Super Bowl XLIX, one of the most-watched sporting events of the year, will kick off Sunday but many people already know who will win the game.

And they're willing to bet money on it.

In Montana, betting on the big game is legal, to an extent.

Gambling in the state falls into two categories: Public and private. A public scenario includes betting at a place such as a bar, fraternity or sorority house. In these establishments, lawful betting is known as "sports pools."

Participants pay to write his or her name in a 100-square board, and once all the spaces are sold each box is then assigned a number at random. The winner is decided by a combination of numbers on the board and scores during the game.

In a private setting, such as a home or office, state law allows betting among friends, family and co-workers.

"A couple of friends saying I'll bet you a dollar that the Seahawks will beat the Patriots is not an activity that you can do publicly, but there's nothing wrong with doing it in the privacy of your own home with your friends," said Rick Ask, Montana Gambling Control administrator. "As far as doing something like that in a public manner, that would be a violation of the law and would be subject to our investigation and enforcement and charges being filed."

Ask said that as long as people advertise a betting contest at their home to the community, they should be betting legally.

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Kyle Ploehn is an artist, illustrator and writer living in Billings Montana. He likes to spend the few hours he isn't painting hiking the mountains of Montana.

I’ve always loved Chickadees. They’re happy birds that seem to defy the seasons themselves with their year-round sightings and whistled call. In this three piece series I wanted to convey that steadfastness of a beautiful bird seen rain or shine all year round. The first painting represents the cold months of fall and winter. The second shows the flowering buds of the first spring morning and the third the sun shines bright as summer fades again to fall. I like to think of Chickadees as reflection of the people who choose to live and love 'harder' places like Montana. Despite the chaotic and sometimes downright bipolar weather Montana can get, those chickadees are still singing outside our windows. It hasn't been much clearer than this winter as we jump from feet of snow into spring conditions, never sure if that next gust of wind will bring more sun or snow... But it's comforting to know that regardless of what the weather will do, those Chickadees (and the folks of Montana) are going to be out under that big sky, enjoying it all.The originals are still available, three 6 x 12 for $200.Prints are available. Contact me at [email protected], if you’re interested in purchasing a print or visit my website http://kyleploehnart.blogspot.com

In celebration of the Mining City’s 150th anniversary, the spotlight this week is on 1930 to 1939.

Life doesn’t always imitate art. Case in point — in 1930, the number one song in America was “Happy Days are Here Again.” In reality, for the vast majority of Americans those “happy days” abruptly packed up and left, leaving no forwarding address.

The next decade would test America’s endurance as we slipped into the Great Depression. Just like Murphy’s Law, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong -- from the Dust Bowls of the Midwest to the rising unemployment rates. In 1930, unemployment was at 8.7 percent, but by 1933, it was close to 25 percent.

In Europe, Germany had a new leader, Adolph Hitler, who took command in 1934. During his years of tyranny, the dictator would demonstrate, time and again, man’s inhumanity.

Not all was gloom and doom, though. Soon after his first term began, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt introduced an economic program, the New Deal, and the Civilian Conservation Corps was enacted to put young men to work.

On the humorous side, pilot Wrong Way Douglas Corrigan was headed to the West Coast July 18, 1938. Not sure if it was the luck of the Irish, but Corrigan somehow got sidetracked and landed instead in Dublin, Ireland.

Also in 1938, Orson Welles literally put the fear of God into thousands of Americans listening to the radio on Halloween Eve. Wells was broadcasting his War of the Worlds drama, which included fake news reels of an alien invasion. Listeners thought the attack was real and imminent.

By 1939, it was obvious war was coming. In September, Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand had declared war on Germany. The U.S., however, chose to remain neutral.

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Angela Jamison is a native Montanan and she grew up in beautiful Bozeman. I'm the mother of two girls and write a blog about our life here and taking in the simple pleasures of family and food.

The holidays have come and gone. Spring still a distant dream away. We are stuck firmly in the middle of a Montana winter. The ground covered with dirty snow and I longing for color to come back to our valley. This is how January will go. And February…and sadly most likely March, April and May. So what is a summer lover to do? We’ve done the obligatory sledding, ice skating and snowman building. These all pass the time and I try to find the splendor of the season in these things. One of my favorite winter things to do is take a dip in a local hot springs. Probably because it is the only thing you can do in a swimsuit this time of year and not be encumbered by multiple layers. Maybe because it is the one time I feel warm during the bitter cold. Fortunately there are so many places to choose from. A few of my favorites-

Chico Hot Springs

Oh how I love Chico! I have many fond memories. From childhood birthday parties to dancing with friends in the old saloon. From anniversary celebrations to now taking my daughters there. Creating memories for them to hold close to their heart like I do. It’s a short drive from Bozeman, just enough to feel like you are getting out of town. Nestled in the beautiful Paradise Valley, it has a magical feel. You can soak, grab a drink from the bar and have lunch in the grille. Sometimes we are lucky enough to spend the night and soak under the stars.

