406 Woman Vol.5 No.3

W h e r e M o n ta na G e t s E n g ag e d www.McGoughandCo.com

131 Central Avenue Whitefish, MT 59937 406-862-9199 800-862-9199

Featured Stories

contents

406

Art

16 Jeannie Ulrick

56 Jazz Inspired

Outdoor woman

58 30th Anniversary

20 Flathead Rapids

406 Love

26 James & Elle 30 Chris & Erica

60 Book Review

Fashion

62 Pendleton

Wellness

32 Carl & Shannon

64 perfectionist

Food & Flavor

HEALTH

34 Quickee’s

36 winter squash

38 autumn night

66 staying active

68 trend in fitness 70 Skincare

40 Montana Cuisine

72 Anti-Aging Solutions

Home

Family

History

Community

46 Ciao Interior

50 Visions and Voices 52 Fairy Steps

74 Breastfeeding 76 illness

78 Habitat for Humanity 80 Youth Image Project 84 Ladies Night 86 S. M. Bradford

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w o m a n

406 publisher

Cindy Gerrity cindy@montanasky.net

business manager

Daley McDaniel daley@montanasky.net

editor

Kristen Pulsifer Kristen@whitefishstudycenter.com

director & design

Sara Joy Pinnell ayourartisan@yahoo.com

photographer Rachel Catlett rachel@rachellynnphotography.com Daniel Seymour montanasharpeye@gmail.com

Cover Girl

Mol l y (Si pe) C l ari dg e Molly (Sipe) Claridge is the owner/photographer of Be Still Photography.

Molly was born and raised in Whitefish and now lives in Kalispell with her husband Jeff, and their two kids Stella 8 and Sullivan "Sully" 5.

Photo by: Shannon Hollman (www.shannonhollman.com) styled by

57 B o u t i q u e

of

Whitefish

Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year 6477 Hwy 93 S Suite 138, Whitefish, MT 59937 406-862-1545 info@406woman.com Copyright©2012 Skirts Publishing

View current and past issues of 406 Woman at w w w . 4 0 6 W o m a n . c o m 406

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contributors

Ter r y (Ruggles) Du Beau

licensed Esthetician, is owner of the Skin Therapy Studio. Specializing in the effective treatment of acne and aging, Erin helps people have skin they can be proud of. She has trained with the best Acne Specialists in the country, and now brings world class acne therapy home to the Flathead Valley. Erin resides in Whitefish with her husband and daughter, where they enjoy nine months of winter and three months of company every year.

For help with problem skin, visit SkinTherapyStudio.com.

Terry (Ruggles) Du Beau is a newcomer to the FlatHead Valley. She relocated to Whitefish last November from Darby, Montana. She is passionate about the outdoors, leading people into experiences in deep nature connection and creating community. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Municipal Parks and Recreation Management and a M.A. in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. She is a Jersey girl by birth, wandered around New England and the south for a bit but found her true home in the west. Her heart and soul fell in love with Colorado in 1982 where she lived for 22 years. Montana has been home for over 8 years! This spring she took a permaculture class where she met her new partner, Michael 'Skeeter" Pilarski - they are relocating to Hot Springs, Montana this fall to open the Evolutionary School of Permaculture in the spring of 2013.

She can be reached at permaterry@gmail.com.

Sc ott W ilson

Del ia B uckmaster

Pam Parsons

Kiersten Alt on, RP H

Er i n B l air

has lived in Montana for 6 years and is the owner of Scott Wilson Photography, located near Bigfork, Montana. He specializes in portrait, event, and landscape photography. When he's not wielding the camera, he likes to spend time with his family exploring the outdoors, building furniture in his woodworking shop, and scouting the surrounding area for great new portrait locations. Scott is excited to be the newest contributor to such a wonderful regional magazine as 406 Woman Magazine, and he hopes that his photographs will grace the pages in many more issues. Visit his web site or FB page to view his work. www. scottwilson-photography.com www.facebook.com/scottwilsonphoto

graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona in 1993. She has 18 years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse and as a nurse in a busy prenatal and pediatric clinic. In addition, Pam has experience as a community health nurse and a school nurse. She joined Jeanne Tremper, CNM, at Glacier Maternity upon graduating with her Master’s Degree in Nursing and Certificate of Midwifery from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 2011.

Mom, fitness addict and health coach, Delia Buckmaster is the owner of Exhale Pilates Studio, a boutique fitness studio located in the beautiful resort town of Whitefish, Montana. Delia received her Full Pilates Certification in LA through STOTT ® Pilates. With over 10 years of fitness experience and a background in competitive sports, her belief that Pilates is the foundation for fitness makes her a leader in training your body and your mind. Living outside of the mainstream has not stopped her success in bringing the latest trends in fitness to Montana, including TRX ® Suspension Training ™ and Barre Fitness. Delia believes that the key to optimal health is not only fitness but a balance between healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, healthy eating, and spirituality. This belief led her into a career in health coaching through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City, a cutting edge leader in holistic education.

is a pharmacist at Big Sky Specialty Compounding in Kalispell. She attended pharmacy school at the University of Texas in Austin where she learned about herbs, vitamins, homeopathics and how to make medicines from scratch (compounding). She helps patients reduce or eliminate medications and teaches classes on women’s hormones, environmental toxins, and nutritional and natural medicine for infants and toddlers. Recently Kiersten started an autism support group. For more information, e-mail Kalton@bigskycompounding.com.

C r isMar ie C amp bel l Anna G ordon-Nor by, CP T

Anna is a certified personal trainer, as well as the sales advisor at The Women’s Club in Missoula. She has always believed that exercise should complement an active lifestyle, rather than become a chore. The best kind of fun is the kind that makes you forget that you’re exercising, and the best kind of accomplishment leaves you breathless at the end. Anna is an avid snowboarder and trail runner, and she enjoys hiking, gardening, working in the woods and riding her bike in the sunshine.

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CrisMarie has been a consultant and coach for over 17 years, working with teams, couples and individuals. She also enjoys being on stage, painting and writing. As a result, her coaching specialty is working with actors, athletes and executives as a Performance Coach, helping people bring more of who they are to what they do, to create the results they want.

For the last decade she has had her own Management Consulting and Coaching business, Thrive! Inc., with her partner Susan Clarke. CrisMarie is an Olympian who participated in the 1988 Olympic Games. She is a Master Certified Martha Beck Coach, has her Diploma in Counseling from The Haven Institute, an International Training Center in BC, Canada, and an MBA from the University of Washington. You can contact her at: crismarie@thriveinc.com.

note} from the editor

I watch the beautiful Maple trees shine their golden leaves through a tumultuous and blustering stormy day. The Flathead Valley has been fortunate to have had such a warm fall; but, with the hail that has just passed, and the thunder still talking, I realize those warm days are closing down, and winter is on its way. I am starting to feel that urge to crawl inside and hibernate… at least until snow comes and we can then crawl back out for some skiing and winter time activity. Hopefully this issue of 406 Woman will have some good reads and good treats to keep you cozy at home.

Leaf through the pages and find delicious recipes from John’s Angel’s Catering, and even a fancy drink or two from some of our other foodie articles. Some of us may have the travel bug this time of year, so reading a lovely article about India travels may inspire a long needed trip. Then, for those readers looking for some athletic teams and opportunities, check out what the Flathead Valley has to offer for our soccer lovers.

If family related advice is what you need, we have it! 406 Woman has thoughts and tips on everything from breast feeding to helping our sick kiddos through the stresses of school.

There are also some great athletic trainers in the area that have some fabulous new challenges to offer those of us who are trying to stay in shape this winter, and avoid those holiday pounds.

And, don’t forget the book reviews. Hopefully we can help with some winter time reading for both the little and the big people in our homes.

Warm up, put on those storm windows, and prepare yourself for another beautiful fall and winter season on the Flathead Valley. And, HAPPY HALLOWEEN from all of us at 406 Woman Magazine!

Sincerely,

Kristen Kristen Pulsifer Editor

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featured}

Jeannie Ulrick

"You don't stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running."

– Jack Kirk, the Dipsea Demon, a runner who continued to compete until age 96.

Jeannie Ulrick Running Half Her Life Written by Bridget Michlig Photos by Daley McDaniel

At age 68, Flathead Valley native Jeannie Ulrick has been running for exactly half her life. In the past 34 years, this mother of two and grandmother of six has competed in over 40 races including nineteen Bloomsday races; two Midnight Sun Run in Fairbanks, Alaska; three Governor's Cup Half Marathons from Marysville to the Capital Building in Helena; and the Coeur d'Alene Marathon. She so thoroughly defines herself as a runner that even her license plate proclaims LovTRun (love to run).

Jeannie excitedly details her humble beginnings - “I started running in my Spokane Valley neighborhood in 1978. A friend and I would plop the kids in strollers and go around the block just to get out of the house and get some fresh air. When I started it was difficult – I got winded, I was out of shape, needed to lose weight, and I got discouraged. But every time I got discouraged I'd add distance, and after a while it finally felt good.

I started to have a good physical health – great bone density. I kept going, just doing it for me, and it felt SO GOOD. The oxygen, endorphins, being outside. There is no other feeling like it.”

Bit by the feel-good running bug, Jeannie and her friend decided to train for the 12K Bloomsday race in Spokane. “At the time, Bloomsday was the third largest race in the country. It was 7.5 gorgeous miles along the Spokane River. From 1978 to 1992 I only missed one Bloomsday run.”

Then in 1989, a friend suggested she should do the Coeur d'Alene Marathon. It was the first and last full marathon in her running career. “I finally felt what it was like to hit the wall and keep on going. 26.2 miles feels like forever. Heck, some days even just one mile feels like forever!”

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From Runner to Racer

In 1992 she and Lannie, her husband of 46 years, returned to the Flathead Valley. A career in firefighting had taken the Kalispell and Knoxson natives across the mountains to Spokane, and they were thrilled to come back home. Shortly after arriving, Jeannie learned about a May Day Run at Many Lakes. She entered and placed first in her age division. That was her turning point, the moment at which she became not just a runner, but a competitive runner.

In 2003 she drove to Alaska for the 10K Midnight Sun Run in Fairbanks. She not only ran the race but placed in the top twenty for her category at age 59. The following year Jeannie placed first in her age division among 38 runners. “It was so fulfilling. I thought, gosh, look how old I am, and I did this!”

Three Governor's Cup Half Marathons followed in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and Jeannie placed in the top three each year. “I loved it but the training was grueling,” she says. She is literally the poster child for the event as a billboard for the 2007 race featured Jeannie and her blonde ponytail flying toward the capital building.

Fit for Service

The Army Physical Fitness Test includes a timed twomile run. Female soldiers over the age of 62 must complete two miles in under 25 minutes. Jeannie's current training time of 7.5 minutes per mile would earn her the full 100 points for the running test even if she were just 18 years old. Says Jeannie, “Over the years I've had a few running partners, but I really prefer training alone so I can go as fast or as far as I want.” Two exceptions she makes to training alone are Ben and Bailey,

her six year old twin grandchildren. “They love to run – both kids competed in their school's Fall Festival races, and both kids placed – I was so proud! We do the Wild Mile trail together – they just love it!”

As for equipment, Jeannie keeps it simple, eschewing iPod, GPS tracker, or other technologies. “They're a distraction, and running the roads can be dangerous. You have to be aware of everything around you. The quiet time is part of the appeal, anyway. It's a great time to do soul searching, plan my day, explore whatever challenges I'm facing.”

She aims to cover 100 miles of road a month on foot, which breaks down to 5-6 miles per day or more. Each week she also adds at least one 40 mile loop on her bike from Somers to Kila and back . Come winter Jeannie still runs outside as much as possible, takes up cross country skiing, and adds miles to the odometer on her treadmill. “I despise indoor exercise, I just feel suffocated. I want to be out there in the air and wind, feel the rain drench me. It's awesome.”

Does she ever get tired, sore, or just feel too depleted to run? “Never. It is totally an addiction. When I can't run, I feel neglected. When I was racing a lot I used to go to running seminars and the best thing I learned was to listen to my body and not get too hung up on a schedule. Sometimes if I'm too busy to run, it's ok, I'm just too busy. But when I get back to it I feel SO much better.”

When asked about future races, Jeannie is thoughtful.

“There are no competitive races in my immediate future. Now I run for myself, for my health. I'm just racing against myself.” she beams, blue eyes twinkling, blonde ponytail already bobbing.

featured}

Jeannie Ulrick

In Her Words: Jeannie's Top Five Reasons to Run 1. It gives me such a self-esteem boost – I'm really impressed that at my age, I have the health and ability to do this!

2. It's one thing I have absolute control over – I am independent. If I run poorly, it's all on me. If I run strong, it's all on me. It's a feeling of incredible freedom.

3. Running gives me mental space. A pair of running shoes is cheaper than therapy and really helps me solve issues.

4. Spiritual connection – I use the time to gives thanks for my health, for the beauty of the world around and the day.

Su p e r F o o d f o r St r e n g t h a n d P o w e r :

Chia!

"In terms of nutritional content a tablespoon of chia is like a smoothie made from salmon, spinach, and human growth hormone. As tiny as those seeds are, they're superpacked with omega-3s, omega6s, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, fiber, and antioxidants. If you had to pick one desert-island food, you couldn't do much better than chia, at least if you were interested in building muscle, lowering cholesterol, and reducing your risk of heart disease; after a few months on a chia diet, you could probably swim home."

Excerpt from New York Times Bestseller - Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

While Jeannie is decidedly old school when it comes to running – lacing up her favorite Brooks shoes and hitting the road without technology – she still enjoys reading about the developments in training to run. Currently on her nightstand is Born to Run by Christoper McDougall, detailing the running prowess of the Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyons in Mexico. Intrigued by the tale McDougall tells of iskiate, which he describes as the indigenous people's version of Red Bull and

which is made with chia, she gave it a whirl and is now a believer in the lasting energy it provides.

Jeannie favors mixing a tablespoon of chia with water, lemon and honey and enjoys it as a superior hydration drink.

5. There are so many fun roads and trails around Bigfork – it is spectacular to be out in the wild!

Since chia is flavor neutral, it lends itself to all sorts of dishes. In addition to iskiate (also called chia fresca), you can enjoy this nutritional powerhouse as an addition to smoothies, stirred into yogurt, sprinkled on salads, or made into puddings or porridge in place of tapioca or cooked cereal grains.

Basic Chia Pudding Recipe 2 TBS chia seed 3/4-1 cup of almond, coconut, soy or other milk or liquid

Stir chia into liquid and let sit for about 10 minutes, stir again, then repeat until liquid is absorbed and chia has taken on a tapioca consistency. This basic pudding or porridge base can then be flavored with fruit, cocoa powder, and/or spices and sweetened to taste. For a creamier consistency, blend with a stick blender or in a food processor. Can be gently warmed to take the place of comforting oatmeal.

Packed with protein, essential fatty acids, and fiber, your chia porridge will satisfy your taste buds and sustain your energy for a long run or a long day.

You can find chia seed, also known as salba, in most supermarkets and health food stores, as well as at specialty stores like Roma's on Electric Avenue in Bigfork. Stop in there and chat with Jeannie!

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Jeannie Ulrick

M o v e M o r e , N o M att e r W h at !

Even veteran runner Jeannie remembers how difficult it felt at first to overcome physical and emotional inertia. Sometimes we just need a coach of some sort to help us get – and keep moving. Thanks to the internet, we now have access to a multitude of beginner training programs, many of which are free. Some to check out: Couch to 5K (also Couch to Half Marathon and Couch to Marathon programs) www.c25k.com or in the Apps section of iTunes – both a free and a paid version exist.

