Dawson Co. Fair

At the Dawson County Fair, I sang on the Free Entertainment stage and it seemed like everywhere I looked, there were at least two familiar faces from the pageant - from board members and vintage car drivers to enthusiastic fans and little sisters. It was great to be welcomed back in the town where my journey began. In the evening, there was another rodeo and, you guessed it, I sang my heart out again.
Saturday, I made my way around some of the booths in the commercial building: the Glendive Medical Center, Dawson Community College, the Chamber of Commerce, and a local health food store/restaurant "The Carpentar's Pantry".
I was lucky to attend a tailgate party to meet the entertainers for the night show, Wade Hayes and Brian White. The local radio station did a live, on-location broadcast and interview with me. When the two country singers came out they were very nice and did lots of autographs and photos for the attendees. The show was really good but it would been even more awesome if the thunder storm had not moved in and forced the show to close early. Fortunately, I was sitting under the overhang of the grandstands and did not get as wet as those a few rows down.
One of our IMAGE Productions, "Sweet Home Miss Montana" Week hostesses, Kass, opened her home for me....thanks, Kass!
The next morning I was up bright and early again to catch the 6:30 am Big Sky Airlines flight back to Billings. However, the flight took a little detour to Sheridan, Wyoming because the Billings airport was covered in fog.

Dr. Eickmann

The Dawson County Fair was held on the weekend of August 11 in Glendive and I was excited to return to a community that I was already familiar with.
Before I headed to the fair on Friday, I visited Dr. Timm Eickmann's office for dental improvement. I cannot thank Dr. Eickmann and his office staff enough for the wonderful work and his generousity. We are very fortunate to have sponsors who are willing to support our cause and our gratitude is immense.
Thank you Dr. Eickmann!!!

Richland Co. Fair, Sidney

The next weekend I was back in Sidney for the Richland County Fair. On Thursday, I was scheduled to spend the entire day at the fair in the Commerical Building where I did a "Meet & Greet" at the Danielson True Value booth. It just so happens that the Danielsons are my Godparent and it was fun to be introduced to everyone by them, "Have you met our God daughter? Oh, she happens to be Miss Montana, too." They even had Sharp-n-Sassy make lollipops with my photo on them!
In the afternoon I helped the Lower Yellowstone Valley REA with their annual promotion Co-Op Days "Root Beer Floats with Miss Montana". I think I signed and handed out the most amount of photos at that event than I ever had before. For me, there is nothing better than smiling faces and ice cream....ah, the simple joys. Before returning to the True Value booth for the evening, I climbed the crow's nest over the rodeo arena and sang the National Anthem. I was more than happy to oblige when they asked me to come back the next night and sing again. At the end of the night, was I ever ready to retire my crown......and.....boots!
On Friday, I spent a few hours at the Stockman Bank booth visiting and greeting, and actually ran into a high school classmate from Billings. I sometimes forget how small Montana can be.
The most memorable moment was when I was first meeeting with the fair and rodeo organizers and one them asked me, "Would you be comfortable riding a horse into the arena with the American flag and then singing?" I had to laugh to myself because I could just envision trying to ride a horse, control a large, waving flag, AND a microphone - my first concern being the horse, since I have ridden VERY few times. I graciously declined but was flattered that they might think it was possible.

Medora Musical in the Burning Hills

Keeping in mind with the musical theme (which I believe will occur often this year)I had the opportunity to sing in Medora at their outdoor summer musical show on July 30. Now, I realize that Medora is in North Dakota and that I am Miss MONTANA, however, many Montanans make the short drive across the state border to enjoy the amazing show and pitchfork fondue. Our Miss Montana Scholarship Program judges attend the event each year and are always delighted and amazed.
The show was wonderful and from what I understoood from my Godparents (who are two that frequently make the trip from Montana), the show changed their format a bit and was better than ever. Everyone behind the scenes was so helpful and easy to work with. They are a great bunch of people and I was honored to have the opportunity to sing.

Music Makes the Difference!

