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News:
Troy holds 5th Annual Christmas Lights Contest (posted 12/2/19)
Deadline to enter is December 16th
Troy will be holding their 5th Annual Christmas Lights Contest this December. Deadline to enter is Monday, December 16th. Judging will take place on December 19th-21st.
There will be five Prize Categories:
Most Over the Top Display
Classic Christmas
Most Unique
People's Choice
Most Festive Business (newly added category)
There will be $100 cash prize for the winner of each category.
For more information go to Troy's Christmas Lights Contest Facebook Page or call Angie at 406-291-6315.
December happenings in Libby (posted 12/2/19)
December 3: Wreath Decorating Workshop Wreath decorating workshop at Libby Floral at 5:00 p.m. Class is $50 with supplies included. Choose your ribbon and ornaments! For more information, visit the event page on Facebook or call 406-293-4139.
December 3: Ladies' Night at Ace A night of fun, prizes, and special discounts at Ace from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Catered by the Shed.
December 4: Photos with Santa At Keller Williams Realty from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Photos with Santa and his Elf along with holiday treats and refreshments. Office located at 918 Idaho Ave., next to Henry's Restaurant. Non-perishable food items for the Libby Food Pantry will be accepted. For questions or to RSVP, please call Angela at 406-291-9893 or email at angelavg@kw.com.
December 5: Tree of Life Ceremony Remembering lost loved ones at Libby Christian Church at 6:00 p.m. For more information, call Home Options at 406-283-7300.
December 6: Book Sale Libby Friends of the Library book sale from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entrance is on Main Street across from the Post Office. Check out the books, movies, and music CDs.
December 6: Girls' Night Out Ladies' night of shopping in Libby from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. More info here.
December 7: Kids & Critters 4-H Club Christmas Bazaar At Morrison Elementary School, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
December 7: Family Board Games At the Troy Library from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Play chess, Life, Battleship, Scattergories, Candy Land, and more.
December 7: Libby Christmas Tree Lighting At the end of Mineral Avenue at 5:00 p.m.
December 7: Turner Mountain Fun Night At the Red Dog Saloon at 6:00 p.m. Pizza, salad, and drinks for $30/person. A fun way to support Turner. More info here.
December 11: Chamber of Commerce Luncheon General meeting and luncheon at the Shed restaurant at noon. Zero to Five, Lincoln County Health Department, and Unite for Youth share their message: "You can make a difference for local kids." Please RSVP in advance to Myranda at 406-293-4167.
December 12: Buddy Tetreault Concert Holiday music at the Dome Theater from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Admission is by donation.
December 14: Family Board Games At the Troy Library from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Play chess, Life, Battleship, Scattergories, Candy Land, and more.
December 14: Books and Brews At Cabinet Mountain Brewing from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. This month's selection is Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger.
December 14: Festival Gala 25th annual Festival Gala at the Memorial Center, 5:30 to 11:00 p.m. Music by Jacque Jolene & Pour Decisions. Tickets $50. Proceeds benefit Cabinet Peaks Medical Center. More info here.
December 16: Troy's Christmas Lights Contest Deadline to enter More info here.
December 20: Tentative Opening Day for Turner Mountain More info here.
December 21: Family Board Games At the Troy Library from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Play chess, Life, Battleship, Scattergories, Candy Land, and more.
December 22: Handel's Messiah Practices currently being held at the Libby High School choir room every Monday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This community performance will be held at the Memorial Center at 3:00 p.m.
December 24: Troy and Eureka Libraries Closed For Christmas Eve.
December 25: Merry Christmas!
December 28: Family Board Games At the Troy Library from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Play chess, Life, Battleship, Scattergories, Candy Land, and more.
For more events, see our LibbyMT.com Calendar of Events page.
Hunting season ends with modest harvest in Northwest Montana (posted 12/1/19)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
The general big game hunting season concluded last weekend across Montana.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks tallied more than 14,000 hunters at its five check stations across Region 1 (northwest Montana) this season. Those hunters reported 1,022 white-tailed deer, including 816 bucks, as well as 105 mule deer and 56 elk.
Despite fewer hunters than years’ past, the overall number of harvested deer was up over last year in the region. The percentage of hunters with harvested game increased over last year at U.S. Highway 2, Swan, Olney and Canoe Gulch (Libby) check stations.
