The ButteCast with Bill Foley

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  • Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week: Mining City FC U11 soccer players

    Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week: Mining City FC U11 soccer players

    The Mining City FC U11 co-ed soccer team is this week’s Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week.

    The honors come after the team competed in the Park City Extreme Cup in Park City, Utah. Most of the players from the Butte team are playing competitive travel soccer for the first time. The tournament marked the first out-of-state competition for all 11 players.

    The Mining City FC team, sponsored by Andrews Orthodontic, was the only co-ed team in the tournament, and head coach Mike Maeser said the team was able to compete with some much larger teams from the Salt Lake City metro area. The Butte boys and girls finished with a 1-2 record, but Maeser said all three games were very competitive.

    Boys on the team are Ryker Beardslee, Kavren Burmeister, Kysen Burmeister, Brendan Byrne, Owen Conlan, Tyson Coyne, Ryken Kuchtyn and Liam Maesar. The girls on the team are Jaelee Devine, Anna Forrelli and Kourtney Johnson. Beardslee, Kuchtyn and Maesar scored goals for the Butte team. Johnson, Conlan, Devine and the Burmeister twins were solid on defense, Coach Maesar said, and Byrne was incredible at goal keeper. Forrelli and Coyne were dominant in the midfield to start the Butte attacks.

    Coach Maesar was assisted by his son, Aiden.

    For the third year, Leskovar Honda, home of the 20-year, 200,000-mile warranty, is teaming up with the ButteCast to honor the finest student-athletes from the Mining City to encourage more children to get up, get out and try all kinds of sports and activities.

  • Podcast No. 281: Brittani Ferris and Jordan Harwell

    Podcast No. 281: Brittani Ferris and Jordan Harwell

    Brittani Ferris and Jordan Harwell are trying their best to make the Mining City laugh more. They are doing a pretty good job, too.

    Brittani is the founder of Uptown Comedy, and she is working hard to bring comedy acts to Butte. That includes an Aug. 22 show by Sam Miller with Lynette Manning at the Covellite Theater.

    She hosts showcases at the Covellite on Thursdays. That includes highlighting talent from Butte and around the state. The next show on Aug. 7 will be an all-female show that promises to rock the old theater.

    Brittani grew up in Butte, and she is related the large Ferris family from Dillon. That Ferris group is known for, among other things, their great athletic prowess. Brittani, though, says she did not get that family trait. She opted for theater and speech and debate when she was at Butte High School.

    She went to college in Missoula and worked in Bozeman. She has traveled around the state and beyond working on her comedy routine. She even did shows in New York.

    After moving back to Butte, she decided to work on building a scene in her hometown. Uptown Comedy offers open-mic nights at the 51 Below Speakeasy in addition to the other shows she puts on. They did a show Friday at the Butte-Silver Bow Fair.

    Brittney encourages people who are reluctant about trying standup to give it a shot, and she seems to enjoy seeing local talent thrive even more than she likes to get a laugh herself.

    Brittani quickly realized that Jordan is one of the top comedians around. He grew up in San Diego, and work brought him to Butte. While in the Holey City, Jordan discovered the Knights of Columbus Athletic Club’s basketball league and a great opportunity for comedy.

    Listen in to this episode as Brittani and Jordan talk about the Butte Comedy scene and why you are missing out if you are not catching all the shows.

    Listen as they talk about how they got into comedy and some of their influences as comedians. Listen as they talk about the times the killed it on stage and the times that they completely bombed. Listen to hear that you do not want to miss their Thursday showcases at the Covellite.

    Today’s episode of the ButteCast is presented by Leskovar Honda, home of the 20-year, 200,000-mile warranty.

  • Podcast No. 280: Rick Lyons

    Podcast No. 280: Rick Lyons

    Rick Lyons is one of the greatest all-around athletes the Mining City has ever produced.

    The 2017 Butte Sports Hall of Fame inductee has won state titles in baseball, basketball, golf and handball. He was part of the 1972 Mile High Little League All-Star team that captured the state title and represented Montana in the Western Regional Tournament in San Bernardino, California.

    After 53 years, that is still Butte’s only state Little League champion.

    Rick was then a member of Butte Central’s 1978 Class A State championship basketball team under head coach John Thatcher. A few months later, he was a part of Butte Central’s Class A State championship golf team. That team, led by coach Mike Thompson, included Joe Perrick, John Davis, Frank Cote and the great Louie Bartoletti, who won the individual crown.

