You will never find someone who cares more about and does more for his hometown than Blake Hempstead. 

Blake is all about Anaconda and the Anaconda Copperheads. He announces the Copperheads sporting events and writes about them on his website, CopperheadCountry.org, and he produces Copperhead apparel at his store, Anode Designs. 

While they are looking to sell their business, Blake and Melissa Hempstead have used their store to help lift their community. They produce some high-quality clothing, too.

This fall, Blake was there to bring us the action as the Anaconda football team made a return trip to the Class B playoffs. While Anaconda fell to Malta in the first round, the season under head coach Dan Lacey, a Butte native, was one that captivated Anacondans of the past and present.

These Copperheads came along just at the right time, galvanizing a community that was still reeling from the horrific shooting at the Owl Bar. 

Blake is also a photographer for Skyline Sports, which extensively covers the Big Sky Conference. He has traveled to the last three FCS National Championship games to cover Montana State and Montana.

Today mark’s Blake’s second appearance on the ButteCast. Listen in as Blake talks about that great run by the Copperhead football team and the success of other Anaconda High programs. 

Listen in as he talks about the latest Cat-Griz football game, some poor behavior by some fans and the possibility that the two teams will meet again in the playoffs. Listen as he talks about covering Montana kids playing on Montana teams in the National Championship Game. Listen in as he talks about the very real possibility that the Bobcats will lose head coach Brent Vigen.

Listen as Blake talks about being a small business owner and how he is looking forward to a fun winter sports season in Anaconda. This is one you do not want to miss.

Today’s episode of the ButteCast is presented by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewelry Design Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Let Brian Toone and Co. be your jewelers for life.

Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠timmontana.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more from Bill Foley, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ButteCast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This episode is available on YouTube.