406 Woman June July 2010 by 406 Woman

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406 contents

HOME & GARDEN 10 Bees! 12 Planning for a fence. Simple,

Right? NOT

HEALTH, Family& WELLNESS 16 MINDFUL LIVING By Lee Anne Byrne 18 ASK COACH DRU By Dru Rafkin Jackman, ACC 20 We are what we eat, mmmmmm……… By Kiersten Alton, RPH 22 Why am I not losing weight? By Sam Glauber

26 Special Delivery

People & Places 43 Becoming an Outdoors Woman 45 "The Event" at Rebecca Farm 50 What about bears? 54 Inspire Me Today

Living Green 58 Ethos Paris Boutique

Art & Culture 60 Bigfork’s Persimmon Gallery 61 Big Jessie’s Contemporary Folk Art and Fine Shrines 62 Arts Work!

In every issue

By Mary Pat Murphy

28 Kids-Teens-Parents

66 Shop Talk MkLaren

By Denise Dryden

Sprouts Sappari Amore Salon

Food & Flavor 33 WHITEFISH LAKE RESTAURANT 36 How to Build a Beginner Pantry, Continued 38 Wine

72 Professional Profiles Whitefish Plastic Surgery & Med Spa

New Image Concepts Insty Prints Mountain West Bank Trails West Real Estate Montana Expressions Integrity Property Management, Inc.

76 406 Man Robert Hooper

Monte Turner

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Publisher Cindy Gerrity cindy@montanasky.net

Business Manager Daley McDaniel daley@montanasky.net

Creative Director/Photographer Sara Joy Pinnell ayourartisan@yahoo.com

Editor Kristen Pulsifer Kristen@whitefishstudycenter.com

Staff Photographer Brent Steiner steinerbw@gmail.com

Copy Editor/Writer Carole Pinnell queencarolerule@yahoo.com

Photographer/Writer Hope Kauffman Hope_Kauffman@emerson.edu

Writer Marti Ebbert Kurth

On the Cover: Ali is currently receiving her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from MSU and she loves spending time with her daughter, Olivia, and her soon to be husband, Scott.

Photography by: Sara Joy Pinnell ayourartisan.com

406 Woman

Published by Skirts Publishing CopyrightÂŠ2009 Skirts Publishing Published six times a year.

6477 Hwy 93 S Suite 138, Whitefish, MT 59937 406-862-1545 info@406woman.com

View current and past issues of 406 Woman at www.406Woman.com

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Contributors Kelly Daigle is a

freelance journalist hailing from Denver, Colorado. An avid lover of adventure and outdoor sports, she worked in Annecy, France, for Salomon Sports prior to her experience as a hiking and rafting guide in Alaska. She is new to the Flathead Valley and when she is not writing, you will most likely find her at the Big Mountain in brightly colored ski clothing.

Amy May was born and raised in Bozeman, MT, Amy is equipped with a degree in Print Journalism from the University of Montana. She is passionate about meeting new people and documenting their unique and fascinating adventures. Since college, Amy has worked as a reporter at several community newspapers across the state, including Whitefish, Kalispell, Bozeman and Big Sky. Away from the office, Amy enjoys traveling to faraway places (but always coming home to Montana), pumping iron, reading library books, cooking, gardening and any other Martha Stewartapproved activities. At home in Whitefish with her English Bulldog, Norman, Amy is working towards her master degree in Public Relations.

Heidi Duncan is a former award-winning columnist and feature writer for the Whitefish Pilot. A native Montanan, Heidi was born and schooled in Kalispell and migrated north to Whitefish (after stints in the U.S. Army and at the University of Montana) in 1986. It was here, in a downtown watering hole, that she met Scott, her future and still husband. Scott and Heidi have two children, two cats, a dog, a house and half an acre of Montana soil to call their own.

Kiersten Alton, RPH,

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.

Denise Dryden

Denise Dryden, is a Certified Parent Coach with over 30 years of experience in the fields of education, parent support, and therapeutic placement for adolescents and young adults. Her passion is working with people who are ready to make some changes in their life! After raising three kids she is happily maturing into mid life and enjoys living a balanced life in Whitefish. To contact her, please visit her website at www. DeniseDrydenCoaching. com

Amy Grisak lives with her husband, Grant, and their two rambunctious boys in Great Falls, Montana. Amy is a freelance writer who's blessed to be able to stay at home with the kids while she writes about gardening, cooking, health and outdoor recreation. Amy also loves teaching people how to grow their own food, and is a garden speaker as well as around-theclock resource for Great Falls' community gardens. For gardening questions, www.amygrisak.com.

Lee Anne Byrne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker offering counseling in private practice in Whitefish, Montana. She blends holistic and conventional approaches in her work with adults, adolescents and couples, drawing on her extensive and diverse experience. Lee Anne also offers classes in mindful approaches to our moods. She can be reached at 406-862-1440.

Lori Grannis has been

Sammi Johnson is a

Mary Pat Murphy

Brian Schott has written features and shot photos for the top newspapers and magazines in the country, covering destinations from Whistler, British Columbia, to Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, to Lake Geneva, Switzerland. His award-winning writing has been featured in The Boston Sunday Globe, National Geographic Traveler, Forbes Life, Ski Magazine, Skiing Magazine, Big Sky Journal, Great Falls Tribune, Montana Living magazine, Sailing World Magazine, New York Post, New York Daily News, and the New Hampshire Sunday News. Schott is the founding editor of the non-profit journal Whitefish Review, a Montana-based art, photography & literary journal focused on the art and literature of mountain culture.

Dru Rafkin Jackman

grew up in Kalispell and graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in journalism. She moved to Alaska in 1974 after serving as a legislative reporter for The Associated Press in Juneau and spent the next 22 years there, working as a reporter and editor for the Anchorage Times, serving as a media coordinator in the Governor’s Office and as a legislative aide, among other jobs. She returned to the Flathead Valley in 1995 and lives on a small farm along the Whitefish River. She currently works from home as a writer for organizations including Northwest Healthcare and the United Way and participates in a number of community organizations.

a nationally published writer for 22 years, and is currently based in western Montana. She is a local food columnist, and has penned both news and feature stories in Missoula for the last five years. She is a lifelong film fanatic, and is currently pursuing a screenwriting project. In her leisure time, she enjoys preparing ambitious recipes in the kitchen, then makes a point to burn it off snowshoeing, skiing, running, or playing tennis. Her two greyhounds 'Aspen' and 'Zoolander' keep her on her toes - and in kisses.

Montana native from the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, now living in Columbia Falls. Outfitted with a double major in Business Marketing and Forestry Recreation Management from the University of Montana, Sammi is absorbed by the outdoor recreational market and its motivating individuals. Whether she is skiing, hanging with the hubby, hiking, conducting kitchen experiments, or perfecting her splash-less dive (with nose plugged) Sammi is proud to have a 406 area code.

is a Certified Personal and Professional Development Coach who started Sane Solutions by Dru in 1998. In her former life, Dru was a script supervisor who worked in the “glamorous” world of television. And although she loved the camaraderie, teamwork and 80-hour weeks, she took a dare from friends and decided to follow her passion of supporting others. She lives in Whitefish with her husband. To contact her, please visit www.solutionsbydru.com.

406 Woman

Garden

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406 WOMAN

BEES! Honey bees are a gardener’s best friend. We often take their industrious efforts for granted, but without them we would be sorely disappointed at harvest time. When there is a lack of bees, it is obvious. The droning, calming hum is absent in the garden, and there is a dismal lack of vegetables.

ees are a mystery to many. Sure, we know they’re important to our food supplies and they make incredible honey, but how do they do it? Honey bees are a fascinating microcosm of a highly organized society.

A glimpse into a hive

n the early spring, the bee hive is a hopping place. The queen is at, or close to, full egg laying production, oftentimes depositing over 1000 eggs per day in the cells of the brood chamber of the hive. Meanwhile, other bees, referred to as nurse bees, are tending to her and the newly hatching larvae. As new bees are born, the hive population grows to more than 50,000 bees. There is the single queen, who is the heart of the hive, plus a handful of drones (the male bees) and sterile female workers who keep everything running smoothly. The workers divide tasks into nurse bees, foragers, protectors and those tending to honey storage. During the busy summer season, many workers live a mere 6 weeks; they literally work themselves to death. In early spring, foraging bees gather pollen from pine trees and other local sources. The pollen provides the protein necessary to make something called ‘royal jelly’. Royal jelly is used to feed the queen, but the major food source is nectar. Since the first nectar flow may be months from when the bees are active in March, most beekeepers feed a sugar solution to the bees. It is not uncommon for a hive to consume a quart or more of sugarwater in a day.

Once dandelions and spring flowers are in full bloom, the bees are busy locating productive food sources and are constantly making trips to bring in more nectar. Each bee gathers only 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime,

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and it requires 2 million bees to produce a pound of honey. The nectar is processed through a gland in the bee’s stomach, and deposited (okay, spit) into the honeycomb cells. The bees in charge of caring for the honey, fan it with their wings until it reaches a moisture level of sixteen percent. It is then capped with a thin layer of wax for a storage life that can last indefinitely. Honey is the only food that will not spoil.

Beekeepers take surplus honey at the end of the season, being careful to leave the hive at, at least thirty pounds of honey stores to feed them through the winter. The extra honey is usually put up in the shallower boxes called supers that are stacked on top of the two main hive bodies at the beginning of the summer. Each super will hold thirty pounds of honey, and it is not uncommon to have 4 or more supers per hive. (Our record while living in Kalispell was 270 pounds of honey on one hive.) Gardeners are an important part of this equation because what happens in the home garden affects the entire hive. When home growers use pesticides to knock out bad bugs, the good ones, including honey bees, are killed as well. To be safe, use pesticides only as a last resort. Home gardens present a good opportunity to provide a source of nectar for the bees, encouraging them to pollinate your vegetables while they are visiting the flower patch. Purple and blue flowers are the most attractive to bees, but yellow and orange blooms also catch their attention.