    Rick won the Montana Class B handball title and was, by all accounts, heading toward being one of the best players in the state. However, he saw the toll the game took on some of those best players, and decided it was no longer for him.

    After college, Rick started playing golf more, and he started to get good. Really good. In 1991 and 1995 he won the Montana Mid-Amateur Championships. Then, in 1999, everyone expected him to win the Montana State Men’s Amateur Championship at the Butte Country Club, where he once won 10 straight Labor Day Tournament titles and 13 times overall.

    He did. Eddie Kavran, the 1998 champion from Dillon, and Reid Lende of Livingston tied fors second — six shots behind Lyons.

    Rick probably could have won more State Amateur titles, but his family started to grow. His daughter was a baby when he won the 1999 crown, and his two sons followed soon after. So, he stopped playing the game on a regular basis. He also had back problems that prevented him from playing.

    Then, his college roommate, Kelly Knievel, told him about a book that changed everything. He said the book, titled “Healing Back Paine: The Mind-Body Connection” by Dr. John Sarno, might have had a placebo effect on him, but it worked. He is now golfing, mostly with his family, pain free.

    Don’t, however, expect Rick, now 65, to start winning tournaments again. Unless it’s a scramble, he is not interested in playing.

    Listen in to this episode as Rick talks about playing on those state championship teams and hear how he is still close friends with many his teammates.

    Listen to hear his take on John Thatcher and how the team from 1976 was probably better than his title-winning team. Listen as talks about his rise to greatness on the golf course. Listen as he drops hints to the mentality that was probably the key to that greatness.

    Listen in to hear that his wife, Joanie, probably made him appear on the podcast because Rick is not one who likes to talk about himself.

    Today’s podcast is presented by the Kvichak Fish Co. Think of it as salmon and halibut gone Girl Scout cookie. Place your order today.

  • Burgman/Boyle playhouse tickets will be sold outside Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

    Burgman/Boyle playhouse tickets will be sold outside Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

    Cribbage tourney set for Sunday

    The Burgman/Boyle Scholarship Fund is raffling off a one-of-a-kind playhouse/fort/she-shed to raise money for the scholarship.

    Tickets are $25, and they will be on sale each night this week from 7 to 9 p.m. outside Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 2800 Harrison Ave. A member of the Burgman or Boye family will be there to sell you your chance to win the shed that is wired for electricity and fully insulated.

    A limited number of tickets will be sold, and the shed is currently on display in the Dickey’s parking lot.

    Also, the annual Burgman/Boyle Cribbage Tournament will be held Sunday at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Registration starts at noon, and play begins at 1 p.m.

    The blind-draw tournament will cost $40 per player, and lots of prizes are available to be won. The format will be Canadian Crib, and lunch will be provided for all players. The lunch is being donated by Metals Sports Bar & Grill.

    The Burgman/Boyle Scholarship was started to honor Butte friends Kyle Burgman and Casey Boyle. The two were killed in an automobile accident on East Park Street on Aug. 10, 2015.

    To mark the 10th anniversary of their passing, the families plan to bring back the Burgman/Boyle Classic basketball game. The Butte Central vs. Butte High alumni game will be played on Sunday, Aug. 10 at East Middle School.

    The night will include the annual Boyle’s Buddies Special Olympics game, and this year’s scholarship winners will be recognized.

    Details for the night of basketball are still being worked out.

  • Butte Junior City Championship set for Aug. 20 at Highland View Golf Course

    Butte Junior City Championship set for Aug. 20 at Highland View Golf Course

    The Butte-Silver Bow Junior City Championship golf tournament will be played on Wednesday, Aug. 20 =at the Highland View Golf Course.

    The tournament will feature three age divisions for boys and girls — 9 to 11, 12 to 14 and 15-17.  The older two divisions will play 18 holes on the regulation course, while the youngest division will feature nine holes on the Par 3.

    The entry fee is $25 for the older two divisions and $10 for the younger one. Lunch will be provide for all players.

    Each division winner and runner up will be presented with a medal. For more information, contact Keith Ogolin at (406) 497-6578 or kogolin@bsb.mt.gov.

    Click the link below for a registration form. Forms are also available at the Highland View Golf Course.

  • Kaven Noctor wins third City golf title

    Kaven Noctor wins third City golf title

    Mullholand clains Senior title, Newman is top Super Senior

    Kaven Noctor captured his third Highland View Men’s City Championship Sunday at the Highland View Golf Course.

