Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

■ 1 Hometown Spotlight In 2004, Doug Skoog visited Reed Point, Mont. (pop. 185), and was persuaded by an old friend to take part in the town’s annual Great Montana Sheep Drive, better known as the Running of the Sheep. The experience taught the Seattle resident a very important lesson when he returned for a second year. 'You've got to stay in front of them or it's uncomfortable," savs Skoog, 58, of the sheep. "Get behind them and it’s messy." r Elderly MOM or DAD? Are they I alright? One press of the pendant gets Help 24-7 NATIONWIDE 1 -800-393-9443 Life A/erf is a good alternative to a retirement facility. The Running th°fSheep Saving a life every 46 min. ..i'yM: : |Hp ■ V |HV . ns m , ■HI ■ m -v l gMgTO&MBaMTO jar I 'Em Jil'-: '. <? Free Brochure Call: Wifiißii JK*3E»fr- - Mr' _/^|ag|jfc£|jSgßgg| r f^f B&iTOrn|,'ij 'it i 'i i>iMi wmwm ‘ „ tb* 1 - t riF’' Wm&Br *§ ** TOjfoi Skoog’s old friend, Russ Schlievert, 65, is one of the event founders and owner of the town's Hotel Montana. Each year, Schlievert convinces a few nervous volunteers to run in front of hundreds of sheep that are herded down Main Street in a wooly parody of Pamplona, Spain's famed Running of the Bulls. "Our main purpose is to run way in front and tell the people to get back,” Schlievert informs the runners, who are outfitted in white shirts and pants, black berets and red sashes. Skoog still recalls his 2004 run. "I pulled into the bar because my heart had stopped,” he jokes. Rujg „ OB As the event gets under way, an announcer urges the crowd to step back and warns Schlievert not to overexert himself. And watch for the little short guv,” the announcer says of Schlievert, "to make sure ha doesn't have a heart attack.” Reed Point, which lies between Interstate 90 and the Yellowstone River, has staked a claim to inter im national fame with the lightheart- W ed event. Always held the Sunday & before Labor Day, Schlievert says the "brainy idea” was conceived ■ in 1989 as a counterpoint to the ■ Great Montana Centennial Cattle V Drive, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of Montana's statehood. In its first year, the Running ot the Sheep attracted more than 12,000 people. Although attendance now averages around 2,500, proceeds from concession and merchandise sales raise about $5,000 for community projects. Last year, the money was used Page 6 American Profile