. It is also a sacred on foot site, in honor of the sacred buffalo that were harvested to care for the people and to honor the people who lost their lives during the hunt. Experts believe the jump site was used for more than 2,000 years before the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through this area in 1805. Below the cliffs, which stretch more than a mile, the soil conceals compacted bison bones almost 13 feet deep. More expansion remains a possibility for the park. Displays in the 6,000-square-foot, $2.2 million interpretive center, which opened in 1999, illustrate the significance of the buffalo tothe Plains Indian tribes. The First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park currently receives up to 22,000 visitors a year. To visit the park, take Interstate 15 from Great Falls southwest to Ulm. Exit and take the paved Ulm-Vaughn road about 3½ miles north to the park. The visitor center is wheelchair- accessible. • Website: stateparks.mt.gov/first- peoples-buffalo-jump

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Known as the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of forests, alpine meadows, lakes, rugged peaks and glacial-carved valleys in the northern Rocky Mountains. Its diverse habitats are home to nearly 70 species of mammals including the grizzly bear, wolverine, Carson Vig, 4, plays in Kintla Lake in Glacier National Park. TRIBUNE PHOTO\AMIE THOMPSON gray wolf and lynx. Glacier National Park is a hiker’s paradise traversed by GIANT SPRINGS Falls is a city of rivers. FIRST PEOPLES BUFFALO JUMP STATE more than 740 miles of maintained With nearly 150,000 visits each The history-laden Missouri, the Sun PARK trails, while historic chalets and lodges summer, Giant Springs State Park in and the Roe, all come together here. The First Peoples Buffalo Jump provide visitors with in-park comforts Great Falls draws the most visitors of The Missouri, at 2,341 miles long, is State Park is one of the largest buffalo at a handful of locations. all of Montana’s state parks. only nine miles shorter than America’s jumps in North America and it’s The trek from Great Falls is The centerpiece of Heritage State longest river, the Mississippi. located just minutes from Great Falls. spectacular from the start. Forget Park is Giant Springs, the world’s The Roe River, running just 200 Prehistoric American Indians Interstate 15. Tr avel northwest on largest freshwater spring, bringing 14 feet from Giant Springs into the hunted bison by driving them over U.S. Highway 89 along the Rocky million gallons of water per hour to Missouri, on the north edge of Great the cliffs at this site. When the Indians Mountain Front, and you get a taste the surface from an aquifer 75 miles Falls has been listed in the Guinness drove them over the walls, the buffalo of what the northern Rockies have to away in the Little Belt Mountains. Book of Records as the world’s jumped but their legs were knocked offer. When you enter Browning, it’s Described by Meriwether Lewis as shortest river. out from under them and they rolled time to make a decision of where in the “beautiful fountain” when the The Sun River flows out of the down the hill as women waited at the Glacier you want to experience. explorers first saw it in 1805, the area Rocky Mountain Front to empty into bottom to butcher them for food. Highway 89 heads north toward is a popular picnic destination. The the Missouri at Broadwater Bay near Theirs was a spectacular — some say St. Mary and Many Glacier, as well state also maintains a trout hatchery at downtown Great Falls. highly sophisticated — practice, one as the easiest entrance into Alberta’s the park open to the public. • Website: stateparks.mt.gov/giant- that captures the imaginations of Waterton National Park. Highway 2 In the long and short of it, Great springs historians, students and tourists alike. traverses the southernmost boundary greatfallschamber.org4Recreation 1 of Glacier through the towns of East “The Bob” is one of the most remote Glacier and West Glacier. Or for the and pristine landscapes in the lower 48 best of both worlds, travel the Going- states, extending more than 60 miles to-the-Sun Road from St. Mary to along the Continental Divide. No West Glacier to breathe in the true roads cross the more than 1,000,000 splendor of the park. acres that is haven to almost every But the best of Glacier is best big-game species in North America, traveled by foot, where most visitors including the grizzly bear and wolf. fail to witness because they choose to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks travel by road. officials estimate that sportsmen Park entrance fees are waived on contributed $10 million annually certain holidays. In 2015, entrance is from 2006 through 2010, during free on April 18-19 for National Park hunting season on the Front. Week’s opening weekend, Aug. 25 Visitors line up to watch grizzlies in the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park. TRIBUNE PHOTO\KRISTEN INBODY Within the Bob Marshall for the National Park Service’s 99th birthday, Sept. 26 for Public Lands Four of every five visitors stop at Old exploration, Army control and the Wilderness Complex is the Sun River Day and on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. Faithful but with 60 percent of the early park service. Game Preserve. The preserve is west of world’s geysers, Yellowstone has more Winter in Yellowstone is awe- Augusta, in the backcountry west of • Websites: nps.gov/glac/ to offer. inspiring. Snowmobilers and cross- the North and South forks of the Sun planyourvisit/index.htm and To learn about the geological country skiers experience the park in River, and runs to the Continental glacierraftco.com history of the area and Yellowstone’s a different way. The south and east Divide. It is the summer home for supervolcano, a visit to The Canyon entrances are closed in winter, so entry the Sun River elk herd. The Sun River YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Visitor Education Center is a must. is from the west (West Yellowstone), Wildlife Management Area is farther Yellowstone was the nation’s first Opened in 2006, the visitor features the north (Gardiner) or the northeast out on the Rocky Mountain Front National Park, established in 1872. the historic Fishing Bridge Museum (Cooke City). west of Augusta, and is wintering Sitting atop a giant caldera, a bulge and showcases mounted birds, bears, • Website: nps.gov/yell ground for the elk herd. in the crust of the earth, thinned by otters and other animals. The preserve, accessible on foot millennia of heat and pressure from The next visitor center soon to or horseback, is 195,877 acres, and within, the park features hotpots, BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS be updated is the Albright Visitor encompasses the Chinese Wall, a springs, geysers, thermal meadows and Center and Museum at Mammoth The Rocky Mountain Front lies Rocky Mountain Front landmark. The other worldly phenomena. Hot Springs. Once the bachelor just to the west of Great Falls and is preserve is one of the few remaining The most popular geyser is Old quarters of the U.S. Cavalry in the the preferred entryway to the massive that were established in the early Faithful spouting between 3,700 days of Fort Yellowstone, the center Bob Marshall Wilderness complex 1900s by the Montana Legislature. and 8,400 gallons of boiling water focuses on park history with exhibits often referred to as the crown jewel of every 90 minutes as high as 185 feet. on Native Americans, mountain men, America’s wilderness areas. • Website: thebmwf.org

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TOP LEFT: Todd Knowles rides his mountain bike on the River’s Edge Trail near the water treatment plant. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER; TOP RIGHT: A ski instructor carves turns at Showdown Ski Area. TRIBUNE PHOTO\RION SANDERS BOTTOM RIGHT: Matt Mann directs the cars at the Electric City Speedway. Mann has been working at the speedway with his dad for 25 years. TRIBUNE PHOTO\KYLIE RICHTER

RIVER’S EDGE TRAIL The trail offers varied terrain or mail checks to Recreational Tr ails draw, with the social aspect of family, Present-day life and history along and scenery, with splashy features Inc., P. O. Box 553, Great Falls, MT friends, camaraderie,” said Colin the Missouri River, from species of including Black Eagle Falls, Rainbow 59403-0553. Maas, Smith River State Park manager. birds to disastrous floods to noxious Falls, Crooked Falls, five reservoirs and “The Smith River is a semi-wilderness weeds, are featured on nine new the “great falls of the Missouri.” BIKE ROUTES experience. There are private homes interpretive panels that line the River’s Each year, more than 100,000 Bike route signs are posted on 8th along the river, but we’re remote. You Edge Tr ail in Great Falls. people use the trail that follows the Avenue North from 38th Street West get a sense of wilderness.” “It’s a neat way to pass on Missouri from the Warden Bridge at giving Great Falls three signed bike Whether you have your own boat, information and add to the character 10th Avenue South north and east to routes so far, two east-west residential rent a craft or rely on an outfitter, of the riverfront,” said Doug Wicks of the wild approaches of Missouri River routes along 8th and 4th avenues there is some kind of boating Recreational Tr ails Inc. Breaks country. north and a Westside route on 6th and adventure just around the bend from The 24-by-36-foot panels were RTI recently received a $30,000 3rd streets southwest from Central Great Falls. created and funded by the Cascade grant to help pave part of the loop Avenue West to Fox Farm Road. Canoeists and kayakers are active Conservation District and the near Giant Springs and the Lewis and Thanks to a federal Community in central Montana. A good place Missouri River Conservation Districts Clark Interpretative Center to make it Tr ansportation Enhancement Program to connect with them is Bighorn Council. fully ADA compatible. The project is grant, an additional 100 bike-route Outdoor Specialists, 202 5th St. S. The trail is a popular spot in Great on tap for 2015, according to Wicks, signs are to be posted in Great Falls. Bighorn hosts frequent pool sessions Falls and for good reason. It boasts president of Recreational Tr ails Inc. The bike paths near West Bank Park at Morony Natatorium where kayakers nearly 60 miles of paved, graveled and 2015’s plans also include linking were improved in 2014. can practice their skills. dirt pathways for walking, running, Warden Park to 10th Avenue South In 2013, “sharrows,” bike symbols, The Medicine River Canoe Club, a skating and bicycling. and connecting the trail from 6th were painted on several roads group of dedicated canoeists, knows Supported by the nonprofit RTI, the Street Southwest to Warden Bridge. indicating bikes and vehicles share the the local rivers well. Great Falls trail is the envy of other communities Currently, the trail ends before it street. MT Paddlers, which can be found around the state and region. reaches the bridge. on Facebook, organizes local river “The great thing about the trail Longterm plans also call for a outings. is it’s not just an urban trail,” said trail along River Drive South, near ON THE WATER If simply floating the Missouri Andrew Finch, Great Falls senior Mitchell Pool, the Great Falls Tr ibune On a warm summer day, in the Great Falls area is your goal, transportation planner. It’s also an and Applebee’s. Broadwater Bay, in the heart of you can do it yourself — the section impressive rural trail for hikers and New maps for the River’s Edge Tr ail, Great Falls, is full of stand-up paddle between Holter Dam and Cascade is bikers. funded by NorthWestern Energy, were boarders and boats and jet skis, pulling fairly friendly — or you can choose a With five waterfalls along the trail, released in January. water skiers and wake boarders. guided trip. views can be “spectacular,” especially Elsewhere on the Missouri, fishing “The Missouri above Great Falls is HIT THE TRAIL boats are a common sight. And along the South Shore, Finch said. Visit: thetrail.org for River’s Edge scenic ... with a few moderate riffles,” The trail began in the 1990s. then there’s the nearby Smith River, said Craig Madsen, owner of Montana Tr ail maps and improvements. featuring a coveted float available only Central to the trail is the “Mighty Free pocket-sized maps: Available River Outfitters. Mo.” The Missouri River meanders by lottery drawing. Local guides offer trips by raft or at Visitor Information Center, 15 The Smith River, which takes three through Great Falls, sheltering Overlook Drive, and bike and outdoor by large, stable “voyageur” canoes, waterfowl and encouraging other to six days to float, is popular with which are 34 feet long and seat 16 shops. anglers and families alike. wildlife — and human recreation — How to donate: Visit thetrail.org passengers. along its banks. “Scenery and fishing are the initial Float trips are available through the greatfallschamber.org4Recreation 3 Wild and Scenic Missouri River. Those with motorboats can launch at Broadwater Bay in town and navigate the river upstream to Ulm. There are several tricky portions that may be dangerous to those who don’t know the area, but flat-bottom jet boats can travel all the way to Holter Dam near Helena. “There is fabulous recreational boating right here in Great Falls,” said Mitch Posey, owner of Wallace Marine. River trips • Montana River Outfitters, in Great Falls: 761-1677, montanariveroutfitters.com • Headhunters, in Craig: 406-235- 3447, headhuntersflyshop.com • Missouri Breaks River Co., in Great Falls: 453-3035, missouribreaksriverco.com • Upper Missouri River Guides, in Fort Benton: 406-691-1135, uppermissouri.com A snowboarder shreds the Big Seven run at Showdown Ski Area. TRIBUNE PHOTO\RION SANDERS • Medicine River Canoe Club: 788- 8326 or 727-2762 antelope, mountain lion and black fall. Admission, $2.50-$3.50. bear. The Missouri River can be fished • Electric City Paddlers: facebook. • Jaycee Pool, 4th Street and 26th There are separate bow and rifle year-round. Even in winter, anglers com/groups/greatfallspaddlers Avenue N.E., 727-1080: Open in seasons for most game. can continue to fish on frozen lakes. Boat sales summer. Admission, $2.50-$3.50. There are drawings forve co ted Hunting and fishing seasons and • Wallace Marine, 3505 10th Ave. S., tags to hunt moose, sheep and goats. limits vary throughout the area. • Morony Natatorium, 111 12th 453-9392, wallacemarine.com Wolves also are a huntable predator, For more information: St. N., 452-3733: Open all year. Admission, $2.50-$3.50; unlimited • Missouri River Marine, 4250 and Montana added its first wolf- Address: Montana Fish, Wildlife trapping season in 2012. and Parks, Great Falls regional office, lap swimming, $30 per month; Lower River Road, 761-1851, water aerobics, $30 per month. mrboats.com Upland game birds and waterfowl 4600 Giant Springs Road provide tremendous hunting Phone: 454-5840 • Great Falls High School pool, 1900 • Sports City Cyclery, 101 57th St. opportunities. Visit: fwp.mt.gov 5th Ave. S., 268-6281: Open all S., 727-8566, sportscitycyclery.com Hunting is available on large year. Admission: $2.50-$3.50. • Bighorn Outdoor Specialists, expanses of public land, and some SWIMMING POOLS • Malmstrom Air Force Base, 731- 206 5th St. S., 453-2841, private landowners permit hunting. When summer hits, there are plenty 2638: Open in summer. Call for bighornoutdoorspecialists.com Others open their land through the of places to cool off in Great Falls. rates. state’s Block Management Program. The Electric City Water Park • The Peak Health and Wellness Some landowners opt to outfit their HUNTING, FISHING features a pulse-pumping Flow Rider, Center, 1800 Benefis Court, land or lease it to outfitters. Island ranges of mountains, rushing two 165-foot water slides and both a 727-7325: Open all year. Call for State law requires that hunters get streams, meandering rivers and prairie competition-size and a wading pool membership rates. grasslands sprawling from horizon landowner permission before hunting with colorful play equipment for the to horizon surround Great Falls and on private land. younger set. • Meadow Lark Country Club, 300 make for outstanding big game, The Little Belt Mountains, Big Belt Water Tower and Jaycee pools Country Club Boulevard, 453- upland bird, water fowl and predator Mountains, Highwood Mountains feature small slides and spray parks 6531: Open in summer. Call for hunting. and Rocky Mountain Front offer good for tots. membership rates. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hunting opportunities. The city’s only indoor pool, Morony says more than 334,000 Montanans Anglers will enjoy fine trout fishing, Natatorium, operates virtually GOLF COURSES 16 and older, or 43 percent of the as well as substantial populations of year-round. The facility features two The Great Falls golf scene bustles state’s adult population, participate such warm-water quarry as walleye, small water slides. Programs include with activity. in wildlife-associated recreation by northern pike and some large-mouth swimming and kayak lessons, water The city holds a 50-plus tournament hunting, fishing or watching animals bass in northcentral Montana. exercise, lap swimming and classes for each summer with a few new events or birds. Anglers look to the Missouri River those suffering from arthritis. sprinkled in. Great Falls has two The agency, which manages the between Holter Dam and Cascade for Where to swim: public courses, Eagle Falls and National Wildlife Refuge System, says some of the finest trout fishing in the Anaconda Hills, the private Meadow 223,000 Montanans fish and/or hunt world. • Electric City Water Park, 100 Lark Country Club and an executive while 258,000 watch wildlife. That stretch is designated as a blue- River Drive S., 454-9800: Open course known as Hickory Swing. “This isn’t about something to do,” ribbon stream. And, there is good in summer. Admission, $3-$5; The four courses in Great Falls serve said Ron Aasheim of Montana Fish, trout fishing at times at Giant Springs access to flow rider and water slides, an estimated 3,500 golfers in the city Wildlife and Parks in Helena. “This is Heritage State Park in Great Falls. $10-$12, including the boards and and Cascade County. Typically about about a way of life.” Fly-fishers will find most waters in tubes. 60,000 rounds (9-hole or 18-hole) Big-game animals include white- good shape from late June through • Water Tower Pool, 701 33rd Ave. are played at either Eagle Falls or tailed and mule deer, elk, moose, October, but the best fishing is in the S., 761-4320: Open in summer. Anaconda Hills during the golf season, 44 Recreation greatfallschamber.org which runs from mid-March through courses are Tu esday and Wednesday. will enjoy hiking, sightseeing, water. October. About 35,000 rounds are As many as 150 men typically play at bicycling, fishing, bird watching and Dry Wolf Campground is 22 played at Meadow Lark Country Club Anaconda Hills on Tu esday nights, camping. Whether you’re up for an miles southwest of Stanford off U.S. each year. and a few more play at Eagle Falls on extended camping trip or just a one- Highway 87 on Forest Service Road The Women’s State Amateur Wednesday afternoon and evening. day hike, getting back to nature is a 251. There are 26 campsites, drinking and Women’s Senior Amateur The courses are closed to the public way-of-life in Montana. water, outhouses and a stream with tournaments were held at Meadow during league play. Hickory Swing has U.S. 89 in the Kings Hill some feisty trout running through it. Lark Country Club in 2013. smaller leagues, but there is activity at area southeast of Great Falls has Crystal Lake Campground is 30 There are also opportunities for least two days per week. spectacular sights for motorists. Along miles southwest of Lewistown on young golfers to learn the sport and Where to play: the route you’ll see historic mining Forest Road 275. This campground is compete. Three of the Electric City’s and railroad sites, wildlife, limestone handicap-accessible with 28 campsites, high schools offer teams, as does the • Eagle Falls Golf Club: 18 holes, canyons, waterfalls, fishing, hiking drinking water and outhouses. University of Great Falls. open to the public. Green fees $30 and hunting spots, and prehistoric Thain Creek is reached by taking The city also caters to various youth daily, $33 weekend. 761-1078. Indian sites. Designated the Kings Highway 87 for 5 miles east of Great programs. The spacious driving range • Anaconda Hills Course: 18 holes, Hill Scenic Byway, the 70-mile stretch Falls then turning north on Route at Anaconda Hills is the host site open to public. Green fees $26 runs from Armington Junction near 228. Watching for signs, go 2 miles for two junior programs that have daily, $30 weekends. 761-8459. Belt to White Sulphur Springs, and east on Forest Road 8840. Thain Creek runs through this nice hiking brought many new players into the • Meadow Lark Country Club: 18- offers several campgrounds including and biking area with 20 campsites. market. Both the First Tee and Girls hole championship course, private the Jumping Creek, Many Pines and Maps are available for purchase Golf have been huge successes the past club, but out-of-town golfers with Aspen facilities. at any Forest Service office. Besides few years. club affiliation can play for $70 The area also includes the Kings locating campgrounds, Forest Tr avel The youth programs are coordinated green fees, plus $28 for a motorized Hill Campground, just east of U.S. Plan Maps list dates and restrictions by Connie Cramer-Caouette, city of cart. 454-3553. Highway 89, near the top of Kings Great Falls golf director. Hill, offering 17 campsites with on use of forest roads. The private MLCC also plays host • Hickory Swing Golf Course: restrooms and handicapped facilities, to several major annual tournaments 18-hole executive course, all par-4s and Logging Creek Campground, STOCK CAR RACING and par-3s. Green fees $12 for nine, and corporate outings that raise on the north end of the Little Belt Stock car racing is a bit of a $20 for 18. 452-9400. thousands of dollars for local charities Mountains, accessible by taking birthright in this country. NOTE: Green fees are subject to and organizations. There are emor County Road 227 southeast from It’s certainly true in Great Falls, change. than 660 members at MLCC. Stockett to Lick Creek Road. where the Electric City Speedway Both city courses and Hickory Picturesque and well-suited for continues to be the destination and Swing are busy for at least four CAMPING OUT children, the campground offers passion for generations of Montana months with league play for men and With dozens of campgrounds in the tent and trailer sites, restrooms with car racing fans. women. The biggest days at the city Great Falls area, outdoor adventurists handicapped facilities, and drinking Parker Olds, 3, loves racing.