RunnersWorld.com offers an array of training plans for beginners as well as seasoned competitors LiveStrong.com/running includes information on strength development, nutrition and holistic living

No matter which program you choose, they'll all follow some form of walk-jog-repeat, building your lung capacity and muscle strength little by little. Most beginner programs consist of three thirty minute sessions per week and will take you from 0 to running for 30 minutes straight in about three months.

To get started, check with your physician to ensure you are healthy enough to begin, then simply do it. Lace up your trainers and head outside. Start by walking at a moderate pace for five minutes to warm up, then try gentle jogging for about 60 seconds before dropping back down to a walk for two to three minutes. Repeat the cycle for about 20 minutes total, then walk at a moderate pace for five minutes to cool down.

Can't jog for 60 seconds yet? That's ok. Do what you can, as you can. Go at your own pace and never forget that even slow progress is still progress.

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Hear Them Roar Written by O’Brien Byrd

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outdoor woman} Flathead Rapids

The African lioness is a beautiful, powerful image to picture. From an early age they are taught to stalk, hunt, and chase down prey to feed members of its pride.

Rippling with muscle, lean and balanced, the lioness has an elegant and graceful gate, and at times, a lethal burst of speed. After years of learning from their elders, training hunts, and hunting smaller game, they reach adulthood and then take their place amongst their peers.

The adult female athlete is a rare sight these days.

Unlike the lioness, after adolescent years of training and proving their worth, most female athletes in their respective sports are forced to give up the game. These incredible physical specimens and competitive beings are meant to shelf these hard earned skill sets and look to alternative forms of competition. Races involving bikes or half/full marathons are decidedly individual in nature. Picking up something new like tennis or golf are popu-

lar items for those that want to stay active. I am a happily married man to a Mrs. Melanie Byrd, who was the captain of her college soccer team. I am the proud father of a son and two beautiful daughters.

Quite a few years ago, we noticed the complete lack of opportunity locally for women soccer players to continue on in the game, and this year the Rapids Soccer Club decided to do something about it.

To be perfectly honest, the Rapids Club was started for purely selfish reasons. College and professional

soccer was over for me, and I simply wasn’t ready to hang up the boots. It was only until the last 4 years that I began to see the club becoming much more than a men’s USASA travel team. Giving back to the Valley in a coaching capacity was the obvious choice as our Rapids players grew older and more experienced. As we began developing our youth programs, there was still an obvious missing element. Female coaches were almost nonexistent locally; consequently our female youth soccer players were lacking female role models and heroes. We recognized that our club would not be well rounded without a female coaching dynamic, but we knew, it would be an incredibly challenging opportunity for our club. Women’s leagues locally have long become extinct, leaving most of our local female high school players with nowhere to play once they were done playing their high school or college careers. As a direct result of that, women simply walked away from the game. Therein lies why the Flathead Rapids club model is simply a necessity to help rejuvenate a fledgling coach’s pool. The concept is both simple yet foreign in design. The Rapids club is based off a European Club

Photo on opposite page by Molly M. Claridge - bestillphotographymt.com . Photo is of Jelisa Guy she attended Flathead High School and was the team captain her junior and senior year. She was also all state her junior and senior year along with being Gatorade player of the year her senior year. Her senior year continued with even more successes such as becoming Region IV High School All American as a forward. After high school, she attended MSU in Billings and then the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs (UCCS). Whiles at UCCS, she was team captain. After college, her athletics continued with a strong coaching career. She is the current Assistant Coach at Glacier High School after coaching for two years at Whitefish High School.

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outdoor woman} Flathead Rapids

{

“We are very lucky to keep playing at a competitive level similar to the college game. Actual coach-led training sessions that provide an opportunity to get better and to learn more about the game, makes me want to come to every single one!”

-Kaitlyn Sleichter

structure, where it’s “full circle” philosophy is selfsustaining.

The Rapids provide an opportunity for top level male and female players to continue playing the game at a high level; providing them with competition year round and structured training sessions to continue to improve their game. With this privilege comes an opportunity to give back to the youth in our club as coaches. These adult premier players will help coach our spring select season, academies, camps, and help bolster our mentoring programs.

They are young and knowledgeable, highly energetic, and exceptional role models with a desire to coach our future soccer stars. Our Rapids coaching model: Exceptional Soccer Players. Exceptional People. Exceptional Vision.

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So in the spring of 2012, the Rapids started the first women’s premier USASA team in Montana. Our first training session out at Smith Fields in Whitefish was on a cold, rainy day in March. There were nine lionesses in attendance, but spirits were high

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as those women participated in the first structured practice, for some, in years. Training twice a week through the spring, we soon gained numbers purely by word of mouth. Soon the women’s training pool outgrew the men’s with the pool peaking at around 38 players by mid-summer. Two current top girl high school players, seven current college players, well over a dozen ex-college players, and many more skilled/motivated women made up our steadily improving squad. We played three high level exhibition games and two big tournaments over the summer including a semi-final appearance in the Annual Whitworth University Tournament, which is made up of mostly college teams. The biggest women’s tournament of the year was in British Columbia, where our women lost in the championship due to a penalty kick shootout to the Spokane FC, finishing up 2nd out of a bracket with 24 teams.

For More Information: www.flatheadrapids.com Facebook: Montana Flathead Rapids flatheadrapids@gmail.com

Local Rapids Stars Flathead HS: Jelisa Guy, Tess Brenneman, Maddey Frey, Malia Ozegovich, Kayla Byle, Chelsea Shuman, Heidi Windaeur Glacier HS: Chantal Gustine

Whitefish HS: Kaitlyn Sleichter, Heather Hodges, Elizabeth Pitman, Meagan Powell, Sam Dittman, Natalie Gayner Columbia Falls HS: Dedee Devanthol, Makenzie Kizer, Nicolette Bales, Kim Pearce

The 2012 inaugural season for the Lady Rapids Premier team was a tremendous success. We are already filling up next year’s events calendar with an additional tournament in Las Vegas, and games against top college teams like Carroll College and the Northwest’s new WPSL team, The Spokane Shine.

Times are changing opportunities for our youth and young adults here in Northwest Montana. We saw it this year with a team of lionesses wearing the signature Rapids black jerseys. If you come to a Rapids game near you, perhaps you can hear them roar.

If you listen closely you can hear their cry, “WE ARE THE RAPIDS!

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406 love}

Wedding

James & Elle Photographed by B2 Photography

Our story is the classic “meet-cute”. We met in Austin, Texas at a music festival. I dropped a drink on his foot. Three years later we found ourselves at the Belton Chalet surrounded by our family and friends celebrating our vows with Glacier National Park’s dramatic summits in the background, a place we are deeply fond of.

From the beginning, we agreed to focus on the wedding guest experience. With deep appreciation that most of our guests traveled considerable distances to be with us, and keeping in mind that traveling to Montana was a new and unique experience for many of our guests, we knew our wedding needed to celebrate the best Montana has to offer. With this in mind, the historic Chalet in West Glacier was the perfect choice. Recently restored, it stays true to its turn of the century roots and harkens back the Park’s grand beginnings.

We also made sure our guests experienced a Montana adventure. James hosted a float and fly fishing trip down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River for any guest who wanted to join. The float trip was a resounding success with the sun making a long awaited appearance after days of rain.

After the float, family and friends joined us at the Belton Chalet’s restaurant where we recharged before working the evening away preparing for our wedding. If there is one simple word that enveloped the loveliness of our DIY wedding, it is heartwarming. To us, the fact that everyone chipped in the day and night before to put the finishing touches together, made the wedding so much sweeter.

Together we decorated the chalet and tent with family heirlooms from my mother’s home and linens carefully made by my Aunt Chris. It meant everything to us to have our friends and family graciously help to prepare.

On the big day, we started with a Welcome Reception on the Chalet’s veranda. The guests were welcomed by hostesses, an outdoor bar, hors d’oevoures and the Belton Blues Trio playing in the background. We decorated the terrace room with my mother’s Roseville pottery collection filled with astilbe, ferns, lemon leaf, and white garden roses arranged by family that very morning. Our florist, Bear Grass Gardens made a statement by adorning the fireplace with ferns and amaranthus and placing large and small vases throughout the lodge filled with coral peonies, white garden roses, ferns, and black pussy willows.

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Wedding

A

fter the Welcome Reception, the guests – many with drink in hand - made their way up to the meadow that was thankfully very green from all the recent rain. Risking the chance of June rain, we selected an outdoor ceremony to highlight Montana’s majestic beauty. The natural setting was set off by a whopping dose of ferns along the aisle and altar, which were also adorned with antlers and moss.

Old vintage furniture, painted black and overflowing with ferns and moss, gave it the wink and nod to the playful elegance we sought.

Further inspired by whimsy, we became unintentional anglophiles as myself and the bridesmaids wore Vivienne Westwood for Melissa shoes (think jelly shoe meets bridal wear)! I also wore a beautiful fascinator custom made by the amazingly talented milliner, Blair Nadeau. James’ suit was anglo-fantastic, complete with an ascot and Hudson shoes.

Our cousin Peter, a Pastor at our Lord and Savior in Columbia Falls, officiated our wedding. Having a family member help us pronounce our vows was incredibly special to us, and we were so blessed to have him and his family there to celebrate with us. We walked the aisle to Tom Catmull’s acoustic versions of Townes Van Zandt songs including Colorado Girl. It was perfect.

After the wedding we enjoyed cocktails, listened to the Belton Blues Trio play our favorite songs, and slowly made our way to the tent for dinner. The tent, in all its glory, absolutely floored us when we finally came into dinner. Every detail was executed perfectly thanks to everyone who helped, including The Party Store, who provided and set up the tent, provided party supplies, and designed the layout.

At dinner we continued our happy hum, as heaping plates of prime rib, trout and accompaniments were layered onto the tables for our family style meal. We enjoyed wine from Missoula Winery and passed champagne. Soon it was time to dance, and as if by cue, the sky opened, and it poured buckets on us as we danced in the tent. Could it have been more perfect?

We don’t think so, for in the end we were surrounded by our favorite people in the Last Best Place.

We hope you enjoy the photos. We worked very hard on our DIY wedding, and we have many, many wonderful people to thank for it!

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EW

406 love}

Story

Chris + Erica

Photos by: Kelly Kirksey Photography www.kellykirkseyphotography.com

Who are you?

Chris originally hails from Ohio and moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. He currently works for an animation talent agency as well as doing social media for an independent game festival called IndieCade. He also loves history, being a terrible dancer, and making Erica laugh as often as possible. His awesome parents, brother, sister, brother-in-law and niece, Hannah, helped shape who he is.

Erica grew up in Minnesota, where her mom, dad, brother, sister, brother-in-law and five AMAZING nieces and nephews still live. A lover of international travel and lackadaisical planning, Erica has hiked, camped, hitchhiked, run out of money, gotten lost and had amazing adventures in more than 35 countries. Erica works Youth Frontiers, a nonprofit that works to eradicate disrespect in schools.

How did you meet?

We were fans of each other’s film essay writing on a website called BrightWallDarkRoom.com . After getting to know each other over long rambling emails for a few months, we traveled to Colombia together – and clicked. Dating from 2,000 miles apart was tough, but we worked to see each other regularly, and eventually Erica took the leap and moved to LA.

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The proposal?

Chris: After getting the chance to know Erica's dad better, over a tough but incredible trip to India in the fall of 2010, I asked her parents’ permission

WOMAN 30

at Thanksgiving. With their blessing, I surprised Erica with a trip to Paris for her birthday at the end of January. And there, on the Pont des Arts, on a cold winter night, I asked her to marry me. She jumped up and down and said yes!

Erica: We wrote our initials on a metal lock and hung it from the bridge on the River Seine. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better proposal!

What is love?

Erica: The rarest, most valuable and hardest thing to protect in the world. Love is finding someone who celebrates you exactly as you are (past and all) but cares enough to help you stretch where you need to go. Love is being a team and a tribe.

Chris: Love is doing something you don't want to do at the very worst time for the person who means the most to you.

What do you love most about each other?

Erica: My mom once told her that Chris has been good for our whole family -- he is so at ease in his own skin that he gives other people permission to let down their hair and be themselves. I most love that he makes me laugh, slows me down and has the best heart I’ve ever known.

Chris: I knew I would never find a better match for my heart, a person who challenged me and helped me grow, who was so full of love, laughter, and life.

When did you know you were in love?

Erica: On a trip through Glacier two years ago. Setting up camp and hiking all day and cooking in the dark and the quiet was just what I needed to reflect and realize what an amazing partner Chris is.

Chris: The first time I saw Erica in person, waiting by an airport baggage claim.

Fun facts: We booked the Rising Wolf Ranch based on a few pictures on line and crossed our fingers. Luckily, we arrived to find a rustic, historic ranch on gorgeous property. As we were picking wildflowers and setting up for the wedding, a massive Grizzly Bear headed down toward the ranch and a Park Ranger had to save the day.

Honeymoon: We spent two weeks in Indonesia – traveling through Bali, the island of Gili Trawangan and Lombok.

Wedding details: We invited about 35 of our family members and closest friends out to stay for five days at Rising Wolf Ranch. We envisioned it as adult summer camp – yard games, sing-alongs, hikes, BBQs together – and it really was. The long weekend ended with a dusk ceremony officiated by our close friend, in front of a range of mountains and it was (at least to us, if you ignored the red ants and the wind!) absolutely perfect.

406 love}

Story

Carl + Shannon Who are you?

Carl Norman Christiansen III Shannon Leigh Hawkinson

How did you meet?

We met at Dos Amigos when Shannon met her dad's girlfriend's son, who just so happened to be Carl's best friend.

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The proposal?

Although there had been winter storms that made the roads treacherous, nothing was keeping Carl from seeing Shannon on January 20. He planned on driving to see her after work and had even made arrangements to have a train ticket if the roads were too icy for him to drive.

Carl wanted to go for a walk and led Shannon through the snowy/rainy campus to a portion of the Centennial Trail that had the Spokane River on one side of the trail and Lake Arthur on the other. When the couple got to that part of the trail, Carl asked if Shannon remembered when they had talked about what they had never told anyone else. Carl said that he had thought of something, and this is what he said: "It has been 315 days since we met, 314 since I knew I liked you. June 25th I knew I loved you, and January 16th I asked your dad if I could marry you." Carl proceeded to get down on one knee, even with the ground being wet, and held out a red box with a ring. Shannon nodded and cried and pulled Carl up and hugged him while continuing to nod her head up and down. After about a minute Shannon realized that she hadn't actually said anything

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Photos by: Molly M. Claridge www.bestillphotographymt.com

and asked if she had said "yes". Carl said "no" so Shannon gave him a formal answer and then Carl asked her if she was going to put the ring on, and of course she did.

This ring was not just any ring, however. During the previous summer, the couple had made a day trip to Kellogg, Idaho where they went on a mine tour and panned for gold. While they panned for gold they found some clear stones and a bunch of little red stones. Carl took the clear stone and had it cut to be set into a ring and picked out a band and setting for the stone to go into. This piece of quartz is one of a kind, as multiple jewelers have said that they have never seen a gem so clear and flawless. Carl also spent much time tumbling the little red stones and had the same jeweler hand make a wedding band with the garnets in-laid to fit perfectly with the engagement ring.

What is love?

