Short Travels is a new weekly addition to Southwestern Montana News. It might be a quick fishing trip to the Beaverhead River, a hike into a mountain lake, or some of the places in and around Southwestern Montana that offer recreational opportunities. We will provide a quick video of our travels, along with a short article. Today we decided to go out and fly around Beaverhead Rock. Beaverhead Rock is located 17 Miles North of Dillon on MT-41 heading towards Twin Bridges, MT. You can stop and view the rock's formation from two different pull offs alongside the road, both of which offer historical markers and information on the formation. One can also get closer, as there is a pull off and dirt road after you pass the river. Be mindful because part of this is on BLM ground and other parts of the area are private property. The second pull off provides the best view and has a statue of Sandhill Cranes. You will be able to see the whole rock from this viewpoint, as well as parts of the Beaverhead River and the flooded fields, which usually has a large number of waterfowl in the water. Beaverhead Rock got its name from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Sacagawea, a young Shoshone Indian guide traveling with Lewis and Clark, recognized the rock formation and knew she was in the area of her relatives. According to the journal of Lewis: The Indian woman recognized the point of a high plain to our right which she informed us was not very distant from the summer retreat of her nation on a river beyond the mountains which runs to the west. This hill she says her nation calls the Beaver's Head, from a conceived resemblance of its figure to the head of that animal...as it is now all important with us to meet with those people as soon as possible I determined to proceed tomorrow with a small party...and pass the mountains to the Columbia; and down that river until I found the Indians...without horses we shall be obliged to leave a great part of our stores... They would soon meet up with her tribe at the place we call Camp Fortunate. Offering some great views along with a little Lewis and Clark history, this site makes a quick getaway if you're itching to get out. If you have some friends in town or just want to get the kids out of the house, this short drive may just be what the doctor ordered. Next week we will feature another attraction around Southwestern Montana. If you have places you would like us to feature, feel free to leave a comment. As always, thanks for reading and enjoying our news site!

Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture held their annual awards and recognition dinner March 6 at the Elks Lodge with a packed house of attendees. The night started off with a social hour and was followed by dinner. Guest speaker Steve Wahrlich, owner of the Best Western Clock Tower Hotel and Stella's restaurant in Billings, gave a talk on the current effects of the Corona Virus and the upcoming tourist season. He expressed ways Dillon can take advantage of the Lodging bed tax during this time, along with other tips businesses can capitalize on the resources offered to them. After dinner, the chamber took care of their business, as former president Crystal Thorpe handed the reins over to incoming president John O'Brian, with the most important part of the night to many: the awards ceremony. The winners were Business Man of the Year: Matt Vinson of Matt Vinson Plumbing Business Woman of the Year: Roxanne Engellant University of Montana Western Business of the Year: Atomic 79 New Business of the Year: 729 Welding and Fabrication Agricultural Business of the Year: Rocky Mountain Supply Community Organization of the Year: YMCA Thank you to the local businesses for helping with sponsoring this event, as the Chamber recognizes fellow businesses helping make a change in the Dillon community. Sponsors for this event were Barrett Hospital & HealthCare (dinner sponsor); Stockman Bank, High Peaks Credit Union, Pioneer Savings & Loan, Dillon Bank of Commerce (silver sponsors); Rocky Mountain Supply (music sponsor). Everyone can't wait to see what 2020 brings for Dillon and what next year's event has in store!

