406 contents featured
10. Jaymee Sire Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost 14. Saving the Steel Bridge 22. Civilization Built on Horseback Inspiration, War & Art
406 Man
20. Scott Warnell Helping Domestic Violence Victims
profile
10...
business
26. Making Your Money Work for You 28. The Knee is Not the Problem Nor is Conflict
16. Donna Kouns Southside Consignments & Antiques
Legal
18. Sara Friedman I Want Her Job
30. Estate
Reducing the Potential for Conflict and Disputes
Wellness
48. Stress It Doesn’t Have to be “The New Normal”
Health
34.What’s More Nutritious Organically Grown or Conventionally Grown Crops? 36. New Techniques & Technologies in Diagnostic Imaging 38. Ask the Skin Coach What is Holistic Skin Care? 40. Healthy Eating Simplified for Women 42. Kids Chiropractic Care Myth Crackers 44. Dental Health The Million Dollar Wedding Gift
Non-Profit 50. Below the Belt Rockin’ Doctors Raise Awareness for Cancer 54. Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center
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46. Checklist for Dining Outdoors This Summer
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Jaymee Sire By Mary Wallace
Not all those who wander are lost Several mornings a week, you can catch Jaymee Sire on ESPN SportsCenter from about 7 am to 9 am Mountain time. Who is Jaymee Sire? Hometown girl from Great Falls. Engaging smile. Quirky sense of humor. Emmy Winning San Francisco Sports Reporter. Food & Travel Blogger. Popular ESPN SportsCenter Anchor. Inspiration for the Jaymee Sirewich at Ike’s Place in San Francisco. Is it any surprise that Jaymee Sire finds adventure, good food, and fun no matter where her path leads her? Jaymee Sire grew up on a ranch in Belt, Montana and attended high school in Great Falls. She graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Communications and for a short time was a news reporter at KRTV in Great Falls. But she quickly discovered that reporting serious news was – well . . . awfully serious. So she
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switched her focus to sports reporting and that is when she hit her stride.
Jaymee accepted a position as a sports anchor/ reporter at Comcast SportsNet in the Bay Area in 2008, where she produced feature stories and shows, contributed to the stations online blogs & videos and social network sites. She won the 2009 San Francisco/Northern California Emmy for a feature called ALL A’S: The A’s In Japan, a Pacific Southwest Emmy Award for Best Sports Story of 2007 and the 2004 RTNA Golden Mike Award (Southern California) for Best Sports Feature Reporting.
One benefit of living in San Francisco, says Sire, was all the fresh & delicious food choices! Jaymee’s love of food and cooking began during her middle school years, when she was assigned the weekly chore of cooking a complete dinner once a week for the whole family. Not just any dinner – it had to be a balanced meal complete with a protein, veggie & starch AND it had to be aesthetically pleasing.
In California, there was so much fresh food, and Jaymee enthusiastically subscribed to a weekly CSA farm share box of fresh seasonal produce, enjoying the challenge of creating something delicious out of the completely random and sometimes mysterious veggies (fava beans?) that she got each week. San Francisco also has many AMAZING places to dine out and Jaymee seemed to talk about her adventures in food so much, that a co-worker suggested she start a food blog. In 2011, “E” IS FOR EAT was born. Jaymee blogged her way through the alphabet, sharing stories & recipes about everything from Asian Food and Bacon Brussel Sprouts to Zucchini Bites! At that point, the blog began featuring whatever fun food happened along that week (including a somewhat shocking number of recipes for Jello Shots) – with some of her travel and restaurant adventures interspersed throughout. (It’s a pretty fun blog - humorous, informative, and loaded with fantastic recipes! – Check it out at www.eisforeat.com.)
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Jaymee Sire
Jaymee blogged her way through the alphabet, sharing stories & recipes about everything from Asian Food and Bacon Brussel Sprouts to Zucchini Bites!
It was 2012 and life was good! Suddenly, an opportunity to audition for ESPN arose, and Jaymee was offered a three year contract a few days later. Accepting a job with ESPN was a no-brainer, her friends told her, and she somewhat wrenchingly prepared herself to move all the way across the country to Bristol, Connecticut. But first - true to her knack for finding ways to celebrate when life throws a curve ball, she first spent seven weeks completing a San Francisco Bucket List, spending time with California friends, visiting all the places that she always wanted to check out in the Bay Area, all the while blogging about that, too! In March, 2013, Jaymee put her cat, Mays (named for Willie Mays, of course), in a soft sided cat carrier, and caught the redeye flight for the east coast. (Mays managed to escape during the flight, and you can enjoy this hilarious story on the “E” IS FOR EAT Blog.)
Jaymee is currently an ESPN SportsCenter anchor and has also hosted ESPN’s NFL Live, NFL Insiders, and Fantasy Football Now. She has also contributed to the network’s Major League Baseball and Little League World Series onsite coverage. She enthusiastically loves her job! She also loves living in West Hartford (a town about the size of Great Falls), but admits it was a bit of a culture shock. After growing up in Montana, and then living the sunny California laid back lifestyle, the East Coast took some getting used to. And THEN there was the epic east coast winter weather they got this past winter!
I asked Jaymee to tell me about her typical day. She is up at 4:45 a.m. and at the station by 5:30. Once there, she pulls the highlight info and starts prepping and writing the sports stories she has been assigned for the morning’s newscast.
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Jaymee Sire
After
food, Jaymee’s next favorite thing is
to travel. She spent time in Barcelona in a study abroad program in college and says Spain will always be one of her favorite places to travel
ESPN anchors do a lot of writing. She writes until 8:00 a.m., and then goes to hair/makeup. Jaymee usually co-anchors the morning sports news with Kevin Negandhi. In Montana, we can catch her on ESPN SportsCenter at 7:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) several days of the week.
I asked Jaymee if there are some challenges being a woman in the field of sports reporting. “ESPN is a great place to work,” she says, “and they have a LOT of women reporters. “ Still - there is a bit of a double standard, even in today’s world; women are expected to know a little more than a lot about what they are reporting on. It is important to establish their credibility right away in any situation. Jaymee says that her favorite sport to cover is Major League Baseball. Her favorite sport to watch is Football.
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The Sirewich? Ike’s Place is a chain of a dozen or so establishments all located in California. They have been featured on the Travel Channel and they have sandwiches inspired by and named after sports icons and celebrities. While out with a friend one night, he suggested that Jaymee should ask Ike’s Place to create a Jaymee Sire sandwich. Before she could even protest, her friend tweeted to Ike’s Place that Jaymee Sire wished she had her own Ike’s Place sandwich. Ike’s actually tweeted right back, set up a tasting appointment, and the Jaymee Sirewich (Fried Chicken, Ike’s yellow bbq sauce, pepper jack, and ranch) was (and is) on the menu!
After food, Jaymee’s next favorite thing is to travel. She spent time in Barcelona in a study abroad program in college and says Spain will always be one of her favorite places to travel (great food there, too!). She has also traveled to Greece, England, Australia, and all across
North America. It should be no surprise that Jaymee has a travel bucket list too, and there are SO many places she hopes to go – Bora Bora, Thailand, Turkey and Croatia, to name a few.
Jaymee’s parents, Dennis & Wendy Sire, still live in Big Sandy and Great Falls, Montana. She doesn’t get to visit as much as she’d like to, but she has been able to travel with her mom on some international trips, and she loves spending time with her sister’s family (including her new tiny nephew) in Seattle, and her other sister in Orlando.
By the time this issue of 406 is on the stands, Jaymee will be in South Africa – going on safari, meeting great white sharks while cage diving, and having exciting dining adventures – African style! (Watch for updates on her South Africa adventures under the Travel tab at www.eisforeat.com.)
Saving the Steel Bridge By Sue Hanson
History gives us a perspective, a field of vision often lost in the busy pace of life. Flathead County has proposed replacement of the 100 year-old Bigfork Steel Bridge with a two-lane bridge in the near future. The thought of losing the single lane Steel Bridge in Bigfork has shocked many in the Bigfork community. The Bigfork Steel Bridge is much more than nostalgia. It is the basis for the culture and economic viability of Bigfork. Our small community treasurers our image of a slow paced, friendly environment. From beautiful Sliter Park, you can take a leisurely walk across the pedestrian walkway over the Swan River and saunter through our historic village.
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People come to Bigfork for the unhurried feel, the fine restaurants, galleries, Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts, Swan River Nature Trail, Festivals, and the fairy tale Christmas atmosphere. Over 200 volunteers gather the weekend before Thanksgiving to decorate Bigfork with garland, trees, lights and bows. It’s magical. Tourism is the economic base that allows Bigfork to survive.
original Bigfork Elves, I have been involved with hanging Christmas lights and roping on the Bigfork Steel Bridge for the past 25 years or so. The Christmas lights on the bridge set the tone for the rest of the Village each Christmas season,” Edd Blackler expressed.
“The Steel Bridge over the Swan River in Bigfork holds a special place in my heart. As one of the
Back to the perspective of history, settlement in the Bigfork area began in 1892 when Everit Sliter filed
Members of the community have reached out with their thoughts about our bridge: Becky Hughes commented, “I like to wave someone across the old bridge and think to myself when someone waves me across ‘That was nice of Him/Her’. I think the old bridge is a sign of what is getting to be less and less of in our society today . . . ‘Patience, and courtesy’.”
Faith Brynie stated, “ . . . It is a symbol of Bigfork!” And Joyce Mitchell offered, “One of the first things I noticed when I moved here from Hawaii is that the one-at-a time traffic over the bridge is politely shared from one side coming across to the other side . . . each time a friendly wave to the other car attends a good neighborly smile. To remove that bridge would remove both a landmark and steel ambassador to the best of what Bigfork is all about.”
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big fork
“Old
bridges are important visual, utilitarian, and historic components of Montana’s landscape . . . They hold significance to the people who use and see them daily. on a 160-acre homestead tract. He “proved up” on the property in May 1895 and began acquiring additional land from his neighbors, including George Lakin, building up an estate of 560 acres beautifully located at the head of Flathead Lake. Shortly after his arrival in the valley, he planted 500 apple, plum, cherry, and pear trees on his land, increasing that number to 1,500 by 1894.
The incentive for the development of Bigfork began in 1901 when a group of Kalispell businessmen, headed by Frank Tinkle, a mill owner, constructed a dam and powerhouse near where the Swan River emptied into Flathead Lake at Bigfork. The Bigfork Light and Power Company operated the hydroelectric plant to provide electricity to Kalispell until 1906. The Flathead Valley Water Power Company purchased the facility at a cost of around $250,000. The company expanded the operation around 1906 when it built a new powerhouse and installed a 33,000-volt transmission line to Kalispell. The power plant gave Bigfork’s main street its name, Electric Avenue.
The
Bigfork Steel Bridge is much more than nostalgia. It is the basis for the culture and economic viability of Bigfork.
The bridge was built during a period in Flathead County’s history when it struggled to provide modern infrastructure to its residents during the height of the Homestead Boom between 1909 and 1918, and when the logging industry dominated the region’s economy. The bridge is also associated with improvements made to the nearby Bigfork Dam and powerhouse. It stands as both the oldest steel truss and the only pin-connected Pratt through truss remaining in Flathead County. The Flathead County commissioners awarded the A. Y. Bayne & Company of Minneapolis a contract to construct a bridge across the Swan River at Bigfork on June 21, 1911. The cost of the bridge was $4,400. The bridge replaced an older timber structure condemned by the county.
The presence of the hydroelectric plant, the town’s location at the northeast side of Flathead Lake, and the timber industry contributed to the stability of the community during the pre-World War II years. The completion of a direct route between Bigfork and Polson along the east side of the lake in 1913 also had a long term impact by easing access to the area for motorists and recreationalists. By 1927,
the town’s population grew to 250 people with an auto garage and movie theater added to the business district. At the end of World War II, however, Bigfork was poised to expand into a significant recreation destination. When it became know that Flathead County intends to replace the bridge with a two lane bridge, the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork asked me to look into the process of obtaining registration in the National Register of Historic Places. On May 30, 2015, the Bigfork Steel Bridge was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. Jon Axline, Historian and Environmental Services with the Montana Department of Transportation, was instrumental in putting together the application. Decisions on the nominations will be made public this July.
Jon Axline is the author of “Conveniences Sorely Needed, Montana’s Historic Highway Bridges.” He writes, “Since 1997, the MDT has successfully adopted out twenty historic bridges.” He further states, “Old bridges are important visual, utilitarian, and historic components of Montana’s landscape . . . They hold significance to the people who use and see them daily. Historic bridges provide an excellent and representative view into local history and a look at what people of the past and present deem important to the prosperity of their communities and the preservation of them for future generations.” There are many examples of Montana communities supporting the historical and cultural significance of bridges in their community. In 2003, the Lewis and Clark County Commissioners and MDT decided to rehabilitate the Dearborn River High Bridge near Augusta rather than replace it. Built in 1897, the bridge is the last surviving example of a pin-connected Pratt half-deck truss bridge in the United States. The goal of the Bigfork community is to raise awareness and support for a bridge that has stood for over 100 years. We will be approaching the Flathead County Commissioners in a concentrated effort to consider rehabilitation over replacement with a two-lane bridge. We certainly want our bridges to be safe, but let’s be thoughtful and look at all avenues and repercussions.
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For questions and to offer your support, please contact Sue Hanson at btrfly@montanasky.net or (406) 837-5323
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Donna Kouns
Southside Consignment & Antiques Twenty-Five Years of Treasures By Mary Wallace
Photos by alisia dawn photography
It’s such an eclectic mix of vintage, new, antique, and uniquely reimagined items, that walking into Southside Consignment is a bit like time traveling. You can visit several decades at once – from the early 1900’s right up today’s contemporary furniture and décor pieces. I visited with owner, Donna Kouns, on a recent Friday morning to ask her how they have kept Southside Consignment vibrant and successful all through the years. Surprisingly, they don’t shop around like American Pickers, they don’t post their items on eBay or Craigslist, and if you are looking for a particular item, you should probably just stop in and take a look (although if you call them they will be glad to check the store for you). They don’t have a dedicated website, but they do have a Facebook page where they keep their followers updated on events and their yearlong 25th Anniversary celebration. I asked Donna about the history of Southside Consignment, which opened its doors on December 6, 1990. It was actually Scotty Levengood who had the original vision to open a second hand consignment and antique store. Wes & Donna Kouns happened to have a 2400 square foot warehouse building for rent, so with $4000 capital, the valley’s first consignment store was born. Donna, along with Scotty’s wife, Karla Levengood, had both enjoyed shopping at antique shops & estate sales. They began the store with some of their own items, advertised for consignment items, and shopped for some items outright.
One year later, they needed more room, and when someone wanted to rent the building they were in, Wes built them a 6000 square foot building on the same property to accommodate their growing needs. Eighteen months into the business, Scotty needed Karla to expand Scotty’s Bar & Restaurant into the success it is today, so she stepped aside and Donna carried on. She credits her love
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of what she does, as well as her determination So how does consigning work? The store accepts and perseverance for the store evolving into what consignments on Tuesdays through Fridays. it is today. (They don’t accept any consignments on Saturdays so they can devote all of their attention to Walking in the door today, one finds a delight- their customers.) People can bring their items ful mix of old and new treasures, but it is not a in - clean & ready to display, although it is recommishmash of items. Donna & her girls have ar- mended that they send photos of larger items ranged the store in a series of vignettes – a dining prior to delivering to make sure there is room for area looks like it is ready for company, an invit- them in the store. The staff are well versed on ing sofa awaits, an office arrangement seems as current trends and they will only accept the items if the business owner has just stepped out. The they are confident will sell. Most consignors leave eye is naturally drawn from section to section. the selling price up to the knowledgeable crew Here you will find both upscale & refurbished at the store. The consignment fee is 30% of the furniture, repurposed/recycled creations, as well selling price, and the balance of 70% goes to the as new items - all destined to make your home a consignor the first of the following month. Items are consigned for 90 days, at which point they can place you love. be re-consigned or pick up if unsold. Most consignors leave items until sold, or ask the store to There are twelve vendor booths, where each ven- donate unsold items. In September, the Flathead dor creates & maintains their own unique dis- High School Speech and Debate Club holds a huge plays. Several of these vendors have been with outdoor parking lot sale, complete with hot dogs, Southside Consignment for years. treats, and drinks to help fund their trips.
I asked Donna how they have managed to not only survive, but continually thrive for 25 years. After a bit of thought, she came up with a list:
1. Setting goals 2. Staying involved in day-to-day operations 3. Advertise (They started out with newspaper,
radio, and television, and they also enjoy a significant amount of word-of-mouth advertising from their customers.)
4. Consigning only upscale second hand furniture, antiques, décor, and collectibles.
5.
Getting the highest prices for their consignors who, in turn, refer more consignors.
6.
Holding the highest of standard for both consignors and customers. Approximately 33% of the monthly consignment checks are mailed to out of state consignors who had the utmost confidence they were leaving their consigned items in good hands.
7.
Having a deep respect for her girls (who she feels are more like family than employees). Valerie Kouns has been with the store for 18 years, Lori Morgan for 17 years, Judy Shanks for 14 years, Linda Sparks for 13 years, and Corri Iverson for 2 years. Each brings their own area of expertise to her job, and they are continually re-inventing the style of the store with their eclectic decorating design and unique grouping of furniture pieces, ranging from antiques to contemporary, to bring a special look together. (Don’t tell the girls, but Donna even went so far as to say that, even though she likes to think the store could not run without her, she knows it most certainly would if she were not there.)
8. Working together to attract all ages of shoppers, and to attract as many male shoppers as female.
9. Opening a side yard fill with delightful garden
art to extend the beauty of the home from inside to outside.
10.
Opening a second store, Southside II, across the parking lot from Southside Consignment. Lori Morgan has been able to transform the 1700 square foot space into a place with a rustic elegance and atmosphere. She has a special flare for grouping pieces that wouldn’t normally seem to go together to make a signature look and help the customers picture them in their own home. All this, along with the welcoming music and fragrance in the shop, makes Southside II a place that customers like to linger.
11. Giving back, by donating to Flathead Food
Bank, the Sparrows Nest, the Flathead Speech and Debate Club, and other places, as needed.
When asked about what’s trending, Donna says she dislikes that word - ”trend”. Trends come and go, and at Southside Consignment, they strive to provide pieces that their customers will love, that are timeless, and that allow them to use their own imaginations and be as creative as they like. “TWENTY-FIVE YEARS! We did it!” says Donna. So what’s next? “Just keep doing our best!”
Nonetheless, twenty-five years certainly calls for a celebration! The girls at Southside Consignment are celebrating the whole year long by giving away a prize package each and every month during 2015. So far they have given away a ski package, a romantic adventure, a gardening package, and a golf package. They are in the process of compil-
ing the July prize, which will be a rafting/outdoor adventure. The drawing is free so be sure to stop at the store every month to throw your name in the hat.
The store welcomes shoppers who just want to stop in to get ideas. The often have customers drop by on their lunch hour look around come back to shop on the weekend. The store is at 2699 U.S. Highway 93 South of Kalispell and they are open Tuesday – Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. They are closed on Sunday and Monday. Congratulations and many thanks to Donna Kouns and Southside Consignment & Antiques for twenty-five years of treasures in the Flathead!
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Sara Friedman
I Want Her Job:
Sara Friedman M a r y K ay ’ s V i c e P r e s i d e n t, U . S . Marketing By Brianne Burrowes This article originally appeared on IWantHerJob.com.
Many young women dream of a job in the beauty industry – wondering what it would be like to create the hue in our favorite eye shadow or that perfect shade of fuchsia lipstick. Sara Friedman’s job is to market those very products for iconic beauty brand Mary Kay, but when she started college she was intent on becoming an orthodontist. Chemistry class nudged her to a different career path (she even considered work as an architect or teacher), but it was helping others feel like their best selves that eventually propelled Sara to her dream job as Mary Kay’s Vice President of U.S. Marketing.
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Before working to capture more market share for Mary Kay in the $60 billion beauty industry, Sara worked in various roles at the company for more than a decade, including Director of Consultant Business Tools for the company. In this role she supported the company’s more than three million Independent Beauty Consultants through programs and business tools, including the Starter Kit; bonus programs BizBuilders and Ready, Set, Sell; product education; and MKConnections. Previous to joining Mary Kay, Sara worked as a manager and analyst at Accenture for nearly six years.
When you went to college did you know what you wanted to do?
Of course I did … I wanted to be an orthodontist! During organic chemistry, I realized that I wasn’t going to develop a love of studying science any time soon, so I began considering other options, among them architect and teacher.
featured} Once you graduated, how did you land your first job?
During my senior year, I submitted my resume through the Liberal Arts Career Center, and I started interviewing with companies that came to campus. There were so many possibilities in terms of companies and careers, so I decided to try the business world first, knowing I could enter the teaching field later.
What inspired your move from Accenture to Mary Kay?
I’ve always been driven, and my goal at Accenture was to make partner. However, when I looked at the female partners, I saw how they either travelled with their nanny and little ones or left their nanny at home with their family, and I didn’t want either option. At the same time, Accenture had just gone public and the dot com bubble had burst, and I felt like I was a commodity rather than an individual. Put all that together, plus the fact that with our schedules, I only saw my new husband two days a week at best and I was ready for a change.
With so many responsibilities in your job and at home with two boys, how do you organize your day?
I have an amazing support system. I have to delegate, not just at work, but also at home. I’ve learned I can do so much at night after everyone has gone to sleep. It helps that I’m a night owl!
What is the culture like at Mary Kay? Why do you feel women are drawn to work for the company, whether at its home base or as an independent beauty consultant?
The culture at Mary Kay is amazing … enriching women’s lives is built into our DNA. It’s such a pleasure to work at a place where the goal is the same, is clear, and is supported at every level of the organization. There is also an amazing partnership between the independent sales force and the corporate office; we are all working with a shared value system to enrich women’s lives.
What is it about your job that makes you feel it’s the right fit for you? I wake up wanting to be here!
Sara Friedman
Are there any landmark moments in your career so far that you’re very proud of? What are they and how did they make you feel?
The first time I was asked to be a mentor was a landmark moment for me because it meant I was respected for more than just the quality of my work. Also, managing a team in another city taught me a lot about effective ways to lead; while I wouldn’t consider it among my best projects, the challenges I faced in operating in a completely different way helped mold my leadership style.
What are some of the rules you live by?
Golden Rule; and assume the best in and of others – they won’t let you down.
What do you feel it takes to stand out in today’s workforce, and what advice do you have for women who want your job?
It takes effort to change the status quo, and it requires persistence and creativity to overcome some of the hurdles you will face; to stand out, you need to stay on the field so you can help shape the game. My advice for someone who wants my job: be the kind of leader you would like to follow.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Right where I am supposed to be.
What advice do you have for a woman who’s considering becoming a Mary Kay independent beauty consultant?
Try it! You’ll be amazed at the people you’ll meet, the stories you’ll hear, the lives you’ll touch – and how awesome your skin will look. Plus, there’s a 90% buyback guarantee on your purchases within the last year; it’s practically risk-free.
Any parting advice?
You have so much to offer, so embrace who you are!
What challenges keep you awake at night?
I believe Mary Kay is the best product and business opportunity out there, and until everyone in the U.S. agrees with me, there is still work to be done!
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in your career? Perception is reality.
What qualities do you look for when building a team? Flexibility, inquisitiveness, and a can-do spirit
Is work/life balance ever a problem with you? If so, what is one no-fail tactic you use to create balance?