Shannon: Love is indescribable joy and happiness and thinking constantly of the other person. They are the first thing you think of in the morning and the last thing at night. Love is the desire to make yourself a better person for your partner and putting your partner in front of yourself and doing anything to make them happy. Love is unconditional and requires total acceptance of the other person. Love is the ability to laugh, and being comfortable enough to be silly, to cry, or to argue. Love is when you know that no matter what, the other person is always going to be there, to support each other through the good and the

bad. Love is a feeling that is truly indescribable and the most wonderful thing in the world.

Carl: Love is when somebody asks you, "What do you like most about them?" and you don't answer with the standard, "I love their personality" or “they're just funny.” It's the smile you get when someone says their name, and they want you to describe them and you can't, all you can do is smile. Love is when you can shove an entire Twinkie in your mouth and see who can eat it the fastest.

What do you love most about each other?

Carl: I love that we can just go for walks for hours, and just keep walking in the same pattern that we've walked 50 times before. I never get tired of walking and talking with her.

Shannon: I love the way that Carl makes me feel and that he not only tells me how much he loves me but also shows me even when we're 238 miles apart.

When did you know you were in love?

Carl: I knew that I wanted to buy her flowers.

My dad said that you only buy flowers for two reasons - either you were cheating or you really loved them. I wasn't cheating.

Shannon: We were laying on a porch swing just talking about life, our goals and ambitions, and I just knew.

food}

Quickee’s

Quickee’s pub and sandwich shop

Yvette Haines owner of Quickee’s pub and sandwich shop in Whitefish is the nicest person you would ever want to meet.

Yvette’s warm smile, infectious laugh, and winning personality are enough to get you in the door, but the food seals the deal and keeps you coming back for more!

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Equally devoted to being a mother, a wife and restaurateur Yvette manages to ‘keep everyone happy’ which is evident in the attitude of her friendly wait staff and smiling customers. Originally from England, Yvette and her family made the decision to move to northwest Montana with Quickee’s being a stepping stone of that process. After purchasing it from the original owner Quickee’s underwent a make-over and relocation to the corner of Second Street East and Lupfer Avenue in downtown Whitefish. The family has acclimated very well to the Valley and all are avid supporters of the local Whitefish High School soccer team. Yvette’s son Matty was captain last year, when they won the All-State Championship!

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Written by Jessica Rogers Photos by Daley McDaniel

The Quickee’s menu is getting a makeover for fall, as Yvette explains her mission to cater to customers with food allergies, providing gluten free, dairy free and vegetarian options. “I am tweaking the menu…I’ve been very conscious about what the market demands,” she states. Yvette keeping her mother in mind when creating the menu offers different portion sizes to her older customers and children. Staying true to Flathead’s buy local mantra and then adding a British flare with menu items like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash, Yvette puts a lot of thought and care into the dishes that are served.

Customers would be hard pressed to find anything on the menu that isn’t home made by Yvette or her staff. Everything from pickles, sauces, and mash potatoes are made from scratch in the Quickee’s kitchen, “we cut all fries by hand and cook them using fresh potatoes and that from a British point of view really makes a difference. They are proper potato fries,” she states.

Quickee’s aims to provide an experience for their customers, and they have hit the mark!

The right ambiance combined with an exceptional meal is hard to come by these days; in fact I would say that sometimes you sacrifice one for the other.

However a meal at Quickee’s leaves the customer satisfied – having sacrificed nothing but their waistline. Their mouthwatering fish and chips dinner is unbeatable, with beer battered Alaskan Cod that has just the right amount of crunch, the fries an added bonus feature, cooked to perfection. Forget a to-go box because before you realized what has happened you’ve consumed your entire meal. That is only one of the many tasty options Quickee’s offers; their famous Philly cheese steak sandwich has warmed the hearts of even the harshest critics – native Philadelphian’s. Thinly sliced round-steak strips are grilled to perfection with banana peppers (for a little kick), and onions, then placed on a twelve inch sub with mayonnaise and melted provolone cheese; it is a true sandwich masterpiece.

When asked what Yvette’s favorite aspect of the restaurant industry is she smiles and says, “It is very social; I can’t be anonymous around here!” Quickee’s

popularity is widespread, and Yvette in association gets noticed on a regular basis, even going so far as having a patron shouting “we love you Quickee’s” across the Hungry Horse dam to show their appreciation. “The restaurant is like a ‘legend in its own lifetime’ because everyone recognizes the Quickee’s name,” she states. Yvette has future plans to foster that popularity by adding new specials, a new menu, and live music once or twice a month.

The only negative part of dining at Quickee’s is the fact that you have to leave, feeling much more like a home than a restaurant it provides comfort food that cannot be duplicated. Mario Batali once said “finding the happiness and finding the satisfaction and finding fulfillment in continuously serving somebody else something good to eat, is what makes a really good restaurant,”. Having achieved that standard, Quickee’s truly is a ‘legend in its own lifetime’, so in the words of an anonymous patron, “We love you Quickee’s.”

250 Second St E. Whitefish, MT 59937 (406) 862-9866 www.thequickee.com

food}

winter squash

An American original

The winter squash in today’s market captures the original spirit of native times.

Squash probably originated in Mexico. Archaeologists have found evidence that it was cultivated there 7,000 to 10,000 years ago, and squash seeds were among the items trades from tribe to tribe along the ancient trails that wove through South Central, and North America.

Hard-shelled, sweet-fleshed varieties that were grown in the summer kept well and provided food through the winter months. Despite their year-round availability in markets today, these descendants of the hard-shell Cucurbita maxima are still commonly called winter squash. Other types of Squash, such as pumpkins and small stuffing and longneck squash (C. moschata and C. pepo), often get lumped into this category, too.

Old standards flourish as Butternut, Hubbard, and Banana squash, as well as many variations, and they are grown around the world. New hybrids and varieties have joined them, providing even more choices, especially this time of year.

But not all squash are created equal. Some sport handsome shells that collapse into flat-tasting, watery masses when cooked. Others look plain and boring, but hide richly flavored, velvetysmooth flesh. Squash skin may be smooth or pebbly, and the skin color can be pure and intense, speckled or spotted, white, cream, yellow, golden orange, or many shades of green. The flesh ranges

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from pale gold to burnt orange. And all squash store well.

Despite their diversity, squash that is best for cooking have in common a sweet- and sometimes nutty-flavor and a smooth to creamy texture.

Nutritionally, winter squash provides at least twice as many carbohydrates and calories per pound as summer squash, contains significantly more potassium and vitamin A.

American Indians often turned the hard squash into natural casseroles. Split, seeded, and filled with meat or fish, the squash was reassembled and cooked in the ashes or stone pits. The oil-rich squash seeds were an important food and are still popular snack. Winter squash is basic to many dishes, including soups and stews- or is simply enjoyed plain. The following recipes take inspiration from native times and heritage

Winter Squash Soup with Sage Prep and cook time: About one hour

Notes: Deborah Madison, author of The Greens Cookbook and The Savory Way, prefers squash with deep orange, sweet flesh, such as Butternut, Kabocha, Red Kuri, or Buttercup, for this recipe.

Makes six servings

2 tablespoons olive oil

18 small fresh sage leaves

2 ½ to 3 pounds winter squash

2 unpeeled onions (about 6oz. each) cut in half 6 cloves of garlic

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves ¾ teaspoon fresh or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves

4 cups vegetable broth

Salt and pepper 3 ounces (1/2 cup) ½ inch cubes fontina cheese

1. Pour oil into a 6 to 8 inch frying pan and place over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add whole sage leaves and stir until they turn a darker green, 45 seconds to one minute. With slotted spoon, lift out the leaves and drain on paper towels: set aside. Reserve the oil.

food}

winter squash

2. Rinse squash; if not cut and seeded already, slice squash in half and scoop out the seeds (or save to roast). Brush cut surfaces of squash and onions with the reserved oil. Place squash and onions, cut side down, in a 10-by 15-inch baking dish. Slip garlic under the squash.

3. Bake in a 375 oven until all the vegetables are soft when pressed. 45 to 60 minutes. Reserve pan juices. Scoop flesh from squash skins; discard skins. Peel the garlic. Peel and chop the onions.

4. In a 3-to 4- quart pan, combine squash, garlic, onion, parsley, chopped sage, and thyme. Mash squash mixture with a

potato masher. Stir in the reserved pan juices and the broth. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, to blend flavors, about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Stir any remaining sage cooking oil into soup. Distribute cheese equally among 6 bowls, and ladle soup into bowls. Top soup with fried sage leaves and fresh ground pepper.

entertainment}autumn night

Glacier Distilling Company Photos by Lauren Oscilowski

In the Flathead Valley, summer seems to end and fall begins in the blink of an eye. I wanted to find a way to celebrate this turn of the seasons-to bid farewell to the sun-warmed days of summer and welcome Autumn’s crisp nights. What better place to usher in the change of seasons than in a barn celebrating the harvest with the best local offerings of the Flathead Valley! I sat down with Tim Good (from The Cuisine Machine) and we created a five course dinner of Autumn-inspired dishes paired with artisanal spirits and hand-crafted cocktails.

The Food and Drink

Dinner was to be a celebration of the Harvest, Autumn and the offerings of the Flathead Valley. We at Glacier Distilling wanted to thank the Valley for their support through the summer season and showcase what we had in store for the fall and winter months. I wanted this dinner to differ from the typical roast turkey and trimmings that normally take center stage at holiday gatherings, all the while highlighting our locally crafted spirits. For the main course we settled roast Sage Creek Colony Hutterite duck with a Flathead Cherry Compote and North Fork Whiskeyglazed Root Vegetables ~ paired with a North Fork Whiskey Manhattan and a Marraschino Flathead Cherry.

The Atmosphere

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The distillery floor proved the perfect environment for hosting a dinner party. I set a large c-shaped table in the center of the production space, between the industrial

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copper still and the racks of wooden barrels. I knew that many of our guests would be in groups of two or four and this banquet style seating encouraged folks to chat with their neighbors. To soften the lighting and create a lower ceiling I strung bistro lights above the dining area and illuminated the still, to draw attention to the distillery while softening the warehouse feel. Gourds, Indian corn and candles served as centerpieces alongside fall flower arrangements. To keep costs down, I created the arrangements myself and used mason jars and mix-match vases. I mixed fall flowers with small cottonwood branches, sprigs of turning leaves and stalks of wheat, to give the arrangements a rustic barn feel. Some simple fall-colored ribbon and thick twine served as accents, woven through the menus and tied around the silverware at each place setting.

The Little Cottonwood 1 ½ oz Ginger Dew Prapple Shrub* 1 ½ oz Fresh Organic Apple Cider Baked Apple Bitters Fresh Nutmeg

In a shaker with ice combine Ginger Dew, a splash of Prapple Shrub, apple cider and a splash of baked apple bitters. Shake well and strain into martini glass. Top with freshly grated nutmeg.

*A traditional colonial method of preserving fruit at the harvest. Peel and slice 4 large apples and pears (or Asian pears) and place in a bowl and coat with one cup of sugar. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 3 days. Add one cup apple cider vinegar and return to refrigerator for another 3 days. Press off the liquid and discard the fruit (or save and use as a compote or marinade for fish). Shrubs can either be used in dressing or used to flavor soda water.

Maple-Ginger-Cider Dressing: 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup Ginger Dew 2 tbl minced ginger 1 tbl garlic 1/2 cup maple syrup Mix together.

Using imersion blender slowly add 1 cup olive oil 1 cup canola oil salt and pepper to taste

Glacier Distilling Company (406)407.5909 PO Box 593 West Glacier, MT 59936 www.glacierdistilling.com

food}

Cuisine

Forward Cuisine in Montana with Local Products

By Kristen Ledyard Owner/Executive Chef of John’s Angels Catering LLC It is approaching winter and time for some culinary fun. I have had the recent opportunity to continue my never ending culinary studies. O.K., it was Vegas, but it was all business, I swear. I wanted to bring back true Greek, Thai, Indian, and Molecular Gastronomy.

We are on the verge of true culinary expansion in the Flathead Valley. The focus on local products has made an impact for every restaurant, no matter what the season. Local farmers and distributors have made products so much more accessible. Let’s continue

our pantry with local products and innovative recipes. Be ready for “not just your ordinary holiday meal”.

The basic concept was the same in all cuisines - never cover up the fantastic ingredients you have. This, also, accomplishes a major goal in the United States, which is to reduce fat content in meals. High nutrition with high flavor is the goal. The following recipe can not only make flavors ignite, but bring you and your family on a vacation for little money.

Grilled Whitefish with Olive oil and capers Any whitefish of your choice Fresh lemon Medium size capers Red onion Red wine vinegar Evoo (preferably Greek) Sea Salt

Make this a great day of fishing, since it is the season, and simply clean your catch. I prefer to leave the head on, but that is optional. The meat in the cheeks and collar is the most flavorful. Place on aluminum foil with a little of the EVOO rubbed on it. I like to cup the sides to prevent spilling. The rest is simple. Sprinkle the fish with the olive oil, squeeze half of the lemon over, slice and place the rest of the lemon on top, sprinkle with a tablespoon of capers, thinly sliced red onion, splash of red wine vinegar, and dash of sea salt. Grill just until flaky and serve with the sauce created while grilling. It will include the fish juices and is an amazing accompaniment with little fat. To make it a true escape to Greece, provide a side of stuffed olives and true Greek feta.

As another twist, I enjoy pickling the red onion and serving that, as well.

As winter approaches, and vacations are out of the question, create them at home.

I have even been known to turn the heat up to 80 degrees and decorate in the appropriate theme. It is a wonderful way to introduce friends to new cuisines with an atmosphere of authenticity and fun. Let’s now journey to India for an actual curry dish that in not intimidating.

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food}

Cuisine

Chicken Korma with a Twist Chicken breasts sliced in large portions (can add boneless dark meat) Garlic Whole onion Ginger Chili powder Turmeric White pepper Fresh tomato Chicken stock Sliced almond (optional) Coconut milk Plain yogurt

Finally, only on our journey for

now, is the beginning to molecular

fantastic foods. I prefer to take my classical training and just add a bit

of molecular gastronomy to add the lasting impression. Following is just a basic recipe to have fun on the Holidays as a Wow to guests.

Fry the chicken in a small bit of vegetable or canola oil. Slice one piece to make sure it is cooked through. Strain and set aside. Add together all other ingredients except liquids and sauté in the same pan until tender. Add the chili powder to taste only. Set aside. In a pot, combine all ingredients to a simmer for up to ½ hour. Only add more coconut milk to reduce thickness and season to taste. This is one of those recipes that is even better the next day. To be truly authentic, grind your own spice blend together using whole seeds and pods.

Serve over rice that is in your organized pantry. Be sure to keep track of your inventory and store vegetables properly.

Citrus Foam Made Simple

3 gelatin sheets Favorite citrus juice Nitrous Oxide container (available at your local kitchen store or restaurant supply)

Dissolve gelatin sheets into 2 cups of your favorite citrus juice and blend. Set aside for one hour in the refrigerator. It should look and act like loose jello. Break up the jello and place in the Nitrous container with the charger. Make sure the jello is well mixed before placing in the container. Then, foam over either your favorite greens or chilled soup for a fun holiday dish.

Photo by Alisia Cubberly

Now, if you are a lover of really spicy, simply thinly slice Thai peppers into a quality fish sauce and add to your Korma. This creates a whole different flavor experience.

