MONTANA

December 2015

A Monthly Publication for Folks 50 and Better

Chocolate for charity

Musician is all about the bass
Food bank director fights hunger
Helping young campers

INSIDE

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

Calendar....................................................Page 18
Volunteering..............................................Page 19
On the Menu.............................................Page 21
Strange But True.......................................Page 22

News Lite
Weather device falls from sky

PHILADELPHIA (AP) The National Weather Service says

an instrument that fell from the sky, prompting a Philadelphia
bomb squad response, weighed about a pound and had been
launched with a weather balloon about 165 miles away.
Mitchell Gaines, of the weather service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, says the instrument called a radiosonde took off from the agencys office in Sterling, Virginia. High winds carried it to Philadelphia.
Radiosondes are sent up by balloons, taking and transmitting measurements to their home stations as they ascend. When the balloon
reaches a certain altitude it pops, and the instrument floats to the
ground. It has a postage-paid mailbag inside so finders can return it.
Philly.com reports a bomb squad responded when the radiosonde fell from the sky in northeast Philadelphia and struck a
vehicle.

Board wants pet DNA to track down poopers

DESTIN, Fla. (AP) Some Florida condo owners are steaming after their homeowners association asked them to submit their
dogs DNA in order to fine owners who dont pick up after their
pets.
Harbor Landing residents said they received a letter last week
and some feel its an invasion of privacy. The letter asked residents to register their dogs and cats with the association through a
DNA test, citing a significant increase in the amount of animal
feces found throughout the property recently, including inside the
elevators.
The News Herald reports pet owners would have to pay for the
DNA test, registration fee and any potential cleanup fees.
Condo officials say its a voluntary process and that the measure is only meant to help keep the property clean.

Stronger
together.
Find strength in numbers
with New West Medicare.
There are 19,000 Montanans already enjoying the New West Medicare experience.
We are the only Montana company that is 100% focused on providing the best Medicare experience
for our friends, family and neighbors. Thats why we offer no deductibles, low co-pays, the ability to
use health care providers you want, prescription drug coverage without deductibles and a healthy
aging program with a fitness facility membership in every plan. New West makes Medicare simple.
New West Health Services is a PPO Plan with a Medicare Contract. Enrollment in New
West Medicare depends on contract renewal. You must continue to pay your Medicare
Part B premium. Limitations, co-payments and restrictions may apply. The formulary,
888.873.8044 TTY 711 pharmacy network and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive
newwestmedicare.com notification when necessary. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not
a complete description of benefits. For more information contact New West Medicare.
Find us on
For accommodations of persons with special needs at a sales meeting call 1-888-8738044, TTY 711, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Benefits may change on January 1 of each year.
H2701_NW#_SB_664_11-2015 Accepted
December 2015

Bookshelf
SPECIAL DELUXE:
A Memoir of Life & Cars
By Neil Young Plume (December 2015)
Softcover $18 383 pages 5 1/2 x 8 1/2
ISBN: 978-0-14-751651-0

SPECIAL DELUXE: The perfect

book for Neil Young fans, car lovers
By Montana Best Times Staff
For all those Montana 50-plussers out there who are big Neil
Young fans comes a fascinating new book by the author himself
the New York Times Bestseller SPECIAL DELUXE: A
Memoir of Life & Cars.
Since his first hit in the late 1960s, Neil Young has been one of
the most iconic, eclectic, and mysterious stars of the music world,
says a news release on the book from Penguin Random House.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice as a solo
performer and as a founding member of Buffalo Springfield
Young is widely regarded as one of rock and rolls greatest songwriters and performers.
Youngs first memoir was the international bestseller Waging
Heavy Peace. Now, writing in his own unique, lyrical, and
charming voice, Young returns with more indelible stories and
reflections about his remarkable life and career through the lens
of one of his great passions cars.
From his Canadian boyhood through his six decades in the
music business and his recent years as an environmental activist,
Young chronicles how cars have been intimately intertwined with
his life and his music, the release says. For the most part, they are
not fancy cars, not perfect cars, expensive cars or exotic cars.
Rather, Young collected cars for their uniqueness and character,
with little concern for their condition, usually at dirt-cheap prices.
The cars he writes about are the cars that really had a human and
enduring lifetime connection with me ... Those cars hold some of
my favorite thoughts, feelings, and memories, my moments of
bliss. They are things of metal, but they harbor part of my soul.
Woven through Youngs candid memoir are some of the most
famous names in rock and roll, from Stephen Stills to Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan. Far more prominent, however, are the family,
friends, lesser-known musicians, engineers and producers who
have been his closest companions.
He writes touchingly of family and the many wonderful dogs
he has owned, including Skippy, a Labrador mix his family had
when he was a small boy in Ontario; Elvis, a Tennessee bluetick
coonhound; and Carl, a high-spirited Labradoodle.
Woven throughout SPECIAL DELUXE, the release says, are
new revelations about Youngs childhood, teen years and adult
life, as well as his music:
For the first time, Young reveals the full story behind the
writing of one of his most enduring songs, Like a Hurricane.
Young also offers many new insights into the songs that were
tabbed for his still unreleased album Homegrown.

Young describes the recording of a nine-song acoustic tape dubbed

Hitchhiker in 1976 in Malibu with David Briggs producing and
actor Dean Stockwell hanging out and listening, an audience of one.
Even Youngs most ardent fans have never heard about this one.
The Sunset Strip riots between hippies and police in West
Hollywood that sparked the writing of Stephen Stills Buffalo
Springfield hit For What Its Worth took place on Nov. 12,
1966, Youngs 21st birthday.
Young offers new insights into the turmoil between his mother
and father before they divorced, writing vividly about one scene
in particular of Rassy, despondent over one of Scotts discovered
affairs, sitting in the driveway of their home with a big pile of 78
records, crying, taking out each one, looking at it, and then breaking it on the pavement.
Young provides fascinating insights into his instrumental guitar
work that served as the soundtrack for Jim Jarmuschs film Dead
Man. Young also writes in some detail for the first time about the
still-unreleased Toast recording sessions with Crazy Horse that
took place in the South of Market section of San Francisco in 2001.
SPECIAL DELUXE is that rare thing: a sequel to an earlier
critical and popular success that is just as substantive and appealing as its predecessor, the release says. Written entirely by Neil
Young himself in his own singular voice, and featuring over 40
original drawings by the author, it is sure to delight readers of
Waging Heavy Peace and his legions of devoted fans.
SPECIAL DELUXE would make an excellent Christmas gift
for any Montana Neil Young fan.
December 2015
3

Opinion

Holiday season can often have two sides

December 2015

There are more people dealing with that downside of

the holidays than you might think.
So do something this Christmas season. If you know
of anyone who is not having the greatest Christmas,
reach out to them in some way a visit, a card, a phone
call. It doesnt have to be dramatic. Just a kind word for
someone in pain goes a long way.
And that would truly be honoring the spirit of the season.
Dwight Harriman,
Montana Best Times Editor
MONTANA

We didnt set out to do it, but this issue of Montana

Best Times contains stories from two opposite ends of
the holiday spectrum.
On the one hand, there are upbeat articles about a
group in Miles City the Range Riders Reps selling
chocolate treats for a charitable cause (Page 6), and Helping Hands Food Bank Director Linda Conners work and
community involvement (Page 10), which includes special gift boxes during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Then, on the other hand, there is a story about how to
prevent seasonal depression (Page 17).
Quite a contrast. And yet, the two ends of that spectrum so often come into play during the holiday season.
While most celebrate the season with gladness, there are
many people who struggle this time of year either
from simple biological causes like the lack of light that
can bring depression, as described in the Page 17 story;
or from loneliness, broken relationships or difficult
health circumstances, which can be felt more keenly
when people around you are being festive at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

A Monthly Publication for Folks 50 and Better

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

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

Jim Miller, creator of the syndicated Savvy

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

How to Split Pills Safely

Dear Savvy Senior,
Is pill splitting safe? I have several friends who cut their pills
in half in order to save money, but I have some concerns. What
can you tell me?
Cautious Kim
Dear Kim,
Pill splitting literally cutting them in half has become a
popular way to save on pharmaceutical costs but you need to talk
to your doctor or pharmacist first, because not all pills can be
split.
The reason pill splitting is such a money saver is because of a
quirk in the way drugs are manufactured and priced. A pill thats
twice as strong as another may not be twice the price. In fact, its
usually about the same price. So, buying a double-strength dose
and cutting it in half may allow you to get two months worth of
medicine for the price of one. But is it safe? As long as your doctor agrees that splitting your pills is OK for you, you learn how to
do it properly, and you split only pills that can be split, theres
really no danger.

Ask your doctor

If youre interested in splitting your pills, talk to your doctor or

pharmacist to find out if any of the medicines you use can be
safely split. Its also important to find out whether splitting them
will save you enough money to justify the hassle.
The pills that are easiest to split are those with a score down
the middle. However, not every pill thats scored is meant to be
split. Pills that are most commonly split include:
Cholesterol lowering drugs, like Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor,
Pravachol and Zocor.
Antidepressants, like Lexapro, Celexa, Serzone, Paxil and
Zoloft.
High blood pressure medicines such as, Accupril, Zestril,
Diovan, Avapro, Norvasc, Tenormin, Toprol and Cardura.

