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HARDIN COLLECTION FEATURES CENTURY-PLUS OF ANTIQUE WEAPONS, ARTILLERY Collector and military historian specialist Larry Torske of Hardin enlists the help of his grandson to fire his prize cannon.. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS Military weapons specialist Larry Torske describes restoration work to visitors. PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER LARRY TORSKE  has a cannon in his front yard, a "DUKW" in his Hardin shop, and tanks to boot. Torske is surely the only man in Hardin -- and one of the few in Montana -- with a cannon proudly displayed in his yard. The energetic farmer -- for many years a U.S. Postal Service carrier -- has a hobby of collecting old machinery. Married to musician Randi Lierboe in Fargo, N.D., nearly 52 years ago, he brought her to Hardin to the family farm. But all work and no play wouldn't satisfy either Torske.   A meticulous craftsman, Torske shows how tiny, intricate pieces fit together to restore a vintage tank. Randi, a retired laboratory tech, worked for many years, too, and both helped make Hardin's highly regarded Big Horn County Museum a reality. Bruce Keller takes a turn at the wheel of one of Torske's restoration  trucks. THE COUPLE'S  two daughters, Brit and Andrea, sons-in-law and five grandchildren understand their parents' desire to be active in retirement. The Torskes are "community kingpins," as one friend put it, "always there to lend a hand to a good cause." Torske sings in fund-raisers, with Randi on piano, and both beat the drum for the museum. "He has to have a project," says Randi, "and I always have a list of things to do" (including volunteering regularly at the museum.) In a shop a mile or so away from the family farm house, Torske drives to work on his "projects and stuff," as Randi calls it. A large metal workshop houses 30-caliber carbines made by Rock-ola Jukebox, machine guns made by Royal Typewriter Co., and other treasures. The war effort reached into commerce and enlisted the expertise of businesses known for other reasons. For instance, Diebold Company, famous for quality safes, supplied vehicle armor. Royal Typewriter Co. turned out light machine guns. Truck boxes were manufactured by piano makers. 'AMERICA'S  industrial might won the war," Torske said. About a decade ago ago, Torske began to restore a M24 Chaffee, a light tank used by the Army at the end of World War II. Larry and Randi Torske: long marriage is a true partnership in understanding. A major overhaul, including engine repairs, took several years. Torske showed off his effort during Hardin'’s Little Bighorn Days parade a few summers ago. Driving the tank was his son-in-law, Ray Jeno, who served in the Idaho National Guard as a loader on an M1 Abrams tank. Inside Torske's workshop, everything is organized and neat. Torske restored the tank for the Alabama Center for Military History, a private museum in Huntsville. Estimates for restoring a World War II tank range from $125,000 to $150,000. But Torske was paid in "equipment" not dollars, brokering a deal for a second, unrestored tank as payment for his good work. "People drive past these big barns and houses and never know what's in them," he winks. Latest undertaking:  this DUKW isn't Torske's but his latest project is to restore one similar. The "gift" tank, penetrated with dents and other scars of use, is still a work in process. WHILE TORSKE  is restoring the second tank, he takes time off to tackle a job he considers less-complicated:– restoring a World War II military ambulance. He's also restoring a "duck," an amphibious vehicle used during World War II in dangerous air-water maneuvers. About the colloquial term "duck," that's how the word is pronounced, like the aquatic critter. It is officially spelled "DUKW," used particularly during attack and designed only long enough to survive short periods. So Torske has his hands full for a while longer at the shop. Randi will be busy with her own "stuff." COMING WEDNESDAY: The movie   "Rancho Deluxe"   was filmed in Montana 40 years ago. Now, the town of Livingston is celebrating the anniversary with a celebration and showing of the western parody this Thursday, Aug. 20, on the lawn by the historic Livingston Depot. Relive the days of yesteryear in a two-part series on the filming of "Rancho Deluxe," with updates on Jeff Bridges, Sam Waterston, Elizabeth Ashley and others in the movie.    Remember Jimmy Buffett's "Livingston Saturday Night"? We'll refresh your memory in our two-step down memory lane.  Remember to explore, learn and live. Catch us weekends and Wednesdays at www.whereiscookie.com .

