sidney herald town and country festival

Celebrating

Saturday, June 22, 2013Sunday, June 16, 2013Special Supplement to the

310 2nd Ave. NE, Sidney, Montana 433-2403 • www.sidneyherald.com

http://www.sidneyherald.com

Town and Country Festival2 Sunday, june 16, 2013 Sidney Herald

Admiral Beverage Corporation would like to congratulate Blue Rock Products

on 100 years of business. XNLV94292

CONGRATULATIONS!Admiral Beverage

CorporationWorland • Springville • Rapid City • Idaho Falls Great Falls • Logan • Ogden • Salina • Vernal

Editor’s Note: The following story is the first of several articles in this section featuring the Blue Rock company. Blue Rock is celebrating its 100th year in business and is sponsoring the free meal for the Town & Country Festival.

By Bill Vander WeeleSidney Herald

Locally, state-wide and nationally, Blue Rock CEO and president John Olson has definitely made his mark by being a board member for a wide variety of entities.

On the local level, Olson served one term as a Sid-ney City Council member. He was also on Richland Economic Development’s first board of directors and helped bring the Miss Northeastern Montana pageant to Sidney.

Olson, along with about eight other community-mind individuals, made the Foundation for Commu-nity Care a reality. The non-profit organization raises fund in support of health care in eastern Montana and surrounding areas.

“We needed an organization for fundraising pur-poses to purchase ever increasing expensive medical equipment,” Olson remembers. “The creation of a foundation was first and foremost.”

As vice chair for the foundation’s board, Olson saw the importance of hiring a full-time director. “We were

John Olson plays leadership role in many areas

Bill Vander Weele | Sidney Herald

Lance Averett, left, and John Olson showing the centennial Pepsi can.See OlSOn, page 4

Town and Country FestivalSIDNEY HERALD SuNDAY, juNE 16, 2013 3

Welcome

120 E. Main, Sidney433-4370

Hours: 9-5:30 Weekdays • 9-4 Sat.

Sat. June 22nd

CLOSEOUT on

Indoor Sidewalk Sale

Retail

CLEARANCEon YELLOW

TAGS

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TO THE TOWN AND COUNTRY FESTIVAL

• 6:00 a.m. -11 :00 a.m. Jaycees Fireworks Breakfast Moose Lodge -proceeds help pay for the 4th of July Fireworks display!

• 7:00 a.m. Fun Run Registration Sidney Health Center

• 8:00 a.m. Sidney Healthworks Fun Run Sidney Health Center

• 9:00 a.m. Sidewalk SalesThroughout Town

• 9:30 a.m. Jaycees Pet Parade Downtown (start at Veteran's Memorial Park) Registration at 9:00 a.m.

• 9:30 a.m. Parade Central Avenue (start at Reynolds/Shopko Parking Lot)Lineup at 9:00 a.m.

• 10:00 a.m. 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament Sidney Middle School - Entry's available at the Chamber offi ce

• 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. All Day Activities Downtown - Free face painting, jumping castle, vendors & more!

• 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. R.O.I. Basket Auction Downtown Village Square Mall

• 11:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Free Stage Entertainment Downtown

• 11:30 a.m. Free Feed Downtown Sponsored by Blue Rock Products. Serving until gone

• 2:00 p.m. "The Earle" Neal Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo Fairgrounds - Mutton Bustin’ & Ribbon Pulling sponsored by MonDak Area Stockgrowers

• 8:00 p.m. Street Dance Fairgrounds Featuring "Those Guys"

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Thank You Blue Rock

Products for your generous support of our

community!

Eating, shopping, playing games and dancing promise to be highlights of this year’s Town and Country Festival in Sidney, which is scheduled for Saturday.

Activities will begin with the Sidney Jaycess holding a breakfast from 6-11 a.m. at the Moose Lodge. Funds from the meal will help the organization pay for July 4 fireworks.

Registration for the annual Health-Works’ fun run starts at 7 a.m. The actual run begins at 8 a.m.

“We are promoting our members to begin sidewalk sales at 9 a.m.,” Wade VanEvery, Sidney Chamber executive director, said.

The parade, usually the largest of the year in Sidney, is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. in the Reynolds/Shopko park-ing lot. At the same time, a pet parade organized by Jaycees begins at Veterans Memorial Park.

After the parade, a wide variety of fun activities begin in the community for the sixth-year event.

A three-on-three basketball tour-nament conducted by Sidney’s girls basketball coach Jace Sullivan will start at 10 a.m. in the Sidney Middle School gym. Register by Wednesday at the Sid-ney Chamber office if you have a team

that wishes to participate. There will be both boys and girls divisions, and the groups will be divided into students entering grades 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9.

In downtown Sidney, meanwhile, there will be plenty of games for kids offered as well as vendors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entertainment on the stage on Central and Main is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A free feed is offered starting at 11:30 a.m. by Blue Rock Products, which is celebrating its centennial year, will sponsor the meal.

At the fairgrounds, meanwhile, the Neal Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo and Ranch Horse Competition is scheduled. The ranch horse competition begins at 9 a.m. There will be a junior division for riders 13 and younger and a senior division with participants ages 14-18. The ranch rodeo starts at 2 p.m. and will feature 10 teams. The winning team qualifies for the NILE in Billings. In addition, the MonDak Area Stock-growers will hold mutton bustin’ and ribbon pulling.

The day of fun will conclude with a barn dance featuring Those Guys of Miles City. The dance starts at 8 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

Festival set for Saturday


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CONGRATULATIONS!

