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Unlikely Places
Faith and spirit guide Kent Curtiss Band’s exuberant renditions
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| By Brian D’Ambrosio, Editor |
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For Kent Curtiss, the quest for God begins in his own heart. He remembers Him in his prayers, and he makes sincere attempts to heal, protect, and nourish divine correspondence.
It is such strong faith that makes Kent Curtiss Band’s music stand out in the vast milieu of devotional music that has saturated, perhaps even overwhelmed, the country for more than a decade.
Indeed, the Corvallis-based group’s debut CD titled Unlikely Places is a far-ranging body of work, incorporating pop melodies, jagged guitars, folkish sing-alongs, and even an incarnated soul and gospel feel. It’s deceptively accessible, but repeated listens reveal more and more layers and moving parts.
“We’re bringing a lot of positive messages to the table,” says Kent Curtiss, who wrote or co-wrote all of the CD’s twelve tracks.
Crisp and dapper in its sound, Unlikely Places explores ways of living a meaningful religious life in the face of increased self-deprecating uncertainty and ecological crisis, while providing Pollyannish optimism for the future, as well as hope for a deeper understanding of the connections between humanity, religion, ecology, and culture.
“The theme of this record is one of hope,” says Curtiss. “When hope dies, there’s nothing more crushing than that. The loss of hope can destroy you. We’re playing something that’s full of hope and wonder.”
The band’s music, which Curtiss describes as having rock, pop and urban influences, is a way to get that positive, hope-laden message across “in a way that speaks to someone,” says Curtiss.
While Curtiss recognizes the possibilities for evangelization through contemporary music, he’s not prepared to package the band’s music in a way that’s heavy-handed or aggressive, opting for a much more subtle product that doesn’t “beat people over the head with the Bible,” says Curtiss.
Indeed, Curtiss understands that the church has always been a patron of the arts, and he knows that one way in which he can satisfy his spiritual self-longing is to continue to contribute music that promotes Christian values.
Nonetheless, one doesn’t need to bear hug Christian principles or spuriously embrace Christianity, to enjoy the heartfelt efforts and spiritual and social commentaries of a talented group of musicians, including Tom Nash on guitar, Cyndy Hull on keyboard, and Janet Curtiss, who adds vocal flair to the CD.
“We’re a band of Christians, not a Christian band,” says Kent Curtiss. “Our music reaches across generational, spiritual and musical borders.”
Curtiss’s principal occupation is as a homebuilder, and he views his music as something that, at least for right now, is primarily being played and performed as a leisure pursuit.
“This is definitely an avocation,” says Curtiss. “We are going to enjoy it and see what happens, and see where it goes. This is something done out of love for the music, and love for the meaning behind it. We are building a fan base and having a lot of fun.”
Curtiss began playing music as a hobby more than a dozen years ago. It’s been ten years since he began writing his own songs, expressing himself through ideas rooted in his own self-actuality.
In his music, Curtiss conveys positivism; there’s too much light in his world to get lost in the negativity of darkness. Consequently, it’s hard to walk away from Unlikely Places without the feeling that you can always get what you want and that events will turn out for the best.
Using spiritual thrall and repetitive hooks to reel in the listener, this album is so engagingly catchy that to get it out of your head you’ll need a lobotomy. It will take a few listens to fully digest the jaunty tempos, but patient followers will soon discover the CD’s intangible riches. The beauty here is that The Kent Curtiss Band has managed to compose and perform music that people will more than likely remember even after the disc has been placed back in the jewel case.
“We would really like to gain a reputation as a band that’s good at playing and performing live,” says Curtiss. “Hopefully, our music puts people at ease and draws them in. We’d like to build a base as a band that has a lot of fun and plays good…our integrity is all we’ve got.”
The most obvious thing about the band’s music is the way in which they blend together a danceable groove with a tight melodic pop attack. Add on top of that some catchy songwriting and the mix becomes absolutely intoxicating, providing confirmation that cool music and spiritual impact don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Being that upbeat music usually doesn’t have too much to say spiritually and that bands who really want to communicate their faith strongly often make redundantly bland music, Unlikely Places is unique in its strong, direct and spiritually awash approach.
But really, that’s not as important as the glow, the luminescence, in the sound of the songs themselves. From the beginning of the CD, the work is brightened by a spiritual dimension, nothing explicit, perhaps, but always implied.