    The 2020 Butte High graduate fired a 69 on Saturday and again Sunday for a 2-under-par 138 total. That topped Dan Mulholland by one shot.

    Mulholland opened with a 68 to take the first-round lead. He closed with a 71.

    Soon-to-be Butte High senior Chase Choquette placed third at 142. He followed a 70 with a 72 on the par-70 course. Choquette placed third at the Montana State Men’s Amateur Championship at the Missoula Country Club last month.

    Robert Cline, who opened with a 69, placed third at 144 after a final-round 75.

    Noctor, who holds the Highland View course record with a 62 shot in 2022, also won the City title in 2021 and 2022.

    Mulholland captured the City title in the Senior Division, while Brad Newman won the Super Senior Division. Newman shot a 73 and a 74 for a 147 to win the fourth flight.

    In all, 66 players competed in the tournament.

    Highland View Men’s City Championship
    Championship Flight

    Kaven Noctor                        69-69 — 138
    Dan Mulholland           68-71 — 139
    Chase Choquette          70-72 — 142
    Robert Cline                          69-75 — 144
    Jerry Rapp                    78-72 — 150
    Luke Schulte                         80-75 — 155
    Ty Murphy                   76-79 — 155
    Aaron Dewaay             80-77 — 157
    Anthony O’Connor               82-79 — 161
    Mike Rapp                   87-WD

    First Flight
    Marcus Winnings                  78-69 — 147
    Ed Cohlepp                            76-75 — 151
    Mark Hodges                         74-77 — 151
    Marty Reilly                          74-80 — 154
    Steve Fournier                       82-72 — 154
    Jake Johnston                        78-77 — 155
    Steve Colvin                          79-76 — 155
    Derek Burch                          83-80 — 163
    Lee Earhart                            80-83 — 163
    Ethan Edwards              82-87 — 169
    Hunter Salcido             98-WD

    Second Flight
    Bob Johnston                         83-74 — 157
    Mark Noctor                          79-79 — 158
    Vic Duffin                    83-78 — 161
    Jim Solan                     80-82 — 162
    Larry Pericich                        80-83 — 163
    Pat O’Rourke                         88-77 — 165
    Pete Yerkich                          80-86 — 166
    Don Foreman                         79-89 — 168
    John Thurmond            88-82 — 170
    Michael Regan             85-86 — 171
    Michael Calvin             79-92 — 171
    Nick Piazzola                        90-86 — 176

    Third Flight
    Jim Spurnger                         78-81 — 159
    Kadon Queer                         86-76 — 162
    Frank Gaul                   80-85 — 165
    Jeff Kreyssler                        79-89 — 168
    Mike Fairchild                       83-86 — 169
    Dan Gardipee                        86-85 — 171
    Billy Robinson              89-88 — 178
    Steve Fournier                       87-92 — 179
    Steve Hepola                         91-90 — 181
    Rodney Johnson            92-93 — 185
    Devin Kellner                         91-96 — 187

    Fourth Flight
    Brad Newman                       73-74 — 147
    Josh Kovenesky           86-81 — 167
    Tucker Reilly                         92-78 — 170
    Vern Kingston                       84-88 — 172
    Todd Carver                          87-86 — 173
    Coby Lean                   87-87 — 174
    Jim Murray                            94-91 — 185
    John Gardipee                       98-89 — 187
    Brian Noctor                          91-98 — 189
    Jake Strong                            101-97 — 198

    Fifth Flight
    Scott Sweet                            85-91 — 176
    Dan Parish                    94-93 — 187
    Mike Anderson            91-97 — 188
    Bryan Levengood                  97-93 — 190
    Mark Reilly                           95-99 — 194
    Jake Kovensky              99-97 — 197
    Jim Bennett                           94-103 — 197
    Matt Garcia                           101-100 — 201
    Erin Goosey                          99-108 — 207
    Jeffrey Preston             104-104 — 208
    Manny Salcido             103-105 — 208
    Devin Goosey                      109-110 — 219

    Saturday hole prizes
    Closes to No. 5/14  — Frank Gaul
    Long Drive on No. 7 (0-13 handicap) — Steve Fournier
    Long Drive No. 15 (14 plus handicap) — Coby Lean
    Closes to No. 8/17  — Chase Choquette
    Longest putt on No. 9/18 — Jim SolanSunday hole prizes (8 a.m. shotgun)
    Closes to No. 5/14  — Tucker Reilly
    Long Drive on No. 7 — Tucker Reilly
    Closes to No. 8/17  — Bryan Levengood
    Longest putt on No. 9/18 — Josh Kovensky
    Sunday hole prizes (1 p.m. shotgun)
    Closes to No. 5/14  — Luke Schulte
    Long Drive on No. 7 — Marcus WInnings
    Closes to No. 8/17  — Kaven Noctor
    Longest putt on No. 9/18 — John Thurmond

  • Mile High boys bring up memories of that great team from 1972

    Mile High boys bring up memories of that great team from 1972

    Tears filled the eyes of Butte’s Mile High All-Star baseball players after they met with their coaches one final time on the left field grass of the Ron Godbout Memorial Field at Father Sheehan Park.