Erectile dysfunction pills, like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

Use a splitter

Having the right equipment is very important too. Dont use a

knife or scissors to cut your pills in half. It can cause you to split
them unevenly resulting in two pieces with very different dosages, which can be dangerous. Purchase a proper pill cutter that has
a cover and a V-shaped pill grip that holds the pill securely in
place. You can find them at most pharmacies for $3 to $10.
For convenience, you might be tempted to split the whole bottle of pills at once. But its best to do the splitting on the day you
take the first half, and then take the other half on the second day
or whenever you are scheduled to take your next dose. That will
help keep the drugs from deteriorating due to exposure to heat,
moisture, or air. It will also help ensure that any deviation in the
size of one dose is compensated in the next. Its also important to
know that pills are only safely split in half, and never into smaller
portions such as into thirds or quarters.

Dont split these

Some pills should never be split. Drugs that are time-released

or long-lasting and tablets that contain a combination of drugs
probably shouldnt be split, because its difficult to ensure a proper amount of active ingredient in each half. Pills with a coating to
protect your stomach, and pills that crumble easily or irritate your
mouth shouldnt be split either, along with chemotherapy drugs,
anti-seizure medicines, birth control pills and capsules containing
powders or gels.
Again, your doctor or pharmacist will know which drugs can
and cannot be split. If youre taking a medicine that can be split,
youll need to get a prescription from your doctor for twice the
dosage you need. Then you can start splitting safely, and saving.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443,
Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.
December 2015
5

Chocolate
for charity
By Amorette Allison
Montana Best Times

MILES CITY The Range Riders Reps the ladies auxiliary to the Range Riders Museum members have been
around for 75 years, helping raise funds to support the museum. Many of those efforts have revolved around food.
The Reps most recent project, Chocolate Confectionary,
which as been going on for the past several years, is no different.
The idea for Chocolate Confectionary came up at a meeting
when longtime Reps member Bernice Criswell mentioned having a chocolate-only bake sale. Denise Hartse, another longtime member and former officer of the group, thought that was
a great idea. Hartse was involved with the committee putting
together Moonlight Madness, an October promotion for downtown.
Why not sell chocolate stuff at the Moonlight Madness?
So, they did. Very successfully.
The next obvious question was: Why not sell chocolate stuff
at the Christmas Stroll?
While the sale itself was successful, the weather was not
always inviting and the Reps, whose current members range in
age mostly from early 50s to their early 90s, werent that
enthusiastic about sitting outside in sometimes bitterly cold
weather.
Hartse, however, who was involved in lots of other organizations and events, was dealing with Grounds for Change, an
organization that assists local children and families with heath
and dental care, educational needs, mental health, social needs
and with housing when residents are facing severe financial
hardship.
In 2013, Grounds for Change sponsored a Festival of Trees
event in Miles City. Trees were donated and decorated by
area residents, businesses and organizations, then auctioned
at an event held inside the Miles City Town and Country
Club.
Would the Reps be interested in being one of the vendors at
the inaugural event?
Hartse said the Reps got in on the ground floor with the
Festival of Trees, selling chocolate items at a holiday event
held inside where it is warm.
So Chocolate Confectionary, which started as a vague sug-

December 2015

MT Best Times photos by Steve Allison

On the cover: Pam Bovee, of Range Riders Reps, whips

up a chocolate treat for the Range Riders Reps fundraising effort. Above: Bovee dumps peanuts into warm
chocolate while creating a tasty delight for the Range
Riders Reps to sell.
gestion at a meeting has turned into a substantial fundraiser for
the Reps, who split their take with Grounds for a Change from
Festival of Trees sale.
Items include cakes, cookies, fudge, chocolate sauce, candy
and anything that can be made with chocolate. Popular items
include some of the following recipes.

Chocolate Secret Nut Clusters

This extremely simple recipe can be one of the most versatile
since it only involves four ingredients, and three of them can
vary.

Take one bag of chocolate chips. These can be semi-sweet

or milk chocolate. Take a bag of flavored chips. These can be
cinnamon, peanut butter, mint or any of the available flavors.
The bags should be similar in size but likely will not be identical, since flavored chips are usually in bags that weigh 2 ounces or so less than bags of chocolate.
The traditional method involves melting the two types of
chips over a double boiler. Today, most cooks take advantage
of the microwave. Dump the two bags of chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until they are melted. Whichever method you use, take a stick of margarine and add it to
the chips to help them melt smoothly.
To the melted chocolate mix, add peanuts. Or cashews. Or
any nut of your choice. Or pretzels or your favorite crispy
cereal. Mix the four ingredients together. Line cookie sheets
with wax paper and drop by tablespoonfuls on to the wax
paper.
In warm weather, the clusters have to be chilled in the
fridge. Most Montana homes are cool enough in winter that
they just need to be left out on the counter until they set. Overnight usually works.
Chocolate Secret Nut Clusters (the secret is the type of flavored chips you use; mix it up and keep friends guessing)
freeze well. Quick to make, tasty to eat and you can keep
friends guessing as to what the secret ingredient is.
Another embarrassingly simple recipe is:

out the vanilla for red wine, Chambord or Kahlua! This is also
easy to multiply.
If you prefer a more syrup-like sauce, this recipe is also
simple:
Four-ingredient chocolate syrup

Take 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa, 1 2/3 cups white sugar, 1

1/4 cups water and 1 teaspoon vanilla. In a medium saucepan
over medium heat, combine cocoa, sugar and water. Bring it to
a boil and let boil one minute. Remove from heat and stir in
vanilla.
While some recipes specify Dutch process, it doesnt
seem to make a difference. This is more like Hersheys syrup.
Some people add a few tablespoons of milk to make it thicker.
Like the other chocolate recipe, its easy to substitute various
flavorings.
Or ... attend the Moonlight Madness or Festival of Trees in
Miles City and pick up some other tasty examples of Chocolate Confectionary.

Reach Amorette F. Allison at mcreporter@midrivers.com or

(406) 234-0450.

Three-Ingredient Chocolate Sauce

Put it in a fancy jar with a ribbon and dont tell the recipients it involves only three ingredients.
Ingredients
3.5 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped finely
cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions to prepare with a double boiler (preferred method):
Heat a medium saucepan with 2-3 inches of water over
medium-high heat. Place a metal bowl on top of the saucepan
and add the chocolate, heavy cream and vanilla extract.
As the water simmers and turns to steam, gently stir the
ingredients together as they melt. If it looks like the sauce is
getting too hot, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow
the sauce to continue melting over the residual steam. They
key is to melt the chocolate slowly.
To prepare in the microwave:
Place the chocolate, heavy cream and vanilla in a microwave safe dish.
Microwave for 1 minute on medium (50 percent) power.
Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth.
Notes:
Feel free to substitute semi-sweet or milk chocolate in place
of the bittersweet chocolate. For a boozy twist, try swapping

Pam Bovee stirs up a chocolate treat in her Miles City

kitchen.

December 2015

Photo courtesy of Vicky McCray

Les LaFranier, far left, plays a show in Utica with the Charlie Denison Band in August. The other band members, from left,
are Steve Hughes, Charlie Denison, Nik Scebba and Chris Hildebrant.

All About the Bass

Les LaFranier: a homegrown Montana jukebox

By Charlie Denison
Montana Best Times

South side star

LEWISTOWN That guy knows a lot of songs.

Ask many musicians about Les LaFranier, 63, and thats often
the first thing youll hear.
Either that or Les can sing, man or Hes a killer bass player.
All impressions are correct.
Like a one-man jukebox, LaFranier can take nearly any request
that comes his way, and he can read the emotions of any Montana
crowd.
He reads the crowd and takes a song out of his arsenal based on
their reaction to other songs.
Hey fellas, why dont we play Margaritaville? Key of D.
I know this because I was on stage with Les playing guitar and
singing along at the Eagles Club in Lewistown recently.
Ive played in a few cover bands, but never with such a virtuoso of cover band culture. LaFranier is smooth, classy and professional. Tactfully and gracefully, hell jump from a dance tune to a
singalong. And when he sings Claptons Wonderful Tonight or
Kris Kristoffersons Help Me Make It Through the Night, he
might even make you cry.

LaFranier grew up on the south side of Billings, where he started learning guitar at age 12.
My uncles all played guitar, LaFranier said. Theyd come
over and have jam sessions. It was always a good time. Thats
how it started.
He got hooked fast.
I didnt plan on being a musician, he said, but the more I
picked it up and figured things out, the more I fell in love with
it. It was a release from everything. I couldnt shake it. Still
cant.
Theres nothing he loves more, and its always been that way,
especially once he started playing in bands at the age of 17.
I remember my first gig at the Standard Bar on Skid Row, he
said. I got $50. That aint bad.
Playing with Davy Lave, LaFranier started getting to know the
Billings scene well, playing regularly at the Elks, the Standard,
the Hay Loft and elsewhere.
First, we were Societys Outcast, then we switched to Tender,
Love and Care, LaFranier said of band name changes.
TLC started playing the Hay Loft regularly, a place LaFranier
would often go to check out other bands.

Music keeps me young. It heals my soul and clears my mind.

