AUGUST 2025 NEWSLETTER
GOLD BUCKLE HOMES:
Montana Craftsmanship at its Finest
In the world of custom homebuilding, few names shine as brightly as Gold Buckle Homes. Based in Billings and led by father/son partners Scott and Cree Minkoff, this design-build firm has earned a reputation for creating homes that are equal parts strength, beauty, and innovation. Each Gold Buckle home reflects Montana at its best—rooted in the landscape, thoughtfully designed, and crafted to last for generations.
What sets Gold Buckle apart is their seamless blend of luxurious design, sustainable craftsmanship, and modern construction techniques. Every project begins with the client’s vision and evolves into a home that is not only stunning to look at but also highly functional and uniquely suited to Montana living. From spacious layouts to elevated details, each build captures the essence of Montana’s lifestyle—open, enduring, and beautifully connected to its surroundings.
From the name alone, you might have guessed—Cree is Montana through and through, a Gold Buckle Champion bronc rider with roots as deep as the Big Sky. Alongside him, Scott brings his expertise as a respected all-home inspector and plumber, ensuring every detail of the build is flawless. Together, they deliver integrity, skill, and a commitment to excellence in everything they do.
This September, you’ll have the chance to step inside and experience their work firsthand at the 2025 Billings Parade of Homes. Tour their featured home at 6311 Freshwater, Billings, MT 59106 during the two-weekend showcase beginning with the Twilight Tour on September 19, followed by open tours on Sept. 20–21 and 27–28. (Tickets available at hbabillings.net.) Just around the corner, you can also explore another of their latest builds at 2235 Smooth Rock, offering a second opportunity to see their artistry up close.
Don’t miss this chance to tour two remarkable homes and discover why Gold Buckle Homes is the preferred builder in Highlands Ranch—including their pre-designed home now available on Block 2, Lot 4 (details here). Whether you’re ready to build your dream home or simply looking for inspiration, these homes are a must-see showcase of Montana living at its finest.
NATIVE PLANT SPOTLIGHT:
Late Summer Bloomers
Late summer in Montana brings a burst of color to the landscape, and some of the most vibrant displays come from our hardy native plants. These bloomers not only add beauty to gardens and open spaces, but they also play a vital role in supporting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. By planting native species, Highlands Ranch residents can enjoy low-maintenance color while helping sustain local ecosystems.
Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) is one of Montana’s most iconic late-summer wildflowers. With its fiery red and yellow petals, this hardy perennial thrives in full sun and poor soils, making it a favorite for low-water gardens. Blanketflower is a magnet for native bees and butterflies, providing nectar well into September.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) brings a cheerful sweep of golden color to fields and borders just as many other flowers begin to fade. Often misunderstood as a cause of allergies (that honor goes to ragweed), goldenrod is actually an important food source for pollinators in late summer. Its clusters of bright blooms provide nectar when few other plants are flowering, supporting bees and migrating butterflies on their journey south.
Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) shown above, with its lavender-pink tufted flowers, adds both color and fragrance to the garden. This native herb, also known as wild bergamot, thrives in sunny, well-drained spots. It’s beloved by hummingbirds and pollinators alike, and its aromatic leaves can even be used to brew a refreshing tea.
By weaving these native bloomers into your landscape, you’ll extend the flowering season, invite a lively array of pollinators, and enjoy a garden that thrives with minimal fuss. These resilient Montana natives remind us that beauty and ecological health can go hand in hand, creating spaces that both people and wildlife can celebrate.
YOUR MONTANA LEGACY STARTS HERE
Where Wide-Open Spaces Meet Endless Possibilities
Celebrate Late-Summer Living in Montana with warm golden August evenings, horseback rides at sunset, and time spent under the stars. Unmatched peacefulness of large-acre living and the joy of recreating right from your backyard—whether you dream of quiet evenings on the porch, trail rides with friends, or wide skies and total privacy, life here invites you to slow down and live fully.