Friday the 6th Tai Chi (free class) Free Tai Chi classes held at The Elks Lodge from 9:30 to 10:20 am. Needle Felting Workshop Starts at 11 am at the Shovel and Spoon, Another "Felt So Fine" needle felting workshop! Call to reserve your place!! 682-3288. Beaverhead County Mental Health Local Advisory Council Starts at 12 pm. The Beaverhead County Mental Health Local Advisory Council (LAC) seeks a consumer representative to serve on the council. Consumer representatives optimally have lived experiences with public mental health services either directly and/or in connection with family, friends, and/or their community. The LAC meets the second Friday of each month to address and advocate for more effective mental health services and their delivery in our county, region, and state. Meetings are open to the public and anyone interested in supporting community mental health is urged to attend. If interested in joining as a consumer representative or in need of more information, please contact LAC co-chairs Jerry Girard and/or Heidi Gjefle at (406) 683-7180. Formal Friday at Beaverhead brewing Company starts at 3 pm. Come down dressed in your finest formal and enjoy a beer or three! More news to come. Steve Rose live at RVB Steve Rose will be playing this Friday from 6-8pm! Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet starts at 5 pm at The Elks Lodge Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet Music: DJ Adam Hooten (50/50, prizes, drawings and much more!) Tickets: $35 per person, $240 table of eight For Tickets: Contact Candi at 683-5511, email info@beaverheadchamber.org or stop by the Chamber, 10 W. Reeder St. (we accept credit cards, checks & cash) 5 p.m. social hour 6 p.m. dinner 7:30 guest speaker Presentation of awards Guest Speaker is Steve Wahrlich of the Tourism Advisory Council and owner of Stella's and the Clocktower in Billings. The Chamber will also present its awards to area business leaders. For information, call 683-5511 or email info@beaverheadchamber.org. Live Music with Left For Dead at Willies Distillery music starts at 5:30 pm. We will be back playing at Willies on Friday March 6th from 5:30 to 7:30. Hope to see you there. Come on out, order up some Honey Moonshine, grab hold of the saddle horn and hang on for some great fun.. Of course we don't want you to miss our show but if you get a chance, drop by Willie's anytime. Willie's has great décor and of course it's always fun to sample their moonshine and other spirits! Saturday the 7th 2020 RMSHA SNOWMOBILE HILLCLIMB Starts at 10 am. Qualifying Saturday march 7th, Finals Sunday, March 8th $10 one day pass or $15 two day pass, Lost Trail Ski area. March Homebuyers Education Class in Sheridan starts at 9 am. In partnership with NeighborWorks Montana, Wells Fargo, and Berkshire Hathaway, Headwaters RC&D offers in-depth information on all aspects of home ownership through a series of classes held throughout Headwaters economic development region. The first step to creating successful homeowners is education. Educated homeowners stay in their homes longer, take pride in their properties, and have one-third less foreclosures. Headwaters offers Homebuyer Education Classes, an 8 hour course covering all aspects of the home buying process. Headwaters depends on an array of experts from several areas of home ownership, to give presentations throughout the class covering the following home purchase areas: Down payment and closing cost assistance, Self-help housing opportunities, Budgeting and credit, Working with a realtor,The mortgage process, Home inspections and maintenance, Insurance (homeowners and life), Title insurance and closing process. Cost of the class is $25 per individual or $35 per household. Pre-registration is required. Attendance is required for both dates in order to complete the course. March 7th 9:00am - 4:00pm Sheridan Senior Center 210 E. Crofoot Sheridan Please note: Our classrooms are not suitable for children. Please arrange for child care during the class. Register by emailing Courtney at cedwards@headwatersrcd.org or by calling 406-533-6781 Beaverhead SnoRiders Fun Run Registrations at High Country Lodge 10 am, Polaris, MT, all hands in by 3 PM Kids up to 13 $1, Youth 14-17 $3, Adults $5 per a hand. more info call 406-925-0947 or 406-925-0501 Artists & Photographers Open House starts at 5 pm. Artists and photographers interested in donating their work for display at the Ruby Valley Medical Center are invited to an Open House on Saturday, March 7th at 5pm in the Ruby Valley Medical Center lobby. We will explain our plans, answer your questions and enjoy refreshments. The Art Committee of the Ruby Valley Medical Center is very grateful to the artists who have expressed interest in donating their artwork for display at the hospital! Jackson Volunteer Fire Dept Firemans Ball Dinner served 5 to 7 pm, $20/person and 12 and under free. Live and silent auction for more info call Kateland at 406-360-6798 or Kyle at 406-925-0943 Sunday the 8th Daylight Savings time Spring Ahead As always, there are plenty of other activities to do in and around Dillon. The Big Sky Cinema has Onward and Call of the Wild playing for the whole family. The weather is warm and it would be a great time to stop by Bannack before the summer crowds show up. Stop by Rocky Mountain Supply for gas and everything you would need for a great spring picnic. Thank you for reading our weekend rundown. We try to include links in the article to make it easier for you. If you are curious about an event and it is highlighted, just click on it, and you will be directed to another page with more information on that event. If you would like to see your business as a sponsor of the Weekend Rundown call us at (406) 660-7041.

Firefighters and First Responders are on scene of what appears to be a house fire on the corner of Railroad and Sebree streets. Smoke could be scene coming from one of the windows. We will update this story as more news becomes available.