I don’t think I know a person who doesn’t struggle with balance … even those who don’t work outside the home. Our lives are all so committed, that it’s all a balancing act! What always gets me through it is reminding myself that “this too shall pass.” And, as my husband tells me, “If this doesn’t bring you any joy, why do you spend your time doing it? It just means you’re giving up time with someone or something you love because you didn’t want to say no.” That has helped me prioritize.
Brianne Burrowes,
a born-and-raised Montanan, is the founder of I Want Her Job, an award-winning website empowering women in their career search. She also is senior consumer marketing manager at NASCAR track Phoenix International Raceway. You can follow her on Twitter @iwantherjob and read more interviews like this on iwantherjob.com.
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Scott Warnell
Scott
Warnell Found His Calling Helping
Domestic Violence Victims
By Naomi Morrison Photo by Alisia Dawn Photography
Daring to make a difference in the way domestic violence cases were once overseen, Scott Warnell, Kalispell Police Department Captain of Investigations, became a beacon of hope, compassion and support for the victims he serves. More than 20 years ago, Warnell joined the Kalispell Police Department (KPD) as a patrol officer fresh out of the Montana State University. When he started his career, he responded to more domestic violence calls than any other. When working with the victims, he developed a passion to protect and provide resources to help them find a way out of their predicament. When promoted to detective 10 years ago, he was provided with an opportunity to serve as a KPD officer on Kalispell’s Domestic Violence Action Team that also included a prosecutor, judge, advocate, and misdemeanor probation officer. “The domestic violence team was created to provide victim safety and offender accountability,” Warnell said. “I would like to see this team go valley wide.”
“It doesn’t do the victims any good if you get frustrated with their choices,” he continued. “I’ve really had to learn that they have to make the decisions they make and support them. If I tell them what to do, they are right back in the same relationship situation.”
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The Abbie Shelter and Violence Free Crisis Line wrote the grant to get the team started and Ka-
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lispell was one of the first areas in the state to organize a domestic violence team. It’s still the only department in the valley modeling this way of working with victims. “Scott prioritizes that the victims feel comfortable,” said Hillary Shaw, executive director of the Abbie Shelter and Violence Free Crisis Line. “He is able to get victims to disclose the horrible things that happened to them, and that’s rare for a man to be able to do that.”
During Warnell’s eight-year tenure as detective and part of the domestic violence team, 90-percent of his caseload involved domestic violence incidents. He said that having a designated team dedicated to working with these cases was immeasurable to having better victim cooperation and also for holding offenders responsible for their crimes. Due to his work with domestic violence victims, two years ago he was nominated and received the Excellence in Response to Intimate Partner and Violence award from the Montana governor.
Even after a decade of being the leader for the KPD cases, he is still passionate about the work he does. Last fall, Warnell attended a training program organized by the Violence Free Crisis Line and was
able to train other first-responding officers.
“I enjoy doing educations such as those so officers are compassionate to victims at the scene so she will call again, and we can give her options,” he said. “I want her to know that we’ll keep supporting her.” “He’s just a champion for the cause,” Shaw said. “He’s efficient, but he’s still compassionate. He shows a trickle-down leadership that is demonstrated throughout the department.”
Warnell is adamant that having multiple people working on domestic violence cases provides a disconnection and less communication with offenses because not all officers can know the circumstances of every case. Having one officer responsible for all the cases in the department allows for better tracking and communication with victims. “When you take away support, which is typically the spouse, domestic violence victims are lost,” he said. “The reason I wanted to get into this and go through training was that when working with victims, it became a passion of mine. I really wanted to help them with what they were going through. It takes a long time to learn about their situations.
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Scott Warnell
“The domestic violence team was created to provide victim safety and offender accountability,” Warnell said. “I would like to see this team go valley wide.”
Once I realized what they were going through, I wanted to keep people steady on the job so they would know what to do.”
As a patrol officer and before the domestic violence team, he would handle cases at the scene and wasn’t responsible for following up with the victim or offender. If an arrest wasn’t made, the case was forwarded to the city attorney. If an arrest was made, the judicial system would take over. The KPD was only accountable for on-scene enforcement. A system such as this didn’t provide the officers with enough information to ensure proper enforcement when dispatched. “I’m seeing a difference since the domestic violence team was created, but we still have way too many domestic violence cases,” Warnell said. “It’s an educational process through the entire county mainly because people don’t like to talk about it. I do feel that since we had the domestic violence team and that philosophy [throughout the department and judicial system], we have more victim cooperation and less repeat offenders. The victims are hearing our message and making better choices. I’ve learned over time, eventually, they will see and understand the situation they’re in and develop a plan to get out of it in a healthy way.” When Warnell was promoted to KPD Captain of Investigations two years ago, he began mentoring
Detective Myron Wilson to take over his role with domestic violence. Although the original team from 10 years ago isn’t the same, the department follows the same concepts, philosophy and compassion when working with these cases. And, Warnell is still involved in many ways. “The collaboration we have with Scott and the KPD is exemplary,” Shaw said. “The trust is illustrated by all the officers of the department knowing where the shelter is. When domestic violence shelters were first founded, that wasn’t always the case.” According to the Montana Board of Crime, in 2004 (the most current statistical year), 444 domestic violence cases were reported in Flathead County. According to Shaw, the shelter serves about 500 women a year with 75-percent from Kalispell. Domestic violence is about power and control, Warnell said. It’s not about anger. A Kalispell offender is required to have 40 hours of batterer’s treatment instead of anger management because it’s a program that focuses on rehabilitation and education to reduce repeat offenses.
Educating youth is an important part of what Warnell does. He has been a soccer coach for 19 years with the Flathead Force Soccer Club of which he served 11 years as head coach for the Flathead High School varsity soccer team. He’s been involved with the Special Olympics for several years
and has even braved the frigid waters for 10 years during the Penguin Plunge events. Warnell has also been actively involved with Flathead Care for 15 years and has served as president for the last six years. He appreciates this organization because it works with schools and youth to provide education for positive choices. He is involved in Flathead Care STAND (Students Taking Action Not Drugs) program. He also participates in the Kid’s Camp, which supports roughly 80 seventh and eighth grade students’ valley wide with real-life scenario education that promotes positive ways of getting out of difficult circumstances. “It makes a difference as they get older,” he said. “I believe it gives them the skills to get out of bad situations. It’s important to remember that we were all teenagers once.”
Warnell lives in Kalispell with his wife, who’s a teacher, and his two teenage sons. On his down time, he enjoys whitewater rafting and fishing with his family. “We’re a close family,” he said.
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Violence Free Crisis Hotline: 752-7273
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the horse
55 million years
3 million years
5,000 years
3,000 years
1,400 b.c.
400 b.c.
336-325 b.c.
0-100 a.d.
The fox sized Eohippus appears as the first mammalian predecessor to the horse.
The horse sized Equus prezewalski evolves in the Eurasian steppes area, now known as the Ukraine. This horse is alive today and is the only truly wild horse.
Man domesticates the first horse.
Domestication of the horse spreads across Europe and Asia and the horse becomes enmeshed with man and society.
Stone tablets reveal nations training horses for sport and war.
The Greeks record horses used for racing and war and codify the first principles of riding that still are used today
Alexander the Great conquers Egypt, Greece and India on horseback.
Celtic tribes mount successful rebellions against Roman legions thanks to their horsemanship and riding skills.
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C i v i l i z at i o n B u i lt on Horseback…
Inspiration, War & Art By: Christine Hensleigh, The Power of the Pen
These days, big city living overshadows that the horse was once a basic necessity of life. Flathead Valley is known for an equestrian heritage—and each year The Event at Rebecca Farm celebrates the horsemanship and history with the sport of eventing. This three-day competition pays homage to the horsemanship, military underpinnings and unequivocal role that horses have played—in civilization, history and leisure. The horse is the most important animal to man. The relationship between horse and man is so intertwined that it is a “mutual coevolution,” meaning that humans influenced horses as much they influenced humans. A truly symbiotic relationship on an evolutionary scale—this relationship helped each species survive and thrive. Simply put—society, as we know it would not have been possible without human’s taming of the horse.
societies and food systems. Trade routes expanded, roads were built and exotic goods came to village via horseback.
The oldest living ancestor to the modern day horse emerged 3 million years ago: Equus przewalskii or Przewalskii’s horse. This horse has never been domesticated and came close to extinction in the 1940s when its numbers dropped to 35 though it has since rebounded to over 1,500.
Different breeds evolved according to use. During the middle ages, over 50 different words for ‘horse’ were in common use, each reflecting a specific function of the horse. Large draft horses (think Clydesdales) were bred to be hefty so they could carry the weighty armor that knights required.
55 million years ago, a fox-sized creature called Eohippus, or dawn horse (Hyracotherium), appeared as the first mammalian predecessor to the modern day horse. Over the next 55 million years, horses slowly grew larger and taller. Their increase in size followed receding ice during the Ice Age. Early man depended on the horse for meat, and for years, humans’ relationship to the horse was one of predator and prey.
The exact spot that man tamed the horse was lost to pre-history until 2012, when University of Cambridge researchers found evidence of domestic horses in the steppes of modern-day Ukraine, southwest Russia, and west Kazakhstan over 5,000 years ago. Once introduced, taming the horse for man's purposes spread rapidly. By 3000 B.C., domestication was common throughout Eurasia. Once saddled, this animal became entrenched in daily life: food, commerce, war, and recreation. Stone tablets dating back to 1400 B.C. show early nations training horses for sport and war; early Persians even had a type of polo they played. Greeks recorded racing, war, and riding skills as early as 400 B.C.
Domestication made the horse central to civilization. The might of the humble workhorse ushered an agrarian economy into existence, the basis of our modern
Undeniably, the most significant contribution of horse was the art of war. Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Genghis Khan conquered via the horse. On horseback, man
500-1000 a.d.
1150-1227 a.d.
1482
1780-1821
1880-1945
1941
1999
2012
During the Middle Ages the horse is so essential to everyday life that there are over 50 different words for horse based on how horses are used.
Genghis Khan mounts invasions throughout Eurasia on horseback.
Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned to create a 24-foot sculpture of a warhorse. The French invasion of Italy halts construction.
Napoleon rules Europe due largely to his skilled cavalry.
The Diving Horses of Atlantic City perform to large crowds in Atlantic City on the Steel Pier.
The last cavalry unit is used officially in war.
da Vinci's 24-foot sculpture of a horse is erected in Milan, Italy thanks to American Charles Dent.
Atlantic City resurrects the idea of diving horses as part of their Steel Pier reconstruction project.
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T
he oldest living ancestor to the modern day horse emerged
3 million years ago: Equus przewalskii or Przewalskii’s horse. This
horse has never been domesticated and came close to extinction in the 1940s when its numbers dropped to 35 though it has since rebounded to over 1,500. overcame distances to conquer farflung empires, returning with riches and new cultures. Without it, global trade would have been limited to where man could travel by foot.
Reckless, was awarded two Purple Hearts and other accolades for her battlefield bravery carrying supplies to her unit.
After World War I, horse cavalry declined, although horses were still used in supply lines and for transportation during World War II. Beloved for her courage and loyalty, one utilitarian warhorse, Sergeant
But it was da Vinci who elevated the horse to the status of icon.
Armies depended on the horses’ and riders’ aptitude in battle to expand boundaries or hold off conquering peoples. Bands of Celtic tribes maintained independent status against Roman soldiers because of their riding and war skills on horseback. Military victories were often attributed to the courage, training, and stamina of horses.
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Even before the art of war, horse inspired man to art. Prehistoric human was fascinated by the horse’s form, drawing versions on their equivalent of a blank canvas: cave walls. Later, Celtic tribes carved horses into hillsides, and Egyptian artists regularly practiced sketching the outline of the equine on papyrus.
In 1482, an Italian duke commissioned da Vinci to create the largest sculpture in the world. Envisioned
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as a 24-foot tall statue of a warhorse, da Vinci invested 17 years of planning into its creation. Ironically, the French cavalry’s invasion of Italy halted his plans and his sketches were lost for centuries until American Charles Dent found the sketches and did what da Vinci was never able to do—cast the sculpture the size of the plans. Today the sculpture of the 24’ horse stands in Milan, Italy and Grand Rapids, MI as a testimony to the power of ideas and art over the destruction of war.
1924, one female rider detached her retinas when she and her horse lost their balance on the diving platform, and then dove without proper preparation. The rider, a woman named Sonora Webster Carver, refused to give up her passion or her horses and performed the death-defying act while blind.
In the 1880s, on the Steel Pier at a burgeoning area in New Jersey, the ‘Diving Horses of Atlantic City’, these horses and riders set the standard for overcoming instinct with a 60-foot dive into a pool of water.
The Event at Rebecca Farm is proud to bring this equine heritage to the Flathead, inspiring us with an animal that served mankind so well. Join us July 23- 26 for this year’s 2015 The Event at Rebecca Farm, as we bring great horses and riders together for you to enjoy!
Horses also inspire man. From Sea Biscuit to Secretariat, the horse defines the qualities of a champion as well as any human does. And it isn’t just the champion equines that inspire our awe.
A wildly popular act for many years, horse diving was risky business. In
Today, eventing preserves this equestrian link between horse and man. It encourages and fosters the qualities of good military horses— stamina, bravery and grace while celebrating the bond between horse and human that made so much more—including modern civilization—possible.
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money
MAKING YOUR MONEY WORK FOR YOU Written by Sonal Shah
Have you ever thought about how the generation you were born in influences how you do banking or manage your finances? There has been extensive research and studies conducted that indicate there are generational distinctions on how we view money management and financial success. There are also important differences in terms of each generation’s confidence in new sources of financial tools and options. For example, Gen Y’ers tend to carry very little cash and utilize credit cards and mobile banking applications as opposed to their parents (Baby Boomers) who keep cash readily available or use checkbooks more frequently. Despite the fact that there may be variances amongst the generations about how financial success is defined and achieved, there has been broad consensus on some topics. In a survey conducted by TD Ameritrade, 85 percent of all respondents reported that it requires more selfdiscipline and knowledge to manage personal finances today than it did in the past. Given the recent recession and tightening of spending for some, our consumer behavior has shifted from liberal spending to wanting to make sure we are doing everything we can to optimize our money. The simplest but most often overlooked way to do that is to focus first on our daily spending habits. Most people use cash, checking accounts, or credit cards to make day to day purchases and pay their bills, but few realize these everyday tools can provide some longer-term financial leverage. In this issue, we want to talk specifically about banking and credit cards, and how we can refocus our efforts to save money or make our money work harder for us.
CHECKING ACCOUNTS
Most of us have a basic checking or savings account as an accessible place to securely park our money. A simple means to manage our finances, checking and savings accounts are designed to be liquid, giving you easy access to your money
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when you need it. When shopping for a good checking account, you want to compare the benefits of different checking packages with the services you actually need. To determine the most economical choice, you want to find an institution that offers one or more of the following:
No monthly fees
No minimum balance requirement No limits on the number of transactions Online and mobile access Free ATM access Some checking accounts earn interest, but typically the rates will not be very high. You want to keep enough funds in the account for your monthly expenditures, but anything extra should be moved to a savings account or other savings vehicle. Some online banks may offer slightly higher interest rates than bigger banks that have traditional branches. You may also find banks offering sign-on or referral bonuses when opening a new account or maintaining multiple accounts.
Everyone’s comfort level with using the Internet or mobile applications to manage their finances varies. The financial services industry has migrated to providing electronic banking alternatives to stay competitive and appeal to a younger generation of users. By taking advantage of these services, there are opportunities to save money. For example, many institutions offer free bill pay options or will send checks directly for you with just the click of a few buttons. Rather than handwriting checks to pay bills to send via snail mail yourself, consider using your online banking features to their full potential. Over time, this can add up in savings to you for the cost of checks and stamps for mailing.
CREDIT CARDS
As consumers, many of us use credit cards in our daily spending. That swipe of the card acts as a means to borrow money short-term for payment to a merchant, which is then paid back upon receipt of a monthly bill. Before committing to one credit card, you should do research to determine which credit card is right for you. There are plenty of credit cards out there that offer points or rewards for the money that you spend. If you are responsible with your spending and make sure to pay your bill off every month, the extra points are worth it. Examples of rewards and attributes that are available include:
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There are plenty of credit cards out there that offer points or rewards for the money that you spend. Low Annual Percentage Rate (APR) / Balance Transfer – Cards can have separate
APRs for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances so you want to pay close attention. Some cards even offer an introductory APR or zero percent APR that is valid for a limited period of time when an account is opened. A balance transfer could help you save money on your existing credit card debt and possibly help you pay down your credit card debt faster. Make sure to read the fine print and note the terms and conditions.
Rewards Points – Some credit card companies will offer reward points for each dollar that you spend on purchases. The points may vary depending on where the purchase is made. These points are then redeemable for merchandise, travel rewards, gift cards, cash, and more depending on the credit card company. Reward cards are great for those individuals that don’t carry a monthly credit card balance. Be mindful that these cards generally require a good to excellent credit rating for approval and often come with a higher interest rate. Cash Back – Cash back credit cards are exactly what they sound like: they give cash back. Credit card companies will allow you to earn cash back based on your purchases and may offer varying percentages based on purchases for groceries, gas, restaurants, etc. Cash back is typically awarded in the form of a statement credit or directly to you in the form of a check.
Travel Points – Travel credit cards come in many forms, but the most popular are hotel and airline credit cards. These come with very specific earning and redemption categories or partnerships with airlines or hotels. Some more versatile cards will allow you to redeem points for miles on any airline, or statement credits to offset travel expenses. If you are considering international travel, you will also want
to seek out cards that do not charge a foreign transaction fee. Fees can be up to 3% and can negate existing benefits of using the card.
Gas Credit – With gas rebate credit cards, you
can reduce the high cost of driving with your everyday credit card spending. Many gas rebate cards allow consumers to earn higher cash back rebates for gas purchases along with 1% on all other purchases. Similar to travel cards, gas credit cards may be specific to certain brands of gas. If you commute long distances for work or travel a considerable amount, a gas credit card could be a good choice.
Annual Fee vs. No Annual Fee – When applying for a new card, make sure to pay attention to whether there is an annual fee. There are plenty of no-fee options available, so if there is a fee you want to make sure the benefits you receive are worth the cost. If the credit card company offers high level rewards, a lower interest rate, or added perks such as loss protection services, extended warranty coverage, or concierge services; the annual fee is advantageous. Additionally, you want to consider whether you will use the rewards or added benefits to determine whether paying an annual fee is worth it. If you are earning rewards but not using them, paying an annual fee is a waste of money.
When applying for your chosen credit card, be sure to look for special promotions. Credit card issuers will often entice consumers by offering bonus points or miles if you make a minimum amount of purchases in the first one to three months. You want to take advantage of these promotions if applicable to the card you’ve selected, but be sure to read the fine print. Rewards are earned on the money you spend on purchases, so the more you use your card, the more rewards you receive. If you are really responsible with your finances, you can pay your utilities, phone bills, and gym member-
ships with your credit card. By doing so, you continue to accumulate rewards, miles, cash back, etc. for bills you may have previously paid out of your checking account. Just remember that you want to pay your credit card bill in full every month to optimize the benefits.
There are a number of websites you can find that help do the work for you with regards to shopping for the right card that meets your specific needs, so make sure you do your due diligence. If you aren’t comfortable with relying on the Internet, you can call a card company’s customer service directly to get more information. If you incur a lot of expenses for your business or personal lifestyle, you may consider acquiring more than one credit card to optimize your benefits. Additionally, some companies limit the amount of rewards you can earn in a given year so it may make sense to double up.
Whether you are defined by a generation that puts value on being debt free or measures success by the money you put aside each month for long-term goals, saving money and being smart with your finances is important to your financial health. While saving small amounts here and there and earning rewards points or travel benefits, you can celebrate your successes with a trip or gift for yourself!
This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only; it is not intended to act as professional advice. If you have additional questions, contact JCCS, PC in Whitefish at (406) 862-2597 or Kalispell at (406) 755-3681.
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The Knee Is Not the Problem
Nor is Conflict! Written by Susan B. Clarke
Conflict is an energy source for creativity, innovation, and transformation. You may be thinking, “She must be crazy.” Hang in with me though. I hate conflict too – that tension I feel inside and between us when we disagree. Conflict is uncomfortable. It’s hard. Conflict is best diffused, avoided, or dealt with by a quick compromise, right? Maybe not.
A Culture of Quick Fixes
A Different Approach
We are a culture of quick fixes in business and in life: Move away from the pain, cut it out, cover it up, or simply pretend it isn’t an issue.
I decided to try a different approach.
Let me use my physical health as an example. I’ve been dealing with a bum knee, limping and complaining for more than a couple of weeks now. The damn thing catches when I go up and down. I’ve gone from running to slow jogging to limping along on our walks. I get all sorts of advice. “Go get a scope.” “Get a shot and see if you can work it through.” “Stop eating gluten and dairy, or try a juice diet.” I would love a quick fix. I’d love a quick scope to get me back to running. I did try the juice fast, and though I haven’t totally given up dairy, sugar, and gluten, I have worked to cut them way back.
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No improvement in my limp. It’s worse.
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We work with business leaders and their teams. Our clients often call us “The Team Doctors” because we focus on the health of the team to get the team to smart business results. We come in when teams are underperforming, dysfunctional or stuck in conflict. They just aren’t making the forward progress the leader wants. Instead of focusing on and fixing the current issue’s symptoms, we step back and take a holistic view of the team. The most obvious issue is rarely the cause of the dysfunction. With that in mind regarding my knee, I went to see a chiropractor, who started asking some interesting questions: How long has this been going on? What was the precipitating event? What else was happening in your life at the time this started? The truth is, the knee wasn’t the starting point. Months earlier, I’d taken a nasty fall on Whitefish Mountain’s icy ski slopes. (This winter
there seemed to be more ice than powder!) The result was a very painful hip for days. I was busy and never really addressed that problem. The discomfort went into the background. I was also dealing with my father dying and a ton of old family patterns and dynamics surfacing. Oh, and there was also the thrill of being picked to present at TEDx Whitefish! Flash forward to knee pain. Instead of considering the bigger picture and the various stresses I’d been dealing with, I’d focused only on fixing my knee. With a bit more insight and taking a contextual approach, I started the process of unwinding the “problem” instead of just “fixing” my knee.
With some alignment help, the pain has now gone back to my hip. That might not sound great, but I think now I can work on the bigger, original issue. Maybe I won’t get back running, hiking, and biking just yet. However, the chance of a creative, innovative, and even transformational shift is much more likely!
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When we dive into conflict – with
vulnerability and curiosity – the situation can get hard and even painful. However, it also gets real and raw.
The Problem with Avoiding Conflict
The Two Magic Ingredients for Utilizing Conflict
When we avoid or diffuse conflict, it comes out in other ways – much like my knee pain.
Instead, the next time you find yourself stuck in conflict, use it as an opportunity and dive right in!
Can you relate to any of these situations? Becoming increasingly frustrated because of constantly having to work around two teammates who don’t get along with each other.
Considering leaving a team, job, or relationship because it’s not worth dealing with a bully or someone who always has to be “right.” Working your butt off and thinking you should be paid more – that new opportunity with the sweet bonus is looking pretty darn good. Each of the above scenarios are symptoms of conflict that has not been utilized. In these types of situations, people are often not willing to be vulnerable enough to say what’s true for them – things like: “I’m frustrated and I want to tell you about the impact the two of you are having on me and my job satisfaction.” “I think you often act out to get your way. I’m tired of it.” “I think I add a lot of value and I’ve been working very hard without acknowledgment. I would like a raise.” Instead, something was said, but too often when we try to address conflict, we water down, sugarcoat our true thoughts, or use indirect messages to attempt to make our point. This doesn’t work.