Great Falls

Compounding Specialist We prepare customized medications... •Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy •Sports Management 2GREATlocations •Pain Management •Pediatric 3527 10th AveS 215 NW Bypass •Hospice 727-5550 216-5050 •Veterinary Housewares Electrical AutomotivePlumbing HardwarePaint Hand Tools PowerTools Full Service Pharmacy Sporting Goods Mail Service Delivery Lawn &Garden Accept Most Insurance Plans Plants &Shrubs www.andersonfamilypharmacy.com Service and Selection 1417 9th St. South, #101 •Great Falls Your locallyowned home of the helpful hardware folks 8am-5:30 pm Mon-Fri •761-8781 LikeUs MT-0000345668 greatfallschamber.org4Recreation 5 His dad, Jeremy, took up racing in good snow when other areas are 2012 and competed last year at the lacking. speedway. • Izaak Walton Inn near Essex: On “You get hooked once you try,” U.S. Highway 2 south of Glacier Jeremy Olds said. National Park. Parker is a big fan of dad’s racing. “He’s a racing junkie for sure,” • Waldron Creek: On the Rocky Jeremy Olds laughed. Mountain Front west of Choteau; Pat LaMere who has been racing five miles up and back takes you to since he was 14, said about 90 percent the headwall of Mount Lockhart. of stock car racing is working on your Beware of avalanches in this area. car. Some racers buy complete cars, • North Fork of Teton River: West but LaMere has built most of his from of Choteau; eight miles down and a chassis he purchased. back up. This is a strenuous ski that LaMere’s dad, Ken, raced for years, begins near the Teton Pass ski area and that’s how the bug bit him. He Lifeguard Josh Meyer cools off on the WaveRider at the Electric City Water Park during his break. TRIBUNE PHOTO\KYLIE RICHTER and takes the skier down into the said his daughter, who is 14, hopes to West Fork of the Teton recreation start racing next year. Skate parks: in the state. While Great Falls sits just area. Coming back is the tough “It’s a family deal, and our family east of the Rocky Mountains on the • Great Falls Faith Center Indoor part. has done it for years and years,” he prairie, great skiing and snowboarding Skatepark, 4700 10th Ave. S., call • Middle Fork of the Teton River: said. can be found within a 60- to 761-5737 for hours. Near Cave Mountain Campground “This track is the tradition,” said 90-minute drive. west of Choteau; six miles up and Dan Mann, owner of the Great Falls • Riverside Rail Yard, Elks Riverside Nearby areas are Showdown, in back. The beauty of this trip lies facility. “A lot of people love it.” Park near the Gibson Park the Little Belt Mountains 65 miles in the gorgeous Rocky Mountain The legendary track, located on underpass, 771-1265; open dawn to southeast of Great Falls; Teton Pass, Front. Thunder Hill right off the Old Havre dusk; no charge. on the Rocky Mountain Front west Highway, offers the best in local and • Wild Style Skatepark, 2901 15th of Choteau; Great Divide, 90 miles Downhill ski areas regional auto racing. St. N.E., Black Eagle; open noon south of Great Falls near Helena; and • Bear Paw Ski Bowl: South of Havre, The speedway is one-third of a mile to 6 p.m. Tu esday through Sunday; Bear Paw Ski Bowl, 29 miles south 406-265-8404, skibearpaw.com of high-banked clay. Stock cars and Tu esday is bike day; three hours $5, of Havre on the Rocky Boy’s Indian • Big Sky: South of Bozeman, 406- super stocks can hit the turns at 70 to one hour $3, monthly membership Reservation. 995-5900, bigskyresort.com 75 mph, but sprints are nothing shy of $40. Showdown operates Wednesday triple digits. through Sunday from early in • Blacktail Mountain: West Mann said he and his wife, Barbara, December until early April. The ski of Lakeside, 406-844-0999, SKIING continue to improve amenities at the hill boasts 640 skiable acres, 34 trails blacktailmountain.com Cross-country ski trails crisscross speedway, and stock car racing remains and 1,400 feet of vertical drop. The the mountains surrounding Great • Bridger Bowl: Near Bozeman, 406- a fan favorite in the Electric City. It’s ski area is known for its “champagne Falls, and terrific downhill skiing 586-2389, bridgerbowl.com not unusual for crowds in excess of powder,” light fluffy snow that, if and snowboarding conditions, short 1,500 to gather on “Thunder Hill.” you’re lucky, you’ll find in great • Discovery Basin: Near Anaconda, lift lines and modest prices make They say they strive to keep the quantities. 406-563-2184, skidiscovery.com Montana the ideal snow sports stock car races entertaining for the Teton Pass features 407 skiable playground. • Great Divide: At Marysville near whole family. acres, excellent food in its lodge and Southeast of Great Falls in the Little Helena, 406-449-3746, skigd.com “We’re seeing (the) fourth amazing views of the surrounding Belt Mountains is Silver Crest Cross • Lookout Pass: About 100 miles generation,” said Dan Mann. The Rocky Mountain Front. Many skiers Country Area. The area, eight miles west of Missoula, 208-744-1301, speedway opened in 1953 and the opt to expand the terrain at Teton south of Neihart off Highway 89, also skilookout.com Manns purchased it later. by skinning or hiking farther up the offers snowshoe trails. The ski trailse ar The schedule begins in late April mountain than the lifts run. • Lost Trail: On the Montana-Idaho groomed for classic or skate skiing. and continues through late August. Bear Paw Ski Bowl typically border, 406-821-3211, www. The area is clearly marked, with opens in late January and is open losttrail.com For more information: interconnecting loop trails, allowing Saturdays and Sundays into February Phone: 727-4884 skiers and snowshoers to opt for as • Maverick Mountain: Northwest of or early March, depending on snow Website: electriccityspeedway.com long or as short an outing as they’d Dillon, 406-834-3454, skimaverick. conditions. like. com Great Divide relies on its heavy SKATEBOARDING The Little Belts also offer investment in snowmaking equipment • Montana Snowbowl: Missoula, Great Falls boasts three skate parks, backcountry cross-country skiing. Best to open in late fall or early winter, as 800-728-2695, montanasnowbowl. including one of the Northwest’s known is O’Brien Creek, which runs soon as it gets cold enough to support com finest. west and then north from Kings Hill snowmaking. • Red Lodge Mountain: Red Lodge, The $450,000 Riverside Rail Yard Pass back to the town of Neihart via 800-444-8977, redlodgemountain. covers 27,000 square feet and attracts the town’s watershed. This seven-mile Cross-country favorites com skateboarders from across the region. journey runs mostly downhill and is • Silver Crest Cross Country The park features a series of bowls, a great season opener. It’s best to wait Area: Southeast of Great Falls off • Showdown: Near Neihart. 406-771- including one that’s 9 feet deep, a until the snow bridges firm up on the Highway 89; includes ski loops of 1300, showdownmontana.com fullpipe, halfpipes, a clamshell and creek. varying difficulty. • Teton Pass: Near Choteau, 406-466- a street course with ledges, rails and For an easier backcountry ski or 2209, tetonpassresort.com stairs. snowshoe outing, head to Jefferson • Kings Hill: O’Brien Creek, In 2012, the Great Falls Faith Creek, just past Memorial Falls along Porphyry-Ranch Creek and • Turner Mountain: Near Libby, 406- Center opened an indoor skatepark Highway 89. The unplowed road isn’t Deadman trips start from the top of 293-4317, skiturner.com as part of its community outreach open to snowmobiles, making it a Kings Hill south of Silver Crest. • Whitefish Mountain Resort: program. And, Black Eagle features a great place to ski or snowshoe. • Stemple Pass: Along the Near Whitefish, 800-858-4143, third option for skaters: the Wild Style If downhill skiing is more your style, Continental Divide north of skiwhitefish.com Skate Park. try one of the 16 downhill ski areas Helena; elevation means frequent skimt.com 46 Recreation greatfallschamber.org Great Falls Voyagers’ second baseman Ethan Gross tries to tag Billings Mustangs’ Taylor Sparks during a playoff game at Centene Stadium. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER

Sports Great Falls, Billings, Missoula and SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL Website: ugfargos.com Helena make up the Northern The Great Falls Gladiators had a Division. rough 15th season in 2014, ending HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS scene draws Virtually every home game offers the year winless after dominating The city’s two public high schools the semi-pro Rocky Mountain reduced-fee or free admission — C.M. Russell and Great Falls Football League AA division in 2013. sponsored by local businesses. High — field boys’ and girls’ teams in Competing against other teams from competitors, The team’s intergalactic mascot, cross country, golf, soccer, basketball, around the Northern Rockies, Great Orbit, is popular with fans of all ages. swimming, softball, tennis and Falls won RMFL championships in In 2013, he was named the top mascot track and field. Boys also compete 2010 and 2011. The team finished crowds in the Pioneer League in a competition in football and wrestling, and girls with a respectable 9-2 record in 2013. to name the greatest mascot in Minor participate in volleyball. Both Games are played in the spring and League baseball. schools compete in Class AA, the summer. largest of Montana’s four prep sports BASEBALL Great Falls also has two American For more information: classifications. Professional baseball history in Legion ball teams: the Class AA Phone: 750-4051 Available at Central Catholic High Great Falls dates back more than 70 Chargers and the Class A Electrics. Website: thermfl.com/gladiators are football, boys’ and girls’ cross years when its venerable ballpark, And there are four Little Leagues in country, golf, basketball and track and Centene Stadium at Legion Park, Great Falls. COLLEGIATE SPORTS field and girls’ volleyball. The school was constructed in 1941. Recent Players are placed according The University of Great Falls and competes in Class C, the smallest prep renovations offer spectators spacious to which part of town they live. its 1,800-seat McLaughlin Center classification. new restrooms and concession areas as Registration starts in February for gymnasium are the home of the Argos For more information: they cheer on the Voyagers. T-ball, baseball and softball for kids and Lady Argos, which compete in the Great Falls Public Schools: 268- The Great Falls Voyagers advanced ages 5 and up. Players 13 and older National Association of Intercollegiate 6082, gfps.k12.mt.us rookie league team plays its home play in the Babe Ruth League. Athletics’s Frontier conference. UGF’s Great Falls Central: 216-3344, games at the stadium. For more information: teams include both men’s and women’s greatfallscentral.org First-year manager Charlie Poe led • Voyagers: Centene Stadium, 1015 basketball soccer, golf, rodeo, track the Voyagers to its eighth straight 25th St. N., 452-5311, gfvoyagers. and field as well as women’s volleyball Pioneer League playoff appearance SPECIAL OLYMPICS com and softball and men’s wrestling. In in 2014. Poe, a professional hitting 2013, the Argos competed against Special Olympics Montana, coach for 10 years, spent the prior two • American Legion: greatfallschargers. three other Frontier Conference headquartered in Great Falls, serves seasons as the team’s hitting coach. He org schools in lacrosse for the first time. children 8 and older and adults with batted .267 with 1,229 hits, including • Riverside: riversidelittleleague.com The Frontier Conference is an intellectual disabilities statewide. The 40 homers, in a 12-year minor-league NAIA league that also includes 40-year-old organization serves more career with the White Sox, Oakland • Westside: greatfallsbaseball.com MSU-Northern, UM-Western, than 2,000 athletes with 100-plus and San Diego organizations. • Americans: eteamz.com/mtdistrict2/ Rocky Mountain College and Carroll teams in communities statewide. The Chicago White Sox farm team locations College in Montana, along with “Special Olympics has expanded my plays in the Pioneer League with teams schools from Utah, Idaho and Oregon. horizons by teaching me new things • Malmstrom: eteamz.com/ in Helena, Missoula and Billings as Competition runs from late August and how to do things better,” said mtdistrict2/locations well as Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. through early March. Josh Anderson, a Great Falls Special Offering a 76-game schedule with • McLean Babe Ruth League: www. For more information: Olympian. “It empowers people who two divisions divided into halves, baberuthleague.org Phone: 791-5926 normally might not have a lot of greatfallschamber.org4Recreation 7 Recreation Department operates it. For more information: Phone: 771-1265 Websites: greatfallsmt.net or leaguelineup.com/gfsa

TENNIS After a major improvement project in 2010 that included new surfacing, privacy fencing, tennis court accessories and concrete sidewalks, Great Falls offers two dozen tennis courts scattered around the city. Included in the rehabilitation were the eight tennis courts near C.M. Russell High School and the four Hurd tennis courts at Elks Riverside Park. The new surfaces at the Hurd courts provide a long-term solution to court maintenance with a life expectancy of 40 years and are the first post- tensioned concrete courts in the state. The courts are open to the public as well as used by the two Great Falls high school teams. Eric Haldeman with the U.S. Border Patrol, left, and Josh Anderson, an athlete with the Great Falls Hornets, carry the Olympic Torch as they arrive at Montana ExpoPark during the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER CLUB SPORTS choices in life because of decisions that or 231-6333 league games each spring, summer • Northern Montana Wrestling were made for them.” Electric City Soccer Club: 231- and fall. Softball begins in April and Club, 788-6143; open to youth More than 4,000 volunteers support 6333, gfsoccer.org runs through the summer. Divisions 6-18. the program and help athletes learn, Great Falls Youth Soccer include men’s and women’s slow pitch, • Falls Aquatic Swim Team, P. O. participate in sports and gain self- Association: 315-2763 or 761-3197, coed slow pitch, and 40-plus slow Box 1504, 217-5168, fallsaquatic@ confidence, respect and dignity. ayso.org pitch. The fields also are used foran hotmail.com; fallsaquatic.com; The organization relies on extensive flag football program for year-round swim team for 5- to fundraising, donations and volunteers ICE SKATING, HOCKEY elementary school boys and girls each 18-year-olds. to keep the program going and The IcePlex offers public skating and fall, sponsored by the nearby Salvation • PEAK Waves Swim Team, 1800 growing. hockey and figure skating classes. Army Family Center. Benefis Court, 727-7325, ext. 207, For more information: The Americans play at the IcePlex, The complex was built by citizens [email protected]; peakwaves. Montana Special Olympics: 216- 4001 29th St. S.W., on Gore Hill, and sports advocates who donated the usswim.net; PEAK membership not 5327, somt.org next to Flying J truck stop, and are facility to the city, and the Park and required. a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III SOCCER Junior A team. The team is part of the Siebel Soccer Park is one of the American West Hockey League. state’s top soccer facilities, providing Hockey leagues for men, women outstanding turf for people playing the and youth run during the winter world’s favorite sport. season through March. The 15-field, 65-acre soccerk par For more information: is used by high school and university Phone: 866-0247 teams in the fall and youth soccer Website: gf-ice.org organizations in spring. Cost: open skating, adults $5, The park is located at 57th youths $4, kids 5 and younger free; Street North, across the road from skate rental $3; Malmstrom Air Force Base. The Hours: days and hours vary, park is not available for drop-in October through May use. Electric City Soccer Club fields Requirements: helmet required for competitive club teams (ages 12-19) children 5 and younger. and a competitive academy (ages 8-11) in the spring, and also offers spring MULTI-SPORTS COMPLEX and fall noncompetitive Mini Bolt The complex, located at 1021 21st seasons (ages 4-14). Ave. S., has been the city’s primary The Great Falls Youth Soccer softball facility for more than 50 Association offers competitive, years. The eight-field complex is the recreational programs for players ages biggest softball facility in Montana. 4 to 19. Co-ed teams are divided by It has played host to hundreds of age. The season runs from mid-June tournaments and several ASA events through the end of July. since it opened, attracting thousands Havre’s Glacier Nationals’ Wyatt Fretheim (8) checks Great Falls Americans’ Miles Giorgione (26) as they battle for the puck at the For more information: of players, parents and fans to town. IcePlex. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER Siebel Soccer Park: 799-2416 Nearly 1,000 area adults also play 48 Recreation greatfallschamber.org LEFT: Rachel Bohannon works out with dumbbells with her personal trainer, Don Johnson, of the Peak Health and Wellness Center. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER RIGHT: Sandra Corbett teaches boxing at Access Fitness. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER

evening Zumba and a boot camp for and going green. 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Clubs, the hard core. Summer school through the Heisey Thursday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday The basement houses a fitness center helps children bridge learning gaps, so and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. with free weights, circuit equipment, they are ready for the start of the next rec centers cardio machines and one of the school year. • Heisey Youth Center: 313 7th Street lowest gym membership fees around. The Heisey offers a tutoring class for N., 453-1211; winter hours are 9 Members also have access to a dry first- through eighth-graders during a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through offer fitness sauna. the school year. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and An after-school program offers There also is open gym throughout Saturday; summer hours are 7:30 working parents a safe place for kids the year depending on programming a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through ages 5 to 12. Home-schooled kids or gym rental. Downstairs, the center fun for Saturday. can get in on the center’s weekly has a gym with machines and weights comprehensive physical-education and a boxing room. • The Salvation Army Youth and everyone curriculum. is best known for its flag-football Family Center: 1000 17th Ave. S., During summer camps, kids spend program each fall. Between 500 452-9641 time outdoors, solve mysteries, go and 600 kids in first through fifth roller skating, swim, play sports grades participate in the season each and explore Great Falls. The most September and October. ATHLETIC CLUBS Regardless of the season, the city’s popular summer camp is the Missoula The center also offers basketball several recreation centers and athletic Children’s Theater day camp. for kids in third through sixth grades • Big Sky CrossFit, 327 9th St. S., clubs provide opportunities to get off From boxing to cheerleading to throughout the school year, with a 360-6656; bigskycrossfit.com the couch and moving. reading, the Heisey Youth Center one-day basketball clinic available to • CrossFit 406, 701 River Drive S., The Great Falls Community offers recreational opportunities and third- and fourth-graders over winter 595-7646; crossfit406.com Recreation Center’s mission is to skill development for kids in Cascade break. Flag football for first- through offer a safe, fun environment and to County. fifth-graders starts in mid-September. • Curves for Women, 1601 2nd Ave. provide programs designed to sustain Basketball is always big at the There are summer day camps N., Suite 101, 771-7630; curves. and improve individual well-being Heisey, and the center also offers throughout June, July and August, com within the community. While people cheerleading for kindergarten through offering educational field trips, arts may think of the center as a place to sixth-graders and boxing classes for and crafts, games and tournaments, • Indian Family Health Clinic, entertain kids, grown-ups will find third- through sixth-graders. The and sports camps run throughout the 1220 Central Ave., 268-1510; their fair share of things to do as well. center has indoor soccer in the fall and year. indianfamilyhealth.org The center’s men’s basketball league The center also offers an adult winter and volleyball in the spring. • Access Fitness, 715 13th Ave. S., starts in September. Wintertime offers There are aikido classes for all ages. volleyball league and church softball 727-8888; accessfitnessgf.com city basketball leagues for men and Experts teach boxing to those 8 years leagues. women, and noon basketball is every old and older and yoga for those from • The Peak Health and Wellness, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Half- first grade to adulthood. REC CENTERS 1800 Benefis Court, 727-7325; hour sessions at the indoor golf range In the summer, the youth center peakclub.com come with a bucket of balls for golfers offers basketball, wrestling, volleyball • Community Recreation Center: who wish to hone their skills for the and boxing clinics and camps, as well 801 2nd Ave. N., 727-6099, • Snap Fitness, 2104 10th Ave. S, upcoming golf season. as educational day camps with themes greatfallsmt.net/recreation/ 727-2077, and 125 Northwest The center also offers morning and such as careers, health and wellness community-recreation-center; open Bypass, 761-4971; snapfitness.com greatfallschamber.org4Recreation 9 Culture

Year filled with talent, variety

From left, Angela Philippi, Taylor Wilhelms and Teresa Wilhelms sing along with Group 1 Crew during 2014’s Downpour music festival at the Montana ExpoPark. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER

Great Falls has a wealth of creative • The Great Falls Community Fair each summer at Montana ticketing.greatfallsmt.net. talent that visits its various venues Concert Association celebrates its ExpoPark. In 2014, the fair • The Harlem Globetrotters are throughout the year. The Electric City 85th anniversary with the 2014-15 welcomed ’80s rockers Tesla and scheduled to play March 2 at is buzzing about performances from season. Upcoming shows include country heartthrob Jake Owen, Montana ExpoPark, a stop on concerts to rodeos and Globetrotters operative tenor Ben Gulley, known among others. Montana ExpoPark their 2015 “Washington Generals’ to Native American dancing. for a program that includes operatic usually announces the lineup of Revenge” Tour. The Globetrotters arias, spirituals and Broadway tunes, upcoming summer’s concerts in the also played in Great Falls in 2014. CONCERTS/PERFORMERS in March; Alex Zerbe, a magician, spring. Visit montanastatefair.com. For decades, the Globetrotters have an acrobat and a juggler, in April; been known for their athleticism, • The Great Falls Symphony • The Great Falls Municipal Band and Cornet Chop Suey who plays a comedy and audience participation. Orchestra kicks off its season each kicks off its 120th year in 2015, mix of jazz, swing and blues in May. This year’s tour includes time to October with a world-renowned holding its free outdoor shows Visit greatfallscommunityconcert. honor a Harlem Globetrotters’ musician. Upcoming performances every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. from com or call 455-8514. Hometown Hero, a person who include a concert featuring violinist mid-June through mid-August in • Rootboy Productions, a Great is nominated by someone in Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg in the Gibson Park band shell. Led Falls-based concert production the community for his or her the World Artist Series, on April by Bud Nicholls, the Great Falls collective, brings crowd-favorites accomplishments. Nominees should 25. “The goal of the World Artist bandmaster, this hourlong program and established artists to Machinery be active, wounded or retired series, which is a series from year includes show tunes, marches and Row. Rootboy also holds the members of the military who have to year, is to bring new artists to Broadway hits. Performances offer outdoor perennial RootsFest each made their community proud Montana so they can be enjoyed special guest singers, dancers and summer. Visit rootboyproductions. with brave service and exemplary by the people here,” said Carolyn instrumental soloists. Limited com. character. Nominations can be Valacich, executive director of the bleacher seating is available. • The Great Falls Downpour Festival Concertgoers can bring lawn chairs submitted at harlemglobetrotters. Great Falls Symphony. Under the com. direction of Gordon Johnson, the has been providing guests with or blankets to settle in under the symphony kicked off its 56th season a positive, friendly environment trees. Concessions and restrooms in 2014. The Great Falls Symphony with modern Christian-based are available. Visit greatfallsmt.net/ THEATER/DANCE partners with other entities to bring musicians for nine years. The recreation/city-band-concerts. Lovers of theater will enjoy the past Broadway shows to the Electric free show takes place in August • The Mansfield Center for the varied offerings of Great Falls thespian City. This season’s shows include at Montana ExpoPark. In 2014, Performing Arts holds events groups. Whether your interest runs “Memphis” and “Menopause The crossover alternative rock band throughout the year in several to musicals, comedy or drama, you’re Musical.” The symphony sponsors Needtobreathe, one of the most venues, including the Mansfield sure to find something you enjoy monthly orchestral and choral popular on the Christian rock Theater, the Mansfield Convention playing front and center on one of the concerts, a chamber series with concert circuit, headlined the show Center and the C.M. Russell Electric City’s stages. the Cascade String Quartet and that drew nearly 10,000 attendees. Museum. Upcoming events include • The Montana Actors’ Theatre- Chinook Winds, and performances Visit downpourfestival.com. musical and performance groups Great Falls, located at 111 Central by the Youth Orchestra. Visit • More than a week’s worth of concerts such as Celtic Woman and the Blue Ave., recently selected its new gfsymphony.org or call 453-4102. run throughout the Montana State Man Group. Call 455-8514 or visit company members, with the aim at 50 Culture greatfallschamber.org bringing a renewed energy into the • Montana High School Rodeo company. They also hold periodical Association: 406-726-6477 improv shows along with teen • Big Sky Region of the National nights, poetry slams and more. Call Intercollegiate Rodeo Association: 945-0272 or visit mtactors.com. 800-821-8320 • The University of Great Falls employs resident performing arts NATIVE AMERICAN expert Michael Gilboe, who guides productions. UGF’s No Shame CULTURE Theater is an outlet for individuals To speak of a single Native to present original works such as American culture in Montana is a little short theater scenes, poetry, original like speaking of a single European or music, dance and variety acts. Visit Asian culture — some similarities may facebook.com/NoShameGF or call exist amongst these peoples, but each 791-5367. possesses a rich, diverse and complex heritage unique unto themselves. • Great Falls and C.M. Russell From the Kootenai tribe found in high schools offer strong drama Michelle Morris watches her son, James, 5, work on a craft project in the Kid’s Place at the Great Falls Public Library. . TRIBUNE PHOTO\ the mountain valleys of northwest departments that contribute LARRY BECKNER Montana, to the Northern Cheyenne significantly to the community’s Featured authors include Gerald headlines and highlights. in the state’s southeastern plains, theatrical scene. Both schools put Clark, Kristen Inbody, Carol Bradley, Bad luck hit the two best saddle Montana’s tribes differ greatly in their on several performances during the Lisa Schmitt, Arlene Blessing and BJ bronc stars from the Great Falls area. history, art, language and religious school year. Contact CMR’s drama Daniels. More speakers and authors Jesse Kruse, the 2009 world champion practices. Today, roughly 65,000 department at 268-6117 and GFH’s will be added as time goes on, said from Great Falls and traveling partner Montanans describe themselves drama department at 268-6361. Jude Smith, the library’s public Tyrell Smith of Cascade both suffered as Native Americans or “First relations specialist. leg injuries in 2013 that hampered • Montana Shakespeare in the Americans.” They live on seven The library offers an ever-growing their NFR chances. Smith made a Parks brings William Shakespeare’s Montana Indian reservations, and in collection of digital e-books and audio highly successful return to bronc works to life on outdoor stages towns and cities scattered across the book downloads from its website. riding in the summer of 2014, but in 51 Montana, Wyoming and state. Librarians teach about tech gadgets Kruse was sidelined after hip surgery Idaho communities. For more At the time of first European and offer computer classes, too. and hopes to return to the saddle in information, visit montana.edu/ contact in Montana, early in the 19th “We’re really pleased that we can 2015. shakespeare. century, a successful horse/buffalo/ offer the library at people’s fingertips The summer of 2014, meanwhile, plains culture was flourishing amongst • NDM Productions, a new from home,” said Susie McIntyre who saw other familiar Montana stars make the Indian peoples of northcentral theatrical production company, is leads the library’s Information Services headlines. Bareback rider Jessy Davis, Montana. Central to these tribes’ producing “Willy Wonka and the department. who now lives in Power, and West economic, social and spiritual Chocolate Factory” in March. Visit Demand is high for the digital Glacier bull rider Beau Hill were both existence was the buffalo. ndmproductionsmt.com. options, and the library is buying making strong NFR bids as the season Plains tribes moved their camps • Act One Theater Company, a more content every month, but its concluded. regularly, following the buffalo herds’ theatrical production company, digital catalog is just the beginning of The Great Falls rodeo scene seasonal migrations. Indians of the is producing “Beauty and what the library offers. continues to sizzle. It features the plains lived and traveled in extended the Beast Jr.” in March. Visit In addition to its more than summer PRCA Big Sky Pro Rodeo families, loosely organized into larger thestudiocentregf.com or call 761- 150,000 books on its shelves, the Roundup, Great Falls’ signature roping tribal groups. Labor was generally 8876. library also offers DVDs, CDs, and riding event that runs five straight divided along gender lines. Women magazines, nearly 30 public-access nights during the Montana State fashioned and owned the teepees and computers and free wireless Internet. Fair, and has grown both in size and PUBLIC LIBRARY tended to the domestic tasks. Men Weekly Wii gaming is available to popularity in recent years. Barely a day goes by without an did most of the hunting and fighting. kids 18 and younger, and teens have And, the Montana Pro Rodeo activity at the Great Falls Public Bands and tribes periodically gathered their own space, the Teen Scene, where Circuit Finals has been a January Library, 301 2nd Ave. N. Tr avel in larger groups for communal hunts no one older than 18 (except staff) PRCA hotspot for more than 35 years programs are held on Thursday and religious celebrations. is allowed. Teens hang out, socialize, in Great Falls. evenings. Attendees experience Religion lay at the heart of the read, do homework and relax. There are nearly 100 top-notch visuals, digital photos and a narrative plains culture. Supernatural power Visit greatfallslibrary.org or call rodeos yearly in Montana, sanctioned chronicling the speaker’s trip. was recognized in the natural world 453-0349. by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys An ongoing independent and Association, the Northern Rodeo all around them. A strong belief in foreign film series screens the first Association or the Montana High personal communication with the Wednesday and following Saturday RODEO School Rodeo Association. spirits made dreams and visions the of each month through May. The From youths to professionals, the Among the most popular PRCA conduit for individual strength and library’s TEDxGreatFallsLibrary series rodeo reputation of Great Falls has events are those in Belt, Augusta, Red group protection. Both men and features three TED talks the first been solidified in recent years. Lodge, Livingston, Wolf Point and women played key roles in religious Tu esday of each month. Open book The University of Great Falls, Billings. Among the popular NRA ceremonies such as the Sun Dance, groups meet the first Thursday of the which began its programs a few years rodeos are shows in Choteau, Conrad, which appealed to the life-giving and month through May. Page Forward ago under coach Dick Lyman, made Billings, Shelby, Lewistown, Havre, transcendent power of the sun. groups meet the second Saturday and history by hosting a college rodeo in Fort Benton and White Sulphur Horse ownership was a primary the fourth Tu esday of the month. the Electric City in 2013 and 2014. Springs. measure of wealth within native Artist exhibits are ongoing, with a The events were highly successful and For more information society. Hunters bred and trained new artist featured each month. plans are in the works for the third horses to run down buffalo and April sees the library’s Festival of annual UGF Big Sky Region Rodeo to • Northern Rodeo Association: stealing horses in raids against other the Book, which features author return to Four Seasons Arena in May. 406-252-1122 tribes was a measure of courage and lectures and activities for writers and The 2014 professional rodeo scene • Montana Pro Rodeo: daring. Warriors of the American bibliophiles. in Montana continued to produce 406-735-4391 plains tribes became some of the greatfallschamber.org5Culture 1 world’s greatest cavalry forces. The event begins with a grand entry, the colorful costumes. takes place the first weekend in Shortly after the beginning of the including flag presentations and the The powwow draws dancers and August. Call 406-395-4478. 19th century, tribes in Montana began entrance of participants and honored drum groups from Montana, Idaho, • Fort Belknap, on the Hi-Line to obtain manufactured goods from guests. Washington state and Canada, and American and Canadian traders. In Many dancers sport beautiful and attracts more than 2,000 spectators. south of Harlem, is home to the exchange for furs and hides, native detailed clothing, often incorporating For more information, call 791- Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes. peoples obtained woven cloth, metal beadwork, feathers and symbolic 5219. Both are descendants of nomadic cookware, knives, axes and guns. These designs and colors. hunters and warriors who relied items helped make the lives of native Dances you might expect to see at AREA RESERVATIONS upon the vast bison herds to provide peoples easier, but they also fostered a Montana powwow include the grass them with all the necessities of life. • Blackfeet, on the eastern border of dependence on western traders. dance, for which male dancers wear Glacier National Park, is home to Today the tribes maintain a 700- Contact with westerners also fringe and beading but almost no the Southern Piegan (pronounced head bison herd on a 10,000-acre brought exposure to disease and feathers; the jingle dance, for which pay-gone) or Blackfeet. With preserve. A visit to Fort Belknap alcohol. By 1860 approximately half girls and young women decorate their about 16,000 enrolled members, would be incomplete without a visit of Montana’s Indian population had dresses with jingling, rolled can lids; the Southern Piegan are the most to Mission Canyon and Saint Paul’s died from diseases such as small pox, and the elegant ladies’ buckskin dance. populous tribe in Montana. Don’t diphtheria and tuberculosis. This, Drummers and singers also compete Mission in Hays. Milk River Indian miss the Museum of the Plains combined with the near extermination for honors, as well as set the pace Days, which takes place during for the dancers. Many dancers and Indian on U.S. 89 in Browning and the last weekend in July, highlights of the buffalo in the 1880s, decimated the annual North American Indian musicians travel from powwow to spirited and colorfully clad dancers. these people and their cultures. Days Celebration, held during the Yet the native peoples of Montana powwow, competing for recognition Call 406-353-2205. and prize money. second week in July. Call 406-338- survived. In recent decades there has 7181. • Fort Peck, in northeastern Montana, been a resurgence in traditional Native In the middle of March each year, is the state’s largest reservation American language and culture. Many the University of Great Falls presents • Rocky Boy’s, south of Havre was its annual Celebration of Culture encompassing more than 2 ceremonies and celebrations are open the last reservation organized in traditional powwow. to non-native visitors, and the tribes Montana. Established by executive million acres. It’s the home of the A lot of spectators come from the generally welcome guests who are order in 1916, Rocky Boy’s is now Assiniboine and Sioux tribes. Don’t annual Western art shows in March, home to approximately 3,200 respectful of their traditions. miss Fort Peck Assiniboine and said Candace Hubbard, one of the members of the Chippewa and Sioux Culture Center and Museum powwow’s coordinators. “They see the Cree tribes. Don’t miss Stone Child in Poplar. The annual Red Bottom POWWOWS regalia and take pictures.” College, a new multimillion-dollar While each powwow has its own For the spectators, it’s an tribal community college; Northern Celebration, a colorful powwow traditions, several elements are opportunity to hear authentic Winz Casino, a Vegas-style that is more than 100 years old, common to powwows across the drumming, watch the intricately gambling venue; and Bear Paw ski always takes place during the third nation. choreographed dancing and marvel at resort. Rocky Boy’s annual powwow week in June. Call 406-768-2300.