A drive up the California coast from southern California includes plenty of stops so the Yorkies can be exercised and kept to a routine. Traveling with pets means being sensitive to their needs, to help them adapt and enjoy the journey, too.. A human bag, a cooler, and Yorkies ready to roll. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER  THEY KNOW when the suitcases come out that a trip is in the works. Are they to be included? Naturally, they hope so. That's the major concern of Nick and Nora, as we scurry about with bags and lists, clothes and errands, packing for another departure. When they see their Sherpa travel bag come off the shelf, they breathe a sigh of Yorkie relief. They fuss and prance about, calming down only when they are in the car and the four of us are on our way. THEY GOT  their summer cuts and are beautiful for our next driving trip, so we're off.. Nick and Nora know they are to be included in a road trip when they see their  Sherpa bag come off the shelf. Here they are in Ashland, Oregon,  during a week-long visit to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. This article answers questions we've received the past months, asking for hints to ease road-tripping doggies into the travel groove. Here's how we do it: *Before the actual drive, load the pups in the car and take a few short trips, stopping by a park or recreation area to play for 15 minutes. This gives them the idea that car trips can be fun. *Take a couple gallons of the doggies' accustomed water, refilling the bottles half with the new water, thus easing them in to the changing water sources. *Pack plenty of their regular dog food and whatever regular treats they get. Feed them only half the normal amount before the day's drive, to reduce motion sickness. Nick is a good listener, grateful for conversation. Talking to your pet as you travel helps calm him. *Bring along favorite old toys and pillows if you have the luxury of space, and put an old t-shirt with your scent to add comfort to their sleeping area. *Talk to them in the car. They appreciate it. *Always keep a window cracked for ventilation. *If you have an RV, high truck or other vehicle they can't easily master, fashion a ramp out of plywood or particle board with an old towel or piece of carpet for tread. *Leash them before departing the car, to avoid surprises from another dog or person. *Be courteous to those who may not share your affinity for four-legged "people." Frequent stops, in parks or by a river or stream, calm your traveling pet. Here, Nora appreciates a break. *Plan plenty of stops. If you're driving through the desert, keep water in a deep plastic or metal pail in the car, or in their kennel, where they can find it. When you hear the lapping, take a break. *Give a small treat when you load them back in the car. PET TRAVEL BY AIR: *You will need to purchase an airline approved travel case. (Pet stores have a wide selection, or go on line.) You'll pay around $50 and up.  Our Nick and Nora love their Sherpas. This link will provide dozens of choices: // www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=travel%20bags%20for%20pets%20on%20airlines *Register your animal when you make your own reservation. Only limited numbers of pets are allowed in each cabin.  *We recommend a small piece of a tranquilizer to calm before boarding. Feed only a small meal, enough to help the med get absorbed. Ask your veterinarian for a prescription. We just re-upped. *Keep treats in your pocket. (We break "Greenies" in two, as reward after passing through TSA.) Nick settles into the Omni hotel in Los Angeles, with a toy from the concierge. *Remove collars and put in your purse, briefcase or carry-on.  They will trip the TSA alarm when you carry them through. *Once you get the dog safely under the seat in front, tell him he's a good boy and encourage him that the flight won't be long. *You must not remove the dog from his case, but I open the zipper from time to time to pet and give treats if I hear restlessness. *Keep your leash handy so you can take him out to go potty as soon as you get to baggage. If you're traveling with a partner or friend, one person takes the pet out and the other waits for bags. Groomer Abbey Wacker has expertise and hands-on cheer at Paws and Reflect. PET PERFECT : We found a fine match with Nick and Nora and a wonderful Montana groomer, at Paws and Reflect on Grand Avenue in Billings.  There, personalized attention makes grooming a breeze, calming down even our nervous Nicky. Up next, tips on looking for the right groomer for your prized pets. Remember to explore, learn and live and check us out Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com

JULIANA'S JAMMIN' ART AND ROCK SHOP is ALIVE WITH ENERGY, COLOR, ART, CRAFTS, SPECIALTY FOOD; SCARVES, PENDANTS, PAINTINGS, PHOTOGRAPHY IN A WELCOMING SETTING IN COLUMBUS, MONTANA Juliana Stevens has an eye for color and an affection for Montana artists who make colorful, natural art and crafts. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Juliana's Jammin' Art and Rock Shop pays homage to the artist's love of stones. SHE WAS  a social worker in an earlier life, helping troubled souls find their way through hard times. Now, she cheers people with art. And art is therapy for the artist. The healing nature of art is another path up the mountain toward mental health for Juliana Stevens, of Columbus, Montana. Her artful venture, Juliana's Jammin' Art and Rock Shop, is a bright spot in the small Stillwater County town -- bright, both literally and figuratively. ("When I'm not jammin', I'm rockin' " says Stevens, alluding to the shop's homemade jams and rock gems.) Juliana Stevens makes beautiful jewelry from stones she carves and works.    ATTRACTIVE  displays merge books and candles, gourmet coffee and note cards, belt buckles and jams, soaps, oils and scarves. Stevens makes rosaries and necklaces from a table in the rear of the rock and art shop. And she'll custom design or adapt anything you see in the store -- from belt buckles, to pendants, to specialty food items. THE RECENT  loss of a beloved younger sister has accentuated Stevens' spiritual side. Belt buckles are beautifully mounted and show  off the love of stone in "Juliana's Jammin'...''   "I find art very healing," says Stevens. "It connects us in many ways." The store also supplies holy cards, medals, and other devotional items. "I think it is important for people to continue to connect with departed loved ones, people who influenced them.  