Unfortunately, I am not the only one who feels this way about Chico. What used to be a quiet spot, has been discovered. Often the pool is full and getting a room, especially in the summer months, is not as easy as it once was. A popular wedding destination and hot spot for tourists I have had to learn to share this lovely place. Despite this, I will forever love Chico and be grateful for those rare times we go when the crowds are light.

Norris Hot Springs

I didn’t discover Norris until later on, so there are no childhood memories from there. The history of Norris is long with the original pool being built by early miners in the area. At one point the pool was fenced, a small bathhouse built and a key left at the hotel in town for local families to use. Later in the 60’s the key was lost but many locals still found a way to soak by jumping the fence. It was bought in 1972 and began charging admission. In the late 80’s part of the property was sold to a gentleman who thought the only thing missing was beer…smart guy. There’s not much better than soaking while sipping a beer. It continued to change hands a couple times and today Norris is a popular hot springs serving food, beer and featuring live music. It’s a nice alternative to Chico in that it still has the quieter, local vibe. Except on music nights…those can get a little full. It’s a close drive from Bozeman, a smaller pool and a nice way to spend a winter day. But, not if it’s too cold…there are only outhouses and chilly dressing rooms…I’m not about roughing it when the temperatures dip.

Bozeman Hot Springs

Sometimes you forget to look in your backyard. It had been many, many years since I walked through the doors into the Bozeman Hot Springs. Memories from my childhood are of it being a collection of small pools in what felt like a concrete building. Since starting a family we haven’t ventured there for soaking, always leaving out the one right here in town. Maybe because it was too close and we wanted a longer adventure. Maybe because early memories didn’t encourage me to go. Whatever the case, after a recent visit to the Bozeman Hot Springs, I realize what a mistake this has been.

Over the past 100 years since the Bozeman Hot Springs has been around, it has grown, evolved and changed hands multiple times. How silly of me to think it would be the same now as it was thirty years ago. Most recent changes made after the fire in 2008. The entire building was damaged so major renovations ensued. It is now so different than what I remember. Nine pools of varying temperatures, one outside, the rest in plus a steam room and sauna. The inside pools beautifully tiled, the room full of natural light from the many windows. No longer does it feel like you are in a concrete room. Instead you instantly feel the calm of the soothing waters around you. A place to get away from it all and turn the world off. There are many beliefs concerning the benefits of soaking in a natural hot springs. Some being the minerals in the water as well as the idea of shocking the body by going back and forth between the cold and warm pools. Relaxing in the warm and then jump starting as you sit in the cold. Water is therapeutic and calming. Getting away from our highly distracted lives for just an hour of serenity can change your entire perspective.

Something I particularly like about the Bozeman Hot Springs is how much they focus on the cleanliness of the water. They take a lot of pride and put this as their top priority. Pools are drained each night, tile scrubbed and disinfected. Because they are in town they are regulated by the Bozeman Health Inspector which isn’t the case for all hot springs. I feel good soaking here knowing this.

Yes, I do believe soaking is one of my favorite winter activities. A way to find a calm amidst the snow storms. A place to find solace while patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for the warmth of spring.

The most famous falconer in the world lives in retirement here, retirement being a relative notion.

Hal Webster, a Navy man, was the man responsible for giving the Air Force Academy its Falcons mascot, live and otherwise. He was co-creator of the association of falconers and grouse hawkers in North America, and he co-authored the consummate book on the sport on this continent 53 years and nine editions ago.

Webster turns 95 next month, and he’s not done yet.

“I’m writing a new book on gyrfalcons,” Webster said recently in his second-floor apartment at the Sunrise Bluff Estates. “We’ve already got the title copyrighted, and I’m not going to give it to you.”

Webster started on his book-to-be-named-later two years ago and figures he has three-fourths of it in the can. He knows what you’re thinking, but don’t worry.

“I’ll get through it,” he assured.

One room and a corner of another in Webster’s apartment overflow with 10,000 fish hooks and the streamers he ties on them. Fly-tying and fishing is a distraction from writing, for sure.

“I’ve already got my application in for this year with Joe Sowerby on the Smith River,” he said.

There’s not enough room in this newspaper or any other to cover half the Hal Webster stories – the years he spent well into his 90s living in a remote ranch house on a Hutterite colony north of here, the fish he’s caught, the sport he built, the cigar he smokes and fine whiskey he sips to watch the Denver Broncos play.

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