Our equestrian-friendly community features gated access, paved roads, and high-speed internet, making it possible to live luxuriously connected—yet surrounded by space, nature, and freedom to enjoy hundreds of privately owned acres beyond the subdivision. With expansive lots available now, you can start shaping your legacy this season.
There’s still time to secure your ideal lot. Whether you’re dreaming of a full-time home, a future retreat, or an equestrian estate, Highlands Ranch offers a rare combination of freedom, privacy, and convenience.
Explore ready to build parcels ranging from 2 to 36 acres, perfect for building now or investing in the future. Infrastructure is in—just bring your vision.
Contact Shawna Morales to schedule a private tour or request a full lot map. Your Montana dream starts with a tour—schedule yours today. Explore available lots today at our website https://www.highlandsranch406.com/lots.
Let’s walk the land together.
Schedule a private tour today with Shawna Morales
406.850.306 📞shawna.morales@evrealestate.com ✉️
RECIPE OF THE MONTH:
GAZPACHO / GASPACHO
As garden tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and other wonderful produce ripen in our gardens, this easy and delicious recipe from “An American in Provence” is perfect for those warm lingering summer nights to tantalize your palate.
INGREDIENTS
8 medium to large ripe tomatoes, cored and quartered
1 green chili pepper, seeded and roughly chopped
1 red bell pepper, cored and roughly chopped
1 cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped
1 white onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 to 2 cloves garlic
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Fleur de sel (finishing salt)
5 to 10 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Flatleaf Parsley, chopped (for garnish and added flavor)
Basil, chopped (for garnish and added flavor)
DIRECTIONS
In a food processor or large bowl with hand mixer or blender, combine tomatoes, green chili pepper, red bell pepper, cucumber, white onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar along with a good sized pinch of fleur de sel and blend until extremely smooth. With the food processor or blender still going, stream in 5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Taste and add more extra virgin olive oil if the texture is not creamy enough. The olive oil gives the soup its body, transforming it from what might feel like “just tomato soup” to that lovely creamy soup texture that makes eyes roll to the back of the head in pure delight. Strain the soup through a strainer to refine the texture to pure bliss.
When serving, finish the bowl off with a beautiful swirl and painterly drips of high-quality extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle some chopped flatleaf parsley and basil on top. Bon appetite!
SUMMER IN BILLINGS:
ADVENTURE, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
Billings is buzzing this summer with outdoor adventures, cultural happenings, and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re a local or visiting the area to explore Highlands Ranch, there’s no shortage of things to do:
Outdoor Activities:
Fly-fishing on the Yellowstone River or Rock Creek
Mountain biking and hiking at Zimmerman Park and the Rims
Hiking at Phipps Park Trails Just a short drive away—hike the scenic loops
Paddle boarding and kayaking at Lake Elmo, Cooney Reservoir, or the Yellowstone River.
Cultural Events & Family Fun:
Sept 19, 20, 21, 27 & 28: 2025 Billings Parade of Homes - Tickets: https://hbabillings.net/#/events/parade-of-homes
Mint Film Festival: (August 18–21, 2025) A festival featuring films and local filmmakers—unique cinematic programming under the Big Sky. visitbillings.com
Billings Mustangs Baseball Games: (Throughout August) Head to Dehler Park for Pioneer League baseball action. Expect themed nights like “Bark in the Park,” fan giveaways, and more. billings365.com
Alive After 5: Thursday evenings downtown, live music, food trucks, and community vibes
ArtWalk Downtown: Explore local galleries and artists August 23
Western Heritage Center and Yellowstone Art Museum: ongoing exhibits and events celebrating Montana’s history and art
Farmer’s Market: Downtown Saturdays
Explore Billings’ restaurant scene, catch a rodeo, or visit local galleries—Highlands Ranch is within minutes of all this yet allows you to enjoy privacy and splendid solitude.