406-482-4679www.RichlandEconomicDevelopment.com • e-mail: [email protected]

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“Vet

erans

of

Fore

ign W

ars

”

VFWPOST 4099

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Hours:10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Mon. - Sat.433-9982 • 124 2nd Ave. N.E., Sidney

to the men and women who protect and serve our communities & country.

Blue Rock for all you do for our community.

Congratulations Blue Rock on 100 years!

221 2nd St. NW • Sidney, MT • 406-488-2273 • www.foundationforcommunitycare.org

Thank you to Blue Rock and all of our donors for their continued support of the Foundation’s mission to ensure the

continuance and quality of local healthcare services!

Bid on-line richland-opportunities.org

Support Richland Opportunities Inc

Silent

AuctionFinal Bidding during

Town & Country DaysSaturday, June 22 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Village Square MallMAY The Highest Bidder WIN!

Festive Party Tote, “Makita” Your Heart, Curb Appeal, Munchkin

Special, Chocolate Lovers Delight and more…..

More than 50Themed Baskets

Stop by Village Square Mall during the Town & Country Festival for our Basket Auction

Richland Opportunities Sat. June 2210am to 2pm

Thank YouBlue Rock Productsfor your continued support.

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at the stage if the foundation was go-ing to be as successful as wanted it, we needed a professional leader.” The move resulted in a large jump in giving.

Olson is one of five current Blue Rock employees who has served as Sidney Chamber president. He has been a Sid-ney Kiwanis Club member for 30 years with most of those as the program com-mittee chairman.

Regionally, Olson has stepped forward as a board member for Montana-Dakota Utilities for 25 years and for Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 10 years. Olson has been on the University of Montana Founda-tion, which raises scholarships, for 14 years. He is currently serving on the advisory council for Grizzly Athletics.

He was selected to serve on U.S. Sen. Max Baucus’ economic board. Olson was also a member of a development committee to improve the economy of Montana.

As far as business related, Olson was a member of the Pepsi Cola Bottlers National Board from 1970-1984 including serving as national chairman for two years.

Olson has been the chairman of the board for the Admiral Beverage Corp. for 44 years. He is also chair of the Mon-

tana Soft Drinks Association.Regarding community service, Olson

states Blue Rock donates to more than 400 charitable organizations a year.

“If we derive profits from the com-munity, we better put some back,” Olson said.

He’s also excited that Blue Rock will provide the free feed in honor of its 100th year in business during the Town and Country Festival in Sidney.

“I still can’t get over the fact that it’s a 100 years,” Olson said. “It’s pretty amazing.”

Tracy Hagen, general manager, says Olson still keeps the business a family-friendly and fun place to work.

“The Olsons know my kids as well as I do,” Hagen, who has worked for Blue Rock for 33 years, said. “For me, work-ing for a family-owned company with the Olsons has been a pleasure. It’s been an opportunity to grown and learn the business.”

Hagen said Olson has been very pro-gressive throughout the years as far as the role of technology. “It’s an absolute great company to work for.”

She said one of her fondest memories involves when it’s near closing time on Fridays when Olson sings, “It’s beer and pizza time.”

Hagen said, “John is famous for reminding me to have fun. I personally enjoy coming to work. I always have,

that’s why I’ve been here for so long.”

[email protected]

Olson: Company president believes in giving back to communityfrOm page 2

Submitted

John Olson assisted in delivering beverages to the Fairview/Sidney area in this 1939 Chevrolet “Stake” truck during the late 1940s and early 1950s.

http://www.RichlandEconomicDevelopment.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.foundationforcommunitycare.org



SIDNEY, MT

215 East Main StreetSidney, MT

406-433-1810Mon.-Fri. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Have a great time at

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Congratulations Blue Rock on 100 years!!!We appreciate your business.

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www.our1stbank.com • 433-BANK

Congratulations100 years

is a long timeAn accomplishment of few

Blue Rock Products is a community partner

You deserve a big thank you Here's to the next 100 years from

your friends at 1st Bank

By Louisa BarBerSIDNEY HERALD

When Randy Olson officially started to work for Blue Rock Products in 1984, he worked from the ground up, sweep-ing floors, loading trucks and the like.

He also delivered Pepsi products, and it just so happened that on his route was Richland Opportunities Inc., an organi-zation that offers services for those with developmental disabilities.

“When I was on the route that deliv-ered Pepsi up there, I’d be in my Pepsi uniform, walk in the workshop (Jensen Activity Center), and they’re all excited to me, you know, because they like Pepsi,” Olson said. “So that made me feel good. It was always an uplifting stop on my route to go into ROI.”

As it turned out, those deliveries of the popular beverage introduced him to an organization that he’d spent more than a decade helping.

In 2000, Olson’s brother-in-law, Eric Beenken, also a Blue Rock executive and who was just stepping off ROI’s opera-tions board, asked Olson to replace him. So he did, having served on the board for six years, acting as board president for most of that time.

“I found that to be very valuable ex-perience and a good way to help out the community and the people with needs such as those guys,” he said.

Much of his time was spent writing letters to legislators about reimburse-ments and pay rates. “ROI has trouble competing with wages in this market because of the funding mechanism that’s in place,” he said, “and it’s always behind what the state Legislature ap-proves for health and human services. So we’re always battling the Legislature to raise pay so that ROI can be more competitive and maintain more employ-ees.”

Following his time on the operations board, he stepped onto the foundation board to help fundraise. “Our main goal is to eventually get the foundation to support ROI independently of any state funding,” he said. “We have a long way to go to achieve that.” Today, Olson, vice president-administration for Blue Rock Products, serves as president of the foundation board.