Ultimately it feels as though Curtiss is comfortable with what he really believes and has long since come to terms with the experiences of his upbringing. He sees music as a journey rather than a destination, and at this point in the band’s development, he has a very simple goal: to continue making records.
There are so many bands that form, record one album and then disappear that he doesn’t want to join their ranks.
“We would really like to stand the test of time,” explains Curtiss. “We don’t want to be just a throwaway band making throwaway music.”
For more information, visit www.kentcurtiss.com.
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Climbing Denali
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| By Jim Wilson |
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In 1997 Jim Wilson and his climbing partner Jim Blow headed up to Alaska to try and climb a never before climbed route on Mount McKinley’s east side.
Their adventures were to be later featured by NBC’s Dateline show and then broadcast on the Discovery Channel.
For both men it was a life changing experience that would transform their lives forever. This final expedition was the culmination of two other expeditions with the same objective in mind.
It has been over ten years since the small bush plane dropped the two climbers on a remote airstrip in the Alaskan wilderness.
Their story is now told for the first time in print in the next few issues of the Clark Fork Journal.
FINDING THE QUEST:
At his usual time the UPS man arrived at the backdoor of my store in Butte. With a loud bang on the door he made his presence known and I quickly ran to let him in. The cold air quickly rushed into the building as Kevin our UPS deliveryman dropped off his parcels. It was November of 1991 and I would swear it felt like 50 below zero with the wind chill blowing down from the Pintlar’s and slamming up against the backside of my building. Christmas merchandise was rolling into the store and with each delivery you could see the weariness in the UPS man’s eyes.
Today, I was anxious to receive a new book I had been longing to see. Its title was High Alaska by Jonathan Waterman and was not only a climbing guide to Alaska’s highest mountains, but also a historical guide to Denali, Mt Foraker and Mt. Hunter.
It had always been a dream of mine to climb Denali, North America’s highest mountain at 20,300 feet. In no time I was leafing through the pages to find out all the possibilities that lay in store for me. I had just been given permission to do an expedition from my wife. We had been trying to have a baby and just found out that we were pregnant and expecting a boy. It was decided that if I was to do an expedition to Alaska I had better get it done before our son was born. Any fool of a man will tell you that such permission is hard to come by so you had better take advantage of it. I immediately ordered the book and now had it in my hands.
As I paged through the four hundred pages of pictures and text my eyes kept going back to a picture on page 67. With dotted lines Waterman had pointed out a possible route that had never been climbed up a 5000-foot face. This impressive buttress rose up from the East Fork of the Traleika Glacier and ended on Karsten’s Ridge.
I was still young enough not to know my limitations so I quickly decided to climb this unclimbed face. Up to this point in my climbing career I had become an accomplished rock climber, ice climber and general mountaineer, but I had never put all the skills together in one setting to climb such an impressive mountain. In the back of my mind I was thinking that this might be my last opportunity to define who I was as a climber for myself more than anyone else. As I closed up the book I reached for the phone and began the process of calling all of my climbing buddies.
When I first started calling all my friends their response was, “You can count me in”. Everyone was gung-ho for the trip, but as time went on reality checks were made with wives, girlfriends and employers. Miraculously after all was said and done we had six members signed up and ready to go.
All of us were from Missoula with the exception of Al Bach. Al was a doctor from Seattle who had called the store on another matter and through our conversation learned about the trip and asked to go along. It was hard to say no to a doctor especially when he could come in handy if things got rough. Our expedition of six was now on wheels and we began the months of preparation to climb the highest peak in North America.
I quickly deemed myself the expedition leader. I had an ego the size of a dump truck and figured that there wasn’t much that was going to stop us from climbing that new route. My buddy Dan Fox was in contrast to myself with an ego that was microscopic to his ability as a climber. I was the optimist and Dan the pessimist. I pushed Dan to his limits and he kept me from killing myself with foolhardy aspirations.
My other buddy Scott Payne was an ox. Scott was shorter than I by a few inches, but twice as strong and stocky. Brendon Beattie was the least experienced of all the climbers, but rose six feet five and weighed over 200 lbs. Brendon was as gentle as a lamb, but also the guy you would want to have by your side in a bar fight. Homer Lambert was the quiet one of the bunch and had legs built like pistons. He would walk all day long and never whine about the heavy loads. Al Bach was also very quiet and the intellectual of the group. He would always have something profound to say on the rare occasion he would talk. Our group of six was finally in the air and headed for Alaska.