Check stations are open on weekends during hunting season and only sample a small portion of hunter participation and harvests across the region. They help biologists track monitoring trends and record information on wildlife age, health and other observations from the field. Hunter-harvest telephone surveys, conducted over the upcoming winter months, will provide more harvest data and information.
Hunting season structures and hunting district boundaries are adopted for most game species every other year between December and final adoptions in February. The biennial season setting process is underway this year, and the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will review tentative proposals and vote whether to open those proposals for public comment at its Dec. 5 meeting in Helena.
In Region 1, FWP is proposing hunting district boundary changes in the Flathead and Swan Valleys (Hunting Districts 130, 132, 140 and 170) and the Bob Marshall (combine Hunting Districts 150 and 151), adding an over-the-counter 199-00 either-sex whitetail B license for the Libby Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (portions of Hunting Districts 100, 103, and 104) to reduce deer densities, and changing the mountain lion special licenses.
With Commission approval, FWP Region 1 will hold public meetings to seek input on the proposed changes in January.
The meetings are scheduled for:
an. 3 in Kalispell (FWP Region 1 Headquarters), 6:00PM
Jan. 8 in Trout Creek (Lakeside Resort), 6:00PM
Jan. 10 in Libby (K.W. Maki Theater), 6:00PM
Jan. 16 in Eureka (Lincoln Electric Cooperative), 7:00PM
All meetings will start at 6 p.m. except Eureka, which will start at 7 p.m.
Moose near Troy tests positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (posted 12/2/19)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
A moose in northwest Montana tested positive for chronic wasting disease, marking the first time the disease has been detected in the species in Montana.
A hunter harvested the bull moose in late October near Pulpit Mountain west of Quartz Creek and north of Troy. The harvest occurred less than half a mile to the west of the existing Libby CWD Management Zone.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks collected the voluntary sample from the moose and submitted it for testing to the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. The lab identified it to be suspected of CWD infection and confirmed the positive detection with a second test.
Grizzly Bear euthanized near Libby (posted 11/12/19)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
An adult male grizzly bear was euthanized Nov. 10 near Libby after it broke into a garage seeking a food source.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks captured the bear on private property along Farm to Market Road near Libby Creek approximately 3.5 miles south of Libby. The bear broke into a garage and fed on a harvested elk.
FWP consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and followed Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee guidelines.
The bear was previously captured Oct. 11 south of Libby near Big Cherry Creek after attempting to break into a barn seeking food. This was the first known conflict involving the bear attempting to gain human-related food sources. When animals become food conditioned, they lose their natural foraging behavior. The decision was made to move the bear to a remote location near Poorman Creek in the Cabinet Mountains on Oct. 12. The bear was fitted with a tracking collar.
FWP Grizzly Bear Management Specialist Kim Annis said, "FWP monitored the bear’s location and movements. Once it began frequenting residential areas again, I attempted to recapture the bear with the intent to euthanize it."
The bear was 25 years old and weighed roughly 550 pounds, an increase of approximately 100 pounds from October to November.
The USFWS originally captured the bear for research in 2005. In May 2018, the bear was involved in a surprise attack involving a USFWS field assistant in the Poorman Creek Drainage. The victim sustained injuries after surprising the bear. During the attack, the victim deployed bear spray and the bear fled the area.
The Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem, one of six designated recovery zones for grizzly bears in the lower 48 states, is located in northwest Montana and northeast Idaho. The recovery zone includes portions of the Kootenai, Idaho Panhandle, and Lolo National Forests (including one wilderness area). The Kootenai River bisects the ecosystem, with the Cabinet Mountains to the south and the Yaak River drainage to the north.
The current population of grizzly bears in the Cabinet-Yaak is estimated at 50-60 individuals with approximately half of these in the Cabinet Mountains and half in the Yaak River area.
The Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, east of the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem, is home to more than 1,000 grizzly bears. The NCDE is a designated grizzly bear recovery zone that spans Glacier National Park, parts of the Flathead and Blackfeet Indian Reservations, parts of five national forests and a significant amount of state and private lands.
FWP maintains a population monitoring program and follows protocols and management objectives designed to maintain healthy grizzly bear populations in the recovery zones. This includes tracking known mortalities, responding to management issues, and notifying the public.