I love it, and Im thankful Im still able to do it.
Les LaFranier
December 2015

Thats where he met lead guitar player Kevin Kemp in 1981. He

was instantly blown away.
I ended up stealing him from his other band, LaFranier said.
I asked him if hed play with us, and Im very thankful he did.
We still play together to this day. Hes taught me so much
through the years, and weve had great times.
By this time, LaFranier had switched from guitar to bass after
being in a band with two guitar players for a few years. He enjoyed
the openness of it and providing the solid rhythm for the group.
He does more than hold down the rhythm, however. He is not
afraid to do some slap bass and throw in some tasty grooves. He
does this without overplaying. Instead, he does it to enhance the
song and make the band better.
When Kemp joined the band, TLC took off, opening for Rare
Earth, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Lacy J. Dalton, Jerry Jeff
Walker and others.
We really gained a following and had some real tight harmonies locked down, LaFranier said. It was around this time we
decided to hit the road. We wanted to break new ground.
Before embarking on their journey, Kemp and LaFranier
changed the name of their group to Mustache Pete, a name that
still resonates around Montana today.
I remember Mustache Pete, people tell Les at his shows to
this day. You guys were great.
For 13 years, Kemp, LaFranier and an assorted list of drummers including Sammy Paul Lozano and Scott Roberts
played the road, venturing through Wyoming, North Dakota, Idaho and all over Montana.

Finding a home

One of Less favorite places to play was the Bar 19 in Lewistown.

It was always packed, people were on the dance floor and
management treated us well, Les said. I also just really liked
the town. I used to tell Kevin, You know, I think Im going to
retire here, but I never really thought I would.
LaFranier said he always appreciated the beauty of central
Montana and always felt at home there.
He also fell in love with a woman at the Bar19.
Tired of the road, LaFranier settled down, got married and took
a job working for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway,
sticking with it until he was eligible to retire after 15 years.
But by no means did LaFranier even think about retiring from
music.
I never will, he said.

A true professional

After decades of playing, the thrill is far from gone for LaFranier. At 63, he shows no signs of slowing down, even with diabetes and a desire to get to bed earlier than he did in his rowdier
days.
Today, LaFranier is strictly about the music. The scene is not
what it used to be for him, but the music remains his muse. He is
especially passionate about playing now after his wife passed
away in February last year from an incurable brain tumor. They
were married 17 years.
But instead of letting life get him down, LaFranier lets the
music set him free. It releases his sorrow and brings him joy.
Music keeps me young, LaFranier said. It heals my soul and
clears my mind. I love it, and Im thankful Im still able to do it.
LaFraniers music is also a release for others, as people in the
audience new fans and old fans enjoy hearing him.

Photo courtesy of Les LaFranier

Les LaFranier, right, with longtime friend and guitarist Kevin Kemp and drummer Sammy Paul Lozano is pictured in a
Mustache Pete band photo in 1994.
How could they not? Hes a natural, singing with passion and
playing bass with tenacity and flair. And he always delivers what
the people want to hear.
Lets give them some Creedence, Les said between songs at
the Eagles. Lodi in G.
Les is on top of it: a leader, a listener and a heck of a player.
Im all about the bass, he joked. No treble.

Reach Charlie Denison at reporter@lewistownnews.com or
(406) 535-3401.

December 2015

Fighting
Hunger
By Levi Flinn
Montana Best Times

Photo by Levi Flinn

Helping Hands Food Bank Director Linda Conner laughs as she

HARDIN According to retired nurse Linda Conner, hun- stands near shelves of food and soda at Helping Hands. Conner has
ger is a growing problem in Big Horn County and needs to led the food bank in Hardin since October 2013.
be addressed.
after working more that 30 years for Hostess Brands.
For the last two years, Linda Conner has been working in
Linda is great to work for, Laci said. She knows her job.
Hardin as director for the Helping Hands Food Bank. At age 61,
Conner says she is just inspired to help people who need it most.
Were not just giving out food were trying to help people
By the numbers
find the resources they need, Conner said. Were always lookBy being a member of the Montana State Food Network, the
ing for new ways to work in the community.
Hardin food bank is granted monthly shipments of food at no
cost.
Keeping busy
This program is great for networking, Conner said, but we
dont
get a lot of food from them.
As director of Helping Hands Food Bank, Conner manages
With
the demand continuing to increase, the bank has taken
three major food programs: the Emergency Food Box, the Senior
responsibility of buying most of the
Box and the Holiday Box. These profood that is distributed to those who
grams help hungry senior citizens and
have signed up. Conner estimates that
families that are in need of a meal.
85 percent of the emergency box food
Conner stays active, working withis purchased by the food bank.
in the local community to get word
To offset the financial burden, Conout for the food need. She is responner
plans to arrange more fundraising
sible for recruiting and training food
events.
bank volunteers as well as maintainThis year, the 12th annual Harvest
ing standards in practice so the faciliHoe-down
on Oct. 10 raised over
ty can remain a member of the Mon$8,000. Conner hopes to find additana State Food Network. The last
tional sponsors like Town Pump, who
time the Hardin food bank was surwill match $10,000 if the food bank
veyed by MSFN, they received a 44
Linda Conner, Helping Hands
can reach that amount of raised funds.
out of 45 grade.
Food
Bank
Director
Food prices are high and people
Conner organizes community activneed
help, she said, and the generities such as the Harvest Hoe-down,
osity
of
our
community,
I
find
very
amazing.
flea market, Fill A Chevy program, special gift boxes for ChristIn
2014,
the
food
bank
gave
out
67,243
pounds from the
mas and Thanksgiving, and the Easter bake sale. She also works
acquired 68,334 pounds of food and recorded 1,143.5 hours of
closely with board members, organizations and local businesses
volunteer work for the year.Conner and Laci are the only partto collect items and monthly donations.
time employees; volunteers perform every other duty.
One of the nice things about this job is the variety of things
Conner plans to do more work that involves children and
you get to do, Conner said. Its not just the individual coming
schools.
A current option is the Backpack Program, which proin that were helping. Its the grandchildren or grandparents
vides
students
free food on weekends in addition to school
behind that person, too.
days.
Assistant Director Sam Laci joined the food bank in June 2014

Were not just giving

out food were

trying to help people find

the resources they need.

December 2015

10

Decades of service

A native of Delaware, Conner discovered a government job

opening for a nurse at Indian Health Services in Crow Agency.
She then moved west in 1980 and for a few years found a home
in Dayton, Wyoming a one-hour commute from Crow Agency.
Sixteen years later in 1996, she purchased a home in Hardin
less than 15 minutes from Crow Agency and has now lived in
the town for nearly 20 years.
After 30 years of service at IHS, in 2010, Conner retired from
being a nurse.
Conner said she still wanted to do something that helped people in need. In 2013, the opportunity to direct the food bank
appeared after former Director Randy Schoppe stepped down
and, Conner said, being young, retired and ambitious, she took
the position.
Conner credits being a nurse in the local area for knowing the
needs of the community.
From working here, Ive got to know a lot more people, she
said.
Conner is a mother of two and a proud grandmother of a
6-year-old granddaughter and an 8-year-old grandson. She plans
to continue her work and help those who have the most trouble
with hunger.

Reach Levi Flinn at news@bighorncountynews.com or (406)

665-1008.

News Lite
Mascot costume turns up unharmed

CASTLETON, Vt. (AP) A university in Vermont says the

costume for its green-caped Spartan mascot has been found
unharmed in the football stadium after it was reported missing.
A spokesman for Castleton University says Spartys costume
was found during an inspection of Spartan Stadium.
The costume disappeared from the Student Government Association offices between late September and the middle of October.
The association bought the mascot for $1,700 last year to
replace one that was showing its wear.
University spokesman Jeff Weld said that the school suspects
that Sparty just needed a break after entertaining more than
6,000 people on homecoming weekend in late September.

Armed couple gets upper hand on burglar

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) An Albuquerque couple

turned the tables on a burglar caught loading their belongings into
his car.
Albuquerque police spokesman Tanner Tixier says officers
were called about a possible burglary.
What they found was a 70-year-old man and his 66-year-old
wife both pointing guns at 26-year-old Aaron Lujan.
Tixier says the husband observed Lujan putting a generator,
power tools and other items of his into an SUV.
The man says he confronted Lujan but was ignored.
The husband then grabbed his shotgun while his wife took a
handgun and both held Lujan at gunpoint until authorities arrived.
No one was injured.

Photo by Levi Flinn

Helping Hands Food Bank volunteer Nick Miller holds a

stack of canned peaches near a column of notes designating
portion sizes for the organizations customers. In 2014, the
food bank gave out 67,243 pounds of food with 1,143.5 hours
of volunteer work.

Discover the advantages of the new

REVERSE MORTGAGE
Sometimes you just want to
meet with an expert.
Reverse Mortgage Lender,
Debbi Royer, is available to
meet with you to discuss your
options. Call Today! 223-8941

NMLS #583044

Your local
Montana Bank
helping local
Seniors.

MEMBER:

1455 W. Oak Street, Bozeman, MT

December 2015

11

Giving
the Gift
of Love

Senior finds
fulfillment helping
young campers
in need

By Eleanor Guerrero

Montana Best Times
RED LODGE Giving is not just for Christmas. Sometimes
it is simply giving your own unique gifts to others whenever they
are in need.
I started coming to the Billings Lions Club Charles Campbell
Childrens Camp in 1995, said Barbara Leggate, 66, as she
looked around the vast playground of the Beartooth Mountains
spread out around the camp south of Red Lodge.
She comes to the summer camp in Montana from Colorado
every year.