The Dillon Jaycees announced today that the headliner for Montana's Biggest Weekend Concert will be Eli Young Band . Tickets will go on sale May 1st, at 8 am, on the Dillon Jaycees website. The Eli Young Band as described from their website: With momentum still high following their fourth career #1, MULTI-PLATINUM hitmakers​ ELI YOUNG BAND​ are releasing an introspective new single with “​Break It In​” via The Valory Music Co. Under producer Dann Huff, the tune explores lessons in life and love that are only learned over time well spent. As showcased through vivid Benjy Davis, Brandon Day, Daniel Ross, and Michael Whitworth-penned lyrics, EYB further delivers a booming chorus: ​ “Like these dusty boots that walked me through / The work that got me here / And these faded jeans with Skoal can rings / I’ve worn out all these years / When the shine wears off, when you lose that gloss / There’s so much more underneath it all / You think that good is good as it can get / Then you break it in.” “We definitely didn't just start a band and have instant success. We’ve continued to build it up over the years — we broke it in,” shares EYB. "We’ve been blessed to have had our moments of being able to sit back and soak it all in. ‘Break It In’ carries a message you learn with time, and we’re so excited for these lyrics to be heard far and wide!” “Break It In” closely follows ​THIS IS ELI YOUNG BAND: GREATEST HITS ​, which features chart-toppers – “Love Ain’t,” PLATINUM "Drunk Last Night,” 2X PLATINUM “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” and 3X PLATINUM “Crazy Girl.” EYB has always been unique in modern Country music as a true band of brothers who cling fast to their Texas roots and has maintained an impressive trajectory with singles earning ​ Billboard ​'s #1 ​Country Song of the Year ​ and ACM Awards ​Song of the Year​. They have previously earned multiple nominations from GRAMMY, CMA, CMT, ACA and Teen Choice Awards. While selling out venues as a headliner from coast-to-coast, EYB has toured with Jason Aldean, Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, and Darius Rucker. They will continue to bring these fan-favorites and more on the road this summer with several festival appearances.

On March 4th from 5 to 7:30 pm, Tendoy Fine Art invites the public to a celebration at the gallery’s new location. Spurred on by a need to install expensive lighting at its gallery on North Montana St. in Dillon, Tendoy Fine Art is pleased to have secured a new location in the old State Bank Building at 35 East Bannack Street. Built in 1888, the building is brick and retains many of its early-day charms. Recently repainted, it is the perfect location for this 3-year-old art cooperative to offer works by local and regional artists. Tendoy fine Art includes in its mission fostering arts education for children and adults so a back-room space will provide a necessary classroom for a variety of classes and workshops. After checking out the new gallery Tendoy would like to remind people that The Bookstore will be hosting the launch of Roadside Geology of Montana, second edition. Please join The Bookstore as they celebrate with Author, Geologist, Um-Western Professor Rob Thomas. Call 683-6807 if you have any questions. The first batch of this book did sell out, but they are expecting more soon and even more to arrive for the reception/signing.

What do you get when a skier and a cowboy decide to join forces? Skijoring... What is skijoring you may ask? A high-stakes racing event where horses, at the command of their riders, pull skiers through jumps, turns, and obstacles, all while competing against the clock and fellow contestants. By combining these high adrenaline sports, there's the promise of spectacular crashes, and the big purse prizes draws the attention of many a crazy contestant or two. Skijoring in Wisdom, Montana is held as part of their winter fest each year. The course is located at the small airport right on the outskirts of town. The course consists of 900 feet of pure excitement, as beginners to experts compete to see who will be crowned the champion of the snow. Spectators can line the track and cheer on their favorite racer. Many of today's spectators setup tailgating parties, cooked brats, drank beer, and fought off today's cold snowy weather with lighthearted conversation and camaraderie. For those who stumbled upon today's event by chance or those who came less prepared than the die-hard skijoring fans, food and drink was available. And if your stomach required some fancier cuisine after the excitement, one could retreat to one of the many eating establishments in Wisdom or Jackson to satisfy their needs. Tonight at the Crossing Bar and Grill, they will have a Calcutta starting at 7 pm, to end the day off in style. If this annual spectator event sounds like your cup of tea and you're bummed you missed out, fear not! You still have a chance to catch the Wisdom Skijoring tomorrow, March 1st, at 11:30 am. Parking is a donation of $5 per person or $10 a car load. Bear in mind, this is only a donation. But this money goes towards "Veterans and Horses", community improvement programs, and events and local charities. If you do decide to head out tomorrow, dress warm, pack snacks and drinks, and if you bring your dogs, make sure they are on leashes. Otherwise, prepare for another fun-filled day, with awards to follow the race at the Crossing Bar and Grill. The winners of the: 1 D Division were skier, Toby McIntosh and rider, Joe Scanlin on Muddy Duck. 1 D Calcutta winner was Jeff Brinkman 2 D Division were skier Mike Miller and rider Leah Mitchell. 3 D Division were skier Phil Wipf and rider Dulce Couldson Women Winners were Kim Jones and Aspen Lonnie Beginner Winners were Ross Tulloch and Vickie Anderson

