Bugs and Butterflies!

I'm SO excited! After four long years of fundraising and planning, the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium will have their Grand Opening on Wednesday, December 6th! If you love bugs, THIS is the place to be!

Butterflies have been emerging from their cocoons, and their population in the new indoor butterfly habitat is growing! I plan on spending as much time as possible there with my camera, to get some great photos! 

Besides the butterflies there are insects galore; and arachnids too. From Walking sticks and Beetles to Tarantulas and Scorpions (did you KNOW that scorpions glow under a black light??)

You can hold many of the insects, including a giant cockroach or a giant centipede (I held both, along with a tarantula), the centipede tickles when it walks on your arm!  

 Head over to their new facility at the Missoula County Fairgrounds, and get buggy!  

Saturday Morning Storytelling

Looking for something both fun and educational to do with the family? Travelers' Rest State Park hosts "Winter Storytelling" each Saturday at 11:00 an in January and February.  Listen to Native American speakers and local historians as you learn about historical happenings around the Missoula area as well as Native American history and culture. For more information call 406-273-4253 or go to travelersrest.org.

New Year's Day Hike

If you're not the type to be nursing a hangover or watching football on New Year's Day, you might want to check out the"First Hike" event at Travelers' Rest State Park. Get some fresh air and learn about the park's history, culture and flora and fauna - and visit the museum whole you're there. Activities begin at 11:00 am.   For more information call 406-273-4253

Get Ready to Ring in the New Year!

Five days until First Night Missoula! Fun filled, family oriented, non alcoholic New Year's Eve celebration. First night has over 75 activities - from art, music and dancing, to cultural experiences, food, games, and more! FREE rides on A Carousel for Missoula with your First Night buttons; and ring in the new year with the Drum Brothers at the University of Montana UC Commons - these guys will have the place ROCKIN'!! First Night buttons are $15 and WELL worth the price! For more information contact the Montana Cultural Council at 406-541-0860.

Bugs, Bugs and MORE Bugs!

If you like bugs, you HAVE to visit the Insectarium in downtown Missoula! From Butterflies to Walking Sticks, they have quite a nice collection of critters. There are live specimens in terrariums along with lots of molted exoskeletons, microscopes for viewing prepared slides, a live Giant Bird Eating Tarantula (no, they really don't eat birds), and plenty of games and puzzles to satisfy any budding Entomologist.

I watched them feed Rosie, the Mexican Red-knee Tarantula, and I was able to hold in my own hands, a giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroach and a Giant Millipede! The Millipede does not have 1,000 legs, but some do have as many as 750. And did you KNOW that scorpions glow neon blue under a UV light?

It's a fascinating place - check it out! They are located at 218 East Front Street, on the second floor, and well worth the price of $4.00 admission! For more information call 406-317-1211 or visit their website and calendar of events at: http://www.missoulabutterflyhouse.org/

Was It Really a Hangin' Offense?

A little ways out of Missoula, but well worth the drive, if you are so inclined.

On Saturday, January 9th, Bannack State Park will host a re-enactment of the hanging of the Henry Plummer Gang at 2:00 pm.

For those of you who don't know, Henry Plummer was a local sheriff who is said to have played both sides of the law. He supposedly headed up a gang of thieves and highwaymen, who were eventually caught by vigilantes and hanged for the offenses. There are those who question whether or not Plummer actually did all of the things he was accused of. Come to the hanging and hear what Henry has to say - and decide for yourself! 

Ice skating will be available on the pond in the morning as well.

Cost is $10 per person, $15 per family or $20 for a business.  A social hour and dinner in Dillon will follow. For more information call: 406-834-3413 or 406-683-6435.

Dance Lessons, Anyone?

Do you love music?  Do you like to dance?  If you do and are interested in learning some new steps, check out the African Dance Classes at the Missoula Senior Center on South Higgins; every Tuesday at 7:00 pm.  For more information call 549-7933