The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

4 Tips to Better Parenting

Here are a few tips that should help give you some direction on the best way to be a parent to your kids.... more

Missoula Police Department Tackles Crimes and Injustices in Local Communities

Missoula’s Police Chief has recently presented the first ever annual report for the state’s second-largest police department. Learn more. ... more

CBD Dog Foods and its Regulations

Here are some regulations on CBD dog foods.... more

Parks and Recreation Hosts Old-Fashioned Family Fest on Oct. 22

It’s fall—time for hayrides, apple cider and old-fashioned harvest celebrations brought to you by the folks at Missoula Parks and Recreation.... more

Delivering Peach of Mind: What does Meals on Wheels Offer?

By WILL SCHULTZ - Meals on Wheels is a part of Missoula Aging Services that helps to deliver food to seniors and to those who are disabled so that they can live an independent life. ... more

Taking a Shakespearean Look at Honoring Volunteers

By WILL SCHULTZ - Last month I got to see a different side of the non-profit world as I attended the MAS’ “Celebration of National Volunteer Week!” event.... more

The Poverello Center is Volunteer Missoula’s Organization of the Month

By WILL SCHULTZ - I recently had the pleasure of working with the Poverello Center and found the experience to be rich and very rewarding.... more

30 Day Declutter Challenge

By ERIN TURNER- February is my month for some serious decluttering--but doing a whole house can be overwhelming. So why not break it down by room?... more

The Missoula Food Bank is Volunteer Missoula’s Organization of the Month

By WILL SCHULTZ - Recently, I worked a shift at the Missoula Food Bank. The Food Bank dedicates it’s time to fighting hunger in the city of Missoula. ... more

Inexpensive Trick for Fresh New Holiday Decor

By ERIN TURNER-I’ve discovered a new little trick for giving my décor some new life while not spending very much money.... more

The Birth of a Pumpkin Patch

By ERIN TURNER - What began 7 years ago out of frustration and desperation has turned into an incredible experience and a blessing for our family...The Turner Farms' Pumpkin Patch. ... more

Managing Screen Time For Kids

By ERIN TURNER - The tech world is here and it’s going to stay--despite thoughts from parents that it might just be passing fad. So how do you manage electronic devices for kids?... more

Mom Help: Top 10 Toddler Hot Spots in Missoula

By KIM S. - Whether you're a new mom and dad, grandparent, or babysitter it’s imperative that you have a go-to list of a couple Toddler Hot Spots here in Missoula.... more

The Great Debate: School Bedtime During the Summer

By ERIN TURNER-There's a debate amongst parents about how to handle the last days of summer with their school aged children. What time is bed time?... more

Mom Help: 16 Things to Prepare for Your Hospital Stay

By KIM S. - As a mom who had 3 C-sections the lists was pretty simple as for what to bring and not bring for our stay at the hospital. Here's my list of 16 MUST haves.... more

This Baby Will Make Three

By CHERY SAYBOL- When Ellen Marceau has her third baby in November, it will be with the confidence of a mother who has already had two very different birthing experiences. ... more

Summertime Is Time to Mess Around

By BOB WIRE - Summer camps. Play dates. Dropping off. Picking up. Enough. The revolution is on. It’s summertime, for cryin’ out loud! It’s the Season of the Kid.... more

Beat The Heat Roll-Up Snack

By ERIN TURNER - We had friends visiting and their son has Juvenile Diabetes so I wanted to be sure I had appropriate food and snacks for him. Here's one that fits the bill and beats the heat:... more

The Children’s Museum is Volunteer Missoula’s Organization of the Month!

By JENNIFER PEPPROCK- Volunteer Missoula chose The Children’s Museum Missoula as our organization of the month! The Children's Museum has been "Making it Matter" in Missoula since 1994.... more

Somewhere Beyond Lewistown

By ERIN TURNER - Somewhere beyond Lewistown, MT is the heart of “Nowhere” in a quaint little town called Winnett, Montana.... more

Saving Money on Your Summer Vacation

By ERIN TURNER - Here are some tips for making lifelong memories on your summer vacation without breaking the bank.... more

Organizing Gift Cards in a Binder

By ERIN TURNER - I love gift cards, but I hate when I unexpectedly find myself in a restaurant and realize I've left the gift card for that restaurant at home in the drawer. ... more

Rage Quit? Throw a Fit? You Might Regret it.

By CHERY SABOL - A RESOUNDING RESIGNATION, afire with sturm und drang, can be momentarily satisfying, but damaging for years to come. ... more

Celebrate Kids’ Day at the Carousel

A Carousel for Missoula will be celebrating its 20th birthday on Sat., May 23. Come enjoy FREE rides on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. ... more

Habitat for Humanity is Volunteer Missoula’s Organization of the Month!

