Big Sky Blog

If you dig Montana history, you’ll love Ghost Cowboy. Actually, it’s more than just Montana – it covers “True Tales of Adventure In The American West” in a unique way: “Ghost Cowboy is about real tales from the 19th-century American frontier, when the Old West was young. Most of the posts here are actual news items from the 1800s and early 1900s.” You can focus in on topics such as Gold Rush, Indians, Vigilante Justice, and such; or you can zoom in on specific states, such as (duh) Montana, Utah, California, etc. There’s also some great photo galleries from days gone by. Go explore!

If you’ve seen one or both of these guys within the last few days, please call your local police or sheriff’s department:

They escaped (walked out?) from a Wyoming “work release program” last week. “The elder Parazoo was convicted in 1985 of second-degree murder; Durgin was convicted of aggravated assault and robbery in 1997. It’s believed the group, or at least the two escapees, are in a gold Dodge Durango. One or more of the group may also be in a maroon Oldsmobile Cutlass, authorities said.” There’s also speculation that they may have crossed the border into Canada.

UPDATE: yep, like Todd said in the comments, the bad guys were captured in British Columbia.

How about a good old-fashioned Link Roundup, Montana style? Here we go…

Cowpie.biz is a Montana-specific search page. From the About page: “All listings in our index reside within the state of Montana and are owned by Montana residents and business persons. When you search The CowPie, you are searching Montana.”

Big Sky Guns is…well, pretty self-explanatory. If you’re looking for guns – or other things that go “boom” – this is the place.

Rossberg Art: Great Falls artist Cliff Rossberg is awesome – check this out.

Montana Nurses Association: again, self-explanatory. If you’re a nurse and you live in Montana, worth checking out.

Montana Non-Profit Association: serving non-profits across Montana via advocacy and public policy on sector-wide issues; discount goods and services to save administrative costs; training, professional development, and technical assistance; communications and networking; and so on.

Wisdom River Gallery: some good stuff here – artwork, Christmas stuff, furniture, and more.

Montana ZIP Codes: they’re all here!

Montana has plenty of rich visitors and tourists, to the delight of some and dismay of others. But did you know that there are two Montanans who made the Forbes 400 list? Coming in at #98 is Dennis Washington, described as “high-school grad and self-made industrialist.” And coming in at #160 on the list is Linda Pritzker, whose tale seems a bit soap-opera-ish. In other financial news, a site called “NetWorthIQ,” which allows people to enter their assets, debts, and other dollar-based stuff to compare to and learn from others, has a few Montana entries. If you’re looking to improve your financial standing, take a look at the Montana Financial Education Coalition (aka MT Jump$tart).

I’m posting for this for Michelle from ~Tiny Bubbles~, which will soon be a Montana blog:

Hello everyone,
In a week’s time I will be flying to Missoula to tour the Univ. of Montana, because I have been accepted there and to look for a place to live. I have been looking at Missoula’s newspapers online but so far I haven’t found much. Right now I live in Seattle with my two dogs. And I would love a place with a yard. My friend at Watermark, suggested I post at the Big Sky Blog, to see about a rental. I can be e-mailed at michelle.fierro@gmail.com.

thank you, thank you

I’m sure that most of you know that there is an official Montana state song; appropriately, it is called “Montana,” and the refrain certainly rings true:

Montana, Montana, Glory of the West
Of all the states from coast to coast, You’re easily the best
Montana, Montana, Where skies are always blue
MONTANA, Montana I love you.

Did you also know that there is an official state ballad? It’s true: it’s called “Montana Melody,” and it too features an accurate refrain:

Yes, there’s no place like Montana, the Big Sky country, my home.
A place to set my spirit free, a Rocky Mountain melody,
These things are a part of me, Montana, Montana, my home.

Can’t argue with the words, but some people, I’m sure, wonder why on earth we need two “official” tunes for our state. Of course, I’m sure there are even some people who question why we need any at all. But for anyone who thought that two state songs (ballads, whatever) just weren’t enough, now comes word that Montana will likely soon have an official lullaby. That’s right, an official lullaby. I’m sure the Ken Overcast-tune is lovely, but come on…isn’t this getting a little ridiculous?
What next – an official state rock song, jazz tune, rap lyrics, and opera? And why stop at music, then? Why not an official Montana TV show, stage play, and so on? Whew…all this talk is making me tired…maybe I should hum the lullaby to soothe me to sleep…
UPDATE: Craig points out that Montana really does “need” this!

Q: What is a “blog?”
A: It is a variation on the term “web log,” which is an on-line journal (or diary) of thoughts, news, events, links, observations, and such. Most blogs are owned & operated by one person, but some – like the one you’re reading – are collaborative efforts with many users (”bloggers”).

Q: What is “Big Sky?”
A: That’s a nickname for Montana. You have to see the sky here to fully understand. The sky truly looks incredible here. You can reach up and touch it, but it is so “big” that it just overwhelms you (in a good way).

Q: What else should I know about Montana?
A: Montana is the 4th-largest state, and populated with less than 1 million people. That translates into a small town with long roads. It is also known as the Treasure State, because Montana is rich in natural resources and precious metals. Montana is also home to the friendliest people that you’ll ever meet.

Q: Why a Big Sky Blog?
A: Several reasons: first, because Montanans by nature are very friendly, enjoy meeting each other, and are very sociable. Second, Montana is a BIG place, with not a whole lot of people. We thought it might be nifty to have a sort of “blog central” where regular bloggers can hang out sometimes. Third, this is an “open blog” – anyone can register and post an entry. That makes it a collective voice and view of Montanans. Fourth, it is a showcase for newly-discovered Montana bloggers, which we affectionately term “YAMBies” (Yet Another Montana Blogger).

Apparently a Budweiser delivery truck was stolen in Great Falls and as of Thursday afternoon it was spotted west of Lincoln – if you see it, please call the local authorities!
UPDATE: busted!

Ever wonder what the most-commented entries are here at the Big Sky Blog? Wonder no more – here’s the Top 15!

[tpbc_list]

Montana high school debate teams are pretty darn good, by all accounts, and Sarah recently stopped by looking for information about legislative debate. To start, you should check out the National Forensic League’s Montana site, and also the Montana High School Association’s pages devoted to Speech and Drama. You can find information about State Tournaments, and the Speech, Debate, and Theatre Association. Good luck Sarah!