Goldbug Hot-springs

Missoula, MT
Hello Friends,

One last Salmon story. On Sunday before we headed back to Missoula a gaggle of us made a trek into the Idaho hills to a secluded spot called Goldbug Hot-springs. It's a good hour long trek up some intense switchbacks and a long slow elevation gain. It was amazing trip and the hot springs were wonderful. As you sit and soak you overlook a gorgeous valley and see lots of wild life abound (including the rare and gentle mountain hippie). It is a hike full of great sights and if you ever near Salmon, ask a local to take you up. Just know, suits are optional!*





The Adventure Continues - ML
*We kept our suits on

This is Why I Tour

Missoula, MT
Hello Friends-

Our time in Salmon has come to an end. It was an incredible week full of wonderful people and amazing scenery (Those are pictures of Shawna and I in front of iconic Salmon landmarks). Shawna and I had a wonderful cast member named Jed. He was a high schooler who required sign language to perform on stage. It was amazing.

We were fortunate enough to get pictures with Jed, but I do not want to post them with his family consent. Faulkner family, if by chance you are reading this and you are alright with me posting them on this blog, please contact me at mattloehrke@gmail.com

What follows are two emails. The first from me in response to the email, the second the actual email itself. A tad complicated, but it will make sense when you read'em. We don't get emails like this just any day.