Roots lead to involvement

Barbara got involved indirectly through her Scouting background in Colorado, where she was a Girl Scout leader and area
coordinator.
She learned about the Charles Campbell Childrens Camp
through a friend who later became her husband, Warren.
Warren, invited me to go to camp, Barbara said. We had
both been volunteers with Girl and Boy Scouts. When asked what
we did on vacation, we both said that we volunteered at and/or
led Scout camps.
She and Warren are both retired and live in Louisville, Colorado, when they arent working at the camp in Montana. They have
four children and five grandchildren.
Warren grew up in Billings. Like Barbara, his roots led to his
continuing connection with the camp his father, Justy Barbara,
was a Lions Club member in Billings as well as a Boy Scout
leader.
As a youth, Warren and his family were involved as Lions
Club members at the (Charles Campbell Childrens) camp Barbara said.
In fact, she explained, they helped build some of the newer cabins in the late 1950s.

Helping kids with special needs

My first year at camp was great fun, said Barbara. The scenery was awesome. I didnt know what to expect with the kids
who had special needs. I soon found out that they are just kids.
December 2015
12

Photo by Eleanor Guerrero

Barbara Leggate is a volunteer to special needs kids high in

the Beartooths.
They were having an awesome time at camp.
Barbara was called Jingles so she would not be confused
with another volunteer named Barbara.
I have a lanyard with 20 friendship bells on it that I wear at
camp, Barbara explained. Each friendship bell was from a different camp or unit event that I participated in.
She literally made music as she walked.
Barbara helped them play games, go fishing, swimming and
hiking and did camp crafts.
Doing these activities involved adapting traditional camp
activities to meet the special needs of campers, she said.
For example, hiking involved pushing some of the campers in
wheelchairs up the trails.
On one occasion, a camper said hiking was hard and I said,
Yes, but you got to ride in the wheelchair.
The youngster informed her the wheelchair did not have shock

absorbers, so she felt all the bumps,

That remark opened my eyes, Barbara said.
When asked what motivated her she said, Seeing the smiles
on the campers faces and seeing the fun they are having is what
makes volunteering at the camp wonderful.
The kids creativity at camp this year has surprised her.
One camper could not use his hands, so he painted using a pencil and brush in his mouth, she said of a crafts time creating art
for an Under the Sea theme. His artistic talent is impressive!
For another craft, they made fish out of plastic soda bottles
and then raced them in a rain gutter filled with water.
We worked at trying to figure out the right combination of
baking soda and vinegar to get them to move and stay upright,
Barbara said. We had some engineers as counselors and staff, so
it was fun experimenting. One of the campers wanted to take his
fish back to his cabin and make modifications and run it the next
day.
Warren went fishing and swimming with campers.
Since he is a fisherman, this was a great fit for him, said Barbara. He helped get the fish off the hooks after the campers
caught the fish.
Barbara and Warren are the dishwashers for the camp no
small task.
Thats three meals a day of dishes, and all the pots and pans
that are used to create the meals, Barbara said. There is a commercial dishwasher that we use, but we have to get the dishes
loaded and ready to go. Although other younger staff volunteered
to help with the dishes, we feel this is something that we can contribute, since pushing wheelchairs is getting harder for us to do.
We leave that for the younger counselors and staff.

Counselors are invaluable

The camp is fortunate to have a lot of young volunteers to men-

tor their peers. Barbara said she enjoys them as well.

It is great fun to work with the younger volunteers from age
15 and up, she said. They bring a great deal of enthusiasm,
energy, ideas and fun to the camp. They are very helpful to the
campers.
She recognizes how invaluable they are to the campers.
If it werent for them, there would be no camp, Barbara noted. The cabin counselors work one on one with campers 24/7.
They provide the daily care for the campers.
One of the unique characteristics of this camp is the bonds
forged in the wilderness between the campers and their counselors.
Both counselors and staff develop relationships that continue
after camp and from year to year, Barbara said.
The counselors are carefully trained.
The staff is there to support and work with the younger volunteers, she said.
As a result, said Barbara, Both the kids and the counselors
really grow from this experience. They develop confidence.

Comforting kids
Crucially, the campers also feel like they belong and are not
different and can do things they couldnt do at home, she said.
Just like any kids, going to camp, its scary the first time. What
is going to happen? Will I be OK? Will I be homesick?
She said there was a first-time camper who wanted to come but
was not too sure. His mother was not too sure, either It is
hard for parents to leave their child, Barbara explained.
But he did come, and the counselors in his cabin welcomed
him, played with him and comforted him.
I made friends with him as well, Barbara said. By dinner he
See RSVP, Page 20

Photo by Eleanor Guerrero

Barbara Leggate is pictured with a group of young campers at the Billings Lions Club Charles Campbell Childrens Camp.
December 2015

13

y
k
S
g
Bi
Birding

Altitudinal migration

Some birds migrate up and down instead of north and south

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Terry McEneaney is
ornithologist emeritus
for Yellowstone National Park, and is the
author of three books:
Birding Montana,
Birds of Yellowstone,
and The Uncommon
Loon. He has been
watching birds for 50
years and is one of
Montanas most experienced birders.
Photo by Dave Menke/courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Mountain Chickadee is a classic example of an elevational, or altitudinal, migrant.

We all have experienced bird migration
to some degree or another, whether of
geese or raptors migrating overhead heading south in the fall and north in the
spring. And most people have a general
understanding of bird migration. In simple
terms, what exactly is bird migration? It is
the movement of a bird or bird species
from a summer or breeding range to a
winter range or wintering area, and return
(to and from), with no specific or an
unspecified distance required. And the
second most asked question is, why do
birds migrate? Birds mainly migrate due
to food and food availability, which oftentimes is influenced by climate or weather
changes/conditions. But trust me, bird
migration is a very complex subject, and
will remain to some degree one of the
December 2015

14

greatest mysteries in the natural history

world.
The bird migration we are most familiar
with involves movement on a linear horizontal plane, which is classical latitudinal
migration. The Swainsons Hawk (Buteo
swainsoni) best exemplifies a latitudinal
migrant, because it feeds on grasshoppers
and small mammals and breeds on the
grasslands of western North America, and
spends its winters on the pampas or wet
grasslands of Argentina feeding on locusts.
Yet in many of the mountainous regions
of the world, birds can also migrate elevationally (on a more vertical elevational
plane), thus the term altitudinal migration. This phenomenon is quite common
in many tropical mountainous species in
the Andes of South America and the

Himalayas of Asia, but is poorly understood with far less species in the more
temperate mountainous regions of North
America such as we find in Montana and
Wyoming. What is presented herein, is
new information on altitudinal bird migration based on over four decades of personal field observation and experience.
If you research the range distribution of
the Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli)
you will find it appears to be a local resident and non-migratory. Yet in Yellowstone, some Mountain Chickadees drop
down substantially in elevation in winter,
some flocks not much in elevation, and in
some localities not at all. In essence, it
really depends on the elevation, the severity of the winter, and the availability of
food.

The American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) on a distribution

map also appears to be a local resident and non-migratory, even
though it oftentimes is an altitudinal migrant with an oscillating
twist. At low elevations, dippers can have as many as two nesting
attempts/two broods per year and at higher elevations one nesting
attempt/one brood per year. But once nesting is over, the majority
of dippers migrate up in elevation following fast-slowing streams,
when food is more available in July and August. And that is why
you find dippers on high mountain alpine lakes in the summer. As
it gets colder and winter approaches, food resources diminish and
dippers are forced to migrate downstream. When terribly frigidly
cold temperatures hit the mountains, dippers descend to fast moving open waters with an abundance of submerged aquatic insects.
Dippers essentially winter near these open bodies of water.
The Dusky Grouse, formerly called the Blue Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus), on a range map is also depicted as a local
resident and non-migratory, yet it is essentially a reverse altitudinal migrant. The Dusky Grouse can be found year-round and
regularly on mountain ridges. In the summer, their diet is composed of insects, grubs and soft plant parts. In the winter, their
diet changes to conifer nuts and grass/wildflower seed heads.
When heavy, deep winter snows or snowstorms appear, the
Dusky Grouse does something unusual and frequents tree canopies and becomes essentially arboreal. They can also migrate up
in elevation to timberline and high, wind-exposed mountain ridges, to take advantage of wind-hardened ground and snow and/or
trees free of fresh snow, thus exposing conifer seeds/nuts, hence
the term reverse altitudinal migrant.
Lastly, most people are familiar with the White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura). This is the smallest or most diminutive of
the grouse species. This species is unique in that it is a brown and
white color in the summer to blend into the fast-changing vegetation colors of the alpine, and turns white in the winter to blend in
with the snow and ice. Just so you know, on a range map this bird
is also considered a local resident and non-migratory and, by the
way, is not found in Yellowstone National Park. Yet this bird is
found in the alpine meadows, snowfields and glaciers of the
rocky, high alpine regions of Glacier National Park and the Mission Mountains of Montana.
This bird is in essence a gradual minimal altitudinal migrant.
Surprisingly, instead of remaining in the high alpine snows/glaciers all winter, this bird species actually migrates downslope to
slightly lower elevations in search of large tracts of exposed willow buds and/or deciduous trees/shrubs. It is in these exposed
willow bud stands above snow that ptarmigan are allowed to survive and feed regularly in the winter. When the snows melt and
the alpine areas start to open up in June, the White-tailed Ptarmigan migrates upslope to feed on wildflower seed heads and alpine
insects, thus completing this very unusual bird migration cycle.
The next time you think of bird migration, hopefully you will
recall it can be a very difficult subject. However, it is my sincere
desire you will remember the complex details of this article and
formulate a better understanding of altitudinal bird migration.
Shown are other examples of birds that practice altitudinal migration, from top: American Dipper, Dusky Grouse and Whitetailed Ptarmigan. Photos by Terry McEneaney
More short stories from Lucky Feathers: Adventures and Experiences of a Yellowstone Ornithologist, will be featured in forthcoming issues
of Montana Best Times. In the meantime, enjoy Montana birds! And the Best of Big Sky Birding to you!
Bird watching questions may be sent to Terry McEneaney by writing to 1215 Lolo St., Missoula, MT 59802; emailing terry@ravenidiot.com; or visiting
www.yellowstonewildlifeguides.com or www.ravenidiot.com. If questions are mailed, include a phone number at which you can be reached.