    The dust was just starting to settle after they fell in a 6-5 thriller to the Boulder Arrowhead All-Stars from Billings in Game 2 of the Montana Little League State Championship Series Sunday afternoon. That came after the Butte boys dropped a 7-6 nail-biter to Boulder Arrowhead less than 24 hours earlier on the same field.

    Mile High scored one run in the bottom of the sixth — and last — inning before Boulder Arrowhead star Dane Larson got the final out with the tying and go-ahead runs on base.

    The boys from Butte led 3-0 and 4-3 in the game, and Mile High seemingly had more fresh arms for the winner-takes-all Game 3 that would have been played later Sunday night.

    Butte also led 1-0, 4-2 and 7-6 in the first game of the series.

    But some clutch Billing hits, some bad luck for the home team, and some Houdini acts by Boulder Arrowhead pitching ended Butte’s plans, leaving the Mile High boys only dreaming of a trip that would have been. Boulder Arrowhead advances to represent Montana in the Western Regional Tournament in San Bernardino, California.

    The Butte players, though, most likely have no idea of how close they were to Butte baseball immortality. Their parents probably had no idea, either.

    Some old-timers watching the games, though, knew full well that the Mile High boys were knocking on the door of joining some exclusive company.

    In 1972, the Mile High All-Stars captured the state championship and advanced to San Bernardino. That was the only time a Butte team has ever won a Little League state title in the 12-and-under division. Until recent years, that was the only division for the boys.

    That is the division of the Little League World Series that is played on ESPN every summer.

    As far as baseball in the Mining City goes, those boys from the 1972 team are the 1985 Bears. They were legends then, and they are legends now.

    On Aug. 5, 1972, Mile High beat the Lissa All-Stars from Billings 5-2 in Billings to capture the state championship. Barry Sullivan threw a three-hit gem, while Mark Bound and Mike Stajcar drove in runs with doubles to highlight the victory.

    In winning the title, they became the initial team to represent Montana at the Regional Tournament.

    The left-handed Bond threw a no-hitter and scored three runs as the Butte boys opened the Regional tournament with a 15-1 over the Idaho state champions on Monday, Aug. 14. Sullivan, Stajcar, Mike Maroney, Si Timberman and John Kovacich smacked extra-base hits to lead the Butte offense in the rout.

    Butte’s chance of a World League World Series run, however, ended when the Mille High All-Stars fell 5-0 in the quarterfinals to Arizona two nights later.

    The tournament run ended with a thrilling 15-13 consolation loss to Colorado on Aug. 17.

    The great Mark Sullivan, who was later appointed District Court Judge for Silver Bow County by Gov. Tom Judge in 1980, was the manager of the 1972 Mile High All-Star team. He was assisted by Jay McCloskey. Ed Mengon was the Mile High president.

    In addition to Sullivan, Stajcar, Bond, Mahoney, Timberman and Kovacich, the team was made up of Jack McCloskey, Bob Bush, Rick Lyons, Jim Anderson, Mike Carle, Dan Bosch, Dennis Secord, Mike Maroney and Joe Taras.

    Most of those names should sound familiar to Butte sports fans. Many of them went on to be part of Butte High’s 1977 Class AA State championship football team. Sullivan, who was the quarterback of those Bulldogs, was inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame along with Lyons and Anderson.

    Carle turned out to be one of Butte High’s all-time great basketball players. His 37 points in one game in stood as the Bulldog boys’ record for 26 years.

    Anderson and Timberman joined Sullivan as standouts for the Montana State Bobcat football team. Kovacich was a member of the Montana Grizzlies’ 1982 Big Sky Conference championship team.

    Lyons will go down as one of the greatest golfers Butte has ever produced. He won the 1999 Montana State Men’s Amateur Championship and the 1991 and 1995 Mid-Amateur Championships. Thanks to Louie Bartoletti, Lyons was also a member of Butte Central’s 1978 State championship golf team.