Residents are encouraged to report bear activity as soon as possible. To report grizzly bear activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call FWP wildlife management specialists at (406) 250-1265. To report black bear activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call (406) 250-0062. To report bear activity in the Cabinet-Yaak area, call (406) 291-1320.
Residents are encouraged to remove or secure food attractants such as garbage and bird feeders and bird seed. Chicken and livestock should be properly secured with electric fencing or inside a closed shed with a door. Recreationists are urged to "Be Bear Aware" and follow precautionary steps and tips to prevent conflicts, such as carrying bear spray.
More safety information is available on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website, fwp.mt.gov.
How Is Libby, Troy, Yaak’s Real Estate Market in 2019? (posted 10/30/19)
Guest article by Alice Hayes, Loveless Realty
January 1, 2019 – October 1, 2019 Current RE figures were:
SALES & PENDINGS:
126 Residential SALES:
80 in Libby; 40 in Troy; 6 in Yaak
71 Land SALES:
38 in Libby; 25 in Troy; 8 in Yaak
5 Commercial/Multi-Family SALES:
4 in Libby; 1 in Troy
35 Residential PENDING:
25 in Libby; 10 in Troy
14 Land PENDING:
10 in Libby; 4 in Troy
1 Commercial/M-Family PENDING:
1 in Libby
ACTIVE LISTINGS:
115 Residential ACTIVES:
52 in Libby; 44 in Troy; 15 Yaak
199 Land ACTIVES:
105 in Libby; 79 in Troy; 15 in Yaak
22 Comm/Multi-Fam ACTIVE:
17 in Libby; 3 in Troy; 2 in Yaak
What Were the Price Ranges of SOLDS Homes so far in 2019?
10K - $150,000 = 52 Sales
151K - $250,000 = 36 Sales
251K - $500,000 = 36 Sales
501K - $800,000 = 1 Sales
801K - $1,500,000 = 1
Interest Rates Are Good— NOW Could be a Great Time to Purchase
As of 10/1/2019 Conforming & FHA Loans: per Quicken
30-Year Fixed: Interest = 3.99 %; APR= 4.247%
15-Year Fixed: Interest = 3.5 %; APR= 3.948%
2019 has been Super busy. We have been able to help many people move to their new home, move out of their old home, sell their land, buy new land, or even move to a new town. But, there have been others who are still looking to sell their home or land or looking to buy that ‘just right home’ or ‘perfect piece of land’.
Our Inventory of Homes is in rather short supply and we are looking for more options to offer buyers. If you’ve ‘toyed’ with the idea of selling –we would enjoy visiting with you about how we can be of help.
Contact:
Cell #’s:
(Alice) 406-293-8364
(Jim) 406-293-1926
Texts:
(Alice) 406-293-8364
Emails:
alice@alicehayes.com
jim@alicehayes.com
Website:
www.alicehayes.com
EPA deletes Superfund sites in Region 8 (posted 10/30/19)
Includes part of Libby asbestos site
On October 29, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 the agency deleted all or part of four sites from Superfund’s National Priorities List (NPL) in EPA Region 8, benefitting communities in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. These actions contributed to a total of 27 deletions achieved across the nation, the largest number in a single year since FY 2001. This represents the third year in a row that EPA has significantly increased the number of sites deleted from the NPL, helping communities move forward in reusing and redeveloping the land by making it clear that cleanup is complete.
"EPA remains focused on making the Superfund process more effective and efficient as we work to serve our communities and secure public health and the environment," said EPA Regional Administrator Gregory Sopkin. "The deletions we finalized this year in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming are important milestones. They provide closure to communities with sites that have been the subject of years of investigation and cleanup actions."
EPA deletes sites or parts of sites from the NPL when no further cleanup is required to protect human health or the environment. Years, and sometimes decades, of complex investigation and cleanup work has gone into getting these sites to where they are today. This important milestone indicates to communities that cleanup is complete and that sites are protective of human health and the environment.
While EPA encourages site reuse throughout the cleanup process, deletions from the NPL can help revitalize communities and promote economic growth by signaling to potential developers and financial institutions that cleanup is complete. Over the past several years, the agency has focused on streamlining the deletion process and increasing the number of opportunities to demonstrate to communities that cleanup is complete.