When we dive into conflict – with vulnerability and curiosity – the situation can get hard and even painful. However, it also gets real and raw. That combination of real and raw can have a great effect on a team or a couple, because it brings about the potential for creativity, innovation, and transformation. After being real and raw, we tend to not go back to where we were. Instead, we open the way for whole new possibilities. This is so much better than avoiding, diffusing, and compromising.
Summary Don’t just fix the knee. The next time you, your team, or your significant relationship struggles with conflict, don’t just fix the immediate pain point. Take an honest and curious look at the whole situation. Yes, it may be hard and painful, but it’s amazing what can come from that! Susan Clarke is a Coach, Consultant, and Speaker at thrive! inc. Clients refer to Susan, and her partner CrisMarie, as “The Team Doctors” because they focus on the health of the team in order to get the team to smart business results. They were recently apart of TEDx Whitefish, where they spoke on Conflict is an Energy Source for Innovation, Creativity, and Transformation. See their talk at www.tedxwhitefish.com or contact them at thrive@thriveinc.com.
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legal}
Estate
Reducing the Potential for Conflict and Disputes Regarding Your Estate By Kelly O’Brien, Measure, Sampsel, Sullivan & O’Brien, P.C.
Jim and Sandra married each other in their fifties. For both of them it was their second marriage and both had kids from their prior marriage. They each brought real estate and other assets to the marriage that they initially kept titled separately. However, as time went on Jim and Sandra eventually transferred most of their assets to joint ownership. Jim and Sandra each also created a Last Will & Testament during their marriage that gave everything to the surviving spouse. However, Jim and Sandra had separate provisions in each of their individual wills that provided for different distributions to his or her children upon the death of the surviving spouse. Unfortunately, Jim predeceased Sandra. Upon Jim’s death, since most of their assets were held in joint ownership, Sandra received the bulk of the assets immediately. However, a few of Jim’s assets remained in his name, individually. Therefore, a probate administration proceeding was required for Jim’s estate. Once the probate administration process began it became clear that Sandra received all of the assets, and Jim’s children would not receive anything directly from his estate. As a result the family spent the next several years involved in disputes over Jim’s estate.
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While some lawsuits relating to estates and probate are disputes about large sums of money, many of these lawsuits relate to modest-sized estates or small items of personal property. Even if your family gets along fabulously now, there is always the potential for conflict down the road, however by recognizing a few simple issues you may be able to reduce or completely avoid these situations. Any estate may be subject to dispute, but there are some specific situations that may create a greater potential for disputes. For example, if you have remarried and have children from a prior marriage your estate may be subject to more scrutiny from your family. In addition, if your children do not get along with each other during your lifetime, it is more likely that they will dispute issues regarding your estate. Whether or not one of the situations mentioned above exist in your family there are some measures you can take to reduce the potential for conflicts between your family members.
Ways to Reduce Potential Disputes Regarding Your Estate Don’t Put Off Estate Planning Estate planning is a process that requires careful thought and consideration. Do not wait until you are faced with an illness, traveling out of the country, or dealing with potential capacity issues. Take some time to review and create an estate plan that addresses your unique situation while you still clearly have the capacity and health to make sound decisions. Perhaps more importantly, clearly communicate your intentions with your family both during your lifetime and in your will or trust. If you talk to your spouse and children about your wishes during your lifetime you may be able to address, or event prevent, potential disputes that may arise with the distribution of your estate. Clear communication and planning can also provide you with the peace of mind that you may spare your family from conflicts or hurt feelings. Make Sure Your Beneficiary Designations are Up-To-Date It is also critical to review your beneficiary designations to ensure that the proper beneficiaries are named, and
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Perhaps more importantly, clearly communicate your intentions with your family both during your lifetime and in your will or trust. If you talk to your spouse and children about your wishes during your lifetime you may be able to address, or event prevent, potential disputes that may arise with the distribution of your estate.
the beneficiary designations fit within your overall estate plan. Remember, a beneficiary designation can take precedent over a will, so keeping your beneficiary designations updated to reflect your current life situation is essential. Specifically Recognize Any Lifetime Gifts or Loans in Your Will or Trust If you loan money to one of your children, or give gifts during your lifetime, make sure that you recognize the loan or gift in your will or trust. Be specific about whether the loan is to be forgiven or repaid at your death. Additionally, document any loans or gifts you make during your lifetime, in writing, with the use of promissory notes, contracts, or other document, so that your intent is clear. Be Specific About Personal Property While most people may be more focused on the distribution of financial assets and real estate in their will or trust, personal property can often create more problems and disputes than larger assets. With that in mind, include a specific “Personal Property Memorandum” to attach to your will or trust, or include a specific provision directly in your will or trust that sets out the distribution of your personal property. This not only includes personal property with high monetary value, such as jewelry or art, but also any personal property that has family or sentimental value, or simply may cause an argument in your family. Create a Revocable Living Trust to Avoid Probate A revocable living trust is an estate planning tool that can eliminate the need for the probate administration process. If you have a trust in place, so long as you properly transfer title of your assets to your trust, probate will not be required for your estate. Probate is a public process, which requires filing an inventory and accounting of your assets. While the purpose of a probate proceeding is intended to be administrative rather than adversarial in nature, probate does provide a forum for heirs to contest terms of your will or dispute with other heirs and beneficiaries. Revocable living trusts are private documents not subject to probate proceedings, so the use of a trust can help to reduce the potential for conflict surrounding your estate.
Appoint a Neutral Trustee or Personal Representative Instead of appointing your spouse or a child as the trustee or personal representative for your estate, consider appointing an institutional trustee such as your bank's trust department, or professional fiduciary. A professional or institutional fiduciary is not subject to the same family pressures and can provide neutral management of your estate. While professional fiduciary may not be familiar with your family dynamics and can be a bit more impersonal, this impersonality can be quite advantageous in providing neutral administration and reducing conflict. If You Intend to Disinherit Someone Clearly Explain Your Decision in Your Will or Trust If you want to disinherit a family member, especially if it is a child, very clearly explain in your will or trust your intent to disinherit your child. List the individual by name and give a brief explanation of why you intend to disinherit him or her. However, don’t go overboard in your explanation and make sure that your reason for disinheriting the individual is not easily challenged or against public policy. Communicate Your Intentions and Seek Professional Advice These are some of the techniques available to reduce disputes and conflicts regarding your estate. By implementing some of these strategies and discussing an overall plan with your family that addresses any potential disputes or inequity problems, you may be able to avoid Jim and Sandra’s situation. Even if you implement all of these techniques your beneficiaries may dispute the distribution of your estate. Your particular estate may have estate tax or other considerations, so seek the professional advice of your attorney, CPA or financial planner. Your advisors may also have additional ideas to help reduce conflicts based on your personal and family situation. DisclaimerThis article is intended for educational and information purposes only, it is not intended to act as legal or tax advice. Contact Kelly O’Brien at Measure, Sampsel, Sullivan & O’Brien, P.C. at (406) 752-6373/ www.measurelaw.com
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health}
What’s More Nutritious Organically grown or conventionally grown crops? By Todd Ulizio, Two Bear Farm
“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” ~William A. Foster Did you ever stop and wonder why, if quality speaks for itself, there is a global advertising and marketing industry that does $515 billion in sales each year? And why we as humans are so susceptible to marketing, misinformation, and messaging, like moths to a light. Even when common sense or the cautionary principle would seem prudent, we often lose our way in a sea of conflicting information when economic and philosophical ideas come into direct conflict with scientific evidence or other empirical fact. But even empirical fact is difficult to pin down these days as research is increasingly funded by industry. The average American who is interested in eating a healthy diet does not have the time or ability to sift through all this information to find truth in a world of misleading information spin. For those who do put an emphasis on health, finding high-quality food in this environment does not happen by accident. It takes deliberate action and high intention.
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they are carcinogenic, endocrine disruptors, or toxic in other ways. And when you are standing in the produce aisle at the grocery store, there is no one around who can tell you much about how the produce was grown, so the Certified Organic label is all you have to go on. Producers who use organic production practices for philosophical or other reasons but choose not to certify are not allowed to call their food organic (even though it Many people think of Organic food as food fundamentally is). This tends to be more common grown without the use of chemicals. But, in fact, among small farms than large operations. If you there is much more to it than that. In 2002, the are at a farmer’s market, you can ask the farmer federal government codified and trademarked about his/her practices, whether there is a label what it meant to be Organic. They created a or not. comprehensive program that laid out all the rules, including where seed is sourced, ingredients Non-organic, or conventional, food basically in soil amendments, allowable chemical use, includes any food that isn’t Organic. In vegetable crop rotations, water quality, food storage and production, it more often than not includes the distribution, among other things, and basically use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, prohibited the use of synthetic chemicals and and fungicides, many of which we know are encouraged sound management of soil. Producers harmful chemicals. But we’ve been led to believe who enroll and pay to be in this program (and that they are necessary for food production (How keep a lot of paperwork about their practices) else could we conceivably feed the world?). Or get visited every year by an inspector and get we’ve been told they aren’t really that bad for audited to become Certified Organic. This label us (that systemic pesticide will wash right off!). carries a lot of power because an independent Again, misinformation abounds about how these third-party auditor has verified the producer’s chemicals affect human health, and in today’s practices. We know that many chemicals used in world, clarity will not likely ever be provided. But agriculture are potentially harmful to us, whether doesn’t it stand to reason that removing chemicals One of the most important and often heard questions we receive on the farm is whether eating Organic food is more healthy and nutritious for you than non-organic, or what is often referred to as conventional, food. But to answer that question, we need to be really clear about what “healthy” and “nutritious” mean, and we also need to understand what Organic food represents.
Many people think of Organic food as food
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grown without the use of chemicals. But, in fact, there is much more to it than that.
from your diet, at the very least, reduces your exposure to them and any risk associated with ingesting them? Based on the fact that organic produce is grown in an environment that promotes healthy soil and a healthy ecosystem where synthetic chemicals and GMO’s are prohibited, the exposure to dangerous or potentially dangerous substances is greatly reduced. And this would suggest that organic food has a lower chance of being bad for you than conventional food. I would refer to this as being a “healthier” choice. But let’s throw in a little twist. Is Organic food more “nutritious” than conventional? Well, that depends. Nutritional content is dictated by how a crop is grown and what access to minerals and nutrients the plant has available during growth. And this nutrition can’t exist or
be produced in a plant if the raw materials don’t exist in the soil. For example, soil that is deficient in Boron will likely produce plants that are deficient in Boron. A wellbalanced soil with high fertility will produce more nutritious food than a soil that is deficient in certain nutrients. But what’s interesting is that both Organic and conventional farms can have high or low fertility soils with or without mineral deficiencies. It all depends how the soil is managed. And the problem here is that we don’t by food based on nutrient content, we buy it by the pound. So, if you are a farmer, there is no financial incentive to amend your soil to produce nutritious food, because a pound of low nutrient broccoli sells for the same price as highly nutritious broccoli, and you can grow it more cheaply. And that is a problem.
A study by researchers a the University of Texas showed that
most vegetables are less nutritious today than they were in 1950 because the soils have become depleted and farmers have not managed soil fertility and mineralization properly. And that Stanford Study that was such big news a couple of years ago? It reported that organic food was no more nutritious than conventional food, but it defined nutritious solely as vitamin content. By comparing food produced on large organic versus large conventional farms, chances are the soil fertility from both groups was similar, and hence the finding. A corporate organic farm may not spend money to amend its soil any more than a corporate conventional farm will. So, from a nutrient standpoint they may be similar. From a chemical exposure standpoint, they are still very different, but the mainstream media did not focus on that detail. They didn’t talk about “healthy”, only “nutritious”, which was a half-truth, and that’s why the report was so controversial.
Every farm is different in how it manages its soil, and therefore the nutrition of food produced varies by farm as well. That may not be a comfortable fact, because there is no label that tells you the nutrition content of your produce. A lot of changes in the industry would have to occur to incentivize farmers to focus on soil fertility and growing nutrient-dense food, and I’m not confident those changes will ever occur. The likelihood that large farms amend their soil is low, because there is no financial incentive to do so. The likelihood that small farms amend their soil is probably better, but you won’t know until you ask. And that’s one of the benefits of local food that is often not touted. You as a consumer have access to the farmer. You can visit the farm, and ask questions yourself. It’s probably the best way to get a straight answer in this complicated world.
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New techniques &intechnologies diagnostic imaging…same familiar faces w
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Starting her career at North Valley Hospital in the imaging department nearly 28 years ago, Sheri Yeager R.T.R. (Radiology Technologist – Registered) has amassed a lot of expertise in her field. As North Valley Hospital’s lead mammographer, Sheri and her immediate team boast over 90 years of expertise. North Valley Hospital is pleased to provide full-field digital mammography and advanced screening techniques which lead to a very loyal client base. “We have a very devout following and consider our patients as family,” says Sheri. “I have clients that span decades. That is how long I’ve known some of these women… some of whom travel quite a distance to North Valley to have their annual exam.” This atmosphere reflects North Valley Hospital’s Planetree philosophy of patient-centered care in a healing environment. This hospital-wide effort reaches all departments within North Valley
Hospital, and is certainly embedded into the staff culture within the imaging services area. With a calming, steadfast demeanor, Doug Wehrli R.T.R. manages the imaging department within North Valley Hospital. Originally from Idaho and coming to this area from Alaska with his family of four kids in 2008, Doug says this area provides everything his family needs for outdoor recreation, great jobs and a strong sense of community. He loves to lead his “wonderful department” and stresses that his current position is “the easiest management position he has ever held because of the amazingly dedicated and knowledgably staff.” His team specializes in several key areas of imaging including Bone Densitometry, Digital Radiography, Mammography, MRI/MRAs, CT Scans and Ultrasounds. Recently the department was remodeled to accommodate a more comfortable and private area for patients. Room was also created for the new DexaScan which offers advanced technology for bone density, vertebral fracture assessment, and orthopedic prosthetic assessment. Doug shared that the equipment’s whole body composition screen is more in-depth and accurate versus traditional BMI measurements and provides analysis on body symmetry as well as health risks correlated with body fat distribution.
health} imaging
“We
have a very
devout following and consider our patients as family,” says
Sheri. “I have clients that span decades. That is how long I’ve known some of these women… some of whom travel quite a distance to North Valley to have their annual exam.”
Doug continues to stress additional education coupled with North Valley’s advanced technology so patients can receive high quality care locally. Recently, he brought in the nation’s leading breast imaging consultant, Louise Miller, to Whitefish to work with the imaging staff, primarily those working in mammography. The staff learned how to better position patients in such a way as to get optimum imaging quality and greatest amount of breast tissue for screening. Just small tweaks in body positioning can greatly increase the surface area and amount of tissue that can be viewed, which leads to a more in-depth analysis. Louise Miller wrote the book that is considered the “gold standard” for mammography and the staff were excited to receive the additional training from such a respected resource. “We follow the American Cancer Society’s recommendations and advocate women start coming to see us every year after the age of 40, and to come in for their baseline mammogram between 35 to 40 years of age,” says Doug. “We’ve come a long ways from the dark room and developing images ourselves from 30 years ago,” recalls Doug. “We’ve got all the tools here to make the patient comfortable, provide privacy, and support trust in the equipment and staff to deliver exceptional service and care.”
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For more information on North Valley Hospital imaging services, visit www.nvhosp.org or call the Imaging Department at 406-863-3676.
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Ask the Skin Coach
Q:
What is
Holistic Skin Care?
By Erin Blair, Licensed Esthetician + Certified Health Coach
What exactly is ‘holistic skin care’? What’s the benefit?
A:
Holistic simply means that things should be studied or treated as a whole, and not just as the sum of their individual parts.
In healthcare, this can mean integrating traditional and alternative therapies. It can also mean considering emotional, mental, and physical aspects of a person (and their condition) when determining the cause of symptoms and their treatment.
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, in the forward for his book Integrative Dermatology, “Integrative dermatology is such an obvious concept that the paucity of practitioners offering it to patients is disappointing. Nutritional status strongly influences skin health; dietary change and dietary supplements should be first-line interventions in managing skin conditions... botanical medicine has much to offer dermatology. The skin (along with the gastrointestinal tract) is the most common site of expression of stress-related ailments.” Let’s imagine someone is suffering from red, inflamed skin. Since I tend to practice holistically, I’d try to uncover the cause of the inflammation from various angles. Here’s a sampling of what I’d want to know:
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Is this client under significant stress? What’s their family situation? Are they eating a nutritious diet? Which supplements are they taking, and how’s their digestion? Are laundry or hair products part of the problem? Do they swim in a pool? Are they taking medication or recreational drugs? Do they have any medical conditions or allergies? Do they get enough sleep? What have they been using on their skin?
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Ask the Skin Coach
As you can see, it goes far beyond what they’re applying topically.
Recently, a new client came to me with significant redness and swelling in her skin. This had been going on for several months with no relief. Three different dermatologists had diagnosed her with Rosacea, and she had been prescribed various creams, antibiotics and steroids. One look at this young woman, and I really believed that she did not have Rosacea at all. She did not have any of the typical triggers for that condition, and quite frankly her skin did not have the classic appearance of Rosacea. Her barrier was clearly compromised, but why? So we dug deeper. I discovered that she had been using a plethora of ‘natural’ and organic skin products, many of which contained Emu Oil. Emu Oil can be good for some things, but being high in oleic acid (omega 9) it can also disrupt the barrier function of the skin. The formulas she was using also had significant amounts of botanical, natural plant oils and extracts. I felt that her compromised barrier (imagine a brick wall with crumbling, cracked mortar) was leaving her open to irritation from all those volatile essential
Erin Blair, LE CHC owns Skin Therapy Studio, where she embraces a creative method of treatments, products and coaching to get skin clear... and keep it that way. It's a 'whole person' approach to difficult skin concerns. Visit SkinTherapyStudio.com for more info, and to submit questions for Ask the Skin Coach.
oils. The impaired barrier was also leaking valuable moisture. We switched her products to ones appropriate for barrier repair.
Meanwhile, she also saw a naturopathic doctor who identified a multitude of food allergies, which lead him to discover that she had leaky gut syndrome. Gut and skin health are now believed by many to be closely linked, and this was yet another example. She took steps to correct her diet and begin healing her gut. Literally within a day or two of changing her topical regimen, she began to experience relief. Now her skin is quite calm, and she only experiences a flare up if she eats foods she’s allergic to.
When working from a holistic perspective, I never know where my questions will lead. It’s detective work. In my example, if I had only been concerned with which products she was using, she may never have learned about the leaky gut. Eventually, that would have caused many more problems down the road. My question is, if you’ve got a health concern, why on earth WOULDN’T you treat the whole?
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Healthy Eating Simplified By Kassandra Patton, WHNP Kalispell OB/GYN
Q: I know that I am supposed to eat right, but what exactly is a “healthy” diet?
A: This is a question that I am asked quite frequently during routine annual exams. There are many components that factor into healthy eating habits.
Protein
Protein is essential for our body to function at an optimal level. Proteins that are considered “complete” are those that provide your body with all the basic building blocks necessary for proper function. Some good examples of complete proteins include milk, cheese, eggs and all types of meat including beef, chicken and fish. “Incomplete” protein sources are those lacking in one or more of the building blocks that our body needs, but are still healthy and complete when eaten with other, complementing sources of protein. Incomplete proteins are usually found in vegetable-based sources such as rice, beans, corn or tofu. It is very easy to get the proper amount of protein in your diet. A 3 oz portion of meat has a whopping 21 grams of protein which comes out to almost half of your daily needs. A cup of dry beans has 21 grams of protein, while an 8 oz container of yogurt has about 11 grams.
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Is it possible to have too much protein? The short answer ismaybe. The vast majority of people can eat more protein than is recommended without harm to the body, however, an increased amount of protein will also mean an increased amount of calories in your diet, which could lead to weight gain. It is also important to choose lean sources of protein to reduce overall saturated fat intake which can, in turn, lead to high cholesterol.
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Calcium
Our bones depend on the calcium in our diet to stay strong and healthy. Did you know that 99% of our body’s calcium is stored in our bones and teeth? Our body also needs calcium for proper muscle and heart function. The overall recommended amount of calcium for women aged 18-50 is approximately 1000mg per day and for women over 50 it is 1200mg. Girls aged 9-18 need 1300mg of calcium as their bodies are busy growing and storing calcium. This is easily obtained through dairy sources, with one 8 oz glass of milk packing 300mg and one cup of yogurt providing 270mg of calcium. A 1 oz serving of cheddar cheese has 200mg and even one cup of ice cream will treat you to 175mg of calcium. But what if you cannot consume dairy? Many people are either lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy, and struggle to find food sources. Calcium can be found in many surprising, plant-based sources. Sesame seeds lead the way with an astounding 580mg per ½ cup serving, while almonds give 150mg in the same ½ cup serving. One cup of cooked collard greens has 355mg of calcium while one cup of cooked Kale greens has 200mg. Another good source of calcium is non-dairy milk products, including almond, coconut and soy milk and yogurt. More detailed lists of calcium content in foods can be found online at the National Institutes of Health at ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional.
Fiber
The proper intake of fiber or roughage in the diet has many benefits to overall health, but its main benefit lies in the digestive system. Not enough fiber in the diet can lead to anything from constipation and hemorrhoids to high cholesterol and
health} blood sugars. Too much fiber and you may end up with bowel problems such as diarrhea or gas. So how much is enough? The current recommended amount is 25 grams of fiber per day, although some people may need a bit more. One excellent source of fiber is Bran. ½ cup of corn bran will give you 30gm, which is 120% of your recommended daily intake. Wheat bran, rice bran and oat bran are also good sources. Raw vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli provide 3 grams of fiber in one cooked cup, while one cup of raw cabbage will bring in 4 grams of fiber. Just one cup of winter squash has 10 grams of fiber and one cup of kidney beans will give you 11 grams. Looking for something sweet? Ten raspberries have 1 gram of fiber while one cup of blackberries will give you 8 grams and one orange provides 3 grams of fiber.
The Basics
Eat whole foods-
Instead of apple juice, enjoy a whole apple. If it is packaged and ready for you to eat on the shelf, odds are it is loaded with sodium and unnecessary calories. Choose foods that are as fresh as possible.
Say good-bye to bad carbohydrates-
Avoid white and processed breads, pastas and rice entirely, while incorporating smaller portions of whole grains onto your plate. When you eat healthy, complex carbohydrates you are taking in more nutrients, feel full longer, and have longer lasting energy. When you consume bad or “simple” carbohydrates, you will walk away from the table wanting to eat more and are consuming mostly empty calories with no real nutrition. Your body does not see much difference between a plain bagel and a plain slice of cake!
Eat breakfast- We can’t say this enough….
and a doughnut does not count! Making sure to include protein in your breakfast, whether with eggs, meat, or Greek yogurt, will reduce cravings later in the day and reduce blood sugar crashes that can occur after a large intake of carbohydrates like toast or bagels. Are you too busy for breakfast in the morning? Set your clock ahead 30 minutes or try a handful of nuts and dried fruit. This will still give you protein and energy while keeping you on track to start the day right!
