Community

One of the nicest gestures El Western owner John Hauck ever experienced was given by a guest who likely had no idea he was being kind. John was watching as the guest paused as he crossed the lawn. The man grabbed his phone, bent over, and snapped a photo of the impeccably tended blades of grass.

Peter Schmeiding will be the first to tell you: he’s not one to talk about himself. But for the Ennis, Big Sky and Bozeman dentist, there’s a lot more than just a successful dental practice to discuss.

When Bill and Kate Lev purchased of land across from Laurin, Mont., to build their home, they were aware of the local history of gold mining and the Vigilantes but were unaware of the lesson in local history they would learn.

On August 25, amidst the fields of Woodson Ranch and with the mountains of the Ruby Valley as his backdrop, Ruby Habitat Foundation Executive Director Les Gilman addressed a small crowd of listeners with varied backgrounds but at least one thing in common: their respect and admiration for the Ruby Valley.

Can you hear the buzz? The familiar buzz of chainsaws at work is often evident just south of Sheridan as the Firewood Bank of Ruby Valley volunteers prepare to keep hearths in need in fuel.

If you see Tundra pickup cruise slowly along Ennis Lake, then pull to a stop before a long-lensed spotting scope emerges from the driver’s window, like a periscope, you may have encountered bird expert Gary Swant or his partner and grandson, Caleb Lashway, counting migrating birds as they take a break, or “stage,” on their journey south.

Growing up watching her mother Sheila make cowboy hats, Ericka Kirkpatrick certainly learned a lot about the unique trade. She’d help with all the aspects of the trade, but she was sure it wasn’t something she’d take on as her own career.

“It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living. I doubt it matters where you die, but it matters where you live.” - Augustus McCrae played by Robert Duvall in “Lonesome Dove”