Friday the 28th Tai Chi (free class) Free Tai Chi classes held at The Elks Lodge from 9:30 to 10:20 am. Formal Friday Starts at 3 pm and will run til 8 pm at Beaverhead Brewing . Event is described as 'Come down the last Friday of February dressed in your finest formal and enjoy a beer or three!' Intertribal Community Drum Making August “Tiger” Scalpcane, a Northern Cheyenne community member, will be sharing his knowledge of drum making with Montana Western. The community drum constructed will become Montana Western’s for use at graduation, convocation, and other events. Feb 28: 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Keltz Arena Drumming and Singing with a community drum. Open to both tribal and nontribal members, with special invitation to veterans. This time will provide an opportunity to learn from each other, from drumming and singing. Feb 29: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., UMW Library Community drum construction workshop. Learn aspects of construction, including soaking and stretching hide, as well as foundations of drum framework. Participants are welcome to drop-in throughout the process, to be observers or active participants. Hosted by the American Indian and Minority Achievement Committee and the Tara VanDerveer Tribal Partnership Fund, housed at the UMW Foundation. Katie Hall At Willie's Distillery starting at 5:30 pm. Katie is a small town girl from Sheridan Montana, who will be singing some country, folk, and a little bluegrass music at Willie's Distillery. Meet Fox's LG Candidate Jon Knokey This event wil start at 6 pm at the Ennis Senior Center. Come meet Jon Knockey and hear what he has to offer for Montana. Saturday the 29th Big Hole Valley SkiJoring 2020 Will start at 12:30 pm on Saturday, and described as: Famous for its cowboys and skiing, it is easy to see why The Big Hole has embraced skijoring—the perfect combination of the two. This Big Hole Valley event envelops the town of Wisdom, as riders and skiers fly along the 900 ft course at the small town’s airport. Enjoy exciting contests for beginners and seasoned skiers and snowboarders alike. There is plenty of parking, food, beverage, and libations available during the event. A Calcutta is held on Saturday night at The Crossing Bar & Grill, where you have the chance to bid on your favorite team for a chance to win some extra dough! After the fun in the snow...Music and dancing is offered at The Antlers Saloon on Friday and Saturday nights for your partying pleasure. The Crossing Bar & Grill will feature dinner specials sure to tempt the pickiest of eaters. Maverick Mountain Challenge The event will consist of a slalom race down Remely ( 2 run times combined), and a downhill race from Upper Ridge to Lower Ridge and down Remely (1 run). An $8 entry fee will be needed, along with signing an event waiver. The race is open to everyone and will include men, women, and children divisions for both skiers and snowboarders. Check in at the lodge, with registration from 9 to 10:30 am. Our Feathered Friends Hosted by the Elling Arts and Humanities Center . This program provides an overview of what makes raptors unique in the bird world, the raptors of Montana, and the importance of raptors to our ecosystem. Join us for a hands-on opportunity to explore and experience raptor characteristics and adaptations through bio-facts (animal artifacts). Two or three of the MRCC avian ambassadors will be in attendance for an up-close look at these amazing birds. BOA Annual Fundraiser annual Banquet, Auction, and Fund raiser for the Beaverhead Outdoor Association. Starts at 5 pm at the Dillon Elks Lodge. Sunday the 1st Big Hole Valley SkiJoring 2020 Will start at 11:30 am on Sunday, and described as: Famous for its cowboys and skiing, it is easy to see why The Big Hole has embraced skijoring—the perfect combination of the two. This Big Hole Valley event envelops the town of Wisdom, as riders and skiers fly along the 900 ft course at the small town’s airport. Enjoy exciting contests for beginners and seasoned skiers and snowboarders alike. There is plenty of parking, food, beverage, and libations available during the event. A Calcutta is held on Saturday night at The Crossing Bar & Grill, where you have the chance to bid on your favorite team for a chance to win some extra dough! After the fun in the snow...Music and dancing is offered at The Antlers Saloon on Friday and Saturday nights for your partying pleasure. The Crossing Bar & Grill will feature dinner specials sure to tempt the pickiest of eaters. As always, there are plenty of other activities to do in and around Dillon. The Big Sky Cinema has Fantasy Island and Downhill playing for the whole family. If you want to go fishing this Sunday, you will need to renew your license, so stop on by Rocky Mountain Supply Don't forget The Book Store will be hosting a Reception & book launch featuring local author Rob Thomas on the 4th of March. Swing by and grab a copy of his new book Roadside Geology of Montana. Rumor has it, they have been selling fast and you might want to get your copy this weekend before they are gone. Thank you for reading our weekend rundown. We try to include links in the article to make it easier for you. If you are curious about an event and it is highlighted, just click on it, and you will be directed to another page with more information on that event. If you would like to see your business as a sponsor of the Weekend Rundown call us at (406) 660-7041.