The proper intake of fiber or roughage in the diet has many benefits to overall health, but its main benefit lies in the digestive system. Not enough fiber in the diet can lead to anything from constipation and hemorrhoids to high cholesterol and blood sugars.
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Chiropractic
-myth crackers-
“Kids
don’t need a chiropractor, they are too
young!”
By Dr. C. Claude Basler, DC Carlson Chiropractic Office Photos by alisia dawn photography
You might be thinking, middle aged men who “throw their back out” need to see a chiropractor, not kids right? Well, my main passion is allowing your child to function at his/her FULL POTENTIAL! As a chiropractor it’s my responsibility to assess your child’s nerve system and adjust if necessary vertebral subluxations to make sure that their nerves are free of interference therefore, allowing the body and nerve system to function at its optimal potential. Your child’s nerve system can become “disconnected” due to traumas, toxins and stress that are increasingly prevalent in our society these days. Physical stress in the form of trauma such as an emergency C-Section, falling off the teeter-totter, taking a superman jump off the couch, chemical stress such as, inappropriate medication, multiple rounds of antibiotics, GMOs in our food and/or emotional stress such as, bullying, getting picked on, too much negativity via technology. These traumas can wreak havoc and produce stress on a young developing nerve system. If your child’s nerve system is plagued with stress in any of those three forms, this will then in turn lead to dysfunction in their growing bodies. “Dysfunction in what way?” You may be asking yourself. Dysfunction in the body turns into signs and symptoms which ultimately leads to a LABEL, I mean, a DIAGNOSIS at a young age. Our little people’s bodies these days are overloaded with unnecessary STRESS and it is my goal to remove the nerve interference that this stress has caused and let them be the little super heroes that they are meant to be!!
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As our world continues to get sicker and sicker it is my mission to see the next generation healthier than the last. Look at the rise of diagnosed ADHD, Autism, Asthma, Sensory Processing Disorders, behavior issues, etc. More children are diagnosed with autism in the United States than those diagnosed with cancer, AIDS, or diabetes combined. Why is this happening? Your nerve system provides your body with the coordination to be healthy. Everything that a young developing body requires needs this coordination. Imagine if you did not have a nerve system, no nerve system = improper coordination. If a young body’s coordination is altered, consequences will become apparent. Vertebral
subluxations cause disconnection thus altering the necessary coordination for proper development.
Unfortunately seeking ways to “help” our children may start with some sort of medication. Medication can do some crazy stuff to our bodies, what it cannot do is “cure” a nerve system that is altered. I encourage parents searching for answers to Google the “Nerve System.” Each minute, the nerve system receives literally millions of bits of information from different sensory nerves and sensory organs which integrates to tell the body what to do when. Think about disconnection all the way down to the cellular level, there are 50 – 100
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Chiropractic
As our world continues to get sicker and sicker it is my mission to see the next generation healthier than the last. Look at the rise of diagnosed ADHD, Autism, Asthma, Sensory Processing Disorders, behavior issues, etc. More children are diagnosed with autism in the United States than those diagnosed with cancer, AIDS, or diabetes combined. Why is this happening?
trillion cells, basically little chemical factories each having a specific task to keep our children healthy. This requires a healthy functioning nerve system. The function of the nervous system is to perceive the environment and coordinate the behavior of all other cells – Bruce Lipton PhD, Biologist. I cannot STRESS enough how much a young developing child requires a nerve system that is connected to every cell, tissue, organ and gland. Yes, throwing your “back out” is an issue and yes, I will help you. Raising awareness of the health of our children is my priority. Chiropractic is safe, effective, and noninvasive for helping them
to grow and develop to their optimal potential (you know, to be those little superstars we all know they are!) Let’s reverse the model that is being created in our society with increasing traumas, toxins and stress and let’s address the cause together! Carlson Chiropractic Offices is open Monday – Friday from 8-6 and Saturday morning. Located at 410 1st avenue west. Have your child’s nerves checked. Follow Dr. B’s Blog @ kalispellchiropractic.com, on twitter or the FB! Please write me your questions so that I may crack the myths in future episodes, dr.basler@kalispellchiropractic.com
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teeth
The Million Dollar Wedding Gift by Dr. John F. Miller DDS
Twelve years ago Juli Zobell changed her last name to Miller, as she became my wife. At the time we were both in our early to mid-twenties and to put it bluntly, we were Dumb. After all the ceremonies and celebrations we sat amidst a pile of amazing gifts and envelopes from friends...of our parents. As we sat there and opened these great gifts we found ourselves saying things like, “these guys have money, why couldn't they have just given us a ‘Benjamin’ or something?” That is the mindset and language pattern of young, immature, less intelligent, and ungrateful kids. One gift in particular will forever stand out. It was a book: The Four Laws of Debt Free Prosperity: The Chequemate Story. It was paperback and not very thick. “What are we going to do with this little book?” we thought. “Quick, open the front cover; Maybe there’s a ‘Benjamin’ inside.” Ultimately, the little book was packed away with the other gifts as we prepared for our move to Mesa, AZ.
top of my head I can think of the following examples: Effective Study Habits, Strong Work Ethic, Smart Nutritional Choices, Sound Financial Decisions, Efficient Time Management, Physical Health Maintenance, Strengthening Healthy Relationships, etc, etc.
Boredom. That is what drove my new bride to pick up the little dusty book and turn the first page. Why was she bored? Don’t hold this against her, but my wife is believe it or not...Canadian. Being such, it took her some time for all the Permanent Resident paperwork and red tape (in this context, let’s call it Red, White & Blue tape) to be completed and approved. In other words she could not work for a few months so there she was; In a strange place, with no money, no friends, and no husband for the better part of her day.
Nowhere is this more obvious to me than the Oral Health habits of the Flathead Community that I serve. The two major oral diseases that we will all combat in life are Cavities (caries) and Gum Disease (periodontitis). These diseases have some unfortunate characteristics:
And then one day it happened. I walk through the door to a forever-changed woman who has been glued to this little book like it was written by Nicholas Sparks entitled 50 Shades of Sparkly Vampires. “John, you have to read this book. It is amazing,” my wife insists. This being a dental column, which should mention teeth and mouths at some point, I’ll make it short. We became students of this book and it has influenced every day and decision of our lives from that boring Arizona day 12 years ago. After a couple hundred pages we were a little less “dumb” and we now refer to it as our “million dollar” wedding gift. Our path in life was irreversibly changed for the better. I cross paths frequently with the man who gave us that book and I always thank him and tell him how much that gift influenced our young and impressionable financial attitudes. During these chats, this gentleman always expresses the following: “You two are so lucky to learn these habits while you are young.” And there you have it folks, The Segue. Establishing good habits early will produce tremendous returns in all aspects of life. Just off the
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1
They both are painless until the later stages of the disease.
2mostTheycases. both progress very slowly in I always hear, “Hey Doc, you must get busy after Easter with all the candy that kids are eating.” I respond, “Easter is going to keep me busy 2 years from now.”
3
The majority of cases are invisible to their victims. You would not be able to recognize the problem by looking in the mirror until the latter stages of the disease.
4
They very rarely affect localized areas of your mouth. In other words, if there is tooth decay or bone loss in one area of your mouth, chances are it is present in the rest of your mouth as well. Dental professionals would classify this as a “generalized” condition. A “localized” condition would be the exception rather than the rule. These four characteristics create the perfect storm for major problems. Let me present a scenario that we see all too often. Mikey is a 25-year-old recent college grad that has been at his new job for the requisite six months in order to qualify for the companies Dental Insurance. He exclaims that it has been approximately 8 years since his last cleaning and checkup but his teeth feel fine. He has noticed some occasional mild sensitivity while eating sweets and his breath “could smell better” Mikey admits. “Just need a cleaning Doc, I have a blind date this Friday.” After a thorough evaluation of Mikey’s X-Rays and teeth, decay is found between 12 of his teeth in addition to calcified plaque (calculus) deposits beneath his gums that have resulted in Generalized Mild Gum Disease requiring a more advanced multi-visit cleaning. Mikey is shocked. After insurance he will still owe thousands of dollars to restore
We were given a little paperback book in our youth. It taught us how to prepare and invest in the future. It prevented the more significant damage that could have occurred had we not developed good financial habits. Invest in your future and the future of your children by stressing the importance of good oral health.
We were given a little paperback book in our youth. It taught us how to prepare and invest in the future. It prevented the more significant damage that could have occurred Alright Geraldo, here is the rest of had we not developed good financial the story: He would never admit this habits. Invest in your future and the but I will tell you, Mikey brushes future of your children by stressing maybe once a day for 25 seconds the importance of good oral health. and can’t remember the last time he There are so many positives to having a healthy mouth and smile. flossed. Better overall health, less chronic Mikey did not develop good oral inflammation, better looking smile, less tooth pain, less money spent at health habits in his youth. the dentist, etc. his teeth back to health. I inform Mikey that his oral condition will never be easier or cost less to fix than it is at this appointment.
Let’s introduce you to a new character: Good Habits Ricky. To keep things short let’s just say Ricky brushes twice a day long enough to get all the areas of his teeth clean, and to keep things realistic let’s say he flosses 4 times a week the right way. When plugged into Mikey’s scenario Good Habits Ricky comes away with needing fillings between two adjacent teeth and just a standard cleaning to address some localized posterior gingivitis. All said and done, Ricky gets taken care of to the tune of a couple hundred bucks after insurance. To develop Ricky’s character further you should know that needing the fillings also shocked him. The reader is now questioning me saying, “Well, why did Good Habits Ricky have 2 cavities? After all, he has good habits.” True, but remember that in the scenario he did not go to the dentist for eight years.
In my earlier list of areas of life to develop good habits I left one out, and that is making sure you are having fun. If any of you know me personally you know that having a good time is pretty high on my list of priorities. I know that hounding you on good habits make me sound really serious, but it quite the opposite. Toothaches, credit card bills, high blood pressure make life stressful and serious. The good habits I’m encouraging will remove stress from all areas of life and allow you to kick back and enjoy the wonderful Montana summer... while Smiling of course. I love being able to express this to the Women of Montana who will raise our next generation. I love nothing more than to do an exam on a 70-year-old patient who has all of their teeth. I will say, “Doing this exam makes me happy.” They will act surprised and ask, “Why?”
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His good habits, while allowing “Because you have maintained your minor damage, prevented more oral health and have kept all of your significant damage. teeth,” I respond.
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Checklist for Dining this Summer
Outdoors
By Flathead City-County Health Department
As summer arrives in the Flathead, locals and visitors alike break free from hibernation, dust off the barbecue, and pack a picnic to enjoy in the sun. Sounds like perfection, except for one small detail…food safety is harder to protect in warmer temperatures and while eating outdoors.
Cook meat and poultry to a safe temperature as measured by a food thermometer (165* for poultry, 155* for ground meats, and 145* for all others). Just because a hamburger looks done on the outside doesn’t mean it is done on the inside.
There are a few things that can be done to protect dinner guests from an attack of a foodborne illness.
Serve food from the grill or on a clean platter. Don’t use the same plate and utensils for cooked food that were used for the raw food. Keep raw meats separate from ready to eat foods like vegetables or salads.
Plan ahead. Have handy things like a food thermometer to measure temperatures, a cooler chest with lots of ice, extra clean utensils, storage containers for leftovers, paper towels and trash bags. Never thaw meat by leaving it out on the counter. Thaw food in the refrigerator or cook from the frozen state. Cooking frozen meat or poultry will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh. Don’t partially cook meat and poultry ahead of time. Place perishable foods in a well-insulated cooler with plenty of ice or freezer packs. Food needs to be kept at 41* or lower. Wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer before and after touching food.
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Discard any food that has been sitting out after 2 hours (1 hour if it is an especially warm day). If a night out to one of the Valley’s many dining establishments is more your style, check out the restaurant’s latest inspection results on the Health Department’s website, flatheadhealth.org. Flathead County has a food inspection grading system that not only requires restaurants to post their food grades in a visible location, but that allows the public to access the actual findings by a sanitarian upon an inspection. If anyone has any questions, concerns or complaints, the Environmental Health division of the Flathead City-County Health Department can help. Give them a call at 751-8130.
Happy dining!
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Stress: It Doesn’t Have To Be “The New Normal” By CrisMarie Campbell
We all have stresses in our lives. However, when a situation feels like it’s too much to handle, we get triggered into a fight, flight, or freeze reaction. The problem isn’t the stress. The problem is that we don’t work with our reactions and let our system settle in the midst of the stress or afterwards. Maybe you’ve gotten stuck in a chronic stress response, thinking that your stressed state is normal. My goal is to help you interrupt that chronic stress state, settling your system so that you discharge your stress naturally throughout your day.
Walk Much?
Imagine yourself walking in a mall. You’re shopping, carrying loads of bags full of goodies and your tooheavy purse. Someone calls your name. You turn to look over your shoulder to find the person and suddenly you trip, spewing everything all over. Ugh! Many of us would be so embarrassed we’d pop right up; hopefully before too many people saw, and merrily chirp, “I’m fine, really! Just fine.” We’d quickly gather our bags while trying to make polite conversation
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with the person who called our name, starting with asking them, “So how are you?!” Unfortunately in our culture, a mishap like this can trigger feelings of embarrassment, worry about looking bad, or feeling too emotional. We disconnect or suppress how we feel, what’s going on inside. Instead, we turn our attention to the other person, avoiding looking out at others, not realizing until we get home that we scraped our knees when we fell.
“Shake It Off!”
A more helpful stress release reaction after being in a triggering situation is to allow emotional energy to flow, to talk about it, notice body sensations, and shake. Yes, I said shake. Have you ever seen two dogs fight or scuffle with each other? The first thing they do after they separate is shake. This is their nervous system discharging the energy of the fight.
Cue Taylor Swift’s song “Shake It Off!”
Our systems are wired the same way, but – unlike those dogs – we get into chronic, tight stress states and don’t allow our bodies to discharge the stress. We pretend we’re fine. All the while, that stress energy is trapped in our nervous systems, reducing our resiliency when the next stressful event occurs.
So shake it off. Let that shakiness be there because it is how our bodies naturally discharge stress. Let your hands move, your legs wiggle. Allow your body to move in order to reduce the stress and settle down.
You Are Not Crazy
People come to me and say, “I don’t want to be so sensitive!” Sorry, sweetie. Welcome to the human condition. You are not crazy. Our minds, at their steady state, naturally scan for danger. Our bodies are wired to be sensitive and reactive, to deliver a fight, flight, or freeze reaction, as necessary. Why?
Paranoid Ancestors
Let me take you back to when saber-toothed tigers roamed the earth and our Homo sapiens ancestors gathered around the fire to keep warm. If you were sitting around the fire when someone heard a noise in the dark, and you said, “Hey dude, chill. Its probably just Fred getting firewood,” you were dinner. On the other hand, if you were overly cautious, shouted, “OMG! What the heck is that noise?!” then jumped to your feet and shouted, “Run!” you and your buds survived. Those slightly paranoid campers are our ancestors. This is what we have to work with.
wellness} What Happens When We’re Triggered
When you’re triggered by stress, you’re Grounding – Feel Your Feet and Your Seat no longer present; you’re off balance and don’t have access to all your resources for If you are sitting, focus on your feet, maybe wiggle your toes or swipe your handling the situation well. feet back and forth. See if you can imagPhysiologically, your focus narrows ine your feet getting heavier. Then, feel and your breathing changes. You’re not your bottom and your back being supthinking with your whole brain. In fact, ported in your chair. Relax into the supwhen triggered, the body moves resourc- port of the chair. es (blood and oxygen) from some parts of the brain and body to other parts to If you are standing, feel your feet on the prepare for fight, flight, or shutting down ground. Shift your weight to the other altogether and freezing like a scared pos- foot. Feel your connection to the earth. sum. With practice, people report feeling That is not an optimal state for problem more settled after doing this. Try it now solving or relationship-building, yet this is and see what you notice. how many of us walk around every day.
What to Do to Balance
Be Your Best
The tools above can help you settle your nervous system when you’re triggered. Experiment to discover which ones work for you. You can also come up with your own tools. The goal is to be settled and present versus triggered into a fight, This will help you discharge the stress flight, or freeze state. energy and stay connected to you – meaning connected to what’s happening When you’re settled, you’re at your best. You inside you and aware of your environ- take care of you and more easily address the ment – and provide you with more re- situation at hand. sources to work with for the situation at hand. Back To the Mall Let’s go back to the mall. There you are The tools below can be done while wait- on the floor with all your personal items ing in line, or sitting at your computer, or spewed around you on the floor. Instead the dinner table. Other people will likely of quickly jumping up and chirping, “I’m not even notice you’re doing them. fine!” you take a minute to feel your body on the ground and notice what hurts. You look down and notice your scraped Expand Your Focus When we’re under stress, our focus be- knees. Maybe you say, “Ouch!” and make comes narrow, our attention zeroing in some contact with your knees. on either something in the environment or on our internal thoughts. The simple Slowly, you bring your feet underneath tool of orienting helps expand focus and you and feel their contact with the floor. You then turn your head s-l-o-w-l-y to increase access to our resources. orient yourself to your environment. You see your friend and say, “Wow, I am so Orienting embarrassed.” You take your time noWhen you notice yourself in a narrowly tice your breath, and then ask, “Can you focused state, gently and slowly look please help me?” Right there you’ve done to your left and notice something you something different and supported your haven’t seen before. Pause and let it in. nervous system to discharge some of the Now turn your head s-l-o-w-l-y and stress. And you and your friend have a gently in the other direction and do the very different conversation, one that’s same thing – pause and notice. Continue more present and more real. doing this for a couple of minutes. Here are some more tools for helping you bring yourself back into balance from a triggered state so that you have access to more of your resources in the moment.
Try doing this now and notice how your CrisMarie Campbell is a Coach, body feels. Does your breathing change? Consultant and Speaker at thrive! inc. What do you feel in your body? Are you Clients refer to CrisMarie and her partaware now that you have a body? ner, Susan Clarke, as “The Team Doctors” they focus on the health of the team Connect to Your Physical Body because in order to get the team to smart business When stressed, we often disconnect from our physical body and focus on results. They were recently apart of TEDx someone else in our environment or ob- Whitefish, where they spoke on Conflict is sess about the problem so we can work an Energy Source for Innovation, Creativout how to fix it. Our physical bodies ity, and Transformation. See their talk at can’t help but be aware and in the present www.tedxwhitefish.com or contact them at moment. When triggered, a key way to recover is to connect to your body more thrive@thriveinc.com. consciously as a resource.
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Rockin’ doctors raise awareness for cancer By RYAN MURRAY, The Daily Inter Lake - Photos by Lindsey Jane Photography
‘below the belt’ Vagina isn’t usually a word you expect to see at the top of a story when you open your morning paper. And that’s exactly the problem, according to Dr. William Winter, a gynecological oncologist. Winter, who treats women’s cancers in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, was the featured speaker at a documentary screening in Whitefish on Thursday night. While breast cancer is no longer a taboo subject, cancers “below the belt,” such as vaginal, vulvar, endometrial, cervical, ovarian and fallopian are dirty words, Winter said. He is attempting to change that with his gynecologic oncologist rock band and “N.E.D.: No Evidence of Disease,” a documentary film about the band. “Breast cancer has a pink ribbon,” Winter said. “But as you guys are about to see, gynecological cancer has a rock band.” Before the screening of the film, he led everyone in a chorus of the word “vagina.”
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C. 2015, Daily Inter Lake, reprinted with permission. We’d like to thank the Daily Inter Lake for allowing us to share this story.
The film follows the six doctors in the N.E.D. band as well as many patients fighting against these cancers. More than 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with a woman’s cancer every year. Winter said he would love to change careers if he could.“ It would be my dream to end women’s cancers completely,” he said. “I’d love to work myself out of a job and into another one as a full-time rock musician.” Ming Lovejoy, who organized the Whitefish event after seeing the documentary in Portland, said her mission of the night was the same as the N.E.D. doctor/ musicians. “We want to make it acceptable to talk about vaginas and vulvas and ovaries,” she said. “I think the real cradle of civilization is there.” Ticket sales helped raise money for WINGS Regional Cancer Support and Flathead Cancer Aid Services. A silent auction with dozens of pieces of art also brought in money for the two cancer aid services.
After the screening of the emotional hourlong film, Winter told the audience it still impacted him. “It’s hard to watch that film every time,” he said. “It never ceases to amaze me and touches me every time.” People living with, fighting against and dying from cancer make up the bulk of the film, and many of those in attendance had “walked the walk” of fighting cancer. Despite the fact that many people have had someone in their lives who fought gynecological cancer, awareness remains dangerously low. “The average delay of diagnosing obvious vulvar cancer is six months,” Winter said. “Three months of that is just embarrassment from the patient. The other three? From the doctor not wanting to look at it, not wanting to deal with it.” A second, shorter film titled “What Every Woman Should Know” was scheduled to be screened, but the Whitefish event ran long.
happenings}
It is available free on www.NEDTheMovie.com and goes over symptoms and signs of various types of gynecological cancers: Ovarian: Can be signified with a feeling of bloating or gassiness. Uterine: Often denoted by “spotting” after menopause or during a non-period week. Fallopian: Excessive watery discharge is a common symptom. Vulvar: Itchiness where there shouldn’t be can be a sign. Vaginal: “Dots, clots, and new white spots.” Cervical: Bleeding after intercourse could be a sign.
There are fewer than 1,000 gynecological oncologists in the world, and many doctors may not know such a specialist is available for these women’s cancers. The N.E.D. band is dedicated to breaking the silence on these cancers. The movie runs on American Public Broadcasting. “Our motto was, ‘We don’t suck,’” Winter said of his band. “When we raise this awareness of women’s cancers, we actually do more for women than when we are in clinic or in the hospital.” For more information, visit www.NEDTheMovie.com.
Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.
Page 55 from top left to right: Melissa Lovejoy and Ming Lovejoy, Below The Belt event organizer. Lindsey Nix, Emcee and KAJ with Judy Martinson, National Parks Realty. Marshall Noice and Steve Sellars of The Can't Hardly Play Boys. Becky Rigg, Harlow Boutique and Anthony Mead, owner/coach SBGI Gym and Yoga Room. Debbie Waldenberg Colleen Unterreiner, Foundation Director, Flathead Community College., Julia Olivares of Fidelity Title, Susan Smith and Phyllis Sprunger of Remax, Renee Olson of Fidelity Title and Marcia Litchfield. Page 56 from top left to right: Steve Burgland And Jennifer Young, Great Bear Builders. Brian Seefeldt, Fun Beverage and Erin Blair, SkinTherapyStudio. Dr. Melissa Hulvat, Bass Breast Center, KRMC and Pierre Kaptanian, market president of First Montana Bank. Dr. William Winter, Gynocologist at Compass Oncology, Portland and lead guitarist in No Evidence of Disease Band, with emcee Lindsey Nix. Judy Martinson, Gretchin Alexander, Paula Darcy, Fredi Leopold, Holly Clandfield and Lisa Lorge.
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Our Below the Belt Event raised $15,000 for WINGS and Flathead Cancer Aid Services. We are so grateful to our sponsors and the more than 60 local businesses, who gave generously of their time and resources to make this event a huge success and so much FUN!
