News

A GREAT SPOT FOR A WORKSHOP!

October 10, 2011

The Circle Bar recently hosted a two-day Art Workshop by Montana-born artist, Elliot Eaton.  About 20 members of the Montana Midstate Art Society watched as Eaton demonstrated in charcoal, watercolor and oils – then gave tips to participants as they produced their own work under his guidance.

Though some members reside close enough to the Circle Bar to have made the drive each day, others were able to stay on-site and enjoy dinner by the fireside and early breakfast before the workshop sessions began each day.

The Circle Bar welcomes any group interested in bringing similar events – it’s a perfect spot for any sort of gathering, conference, meeting, workshop or seminar.  Food and on-site accommodations are always available.

THE CIRCLE BAR WELCOMES THE RED HAT LADIES

September 1, 2011

“It’s about being silly….we show you that life really begins at 50, or 60 or 70!” The Red Hat Society, born of a poem written many years ago by Jenny Joseph called “When I Am an Old Woman”, has the fastest growing membership in the world today.  There are chapters around the world –each elects it’s own “Queen” once a year.

The O recently invited the Lewistown/Moore Chapters to share some laughs and some lunch – all of them showed up decked out in their traditional red hats and purple duds.  They are quick to point out that the club has no real “rules” – they meet once a month, most times for dessert only – their particular chapter takes part in a number of community projects and volunteer at local nursing homes and  hospitals.

Any woman can join – if you’re under 50 you’re asked to wear pink – red hats and purple dress for 50 and older – and if it happens to be your birthday month you’re expected to show up in a purple hat and red clothing.  “It’s all about enjoying who you are”, according to Lewistown Chapter Queen, Helen Stanton. If you are interested in joining the local club or starting one of your own, contact Charly Daugherty, of Moore, at: redhatcharly@yahoo.com.

MEMPHIS & NASHVILLE GET THEIR FIRST HAIRCUT

July 5, 2011

Finally, now that summer’s actually arrived and the weather has warmed up, it was time to get the boys trimmed up. Neighbor and shearing expert, Josh Ridgeway, came by today to give Memphis and Nashville (our two Navajo-Churro Sheep) their first shearing.  It is unbelievable how fast he is – Josh had both my boys trimmed up in less than 15 minutes total!

Next week, we’ve got two new ewes coming home to the Circle Bar, so we’re glad that Nashville and Memphis are going to be cleaned up and looking
pretty good for those new ladies. Both the boys will have to spend some time in their shed over the next few days so they’ll be able to stay out of the sun for a time.

Sheep can be badly sunburned right after they’ve been sheared. After a few days the natural lanolin in their coat takes over and protects them from too much sun.

NEWEST MEMBER OF THE HERD

June 21, 2011

The Circle Bar Guest Ranch has a new family member – he’s “Ranger” a beautiful gelding Paint / Percheron cross.  Ranger is nearly as gentle as he is tall – standing a stout 16 ½ hands – he’s sure to become a favorite of young and old here at the ranch.

Since we plan to introduce him to our own healthy herd of 26, he’ll have to be quarantined here on the ranch in his own corral for about 21 days – that’ll insure that he isn’t going to bring any kind of illness to the rest of the herd.  It is always done as a precaution, even if you know the horse you purchased and know his history and his owner.  It’s an important way to protect your own horses when a new member is introduced.

Ranger is 16-years-old and probably weighs in the neighborhood of 1600 pounds, so he will be a perfect horse for any of our guests that need a big, strong ride.

BILLY GETS SOME GIRLS

June 18, 2011

“Billy the Bull” our 1500-pound Longhorn/Corriente-Cross is finally going to get some company after a long, wet spring accompanied by horses alone.  Last fall owners at the Circle Bar Guest Ranch decided to sell the eleven full-Corriente heifers.  The Corriente breed is similar to the well-known Longhorn, but is smaller and shorter-horned. 

For Father’s Day, owner John McTurk was gifted two cow-calf pair (that’s a mother cow and her newly-born calf). So sometime next month, our feisty 3-year old bull, Billy will again enjoy the company of some lovely ladies.

We use our cows to entertain our guests here at the Circle Bar – we often move cows on horseback, from pasture to pasture, to get them new grass to eat.  They’re also used to do what cowboys call “team-penning” where the cows are numbered and guests have to “cut” a certain number out of the herd and bring it, while on horseback, to a specific spot in our large arena.  Usually the activity is timed and done in teams.  It can be the closest thing to “rodeo” our guests would probably ever be a part of!

YOU CAN STILL GET THERE FROM HERE

June 2011

This month, the President finally signed the Disaster Declaration for the State of Montana that will eventually bring some much-needed financial support to ranchers, farmers, business and homeowners across the state where many have suffered tremendous losses due to recent flooding in Montana.  Montana is also a state that relies heavily on tourism and with many campgrounds and state and national parks suffering infrastructure damage, tourism is expected to suffer major losses this summer. The economic impact of the disaster will be in the millions of dollars.

Across the state of Montana, there are few can remember this kind of flooding, in so widespread an area.  A combination of heavier than normal snow pack from this past winter and heavy rains has spelled disaster for everything from newly-seeded fields to hundreds of washed-out roads a bridges in areas that have experienced what’s been called a “100-year-flood”.  

It will be some time before all of Montana’s roads and bridges will be rebuilt, but the President’s official declaration is the first step to get some help restoration efforts across the state.  Among the hardest hit areas is the Judith River Valley, where the tame and majestic Judith River, a blue-ribbon trout venue, was turned into the “River Wild” for the first two weeks of June.  South Fork Road (pictured) runs beside the Judith, and despite suffering some serious damage in the flooding, it has remained open to one-way traffic.  Repairs are scheduled to begin in mid to late June and the road will remain open while repair work is done.

Despite several weeks of rain and cooler-than-average temperatures in early June, as the end of the month approaches, weather patterns have finally begun to change as sunshine and warmer temperatures are returning to Big Sky Country, and summer is here at last.

Please check back for more updates.

Thanks!