Montana

The foods that really make a Montana summer | Opinion

Published

6 months ago

June 14, 2025

Press Room

The foods that really make a Montana summer | Opinion

Lisa Schmidt
| Special to the Great Falls Tribune

Summer celebrations in Montana queue up like cows on winter hay.

This past weekend, the line was long.

I couldn’t help but notice that food was at the center of all of these celebrations.

Friday night, my daughter, Abby, my mom and I enjoyed Whoop-Up burgers at the Conrad Whoop-Up rodeo.

Thin, gray, chewy patties topped with mushy grilled onions are required fare at every outdoor party in Conrad and the rodeo is no exception.

A food critic would take one bite then throw the rest to a dog, but something about these burgers is as integral to enjoying the rodeo as watching Z-Man the clown save tiny, innocent children from the ravages of mutton-busting.

Yes, years ago, I, too, sadistically signed up my sweet, 35-pound daughter to cling to a panicked ewe dashing and dodging in front of a cheering crowd.

Fortunately, Z-Man grabbed her belt before she hit the hard-packed dirt or I would still be hearing about the repercussions of this tradition.

On Friday night, we chewed — and chewed — on Whoop-Up burgers as we gleefully watched the next generation of torture victims.

Somehow, magically, both the burgers and action were delightful.

By Saturday morning, we were parked at the first Great Falls Farmers Market of the summer, touting our beef and lamb.

The street was packed with people who had waited all spring to stroll among booths, visit with neighbors and nibble on pork on a stick, fruit bowls and cupcakes so pretty a person hesitated to desecrate them.

But only momentarily.

Then temptation won and teeth sank into mounds of colorful frosting.

By Saturday evening, I resolved to only eat more nutritious food.

My resolution would have to wait.

Sunday afternoon was reserved for a celebration of the life of a friend who left too soon.

Six months ago, Bob didn’t know cancer was consuming his pancreas and liver.

He was hunting elk and hugging his wife, Le Ann, worried only about the next step in remodeling their winter home in Arizona.

Bob and Le Ann played an integral role in raising my kids.

Le Ann introduced my son, Will, to retired fighter pilots.

Those two colonels paid it forward, outlining the steps Will needed to take so he, too, could fly 1000 miles an hour in a jet loaded with an arsenal.

Bob and Le Ann came to every one of Abby’s birthday parties, endured every one of my attempts to provide an edible dinner and birthday cake.

They soon learned to have food waiting in their fridge at home, just in case my efforts failed.

In my defense, one time I followed the actual recipe for lamb ribs.

Against my better judgment.

I couldn’t understand how those ribs would be cooked in 15 minutes, but I’m not a food scientist. What did I know?

With one bite, Bob, Le Ann, the other guests and I all came to the same conclusion: I should have trusted my instincts.

All of us trusted our instincts after that single bite and gave those raw ribs to the chickens.

Now, an invitation to dinner at my house implies that guests have other food waiting at home, just in case.

That story was just one of many that I could have shared at Bob’s memorial service while we all enjoyed the cookies Bob loved.

As Abby and I drove home, I thought about the integral link between food and celebrations.

Feelings are heightened when bites are taken.

Gray burgers, frosted cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies strengthen bonds of shared experiences.

Food wraps each of us in the culture of the West, traditions and memories.

But food is better when it is cooked.

Lisa Schmidt raises grass-fed beef and lamb at the Graham Ranch near Conrad. Lisa can be reached at L.Schmidt@a-land-of-grass-ranch.com.

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Montana

Oregon women earn 11th victory with win over Montana State

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Oregon women earn 11th victory with win over Montana State

Oregon women’s basketball moved to 11-1 following a 69-44 win over Montana State Sunday at Matthew Knight Arena.

Four of Oregon’s starters scored in double figures, led by guard Sofia Bell’s 15 points.

Mia Jacobs added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Katie Fiso and Ari Long each scored 10 points. Fiso added five assists.

Oregon (11-1) struggled shooting, hitting 19 of 58 field goal attempts (32.8%), including 9 of 31 from three-point range (29%). However, those numbers were mainly dragged down in the fourth quarter when the game was well in hand.

Oregon, which led 37-14 at halftime, shot just 22.2% from the field in the final quarter and missed all seven of its three-point attempts. MSU won the quarter 16-11.

Bell went 4 of 8 from long distance, Jacobs went 3 of 8 and Long made both of her three-point attempts. The rest of the team went 0-for-13.

Montana State (6-3) received 14 points and four rebounds from Jamison Philip. The Bobcats shot 1 of 19 from three-point range and committed 23 turnovers that the Ducks converted into 25 points.

Next up: The Ducks host Portland (7-4) at 11 a.m. on Thursday. The Pilots defeated Kent State 88-78 on Sunday.

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FCS playoffs roundup: There will be an all-Montana semifinal in the FCS playoffs

Published

16 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

FCS playoffs roundup: There will be an all-Montana semifinal in the FCS playoffs

MISSOULA, Mont. — The No. 3-seeded Montana Grizzlies proved too much to handle on Saturday afternoon, overwhelming the No. 11-seeded South Dakota Coyotes 52-22 in the FCS playoff quarterfinals at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

The Griz used the home crowd to their advantage in an all-around dominant performance in all three phases of the game in front of a home crowd of 22,750 fans. The win sets up an all-Montana semifinal in the FCS playoffs as the Griz will go to face No. 2 Montana State on Dec. 20 for a trip to the national championship.

Montana’s Keali’i Ah Yat had 305 yards and three passing scores, as Michael Wortham had 11 catches for 201 yards and two receiving touchdowns, as well as 43 rushing yards and a score.

All told, the Coyotes had 63 plays on offense for 351 total yards, but the 10 offensive penalties seemed to be a key difference in finding any consistency.

Montana State advances with decisive victory

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana State ran for 227 yards as the Bobcats dominated the third-ranked rush defense in the country en route to beating Stephen F. Austin 44-28 on Friday to advance to the FCS playoff semifinals.

Adam Jones finished with 117 yards and Julius Davis had 96 on the ground for Montana State, which jumped out to a 24-0 lead. Justin Lamson had 246 passing yards for the Bobcats.

Villanova holds down Tarleton State to advance

STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Villanova overcame a 14-0 deficit as the No. 12 Wildcats beat fourth-seeded Tarleton State 26-21 on Saturday.

It is the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2010 that ‘Nova advanced to the semifinals. The Wildcats held Tarleton State to 56 yards rushing and 266 total yards while racking up 426 overall on their own.

Ja’briel Mace had a 47-yard run to trim Tarleton State’s lead to 21-19 in the third quarter and Braden Reed hauled in an 11-yard TD pass in the fourth to complete the comeback.

Dawson runs Illinois State past UC Davis

DAVIS, Calif. — Victor Dawson carried 29 times for 148 yards and Tommy Rittenhouse threw a 93-yard TD pass as Illinois State beat UC-Davis 42-31 on Saturday, one week after the Redbirds upset North Dakota State in Fargo.

Rittenhouse finished 15 of 20 for 266 yards and three touchdowns and one interception. Daniel Sobkowicz had six receptions for 150 yards and two scores.

Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick was 24 of 41 for 402 yards with three touchdowns and a pick.

Trey Houchin of the Mitchell Republic contributed to this report.

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

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Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 13, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 13, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

01-28-31-57-58, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

12-18-19-24-35, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

20-26-27-32-46, Star Ball: 08, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

04-06-11-31, Bonus: 09

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

01-16-18-31-37

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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