For example, in FY 2017 EPA doubled the number of full and partial sites deleted over the previous fiscal year with a total of six sites and then significantly increased the total number of deletions to 22 in FY 2018 and 27 in FY 2019.
The agency’s FY 2019 deletions in Region 8 include two full sites and parts of two more sites.
The 2 sites EPA completely deleted from the NPL in Region 8 are:
• Intermountain Waste Oil Refinery in Bountiful, Utah
• Mystery Bridge Rd/U.S. Highway 20 in Evansville, Wyoming
The 2 sites EPA partially deleted in Region 8 are:
• Libby Asbestos in Libby, Montana (https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id
• Vasquez Boulevard and I-70 in Denver, Colorado
Additional information about EPA’s NPL deletions can be viewed at
https://www.epa.gov/superfund/deleted-national-priorities-list-npl-sites-state
The Superfund Task Force Accomplishments can be viewed at https://www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-task-force-recommendations-and-accomplishments
To search for information about these and other NPL sites, please visit https://www.epa.gov/superfund/search-superfund-sites-where-you-live
Grizzly Bears moved from Libby, Bigfork areas (posted 10/21/19)
Landowners asked to reduce, secure food attractants to avoid wildlife conflicts
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel moved grizzly bears from separate areas of northwest Montana after the bears attempted to access food sources.
On Oct. 11, FWP captured a 460-pound adult male grizzly bear on private property on Bear Creek Road south of Libby. The bear had attempted to get into a barn by tearing at outside wall boards. FWP moved the bear to a remote location near Poorman Creek in the Cabinet Mountains on Oct. 12 after consulting the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and in accordance with Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee guidelines. The bear was fitted with a tracking collar.
On Oct. 7-8, FWP captured an adult female grizzly bear and then a female cub of the year after the bears broke into chicken coops off South Ferndale Drive near Bigfork. FWP moved the bears Oct. 9 to a remote section near the Spotted Bear River after consulting the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and in accordance with Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee guidelines. The bears were fit with tracking collars.
FWP is monitoring increased bear activity across northwest Montana, and personnel are actively working to reduce conflicts in collaboration with landowners.
Residents are encouraged to report bear activity as soon as possible. To report grizzly bear activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call FWP wildlife management specialists at (406) 250-1265. To report black bear activity in the greater Flathead Valley, call (406) 250-0062). To report bear activity in the Cabinet-Yaak area, call (406) 291-1320.
Montana is bear country with populations of grizzly and black bears. Residents are asked to remove or secure food attractants such as garbage and bird feeders and bird seed. Chicken and livestock should be properly secured with electric fencing or inside a closed shed with a door. Recreationists are urged to "Be Bear Aware" and follow precautionary steps and tips to prevent conflicts, such as carrying bear spray.
More safety information is available on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website, fwp.mt.gov.
Illegally introduced Walleyes discovered in Upper Thompson Lake (posted 10/17/19)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists found two walleyes in Upper Thompson Lake last week during a routine fisheries survey. This is the first documented detection of the predacious non-native fish in Lincoln County and is an illegal introduction.
FWP staff set a pair of nets Oct. 8 in the upper section of Upper Thompson Lake, a popular fishery that is part of the Thompson Chain of Lakes west of Marion along U.S. Highway 2. Each net caught a single walleye. Both fish were female and measured 18 and 21 inches, respectively.
FWP will begin an initial investigation, including follow-up surveys to understand the potential walleye distribution and population size.
Biologists collected otoliths, fin clips and scales from the two fish for additional research. Otolith analysis will be performed to determine whether the captured walleyes were born in the lake.
Anglers cannot move any live fish from the water in which the fish are caught. Illegal introductions can have significantly negative impacts on lakes and rivers. They can often lead to lost recreational fishing opportunities, as well as collapsing fisheries and altering food webs.
Anyone with possible information on the walleyes in Upper Thompson Lake are encouraged to call 1-800-TIP MONT. Callers do not need to identify themselves and may be eligible for a cash reward. Anglers should report additional sightings of walleye to FWP at (406) 752-5501.
Moving live fish from one body of water to another is a crime. There are important reasons for this law:
- Introduced fish may compete with native or already established species.
- Introduced fish may behave differently in a new habitat -- they may not improve and are likely to harm the fishery.
- Introduced fish may hybridize (interbreed) with established species.