If poor pollination is an issue, incorporate flowers into the vegetable garden. Adding a selection of flowers not only brings in the bees, but brightens and creates a delicious landscape!

One of the reasons honey bees are big in the news is because of a mysterious disorder called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).

ince 2006 beekeepers lost millions of hives practically overnight. One day the hive is full and apparently healthy; the next day all of the workers are gone. The queen and honey are usually left behind. Scientists have not been able to pinpoint the

absolute cause of CCD, but there’s no need to worry about cell phone use being the culprit. CCD actually might be a combination of factors including pesticides, viruses, mites, poor nutrition and environmental stresses particularly for commercial beekeepers. The event might also be a cyclical phenomenon since there appeared to have been similar occurrences in the 1920’s and 1960’s. Whatever the cause, the situation is puzzling. Fortunately, it appears there is a decline in hive losses over the past several years. In 2009, 29% of commercial beekeepers reported hive losses. As dismal as it sounds, it is actually an improvement over the past couple of years where losses were closer to 34%. Gardeners can play a strong role in helping to bring back and maintain healthy numbers of honey bees. The list below is a great start to this process.

Here are a few bee favorites to ensure a healthy vegetable harvest: (They may also help keep our humming, buzzing friends in healthier populations)!

oppies – Bees go crazy over the big, bold flowers. You will notice several of them in one bloom in the early mornings.

Salvia – With deep purple blossoms, honey bees flock to practically all varieties of salvia, including common sage.

Borage – The light blue, star-shaped flowers taste like mild cucumbers that are delicious in salads. One caution: borage reseeds aggressively and will pop up all over the place if you don’t keep it in check. Perovskia – Also called “Russian sage” is a hardy perennial that reaches 6-feet tall in many parts of Montana, and is literally buzzing with bees during the summer.

Agastache – This is a tall member of the mint family that blossoms blue-purple flowers that are a sweet favorite for bees. They also create a tasty plant for making tea. Lavender – Everybody loves lavender, including honey bees.

Bee balm – As the name implies, bee balm is a beneficial nectar source for bees (as well as a treat for hummingbirds). Sea holly – At first glance, sea holly looks a bit thistly and weed-like, but this light blue ornamental is typically covered in bees during the summer.

By AMY GRISAK

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Planning for a fence. Simple, Right? NOT

e are surrounded by a virtually unlimited number of choices when it comes to fences. They look simple, functional and some even beautiful. The trick to getting your fence to meet your vision and function as you need it to is all in the planning, and of course, once you know what you need, buying it right the first time. Also, knowing someone that is experienced in fencing projects will help you tremendously as well.

here are a considerable number of things to take into account when planning your fence project. Clearly identify what function your fence project needs to perform. Is it to keep people or animals in or keep them out? What type & size animals or pets are you fencing for and what are their needs and abilities? Horses and cows tend to push and rub and lean over a fence (the grass is always greener on the other side). Dogs will climb, jump and sometimes dig or crawl under a fence. Deer and other wildlife will jump a fence that is too short (less than 7ft.), or even dismantle a poorly constructed fence. Also, think about maintenance of the fence and longevity or portability. Remember, with so many fencing choices, you also need to consider the look or beauty you want for your fencing project. Understanding all the basics clearly will help you when you begin to navigate the available material choices and what is ‘known’ to work best.

ext you need to literally stake or flag out a physical outline of your fence. It’s very important to know where your property lines are and you may consider coming in 6” or so inside your property line to avoid problems with a neighbor, who would have a right to make you move your fence if it’s on their property. Once you’ve determined your placement, start by driving stakes or placing flags at all corners or significant angles and gate locations. When placing gate locations it is worth while to actually measure your desired gate opening and flag it (standard gates fit an opening in even-foot increments, normally 4ft, 6ft, 8ft, etc.). Gate placement requires due consideration and normally will change during the planning process, and when you’re fine tuning the location and size.

ow you will need to measure the entire linear footage of your fence project. This will give you the total amount of fencing and materials you need. Then you can consider the price of the amount and type of material you need to fit your budget. The wide range of fencing materials available is matched by a wide range of looks and prices.

A By Bob Westin, CHS Farm & Fence Manager

ll right, take a big breath… here is a shortcut. Do a little research on the material you think you want. If you are not sure what material you want, call a fencing expert and discuss the purpose and desired look of your fence project. Don’t be afraid to give them your ballpark budget. If they are only a fence material supplier ask them for a per-foot price on materials within your choices. If they install fence as well, schedule a time for them to come out and visit with you on your site. A good fencing professional will do their best to help you make the right decisions. Good luck and remember “Good fences make good neighbors” and keep your family, pets and other animals safe and secure.

Feel free to call me for advice or assistance with your fencing project. I can be reached at CHS Farm & Fence, 755-7471, 55 4th Ave EN, next to Smith’s. We supply most fencing materials, gates & hardware for all your fencing projects.

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Health, Family & Wellness

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indful Living By Lee Anne Byrne, LCSW

I have a confession to make. Once upon a time, I considered my body to be little more than a vehicle for carrying my head around to where “I” wanted it to go. At the time I believed the head was “I”, and the body, merely a lowly servant of that great “I”. Well, well, well, was “I” WRONG!!!! My first memorable hint that “I” had been mistaken was when ALL of me began to take yoga. Here I discovered the simple, pure joy of entering a state of mindful union. (In fact, the word yoga means “union”.) This state of union between my body, mind and you guessed it, my soul, led to my beginning to learn some of the great lessons of life. Among these great lessons are how to sit in a state of peace with the uncomfortable. Another is how to fully EXPERIENCE the wonderful. Yet another is, where we place our awareness and the tone of it, makes all of the difference in the world to our experience in the moment. As it turns out, the full, vivid, effective living of life demands a mindful relationship not only to our thoughts and feelings, but to the body as well. In fact, a mindful relationship with our body is foundational to developing a well balanced and whole “I” whose inevitable roller coaster ride through life is experienced with arms waving boldly and willingly in the air as opposed to with hands clenched in a death grip on the “safety” bar. The body grounds us in our whole, bold, willing, wise self. Let’s pause here and note that being physically active, as so many Montanans are, and being mindful of our body are not necessarily the same thing. Have you ever been more focused on the content of your mind than the experience of your body as you hike or bike? Conversely, a committed couch potato can develop a terrific mindful relationship to their body. Mindfulness of our body is simply paying close, connected, inquisitive, non-judgmental attention to the body’s sensations in the present moment. We can do this on the couch, we can do it on the hiking trail, as we diaper the baby, take a shower, walk, sit at our desk etc., etc.. The powerful communicative role of our body is reflected in our language: “I had a gut feeling.” “I felt sick about it.” “My heart sang.” Aware connection to our body is an essential component to accessing vitality and wisdom in our lives.

Jodi Petlin of Shanti Yoga in Whitefish offers, “The idea is to develop a deeper and deeper connection with our body. That means the physical, emotional and energetic body. Then we can know what is going on. As we become more conscious and aware, we give ourselves the opportunity to wake up to the truth that exists within each one of us.”

There are many ways in which to do this. Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates and martial arts are examples of opportunities to cultivate connected awareness of our body. This can also be accomplished through practicing a body scan. Start at the toes and move up the body, paying deep attention to what your sensations are internally and externally in each body part. Notice if there are no sensations. Simply observe what is, without trying to change it. Practice accepting what is as information about your immediate experience. In mindfulness, apply curiosity, gentleness and non-judgment. Do this 5-7 days/week for 2 weeks to immerse yourself in developing an aware relationship to your body. Not enough time to check out the whole body? Then, practice with a specific body part such as your hand, perhaps playing with different sensation experiences via touch. Also, remember to BREATHE and pay attention to that breath. Focusing on your breath is such a fabulous way to connect with your body that I will write an entire article about it in an upcoming issue.

Becoming aware of the body is usually the most rapid way to shift into mindfulness when we notice that we have become chaotic, detached or ineffective in the present moment. Explore, experiment, play with cozying up to your body in various ways and situations. Welcome and warmly acknowledge your body with connected awareness and it will do far more for you than carry your self-involved head around. It will expand your experience of you, and of life.

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own the Rabbit Hole By Dru Rafkin Jackman, acc

Dear Coach Dru,

School days are winding down and summer is almost here. I love this time of year, and look forward to playing in the sun with my family. But, it rarely seems to go as I hope; we get bogged down with planned activities, house guests and a backlog of projects that we didn’t get to during busy school days. Frankly, I’m exhausted already. And I feel guilty for how easy I have it compared to people on the Gulf Coast, overseas, etc. Signed, Sinking Slowly in Somers…

ear Sinking Slowly, I will begin my answer to you as I usually do in this column: “I’m so glad you decided to write…so courageous of you to reach out…you are not alone in your experience…breathe.” I answer in this way not because it is my standard answer but because these things are always true:

It takes courage to ask for support, especially if guilt is part of the experience. One voice often represents many. Breathing is an involuntary bodily action but being conscious of

our breath has the effect of reconnecting us to ourselves. That awareness allows us to make better decisions, to be clear, calm, and compassionate as we return to the present moment.

Down the Rabbit Hole

The experience you describe of excitement followed by doubt and a dollop of guilt is very familiar to most of us. I often refer to it as the Rabbit Hole; a jaunty and curious peek into the future which quickly has us tumbling down into worry and guilt. We lay there wondering how we got there, how we’ll ever get out and kicking ourselves for being so hopeful in the first place. You’ve discovered the rabbit hole by dreaming of something meaningful. It’s helpful to note that we land there for other reasons, too. Ten minutes with the morning news hearing of people suffering at the hand of vicious rulers, bad planning or nature's wrath can be enough to start our tumble downward. There are days that just seem to start off poorly: a night without sleep, unruly offspring, an argument with a spouse. Our descent can begin in many ways. While in my hole I often rerun footage I have seen of fighter pilots in the cockpit pulling with all their might to right their downward spiraling planes. They groan and sweat and strain to fight gravity as their massive machines plunge toward the earth and certain death. And then I remember that it doesn't have to be that hard. I can end my downward spiral and climb out of the rabbit hole.

