Montana Moment

Back in 1985, the Missoula Mendelssohn Club was performing at a choral festival in France. The event spurred choral conductor and music professor, the late Don Carey, to start an invitational festival in Missoula. In 1987, with the help of Missoula's music community he did just that. Now, 38-years later, the Montana International Choral Festival is one of Montana's most treasured summertime happen...

For their well being and happiness, animals, just like humans, want to feel safe and secure. They like good food, a comfortable place to rest, a chance to have some fun-to kick up their hooves or paws, to bask in the love of their humans. The animals at Fallons Farm near Arlee love the attention that Wendy and Mike Ramos pour on them. The couple welcomed NBC Montana to their horse pasture one cool...

From our skies, to the mountains, and open fields, Montana's wildlife ensure a vibrant and healthy environment. As predators and prey, reptiles play an essential role in the balance. Montana Reptile Rescue's director and chief executive officer,Jeremy Allestadprotects and rehabilitates both native and non-native reptile species. Jeremy started the non-profit in Great Falls eight years ago. But his...

For 105 years, the Natural Pier Bridge in Alberton has been serving the travel needs of its community. The beloved landmark is a source of pride for its durability and unique design. It merged human skill and ingenuity with its natural environment. Montana Highway Department engineers completed the bridge as part of the old Yellowstone Trail in 1918. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...

Last winter, NBC Montana brought you a story of the Ninemile Remount Depot's mules and horses that clear trails in our wilderness areas, From November to May, the animals rest up at the ranch on the Lolo National Forest near Huson. Now, those hardworking Forest Service crews are heading back to work. When we met the mules and horses, they were enjoying their hay and getting some deserved R and R a...

Off the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway between Wise River and Polaris is an abandoned mining settlement. NBC Montana spent timein this ghost town, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, and an important touchstone of Montana history. Coolidge was the unfulfilled dream of a former Montana Lieutenant Governor. It's found high in the mountains and stands testament to a way of life long...

A thousand years ago, a new life began near present day Seeley Lake. The only witnesses to his youth would have been the Indigenous People. He was already 200-years-old when the Magna Carta was signed, and more than 800 when the Civil War started. But today, this Western Larch tree, affectionately known as Gus, continues to thrive. In the Seeley Lake District of the Lolo National Forest, a pathway...

American Legion Post 91's 105th annual Corvallis Memorial Day Parade attracted huge crowds Monday. One of those honored was a WWII veteran, who turns 101 in June. The number of WWII veterans is dwindling every day. But WWII United States Army veteran Les Rutledge is in terrific shape. Les served with the 222nd Infantry, 42nd Rainbow Division in Europe. He told NBC Montana about some of the final d...

Montana consistently ranks as having one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. Factors like social isolation and the lack of behavioral health services are of particular concern in Montana's rural communities. One of Montana's most creative artists is doing what he can to help extend a lifeline. NBC Montana met up with Jim Dolan at his studio near Belgrade. He was working on one of his lates...

Montana is certainly known for its massive size and wide open spaces. But it's famous for its small amenities too. In this week's Montana Moment we take you to Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls. There, you will find what The Guinness Book of World Records has called the shortest river in the world. The Roe River measures an average 201 feet in length. It flows parallel to the mighty Missouri...

Missoula's rich soil, climate, and history of agricultural trade, gave Missoula its special title-The Garden City. As we move into planting season, spring is introducing it earliest blooms to Missoula. NBC Montana was there when Rocky Mountain Gardens celebrated its first annual spring opening. Located at the Missoula County Fairgrounds, the public botanical gardens are new to Missoula. The openin...

It's time for Montana sheep producers to have their animals sheared of their winter wool. Shearing keeps the sheep cool in hot weather, and allows new born lambs to nurse more easily. Shearing is a physically demanding job that requires experience and dexterity. Leroy Sikorski is known among his clients as an expert shearer, and for his gentle treatment of the animals in his care. NBC Montana met...