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A HUGE THANK YOU to: Dr. William Winter & Spark Media, The O’Shaughnessy Center and Gayle & Scott McLaren, Soroptimist International-Whitefish, 406 Woman Magazine, Straight Blast Gym International & The Yoga Room, GIA Wellness, The Broussard Family, Glacier Bank, Kalispell Regional Healthcare, Kalispell OB/GYN and Dr’s Nelson, Jonas, Lavin and deHoop, Northwest Toyota, National Parks Realty and Judy Martinson & Lisa Lorge, Eisinger Motors, Flathead Valley Art Therapy, Don ‘K’ Chevrolet & Subaru, Skin Therapy Studio, KAJ TV, FUN Beverage, John’s Angels Catering, Top Copy Printing, Find It Marketing, Lisa Kate Morrow, LMT, Lindsay Jane Photography, Glacier Medical Associates, Plum Creek, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, Valerie McIntyre Photography, Sherpa Design, Miss Patty Cakes, Kalispell Downtown Association, Great Bear Builders, Gentry River Ranch, Flathead Electric Co-op, Glacier Ginger Brew, Flathead Travel Services, Whitefish Lake Golf Club & Restaurant, Dr. Pamela Roberts, The Can’t Hardly Play Boys, Diamond Events, Alliance Title, Fidelity National — Rene Olson & Sylvia Vila, Glacier Gala, Celebrate Event and Party Rentals, The Party Store, Wheeler Jewelry, Beckman’s Furniture, Noice Studio & Gallery, Montana Coffee Traders, The Great Northern Brewing Company, Medi Lift Face & Body Solutions, Stebbins Orthodontics, Heritage Place Community – Teri Balaska, RN, Sam & Donna McGough, Fawn Boutique, Harlow, Mimi’s Bridal & The Refinery, The Sportsman & Ski Haus, Sage and Cedar, 57 Boutique & Smooch, The Village Shop, The Toggery, Chic Boutique, SM Bradford, Sappari, Mary Olsen, and Marketing Solutions Today – Jill Evans. Stay tuned for more from all of us as we have more community fun, education and entertainment up our sleeves — or, let’s say “below our belts,” coming Summer of 2016!
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Wild Wings Recovery Center Written by Kari Gabriel
Winter Recap & Long-Eared Owls
Louie, Long-eared Owl admitted to MWWRC in the summer of 2014. Louie was missing one wing tip, his tail and one of his ear tufts. Due to his broken wing tip, he is nonreleasable and has joined the MWWRC education program. Photo courtesy of Everett "Dee" Davis.
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We had quite a winter with eagles this past year. In a span of just 10 days, we had three bald eagles admitted with similar symptoms from mysterious sources. The first young bald eagle was found on a dead horse carcass near the Flathead River, and came in barely conscious. The folks who found this eagle were able to pick it up and take it to their veterinarian, Dr. Breana Zechin, at Evergreen Animal Hospital, who administered oxygen therapy and kept him warm, while waiting for us to pick him up. The eagle was breathing, but couldn’t even open his eyes. We transferred the eagle to Dr. Dennis Dugger, at Central Valley Animal Hospital, where he was weighed, examined, given IV fluids and a left to rest after a quick exam. He weighed just over 7 lbs., and should have weighed closer to 9 or 10 lbs. He still didn’t look great the next morning, but by mid-day, he was standing up and given a nutritious slurry shake! Later that day, he dined on beef heart and kokanee salmon, and continued to improve. We kept him at the clinic one more night to keep him warm as he continued to stabilize. Once he was eating on his own, we took him out to our facility, where he was fed all that he could eat, and prepared for his release, which happened the following week. A few days later, we admitted two more bald eagles, both picked up at the Flathead County Landfill a day apart. Both were admitted with the same symptoms as the first eagle, and were barely conscious when picked up. One of them died soon after being admitted, and the other survived. Like the first eagle, Dr. Dugger administered fluids and extra food, and it came around the next day. There was another mature Bald Eagle and possible mate in the area where it was picked up, so we released it back where it was picked up. The mystery surrounding all three of these eagles remained unsolved. They were all symptomatic of being poisoned, but we will never know for sure what ailed them.
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We also had a Snowy Owl admitted this winter, which is the first we’ve had in about 16 years. She was hit by a car near Ferndale, and had extensive damage to her right wing, rendering her non-releasable. She is still recovering from surgery to repair further damage to her wing, and remains in isolation at our facility. We have applied to keep her as an education ambassador, and are waiting to hear if we will be allowed to keep her on our education permit. She is a large female, weighing more than any of our other owls. Another unusual admit, was a juvenile female Harlan’s Red Tail Hawk. She was picked up by Tribal Police in the Mission Valley, where she was found on the ground and unable to fly. Upon further examination and an x-ray, we discovered she had been shot! Unfortunately, due to her extensive wing damage, she cannot be released back into the wild, and we have also applied to keep her as an education ambassador. She is a gorgeous bird, and has a nice personality for education programs. Last summer, we admitted Louie, the Long-eared Owl. Louie was found West of Kalispell, out on Four Mile Drive, by a property owner. I was the one that got the call, so I headed out to pick him up. Every now and then, a downed bird will “give us a run for our money,” but he was quite the runner! I had to chase him through the woods for quite awhile until I was able to catch him. Once caught, I was able to see right away that he was in rough shape. He was missing an ear tuft, all of his tail feathers, and missing most of his left wing. Something obviously got a hold of him and got the better of him. He has done quite well, growing back his ear tuft and tail feathers, but can’t be released, due to his missing right wing tip. We were able to get him added to our education permit, and he is thrilling audiences with his beautiful plumage and his adorable face. I thought it would be fun to feature him this month, and tell you a bit more about him. Long-eared Owls are found in Western Montana, but this owl is secretive and rarely seen. They are strictly nocturnal hunters. They are one of the few species of raptors that will roost in together, predominantly in winter. The Long-eared Owl has erect blackish ear-tufts, positioned in the center of the head, and a prominent rusty colored facial disk. The eartufts are used to make the owl appear larger to other owls while perched. When roosting, a Long-eared Owl will stretch its body to make itself appear like a tree branch. Considered a medium sized woodland owl, the female is larger in size and darker in coloration than the male. Long-eared Owls are sometimes mistaken for Great Horned Owls, because of their prominent ear-tufts and similar coloration, but Great Horned Owls have ear tufts sitting wider on their head, and are much larger at 3-4 lbs. Long-eared Owls weigh just 7.5 – 18 oz., with the females being larger and darker coloration
Harley, a female juvenile Harlan's Red Tail Hawk, suffered a broken wing, due to a gunshot. She is not able to fly well enough to hunt, and is nonreleasable. We have applied to add Harley to our federal education permit, so she can be an ambassador for MWWRC. Photo courtesy of Jeff Wendorff.
Upcoming FREE public education programs with live raptors: June 14 – Cabela’s, 11 AM – 1 PM June 17 – Whitefish Trails (Lion Mountain Trailhead), 5-7 PM July 1 – Columbia Falls Imagine If Library, 3-4 PM July 8 – Tamarack Alehouse in Lakeside, 5-8 PM July 14 & 15 – Kalispell Imagine If Library, 3-4 PM September 15 – Kalispell Brewing Company, 5-8 PM
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than the males. Long-eared Owls are predominantly open-country hunters; however they are seldom seen because of their nocturnal habits. They are extremely stealth hunters, taking mostly rodents, small mammals and birds. They hover and flutter like a moth, and also glide silently with stiff wings - killing their prey by biting the back of their head and swallowing it whole. They begin nesting in March or April, building nests in a stick nest built by other raptors, corvids (magpies, crows and ravens) or herons. They have also been known to readily use artificial nesting baskets. They will lay 3 – 7 eggs (more if food is abundant), and incubate them 26 -28 days. Eggs are laid every 1 to 5 days and incubation begins with the first egg laid, so that a clutch of 6 eggs may hatch over a period of 10 to 12 days. Young will begin “branching” from the nest at about 3 weeks, and then begin to fly and fledge at about 4-5 weeks. They are independent of their parents at about 8 weeks. The young owls have a distinct call, sounding like a rusty door hinge. Another interesting thing about the Long-eared Owl, is that when faced with an intruder, females will spread their wings out widely, flaring their flight feathers, and lowering their head. This display makes the owl appear 2
to 3 times as larger. They will also try to distract intruders who come near their nests, pretending to capture prey, or an injury, and flop away from the nest on the ground making various noises. They have also been known to attack viciously, with their sharp talons aimed in the face of an intruder. For more information on Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center, visit us online at: www.wildwingsrecovery.org or on our Facebook page. MWWRC is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization located in Kalispell, MT, and is dedicated to helping Montana’s injured and orphaned wild birds. We are funded solely by individual and nonprofit group donations, and have no paid staff. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. MWWRC admits several hundred animals annually (mostly birds), and has wildlife rehabilitation facilities at a private residence. The MWWRC mission is two-fold: caring for injured and orphan wildlife, and returning as many as possible to the wild; as well as providing public education. Those that are not releasable, and have the right disposition for handling, enter the education program. They are worked with and trained to become education ambassadors for the center. MWWRC volunteers provide education programs for schools and the general public, as requested and as time allows.
This beautiful female Snowy Owl was admitted over the winter with a broken wing, after a car strike. She is not able to fly, and we have also applied to add her to our federal education permit. Photo by Sue Haugan.
M W W RC V o l u n t e e r P r o f i l e : C a s s a n d r a W i l s o n ing. She and Todd live in the West Valley area, and also enjoy exploring their own “backyard” on horseback, fishing and training horses. They love the life they’ve built here, but they both miss their families dearly, and find it difficult to be so far away.
Cassandra Wilson, MWWRC volunteer, and Spencer, our Northern Barred Owl. Photo by Todd Wilson. Cassandra Wilson joined the MWWRC volunteer crew in May 2014, after coming to our annual baby shower and wanting to help on a regular basis. She has been spending her Friday afternoons since feeding and cleaning up after hungry raptors, and also began handling birds and doing education programs this year. She and her husband Todd moved to the Flathead from Colorado 21 years ago, have a large family of four-footed “kids,” that includes 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses, 7 miniature horses, a llama and a goat. All of them (other than Todd) have interesting stories on how they came to be a part of their family, and quite a few have come from rescue type situations. In some of her “spare” time, Cassandra enjoys riding and driving horses, crocheting, reading and bak-
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Cassandra also founded Wee Whinnies Therapeutic Minis just over four years ago because, “I personally know how important animals are in keeping me healthy and happy, and I wanted to share that with others. Animals can bring about physical, emotional, and mental well-being, even healing, so I dedicate my time providing people of all ages in our Valley with visits from my miniature horses, sharing their gentle, calm, and loving spirits. Every visit is uplifting and heartwarming. The joy on peoples’ faces when they see a horse come into their room is priceless. Memories come back, and stories of horses they used to have in their lives are shared, snooter-smooches are given, and sometimes secrets are whispered into a fuzzy ear. I've been blessed with witnessing some truly amazing interactions. Animals certainly have a way of reaching a person when other people cannot.” She also volunteers weekly at Immanuel Lutheran Home, helping with various activities. She added, “I get a bit embarrassed when
they thank me for being there, because it's really a two way street in my eyes. I think of the residents as ‘extended-family’, and always enjoy our time together. So we all benefit...” Having done a bird program with Cassandra at ILH, I’ve seen first-hand how the residents adore her, and call her by name. When asked what she enjoys most about volunteering with MWWRC, she responded with, “Oh boy, I don't know if I can pick just one favorite thing... I feel so lucky, and appreciate the opportunity to be able to care for and work with such amazing creatures. It is certainly a huge honor manning and developing that trust with our education ambassadors, and sharing them with the public. It's also introduced me to some really wonderful individuals, in the other volunteers who give of themselves, their time, friendship, and knowledge. But I’d have to say that the most fulfilling experience so far, was my first release of a rehabbed Great Horned Owl back into the wild. That feeling when it took flight from my hands was pure joy, and is easily one of the best memories in my life.” She believes that in helping others, we truly help ourselves, “Kindness is free, let's leave the lives of those we've touched a little happier, if even for just a moment.” Good words to live by.
For more information on MWWRC, contact Kari Gabriel at 406-249-7800 or montanabirdlady@outlook.com. You may also visit their page on Facebook, or on the web at www.wildwingsrecovery.org
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Kacie has been an artist and performer since her childhood days growing up in Kalispell, Montana. Kacie is a graduate of Montana State University with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. She attended Flathead High School in Kalispell, Montana and graduated Valedictorian of her high school class in 2007. In 2010, she was crowned Miss Montana and competed for Miss America in January 2011. As Miss Montana, she was given the opportunity to serve as the Montana Ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network. She was crowned Miss Montana USA in 2013, and competed for Miss USA in June 2013. Kacie is an avid swing dancer, musical theater enthusiast, and a former member of the Northwest Ballet Company. Kacie is currently teaching 4th grade in Kalispell, Montana. Thank you to Jamee Cole for sharing her 1952 truck, Candy. Jamee has lived in Whitefish for twenty-two years. She is a suspended ceiling contractor. photo by:
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Checking In
Throughout the year there are so many awesome events that raise money for some really terrific nonprofit organizations in the valley. Personally and professionally we help as often as we can truly knowing it is much better to give than receive. Last month there were two firsts that we really enjoyed being a part of and look forward to their events next year. “Give Local Flathead” (in conjunction with the nationwide “Give Local America”) took place on Tuesday, May 5th with their Fiesta for Philanthropy in the theme of Cinco de Mayo. This one day giving event raised over $73,000 for nonprofit organizations in the area! The Flathead Community Foundation took the lead in putting the event together and they are already making plans for next year’s Give Local Flathead on May 3, 2016. The “Below the Belt” event was organized to raise awareness for cancers that strike below the belt (vaginal, vulvar, endometrial, cervical, ovarian and fallopian) and raise money for WINGS Regional Cancer Support and Flathead Cancer Aid Services. They raised $15,000 this year and had over 60 businesses and sponsors help support the cause. Organizers plan to continue their mission in the future and are already working on plans for future events. We are grateful for these selfless minded people that are givers as well as everyone that not only sees the value of helping those in need but really participating in causes that are great for the whole community. Giving a little time, expertise or money can truly make a difference! Thank you to all of you that help on any level!
Enjoy summer!
What did we learn after reading this issue?
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Stress affects everyone! CrisMarie Campbell shares some great advice on how to deal with stress without having a fight, flight or freeze reaction including “shaking it off.” Read her column on page 48 in the Business & Health section.
Sure organic foods are healthy but are they more nutritious than conventionally grown foods. The answer will surprise you in Two Bear Farm’s column this month. See page 34 in our Business & Health section and learn more. Bigfork’s one-lane bridge is truly a landmark in that community. Learn how the residents of Bigfork are trying to get the bridge placed on the historic register and save it from being replaced by a two-lane entry to town on page 14 in the Business & Health section.
contributors
406 Erin Blair
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Our Talented
Contributor’s Corner
Delia Buckmaster
Certified in pilates and an active health coach, owner of Exhale Pilates Studio
Leslie Budewitz
Lawyer and national best selling writer of 'The Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries'
Brianne Burrowes
Founder of I Want Her Job and Senior Consumer Marketing Manager at NASCAR track Phoenix International Raceway
Cris Marie Campbell
Master certified Martha Beck coach and consultant, co-owner of Thrive! Inc.
Kristan Clark
Co-owner of Bestow Heart and Home, designer and writer.
Susan B Clarke
Faculty at The Haven Institute for 20 years and co-owner of Thrive! Inc.
Brian D’Ambrosio
Accomplished writer and newly published author of “Reservation Champ’
Jen Euell
Program Director for the Women’s Foundation of Montana
Kari Gabriel
Exec Dir or Flathead CARE plus wildlife rehabilitator and educator
Bob Hamilton
B r i anne B ur r o wes
Licensed esthetician and owner of Skin Therapy Studio
''
What is your favorite memory of the Fourth of July?
Every summer while I was growing up my sisters and I would load up on fireworks and then set them off with my dad at my grandparent's expansive back yard in Polson. They had the best view of Flathead Lake, so we could see the fireworks popping around town as we lit ours. They also had a porch swing where we would watch the town firework show together while eating homemade ice cream.
Music aficionado, former English teacher, and all around good guy
Sue Hanson
Kalispell OB/GYN Doctors & Practitioners
Board certified OB/GYN professional offering expert advice
Junkermier, Clark, Campanella, Stevens, P.C. Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors
Nancy Kimball
Marketing communications specialist at Kalispell Regional Healthcare, and career journalist
Marti Kurth
Public relations and marketing expert for organizations in the arts and music
Kristen Ledyard
Executive Chef and Owner of John’s Angels Catering
Jessica Manly
Montana FoodCorps leader connecting kids to real food to grow up healthy
Jessica Man l y
Freelance writer, member of the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork, community volunteer.
Watching fireworks from the roof of our apartment building in New York City as a child. It was amazing/terrifying to feel so close to the action!
John Miller, DDS
Specializing in general dentistry, Dr Miller provides expert advice
Naomi Morrison
Professional journalist, freelance writer and committed to the community Business law specialist with Measure Law Office, P.C.
Kristen Pulsifer
Writer, editor and owner of Whitefish Study Center
Karen Sanderson
Wine expert and owner of Brix Bottleshop in Kalispell
Miriam Singer
Talented writer and songstress, promoting music as Singer & Simpson Productions
Lucy Smith
Executive Director of the Flathead Community Foundation, believes that everyday philanthropy is changing the world
Gwen Sutherland
Owner of Marketing Bits, writing and design business
Mary Wallace
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Mother of three and grandmother to two, is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up.
For full bios for our contributors, please visit www.406woman.com.
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Susan Hanson
Kelly O’Brien, Esq.
The Fourth of July in Bigfork is epic! Fun parade, the Bigfork Summer Playhouse cast sings patriotic songs, the Flathead Lake Lodge brings their antique fire trucks and sprays down the crowd, always a great contingent of veterans and fun floats. Warms the soul and makes my patriotic heart flutter!
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DR. WHEELER
Bringing hope& a future to Montana
By Nancy Kimball
This is a story of two Montana boys. Before they saw their first four months of life, both were attacked with neurological challenges that would rock anyone’s world. But both were blessed with loving families who took steps to counteract those challenges. Fortunately, they also both connected with Dr. Marcus Wheeler in Kalispell Regional Healthcare’s Neuroscience and Spine Institute. He is the pediatric neurologist – Montana’s first – whom their mothers see as the man who often brought the only light in a series of very dark storms.
DYLAN POULSON
was four months old when, on Easter Sunday, 2014, he suddenly arched his back and flung his arms out during a meal. His folks, KayCee and Jon, thought he’d had a seizure. Later, it happened again. And then again.
“By Monday night we decided to get an appointment with the doctor, because it was like his brain was rebooting,” KayCee said from the family home in Havre. As they were in the local doctor’s office, Dylan’s back completely stiffened and his little body froze in place.
“He’d never done this before. When she saw it, she told me to take him to the Intensive care unit (ICU) right then,” KayCee said. By that afternoon, he was having seizure after seizure. The anti-epileptic drug Keppra brought the generalized seizures to a halt, but his spasms – a different brain malfunction – continued. In the week following his ICU visit his body repeatedly jackknifed, at one point
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continuing through a series of 87 spasms. Something had to be done. Dylan’s doctor had heard that a pediatric neurologist recently moved to Kalispell. “Let’s try him,” she told KayCee. A week after the ICU visit, Dylan was in Dr. Wheeler’s office. “As soon as he saw it he said it was infantile spasms,” KayCee recalled. An electroencephalogram (EEG) showed Dylan’s specific condition was hypsarrhythmia, a chaotic electrical pattern that allows the brain no time to regain control of itself, leaving the child incapable of learning and eventually regressing his development. “Treating with ACTH is the gold standard in the United States for infantile spasms, but Britain prefers a high-dose oral steroid regimen and that’s what Johns Hopkins does,” Dr. Wheeler said. His training and research revealed considerable risks with no better results using ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), so they opted for high-dose prednisolone treatment. Dr. Wheeler mitigated side effects with other medications as they fought through the treat-
ment. In nine days, the spasms stopped. They tapered Dylan off the prednisolone. But five weeks later they started again, manifesting only in his face. This time the steroid treatment was effective in six days. They used a longer tapering-off period – almost two months as opposed to a month the first time. Today, Dylan is a changed boy. Gone are the days when he didn’t make eye contact, sit up, eat solid foods or walk. He is at 100 percent of normal development and socially advanced for his age. He’s still on a seizure medication and his last EEG showed focal spikes, discharges of electrical activity in a focused area of the brain that leave him susceptible to future seizures. But if those are gone by his August appointment, Dr. Wheeler plans to taper him off the medication. It’s promising.
“They chose an alternative treatment by using the high-dose prednisolone, and he had a very quick response both times,” Dr. Wheeler said. “Now he’s doing great socially, has no more spasms, and is at normal development. That’s about the best outcome you could have.”
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DR. WHEELER
“D
ylan is a
changed boy. Gone are the days when he didn’t make eye contact, sit up, eat solid foods or walk. He is at 100 percent of normal development and socially advanced for his age.
Dylan
Colt While KayCee admits to some apprehension, she’s not letting the unknown define her family’s life. “The biggest help in this whole thing is Dr. Wheeler,” she said, “but how do you express your gratitude to someone who totally saved your child?”
COLT WHEELER
had a tough birth, and his mom, Marina, had a tough pregnancy. As a brittle diabetic, Marina was on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for seven months before Colt was born prematurely at 30 weeks. He lost a pound of his 3-pound, 7-ounce birth weight when the edema around his kidneys cleared. He had a brain bleed, brain atrophy that was discovered later, and a hole in his heart that eventually resolved itself. At three months he was not meeting milestones as measured by the Child Development Center in Missoula, a resource for developmentally delayed children where the family from Polson found solid support. Colt was not meeting weight, height and other markers. Eye problems and breathing difficulties kept sending him to the hospital until he was a year old. In fall 2014 he was referred to Dr. Wheeler and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. By January 2015, when he was 18 months old, they documented Colt’s frequent brain seizures.
The up side was that the seizures were occurring in the already-damaged grey matter, not in the white matter that affects how the brain learns and functions.
The anti-epileptic drug moderated the seizures, but when Dr. Wheeler doubled the dosage, Colt’s focal seizures stopped entirely and he began to show real improvement.
“Since he upped the dose, Colt’s been more talkative, his body is not as rigid, he’s able to scoot around on the floor, he can hold his head up, and he babbles and yells – which he wasn’t able to do before,” Marina said. His cortical vision impairment also improved, and he’s now able to see well enough to connect with his mom visually, play, smile and laugh. Colt’s quality of life improved, but further advances remain uncertain.
“We really don’t know the future, because of the cerebral palsy and the global delays and we don’t know what his brain can do,” Marina said. She will take Colt to see Dr. Wheeler every three months and then, when he is 3, an MRI will determine if there are changes to his brain and optic nerves. Through it all, she’ll rely on the expertise that she credits with improving her son’s condition significantly already.
DR. WHEELER
sees his practice at the Neuroscience and Spine Institute as a prime opportunity to help the Dylan Poulsons and Colt Wheelers of the world.
“My partners here are adult neurologists,” he said. “They have some good overlap between treating kids and adults, but I have more exposure to kids.” His caseload averages five new patients a day from across Montana, plus follow-ups on those he has been treating. Once a month he travels to Missoula and Helena, providing services that were unavailable in Montana before his August 2013 arrival. Montana gained its second pediatric neurologist last August, when a physician from the same program where Dr. Wheeler trained started practicing in Billings.