My sister and I made jewelry together and shared a passion for bead work, so when I'm doing that art, I'm thinking of her.' Married and devoted to her daughter, Stevens takes time off to be with her family, so check Facebook for shop hours and times.  Usually she's open four or five days a week.  She is proud of the lively and regular open houses and artists' receptions the shop hosts.  Stevens welcomes strangers and locals, tourists and regulars, and her receptions feature wine and goodies, and sometimes ice cream -- Rocky Road is a favorite tie-in with the rock work. WE WERE  struck by the reasonable prices. Coffees, pottery, paintings, homemade goodies, soaps and more are all affordable. A sampling of her artists includes Joanne May of Bunkhouse Pottery of Reed Point.  She specializes in handmade, custom pottery with richly hued earth-toned glazes. Carol Hartman's cattle marker art reflects her . love of the landscape of Eastern Montana  One of Juliana's signature creations is a "blubarb jam" now packaged and stocked in her store by another of the locally connected artisans. Stevens and her colleagues have a sense of humor, evidenced in the playful names and nature of the displays. Soaps and candle scents by Shannon of Country Bumpkin Candles of Bridger have fun names -- Lime in Da' Coconut, Amazenly Grace, My Montana Cabin, Caprio Olivio and Biker Babe. TERI UDEY'S  AunTee's Herbal Touch potions are made in her Montana home based business, a family-operated affair, which Stevens favors. AunTee's products are natural and chemical-free. Christine Bakke's eye-catching photography is inspired by the pristine beauty of the Rockies. The silk scarves and wall hangings of Sandy Alley (Sandy's Silks) reflect her love of the flowing technique of hand painting -- done in her Absarokee studio. The lobby of Rock Creek Resort welcomes guests from around the world. The nearby Old Piney Dell Restaurant and the lodge are Austrian founded.  The familiar "Made in Montana" stamp is on view throughout the colorful store. Each nook showcases the variety and creativity that make Stillwater Valley and Montana vital. UP NEXT : Rock Creek Resort outside Red Lodge is a restful, rustic but upscale retreat if you're headed up the Beartooth Pass to Cooke City or into Yellowstone Park. Remember to explore, learn and live and check us out Wednesdays and weekends at:   www.whereiscookie.com

A "Rancho Deluxe" party poster hangs by the registration desk at the Murray Hotel. At left is actor Sam Waterston, at right Jeff Bridges. STARS SHINE BRIGHTLY FOUR DECADES LATER; LIVINGSTON PLANS A PARTY TO CELEBRATE  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER LONG AGO, when I was a young reporter, a movie parody of a western made a name for itself. Although "Rancho Deluxe" was not greeted by critics as a great film, its made-in-Montana stamp, Jimmy Buffet score, engaging story and talented cast created a lasting appeal. Today, "Rancho Deluxe" is beloved by many. A roster of Montana-loving folks created the 1975 film: Thomas McGuane crafted the screenplay.  The gifted novelist and short-story writer lives on a ranch near McLeod and writes for The New Yorker.  His evocative characters and landscapes are drawn from the Montana he has known for decades. ACTOR JEFF BRIDGES , who lives a good portion of the year on his Paradise Valley place, donates time and money to worthy Montana causes, including a fight against child hunger. Jeff Bridges skips around with kids, whose health and well being he champions when he is in Montana, enjoying his home in Paradise Valley. Bridges and Sam Waterston portray the two drifters who rustle cattle and try to outrun the law in then contemporary Montana. Both of these versatile actors have gone on to success and accolades.   Bridges, known as both a devoted family man and talented actor, had been nominated for a best-supporting Oscar in 1972 for "The Last Picture Show."  Five years ago, he won the coveted best actor trophy for "Crazy Heart." WATERSTON HAS  enjoyed success in film, TV and on Broadway, winning a Tony for "Abe Lincoln in Illinois." His career includes a lauded Lincoln mini-series, Golden Globe nominations and fame for his "Law and Order" role. The Murray Hotel will be full of movie lovers later this week, when an outdoor screening is held across the street for "Rancho Deluxe."  LEGENDARY  singer-composer Jimmy Buffett has maintained long ties to Montana, dating back to the 1970s when he wrote the music for "Rancho Deluxe."  He performed "Livingston Saturday Night" with alternate lyrics within the film in a scene set at a country/western bar reminiscent of those in downtown Livingston. Local Livingston residents remember the movie premier and the filming, which took place largely in Montana, supplying me with some of my first "star" interviews as a young reporter.  Elizabeth Ashley has appeared on Broadway and is known for her portrayal of sultry Tennessee Williams women. AN ELDERLY MAID  at the Murray Hotel a couple days ago recalled cast and crew staying at the Murray, partying in the fourth-floor outdoor jacuzzi (long since gone) and drinking and trading movie stories while soaking. Elizabeth Ashley, known for her moving interpretations of Tennessee Williams' southern belles, played the part of Cora Brown, married to a wealthy ranch owner. Actor Clifton James, who played the wealthy rancher married to Ashley, is still alive at 94 and living in Spokane. Here is Elizabeth Ashley during the filming of  "Rancho Deluxe" in 1975.    The late Slim Pickens, who also loved Montana, had a featured part in "Rancho Deluxe." Pickens, known for his famous "riding the bomb" scene in "Doctor Strangelove," played the aging detective Harry Beige hired to find the rustlers. Pickens garnered the best reviews of anyone in the film. The film's director Frank Perry, who died 20 years ago, was also known for "Mommie Dearest," "Diary of a Mad Housewife" and "David and Lisa." When he found he was dying of prostate cancer, he filmed his own story,  which was an international success. He, too, loved Montana and returned to vacation several times. UP NEXT : We revisit "Rancho Deluxe" and watch the movie again -- after decades -- and tell why it holds up as an enjoyable parody of western life and mores. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com

