Sustainable Summer Time Tips

Sustainably Sadie

Sustainable Summer Time Tips

A few tips for a sustainable summer that are easy on your wallet and the environment:

1)  An air conditioner was a totally foreign object to me, as my parents have never purchased one.  My mom’s rules for keeping the house cool in the summer:  Open up all the windows (with screens) at night, close by 9 am.  Keep the shades drawn during the day.  Reminder:  the less electricity you use, the cooler the house, the more you save (and benefit the planet). 

2)  Also keep the house cool by cooking outside.  I love barbequing in the summer time!  My husband is the grill master in our house; his keen patience creates perfectly cooked foods.  You can use your grill as an oven; grilled pizza recipes are easy to find on the web.  Branch out past burgers and hot dogs.  If your freezer isn’t already full of wild game and/or local beef—seek out local sources for top-quality cuts.  Check out J Bar L Ranch and Yellowstone Grassfed Beef Facebook pages—they’re always posting recipes perfectly suited for locally sourced beef.  Don’t forget about local lamb and pork.  Curtis Stone of Take Home Chef on TLC has an amazing leg of lamb recipe on the grill where you wrap the boned leg of lamb in rosemary branches. 

3)  Stay-cation!  Save money by recreating close to home.  Our community organizations work hard to provide free community activities throughout the summer.  Don’t miss out on the excitement!   Some free events in the Ruby Valley include:  Novich Roping Series www.novichlivestock.com almost every weekend at the Madison County Fairgrounds; Father’s Day Fly-In at the Twin Bridges Airport, Father’s Day weekend; Movie Night at the Sheridan Public Library first and third Thursday of each month; Virginia City Fourth of July fireworks display and other V.C. and Nevada City activities; Sheridan Days and Floating Flotillas and Fish Fantasies, July 28; Madison County Fair and Cruz by the River Car Show. 

There really is an endless list of activity going on here in Southwest Montana.  I frequently refer to the Community Calendar at www.rubyvalleychamber.com.  Email or Post your events, your favorite hiking trail, and/or tale of your favorite Ruby Valley event at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com or sustainablysadie@hotmail.com.

Twin Bits

Another free event, the upcoming River’s Edge Gallery Grand Opening for the 2012 Summer Season is this Friday, June 8th, 5 pm to 7 pm in Twin Bridges.  Sample appetizers, check out this season’s art and mingle!  Complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served.  This will be a fun opportunity to see the new artwork for 2012 and meet local exhibiting artists.  For information contact Therese Hutchinson at 406-596-5933, therese@3rivers.net; Joie Wetzsteon at 406-596-1969, joigo@yahoo.com or Leslie Clark at 406-287-3078, winasist@3rivers.net.

When friends and family are visiting, take them by the River’s Edge Gallery, your local shops, restaurants and taverns.  The Gallery is also looking for Volunteers to help one day a month for the four summer months the Gallery is open.  It will help you to develop new skills, create contacts for possible employment and looks great on your resume.  Contact Joie Wetzsteon at 406-596-1969 for more information. 

Garage-A-Rama is this coming Saturday.  And buying second hand goods is oh so sustainable.  Madison County Fairgrounds, 9 am to 1 pm. 

TBCA meeting at The Old Hotel, Friday June 8, 8:30 am. 

The Ruby Valley Swimming Pool in Sheridan has their Grand Opening June 22, 2012.  Check out their website and Facebook page, www.rubyvalleypool.com. 

Do you have a travel trailer or RV sitting in your yard that you are not using?  Jackson’s Garden is getting some much needed assistance by acting as a host site for a Montana Campus Compact Summer Associate.  Jackson’s Garden needs to find a travel trailer/RV for the Associate to live in for 3 months.  The trailer will be parked at the garden.  Having someone staying on the property will help with the opening and closing the greenhouse and high tunnel in the mornings and evenings, and help monitor the watering.  The Associate will also be working with kids in the new youth led "Kids Club.” Jackson’s Garden members will come and get the trailer and then return it clean.  Your donation of the use of the trailer is tax deductible so it's a win- win situation.   Call Paul Marsh at 842-7956 or Linda Day at 842-5678.

Farmer’s Market Time!!

The Jackson’s Garden/ Sheridan Farmer’s Market will be Thursdays from

 5 – 7pm

The Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market is Open!!  Bring your market bag/ basket and load up on local goodies. Contact:  Coree Martin, Market Master, cmartin@3rivers.net, 406-596-1978.    If You Grow It, Raise It, Bake It or Make It - MARKET IT.  *WANTED*  VENDORS for 2012 Twin Bridges Farmers Market at Main St. Park.
Saturday's starts at 9:00am until 12:00pm  May 26th thru Sept 29

Booth Fee is $3.00.  Booth size unlimited space- for now!
Prior approval. Youth Groups & Fund Raisers - no booth fees (Letter from
Group & type of Fund Raiser required).