    Bush wrote a book, but it wasn’t about baseball.

    Now, 53 years have passed, and no team has followed in the footsteps of that great team from 1972.

    The Mile High All-Stars of 2025, though, made a pretty good run at history under manager Keli Renz-Coffing, who was a stellar shortstop for Butte High’s softball team in her day. She was assisted by former Triple-A first-baseman John Summers and former Butte High and Montana Western running back Jordan Clary.

    Their team showed fight from the first pitch on Saturday night to the final out on Sunday afternoon.

    In Game 1, Benny Donaldson and Jace Graham showed off their strong arms on the mound, while Hunter Summers tripled. Ridge Bauer hit two doubles, and Donaldson, Cole O’Connor and Kooper Conway each hit one.

    Summers, Donaldson and Bauer each had a three-hit game. The trio combined to drive in six of Butte’s seven runs.

    Colt Horsley pitched five strong innings in Game 2. Kale Alexander poked three hits. Cooper Coffing, Summers, Donaldson, Graham, Conway, Horsely and Cooper Phillips each added one. Mason Lowney worked a clutch walk with two out in the bottom of the sixth to keep the team’s hopes alive.

    Cruz Clary was also a member of the team. He was not able to play, however, because he suffered a gruesome injury two weeks earlier. Clary was pitching during pool play in Dillon when a batter hit a line drive off his face.

    That shot fracture two bones near Clary’s eyes, but that did not stop him from supporting his teammates the rest of the way.

    A huge, boisterous crowd cheered on the Mile High All-Stars in both games. Even though the boys of Boulder Arrowhead ended up moving on, the Butte crowd was so incredibly proud of the Mile High boys.

    Perhaps the coolest thing about their performance, though, is everyone believed that they were going to win right until the end. That meant that those boys from 1972 were the topic of conversation.

    Many heard about that legendary team for the first time because of that run over the last three weeks. Because of the 2025 Mile High boys, so many asked the question: Has Butte ever won a state Little League title before?

    Then, there was someone who remembered to tell them the story. Yes, a bunch of boys aged 10 to 12 brought that great memory from 1972 back to life.

    Long after those tears dry up, those Mile High All-Stars of 2025 will realize what they accomplished.

    Like with the 1972 team, this will not be the last we hear from the boys of the 2025 Mile High All-Star team.

     — Bill Foley, who was not born yet when the 1972 All-Stars made their run, can be reached at foles74@gmail.com. Follow him at twitter.com/Foles74 or Bluesky at @foles74.bsky.social. Listen to him on the ButteCast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

  • Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week: Cruz Clary and Copper City All-Stars

    Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week: Cruz Clary and Copper City All-Stars

    Butte Little League baseball player Cruz Clary and the Copper City Softball 8-10 All-Stars are this Week’s Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week.

    Clary takes home the boys’ award after the Mile High All-Stars came within two wins of representing Montana in the Western Regional Tournament in San Bernardino, California. The Butte boys dropped a pair of one-run games in the best-of-three State Championship Series to Boulder Arrowhead of Billings on the Ron Godbout Memorial Field at Father Sheehan Park.

    Cruz was a huge part of the team, but he had to sit out the championship series after suffering a gruesome injury two weeks earlier during pool play in Dillon. While pitching, Cruz took a line drive off his face, and it fractured two bones around his left eye.

    Still, Cruz showed up every day and did whatever he could to support his teammates on their quest for greatness.

    Cruz, who turned 11 on Sunday, will be a fifth grader at Hillcrest Elementary School this upcoming school year. In addition to pitching, he played third base and the outfield.

    The girls’ honor goes to the Copper City Softball 8-10 All-Stars after they played their hearts out at the Montana State Tournament in Billings July 18-20.

    The team had numerous standout performances, but the pitchers and catchers worked particularly hard through the heat and adversity of playing some great teams from Eastern Montana. Taylor Benski led the team in innings pitched and threw 19 strikeouts. Kyla McEwen and Anna Yates both entered games in difficult situations and were able to get out of jams, keeping the Copper City All-Stars in their respective games.  

    Caelyn Comfort and Austyn Sholey shared the catching duties in the heat and dusty conditions. Comfort smacked four hits, drove in four runs and scored four times over the weekend.

    The team, which took home the District 2 championship in Great Falls last month, went 1-3 at State.

