Newly “Retro-vated” sign for the O’Haire Inn. Image courtesy O’Haire Inn

Her mother came up with the fun and somewhat quirky idea of renaming the restaurant Clark and Lewie’s in 2002, as the nation and region began planning a big celebration to observe the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Thares said she employs between 50 to 65 employees depending on the time of year, including a stable force of more than 30 who have worked for her at least 15 years. “I credit our success fully to the employees that keep this inn running,” she said. “They’re the ones that are on the front lines every day, making the magic happen.”

When the popular Piano Pat died in 2021, Thares followed Spoonheim’s advice in holding a contest to choose a successor. Deep voiced singer and guitar player Joel Corda won out and, while different in style from Spoonheim, is continuing the tradition, she said.

Thares said she still hears advice in her head from her hard-working stepfather, who died in 2018 at the age 81. He would be proud of what she calls the inn’s “Mid-Century Retrovation” that makes O’Haire Inn a unique and fun place to stay, she said.

Thares has been responsible for running the motel around the clock for 31 years and is considering retiring within a few years, but still assisting both the business and downtown.

“At the age of 53 I’ve been called an older downtown person,” she said. “I’m not sure whether to be flattered or offended at being involved for more than half of my life, but I won’t stop helping the efforts I care about.” 

Gene Thayer

Person of the Year Award

Gene Thayer, Grain Marketer. Great Falls Tribune, March 10, 1974 by Doris Studio of Great Falls.

Article by Kristin Inbody

Our Legacy Awards honor people, businesses, and organizations that are preserving, promoting, and making history in Cascade County. Gene Thayer has done all that in his more than 90 years here, and we are honored to name him our Person of the Year for 2023.

Gene was born in 1932. During the Depression, Gene and his three siblings grew up in a miner's shack in Belt with no electricity, indoor plumbing, or insulation. He lived near the railroad tracks, and often encountered people riding the rails and looking for help. Gene’s family didn’t have much, but his mother wound find a piece of bread or bowl of soup for folks down on their luck.

Gene took that lesson in generosity into the rest of his life. Cats, dogs, Bobcats, homeless teens and adults, hospital patients, scientists, art lovers, history buffs, and so many more have benefited from his vision of what Great Falls and Montana can be.

Gene’s dad had a sixth-grade education and supported his family by hauling coal and grain, mowing, and other odd jobs. He taught his son to set goals, work hard, and live with integrity.

Gene never expected to go to college, but he had saved up $350 from tough manual-labor jobs like nailing boxcar doors shut for $5 a day. He invested that in a quarter of college at Montana State College, now MSU. A fraternity brother and his family helped him fund the rest of his education, laying the groundwork for his success in business.

Gene became the first in his family to earn a college degree, graduating in 1954 with a bachelor's in agricultural economics.

Gene worked as an oat buyer for General Mills in Minneapolis and then came back to Great Falls. When he was going to have to move again for his career, he switched to the Greely Elevator Company in Great Falls.

Again it looked like he was going to have to move, so Gene started his own grain company, Montana Merchandising, Inc. That’s now Montana Milling, and he’s proud to say the company is starting its 51st year this year under his son Greg’s leadership. He said success doesn’t happen by chance, “it’s a byproduct of having a vision, and most importantly the leadership to bring the vision into reality.”

Gene says he’s “wedded to Great Falls.” This was the “big city” when Gene was growing up. When he became mayor, he called Great Falls “the best kept secret in Montana.”

As a civic leader on the city commission and then as mayor, Gene helped Great Falls find good financial footing by transitioning into a new commission-manager form of government, which Great Falls voters overwhelmingly approved. As a state senator, Gene led a persistent bipartisan legislative effort to get matching state funds to build the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the McLaughlin Research Institute.

One of his most lasting legacies will be his success amplifying his own contributions by rallying others to the causes dear to his heart. Gene has helped raise $70 million in our community.

He’s cared for families through his work raising money to build the Cameron Family Center at the Rescue Mission. Gene and his wife, Jane, kickstarted the new Alliance for Youth center with a generous contribution and by helping other donors see the merits of the project, which “hit his heart” through its service to homeless youth.