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MT-0000345754 MT-0000345535 MT-0000345382 MT-0000345386 52 Culture greatfallschamber.org From hip-hop to karaoke, poker to poetry, the entertainment scene has it all

TOP LEFT: A mermaid swims at the Sip ‘N Dip Lounge at the O’Haire Motor Inn, 17 7th St. S. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER; TOP RIGHT: Movie-goers line up at the Carmike Cinemas in Great Falls for a Friday night movie. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER; MIDDLE RIGHT: From left, Stefanie Cytron, Mike Nelson and Melanie Pozdol brainstorm answers during a Montana Trivia Showdown at the Celtic Cowboy Pub and Restaurant, 116 1st Ave. S. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER; BOTTOM RIGHT: The Hideout Lounge, 2401 12th Ave. S., recently expanded its bar area by removing a wall separating the bar from a back room. The bar sometimes features live music and occasionally DJs. Wednesday bingo nights and Thursday beer pong tournaments are new additions. TRIBUNE PHOTO/LARRY BECKNER

On any given day in the Electric LOOP Productions, a group of and a variety of locally brewed features live music on most City, you can see a live theater Great Falls residents that books beers on tap. Listen to live music Wednesday through Saturday performance, watch a new movie, touring acts ranging from rock and Thursday and Saturday from 5-8 evenings, wine tastings and trivia listen to live poetry, go bowling, reggae to bluegrass and blues. p.m., performed mostly by one- and nights. play poker or pool, catch a local Machinery Row also holds an two-man acoustic bands. Monday • The Hideout Lounge, 2401 12th disc jockey, a hip-hop show, see an “Open Mic Night” starting at is “Raise a Pint Night,” which Ave. S., recently expanded its bar underground roots band or watch a 9 p.m. each Wednesday. A new supports community organizations. area by removing a wall separating legendary lounge singer play in front addition, Independent Tuesdays, • Check with The Front Brewing the bar from a back room. The bar of world-famous mermaids. feature hip-hop artitsts. River Co., 215 3rd St. N.W., to see if sometimes features live music and The newest additions to the scene City Productions brings in heavier they’ve booked a band. The public occasionally DJs. Wednesday Bingo are the Mighty Mo Brewery and the original music from across the area. house and restaurant is occasionally nights and Thursday beer pong Celtic Cowboy Pub and Restaurant. • For a unique experience, drop in booking a variety of live acts tournaments are new additions. The pub is located in the oldArvon on one of the Electric City’s most Thursday through Saturday. Block, one of the oldest buildings • The Back Alley Pub, 112 Central famous claims to fame, the Sip • Bowser Brewing, 1826 10th Ave. Ave., occasionally hosts live acts. in Great Falls. The Mighty Mo is ’N Dip Lounge, upstairs in the located on Central Avenue across from S., recently expanded its offerings Expect to hear a wide variety, O’Haire Motor Inn, 17 7th St. S. to a tapas menu. Stop by for retro including acoustic, punk rock and Kaufman’s Menswear. Watch live mermaids swimming Other favorites also include The gaming, featuring Nintendo, Super reggae. on the other side of a 3-inch-thick Nintendo and Sega games, or come Front, The Do Bar and the Loading window to the bottom of the hotel • The Do Bar, 1800 3rd St. S.W., Zone. for Tu esday Tr ivia, with questions is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. pool, on Tu esday through Thursday provided by local universities. The Whether the clubs in town are new beginning at 8 p.m. and Friday from Monday through Sunday. DJ or old, each provides a wide range of tap room seats 125 people. music is played every Thursday and and Saturday at 9 p.m. Playing The main attraction at Bowser entertainment options from live to live music since 1963, “Piano Pat” Saturday nights on the heated patio. dance music, karaoke, bowling, pool, Brewing is the assortment of The bar also welcomes local bands Spoonheim, performs at 9:30 p.m. fresh-brewed beers. Patrons choose darts and comedy or open mic nights. Wednesday-Saturday. Piano Pat such as Scarlet Harlot, Mad Dawg 12-ounce glasses or 24-ounce and Hollywood Cowboys. often encourages the crowd to sing sampler trays for in-house BANDS along to favorites such as “Sweet consumption, which is limited • Bert & Ernie’s, 300 1st Ave. S., • Machinery Row, at 220 2nd Ave. Caroline,” “Ring of Fire” and “I to 48 ounces per person, per day. hosts live music Thursdays and S., is on the main floor of a historic Love This Bar.” Bowser Brewing is open from 10 Saturdays. Music varies from funk warehouse. An outdoor patio and • The new kid on the block, the a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. and R&B to rock and roll and swing. stage is open during the summer. Mighty Mo Brewing Co., 412 • The Celtic Cowboy Pub and The club is the headquarters for Central Ave., features two floors Restaurant, 116 1st Ave. S., • The Lobby Bar, 518 Central

greatfallschamber.org5Culture 3 Ave., holds karaoke with Kahuna command the microphone yourself S.W. p.m. Tu esday. Bowling starts at 8:30 Brothers on Saturdays. and belt out your favorite song or • Halftime Sports Bar, 1101 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and costs • Spoon’s One Way, 1400 10th Ave. just let loose on the dance floor to the Northwest Bypass $5 per person per hour. Aces hosts latest techno beats, there are plenty of Open Bowl, in which each game N., features rock, karaoke and blues • The Sting Sports Bar & 5th music on some weekends. chances to do just that. is $1 per person, from 11 a.m. to Lucky for you, the Electric City Quarter Casino 4 p.m., Monday and Wednesday • Club Cigar, 208 Central Ave., plays host to disc jockeys, jam sessions through Friday. sometimes books live acts Fridays and karaoke machines that offer a POOL and Saturdays. • The Elks Lodge, 500 1st Ave. S., variety of music to sing and dance to The Loading Zone, The Flamingo has 12 bowling lanes available to almost every day of the week. • Eddie’s Supper Club, 3725 2nd Lounge, and Classic ’50s have pool members and guests. Ave. N., is home to the twin piano • The Back Alley Pub has a DJ every tables, as well as two Black Eagle • Black Eagle Lanes, 2332 Smelter bar. other Friday night. hotspots, the Little Chicago Club, 113 15th St., and the Pit Stop Tavern, Ave. N.E., has eight lanes. • Flamingo Lounge, 3028 10th Ave. • Club Cigar, holds a Tu esday open 1600 25th Ave. N.E. S., occasionally books live music. mic, Wednesday karaoke and live Great Falls has a city pool league, THEATER • The Loading Zone, 2412 10th Ave. music or video DJ Friday and a tavern league, a TAP league and an S., features live rock bands Friday Saturday nights if there isn’t a live • Each Friday night during the American Poolplayers Association and Saturday nights. band. school year at the University of League. There have been leagues in Great Falls, the performing arts • Max Casino and Sports Bar, 1700 • You can sing karaoke Wednesday, town for more than 30 years. department welcomes amateur Fox Farm Road, takes on full bands Thursday, Friday and Saturday poets, playwrights, musicians and and small acoustic acts twice a nights at the Beacon Ice House, actors to present their material to a month. 1349 13th Ave. S.W. POETRY Each month during the school participating audience at its weekly • The Sting Sports Bar & 5th • Buffalo Saloon, 2400 10th Ave. S., year, the University of Great Falls, No Shame Theater at the UGF Quarter Casino, 1121 5th St. S., regularly invites a DJ to spin tracks. 1301 20th St. S., holds a poetry Theater, 1301 20th St. S. has house bands. The Thrillbillies • The Eagles Lodge features karaoke competition with the winners taking No Shame Theater takes place and Shy Guys share the crowd most at 7 p.m. every Friday. home cash prizes in the adult and teen Friday at 11 p.m. Participants Thursday and Saturday nights. competitions. “Step 2 the Mic Poetry must follow only three rules with • The Flamingo Lounge often brings • Tw o fraternal clubs also open their material: it must be original, in a DJ for karaoke. Slam” typically takes place on the third their doors to the public for live weekend of each month. Registration it must be at most five minutes or music. Popular area band Country • The Loading Zone Bar & Casino starts at 9 p.m.; competition kicks under three and it must not break Comfort often performs at the Elks features DJ and karaoke Sunday, off at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per anything, including the law. and Eagles lodges throughout the Monday, Tu esday and Thursday person. year. The group plays nearly any nights. MOVIES type of music as long as people can • Machinery Row hosts hip-hop/Top BOWLING dance to it. They are known for • The Carmike 10, 1601 Marketplace 40 DJ YG each Saturday if they Great Falls bowlers compete at wearing matching shirts and getting Drive, is a 10-theater facility with don’t have a live band. several quality locations with a the crowd involved from the first stadium seating. Daily matinees and • The Front Brewing Co., often combined 48 lanes to choose from. note to the last. evening showings fill the schedule. books DJ Tim Green, who only The Elks Lodge, 501 1st Ave. S., • Little’s Lanes, 517 1st Ave. N., is For information on what’s playing, spins vinyl. plays music on the first Sunday of open until 10 or 11 p.m. Sunday check Friday’s Hot Ticket section in each month by the Highlights Band through Thursday, with Thunder the Tr ibune, call 452-3353 or visit from Livingston. The band plays a LIVE POKER Alley party bowl starting at 10 carmike.com. variety of music from 1 to 5 p.m. The Electric City boasts live poker p.m. on Friday and at 9 p.m. on • The Great Falls Public Library Varying bands perform on the third at various spots around town. Some of Saturday. It has 16 lanes, and party Foundation sponsors an Wednesday of each month from the popular tables include the: bowling lasts until 1 a.m. independent or foreign film on the 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. • Max Sports Bar and Casino • Aces High, available to military first Wednesday and Saturday of The Eagles Lodge, at 1501 9th St. members on Malmstrom Air Force each month as part of the Foreign S., also features live music every other • Hollis’ Hi-Ho Tavern, 2600 10th Ave. S. Base, offers 12 lanes, including and Independent Film Series. The Saturday night. AMF HPL Synthetic lanes with series, which runs October through • San Remo Casino, 2500 10th a built-in glow track system for May at the library, 301 2nd Ave. N., SPINNING DISCS Ave. S. state-of-the-art Extreme Bowling. is free and open to the public. Call If you’re feeling like you’d rather • Classic ’50s Casino, 1810 14th St. Games are free from 11 a.m. to 5 453-0349 or greatfallslibrary.org. CENTRAL MONTANA LOCK &SAFE LLC

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MT-0000345778 MT-0000345735 54 Culture greatfallschamber.org Museums are not just for looking at art ; centers offer classes, auctions, history lessons