Local Dillon Volunteer Fire Department, Fireman Chris Hall is competing in the LLS Firefighter Stair climb. The LLS Firefighter Stair Climb is described on their website as: THE WORLD'S LARGEST ON-AIR STAIR CLIMB COMPETITION. At 788 feet of vertical elevation, the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle stands as the second tallest building west of the Mississippi, and the tallest in Seattle. It takes 69 flights of stairs and 1,356 steps to reach the highly acclaimed Sky View Observatory overlooking the Emerald City. On March 8, 2020, over 2,000 firefighters from across the United States and around the world will ascend the tower to support the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Over the season, these inspirational men and women will raise funds for blood cancer research and patient services. This consistently sold-out event is open solely to career or volunteer firefighters who must complete this challenging course in full structural turnout gear, while on-air. Completing the climb is a physical triumph in itself, but is also symbolic of, yet pales in comparison to, the strenuous journey that blood cancer patients endure. As firefighters race to the top, they keep in mind that every step forward is representative of moving toward finding a cure for all those battling this terrible disease. In 2019, this group of phenomenal climbers brought in a record $2.9 million for blood cancer research and patient services. Now in its 29th year, this event has raised over $20 million for LLS. How can you help our local fireman in this challenge? Tonight local bars will be donating 50 cents for every beer sold between the hours of 5 to 9 pm. Bars that are helping with this event include, Klondike, Kupfer Club, Moose Bar, Dillon Tap House (will also have live music from 6-8), Macs Last Cast, Beaverhead Brewing Company, Knotty Pine, The Office, and The Golden Bar. Show your support by going out tonight and having a cold one, if you are unable to make it and would still like to donate, you can here. https://www.facebook.com/donate/2198430823593487/2198430846926818/

Dillon Public Library, along with the Dillon Garden Club, are hosting a local seed lending library for those with a green thumb or wishing to attain one. What is a seed library? A seed library is the same principle as a book library. A person can go in and check out the available seeds, they then plant said seeds and hope something grows. After the plant grows and produces seeds, you harvest the seeds and return them back to the seed library for others to check out the following year. The program running today has topics of Seed Lending vs a Seed Bank. Participants could be some of the first to see what new seeds are available. Discussions will also include what your fellow gardeners grow in Dillon and the basics of seed harvesting. After participants learn the basic, they will have a hands on demonstration followed up by the Garden Clubs meeting from 2:30 to 3 today

TGIF and it is going to be a busy weekend for sure! So let's get started with things to do in Southwestern Montana. Friday the 21st Tai Chi (free class) Free Tai Chi classes held at The Elks Lodge from 9:30 am to 10:20 am. UWBC Pint Night Hosted by United Way of Beaverhead County and Beaverhead Brewing . Starts at 5:30 pm and runs til 8:30 pm. Help United Way of Beaverhead County celebrate the end of another successful campaign by stopping by the Beaverhead Brewery. We will be sharing our final campaign numbers for this cycle, drawing for our Patagonia Jacket Raffle, and kicking off our 30th year of service to Beaverhead County! Saturday the 22nd Emotion Coaching workshop starts at 9 am and goes until 3 pm. "Emotional intelligence is learned, and a child's first teacher about emotions is his or her parents. You can help your child develop emotional intelligence by "coaching" him/her, using principles researchers have found work well. "Emotion coaching" can help you avoid common pitfalls as you guide your children toward becoming successful, happy adults. Emotion Coaching is helpful for all parents, no matter what their child presents with. It is based on empathy and focuses on helping parents to tune in to their child’s emotional world, while also setting limits behaviorally. Emotion Coaching is a theory that was developed by John Gottman though research and clinical experience, and is explained in his book Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child. The cost of the workshop is $30, which includes a full day of information, snacks, and a great workbook you get to take home." 2020 Youth Connections Polar Dip Fun starts at 11:30 am out at the Blacktail Meadows Kids Fishing Pond. There will be pizza and hot chocolate to all jumpers, even those who take the "chicken route". Your Library Is Going To Seed Join Dillon Garden Club at the library this Saturday at 12:30 to 2:30 pm for a program on seeds, seed harvesting and the seed lending library. Learn what new seeds are available at the library for you to plant this spring. This is also an opportunity to visit with other Dillon gardeners about what grows well in Dillon. Remembering M.A.S.H. 4077th at The Dillon Elks Lodge will have a costume contest 5 pm reveille, 6 pm chow hall opens. $5 induction fee, and they will be having a silent auction as well. Judging for costume contest at 8 pm. Horses and Hunting in Wild Alaska (Will Koehler) "Many people have asked me to put together a slide show presentation of my experiences working with horses in the back country of Alaska so I will take crack at it on Saturday, February 22 at 6 pm at the Shovel and Spoon in Sheridan." Cole Snider hosted by The Club Bar. Come down and listen to Cole Snider play his great music live this Saturday night!! Music starts at 7:30 pm. As always, there are plenty of other activities to do in and around Dillon. The Big Sky Cinema has Underwater playing and Sonic the Hedgehog for the whole family. Or we still have plenty of ice on Clark Canyon, so stop on by Rocky Mountain Supply to pick up all your fishing needs. If you don't want to deal with this cold weather, stop by The Book Store and grab a new book and stay home next to the warm fire. Thank you for reading our weekend rundown. We try to include links in the article to make it easier for you. If you are curious about an event and it is highlighted, just click on it, and you will be directed to another page with more information on that event. If you would like to see your business as a sponsor of the Weekend Rundown call us at (406) 660-7041.

