Friends of Virginia City, Nevada City, and Reeder's Alley:
"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." - Edmund Burke.
The Montana Heritage Commission would like to thank everyone for another successful season in Alder Gulch. Portions of our operation will remain open into the early fall. The Brewery Follies will present an encore season this year with an extension of the Daily Follies plus two short plays presented by Mike Verdon and Don Fuhrmann. See Brewery Follies Encore Season. We have compiled a list of closing dates for other businesses/organizations in the towns. See 2005 Fall Closing Dates.
A message from Abby: "The 30th Annual Virginia City Art Show will be held August 12-14, 2004. Stroll along the boardwalks and enjoy fine art of over 30 artists from all over Montana and the Pacific Northwest. Artists will be on the boardwalk and in the VC Community Center on Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 9am-5pm. Don't miss the Quick Draw & Live Auction held at 7:30pm on Saturday night at the Elk's Lodge. Watch in awe as over 20 artists create beautiful works of art in 1 hour! Then have a chance to hang them in your home...if the price is right! Admission to the Quick Draw & Auction is $5, light snacks are provided and cocktails are available. Saunter along the boardwalks and support the arts! For more info, call the VC Chamber at 843.5555 or email at info@virginiacitychamber.com." Please see 30th Annual Virginia City Art Show
We submitted a letter of interest to the Smithsonian, explaining the resources in Alder Gulch, based on the following notice: "Art, History, Science, and Popular Culture Travel: Smithsonian magazine is looking for travel stories in the United States to feed their readers' appetite for art, history, natural history, science, and popular culture. The Smithsonian reader wants to better understand the history, art, and culture of a popular or undiscovered destination. Associate Editor Beth Py-Lieberman is also looking for half a dozen interesting U.S. sites to include in their annual roundup of Destination America stories. Contact Beth at py-liebermanb@si.edu. She does not want any submissions on the mechanics of travel and how to book flights, hotels, etc." A response has not yet been received.
We have strong indications that a member of the Society of American Travel Writers is interested in writing about Locomotive #12.
A note from Jim: "Jeff, Just a FYI, we are having to replace the sewer service from the Bale down to the manhole in front of the VC Depot. The existing service is broken / plugged and leaking in several places. ( the water surfacing in the parking lot is actually sewage). John B. is working on it as we have our hands full with trying to get the showers in Daylight flowing for the Verdons' crew. Jim"
A Classic Car Rally will be passing through Virginia City on September 13. The first annual Going to the Sun Rally has included a short stop in Alder Gulch. The Chamber and MHC will host coffee and snacks for the group.
Here is an email note I received from a vice-president of a national travel company who recently visited Virginia City: "We had a great time! Sweeney Todd was great, and we especially liked the variety show after the main show. It was 1800's Ball night on Saturday, so we got to see the Grand March down Main Street. Then, the Brewery Follies was, well, the Brewery Follies! The lipstick stain on my forehead is just about worn off...Dinner at Wells Fargo and Breakfast at Star Bakery were all yummy. And, we helped the economy somewhat by purchasing 6 of the candle/lampshade lights at the Star gift shop. And a few margaritas. No. 12 was right on schedule for a ride up to and back from VC on Sunday morning."
Ellen Baumler will produce 2-3 short pieces about Virginia City history for her Helena radio program - History Half Notes. She said that we could use them as we wish. We are looking into placing video of Ellen on our website.
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has finalized the Nevada City Public Water System Source Water Delineation and Assessment Report. We have a copy of the report in the Helena offices if you wish to review it. One will be on file in Virginia City also.
A report from Jeff MacDonald: "Greetings all, Attached is the Preservation Report for June, July and August, in addition to a seismic incident report. I welcome your comments as always. Jeff MacDonald.
Ellen Baumler is helping us prepare a submission for Parade Magazine concerning an historical aspect of Virginia City. Parade Magazine is included in many Sunday newspapers and read by tens of millions of readers.
As of the end of June Yellowstone National Park year-to-date visitation was down 2%. As many of you know, in almost every year, as Yellowstone goes, Virginia City goes. As a contrast, visitation at Glacier National Park was up 2% for the same time period. In May Governor Schweitzer set a goal of 10 million visitors this year. If the entire state were to average an increase of 2.1% we would exceed that goal.
A&E recently spent time in Virginia City filming for "Sell This House," a series that chooses homes across the USA and tries to do what the name implies. Julie Johnson placed the film crew on Locomotive No.12 as a way to "enter" the town. We hope that this part of the show will make it past the cutter's scissors...