The Climb Out

There's a commercial which shows two men clinging to the side of an Everest-type mountain. One yells, "save yourself, leave me here" as the other protests fiercely. Tension builds as the situation becomes more deadly. Finally, a woman’s voice interrupts and the camera pulls back to reveal that they are safely sitting behind a boulder. The men smile at each other, get up and stroll toward their destination. The simple action they took to begin the ascent out of the rabbit hole? It began with a breath as they looked at one another, reconnected to the moment and were willing to hear the voice of truth. When we listen to our own voice of truth we uncover our misguided perspective and reveal where we really are. Is a pleasant and fun summer with the family truly that impossible? Are our lives truly that precarious? For most of us the answers are no, all is well. It may not feel that way and that feeling can serve to keep us from taking the action that rights our mindset and changes our experience. It takes a surprisingly small effort to bust out of the hole and see we are in fact sitting on level ground. Our ascent continues with the realization that we all want to make a contribution to the lived of others. Ironically, the mark of an effective rabbit hole is that it keeps us from seeing all that we are capable of - all we see is the hole. It can seem easier to stay put, “there’s so much I want to do for my family but just look at (fill in the blank) ________. I should just be grateful.”

Helpful Definitions

grate-ful adj. “To be thankful”. There is nothing in the definition about guilt in my copy of The American Heritage Dictionary. guilt, n. “The fact of being responsible for an offense”.

Are you responsible for _________? No. Is there a contribution you want to make to your family? To your community on a local or global level? I’m betting yes on both counts.

Take an action tied to the contribution you want to make and you will continue your climb upward. Make a concrete plan for a family outing, declare a week or a day for “family fun only”, donate a manageable amount of money or time to an organization you love. Do this and the exhaustion will melt and the excitement will reappear as you shift your attention back toward creating a sweet summer for yourself and those you love.

Good luck!

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e are what we eat, mmmmmm……… By Kiersten Alton, RPH

How many times did we hear this from our mother growing up. Now I hear myself repeating it to my children. We are what we eat. Sounds good, but what does it really mean. Obviously I don’t walk around with broccoli sprouting from my head or hooves for feet. What it means is that the health of our physical body is dependant on what we put into it. Scary thought considering the state of the American diet.

I would like to challenge everyone to rent the recent academy nominated documentary Food, Inc. It will change the way you think about food. If we are going to make the choice to put it in our mouths we should at least know where it came from, how it was raised, slaughtered and packaged. Food has become a package that you buy in the store. No wonder Type II Diabetes and Obesity are rampant in this country. So why is a carrot more expensive than a bag of chips? Watch the movie, it will blow your mind and give meaning to the bumper sticker “Do you know your farmer”. The 3 most consumed food items in the U.S. are corn, wheat and soy and they usually come from genetically modified varieties. They are in almost every processed item you can buy at the grocery store. These crops are subsidized by the government to help keep the price down. They are killing us as well by causing diabetes, obesity and heart disease. High fructose corn syrup is in so many foods now as a sweetner because it is cheaper to make than real sugar, it also raises our insulin levels much higher than sugar. In the long run the price tag for these items such as chips, sodas, pastas, and cheap fast food will be very high. The nutritional difference between a grass fed cow and a corn/grain fed feed lot cow are huge. Grass fed beef has almost as many good Omega 3 fats as a salmon. These are the fats that are good for your heart and cholesterol levels. Feed lot cows do not give us this benefit, they are higher in fat and contribute to heart disease and high cholesterol. Luckily we live in a valley with fields full of happy, fat, grass fed cows who are not standing knee deep in manure in a feed lot somewhere stressed out being forced to eat corn which their stomachs are not meant to digest. Watch the movie, I’m not making this stuff up. Every wonder why E.Coli infections are so frequent now, is it the spinach growers who are at fault? Watch the movie. The deadly acid resistant strains of E.coli that have been causing problems in our meat supply and vegetable supply are a direct result of the feed lot cows being forced to eat corn instead of grass. Does it mean I will never be seen at a fast food restaurant? No, I do love French fries. However I am making an educated choice and will eat them a lot less!

My kids are great at reading labels. Recently my 7 year old started noticing that everything says “Made in China” on it. “Mom, don’t Americans make anything?” Sadly enough even the geese on our farm are of the China variety. Recently the mega health food store Whole Foods was under attack because their own store brand of organic vegetables actually come from China. Why can’t we grow enough fruits and vegetables in California and Florida to feed our citizens. Do we have to get everything from China, Chile and Mexico? Part of the problem is that we no longer eat seasonally. Meaning, before items could be trucked in or shipped from warmer regions of the world we had to eat what was available. If we wanted strawberries in December they were either canned or frozen and you can imagine we at a lot less. Hopefully after reading this you will be curious enough to watch the movie, Food, Inc. with your children and have a discussion with friends. I guarantee it will change the way you eat, even if it is just a little bit. Luckily it is about to be Farmers Market heaven around here and we can eat fresh local fruits and vegetables to our hearts content. Knowing we are fueling our local economy, not some huge corporation and doing a big favor to our planet at the same time. Enjoy!

ips:

Drink Fewer sodas and other sweetened beverages: If you replace one 20oz soda a day with and unsweetened drink (preferably water) you could lose as much as 25lbs in a year. Eat at home instead of eating out

Children that eat at out consume on average 1.8 times more calories than those that eat at home

Meatless Mondays

Go meatless one day a week. An estimated 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States each year are given to farm animals

Protect family farms and go to farmers markets

Farmers markets enable farmers to keep 80 to 90 cents of each dollar spent by consumers

Sustainable Fashion 525 Railway, Ste 101 in Whitefish 406 333 0388

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hy am I not losing weight? By Sam Glauber

The other day my personal training client told me of an experience he had with a friend at the grocery store. My client had been working with me for a few months and had dropped approximately 20 pounds of deep belly fat. My client’s friend was shocked to see how great my client looked. So inevitably he asked my client how he lost the weight. My client simply responded with, "I just started eating healthier, working out harder and more often." His friend was shocked to hear how simple his secret to fitness was. No crazy new age diet, no cutting edge weight-loss pill, no magic cream you rub on your belly fat to make it disappear? Nope, just good eating and regular exercise. When my client told me about the encounter; I was surprised that people don’t believe diet and exercise work anymore. Have we gotten to the point where the media has inundated us with so many new and cutting-edge’ weight-loss products and gimmicks that we believe diet and excise is just out of date or old fashion? It's not hard to imagine when the average Joe, or in most cases Jane, frequently go to these gimmicks to assist them with dropping a few pounds, before trying eating healthier and working out consistently. Society is geared towards quick and easy. A full dinner in 3 minutes or less at the drive thru. Instant access to your bank account online, or the 20 minute quick lube. I don't think quicker is really better when it comes to diet and exercise. I’m all about trying to get my clients results as fast as possible but there is a limit to how fast certain things can happen. Take fat-loss for example. A good number to shoot for when trying to loose fat is about two pounds per week. That means if you want to loose 25 pounds of overall body fat, it’s going to take you about 12 weeks barring injuries or illness.

It’s the little things that most people are doing wrong that negate their progress. Things like skipping breakfast,

eating sugary high glycemic junk food and working out inconsistently. I always tell my clients that consistency is more important than accuracy. What I mean is even the best workout programs in the world will produce very minimal results if not preformed on a consistent basis. Even if your workout program isn’t that great, following the program consistently will get you the life changing results you want. Some of the most successful clients I have had are people who already started working-out before they came to see me. Now if they

weren’t sure what they should do in the gym they just went anyway. They got into they gym three times a week and did something weather it was yoga or Pilates, swimming or just sat on the bike for 45 minutes at conversational pace and peddled. It was this type of client that had the initial advantage in getting better results due to their habit of regularly exercising. I don’t have to teach them how to be consistent about fitness. My message here is simple. If you are not getting the results you want start by changing the things you know you’re doing wrong, such as not working-out enough, eating junk food, skipping breakfast and not eating enough fruits or vegetables. Taking weight–loss supplements or performing fancy and complicated exercises don't make consistent and long term differences if you are not already dialed into eating healthy and working-out at least three days a week.

Most people in this country are out of shape and overweight simply because they are doing a few small things wrong. If you start by doing the basic things you need to do to

be healthy it will lead you to a good foundation to work from and fine-tune your results. Sam Glauber is a Certified Personal Trainer at The Wave Aquatic & Fitness Center, where he works with a wide variety of clients; including those who have struggled with weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. You can reach Sam Glauber and The Wave here 406-862-2444

1250 Baker Ave. Whitefish, MT 59937

“Wine Without The Attitude”

THE VALLEY’S

Largest Selection OF SPECIALTY LIQUORS

Located on Hwy 2 in Columbia Falls (Eastside of Super One)

892-5335

Owners O’Brien & Melanie Byrd

Formerly Columbia Falls Wine & Liquor

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Special Delivery: Babies, families receive individualized care at KRMC’s Birthing Center

ince the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s Birthing Center opened in February 2008, the staff has given over 300 premature or ill babies the specialized care they needed to get the best possible start in life. Before the NICU opened, many of those tiny, fragile babies would have had to be transported to larger hospitals for care. That often meant parents had to spend weeks or even months away from home and their support systems until the babies were strong enough to be released from the hospital.