    Team members are Bensky, McEwen, Yates, Comfort, Sholey, Khloe Solomon, Ella Briggs, Parker Gilbreath, Cora Stosich, Shea Whitaker, Loghan Smith and Morgan Conway. Cullen Gilbreath is the manager, and Jenny McEwen and Chris Benski are coaches.

    For the third year, Leskovar Honda, home of the 20-year, 200,000-mile warranty, is teaming up with the ButteCast to honor the finest student-athletes from the Mining City to encourage more children to get up, get out and try all kinds of sports and activities.

  • Podcast No. 279: John Stenson

    Podcast No. 279: John Stenson

    Some of you known him as John Stenson, musician in iconic Butte bands like Uncle Mary, King Friday and the Berkeley Pits. (The Berkeley Pits, by the way, will be playing Music on Main on July 31.)

    Others know him as Mr. Stenson, history teacher at East Middle School and now Butte High School. Some might even know him as “Johnny Blackout,” a defensive back on Butte High’s 1991 State championship football team.

    Once again, he will be known as “Coach Stenson.” Butte High hired Stenson to take over as head coach of girls’ flag football program. His hire was made official by the Butte School Board Monday night.

    It will not be John’s first coaching job. He coached junior high and varsity football in Whitehall, and he coached football at East. He also coaches his son Zach’s Special Olympics basketball team.

    Butte High enters its fourth season playing flag football, and John looks to take the program to new heights. He currently has 26 players out for the team, and he is looking for more. He is also looking to raise the program out of anonymity.

    The Bulldogs have played the last few seasons with little fanfare or media coverage. While the latter will change with the return of the ButteCast SportsCap with the fall season, John would like you to see more fans fill the sidelines when the team plays at Copper Mountain Park or the stands whey the Bulldogs play at Naranche Stadium.

    With assistants Mike McGurk and Josh Hettick, senior leadership and young talent, John expects the Bulldogs to play an exciting brand of football this fall and for years to come.

    Listen in to this episode of the ButteCast as John talks about his days playing football at Butte High and his career as a musician. Listen as he describes how playing for Uncle Mary at the old Brews Billiards in Butte felt like Madison Square Garden.

    Listen as John talks about how he got into the education game, teaching and coaching in Whitehall, and his move back to Butte. Listen as he talks with passion about his new gig coaching flag football.

    Today’s episode is presented by Casagranda’s Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat.

  • Podcast No. 278: Jocelyn Dodge

    Podcast No. 278: Jocelyn Dodge

    You might not ever find a retired person who does more work than Jocelyn Dodge.

    She works with the Restore Our Creek Coalition and the Friends of Thompson Park. She serves as the president of the bard for Butte’s Center for the Performing Arts. That is just to name a few.

    The Montpelier, Vermont native moved to the Treasure State in the late 1970s to attend the University of Montana. After changing her major multiple times, she graduated in 1982 with a recreation services degree.

    Jocelyn worked for the Missoula city parks department before moving on to a job at Lone Pine State Park near Kalispell.

    In 1991, Jocelyn moved to Butte to work for the Forest Service. She served as a recreation forester for several jurisdictions in Southwest Montana, including Butte-Silver Bow. Jocelyn retired in December of 2019, but that has hardly slowed her down.

    She is busy doing something every single day. When she’s not working hard, she is playing hard. Part of the reason she is so busy is that she is taking advantage of some of the recreation opportunities that she helped create.

    The legacy Jocelyn left behind from her career will long be remembered by the recreation community. She was instrumental in building the 30 plus miles of trails around Thompson Park. She worked to restore old Milwaukee Road trestle, and she helped build the Continental Divide Trail in the area.

    Today, that trail is used by so many, including racers on the Tour Divide that we see in town nearly every day of the summer. It has been used for the Wolfman Continental Dive Trail Race, the Butte 100 mountain bike race and the recently-started Copper Kings 100, a 100-mile running race.

    None of that would be possible without all the great work Jocelyn put in during her career and beyond.

    Listen to this episode of the ButteCast as Joscelyn talks about growing up in Vermont and moving to Montana and her years at the University of Montana. Listen as she talks about her work in Missoula and how she was reluctant to move to Butte because of our reputation.

    Listen as the talks about the work she did at Thompson Park and the CDT. Listen as she talks about working with so many groups and great people over the years. Listen in to hear that she has no plans of ever leaving the Mining City.

    Today’s episode is presented by Thriftway Super Stops. Download the TLC app and start saving today.