Salmon, ID was an amazing week but this email does not give enough credit to Shawna at all. Shawna was the TAD who went to Jed's class and spent time learning show specific sign language and teaching him how to use it onstage (IE run, sit, howl, dance). She then showed me the sign language and together we implemented it into our show. It was a very rewarding experience that would not have happened had it not been for her initiative. It was Shawna's dedication to his success that allowed Jed to succeed during our performances. I am very lucky to have a partner who considers taking the extra step for the kids a privilege and not a hassle.

~~~~~~~~~~

My family and I went to the recent performance of Beauty Lou and the Country Beast performed in Salmon Idaho. I was taken by your amazing cast and their abilities. In particular I was struck with the compassion I witnessed during the finale.

The young man, that played Buckaroo Bob, Matt Loehrke was remarkable throughout the performance. They had cast a disabled boy as the “dog”. His name is Jed. Jed required sign language intermittently throughout the play. Matt was attentive to this young man’s needs as he performed and used sign language as needed.

For me, the very best part of the whole performance was when, during the finale the “dog”, Jed, had realized that his shoe was untied. Jed became more and more concerned about his shoe. During Matt’s singing the young man pointed to his shoe to show Matt what was wrong. As Matt was singing he could see that this young man had some sort of need, but he managed to keep singing his part without missing a beat until it was turned over to the whole cast for their part. It was then that Matt quickly bent over and tied this young man’s shoe. It was by far the pinnacle of the performance for me. All the parents were engrossed in their children singing their hearts out while Matt managed to take time to tie a shoe mid the finale.

Please somehow tell Matt how this touched me and typified why the Missoula Children’s Theater has such a wonderful reputation. Matt was remarkable with all the children and my son enjoyed meeting Shawna Jean-Marie Smith in their workshops with the schools.

I also perform music, but I am sure that I would not have the ability to carry on a finale and tie a young person’s shoe!

Thank you for all you do. It is delightful to see your program flourish. I have been in your audience now for over 25 years.

Please give my regards and thanks to Matt and Shawna.


The Adventure Continues - ML

Double Daring Dining!

Salmon, ID
Hello Friends,

Things are going very well one this the first week of fall tour 2010. Salmon is a gorgeous small town tucked in the Bitterroot valley (I think) and the hospitality has been wonderful. More on that another time, lets get to our main course (pun intended) a double helping of Daring Dining!

The Coffee Cup Cafe - Hamilton, MT
On Sunday Shawna and I enjoyed our first of many drives. The trip to Salmon was brief and we stopped off in Hamilton for a late lunch. Being Sunday not much was open and main street was fairly quite. Thankfully before we left town we came across The Coffee Cup Cafe. From the exterior it looked very much like a general store and for being close to 2PM it was still quite crowded (always a good sign). The inside had counter service and tables. The walls were lined with hanging metal and woven signs from yesteryear ranging from Disney to pictures you would find in old Saturday Evening Posts. The effect was comforting and a bit creepy at the same time.

The menu offered items for all meals of the day and ran the gambit of typical diner food. We were both craving lunch so I got a Wrangler sandwich and Shawna a Montana Burger. My sandwich was a glorified sub that was grilled. It was OK. I was told it came on a French roll but is was really a white hoagie roll (picky I know). Shawna enjoyed her burger it had lots of stuff on it, the specifics I can't remember. The thing that caught our attention the most were the home made, hand cut French fries. We saw them on other tables and they looked wonderful, ours however were undercooked and soggy.

While lunch failed to please, their breakfast menu looked wonderful and we had a sneaky feeling we ordered from the wrong meal. So final verdict on the CCC, stick with breakfast, it is the most important meal of the day for a reason.

The Junkyard Bistro - Salmon, ID
One of the first questions we ask locals when we get to a new town is "Where is a great unique place to eat in town?" Every resident of Salmon we have asked does not hesitate and says "The Junkyard Bistro." With it's reputation well established Shawna and I knew we had to try it.

Located on the main street of Salmon, The Junkyard Bistro doesn't look like much from the outside, in fact it could easily be mistaken for one of the many bars in town. However if you get close to the open front door the over whelming smells of deliciousness will grab your attention. The Bistro is very small with a few tables and a bar. The main kitchen is smack dab in the middle causing a constant state of mouth watering through out. The walls are lined with metal sculptures made of found objects and are for purchase. Many of them are animals from exotic sea creatures to western flair. We were lucky to grab a table and were greeted with a small yet diverse menu ranging from sandwiches, pastas, wraps, salads, and rice bowls. Shawna opted for a Gyro and I a vegetarian artichoke sandwich (shocking I know). Shawna's gyro was excellent, she enjoyed. My sandwich however... was quite possible the best sandwich I have ever had.

It starts with a hard French roll (not white hoagie) followed was marinated artichokes, provolon cheese, roasted red peppers, and then a olive mix spread on top. The whole thing is given a healthy splash of their homemade balsamic vinigar and olive oil dressing that soaks into the roll nicely. It was amazing. We each had their pasta salad as a side which was simple and clean and off-set our meals nicely.

The price was perfect and service fast and friendly. I myself am even now a fan of their Facebook page now. So where is the best place to eat in Salmon? I may not be a native but I agree with them 100% - The Junkyard Bistro.

The Adventure Continues - ML

Off to Salmon

Missoula, MT
Hello Friends,

Well vacation is done and it's time to hit the road. Thankfully our fall tour does not have long drive. In fact I think the longest one may be six hours! Today we head off to the quaint town of Salmon, ID. Believe it or not, I have been touring for four hours and have never had an MCT residency in Idaho. So it will be nice to cross it off the list.

Enjoyed some great down time this weekend with friends new and old here in Missoula. Sadly the Griz lost and that is never a good thing around here. But the Buckeyes did win, so all is not lost in the world of collegiate football. Weather looks great for our drive today and we already have heard of some of the wonderful hospitality such as meals and home stays that awaits us. Can't wait to get the fall started.

The Adventure Continues - ML

BTW - Looks like I will have no cell service this week.

Preparation

Missoula, MT
Hello Friends,

Today was day one of fall tour and it was spent running errands and shows as Shawna and I begin our fall adventure. I get to take a newer version of the Beauty Lou set out this tour and while that may not seem like a lot I think it is pretty cool. We are going from a drab black backdrop to a very colorful one full of mountains and cacti. AND most importantly - NO MORE BARN OF DEATH! Our last set had a PVC monster barn we would make that fell over often. It was not fun. Thankfully we now have a set that opens like a book with a barn in front that opens to the Beast's mine.

Things are really kicking up for St. Kitts. We just got our "itinerary" that has listed when we work with kids but mainly lists all the fun activities lined up for us such as snorkeling, walking to a volcano, going to Nevus (the other island of St. Kitts) and eating at amazing restaurants. This week is looking up and up!

Things are also looking good for our first week in Salmon, ID. Really looking forward to getting back on the road and getting my performance voice back. It really goes away quick when you aren't singing and talking for about five hours a day non-stop. Thankfully it does come back quickly.

All for now. Hope Labor Day fun was had by all!
The Adventure Continues - ML

Family Fun on the East Coast

Pigeon, MI
Hello Friends!

Tomorrow I fly back to Missoula to start fall tour. I was fortunate enough to spend the past week back east traveling around Michigan and Ohio and seeing all of my family. MCT doesn't have a lot of residencies in this neck of the woods (yet) so I really only get to see my family once maybe even twice a year and it really charges the batteries to keep going out and doing the good work. Pictured are me with my adorable nieces.

To my wonderful family - thank you for all of your generosity and hospitality. Every week I am away I am able to do so successfully because I know each and everyone of you support me 100%.

The Adventure Continues - ML

Summer Tour by the Numbers

Pigeon, MI

Hello All-
Greetings from the thumb of Michigan as I am spending a little downtime from tour with family. Summer tour wrapped up well and I thought you would enjoy a little "by the numbers" run down of how things went for us June - August.

9,700 - Appx. miles driven
1,250 - Appx. number of songs on the iPod (though we only listend to about 300 of them...)
330 - Number of kids in the cast
95/100 - Average temperature/percent humidty of tour
75 - Average size of our audience every show
40 - Truck License plate number and name of our truck
22 - States driven through
14 - Workshops conducted
11 - Performances of "Beauty Lou"
10 - Average amount of shirts sold a week (that's an awful average by the way)
6 - States we had residencies in
6 - Other MCT teams we meet up with on the road
6 - Types of fast food chicken fingers Mandi tried
5 - Pairs of sunglasses Mandi possesed
4 - Average cast members who dropped every week
3 - Massive thunderstorms
2 - Barnyard Critter costumes that disappeared
1 - Groomsman speech given
0 - Fun things to do in Columbia, SC

All in all a good summer. It was though to not be with families (all hotels) but we made the best of it. Next up the Pacific NW and St. Kitts! Lets just hope no hurricanes come to call while we are there...

The Adventure Continues - ML

Also I am playing with the layout of the blog, so it may look a little off the next few days.