Now, babies, some as young as 28 weeks gestation (normal gestation is 38 to 40 weeks) can be cared for in Kalispell, with their families nearby. Parents whose babies are in the NiCU are provided free room and meals while their infants are in the nursery. The parents of Nolan Steven Sanders, who was five weeks premature and delivered by Caesarian section on March 6, are thankful for the care and facilities at the NICU. Because he needs help breathing, Nolan was put on a new high-tech oscillating ventilator that pulsates at up to 900 breaths per minute and is used for infants with pulmonary hypertension or severe respiratory distress. This new equipment made it possible to care for infants such as Nolan, who were not improving on a ventilator rather than having to transfer them to a distant hospital. While their first child is cared for in the NICU, his parents, Leona and Erik of Columbia Falls, are staying in a comfortable room adjacent to the nursery. “It’s been really nice that I’ve been released and I’m still able to stay here,” Leona said. “I don’t have to worry about where I’m going to sleep because it’s taken care of. It’s really nice that they allow you to stay here. I know some big hospitals don’t even offer what they do here.” They aren’t sure how long their son will be hospitalized, but they’re pleased with the care the family is receiving from the NICU staff. “It’s been a great experience,” Leona said. “They’re not only supportive of the process, they’re emotionally supportive, too. They’re very, very informative and don’t hide anything from you, and they’re putting him first. They’ll tell me what’s going on, but they fix him first.” In addition to the oscillator, other advanced treatment includes nitric oxide to treat pulmonary hypertension and a blood analyzer that can check blood chemistry through an umbilical line without poking the baby and without losing blood. Neonatologist Dr. Judy Rigby is on staff at the Birthing Center, and a perinatologist travels from Missoula twice a month to consult on patients. Telemedicine allows consultations with OB specialists in Salt Lake City without travel. Maternal ultrasound images can be viewed “real time” by the specialist and a report can be back to the referring physician the same day. Up to 11 babies at a time have been cared for at the NICU, and generally there are four or five babies in the nursery at a time. The longest

stay in the nursery has been 156 days, and the average length of stay is one to three weeks. All of the nurses have special training and many have a national certification. In addition to physicians and nurses, the infant care team includes occupational, physical and speech therapists who help the tiny babies develop and help their parents learn to care for them. Providing the individualized care each mother-to-be wants is a goal at the Birthing Center, whether the infant is a tiny preemie or a healthy full-term baby. “Our ultimate goal is sending babies and their parents home as a healthy family unit,” said Mindy Fuzesy, OB/NICU manager at the Birthing Center. “For some people, that means 24 hours, and for some it’s two months.” The Birthing Center caters to each family, providing the comforts of home and amenities including comfortable, spacious maternity suites, Jacuzzi tubs in every birthing room for relaxation during labor and a complimentary massage after delivery by a licensed massage therapist. Providing the individualized care each mother-to-be wants is a goal at the Birthing Center. One mom-to-be recently delivered her child while squatting, with her obstetrician on the floor to catch the newborn, she said. “Whether it’s squatting on the floor or an epidural and feeling nothing, that’s what we want to provide,” she said. Crystal Nielson of Lakeside opted for an epidural during labor with her son, Luke Raymond, who was born March 8. “It was great. They were very happy to get it (the epidural) for me as soon as I wanted it,” she said. “It was just a good experience overall. I had an excellent epidural. I liked the anesthesiologist very much. The nurses were great.” Luke Raymond, who weighed nine pounds, is Nielson’s sixth child, the fourth born at KRMC. “It’s been very good,” she said of her experiences at KRMC. “They’re excellent there.” Lindsay Alawine of Whitefish appreciated the pampering she received at the Birthing Center. “I hope that any time I need to visit any hospital for any reason I feel as good and as paid attention to as I was here at KRMC,” Alawine

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wrote in her evaluation form after her experience at the Birthing Center. Alawine delivered premature twins after an emergency C-section on Dec. 12, 2009 and the babies were in the NICU for four weeks. “The people were really nice,” she said. “The nurses were awesome. It was a really good experience. It was very comfortable there, especially for being a first-time mom, it was really easy.” The Birthing Center offers support to families a variety of ways, including a broad choice of classes on topics ranging from sibling preparation to a session for new grandparents. Parents can choose from an a la carte menu of classes to meet their schedules, interests and lifestyles. All classes are being offered free during 2010. The Birthing Center also tracks babies’ progress after they’re born, offering free follow-up care. Babies who have been patients in the NICU are checked every six months for three years. “There’s been really good follow-up,” Fuzesy said. “We find very few that need referral for therapy, which tells me we’re doing a very good job with our babies.”

By Mary Pat Murphy

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Kids

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Teens

Parents

am new to Montana, moved here a little over four months ago. I have lived all over the country, raised three kids, and I am now looking forward to setting some roots down and relaxing in this fabulous state. I am an educator. I work in the field of individual growth. I have worn several different hats in this role over the years,

as a high school teacher and athletic coach, a founder of an alternative school, and in the field of adolescent and young adult therapeutic care as a guide for parents making really difficult decisions for their child. All of these areas have one thing in common; they work with the transition from our early goals and life choices, to moving towards renegotiating life and coming up with a different answer, one that works for you.

In this column, I would like to introduce the subject of parenting. Addressing what it is like to live life as a parent and being responsible for a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth and development, all the while, maintaining yours. This is not an easy task as most of you know, and one that is a bit chaotic and even isolating at times. Your kids come first; to the degree they need your full attention and your wisdom. They need your consistency. They need you to be a solid rock they can bounce up against to find out who they are as they grow into adulthood. And, when they are young adults, they still need you to be that solid rock they can bounce ideas of so they can see themselves strong and capable. I like the visual of the mobile over a crib with all its colorful objects hanging down. When we enter into a family we create a system with each other and with our own kids. As the parents, we are the anchors that hold the system steady. When a light breeze comes by, the system may stir and move about in relation to each other, but the items work softly in tandem with each other.

Grandparents

This Summer

As a parent, it is our role to be the solid anchor; to know ourselves well and take care of ourselves. It is our role to balance it all, our spouse, our work, our social life, all with the intention of creating a beautiful vision of a family that is in balance, happy, and thriving. This is an enormous responsibility and we often get buried in the day to day details of juggling schedules, paying bills, remembering appointments, and struggle to be present in our role as the solid anchor in the mobile, the rock that is constant.

When we are off as a parent, unhappy with ourselves, or our partner, it shows up in that mobile. It starts to rock a little. Then add some stress from a job, and it rocks a little bit more. The point is that there are times when we are well aware as a mom or a dad, that our mobile is spinning around, feeling out of control. We can feel it, we can see the ramificationsâ&#x20AC;Ś perhaps we have a constant stiff neck, maybe a kid or two at home with a lingering cold, missed appointments, confrontations with your kids, or a pile of paperwork and bills at home that keep you awake at night. These are all symptoms of an out of balanced family system.

Once we identify we are out of balance, we can do something about it. As a parent, we can remember that anchor object in the mobile and we can dig in and create strength. We can find ways to reconnect to our own strength, our own anchors. Whether that is taking time to walk and get quiet. Clearing out time on a busy schedule for yourself and your problem solving. Enlisting family members to help. Maybe even scheduling some personal work with a professional who can give you some tools.

These are some of the things we will talk about in this column. How to be a happy, balanced adult and know our role as parents at the same time. And how to have some fun along the way!

By Denise Dryden

Whitefish Lake Restaurant Photo by: Sara Pinnell

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Food & Flavor

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WHITEFISH LAKE RESTAURANT By Steven Trent Smith

“The Golf Course.” That seems to be what diners inevitably call the Whitefish Lake Restaurant. That’s, of course, because it’s at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club, along U.S. 93 heading west out of Whitefish. It’s probably one of the oldest fine dining establishments in the Flathead. The oldest part of the building, called the Clubhouse, was opened in 1937, though construction of the actual golf course was begun in the late 1920’s. It’s probably not well known that the course—the only 36-hole complex in all Montana—is owned by the City of Whitefish, and the Whitefish Lake Golf Association. It’s also not widely known that the golf course was once the town’s airport; not before the course opened, but afterward. It must have been a pretty weird experience to be driving or putting when an airplane came in to land. There were air activities even during golf tournaments. When you walk through the front doors you find yourself in the original clubhouse section of the building. It’s an informal room with comfortable seating for eating, imbibing, or conversing. The full bar to your right is well stocked with standards, and premium labels. There is also a fine selection of beers, especially from the Pacific Northwest. Six are on tap. The club menu (available from 3:00 on) is a scaled down version of the dinner menu, with a few items not served in the main dining room, like chicken wings and onion rings. Walk around the bar and you enter the dining room, warmed in the winter by a roaring fire in a huge fireplace. The overall feeling is rustic and western; warm and inviting. Dinner service begins at 5:30.

The restaurant has a solid corps of regular customers. Walk into the restaurant any night of the week and you’ll find a convivial crowd who think nothing of table hopping to visit with their friends. And one of the most remarkable aspects of the Whitefish Lake Restaurant is its staff. Everybody in the food service business knows how difficult it can be to retain dining room wait staff. It seems like a never ending chore. But Doug Reed, the owner of the restaurant, has not had to hire a new dining room server for three years. That’s pretty remarkable—indeed, enviable (see page 35).

Doug Reed and his longtime chef, Dan Crumbaker, have created a dinner menu that harkens back to an earlier era of fine dining, with appetizers like Baked Brie in Puff Pastry, Smoked Trout, and Baked Escargot. But they’ve added contemporary touches, like the New Zealand Mussels in a delicious Thai basil curry coconut broth; and the very special Crab Cakes made with shrimp and king crab in a tomato thyme buerre blanc. It comes as no surprise that beef weighs in on the entrée menu. This is Montana, after all. I think that the king of the WLR’s steaks is the 12 ounce

peppered New York strip covered with a classic Madeira cream sauce. Ours came out perfectly rare and beautifully presented. Other beef choices run the gamut from a 5 ounce sirloin to a 16 ounce whopper of a rib eye. Four nights a week, the restaurant does a prime rib special. Other meats include a well portioned rack of Iowa lamb, jerk-spiced pork tenderloin, roast duck, a full rack of pork ribs (with a sweet Cajun rub and apple butter BBQ sauce), and herb-roasted chicken.

We really like the homey, friendly feel of the Whitefish Lake Restaurant, nestled as it is among tall pines. I can see why it’s such a popular destination.