Always remember that your main ingredient is the star and it is only to be enhanced. Using local ingredients provide a tasty and amazing option for all meals. Finally, how your meal is presented is ultimately important. Everything on the plate must be edible and point out the fun ingredients in the dish. It solves the puzzle for your guests. Have fun as the Holidays arrive and continue to keep your pantry organized as we will continue our culinary journey. Where to next….

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home}Ciao

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home}Ciao

Ciao Interior Photos by Heidi A. Long www.longviews.com

This remodel was constructed in the 1970s. It is wedged between other units on each side, so the plan was elongated to provide additional square footage. This allowed the one bedroom (plus a loft) townhouse to become a three bedroom home. The architect removed the massive brick fireplace that had been constructed in the middle of the home as well as the narrow, straight-run staircase that landed within a few feet of the Entry. Both blocked the views of the lake, and made interior spatial interaction difficult. A winding staircase was located at the opposite corner of the home.

The Great Room, Kitchen, and Dining areas are open to lake views, and to each other. Striking turquoise and copper colors in the granite countertops for both the Kitchen and the adjacent bath set the scheme for the main floor. Copper tiles complement the granite to create a breathtaking fireplace surround and bath.

Furnishings for this condo were kept to a small scale to create the illusion of spaciousness. A bay window overlooking the lake is the perfect spot for a table with banquette seating. Small pendants over the peninsula and seeded glass in the upper cabinets provide sparkle to the Kitchen and Great Room. Luxurious fabrics in warm tones create a quiet retreat for work or rest.

The crisp fabrics in the Master Suite invite one to relax with a book at the bay window. Lighting fixtures in the Master bath are mounted directly onto the mirror for added light and reflective qualities. The Guest Suite beckons its occupants to relax in the sumptuous bedding or at the modern settee. Through the use of beautiful marble, tile, and woodwork, which are softened by exquisite fabrics, the designer created a simply luxurious lake home.

Ciao Interiors- based in Kalispell, Montana- is one of the preeminent design firms in the Rocky Mountains. With projects spanning throughout the United States, China and Canada, the firm specializes in translating the warmth of comfortable living uniquely into each of its clients' projects. Accessibility today – Like high-fashion designers who design lines for Target or H&M, the internet and its social media platform has allowed Ciao Interiors to provide basic design services for clients across the world that did not previously have access to the Ciao brand. It has enabled Ciao to expand its brand beyond just high-end and luxury resort clients and shows that good design can be affordable.

Ciao Interiors is a full-service design firm with services from architectural detailing and project management to furnishings and art selection. For more information, please visit their website at www. ciaointeriors.com or visit their Kalispell location at 448 Main Street

Photos from top left to right: Kitchen, cabinetry heights are staggered.

Rich wood tones, exquisite granite, and lighting create modern luxury.

Study, draperies in a bay window provide a luxurious backdrop for a writing desk. Bathroom, marble tiles accent the copper flooring. Guest Bedroom Specious Guest Suite with settee. Living Room, fireplace with exquisite tile work anchors the living, dining, and kitchen areas. Master Bedroom, a bay window is the perfect spot for reading and observing the beautiful lake. The soft bedding on the king size bed is inviting after a day of outdoor activities.

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history}Visions and Voices

Visions and Voices

by Will Harmon

Even in as rural a state as Montana, the notion of the one-room schoolhouse sounds like an anachronism, a throwback to pioneer days. It conjures images of an isolated schoolmarm in a long gingham dress, lace collar, and hair pinned in a bun, surrounded by an empty sea of prairie grasses.

That would not be far from the truth. At one time, there were 2,600 rural schools scattered across the state. Many were small, one-room buildings, cobbled together from local materials—rough lumber, stone, stucco, tin—by neighboring homesteaders. Most lacked even basic amenities. Light to study by came from windows, and drinking water was hauled to school each day in a milk pail from the nearest ranch. The only other facilities would be an outhouse and a coal 406

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stove. In the winter, lunches left in the coat closet often froze. Children would walk or ride horseback to and from school, some from as far as five miles each way. Such conditions persisted in Montana right through World War II and into the 1950s.

“In those days, a teacher always wore a dress, which, as winter came on, and the snow got deeper and deeper, made the trip to the outdoor privies quite difficult. I had to lift my skirt and take one step at a time through the snow. That year, we got five feet of snow.” Shirley Barrick, teacher (1964) Cottonwood School, Fergus County

Today, some 60 one-room schools still operate in Montana. The ac-

tual number fluctuates from year to year depending on need—a school with six students one year may have none the next and then rebound the following school year.

The schools themselves have been modernized with electricity, indoor plumbing, insulation, and reliable heating. That is a testament to the importance of local schools to rural communities. Even where old schools fell into disuse, memories run strong. In some places, people are working to restore long-abandoned schoolhouses as emblems of their rural heritage.

That heritage is now beautifully documented in Visions and Voices: Montana’s One-Room Schoolhouses, a book by photographer and writer Charlotte Caldwell. The idea for a book, Charlotte says, came after a young friend told stories

about her childhood and stories of riding a horse to the one-room Pine Creek School in Park County, south of Livingston. “I was intrigued,” Charlotte writes. “I thought oneroom schools were largely a thing of the past and had no idea that some were still operating.”

That initial spark soon sent Charlotte on a three-year, 12,000-mile, back-road pilgrimage to all of Montana’s 56 counties, photographing 135 one-room schools. She also interviewed some of the people who inhabited those schools—students and teachers—capturing memories of raising the flag, pulling the rope to the bell-tower, soaking up the lessons being taught to older grades, sledding at recess, and cutting loose at after-hour community dances.

history}Visions and Voices “At times, we had as many as 12 kids. We all rode horses to school and brought our own hay. One family had a five-mile ride to get to school by 9 a.m.

Horse racing to and from school was prohibited. However, there was a one-mile stretch out of sight of both school and home, where all kinds of things would happen—from roping another horse’s hind feet to getting a horse to buck by putting snowballs under its tail.” George Leffingwell, student (1945 to 1951), Brackett Creek School, Park County As challenging as conditions were in the old days, small enrollments and the multi-grade format of a typical one-room school came with distinct advantages. Younger students couldn’t help but overhear and absorb their older peers’ lessons, and teachers could also provide one-on-one instruction. Stu-

dents also had ample opportunities for self-guided study and mentoring other students, an important part of developing social skills.

“Social skills of one-roomschooled kids are better than those from a single-grade classroom, as they learn from the beginning to get along with different ages and genders and to get along with everyone. They also learn independence and self-reliance. Additionally, the socio-economic backgrounds of my students were diverse; their parents were ranchers, ranch hands, café owners, pilots, trappers, and ski operators.”

Frances Schisler, teacher (1993 to 2004), Polaris School, Beaverhead County

Visions and Voices is a celebration of the richness of talent, creativity, and productivity of Montanan’s yesterday and today. The book

itself is a product of Montana— printed, edited, designed, formatted, and distributed by Montana companies. Also, 100 percent of the net profits from the sale of Visions and Voices, goes directly to the Preserve Montana Fund for the stabilization and preservation of Montana’s historic one-room schoolhouses. If you order directly from the Montana History Foundation (www.montanahistoryfoundation.org/store), the entire profit will benefit the preservation of one-room schools. If you know of a historic one-room school in need of stabilization and restoration, apply for a grant from the fund by calling 406-449-3770 or emailing gena@mthistory.org.

With her husband Jeffrey, Charlotte Caldwell lives part of the year on a ranch with views of the Crazy Mountains near Wilsall. “I am in awe of the beauty and serenity of

this place,” Charlotte beams.

“We are surrounded by seven mountain ranges. I love observing the beautiful light of dawn and dusk and its play on clouds, hay bales, grasses, people. I love the surprise of seeing moose at the pond, a bear near the barn, pronghorn in the alfalfa fields, and Sandhill cranes, birds of prey, owls…. Everyday seems full of unexpected gifts!”

About the Author Will Harmon has written about Montana people and places for 27 years. His grandparents homesteaded near Judith Gap, and his great aunt taught in a one-room school near Careless Creek in Wheatland County. Will is the senior editor at Farcountry Press (www.farcountrypress. com) in Helena.

history} Fairy Steps

Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone.”

Mitch Albom

By Kristen Hamilton

Lettie Conrad’s

Fairy Steps

Living in the Flathead Valley, at one point or another you most certainly have ventured past the Conrad Memorial Cemetery off Conrad Drive in Evergreen. The 87-acre cemetery can even be seen past the Conrad Complex Softball fields off Idaho. But, to really appreciate it’s natural beauty; you must venture inside the gates.

Just before Charles Conrad’s death he and Alicia Stanford Conrad (Lettie) were horseback riding and happened upon the promontory that would later become Conrad Memorial Cemetery. It is referenced they were quietly enjoying the beauty of their surroundings and Conrad said, “I can think of no more peaceful and lovely spot for a final rest.”

Conrad gave specific instructions to Lettie to purchase the land and had drawn up plans for a mausoleum to be erected on the site.

Following Conrad’s death, Lettie worked with the family attorney, Mr. Grubb, to purchase the entire promontory as a perpetual memorial to her husband.

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The purchase did not come without obstacles and included the formation of a Senate Bill 3 in 1905 that read, “An Act to Provide for the Formation of Cemetery Associations, To Define Their Powers and Duties and Provide for Their Management and Control.” Lettie’s wish was not only to preserve the Conrad Memorial Cemetery in the short term but the long-term which includes a Perpetual Care and Improvement Fund to care for the grounds for centuries.

The project became one of the most important in Lettie’s life and she enlisted the advice of a landscape artist to evaluate and preserve the property.

According to James Murphy’s book that chronicles the life of Charles E Conrad Half Interest in a Silver Dollar, the landscape artist said “I cannot improve upon God’s architecture. My advice is to disturb as little as possible. Do not move a shovelful of earth that is not necessary.

You already have one of the most beautiful cemetery sites in the world.”

Following the formation of the cemetery, the final touch was the completion of the mausoleum in 1908. It has 11 burial crypts and sits on the easternmost part of the cemetery. Conrad was placed in his final resting place at this time.

Behind the mausoleum, Lettie had “Fairy Steps” constructed from the top of the hill to the river below. The land drops off steeply at this point and the steps were constructed with large stones winding around the slope making the trip to visit her husband easier.

It is said that Lettie would take a carriage from the Mansion along the river to the backside of the cemetery. Then, she would climb the “Fairy Steps” to the mausoleum.

Locals report that the steps have a mythical quality. As the legend goes, if you count the steps going down, it will be a different number when you go back up.

Having tried this myself recently, I believe the legend.

Photo by Ellen Baumler The dedicated staff of the Conrad Mansion Museum visits the Conrad Family Mausoleum every spring and enjoys spending time sprucing up the surrounding area.

This year, long-time guide, Michelle Morgan, brought along her family to help.

Morgan’s daughter, Holli Stephens, was enthralled by the “Fairy Steps” and thought it would be a great home school community project to give the steps some TLC.

Stephens gathered her class (Morgan Stephens, Triston Hardgrove, Matthew Hardgrove, and Joshuwa Hardgrove) along with the proper equipment and set off to work.

They spent the better part of four days clearing shrubs from the path, removing dirt from the steps, and cleaning up the area around the Fairy Steps. It’s great to see the younger generation help to preserve this wonderful piece of history.

The museum staff is grateful to Stephens and the children for this wonderful act of kindness in the name of the Conrad’s. They hope that all who visit the “Fairy Steps” be touched by the love and care that created them and still care for them today.

To visit the “Fairy Steps”. Enter Conrad Memorial Cemetery off Conrad Drive east of Woodland Park. Follow the beautiful winding road throughout the cemetery to the easternmost slope.

In the distance you will see the Conrad Family Mausoleum. If you walk behind the mausoleum, you will come upon the “Fairy Steps” at the very back of the plateau. Please respect the area.

Enjoy the Conrad Mansion beautifully decorated for the holiday season during these upcoming special events: 29th Annual Christmas at the Mansion October 26-28.

Holiday Weekend Tours November 23-December 22.

Saturday Tea & Tour December 1, 8 & 15.

Children's Christmas December 13.

Call for more information and reservations. The mansion relies completely on proceeds from tours, gift shop sales, special events, membership, and our generous donors to operate annually. To help support the mansion, please consider giving or becoming a member today. All proceeds support the Mansion.

Conrad Mansion Museum 330 Woodland Avenue in Kalispell - 406-755-2166 53

art} jazz

Jazz Inspired

By Miriam Singer & John Simpson

For many of us who attended the Michel Legrand concert at The Whitefish Performing Arts Center on September 15th, it was the highlight of the year. The show was splendid. The Steinway sounded fantastic and Michel and Catherine were awe inspiring. The music they played was all written by Legrand. He wrote arrangements for everything with difficult, challenging parts for the harp that seemed impossible to play. But Catherine played her husband’s music beautifully on the harp, all evening.

The gorgeous medley they did from Yentl was one of the high points of the evening in which Legrand combined the themes from the movie score into a flowing composition.

Michel was very charming when he introduced a song as coming from the movie The Happy Ending (1969) and joked with the audience about how it was only seen by 35 people, and he has never met any of them. He asked if any of us had seen it. He toyed with us and absorbed us in his story of how forgettable the movie was. Then he began to play the truly unforgettable song from the movie, What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? and the full house burst into applause.

We knew how wonderful Legrand’s music was, but we did not realize what a great jazz pianist he is. He did a delightful act where he said that Art Tatum came to him in a dream, and then proceeded to play Watch What Happens from The Umbrellas of Cherbourg in Art Tatum’s style. He did the same thing, imitating the piano styles of Duke Ellington, Erroll Garner and George Shearing. Then he amused us by concluding with a Count Basie sphlink ending. It highlighted his virtuosity and versatility and was enormously entertaining.

Photo of Judy Carmichael by Michael Brian When I asked Michel how he liked our piano, his face lit up, and he lifted his right thumb way in the air. So, thumbs up for our Steinway concert grand from Michel Legrand!

The Steinway concert grand piano at The Whitefish Performing Arts Center has had much opportunity to shine recently. Alon Goldstein gracefully flew over its keys with concertos by Beethoven and Mendelssohn during Glacier Symphony’s Amadeus Festival this summer. Alon said our Whitefish piano is among the finest he has played in this country. ATP’s tribute to Stephen Sondheim had the Steinway center stage all evening, They ended the show with The Windmills of Your Mind played by Kim Steiner, the North Valley Music and then came back for an encore of The Summer of 42 to a School’s talented new piano teacher. He said happy standing ovation. Afterwards there was a reception it was one of the best he has ever played. To at Coopers at which the restaurant provided appetizers. contribute to this wonderful piano, please Michel and Catherine graciously visited with us and posed make your check out to: WHITEFISH SCHOOL for photos. It was a wonderful and memorable evening.

DISTRICT/ WF PAC Steinway Fund. The mail-

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ing address is WF PAC STEINWAY FUND/P.O. Box 4772/Whitefish, MT 59937. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you.

A week after the Michel Legrand concert, on September 24th, Doug Reed, the manager of the Whitefish Lake Restaurant, made sure the dining room was set up beautifully for The Legends of Jazz led by Larry Vuckovich. The talented jazz band played on stage in the dining room with sassy vocals by Valeriana Quevedo. It was a nostalgic evening for some of us who were at the last Legends of Jazz concert at the restaurant in October of 09. That night was led by trombonist Curtis Fuller with Larry Vuckovich on piano, Jeff Chambers on bass, the late Hadley Caliman on tenor sax and the late Eddie Marshall on drums. Here’s to you Hadley and Eddie.

art} jazz

The next event at The Whitefish Lake Restaurant will be the Judy Carmichael Trio. Judy Carmichael is one of the few jazz pianists honored as a Steinway Artist. She has appeared frequently on Garrison Keillor’s, “A Prairie Home Companion”, and has been featured on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition”, “Entertainment Tonight” and “CBS Sunday Morning”.