It is amazing how the greatest opportunities come about at the last minute. One week, I got a call from Jeff Eckroth, who was responding to an e-mail that I sent to the American Music Conference, and the next week I was attending a music clinic in Billings, addressing 120 music educators from the state.
Eckroth Music is a regional music store that travels to every school in the state and assists them in their music program needs. They are huge advocates in promoting music education on all levels. I forsee wonderful opportunities unfolding in collaboration with them.

July 20-23 Visits

Plentywood is the county seat of Montana's most northeastern county, Sheridan. While at attending the county fair, I also visited the assisted living facility, La Casa and the retirement community, the Montana Pioneer Manor. At both places the residents were very excited at my coming and I sang a few songs for them.

Sheridan County Fair

Cruisin' Main!
Mmmmm good!


My first county fair was in Plentywood, held July 20-23, for Sheridan County. A local annual tradition with the fair is the parade. I got to ride in a cute red 1963 Covair roadster and the driver knew my dad through Masonic connections. At the rodeo I sang both the National Anthem and the Canadian National Anthem. I give credit to my Job's Daughters experiences for teaching me "O Canada"!
We had great cross-over visitations to and from the Alberta Job's Daughters and always sang both anthems at our gatherings.
My biggest challenge was adapting to the amplificaiton system at the rodeo arena. With a slight delay from what was put into the microphone and what went out of the speakers, my ears could only hear myself singing what seemed like three seconds earlier (it wasn't that much, but it was challenging).
Ah, the power of adapability; it will become a wonderful assset in my travels.
The rodeo was fun and they had a "Calf Dressing" contest in which teams of four ladies had to catch a calf and then put a t-shirt on the calf. It is a local attraction and entertaining to say the least.
I also sang at the Free Entertainment Stage on the 23rd. but since it was the last day of the fair, the crowd was not as large as the previous days.
Later that day I sang at the demolition Derby and had a few chuckles as I climbed the ladder up to the crow's nest in my heels. I guess I didn't think through where I would be walking when I prepared my wardrobe that morning. I certainly didn't think I would be crossing muddy runways and climbing ladders in my shoes.
People have been quite impressed about the things I accomplish in heels.
After that I was due for a retreat from the afternoon heat and guess where that took me.....Dairy Queen of course! I think Avice is learning that I hardly ever turn down Dairy Queen and sometimes ask for it to satisfy my addiction. What can I say....when one grows up in a Dairy Queen, it runs through the blood!

Meet Me In Montana!

Welcome to Montana!

Many thanks to Big Sky Airlines and the friendly people who transport me. From the ticketing staff to the pilots, the airport managers and grounds crews, the office personel and management, I am treated like "royalty"! Big Sky Airlines is an official sponsor of the Crown to the Classrooms and Beyond State-wide Speaking Engagements that Miss Montana undertakes during her year of service.

Glendive has the smallest television station in Montana but the greatest local interest shows. TV hostess, Dorothy Sturlaugson, inteviews me at CBS affiliate, KXGN.

East-West Shrine Game: Great Falls

With a Shriner, who drove me at another parade. Shriners are great guys!

I spent one night at home before I was off to the next event, the East-West Shrine (Football) Game in Great Falls. I rode in the parade in the morning and loved watching all the fun Shrine parade acts. They always have miniature, motorized things that are fascinating to watch...tiny corvettes, spinning saucers, small old model cards, the long train, and the list goes on......
My family has always been involved with the Masonic groups so I had many familiar faces cheering for me as I rode down the street. I was introduced at the game and loved watching the involvement of the Shrine Kids. It is an amazing event that refocuses an ordinary All-Star game to a benefit and a great experience for crippled children.
My host family was Aubrey Hiller, her husband and their daughters. Aubrey is the longest reigning Miss Montana and is a vocalist. She was one of the judges at the Miss Montana Scholarship Program in June, where she celebrated her tenth anniversary as Miss Montana.

Big Sky State Games

Friday, I rode back to Billings to sing the National Anthem at the opening ceremonies of the Big Sky State Games. This year the ceremonies were in the grandstands of Metra Park and boy, was it ever hot! I met the speed skating gold medalist, Derek Parra, who lit the torch at the ceremonies. He brought his gold and silver medals from the Salt Lake City Games and they were much heavier than I imagined.
I also helped hand out medals for events that had already taken place on the first day of games. The highlight of the evening for me, was being buzzed by a Black Hawk helicopter after I finished singing the Star Spangled Banner on stage....that was pretty cool.