Seafood is not neglected, with choices like halibut, giant prawns, and panko-encrusted salmon. Feeling crabby? You can get a pound of split Alaskan king crab legs to hasten happiness. The seafood linguini is chocka-block full of shrimp, clams, scallops and a healthy dollop of veggies. Four salads are available, including a classic Italian caprese, with sliced fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. This red, white and green dish hit the spot on a cold winter night—foreshadowing the warmth of spring and summer to follow.

It was Martha’s birthday, so the staff came out to sing her greetings while setting down a huge piece of the Mud Pie, lighting up the room with a brilliant sparkler. If chocolate’s your thing, go mud. We really like the homey, friendly feel of the Whitefish Lake Restaurant, nestled as it is among tall pines. I can see why it’s such a popular destination. There may be a perception that it’s a private club. But nothing could be further from the truth—it’s always open to the public. Kudos to Doug Reed and his folks for making this place special.

Whitefish Lake Restaurant

A Family Affair By: Kelly Daigle Photos by: Sara Pinnell & Alisia Cubberly

It is rare to find a restaurant that has never had to deal with the high turnover rate associated with the industry. Or a restaurant that truly considers itself a family-run business without actually being passed down through the family. The Whitefish Lake Restaurant is such a rarity in this day and age, and I can personally attest to the love the workers at the restaurant have for their jobs!

Doug Reed

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, owner, has not hired a new dining room wait staff member in three years because his staff does such an exceptional job and no one wants to leave! Take Vicki Hill for example, restaurant manager. Vicki and Doug started working together in 1987 and still maintain an excellent working relationship, 20 + years later. Doug has effortlessly maintained the longevity of his staff by just being himself, an incredibly down-to-earth, sincere individual. The Whitefish Lake Restaurant has a reputation as being the best place to work in the valley so we thought it might be fun to hear from Doug’s esteemed staff. What follows are small excerpts from the overwhelmingly positive, endearing testimonials of the staff at Whitefish Lake Restaurant.

Doug Reed- Past employee turned Owner, 23 years

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Glenn Phillips- Bartender, 10 years

We are family on so many levels. Doug is the mild mannered, calm and caring fatherly figure, Vicki is the crazy, relentless, organizing motherly type and Dan is the talented, temperamental and comically subversive eldest brother. The rest of us, that work year round, are colorful sisters and nutty brothers that make up our home. We all treat each other like family, that delicate combination of familiarity and informality mingled with concern and respect.

Mary DeVane- Server, 6 years

We spend a lot of our time laughing. You would be surprised how many little things can happen over the course of one night. A lot of our guests are like friends and family as well. We hug them when they come in the door; they are the reason we are all here.

I have done every job imaginable at the golf club; beer cart, managing, bartending, serving, hosting and the list goes on. The people are what kept me here and I am so very proud of our reputation as a great place to work. Some of our staff has been here for 20 years or longer!

Kathryn Burke- Server, 18 years

Doug McAleavey- Server, 3 years

Gretchen Moore- Server, 15 years My most recent memorable event was Doug opening his doors to have a service for my husband who passed away last year. He, Vicki and Dan took care of everything. I can never thank them enough! This is who they are and that is what makes all us want to do our best.

Vicki Hill- Manager, 23 years

My favorite times are the busiest ones; New Year's Eve, All-You-CanEat Crab Night, Christmas Eve, or any of the wonderful music nights

I do recall a night a couple of years ago when we had a band playing in the Lounge and by the end of the night, the entire staff, including Doug was on the dance floor busting a move!

Dara Barrett-Server, 10 years

The other girls and I joke that we'll only leave when our cold, dead bodies are being dragged out of the place! The guests are like family; they inquire about our pets and interests, and have been known to give us Christmas presents.

During our employee parties, he closes the restaurant and we have a ski day on the Big Mountain with nachos and beer. He arranges everything from passes to equipment to rides. Our previous employer aptly named us the ‘barracudas’, and we've since come to regard it as a term of endearment. We take great pride in what we do. Our one male server, Doug McAleavy, likened it to having seven older sisters.

Linda Ray- Server, 16 years

I joke with some of our customers who complain about it being too dark to read the menu that we have to keep dimming the lights so that they can't see how old Gretchen and I are!! When we can’t dim the lights any lower, that's when Gretchen and myself will retire! Eat your hearts out future ‘barracudas’; we have a few good years left in us!

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"How to Build a Beginner Pantry, Continued” By Kristen Ledyard from John’s Angels Catering Photo by Alisia Cubberly

Well, summer is approaching and you have an organized pantry to begin the season. That is a great feeling. Now, it is time to add just a few more products and recipes to wow your guests. I don’t know about you, but I am always having surprise family and friends visit. I really like to be well armed ahead of time so I may sit and enjoy them. Let’s start with adding a few products to your beginner pantry. Remember to add these items to your inventory list. You still want to keep up on dates and not double buy products. The summer season is a time where you can really save money with fresh products, but not stored properly, will cost you in the end.

Products to add:

Truffle oil

Anchovy fillets

Crystallized ginger

Parmesan cheese (in the fresh block is best)

Flavored vinaigrette (such as champagne or sherry) Worcestershire

Red pepper flakes

Capers

Crusty bread

Butter lettuce

Regular or heirloom tomatoes (different colors are the most fun) Fresh fruit of your choice (buy only what you will eat)

Fresh basil, cilantro, flat leaf parsley, thyme

These products will enhance your already well stocked pantry. Be sure your fruit is not stored in a sunny or warm area. You will lose the life of the fruit. Also, keep your fresh herbs in your refrigerator. Your drawers are the best place. Remember to wash your fresh products right when you get home from the grocery store or farmer’s market. Now let’s wow your friends and family with some summer time delights!

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Easy “kicked up” bruschetta Extra virgin olive oil Balsamic vinegar Red pepper flakes 1 tsp or to taste Minced or fresh garlic 2 anchovy fillets 3or4 fresh tomatoes (heirloom if you have them) Fresh basil Crusty bread Parmesan cheese (in the block) ¼ tsp. Fresh black pepper Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Slice your crusty bread and place on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and bake until slightly browned. If you have a fresh garlic clove, rub it on the slices on one side when they come out of the oven. It will add more depth of flavor. Then set aside to cool. In a bowl, combine diced tomatoes, garlic, chopped fresh basil, and fresh black pepper. Take a fork and make a paste with your anchovy fillets by mashing. This is an optional ingredient and may be left out. Just add a touch of salt to your mixture to replace the salt component in the anchovy. Now, fold everything together. Drizzle olive oil and half that amount of balsamic vinegar. Fold again. With a large spoon, place the bruschetta topping on your slices of bread. Top with red pepper flake to taste. Take a vegetable peeler and peel off slices of parmesan cheese to finish. You have a fresh tasty summer treat for your guests with not much hassle. Be sure not to give out your secret recipe!

ne ingredient that I get asked the most about is truffle oil. Many people have it in their pantry because they hear about it, but have no idea how to use it. It is a wonderful accent and enhancer of flavor to most dishes when not over used. A little goes a long way. Truffles are extremely hard to get and afford, so the oil is a great way to go. Add a bit to mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, marinades, and dressings to really bring things to a new level. The following is a wonderful easy salad dressing to add to your fresh butter lettuce and fruit.

Champagne truffle vinaigrette

1 tbsp Champagne vinegar ½ tsp Truffle oil 1 cup Extra virgin olive oil Honey (to taste around 1 tsp to ½ tsp) Salt and pepper (white pepper works even better)

In a bowl add vinegar, truffle oil, and honey. Using a whisk, slowly drizzle olive oil into the mixture until it comes together and thickens. Finish with a dash of salt and pepper. Pour over a butter lettuce cup with sliced fresh fruit. This, also, makes a wonderful light dessert.

ere is a healthy cooked option to go with your beautiful fresh salad. It has an oriental flair with items from your pantry. Break out your grill for added flavor.

Angels’ Summer Recipe for any White Fish (Tilapia, Halibut, and Sea Bass are all good options)

Marinade

1tbsp Honey Soy Sauce Pinch of Crystalized Ginger 1tsp Worcestershire Pinch of garlic 1tbsp Orange juice (pulp free) Pinch of pepper Lemon Orange

Place all above ingredients in a Ziploc including your fish of choice. Let marinade in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes and no more than 40 minutes. Otherwise, the fish will slowly begin to cook due to the acid in the marinade. Discard marinade and heat up the grill. Depending on the fish you chose, you may need a piece of aluminum foil under the fish to prevent sticking and falling apart. Cook with sliced lemons and oranges on top for extra pop. The time will, also, vary. Just look for flaky and moist fish with no sheen to the inside. Do not overcook! Serve with the fruit salad and dressing you made for a healthy flavorful dinner.

ou are ready for summer and armed with new recipes. Take time to keep up with your inventory to keep a hassle free pantry. Store things properly and check expiration dates. Enjoy your new items and don’t be afraid to do a little experimenting on your own.

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Wine....

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By Kaycee Mohl and Carole Pinnell Photo by Brent Steiner

O’Brien Byrd- owner of O’Brien’s Liquor and Wine in Columbia Falls, Montana It can be a sweltering at times during the summer. A wine that is not only delicious, but also light and has the ability to quench your thirst is important. However, if the wine is big and rich like a buttery chard, it is hard to enjoy. Big Fire Pinot Gris from Oregon is light, well balanced, has just enough acidity and a smidgen of residual sugar. It has faint notes of pear and grapefruit and the mouth feel of a medium bodied Chardonnay without the oak. When the wine is chilled, it satisfies the palate and quenches the thirst. I think we are going to see a huge explosion in Prosecco this year. Chardonnays are definitely falling off the wagon, and Prosecco is growing in popularity. Prosecco is a refreshing, sparkling wine so versatile that you can enjoy it with many different foods.