December 2015

15

A long time ago a kid got swept into the

Star Wars galaxy, never to emerge again
By Deke Farrow
The Modesto Bee/TNS

MODESTO, Calif. For one generation that grew up in Modesto, the question
long has been, Where were you in 62?
But for another, slightly younger group of
people, the more relevant query is, Were
you in movie heaven in 77?
Thats when Modesto native George
Lucas, at the time best known for his
hometown-set, coming-of-age comedy,
American Graffiti, released Star Wars.
And thats all it was called then: Star
Wars. The opening crawl didnt feature
the subtitle Episode IV: A New Hope.
That was added with the films April 1981
theatrical rerelease.
No, to us teenagers who saw it at the
Briggsmore Theater on McHenry Avenue
that spring ... and summer, fall and winter,
it was just a really cool sci-fi movie made
by a guy from Modesto. And the only
name actors in it, Alec Guinness and
Peter Cushing, werent even much known
to the young audience.
But what grabbed us and never let go
was the opening scene of that huge star
destroyer pursuing a rebel blockade runner
above the planet Tatooine. Wed never
seen anything like it. No one had.
The special effects blew us away, of
course. Heck, they reshaped the movie
industry. But we loved the story, too. We
felt the heat of anger when Darth Vader
menaced Princess Leia (we were immediately smitten with her, even two movies
before the famous metallic bikini) with the
interrogation droid, we shared Lukes thrill
when she gave him a kiss on the cheek
for luck, and the sting he felt when Han
Solo showed an interest in her. (We had no
inkling Luke and Leia would turn out to
be the twin children of Darth Vader.)
When it was over, we wanted to watch it
again, immediately. Perhaps we did, as
those were the days you could sit in the
theater and simply wait for the movie to
start again, if it wasnt sold out. Certainly
we made several repeat visits back to the
one theater showing the movie, bringing
along friends and family members who we
simply could not believe hadnt seen it yet.
Our rock n roll record collections in
my circle, that meant Kiss, Ted Nugent,
Aerosmith, Elton John and the like
December 2015

16

Photo by Joan Barnett Lee/Modesto Bee/TNS

Modesto Bee staff writer Deke Farrow is pictured at the Modesto Bee photo studio
with his Star Wars memorabilia, Nov. 5.
grew to include what for many of us was
our first orchestral album: John Williams
stirring Star Wars score.
Needing more Star Wars, I bought the
$1.95 paperback novel by Lucas, subtitled
From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker and including several pages of color
photos from the movie. I still have it. Still
have a Rolling Stone magazine from
August 77 with Luke, Leia, Han and
Chewie on the cover, too, because I never
throw anything away.
My close friend and Beyer classmate
Neil Meininger and I biked to a local movie memorabilia shop I believe the longgone place was called Hollywood Collectibles where for just $5 we bought the
Star Wars movie poster. I immediately
posted the 27-by-41-inch folded one
sheet on my bedroom wall. It has thumbtack holes and tape marks on the corners,
so Im not sure which I used first.
I finally framed it years ago, and over
time, its had a special spot in all the places I lived, from off-campus dorm rooms to
apartments to the homes my wife and children and I have shared.
I fell hard into the Lucas moneymaking
machine; the soundtrack, poster, a few
comic books and T-shirts were just the
start. Until Star Wars and its sequels and
prequels, I was ignorant of the existence
of anything called an action figure. But
thanks to Kenner and later Hasbro, I slow-

ly built armies of light- and dark-side

characters and vehicles.
Until a recent move, I didnt even give
my two sons much say in how their bedroom was decorated: poster on the walls,
spaceships hanging by fishing line from
the ceiling, small and 12-inch action figures on shelves on the walls. Theyre good
boys, though, and Id like to think they felt
Dads collection was a neat thing to have.
Now, in our new home, my sweet wife
has pretty much turned over the upstairs
family room to my arrested-development
tastes, so Luke, Darth, Leia, Obi-wan,
Boba Fett, R2-D2, C-3PO and dozens of
others are hanging out there.
Thats not to say she feels The Force.
She couldnt tell you a TIE fighter from an
X-wing.
Recently, we were in a Kohls, and you
couldnt swing a Jawa without hitting a
Star Wars display of toys, banks, alarm
clocks, clothing, bedding and so much
more. There were characters from the
original trilogy, the three prequels and the
newest release, Episode VII The Force
Awakens.
After passing probably our fifth or sixth
such array of merchandise, she said,
Wow, they have a lot of Star Wars
stuff. And then she added, and I kid you
not, Is there a movie coming out?
There was a strong disturbance in The
Force.

One way to combat seasonal

depression is by basking in a
light box that features blue
LEDs.
Photo courtesy Fotolia/TNS

How to prevent

seasonal depression
Prevention magazine/TNS

If your smile seems to be drooping along with the temps, its

probably not your imagination. Seasonal affective disorder
(SAD), a reaction to reduced sunlight, affects up to 20 percent of
Americans and three quarters of those affected are women.
Lethargy, overeating, and being bummed can spell disaster for
your health. But you can beat it. Heres how:
n Take a sunny stroll
Go walking in a winter wonderland! Sunlight-drenched strolls
help clear your SAD symptoms by giving you a boost of vitamin
D, which most of our bodies are craving (especially in gray
weather). D deficiency has also been linked to an increase in
headaches in the fall and winter, say researchers in a Journal of
Headache and Pain study.
n Shed some light
The dark gloom of winter dampens your bodys production of
serotonin, a mood-regulating neurotransmitter. Rejuvenate your serotonin stores with a light box that features blue light-emitting diodes
(LEDs). Theyre more stimulating and produce less glare than white
light boxes. For a simpler fix, open up the blinds! Just make sure
youre limiting your bright light exposure to the morning hours. Lots
of light late in the day can mess with your circadian sleep cycles.
n Burn calories for warmth
We know its tempting, but resist the urge to hibernate until
spring. A study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center found
women moved the least in December, January, and February,
burning 10 percent fewer calories than they do in summer. Exercise is an established blues-beater. So move your body more, and
your head (and heart) will thank you.
n Pump up your produce
The secret to happiness may be at the end of your fork. Com-

pared to people who eat few fruits and veggies, those who go big
on produce are less likely to be anxious or depressed, or to suffer
from other mental disorders, according to one study of 80,000
people. The more produce people ate, the happier they were.
n Consider chamomile
If your mood needs to be soothed, consider a chamomile supplement. A University of Pennsylvania study found chamomile
supplements significantly ease anxiety symptoms. (Just check
with your doc before starting any new supplement.)
n Try a festive hobby
Get excited about winter by taking up a seasonal hobby, says
psychologist Elizabeth R. Lombardo, PhD, author of the book A
Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. Having
something fun to look forward to will help elevate your mood
during the cold-weather doldrums.
n Lend a helping hand
Look for volunteer opportunities where you can make a difference, Dr. Lombardo suggests. Collect coats for the homeless,
conduct a toy drive for needy children, or spend time volunteering at an animal shelter during the holiday rush. Philanthropic
work is a well-documented mood improver, she says.
n SAD-proof your surroundings
You may not be able to control the weather around you, but
you can control your own environment, says psychotherapist
and wellness expert Jenny Giblin. Simple switches like painting
your walls a brighter or lighter color, buying colorful office supplies, hanging cheerful or inspiring artwork, and changing the
background of your computer to a beach scene can lift your
spirits.

