Here’s another fun photo I want to share from Chinook’s Parade of Lights last Friday. This old time sheepwagon on a flatbed trailer was outlined with lights – pretty amazing! And, a great tribute to Chinook’s agricultural and ranching heritage. Chinook’s Parade of Lights takes place every year the Friday after Thanksgiving. It’s a wonderful time to experience the charm of our rural communities.
The day after Thanksgiving sees a lot of communities kick off their Christmas festivities. Chinook, located on US Hwy 2 in north central Montana, began the celebration last Friday with their annual Parade of Lights. It’s more than a parade though. Vendors were set up in several locations along Main Street (technically Indiana Street in Chinook). The parade started at 6pm when it was dark enough to see the lights glowing. Weather prompted many revelers to search … Read more
The weather in Great Falls Monday seemed to say – time to think winter and holidays! Temps haven’t been reaching our typical fall-seasonal highs and the weatherman decided to send us some snow. The weather must have put the Downtown Great Falls Association and the Downtown Business Improvement District in a decorating mood. Jonas Sprinklers and Fertilizer was hired to put up lighted decorations on Central Avenue and First Avenue North in downtown Great Falls. I … Read more
Sometimes you find something so photogenic – like my ice cream soda at Olson’s Drug Store in Conrad – that you just can’t resist sharing the photos! The gal behind the counter creating my ice cream soda masterpiece knew exactly what to do. She said she had worked at Olson’s Drug Store for about twelve years. Over the past twelve years she has seen several “favorites” come and go. Many years ago, a lot longer … Read more
When I was at Olson’s Drug Store in Conrad, MT the other day (checking out their soda fountain) I decided I had to order an ice cream soda so I could see how they are made. Obviously, I also had to consume it – that was the taste test! I found out you start with hand-dipped hard ice cream. First though, several squirts of chocolate sauce go in the glass. When the glass was about half … Read more
When I was in Conrad the other day I took some time before I left to stop in to Olson’s Drug Store. My goal – see the oldest, continually operating soda fountain in the state of Montana. Olson’s is easy to find in Conrad. When you get to the stoplight (the one and only stoplight) on Main Street in the middle of town, look south. It’s right next door to Conrad’s beautifully restored Orpheum Theater. As … Read more
I attended a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce in Conrad this week held at Coaches Corner, a local restaurant that sits just off the town’s main street. You have to look for Coaches Corner but once you find it you realize it is just about a half block from the main street – one of those gems the locals know about. For the meeting we had a set menu of burgers and fries and I was … Read more
Great Falls’ Lewis & Clark Foundation sponsors an annual event called The Trail Mixer and I was fortunate to attend it this year. The event was held at the Mansfield Events Convention Center and included dinner, many silent auction items, artists painting and then their artwork was auctioned in a live auction. Quite a few other unique auction packages were also sold by live auction. This photo shows the “Instant Wine Cellar” auction package. Other items … Read more
Big game rifle hunting season is in full swing in north central Montana. Russell Country’s geography is varied and you’ll find mule and white tail deer, antelope, elk and more. Antelope (pronghorn) hunting closes November 13. I quickly stopped my car the other day to catch a fleeting photo of this antelope. Gosh, these guys are fast! Although, this is the best photo I’ve taken of an antelope. Hunting is big business in Montana. Our state … Read more
A stroll through downtown Great Falls reminded me just how “artsy” this community is! On my daily route to the post office I pass by the Urban Art Project located at one of the city’s parking ramps. The red banners promoting the Urban Art Project can be seen several blocks away. Displays by different artists are in the window cases of the parking garage. The styles vary dramatically and it’s always fun to see what … Read more