Local establishments that serve wine: Truby’s at the Meadow Lake Golf Course nestled in between

Whitefish and Columbia Falls boasts a full liquor license and a great wine selection; Truby’s is sure to please all palates and occasions. Crush Wine Bar in Whitefish has an intimate lounge setting where you can actually hear what you are saying to each other. Their wine and beer selection is one of the best around. Colin Mayer- General Manager of Ciao Mambo Italiano in Whitefish, MT… Everybody at Mambo’s enjoys sharing his or her latest wine discoveries. The wine savvy servers will be pouring the late finds from Italy and our favorite state side wine makers. Red wine is always in season and I will be seeking wine makers who are pushing the envelope with unique wine making techniques to their appellation. Wines from Charles Smith of K Vintners and Josh Grant of Straightline are sure to be on the table this summer.

Mixing it up...

The Sangranita has quickly become a favorite at Mambos. This summer wine mixer is evocative of a slushie. It is a blend of fresh fruit and a Sangria hybrid with Italy’s classic shaved Granita style ice. We also have the Briosa Limone (the sparkling lemon), this is a Granita Lemon Ice combined with Prosecco.

Emily Joy- Sales Representative for Cork Works Wine Company divulges her secrets for appreciating the blending of activities

in Montana with a delicious glass of wine. First, there are no rules! Everyone has his or her own unique preferences in wine, so go with what you like and do not be afraid to experiment. Secondly, timing is everything. I choose wine depending on the day, the food or the party.

For summer fun, throw a Spanish Verdejo, Argentinean Torrents or an

Oregon Pinot Gris in the cooler and you are set for a hot day. Inexpensive Tetra-paks (foldable cardboard containers) of wine can accompany campfire meals; nothing fancy, just easy to pack, glass-free and recyclable. For the classier evening in town red wines, that go well with BBQ hit the

Photo of Kaycee Mohl and O'Brien Byrd

The hot months of summer are pleasurable with great food, friends and the perfect drink. No matter what you have planned this summer, a glass of wine, nicely coupled with the ideal location for socializing, makes the experience even better. With this in mind, we asked local experts in the food and wine industry to give us their wine recommendations.

spot. Malbec from Argentina and Tempranillo from Spain are perfect smoky varietals for the occasion. If you are barbequing salmon or fresh caught trout, do not forget the Oregon Pinot Noir. Also, try a delectable dry Rose if you are looking for a mouth-watering combination. If you are a wine lover, tasting new wines is the best way to gain knowledge of the variety of wines available. There are wine tastings and dinners, outside events, benefit auctions and many other functions that involve wine. Wine flights offered at local restaurants and wine bars are a great way to compare flavors and regions. An incredible picnic lunch, simplicity, quality and personal preference are the key in creating this Spanish “tapas-style” lunch. Check out a great artisan deli to pick up the freshest ingredients, I suggest “Uncorked Wines in Kalispell.”

Tapas style lunch Ingredients: One soft cheese: Triple Cream Brie One hard cheese: a Spanish Manchego (ideal for longer trips) Fruit: Strawberries, Granny Smith Apple Meat: Dry cured meats such as; hard salami, spicy sopressata, Serrano ham or prosciutto Crackers or Flat Bread Spread: olive tapenade, stone ground mustard or Flathead cherry chutney Spanish wine: Red or white Pack wine in a stainless steel container; it will not take on the plastic taste of your Nalgene.

Contact Emily at www.corkworkswinecompany.com for pricing and information & Cork Works Wine Company on Facebook for upcoming events.

O’Brien’s suggestions available at O’Brien’s Liquor and Wine in Columbia Falls, MT, for the prices listed below. O’Brien’s Liquor and Wine is open Monday through Saturday, 10am-9pm. Contact O’Brien’s Liquor and Wine by calling (406)892-5335. Captain Morgan Lime Bite $18.10 Lunetta Prosecco from Italy $11.99 Big Fire Pinot Gris $12.99

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People & Places

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406 WOMAN

ecoming an Outdoors

oman

By Sammi Johnson

As a woman who loves being outside , do you ever feel that your outdoor skills need some

work? Maybe you find yourself hooking more trees than fish…or wondering if there's a better way to plan a canoe trip. Or perhaps you want to join the fall elk hunt but you don't know where to start. You're not alone. Many 406 Women found the program Becoming an Outdoors Woman. BOW makes it easier for women to empower themselves in outdoor recreation. BOW is an inexpensive outlet where many women in Montana learn to expertly back a trailer, choose a fly, shoot a gun, navigate the back country and identify native flora and fauna among many other skills. BOW is a non-profit organization with sects in 36 states, Canada and New Zealand. In North America, 20,000 women attend more than 80 weekend-long workshops annually. The BOW mantra is to provide educational opportunities for women to better understand, appreciate and take part in outdoor pursuits. No experience is necessary, as classes are supportive and cultivate experiences conductive to learning, creating awareness, making friends and having fun. Annually, BOW organizes a three-day workshop giving women access to outdoor recreational instruction from top-notch instructors to further enjoy

Montana’s natural outdoor opportunities. The workshop in Montana draws between 75-100 women. Topics include skills in hunting, fishing and non-harvest (dutch-oven cooking, rafting, etc.) Smaller, single-day Beyond-Bow classes are then spread across the state throughout the year and are more focused specialized, oneday instruction. Liz Lodman, organizational leader for Montana’s BOW chapter, has been with BOW since the beginning in 1994. In Montana, BOW is administered through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Lodman splits her duties between Boating Education and BOW. “BOW is so meaningful for so many. I’ve seen this program really change people’s lives. Women gain confidence, learn skills and can take knowledge away to inspire others in their lives,” states Lodman. “Many women are curious if a new sport like archery or fly fishing is really something they’d like and BOW makes it easy to ‘Come try before you buy.’ Equipment is included with registration and is an affordable way to test out a new hobby or skill before committing to making the gear purchase.”

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Lodman looks for male and female instructors who have a deep their own. It is also a great place for women to gather and learn on a level passion for the skill or sport and have the ability to pass along their playing field and confidently gain outdoor skills, ” says VandeVoort. Lodman praises all the instructors across the state as exceptional, expertise to the students. Instructor Rachel VandeVoort is a Flathead- based volunteer instructor with a deep-seeded knowledge of outdoor but credits VandeVoort as a “natural teacher, who with her love of flyrecreational skills and the ability to share what she knows. VandeVoort, fishing and the outdoors, is an incredible asset to the program and a role a Montana native, spent her childhood fishing, skiing and exploring model to participants.”

"Bow is so meaningful for so many. I’ve seen this program really change people’s lives. Women gain confidence , learn skills and can take knowledge away to inspire others in their lives”

VandeVoort got her start teaching a Beyond-Bow class focusing on fly-fishing at the Glacier Outdoor Center in West Glacier. The wildly popular class often attracts women from across the state to come and learn fly-fishing basics, casting and fly selection. VandeVoort is happy to help pass along these tangible skills and knows how important it is for Montana’s recreational heritage. The more people who use and enjoy Montana, she says, the more initiative they’ll take to preserve it.

Montana’s backcountry. She later became a whitewater guide and fishing guide for Glacier Raft Co. and loves the opportunity to continue similar guidance for BOW participants. “This program is amazing. It correctly identified barriers women face and provides an outdoor educational For more information about BOW in Montana check out the Montana Fish, Wildlife outlet. BOW offers classes with zero intimidation factor. BOW is designed and Parks Department at www.fwp.mt.gov/education/bow/. Call Liz Lodman at 406-444-2615 or email llodman@mt.gov to teach skills in a tangible way necessary for women to enjoy Montana on

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he Event at Rebecca Farm By Brian Shott

The sport of Equestrian Eventing is nothing new to Northwest Montana . It may be unknown to some in the Flathead Valley; that "The Event" at Rebecca Farm has become one of the largest competitions of its kind in the United States. It is one of the select twelve World Cup events hosted in ten different countries. The world’s best horses and riders will again compete in "The Event" at Rebecca Farm July 22-25, 2010, with free admission for spectators.

he sport of Eventing is best described as an equestrian triathlon with historic military ties meant to replicate what a horse and rider would go through in the cavalry. The horse and rider compete as a partnership in all aspects of horsemanship to complete the three tests as a team, with their cumulative performance determining their final standing.

Dressage is designed to test obedience and the harmony

between horse and rider. Cross-country is designed to test endurance with horses running long distances at high rates of speed. It also tests courage, boldness, confidence, and stamina of both horse and rider. Show jumping examines precision, agility, and technique while jumping over high obstacles and turning when the rider commands it. It is also a test of condition and focus after completing the dressage and cross-country phases. For twenty five years before Rebecca Farm, locals and nonlocals alike had trailered their horses to Herron Park. In time, however, the competition outgrew the grounds. The lack of additional acreage hampered continued growth. With this lack of space in mind, the

Broussard Family had long envisioned creating a top equestrian facility for not only the Northwest, but the nation. After 16 years of Eventing at Herron Park, it was time to pass the torch. After years of searching for the perfect place, the Broussard’s purchased a 640-acre parcel of land in the vast valley north of Kalispell in 2000. No time was wasted as construction of arenas, barns, outbuildings, and a show office began. Captain Mark Phillips, a world-renowned course designer, was flown in from England to design the cross-country course. The inaugural competition in 2002 at Rebecca Farm was a huge success with over 150 competitors. In 2004, "The Event" became a USEF and USEA recognized Gold Cup Series and a Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Cup Eventing competition. During the first year as a World Cup Qualifier, "The Event" drew 380 competitors, a 200 rider increase from 2003. By 2009, "The Event" had well over 500 entries with 421 of those riders competing all four days. Today, more than 15,000 spectators walk the grounds over the four days that span the competition.

Photo on left: Kelly Prather riding Ballinakill Glory at the 2009 Event at Rebecca Farm. Photo by Jill Redmond Courtesy of Montana Equestrian Events, Inc. Above Photo By: Brian Schott - Jump judges watch as a competitor at the 2009 Event at Rebecca Farm navigates the cross country course.