I convinced my cousin Jim Klasen from Anchorage to rent a van and drive us from Anchorage to Talkeetna. Jim was always very gracious to me, but it was always under the watchful eye of his wife. She had taken a dislike for me from the time I was late for the their wedding as Jim’s best man. I had been climbing that morning and under estimated the time it would take to get back home and get changed for the wedding.
A man tends to be more understanding about circumstances like this, but Jim’s fiancé was very put off, especially after I told a bad joke about my cousin Jim. She thought I was a barbarian. For myself I thought the wedding went off with out a snag and that my tardiness only added to the anticipation of the nuptials.
Within minutes Jim had us loaded and driving down the highway bypassing any roads that might cross the path of his wife. It wasn’t many hours later we crested the hill above Talkeetna and got our first glimpse of Mount McKinley in the distance. McKinley’s massive walls rise 20,000 feet from the coastline making it the largest mountain in the world. All six of us stood in awe of the sight before us, wondering for the first time if we had really thought this think out. For the first time in months my ego began to shrink to a more manageable size. My ego would still not fit into a two-car garage, but it was much smaller than the dump truck size it was when I left home. Our next stop was the K-2 Aviation bunkhouse for a good night’s sleep.
In the morning we were awoken by Jim Okonek the owner of K-2 Aviation. Jim gave us all the information we needed to prepare for the flight to the mountain. Our flight was to ferry us in two Cessna 182 planes to a small airstrip on the north side of the mountain. From there we would be able to ski across the McKinley river, over Turtle Hill, up McGonagall Pass, over the Muldrow Glacier and then up the Traleika Glacier and then right on the West Fork of the Traleika Glacier. It sounded pretty straightforward in airmen terms and on paper just a breeze, but our education was about to begin.
The flight from Talkeetna was spectacular. The mountains grew larger as we approached the Alaska Range. Soon we were flying through the gorge leading to the Ruth Glacier. The mountain Dan Beard rose up to our left and on our right was Silverthorne.
We then passed the notch that separated the Ruth Glacier from the Traleika and as we crossed over that knife edged ridge the climate made an abrupt change. The Traleika was in the rain shadow of the mountain and the Ruth Glacier caught all the weather.
The pilot offered to fly us over our proposed route and then banked the plane to the left climbing 5000 feet higher. Below us we could see the massive cliffs of the route and farther east the impressive East Face of Denali. There was so much to take in it was impossible to distinguish a route up the face.
Fuel was a major concern for the pilot so without further fan fair we headed over to the Muldrow Glacier and north to our destination, the airstrip at Kantishna. As we flew over the Muldrow Glacier the clouds began to blow in and soon our dream of landing at Kantishna was gone.
The pilot could not land and arched the plane back towards the direction of Talkeetna. As we passed over the Ruth Glacier the pilot suggested that he drop us off on the Ruth. The distance was about the same to our destination and he figured it wasn’t out of the question to continue the trip from there.
Dan was pessimistic about the change in plans, but the rest of us agreed that it would be good just to get on the glacier and get started instead of waiting for the clouds to clear, which could take days. In minutes we found ourselves sitting in the snow of the Ruth Glacier surrounded by gear and the noise of the plane drifting silently away.
To be continued next issue……….
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The Ram’s Horn Medicine Tree
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| By Wm. W. Whitfield |
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Perhaps too many people today are unaware of the fact that the Bitter Root Valley is considered to be the traditional homeland of the Salish tribe, and that these people continue to visit the Valley annually to dig bitter roots and place offerings at the Medicine Tree.
The Ram’s Horn Medicine Tree is located on the East Fork of the Bitter root river and was once a popular roadside attraction, complete with a Montana State Highway Interpretive sign. The jagged stump now stands, seemingly forgotten after a windstorm in 2001 took its deadly toll on the historic landmark. Local residents had noticed in the early 1970s that the treetop was turning brown, and a Forest Service study in 1999 confirmed that fact that the tree was ending its natural lifecycle.
Today, no signage remains to connect the fading icon to our fast-paced modern world, but a few old-timers continue to use the site as their own global-positioning location here in the valley.