Barbara Adams photographs reflect her love of landscape, changing by the moment, with all its clouds and colors.  CHECK OUT 'ART IN THE YARD' SATURDAY FOR ARTFUL BARGAINS, BEAUTY, SOCIALIZING STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Artist Barbara Adams, right, introduces Christene Meyers at  a reading for  Meyers' novel, "Lilian's Last Dance." The same back yard hosts Saturday's second annual Art in the Yard. WHEN BARBARA  Adams lost her husband Ed, she lost her equilibrium. She'd get it back. It's not uncommon to lose one's sense of balance and meaning in a devastating loss.  Adams decided to "get back on the horse." She picked up her camera -- an important element in her life with Ed.  She got her mojo back through art. The energetic photographer may be closing in on 70, but she has the drive of an artist half her age. The photos are one way of "keeping in the groove, and honoring Ed." Adams says that losing Ed was a horrible blow, but the medium of photography continues to help her through her loss. WITNESS "ART IN THE YARD," which Adams hosts in her back yard in Columbus, Montana, this Saturday, Aug. 8. The day-long gathering will feature artists and their creations from throughout Stillwater County. A little magic, and a photographic kaleidoscope emerges in Adams' studio. "It's a smaller, grassroots offshoot of the Absaroka Fine Arts Wine and Art Festival," says Adams. She refers to the popular festival which attracted hundreds to sip wine and browse art under a tent for nearly 15 years. It raised monies to support scholarships and the annual Shakespeare in the Parks visit by Montana Rep. Adams and artistic friends invite the public to her home studio, Montana Meadowlark Photography, to wander her pretty back yard and patio Saturday. The fun is in Columbus at 48 E. 1st Avenue North, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. A colt and its mother enjoy the grass and a cool breeze in this Adams shot. The much photographed Montana meadowlark inspired the name Adams chose for her photo gallery in Columbus. HER PHOTOS  evoke happy memories of driving the countryside with Ed, often listening to the meadowlark's cheerful serenade. So the decision to name the gallery "Meadowlark" was a natural.  The couple’s 17-state trip to Kansas – "B.C." (before camera) – propelled Adams’career. “After we returned from the Midwest, I remarked that we should have had a camera,” recalls Adams. “For the birds, the sights, the changing landscape. We went to Billings, bought one and that was the beginning.” Frequent drives around Stillwater County resulted in a growing repertoire of nature portraits and scenics, admired by the public in galleries and in her Columbus studio. ''ED DROVE and I held the camera. I had him trained to stop on a dime, or retrace a piece of  road so I could get the shot I missed.” Her artistic credo is “take pride and have fun.” Since Ed’s passing, nearly four years ago, Adams immersed herself in her hobby, making prints and note cards. “I find peace, but I’m no Ansel Adams,” she jokes. “When my family tell me I have a good eye, I ask, ‘which one?’” For more information on her work or the Saturday art sale, call Adams at 406 322-4450. Nick and Nora at Mount Shasta with Keller and Cookie.   DOG GONE:   We're about to get a summer hair cut for Nick and Nora, who have become slightly shaggy dogs. Tips on making the most of your summertime on the road with beloved pets and how we keep Nick and Nora "cool cats" or, well, dapper doggies, is up next. Remember to explore, learn and live and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com

NICK AND NORA HAVE THEIR DAY, EMERGING AS TOP DOGS AT 'PAWS AND REFLECT' AFTER: Nick and Nora emerge freshly groomed and ready to rock 'n' roll, with Abbey Wacker doing the honors. Paws and Reflect has a cute, convenient studio for grooming, but will also come to your house or office to groom your pet.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER SUMMERTIME  and the living is easy. Right about August, people are getting summer hair cuts. But if you're not the only shaggy critter in the household, how about shaping up your shaggy pooch? IT'S ALWAYS   a good idea to kick things up a notch when you're in the summer doldrums. Hair looks blah. Company coming. Time for a change! So we took Nick and Nora to Paws and Reflect Pet Salon, 2906 Grand Avenue, in preparation for a road trip. Boy, they are two spiffy dogs. Paws and Reflect on 2906 Grand Ave. gets paws up.  We've spent thousands of dollars through the years on dog grooming. Most of our money goes to San Diego groomers, who charge as much as $130 for the two -- that's if you go for the Rolls Royce of La Jolla groomers and have them bring their mobile grooming unit to your home.  But we try to keep the pair under $80 or $90, which you can do at Paws and Reflect for two doggies. WE FOUND  the  Paws and Reflect team cordial, efficient and, most important, devoted to their work.  They immediately made Nick and Nora comfortable, offering treats, pets and kind words to ease them into the back room (Nick declined his treat, Nora took the bite.) BEFORE: Fairell Newell, left, and Jeannie Schroeder, take  Nick and Nora in their arms and calm them down   and assure them before they are groomed.  The groomers efficiently took all our phone numbers, then checked with our Absarokee, Montana, vet, Dr. Rex Anderson, to make sure their shots were up to date. (They just had their rattlesnake vaccine, parvo/et al re-ups and a look over.  If we'd thought to bring in the paperwork, that would have simplified things.) We did a few hours' errands and had a phone message that the pups were ready, 10 minutes before they had estimated. PAWS AND REFLECT  also offers dog obedience training, doggie day care and kenneling.  All the prices are reasonable -- expect to pay $36 to $45 for a complete grooming, depending on your dog's size.  That includes the wash and clip, ear and teeth cleaning, nail cutting and that least pleasant of "musts," the anal glands. Paws and Reflect has a way with dogs, and a cute anteroom. As owner Brooke Odei says, "Our staff is hand chosen. We look for people who truly love animals." She insists that her colleagues exhibit a true and genuine affection for doggies -- all four of the people with whom we came in contact did so, going above and beyond with kindness. If you have to wait, the staff will make you comfortable in a pretty little sitting area with doggie toys, clothes and decorations. We've recommended Paws and Reflect to our pet loving pals. For more information, go to www.pawsandreflectpetsalon.com ,  or call 406 839-9116. Larry Torske took a shine to tanks years ago, and his collection is growing. UP SOON:  Tanks for the memories and we didn't make a typo.  A Hardin man has been collecting and restoring vintage tanks, and we stop by Larry Torske's to have a look. Remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us Wednesdays and weekends at:                                                                                    www.whereiscookie.com

PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCCESS: PLAY, WORK  COMBINE TO KEEP FAMILY DOCTOR TUNED UP  AND BLOWING HIS HORN FOR HIS TOWN Dr. Robert Whiting tells of his journey from medical school to family doctoring in Montana, always with music. Robert Whiting, MD, above in vintage doctor garb at the  Big Horn County museum, and right, with a newborn he delivered earlier in his long career..   STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy Bob Whiting FOR A HALF-CENTURY plus, Dr. Robert Whiting Jr. has served the community of Hardin, Montana, as a small-town doctor with a big reach. Although his e-mail handle is "retdoc" -- for retired doctor -- he's hardly retired from an active life and keeps his medical certifications up to date. Everyone in a 100-mile radius knows Whiting, and many of those have also been tended by him -- operated on, counseled, diagnosed, helped -- in a career that began in 1953 when he enrolled in medical school. (He graduated from the well known Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.) Bob Whiting in obstetrical service at Jefferson Davis Hospital, establishing an early interest in childcare and babies.  Bob Whiting plays tenor sax at a recent fundraiser. RECENTLY , the energetic Texas born community booster helped organize a group of area regional music teachers and members of the Billings Community Band to perform an homage to band man Glenn Miller, who became famous in the swing era before and during World War II. "It's all about giving back," said Whiting, chatting at their home after the concert with fellow musicians and community boosters. The Robert and Marlene Whiting family at a recent celebration. Downstairs, while this reporter played the family piano, Whiting did a doctorly "post-mortem" on the concert, a Chamber of Commerce fundraiser at Hardin Middle School.  It featured Glenn Miller's signature "Moonlight Serenade” and “Little Brown Jug”, “In the Mood,” “That Old Black Magic” and other hits from a bygone era. "I think we finally got a swinging sound," he said, as heads nodded/ (An afternoon rehearsal helped immensely.) I played piano on stage with the band, tying in a reading from my novel, "Lilian's Last Dance" at the lovely Big Horn County Historical Museum, to be featured next blog. blog. http://www.whereiscookie.com/ WHITING  and his wife, Marlene, are going strong in their 80s and married since 1957. They came to Hardin, though, by chance on an airplane ride after a summer's work at Yellowstone Park. Doctor by day for many years, Bob Whiting has played guitar, clarinet and saxophones for decades, from high school to medical school and beyond. The private craft, piloted by a friend, was touring Montana, looking for a place that might be a good match for Whiting, recently out of medical school and in love with Montana from a 1949 visit. Low on gas, the plane touched down and the passengers went for coffee and told the waitress they were looking for a home and place to practice medicine. "Turns out, the community was losing its doctor and badly needed someone," Whiting recalls. "Before we had our second cup, the community leaders and shakers descended upon the restaurant to plead their case for me to stay." Bob Whiting takes a bow after the recent concert.  THE REST , as the cliche goes, is history. Whiting's book, "From the Bedside to the HMO: A Doctor's Journey," details the demands of doctoring -- from birthing babies to checking ladies of the evening for disease, to polio ward sorrows and everything in between. Whiting worked with cardiovascular surgeon superstar Dr. Michael DeBakey, tended emergency room traumas and comforted survivors of illness and accidents.  He removed various bizarre objects from bodily orifices and rescued more than one drowning swimmer. "I believe in the importance of balance," says Whiting. "Hardin has provided us with a rich, interesting life." He talks about the need for "a fix" in his book.  Apparently, both music and medicine provide him with that feeling of satisfied accomplishment. IN OR OUT  of the operating room, Whiting enjoys being "center stage" -- and his music is keeping him going. Marlene jokes that they planned to stay in Hardin "a couple years" and the couple has logged decades now, all time spent making beautiful music together. Vintage furniture and transportation are part of the fun at the beautifully designed Bighorn County Historical Museum, our next blog feature. COMING UP : Hardin, Montana's museum is an eyeful -- more than two dozen buildings and a gorgeous visitor's center lovingly built by the community, with  plenty of donated funds and imagination. Ambitious museum director Diana Scheidt credits generous donors who gave a vintage pipe organ, century-old automobile and much more. Remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com where we promise a lively look at travel and the arts, the natural world and road tripping.

Here at the mouth of the Rosebud Creek, 12 miles from Forsyth, Custer left the Far West to meet his fate on the Bighorn. SURVIVORS WERE TAKEN TO NORTH DAKOTA BY BOAT Steam boats like Far West could navigate the difficult and often shallow waters of the Upper Missouri river system. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and archives THREE DAYS a fter Custer fell on a hot June day in 1876, a distressed Indian approached Captain Grant Marsh and his Far West steamboat, near Forsyth.  