Dr. Wheeler is working to establish a broad telemedicine program throughout the state. It will provide consultation, diagnosis and treatment support for patients in rural areas who can make it to the local clinic for a video call, but who would be hard-pressed to make the trip to Kalispell. It’s all part of his vision for improving neurologic care for Montana’s youngest and most vulnerable population.
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To learn more, please call Kalispell Regional Healthcare’s Neuroscience and Spine Institute at (406) 752-5095.
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Incorporating a new trend that fits your style
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By Sara Kirshner, Hunter & Company
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When we think about summer trends in interior design it can be everything from new vases and planters for flowers to outdoor furniture. Mainly we think about spending time with loved ones in the outdoors. Make sure that your home and outdoor living areas are season ready with these tips and styles. Staying in the know with this seasons trends will allow you to pick and choose which one might be right for you at the time of making a small or large update at home. Incorporating a new trend here or there that fits your style and lifestyle will keep your home updated and unique to you. Here are some of the top trends that we at Hunter & Company love for summer…
1
Summer inspired decor can be something that, if done right, adds a fresh element into a room throughout the entire year. Natural materials and woven fibers are a nice balancing texture to add into a room to create interest. For a small update, try a nautical inspired lamp or these living room chairs from Palecek that have a breezy summer feel.
2
Summer is about getting outdoors! Setting up a wall tent or a teepee can be a great way to enjoy the comforts of home while being out in the elements. If a weekend getaway is what you are looking for check out Glacier Under Canvas, located right outside of Glacier National Park. This photo is one of their adorable and cozy offerings.
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5
Trends
Tribal prints are being produced by a lot of the top fabric houses again. Neutral colors worked into large-scale repetitive pattern are very rhythmic and will probably be around for quite some time.
3
Over dyed vintage rugs (and reproductions) have been trending for quite some time, and seem like they will be sticking around. The process of over dying gives new life to vintage rugs. They come in the most amazing array of colors such as a neutral silvery grey or rugs that have the brightest hues like this one here from ABC home. They make a great statement piece and are bold and exciting.
4
Loud and exciting outdoor fabric. You only get to see and use it for a few months every year. It might as well be in an exciting color that makes you happy and gives off energy. Outdoor fabrics used to have a bad reputation for only being offered in dull colors. Now thanks to color safe technology, many designers are trending with over the top, bright, bold patterns. Have fun with outdoor fabrics like this vibrant chevron from Christopher Farr.
6
Lucite (acrylic glass) is kind of playful and gives a nod to the 60's and 70's when it first started being used for furniture. Essentially, it is a visually weightless piece of furniture that you can incorporate into a room. I love this small side table by Gabby Home.
7
Cow hides in bright colors and metallic are a really fun and eclectic trend. You can usually find metallic cow hides for a layering area rug or patchwork pillows. We have an assortment in the showroom at Hunter and Company.
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Home Sweet, Eclectic Home
Photographed by Camp-n-Cottage
When visitors swing open the door to Megan Clark’s home they’re greeted by her warm personality and beautiful eclectic design. What’s surprising is this delightful home is a small basement apartment that was decorated from tag sales and discount stores.
“I’ve been going to flea markets and estate sales with my mom, Kristan Clark since I was a little girl,” Megan says. “It was always an exciting treasure hunting adventure.” She shares that as she got older, she grew to appreciate the benefits of finding amazing pieces and getting them for a great price was “icing on the cake.” It’s something we still enjoy doing together. That’s why it made perfect sense for the two of us to open Bestow Heart and Home in historic downtown Kalispell, with our partner Julie Croymans. The shop, much like Megan’s apartment is an eclectic mix, sprinkled with unique items, both new and vintage, sourced from around the world. There’s something very special in a home filled with items that evoke history and warm memories. Each piece has a story, whether it’s the day spent treasure hunting or conversations with the vendor about the history of a piece. “You just won’t experience that when shopping in a department store”, Megan explains. “Even so, it’s important to mix in some industrial or modern elements for a good balance.”
Megan’s home is about living with what she loves. “Shop with an open mind,” she says. “You’ll be surprised at what you’ll find that may suit your needs or speak to your heart. If you’re not sure about a piece, ask yourself, “Does it make me smile?” If the answer is, ‘yes’ you won’t regret the purchase.” You can really have fun with this kind of decorating. One of her first purchases was a vintage dining room table. She wanted to do something unexpected with this very traditional table and didn’t hesitate to paint over the beat up finish with a vivid orange color. The creamy chairs and sideboard keep it anchored. Megan says, “Everyone that visits my home loves this table and I have many happy memories around the warm hue.”
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It’s
so easy to look at apartments as temporary
resting places, while we wait for home ownership.
“That’s a shame”, Megan says. “Our home, whether expansive or humble, should be a place of refuge that feeds our soul and fills our heart with joy.”
On the other hand, her bedroom set was found in a barn and purchased for just $75.00. It made sense to spend the time to strip off the ugly blackish varnish to reveal beautiful bird’s eye maple. It’s become an heirloom quality piece that will be appreciated for years to come. The bed is dressed in monochromatic layers, an oasis of calm from the colorful apartment.
“When you gather things that speak
to you, you’ll find themes that can be grouped together that express so much,” Megan shares. She expresses herself throughout her apartment; dog figurines are clustered on a desk given to her by her grandmother, seashells from vacations on the Oregon coast grace a nightstand, elephants from travels in Thailand march across her coffee table. A collection of vintage baking items paired with pastry cookbooks, remind her of time baking pastry for a local French bakery. Even hats she wears every day, lined up on a windowsill in her office, become a design statement. It’s so easy to look at apartments as temporary resting places, while we wait for home ownership. “That’s a shame”, Megan says. “Our home, whether expansive or humble, should be a place of refuge that feeds our soul and fills our heart with joy.”
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Megan’s Tips and Tricks:
Partner up when shopping and decorating. You’ll have a wonderful time and the collaborative effort often brings stunning results.
Paint can be your best friend and is such
an inexpensive way to freshen up used pieces or add a pop of color. Case in point, the vintage table painted orange.
Choose designer fabrics, but purchase them from online discount stores. Designer samples can also be found on clearance and are the perfect size for covering pillows. These fabrics serve to bring cohesiveness to an eclectic mix. Storage - Suitcases have been popular for a long time and can’t be beat for storage in small spaces. The trick is to look for unique details and shapes to keep them interesting. Locker baskets, wooden crates, and tins are far more attractive than the plastic bins found in box stores.
Create galleries by grouping pictures
together. The historical architectural prints above Megan’s couch create the look of fine art, but are actually posters and paper all framed in black.
Layers and textures really warm up a space and truly make it feel homey. Throws, pillows, collections, books, pictures, can be edited or switched out by season to keep things fresh.
Invest in a few key pieces. Megan splurged on her creamy tufted couch, knowing it would be the foundation for the rest of the room. The neutral color allows freedom in introducing vibrant colors.
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Written by: CARA FINCH LARD, OWNER, MUM’S FLOWERS Photographed by: TYLER NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY
The second installment of the Mum’s workshop series was a great success as we taught our students the basics of creating beautiful succulent gardens and terrariums. Succulents have grown in popularity over the past few years because of their easy care and fun, unusual shapes. They are essentially low maintenance and require little water. These drought-resistant plants are found in the cacti family and naturally enjoy sunny climates. Although desert plants, we have adopted succulents as indoor companions. Generally succulents should be watered when dry, about every 1-2 weeks. They will continue to grow in the summer and even bloom during the winter!
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Succulents can be placed in sunny, southern facing windows and should thrive with proper care.
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Our students had the opportunity to create either a succulent garden or terrarium. Succulent terrariums are open-faced gardens that allow plenty of sunshine and light. They can be placed indoors or outside on a porch in the summertime. Terrariums alternatively, are enclosed glass containers, usually with a small opening at the top. Terrariums are a fun way to create a statement piece for a dining table or living space. The addition of moss and rocks give them a miniature landscaped feel. We loved all the creativity and seeing each unique succulent garden come to life! Follow Mum’s Flowers on Facebook and Instagram for future workshop updates.
Succulents
will continue to grow in the summer and even bloom during the winter!
“To dwell is to garden.� - Martin Heidegger
love} stories
The Perfect Wedding Day
as told by bride, Elyse
Photographed by David Clumpner www.davidclumpner.com
Filip and Elyse’s fortuitous meeting occurred aboard a beautiful cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas. She was a professional figure skater entertaining thousands of guests while he was a first officer, maneuvering the ship in and out of Caribbean ports each week. They were introduced by a mutual friend and hit it off instantly when they began discussing the great inventions of Norway and Sweden. Filip grew up in Stockholm, Sweden and Elyse, born in Montana, grew up celebrating her Norwegian heritage.
Their discussions about
which country had contributed the most to society kept their conversations lively as they grew to know each other. Their relationship continued aboard Oasis of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship in the world. After two years, Elyse left the cruising and entertainment life to finish her engineering degree at Montana Tech. Even though Filip remained on the ship as Chief Officer, he spent his vacations with Elyse, falling in love not only with her but also with Montana. Filip and Elyse spent time traveling and living all over the world, skiing, sailing and sampling different cuisines. June sixth was chosen as the wedding date in honor of Filip’s grandmother’s birthday. “Mormor” (Swedish for grandmother) was an important person in their relationship. She passed away shortly before Filip proposed in August of 2012, but she was still able to give her approval right after the proposal. As the newly engaged couple looked out at the sea after the celebrated “yes,” a family of dolphins appeared jumping and skipping out of the water. Dolphins were Mormor’s favorite animals.
The Wedding
Our wedding day played out like a true Montana Fairy Tale. Filip and I were constantly pinching ourselves to make sure that what we were experiencing was real life. A 40 percent chance of rain was predicted for our wedding day. This is not good for a bride’s nerves. I honestly don’t know how the weather turned out to be so perfect…actually I do know. After the fact, I learned that sometime during our welcome dinner, my groom, the best man, maid of honor and a few more vigilantes went to the ceremony location and buried a whiskey bottle underneath where we would be standing. By tradition according to my father, this would assure a rain-free wedding. Apparently, his advice worked since the day was gorgeous with big puffy white clouds, 75 degrees, and no wind. Perfect!
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Now that the weather stage is set, let’s begin reliving the fairy tale. The bride woke up to her sisters, niece and parents dancing and singing “I Think I Want to Marry You” by Bruno Mars. Perfect! While singing songs from Disney’s Frozen, hair and make up were skillfully placed by the bride’s cousin and leading lady (the new, more modern version of the bridesmaid). The groom’s younger brother delivered the morning gift, a beautiful handwritten note and sparkly diamond earrings. The flower girls were dancing around to the music and giggling at the bride. Outside, the brilliant photographer was carefully choreographing wedding prop photos. It was then that a recent event flashed through the bride’s mind. Two days earlier in Butte, Montana, the groom shared stories and memories as he escorted his Swedish and Montana families on a walk through the town. While turning around from a hug to his future wife, he walked straight into a pole. There was blood everywhere. First, the bride was concerned for her future husband; then, her mind went to the wedding day photos. There was really no need to worry. Filip’s black eye would not be a problem thanks to a skillful photographer and modern photographic technology.
Back to the wedding day and across town from the bride, the best man was delicately placing the boutonniere, one simple daisy (the favorite flower of the groom’s grandmother), on the groom’s lapel. It turns out that, in addition to a ceremony rehearsal, there should have been flower pinning lessons. At the end of the pinning, half of the daisy petals had gently fallen to the floor. The groom’s grandmother would have actually appreciated this humor in comparison to a perfectly pinned flower.
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There
was a moment when Garret
looked at the bride’s mother and
sang about “…being raised by her mamma’s morals…” There was not a dry eye on the
mountain.
All ready to go, the groom and best man headed for Blue Mountain to look at the wedding location. An hour later, the bride, the maid of honor and the photographer made the same trip. The next two hours were full of fun, laughter, jokes and maneuvering around dog droppings! The petite maid of honor had the 6’2’’ best man a bit jumpy when she pointed out snake holes. After tromping around the mountain posing for perfect pictures, the wedding party returned to the Knudsen home, the meeting point for the drive to the ceremony. The groom, best man, maid of honor and flower girl returned to the wedding site in a restored ‘66 Ford Mustang belonging to the bride’s parents. The bride and her parents made the trip in a ’67 baby blue Volkswagen Beetle belonging to the bride’s godparents. Meanwhile, to avoid car traffic on the mountain road, guests were ferried to the ceremony site in classic yellow school buses.
Upon arrival, they received cards in original envelopes made by the bride and groom from old Swedish calendars and children’s books. Gifted to the guests, the envelopes were to be re-used as a pay–it–forward note to their own loved ones. The flower girl, dressed in a classic Norwegian bunad, similar to the one the bride wore as a little girl, stole the show! Forgetting to throw flowers right away, she swung her basket Ferris wheel style, flying the flowers around and around. When she tired of this motion, she tiptoed her way to the altar, tossing flowers brilliantly.
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The ceremony was magical. Pastor Chris set the tone with beautifully chosen words of blessing that linked
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Elyse and Filip with love. Other highlights were the handwritten vows, the bride almost forgetting to put the ring on the groom’s finger, and the song “I was Born in Montana” written and played by their friend, Garrett Graves. There was a moment when Garret looked at the bride’s mother and sang about “…being raised by her mamma’s morals…” There was not a dry eye on the mountain. Once the bride and groom shared a joyous kiss, and after several attempts by the groom to start the Mustang with the wrong key, the wedding party flew away to the reception with cans trailing. The guests came down the mountain more sedately via the school buses. At the Sons of Norway lodge reception, drinks and hors d’oeuvres were served, everyone congratulated the newlyweds and reveled in the beautiful June day.
The dinner lasted FOUR hours! This is extremely long for an American wedding but quite typical for a Swedish wedding. This length is due to the toasts, the “snapsvisor” tradition of songs sung when making a toast and the fun kissing tradition. In Swedish weddings, if the bride or groom leaves to go to the restroom, the guests may then kiss the remaining newlywed. No worries though, true to American tradition, there were many classic “clinking moments” when the bride and groom shared a sweet and more appropriate kiss. Highlights for everyone were the speeches given throughout the dinner. Filip’s father set a high bar with his story of how, at one time, he had hoped the
Princess of Sweden would be a marriage candidate for his son, but he was much more thrilled when Filip found a Montana Princess. Elyse’s sister, the maid of honor, gave marriage advice by recalling classic Disney movies. The end of her speech wrapped up with a resounding rendition of “Let it Go!” from Frozen. Filip’s grandfather, at 91 years young, flew from Sweden to the wedding to share a very special speech. He spoke to the past, the present and the very happy future. The night closed after a rousing three hours of dance with music provided by the fabulous Country Boogie Band. Integrated into the evening was a group dance led by Dan Rude, Sons of Norway lodge president and dance leader. In addition, the guests were surprised with a mob dance to Beyonce’s “Love on Top,” choreographed by the bride and her maid of honor and danced by secretly selected guests. Still, there was nothing sweeter than the bride and groom’s first dance to a song titled “Valborg” by famous Swedish artist, Håkan Hellström. The lyrics translate to “Yes, I am yours, put your hand in mine, put your hand in mine.”
Advice for Future Montana Brides
It is difficult to tell a bride not to worry about what may go wrong on her wedding day, but please, don’t worry! Everything that happens, whether it is wrong, right, up or down, won’t bother you. This is your magic moment and, to you, everything will be perfect on your wedding day. The next day you can smile about the other things!
love} stories
MORE IN LOVE AFTER 50 YEARS June 30, 1965 – June 30, 2015
Sam & Donna McGough By Mary Wallace
They were just kids really. He was 17, kind of a ‘big deal’ around town, a track star, dating someone else. He was just planning to drop his younger sister off at a middle-school party. She was 14 and there he was in his letter sweater . . . surely he wasn’t coming over to talk to HER! According to Sam McGough, the minute he laid eyes on Donna Conway, it was a classic case of love at first sight. And Donna? “Well, I was only 14. I didn’t know about love. It was a case of . . . oh I don’t know… infatuated at first sight?” They attended different high schools and they ‘went together’ off and on for three and half years. Because Donna was so young, they couldn’t actually go out on dates unless her brother came along. The summer of 1965, Sam’s grandparents were planning a trip to see family in Alabama and invited Sam and Donna to go along. Donna’s parents said no, of course. It just wasn’t done; Sam and Donna were not married and they weren’t about to let them travel together, chaperoned or not.
On June 30, 1965 they were married in a small chapel in California (because Donna, being just shy of 18, could not legally get married in Arizona). They had a classic 1960’s wedding cake & punch reception at the Baptist church back home afterwards.
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Their honeymoon? It was the trip to Alabama to visit Sam’s kinfolk, of course, including all the 10th cousins!
Sam was ambitious in their early days, and he made his living running heavy equipment. They were young, but life was good! They decided to buy a new car. They went to the Chevy dealer to look at vehicles and they were so young the salesmen wouldn’t even talk to them. (Big mistake . . . Big!) They left there and went across the street to the Pontiac dealer and a when friendly salesmen asked if he could help them; they bought a car on the spot. Donna remembers when they bought their first house after they had been married a year and a half - the third house built in a brand new subdivision development. Sam’s grandpa declared they were way too young to be buying cars and houses – said they’d never make it! Of course there were newlywed challenges. Donna was shy and didn’t know how to cook. His sense of southern hospitality often got him in hot water; he’d offer invitations to dinner without giving her any notice. She says she liked things perfect and he liked things comfortable. Love prevailed, however, and they had three daughters one in 1967, one in 1969, and one in 1976. How did Sam go from running heavy equipment to running a successful jewelry store? When Sam was still a fairly young man, running equipment began to take its toll and he required back surgery. It seemed
time to pursue another career. Donna and his sister had a love of jewelry and he noticed that all the nurses at the hospital also seemed to love jewelry. He went on some buying trips and he began a jewelry business in Arizona. It wasn’t long before he started a jewelry manufacturing operation and soon they had 200 employees.
In September 1979, one of their employees told them about a place called Whitefish, Montana. They started searching for a little place in Montana; their wish list included property bordering USFS, with a creek or pond. Their realtor called them just after Christmas to let them know they had found the place! They flew up to see a cabin with 20 acres on Star Meadows Road in January 1980 and being smitten with all the snow, they bought the property that same day. They visited a couple times a year until 1986, when they decided to buy a further 60 acres, build their forever home and move to Whitefish.
Ever ambitious, Sam built and sold wood stoves to Nelson’s Hardware in Whitefish. He also invented and manufactured an adobe-making machine, as well as a concrete-making machine. In 1989, they opened Tomahawk Trading in Whitefish, and began selling jewelry at 30-50% off regular retail prices. Over the years, they also operated stores at Big Mountain Resort, and at the Gateway Mall in Kalispell. In 1991, they bought the building at 131 Central Avenue in Whitefish and a few years later, their daughter Stacy convinced them to change their company name to McGough and Company.
love}
Moonlight
and roses are bound to fade
for every lover and every
but the
bond
maid
that holds in any weather
is learning how to laugh.
Anonymous
Make no mistake - Sam is still a heavy equipment operator. That is how he relaxes these days. He does a little construction work now & then, and a few odd jobs around the homestead - sometimes to Donna’s dismay, as far as the landscaping goes. What is the craziest thing they’ve have ever done as a couple? Buying the cabin and 20 acres in Montana on a snowy day, because in the spring it the yard of their cozy cabin became a muddy mess! However, they both agreed that is was the craziest AND the best thing they’ve done.
What did they wish they had known when they got married? You really don’t know someone until you have lived with them. Sam had a fairly rough childhood and was used to taking care of his mom & siblings. Donna went from her sheltered family life to married life. It made for some adjustments. According to Sam “Love will prevail, whatever problems there are; love will always prevail.” I asked Sam & Donna how they manage to get along while working closely together. Sam runs the store and Donna runs the office, so they are not really in each other’s pockets all day. It makes for a good business team, as well as a good married life.
After 50 years, how do they continue to stay connected and nurture their relationship? Do they
have ‘date night’? Yes, they often go to dinner and a movie. They enjoy spending time with their kids and six grandkids, and over the years some of their customers have become close friends, so they like to socialize with them. They feel fortunate to share their good health, their family, their livelihood, and each other. Any life events that changed their relationship? Donna’s mother and Sam’s twin sister both passed away in the same year. They were both grieving and yet, still needed to support each other. It was a difficult time, but only served to draw them closer.
What drives them crazy? (In all fairness, Sam was called away for a couple minutes just as I asked this question.) Donna says they have mellowed with age. They don’t need to argue any more, they already know what the other is thinking. Listening to the two of them talk, it is almost as if the things that have driven them crazy about each other have also endeared them to each other as the years have gone by. He drives the equipment over their yard and undoes all the hard work Donna has done to landscape. She has given up complaining if he leaves his shoes around. When Sam returned, he simply repeated that “love will prevail”. Seems there is not much Donna could do that would make Sam stop loving her.
What does one do that makes the other love them even more? She loves his compassion and his big heart. Donna relayed a story about a church party
they had been to when they were younger. The women were told to remove their shoes and sit in a chair. The men were blindfolded & instructed to find their wife by her bare feet. Surprisingly, Sam identified her right away! Sweet, right? Except that Sam later admitted that it was only because she liked to go barefoot, and he knew her feet would be the ones that were rough & callused! She has never gone barefoot since! Any regrets? Anything they’d do differently? Sam said he would definitely not get Donna a washing machine for their first anniversary! But no regrets really. They have always worked things out and they did not give up so easy like many couples these days. Sam said he is glad they got married back when the air was clean and sex was dirty. It was a simpler time. Young adults have so much more to deal with these days! They are all expected to have college degrees and somehow stay connected via text messages.
50 YEARS! How do they plan to celebrate? They leave for an Alaska cruise on June 4th. When they return, their children and family will all be gathering for a 50th anniversary celebration. It is hard to get the whole family together, so this will be a cherished celebration. Donna, who likes things to be perfect, feels both worried and a bit guilty that they won’t be home until the day before the party. Sam, who likes to be comfortable, just wants it to be fun.
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Bestow & Tablescaping
Written by Kristan Clark of Bestow Heart and Home Photographed by Camp-n-Cottage
Ah, summer time. There’s nothing quite like it. All the busyness of work and school begins to fade as we give ourselves permission to slow down. Days are longer, meals around the dinner table are exchanged for alfresco dining, and dessert is often found on a stick. Yes, we want s’more!
Like summertime, your dining table can be relaxed and fun. Set the stage early so you can enjoy leisurely meals outdoors throughout the season. Pull a table on to the deck, the front porch or under the trees and surround it with an eclectic mix of chairs. Pillows and comfy cushions will encourage family and friends to linger and be sure to hang quilts handily nearby in case the night turns chilly.
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food}tablescaping
Like
summertime, your dining table can be
relaxed and fun. Set the stage early so you can enjoy leisurely meals outdoors throughout the season.
Today the front porch beckons us to share a light hearted meal. The table is dressed with the colors of the season; red, white and blue with a splash of yellow. The elements have been casually gathered for a table that’s simplicity is charming and welcoming.
The daisy
is the quintessential flower of summer. We corralled humble mason jars of antique blue into a unique red metal basket and filled them with the long lasting flower.
Mix it up! Antique blue mason jars, gingham and yellow ware bowls are classic Americana fare. We paired these vintage standbys with a bright modern graphic at each place setting. A shabby chic tablecloth sprinkled with faded blue roses is topped with a bold red and white cloth that’s a twist on the classic checkered version.
Paper or plastic?