Olson also serves on the recycling advisory committee that organizes Trashy Tuesdays, a free recycling event

Blue rock vice president supports roi’s efforts

LouISA BARBER | SIDNEY HERALD

Randy Olson has enjoyed his service on the board for Richland Opportunities Inc. see roi, pAgE 6

http://www.our1stbank.com


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CONGRATULATIONS Blue Rock on celebrating 100 years.

1905 PepsiLogo

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205 10th Ave. SE, Sidney 433-1590

West Building at Sidney Red-E-Mix

M-F 7 a.m. - 5 p.mAfter Hours 406-478-3116

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1991 West Holly, Sidney ~ 406.488.4657

Residential•Commercial•Service All Brands • Boilers • Custom Sheet Metal

Geothermal Heat PumpsYour authorized full service Trane® dealer.

Welcome to Town & Country Festival

Honoring our Hometown Heroes

Thank you for your service!

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Welcome to the Town & Country

Festival

Blue Rock!on 100 years

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CongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulations

Pepsi logo in 1943

2429 W. Holly St., Sidney 406-488-4400

1-800-624-6540

www.tri-cnty.comMon. - Fri.

8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.Sat. 8 a.m.-Noon

that allows the public to recycle card-board, newspapers, magazines, office and junk mail paper, and plastics. It’s a committee Olson says he values because it helps keep recyclable items out of the county landfill, which is fast filling with solid waste.

Through the 13 years of interac-tion with ROI, Olson’s watched as the organization adapts to to changes, holds capital improvement projects (which brought a loading ramp, a garbage truck and shelters to protect employees from

the weather elements while unloading products) and struggles to stay afloat in a complicated, expensive business.

He wants people to know ROI is an integral part of the community. “If ROI ceased to exist it would be a huge blow to the community because I think it’s one of the anchor organizations of this community that needs to be supported,” Olson said, calling for the public to pitch in once more by viewing and bid-ding on gift baskets at www.richland-op-portunities.org or by placing final bids during the Town and Country Festival

at the Village Square Mall. Proceeds go toward ROI’s general maintenance.

Olson has a few more years to go before he’s off the foundation board; his term ends in 2016, but that won’t keep him away. “I’ll always be involved in one way or another,” he said. “It’s a good mission. ROI provides many jobs for staff, as well as people in services who otherwise would not get these opportu-nities locally.”

[email protected]

ROI: Olson says he plans to always be involved with organizationfROm page 5 ‘ROI provides many jobs for staff,

as well as people in services who

otherwise would not get these

opportunities locally.’

Randy OlsonBlue rock vice president

http://www.tri-cnty.com

http://www.richland-op-portunities.org





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Town & Country

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Loans as low as

1.75%201 West Holly Street, Sidney • 406-482-2704 18 East 2nd St., Culbertson • 406-787-5890

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Celebrating Town and Country!

Ownership has its advantages.

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**On Approved Credit. No Origination Fees.

APR

By Bill Vander WeeleSIDNEY HERALD

What began as a small business in Fairview in 1913 is one of the most suc-cessful companies in eastern Montana 100 years later.

Blue Rock is celebrating its centennial year in 2013. The business that featured only six full-time employees as late as 1967, now employs about 50 individuals in Sidney and 122 total.

Blue Rock Products Co. was estab-lished in 1913 in Fairview by F. W. Mur-phy, Bismarck, N.D. as he also started bottling companies in Glendive and Williston, N.D.

John Olson, president of Blue Rock, explains the company struggled until his uncle’s father J.C. Johnson “bought the business and made a success of it.”

During the early years, Blue Rock was a beer distributorship with soft drinks accounting for only a minor part of the total business. Both beer and soft drinks were shipped by rail to customers as far as Plentywood and Glasgow.

Olson explains during the early years, Blue Rock was dependant on having Ralph Chase and family supply ice from

Blue rock celebrates 100 years in business

BILL VANDER WEELE | SIDNEY HERALD

Blue Rock officials, from left, Lance Averett, John Olson, Randy Olson, Karen Olson Beenken, Eric Beenken and Tracy Hagen with different types of Pepsi bottles through the years. Blue Rock is celebrating its 100th year in business during 2013.See Blue rock, pAgE 8

http://www.richlandfcu.com


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build it, � x it, lift it, haul it...

www.mitchellsoil� eld.com

build it, � x it, lift it, haul it...

Congratulations Blue Rock Products on 100 years!We are proud to have grown and contributed to our community along side you for the past 36 years.

Congratulations Blue Rock Products!

Thanks to all your support at our Summer

Reading ProgramSidney-Richland Countyvolunteer library boardPaul Turek, ChairRobin Hernandez Don NollmeyerLacey HutchensRob Knotts

Heather Cotter Library foundation members:Joe BradleyKaren RedlinJulie GossBecky HayesDig into reading!

Sidney-Richland County Library!121 3rd Ave. NW, Sidney | 406-433-1917 | www.richland.org/spl

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the Yellowstone River. He remembers when he was 9 years old and his job was to take a block of ice, buried in sawdust, and put a block on each beer keg. “We didn’t have child labor laws those days,” Olson laughs.

When soft drinks became more popular, Blue Rock’s top sellers included Orange Crush, Hires’ root beer and Oso grape.

Pepsi franchised Blue Rock in 1939. Then in the late 1950s and early 1960s, movie star Joan Crawford, who was married to Pepsi CEO Alfred Steele,

helped the beverage gain ground on Coca-Cola.

“Joan Crawford was our best sales person,” Olson said. “She helped to put Pepsi on the map.”

Another key move in making Pepsi popular came when it started selling its 12-ounce bottles for the same price as Coke’s six-ounce bottles. Pepsi also created the first singing TV commercial in the 1950s.