It was June 28 and using sign language, he explained there had been a terrible battle. The Indian was Curley, a Custer Crow scout who on June 25, had been the last known man to see Custer and his Seventh Cavalry alive. Days before, Custer had received his final orders aboard the Far West. Captain Grant Marsh was a skilled civilian who saved the lives of many. TWO MORE days later, on June 30, Captain Marsh received the 54 wounded soldiers and sped downstream as quickly as he could. With the Far West draped in black and flying her flag at half-mast, Marsh delivered the wounded to Fort Abraham Lincoln near Bismarck, North Dakota, at 11 p.m. on July 5, an amazing five days later. The Far West was a stern wheel steamboat -- a steam powered boat driven by a single paddle wheel at the rear end of the boat. It was built in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 1870 and sank October 30, 1883 after it struck a snag at Mulhanthy Island, near St. Charles, Missouri. The Far West could navigate the shallow waters of the Upper Missouri River system, and helped save the lives of battle survivors. THE FAR WEST  was remarkable, with a length of 190 feet and a 33 foot beam. It could carry 398 tons when loaded to maximun draft of 4 feet 6 inches, 187 tons on only 3 feet of water, and 60 tons on 2 feet of water. Mountain boats were minimal to sleek and light, to cut wind resistance and save weight. The Visitor Center and Little Bighorn Battlefield memorial pay tribute to the fallen on both sides, soldiers and native American warriors. Under the command of the skilled civilian Captain Marsh, the Far West, took the wounded to care in North Dakota.   The boat drew only 20 inches of water when fully laden. Lucky for the wounded that Marsh had managed to steam up the shallow Bighorn River in southern Montana just days before the June 25 battle.  He was only about  12 miles from the huge Indian encampment along the "Greasy Grass."  EARLIER CUSTER  had conferred with the Far West. After crossing the divide between the Rosebud and Little Bighorn June 25, he divided his command, assigning three companies, including Windolph’s Company H, to Benteen, and three to Major Reno. Custer took Companies I, F, C, E and L, all of which perished. Edgar Paxson's famous painting of the Battle of the Little Bighorn may  be viewed in the Whitney Gallery at the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody, Wyo.. "NEVER IN ALL  Indian history had there been such a fight on that river,” Windolph said. “Custer may have made a mistake to divide his command that Sunday afternoon of June 25, but the gods themselves were against him.” Late that afternoon Benteen’s troops returned from a scouting mission to the south to find Reno’s command “being whipped and driven up the hill by the Indians.”  IT WAS A  long and lonely night for the cavalrymen dug in on that dangerous hilltop. Fire from Indian sharpshooters pinned them down behind makeshift barricades. A dozen troopers were dead. The wounded pleaded for water, Windolph recalled. In the Indian encampment beside the river, the black night was pierced by blazing camp fires, cries and beating drums of victory dances. Fearful questions ran through the heads of troopers on Reno’s Hill. Where was Custer? Why wasn’t he coming to their support? Marcus Reno, one of the survivors of the Little Bighorn Battle, was not with Custer when Custer was wiped out. He is buried at the battlefield. Just as dawn broke, Windolph, six months from his 25 th  birthday, sustained a slight flesh wound from a bullet that ricocheted from the ground into his chest. A direct hit from another bullet split his rifle butt.  Soon, though, he would help bury his fallen comrades. THE BODIES  were discovered the next day, and within a few more days, all dead were buried and the wounded on their way to be tended. The Far West provided those injured fast, comfortable transport and saved many lives, including Windolph's. Far West was also the bearer of the bad news. From Fort Abraham Lincoln, reports of the disaster were telegraphed around the world. Soon, everyone learned that General Custer and 265 men had been killed along the Little Bighorn River. Andrew Renzi's love of film and Montana came together in his movie, "Fishtail." Clips will be shown at a fundraiser July 26. UP NEXT:    A gifted young filmmaker with an affection for Stillwater County and a cattle operation is attracting attention with his film, "Fishtail." Andrew Renzi will be at the July 26 event near Absarokee. It's a chance to have fun, see clips from the film, meet Renzi and chat with friends in the valley we all love. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Wednesdays and weekends at www.whereiscookie.com

STILLWATER PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION DOES GOOD WORK, THROWS FUN PARTY WITH A FILM CLIP The Stillwater Protective Association preserves life in the beautiful Stillwater Valley, here, near Nye. The frundraiser  July 26 will feature film clips from "Fishtail," shot on the Fishtail Basin Ranch owned by the Abbott family.  "Fishtail" offers familiar scenes of the valley in calving season. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy "Fishtail" documentary archives ONCE A YEAR,  lovers of our quality life in Stillwater County gather to support the continued good works of the Stillwater Protective Association and boost the organization's coffers. The grassroots group is proud of its "watchdog" efforts to insure that nearby Stillwater Mine keeps its operation clean and maintains good faith with the community. SPA's 2015 fundraiser features a visit from filmmaker Andrew Renzi, whose friendship with the Franny Abbott family inspired his 2014 documentary, "Fishtail." CLIPS FROM  the acclaimed film will be shown at the annual SPA summer event, Sunday, July 26, at the Anipro Event Center south of  Absarokee.  Doors open at 4 p.m. with the program at 4:30 p.m.  Filmmaker and award winning director Renzi will show film clips and share his experience in making the ranch life documentary set in Fishtail. AS ALWAYS , hors d'oeuvres are on tap, prepared this year by Montana Wild Flower Kitchen. Live and silent auction items -- from art to books and rafting and fishing trips -- will be offered. The history of SPA dates back to 1975, when residents gathered to commit to preserving Stillwater County’s rural and agricultural quality of life while encouraging responsible growth. Its pursuits include limiting the footprint of Beartooth Mine on the Beartooth Plateau and providing for the clean-up of mine waste and other industrial hazards. Fishtail Basin Ranch's entrance. Raffle tickets will be sold and the winner takes home a selection of wines.  Franny Abbott, who with his wife, also named Franny, owns the Fishtail Basin Ranch, at last year's event. A visit by filmmaker Andrew Renzi, a classmate of one of the Abbott sons, inspired the making of the film, "Fishtail." THE FILM,  "Fishtail," features narration by renowned character actor Harry Dean Stanton, known for his quirky roles in a distinguished 45-year career. The film, set on the Fishtail Basin Ranch on Fiddler Creek, details ranch life's joys and  hardships, including an unusual calf birthing sequence. Director Renzi's visits and longtime friendship with Tylee Abbott inspired the film. Andrew as director followed Tylee and ranch manager Brian Young for four days during calving season, using a 50-pound, 16mm camera. Actor Harry Dean Stanton, known for his craggy looks and unusual "lived in" voice, does the narration for "Fishtail."  