For more great health tips, pick up a copy of Prevention magazine, visit www.prevention.com, or follow us @PreventionMag.
December 2015
17

December
2015

calendar
 December ongoing events

Brian Paulsen Art Flashbaxs, through

Jan. 29, Dawson Community College Gallery, Glendive
Montana Tannenbaum, Montana Historical Society, through Dec. 31, Helena
Seeing Red Exhibit, through Dec. 23,
Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge
Christmas for the Critters, through
Dec. 31, Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center,
West Yellowstone

 Thursday, December 3
Christmas Stroll, 3-5 p.m., downtown
Gardiner
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,
through Dec. 6, First Presbyterian Church,
Miles City

 Friday, December 4
Hometown Holidays Lighted Parade,
6 p.m., Big Timber
Winter Fair, through Dec. 5, Yellowstone
Art Museum, Billings
Holiday Stroll, 5-8 p.m., downtown Livingston
Tom Foolery Musical, through Dec. 6,
Blue Slipper Theater, Livingston
Milk and Cookies with Santa, Holy
Rosary Healthcare, 3-5 p.m., Miles City
Christmas Stroll, 5-8 p.m., downtown
Miles City
Barn Players, Inc. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 7:30 p.m., Presbyterian
Church, Miles City
Christmas Stroll, through Dec. 5, downtown Red Lodge
 Saturday, December 5
Laurel High School Winter Formal, 9
p.m., Laurel
North Pole Adventure Train, 5 p.m.
and 7:30 p.m., Lewistown
Christmas Concert Music with the
December 2015

18

Stars, 7 p.m., Grace Bible Church, Miles

City
Miles City Womans Club Children's
Christmas Store, 9 a.m.-noon, Custer
County District High SchoolMultipurpose
rooms, Miles City
Pool and Dart Tournament Toys for
Tots Benefit, Miles City

 Sunday, December 6
29th annual Christmas to Remember
Parade and all-day events, Laurel
Barn Players, Inc. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 3 p.m., Presbyterian
Church, Miles City

 Tuesday, December 8

Terrific Tuesday Christmas Card Run,

10 a.m.-6 p.m., Terry

 Friday, December 11
1st Winter Art Walk, 6-9 p.m., Downtown Bozeman
North Pole Adventure Train, Fri. and
Sat. 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., through Dec. 19,
Lewistown
Holiday Vaudeville Extravaganza,
through Dec. 20, Shane Lalani Center for
the Arts, Livingston

 Saturday, December 12
Bozeman Symphony: Holiday on
Broadway, through Dec. 13, Willson Auditorium, Bozeman
Bells of the Bridgers Christmas Concert, Dec. 17, First Presbyterian Church,
Bozeman
Firefighters Toy Dance, Eagles Lodge,
Miles City
 Sunday, December 13
Retired and Seniors Volunteer Program Holiday Open House, 9:30-11
a.m.,Sleep Inn & Suites South Haynes

Avenue, Miles City

 Tuesday, December 15

Terrific Tuesday, Chamber Chili Feed

from 5-7 p.m., Terry

 Monday, December 14
Laurel High School Choir Concert, 7
p.m., High School Auditorium, Laurel

 Thursday, December 17
Rodeo Run Sled Dog Races, through
Dec. 19, West Yellowstone
 Saturday, December 19
Yellowstone Ballet 25th Annual The
Nutcracker, 4 p.m., through Dec. 20, Willson Auditorium, Bozeman
Winter Farmers Market, through
April 16, Emerson Center Ballroom, Bozeman
3rd Annual Winter Wonderland, Glendive
Journey to the North Pole, 1 p.m.,
Helena Ice Arena, Helena
Kids n Snow weekend, through Dec.
20, downtown West Yellowstone

 Monday, December 21

Terrific Monday, 6 p.m., Live Nativity

in downtown Terry

 Tuesday, December 22
Terrific Tuesday Stocking Stuffer
Night, businesses open until 7 p.m., Terry

 Friday, December 25
Livingston Community Christmas
Dinner, noon-2 p.m., Park County Fairgrounds, Livingston

RSVP

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

Custer & Rosebud counties

- AARP Tax Assistance program: Volunteers needed.

- CNADA: Needs a volunteer to answer
phones and other receptionist duties. You
choose the hours and days.
- Clinic Ambassador: Need volunteer to
greet patients and visitors, providing directions and more, two locations.
- Custer County Food Bank: Volunteer
assistants needed for 8 a.m-1:30 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to process
donations, stock shelves and more.
- DAV van: Drivers needed to provide
transportation to veterans to medical
appointments.
- Eagles Manor: Volunteer exercise class
leader needed, 1-2 days a week, you pick
the days and the exercise for residents.
- Historic Miles City Academy: Urgently
need volunteers at the thrift store and in
other ways.
- Miles City Soup Kitchen: Needs servers
and greeters Monday-Friday; pick a day of
the week you would like to serve.
- Relay for Life: Popcorn popper needed
one day per week, two hours in the morning, at MCC.
- St. Vincent DePaul: Volunteers to assist
in several different capacities.
- VA Activities: Urgent need for someone
to help with activities. Application packet
available at VA Activities Directors Office.
- WaterWorks Art Museum: Volunteer
receptionists needed, 2 hour shifts Tuesdays-Sundays; a volunteer also needed in
cataloging the art collection, one to assist
with historic research of the permanent art
collection, and a volunteer to assist in kids
classes when scheduled.
If you are interested in these or other volunteer opportunities please contact: Betty
Vail, RSVP Director; 210 Winchester Ave.
#413, Miles City, MT 59301; phone (406)
234-0505; email: rsvp05@midrivers.com.

Fergus & Judith Basin counties

- America Reads: Recruiting volunteers

to read with elementary students.
- Art Center: In need of volunteers on
Saturdays.
- Boys and Girls Club: In need of a volunteer to wash and fold kitchen laundry in
their home; detergent is provided.
- Central Montana Fairgrounds: Seeking
clerical support.
- Community Cupboard (Food Bank):
Volunteers are needed to help any week
mornings as well as with deliveries.
- Council on Aging: Volunteers needed to
assist at the daily Grubstakes meal and with
clerical help during the busy lunch hour.
- Library: Volunteer help always appre-

ciated.
- Office of Veterans Affairs: Seeking
clerical support.
- ROWL (Recycle Our Waste Lewistown): Looking for volunteers to join teams
baling recyclables
- Treasure Depot: Thrift store needs volunteers to sort, hang clothes and put other
items on display for sale.
- RSVP always has various needs for
your skills and volunteer services in our
community.
- Current RSVP volunteers are encouraged to turn in your hours each month; your
contribution to the community is greatly
appreciated!
Contact: RSVP Volunteer Coordinator
Sara Wald, 404 W. Broadway, Wells Fargo
Bank building, (upstairs), Lewistown, MT
59457; phone (406) 535-0077; email: rsvplew@midrivers.com.

Gallatin County

- American Cancer Society-Road to

Recovery: Drivers needed for patients
receiving treatments from their home to the
hospital
- American Red Cross Blood Drive: Two
volunteer opportunities available: an
ambassador needed to welcome, greet,
thank and provide overview for blood
donors; and phone team volunteers needed
to remind, recruit or thank blood donors.
Excellent customer service skills needed,
training will be provided, flexible schedule.
- Befrienders: Befriend a senior; visit on
a regular weekly basis.
- Belgrade Senior Center: Meals on
Wheels needs regular and substitute drivers
MondayFriday, to deliver meals to seniors
before noon.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters: Be a positive
role model for only a few hours each week.
- Bozeman and Belgrade Sacks Thrift
Stores: Need volunteers 2-3 hour shifts on
any day,MondaySaturday 9:30 a.m.6
p.m.
- Bozeman Deaconess Hospital: Volunteers needed for the information desks in
the Atrium and the Perk,8
a.m.-noon,noon- 4 p.m.
- Bozeman Senior Center Foot Clinic:
Retired or nearly retired nurses are urgently
needed, 2 days a month, either 4 or 8 hour
shifts.
- Cancer Support Community: Volunteer
receptionist needed for the last two Tuesdays of the month from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The
position would be shared with another volunteer so there could be flexibility in how
the Tuesdays are divided.
- Galavan: Volunteer drivers neededMonday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CDL

required and Galavan will assist you in

obtaining one. Volunteers also needed to
make reminder calls and confirm rides for
the following day. Volunteers also needed
for morning dispatch.These responsibilities
include receiving phone calls/messages and
getting information from clients and facilitating the transfer of information to staff as
required.
- Gallatin Rest Home: Volunteers wanted
for visiting the residents, sharing your
knowledge of a craft, playing cards or reading to a resident.
- Gallatin Valley Food Bank: Volunteers
needed to deliver commodities to seniors in
their homes once a month. Deliveries in
Belgrade are especially needed.
- HRDC: Receptionist needed to help
during the lunch hour and during some staff
meetings and training. Main duties include
answering a multi-line phone and help with
walk-ins.
- HRDC Housing Department Ready to
Rent: Curriculum for families and individuals who have rental barriers such as lack of
poor rental history, property upkeep, renter
responsibilities, landlord/tenant communication and financial priorities.
- Habitat for Humanity Restore: Belgrade store needs volunteers for general
help, sorting donations and assisting customers.
- Heart of The Valley: Compassionate
volunteers especially needed to love, play
with and cuddle cats.
- Help Center: Computer literate volunteer interested in entering data into a social
services database. Also volunteers needed
to make phone calls to different agencies/
programs to make sure database is up to
date and make safety calls to home bound
seniors.
- Jessie Wilber Gallery at The Emerson:
Volunteers needed on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to greet people at the
main desk, answer questions and keep track
of the number of visitors.
- Museum of the Rockies: Variety of
opportunities available such as helping in
the gift shop and more.
- RSVP Handcrafters: Volunteers to quilt,
knit, crochet and embroider hats for chemo
patients, baby blankets and other handmade
goods once a week (can work from home).
Items are on sale in our store in the RSVP
office at the Senior Center. *Donated yarn
needed for the quilting, knitting and crocheting projects.
- Seniors: You may qualify for $192$600 a years for grocery and food assistance. Call Mary at 333-2537 or 333-2883.
-Three Forks Food Bank:Volunteer
needed on Mondays and/orThursdaysto
help with administrative duties, including
December 2015
19

answer phones and questions, some paper

and computer work. They will train.
- Your unique skills and interests are
needed, without making a long-term commitment, in a variety of ongoing, special,
one-time events.
Contact: Debi Casagranda, RSVP Program Coordinator, 807 N. Tracy, Bozeman,
MT 59715; phone (406) 587-5444; fax
(406) 582 8499; email: dcasagranda@
thehrdc.org.

