Rest in Peace Dona Stebbins

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April 28, 2024

I came to Great Falls from Missoula in 1989 and out of all of the city Mayors I knew here, Dona was one of the more personable, easily accessed city officials I’ve known. Seemed she always took the time to visit even though she was very busy.

Unlike other previous Mayors of the city, Dona never passed up the opportunity to engage. She was always out front and center, even during some of the more difficult times.

Dona Stebbins, was the mayor of Great Falls from 2006 through 2010, and passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024.

During her time in office, Stebbins was a fierce advocate for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their background or status. She fought tirelessly to ensure that everyone in Great Falls had access to the resources and opportunities they needed to thrive.

I’d like to express my gratitude for Stebbins’ years of service and dedication to the city. She will be remembered as a true leader and champion for the people of Great Falls.

Dona seemed to always jump at the chance to promote the people and the city she dearly loved as shown in the video below – She will be missed.

Wet snow and colder temperatures are expected Wednesday

By

Alan

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April 28, 2024

Got a bit of rain Saturday which was good.

Tulips and Daffodils are plugging right along too.

The National Weather Service here in Great Falls is predicting cooler temps for mid-week and the possibility of snow for Wednesday.

Not really too unusual for this time of year however as Spring is still fully under way around here even in spite of the random cold fronts that happen to pass through from time to time.

According to the National Weather Service:

For Wednesday – Snow likely before noon, then rain and snow showers likely between noon and 3pm, then rain showers likely after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West southwest wind 16 to 18 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Here’s a video from around this time of year in 2022 from Into the Little Belts:

You can visit Into the Little Belts online here: https://www.intothelittlebelts.com/
You can also check out the Into the Little Belts webcams here: https://www.intothelittlebelts.com/webcams/

Happy Passover (חַג הַפֶּסַח) April 22-30 2024

By

Alan

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April 21, 2024

Pesach 2024 (Passover) begins before sundown on Monday, April 22, 2024, and ends after nightfall on April 30, 2024.

According to the Book of Exodus, God commanded Moses to tell the Israelite’s to mark a lamb’s blood above their doors so that the Angel of Death would pass over them:

… they would not be touched by the tenth Plague of Egypt, the death of the firstborn. After this Plague, Pharaoh ordered the Israelite’s to leave, taking whatever they wanted, and asked Moses to bless him in the name of God.

The passage goes on to state that the Passover sacrifice recalls the time when God “passed over the houses of the Israelite’s in Egypt”.

This story is recounted at the Passover meal during the first two evenings of Passover by reading the Haggadah.

The Haggadah is a standardized ritual account of the Exodus story, in fulfillment of the command “And thou shalt tell (Higgadata) thy son in that day, saying: It is because of that which the LORD did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.”

The Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan, which at present falls between March 26 and April 25 of the Gregorian calendar.

The 15th day begins in the evening, after the 14th day, and the seder meal is eaten that evening. Passover is a spring festival, so the 15th day of Nisan typically begins on the night of a full moon after the northern vernal equinox.

If you want to greet a loved one who is celebrating Passover, “Happy Passover” is an appropriate sentiment.

You could also say “chag sameach,” which means happy holiday in Hebrew, or chag kasher v’semeach, which means have a happy and kosher Passover.

Learn more about the Passover:

What Is Passover (Pesach)

Passover In The Bible

Cajun Shrimp Scampi

By

Alan

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April 20, 2024

Ingredients:

1 lb. large peeled and de-veined shrimp
8 oz. of linguine
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbs. butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/8 tsp. basil
Juice of 1 medium lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Flour (to thicken)
1 tbsp. Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp. fresh parsley
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tbsp. Olive oil

Directions:

Bring salted water to a boil.
Add linguine and cook per the instructions.
Drain.
While the pasta is cooking, add the oil and garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute over high heat.
Season the shrimp with Cajun Seasoning, and add them to the pan.
Cook for 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink.
Remove only the shrimp from the pan, reserving the cooking liquid.
Reduce the pan to medium heat.
Add the lemon juice, stock, wine, and parsley, and cook for 5 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add the cooked shrimp and linguine to the pan and toss to mix.
Garnish with parsley.
Continue cooking for another minute.

Note:

Choose good quality linguine that is not too thin or too thick. Make sure to cook it al dente, tender yet firm to the bite. The pasta holds up well to the shrimp and sauce.

The scampi sauce is what ties everything together. Create a perfect sauce by starting with fresh minced garlic lightly toasted in olive oil. Add white wine, chicken broth, lemon juice, and butter. Let the sauce cook for a few minutes until it thickens, then add shrimp and pasta.

Tuesday Snow Predicted

By

Alan

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April 15, 2024

What with after after having a great sunny and warm weekend with temps into the high 70’s around here, the National Weather Service here in Great Falls is predicting snow for Tuesday/Wednesday.

Seems winter is still trying to hang on for a bit longer.

According to the National Weather Service:

For Tuesday — A chance of rain and snow between 7pm and 10pm, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 29. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 19 to 24 mph decreasing to 11 to 16 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

The weather for this time of year is fairly typical.

Here’s a bit from the Cascade County Sheriff back in 2016 —