At last nights City Council meeting Chief of Police Don Guiberson announced the Dillon Police department will be hiring a new officer. Only this one will have four legs and the ability to smell drugs and track people. Chief Guiberson, explained that the city police have a drug fund, this funding comes from seizures, court cost, and donations. They had been looking at a police dog but he was not keen on the idea. The main deterrent was he did not want a "bite dog." This would be the type of canine you see on tv when they release a dog to take down a suspect. They started looking at some of the kennels and trainers that offer police dogs, but could not find a match for what he wanted. They started to work with a local Montana trainer and fellow police officer, who contacted the Dillon Police to let them know they had a dog, who was not interested in biting, due to a broken canine tooth. The dog passed all other requirements but due to the broken canine it would not work as a bite dog. An average police dog with training can run upwards of $20,000 dollars. The owner of this canine lives in North Carolina and would rather see the dog be used, instead of having to come to Montana and get the animal. The only cost to the police department would be to pay for the training of the dog which was $5,000. Officer Rumsey who will be the dogs handle, then talked to local groups and organizations and was able to get a donation of $3,500 from the Beaverhead Foundation, as well as local vets and other citizens who have donated for care and food for the dog. Officer Rumsey will go through training the second week in April and the police department will be welcoming Mac the newest officer to the police force.

What is the Community Affairs Committee? A group of citizens whose mission statement is as follows: The overall mission of the Dillon Community Affairs Committee (DCAC) will be to serve the city by assisting its businesses, homeowners, churches, service organizations, and overall community by promoting community involvement. The DCAC will prioritize working with existing organizations and efforts to strengthen rather than duplicate valuable community resources and effort. Where appropriate, the DCAC may hold events in the community to achieve the objectives of the committee. Committee members include Russ Schwandt, Bill Shafer, Raymond Graham, Stacey Roundy, Candi Whitworth, Debbie Sporich, Stan Smith, Mitch Staley, and brenda Womack. Today's meeting was centered around plans for a tourism grant to help fund a new event Dillon History Days. The first annual Dillon History Days will be held on July 24th and run through July 26th. The event will be held in downtown Dillon and the outskirts of Dillon. There will be tours of the historical buildings and houses, along with tours and demonstrations of historical agricultural, mining, logging and other artifacts. Activities for this event will be based off the history of Dillon's beginnings. Members discussed ways to get local organizations involved with old time basketball games, old time baseball games and other events that they would hold in the past, as a way to bring the community out for a good time. The DCAC would like to get more public input and would like to have community members show up with their ideas for the Dillon History Days. The next meeting will be held on March 4th at 12 pm at the city council chambers.

The Dillon Jaycees are seeking nominations from all clubs, organizations, or other interested parties for the 2020 Distinguished Service Award and Outstanding Young Man. Men that are nominated should have good character, leadership abilities, and a willingness to work and be very active in the community, church, and or civic activities. Nominations for Outstanding Young Man must be between the ages of 18 and 40 and nominations for the Distinguished Service Award are 41 and up. Nominees will be evaluated by a panel of judges from throughout the community of Dillon. The awards presentation will be held Friday, March 20th at the Lewis and Clark Room at the University of Montana Western. Please submit a detailed letter of nomination to the Dillon Jaycees, PO Box 334, Dillon, MT 59725 or email them to j mpeck@trappercreekranch.com. Nominations must be received by March 13th. For more information contact JM Peck at 406-660-0494.

Starting today and running into tomorrow the Old Depot Theater will be the host of the Dillon Fiddle Contest. Presented by the Dillon Junior Fiddlers, the contest will host both adult and kids competitions as well as a variety show Saturday night starting at 7pm. The contest begin each day at 9 am, and will run most of the day. Youth contestants compete in three age categories, Peewee, Junior-Junior, and Junior. The adults compete in the general or championship division decided by the first round of play. Judges for the event include Tiffany Boucher and Lilly Platts, both women are former Montana State Fiddle champions. The variety show will have both judges playing as well as many other talented artist. If you would like to attend the variety show tonight at 7 pm tickets are $5 at the door. If you would like to go check out the competition tickets are $10 and put you in a drawing for some prizes.