Musselshell, Golden Valley &

Petroleum counties

- Central Grade School: Needs volunteer

tutors to encourage children with their reading skills in the America Reads program.
Also volunteers needed to assist younger
students with lunch, clear tables and serve
from the salad bar.
- Food Bank: Distribute food commodities to seniors and others in the community;
help unload the truck as needed.
- Nursing Home: Pianoplayers and singers neededon Fridays to entertain residents,
alsoassistant needed in activities for residents to enrich supported lifestyle.
- Senior Bus: Volunteers to pickup folks
who are unable to drive themselves.
- Senior Center: Volunteers are needed to
provide meals, clean up in the dining room
and/or keep records; meal provided.
- Tax aide: Assist low income individuals
and senior citizens with tax filing. No experience necessary, training is provided and
begins soon.
- RSVP offers maximum flexibility and

choice to its volunteers as it matches the

personal interests and skills of older Americans with opportunities to serve their communities. You choose how and where to
serve. Volunteering is an opportunity to
learn new skills, make friends and connect
with your community.
Contact: Shelley Halvorson, South Central MT RSVP, 315 1/2 Main St., Ste. #1,
Roundup, MT 59072; phone (406) 3231403; fax (406) 323-4403; email:
rdprsvp2@midrivers.com ; Facebook:
South Central MT RSVP.

Park County

- Big Brothers Big Sisters: Mentor and

positive role models to a boy or girl needed,
one hour a week.
- Fix-It-Brigade: Needs volunteers of all
ages and skill levels for 2 hour tasks, on
your schedule, to help seniors or veterans
with small home repairs and chores, such as
changing a light bulb, mending a fence,
cleaning up a yard.
- Loaves and Fishes:Volunteers needed
to prepare dinner meal on Wednesday
nights.
- Main Streeter Thrift Store: Someone
who enjoys working with the public, greet
customers, ring up purchases, label and
hang clothes and accept donations. Volunteer 4 hours a week and get 50 percent off
your purchases.
- Meals on Wheels: Always need substitute drivers to deliver meals to seniors in
their home.
- RSVP: Need compassionate compan-

Gift of love, from Page 13

was fitting in and had big smiles. He was always eager to participate and show me his latest creation. The smile on his face when
I saw him was wonderful.
Some of her contribution is intangible.
I comforted kids, she said. Sometimes it is just being there
with them, giving a simple hug, acknowledging a fear or concern,
encouraging them. Then it is redirecting them to another activity
and not dwelling on missing mom.
She takes pride in her age and the unique gifts it enables her to
share.
As an older volunteer, I can be the grandma, she said.

ions to give caregivers a break in their

home on a regular basis playing games,
going out to lunch or just sitting and visiting with someone.
- RSVP: Has many one-time events,
including mailings and fundraising events
that require volunteers. Your unique skills
and interests are needed, without making a
long-term commitment, in a variety of ongoing and special one-time events.
- RSVP Handcrafters: Volunteers to knit
and crochet caps and scarves for each child
at Head Start this winter, also as gifts for
children of prenatal classes, and baby hats
and afghans for the hospital newborns;
Sewers needed to make simple pillowcases
for our soldiers overseas, Thursdays, 1-2
p.m. at the Senior Center.
- Senior Center: Need volunteers, Tuesdays, 1 p.m., to cut unsold clothing into
rags to be sold for proceeds to the center.
- Seniors: You may qualify for $192$600 a years for grocery and food assistance. Call Mary at 333-2537 or 333-2883.
- Stafford Animal Shelter: Kindhearted
volunteers needed to socialize cats and kittens, and to walk the dogs.
- Transportation: Drivers needed to help
patients keep their doctor appointment in
Livingston and Bozeman. Some gas reimbursement may be provided.
- Yellowstone Gateway Museum: has a
need for help with the museum in general
from front desk to organizing items.
Contact: Deb Downs, Program Coordinator, 111 So. 2nd St., Livingston, MT
59047; phone (406) 222-2281; email: debdowns@rsvpmt.org.

getting to know them and help and encourage them.

She sees the camp as a natural fit for her, but said everyone has
something to give that kids need in the camp.
There are many tasks to do, such as being the nurse or assisting the nurse, doing dishes, helping with crafts, helping with food
preparation, helping with fishing or hiking, and maybe leading
games or songs and skits at campfire. It can be for a day or for
the whole week.

Reach Eleanor Guerrero at sports@carboncountynews.com or

(406) 446-2222.

Get involved
Barbara encourages every senior to think about sharing their
time with those in need.
I am 66 years young. I would highly recommend volunteering, she said. How often do we get to go to summer camp at
our age?
Barbara has spent her career working with young people.
I graduated from Boulder High School and the University of
Colorado with a degree in Elementary Education, she said. I
continued my career in the Office of the Registrar at the University of Colorado. I moved to the University of Colorado Law
School as the Law School Registrar and retired from that position. I thoroughly enjoyed my career. I enjoyed the students and
December 2015

20

Great News for Seniors 62 yrs of Age & Older!

COMFORTABLE & AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS
Accepting Applications for Independent Seniors

Call (406) 248-9117 1439 Main Street Billings, MT

Rent Based on Income, HUD 202 PRAC
Live On-Site Community Administrator
Free Laundry On-Site Parking
Mailboxes on Premises
Electric, Gas, Water, Sewer, & Trash
Included in Rent
Community Room Available for Social
Gatherings & Meetings

On the Menu
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wandring
So fair to be seen.

With Jim Durfey

Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you
a happy New Year.

Youve heard that song many times. But how did the term
originate and how did wassailing become a part of the holidays?
Your Best Times recipe contributor did some research on the
subject.
One theory about how the drink wassail became a holiday
staple involves a king and a young woman who served him
spiced wine. When she handed him the glass of wine, she said,
Lavert King, was hail!
The king was struck by her beauty and was instantly infatuated with her. From that day on, it was a common practice for
the first embiber at a banquet to say, was hail as a toast. The
person who drinks next would say, Drink hail! The was hail

evolved into wassail.

Around 1600, it was a popular practice to bring bowls of warm wassail
house to house. Payment was often
expected.
Wassail has become a popular beverage for many modern
families. One financial institution in Livingston serves it to their
customers every holiday season.
Most batches of wassail are made without alcohol. But the
traditional wassail includes hard cider and brandy. Listed below
are two recipes one without alcohol and one with alcohol.
The latter version is made with eggs, so it could be called a nog.

Get into the

Wassail
Tradition
No-alcohol Wassail
8 cups apple cider
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
4 whole cinnamon sticks
12 whole cloves, or 1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in large pan. Bring to simmer over
medium-low heat. Reduce heat and continue to simmer for 45
minutes. Serve hot.

Traditional Wassail
4 small apples
1 c. sugar
1 medium orange
13 whole cloves
2 quarts hard apple cider
1/2 c. brandy
1 tbsp. powdered ginger

1 tsp. grated nutmeg

6 allspice berries
2 cinnamon sticks
6 large eggs, separated
Toast, optional
Preheat oven to 350. Scoop out cores of apples without fully
penetrating apples with a melon baller. Fill each apple with one
tablespoon sugar. Place apples on baking sheet. Stuff orange with
13 cloves and place on baking sheet. Bake apples and orange
40 minutes. While apples and orange bake, pour apple cider and
brandy into heavy-bottomed stock pot. Heat over moderately low
heat. Whisk in powdered ginger and grated nutmeg. Do not bring
wassail to boil. Put allspice and cinnamon in small cheesecloth
square and tie ends together. Float this spice sachet in wassail as it
warms. Beat egg yolks until light in color and set aside. In separate
bowl, whip egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold egg yolks into
whites. Temper eggs by slowly pouring half cup wassail into eggs.
Remove spice sachet from wassail and pour in tempered eggs.
Transfer to punch bowl. Float baked apples and oranges in wassail
and serve by the mug, topping each mug with a small slice of
toast.

December 2015

21

By Bill Sones and Rich Sones, Ph.D.

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

What is the worlds

deadliest creature?

Q. Of the worlds deadly creatures,

which should you fear the most?
A. Contrary to popular belief, sharks
though scary killed only three people
worldwide in 2014. Dogs, on the other
hand, kill more than 60,000 people a year,
with rabid dogs being especial killers in
Asia and Africa, according to the World
Health Organization and others, as
reported in Time magazine. Deer can be
fatal when they run in front of motor
vehicles, which they do at a rate of 100 a
year. Elephants take a human toll of nearly
300 annually; crocodiles, 1,000; snakes,
94,000.
Also making the list are mosquitoes,
whose diseases kill an estimated 755,000
every year. Hoping to stop the spread of
deadly diseases, scientists in Florida plan
to release millions of genetically modified
male mosquitoes engineered to keep their
partners from producing offspring, says
the magazine. But from car accidents to
murder, humans kill more humans each
year than any animal does
approximately 1.6 million.