One reviewer called the narration "beautiful, a rough recording of Harry Dean Stanton reading poetry….I was mesmerized..." The film's faded colors and grainy texture combine with natural wonders to create a vintage look, an old-fashioned ode to a bygone time. SPA EVENT goers will endorse by their presence a unique "Good Neighbor Agreement," signed by SPA, Northern Plains Resource Director Andrew Renzi will be on hand at the SPA fundraiser, to introduce clips from the film. Council, Cottonwood Resource Council, and Stillwater Mining Company. It is the world's only legally binding document between citizen groups and a hard-rock mining company. SPA is an affiliate of the Billings-based Northern Plains Resource Council which encompasses 13 communities across Montana, from Helena to Glendive and Gardiner to Circle. A "Cork-a-Doodle" wine auction features raffle tickets for $5 (5 for $20) for a chance to win a dozen bottles of fine wines. Tickets are $30 if reserved by July 19; $35 at the door; children under 12 are free.  RSVP to  stillwaterpa@gmail.com  or 406 248-1154. Contact Barb Lischer for the wine raffle 406 328-7139.  Bob Whiting, MD, with his saxophone and clarinet. UP NEXT: On the trail of history and summer fun, we visit  an unusual retired Hardin doctor with a yen for music.  Then we take a look at the amazing museum: Big Horn County Historical Museum in Hardin.  This unusual 35-acre complex houses 24 historic structures.  But the main museum building is a masterpiece of preservation and integration of the old with the new. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Wednesdays and weekends at  www.whereiscookie.com

Tepees make a colorful photo at the entrance to the Visitor Center and  memorials at the Little Bighorn Battlefield.  Both Custer and Sitting Bull are honored in a memorial at Garryowen. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER It doesn’t seem possible that it was seventy years ago this June 25, 1946, that I last saw General Custer.     No, that isn’t quite exact; that was the last time I saw him alive, for two days later I looked down on his body, lying white in the Montana sun. That was June 27, 1876. And the following day, I helped bury him and his brother, Captain Tom Custer. … It was hard digging on that high ridge that bordered the Little Big Horn.....-- Charles Windolph, last Army survivor of Custer Battle. 'LAST SURVIVOR' LIVED NEARLY A CENTURY, RECORDED FINDING THE BODY OF CUSTER   WELL OF COURSE there were survivors at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Thousands of Indians lived to tell the tale. But as a kid growing up in Montana, I was told there were no survivors.  No Army survivors among the soldiers Custer kept by his side when he divided up the companies. That's what we should have been told. Charles Windolph lived to age 98 and recorded his memories of the infamous battle's aftermath.  AMONG   THE OTHER men who fought with Custer's colleagues, Benteen and Reno, a man named Charles Windolph lived to nearly a century and told what he saw of the Seventh Cavalry's demise. Windolph died at age   98, on March 11, 1950, the last survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He passed away at Lead, South Dakota, leaving a vivid first-person account of the military disaster that wiped out George Armstrong Custer and 265 of his troopers. Indian men participate in a drum ceremony honoring their lost ancestors, during the 139th Battle of the Little Bighorn Anniversary activities recently. WINDOLPH HELPED bury the bodies of his fallen comrades on a blazing hot June day, up on the hill where Custer’s luck ran out. He described the scene in a book, "I Fought With Custer," published 71 years later: "Custer was lying a trifle to the southeast of the top of the knoll – where the monument  is today. I stood six feet away holding Captain Benteen’s horse while he identified the General. His body had not been touched, save for a single bullet hole in the left temple near the ear, and a hole on his left breast. … His brother Tom lay  a few feet away." A native American memorial was begun in the 1990s and stands asproud testimony to the warriors lost during the battle to remain on  their land. REPORTERS SAID the elderly cavalryman's mind so many years later was “as clear as a bell and his memory was prodigious.” Published by a father and son writing team in 1947, the Frazier and Hunt book tells the dramatic story of Windolph’s experiences with the Seventh Cavalry and Custer.  We noted the 139th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn this year, paying our respects to both fallen soldiers and native American for their bravery, even though foolish decisions by Custer led to the death of many. A Park Ranger at the monument shows where Custer and his men fell.  YES, THERE WERE s urvivors of the two-day siege on the Little Bighorn, but they were not among the five companies who stayed with Custer.  Those 265 men were all lost. But Reno's and Benteen's companies had survivors and after a slow two-day march, the wounded soldiers from the Battle of the Little Bighorn reached the steamboat Far West. THE VESSEL  had been leased by the U.S. Army for the 1876 campaign against the "hostile" Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. Naturally, they were reluctant WINDOLPH OWED his survival to that steamboat and its captain. For he and other more gravely wounded soldiers would probably not have survived a horseback ride to North Dakota and medical assistance. to be herded to reservations. (To be continued Saturday) UP NEXT : On June 28, Captain Grant Marsh of the steamboat Far West and several other men were fishing a mile from the boat when a young Indian on horseback approached. “He wore a dejected countenance,” one man wrote. By signing and drawing on the ground, the Indian explained that many were dead but there were survivors. They would make their way in two days to the boat which took them to medical help. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a fresh look at travel, nature, the arts, family and more.

