Preparing for the Holidays
Don't worry. We aren't encouraging you to start writing Christmas cards, do your holiday shopping, or plan which pies to have for Thanksgiving. Instead, we are encouraging you to think about how to have a safe and enjoyable winter in this beautiful part of Montana.
Today is ideal for making an appointment to have winter tires put on your car and the antifreeze and windshield washer fluids topped off. There are numerous businesses in Eureka that can help you with this, including Big Sky Tire and Auto, the Ranch Hand, Wesdon Automotive Services, and Cheetos Garage. Once you have checked this off the list, you can consider what supplies to have in your car in case of a winter breakdown. A blanket or sleeping bag, a flashlight with extra batteries, a snow shovel, gloves, and a bag of cat litter or sand are essential. If these items are not already in your house, you can stop by Eureka Hardware to pick them up. A small first aid kit is also useful in case of an emergency. Get a box or small crate and keep all of these things in your vehicle so you will be ready. It won't hurt to throw in some protein bars as well (Heavens Peak or Montana Market).
So, now your car or truck is ready for whatever winter brings. And you? Do you have the right sort of coat, hat, gloves, scarf? Long underwear and boots? Socks to keep your feet warm? With the idea of shopping local, you can get any of these items needed in Eureka. From the variety of thrift stores on the main street to Graves Creek Service, Mountain Gift & Home, and Sunflower Moose, you won't have to drive all the way to the Flathead.
Shop local and enjoy the time you save by recreating. It is a beautiful time of year to take hikes as the aspen turn that brilliant yellow and the larch needles change. Once the snow flies, cross country skiing and snowmobiling beckon. And don't forget the opportunity to teach the children how to ice skate on the numerous lakes in the valley.
Winter is a lovely time in the Tobacco Valley. Enjoy the snowy landscapes and remember to be safe. And, being safe in a Montana winter means being prepared.
About the Author: Rita Collins. I am a believer in the power of community and for now I call the Tobacco Valley home. I have lived in nine states and three counties and this community here amazes me - how people reach out to neighbors and even travelers. I've never lived in a place that demonstrates people caring for each other so well. And I've never lived in a place that has such a high percentage of talented musicians and artists. I work with the the Sunburst Community Service Foundation, a nonprofit that began in Eureka twenty years ago and now serves numerous communities in western Montana. And I just started a new business, St. Rita's Amazing Traveling Bookstore and Textual Apothecary. I never could have imagined life being this exciting in my sixth decade.
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