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Controversy Alert: Get Your Motor Runnin' and Head to the Yellowstone Chili Cookoff! ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐Ÿž๏ธ๐Ÿš—

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Controversy Alert: Get Your Motor Runnin' and Head to the Yellowstone Chili Cookoff! ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐Ÿž๏ธ๐Ÿš—

Controversy Alert: Get Your Motor Runnin' and Head to the Yellowstone Chili Cookoff! ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐Ÿž๏ธ๐Ÿš—
Spice up your day with wildlife spots, sweat-worthy hikes, and tips for growing lavender indoors year-round! ๐ŸŒฟ๐ŸŒพ #GetYourMotorRunnin

Randy Diefel

Sep 23, 2025

Trivia Questionโ“

What is the largest desert in the world?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Get Your Motor Runnin'

Perfect Thursday weather greeted visitors at ABC Supply's Billings Founders Day celebration, where free Ranch House Meats and vendor experts created the perfect atmosphere for community connection.

 

The stars of the show were two custom Orange County Choppers motorcycles bearing the ABC Supply logo. Manager Adam Snavely explained their unique origin: "We sponsored A.J. Foyt racing for multiple years, but transitioned to supporting Homes For The Troops. With the extra sponsorship money now available, we contacted Orange County Choppers to build us a custom bike."

The project inspired both Paul Senior and Paul Junior to collaborate for the first time in years on the first motorcycle, with Paul Junior creating a second bike entirely on his own. "We wound up with two ABC Orange County Choppers," Snavely said proudly.

From racing sponsorships to custom choppers to community celebration, ABC Supply's Founders Day showed a company that understands business is about more than moving inventory โ€“ it's about honoring American craftsmanship and giving back.

Billings ABC Manager Adam Snavely Riding for the Brand

Feeling Low or Bored? This One Website Might Be the Purest Place on the Internet

Sometimes you just need a breakโ€”from the news, from your inbox, from...everything.

Thatโ€™s where Explore.org  comes in. Itโ€™s an entire world of live animal cams, streaming 24/7 from some of the most remote and peaceful places on Earth. Weโ€™re talking elephants at watering holes in Africa, puffins nesting on rocky cliffs, jellyfish drifting in aquariums, rescue puppies napping by the dozenโ€”and yes, brown bears fishing for salmon in Alaska.

No commentary. No pop-ups. Just nature, unfiltered.

Whether you're an animal lover or just looking for a moment of calm in your day, this site is pure serotonin. Bookmark it nowโ€”youโ€™ll thank yourself later.

๐Ÿพ “Wildlife Streams Aren’t Just Far Away—We’ve Got Them Here Too”

๐ŸŽฅ ZooMontana Webcams
Watch Ozzy & Bruno the grizzlies, a sloth, and more from home.
zoomontana.org

๐Ÿฆ‰ Montana Audubon Center
Bird walks, nature events, and hands-on science.
mtaudubon.org

๐Ÿบ Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary
Rescued bears, wolves & raptors in a walkable sanctuary.
visitbillings.com

Yellowstone Chili Cookoff - 4th Annual

Come sample chili from amazing local chefs, cast your vote, enjoy live music.

Collector chili bowls, adult beverages, activities (heads/tails game, horse rides, and silent auction) available will be available for additional purchase.

Get your tickets now!
$15 per person (Children 5 and under are Free)
$45 for families 4+
$150 for a table of 8 (including goodies for your crew)

 

 

Date & Location

Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch
Thu, 25 Sep, 2025 at 05:00 pm (MDT) 
7499 Hesper Rd, MT 59106-3047

 

Questions about the event, email abigail@yellowstonefoundation.org or call 406.656.8772.

Upcoming Events

  • Saturday Live: A Celebration of Schools
    ๐Ÿ“… Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
    ๐Ÿ•’ Time: All day (check specific schedule)
    ๐Ÿ“ Location: MetraPark Pavilion, Billings
    ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: Likely ticketed / general admission
    ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Familyโ€‘friendly event with food, entertainment, school booths, a color run, etc. billings365.com+1

  • MCMagic & Lil Rob at The Pub Station Ballroom
    ๐Ÿ“… Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
    ๐Ÿ•’ Time: Doors at 7:00 PM, show starts at 8:00 PM The Pub Station
    ๐Ÿ“ Location: The Pub Station Ballroom, Billings The Pub Station
    ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: $47.15 to $82.15 The Pub Station
    ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Live music show featuring MCMagic and Lil Rob. The Pub Station

  • Lil Rob in Billings
    ๐Ÿ“… Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
    ๐Ÿ•’ Time: (Check vendor listings for exact time)
    ๐Ÿ“ Location: The Pub Station Ballroom, Billings AllEvents+1
    ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: Ticketed event AllEvents+1
    ๐Ÿ“„ Details: Part of the live music lineup this weekend. AllEvents+1

  • TEDxBillings 2025 Main Event
    ๐Ÿ“… Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
    ๐Ÿ•’ Time: 8:00 AM MDT Facebook
    ๐Ÿ“ Location: Harvest Church Billings Facebook
    ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission: (Check registration/ticket info) Facebook
    ๐Ÿ“„ Details: The main TEDx eventโ€”talks, guest speakers, ideaโ€‘sharing in the community. Facebook

Easy to Sweat-Worthy Hikes

Four Dances Rec Area โ€“ Easyโ€“moderate | ~3 mi
Cliffside views of the Yellowstone River. Perfect for golden hour.