The three hundred-year-old tree was first documented by Alexander Ross in 1824 as his large band of Hudson’s Bay trappers worked their way up the Bitter Root Valley on an expedition to the Snake River country. According to Ross the party was made up of “two Americans, seventeen Canadians, five half-breeds from the east side of the mountains, twelve Iroquois, two Abanakee Indians from lower Canada, two natives from Lake Nepissing, one Saultman from Lake Huron, two Crees from Athabasca, one Chinook, two Spokanes, two Kouttanois, three Flatheads, two Callispellums, one Palooche and one Snake slave! Five of the Canadians were above sixty years of age, and two were on the wrong side of seventy.”
Ross also mentions that along with his company of 55 men, there were twenty-five Indian wives with sixty-four children, and a herd of 392 horses. Alexander Ross began his career in the northwest as a member of the Astorians, and was one of the few men who opted to stay on when American entrepreneur John Jacob Astor sold his trading post to the British in 1813.
Eleven years later, Ross referred to the Medicine Tree in his journal and gave us a detailed first account of the significance the tree had with the local tribe. “..about five feet from the ground is growing up with the tree, a ram’s head with the horns still attached to it! And so fixed and imbedded is it in the tree that it must have grown up with it. One of the horns and more than half of the head is buried in the tree; but most of the other horn, and part of the head, protrudes out at least a foot.
We examined both. The tree was scarcely two feet in diameter. Here we put up at an early hour and called the place Ram’s Horn in compliment. Our Flathead Indians related to us a rather strange story about the ram’s head. Indian legend relates that as the first Flathead Indians passed this way, one of them attacked a mountain ram as large and stout as a common horse. That on wounding him, the fierce animal turned round upon his pursuer, who taking shelter behind the tree, the ram came against it with all his force, so that he drove his head through it. Before he could get it extracted again, the Indian killed him and took off the body but left the head, as a memento of the adventure.”
Ross goes on to say that all Indians revered the celebrated tree, and that hunters in passing often sacrificed something as a tribute to the ram’s head. One of his Iroquois trappers, so as not to incur the displeasure of the God of hunters, hung a bit of tobacco to the horn, to insure that his hunting was even more propitious. Nine years later another trapping expedition entered the valley, led by Warren Angus Ferris. Ferris joined the American Fur Company at age 19 and kept a detailed journal from 1830-1835, later published as “Life in the Rocky Mountains.” His account varies little from that of Ross, though he does give a more detailed description of the actual location of the tree itself.
“On the eastside of the Bitter Root River there is a singular curiosity that I had not before observed, because it is situated under some rocky bluffs, almost impassable to horsemen; the proper road being on the Westside of the river.” This is perhaps a clue as to why the famous landmark went completely unnoticed by Lewis and Clark, who passed through in 1805.
Ferris continues with his description, “The tree is unusually large and flourishing, and the horn in it some seven feet above the ground. It appears to be very ancient, and is gradually decomposing on the outside, which has assumed a reddish cast. The date of its existence has been lost in the lapse of ages, and even tradition is silent as to the origin of its remarkable situation.
The oldest of Indians can give no other account of it, then that it was there precisely as at present, before their father’s great grandfathers were born. They seldom pass it without leaving some trifling offering, as beads, shells, or other ornaments.”
The Medicine Tree also plays an important role in the Salish creation myth. In this story Coyote, who possesses great medicine, travels the land slaying monsters in preparation for the coming of man. Coyote learns of a giant wicked sheep in the Bitter Root Valley who kills all that try to pass trough his domain. Coyote goes to the place by the river and asks the Ram to demonstrate his power.
Pointing to a small tree he asks the sheep to knock it over, and of course the horrible, boastful creature could not resist the chance to demonstrate his awesome strength. He lowers his head and charged the tree, smashing it with his huge horns.
The ram struck the tree with such force that one of his horns went all the way through the tree, making it impossible for him to escape. With three swift strokes of his flint knife, Coyote cut off the body from the head, and threw t against the rocks, saying, “In the generations of human beings to come, there will be no such wicked creatures. This tree will be a place for human beings to leave offerings of their prized possessions, and to give thanks, and to pray for their well-being, for good fortune and good health.”
Traditionally the Ram’s Horn Medicine Tree has served just that purpose. It has been said that the tree offered a neutral zone, where sworn enemies could come together peacefully, and openly discuss their grievances.