In 1959, Blue Rock began to expand, and the company moved to Sidney for a new bottling plant. As the sales of soft drinks greatly increased, building

expansions occurred in 1968 and 1972.After graduating from the University

of Montana and teaching for three years, Olson made the move to work for Pepsi in 11 western states including Hawaii and Alaska. “But I never got to Hawaii.” He did, however, introduce Diet Pepsi in Alaska during the middle of February.

In April 1965, Olson was offered the

position of manager at Blue Rock by his uncle. “And I’ve been with Blue Rock ever since.”

Olson met his future wife, Marilyn, later that year. They were engaged 27 days later and married on April 17, 1966. After signing their marriage license on April 12 at the courthouse, Olson went downstairs to county attorney Vic

Blue Rock: Company took big stepsfRom page 7

deb CroSSland | Sidney Herald

The company was named after the Blue Rock Spring located outside of Fairview.

See Company, page 9

Welcome to Town & Country

Festival

Open 10:30 a.m. Mon. - Sat.616 South Central in Sidney

406.433.7827Stop in while you’re in town.

Think HealthyThink FreshThink Footers!

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Welcome to the

http://www.mitchellsoil

http://www.richland.org/spl


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CelebratingSuccessSidney McDonald’s

30th Anniversary

ALL DAYICE CREAM CONES

30¢ea.

SATURDAYJUNE 22ND

Locally owned and operatedSidney • 433-1983

Only!XNLV93567

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Congratulations to Blue RoCk

PRoduCts on 100 yeaRs, We appreciate your business!

Fire Resistant Clothing for Sale or LeaseVolume discounts

available

Koch’s office and completed the paper work to become the owner of Blue Rock.

In the late 1960s, Blue Rock introduced Mountain Dew to the area. “We did very well with it. They really embraced the product.” In fact, Blue Rock became the leading Mountain Dew bottler west of the Mississippi and sixth in the nation.

In the early 1980s, Diet Mountain Dew was introduced. Sidney and Birming-ham, Ala., were the two test markets. “Based on our performance in Sidney and the one in Birmingham, Ala., the company decided to roll out the product. In essence, Sidney was the birth spot for Diet Mountain Dew.”

Blue Rock joined six other Pepsi-Cola Bottlers to create Admiral Beverage Corp., in 1970 because they wanted their own canning facility. Olson added oth-ers in the business didn’t think it would be a successful move.

Olson said it was a challenging move that in hindsight was a great decision. Olson jokes that he mortgaged his wife, son and daughter, “but the bank didn’t get my dog.”

Then in November 1972, the corpora-tion purchased the Wildwood Beverage Company in northeastern Montana and

northwestern North Dakota.In November 1978, Blue Rock Products

moved its entire central production center and general offices to a new loca-tion in Sidney. In September 2006, Blue

Rock Beverage Company and Blue Rock Distributing were combined into one company called Blue Rock Distributing Company.

Blue Rock is now the largest soft drink, wholesale beer and wine distrib-uting organization in eastern Montana and western North Dakota.

The business keeps being extremely successful. In the past two years, the company has received very high marks in an audit performed by the American Institute of Bakers. In 2011 and 2012,

Blue Rock was number one in the na-tion for sales growth for Pepsi in the entire country. The company also shows the largest amount of growth in sales for Dr. Pepper.

Blue Rock officials know that the oil boom plays a role in the success, “But we still have people that are execut-ing and doing their jobs in the midst of changing times here,” Karen Olson Beenken, executive vice president of Blue Rock, said.

Company: Successful business remains family affair in Sidneyfrom page 8


Karen Olson Beenken is presented the Sidney Chamber’s Partners in Progress award for Blue Rock Products by David Seitz earlier in 2013.

See family, pAgE 10

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Celebrate the Town & Country Festival!“Best Burgers in Town”

Open Sun-Thurs 10:30AM - 9:30PM • Fri-Sat 10:30AM - 10:30PM

2302 S. Central Ave., Sidney - 406.433.4650


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Lower YellowstoneRural Electric

3200 W Holly, Sidney406-488-1602

www.lyrec.com

Celebrating town & Countryour Cooperative Principles

Voluntary/Open Membership

Democratic member Control

Member Economic Participation

Autonomy & Independence

Education of Members

Cooperation between Cooperatives

Concern for the Community

Integrity • Innovation • Accountability • Commitment to Community

CONGRATULATIONSBLUE ROCK PRODUCTS!

We Sincerely Appreciate Your Support!

On Your 100th Anniversary

LAMBERT SCHOOLSStudents, Faculty, Administration

and School Board.

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Blue Rock’s � rst logo.

406-433-4375 • [email protected] celebrating 100 years.

Enjoy your day in Sidney!

Town & Country Festival!Welcome to the

CongratulationsBlue Rock

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John Olson is very proud that his daughter, Karen, and son, Randy, returned to the area and have become great leaders at Blue Rock. Son-in-law Eric Beenken serves as a general man-ager.

“They work very well as a team, that’s very gratifying,” Olson said. “When I kick the bucket, Blue Rock will be in good hands.”

They are the fourth generation of Pepsi bottlers. Olson, a proud grandfa-ther, was excited when grandson Luke Beenken, a Sidney High School fresh-

man, recently started to work in the office after school. “He’s now the fifth generation.”

The business has also certainly made the community part of its family. Five Blue Rock employees – John Olson, Kar-en Olson Beenken, Tim Feeley, Tracy Hagen and Eric Beenken – have each served terms as the Sidney Chamber’s president. They have also been involved in a wide variety of other activities and projects in the community.