The 2nd Annual Virginia City Jazz & Blues Festival will be held on August 26-28. Friday, Aug 26th, Eddie Shaw, a legendary Chicago blues man, will perform at Banditos at 10pm. Join Pam Adams & Friends on Saturday from noon-7pm for music & wine tasting at the Bale of Hay patio. Later that evening, The Grand Poobahs with Eden Atwood will perform an eclectic mix of soul, funk, blues and more at the Bale of Hay at 9pm. Don't miss the Jazz Brunch with Montana's First Lady of Jazz, Jodi Marshall, on Sunday from 11am-2pm at the Bale of Hay Patio. Tickets for the entire weekend are $20/person and are available at the Bale of Hay, Banditos, Metropolitan Market, Variety Store, VC Opera House and First Madison Valley Bank. Otherwise, admission is $10 at the door of each event. For more info, call 406.843.5700 or email vcjazz@xntrx.com.
A message from Travel Montana: "August 10, 2005. With the increased press coverage of Montana's wild land fires we can anticipate more questions from Montana's visitors and resident travelers regarding access to the state's attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Montana Commerce Department's Travel Montana program has activated its Montana Fire Information Page: Please use this as a resource to respond to visitor inquiries about Montana or refer visitors to it. The Montana Fire Information Page has the latest Montana Wildland Fire Information provided by the National Interagency Fire Center along with a map of western states' fire locations, Montana Air Quality Reports, travel information from the Montana Department of Transportation. The page also includes information on fire and equipment use restrictions in Montana as well as river/stream access restrictions/closures due to fire or drought. Please remember that the impact of wildland fires is very local. Montana is a state of over 94 million acres and the vast majority of the state is unaffected. It is safe to travel in Montana during the wildland fire season. You should be aware of the restrictions in affected areas, but also know there are many unrestricted areas and activities that can be enjoyed here."
In September we will host 20-25 Elderhostel participants in Virginia City. Elderhostel is a program whereby folks (usually retired) from all over the USA pay to come and work in various places, including Virginia City. They will be in town for a week to assist with archaeology. Some of you are aware that the Archaeology Program uncovered over 32,000 items last year alone in Virginia City. Perhaps the most unusual item found was an intact chicken egg about 6 feet underground. If you do not believe me stop in the Virginia City Visitor Center to see the egg on exhibit. Elderhostel will be helping us uncover and discover new things. Some believe that our million item collection is exceeded in numbers with items that are yet to be found under the soil. It is most likely true. Cecile Gevock, our Archaeologist, needs film canisters and toothbrushes for this large work force. Before you throw away your used toothbrush please think of us. You can mail these items to me, but it would be better if they were sent directly to Cecile at P.O.B. 338, Virginia City, MT 59755.
Look of a legend: Man bears remarkable resemblance to Buffalo Bill - VIRGINIA CITY -- Jake Barciz is used to the double takes and stares he gets in public. He doesn't mind. For more of this story, click on or type the URL below: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/07/04/news/02bill.txt
A message from Abby: "Hi Chamber Membership, Since the PolkaFest was canceled, we have decided to put on a Labor Day Horseback Poker Ride. The Labor Day Horseback Poker Ride will be held Saturday, Sept 3rd . Sponsored by the Virginia City Area Chamber of Commerce, the poker ride will begin at 8:30am on Saturday morning with registration until 10am at the Bale of Hay Saloon. Admission is $10 and includes lunch. First and last card will be given at the Bale. It will be a 3-3½ hour ride and the trail will be well-marked. This is not a race, ride at your leisure. Thanks! Abby"
A party to celebrate the restoration of the steam tractor by Lloyd Harkins will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Railroad Barn in Nevada City on Tuesday, 13th September 2005. Refreshments will be served. All are invited. See Invitation for more details
Much time in August was spent with State of Montana auditors as they prepare our regularly scheduled biennial financial audit.
The Commission filled a vacant position in August. Janna Hermanson, who was hired less than two years ago as a Museum Technician, accepted the position of Curator of Collections with the Commission. Janna will be the lead person dealing with the hundreds of thousands of items in the collection. Janna has a Master's in American History and Museum Studies. We welcome Janna to the new post and wish her the best of luck.