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Photo on left: Sarah Kelly makes an award presentation to rider Kelly Prather, winner of the 2009 Event at Rebecca Farm. Photo by Kelly Nelson, Courtesy Montana Equestrian Events. Photo on right: Three generations: Becky Broussard and Sarah Kelly, with her daughter Tommye. Photo by Jill Redmond, Courtesy Montana Equestrian Events.

Brian Schott spoke with the two women — the namesake of the Farm, Rebecca Broussard — and her daughter, Sarah Kelly, about their love of the sport and what drives them to make it all happen.

Take me back to the beginning, Sarah. How did you get into Eventing? Where did your love of horses come from? SARAH: I started riding when I was six. My mother was taking riding lessons and took me to the barn — probably because she couldn’t find a babysitter — and that was it. Horses are majestic beings. They just have this power and beauty. If you haven’t been bitten by the bug of horses, you can’t understand it. People will spend all their money on their horses and none on themselves. They bring peace. They bring calm. They also bring chaos. They bring companionship, trust, understanding — BECKY: Responsibility and empowerment — SARAH: Responsibility is a big one.

BECKY: These riders are very confident after a few years.

SARAH: I work with a lot of young riders and they often learn the hard way that they are not as good as they think they are. But even though it knocks them down a little bit, they will still came out happy and optimistic and know what they need to work on. Even when you get a blow, you still want to continue to achieve and stay in it. Where is the leap from loving horses and wanting to be around them to wanting to compete with them?

SARAH: It’s all one in the same for me, at least back then. Now it’s a little different. It’s not about the ribbons now, it’s about my relationship with my horse.

BECKY: Competing gives you something to work for, a framework instead of just wandering around the woods.

SARAH: It gives you something to go for. It sets realistic short term goals, as well as long term goals. My first Event, I fell off three times and took a half hour to get around a course that should have taken five minutes. They were beginning to send out a search party! (laughs) But I was ready to get back on and do it again. Even though there was all that heartbreak, I still wanted more. When we moved here in 1985 and I was 12, Herron Park was in its infancy. I started doing the horseshow circuit and Herron Park, but soon knew that Eventing was what I wanted to do. Horse shows were fun, but cross-country is what I love. What makes cross-country so great?

SARAH: I create a better relationship with my horse. BECKY: Don’t forget the rush, the adrenaline —

SARAH: There is always the adrenaline rush. You’re out there running at high speeds. You trust your horse. The horse trusts you. And you come off at the end of a course and remember the high points and how good it felt. I remember one horse I had been riding for years, I always felt like I wasn’t telling it what to do and I was just hanging on. But one day I ran a cross-country course and I felt that I had been making the decisions and it was amazing. It was the best experience ever. Has working with horses helped you in other areas of your life?

SARAH: Yes. It helped me grow up. I was a 19-yearold self-important person. I went to Arizona to do a very intense training session with Jack LeGeoff who was one of the most world-renowned people.

I went there by myself thinking, “Oh gosh, I’m great.” And I got down there and realized that I had three horses that were dependent on me. It was all up to me. Within two months I turned from being a rather snarky little teenager who wanted everyone to do everything for me, to being a teen who didn’t mind doing things for other people. That really made a huge difference. It changed my work ethic. And I went from being a person who got around the course to being first or second at every event. My preparation paid off. I was very lucky to ride great horses, but when I put some dedication to it and took the time I was supposed to take, the results were amazing. It is a sport where if you work hard, you do better. But it’s not about the color of the ribbon at the end of the day. It’s about how that ride was with your horse. You are competing against yourself. Do your children like horses?

SARAH: My daughter who is six was sitting on a horse when she was six months old. I’ve had some older horses that are perfect for kids. When my daughter first gets on, she is scared and then it gets really fun and she wants to go faster and jump. My son, who is four, was not as game. I would put him on and he would start screaming, but last year he asked to ride the pony back to the barn. So he’s getting more into it. I would love for them to ride, but am sure when they are on a cross-country course I will be hiding in the bathroom, much like my mother used to do. My folks loved to go to events with me as long as they didn’t have to watch. They would disappear when I was riding and reappear when I was done. How do you deal with your fear on the course, Sarah?

SARAH: When I was younger, I didn’t have fear. I was very fortunate that I never had a lot of bad falls. I had one bad fall that shook me up a lot, but

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the horse I am riding now, he knows way more than I do. I trust in that. I hit the dirt with him last year, but we both stood up and said — woops, that didn’t work. I’m doing it more because it’s fun now. It’s fun to win, but it’s just fun to ride on a horse that is good and well trained and I enjoy him. So Becky, take me back to your love of horses.

BECKY: I always wanted a horse and never had one. I loved horses, but never had the opportunity as a young woman and never got on one until I was in my mid-thirties. We lived in Jamaica for several years for my husband’s work and there was this fabulous riding school. My children rode in the afternoons and the ladies rode in the mornings. That’s the way to learn something — to do it every day. We made friends there who were involved in the equestrian world. How do you get to the point from loving to ride to running one of the largest equestrian events in North America? BECKY: When we moved to the Flathead in 1985, Sarah was doing show jumping and a little Eventing. Kathy Rush was Sarah’s first instructor and "The Event" at Herron Park was going on when we got here and we became involved in helping to organize it. We had thirty competitors for a few years and all the information in a little spiral notebook and it gradually just grew. We were lucky to have Pete Costello, one of the premier course builders, working at Herron Park for many years. At its peak, we had two hundred competitors and we were so packed in there, you couldn’t put a matchstick in between all the trucks.

How did the transition to Rebecca Farm happen?

BECKY: Well, we had outgrown the Park and Jerome and I decided to look for a piece of property and were lucky to have found one before prices went crazy. We made the initial purchase in 2000 and held the first Event there in 2002. We had Mark Phillips as course designer — and chief cheerleader. The first time I called Mark and asked him if he would come to Montana, he said, “Is that in Canada?” (laughs) I told him it was close. I remember a local reporter asked him, “What made you come here?” And he said, “Well, she asked me!” (more laughter) SARAH: Now we are only one of two Events in the west who can qualify riders to go onto Rolex or the Olympics. Before us, anyone who was Eventing had to go east if they were serious because they couldn’t get qualifying points. What’s the Rebecca Farm legacy you hope to leave behind?

BECKY: I’d like to see us as a selection trial one day — and we may even be one this year. Before every big event like the World Equestrian Games or the Olympics, you have to have all these qualifiers about six weeks before. It’s mandatory if you want to be on the team and involves about a dozen of the best riders. What are you most proud about?

BECKY: The cross-country course is amazing. We have the best footing in the country and for this time of year, that is amazing. Back east they are practically running on concrete the ground gets so hard. And if we can get the east coast riders

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over their fear of driving for a couple of days, that would be nice.

SARAH: The other thing about Eventing in the West is the social camaraderie. Everyone is friends and wishing you good luck. Even the ones who are secretly hoping you will drop a rail in show jumping are cheering for you. You feel their pain, they feel yours. BECKY: Everyone helps each other, which is unusual in a competitive sport. SARAH: As much as we like to win, we don’t want to at other’s misfortune. Sure, things happen and you feel bad, but you like to win because you had the best ride of the day.

What do you think would surprise people who haven’t come to The Event?

BECKY: Everyone who comes for the first time always comments about how beautiful it all is and that it is free and so nice to walk around. A lot of families come and it’s so easy to move around the grounds with your kids. And it’s nice from a local perspective to add to the local economy, with the hotels and restaurants, even gas stations, horse feed and supplies. It’s a huge boon to the valley. And like Sarah said — they’ll spend anything on their horses. So many of these Eventers work so hard to support their horses. Some people see it as elite sport — and it really isn’t. Plus, it’s like a party for a week. And parties are my best thing.

hat about bears? By H.O. Duncan

What about bears? That ’s the question . The one asked by visitors from out-of-state (states without bears), moms worried about backpacking kids, and campers and hikers who don’t know what to expect in the grizzly and black bear dense forests of Northwest Montana, including that million-acre playground, Glacier National Park. A few years ago, I talked a dear friend into hiking up Piegan Pass in Glacier. Despite being raised in the Flathead Valley and having visited Glacier Park, she had never been much further than just outside the safety of the family car on the Going-To-The-Sun highway. Carrie had no qualms about the physical aspects of the hike, as she was in good shape, a dedicated aerobicizer. Carrie’s concern? Bears. Hiker pal Julie and I told her we’d both been up that scenic trail many times over the years, and not once had we seen a bear. That seemed to do the trick. The day was sunny, not too hot, just right for hiking. We weren’t 20 minutes on the trail, when a speedwalking family of four passed us going the other direction. Dad was in front. “Bear on the trail,” he said as he glanced our way and kept going. Mom was right behind. “Grizzly bear. About a half-mile up. Right on the trail,” she confirmed, her breath short and her eyes wide, head turning back every few seconds to make sure the kids were still there. And as the kids passed us, Carrie, without hesitation, turned in her tracks and fell in step with the family. She had gone several yards when she glanced back and saw Julie and me standing there. “You guys, what’re you doing? There’s a bear!” Julie and I looked at each other, nodded, looked back at Carrie. “But he’s in the trail. A grizzly bear!” her exasperation with us for failing to grasp the situation was palpable. “The thing is, Carrie, we know there are bears in the park.” “Yes, but we KNOW that there is one just a ways off in the middle of the trail!” “Well sure, half an hour ago. He could be anywhere now. Bears don’t necessarily hang around. Heck, he could be…right out there,” we said, gesturing toward the dense underbrush on either side of the trail. Carrie walked slowly back to where we were standing. “So you have no intention of turning back?” “No,” we said. “Unless you really want to.” Of course, Carrie did really want to. But she also wanted to venture further into the park to behold the vistas and panoramas that can only be seen by hiking deeper along the trails that wind up and among the peaks of Glacier. Sympathetic to her dilemma, Julie and I pointed to our holstered bear sprays. We assured her that with one of us in front of her, one behind and both capable of quickdraw spray action, the likelihood of her getting eaten by a bear on this particular day was quite low. With grave concern but a decisive nod of her head, she said, “Okay. If you guys think it’s all right, let’s go.” And with that, we continued up Piegan Pass, where we never saw a bear, only some brazen marmots interested in our lunch at the top of the pass. At