Don Marberg, a pottery instructor, teaches Grace Poulton, age 9, about making pottery using a pottery wheel during 2014’s Arts on Fire event at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art. TRIBUNE PHOTO\RION SANDERS C.M. RUSSELL MUSEUM the Great Falls man’s death. His Russell works spotlighting the animal Constructed in 1895, the building • Address: 400 13th St. N. wife, Nancy Russell, was a brilliant kingdom. The exhibition will close was Great Falls’ first high school. For businesswoman, helping her husband Sept. 13. the past 38 years, the contemporary • Museum Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. gain fame and fortune. Visitors rave about “The Bison: art museum has called the building Wednesday through Saturday, The Russell complex on Great American Icon, Heart of the Plains home. winter; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tu esday Falls’ northside includes an extensive Indian Culture,” the most ambitious Art comes to life at the museum in through Sunday, summer only. museum and the artist’s original log permanent exhibition displayed at the the heart of Great Falls, providing a • Log studio Hours: 11 a.m. to 4:45 studio and home, both of which have museum. unique perspective of life in the West p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, been preserved. The 76,000-square-foot museum compared with the other museums winter; 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Contemporaries of Russell are boasts some 2,000 Russell artworks, in the region. Exhibits feature local, Tu esday through Sunday, summer featured at the C.M. Russell Museum personal objects and artifacts in its regional, national and internationally only. along with a creature admired permanent collection. known contemporary artists. by Russell, the American bison. Part of that scope includes folk • Russell home Hours: 11 a.m. to The museum celebrated its 60th or outsider art, which is created by 4 p.m. Tu esday through Sunday, PARIS GIBSON SQUARE MUSEUM OF anniversary in 2013 and Russell’s people without professional accolades. summer only. ART 150th birthday in 2014. The Square holds several events • Admission: $9 adults; $7 seniors 65 The museum has undergone internal • Address: 1400 1st Ave. N. throughout the year to celebrate and older, veterans and scheduled changes that saw the appointment • Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, the arts, including Arts on Fire in tour groups; $4 students; free of new executive director Michael 7-9 p.m. Tu esday, noon to 5 p.m. September and its annual fundraising for ages 5 and younger, museum Duchemin, who helped revamp the Saturday auction April 11. The works in the members and active military. museum’s website and create the Skull auction will be on display at the • Admission: Free courtesy of Farmers Society of Artists. Square beginning Feb. 9. • Phone: 727-8787 Union Insurance The C.M. Russell Museum plans Paris Gibson Square Museum of • Website: cmrussell.org several events in 2015, including • Phone: 727-8255 Art features a regularly changing set of Legendary cowboy artist Charlie two workshops in the spring given • Website: the-square.org exhibitions in the museum’s galleries. Russell moved to Montana in 1880 by Russell Skull Society artist Todd Alternative modern art has a home in Permanent exhibitions include “Lee when he was just 16 years old. More Connor. The April session will focus Great Falls at the Paris Gibson Square Steen: A Montana Original” and than 130 years later, his influence still on drawing and the June class on Museum of Art. Jean Price’s “Three Thousand and lives on today. portrait painting. The magnificent sandstone structure Counting.” Russell’s ability to paint in oils In May, a new exhibition, has history and intrigue splashed on Additionally, the Square offers art and watercolors is legendary, and “Harmless Hunter: The Wildlife Work its walls like a permanent coat of paint classes and workshops, a cafe, meeting his sculptures and illustrated letters of Charles M. Russell” will feature skillfully applied by both residents and and event rooms and outreach still amaze more than 88 years after visitors alike. greatfallschamber.org5Culture 5 programs for those with disabilities or peoples encountered by the Corps. A other barriers. life-size diorama in the lobby focuses Preschoolers through adults can attention on the portage of the Great take classes in subjects such as t’ai Falls, a prominent landscape feature chi ch’uan, pottery, leather carving, in the area. Black Eagle Falls, the puppetry and drawing. Exhibiting uppermost of the five falls, is visible artists occasionally hold workshops of from the large windows of the center. their own. The annual Lewis and kClar The Square also participates in the Festival, an interactive celebration of Downtown Great Falls Association’s the expedition, often is held at the First Friday Art Walks. Each month, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. participants enjoy a self-guided tour of The Lewis and Clark Foundation’s current exhibits. Tr ail Mixer and Auction is April 28. Formerly an autumn event, the LEWIS AND CLARK INTERPRETIVE trail mixer features dinner and a live and silent auction, with proceeds CENTER benefiting the foundation, the • Address: 4201 Giant Springs Road fundraising arm of the Lewis and • Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tu esday Clark Interpretive Center. through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. The Tr ail Mixer often offers a variety Sunday. Summer hours, beginning of auction items, including adventure May 22: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. trips that feature rafting, hiking and hunting. The trips may include Daughters of the Revolution Robyn Hickman, from left, LeAnn Galt Feisthamal, Char Ross and Leigh Spencer look at scrapbooks in the • Admission: $8 adults; America the destinations around the United States, History Museum. TRIBUNE PHOTO\RION SANDERS Beautiful pass holders, ages 15 and but there are some weekend getaways younger free; group rates available. • Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Edwards said one of the museum’s to Montana locations as well. A quick- through Saturday newest additions, the Namaste Cafe, • Phone: 727-8733 finish featuring locally known artists • Admission: $4 for ages 2 and gives adults a place to take a breather, is a highlight of the event. The artists’ • Website: fs.usda.gov/recarea/lcnf/ older; annual memberships, group too. work is auctioned off during the event. recreation/recarea/?recid=61458 discounts available. The museum added several new Nestled into the bluffs of the The Lewis and Clark Interpretive exhibits in 2014, including an airplane Missouri River, the Lewis and Clark Center regularly hosts film showings, • Details: The museum is exhibit with educational materials Interpretive Center overlooks a section lectures and star parties with the developmentally appropriate for from the Great Falls International of river that the famed explorers Central Montana Astronomy Society. children 4 months to 11 years of Airport and the Malmstrom Air Force Meriwether Lewis and William Clark Authors Allen Pinkham and Steve age. Base Museum, and a hospital/wellness portaged two centuries ago to avoid Evans will present a lecture based on • Phone: 452-6661 exhibit with help from healthcare the nearby waterfalls. The exhibit hall their recent book, “Lewis and Clark professionals at Benefis Health System. Among the Nez Perce: Strangers in the • Website: within the center explores the entire childrensmuseumofmontana.org route of the Corps of Discovery, all Land of the Nimiipuu,” on March 19. The interpretive center offers several The Children’s Museum of THE HISTORY MUSEUM the way from St. Louis to the Pacific Montana offers kids a chance tobe Ocean and back. free days during 2015, including April • Address: 422 2nd St. S. 12 and May 3. themselves while getting lost in their The center, which celebrated its imaginations. • Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday 15th birthday in 2013, houses hands- “I love the kids who come in through Friday on interpretive exhibits describing CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MONTANA grumpy, who are tugged up the stairs • Admission: Free the Corps’ discoveries as well as by their mom or dad and then come • Address: 22 Railroad Square • Phone: 452-3462 information about the many native around the first corner,” Executive Director Sandie Edwards said. “Their • Website: thehistorymuseum.org eyes light up and they giggle, going The History Museum is located in from space to space.” the historic International Harvester/ Visitors get to touch and play with Northern School Supply Building. displays, pretend and explore. Run by the Cascade County Historical Edwards said one of the most- Society, it is both a museum dedicated rewarding aspects of the museums to the 31,000-square-mile, 23-county she’s seen is when families come area and an archival research center in who are dealing with stressful with the mission “to preserve historical situations at home; they let go of those documents and records considered problems and are just parents and important to the heritage of central children. Montana.” Visit the exhibits and With that in mind, Edwards said experience slices of our heritage the museum’s mantra is if visitors including “A Walk through North cannot afford admission, theye ar Central Montana’s Military History,” allowed in thanks to scholarships and “The veBo y Carriage” and “Anaconda supplemental income from the city. Mining.” “We don’t ever feel, my staff included, that a person should have to MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE choose between milk and education,” MUSEUM she said. “That need for that continues • Address: 341 Missile Wing/MU, 21 to rise ... and there aren’t a lot of other 77th St. N., Suite 144 places that do that. You can’t go to • Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday History Museum volunteer Maggie Nybo shows museum director Jim Meinert artifacts dating to Montana’s statehood. The History Museum McDonalds, for instance, and get free through Friday hosted a reception in honor of Montana’s 125th anniversary as a state in 2014. TRIBUNE PHOTO\BRIANA WIPF food if you’re hungry.” • Admission: Free; public passes are 56 Culture greatfallschamber.org available at the base Visitor Center coroner records, Blackfeet Reservation • Phone: 731-2705 names and other public information. • Website: www.malmstrom.af.mil/ library/malmstrommuseum THE MONTANA VETERANS MEMORIAL The Malmstrom Air Force Base Museum depicts the history of the • Address: 25th Street North and base from its beginning as a B-17 River Drive training base to the operator of one of • Phone: 454-9070 the largest Minuteman ICBM missile • Website: montanaveteransmemorial. fields in the world. It’s located at the org east end of 2nd Avenue North, inside The Montana Veterans Memorial, a the Malmstrom AFB base main gate. hilltop display bearing the names of more than 5,000 Montana military URSULINE CENTRE veterans, sits next to Legion Park on • Address: 2300 Central Ave. River Drive. The memorial honors all veterans, living and deceased. Visitors • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, can use a kiosk with a computer to with tours by appointment. help locate memorial tiles. It opens • Admission: Free May 1 and closes Nov. 12 each year. • Phone: 452-8585 • Website: ursulinecentre.com/default. Barb Schlecht browses through postcards at the C.M. Russell Museum’s gift store. TRIBUNETO PHO \GINNY GRISPIN GALERIE TRINITAS cfm • Address: 1301 20th St. S. The Ursuline Centre has been on the GREAT FALLS GENEALOGY SOCIETY gathering records “at a phenomenal • Hours: Noon to 3 p.m. Tu esday and National Register of Historic Places • Address: 301 2nd Ave. N. rate.” Dedicated volunteers are Thursday since 1991. Take a historic tour of continually adding to the searchable the Heritage Museum, which houses • Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p,m. Tuesday databases, so visitors are urged to • Admission: Free Native American artifacts and antique through Saturday “come back often.” Located in the • Phone: 791-5367 furniture, the Green Parlor, the Art • Admission: Free Great Falls Public Library, the society Galerie Tr initas, located on the Studio, the Chapel and the Bishop’s offers help locating ancestors in University of Great Falls campus, • Phone: 727-3922 Parlor. Rooms are available for the region, and its library includes features a collection of works by Sister meetings and/or retreats. • Website: gfgenealogy.org local histories, biographical works, Mary Tr initas Morin. The Great Falls Genealogy Society is directories and census, tax, birth and Immerse yourself Alw ays ays Alw Staffed in the West. Open Discover the art&life of America’s cowboyartist, Cascade Join Today! Charles M. Russell. ELECTRIC CO. $29.95 SINGLE MEMBERSHIP Electrical Contractors NO CONTRACT! since 1917 Complete Electrical Service ForAll Your Needs Cascade Communications “Fitness from Aerobics 903 10th Ave. North to Zumba” Visit cmrussell.org Free: Classes -Childcare 453-3285 )!#"'*&$(&!#% for current hours, www.cascadelectric.com Towel Service ,%( &"(+,'+##- +"(+ exhibitions, and events. 715-13th Av S )%+!*(" $' )$!!(")( Fast, Dependable 727-8888 CompetitivePrices accessfitnessgf.com