Karen Olson Beenken explains that her father feels when a community supports your product, there’s a moral

obligation to give back.To celebrate its centennial, Blue Rock

plans to play special roles in several community events in 2013 including the Wings of Freedom Air Show, the Town and Country Festival and the Fairview

Festival. The 100th anniversary will be commemorated on Blue Rock cans later this year.

[email protected]

Family: Company works well as teamFrom page 9

Submitted

The original bottling line.

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to the Town & Country Festival & Celebrating Blue Rock’s 100th Anniversary

Sidney Carburetor & Electric303 N. Central Ave., Sidney • 482-3302

Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m • Bennett Folstad & Bill Neiss

Welcome

http://www.lyrec.com




THANK YOU!

fOr All YOU

dO iN THe

cOmmUNiTies.

on Turning 100 Years Old!

Rau Elementary School

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When Continental Emsco was bought by Wilson Supply, Wilson decided that they didn’t need a store in Sidney. Scott Ramus and David Williams thought otherwise, so on Aug. 15, 1999, they opened Richland Pump & Supply. A few years later, the Bakken oil formation was discovered. After that, it started to get busy.

In September of 2007, the partners opened a second store in Stanley, N.D. to better serve their customers. The customers are the driving force that got Richland Pump & Supply started and has kept it going! For that, Scott, and David are grateful. The crew is bar none the best in the business. They provide the best service. Richland Pump & Supply crew is experienced, helpful and always willing to assist customers in any way they can.

1511 South Central Ave., Sidney

SubmIttED

From 1939Back, from left, owner J.C. Johnson, Ellis Thorson, Louie McCloskey and Kenny Mortinson; front, Brub Johnson, Sam McQuad (Grain Belt Beer representative) and Johnny Meiski (production manager). They are standing in front of a 1939 Grain Belt Beer truck and a 1936 Kato Beer truck.

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Blue Rock would like to welcome you to

FESTIVALTown & CountryS I D N E Y ’ S

FREE 20 OZ. PEPSI

Enjoy a free 20 oz. Pepsi on us.

Take this coupon to your local participating retailer and redeem for (1) one 20 oz. bottle of Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mt Dew or Diet Mt

Dew. Exp. July 31, 2013. No reproduction or doubling coupon will be accepted.

FREEFREEFREEFREEFREEFREEFREEFREEFREEFREE

6-11 a.m. Sidney Jaycee breakfast Moose Lodge

8 a.m. Sidney Healthworks Fun Run Sidney Health Center

9 am. Sidewalk Sales

9 a.m. Hermanson Memorial Ranch Horse Competition Fairgrounds

9:30 a.m. Parade Downtown

9:30 a.m. Jaycees Pet Parade Downtown (starts at Veterans’ Memorial Park)

10 a.m. Three-on-three basketball tournament Sidney Middle School GymRegister by June 19 Sidney Chamber

10 – 2 p.m. Venders and games for kids Downtown Sidney

11:30 a.m. Free Feed (between Penney’s and the Village Square Mall on Main) Sponsored by Blue Rock

2:00 p.m. Hermanson Ranch Horse Competition Ranch Rodeo Fairgrounds

2:00 p.m. MonDak Area Stockgrowers mutton bustin’ and ribbon pulling Fairgrounds

2:00 p.m. I Do! reception MonDak Heritage Center

8 p.m. Those Guys of Miles City dance Fairgrounds

Festival Schedule


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WELCOME TO THETown & Country Festival

2221 S. Central, Sidney | 406-433-6757www.sondassolutions.com

ONE DAY ONLY SIDEWALK SALE

Fire Resistant ClothingJeans • Jackets • Coats • Coveralls • Shirts

T-Shirts • Pullovers • Sweat ShirtsJeans • Jackets • Coats • Coveralls • Shirts

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Blue Rock Products on your...

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Offices in Sidney, Glasgow,Glendive, Malta and Wolf Point.

100 thAnniversary!

104 Second Avenue S.W. Sidney • 406-433-2092www.chmspc.com

“Your CHMS in the accounting business”

Congratulations

By Louisa BarBerSidney Herald

With financial struggles facing Rich-land Opportunities Inc., ROI staff has devised a plan. A couple weeks before the 2013 legislative session ended, staff members held a meeting in which Callie Torgerson proposed a way to assist with ROI’s infrastructure needs.

They decided to hold a fundraiser, a gift basket auction with items donated by local businesses, organizations and individuals. Since April, staff has

been collecting items such as candles, clothes, food, gift certificates, roadside emergency kits, quilts and much more, along with creating decorative gift baskets that will be on sale during the Town and Country Festival Saturday.

“With funds from this fundraiser, we’ll be able to do some projects that need to be done,” Cindy Eleson, executive direc-tor of ROI, said. Those include funds to replace a well worn van, cement at the recycling center, and remodeling ROI’s Transitional Living Complex, a 30-year-old apartment building.

Baskets are on display at www.rich-land-opportunities.org, and at Stock-man Bank, Richland Federal Credit Union, J’z Fashion Threadz, Sidney Chiropractic & Diet Center, Panini’s and the Village Square Mall. Bidders

can also offer a purchase price online. If theirs is the highest bid the day of the auction, they’ll win it.

“ROI has been extremely blessed with community support,” Eleson said.

roi holding gift basket raffles to raise needed funds

louiSa BarBer | Sidney Herald

View and bid on gift baskets at www.richland-opportunities.org. The silent auction is Saturday at the Village Square Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Auto

Body And

SAleS

NORTH STARWe take pride in your ride!