Weekend Rundown for Friday, February 14th through Sunday, February 16th. Friday February 14th Today is Valentines day so don't forget something for your Valentine. Southwest Montana RAC Meeting starts at 9am. The Southwest Montana Resource Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet at the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Supervisor’s Office 9 a.m. Feb. 14. The meeting, which is open to the public, will include review of 23 project proposals within Beaverhead, Madison, Jefferson and Silver Bow counties. At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee will recommend projects for funding under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. Valentine's Sweetheart Dinner at The Shack Valentines Sweetheart Dinner. 4-8 Prime rib, Shrimp, mystery Dessert. for reservations call 684-5050. Valentines Single Day Dillon Tap House from 4 to 10 pm First 12 single ladies will recieve a Valentienes Day rose. Judd will be bartending! Valentine Dinner and Show - Southwest Montana Arts Council Treat your special valentine to dinner and a show at the Dillon Elks Lodge ! Dinner features 8 oz. sirloin steak with prawns, salad, vegetable, potato, dessert and coffee. Show is "Love Letters" by the Southwest Montana Arts Council. Please RSVP by February 10th. Tickets are available online at smacarts.org , by calling the Southwest Montana Arts Council at 683-6208, at the Dillon Elks Lodge, or by calling the Dillon Elks Lodge at 683-5552. Willie's Distillery Valentine's Day Party Grab your sweetheart for the Willie's Distillery Valentine's Day Party! Friday, 2/14, from 5:30-7:30pm in our tasting room. There will be hors d'oeuvres catered by Jill Schweder, live music by Todd Green, and a featured Valentine's Day cocktail! Hope to see you there! Many other restaurants around Dillon and the surrounding areas are having Valentine days specials as well. Don't forget Rocky Mountain Supply is having a special with some great gifts for the ladies. Saturday February 15th Maverick Mountain Ski Area live with Beat Deaf music will start around 3 pm. Love Letters by Southwest Montana Arts Council hosted by the Elks Lodge Entertainment by Southwest Montana Arts Council "Love Letters." Hors d'oeuvres $18. 2020 Dillon Jr. Fidder's Annual Fiddle Contest at The Old Depot Theater. Contest starts both days at 9am. Concert and Variety show Saturday the 15th 7:30pm Sunday February the 16th Sunday Brunch Buffet Sunday Brunch Buffet $15 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and under Come Celebrate Our One Year of Owning Tavern 287 !!! Eggs and Bacon Veggie and Breakfast Meat Quiches Chicken and Waffles Banana Bread French Toast Fresh Fruit Tomato Basil Bisque Delicious Breakfast Pastries and Desserts 2020 Dillon Jr. Fidder's Annual Fiddle Contest at The Old Depot Theater. Contest starts both days at 9am. Concert and Variety show Saturday the 15th 7:30pm Thank you for reading our weekend rundown. We try to include links in the article to make it easier for you. If you are curious about an event and it is highlighted, just click on it, and you will be directed to another page with more information on that event. If you would like to see your business as a sponsor of the Weekend Rundown call us at (406) 660-7041.

Have you ever been driving down one of the many dirt roads around Montana and Noticed a big white dog watching the sheep or livestock? Those dogs are a special type of dog that spend countless hours guarding livestock. Livestock Guard Dogs will be hosted by People and Carnivores and Blackleaf Guardians, this Tuesday February the 18th, at the Elks Lodge . The event is described as follows. Ranching in a landscape with grizzlies, wolves, mountain lions, and coyotes can present challenges for livestock producers. Come meet and learn about Livestock Guard Dogs and how they are helping ranchers protect livestock and reduce the risk of conflict with large carnivores. People and Carnivores has teamed up with Blackleaf Guardians to offer an informational presentation on Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) and other proactive measures to reduce losses to predators. We will be discussing LGDS protecting all classes of livestock: sheep, goats, cattle, chickens, and even farmstead guard dogs. Blackleaf Guardians will Share their experience ranching on the Eastern Rocky Mountain Front amongst dense carnivore populations Discuss different breeds of LGDs and different methods for protecting livestock Facilitate a question/answer session (current LGD users are encouraged to share their own experiences) Show you four LGD breeds and some puppies in training! Meeting is free and open to the public. Snacks and beverages will be provided. For more information, contact Kim Johnston, 406-599-9424.