#/*,+ %,""-. !!()'!$& We do C.M.RUSSELL MUSEUM $$$"#!%)('+&*+&(")%' 1'' &3<= 9< .$!<=#:!"5< (566>, 07 the job right! 6%-'$ *.2,"514 +14" !3(5/(0 #&7) 1'/*-%-*+-+- #888)24!;>>"66)$!? MT-0000345786 MT-0000345653 MT-0000345657 greatfallschamber.org5Culture 7 Education Isabelle Johnson takes a selfie of herself and fellow graduates, from left, Allie Nelson, Kelsey Young and Rachel Wilson, as they prepare to graduate from Foothills Community Christian School. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER From The second-largest school district in $200,000 in grants to the schools to “It’s definitely a college prep the state, Great Falls Public Schools do everything from buy books for environment,” Donisthorpe said. serves more than 10,000 students who every student’s birthday at the Early “That small Christian environment is pre-school attend 15 elementary schools, two Learning Family Center and purchase very much connected to families.” middle schools, two high schools and new materials for a textiles class so that There are a number of private one alternative high school. they can learn how to make and sell schools in town, all of which have to college, The district is admired statewide. products. faith-based programs and are open “The principle priority in education, Middle-school students have more to preschoolers through high school from my perspective, is to replicate access to technology than ever before seniors. educators what’s happening in the Great Falls with traveling computer labs and the “Foothills Community Christian Public Schools district,” said Gov. use of an online learning social media School is a good choice because we Steve Bullock just before the start of platform called Moodle. offer high academic standards in the 2014-15 school year. They also have the opportunity combination with a small class size,” focus on The school district takes its vision to study foreign languages such as said Becky Nelson, development seriously, “All kids engaged in learning French, Spanish and German. director for the school. “In addition, today…for life tomorrow,” and offers Hands-on experiences at Great all subjects are approached using a success of opportunities for students to reach Falls High and C.M. Russell, such Biblical world view as the foundation.” their potential from pre-kindergarten as construction of a home, give kids Foothills students regularly spend through graduation. Lacey said the every opportunity to succeed in a time volunteering. Each Christmas students school district is focusing on three career, college or as a citizen. the school collects hundreds of small areas: “our kids, our community, our toys, household goods and makes PUBLIC SCHOOLS future” in making decisions about PRIVATE SCHOOLS blankets for their “Soles for Souls” There’s a lot going on in Great Falls everything from curriculum to safety There’s just as much rigor and Christmas shoebox gift drive. Students Public Schools and a lot of different concerns and the budget. opportunity for student achievement collect age- and gender-specific toys, opportunities for students to succeed. Bill Salonen, principal at in the private school sector in Great along with toiletries, Bibles and school Whether it’s on the ski slope as part Morningside Elementary School, Falls, according to advocates. supplies and wrap them in more of a fourth-grade physical education was named a National Distinguished Whether it’s spending time in the than 100 different shoexe bo s that trip, in middle school foreign language Principal by the Montana Association science lab or getting to do service are donated to the Great Falls Rescue classrooms, or in high school science of Elementary and Middle School projects for the Great Falls Rescue Mission. In addition to that, the labs, there are plenty of ways for kids Principals in 2014. Valley View Mission, private schools in Great Falls school donates multiple pairs of shoes to be learning. Elementary School was one of only believe they have the ability to educate for distribution. The school district uses social media two schools in Montana to earn the whole child. Holy Spirit Catholic School received – both Facebook and Tw itter – as a the National Title I Distinguished What sets Great Falls Central a large grant in late 2013 to upgrade tool to connect with parents and the School award in 2013 for making Catholic High School apart from the its science classroom and library, with community to showcase all Great Falls significant advancements in students’ public high schools in Great Falls the potential to receive more funds Public Schools has to offer. standardized test scores despite having is the inclusion of faith in students’ down the road. “We want to connect with the a high population of low-income education, a smaller environment and Foothills holds dual accreditation community and we want the students. the connection to families, according with the Northwest Accreditation community to connect with us,” Since 2011, the Great Falls Public to the school’s principal, Vickie Commission (NWAC) and also the Superintendent Tammy Lacey said. Schools Foundation distributed nearly Donisthorpe. Northwest Region of Association 58 Education greatfallschamber.org of Christian Schools International so that all students are successful in two-year transfer program,” said “We are all about living and learning (ACSI) with certification lasting completing these programs. Cynthia Stevens, director of the fine as a community,” said UGF President through 2017. “We’re not going to let you slide for arts and humanities department at the Eugene McAllister. “We have small To earn accreditation, schools must a moment,” she said. college. “Part of our mission at the class sizes; professors know each meet NWAC’s high standards, be But that’s not the only project the college is to take the college into the student’s name and dreams; and our evaluated by a team of professionals college has cooking. community and bring the community students work together.” from outside the school and In 2013, the college received a $1.5 onto the campus.” Despite the small-school feel, the implement a continuous process of million dollar economic development The health science programse ar university has broad appeal. About school improvement. Accreditation is grant to expand its welding program. among the most popular and, thanks half of the student body is from out granted on a five-year term. Wolff said the school is training to federal stimulus dollars added of state; 14 different countries were Central Catholic is accredited by welding students in three shifts from through the Montana Legislature represented on campus in the 2013-14 the Western Catholic Education 7 a.m. to midnight. Fifteen of those in 2009, a simulated hospital with school year. The university saw an 8 Association, a division of the national spots are reserved for high school real equipment was created in the percent increase in enrollment in the organization that works on accrediting students earning dual secondary and basement of a new addition to the fall of 2013. Catholic schools on education college credits. The school has offered school. The rising enrollment figurese hav standards, overall mission, finances welding classes for about six years, The college expanded its practical prompted an increased need for and Christian Catholic guiding she said, and has expanded from nursing program to 30 students in the housing. Currently, the university principles. graduating 16 students a year to 64 a fall of 2013. And a new partnership boasts two apartment-style dormitories The WCEA accreditation is year now. with MSU-Northern allows students on campus. The residence halls feature recognized by secular accrediting The infusion of the federal money to earn associate degrees in nursing a common living area with tables, organizations such as the Northwest doubled the number of welding bays entirely in Great Falls. sofas and chairs as well as a fully Accreditation Commission with which and added equipment, Wolff said. In partnership with MSU in functional kitchen and bathrooms. a lot of the public schools in Montana The university also leases apartment are affiliated. complexes next to campus for its growing student body. Nearly two- thirds of the full-time undergraduate HIGHER EDUCATION students live in campus housing. Great Falls College - MSU Amenities include the university’s Great Falls College Montana student fitness center and campus State University’s role in helping library, which is now an “information the economy while also preparing center.” community college students for a four- Nursing students can pursue year degree is continuing to expand degrees through a hybrid of online this year. and in-person classes specifically for The two-year college is a leader registered nurses to earn a bachelor’s when it comes to workforce degree in nursing. In the science development, according to CEO and program, undergraduates engage in Dean Susan Wolff, which is evident research projects that McAllister said in Great Falls College MSU being at bigger universities wouldn’t even be selected to facilitate a $25 million a possibility until they were graduate grant from the U.S. Department of students. Labor that will be distributed among Cody Strunk, background, director of Great Falls College MSU’s industrial technician program, looks on as student Karry Hardman establishes a motor control circuit. TRIBUNE PHOTO\PETER JOHNSON In 2013, UGF received a $1.4 13 community colleges across the state million donation to be used for to enhance and improve training for nursing program scholarships or to manufacturing and energy-related The college is able to train as manyas Bozeman, the Great Falls campus is be used for students studying in the jobs. 120 welding students a year. Outlying offering a one-plus three (year) transfer healthcare fields. Nearly 20 percent of “It is part of our mission to do students can take the lecture portions degree program in engineering. the university’s undergraduate students workforce development,” Wolff said. of their welding classes online from Students can attend the Great are enrolled in some kind of science “All of this is being done so we really their homes in Lewistown or Shelby Falls campus for their freshman program. do help the economy of Great Falls and come to Great Falls strictly for year to complete some of their Thanks to $100,000 in donations grow. That’s my goal. That’s our goal.” hands-on welding instruction. general education and introductory from supporters and alumni such as Colleges are expected to focus Although the college focuses on engineering classes and save some Robert Jergensen and Fran Wylder, on training the unemployed and certificate programs and associate money on tuition, then transfer to the university was able to transform underemployed in 57 different degrees, it’s improving its role as a MSU Bozeman to complete their space in the library into the Jorgensen industries. Wolff said program stepping stone to a four-year college degree in three years. and Wylder technology classroom coordinators will be looking at experience. complete with laptops, smart boards industry standards, finding the skill “People seem to be understanding University of Great Falls and other devices. gaps and tailoring instruction. better what the various options for Students don’t have to travel “These are the kind of gifts that It could mean some training higher education are right here in hundreds of miles to earn a four-year give great hope and spirit to the small, programs are taught in Great Falls, but Great Falls so that they can make more degree in a small, liberal arts college private colleges,” McAllister said. “We offered online to students at Fort Peck informed decisions about their futures setting. know there is a lot of need here. This is Tr ibal College, which Wolff said will and use their dollars more wisely,” Instead, they just have to turn to an extraordinarily valuable gift for our mean sharing student records across Wolff said. the University of Great Falls, a private, students.” the community colleges to make it a The college launched a choral Catholic university located in the UGF offers more scholarships more successful experience. ensemble class in fall 2014 for south-central part of town. The school overall than it did four or five years In addition to project directors, students to earn college credit, and the boasts a growing enrollment of more ago in order to combat the recession. the grant will provide for workforce community is invited to participate. than 1,100 students studying in more It offers funds to non-athletes from navigators at each of the colleges, “We’ve been the college of technology, than 40 different areas such as forensic Great Falls and elsewhere in Montana. as well as a data collection specialist but we are expanding classes in the science, criminal justice, elementary The university also seeks and contracting for student coaches academics so we are a fully functional education and more. opportunities to make time on campus greatfallschamber.org5Education 9 more enriching, through the Corps of • Valley View: 900 Ave. A N.W., SPECIALIZED Discovery program in which students 268-7145; Rachel Cutler, principal. • Montana School for the Deaf and are asked to ponder such things as: • West: 1205 1st Ave. N.W., the Blind, 3911 Central Ave., “What does it mean to be human?” 268-7180; Michelle Meredith, 771-6000: msdb.mt.gov; residential Students get the chance to engage principal. in service throughout the year. The school for preschool through high Providence Formation program will • Whittier: 305 8th St. N., school students; Kim Schwabe, bring the 50 freshmen together in 268-7230; Ryan Hart, principal. principal. 2014-15 to work with kindergarten students at Whittier Elementary Middle Schools POST-SECONDARY CHOICES School and volunteer at Eagle • East Middle School: 4040 Central Mount Great Falls. At Christmas • University of Great Falls: Catholic Ave., 268-6500; Kerry Parsons, time, students head to the Lewis and liberal arts university that offers Clark National Forest to cut down principal. Paul Culbertson, assistant master’s degrees. On- and off trees and deliver them to people who principal. campus housing available. 1301 otherwise wouldn’t have a Christmas • North Middle School: 2601 8th St. 20th St. S., 800-856-9544, ugf.edu tree. Groups of students have gone on N.E., 268-6525; Fred Anderson, • Great Falls College Montana State mission trips to Mexico, Guatemala, principal. Tara Rosipal, assistant Gov. Steve Bullock reads to pre-kindergarten students at Great University: More than 1,200 full- El Salvador and New Orleans. principal. Falls Public Schools Early Learning Center. TRIBUNE PHOTO\ LARRY BECKNER time-equivalent students. Offers two-year programs in medical, PUBLIC SCHOOLS High Schools 452-5276: foothillschristian.org; technical and vocational areas, Elementary Schools • C.M. Russell High School: 228 pre-K through 12th grade; Janelle transferable to state four-year Lund, principal. • Chief Joseph: 5305 3rd Ave. S., 17th Ave. N.W., 268-6100; Dick schools. 2100 16th Ave. S., 800- 268-6675; Bobby Ingalls, principal. Kloppel, principal; Beth Gerhart, • Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic 446-2698, msugf.edu Brian Held and Anita Ranieri, School, 1305 5th Ave. S., 452- • Montana State University- • Lewis and Clark: 3800 1st Ave. S., associate principals. 268-6705; Jackie Carlson, principal. 0551: ollschoolgfmt.org; ages Northern: Also offers college classes • Great Falls High School: 1900 2nd 3 through eighth grade; Sherri • Lincoln: 624 27th St. S., 268-6800; at the Great Falls College MSU Ave. S., 268-6250; Jane Gregoire, Schmitz, principal. campus. Although based in Havre, Jon Konen, principal. principal; Brad Barringer, Heather • Holy Spirit Catholic School, the university offers classes both • Longfellow: 1110 6th Ave. S., 268- Hoyer and Steven Yates, associate 2820 Central Ave., 761-5775: online and in Great Falls related 6845; Cal Gilbert, principal. principals. holyspiritgf.org/school; ages to many of its 35 degree-granting • Loy: 501 57th St. N., 268-6885; • Paris Gibson Alternative High 3 through eighth grade; Jim programs. Northern provides Kim Ray, principal. School: 2400 Central Ave., Wichman, principal. both courses and professional 268-6600; Drew Uecker, principal. • Meadow Lark: 2204 Fox Farm • Five Falls Christian School, 2930 development training. 2100 16th Road, 268-7300; Teresa Sprague, Flood Road, 452-6883: fivefalls.org; Ave. S., 771-4428, msun.edu principal. District Information kindergarten through eighth grade; • Park University: Offers six • Morningside: 4119 7th Ave. N., • District Office Building: 1100 4th Esther Holley, principal. bachelor’s degrees and three 268-6960; Bill Salonen, principal. St. S., 268-6000 • Treasure State Academy, 100 46th associate degrees to Malmstrom • Mountain View: 3420 15th Ave. • Early Learning Family Center: St. N., 727-5133: tsa.fairview4u. Air Force Base personnel and local S., 268-7305; Carole McKittrick, 3300 3rd St. N.E., 268-6400 org; preschool through 12th grade; residents. Based in Missouri, 761- principal. Jeff Simpson, principal. 7540, park.edu/malm • Riverview: 100 Smelter Ave., 268- PRIVATE SCHOOLS • The Montana Academy of Salons 7015; Howard Corey, principal. • Great Falls Central Catholic MONTESSORI (formerly known as the Salon • Roosevelt: 2501 2nd Ave. N., 268- Professional Academy): Private, for- High School, 2800 18th Ave. S., • Children’s House of Great 7045; Rhonda Zobrak, principal. profit. 501 2nd St. S., 771-8772, 216-3344: greatfallscentral.org; Falls Montessori, 1601 2nd www.tspagreatfalls.com • Sacajawea: 630 Sacajawea Drive, grades nine-12; Vickie Donisthorpe, Ave. N., Suite 128, 761-4523: 268-7080; Rae Smith, principal. principal. childrenshousegf.org; preschool, • Mountain States Baptist College: • Sunnyside: 1800 19th St. S., 268- • Foothills Community Christian ages 3 to 6, and kindergarten; Private, not-for-profit. 216 9th St. 7115; Lance Boyd, principal. School, 2210 5th Ave. N., Sharlo Haggard, director. N., 761-0308, mountainstatesbc.org

Experience the Historic Charm of the UCentre Where everything we do Providing title insurance, is about serving U escrow closings and other real estate information services -Retreats -Conferences -Meetings -Events for buyers, sellers, lenders, Serving Great Overnight Onsite Food brokers, agents, REALTORS®, Accommodations Service and real estate professionals. Falls for over Book Today HOURS- 8to5Monday thru Friday 2300 Central Ave•452-8585 111 3rdAvenue South 90 Years (406) 727-1500 WWW.STEWART.COM/GREATFALLS 1900 10th St NE MT-0000345670 MT-0000345533 MT-0000345394 60 Education greatfallschamber.org Transportation