Judy Carmichael has played in a variety of venues from Carnegie Hall, to programs with Michael Feinstein and The Smothers Brothers. In addition, she has performed private recitals for famous people such as Robert Redford and President Clinton.

Her weekly Public Radio show called Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired, has been on the air for twenty years. Her radio show explores the questions of how creative people create, and what inspires the people who inspire you?

Count Basie nicknamed Judy Carmichael ‘Stride’ and said, “If anyone can keep this music going after I’m gone, its Judy Carmichael.”

George Shearing called her Miss Strideville. She received this nickname because, when it comes to stride pianists, Judy is one of the very best. The New Orleans pianist Allen Toussaint said,” At first it’s joyously shocking to hear such chops at work, but that observation is soon overwhelmed by the rich heart and soul and high spirit of her music. It’s quite a ride.”

Judy Carmichael is quite a pianist. We are moving a Steinway grand piano into the dining room of the Whitefish Lake Restaurant for her to play. For the evening, the restaurant will be like a big city jazz club...in Whitefish, Montana.  Judy is a warm and engaging natural performer. Not only does she sing, beautifully, but her passion for jazz is unbridled, and she has wit and virtuosity to match. Joining her on stage will be guitarist Chris Flory, master of swing and blues guitar who toured and recorded with Rosemary Clooney, Roy Eldridge and Benny Goodman, and tenor sax player Harry Allen who John Pizzarelli called, ...nothing less than perfect. Harry Allen has also worked with Rosemary Clooney and with Hank Jones, Ray Brown and Herb Ellis.

Don Heckman, reviewing one of Judy’s shows for The International Review of Music wrote: “She was as improvisationally inventive with words as she was with her piano. A helluva performance on all counts. Instrumentally exciting, vocally engaging, musically compelling and marvelously—I’ll say it again--entertaining.”

Plan to be marvelously entertained. Thank you to Don K Subaru for sponsoring this concert and to the North Valley Music School for loaning us their Steinway.

The Judy Carmichael Trio will perform at Whitefish Lake Restaurant on Saturday, November 3rd at 8pm. Tickets are $29 each. Call 862-5285 for show and dinner reservations.

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art}

30th Anniversary

Glacier Symphony Glacier Symphony and Chorale launches its 30th Anniversary Season with affordable pricing options and family incentives Written by Marti Ebbert Kurth Photos by Jana Leon

Glacier Symphony and Chorale will be Rollin’ with Beethoven for its 30th Season with a series of concerts that feature a light spirited journey through the artistry of this historically legendary composer. Supporting its goal of making music affordable the GSC is offering a reduced price ticket package for new subscribers and continues its appeal to families by providing free Masterworks concert tickets to youth through grade 12. And the GSC rolls out a new opportunity for young families with several "parents night out" concerts in Whitefish that include babysitting services in one special ticket price.

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Ticket packages are available for Masterworks series concerts and a Whitefish series. A special discount package, "First Timers Half Off", is also available for new subscribers to the GSC. Single concert tickets are also available to purchase online and tiered seating is available for as low as $10 for adults at the Kalispell venue.

"We want to break down the barriers and help make symphonic music affordable and accessible for everyone in our community," explained Alan Satterlee, GSC Executive Director. He adds that people are taking advantage of the free youth ticket program that began two

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years ago. "We’ve noticed a significant increase in the number of youth attending concerts and we are seeing more families experiencing our concerts together."

Long time GSC music supporters Jennifer Li and Nick Oberling say the free youth tickets are important. “We consider the Glacier Symphony and Chorale to be one of the Flathead region’s premier amenities. The free concert tickets for children have exposed our young sons to top-drawer performances of some of the world’s greatest music. We think Maestro John Zoltek is wonderful and the GSC is truly a cultural treasure.”

All five of the GSC’s Masterworks concerts will feature the music of Ludwig van Beethoven ranging from his acknowledged masterpieces to some of his lesser known, but not insignificant compositions. “This concept is the starting point for what we believe promises to be a great season of performances,” says Music Director John Zoltek.

An impressive line up of guest artists will be performing with the Orchestra and Chorale. They range from the seasoned orchestral soloists of Trio 21, to young dazzling musicians like the 12-year old award winning trumpet prodigy Natalie Dungey and internationally acclaimed Croatian classical guitarist Ana Vidovic along with the young Russian-American pianist Vassily Primakov.

Stellar voice soloists will be featured in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony including Amy Johnson, Jennifer Feinstein, Raul Melo and Stephen Morscheck, will complement the abundant score of orchestra, chorus and soloists. Plus the annual Messiah performances traveling to Bigfork, Whitefish and Kalispell and the addition of Winter Romance, featuring the Glacier Chamber Singers and The Great Pretenders, in a lively evening of love songs, will complete the Chorale offerings this season.

For those interested in a lighter fare, a very special concert performance of The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan featuring the Glacier Chorale and soloists.

And finally, the local dance troupe Noble Dance Company will interpret Prokofiev’s beloved musical tale, Peter and the Wolf!

For those who would like a more intimate musical experience, the GSC has created the new Symphony Soloist Spotlight, an engaging Thursday evening series held prior to five Masterworks concert weekends. It will feature several of the internationally acclaimed symphony soloists in a preview recital and casual interview at the Alpine Ballroom in downtown Kalispell. There is a $15 fee with light refreshments and beer/wine for sale.

To learn more about the concerts, guest artists and concert venues visit the website gscmusic.org. Call the GSC at 257-3241 for more information.

Picture: Violinist Kinga Augustyn performs with Trio 21 and the Glacier Symphony for opening weekend October 13-14, 2012.

The Rollin’ with Beethoven 2012-13 Season Line up:

Oct. 11

Symphony Soloist Spotlight (S3) with Trio 21, at Alpine Ball Room, Kalispell

Oct. 13-14

MW1 “Beethoven Triple Concerto,” featuring soloists with Trio 21. Flathead High Performance Hall, Kalispell

Nov. 15

(S3) Symphony Soloist Spotlight, “The Art of Song” with Amy Johnson, Jennifer Feinstein, Raul Melo and Stephen Morscheck

Nov. 17-18

MW2 “Beethoven’s Ninth Ode to Joy” featuring guest soloists (listed above) and the full Glacier Symphony and Chorale, Flathead High Performance Hall, Kalispell

Dec. 7-9

“Messiah” in Bigfork, Whitefish and Kalispell

Jan 19-20

“Peter and the Wolf Winter Family Concert” with Natalie Dungey, trumpet and the Noble Dance Company. Saturday, Whitefish Performing Arts Center, Sunday-FH Performance Hall, Kalispell

Feb. 8-9

Winter Romance “So in Love” featuring the Glacier Chamber Singers and The Great Pretenders, Alpine Ballroom, Kalispell

Feb. 21

(S3) “Classical Guitar” with Ana Vidovic, Alpine Ballroom, Kalispell

Feb. 23- 24

MW4 Guitar Virtuoso and Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’” in Whitefish and Kalisepell

March 16-17

“The Pirates of Penzance” featuring the Glacier Chorale and Operetta Orchestra in Whitefish and Kalispell

March 28

(S3) Maestro Jazz Night, featuring John Zoltek and musical friends, Alpine Ballroom, Kalispell

April 25

(S3) Featuring Vassily Primakov, Alpine Ballroom, Kalispell

April 27-28

“Primakov Plays Scriabin” Flathead High Performance Hall, Kalispell

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art} books

Book Review Sponsored by

862-9659 - 242 Central Avenue, Whitefish Below Copperleaf Chocolat Co.

For All the Tea in China By: Sarah Rose BOOK REVIEWS BY JOAN G. SMITH How England Stole the World’s Favorite Drink and Changed History

ed to steal the tea plants from China by sending Robert Fortune on a tricky and dangerous mission to get the plants, and the rest is history.

This wonderful non-fiction, enthusiastic tale of how the humble leaf became a global addiction was left in my house by my son. It took me awhile to get around to reading it, but once again, I couldn’t put it down!

It was a struggle for Fortune to face pirates, bad weather, local Chinese and his own devious companions.

It is a Victorian adventure story. In 1848 the British East India Company was afraid of losing its 200 year monopoly of the tea trade with China.

The Company controlled the Indian Himalayans which had the ideal climate to grow China’s tea. They decid-

I will end with this praise for this book with words from the Associated Press“Tailor-made for a Hollywood thriller – a story that should appeal to readers who want to be transported on a historic journey laced with suspense, science and adventure”.

Just keeping the plants alive on the voyage was a huge problem!

Gone Girl By: Gillian Flynn Nick and Amy Dunne – an attractive couple – are happily married, and they are all full of secrets. One reviewer said: “It was the most frightening portrait of psychotherapy she’d ever read”. Now that I have finished reading this novel, I have to agree.

Amy is a beautiful and intelligent woman. She is also diabolical, inventive and sadistic. Her failing marriage becomes a game of “getting even”, and the plot is frightening.

Nick is popular, easy going, and a writer. He is totally unprepared for the surprise his wife has been planning for their anniversary.

Nick is a twin, and his sister, Go, is a 406

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remarkable, kind woman who loves her brother unconditionally.

The cast of characters in this book are finely drawn and the reader feels compelled to finish reading this book, even while being disgusted with the plot!

My book group chose Gone Girl for our next novel, and I cannot wait to hear to hear all of the opinions.

Gillian Flynn knows how to put the words together, and has written the New York Times best seller, Dark Places, and was the Dagger Award winner, with her novel Sharp Objects.

She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.

Sarah Rose is a writer living in New York City. A Chicago native, Rose holds degrees from Harvard College and the University of Chicago. She was a grant recipient from the New York Foundation for the Arts. For All the Tea in China is her first book

art} books

Bear Feels Scared Author: Karma Wilson Illustrated by: Jane Chapman Children's book Reviews By Kristen Pulsifer

This time of year, with Halloween right around the corner, the scary movies come out and the scary costumes are everywhere. My youngest daughter is more frightened than usual, and that is why I thought of this sweet book. We have been reading it constantly.

Bear Feels Scared is the cute tale of one of our favorite bears, which one of our beloved local writers, Karma Wilson, has brought to our homes. In this story, Bear has strayed from his den and finds himself lost on the woods. The wind is blowing, it’s dark, and Bear just wants to get back to his friends that await him in his cozy home. Bear is so afraid that he simply hunkers down next to a tree and waits.

After some time, his loyal friends Raven, Wren, Mole, Hare, Badger, Mouse, Gopher and Owl, all realize that Bear is late! ‘ “It is late,” Mouse squeaks, “and our bear doesn’t roam.” “There’s a storm!” cries Hare. “Shouldn’t Bear be home?”’

His friends become worried and head out on their search. Only moments into their journey, they find Bear hiding by his tree, “and Bear looks scared”.

When they see him, they give him big snuggles and “calm his fears”, and quickly lead him right back to his den. Once there, they snuggle under Bear’s favorite blanket and tell fun stories as they all fall asleep. Wilson’s rhyming stories provide great enjoyment for kids of all ages, and always have a helpful lesson for readers.

If you like Bear Feels Scared, read some of Wilson’s other Bear books such as, Bear Stays Up, Bear’s New Tooth and Bear’s New Friend.

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fashion}

Pendleton

Portland meets Whitefish

Vintage PENDLETON anorack

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Pendleton: The Portland Collection

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fashion}

Pendleton

Classic fringe scarfs

M

elissa (left) is wearing an Eileen Fisher down vest, Pendleton The Portland Collection scarf, True Religion Denim dress, Lisa B. socks and Frye Harness boots. Kellie is wearing The Painted Hills Poncho by Pendleton The Portland Collection, Citizens of Humanity jeans, and Wooden Ships leg warmers.

Along for the ride are Bert Dog, Daisy and Andre.

Fall carry-all

The most anticipated collection of the season has arrived :: Pendleton. The Portland Collection! Three young designers have put a fresh new twist on this classic brand with their heritage-influenced designs. Inspired by the Pendleton archives, the designers reached back to the late 1800's and early 1900's to highlight the early square designs of that era. The fabric is woven exclusively in Pendleton’s Northwest Mills and all of the apparel is produced in the United States. We hope you love Pendleton : The Portland Collection as much as we do!

Tami and Melissa The Village Shop

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wellness}

perfectionist

Ta m e Yo u r Pe r f e c t i o n i s t Written by CrisMarie Campbell

I am an actor, and this summer I was lucky enough to play Nina, in the Stumptown Player’s production of Looking held at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. There were four actors starring in this funny, heartwarming look at dating life at middle age. We each worked extra hard to make sure our lines, blocking, pacing, diction, volume, costumes and connection with each other were spot on. However, theater, unlike the movies, is live, so things happen.

One night, while I was waiting to go on, I saw my costar, Alicia Blake, who was playing Val, go on stage wearing a dressy outfit; yet, popping out from the bottom of her black pants were bright white tennis shoes. A big jolt of adrenalin went through my body.

I was horrified, fearing the worst. As I breathed, I noticed that Alicia, on the other hand, was calm and in character, as if Val meant to wear tennis shoes with the outfit. Once off stage, all Alicia said was, “Oh, well.” I was amazed. I would have been beating myself up silly. Alicia’s attitude was a like a breath of fresh air.

You see, I am a perfectionist… in recovery. For those of you who are lucky enough not to have perfection-

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ism—jump up and down for joy! The Perfectionist inside is a mean, little tyrant. It whispers to us that we don’t look good enough, that we’re going to disappoint others, we’ll be judged harshly, and finally, how the price of not being perfect will cost us success, status, and friends. Yet, in reality, the rest of the world barely notices!

Usually, the perfectionist is driven by an underlying fear that they are not good enough. The perfectionist craves the positive feedback of others; so, they push themselves extra hard to be better and therefore avoid any criticism. This drive, however, can be exhausting. Getting things “perfect” (like anyone knows what that really means!), takes a lot of time and effort. It seems to follow the 80-20 rule: That 80% of extra effort is used getting that last 20% of perfect.

Perfectionism is like a drug or addiction. It is never enough. There is always the next time, or the next thing, that has to be perfect. Some would call this type of striving healthy. While striving does move us forward towards our goals, there is a point where that extra effort becomes unhealthy, painful and ex-

hausting; and, not just for the perfectionist, but the people around them!

As a performance coach, I work with athletes, actors and business people who are prone to suffering the same perfectionism malady.

One of my clients, Janna, was an executive who was always beautifully attired, her house perfectly clean, her children dressed impeccably, and her work done on time and extremely thorough. When we began working together it was hard not to miss how shiny everything appeared in her life. So I asked how she did it, and this elegant, well-put-together woman broke down in tears. She was exhausted and didn’t know if she could take it much more.

Then there was Mary, who had left a secure job and started her own event planning business. She produced beautiful events, which impressed everyone; however, Mary was quickly approaching burnoutboth emotionally and physically. When she came to me, she had been diagnosed with chronic fatigue and was ready to fold the business and go back to her secure, boring job.

wellness}

perfectionist

Define the Cost. Most people don’t change their ways unless it starts to hurt. So if you are happy with your perfectionism, you go! However, if you are starting to suffer emotionally or physically you may want to make another choice.