Plastic please. While we love bringing fine dinnerware onto the alfresco table, we understand that some may be reticent to do so. Fortunately we no longer need to opt for paper as the only alternative. Plastic ware now comes in a variety of patterns and shapes. Some are so convincing, at first glance you’ll be hard pressed to distinguish them from your better dishes.
Carnival Glass goblets, once considered cheap glassware, now actually elevate our place settings. Created in 1907 by the Fenton Glass Company, carnival glass was meant to compete with glassware produced by Tiffany and Steuben. Unfortunately consumers considered it “poor man’s tiffany”, and refused to pay top dollar for it. It wasn’t long before it could be found in Woolworth stores and of course at carnivals, given away as cheap priz-
es. By 1925 production nearly came to a halt, but grew traction again after WWII and was dubbed, once and for all, “carnival glass.” Today, it is highly collectible and comes in many patterns and colors. The buffet rules supreme at this time of year. It’s so easy to laden a table with summer’s bounty and let everyone serve themselves. We’ve created a fun dessert buffet that features desserts proudly baked in local downtown Kalispell. A petite raspberry cake from Ceres Bakery sits on a pedestal. Rasparie is a macaron sandwich with creamy filling and fresh raspberries that can be found on the Sweet Notions confection cart at Bestow Heart and Home. Keep it easy, set a simple table, invite friends and family, but most of all enjoy each long, lazy day of summer.
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A
t heart, we’re sentimental for all things summer. We want to gather those we love all around us and summer frames these moments better than any time of year. All roads lead to family for Americans during this sunny season.
Be Inspired
And let’s not forget the flavors of summer; fresh berries, ice cream, watermelon, corn on the cob, lemonade, and barbeques. Why do these warm days conjure up such nostalgia and pleasant memories? Perhaps it’s because the essence of summer in America has remained the same year after year. A rewind that never gets old. At heart, we’re sentimental for all things summer. We want to gather those we love all around us and summer frames these moments better than any time of year. All roads lead to family for Americans during this sunny season. Kids wander home from college, grandparents thrill as the grandkids visit, cabins and lake homes fill with relatives, cousins create lifelong bonds, friends and neighbors join impromptu get-togethers. Oh, sweet summer. As sweet as it is, it can get a little crazy at times. Our families are made up of quite a cast of characters. Know-it-all Aunt Esther will insist on giving advice to anyone within earshot. Grandpa will tell his favorite story….
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again. Screen doors slam as kids run in and out. Soggy beach towels will be tossed on the hardwood floor, sticky fingers on everything. Where’s the dog? Enjoy every crazy moment, write some of grandpa’s stories down, smile and nod at Aunt Esther, knowing you have no intention of following her advice. Messes and spills – it’s just stuff. Remember, summer is fleeting. Next year, there may be someone missing from the table, but you’ll have these summer moments and you’ll pause amidst the chaos and smile, rewinding summer’s past.
Bestow Heart and Home 217 Main Street Kalispell, MT 406-890-2000 www.bestowheartandhome.com
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Lady Kominsky
Philippine Pancit with
Lady Kominsky By Denise Lang Photos by Lucy Williams
My friend, Lady Kominsky, is one of my dream clients. She not only cooks fantastic Filipino dishes from her native land, she buys and sells her real estate investments faster than you can say “Shanghai Lumpia!” And…she does both deliciously and wisely, I might add. I brought two of my friends to her lovely home just north of Bigfork. We arrived to amazing smells and Lady’s open arms. I assumed that we were going to cook Shanghai Lumpia, a type of fried spring roll that is unbelievably delicious! To my surprise and delight, we were also cooking Adobo Chicken with sticky rice and Pancit. For those of you who are cooking challenged, Adobo Chicken is a name taken from the Spanish. When the Spanish colonized the Philippines in the 17th century, they found a cooking process which involved stewing meats with vinegar. They named it adobo, the Spanish word for seasoning or marinade.
Pancit are rice noodles and have a charming legacy. Adopted in the Philippines from the Chinese influence, the word Pancit means “convenient food” and are a standard fare in the local Filipino restaurants, often called panciterias. Lady served them with oodles of lovely, fresh vegetable which we spooned over the top. As we cooked together, Lady shared a fragment of her folklore heritage with us, “We call Pancit “birthday noodles,” she explains, “because they represent long life and good
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health. One must never cut them short as it will interfere with the symbolism.”
I am glad Lady told me that, because I have been known to cut noodles in order to eat them more gracefully. My Italian friend who was at our feast requested a spoon because she eats spaghetti by rolling the noodles with the fork into the spoon. I hope the symbolism of Pancit wasn’t compromised!
I have to set the stage of Lady’s kitchen for you. Large windows look over old growth forests to the Swan Mountain Range. It was a beautiful Montana spring day and the mountains still had that winter snow pack on them against a brilliant blue sky. From her cooking, Lady glances up at the mountains, and exclaims, “Montana is truly God’s creation. I have lived in many places but somehow I always knew I where I wanted to be and now I am finally home!” Home has been many places for Lady. She was born in Baguio, Philippines. After her father died, her mother moved the three
children to the United States. I inquired about Lady’s name, thinking it was probably a nickname. She shared that it comes from her Catholic heritage. Her mother was named Lourdes, from the healing waters in France. She named her only daughter, Lady…Lady of Lourdes. What a cool story, I thought.
“I married a real meat and potatoes man and we don’t eat a great deal of my native cooking, so this is wonderful fun to have this appreciative audience!” Lady says. And may I add, we were crazy appreciative!
Over our delectable lunch, I ask Lady, “How ever did you find your way to Montana?”
Lady tells us that she met her husband, Rick Kominsky in 1981 while working at the Reno Cal Neva Casino. “He was the boss and years later, we were set to celebrate our 20th anniversary, in Tahiti. That was right when 911 happened and we couldn’t make that trip, so we ended up in Eureka, Montana after traveling to Glacier National Park.” Culture shock? “Yes, it was,” Lady reflects, “but we knew we were in love with Mon-
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Lady Kominsky
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Pancit Bihon
Shredded cabbage Carrots julienned Celery sliced Sweet peas (optional) Green onion sliced Shredded chicken Shrimp (optional) Garlic chopped 2 batches, one for veggies and one for noodles 2 tbsp Oyster sauce 2 tbsp Soy sauce
Lady and Rick eventually found the Flathead Valley and me which makes me very happy for many reasons. She shares a wonderful compliment to me. “I never thought I would like a female Realtor until I found Denise,” Lady says. “I respect her, her opinions and I feel comfortable with having her just take over.”
The Kominsky’s are onto a new adventure in the Flathead. They are putting their beautiful home on the market and looking to build. “I have always dreamed of designing my own home,” says Lady. Lady has noticed, like many of us that Bigfork is changing. It’s busier than usual. But, she says, “Even with more people moving into the valley, the eagles and the cranes still fly and the simple life is attainable.” “Absolutely!” I agree, “The Flathead Valley is still and hopefully always will be the special and unique place that it has always been.”
We end the meal, go out to her deck facing the Swans and sit together in the warm Montana spring. Lady is so wise and correct…Montana is truly god’s creation!
1 cup broth Oil for sautéing In a wok, saute all the veggies and meat starting with the garlic, onions, chicken, shrimp followed by the veggies. Season with oyster sauce just until veggies are crisp. Set aside. Meanwhile, soak the noodles in a pot or any container with warm water. In another pot, warm up a little bit of oil, place 2nd batch of garlic, when toasted, pour cup of broth very slowly a portion at a time (about half), then add the soy sauce, drain the noodles and add to pot, mix the noodles with fork making sure it doesn't burn (slow heat) check the noodles, if it still needs broth keep adding until soft. When done, mix all veggies with noodles and enjoy. Season with pepper and squeeze of lemon if desired. Pancit is a very popular dish in the Philippines especially during birthdays. It symbolizes long life.
Denise Lang Your Recipe for Success Photo by John Stalowy
tana and the Montana lifestyle was a welcome change from Rick’s stressful profession. I believe that our move to Montana kept him from having a heart attack.”
Pancit Noodles (I like to use Super Q Golden Bihon but you can use any rice stick noodles)
Denise Lang, Broker National Parks Realty 8270 MT. Hwy 35 Suite 5 Bigfork, MT 59911 DeniseLang@nationalparksrealty.com. Cell 406-249-1758
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In the Pantry
Pineapple Cucumber Lime Salad (can be spicy)
Hala Kahiki
An American Household Favorite…the
Pineapple By Kristen Ledyard Owner/Executive Chef of John’s Angels Catering LLC
The sun is shining and freshness is in the air. What is better than a juicy ripe pineapple in its raw form, in a cool beverage, drizzled over dinner in a sauce, or in a decadent dessert? Let’s first take a look at the most interesting part of the pineapple, its history. From the pineapple’s start in South America, to landing in the New World, it has long been prized among all. Even George Washington grew them at Mount Vernon in his hothouse. Named for looking like a pinecone, often a sailor would put a fresh one out on the porch as a sign of travel from exotic lands and a welcome to visitors. It was not until James Drummond Dole became obsessed with the fruit that it gained its lasting reputation as an American household staple. Before that day, the pineapple was so exotic that it was seen as a sign of wealth for the household. Many dinner parties included a pineapple as the sole center piece. Because it was so exotic, often families would rent them to make sure their guests felt highly cared for and made the dinner that much more warm. Today, you can travel, stay, and experience his plantation in Wahiawa, as Mr. Dole wanted to make the pineapple highly accessible for everyone. From one man’s dream to the largest 20,000 acre processing and growing on the island of Lanai, now referred to as the “pineapple island”. Now, that you are ready to taste that beautiful fruit, let’s create some fun recipes.
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You are at the store, but how do you pick out the best pineapple? First is a plump and fresh looking pineapple with green leaves. The best is the one with plenty of leaves on the top. Color does not mean ripeness, as the green ones can taste just as good. It is time to cook!
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1 pineapple
1 English cucumber (must be this variety for the edible flavor) 2 limes zested and juiced 1/3 cup cilantro
Jalapeno (optional and small mince) Salt and pepper
This is such a refreshing and simple salad that packs a flavor punch. Simply cube your pineapple and cucumber in same sizes. Now add your cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno to taste, as well as salt and pepper. Stir well, serve chilled. My extra trick is to put a bit of crushed ice on the bottom of the service bowl. You can have a little fun and serve it in the pineapple itself. Just cut it in half, hollow out, and use the insides for the salad. I suggest serving this with a great fresh lemonade or a fun Hawaiian beverage. There are so many thoughts on main courses using this tasty fruit. From Asia, to Europe, to the Americas the pineapple is very versatile. Fresh pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein which makes it a perfect candidate for a marinade. I prefer pineapple used with pork chops. I use boneless simply because my friends and family prefer them prepared in that fashion versus bone in.
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In the Pantry
Grilled Pork Chops the Pineapple Way
The Original Winning Pineapple Upside Down Cake (with a twist)
Tastiest Pineapple Dark Rum cocktail (alcohol optional)
1 pineapple, chopped
1 can Dole pineapple slices
12 ounces pineapple juice
¼ cup brown sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
¾ cup dark rum (or rum of your choice which is optional)
1 package yellow cake mix
Crushed ice
1 can pineapple juice ¼ cup soy sauce
¼ teaspoon minced garlic 4-6 boneless pork chops Salt and pepper
Favorite hot sauce (can be tropical or Louisiana hot sauce) Mix all ingredients together in a Ziploc bag. Have fun smushing it, taste, and adjust as necessary to your taste. Place your pork chops in the bag, making sure that they are all covered. Refrigerate overnight for best results. Next day you may decide whether to grill or bake. I enjoy both, especially depending on the weather. If baking, heat oven to 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes after preheated. If grilling make sure to flip only once. Top with either the fresh pineapple rings or grill the rings for more enhanced flavor. Bring the islands to your home! Well, it would not be proper if we did not throw our twist on the classic pineapple upside down cake. This decadent favorite first came about from the winner of Mr. Dole’s baking competition in 1926. It is still a true favorite today.
¼ cup butter
10 maraschino cherries
Here is the twist for you: use Krusteaz cake mix (my Great Aunt Frankie started the company in Seattle with her Bridge pals). It will never fail you. Drain the pineapple slices and reserve ¾ of the juice. Stir together melted butter and brown sugar in a 12 inch skillet with heat proof handle. Arrange the slices in the sugar mixture. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple slice. Prepare the cake mix according to Great Aunt Frankie’s instructions. Use the reserved juice is to replace some of the water. Pour the batter over the pineapple. Bake at 350 degrees 35-45 minutes until edges are golden and flip on to your favorite serving platter. I like to top with fresh cut pineapple.
Juice of 1-2 limes
Pineapple slices and a maraschino cherry for garnish (bamboo skewers are fun for the garnish) In a mixing glass stir together the ingredients and chill. When ready to enjoy, place in a shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Place in a chilled margarita glass with the final garnish. Add a little orange juice if making a nonalcoholic beverage. Sip and enjoy. Are you hungry, yet? Have a Hawaiian party or just fun with the family. The pineapple truly is unique. As always, keep your pantry in order, serve with fun dishware, and experiment to make the recipes your own. Have a fruitful rest of the summer!
Ok, you are right, we cannot close out our fabulous exploration into the pineapple without a beverage to serve with your menu. The following is simply perfect with or without the alcohol.
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Leslie Budewitz
Life, Death, and Chocolate THE ADVENTURES OF JEWEL BAY By Leslie Budewitz, Author/Lawyer
It’s been nearly two years since Death al Dente, the first in my Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries set in fictional Jewel Bay, Montana, was published, followed last year by Crime Rib. The third installment, Butter Off Dead, will be out in a few weeks. Erin Murphy is enjoying a quiet winter, managing the Merc, the local foods market she runs in the heart of the village, in her family’s century-old building. But when murder threatens the first annual Food Lovers’ Film Festival, circumstances reel Erin in ... Reader response to the series has been terrific, particularly here in Northwest Montana. Readers have had fun figuring out what businesses I put where, guessing at my inspiration for businesses, events, and people, and enjoying the cameo appearances of real-life locals. Several characters in Butter Off Dead share the names—though little else—of residents who bought naming rights at charity auctions. Both my late mother-in-law and a wellknown artist and framer also appear on the pages, the former in tribute and the latter because, well, she begged me. And when life hands you a character you couldn’t possibly make up, why say no? I’ve gotten a little flak for creating a bakery that doesn’t really exist. I wish it did, too. The upside? There are no calories in fiction. Several readers have said they hope I’ll solve the mystery of Erin’s father’s death in a hit-and-run accident fifteen years ago, when she was a senior in college. The ramifications of his death extend far beyond the family. I hope you like how that plays out in Butter Off Dead. Readers have also shared their opinions on Erin’s love life. An elderly woman wrote: “Erin is thirty-two. It’s time for her to settle down.” Erin agrees—and so does her mother, Fresca. Unfortunately, the course of true love never does run smooth—in fact or fiction. I hope you’ll take another trip with me to Jewel Bay. It may only exist on the page, a place of the heart, but I hope it finds a place in your heart, too.
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A few
years ago, a friend gave my husband and me a bottle of Chocolate Cabernet Sauce. I suspect it had been a gift the recipient didn’t know how to use, and when it comes to weird food, we’re easy marks. We dumped it over ice cream, cheesecake, and strawberries. We polished it off and went back for more, only to discover that it was no longer available. So I went on the hunt. And while the version we created is thicker than the original syrupy concoction, it’s just as flexible, and even yummier. Erin first discovered this at the annual Jewel Bay Summer Food and Art Festival. Jewel Bay loves festivals—everything is tastier on a sunny summer day, amid a crowd of folks who love good food, music, and art. But not until the dark of winter, in the depths of despair over an unsolved murder, an old secret, and a romance on the rocks does Erin discover its truest value: chocolate tastes like everything we love and long for.
Chocolate Cabernet Sauce Perfect on top of ice cream or cheesecake, after a hard night of sleuthing.
1 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon unsalted butter ½ teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons Cabernet Sauvignon ½ pound semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces for easier melting (Erin likes Scharffen Berger’s baking bars) Heat the cream, butter, vanilla, and wine in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the chocolate and stir until smooth. Makes about one pint. Erin stores the sauce in a pint jar in the fridge, and warms it for serving by setting the jar in a bowl of very hot water or spooning a bit into a small bowl and heating it for about 10 seconds in the microwave.
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Leslie Budewitz
From the cover of BUTTER OFF DEAD:
Chapter One “I need to talk to you.” One hand on the aluminum stepladder, I peered out the broom closet door, wondering who needed me and why she whispered about it so urgently. A blond teenager in gray leggings and purple running shoes, hair in a ponytail, stood at the open door to the Playhouse control room, her fleececlad back to me. “Later,” came the reply. Older, male, firm. “Now,” she demanded, and I recognized Zayda George—high school senior, track star, president of the student Film Club. “Coming through,” I called, and wriggled my way out the door and into the wide passage leading to the lobby, both hands gripping the six-foot ladder. In the shadows, Zayda froze. I didn’t need bright lights to know she’d been pleading with Larry Abrams. Half a dozen kids from the Film Club who were running the projectors, lights, and sound for the weekend mingled in the Playhouse lobby. Christine Vandeberg pointed to a spot on the tile floor and I set up the ladder. She whipped a plastic bag off a five-foot-long hand-painted sign leaning against the wall. “Like it?” Christine clasped her hands, squeezing her fingers as she waited for my opinion. “Perfect.” For our first Food Lovers’ Film Festival, we’d rechristened the Playhouse in Jewel Bay, Montana, taking it back to its roots. You can’t go back again, not really. Times change. The places you love change. You change. But the right sign can transport you anywhere. “Perfect,” I repeated. “Like an old-time theater marquee.” Flamingo pink stripes emulating neon tubes ran across the top and bottom. On each end, faux diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires sparkled. And in the center, three-dimensional gold script read the bijou. Literally, the jewel. Figuratively, the Jewel Box. (Recipe and text excerpted from Butter Off Dead by Leslie Budewitz, to be published by Berkley Prime Crime, July 2015.)
As the national bestselling Food Lovers’ Village mysteries continue, the merchants of Jewel Bay, Montana try to heat up chilly winter business with a new film festival. But their plans are sent reeling when a dangerous killer dims the lights on a local mover and shaker … In an attempt to woo tourists to Jewel Bay and cheer up the townies, Erin Murphy, manager of the specialty local foods market known as the Merc, is organizing the First Annual Food Lovers’ Film Festival, popping with classic foodie flicks and local twists on favorite movie treats. But when her partner in planning, painter Christine Vandeberg, is found dead only days before the curtain rises, Erin suspects someone is attempting to stop the films from rolling. To make matters worse, Nick—Erin’s brother and Christine’s beau—has top billing on the suspect list. Convinced her brother is innocent and determined that the show must go on, Erin must find who’s really to blame before Nick gets arrested or the festival gets shut down. And as the anniversary of Erin’s father’s death in a still-unsolved hit-andrun approaches, her own beau isn’t so keen on her leading role. But the closer Erin gets to shining a spotlight on the killer, the more likely it becomes that she’ll be the next person cut from the program… INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES! BUTTER OFF DEAD, July 7, 2015 (Berkley Prime Crime) Available for pre-order now
Leslie Budewitz writes the nationally-bestselling Food Lovers' Village Mysteries, set in fictional Jewel Bay, Montana, and the Seattle Spice Shop Mysteries, both published by Berkley Prime Crime, a division of Penguin Random House. The first author to win Agatha Awards for both fiction and nonfiction, she lives in Bigfork, Montana with her husband, Don Beans, a musician and doctor of natural medicine, and their Burmese cat, Ruff, an avid birdwatcher. Visit her at www.LeslieBudewitz.com or on Facebook as LeslieBudewitzAuthor
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wine
Discover the Perfect Summer
by Selecting the Best Importers on Wine Labels Written by Karen Sanderson, Brix Bottleshop Photos by Amanda Wilson Photography Kermit Lynch.
Skurnik. Dressner. Do any of these names
sound familiar? If yes, you have very good taste! How would one know this? If any these wines have graced your glass, you are drinking from three of the very best, internationally renowned wine importers in the world. And just what makes them so special? In short, it’s their ability to select fine wines from producers that they love. They chose their wineries because of their stories, their quantities made, and most of all, their dedication to quality. Good importers aren’t into the business of shipping bad wine. They have earned their reputations by selecting only the best for their distributors. Wines made available in Montana are part of a 3-tier system. Wineries ship to a distributor, retailers order from distributors, and the retailer sells it to you, the customer. When it comes to imports, foreign wineries can wither ship directly to distributors, or to a warehouse for distributors to pick up as needed.
Sidenote:
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One of the best ways to predict whether a bottle of wine is going to be good is to check the label. The most reliable importers have impeccable tastes, and it’s almost a given that any wine in their portfolios is going to be incredible, no matter what the price. To find the name of the importer, simply check the bottle’s back label. The importer’s logo or information is usually printed there.
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wine
The
photos on these pages where taken at a 2015 trade tasting hosted by George’s Distributing. Several importers and winery owners attend every year to pour wines for buyers in the Flathead Valley.
Have you ever had a bottle of wine at a restaurant or friend’s house, and loved it so much you HAD to find it? When you take notes, make sure you include the name of the importer and show it to your retailer so they know exactly which distributor to call. Who are the top importers available in Montana? Here’s a list of our favorites:
European Cellars/Eric Solomon Selections europeancellars.com
This is by far one of my favorites. Chelsey George, owner of George’s Distributing, sends out highly anticipated emails to let customers know when the Solomon container comes in, including all the wines available on it. It’s a little like Christmas to us retailers. Why? Eric Solomon has great taste. In fact, Robert Parker recently hailed Eric as one of the most influential people in the wine business. Eric specializes in wines from Spain and France with selections that represent characteristics true to their region. Notable Producers: Solanera, Evodia, Domaine Garrigue, LaFage, Tessellae, Castano, Capcanes, Herencia Altes, Burgans, Pesquie, and Janasse, to name a few.
Louis /Dressner Selections louisdressner.com
Have you ever met Annie Garbagnati, owner of Rocky Mountain Wine Co? She has some of the best importers in her portfolio, and Dresner is one of them. As the father of sustainable wine imports, Joe Dressner is all about his growers. These growers have come together to form the best natural wine portfolio in the United States. If you’re looking for wines that are harvested by hand, fermented with natural yeasts and not manipulated in the cellar, these wines are for you. Notable Producers: Thomas Labaille (L’Authentique), Les Heretiques, Tami.
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Kermit Lynch kermitlynch.com
You can thank Kurt Winegardner, of Winegardner’s wines for bringing this fabulous portfolio to Montana, may he rest in peace. Kermit Lynch, wine retailer and importer, is famous for writing the famous wine book, “Adventures on the Wine Route.” He specializes in selecting and selling wines from over 100 small, family-owned estates in France and Italy. Lynch has built an excellent reputation by sourcing new, esoteric wines. He is also a champion of the French term “terroir.” Notable producers: Champalou, Domaine Coastal, Fontsainte, Vieux Telegraph, Domaine Tempier, Chateau Ducasse.
Michael Skurnik skurnikwines.com
Skurnik Wines is an importer and distributor of fine wines based in Syosset, New York. The company began with just a handful of unknown estates in 1987 and has since grown to represent over 450 estates, from the traditional to the cutting edge. (30% USA, 20% France, 20% Italy, 10% Terry Theise (Germany, Austria), 10% Spain, 10% other.) Notable Producers: Altos Las Hormigas, Ben Glaetzer, Weingut Heidler, Weingut Hirsch, Pierre Peters, Darting, Selbach, Armas de Guerra, Zestos, and Bodegas Barahonda.