A message from Norma: "We need your thoughts! Each year the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana-Missoula is charged with soliciting input from the private industry, government agencies, Montana residents, and other interested parties regarding tourism and recreation research. We need to know what questions you feel should be answered in the travel and recreation industry of Montana. Remember, the research conducted by ITRR is broad in nature - it is helpful to the entire state - so please think beyond your own needs to those that reflect a state or regional concern. Send us your ideas about research needs by September 23rd. We will compile the questions and ideas and discuss them at the next research meeting of the Tourism Advisory Council. The research committee will sort through the requests and prioritize the potential projects for the next fiscal year. Research conducted by ITRR is funded by 2.5% of the bed tax collections. Results of the research assist policy makers, marketers, industry lead ers, agency directors, and entrepreneurs in decision making related to tourism and recreation in Montana. This is your chance to speak up. Please do! Respond to this email by the 23rd. Thank you. Norma Nickerson, Director, ITRR"
Attention Concessionaires: Pls see this website for information about providing pooled health insurance for your workers: http://www.discoveringmontana.com/sao/other/consumerhelp.html Applications will be available shortly and I encourage you to read this information. Also see http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050831/BUSINESS/508310318/1046
We received word that there is a good possibility that we will not have Americorps in Virginia City in September due to the hurricane problems in New Orleans. The crew most likely will be sent there to assist with cleanup.
Excerpts from the 23rd August Safety Committee Meeting: "Introduce Michael Phyillaier, Claims Examiner - Montana State Fund Visit to Virginia City: Michael visited the Montana Heritage Commission in Virginia City recently and expressed that he was impressed with their awareness and seriousness when it came to issues of safety. He determined that the nature of their work and the area and materials they were working with would have some Worker's Compensation claims. He said he had seen the train conductor performing his duties and the locations where the mold was discovered and did not see any further precautions that could have been taken to avoid injury or exposure to the mold. Don Steeley added to the discussion by explaining the procedures he had taken with the discovery of mold in some of the buildings the preservation crew was restoring. (The preservation crew does not include volunteers or seasonal workers). He also explained that when mold is discovered, they shut down the site they are working on and determine the best course of action for eradicating it before anyone goes back. He reported that he had researched and determined procedures for treating the mold and had been successful so far with these procedures. Don also explained the safety training seasonals were given in their 2 week orientation. If they ever saw anything that was unsafe, they were to leave that area immediately and report it to Don or Julie Johnson. Barb Charlton suggested looking into training for the staff in Virginia City with a professional certified in eradicating mold. Don had found someone in Great Falls, but their budget would not allow them to explore that route at this time. It was decided that Don would contact the mold expert in Great Falls and find out the cost of training. Don will forward that information to the committee and the committee would decide if Early Return to Work funds would be used to help pay for that training."
A message from ITRR: "I am pleased to announce our most recent editions of Niche News are now available on our web site at the link below under "2005 Travelers" and "Business Traveler Characteristics" or "Business Trip Planning & Satisfaction". Each summary includes first quarter (January, February and March) nonresident travelers who indicated that business was their main purpose for visiting Montana. Niche News Publication Please forward this announcement to anyone who might find these publications to be of interest."
A message from Ireland: "Dear Mr Tibiri, I have attached information on the forthcoming publication by John Hearne and Rory Cornish, as requested by John. If you would like any further information please do let me know. Best wishes Toby Harris Publicity Irish Academic Press http://www.iap.ie
Jim Carpita was chosen by the National Trust to serve as a Mentor for one of their Diversity Scholarship recipients at the National Trust's Preservation Conference in Portland. Scholarship recipients attending the conference for the first time are matched with established preservation leaders to provide practical advice and facilitate important networking. Well done, Jim!
Some nice words for Stacey Gordon that I ran across: "I just want to let you know how much my party enjoyed The Canterville Ghost the other night. You have done a SUPER job getting the Players back on track after the slump of the past few years! Everything was wonderful, and the only thing missing was your own appearance on stage, which will be missed by everyone who enjoyed that from earlier shows. I think it is just tremendous that you have been willing to take over this project. Now all we need is some good publicity, and a full house each night. I really hope we can get VC to where it needs to be to keep it thriving. Thank you!"
Thank you for your continued interest in Montana's heritage.
Jeff
Jeffrey Tiberi
Executive Director
Montana Heritage Commission
P.O.B. 201204
Helena, MT 59620-1204
www.montanaheritagecommission.com
406 443 2081
fax 406 449-7081
jtiberi@mt.gov