By JENNIFER PEPPROCK-Volunteer Missoula is excited to feature Habitat for Humanity as our organization of the Month! Habitat has been "Making it Matter" in Missoula for over 20 years. ... more

Recipes to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

By ERIN TURNER - Despite not having a drop of Mexican heritage in my blood, I still love celebrating Cinco De Mayo. Here are 5 of my favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes.... more

Frugal and Delicious: Homemade Refried Beans

By ERIN TURNER - With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, why not some try my recipe for simple, delicious, homemade refried beans. ... more

Celebrate the Carousel’s 20th Birthday on Kids’ Day, May 23

Each year, the Carousel offers free rides on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend as a birthday gift to the community. Extra activities are planned for this year's 20th Birthday party.... more

Sign the Kiddos up for Summer Camp at the Missoula Kids Camp Expo

Come to the 4th Annual Missoula Kids Camp Expo Saturday, Apr. 18th from 1-4 pm. Sign the kids up for camp at one of 20 Missoula summer camp and children’s Activity providers. ... more

Prepare for the Fair: Workshops Available for the April 21 Career Fair

Western Montana’s Largest Career Fair happens only once a year. With close to 100 employers looking for workers, it’s worth it to prepare now for the April 21 event.... more

How To Save Money While Stocking Your Pantry

By ERIN TURNER - People ask us all the time for advice on how to stock up on essential pantry items. They assume we have a Costco membership and buy everything in bulk.... more

You’re a Stand Up Person: You Deserve a Stand Up Desk

By CLAY SPRINGMEYER- Regular exercise and eating right isn’t enough to abolish the detrimental health effects of prolonged butt-resting. If your job requires a lot of sitting, consider getting a standup desk.... more

The Missoula YMCA Hosts Healthy Kids Day, Saturday April 11

The Missoula YMCA encourages kids and their families to come to the Y for Healthy Kids Day--this Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. ... more

Kid Approved, Homemade Cheese Crackers Recipe

By ERIN TURNER - In today's world of overly processed food, I love showing the kids how to make homemade and healthy snacks. Here's my recipe for homemade Cheese-Its Crackers.... more

A Night at the Theater: MCT is Volunteer Missoula’s Organization of the Month!

By JENNIFER PEPPROCK-This month, we're exted to feature MCT as Volunteer Missoula’s organization of the month! With a vibrant Volunteer Missoula profile and widely popular opportunities, MCT was an easy choic... more

Celebrating St. Paddy’s Day with Homemade Irish Pasties

By ERIN TURNER- As the great granddaughter of an Irish immigrant, I have to admit my own love of Irish Pasties. It is the perfect meal…meat, potatoes all wrapped up in a flaky crust. ... more

Frugal Gardening Tips

By ERIN TURNER-Planting a garden is one of the best frugal methods of saving money. For just a few dollars, you can raise entire bed of produce which would cost you hundreds in the grocery store. ... more

On the Grill: Colors of the Flag of Ireland…Kebabs

By PAUL SIDORIAK - This year for St. Patrick’s Day, I plan to represent the colors of the flag of Ireland on a shillelagh and make St. Patrick’s Day kebabs.... more

Another Successful Pantry Challenge

By ERIN TURNER-It’s March. What's that mean? If you ask most, they'll say "March Madness" or St. Paddy's Day. If you ask our boys, they'll exclaim it's the "end of the pantry challenge". YEEHAW!... more

The Best Way to Clean a Kitchen Sink

By ERIN TURNER-My kitchen sink is a work horse. It takes a beating almost every day. So I rely on a super dependable, result-guaranteed method of cleaning my porcelain sink.... more

My Most Spectacular Failure Was a Gift

By SHELLI JOHNSON - Former Lady Griz hoopster, Shelli Johsnon tells how getting cut from the team and losing her scholarship was a game changer that led her to an Epic Life! ... more

MakeItMissoula.com Partners with VolunteerMissoula.org to Highlight Local Nonprofits

By JENNIFER PEPPROCK-With over 600 nonprofit charitable organizations, Missoula is an exceptionally giving community. But many Missoulians like me don’t know where to begin in their volunteering endeavors.... more

DIY Pantry: Homemade Condiments are Healthy and Frugal

By ERIN TURNER- I recently taught a class called “Homemade Instead” where we talked about making things at home instead of purchasing them commercially--including condiments.... more

Soup: The Frugal Friendly Meal

By ERIN TURNER- Soup is one of those dishes which I don’t think receives enough credit. It's easy, frugal, freezes well and is nutritious. And, it's perfect for the pantry challenge.... more

Office of Emergency Management: Be Prepared, Make a Plan

The Missoula County Office of Emergency Management reminds us to be prepared and to have a plan--including an emergency kit in the event something unexpected occurs.... more

Benefits of a Pantry Challenge

By ERIN TURNER- If the idea of cleaning up and eating up your pantry appeals to you then you are ready for a Pantry Challenge! ... more

Frugal Diamond Ring Cleaner

By ERIN TURNER- Here is a quick, easy and frugal way to clean diamond rings at home!... more

Fire and Ice–Wildland Firefighting Recruitment Begins Mid-Winter

By CHERY SABOL - If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to explore work as a wildland firefighter this summer, hopefully another resolution was to not procrastinate.... more

Restoring Household Order

By ERIN TURNER- This last week I spent packing up the Christmas decorations, cleaning the house after all the holiday parties and of course, hitting all the after Christmas clearance sales.... more

A Delicious Way to support the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Montana

This month Mothers' Milk Bank of Montana is teaming up with Liquid Planet offering "Liquid Gold" as a way of supporting the Milk Bank. Check it out!... more