Poetry Out Loud held its third regional Poetry Out Loud competition today at the University of Montana Western small auditorium. This was the third competition in the four regional events. Fourteen students came to compete in this event, seven from Butte High, five from Capitol High, and two from Sentinel High. Sadly Beaverhead County High School was not represented. Poetry Out Loud is described as: "Now in its fifteenth year, the 2019-20 Montana Poetry Out Loud program welcomes the participation of high schools across our state! Created and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Out Loud engages students in learning about poetry through the memorized recitations of works by recognized poets, both contemporary and from throughout history. Through their participation students gain public speaking skills while finding their own voice. Beginning in individual classrooms, students have the opportunity to advance to schoolwide contests, regional competitions, the Montana State Finals and—for one Montana student—the National Finals in Washington D.C.  To learn more about the program or to explore the online anthology, visit poetryoutloud.org. " Judges for today's event were Sally Cobau, English teacher for the Youth Challenge and University of Montana Western, Marley May, student at U of M Western, and Professor Alan Weltzien of the English Department. Students would recite from memory a poem of their choosing. They were judged on physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, evidence of understanding, overall performance, and accuracy. With this event in Dillon, judges had a difficult decision ahead of them, due to not one of the students stumbling on their poem's lines or needing a prompt to remember the words. After all was said and done, the three judges had chosen four winners and one alternate. Masie Kroon was awarded the alternate position Jasmine Kunda placed fourth Katy McCumber was awarded third Clara Hahn took home second place Savannah Holm came out in first place On March 7th Helena will host the State Finals. The winner from the state final will then go on to compete in the National Finals, held in Washington D.C. on April 27-29, 2020.

Big Sky Cinema was host Sunday afternoon to the Montana premier of the movie Atomic Apocalypse. Along with writer and producer Martin Gooch and lead actress Krista Demille, movie goers were able to screen a film that used some local talent, as well as a lot of local spots many will recognize in the film. The film is a sort of post apocalypse glimpse into the future. It starts out with a family on vacation then jumps two years into the future after nuclear devastation hits the world. The film takes a refreshing twist on the end of the world scenario that seems to be playing out in Hollywood. Instead of using the tried and true zombie genre, they go for a nuclear twist and the literal fallout of humanity afterwards. Originally named The Big Oops as his first draft, director and writer Martin Gooch then changed the name of the film to Black Flowers, which plays a key role in the film. Later on, marketing decided they would change the name to Atomic Apocalypse to help sell the film. Atomic Apocalypse starts out with action and it rarely dies down from there. With the lead actress Krista Demille facing many trials and tribulations along the way, she tries to keep her family together without the modern conveniences they have grown accustom to. Featuring local talent Cory Burkenbuel, Travis and Michael Stuffelbean, Stan Smith, and Karle Jane as set extras and fill ins wherever they where needed, this film is sure to leave a lasting impression on the audience. If you are from Montana, some of the locations will have you saying, 'hey I know where that is'. The film is a must see for anyone who loves small budget films. Yes, it does have some corny moments, but this is what film making is all about. A group of people with a vision who come together and make it work with what they have. Atomic Apocalypse delivered above my expectations and didn't have me looking at my watch, which is more than I can say for many of the high budget movies coming out of Hollywood as of lately. If you get a chance to see this film, I would recommend it. Dillon has had a couple film screenings in the past, and as more people are drawn to Montana to shoot with our beautiful scenery, we will more than likely see a lot more screenings at the Big Sky Cinema. If you get a chance to go to one of these films, don't hesitate, as it is one way to experience a small piece of the puzzle that goes into the making of a film.

Special announcement from Debbie at The Bookstore : Join us Saturday, February 8th as we welcome poet, Lee Robison. He will be reading and signing copies of his book, Have from 1:00-3:00. Call 683-6807 if you have any questions. HAVE Many of the poems in this book draw from Robison’s experiences growing up on a Montana ranch for their subject matter, imagery and themes. In the poem “Native,” ranch and farm imagery is contrasted with the imagery of Montana’s pre-history to ask to whom does this land belong, and what validates that possession. What is it that make this Valley, this River, these Mountains ours? In “Requiem for a Rancher” the question becomes what can an old rancher take with him when he dies? And just how much of him remains in the land and the landscape he formed in his lifetime? Brian Kahn, author of Real Common Sense and host of Montana Public Radio’s Home Ground writes “Robison’s words span cultures, place and time, ringing deep and true. These poems are rich in often hard sentiment, there is no sugared sentimentality. In Robison’s world, human life is hard, sometimes good.” Robison is currently working on organizing a collection of his short fiction which he expects to finish sometime in the next year. He is also preparing a collection of his Haiku, which has a working title of Montana Zen—Cowboy Haiku.