MT 4-H State Congress

I am starting to learn that late nights and early mornings are normal as a Miss Montana.
I arrived in Bozeman at the MSU campus on Wednesday morning in time to help out with their Fashion Revue judging. I was most impresssed with the abilities of the "contestants" to make an entire outfit, whether it be formal, business, casual, or wool (form the sheep raised, wool spun, and garments made by one person). I was so happy that I didn't have to judge. It would have been so hard to choose.
In the evening was the Talent Showcase and I gave my first speech as Miss Montana. They also asked me to sing at the end of the show. When deciding what song to perform, I determined that I might find some Patsy Cline fans in the audience, so sang "Crazy". Everyone was wonderful and I was delighted to find so many positive teenagers in one place.
The boys made me laugh because some asked if they could wear the crown. We had a "crowning" pose for pictures and I am sure there were at least five who took part - how fun!
Thursday evening was the final banquet and Fashion Revue. I was so proud of how great the contestants looked and walked on stage. They strutted as if they were in a professional syle show, which is mostly credited to one of the other helpers during the judging and rehearsal. Her name is Erica and she works for an agency in Portland, so she definitely knows her stuff. I was acutally trying to get a few tips from her on my own walk!
Once the show was over, I headed back early to the hotel. I attempted to do a little lap swimming in the hotel pool. I modified the lap and swam around the perimeter. What a girl will do to get in her exercise!

Dagmar Centennial Variety Show

Teddy Roosevelt & Danish Nisse

Having fun after the show.
The evening variety show was a hoot and I learned what a "Danish Oreo" was - a joke played on me by the emcees.
Holly Matz (Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen '06) and I both performed with a number of really fun acts - Teddy Roosevelt, a tap dancer, a guitar player who mimicked Bob Dylan and Guns & Roses, a young aspiring country singer, Danish Ox Dancers, a community choir, and a Danish nisse (an elf or gnome in other cultures).
The only downside to my first weekend of official appearances was the time I had to get up the next morning to catch my flight out of Sidney, 3:30 am!

Dagmar Centennial

The Centennial of Dagmar was an enlightening experience. I learned that not only is it the Danish capital of Montana, but also has had many famous visitors including royalty and government officals from foreign countries, a consulate of the Danish Governoment (who came for the celebration).
In the morning I rode in the parade in a convertible with a very nice couple from Medicine Lake who kept me entertained through the hour and a half process. It was not the length of the route but rather the number of entries that made the parade so long - about 90! Even more amazing was the number of people: over 2500! For a town of about 20, that is quite impressive.
Talking with many of the attendess, I noted that most had ties to the community and had traveled many miles to celebrate.
During the afternoon, I learned Danish folk dancing.
I will share more about the variety show later.

Experiencing Eastern Montana

With Holly Matz, Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen

My first tour as Miss Montana was as fun as I had hoped. Flying Big Sky Airlines makes getting around Montana much easier and quicker.
Starting with a customer appreciation BBQ at Sidney's Electricland, the Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen, Holly Matz, and I visited on air with two of the radio stations. It was fun to be with someone else with a crown as we made our way along the line of the BBQ attendees.
I stayed at the Hoff Ranch and decided to go for a jog in the morning. As I ran on the country road, I came across a tool, partially buried in the dirt. Being somewhat familiar with farm life, I knew that it must have fallen out of the pickup and I returned it to the house. I guess I underestimated the importance of a returned tool because Ivan was excited to share with his friends how Miss Montana found his lost fencing pliers!

Official Photographer: Clark Marten!

Clark Marten of Clark Marten Photography of Columbus took my official photographs. The four-hour session was fun and had great results. I have been working with sponsors and having consultations for wardrobe, make-up, dentistry, and fitness. I am appreciative of the many sponsorships and volunteers who work hard to ensure a fabulous year for the contestants and tileholders, past and present.