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 ‘Lifestyles’ Category

11th Annual Roots Fest Opens Friday, August 26

The 11th Annual River City Roots Festival opens on Friday, August 26 featuring Missoula’s own Lil’ Smokies as the headliner Friday night and multi-Grammy Award winning Rodney Crowell Sat. night. ... more

Griz Show All-Around Strength in First Scrimmage

By ERIC TABER - Montana opens the 2016 campaign on Sept. 3 against Saint Francis, under the lights at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | Aug 15

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Aug 15

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - When Robin Selvig took over the University of Montana women's basketball program it had won 32 games combined in the previous 4 years.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Aug 15

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Hunting Elk in August

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Elk shoulder seasons this year will allow hunters in some hunting districts to go after antlerless elk starting Aug. 15.... more

Schweyen Named New Lady Griz Coach

By ERIC TABER -In an announcement that lacks any of the surprise of Robin Selvig’s retirement two weeks ago, Shannon Cate-Schweyen has been chosen to take over the league’s flagship program.... more

Griz Open Camp Ranked No. 13

By ERIC TABER - On the eve of the 2016 fall camp opening practice, the Montana Grizzlies will take the field ranked as the No. 13 team in the nation.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Aug 8

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Kidder Named Preseason All-American

By ERIC TABER -Caleb Kidder, the Big Sky Conference preseason Defensive Player of the Year, was recently named to the STATS FCS preseason All-America second team.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | Aug 1

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Aug 1

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Aug 1

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - It's hard to imagine going to game and not seeing Robin Selvig on the sidelines. The last time UM played a women's basketball game without Selvig was March 4, 1978.... 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

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 25

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 25

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - For the first time in recent memories the Lumberjacks of NAU are picked as the pre-season favorite to win the Big Sky Title, a choice made both by both sports writers and coaches.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 25

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

That First Gun

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Just the other week, I gave my granddaughter and grandson their first firearms; a .22 rifle and .410 shotgun.... more

Griz Tabbed as Big Sky Runner-Up

By ERIC TABER - The University of Montana Grizzlies have been picked to finish second in the 2016 Big Sky Conference preseason polls by both the media and the league coaches.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 18

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 18

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - For the first time in over half a century the Griz will face the USC Trojans in basketball.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 18

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Liz Marchi: Adolescence and Aging

By LIZ MARCHI - This I believe: we must keep our minds, bodies and our social connections growing even when it’s hard. That’s foundational to a life in full.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 11

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - The College World Series title won by Coastal Carolina in June marked the sixth time a school that has faced the Montana Grizzlies football team ( since 1960) has won the College Base... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 11

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Marathon Training Tips – Post Marathon Recovery

By DAN LYNE-Completing a 26 mile race is an extreme test of endurance that takes a lot out of your body. Your best strategy for full recovery starts in the first 30 minutes after the race. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 4

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

America’s Most Acclaimed Baroque Musicians to Perform in Montana

They come from all corners of North America, bringing gut-string instruments, virtuoso talent, encyclopedic knowledge of a bygone era and acclaim as the modern masters of their art.... more

Cultural Spotlight: VonCommon Studios

By GRACE STOPHER - Nestled in an unsuspecting corner at Wyoming and Johnson streets, you may notice a little door in a string of warehouses with a blue sandwich board nearby, ushering you inside to VonCommon St... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 27

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - I was delighted with the news last week that former Griz coach and playe,r Blaine Taylor, had gotten back into coaching.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 27

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Breunig to Play Pro Basketball in His Native Germany

By ERIC TABER - Former Grizzly basketball standout, Martin Breunig has signed a two-year contract to play professional basketball in his native Germany for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.... more

Liz Marchi: Comb Over

By LIZ MARCHI - I have spent the last 10 days doing something I don’t do much of, revisiting a place in time. The occasion: my 40th College Reunion.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 20

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 20

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Missoula Osprey manager Joe Mather is doing something this season that none of the other three managers to guide the O's to a title did, come back the next year.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 20

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

MCT BURSTING with activity June 20-26

The MCT Center for the Performing Arts is bursting at the seams the week of June 20-25! ... more

Bill Bowers speechLess: A Fundraiser for the Next Step Prep Scholarship Fund

Hellgate High School graduate Bill Bowers returns to Missoula for a one-of-a kind performance - Tues., June 28, at 7:30pm at MCT.... more

Parks and Rec and Missoula Youth Rugby Celebrate Free Olympic Day Event

By BECKY GOODRICH -Kids and families are invited to a free Olympic Day celebration on Saturday, June 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Playfair Park.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 13

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Hockey fans everywhere were saddened by the news of the passing of Gordie Howe, Mr. Hockey, to more than a generation.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 13

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Reminder for Boaters: Stop at AIS Inspection Stations

By JOLEEN TADEJ - As the summer recreation season gets underway, water enthusiasts around the state need to remember to do their part in keeping Montana’s waters free from aquatic invasive species.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 6

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - It's hard to believe that it was 40 years ago this week that the first Wyoming-Montana all-star games were played.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 6

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 6

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Splash Montana Water Park Opens This Weekend, Opens Daily June 11

By BECKY GOODRICH - Splash Montana opens on Sat., June 4. The facility will be open Sat. and Sun., June 4 and 5 from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., and will begin daily operation on Sat., June 11.... 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

Marathon Training Tips – Weeks 11-16 for June/July Marathons

By DAN LYNE-In my last post, I discussed the need to improve your strength to ensure you build injury resistant muscles, tendons and ligaments. ... 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

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 30

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more