Anaconda

St. Patrick's Day wouldn't be the same without the many festivities and traditions planned around it. From the Ceilidh to the Shelieigh Shindig and everything in between, events in honor of St. Patrick's Day have been going strong in the surrounding area for decades! Performers like The Pipes and Drums Band of the Edmonton Police Service, the Anaconda Pipes & Drum Corps, the Tiernan Irish Dancers of Butte and Helena, Anaconda's Irish Dancers and many more have wowed us for years with their incredible talent.

Events to honor Irish heritage in the area just keep coming, and we haven't even made it to St. Patrick's Day yet! So far, loyal enthusiasts have enjoyed the Shillelagh Shindig at the Carpenter's Union Hall that took place last Friday in Butte, the AOH St. Patrick's Day Race in Anaconda this past Saturday, and yesterday's Ceilidh (celebration of Irish music and friendly gatherings) at the AOH Hall in Anaconda. The latter event was one my family and I had the honor of enjoying! The consensus following our time at Anaconda's AOH Ceilidh yesterday was a a predictable thumbs up! We were in great company with members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians who welcomed us from the get go. At Ceilidh, many in attendance engaged in conversation with family and friends, while enjoying beverages and delicious homemade corned beef with all the trimmings at the "Hall" (Dan Tocher & crew did an immense job! Yum!). Some even had to elbow a few people to get their share of Tipperary squares (white frosted mini cakes rolled in chopped nuts), but other than that it was a friendly outing. Lol! (Continued...)

Another event to check out if you're feeling mighty green is the Ceilidh in Anaconda this Sunday (March 12th) at the Anaconda AOH Hall (321-323 E Commercial) beginning at 3 pm. Ceilidh is Gaelic for the "celebration of Irish music and friendly gatherings". This event is sponsored by the AOH and the Ladies' Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Earlier last month, I had the pleasure of visiting Pintler's Portal Hostel, a niche, hidden gem in Anaconda that is captivating travelers worldwide and making its mark in the community. From the moment I arrived at the hostel, the owners, Steve and Marsha Hill, and their granddaughter, Blakely, welcomed me with good vibes and open arms. Not long after, I also met their oldest granddaughter, Desi, an encounter that sealed the deal on just how family-oriented the Hills were. From there, the plan behind my visit involved learning more about this intriguing place that opened its doors to the public in August of 2021. From my encounter with the Hills, it was apparent how much pride they took in their facility. Located in the heart of Anaconda, at 218 West Park Avenue, the beautifully remodeled structure was once home to the Freemasons' Masonic Lodge.

When you think of the term "Disco", glitter, mirrored spheres, the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, platform shoes, polyester jumpsuits and bell bottoms come to mind. Now, add to that list "Discovery Ski Area" (180 Basin Road, Anaconda) where things are about to get mighty groovy! Coming up this Friday, March 10th, beginning at 9 a.m. enjoy a "far out" day of skiing and a chance to win some great prizes from disco balls hidden along the ski hill! A host of goodies will be given away from Ski Discovery, The Philipsburg Brewing Company, plus the Broadway Hotel and the Sushi Shack also in Philipsburg. Discovery Ski Area (180 Basin Road, Anaconda) will wrap up their ski season soon, so get in on the excitement while you can. They offer rentals, group ski lessons, private ski lessons, an awesome lodge and food, plus competitive rates on full-day and half-day skiing. Check Discovery's website right here -> DISCOVERY SKI for more details and before your venture to the "Disco Party" on the mountain this Friday!

As the wearin' of the green fast approaches, the annual AOH St. Patrick's Day Race in Anaconda comes to mind! As encouraged on the Ancient Order of Hibernians website, you can join in on the fun Saturday, March 11th, either as a die-hard competitor OR as someone who prefers to treat the event as a stroll with old friends and new ones, too! To get involved, you can register right HERE! -> AOH RACE. This site will help guide racers to the many choices available for next Saturday's run, so make sure to be aware of your options ahead of the event. Even if you have no intention of racing, you can still order an AOH St Patrick's Day Race t-shirt on the same website above.

The possibilities are endless when shopping for one-of-a-kind, inexpensive items in the surrounding area! From boutique and consignment shops to second-hand, retail, grocery, convenience, and antique stores, Butte and Anaconda have their share of stand-out venues! Then there are "thrift shops"! These are stores that fall under the category of charitable organizations in one way or another. So while people enjoy the idea of saving money and rummaging for cool finds at thrift stores, they're actually doing so much more; helping out individuals in need throughout the community. Although some thrift shops have unfortunately closed over the years in the vicinity, three in Butte and Anaconda have stayed strong!

Beginning Tuesday, February 28th, Haffey will host a five-week Spring Fling Adult Archery Program in the Anaconda School Administrator's Gym at 1410 W Park in Anaconda. Two archery sessions will be available every Tuesday at 6 p.m. and at 7 p.m. for only $7 dollars for the entire five-week session. Participants are encouraged to join in on the action of the archery program with or without their own equipment. Any gear needed will be provided. The mindset? Participants should be able to work at their own pace, as flexibility is highly encouraged during the program. To sign up for the program, register in person on the first day (February 28th or any Tuesday for the next five weeks). You can also contact Ray Haffery at (406) 491-8578 with any questions.

By 8:15 p.m. came the final match-up of the evening when the Copperheads boys' basketball team hashed it out with the St. Ignatius Bulldogs! To say the least, it was an intense exchange on the court as are most games, let alone tourney play! The Copperheads were up for the majority of the game, but with Bulldogs trailing close behind. The end result was a Copperhead Victory 69 to 66 due to a master 3-point shot by Anaconda's Billy Farmer with only seconds remaining. The game was action-packed with many 3-point shots, jump shots, rebounds, and more by Anaconda's River Hurley, Gabe Galle, Cael Mikalotos, Tanner Cromwell, Brody Galle, Wade Dahood, Tytan Cook, Shane Schalk, Treyton Patrick, Travis Dye, Cory Galle, and Riley Kriskovich. With their game under their belt, the Copperheads will take on the Big Fork Vikings at 8:15 p.m. tomorrow (Feb. 24) for a shot at Saturday's Western B Divisional Championship!

There are hundreds of amazing things to do in various towns across America. The majestic and quaint community of Anaconda, Montana, surrounded by the Pintler Mountains, is no different. Now, for certain, you won't find a suburban atmosphere when it comes to shopping or the electricity of a city nightclub, but instead, a place that offers a sense of belonging sprinkled with a hip and upcoming vibe and a tinge of traditional and historical staples to balance out an authentic experience. In the late 1800s, Copper King Marcus Daly founded the town of Anaconda while financing the construction of a smelter for silver deposits and, eventually, for copper mining. Although the smelter officially shut down in 1980, native Anacondans and visitors alike still recognize the area as a historic place that thrived during its days as a smelting town and a place that relentlessly works to stay alive.