Gene’s is co-chair of the Art and Soul Campaign for the C.M. Russell Museum, which set a reach goal of $25 million by last December and brought in more than $29 million for keeping the museum at the forefront of Western Art.

Gene is on the Benefis Health System board and has made remarkable contributions to the health of northcentral Montanans. He spearheaded the addition of eight units to Benefis Peace Hospice, allowing more people to have the comfort and care of their last days there.

Gene celebrates our local Lewis and Clark history and embraced the legacy of our first mayor Paris Gibson.

“It’s a great place to live so enjoy the moment,” Gene said. “You can’t find a better place to live than Great Falls, Montana.”

In late 1929, the business was acquired by Beatrice Creamery Company, and operated as part of a subsidiary - Meadow Gold Dairies, Inc. The Northern Creamery Company retained its corporate name and product brands, but soon expanded to include Meadow Gold brands as well. Northern Creamery Company was Beatrice’s first Montana acquisition, although it was quickly followed by others. The company operated as Northern Creamery until around 1946, opting to market their expanding food products as Beatrice Foods Company, and its milk products under the “Meadow Gold” brand.

Most in the community surely recognize the Meadow Gold brand in the grocery store aisles, but some might also remember home delivery of Meadow Gold milk. In the 1960s, along with other local dairies, Meadow Gold offered fresh milk delivered daily to your front door – a tradition from bygone days.

In addition to producing milk products for the region, Meadow Gold has also supported the Great Falls Community. For example, beginning in 1974, Meadow Gold sponsored the “Meadow Gold Sports League,” providing competitive basketball opportunities for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade youth. In 1976, an estimated 1200 children were participating in the program.  According to Anthony Ward, the Meadow Gold manager at the time, “Our main objective is that we, as a business, want to be involved in the community and do something with the young people. We also have a motive behind it and that’s that we hope people will remember Meadow Gold Dairy.” This sponsorship continued for more than 25 years, with huge success.

Throughout the decades, the local Great Falls Meadow Gold dairy plant has produced quality milk and ice cream products for the region. It has supported the local economy by purchasing milk from local dairy producers and providing primary employment for the Great Falls community. Now owned by Dairy Foods, the plant continues its tradition of quality milk and milk products for the region, and we are proud to recognize Meadow Gold Dairy’s long and continued contribution to Great Falls.

In 1909, the foundation was begun for the Great Falls Young Women’s Christian Association. Twelve women were given official membership cards to start. Before they even had a building of their own, in 1911 they boasted 500 pledged memberships. Their first home was the Valeria Hall since the library had moved into the Carnegie building. With a set place the organization was established, and a board of directors was appointed.

They filled a need that only they saw, helping women to be safe and successful. They offered training for typists and cooks, a place for women to stay while either passing through town or searching for employment, and there was a cafeteria for working women to get a decent meal for cheap and rural women could rest and socialize before returning home. In their first two years, they met 2,229 trains, served 35,779 meals, and assisted more than 5,000 individuals.

They later moved to the corner of First Ave North and Third Street, but unfortunately their work became limited in 1918. Due to crop failure and an awful recession, they were forced to close their doors and sell the property at a loss. Over the next eight years the board kept meeting and in 1926, they received a gift of $25,000 from the estate of James Long. They were able to revitalize in 1928 with the purchase of a building at 317 First Ave North. They were a meeting place for young women’s groups, encouraging and empowering the next generations as they prepared to go out into the world. They can proudly say they’ve never turned anyone away.

In 1949, they began a funding campaign as they had outgrown their home once again. They were able to build a new home in 1953, where they still occupy today. They continued their mission and grew with social needs. They took over the Mercy Home for battered women and children in 1990, created the Women in Transition program for women re-entering the workforce, organized guided trips to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, offered classes in several crafts, defense, health as well as job related training, and so much more.

It truly has been one of the most beneficial community organizations in the history of Great Falls.