Men would congregate at this solemn site and work through their differences and perhaps they might even come away with a better understanding of cultures different from their own. Their mutual well being, good fortune and good health depended on it. In this respect, it seems Coyote was true to his word.
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How to choose the right taxidermist
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| By By Dennis Nelson |
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Soon some of us will be chasing the bulging bulls, or the elusive 30” buck. Others will be casting a fly or calling to a flock of ducks or geese. Some of us will be lucky enough to harvest a once in a lifetime trophy. Thoughts then turn to getting it mounted. But, who should do the work and how do I correctly choose a taxidermist? As a taxidermist for 30 years, I will try to help you with this important decision.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TAXIDERMIST
Your deciding factor should not be price. In many cases this is a once in a lifetime trophy. A real good taxidermist will always charge more than the guy down the street. You must decide if you want him or her learning while working on your trophy, or someone who already knows how to mount your trophy correctly. If you choose solely by price, you will later regret it.
Well, then how do you choose a taxidermist?
The following are things to look for.
1- Is the shop clean and orderly? If not, chances are quality and attention to detail on you’re mount will also be missing.
2- Ask to see finished mounts. Check for correct eye placement, as the eye is the soul of any kind a mount. It will determine a mount that looks alive or dead. Before you go to a taxidermist, you should get some close-up pictures of a live deer, etc. Compare when you get to the shop.
3- Look at the nose carefully, a real nasal cavity does not end a half inch in the nose. Are the ears in the same exact position, or is one back or forward. About 90% of the time a live animals ears are never in like positions more than a couple of seconds. One ear back one forward, etc., gives life to a mount. Are hair patterns correct and clean? Again use your references.
4- Know how you want your mount positioned before you get to the shop. Right, left, straight, sneak, etc. Again have references. Where do you get reference pictures? Just about any outdoor magazine, or simply ask the taxidermist to see his or her reference pictures. If he or she has none, find the door fast.
5- Birds and fish also require some homework on your behalf before you go see the taxidermist. Always request cast heads on fish mounts, as real heads will leak oil and destroy your mount. Birds must have their feet injected to remain plump as in life, if not they will be become dried up. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how he or she preserves bird and fish skins. Also ask if the hides are commercially tanned.
6- How long will it take to get my mount done? Most mounts require six months to a year. Longer than that means one of two things. He or she has to much work or are still learning. Always expect to pay 50% of the mounting cost up front. This is only fair, as the taxidermist will have to lay out a lot of money up front.
TIPS:
Never ever cut an animal’s throat. Always keep well behind the shoulders and cut up only to the breast bone union. The back cut should be straight.
Never drag an animal you want to mount, or you will damage the hair. Blood will wash out, but the drag marks won’t.
Place birds in nylon storage (head first). Put cotton in their mouth, so blood doesn’t get on the white feathers, then freeze, if a pheasant, place on board to keep tail straight. Never put a warm bird in a plastic bag, until it has cooled out, as it will spoil and loose feathers. Do not mount birds with pin feathers, especially if in the neck area, as many feathers will be lost in the mounting.
Never carry a bird to mount by the neck. Always carry by the feet, beak, or bill.
Fish should be immediately covered with Borax (both sides), wrapped in damp towel and frozen soon as possible, never place a fish to mount on top or beside another fish, as this will cause black spots on the fish. These spots are extremely hard to paint out.
Finally, if the taxidermist you are deciding on has ribbons and awards displayed in his shop, you are most likely going to be in good hands.
It is not significant as to the color of the ribbons, but the very fact that he or she goes to state or national competitions, attempting to learn new techniques to become a better taxidermist, is. The end result will be that you will receive a lifelike correctly done trophy that will last a lifetime.
Good fishing and hunting, and choose well!
Dennis Nelson is an award-winning taxidermist living in Darby. For more information, contact Nelson at Fur, Fish, and Feathers Taxidermy, P.O. Box 426, Darby, MT, 59829. Phone: 360-1339.
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| Elusive Moose
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| Bitterroot’s unique source for bow hunting supplies and home decorating decisions |
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| By Shannon Selway |
Just over two years ago Steve and Debyi Borden completed their move from the desert sands of Las Vegas to the mountainous paradise of the Bitterroot. They’d been coming to the area for over 10 years to visit a friend, and although they came loaded with tons of accrued vacation time, it was simply not enough; they needed more than an annual “Montana fix.” They wanted to wake up every day here.