Next weekend, The Society of American Foresters will bring collegiate and professional logger competitors to Missoula for the 28th annual Forestry Day. College timber sports athletes will compete on April 25th and 26th. Pro-athletes will join them on Saturday, April 26th. It's where you will see how the old-time lumberjacks got the job done. Behind the logger sports show is Montana Historic Equipm...

From the late 1800's, through the early part of the last century, people on the west side of the Bitterroot Valley lived in fear of a deadly, mysterious illness they called "black measles." We now know it as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. That discovery was the beginning of Rocky Mountain Laboratories, whose research is now global in scope. With tick season now here, NBC Montana visited the lab to...

When the school year ends in a few weeks, many Montana youngsters will enter the part-time job market. NBC Montana met a couple siblings in Missoula who are getting a head start. With their parents help, 11-year-old London Keene, and his eight-year-old sister Bryn, have started their own business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They are the smallest animals. But they are essential to the health of our planet. We find them under the soil, hidden in plant life, and in the air. They are graceful splashes of color that delight us with their presence, They are the animals you will find at the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium. The non-profit educational facility was launched by the married couple Glenn and Jen Marangel...

For their well being and happiness, animals, just like humans, want to feel safe and secure. They like good food, a comfortable place to rest, a chance to have some fun-to kick up their hooves or paws, to bask in the love of their humans. The animals at Fallons Farm near Arlee love the attention that Wendy and Mike Ramos pour on them. The couple welcomed NBC Montana to their horse pasture one cool...

When fire destroyed the M&M Bar and Cafe in Butte four years ago, the community was thrilled when its owner decided to rebuild. Today, the iconic establishment is going strong. Its original neon sign is being lit once again to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The M&M Bar and Grill sign rose from the ashes as one of Butte's most enduring symbols. NBC Montana met M&M owner Selina Pankovich at her busine...

Almost four years ago, NBC Montana brought you a Montana Moment on a startup egg production business in Corvallis. Buck 'N Dave's Eggs was formed by a couple rodeo cowboys who decided, in their own words, to wrangle chickens instead of cattle. With egg prices and Bird Flu topping news stories we wanted to do an update on the company. We visited Buck Lunak and Dave Whitmoyer, Buck and Dave, as they...

It's been a blustery winter with lots of snow and icy roads. Plow operators work to keep roads clear, so people can get to work, and school kids are safe on their bus routes. It takes constant vigilance to keep the trucks running. NBC Montana wanted to learn more. On a recent morning, we arrived at the maintenance shop at the Missoula County Public Works Department. Learn more about your ad choice...

Twenty-six-years ago, a young mother wanted to become more self-sufficient in ways to feed her family. Bonnie Jones was dedicated to a healthy diet. Her husband, Randy Jones, was a marvel at engineering. What happened was a grassroots invention that spurred a family business with international ties. NBC Montana met the Jones' at their 1889 Wild West Company near Stevensville. Learn more about your...

The high cost of living has left many Montanans struggling to make ends meet. Housing, fuel, groceries, and other essentials necessary for a good quality of life are depleting the billfolds of scores of people. Some find relief in curbing food insecurity through local food banks. The Darby Bread Box has provided area residents with basic groceries free of charge for years. It relies on donations....

In small towns, helping your neighbor is an essential act in protecting and maintaining a healthy community. Big and small tasks can leave positive outcomes for years to come. When former Victor Volunteer Rural Fire Chief, EMT, bank loan officer, farmer, rancher, and conservationist, Scott Hackett died just after Christmas, his funeral service at the new Victor Fire Hall he helped build was packed...

 In our schools a custodian, or janitor, cares for a building. But they also ensure that its teachers, staff, and especially its children, are safe and secure. Sarah Krause is a day custodian at K. William Harvey Elementary School in Ronan. NBC Montana recently spent the day with Sarah as she went about her work. We were there when she began her rounds in the morning. Learn more about your ad choi...

From tornadoes in the Midwest, to hurricanes in the south, and devastating wildfires in California, scores of people have lost everything they own this past year. War refugees around the world are suffering. In our local community's, families face hard times for many reasons. It can be overwhelming. But members of Grace Lutheran Quilter's Group in Hamilton say it doesn't have to be. For more than...