Montana

Tin Finley: Polson show marks homecoming for Montana-based band

Published

2 years ago

April 11, 2024

Tin Finley: Polson show marks homecoming for Montana-based band

For Polson native Kati O’Toole, the concert April 8 at the Theatre on the Lake in Polson marks a musical homecoming. The Polson High School grad joins another alum, bassist Eric Hogenson, and friends and bandmates Annette Strean and Kirk Cornelius in Tin Finley – a band named after Nashville’s famed Tin Angel restaurant (where three of the four members either met or worked) and inspired by the quartet’s Montana roots.

O’Toole began playing keyboards when she was just 3, under the tutelage of longtime music teacher Marilyn Coffee. She went on to perform at Good Lutheran Church, in local talent shows, and was a member the PHS Select Choir and a smaller ensemble called Connection.

She also played some smaller roles in Port Polson Players’ student productions, “where I was doing mostly singing and no acting. I’m a terrible actor,” she says.

Her real passion was songwriting and crafting melodies. She earned a degree in music production and engineering from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and then headed to Los Angeles where she worked in a world-renowned studio, The Village Recorder, before landing a job as the head of production at StudioPros, an online recording studio. She also worked as a touring musician, playing keyboards and singing.

“I knew that I wanted to do something creative in my life and music makes me happy,” she says. Coincidentally, her compatriots in Tin Finley are also successful professional musicians who made their way back to Montana.

Whitefish native Strean traveled across the United States and around the world with her band, Venus Hum, which also opened for, and performed in, the touring show for Blue Man Group. She remains a professional recording artist, singer, songwriter and writer. She and her husband, Cornelius, met at the Tin Angel and played music and toured together before moving back to the Flathead.

O’Toole first met Strean in Nashville 18 years ago when both were working at the Tin Angel and were introduced by a mutual friend. They were reintroduced in 2020, pre-pandemic, when they were both living in the Flathead Valley.

The two women launched the band – and invited Strean’s husband to join them on guitars. Within the past year, Hogenson added bass to the mix. He also grew up in Polson, graduating in 1997, and was a friend of O’Toole’s husband, Darin Robison (PHS Class of ’99). Also, both Hogenson’s and O’Toole’s parents taught in the Polson Schools.

When O’Toole first moved to L.A., Hogenson and his wife, Cat, were living there. “He was really kind in hooking me up with shows here and there where I would open for his band, The Quick Six.”

“Polson people look out for each other like that, and it’s kinda cool,” says O’Toole.

Hogenson is now department chair and Professor of Elementary Education at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo. The two families have become good friends, “and it just made sense to have him join the band on bass,” says O’Toole. “It has really filled out our sound.”

The band often choses unconventional venues, although the Port Polson Players’ “intimate and nostalgic” theater at the golf course marks their first show in Polson. Other venues have included Home Ranch Bottoms in Polebridge, Max’s in Bigfork, Kalico Art Center in Kalispell and Camp Tuffit at Lake Mary Ronan

Since their inception, band members have co-written “an album’s worth of material” which they’ve been producing at their home studios. As one might expect from a quartet for professionals, their music is propelled by strong melodies, thought-provoking lyrics and tight, graceful harmonies.

In a review for the Daily Inter Lake, Margaret Davis described Tin Finley’s music as “expertly penned and arranged, disarmingly honest, riveting,” and writes that their songs “take listeners on whole journeys to new places and sound like nothing else.”

The Polson show begins at 7 p.m. April 20 and admission is free, although donations to support the artists are welcome at the door.

For more on the band, visit tinfinley.com.

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Montana

Between Bozeman And Billings Is Montana’s One-Of-A-Kind Historic Mill Filled With Cheese – Islands

Published

12 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Between Bozeman And Billings Is Montana’s One-Of-A-Kind Historic Mill Filled With Cheese – Islands

artem evdokimov/Shutterstock

Montana may be well known as a top destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers thanks to its outdoor activities like hiking and paddling, but there are some unique foodie gems to be found here, too. One of the best ways to experience Montana’s local food scene is with a visit to Greycliff Mill, between Bozeman and Billings. Here, you can discover a one-of-a-kind cheese attraction along with a number of other things to see on site during your visit to Big Sky Country.

Greycliff Mill is housed in a restored 1760s barn, which features a water-powered gristmill and pretty scenery like ponds framed by rock formations. You may see bison wandering the site — there are five that live here. You may also catch a glimpse of a 10-foot-tall bear, but no need to panic as it’s only a statue, carved by a chainsaw. The pretty cafe, a mix of modern and rustic decor, serves from a menu that includes coffee, milkshakes, and pastries, plus paninis like “The Cattleman” and breakfast sandwiches like the “Sheepherders Sandwich.” Book in advance for a special farm-to-table dinner in the evening — these are only offered on select dates throughout the year, and may sell out. But one thing you shouldn’t miss here is the cheese cave.

Discover Greycliff Mill’s cheese cave

Greycliff Mill has an underground cheese cave, which is a must-see on any visit. It’s possible to see experts making artisan cheeses while you learn about the cheesemaking process and sample a few products. The cheese is aged in the cave at a temperature of 50 degrees with 85% humidity to create the perfect environment for a tasty product. It’s possible to buy some cheese at their market — which also sells seasonal produce, bread, and lots of other Montana-made products.

Besides the food-based spots, Greycliff Mill is also home to a small wool-weaving studio, and there are accommodations if you want to spend the night in restored log cabins or reclaimed farm silos. Greycliff Creek Ranch offers horseback rides and a chuckwagon dinner for more authentic Montana experiences. Whether you’re visiting especially to see the cheese cave, or road tripping and need a break, Greycliff Mill is a quirky and special spot. One Google reviewer summed up the experience well, praising the “amazing rustic atmosphere,” and saying, “I stopped for a coffee and ended up staying just to enjoy the view. Great coffee, peaceful place, and such a unique spot. Definitely worth the stop if you’re driving through Montana.”

Greycliff Mill is between Bozeman and Billings, the largest city in Montana and surrounded by natural beauty. It’s almost equidistant between the two cities — 1 hour to Bozeman and 1 hour to Billings. The closest major airport is Billings-Logan International Airport, although Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Montana’s mountain gem of an airport, is also a convenient option.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Big Sky Bonus results for April 17, 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 17, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 17 drawing

38-43-44-49-62, Mega Ball: 08

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from April 17 drawing

01-08-12-27, Bonus: 09

Check Big Sky Bonus 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.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

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

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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