- Introduced fish may carry and spread new diseases and parasites.
- Introduced fish may actually alter the existing habitat.
Illegal introductions can raise management costs by requiring planting more or larger fish or even chemical rehabilitation to maintain or restore the fishery. The result is less fishing opportunity and higher costs for anglers.
Sunburst Community Foundation 2019-2020 series
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Sunburst’s 21st Annual Performing Art Series for 2019-2020 season in Eureka (posted 9/11/19)
The 2019-20 series will feature five concerts offering a spectrum of sounds from country to Creole to a wild group from London.
Tickets are $15/adult, or get 5 for $60 by purchasing a season pass. Season passes may be purchased at the door or at the Sunburst office in Eureka Tues-Thurs from 10-3 pm.
All performances are held at the Lincoln County High School Auditorium in Eureka and begin at 7:00 PM. Students 18 years and younger & individuals 90 or over enjoy free admission. We encourage the whole family to attend this special concert series.
September 17, 2019: Sunburst volunteers do Community Soup Night at the Senior Center All are welcome to come enjoy delicious homemade food and live music. 4-7pm
September 26, 2019: Jessica Lynne
A powerfully authentic performer, capable of engaging a diverse range of audiences. This is country music for the people who say they "don't usually like country!" i Internationally touring, Nashville recording artist Jessica Lynne moved to the U.S. from Denmark in 2010 and immediately took the Pacific Northwest by storm. Compared to luminaries like Dolly Parton and Miranda Lambert, she has already played legendary stages such as the Gorge Amphitheater, the Oregon Jamboree, and the Triple Door, in addition to taking top honors as the Washington State Winner of the Texaco Country Showdown. With her latest Nashville recording "Catch Me If You Can," which is supported by national distribution, it is clear we can expect big things from Jessica Lynne.
October 21-26, 2019: Missoula Children's Theatre presents ‘Johnny Appleseed!’
The Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT), the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre, has been touring extensively for more than 40 years now from Montana to Japan, and will visit nearly 1,200 communities this year with up to 44 teams of Tour Actor/Directors. A tour team arrives in a given town with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play...except the cast. The team holds an open audition and casts 50-60 local students to perform in the production. The show is rehearsed throughout the week and two public performances are presented on Saturday. All MCT shows are original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairytales . . . a twist on the classic stories that you know and love. Also included in the residency are three enrichment workshops presented by the Tour Actor/Directors. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through the participation in this unique, educational project. MCT's mission is the development of lifeskills in children through participation in the performing arts.
October 31, 2019: Dennis Stroughmatt and l'Esprit Creole
Returning to Eureka! If you heard them a few years back, you know how hot these guys are. Bringing funky Creole music to the LCHS stage on Halloween. What better way to celebrate! There will also be a prize for the best costume in the audience!
November 8, 2019: Toast of the Town!
Sunburst hosts one of its most-beloved annual fundraisers at Four Corners restaurant with an evening that includes mouth-watering hors-d'oeuvres, wine-tasting, excellent conversation, and a silent auction full of surprising treasures. Best of all, each year a local potter makes cups just for the event! Each attendee receives a handmade ceramic cup to keep, and a complimentary drink to make your toasts with. If you'd like to donate an item for our silent auction, we are gratefully accepting these at this time. 5:30-9 pm
November 16, 2019: Mari Black and Ensemble
The best fiddle band both sides of the Atlantic! Winner of Scotland's Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion, two time winner of the Maritime Fiddle Champion and US Scottish Fiddle Champion - Mari Black is truly astounding. Don't miss this awesome concert or the fiddle workshops Mari will be giving in Eureka.
February 28, 2020: Naomi Moon Siegel
Naomi brought her jazz trombone to Montana to try some country living, and the mountain air made her sound even better. Fusing melodies with fantastical soundscapes and tight grooves, Naomi plays an indie-folk/pop/jazz that transcends genre. Tickets are $15/adult, or get 5 for $60 by purchasing a season pass!
April 10, 2020: Stringfever!
"Classy musicianship, comedy timing, and a contemporary sound" describe this wild and crazy bunch of musicians from London who travel all over the world entertaining audiences with their talented electric string quartet. This is a fantastic, fun show you have to see to believe - a great way to finish up our 21st Performing Arts Series
Related Links:
Sunburst Community Foundation Facebook page
Stock photo courtesy Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
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Rare Caribou sightings reported in Northwest Montana (posted 11/5/18)
Montana FWP working with wildlife biologists in British Columbia
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regional staff have received reports of a rare sight in northwest Montana.