Every visit (and there became quite a few) was dedicated to scouring the area, constantly looking out for the right property. Both were on the verge of retirement (Debyi - from working 31 years for a power company - and Steve from working as a motorcycle policeman). With each visit, their Montana dream became more tangible, and they soon found their future home. The place would then lay dormant for about a year as time ticked away to retirement. That year proved to be a tough feat to tackle, and they had to sacrifice to fork out funding for two mortgages, but they made it work.
Debyi was the first to hit the retirement finish line and arrived to their new Montana home; Steve joined her and their son about a year later. Steve’s residential reunion with his family was bliss, but didn’t take long for the retirement honeymoon to fizzle.
“Going from 110 miles per hour to 10 was an adjustment,” Steve said. “We both needed something to do.”
The couple decided they wanted to meet people in the Valley, and felt opening a business would be a good way to answer that desire and address their need to work again. They sought to incorporate their different passions into a one business. Steve’s passion has always been of a bow hunting-oriented scene; Debyi’s was home decor. With their fancies blended, the Elusive Moose was born, a business where patrons can purchase bow hunting supplies and handsome, rustic home decorations.
“Every year we’d go to a huge tradeshow in Vegas, the SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade). It’s the largest outdoor, hunting, camping show in the U.S., and that kind of worked into our idea.” Debyi said.
The show boasts over 1,800 vendors, about 17 miles of manufacturers. That’s where the bulk of the Elusive Moose’s merchandise is from.
“The Elusive Moose’s name just came to us one day. We have a small pond by our backyard, and during the first year there, this mangy and very old moose would show up now and then.” Debyi explains.
“We haven’t seen her since the first year, but now we have a mom and baby at the pond most of the time. Maybe the old moose’s their grandma. But, they aren’t elusive”
At 950 U.S. Highway 93 (east side of the road), just a smidge before the Woodside Cutoff turnoff road into Corvallis, you can find the site of the Elusive Moose – well, at least (for now) the home décor side of it.
Inside are marvelous displays of rustic knickknacks, carvings, huckleberry products, and virtually about anything that would make a terrific gift for just about anybody. It’s a clever, warm and inviting environment. And – as might be expected – EM displays a stuffed moose, which just happens to be HUGE; it’s a Boone and Crockett record book moose.
“There’s nothing here I wouldn’t put in my home. If it’s good enough for my home, you can find it here.” Debyi said. “I’m picky. I have to like it and it has to be of good quality.”
The home décor part of EM is expanding everyday, especially since Steve moved “his part” of EM a little closer to Victor last spring.
Not too far down the road, heading north from EM’s first location, Steve can be found at the second location of the Elusive Moose, the site formerly known at the “Flying Arrows Archery,” and its location is definitely recognizable by its colossal-sized arrow, viewable from the Highway 93.
The first site, where Debyi is at, was formerly loaded with Steve’s archery equipment, but when the Flying Arrows Archery came up for sale (and it looked as though it might even close its doors), Steve and Debyi took a leap of faith and purchased the business, with hopes to relocate the home décor part of EM there in the next few months.
The archery center is packed with anything and everything archery enthusiasts could ever need or want, and has many items that patrons didn’t know they “have to have.” Steve made sure to carry items that the Flying Arrows Archery carried, things folks were accustomed to seeing available, which includes decoys and a wide range of archery weapons. But, Steve also introduced survival gear and practical stuff, which is also great for backpacking, 4-wheeling, etc. Patrons can look forward EM selling hunting and fishing licenses, which should then make EM a one-stop, full service archery pro shop, as well as accommodating hunters and fishermen with ample products and services. Also, no stop there can be complete without checking out the fine selection of animal urine products, locally produced from Chuck Wagner’s Moccasin Joe Company. Ahhhh. There’s nothing like the smell of eau de’ “Cow In Heat,” “Hot Elk,” or “Skunk Oil” to attract game.
Archers can keep in year-round shape using the 30-yard indoor range – the first indoor range in the Bitterroot. EM has leagues that run during off-season hunting (with a winter league starting up in December).