Q. In our multi-cultural world, finding our way through the maze of proper table manners can at times be
tricky. Now imagine youve time traveled back to the past to attend a dinner
party in ancient Greece, ancient
Rome, Bedouin camps and others. What
rules do you need to know?
A. Since in ancient Greece napkins
havent yet been invented, you should
wipe your greasy hands with a piece of
bread called apomagdalia, reports
Mental Floss magazine. Then throw it on
the floor, along with any other scraps, for
the dogs. In ancient Rome, youll also be
eating with your hands, but custom says
to keep your pinkie and ring finger
clean. And no need to search for a restDecember 2015

22

room since a chamber pot is provided at

the table.
At a Bedouin camp, before and after
eating rub your hands in the sand outside
the tent. And if bread falls to the floor,
call the five-second rule: Pick it up, kiss
it, raise it to your forehead. Had enough
after-dinner coffee? Merely shake the
cup or your host will serve you more.
At a feast at a Viking village, be prepared for an embroidered white tablecloth
laid, and since forks havent yet been
introduced, a sharp knife for eating will
suffice. Be advised too that unless youre
sick or old, passing on the drinking horn is
considered rude.
Finally a few tips on meat-eating in
medieval France: Swear before carving
into it, then toss the bones onto the floor,
watching where you throw them, of
course. And for a final bit of advice from
Erasmus of Rotterdam: If it is possible
to withdraw, [farting] should be done
alone. But if not... let a cough hide the
sound.

Q. From a New Scientist magazine

reader: Are there flock-hunting birds of
prey comparable to land mammals like
wolves and lions hunting in packs?
A. Actually, yes. Harriss hawks
typically hunt in family groups of five or
six, ambushing prey by chasing it into a
group of waiting birds, answers magazine
reader David Ridpath of Gloucestershire,
UK. Being gregarious, the hawks are used
in falconry, breeding relatively easily in
captivity and learning to attack a variety of
game.
Now another perspective: On her farm
in Western Australia, Anna Butcher
witnessed wedge-tailed eagles working in
pairs to stalk wild ducklings, and
especially at lambing time, she observed
crows standing apart from a ewe and

young lamb and quickly attacking if the

two became separated. Also, dozens of
crows chased small mobs of ewes and
young lambs in open paddocks, trying to
separate them and attacking any lambs that
lag behind. As Butcher wonders, Is this
why a group is called a murder of
crows?

Q. Forget Einsteins relativity, special or general. What did this cosmological guru have to say that would
likely knock you for a loop? Do you
have TIME for this one?
A. Lovely lyricisms surround the mystical notion of time, such as Henry David
Thoreaus Time is but the stream I go
a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I
drink I see the sandy bottom and detect
how shallow it is. Its thin current slides
away, but eternity remains. But perhaps
nothing is stranger than the words of
Albert Einstein, who maintained that
time is just another dimension of the
universe and that its passage is an illusion, suggesting that past, present and
future coexist simultaneously, says editor-in-chief Stephen George of Discover
magazine. In essence, then, there is no
difference between the past and the future
as both are set in stone. Dont even ask
what this notion does to birthdays, anniversaries, deadlines?
As George quips, If time is an illusion I
suppose that would mean that Einstein
really didnt come up with this idea 110
years ago hes coming up with it at the
same time Im writing about it, and at the
same time that George Ellis, a conscientious cosmologist, is disputing that selfsame view of the universe. Specifically,
Ellis holds that it is dangerous to suppose
that the future is set in stone because it
robs us of our free will and moral accountability.

Q. It aint just for fancy folks in top hats, writes Foster

Kamer in Mental Floss magazine. But it costs $50-$70 for 50
grams, or about $500-$700 per pound. What is it?
A. Caviar, or unfertilized salt-cured fish eggs from different
species of sturgeon. This hoity-toity stuff wasnt always quite
the delicacy it is today, Foster says. Actually, caviar was an
everyday snack and an American export in the early 20th century,
with the Hudson and Delaware Rivers two of the worlds biggest

DARNIELLE

1320 28th Street West

Billings, MT 59101
call us: (406) 652-4180
visit us online: darnielle.com

INSURANCE AGENCY

Managing Your
Insurance Moves
Article Series

Transportation Network Companies-TNCs

Triggering Property Insurance CoverageMaybe!
Insuring the Boss
The Bakken and Workers Compensation Coverage
By guest blogger Dennis P. Gambill, Insurance Litigation Consultant.

Read More at darnielle.com

caviar-producers. As Josh Russ Tupper of New Yorks iconic

Russ & Daughters appetizing shop explains, Salted caviar was
so prevalent, it was sitting on bars like peanuts. (Like peanuts,
the salt helped encourage drinkers to keep drinking.) Since most
caviar is harvested by killing the fish, overfishing in the U.S.
severely curtailed domestic supplies and made imported caviar
more expensive.
How expensive? According to the Food Republic website, the
most expensive caviar on record is from a 100-year-old fish
Almas caviar, from the eggs of 60 to 100-year-old Iranian beluga
sturgeon, clocking in at roughly $35,000 per kilo ($1,000/
ounce).

Q. While life without physical pain may sound ideal, in fact

it can be an even bigger pain. How so?
A. Consider the people whose sense of touch is disturbed so
badly that they feel no physical pain, a condition caused by a
mutation of the gene SCN9A, says David Linden in his book
Touch: The Science of Hand, Heart and Mind, as reviewed by
Katie Burke in American Scientist magazine. Often they dont
live beyond their teen years, as cuts and scrapes go unnoticed and
lead to serious infection.
Even fatal injuries cannot be felt: In one tragic case, a fearless child trying to impress some friends jumped off a building,
got up and walked away. He died later that day from internal
bleeding he could not feel.
A very different disorder of this genetic mutation can result in
pain-sensing neurons like machine guns with a hair-trigger...
Even mild stimuli can initiate bouts of agonizing pain. These
sufferers, though, can live long, full lives, unlike their pain-free
brethren.

Crossword
Across
1 Musical group founded by
a Civil War vet
11 Some email attachments
15 Symbol for the NFL's
Bears
16 1970 Kinks hit
17 School uniform part dating to the 1800s
18 Presently
19 Strip lighting
20 Partly roasted treat
21 Consequences of too
many blows
22 Wing it
24 Larger-than-life types
26 Big name in investment
banking
30 King of pop
31 IRA components
34 Complex pipes
36 Pitch
37 Civil Rights Memorial
architect
38 Tahrir Square city
39 1979 Pa. newsmaker
40 Altar on high
41 "Happening Now" airer
43 Lotion letters
44 Italian road

46 Peabody Essex Museum

city
48 Course outlines
50 Seat of Greene County,
Ohio
54 Long haul
55 Do away with
59 Low spots
60 Taunt
61 Like emus
63 Positive assertion
64 Ownership issue
65 Red Rose
66 Home safety
feature
Down
1 Lake __ Vista
2 Didn't sit
around
3 String holder
4 __ elbow
5 Tolkien monster
6 Base figs.
7 Where to get a
date
8 Vigeland
Museum city
9 Bit of wisdom

10 Predator known for its

piercing call
11 Certain metalworker
12 Five-time 1960s Emmywinning actor
13 Outdoor security item
14 Literally, "without lines"
23 Crotchety remark
25 Atmosphere makeup
27 Florida surfing mecca
28 Fake
29 Potato __

31 Museum visit, perhaps

32 Traditional Cajun dish
33 Warned, in a way
35 Neighborhood
41 Rx overseer
42 "I can remember when
the air was clean and __ was
dirty": George Burns
45 Ethylene, for one
47 Legendary speller?
49 Cry of domination
51 Dark times abroad
52 Novelist Calvino
53 Longtime Moore costar
56 Completely lost
57 Fantasy player's concern
58 Stumbles, say
62 Bolted down

December 2015

23

would you like to

H e a r fo r t H e

H o l i days ?

Sleigh bells ring...

can you hear them?

How well will you hear the sweet holiday

sounds at this years choir concert? When
your family and friends gather for a festive
dinner, will you be able to follow the lively
dinner-table conversation?

Dont miss a minute of joy

this holiday season!

We understand how challenging hearing

problems can be for people. Every day we
see people leaning forward, heads cocked
and even cupping their ears - struggling
to hear. As hearing care professionals, we
help people find solutions for better hearing so they dont miss out on the joy of the
holiday season. (Or the rest of the year!)
The best way to reassure yourself that
you are not missing special moments this
season is to get a comprehensive hearing
exam and consultation at Miracle-Ear.

Ask About Our Special Financing Offers

buy one,
get one

50
on ME-1
%
off

Billings
Bozeman Miles
City Glendive
1 (800) 340-3720

or ME-2
Solutions

Buy One Fully Digital

Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid
and get the second one
50% off!
Good only from participating Miracle-Ear
locations. One coupon per purchase. No
other offers or discounts apply. Discount
does not apply to prior sales. Offer valid on
ME-1 or ME-2 Solutions. Cannot combine
with any other offers. Cash value 1/20 cent.
Offer expires 12/31/2015.

National Board Certified in Hearing Instruments Science

30 years Experience in the Hearing Aid Industry.

*ME200 not included **Hearing aids do not restore natural hearing. Individual experiences vary depending on severity of hearing
loss, accuracy of evaluation, proper fit, and ability to adapt to amplification. Our hearing test and video otoscopic inspection are always
free. Hearing test is an audiometric test to determine proper amplification needs only. These are not medical exams or diagnoses nor
are they intended to replace a physicians care. If you suspect a medical problem, please seek treatment from your doctor.

Celebrate the Joy of Better Hearing this Holiday Season!