Welcome t o t h e

Town & Country

FestivalLatest Equipment Auto SalesVehicle Accessories

1000 Silurian Lane, Sidney • 433-2255

LAtESt tEchnoLogy

in AutomotiVEREpAiR

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http://www.sondassolutions.com

http://www.richland-opportunities.org

http://www.chmspc.com

http://www.rich-land-opportunities.org




2265 S. Central, Sidney • 406.433.6754

• Roustabout • Excavation • Pressure washing• Concrete • Hot Shot • Structural welding

• Tank batter construction • Industrial construction• Trucking Services • Industrial sandblasting & painting

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to be growing in this Town & Country

since 2008.

Proud

Blue Rock Products on 100 years

Congratulations

Have a great time at

Country FestivalThe Town and

Congratulations Blue Rock on 100 successful years

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Truck Route South Sidney

Licensed in Montana & North Dakota

(406) 433-4445

www.n i c k j o n e s r e . c om

We carry all of your recreational

needs!• Fishing Tackle

• Bait• Coolers

• Ice• Snack Foods

809 East Main, Sidney406- 433-3400

for the choice you made to give us our freedom.

Spirits Wines MixersMixersMixers

Your only local retail liquor sales outlet!

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

809 East Main, Sidney406- 433-2862 XNLV93538

Congratulations Blue Rock!Thank you for your continuous support

to our area functions and benefits.

By Bill Vander WeeleSIDNEY HERALD

As a young man, there was little doubt where Lance Averett was going to end up working. Many years later, he

couldn’t be happier that the business was Blue Rock Products.

Averett, who is now a vice president and general sales manager at Blue Rock, started working at the company as a teen when he was stationed in the

warehouse performing such tasks as loading trucks.

When he began attending college at Montana State University in Bozeman, he kept working at Blue Rock during holiday breaks and summer. He also kept in contact with his parents’ neigh-bor Blue Rock president and CEO John Olson.

“I was neighbors with John, and he was always a nice, fun guy,” Averett said. “And he wanted me to come to Blue Rock and work.”

Averett went on to graduate from

Montana State with a degree in market-ing management and finance. He said business always interested him as he watched his father, Bob, serve as the manager of Safeway grocery store and owner of Bob’s Warehouse Grocery.

Lance started out with Blue Rock as a manager in the Plentywood branch in 1975 before moving to the Sidney office to stay in November 1979 as the compa-ny’s general sales manager. “I enjoyed my time in Plentywood. They are won-derful, friendly people up there.”

Blue Rock’s Averett provides great service for Blue Rock, DeMolay


Lance Averett, adult leader, presents scholarships from DeMolay during this year’s scholarship night for Sidney High School.

See aVerett, pAgE 16

http://www.n


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Drilling and

Production2320 South Central Ave., Sidney

406-482-4000

Congratulations Blue Rock ProductsWe are proud to be growing with the community

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Congratulations Blue Rock on turning 100. We appreciate all that you do for our communities.

BRoRson school

MAKE YOUR CHOICE

1ST CHOICE

XNLV

89981

433-CARS(2277)

WRECKER AVAILABLE

615 Cambrian Lane, Sidney

Congratulations BLUE ROCKON TURNING

100!

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Since then, Averett has become an institution for Blue Rock customers, businesses and employees.

“For me, it’s been the relationships with the other employees, John’s family and customers,” Averett said of what makes Blue Rock special. “It’s a fun business.”

Averett’s primary work duties include dealing with key account customers with prices and promotions along with dealing with warehouse operations. He has been a vice president since the mid

1980s.“It sounds like a long time, but I en-

joyed working with John. I can’t imag-ine a better situation,” Averett said. “We like to have fun and that’s what keeps us all going.”

After business hours, Averett keeps the Blue Rock tradition by serving in the community. He has been an adult leader for DeMolay since 1984. He has also served on the Sidney Health Center and Sidney Country Club boards.

“That’s kind of one of the things that we encourage and are given the oppor-

tunity to do,” Averett said of commu-nity service and Blue Rock employees.

He’s made his greatest mark on the DeMolay, a youth organization for boys. Averett has been the local DeMolay “dad” for 17 years.

“It’s a real good organization for young men – it teaches them responsi-bility and citizenship,” Averett said.

Sidney has the distinction of hav-ing the largest DeMolay chapter in the state. Averett is proud of the members’

involvement in school and the commu-nity. Averett has been selected the state advisor of the year in 1996 and 1997.

“Over the years, there’s been some real fine young men that went through there,” Averett said.

And he enjoys working with the stu-dents. “Sometimes you stay young when you’re around young people.”

[email protected]

Averett: Sidney native has been active with Sidney Health Center, Sidney Country ClubFrom pAge 15

Submitted

Some of Blue Rock’s original trucks.



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433-1408GREENHOUSE HOURS

Mon-Fri 9am-7pm • Sun 11am-4pm

BLUE ROCK PRODUCTS100 YEARS - WHAT A MILESTONE ...

CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SET NEW GOALS FOR THE FUTURE ...

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS!

Thank you for your service!

• Bill Brenner, CPA • Terry Averett, CPA121 S. Central Avenue, Sidney • 433-5464 • Fax: 433-6016

www.bacopc.com • [email protected] 8 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F Closed 12-1 p.m.

Offering a full range of accounting, income tax, computer consulting, payroll, estate planning, retirement planning

and administration and auditing services.