The leagues have various competitions, which include traditional, target and hunter. Leagues are comprised of various age levels and skills, and one group, the 4-H, had 62 kids competing last year. Ken Loucks, a 4-H instructor, took his kids to a national championship, and beat 442 kids from 32 states in Rapid City, South Dakota last year!
When the day arrives in the near future when patrons meander by EM’s original site (by Woodside Cutoff Road/Highway 93) and see it vacant, that means the archery shop and home décor shop has reunited with the archery center - with the home décor shop separate, but just a hop and a skip away; it’ll be linked by a hallway.
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Sustainable Interdependent Living Community (SILC)
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| SILC will be a model community near Missoula that’s 100% energy independent. |
| By Seth Pogue |
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There are three fundamental approaches we can take to address global warming:
1) Things we can do as individuals, such as drive a hybrid, ride a bike, or use compact fluorescent bulbs;
2) Things we can do as a nation, such as convincing our elected leaders to enact new laws mandating deep cuts in CO2 emissions;
3) Envision a future without fossil fuel - and then manifest it. What will tomorrow’s elegant, clean-energy communities look like? How will they function?
The community of the future starts with more efficient housing. SILC’s superinsulated, high-integrity residences and community center use a fraction of the energy of conventional structures. And they’re fireproof, tornado proof, and earthquake proof.
Next, local food uses about 10 times less energy than food shipped around the globe. And once interstate trucking stops (Stops? Visit FAQ @ www.LearnMT.org ) food will have to be grown locally. SILC’s permaculture gardens will feed not only its own residents, but supply organic produce to Missoula as well.
Tomorrow’s community will obtain energy from clean, renewable sources. SILC’s power will come from a combination of wind, solar, and geothermal.
And, of course, there must be ways for residents to make a living. One source of income will be the educational center, which will provide seminars on organic gardening/permaculture, domebuilding, alternative energy, music, sculpture, and dance. Income will also come from Visitor Days, where guests will spend 2 days and 1 night living among us. Also, we’ll start a construction company that assembles super efficient dome homes with turn-key energy systems. Money will also come from space rental.
Other sources of income include selling organic produce & fish; Internet businesses; and sale of art and crafts. At first, some residents may decide to maintain jobs outside the community. Within a few years, we envision that most of the resident’s livelihoods will be met by working within the cooperative.
Too many intentional communities that have started with good intentions by all have dissolved as different members’ hidden assumptions emerged. One strong hedge against this is to make sure that everybody is on the same page before breaking ground. There will be a vision statement, a mission and purpose statement, signed by all members. This way, if conflicting interpretations of SILC’s purpose, goals, and objectives arise later, the documents can be reviewed and everyone can reconnect with their original motivations.
Community encourages mutual reliance, rather than self-reliance, and so there is an inherent solidarity between residents that is not found in mainstream communities. All of the major infrastructure will be shared, alleviating the need for individual families to own their own tools, washers, etc. All of the necessities for a small community will be equally available to all residents.
Why 30 to 60 people?
If we’re going to do anything about the endless flow of carbon that’s breaking our planet, we’re also going to have to do something about our broken communities.
Our network of social connections has shrunk as our cities’ and suburbs’ populations have grown, allowing subgroups to pursue agendas without regard for their effects on the whole. Within this framework, the health of the whole is a matter of indifference to the group. The result has been that most people have far fewer friends nearby; we eat fewer meals with family, friends and neighbors. Our level of personal satisfaction had decreased as our standard of living has increased.
We need to restructure our communities so that we actually need our neighbors again. For 99% of our time here on earth (that is, until the dawn of agriculture, about 10,000 years ago), humans lived in bands of 30 to 60 people – extended family units that functioned not unlike cells in the body of a larger tribe. So it’s coded in our DNA to function optimally within such an interdependent family group.
Why SILC? (or, what’s in a name?)
Like fine silk, SILC will be elegant, interwoven, smooth, flexible, strong and protective, bright and beautiful. A cocoon enspheres and protects the pupa as it transforms from a larva (think fossil fuel economy) to a butterfly (think sustainable economy).
What will it cost to live there?
Depending upon the price we eventually pay for land, final cost for an unfinished residence (with plumbing, electrical, heat, roofing, and siding- finish to your own taste) might be as little as $50,000 for a 1 bedroom, or $63,000 for a 2 bedroom - plus about $80 per month in co-op dues, plus about 8-15 hours per week in community work. Besides residence ownership, this would include shared ownership of the community center and its facilities, land, energy infrastructure, gardens, pond, road, and pathways. It would also cover utilities and meals.