Both of these women were suffering from a bad case of perfectionism. The perfectionist inside of us has a way of grabbing our throat and pinning us against the wall so that all we see are its big, scary, disapproving eyes. It is a slave driver that runs us ragged, telling us lies about how we are not good enough. How do we deal with the big, red, scary perfectionist monster?

Try this:

1. Listen and Notice. How often is your perfectionist’s voice goading you, encouraging you to do more, more and just a bit more so it will be just right? You may be surprised how sneaky and persistent your perfectionist is. Try inquiring, “Whose voice is this anyway?”

Usually it harkens back to a disapproving authority figure that is long since gone; yet, we continue to work so hard to please this figure.

2. Define the Cost. Most people don’t change their ways unless it starts to hurt. So if you are happy with your perfectionism, you go!

However, if you are starting to suffer emotionally or physically you may want to make another choice.

Actually stop and look at what you are either missing or longing for in your life, and look at what you don’t have the time or energy for now- Good health? Time with kids? Creative expression? All that extra time and effort you spend on making things perfect may be used in other ways.

3. Try Being Good Enough. Look at something you have been overefforting on, and see if you can let yourself do “good enough” work on it. I know, crazy scary, right? I can hear the perfectionist in your head shrieking from here. I didn’t say start with the riskiest item.

Just start somewhere and see what the results are. We try so hard to be the perfect parent, the perfect spouse, the perfect host, the per-

fect employee. Stop! Just try being good enough, and see who notices and how they respond. You might be surprised.

As for as my clients:

Janna realized she was responding to her critical mother, who never thought she looked perfect enough. The cost of Janna’s perfectionism was in doing the same thing to her kids and not pursuing any of her creative hobbies.

So, Janna decided she would dress good enough in social settings and save her kids’ perfect outfits for only special occasions. After a while she realized wearing jeans and sweatshirt wasn’t going to destroy her social standing. In fact, her friends commented that they now felt more relaxed around her, since she now appeared human.

Plus, she figured she was saving her kids from spending money on therapy in the future. The bonus was she had time to add painting back into her weekly activities.

Mary realized that her perfectionism was sneaky and would start to slowly rise up right as Mary was finishing up for the day. This often caused her to work extra hours, past her physical fatigue level. She also recognized that she had become her father who used to work long hours at his job trying to get ahead.

When Mary approached the end of her day, and the voice chimed in, she would look at her list, pick one thing to do good enough, then do it and go home. Mary realized that there will always be more work, but if she was going to be around to do it, she needed to take care of herself. Over time, her health bounced back.

For me, the perfectionist in me is trying to come up with a perfect ending for this article. So, taking a bit of my own medicine, I am going Tame My Perfectionist and call this good enough.

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health}

active

staying active in the throws of winter

By Anna Rose

On Tuesday night, I had to go down into the basement; a dark and dingy combination of crawl space and failed fall out shelter, to get my fluffy comforter and an extra sheet to guard my outdoor tomatoes against that night’s frosty threat.

Our house is nicely shaded throughout the summer, keeping our rooms delectably cool on hot nights. Now the shade is already a hindrance-our leather couch cannot be enjoyed without a throw across my lap.

On Wednesday morning I had to dig through my freshly unpacked and folded piles of winter clothes to find my running outfit that sticks to my sweaty body for nine months out of the year-gloves, check; hat, check; puffy vest that really is too-cute-to-run-in-butthe-damage-has-been-done, check. As I trotted out into the cool morning I realized, yes, fall is near.

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The winters in Montana are long and cold; though, I pride myself at the number of times I still lace up my shoes for a trail run. It doesn’t compare to the frequency of summer, but the struggle of chilled air heaving in and out of my lungs makes me feel stronger and healthier. There is a point, however, that the will to brave the elements proves to damper my enthusiasm.

This is when the comforting and cozy feelings of hibernation start to sneak into my psyche and dampen my motivation.

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Traditionally, winters have always been a time to hole up and work on indoor projects and puzzles and extended evenings of warm beverages and movie nights. However, for those with the need for physical activity to level their sanity, or goals of strength training or weight-loss, this time of seemingly forced relaxation can be met with frustration.

Last year, when Missoula was essentially shut down and silenced with a blanket of snow that clogged neighborhood streets and blocked in driveways, I took the opportunity to cross country ski to work.

I had always imagined how exciting this would be, though never reminded myself of two very important facts: I haven’t cross country skied since I was eight, and cross country skiing-while under a deadline, is a kick in the butt workout.

I made it to work 15 minutes late, though being able to show up at all when vehicles skidded and crashed into snow banks throughout the city made my tardiness a moot point. My hair, plastered to my head with sweat, took some time in the bathroom to become presentable. My skis, borrowed from a friend, propped against the wall in our employee kitchen like a medal- a badge of honor commemorating my dedication to the job.

For those who ski or snowboard, the opportunity for winter exercise becomes easier. A day of riding powder in the trees, skiing moguls, or hiking to a remote peak for untouched snow are all great ways to get your sweat on in the “inside” months. For those who don’t ski, however, the chance for a muscle blasting

cardio excursion to elate the senses can seem further out of reach.

Rather than worrying about the miles lost on the trail or the return to automobile commutes to work, look at winter as an amazing and exciting opportunity to cross train!

Winter is a perfect time to try new classes at the gym, or to start a new strength training routine. The cost of hiring a personal trainer to inspire a new workout or introduce you to the benefits of variety will prove to be an invaluable investment to the level of enjoyment you’ll find from these indoor activities.

Though I am only today, five days after the shuffle of summer clothes packed and winter clothes folded, going to begrudgingly take my bags of shorts and tanks and window fans down to the basement, I am trying to look at this changing weather as a time to diversify. This year will be the year-three winters in the making-that I finally buy a pear of Yak Tracks to elongate my running season. I will go to the first ski swap and purchase a pair of cross country skis so I can unabashedly skid and grind over winter street gravel and ice. My days of snowboarding opportunities are more numbered now, so those that are available will be accompanied with hikes and backpacks of lunches and water to lengthen my days.

This is a time to both relish in the stillness of winter’s rest, and blast into the exciting opportunity for a change in routine.

health}

fitness

By Delia Buckmaster - Photo by Scott Wilson

Is smaller better? - the latest trend in fitness You see them everywhere, fitness studios offering small group classes and personal training, giving larger gyms a run for their money.

What are they and why have they become so popular? As an owner of a Pilates and Fitness studio, my opinion might be a bit skewed, but I also understand that where and how you workout is a personal fit.

clientele, remembering names, faces, and clients’ physical goals.

Are these studios for everyone?

Ask yourself these questions…

1. What can I afford?

alternative to getting personalized attention without the cost of a personal trainer. In addition, they are usually individually owned and operated, which allows more flexibility for specialty classes and discounts.

Convenience

If it’s a specific type of workout you enjoy, for example, Yoga, these classes have to compete 2. What’s more convenient for me?

A boutique studio condenses some of the best with other fitness classes offered at the gym. features of a larger gym with a more personal- 3. Is the quality of instruction important to me? Specialties studios usually cater to their speized atmosphere focusing on either a particucific clientele. The downside…boutiques stular workout or concept of fitness. Some offer 4. Does the environment affect my workout? dios may not always offer showers or other group classes, while others offer only individamenities such as juice bars, pools, cardio ual one-on-one training. Bonus? Your favor- 5. Do I want to feel like I’m a part of a community? equipment and childcare. If these things are ite style is offered every day, all day, because important to you, then a larger gym may be that’s the focus. the way to go.

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Compared to other industries, health and fitness has sustained the economy. What’s changed is the people want more bang for their buck. For one, classes are small enough for one-on-one attention, but big enough so there’s a fun and competitive atmosphere. Instructors can easily build relationships with

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Affordability

Most of the time, classes in a larger gym are going to be cheaper. This is particularly true if you are locked into a membership or if you want a variety of fitness classes and a space that give you access to amenities like a weight room and pool. The upside to boutique studios is that the classes are smaller, and it is a great

Instruction

Quality gyms can be quite good about employing qualified teachers and trainers, but some have a hard time staffing a large facility and promoting quick weekend certifications to keep up with the latest trends in fitness. Pilates instructors, for example, are required to

health}

A boutique studio condenses some of the best features of a larger gym with a more personalized atmosphere focusing on either a particular workout or concept of fitness.

have at least 450 training hours before testing. Having been used to this level of certification, these studios usually uphold the integrity of any fitness program they bring into their facility. Programs like Crossfit ™ or cycle studios like SoulCycle ™ require instructors to complete their specific training course to ensure quality and consistency in their facilities. No matter where you choose to workout, make sure that your personal trainer or group fitness instructor has the proper certification.

Ambiance

The environment can make or break a person’s workout just the way your IPod™ dying could kill your run. Gyms are…well… they are like gyms. Usually there’s the sound of music, clanking weights and cardio equipment. For a lot of people, this is music to their ears, and a gym is the way to go. Boutique Fitness Studios are small spaces with typically high-end, top-of theline equipment since they are built for personal training or small groups. There

fitness

are personal touches like tea tree to spray off your mats and water infused with cucumber. There are no fast pace check-ins since most of the time the instructor and studio owner know you by your first name - “where everybody knows your name” if you will. This thought leads into the last section…

Community

Whether it’s yoga, Pilates, cycling or fusion workout, there’s a place where you can satisfy your obsession and build a community.

If you attend on a regular basis you get to know the staff, fellow students, and the instructors that aren’t only knowledgeable, but love the workout just as much as you do!

The good news is, there’s something out there for everybody. If you have the luxury of several studios and gyms in your area, I encourage you to try them all and see for yourself what suits you best. You may find that you like the variety of all of it!

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health}

Answers

S kincare Answers Q: A:

By Erin Blair, Licensed Esthetician I hear a lot about parabens in skin care, and see that many products on the market have removed them. Can you tell me why parabens are bad? Should I make an extra effort to avoid them?

There is certainly a lot of hype in the marketplace about parabens. Many companies have felt the pressure to remove these preservatives from their formulations. Interestingly, the whole paraben scandal has become an urban myth that has affected the skincare industry. I say myth, because there really is no evidence that parabens are harmful. So, what prompted the issue?

In 2004, a very small study of breast cancer tissue samples revealed various parabens present in the tumors; but, this correlation does not mean that parabens caused the tumors. "The fact that parabens were detected in the majority of the breast tissue samples cannot be taken to imply that they actually caused breast cancer in the 40 women studied," said Dr. Philippa Darbre, Oncologist at the University of Reading, who led the study.

The Darbre study showed that parabens can accumulate in breast cancer tissue in their original form, without being degraded. The study did not identify the route by which they entered the body (parabens are naturally occurring antimicrobial agents in blackberries and raspberries), nor was data collected as to whether or not the patients in the study used personal care products containing parabens. Additionally, parabens were also detected in the control samples, which should have been clear of all traces of the compound. For these, and several other reasons, the study has been largely discredited by many cancer research organizations and much of the rest of the scientific community.

This has not discouraged makers of ‘natural’ skincare from fanning the flames of alarm, however. It would appear these companies saw an opportunity to add to their bottom line by vilifying an ingredient that has not been proven harmful.

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The cancer argument is based on the ability of parabens to mimic the hormone estrogen, which

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is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers. Parabens do have estrogenlike effects in the body. These effects cause some concern because 80% of all breast tumors are fueled by this key female hormone.

Estrogen-receptor positive breast tumors require this hormone in order to develop, grow, and spread. Many breast cancer treatments act by lowering the circulating levels of estrogen during and after primary therapy. But research has shown that parabens in skincare would have to be 500 to 10,000 times more potent to be able to mimic estrogen in a meaningful way.

If we should avoid parabens for the estrogenic effects, we would do well to also avoid alfalfa, almonds, apples, bananas, barley, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, cherries, green beans, potatoes, rice, wheat, sunflower seeds, olive oil…these and many other foods are higher in estrogenic activity than parabens.

Of course, if further research proves that parabens are dangerous after all, my position will evolve to accommodate the new findings.

Until further research reveals that parabens are a danger in skincare, I will suggest that my clients not be alarmed by their presence in a formula. These preservatives have long been regarded as some of the most benign, non-allergenic and non-irritating ingredients available to makers of skincare.

Meanwhile, due to the public pressure that’s developed around a preference for ‘paraben-free’ products, many companies are now offering skincare that’s been reformulated with other, more potentially irritating preservatives. How’s that for irony?

Questions for Skincare Answers may be emailed to SkinTherapyStudio@gmail.com

Reference: Wiley-Blackwell. "Parabens in breast tissue not limited to women who have used underarm products." ScienceDaily, 11 Jan. 2012. Web. 24 Sep. 2012. - Barr. Lester, Metaxas. George, Harbach.

Christopher, Savoy. Luc-Alain, Darbre. Philippa, "Measurement of paraben concentrations in human breast tissue at serial locations across the breast from axilla to sternum", Journal of Applied Toxicology, Wiley- Blackwell, January 2012, DOI: 10.1002/jat.1786. - ‘Parabens’, Jacine Greenwood, Eclogite Skincare

health}

body

Before

Before

After

"The New Venus Freeze" "Skin

Tightening Cellulite/Circumference and Wrinkle Reduction"

After

Ta k e g o o d c a r e o f y o u r s e l f

By Holly Clandfield, RN

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If you want to be successful in today's highly competitive, fast-paced business world, it's important to look fresh, more youthful, and your best.

And, if you're one of those many individuals in their 40's, 50's, 60's, and even 70's, who are giving love a second chance, of course you want to look as youthful as possible. A wellrespected Major General once said, "Take good care of yourself, because when you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you do good and reach your potential". Holly Clandfield, RN and Owner has devoted her services to offering the latest proven technology in non-invasive, non-surgical face and body rejuvenation and anti-aging solutions, offering a health promoting and prevention component to them as well.

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A regular regimen of specialized facial treatments have helped redefine what it means to grow older: Today's 55 year-old often looks hardly a day over 35. Medi-Lift Face & Body offers the latest cutting edge technology for non-invasive, non-surgical anti-aging solutions. The new "Vensu Freeze", skin tightening for the entire face and body having gained national recognition and recently appearing recently on Dr. Oz and the show "The Doctors".

This FDA approved skin tightening and fat reduction treatment is offered exclusively at Medi-Lift Spa in Bigfork. This unique technology comfortably, safely, and effectively treats the face and body. It tightens loose skin, smooths wrinkles and reduces cellulite and fat. Problem areas, like the hips and thighs are targeted, and inches are lost on the waist line and upper arms.

Treating the skin is part of the signature Medi-Lift Facial. The other component is a process using the Bio-Electric Facial to lift, tone, and firm the muscles of the face. It’s like going to the gym for your face, only it works a lot quicker, seeing and feeling the results right away is important and exciting to all my clients. The Bio-electric Facial has been presented on The Dr. Oz show and on Oprah Winfrey Show several times. Medi-Lift also offers the latest for skin re -texuring with LHE (lighthead-energy) micro-phototherapy. This technology works under the skin at the cellular level to treat aging skin, evening skin tones, reducing fine lines, wrinkles, sunspots, freckling, and mottled

Photo of Holly Clandfield, RN owner of Medi-lift Face & Body Solutions. Photo by: Katie Gunderson of KG Design.

Medi-Lif t Of fers Global Beauty Trends In Non-Invasive, Non-Surgical Anti- A ging Solutions

skin, leaving it with a smooth, creamy luminescent glow. LHE treats the neck, chest, hands, and arms as well.