BEAT THE HEAT, ENJOY FINE EATS, SHOP, BROWSE AT THE MARKET ON MAIN JULY 5 Head for Absarokee Sunday, July 5, to continue the Fourth of July weekend spirit of fun. It's a barbecue and market. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS Rex Anderson, veterinarian by day and night, always wears a chef's hat and promises delicious smoked barbecue Sunday. PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER    The Itti Bitti Bistro on Absarokee's Main Street will showcase books, arts, crafts and specialty food and drink in conjunction with the Cook-Off. Christene Meyers will be on hand to sign her novel, "Lilian's Last Dance." Rex and Monica Anderson are combining forces and talents Sunday at the Absarokee Market and Cook-Off. SAVE SOME  holiday spirit  and your appetite for Sunday! THE ITTI BITTI  Bistro's Saturday market is taking this holiday Saturday off, but will be in full flower the next day, this\ Sunday, July 5. The market is joining forces with the popular Absarokee Cook-Off. "IT LOOKED like a good option for us to combine resources Sunday for a really big show," says Monica Anderson, whose enterprising Saturday markets in Absarokee are attracting nice crowds. Chefs and barbecue and smoked meat enthusiasts will convene for the cook-off, which features free live music and a fun time, along with tasty fare. One of its promoters and participants is Monica's husband, Rex Anderson, local veterinarian.   THE ANNUAL Cook-Off is an Absarokee tradition which always packs the house, or, should we say, the town's main street. THOUSANDS are expected to Absarokee for the combined event, which Monica says "promises to be the best selling day of the summer for vendors and a good way to beat the heat and enjoy find eats." When Rex and Monica married, she'd been living near Livingston.  The move to Stillwater County left her in need of an artistic project in Absarokee so the energetic entrepreneur devised the market, inspired by the successful Livingston Farmers Market she'd enjoyed. The Itti Bitti Bistro is the center of the action Sunday, offering Italian sodas. SOME OF  her Livingston contacts have booths at her market. The Sunday July 5 event will offer Rex's smoked meats for hunger shoppers as well as delicacies by guest Chef Gunner Hoy from Sheridan, Wyo.. He will create tempting side dishes to accompany Rex's fare. The Itti Bitti Bistro will serve luncheon platters and baked goods from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. BESIDES TASTY barbecue, the Andersons invite browsers to cool off with ice cream, specialty milk shakes, smoothies and Italian sodas. The market includes: Silks n Such Flowers, Auntee's Herbal Touch, Arqeur Semi Precious Stone Jewelry, photography, organic gardening produce, arts, crafts and this reporter signing her novel, "Lilian's Last Dance." Looking not unlike a "Star Wars" character, the Green Egg Mini Smoker will go home with a Market guest. Rex's "other business," Finest Flames Stove and Hearth is staging a raffle of 125 tickets sold to win a Green Egg Mini Smoker with tools and accessories. The market is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. "Our goal is to create a community of arts and crafters, gardeners, buyers, sellers, and traders of all shapes and sizes," says Monica. "We're developing a collective effort where we support and encourage one another and create a viable venue to sell our wares and individually earn extra income." UP NEXT : We return to the Little Bighorn Battlefield to explore the battle aftermath and the way in which the wounded were rescued.  It was by water aboard the Far West steamboat.  The sleek vessel could navigate the narrows and shallows of the river, and undoubtedly saved dozens of lives. Up next: remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com

WESTERN HEMISPHERE"S OLDEST FULL-SCALE ELIZABETHAN STAGE HAS HIDDEN LIFE The Allen Elizabethan Theatre opens for summer shows, this year two by Shakespeare, one by Sondheim. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER The lobby of the Angus Bowmer Theatre is warm, welcoming. WHAT'S AN ACTOR TO DO? It's a sweltering day on stage, he's loaded down with an elaborate costume.  The temperature is climbing.  He's sweating. It's still act one and the temperature is climbing. But wait.  The actor has a brief moment off stage and gets relief from tiny ice packs dropped into his garb. Thanks to clever costumers and seamstresses, the show goes on.  The actor is much cooler. This is only one of the little known facts revealed by actor Jeffrey King, who took a couple dozen theater lovers backstage for a show as enjoyable as a regular production. WE WERE  privileged to gain insight into the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's behind-the-scene workings. Actor Jeffrey King gives a lively backstage tour. King has acted with the OSF company for 15 seasons, with an impressive range of roles in works --  from "A Streetcar Named Desire" to "Hamlet." He also derives pleasure from his role offstage as one of the able backstage tour directors, answering questions about the festival, which presents Greek tragedy, new work and everything in between. He is a master of explaining the curious and little known facts about the festival, considered the oldest and largest professional regional repertory theater company in the country. Established in 1935, OSF has garnered many honors and remains the oldest existing full-scale Elizabethan stage in the Western Hemisphere. KING DESCRIBED  the yeomen's effort of mounting nearly 800 performances a season, operating on a budget of $33 million and reaching an audience of more than 400,000 in three very different theaters. For me, a return to the OSF's Ashland, Oregon, base, is going home. I've logged decades of seasons with this Tony winning company of 600 theater professionals and an impressive 700 volunteers. An ambitious student program is an Oregon Shakespeare Festival rule. KING TOOK  us to all three of the theaters which make up the festival venues:  the 600-seat Bowmer, the 1,190-seat Elizabethan and the 280-seat Thomas whose seating can be arranged in a variety of formats to accommodate up  to 360. We learned: * That understudies have understudies.  When an understudy takes over, the domino theory reigns -- someone steps in for the understudy.  That's all smoothly arranged, and happened the night we sas "The Comedy of Errors." Entertaining and illuminating bits were gleaned by an enthusiastic group on an OSF backstage tour. * That the OSF has a "describer" so that the blind can "see" the play.  Just as the OSF offers audio enhancement for hard of hearing play lovers, the describer helps the blind, explaining the action from a booth. * THAT THE Bowmer's green room is shared by two sets of actors -- one from the Bowmer production upstairs and the other from the nearby Elizabethan Theatre.  Each production has its own monitor.  One season, the actors from the period piece, "Henry IV," Part I, chatted between scenes with the actors from "She Loves Me." * That there is a point in every June when all 11 shows on the annual playbill are either being rehearsed or performed. * That most of the actors participate in at least two plays with three to five performances a week, usually a major role in one production and a supporting role in another. The Allen Elizabethan Theater as viewed from lovely Lithia Park in Ashland. * We also learned the reason for the happy presence of many young people at all the performances we saw:  the OSF's school visit program sends actors to more than 100 schools, presenting performances and workshops in Shakespeare and modern literature to more than 70,000 students in California, Kansas,  Oregon and Washington. Its outreach program and courting of students is one of the most successful and ambitious programs in the U.S. There's much backstage activity aboard a cruise ship, too! COMING UP:  From backstage at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to backstage shipboard, behind the giant kitchen on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas.  Cruising is dear to the hearts of Cookie and Keller and they learned a few shipshape tricks from the chefs.  Remember to explore, learn and live.  Let us know what you'd like us to write about in our Wednesdays and weekends posts. Tell your friends about www.whereiscookie.com