Billings was founded in 1882 as a railroad town. What major railroad company was responsible for its rapid early growth, earning the city its nickname “Magic City”?

The Four Dance Trails Are Glowing This Week. 

Just a couple of miles from downtown Billings sits a local treasure: Four Dances Natural Area. This 765-acre stretch of open space offers more than just wide skies and dramatic views—it’s also a place rich in history and cultural significance.

Colby Acuff at the Pub Station

Pioneer Park League – Disc Golf

Date: 2025‑09‑09, Time: 5:30 PM–8:30 PM MDT, Location: Pioneer Park, Billings, MT, Admission: Not specified

This is a Pioneer Park League disc golf league event open to general players. It features divisions like GEN, singles, ace pool, and is women/girl-friendly. A great community activity for disc golf enthusiasts.

Awakening Through Trauma – Somatic Healing Workshop

• ** Date:** Sunday, September 14, 2025 (and possibly additional sessions)

• ** Time:** Not specified on source, but listed among multiple sessions

• ** Location:** The Workshop, Billings, MT (creative space on Poly Street, West End)

• ** Details:** An immersive two-part workshop offering somatic healing, emotional integration, trauma release, embodied presence, and spiritual awakening

Fall Lawn & Garden Prep

1. Lawn Care & Garden Prep

• Aerate, Overseed, and Fertilize: Early fall is prime time to aerate compacted soil, reseed bare patches, and apply a slow‑release or organic fertilizer to promote strong root growth over winter.Gardening Know HowReal Simple

• Rake Sparingly—Or Not at All: Instead of clearing every leaf, leave some as natural mulch—they enrich soil, support wildlife, and save effort. Just clear heavy layers away from delicate plants.Country Living

• Mulch for Protection: A 3‑inch layer of mulch around perennials and vegetable beds insulates roots, suppresses weeds, and enriches soil—but clean debris before applying to avoid mold and pests.The Spruce

• Leave Seed Heads & Stalks: Standing stalks from perennials (e.g., coneflowers) offer habitat and food for birds and pollinators through winter.Montana State UniversityBetter Homes & Gardens

2. Garden Cleanup & Plant Care

• Prune Thoughtfully: Cut back overgrown shrubs and non‑spring‑flowering perennials as needed, but hold off completely removing all foliage until spring.The Sunbirdsandblooms.com

• Tool Maintenance: Fall is ideal for cleaning, sharpening, and storing gardening tools—so they’re ready for spring.The Sun

• Bring Inside Frost-Sensitive Bulbs & Plants: If you’ve grown dahlias, gladiolas, or calla lilies, dig them up, dry them, and store them in a cool, dry spot to overwinter.Shifting Roots

3. Fall Vegetable & Soil Prep

• Clear Garden Debris & Add Compost: Remove spent plants (especially disease-prone ones like tomato vines) and refresh soil with compost or organic amendments.The Home DepotRocky Mountain Compost

• Plan & Record for Next Year: Take notes or photos to track what you planted, where, and how it fared. It’s an invaluable reference for spring.The Home DepotShifting Roots

Magic City Apiary transforms Saturday mornings at the Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market into sweet success for a West Billings beekeeping family.

Erika Strecker and her mother Jackie Swiesz have built their honey business around weekend sales that frequently sell out completely.

Operating among more than 60 vendors spanning four downtown blocks, they produce pure, unfiltered honey exclusively from their West Billings location without preservatives or artificial enhancements.

Free sampling draws customers to experience the distinctive local taste that sets their product apart from mass-produced alternatives.

Weekend revenue directly funds expansion of their beekeeping infrastructure, with profits invested in additional hive boxes and extraction equipment.

City ordinance supports their growth by permitting hobbyist beekeepers to maintain up to two hives within Billings limits.

The market operates 8am to 12pm every Saturday at N Broadway and 2nd Ave N through October 4th.

For this family operation, the farmers market represents the catalyst that transformed hobby into sustainable enterprise rooted in community support.

There are quesadillas... and then there are Santiago’s quesadillas — hands-down the best I’ve ever had. I’m not even exaggerating. There’s just something about the way they’re grilled to perfection, packed with melty goodness, and served with a smile that makes you feel right at home.

Santiago’s isn’t just a restaurant — Whether you’re winding down after a hectic day or gathering with loved ones to celebrate, this is the kind of spot that always hits the mark. The ingredients are fresh, the atmosphere is inviting, and the service?  Let’s just say they treat you like familia.

Do yourself (and your taste buds) a favor — go check them out and bring a few friends. You’ll leave full and happy, I promise.

👉 Visit Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant

Peeling Hard-Boiled Eggs Hack

Check it out here

🍂 Wrapping Up

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp here in Billings, a little preparation now will make the season ahead that much more enjoyable. Whether you’re raking, mulching, sealing windows, or just soaking up the last golden days outdoors, fall is all about setting yourself up for a cozy, stress-free winter.

Stay warm, stay prepared, and we’ll see you around town!

The Northern Pacific Railway.