Another proven and treatment and continuing to gain notoriety offered at Medi-Lift is the FDA approved LED Light Therapy. This relaxing, rejuvenating, and healing treatment gives skin a youthful glow while improving the appearance of tired, flaccid skin, and is able to treat blemishes, evens skin tone and firms, treating stretch marks and scars. It is also successful and known for treating SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and musculoskeletal injuries. It significantly enhances all other anti-aging and blemish control treatments when combined together.

Medi-Lift Face & Body carries G.M Collin Paris and Epionce Skin care, the latest in medical grade rejuvenating and anti-aging products for face & body.

Offering a menu of in house clinical treatments for skin rejuvenation and problem skin solutions.

For a fresh, new, healthy and youthful look, and to learn more, call: 406-837-3223 (FACE) or see us online at www.mediliftspa.com

Or, visit us at: MEDI-LIFT FACE & BODY SOLUTIONS 7993 Hwy. 35 Suite C. New Location November 15th: 7935 Hwy 35, Suite 107/108 (at Branding Iron Station) Bigfork, MT 59911

family}

Breastfeeding

Breastfed Babies Earn a Celebrated Status

By Pam Parsons, CNM

Glacier Maternity and Women’s Center

Photos by Daniel Seymour

Bonding with your newborn baby is a celebratory occasion. Coddling the new life, crying with joy, and feeling a love more powerful than you ever imagined possible, is just the beginning. Furthering this magical connection between mom and baby is sharing the natural form of nourishment: b r e a s t f e e d i n g .

While breastfeeding is nature’s way, it may have some challenges that can easily be overcome. We know that providers, nurses, lactation consultants and breastfeeding peer counselors can be very helpful for the new breastfeeding mother. While mom is in the Birth Center she can be helped by the RNs and lactation consultants to help her get started. She also will be seen back at the Birth Center a day or two after discharge and the nurses will discuss how feedings are going. Peer counselors like those from North Valley Hospital Mom-Baby Support Group, The Flathead Valley Breastfeeding Coalition and La Leche League can also be very helpful.

l l

l

l l

Providers recommend breastfeeding for one to two years and medical experts suggest that babies should have no other food source than human milk for at least the first six months of life. Utilize these steps to improve your success at breastfeeding: Begin by taking a breastfeeding class before the birth.

Immediately post-birth, place baby skin-to-skin to help take advantage of the natural instinct of baby.

This is also an opportune time for providers to teach parents early feeding cues by pointing them out as they happen (ie: baby making mouthing and tongue movements or putting hands in his/her mouth)

If possible, feed baby within the first couple of hours after birth while he/she is most alert and ready to suckle. In addition, early feeding reduces postpartum blood loss for mom.

For the first few days, avoid pacifiers as babies need to be at the breast very frequently during this time.

Avoid infant formula or water unless medically necessary and breastfeed on demand.

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While there are many advantages of breastfeeding, not every woman can or will want to breastfeed.

Some mothers find breastfeeding uncomfortable or are challenged by the time and scheduling commit-

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Photo of Andrea Belhumeur and Pam Parsons

ments that go along with it. Breastfeeding moms should continue to eat nutritiously and limit their caffeine and alcohol intake since these can affect the milk that baby will be ingesting. And, breastfeeding may be difficult for some women who have had breast surgeries. It may also be unsafe for those taking certain medications or for those who have certain medical conditions. Breastfeeding professionals, such as the lactation specialists and nursing staff of the North Valley Hospital Birth Center are available to help with any concerns.

they have had early feeds of breast milk because it protects the gastrointestinal tract. For those women that return to work, your provider can provide a letter advocating a place for her to pump every three to four hours.

One of the main barriers to breastfeeding that we hear of at Glacier Maternity is that mothers need to return to work and are concerned that their babies will refuse the bottle. Even a month of exclusive breastfeeding will have long-lasting effects on infant health including baby’s growth and maturity. Babies also will tolerate the transition to formula better if

It is the responsibility of health care providers to discuss the benefits of breastfeeding with women in their care. All mothers should have the opportunity to learn about the important short- and long-term benefits associated with breastfeeding and have the opportunity to make an informed choice about their infant feeding decision (USDHHS, 2011).

Almost 75 percent of babies in America begin their lives as a breastfed baby. Ninety-seven percent of Glacier Maternity moms are successful at breastfeeding before they leave the hospital. However, this is a small feat when the national trend is that by the time babies are six months old, only about 15 percent are still receiving nourishment exclusively from their mothers.

Commercially produced formula is considered a nutritious alternative to breastfeeding; however, medical research shows that mother's milk lowers a baby's risk of infections and illnesses, including childhood leukemia, diarrhea, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome, diabetes and pneumonia.

Babies who are breastfed are less likely to become obese and develop asthma. The practice even provides health benefits for mothers, including a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. The health benefits accrue to women who breastfed for a minimum of six months and improve the longer breastfeeding continues.

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Breastfeeding

In an age when the choices for baby food fill the grocery store shelves, breastfeeding advocates say mother's milk is more convenient, makes babies and mothers healthier and costs nothing. As education and support for breastfeeding becomes more widely available, more women and infants may be able to capture these health and economic benefits, which are substantial. To the families, the immediate and most obvious cost savings for them is the amount of money saved by not purchasing formula, an average of about $1,500 annually (Bartick, 2011). And, a study in the journal Pediatrics estimated that if mothers’ breastfed their babies for six months it would save the nation $13 billion per year in healthcare costs related to disease.

We live in such a “green” conscious community.

Breastfeeding fits in for those that ascribe to this way of life. According to the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, the environmental benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the costs.

These are costs related to the waste and pollution associated with producing, packing, shipping, storing and feeding commercial infant formula. Formula requires an extensive manufacturing process that produces pollutants and extensive waste. Packaging required in order to transport, store, and feed infant formula is substantial, in addition to the disposal of the bottles after use. Even though breastfeeding

mothers require a higher food intake and put an increase on agricultural demands, the production of infant formula places a much greater burden on the environment. Breast milk is a renewable resource that leaves a much smaller carbon footprint on the environment than infant formula (USDHHS, 2011).

Regardless of differing opinions, medical evidence proves that breastfeeding offers significant shortand long-term health benefits for both babies and mothers. Take advantage of our community resources and make the decision that best fits you and your family.

To learn more about the health benefits and advocacy of breastfeeding, please visit http://flatheadvalleybreastfeeding.weebly.com/index.html or http:// www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/benefits.asp.

References U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

(2011). The Surgeon General’s call to action to support breastfeeding. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General. Retrieved from http://www. surgeongeneral.gov/topics/breastfeeding/calltoactiontosupportbreastfeeding.pdf Bartick, M. (2011). Breastfeeding and the U.S. economy. Breastfeeding Medicine, 6, 313-317

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family} illness

Sickness

and

By Kristen Pulsifer The school year is underway, and everyone is in full swing with school work, sports, music, drama and many other various activities. It is just a big rollercoaster ride for the parents, running our kids from here to there, and it is even more of a roller coaster ride for the kids! My kids come home from their 1,000 crazy after school activities, with their eyes crossed and drool streaming from their lips… they’re hungry, cranky, and they don’t even know where they are. And, after months of this crazy whipdy, dipdy ride, what happens? They get sick.

The crud passes its way through the schools and homes and hits all of these wonderful, worn out kids the hardest. With illness come missed school days, and way too much make up school work.

While our poor kiddos are home coughing, throwing up, sniveling, and fevering, the incomplete math assignments are doubling, the missed reading assignments are tripling, and with each day spent at home, trying to recover, it just gets worse and worse. Then, when our children finally return to the classroom, they come home after collecting their missed assignments, looking more frazzled than they do normally! They are drooling more, their eyes have crossed harder, and they are like deer in the headlights of a semi-truck.

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School

There are several things that can make this process of missing school less daunting. Even though kids are home sick and in need of rest, having them continue with their work is a must to eliminate the back to school stress of returning after many missed days. We are fortunate that most schools have websites that post their homework. You and your kids can check homework assignments and try to stay as caught up as possible while at home. Some teachers may even be able to email missed assignments as attachments. You can simply print out a copy of the missed work and stay current with assignments. Also, emailing teachers and simply requesting assignments is quite helpful.

can work you over when in this state. None of us enjoys seeing our children sick- it makes us all very vulnerable. Then, quickly drop the homework on their beds and run from the room saying kindly, but rapidly, “Just do your work!”

It is also helpful for your kids to have a homework buddy in each class. Have them call a friend for their assignments; and, a friend that lives close by may even be able to bring missed assignments right to your front door. Whatever you can do to maintain the consistency of school work will help decrease the stress encountered when returning to school after battling the virus of the month. Often times when kids get behind, the stress of catching up is too When your kids are presented with this work, much and the procrastination bug attacks. Kids they will most likely act as if death is knocking will shut down and allow themselves to become on their door, as you speak, and they are just even further behind while trying to complete too sick to even consider doing their work. Your what they have missed. It becomes a somewhat child will gaze at you, with the back of their endless cycle of playing catch – up. hand to their forehead, and a look on their face that says, “Are you kidding? You expect me to Hang on tight through the rollercoaster ride do school work when I am in this condition?” that the school year brings, and try your best to As parents, I recommend that you simply do not get rest, eat right and stay healthy. make eye contact with them at this point. They

community}Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley

By Christine Morris Photos by Daley McDaniel

Home ownership gives families security and a sense of pride and accomplishment. However, for many low-income families, especially those headed by single mothers, home ownership is often out of reach. Summer Gustafson, Jessie Carr, and Katie Miller are three single working mothers who achieved the dream of home ownership through partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley.

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Housing options for low-income families in the Flathead Valley are limited, leaving many working families living in substandard conditions. For Summer Gustafson, Katie Miller, and Jessie Carr, reasonable, affordable rental housing within city limits was almost nonexistent and homeownership an impossibility. Affordable housing options are frequently located well outside city limits, placing children and their working parents at a disadvantage. Renting rarely allows low-income families to establish roots in a community, often translating into chronic insecurity for families who cannot predict when they will be uprooted. Without the stability of home ownership, plans for career advancement and community involvement are low priorities. Low-income families, particularly single-earner households, find themselves working day-to-day to cover basic needs.

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Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley (HFHFV) gives families the opportunity to thrive. HFHFV, Montana’s oldest affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, has been providing a hand up through home ownership to local families in need since 1989.

The organization partners with hardworking families who need adequate housing and have the ability to repay a 30-year interest-free mortgage. The Habitat ReStore, a building supply store that sells donated materials to the public at a discount, helps defray the cost of Habitat homes. Through the combined efforts of volunteers, organizations, the local faith community and local and national businesses, Habitat for Humanity helps break the cycle of poverty.

Summer Gustafson is the mother of Alexis, 14, Cayleb, 13, Austin, 11, and Kiersten, 8. After working for six years with Families in Partnership Early Head Start program in Libby, Summer moved her family to Flathead County. She hoped for better educational opportunities for her children and had plans to open a taxidermy shop. However, the lack of affordable housing in the Valley threatened Summer’s ability to improve her family’s circumstances. “When I moved to the Flathead Valley, I could not find anything,” said Summer Gustafson. “There were no affordable options and subsidized housing had a waiting list of up to three years.” “The only affordable place I could find in the Flathead Valley was 75 miles west of Columbia Falls,” she said.

The Gustafsons live on a ranch in a rural location.

Their trailer house is small, with inefficient heating and the family gets water from a creek with no water filtration system. The Gustafson children attend

The Miller Family

a one-room schoolhouse with only nine students.

Summer drives at least 800 miles each week on dirt roads commuting into town to work and attend college classes.

Summer said that the news of her family’s selection into the Habitat program set everything in motion. “I thought if I am going to be a homeowner, I am going to college and I am going to be involved in my community as much as possible.” Summer is now pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education so that she can fulfill her goal of working as a parent educator and tutor for the Columbia Falls school district. Summer, like other Habitat partners, was able to gain the hope she needed to continue actively creating a better life for her family. Joining the Habitat program also gave Summer more confidence as an independent woman. “Buying a home is empowering me to show my children and other women that you can get through anything, all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other,” Summer said. “I think doing it as a single woman really gives you more faith that if you have realistic goals it can be done.”

Katie Miller, a CNA at a local Veteran’s home, and her children Hannah, 11, and Garrett, 9, moved to the Flathead Valley in 2009 from northern California. Katie struggled for two years with unaffordable rent in the Flathead. She discovered Habitat through a post on Craigslist. Without the burden of high monthly rent, Katie can now afford to begin nursing school at Flathead Valley Community College. “I couldn’t have gone back to school before, financially, being a single mother,” she said.

community}Humanity According to Katie, home ownership with Habitat “gives you a start, a step up in life, and that’s why I think it’s so amazing. It’s not a giveaway.” Katie is looking forward to creating a lasting, stable home for her family so her children can enjoy the kind of childhood she experienced. “One thing I have appreciated in my life is that I have had the opportunity to set up roots. The house will provide security for my kids.

They’ll have the chance to set up their roots too.”

Jessie Carr is the mother of Zach, 11, Caleb, 9, and Faith, 7. Jessie works from home for a medical transcription company. After Jessie’s marriage ended, she transitioned into a full-time employee and searched unsuccessfully for

affordable housing while living in a relative’s basement. Jessie stated that she has truly enjoyed working with the Habitat staff and that the entire process thus far has been very encouraging.

The Carr children are looking forward to having more space to play outside, to have friends in the neighborhood and to paint their rooms for the first time.

Jessie said, “My spirits have been lifted. I thought things were going downhill in my life, but this is a new chapter. I’m supporting my kids on my own and we’re going to move into a home! It has definitely changed our lives,” Jessie said. “When my husband left, it was a big transition, but with kids you need to do what you need to do,” said Jessie. “It’s exciting to realize that you don’t need to depend on a man, that you can be self-sufficient.”

The Gustafson Family

Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley has built 35 homes and is currently working on the second townhome of a 16-unit development in Columbia Falls.

It is through a broad base of community support that Habitat can make a tangible difference in the lives of families in need. Selected families contribute at least 500 hours of unpaid labor to the construction on their homes, called “sweat equity.” This requirement sets Habitat apart from other affordable housing programs, with a focus on empowerment over charity. The organization ensures that families are deeply involved in each step of their journey from substandard housing to homeownership through skills training and relationship building in the community.

For Habitat families, home ownership means stability for the family and an opportunity to contribute to a permanent community. Summer explained that she feels a new incentive to develop meaningful connections with her neighbors. “You can give more to the community when your spirit is elevated. You feel like you want to reach out, you’re no longer discouraged or ashamed,” she said. “I would like to share my appreciation for the volunteers,” she said. “It is an emotionally overwhelming experience to go to the site and see people taking time out of their day to help. It is amazing, and it empowers me to give back more to my community.”

The Habitat model promotes sustainable community development, as first-time home ownership for hardworking, low-income families sets up the lasting groundwork for the continuing success of future generations.

The Carr Family

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yip

Yo u t h I m a g e Pr o j e c t

By Kristen Hamilton

Jennifer DeMonte, successful professional photographer, knew there was a deeper and higher purpose to her life.