Residents have recently documented sightings of woodland caribou near the U.S.-Canada border. The multiple sightings include the potential for a bull and a cow in separate locations.
Caribou, members of the deer family, are native to northwest Montana but have almost completely disappeared from the contiguous United States over the last half century.
Woodland caribou herds once stretched from central British Columbia to Idaho, Montana and Washington. The decline in population is largely attributed to high mortality linked to habitat fragmentation, alteration, loss of old growth forest, and subsequent predation impacts. Woodland caribou are now protected in the United States and British Columbia.
Caribou have been known to roam from the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges in southern B.C into Montana, Idaho and Washington but the occurrences have become increasingly rare.
Caribou are similar in size to mule deer but have different coloration, large round hooves and unique antlers. Even cow caribou can have visible small antlers.
"There are three weeks left of big-game hunting season in Montana. Hunters are reminded to be sure of their target and beyond," said Neil Anderson, FWP Region 1 wildlife manager.
After confirming reports of the recent sightings, Montana FWP contacted wildlife biologists in British Columbia and informed them of the sightings. FWP will continue to work closely with partners in British Columbia on the conservation of the species.
Charming Libby, Montana
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Libby, Most Charming Small Town in Montana (posted 8/14/18)
According to Reader's Digest
Reader’s Digest posted a story under the Travel section of their website on "The Most Charming Small Town in Every State." Libby was selected as the Most Charming Small Town for Montana. "You’ll find the heart of America in these small-town gems lost in time. Add them to your must-visit list now," said author Lyn Mettler.
"Set in view of the Cabinet Mountain Range and yet another part of Montana’s fantastic outdoors, Libby, which is located on the northwest side of the state, Libby is surrounded by lakes, fishing, hiking trails, camping, and endless scenic drives. For a local’s experience, get a taste of Montana on tap at Cabinet Mountain Brewing Company and enjoy a meal at The Black Board Bistro with a locally-sourced seasonal menu."
Click on this link for their complete list of Most Charming Towns:
https://www.rd.com/advice/travel/most-charming-small-towns-in-every-state/
Libby
lies in the northwest corner of Montana and is nestled in a valley carved by the
Kootenai River on the flank of the majestic Cabinet Mountain Range and Wilderness
Area. Today
about 2,800 people live within Libby proper. The main industries are lumber and
wood products, mining, tourism and recreation. The movies "The River Wild" and
"Always" were filmed here. Contact the Libby
Chamber of Commerce for brochures, info on lodging and events, general area
information, and contact information for local businesses and services.
SUMMER
When the weather warms and the mountain
snows melt away, the Kootenai National Forest comes alive with over 2.2
million acres of public land as a playground. Mountain trails and lakes
open up, beautiful wildflowers come in bloom, and wildlife have their young.
Libby is the basecamp for the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area, 90-mile
long Lake Koocanusa, the Northwest Peaks Scenic Area, and the Ten Lakes
Scenic Area. There is good access to most of the Forest and plenty of room
to get away from it all!
WINTER
Winter in Montana means snow, and lots
of it! For those who love to play in the deep powder, the Libby area offers tremendous
winter fun. Turner Mountain Ski Area, located
just 22 miles from Libby, offers challenging downhill skiing with a beautiful
view. Their slogan is "steep, deep and cheap", and Turner definitely
lives up to that. It's still fairly undiscovered, so you can escape the crowds
and get the cheapest lift tickets around. For those who love snowmobiling,
there are hundreds of miles of backcountry roads to sled on in the Kootenai National
Forest. Cross-country skiers and ice fishermen also can find solitude on a lake
and miles of quiet forest trails to enjoy the outdoors. Those who are a bit on
the wild and crazy side will love the antics of the Libby Polar Bear Club.
Members take winter-time "swims" in frigid Libby Creek every Sunday
from October to April. Plungers have ranged in age from 3 to 61. As long as the
ice can be broken on the creek, if it has formed, the group will take their plunge,
no matter the temperature.
These people must be
craaaazzzzzy!
Libby
Polar Bear Club
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