What are the prerequisites for membership?
Sustainability, art, and education are at the heart of SILC. Nondogmatic spirituality also plays a vital role. Friendliness, optimism, a nonjudgmental attitude, respect for self and others, emotional maturity, and common sense belong here. Implicit is the understanding that when daily chores are shared by many, each individual has more time for personal development.
Community members embrace the vision of a sustainable future, and aspire to live as exemplars of earth stewardship, personal responsibility, and creative expression.
To find out more, please email info @liveearthactionresourcen etwork.org, or call 542-7376.
Seth Pogue is Executive Director of Live Earth Action Resource Network (www.LearnMT.org), a Montana Non-profit corporation dedicated to the national transformation to a clean energy economy.
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The Benevolent Protective Order (B.P.O.) Elks:
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| Hamilton’s Lodge No. 1651 a place of caring, sharing, and compassion. |
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| By Shannon Selway |
Who are the Elks? What’s your connotation of the Elks organization? There are some who may have a rather humorous, but very ignorant idea about them, perhaps deriving an image from the Flintstones cartoons. The “Grand Pooh-Bah” governed all-male meetings where members wore animal hats complete with protruding tusks. It was a place where men gathered and congratulated each other. It had secrets - secret passwords, secret prayers- and a place where Wilma and Betty weren’t allowed within its quarters. This image is a “180” from what today’s Elks truly are! Let’s see why…
The Elks organization has been around since 1868. It started in New York City by an actors’ group. They worked six days a week, and on the seventh day they had gatherings, which included a big feast. The actors would then donate the excess food to shelters and church missions . From there, the organization took root and began its evolution.
The founding actors were from England where a similar group had a bear symbolizing its organization. Basically, the founders desired an animal representation and came to the conclusion that the elk would represent their causes well. It is a gentle, humble and a majestic being.
In time, men throughout began to embrace the Elks’ philosophy, and becoming a member was of importance and prestige. However, the foundation’s main mission has never been forsaken. The essence of Elks is to assist and serve, and their motto is “Elks Care - Elks Share.” Their core missions today are dedicated to addressing the needs and providing solid pathways for our nation’s youth, and to promote patriotism. They are also active in veterans‘ affairs. Elks can be found at many community events and are often behind the scenes at blood drives, drug awareness programs, and the like.
Demonstrative of Elks’ philanthropy are the multiple scholarships awarded in the U.S.; they provide the most scholarships of any organization. At the grassroots’ level, in Ravalli County, Lodge 1651 provided six scholarships the area students. Students also can compete for two-$60,000 four-year national scholarships. This fall, all third grade students in the Root can look forward to a brand new dictionary, complements of the Elks.
The generosity of the Elks seems unlimited. During holiday times they prepare Christmas baskets loaded with goodies for needy families; turkey and all the trimmings are delivered to families; and kids in the SAFE program need can enjoy a shopping stint at K-Mart with a gift certificate.
Because of the era the Elks was born in, it was a fraternal organization. However with its evolution, women can be and are active members. To become an Elk one must go through an application process which starts by invitation only, and is proposed by and Elk member. The standards for membership are high and limited to persons of good moral character. Elks’ membership also requires belief in God.
The Elks do not have a color theme, nor do they have any “secrets.” There are no “secret handshakes, rituals, or secret anything for that matter.
The presence of the Elks can be found at many community events featuring flag presentations. They are well stocked with multiple flags, ranging from the Revolutionary “Don’t Tread On Me,” Pine Tree (which represents Bunker Hill), the black POA/MIA flag and various flags our nation has had throughout new statehoods.
The Elks work tirelessly at fundraising, but many of its 250 plus members generously open their wallets. One fundraising function is the Wednesday evening dinners offered to the public. $7.00 can buy a choice homemade meal, such as chicken-fried steak, complete with all the fixings, coffee and even dessert.
Hamilton’s Lodge No. 1651 has been a presence since 1942. It has resided in three different locations, and is now in a building they own, located at 203 State Street. Anyone interested in membership can contact the Lodge directly or approach any Elks member. Hamilton’s Lodge 1651 charges and annual membership fee of $75.
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