Dalla Terra Imports www.dallaterra.com
Another George’s Distributing gem, Dalla Terra (of the earth in Italian) is my favorite direct importer of Italian wines. Their “Winery Direct” program means wine lovers can enjoy quality wines from Italy’s finest producers at affordable prices. Notable Producers: Vietti, La Valentina, Cassanova di Neri, Poliziano, Coltibueno, Marchesi di Gresy, Alois Lageder, and Inama are a few.
Peter Weygandt www.weygandtwines.com
Rocky Mountain Distributor touts another internationally recognized importer, Peter Weygandt. Peter concentrates on artisanal, smallestate wines from Europe and Australia. Notable producers: Servin, Aubusierres, St. Damien, Grand Nicolet, and Cassagnoles. It’s important to know that specialty imported wines like these are typically not found in the grocery store. Since they are available in such limited quantities, they will only be only found in specialty shops, and often for a limited time only. Case in point: we recently received 10 cases of an Eric Solomon Spanish wine. That delicious $12, 93pt wine was gone in a week. We were lucky to get 10 cases at Brix, and the rest disappeared quickly to Bozeman, Missoula, and the rest of the state. Typically, most grocery stores prefer to stock more mass produced items that won’t leave empty spaces on their shelves when they run out. Luckily, we have a savvy staff that thrives on the special, limited wines. We make sure we taste each wine before it’s allowed to take a spot on the shelf. How do you find out about these, you ask? Signing up for our newsletter is your best way to find out what is new.
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Naturally, there are many more importers that make it to Montana, and we have distributor books full of hundreds of fabulous wines. Fun Beverage and Intermountain Distributing have a very large selection of wines that we love as well. It was hard to pick favorites, but when it comes to quality and value, these importers knock it out of the park. Karen Sanderson is the proprietor of Brix Bottleshop at 101 E Center St #102 in Kalispell. (406) 393-2202, www.brixbottleshop.com
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fitness
Little Movers
Pilates and Fitness for Kids and Teens By Delia Buckmaster - Photos by Lindsey Jane Photography
As healthy adults we get caught up in different dietary theories and exercise routines. Teaching children about health and fitness is different than teaching adults. With children you help them focus on understanding the benefits of a healthy routine and at the same time making it fun. A rigorous exercise regimen may not be beneficial some children. For this group, a safer, healthier, low-impact workout is needed such as Pilates. Pilates is designed to build muscle strength, endurance and flexibility.
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Many adults have developed faulty movement patterns from lack of body awareness, which lead to poor habits and posture. Kids of all ages can benefit from Pilates. Because Pilates is a mind and body discipline, it can guide kids to a stronger body, and more relaxed state of mind. Working to strengthen their bodies can increase stamina and build confidence that can last a lifetime.
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fitness
Here are some tips for teaching kids and teens.
Keep it fun! – Rename some of the exercises so that the age group can relate. Most adults don’t know the anatomical names of their muscles nor do they understand movement terms such as “extend your spine” or “ engage your glutes” therefore its unlikely that kids will either. Use toys and props they are familiar with like playground balls. Teens are able to use more sophisticated pieces of exercises equipment. Pilates reformers and other equipment are used for older kids to add resistance and more body control.
Modify- Cater to their level of fitness and ability. Kids and teens have a hard time focusing. Make exercises simple and build upon them like Algebra. When working with a group its important to encourage progress and not perfection. Try to build confidence and not create a competitive environment. There are plenty of places where kids competition levels will be hightened outside of their Pilates routine. Keep classes small– Limit classes to 10 or less especially with young children so that you can give them individual attention. This will also ensure that everyone is working safely and having fun.
Keep it positive – Talk about the benefits of health and fitness. Refrain from negative comments and discussing weight. Pilates and fitness in general should be about concentration, posture, flexibility and good habits. Kids want to be stronger just like their athlete roll models. Help them focus on those positive goals.
Encourage team work– Let them teach each other. Kids will naturally want to help and nurture and they love to learn from their peers.
Use their language – Don’t use big words and expressions
they can’t begin to understand. Remember that you were a kid and a teen once. Use that experience to develop phrases and examples they will understand.
Exhale Pilates+ is excited to announce our first ever Summer Camps. Kids Ages 8-11 and Teens Ages 12-14. Visit our website for more information and links for registration. www.exhalepilates.com
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Tweet for Success… Not Distress By Kristen Pulsifer
When applying to college, there are a myriad of things students need to think about. Students are plagued with questions such as: where should I go to school, how can I afford school, how am I going to finish these applications, how do I make colleges notice me and want me to attend their school? These are only a few of the stressful concerns that go through each student’s mind as they begin the arduous college application process. And, now there is just one more question to throw into the batch- Are my tweets, blogs and Facebook pages appropriate for a college admissions director to view, should they decide to access them while reviewing my application? Unfortunately, for most students, the answer to this question is probably, NO! Last November, Natasha Singer wrote an insightful article in the New York Times describing in detail this issue. Singer writes, “As certain high school seniors work meticulously this (coming fall) to finish their early applications to colleges, some may not realize that comments they casually make online could negatively affect their prospects.” This issue was truly heightened when a high school senior attended a campus visit at the prestigious Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. “Throughout the presentation,
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she apparently posted disparaging comments on Twitter about her fellow attendees, repeatedly using a common expletive. Perhaps she hadn’t realized that colleges keep track of their social media mentions.” This is just one situation among many that has been noted and made public by college admissions offices around the country. Students truly need to clean up their act if they are going to represent themselves well to colleges and universities they desire to attend. The Internet has become a popular place for people to express opinions, thoughts and pictures; but, people, especially teenagers, forget how many people have access to all content that is blogged, posted and tweeted. These thoughts are public representations of who we are. It is not so different than what clothes we choose to wear to school, to work or to an interview. We want the choices, especially the visible ones, to embrace and portray who we are and what we value. Our comments are no different and can give someone the wrong impression. The student on the campus tour at Bowdoin College may have meant no harm. We all say things about others in an attempt to be ‘cool’, funny, accepted, or maybe we simply say, or now ‘tweet’ things, out of jealousy and insecurities; but, these comments are now put in writing for anyone to see, and everyone is looking. On the other hand, Facebook pages and blogs can be used to an applicant’s advantage. Some students may be part of either an interesting political or social cause, and a student may ask a college or university to look at either a blog or video they have created.
Students can use these as tools to help supplement their college applications. These videos, alone, won’t be ‘the ticket’ to acceptance, but they can certainly work as a positive supplement to a student’s resume of extracurricular activities. Students simply need to ‘clean up’ when applying to college. This is a valuable life lesson in how to appropriately and accurately represent yourself and your accomplishments. Most importantly, students should remember - “college(s) vary in their transparency. While Pitzer (College, in California) doesn’t contact students if their social media activities precluded admission to the school, Colgate University does notify students if they are eliminated from the applicant pool for any reason other than being uncompetitive candidates.” Students never know who is looking so make sure, students, that you act is if everyone is looking. Dress for the occasion and make sure people are seeing the person you truly are and have worked to become. *Information quoted from New York Times, November 19, 2014. “Toning Down the Tweets Just In Case Colleges Pry”, by Natasha Singer
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GOAL!!! By Louise Barker
Summer break is here. Yay?? 80 days of possibly the most memorable life changing times in your life. For those of you traveling through the French Riviera with personal sherpas and shoppers, Bon Voyage!! For others, it can be a slow drift through a time warp that you will hopefully come out of in late August in the Missoula Old Navy buying clothes for school to start again. What could you possible do in 80 days?? Without beating a dead horse - there is A LOT you can do in 80 days. But the 64,000-dollar question is what can you get your kids to do in 80 days??
Here are a few ideas I would like you to consider; a long car trip, a float down a river, watching movies, sitting by the lake in a chair reading a book for hours. All ideas are awesome and would be even better with friends and a bottle of vino but where are the kids? Possibly hiding in the background playing video games? That happens sometimes, right?? Not the best scenario but they are quiet and happy right? Yes they are… until they aren’t.
As the mother of three I can tell you how that day will go- the kids will play quietly all day and at 9 PM all hell will break lose. Adults wonder what the heck just happened. If kids are not active using large muscle groups throughout the day they will become more aggressive. Fact. Kids are social beings they need to play with others. Fact. A down
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day now and then is normal but if you are seeing Oprah might think what I am going to say your child become aggressive or withdrawn after next is pretty good though. How about a few down days do not be surprised. we set plans and goals for the summer?? Kids need to be out and active for so many reasons. How about we sit down and speak with our As research continues to build we are finding out kids? If it is possible we can find out where that not only our parents were right for kicking their interests are and what they would like us out of the house until the lights came on. They were super right and we should follow their lead. to achieve during these 80 days of summer. Here is one method you can use to First, the benefit of moderate to vigorous activity on assist your child, tween, self and significant kiddos has been proven time and again. Check out Fitkids, SPiderfit kids and Spark websites for more other to set a goal that can guide their info. These are all excellent sources of info and summer plans. inspiration for parenting. The latest benefit shown is that being active for 70 minutes a day increases First, find out what really holds energy and their “attentional inhibition” which translates into is exciting for the goal setter. An idea for their ability to block out distractions and better this would be biking, hiking, swimming, focus on the task at hand. The amount of exercise paddle boarding etc. If the goal setter has a required is equal to approximately 4500 steps lot of energy related to a sedentary interest for fitness tracker users. Another benefit for the work with them to set two goals. One kids would be increased cognitive flexibility- they sedentary (blogging, cooking, YouTubing would be able to change mental tasks easier and what??) and one active. without frustration. Second, ask the goal setter if this adds to As a parent this info can be the seed to be planted what they are already successful at? Does in our thoughts and actions. Incorporating more this activity reflect their values? How so? strenuous activity into our kids lives will improve their academic abilities in school next year. Third, what would they need to make this goal a reality? New shoes, maps, camping The important take away is that kids need the gear, bug spray, time, mom or dad? large muscle moderate to vigorous activity for more than just fitness and weight management. Fourth, what is standing between the goal Is this info new? Nope. Will Oprah come over and setter and the reality of accomplishing interview me for this wonderful groundbreaking the goals? What can you do to help break article? No, but I will send it to her anyways. through the barriers?
family} goals
When writing a goal it
should be SMART. That is; Specific- “I will bike Karrow Rd
Measureable- 5 miles back and forth Action based- you are biking
Realistic- can you physically do the task? Time based- three times a week
Resulting goal would be written as; I will ride 5 miles on Karrow Rd on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the next two weeks.
As a family you can review goals on a set day once a week or every other week. If goals are set in distance than the goal will be realized as it is achieved. The goal could be 200 miles of bike riding for the entire summer with rewards given at every 25 miles. It is completely up to you and your child to decide.
One idea for rewards for achieving goals would be to write the reward on popsicle sticks and pick them out as milestones are achieved. This way the reward is never boring or repeated. Examples would be ice cream cones, money, night at the movies, smores at home etc. The overall goal is get and keep your kids moving. They reap benefits from 1-2 hours of moderate to vigorous activity a day. How they achieve it is a family decision that can bring long lasting rewards to everyone.
1. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (2014, September 29). After-school exercise program enhances cognition in 7-, 8- and 9-yearolds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 4, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2014/09/140929090551.htm 2. Moore, M., & Moran, B. (2010). Chapter 4 Appreciative Inquiry in Coaching. In Coaching psychology manual (pp. 9-29). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/ Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
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3. Moore, M., & Moran, B. (2010). Chapter 8 Vision, Planning, and Goals. In Coaching psychology manual. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
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Soul
a Stirring Season By Miriam Singer
Singer & Simpson Productions has put together an exciting musical lineup for 2015. In June the fabulous swinging Latin jazz sextet, Carlos Cascante y su Tumbao, with free salsa dance lessons every night from Nelson Barahona. In September, the magically brilliant and astounding world-renowned pianist Peter Nero brings a wonderfully entertaining all Gershwin program to the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. In October, three of the best names in jazz become The Ray Brown Tribute Trio to honor one of the greatest bass players to ever live, Ray Brown. And warm up your November with Judy Collins, still honest and true and singing to the soul. Thank you to Don “K” and Subaru of America for supporting these music events and the culture and joy they bring our community. It is much appreciated.
“Art Tatum could play anything he wanted to... and Peter Nero plays his buns off!” w
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Tumbao is the short name for Carlos Cascante y su Tumbao. They are a feel good, great Latin sextet from Seattle who would love to inspire you to get up and dance. And there will be dance floors and free salsa lessons in Lakeside, Whitefish, Kalispell and Bigfork to encourage you to do that. Or, if you’d rather sit it out, come just to listen and enjoy.
including Kennedy center, Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He’s received two Grammy Awards and ten nominations, as well as an Emmy award for starring in the NBC Special, S’Wonderful, S’Marvelous, S’Gershwin. He has recorded 70 albums.
Carlos Cascante (vocals) also performs with the Grammy winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Their conga player, Peter Vargas was born in Havana and brings his Cuban influence. Pianist Julio Jáuregui studied percussion before learning piano, so he doesn’t miss a beat. Drummer/ percussionist Jeff Busch loves to share his exuberance. Bassist Dean Schmidt is one of the most sought after bassists in the Northwest, and Tom Marriott is a great jazz trumpet player. Whether you come to dance or just to listen, the band is pure joy.
Nero appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show eleven times, and was a favorite guest of Johnny Carson. He was the founding conductor and Artistic Director of the Philly Pops for decades. Though the Boston Pops is more famous, during Nero’s reign, the Philly Pops matched it for inventiveness and variety of material.
The brilliant, dazzling and incomparable Peter Nero is one of the greatest and most versatile pianists of our time. He is equally at home with classical, jazz, the American Songbook, the Broadway musical, movie themes and popular songs. Hailed as one of the premier interpreters of Gershwin, Peter Nero will be performing an all Gershwin program on Whitefish Performing Arts Center’s beautiful Steinway concert grand piano with Michael Barnett on bass with selected vocals by the beautiful Katie Strohmaier.
The late Ray Brown, who was featured on over 2,000 recordings, was at the forefront of the evolution of jazz. Recognized for his masterful touch and guitar-like virtuosity on the bass, Brown is known for his work with Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson. He married Ella, who he worked with before, during and after their marriage. He played with Oscar Peterson’s trio from ’51 to ’66. In ’66, Brown settled in Los Angeles where he accompanied some of the leading artists of the day, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Billy Eckstine and Sarah Vaughan.
Peter Nero has amazed audiences in some of the most prestigious concert halls of the world,
When Ray Charles was asked by Keyboard Magazine who his favorite pianist was he replied, “Art Tatum could play anything he wanted to... and Peter Nero plays his buns off!”
The Ray Brown Tribute Trio is made up of
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Carlos Cascante y su Tumbao
will perform on the following dates: Thursday, JUNE 25th 8 pm ACQUA PAZZA, Lakeside $25 Friday, June 26th 8pm O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center, Whitefish $25 Saturday, June 27th 8pm Kalispell Eagles Club, Kalispell $20 Sunday, June 28th, 8pm BruMar Estate, Bigfork $25 Tickets sold at SingerandSimpson.com or call 406-730-2817 Larry Fuller on piano, Ray Brown’s last pianist, John Clayton, Ray’s most prominent protégé and Jeff Hamilton on drums who played in Ray’s quartet, and was a frequent addition to the Oscar Peterson Trio when they reunited in the 90’s. “In the world of jazz drumming, very few can match the virtuosic qualities of Jeff Hamilton.” --Downbeat Magazine.
endurance and strength. But she fell in love with folk music and in the ‘60’s and 70’s became an American folk heroine. Collins is still singing and playing stirring music from the soul. She said, “Live performances are so important because they provide an avenue for the energy of the performer and the audience to combine into something that will never happen again.
Sponsored by Don “K” Subaru and brought to you by Singer & Simpson Productions. Thanks to The Daily Interlake, The Lodge at Whitef ish Lake and Joel Pemberton, Edward Jones, Whitef ish.
Future Don “K” Subaru/Singer & Simpson Production events include: Peter Nero, September 12th, 8pm Whitefish Performing Arts Center Tickets $69, $72, $76, $79
Arranger, conductor and bassist John Clayton, who is also equally at home playing classical or jazz, was close with Ray Brown for decades, ever since he enrolled in Brown’s jazz class at UCLA in 1969 at the age of 16. He formed the Clayton Brothers Quintet with his brother Jeff in 1977, and with Jeff Hamilton, co-founded the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra in 1986.
The Ray Brown Tribute Trio Friday, October 9th, 8pm Whitefish Performing Arts Center
Before Larry Fuller joined the Ray Brown Trio, he was part of Jeff Hamilton’s trio. Ray Brown said of Larry, “He brings a vitality. He swings hard, and I like that!” Larry was with The John Pizzarelli Quartet with whom he toured and recorded for seven years.
Judy Collins Saturday, November 14th, 7:30pm Whitefish Performing Arts Center
Singer/Songwriter Judy Collins is known for her clear, moving, ethereal voice. She’s recorded over a dozen hit singles and has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning two. Her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” was entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Judy Collins began her impressive music career at 13 as a piano prodigy, which instilled a work ethic that is part of her
Saturday, October 10th, 8pm Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts Tickets $29, $32, $36, $39 Monday, OCTOBER 12th 8pm, Whitefish Lake Restaurant $35
Sunday, November 15th, 7:30pm Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts Tickets $29, $32, $36, $39
Purchase tickets at http://SingerandSimpson.com or http://Tix.com. For assistance call 406-730-2817 Sponsored by Don “K” Subaru and brought to you by Singer & Simpson Productions.
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Going to the Sun Gallery presenting
Gallery Nights
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Mia Delode
From Harlow, MT.
Patricia Griffin From East Stroudsburg, PA.
Sip and Dip
Sally Vannoy From Bigfork, MT.
Equinox Mountain Goats
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Enjoy a week of chamber and orchestra concerts at Festival Amadeus,
Montana’s largest classical
music festival in August By Marti Ebbert Kurth
Festival Amadeus, Montana’s largest classical music festival runs August 2-9, 2015 in Whitefish and will be filled with a diversity of musical artists and repertoire, ranging from a classical guitar duo, to a saxophonist, to a worldrenowned string quartet, even a finale concert featuring a piano duet! In addition to the seven consecutive concerts in Whitefish, three alternating chamber concerts will be held in Bigfork, providing easy access to the Festival for residents of southern Flathead County. The Festival will kickoff on Sunday, August 2 at 5 p.m. with a free family-friendly picnic featuring outdoor music at Riverside Park in Whitefish. Bring a picnic and enjoy music provided by the Fry Street Quartet under the gazebo. Festival Music Director, John Zoltek, has selected superb combinations of musicians for the three chamber and four orchestra concerts and each night will offer a new enticement. Returning guest artists who will perform during Festival Amadeus include the internationally acclaimed Fry Street Quartet. Back for their third season with the Festival, FSQ brings a their unique chemistry together in a blend of technical precision and spontaneity. They will perform in two chamber concerts and with the Festival Amadeus String Orchestra. Also returning this season will be the up-and-coming concert saxophonist, Ashu, who performed with the Festival in 2011. Ashu’s solo performances have taken him throughout the world and while most people have never heard the saxophone in concert music, Ashu has begun to change this. “It's really an incredible instrument. It can play with such emotional intensity, sing like a voice, and effortlessly project in the largest of halls,” he says.
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Two former Festival Amadeus favorites, pianists Andrew Staupe and Spencer Myer will also perform this year in two monumental ‘double trouble’ orchestra works, The Bach Concerto for 2 pianos and Mozart’s Concerto for 2 pianos. The artists will also play individually with other musicians in chamber concerts (see schedule on right).
New to Festival Amadeus this year will be the dynamic Brasil Guitar Duo. Joao Luiz and Douglas Lora met in Sao Paulo Brazil as teenage guitar students and have been performing together for more than 15 years. Their seamless blend of traditional and Brazilian works have resulted in a global touring schedule and international acclaim. Completing the roster will be the Russian American violinist, Yevgeny Kutik whose dazzling command of the violin is said to be reminiscent of the legendary Romantic masters. Kutik debuted with the Boston Pops in 2003 as the 1st Prize recipient of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition. His mastery of his instrument has been is described as combining a deep investigation into the heart of the music’s story. He currently plays throughout the US and Europe. Glacier Symphony and Chorale produces the Festival under the baton of John Zoltek. All Whitefish concerts will be held at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center starting at 7:30 pm. Bigfork concerts will be held in Saint John Paul II Catholic Church at 7:30 pm. For complete concert information and to buy tickets and ticket packages visit the website www.gscmusic.org or call 406-407-7000.
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WHITEFISH CONCERTS Whitefish Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. each night
Monday, Aug. 3, Chamber Night 1 - Brasil Guitar Duo in Recital. This internationally acclaimed duo offers a cross-cultural program of music for two guitars by Rameua, Tedesco, Leo Brower, David Leisner and others. Tuesday, Aug. 4, Chamber Night 2 – Fry Street Quartet with Andrew Staupe, piano. Staupe will join the engaging Quartet in a program of music of piano quartet, piano solo and string quartet by Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. Wednesday, Aug. 5, Orchestra Night 1 – Sax, Guitars and Orchestra! Diversity is the keyword in this program that brings the Festival Amadeus Orchestra to the stage with saxophonist, Ashu, for Piazzola’s Two Tangos and Bellenati’s Concerto for Two Guitars and Orchestra, with a bit of Mozart and Ibert to fill out the evening. Thursday, Aug. 6, Chamber Night 3 – Ashu, Kutik and Myer. Saxophonist, Ashu, violinist Yevgeny Kutik and pianist, Spencer Myer, will come together in a mesmerizing night of violin/piano and sax/ piano duets by a range of composers, from Mozart to Rachmaninoff to Ravel. Friday, Aug. 7, String Orchestra Night – Festival Amadeus Orchestra with the Fry Street Quartet. The Brandenburg Concerto by Bach and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C will be highlights of this dynamic concert. Saturday, Aug. 8, Orchestra Night 2 – Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Mozart. Yevgeny Kutik, violinist will perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in e with the Festival Amadeus Orchestra. Mozart’s Magic Flute Overture and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 will fill the concert hall. Sunday, Aug. 9, Orchestra Night 3 – Jupiter Double Trouble! Dueling pianos anyone? Staupe and Myer will take center stage in the magnificent Concerto for 2 pianos in Eb by Mozart followed by Bach’s Concerto for 2 pianos in C! The concert will conclude with Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony No. 41.
BIGFORK CHAMBER CONCERTS
Saint John Paul II Catholic Church, 7:30 pm concerts Tuesday, Aug. 4, Chamber Night 1 – Ashu, Kutik and Myer. Saxophonist, Ashu, violinist Yevgeny Kutik and pianist, Spencer Myer, will come together in a mesmerizing night of violin/piano and sax/piano duets by a range of composers, from Mozart to Rachmaninoff to Ravel. Wednesday, Aug. 5, Chamber Night 2 - Fry Street Quartet with Andrew Staupe, piano. The engaging Quartet will be joined by Staupe in a program of music of piano quartet, piano solo and string quartet by Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. Thursday, Aug. 6, Chamber Night 3 - Brasil Guitar Duo in Recital. This internationally acclaimed duo offers a crosscultural program of music for two guitars by Rameua, Tedesco, Leo Brower, David Leisner and others.
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