Need transportation? Great Falls has trains, planes, automobiles

Passengers line up to check in at the Great Falls International Airport. TRIBUNE PHOTO The Great Falls International Airport Faulkner said. COMMERCIAL AIRLINES ride monthly passes are $30, adults; had a big year in 2014 and its leaders Faulkner noted that with increasing • Allegiant Air: allegiantair.com, 702- $25, students; $21, disabled people are building on that in 2015. numbers of passengers using Great 505-8888 with cards and those over 60. “The Airport Authority is … Falls International Airport, 450 • Delta: delta.com, 800-221-1212 anticipating record passenger volumes passengers depart on six flights GREAT FALLS TRANSIT DISTRICT for the year,” said Airport Director between 6 and 7 a.m. daily, crowding • Alaska Airlines: alaskaair.com, 800- • Downtown Transfer Center: 326 John Faulkner in December 2014. ticket counters and security gates. 252-7522 1st Ave. S., 727-0382, gftransit.com “The airport currently expects that Faulkner recommends passengers get • United Express: united.com, 800- 385,000 passengers will have used the to the airport from two hours to 90 864-8331 • Intercity service Salt Lake Express airport by the end of 2014. Volumes minutes before a flight is scheduled to (intercity between Great Falls, are up more than 4 percent over 2013 leave. Arriving one hour before a flight Helena, Butte and six smaller CAR RENTALS levels and are expected to be a 5,000 could be cutting things too close. towns, Ulm Junction, Cascade, passenger increase over previous record The Airport Authority also is • Alamo: 453-4386 Craig Junction, Wolf Creek, passenger volume of 381,111 set in Boulder and Basin): expected to marketing commercial use of some • Avis: 761-7610 2012.” 400 acres of land, Faulkner said, be 326 1st Ave. S., 800-356-9796, Lower ticket prices appear to be • Budget: 454-1001 noting that revenue from business SaltLakeExpress.com the primary reason for the increase leases, passenger purchases and • Enterprise: 216-5001 • North Central Montana Transit in passengers, Faulkner said, citing parking fees help keep the rates the • Hertz: 761-6641 (intercity between Fort Belknap, Federal Aviation Administration data airport charges airlines down. Harlem, Chinook, Havre, Box that indicate the average ticket price • National: 453-4386 The airport has madeox appr imately Elder and Great Falls): 326 1st Ave. at the Great Falls airport declined $103 million in other improvements S., 877-332-3699, ncmtransit.org 4 percent over the past two years, TRAINS while national ticket prices were up 9 since 2000. The most important • Northern Transit Interlocal percent in the same period. ones have been refurbishing the main • Amtrak from Shelby and Havre: (intercity between Shelby, Conrad The Great Falls airport also had the runway, including a sophisticated 800-872-7245, amtrak.com and Great Falls): 326 1st Ave. S., lowest average ticket price of any instrument landing system, adding a 470-0727 commercial airport in Montana last FedEx hub facility and converting two BUSES • Big Sky Bus Lines (School buses in year. hangars to house Avmax, a company With 18 buses, the Great Falls Tr ansit Great Falls and luxury coach charter The Airport Authority recently that paints jets and performs airplane District operates seven regular routes, service): 2920 15th St. N.E., Black completed a $6.5 million expansion maintenance. as well as a paratransit service for Eagle, 454-1283, 800-990-1283 and modernizing of its terminal Great Falls is served year-round by disabled people. • Hall Transit Charter Service: 2620 building that makes security clearance United Express, Delta, Allegiant and Buses run 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Upper River Road, 452-0082 quicker and gives passengers access to Alaska airlines. Nonstop service is weekdays, and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. bathrooms, food and drink while they available to Minneapolis, Salt Lake Saturdays. wait, said Faulkner. City, Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas and Route maps and schedules are CABS “It’s really changed passenger Phoenix-Mesa. available at the Tr ansfer Center, 326 • Diamond Cab: 1000 11th St. N. perception, with several folks telling 1st Ave. S., on buses, at numerous 453-3241 us it feels like a big-city airport with businesses and online at gftransit.com. AIRPORT easier access, more logical clearance Fares are $1, adults; 75 cents, students; and amenities while they’re waiting for • Great Falls International Airport: 50 cents, disabled people with cards LIMOUSINES their plane with a panoramic view of 2800 Terminal Drive, 727-3404, and those 60 and older, and free for • Montana Luxury Limo Service: mountains surrounding Great Falls,” flygtf.com children 5 and younger. Unlimited 740 32nd Ave. N.E. 452-8111 greatfallschamber.org6Transportation 1 dresses for prom, special occasions, bridesmaids and brides’ mothers. Tu xedos are also on display. Major Registered brides and grooms are admitted free at the Heritage Inn. • Bridal Extravaganza: In its 19th year, the event features 30 to 40 booths offering bridal necessities as well as a style show and a bridal reception complete with cake. Grooms have plenty to check out as Events well. Registered brides and grooms are admitted free at the Mansfield Convention Center. • Montana Agricultural and Industrial Exhibit: More than 200 exhibitors showcase the latest in farming technology, guidance systems, implements and livestock handling equipment at the annual MAGIE at Four Seasons. In addition to booths selling new products, there also are a handful of informational workshops on anything from the outlook of various markets to crop insurance updates. Farm and ranch technology is a growing field that has taken root at the MAGIE, with vendors showing the latest in GPS systems and prescription farming technology, which allows analysis of soil to determine the best seed, fertilizer and water for maximum yield. The MAGIE is the state’s largest farm and ranch trade show. • Margarita Meltdown: Go tropical with Margarita Meltdown. Now in its 10th year, the Four Seasons transforms into a tropical getaway, complete with island food, drinks and a tropical atmosphere. The event is the main fundraiser for Eagle Mount, a nonprofit organization that provides therapeutic and recreational activities for infants to centenarians, with physical, developmental, behavioral and/or mental challenges. Proceeds fund programs such as gymnastics, bowling, karate, a ski program, horseback riding, pontoon boat rafting and children’s camps. Dugan Coburn, who plays George Drouillard in the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery reinactment, patches the buffalo hide teepee being erected at the 2014 Lewis and Clark Festival at Gibson Park. TRIBUNE PHOTO\RION SANDERS FEBRUARY JANUARY rodeo and a cowboy auction. Clear • Budweiser Chili Cook-off: For Each month more than 30 years, the chili cook- • Pro Rodeo Finals: Ride, rope and your calendar Sunday for a church off has been offering live music, wrangle for the top prize in seven service, Tough Enough to Wear Pink rodeo performance and the beverages and the best chili in town. filled with categories: bareback riding, saddle Held inside the Mansfield Center, bronc riding, steer wrestling, awards presentation. For more, visit www.montanaprorodeo.com. area restaurants vie for the cook-off team roping, tie-down roping, title. A panel of judges ranks the fun events barrel racing and bull riding at • Bridal Journey: In its seventh year, chili on overall flavor, ingredients at Four Seasons Arena. During the Bridal Journey features more than a glance and appearance. Every year, three-day event, a new Miss Rodeo 50 vendors, a style show, food and the event attracts 1,000 to 1,200 Montana will be crowned. She cake, and door prizes, including people and they have a chance to serves as an ambassador for the several grand prize giveaways. The weigh in during the People’s Choice sport. Events also include a kiddie show features bridal gowns and contest. 62 Major Events greatfallschamber.org MARCH region, including concerts for presents the 35th Home and Gar- History Museum and the Ursuline • Cascade of Talent: The Uptown local and rural schools, tours to den Show and Sale at the Four Retreat, Conference Centre and Museum. Optimist Club and the Great Falls communities across the state by the Seasons Arena and Exhibition Hall. Cascade Quartet and the Chinook More than 200 exhibitors make it Teachers Federal Credit Union Winds and the symphony’s regional easy for homeowners to compare present two Cascade of Talent Youth Orchestra. products, discover what’s new and MAY shows, both in March. Enjoy find the help they need. Booths performances by area junior high as • Cruisin’ The Drag: The Electric include ideas on home construction, well as high school students at the City’s annual celebration of APRIL renovation, maintenance, Mansfield Theater. motorized vehicles, has been filling • Ice Breaker Road Race: Since landscaping, gardening, new Central Avenue for the past 15 • Western Art Week: Western art 1980, top-tier runners, weekend products, energy efficiency and years with a free all-day car show. is king for a week every March enthusiasts and healthy walkers more. About 15,000 people attend The show occupies nine blocks of near noted Western artist Charlie have been coming together for the the show each year. Central Avenue, with the top Best Russell’s birthday, March 19. The annual Ice Breaker Road Race. • Sunday Sampler: The Great Falls of Show winners in the car, truck cele-bration that began in 1969 has Some of the best runners in the Museum Consortium offers an and motorcycle categories taking changed over the years. Established state and beyond line up for the annual day of free admission on a home cash prizes and top placers shows such as The Russell: An 5-mile road race with cash prizes at Sunday every April. The Sunday awarded trophies in a diverse array Exhibition and Sale to Benefit the stake. The 3-mile run offers both a Sampler features 10 museums open of categories including best survivor, C.M. Russell Museum, March in competitive and recreational format from noon to 5 p.m. Many of the which is a car that’s been driven Montana, Footprints on the Tr ail and the 1-mile fun-run challenges museums hold special events, and and used as an everyday vehicle, Art Show and the Wild Bunch participants of all ages. Stretching people can take part in a scavenger best teen-owned and best interior. Show are joined by newer shows, and aerobics to music is held at hunt through all the museums, with For those interested in selling or including the Jay Contway and the Civic Center prior to each race those who complete it eligible to purchasing a classic vehicle, the Friends Art Show, Missouri Falls with all races ending at Gibson Park win prizes. Participating museums event offers a for-sale corral available Fine Arts Show and Sale and the where a grandstand is set up for include the Children’s Museum of on a first-come, first-served basis. Great Western Living and Design spectators. An awards ceremony is Montana, C.M. Russell Museum, Along with the cars, Cruisin’ the Show. A new show to this year’s held in the Convention Center after First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Drag offers a variety of tasty foods art week is the Out West Art Show all races are finished. Each registered Park, Galerie Tr initas at the and drinks at the food court. and Sale, which will take place at participant receives an Ice Breaker University of Great Falls, Lewis and the Heritage Inn. The show is being long sleeved T-shirt, lunch and a Clark National Historic Tr ail and JUNE organized by many local artists and unique finisher medal. Interpretive Center, Malmstrom already has seen more than 100 • Home and Garden Show and Sale: Air Force Base Museum, Montana • Alive@5: Make sure to head artists sign up. Bidders and artists A harbinger of spring in Great Falls, Museum of Railroad History, Paris downtown on Thursday nights from around the world descend on the Home Builders Association Gibson Square Museum of Art, The during the summer, when this Great Falls during this week. fun event rotates from block • Great Falls Custom Car Show: to block each week, featuring a For more than 20 years, the wide variety of musical styles, Montana ExpoPark has been from hard rock to country to home to the annual Great Falls blues. Live tunes, street dancing Custom Car Show.A variety of hot and food are part of the evening rods, customs, classics, racecars, celebrations, which run from 5 motorcycles and boats are displayed until 9 p.m. Admission is free and and commercial vendors are on designed as a family event with hand. entertainment for kids including inflatable bounce platforms, face • Wine and Food Festival: This painting, fake tattoos and crafts. festival has been satisfying its Businesses and merchants sponsor guests’ senses with a cornucopia the entertainment, and local food of sights, sounds and tastes for vendors serve everything from more than three decades. As well as hamburgers to cotton candy to some of the oldest wine-producing “porkies” to fruit kabobs and families in the country presenting refreshments. Organized by The an assortment of wines, a variety Downtown Business Association, of local eateries serving up their the event shows off what downtown favorite foods and dancing rounds has to offer and promotes out the night. The event at the good times. Net proceeds from Heritage Inn features more than 40 Alive@5 are used to fund DGFA booths with food, wine, beer and beautification projects for the other beverages including 150-plus downtown area. Most visible is the wines to sample from around the Christmas lighting project. DGFA globe. also makes donations to the Boys • Black Tie & Blue Jeans: The & Girls Clubs of North Central Great Falls Symphony gives the Montana. community a unique chance to • Taste of Great Falls: During another show its appreciation by throwing fun summer tradition, local eateries a big party. The Black Tie & Blue team up for this free annual event Jeans fundraiser is at the Heritage held at Whittier Park next to the Inn this year. Proceeds help the Civic Center from 5 to 9 p.m. It symphony and support music Aithne Baker, of Aunya’s Belly Dance, demonstrates belly dancing at 2014’s What Women Want Expo in the Pacific Steel and Recycling Four started more than two decades ago education and outreach in the Seasons Arena. TRIBUNE PHOTO\LARRY BECKNER as a restaurant roundup to raise greatfallschamber.org6Major Events 3 money for the Christmas lights that inundate the Montana ExpoPark. 1933 to 1962, the brightest spot in • Christmas Collection Holiday brighten up downtown Great Falls Ballers of all ages and skill levels Montana’s entertainment life was Sale: One of the first signs that and the power it takes to run them strut their stuff, and fans cheer them Great Falls’ unique Ozark Club that Christmas is coming, the event through the holiday season. Food on to victory and prize money. featured some of the best jazz and begins with the Preview Gala from more than a dozen vendors Proceeds benefit the youth of the entertainment between Chicago featuring hors d’oeuvres and drinks, is served. Local distributors serve community through the Alliance and the West Coast. In 1962, in and several days later with a visit domestic beers microbrews and for Youth. a blaze of glory, the famed Ozark from Jolly Saint Nick himself. In wine, and a live band with dancing • Lewis and Clark Festival: In its Club burned to the ground in a its 37th year, the sale includes more round out the evening. 26th year, the three-day event nighttime fire and Great Falls lost than 100 artists offering a little • Great Falls Farmers Market: On highlights the Lewis and Clark its distinction as “jazz capital of bit of everything. Themed rooms Saturday mornings from June expedition during its stay in Great Montana.” The History Museum feature local and regional artists. through September, locals and Falls in 1806. Observe re-enactors brings back the fun with this fall Food, arts and crafts and creativity visitors also flock to Whittier Park. in historic dress, taste the foods the event. abound. Offering many Christmas- As many as 150 vendors from the expedition ate, smell the burning themed items, the sale also offers heart of Montana’s golden triangle campfires and understand the gifts for birthdays, weddings, or fill the market on late spring and adventure along the banks of the OCTOBER anniversaries. Proceeds fund the warm summer days, selling produce, Missouri River. Learn how the • What Women Want Expo: museums operating fund and meat, crafts and an assorted array men worked and what they found. Celebrating its 12th year, the event educational programs. of oddities and specialties. If you Between activities, food is available brings families and friends together • Banff International Mountain prefer a hot concoction on a crisp inside the Interpretive Center. All for entertainment, self-improvement Film Festival: As if signaling that weekend morning, enjoy a coffee proceeds benefit the Lewis and and education. For two days, Montana winter sports season has and a home-baked sweet roll. Then Clark Interpretive Center. attendees are drawn by hundreds browse the market for homegrown arrived, the film festival draws of booths, featuring thousands of a packed crowd. Great Falls has fruits and vegetables, handcrafted products and services pertaining JULY the honor of being the kick-off items, jewelry, ready-to-eat food or to their health, love lives, fashion, visit with friendly folks. Musicians stop of the festival’s world tour • Montana State Fair: The heart cars and finances. Nearly 250 of all ages and pony rides add to that visits 390 communities in 35 of the summer in Montana is vendors fill the Four Seasons Arena, the fun. The market is open from countries across the globe. Held at highlighted by this exposition which attracting more than 8,000 visitors. 7:45 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. An the Mansfield Convention Center, draws thousands of the region’s National motivational speakers additional market is held from 4:30 the festival showcases top-quality residents. For nine days, attendees or comedians highlight the expo to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from films with outdoor action, spills and enjoy a carnival, an extravaganza of with a no-host wine and chocolate mid-July through September. thrills sandwiched between stories night shows, rodeos, good eats, free reception benefiting Literacy of mountain living from around • Great Falls Voyagers: What says entertainment, livestock judging Outreach. In addition to the health- the world. 2015 will be the event’s summer more than baseball? and agricultural exhibits at the focused booths, an interactive stage 23rd showing here. The Great Falls Professional baseball history in Montana ExpoPark. More than provides attendees with information Ski Patrol uses proceeds to update Great Falls dates back more than 100,000 people pass through the and fitness opportunities, including gates each year proving after 80 outdoor emergency rescue gear. 60 years and its venerable ballpark, several free fitness classes. A fun run Centene Stadium at Legion Park, years, this fair is still a huge deal promoting National Breast Cancer • Parade of Lights: The nighttime was constructed in 1941. Now for Great Falls and northcentral Awareness Month offers both men event features whimsical, affiliated with the Chicago White Montana. and women the chance to flex their illuminated floats that usher in the Sox, the private Great Falls Baseball muscles. The vendor fashion show holiday season. It draws hundreds Club annually takes profits and features some of the latest looks. of spectators to Central Avenue turns them back into improving AUGUST And for those determined to lose a downtown. Santa is the last float in or maintaining the city-owned • Downpour Festival: Christian rock few extra pounds, the expo offers the parade and he lights the city’s ballpark. Recent renovations include groups play a diverse selection of plenty of avenues for achieving that Christmas tree on the Civic Center’s a new concourse with spacious music for two days at Centene goal. steps. restrooms and concession areas, a Stadium with a church service open grass berm area and playground to the public on Sunday morning. equipment down the right-field The nonprofit organization is NOVEMBER DECEMBER line, two new souvenir areas and operated by three officers, and an three enclosed suites, or skyboxes, advisory council that represents • Harvest Howl: Always well • Christmas Stroll: For more than which are also available for private numerous churches in Great Falls. attended, this silent auction has 30 years, this event has kicked parties. The Voyagers compete in The free event hasow gr n each year included such things as Ski-Doo jet off the holiday shopping season, the Pioneer League, an Advanced- since its inception in 2005, and skis, autographed guitars, guided as merchants open their shops, Rookie Level organization. Most of attracts several nationally recognized trips through the Sluice Boxes State musicians entertain and Santa the players in the league are first- or Christian acts. Park, jewelry, museum memberships makes an appearance. Restaurants, second-year professionals. There and Great Falls Symphony tickets. food trailer operators and sidewalk are reduced-fee or free promotions The event features dinner,, beer stands serve up hot drinks and at virtually every home game, SEPTEMBER wine, mixed drinks, and soft drinks warm fare, contributing to the sponsored by local businesses. The •A Night at the Ozark: Music lovers and attendees dance the night away festive mood. Tr aditions include an team’s mascot, Orbit, is popular pack the house listening to the to live music. The event, in its 14th area where children can decorate with baseball fans of all ages. sweet sounds of traditional jazz as year, is the primary fundraiser for holiday trees that will be donated • Spring Fling Hoop Thing: it wafts through the open-beam Camp Rotary which helps more to needy families, Santa’s Village, Montana’s largest three-on- ceil-ings of The History Museum than 800 children each year through and the Great Falls Polar Plunge, three basketball tournament, for an event that brings top-tier various community organizations organized by the Montana Law promotes fun, amateur athletics, talent to the Electric City attracting such as 4-H, camps for children of Enforcement Torch Run. Plungers sportsmanship and physical sold-out crowds, history buffs incarcerated parents, children in collect at least $100 in pledges for fitness in a drug and alcohol-free and jazz aficionados from outside foster homes and those who have the privilege of jumping into chest- environment. Nearly 300 teams Montana. For three decades from lost a loved one. high cold water in an outdoor pool.

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