Skyline Trail โ€“ Easyโ€“moderate | ~7 mi
Wide, paved path atop the Rims with big Billings views.

Riverfront Park Loop โ€“ Easy | ~4 mi
Riverside path, mellow and peaceful. Great for a quick recharge.

Zimmerman Park โ€“ Moderate | Varies
Rugged terrain, switchbacks, and a more remote feel close to town.

Phipps Park โ€“ Moderateโ€“hard | ~4 mi
Buttes, big skies, and elevation gainsโ€”get ready to sweat.

Acton Rec Area โ€“ Moderateโ€“hard | 30 mins from town
Badlands-style terrain with pine pockets and longer trail options.

Pro Tip: Bring layers, water, and a camera. Fall light makes these trails glowโ€”and you might spot local wildlife!

๐ŸŒฑ Food Access, Community & Challenges

  • Food banks under pressure:
    โ€ข Montanaโ€™s food banks (including those serving the Billings area) are expecting shortages because of federal cuts to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
    โ€ข One local nonprofit, Billings Tumbleweed, is appealing for donations to keep its food pantry stocked, especially for youth and vulnerable populations.

  • Food hub / local producer support: The Yellowstone Valley Food Hub operates yearโ€‘round in Billings, connecting consumers with 35+ local farmers, bakers, ranchers, makers. They offer pickup & delivery, serve the public Fridays in person, and deliver around towns like Laurel. This is a strong example of supporting local food economies. Yellowstone Valley Food Hub

Support local growers, bakers, and makers โ€” your way. Whether you prefer browsing in person or getting your weekly goods delivered to your door, the Food Hub makes it easy.

๐Ÿงบ Shop In-Person Every Friday
Swing by the Yellowstone Valley Food Hub every Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM, year-round.
๐Ÿ“ 2115 Lampman Drive, Suite A, Billings, MT

๐Ÿšš Delivery or Curbside Pickup
Place your order online and choose what works best for you:

  • Home delivery every Thursday in Billings and Laurel

  • Pickup at 6 locations around Billings and Red Lodge

๐Ÿ•’ Order Deadline: Tuesdays by 11:50 PM
No subscription required โ€” just order what you want, when you want it.
โœ… Getting started is simple: create an account in under a minute!

๐Ÿ‘‰ yvfoodhub.com

“Want a Home That Smells Amazing? Grow Lavender Indoors Year-Round”

Lavender is not only known for its soothing fragrance, but also for its stunning purple blooms and versatility in cooking, crafting, and relaxation. If youโ€™ve ever dreamed of having this fragrant herb bloom year-round, you're in luck! Growing lavender indoors is possible with the right care, and it can bring a touch of nature and tranquility to your home all year long.

Here are some tips to help you grow healthy, vibrant lavender indoors:

1. Choose the Right Variety
Not all lavender varieties thrive indoors, so opt for types like English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) or French lavender (Lavandula dentata), which are more adaptable to container life.

2. Pick the Right Pot
Lavender loves good drainage, so make sure to use a pot with drainage holes. Choose a container thatโ€™s at least 12 inches wide to allow the plant to spread comfortably.

3. Sunlight is Key
Lavender requires lots of sunlightโ€”ideally 6 to 8 hours a day. Place your pot in a sunny window that faces south or west to ensure it gets enough light.

4. Well-Draining Soil
Use a sandy, well-draining potting mix, as lavender doesn't like wet feet. You can even add a bit of sand or perlite to your soil to improve drainage.

5. Watering
Lavender is drought-tolerant and doesn't need much water. Water your plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry. Be sure not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.

6. Prune Regularly
Regular pruning helps maintain a tidy shape and encourages new growth. Trim your lavender after it blooms to keep it from getting leggy.

7. Air Circulation
Ensure your lavender gets good air circulation to prevent mold or mildew. Consider placing it in a room thatโ€™s not too humid, as lavender prefers drier air.

Bonus Tip: When lavender blooms, its calming scent can fill your homeโ€”perfect for relaxation or creating a peaceful ambiance. Plus, you can harvest the flowers to make your own lavender sachets, oils, or teas.

With the right care, your indoor lavender can flourish, offering beautiful blooms and a calming aroma throughout the seasons. Happy gardening!

 

Thatโ€™s a wrap for this week! Whether you're checking out new eats around town, planning your weekend with local events, or placing your next Food Hub order, thereโ€™s no shortage of ways to stay connected to Billings. Got a tip, event, or local story to share? Hit us up at thetrailheadbuzz@gmail.com โ€” we love hearing from you. Until next time, stay curious and keep it local!

๐Ÿ’ก Answer to Trivia Question:

Antarctica

The Trailhead Buzz

ยฉ 2026 The Trailhead Buzz.

Trailhead Buzz keeps you in the loop with everything happening around your community with local stories, upcoming events, small business spotlights, and the everyday moments that make your town feel like home. Itโ€™s your trail guide to what matters locally.

ยฉ 2026 The Trailhead Buzz.