Certified Public Accountants

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Way to go! 100 years Blue rock Thank you for supporting our community

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114 West Main • Sidney, MT • 406.433.1402Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:30 • Sat 8:00am-5:00pm

Congratulationsoonnggrraattuullaattiooon your centennial

www.johnsonhardwareandfurniture.com

After being successful for the past sev-eral years, the Neal Hermanson Memo-rial Ranch Rodeo is back again this year at the Richland County Fairgrounds.

A calcutta is planned for 2 p.m. Satur-day, right before the rodeo action starts. The event will feature 10 teams again this year.

This year’s winning team will get a chance to compete at the NILE Cham-pionship Ranch Rodeo in Billings. The winning team there will have a chance to go onto the Working Ranch Cowboy’s Association world finals in November in

Amarillo, Texas.The ranch horse competition for

youngsters will begin at 9 a.m. Events will include dry work or reining, cow work and roping.

Along with the youth division, there also will be divisions for youngsters un-der the age of 13 and students ages 14-18 this year. There will be $2,000 awarded in scholarships.

The MonDak Area Stockgrowers As-sociation will hold a mutton buston and ribbon pulling competition.

Tickets for the rodeo are $5.

Neal Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo scheduled for Saturday

ELLEN WzNICk | SIDNEY HERALD

A scene from last year’s ranch rodeo.

Enjoy the Town & Country Festival

Mon.-Sun. 8 a.m.-2 a.m.406-433-7222

222 S. Central Ave., Sidney

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http://www.bacopc.com


http://www.johnsonhardwareandfurniture.com


Sidney Health Center was recently named a TOP 100 Critical Access Hospital in America by the National Rural Health

Association for the second year in a row! 216 14th Ave SW • Sidney, MT • Phone: 406-488-2100 • www.sidneyhealth.org

Congratulations Blue Rock on 100 years!

Our Mission is to help those we serve achievetheir highest level of health and well-being.

302 E. Main, Sidney • 433-1005 XN

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708

Welcometo Sidney’s Town and Country

FestivalCarpet • Bedding • Window Treatments • Vinyl Floors • Furniture

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Just North of McDonald’s • Sidney 406-433-1659 • 1-866-433-1659

Need Wide Area Coverage?

Mobile Radio• 50 Watt

• 8 Channel with scan• New front-fl ying speaker

$359Kenwood

Two-Way Radios and Direct Dial Pagers

Sales & Service

TK-7102H/8102HCompact VHF/UHF/FM Mocile Radios

Repeater and Tower Space for Rent

See Larry for details.

Welcome to the toWn & country Festival!

congratulations Blue rock Products

on 100 years

HealthWorks holds fun run


The start of last year’s race.


Registration for the fun run starts at 7 a.m. The event begins at 8 a.m. at Sidney Health Center.

http://www.sidneyhealth.org


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CongratulationsBlue Rock

on celebrating100 years

Congratulations years

Welcometo Town and Country Festivities

Pepsi 1951 logo

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608 E. Main St. Sidney433-2910

Thanks Blue Rock for supporting

our community!

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S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t ys i n c e 1 9 2 5

Monday – Sunday 6:00am to 10:00pm 1151 South Central

WWW.REYNOLDSMARKET.COM

RESPONSIBLE RETAILER

Welcome to

TOWN & COUNTRY

FESTIVALCONGRATULATIONS BLUE ROCK

celebrating 100 years!

Thank you for all you do for our

community


Entertainment is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the stage located at Central and Main.

The Sidney Jaycees will serve breakfast from 6-11 a.m. at the Moose Lodge Saturday to raise funds for the July 4 fireworks.


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at SIDNEY’S TOWN and COUNTRY FESTIVAL

CONGRATS BLUE ROCK on your 100th anniversary on your 100th anniversary on your 100th anniversary

eNJOYYOURSeLF

202 E. MAIN • 406-433-4554Mon - Fri 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Closed Saturday & Sundays

Locally owned by Harry & Linda Metz

Pepsi logo in 1965

WE SELL

WE BUY

35023 County Road 123 - Sidney, MT

Welcome to the

Town And Country Festival

Fencing Materials

Gates and Panels

Scrap • Aluminum

Copper • BrassX

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9412

5

On Saturday at 2 p.m., the MonDak Heritage Center will host a reception “I Do: A Cultural History of Montana Weddings” featuring a special presen-tation by Martha Kohl.

Kohl, an historian with the Montana Historical Society, is also the author of the book by the same title. Tickets are available now, $25 for MonDak mem-bers, $30 for non-members. Non-mem-bers can join at the time of purchase to take advantage of the members’ discount.

The reception will be the perfect time to enjoy the exhibit “I Do,” which

features materials on loan from the Montana Historical Society, and col-lections from the MonDak Heritage Center, including historic photographs and several wedding dresses, some of which have not been exhibited publicly in many years. The oldest dress dates to the 1880s.

Traditional wedding foods will be served, including cake, and wedding attire is optional. Martha Kohl’s book, “I Do: A Cultural History of Montana Weddings” will also be available at the event.

The MonDak Heritage Center is

located at 120 Third Ave. S.E. in Sidney. If you have further questions, please

call 433-3500.

‘I Do’ reception scheduled for Saturday at MonDak Heritage Center

Salute to Blue Rock on celebrating 100 years!

Rob Breuer - Relationship ManagerPenny Brown - Financial Specialist

Kim Stebbins-MartiniOperations Manager

123 North Central Ave.,Sidney, MT

www.northwestfcs.com406-433-3920 X

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9369

6

http://www.northwestfcs.com


www.stockmanbank.com

Member FDIC© 2013 Stockman Bank

Congratulations Blue Rock on

100 years!

Sidney, Montana: 433-8600

www.stockmanbank.com

Member FDIC© 2013 Stockman Bank

Congratulations Blue Rock on

100 years!