DeMonte was inspired to start the Youth Image Project by her life experiences in both her work and her personal life. Simply put, it was time to begin to combine working with kids and photography. She is a foster and adoptive mother, and she was moved by the documentary, “Born into Brothels” that chronicled the journey of photographer Zana Briski as she went to photograph the red light district in India. Once Briski started filming, she was inspired to teach photography to the children of prostitutes in order to give the kids opportunities and a way out of poverty. DeMonte says that the film “made a huge impact in my life”, and she wanted to help people through photography in her own community.

As a foster parent, DeMonte was asked to serve on a Youth Advisory Council in Montana. Serving on the council opened her eyes to some of the challenges facing at-risk children in the community.

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DeMonte wanted to empower at-risk teenagers by providing photographic training so that they can share their personal vision, expand their skill sets and advance their life opportunities. With her background in photography, the initial plan was to get some equipment and start working with the kids. She discovered that it’s not quite that easy and the best option would be to start a not-for-profit organization to help make her vision a reality. She turned to nationwide photographic programs that shared a similar vision including Seattle’s Youth in Focus; Brattleboro, VT’s IN-Sight Photography Project; and Portland, OR’s Focus on Youth for assistance.

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After years of legwork, Youth Image Project (YIP) was incorporated in February 2010 and gained non-profit tax-exempt stats in the fall of 2011.

YIP works with many local community organizations to achieve their mission including the Healing Arts Project, CASA for Kids, Child and Family Services, Youth Court Services, Flathead Youth Home, and the Center for Restorative Youth Justice.

The students are referred to YIP from these community organizations and range from ages 13 to 19. They often face a variety of challenges including low income, distressed families or low academic achievement. YIP believes that photography can provide these teens with creative outlets and can build self-esteem, connect to their communities, and create positive change in their lives. Throughout the yearlong program, students learn how to shoot and edit photos with high quality equipment and computer programs. They are encouraged to use their creativity and imagination to tell their stories. Students will also have the opportunity to display their work in the community through shows and publications (including this one).

Local professional photographers have embraced YIP and serve as mentors to the students throughout the length of the program.

DeMonte commented “YIP has received huge support from the community so far.” They have organized fund-raisers and continually work on pursuing grants to allow additional students in the program.

“A huge part of our program is to foster community awareness, encourage connectivity and giving back to our community. YIP students go on

weekly field trips throughout the valley to photograph various organizations including many local non-profits. In turn, we give our images back to each organization we photograph. This way, students are able to learn about their community, contribute through their own creative process and showcase their work throughout the valley,” DeMonte said.

Spring and summer classes have allowed the teens to explore the valley with visits to parks, downtown areas, and a farm. In reviewing the Facebook page for YIP, it’s apparent that not only are the students learning a great new skill, but also they are having a great time in the process. One student post read, “Had an amazing time today, can't wait to go back! Thank you.”

Another YIP Photographer said, "I am taking photography classes because it is a unique way to express who I am and what I like to do. I thought I might like taking these classes because it sounded fun to do and indeed it was a great idea."

As many non-profit organizations, YIP wouldn’t be possible without the community support, contributors and dedicated Board of Directors.

DeMonte is especially grateful to the board for their passion and time.

They include:

Katrina Larsen, Board Chair: Larsen is a parent with a now 18-year-old son and 21-yearold daughter but was a teenage mother herself.

Professionally she is a designer and project manager in the field of architecture and interior design.

Michelle Saurey Edland, Board Vice-Chair: Edland earned a degree in Sociology/Criminal Jus-

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yip

tice then worked in low-residency group home settings. She owns The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery in Whitefish with her husband and is raising three active boys.

Ronna Glasgow Keim, Board Treasurer: Keim is a business manager and teaches mathematics. She is an active member of the advisory board at the Flathead Youth Home. She and her husband have four children and enjoy staying active.

Lido Vizzutti, Board Secretary: Vizzutti has been a professional Photojournalist for the past decade and is the current Media Director at the Flathead Beacon. His work has appeared in Time Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, and the New York Times.

Jen Frandsen, Board Member: Frandsen is the Chief Creative Officer of Old Town Creative and has more than 10 years of professional creative experience in both print and digital media.

She’s a proud stepmother of two great kids.

How can you help? Volunteer, Donate or Attend an Event!

If you want to help Youth Image Project now and in the future, get involved. Check out their website for the future possibilities and help our Flathead Valley youth!

DeMonte added, “The best way for us to get the students work out to the public on a regular basis is through Facebook. So, for more information and up-to-date information about our programs, please visit Youth Image Project on Facebook. Click on the photos icon to see our student galleries!”

YOUTH IMAGE PROJECT Youth Image Project P.O. Box 1797 Whitefish, MT 59937 406.270.3377 www.youthimageproject.org

Page 12: YIP Board (from left to right): Ronna Glasgow Keim, Jennifer DeMonte, Lido Vizzutti, Michelle Saurey Edland, Katrina Larsen, and Jen Frandsen. Photo By: Alicia Brown Photography

Page 13: Top going clockwise YIP Photographer Mackenzee Rice, YIP Photo, YIP Photographer Ramon Saenz, YIP Photographer Ramon Saenz, YIP Photographer Mackenzee Rice, YIP Photo, YIP Photographer Rebecca Erdman.

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La d i e s

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Move over, ‘match-making, [far from] reality-television-showrecently-spotted-in Whitefishshamelessly-using-a big-ol’ginger-as-bait-for-eleven, love-hungry darlings!’ Ladies Night Out is fast approaching and Whitefish boutiques, galleries, showrooms and salons are prepared to win the hearts of ladies for miles around! A certain “bachelor” could have learned a thing or two from Whitefish retailers because these experts already know what women really want out of a group date and it isn’t anything that ends with a “rose ceremony.” Lots of red-hot deals, Loads of Q.G.T. (Quality Girlfriend Time), piles of full shopping bags and chances to win Stumptown loot around every corner! Historically speaking, this night has proven to make even the most frigid (read: thrifty) ladies swoon!

Ladies grab your girls, girls grab your sisters, sisters grab your moms and moms grab your wallets because it’s time for the 3rd Annual Ladies Night Out: A Stumptown Shopping Extravaganza! Co-sponsors 406 Woman Magazine and 406 Celebrations have linked arms with all participating Whitefish retailers to pull out all the stops.

Forthwith, abbreviated highlights from destinations that definitely have it going on:

Did someone say LIVE NOODS?!

Yes, but don’t expect to find any blinking stripper poles here. The Naked Noodle is a great place to grab a little sustenance before the shopping frenzy kicks off. Grab your postcard and flash it to the cashier for 50% off your second regularly priced entree! The White Room is a little off the beaten path but a great place to begin (or end) your Tour of Retail Duty. Located on Lupfer Avenue (2 blocks west of Central) The White Room is offering 10-50% storewide savings on Patagonia and ArcTeryx ski apparel. Harlow, one of Stumptown’s freshest little boutiques, admits that LNO will be rockin'! Weenies and beer! Candy and wine! Party favors, raffles and door prizes all night long! 20% off storewide and if you say “Cheese, I’m a weiner,” you will get your photo taken in the Harlow Photo Booth! Make sure you ask for the password to find out their dirty little secret...

shhhhh...it's naughty! A free Taco hat goes to anyone who attempts and conquers “The Soda Cracker Challenge” (eat 6 soda crackers in less than a minute with no water) at Harlow. Adam Noble can do it, can you? Next door, Meriwether Field Gear will likewise shave an additional 20% off all purchases and the first 20 customers through the door will get a box of Christmas Cards made by local artist Barbara Pfannkuch. Stop in to see what's fresh and fun at Whitefish's newest cabinetry source, Hearthstone Design Studio, at 503 Railway, Suite B. A unique selection of artistic and antique furnishings for your home await your discovery! We will have fall refreshments for your enjoyment and drawings for discounts!

Ethos Eco Boutique will be offering 30% off everything in the store!

And to heighten your shopping experience, will also be serving mimosas, delightful French wines, mini quiches and other French deliciousness. Keeping up with the French theme, aptly named Chic Boutique, The Flathead Valley's Premier Consignment Boutique, is offering 20% off all regular priced merchandise. Cupcakes and bubbles will be served to sweeten the deal…let them eat cake! Mi Casa Pottery will offer 20% across-theboard savings on the entire store! (fine print: does not apply to special orders). Refreshments and snacks will be served. The Toggery will reward the early birds by giving the first 99 people through their door a signature ‘Toggery “Loot Balloon”.’

Each one of their “99 LootBalloons” (props to Nena), will be good for something wonderful, even if it is just a smooch from Rene. 20% wall- to-wall savings all night long!

A little Danish surprise: A Dansko representative will be on hand to answer any cloggy-type questions folks may have. Next door, Montana Coffee Traders will team up with Reecia’s Salon to offer manicures using nail colors by Butter London. Reecia’s will also be giving free Aveda makeup tips and Aveda signature personalized aromas.

From the Coffee Trader’s kitchen: Le Creuset French Oven recipe tastings. C’est magnifique! Crush Wine Bar will offer up fermented grapes and rotten barley for a small fee and will provide a pit- stop for weary shoppers who prefer their wine and beer served in real glass, not red Solo Cups. Exhale Pilates Studio is excited to offer great deals on Lululemon apparel and fitness packages. Test drive their equipment and learn about their unique classes while sipping champagne cocktails and hopefully winning great prizes. Local Color Studio (a working studio/gallery downstairs

next to Red Union Salon in The Toggery Building) invites you to come and "wander through colorful fields of flowers and radiant sunsets with lively paintings created daily by local artist Danielle Taylor.”

Piney Creek Interiors is gearing up for the Christmas season with great gift items such as a wide array of jewelry and winter scarves, Christmas décor and greenery and many other items to get you in the holiday mood. Stop in to get 20% off of all Christmas décor and visit with the Piney Creek “elves!” RunnerUp Sports is offering brand-new Bolle goggles at half price! Pray for snow, shoppers!

McGough and Company will be serving wine and treats and offering store wide specials and hourly drawings.

Keri Anne’s Salon is celebrating a double-header (pun absolutely intended!) Ladies Night Out AND their Grande Opening all in one!

20% off all regular priced Simply Organic and Onesta products.

The Backdoor General Store will be having drawings, giveaways and a Special “LNO” Sale! Come see their beautiful handmade local baskets as well as those crafted by the African Women’s Cooperative in Ghana (Fair Trade). Organic and Locally made Skin Care Products, Local Artwork, Fabric and Gifts! Bear Mountain Mercantile will be doing drawings all night long and will offer 20% off everything storewide.

The Village Shop carries women’s and men’s clothing. 20% storewide savings on Frye, Citizens of Humanity, Seven for All Mankind, Pendleton, Three Dots, Splendid and more! Drawings every hour at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm sharp. Sappari will be offering lots of great fall fashion at stellar prices! The Shops Under One Roof , an exquisitely eclectic hodgepodge of antiques, collectibles, and ‘chance finds’ will offer discounts of…drum roll, please....50% off on select items!

Wine and hors d’oeuvres will top off the incredible savings. Next stop: Imagination Station- the toy and game mecca for all children’s gifts. There will be storewide savings on toys and games that appeal to the kid in all of us. The pretty ladies at Fifty Seven Boutique, Lili Blue, Spanky and Gus and Salt will be serving up the latest styles from Paige Premium Denim, BB Dakota, YFB, Lucy Love, Rosegold (shoes), Steve Madden (shoes), Free People, and more at 20% off! Trivia: what is the significance of the number 57 in Fifty Seven Boutique’s name? If you don’t know this, you should ask one of the blondes in the building...I bet they’ll tell you. Montana Territory will offer Mary Frances handmade treasures and handbags and

scarves will be 20% off. Screaming deal alert: all clearance items will be offered at an additional 20% savings off the already marked-down price. Whitefish Gift and Gear has expanded! New lines of scarves, purses, belts, hair accessories and cooking gadgets will keep you en vogue on the streets and in the kitchen! Going to the Sun Gallery will have storewide discounts on art at 10% off regular prices. Select furnishings and jewelry up to 20% off. Luck be a lady at Stephen Isley Jewelry on the eve of Ladies Night!

Enter to win a sterling amethyst ring, a sterling blue topaz ring, and/or a sterling Montana Sapphire ring. Drawings will be held at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30pm and in addition all jewelry including yogo sapphires will be marked down 25%! Whitefish Pottery will offer 20% off everything in the store from 5pm-10pm. Dick Idol Signature Gallery offers fine art , one of a kind jewelry, and incredible antler creations, perfect gifts for that special person in your life….YOU! 10% discount on everything in the gallery for one night only! Don’t forget to sign up to win a stunning beaded necklace by Whitefish designer, MJ Westermark! The Purple Pomegranate is offering drawings for all shoppers which may earn you 20-50% entire purchase. Keeping in line with garden-inspired business names, Sprouts (divine little things for baby and toddler) will be offering 30% off all regular priced merchandise from 5-10pm. Sage & Cedar, celebrating its 18th Anniversary, will be offering 20% off all inventory. This will also be their 3rd annual fundraiser for the Flathead Youth Home with awesome raffles and prizes. Live models will be on display to model their new boxer line, Bangers & Mash. Boxers named after traditional English Pub Fare to cover up one’s cockney...clever and cheeky. A bit of useless trivia: “Insects and Ants” is cockney for underpants. Complimentary beverages and small bites provided by Wasabi & SKC. SM Bradford will be serving up it’s signature style with lots of fabulous women’s clothing and accessories, jackets from Joseph Ribkoff, NYDJ, French Dressing, Foxcroft, as well as stunning boots from Luchesse and Old Gringo and shoes from Van Eli and Cole Haan. (fine print from SM Bradford: Brighton will not be included in SM Bradford’s LNO sales). Stumptown Snowboards promises to replenish your libations and happily assist you with any of your snowboarding needs!

They also will try their hardest to convince any skiers that snowboarding is a far superior winter activity.

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The great rhythm and songs of Patsy Cline at S. M. Bradford Photos by Daley McDaniel

What a fun night! The great rhythm and songs of Patsy Cline filled the air of the party at S. M. Bradford Co. in Whitefish. All was there to celebrate the opening night of the Patsy Cline performance. "Crazy", "Sweet Dreams", "Walkin' After Midnight", "She's Got You", were just a few of her famous and popular songs that were played.

Each melody sweetly set the mood for the whole evening.

Everyone had a great time enjoying the beautiful presentation of hors d'oeuvres that Kay Emmert, owner of S.M. Bradford Co., had made herself. It was a close call as to which was most popular—was it the meatballs or the hot artichoke dip, sausage and cheese wraps? Maybe the veggies with curry dip. Of course, the wine was

refreshing as well as the sparkling drinks and lemonade.

Caroline and Steve Cosby arrived with their friends Dody and Curt Olson, looking especially sparkling, all wearing their western hats.

It was great to see the WTC musical director, Karla West with her husband John Goodrich, who performed well as the drummer for the Patsy Cline band, and Caroline Pittman, executive director of WTC.

Also enjoying good conversation were Ann Viscomi, president of the WTC board; Cynthia Dearing, board member; and Danelle Reisch, volunteer and supporter of WTC.

Seeing Doug and Bet Wise was a treat.

They are avid supporters of WTC, and they are sponsors of the January performance of Canadian Matt Andersen. Word has it that he is a fabulous guitarist and singer (maybe we can get him to come back in the summer)!

The not only cute, but efficient artistic director of WTC, Jesse Devine added fun to the evening, and she and Kay Emmert became friends – what a treat for both. Western boots and hats must have been part of that conversation as they both like dressing with impact!

Be sure not to miss the next event that S. M. Bradford Co. hosts. It is always a great evening of refreshments, seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

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