A Faithful Friend

Ol' Faithful, Sue Hammersmark's bear has become a fixture at St. John's Nursing Home in Billings where he was "created" and where he's become a favorite.

Everyone has taken a hand in dressing him for the holidays and the seasons, making him a candidate for the Best Dressed Batchelor Bear in Billings.

Here he's trying out a "spring" look.

Roadies

Before it's said and done, these bears will be among the best traveled in the nation. So far, this particular bear, Yogi, has logged some 200 miles. Here he's blanketed against the cold (and damage) preparing to start another leg of his trip on a snowy day in late March. That's me on the right, taking liberties with Yogi's nose. Ron Ogletree is on the left. Chito, the Jack Russell is in the foreground. An outcropping of Jim Mountain, part of the Southern Absarokas, is just visible through the snow. You can't see the artist, Sally Ogletree, or Lakshmi, my standard poodle and companion, who waits in the truck.

This leg of Yogi's journey takes him down to the Cody Armory where he'll be featured in the Trolley Tour.

Happy Grizzly Easter

The folks at the St. John's Nursing Home in Billings wish their resident grizzly, Ol' Faithful and his brothers, a very happy Easter.

There's no doubt but that this unique sculpture with his artistic blend of painted bronze and traditional landscape motif has captured the hearts of the St. John's residents.

Little Bears

The "little bears" have arrived at the Cody Country Art League and are ready for pick-up by the "Little Bear" artists. If you have put a deposit on one of these nine-inch models, come and get him/her--character and gender yet to be discovered. The models are not quite identical to the big guys but are close enough to fool you.

What's the deal with the small ones? They'll be painted by local artists and juried. Those not selected will be sold during the summer months. Selected little bears will be on display until October, then sold at silent auction during the Park County Library Opening. The top selling ones will win awards for their artists.

Here as an example, is the little bear painted by big bear artist, Bob Seabeck, which will go to Seabeck's sponsor, Barron Collier III.