Sidney, Montana: 433-8600

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Commercial and Residential Wiring• Supplies • Electrical Contracting • Lighting

115 N. Central Ave., Sidney - 406-482-3204

Town & Country Festival!Gurney Electric

Welcome to the

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Welcome to Sidney’s Town & Country Festival

• Year Round Pro Shop• Golf Merchandise Available

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547

Welcome toTown & Country FestivalSidney’s

214 S. Central Ave., SidneyMonday-Friday 9am - 6pm

Saturday 9am-4pm

406.433.1800

Sidney Public SchoolsX

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9481

5

Blue Rock for supporting our

community.

Shank You

http://www.stockmanbank.com

MillerCoors President Tom Long recently awarded local beer distribu-tor Blue Rock Distributing Co. with the “MillerCoors President’s Award” in front of some 2,000 fellow distributors from across the country.

“These distributors represent the best of the best in our business,” Long said. “These teams know how to move swiftly, decisively and with boldness to win.”

The prestigious award is given for superior performance in 2012. This is the first time in Blue Rock’s history that the company has received this award. In ad-dition to company officials, Brad Kesel-owski, NASCAR driver of the Miller Lite

“Blue Deuce” #2 car, and Scott VanPelt, Sportscaster for ESPN, handed out the awards.

When asked about the conference, Ron Messmer, senior sales center manager, said, “It was an honor to be a part of such a huge event.” Other Blue Rock members in attendance were Lonnie Swigart, Randy Olson and Eric and Karen (Olson) Beenken.

MillerCoors Company stated, “They [Blue Rock] had the highest growth trend of any distributor in the state with a 13.3 percent gain. This distributor achieved solid performance against dis-tribution hitting their T-1 national Dis-

tribution Cup goal. They achieved their T-1 aluminum pint distribution goals as well. Commitment to their customer is clear in how they deal with their chain partners, and they gained control of sets in several of their stores.”

MillerCoors performs random quality control audits with the most recent con-ducted in June. Blue Rock also success-fully completed the audit.

Additional key performance criteria

were recognized as components of win-ning the President’s Award: distribution, market sets, commitment to the custom-er, quality and product rotation.

The Blue Rock Companies were found-ed in 1913 and are celebrating 100 years in business. They are locally owned and operate sales centers in five locations in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. They sell MillerCoors products in three of those locations.


Commercial • Residential & Farms

on 100 yearsCongratulations

(406) [email protected]

108 2nd ST NE • Sidney, MT

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296

Congratulations

‘It’s all about saying Good-bye’Fulkerson Funeral Home

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287

433-4FUN (4386) • 105 E. Main, Sidney ~ www.partycentralandgifts.com

•Yankee Candles•Children’s select party supplies

Alan Moos, U.S. Army

Our Hero!Town & Country

Saturday 9 a.m.

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Rock On

Keep it Blue

We will have our sale inside if the weather is an issue

Welcome to the Town & Country Festival!

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280

See you at the

Parade

1555 S. Central, Sidney Across from McDonalds

433-3025

Enjoy the Savings during Town & Country Festival, Sat. June 22!

Check out our 50% Off Sales Room

20% OFF New Summer Merchandise

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Blue Rock awarded MillerCoors’ President’s Award

Submitted

Representing Blue Rock at the ceremony were, front from left, Eric Beenken, Karen Olson Beenken, Lonnie Swigart and Ron Messmer.


http://www.partycentralandgifts.com


1015 7th Avenue SW • Sidney, MT • 406-488-4682 • Visit us online: www.lodgeatlonetree.org

1775 S. CENTRAL AVE., SIDNEY406-488-8066 • 1-877-8066 • WWW.AGRIINDUSTRIES.COM

CongratulationsWe have everything you will need to get your

home built. One contractor will do it all.

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Blue Rock on 100 years!

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it just takesone person to put

a child on the path to a great future.

� ank You

it one� ank You

Blue Rock for all you do for us.

FOR SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOL

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Welcome to

406-433-38581601 South Central, Sidney

Congratulations Blue Rock on 100 years of business.

Town & Country Fe� ivalX

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0

http://www.lodgeatlonetree.org


756 10th Avenue SE • Sidney406-482-5251 • fax: 406-482-6644

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Welcome to the Town and Country Festival

We Still Do Business the Old-fashioned Way......We Look You

in the Eye and Shake

Your Hand.

Rod Prewitt ~ 480-2777Tim Larson ~ 480-2666Mike Yore ~ 480-2888

SAVE THIS DATE!

Richland County’s CentennialJune 13-15, 2014

Richland County, MontanaDiscover the Richness

www.richland.orgXNLV93579

Our Congratulations

to Blue Rock Products on 100 years!

ALL GROUPS & service organizations interested in fundraising opportunities

or to showcase your organization please contact Kris Weltikol

at [email protected] or Libby Berndt at

[email protected]

CONGRATULATIONS Blue Rock Productson 100 years in the community

& RFM AGENCY

Auto & Specialty CoveragesFarm Insurance & Home Insurance

Excellent Coverage • Competitive RatesExpedient Claims • Personalized Service

Of� ce 488-4898Fax: 488-4890 1405 4th St S.W. • Sidney

Westside Professional Center

Expedient Claims Expedient Claims Expedient Claims Expedient Claims Expedient Claims Expedient Claims Expedient Claims Expedient Claims Expedient Claims Expedient Claims Expedient Claims

FREEQUOTES

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Welcome to the Town and Country Festival

Carol

LaDean

Becky

http://www.richland.org



sidney herald town and country festival

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