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the end of the day, Carrie was not just wowed by the beauty of the hike – truly the safety clip and the right way to dispense the spray. one of the most spectacularly scenic trails in the park -- but proud of the fact Hiking with the Over-the-Hill Gang on a walk through “Bear Valley” below the visitor’s center at Logan Pass (which on family drives to the park with us kids that she’d stayed the course, faced a lifelong fear, and lived to tell the tale. my dad always referred to as the “million dollar bathroom”), I once had my G. George Ostrom, photographer, writer, hiker, climber and author of books, a spray in hand and at the ready for a good 200 yards. A number of bears had DVD and innumerable stories and articles on Glacier Park, knows a lot about been spotted in the area in the preceding days, and though bears are unlikely bears. In his book Glacier’s Secrets: Beyond the Roads and Above the Clouds, to approach much less attack a large group of hikers, it never hurts to be wary George tells of a bear encounter he and other members of the infamous Over- and alert in known bear territory. That said, I have personally never had to fire my bear spray. Nor have any The-Hill Gang had: “Suddenly we were face to face with a black bear all right, a black grizzly of my hiking friends. I have seen bears at a distance while hiking, but have bear and her cub. Bad news. She partially stood up and expelled air from her never felt threatened or been in close enough proximity where I felt I might lungs with such velocity it made a high-pitched whistle through her teeth. have to actually deploy my spray. Like having that spare tire in the trunk of This was followed by a very deep and almost soft growl as she went back on your car (or corkscrew in your purse), it’s comforting just knowing it’s there all fours. Besides my camera, I was carrying a climber’s axe and binoculars. if you need it. Began passing everything to Dean so I could get my bear spray, and still keep eyes glued to the bears….We talked softly and backed up until she relaxed and When George is asked to speak and give slideshow presentations of his started down the steep sidehill. My major thought was, Ostrom, how dumb adventures in Glacier, he likes to poke a bit of fun with his photo of a pile of huckleberry-tinted bear droppings scattered with “bear bells”. The can you get?” George believes that bear spray is the number one deterrent to preventing ubiquitous bells are sold at all tourist shops in and around the park, and one bear encounters of the too-close kind. He has interviewed dozens of people can hear a steady “jingle, jingle, jingle” while walking along the more heavily who actually averted an encounter using “Counter Assault” or similar pepper used paths, such as the Trail of the Cedars by Lake McDonald or the 5-milesprays. A healthy respect for bears, using common sense when in their long trail to Iceberg Lake at Many Glacier. There’s certainly nothing wrong habitat and, most importantly, carrying bear spray are the keys to having an with carrying bells, but it is noise that is the important thing to alert bears, enjoyable and safe experience in bear country. And per his experience above, regardless of its form. Maybe that’s why my ladies hiking groups have never it’s not enough to have the bear spray on you; it should be readily accessible. had bear problems – we keep up a steady patter of conversation. Aside: George is my dad. Stopping by his house for a quick visit before a day Bears, unless they have become habituated to humans, don’t really want hike in Glacier, I can wager with great certainty that as I leave, my dad will to meet up with us any more than we want to cross paths with them. say, as he did when I was 17 and as he continues to do now that I’m, well, he’s Those that do get too comfortable with people are subjected by rangers to adverse or aversion “therapy”, either by a well-placed rubber bullet to the in his 80s: “Wear your seatbelt and don’t forget your bear spray.” Just as you wouldn’t go mountain climbing without a good knowledge of how behind or harassment by trained dogs. Continued aggression can result in to use your climbing gear, you shouldn’t spend time in bear country without transplanting a bear to a more remote area, or in extreme cases, elimination knowing the proper way to use the bear spray. Read the directions. Practice of the bear. Fortunately for both the bear and human populations, having to unholstering the canister, know which direction the spray goes, how to pull kill a park bear has become a rare occurrence. Over the years, the policies on

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protecting both groups by discouraging open food and garbage containers and using the above techniques have proved a positive step in maintaining the wildness of the area, while allowing park visitors maximum protection. (There are times when the official stance can seem a little rigid, as evidenced by a citation some friends and I were given when we left a clean, empty, “I Love Mom” coffee mug on the tailgate of one of our campers when we went for a walk. The posted rules and regulations about what not to leave in an unattended campsite were really long, very detailed, a bit confusing and slightly over-the-top. Better safe than sorry I’m sure the thinking goes, but it did prompt me to pen a short response during cocktail hour that evening, to wit: If a bear wandered into an unattended campsite and ate the ranger who was looking around for camp violations, would the camp regs then be amended to say, "No rangers can be unattended in an unattended campsite?” Just wondering.) But rules are good, especially bear rules. A wild animal is a wild animal. You wouldn’t stick your arm into the cage to feed the “cute” polar bear at the zoo (would you?!), and there’s no need to tempt fate in the Montana wilderness, be it a national park or elsewhere.

Tyou he next time you visit bear country, remember the following rules and will most likely have an excellent time without bear altercations:

Though he’s through scaling the peaks he once climbed on a weekly basis, G. George still drives up to the park and has a walkabout on a regular basis, often on an “Over-the-Hill Thursday”. Should you be in the park and encounter George snapping photos along the trail or at the Million Dollar Bathroom, he might ask you where you’re headed. If the reply is a hike into the backcountry or more than a stone’s throw from the visitors center, he will ask if you have a bear spray. If the answer is ‘no’, he will hand you one of his (he always carries an extra with his name on it), tell you how to use it, and ask you to drop it off at the entrance station on your way out. He has done this for years, handing bear spray to young men from New Jersey hiking alone, retired couples from the Midwest, families from the bear-free, gator-laden bayous of Louisiana. And he’s always gotten his bear spray back. But why chance it? The next time you head to Glacier Park or any other northwest Montana wilderness area, take a friend who’s never been before and may have some trepidation, one who might ask, “What about bears?” You’ll just smile, pat the bear spray in the holster on your side, and say, “I think we’ll be okay.” Then follow the rules, enjoy the views, and keep an eye out for George.

Photo by H.O. Duncan

l Carry a can of bear spray, have it accessible, and know how to use it. l Hike and camp with others. A lone hiker is far more likely to encounter a bear than a group of hikers. Also, never hike at night, or in the dark. l Bears are attracted to food and garbage: Follow the trail and camp rules about properly containing food, packing it in and packing it out. l Don’t wear highly scented perfume, hair or body sprays. Save the “Eau de Huckleberry” you bought in the gift shop to wear back home. l Make some noise on the trail, especially through areas of dense brush or where sight around bends or off-trail is limited. Bear meet-ups are usually due to “surprise encounters” – something both you and the bear want to avoid.

Over the river and through the woods. Standard.

SUBARU

6219 HWY. 93 SOUTH WHITEFISH | 862-2571 www.DonKsubaru.com

Just 10 Minutes North Of Reserve On Hwy. 93

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Inspire Me Today

By Amy May

e’ve all had those days. The days when it’s hard to find a good reason to get out of bed and even harder to find a reason to be inspired. Even Gail Goodwin has had days like that. Not many, but a few.

Gail, a Bigfork resident, has made it her life’s work to inspire others. Creator of the motivational website, InspireMeToday.com, Gail seeks out the most moving individuals, and asks them to share their stories with the world. “I once heard that your net worth directly correlates to the net worth of your five closest associates,” Gail said. “I think the same can be said for your inspiration and happiness. It’s pretty hard for me to get uninspired talking to these amazing people every day.” Gail’s journey began in 2004 when she sold her ranch in the Swan Valley and moved to Nashville to manage her daughter Carly’s singing career. The duo, alongside Nashville veteran Gerald Smith, penned the song, “Baby Come Back Home.” The melody and lyrics to the tune, about a soldier’s wife, came to Gail in a dream. And it wasn’t long before the song struck a chord with fans and became a sensation on the internet. Riding the wave of success, Gail and her daughter visited more than 100 military bases in two years, performing “Baby Come Back Home” to service members in the U.S. and overseas. On a mission of thanks to the troops in Iraq, Gail and Carly arranged a 29-stop tour of American military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. On that trip, a Marine named Jesse chased Gail down and asked her for the thing he needed most – a “Mom Hug.” “He told me that he hadn’t been touched in nine months,” Gail said. “All he had was his iPod. That’s where he found motivation.” That was the moment that Gail decided to start an inspirational website and give military personnel full access. Launched in 2007, Inspiremetoday.com is one part advice column and one part databank of encouraging antidotes. Each day, the site features an article called, “Today’s Brilliance.” Each article states the author’s 500 words they would wish to impart on the world. Gail calls each author a Luminary, and includes an interview with each. In the beginning, Gail says it was “like pulling teeth,” to get Luminaries to contribute to InspireMeToday.com. But eventually word spread, and now that the website is viewed in over 130 countries, Goodwin says she never has a problem finding content. Gail has three assistants who help manage the website, but for the most part, much of her work is done on her laptop at her breakfast table overlooking Flathead Lake. Gail says she fell in love with the natural beauty of the Flathead Valley back in the mid-1990’s when she purchased the Dreaming Bear Ranch in the Swan Valley. “I’ve it for the seasons, the proximity to Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies, the ease of our airport and the spirit of the people who call Montana home,” Gail said. “I write most of my blogs in my head while hiking a trail in Montana. Nature has a

lot to teach us if we just listen.” One of Gail’s favorite Luminaries and contributors to Inspiremetoday.com is Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group and the only person to ever create eight separate billion dollar companies in separate sectors. Gail traveled to Branson’s private island in the Caribbean, Necker Island, to conduct their interview. Branson told Gail, “A critical thing is not to waste a minute of life. Throw yourself whole-heartedly into it. Don’t waste a minute and try to make a positive difference in as many other people’s lives as possible.” This past spring, one of Gail’s interviews with inspiring individuals led her to an opportunity to take part in the Cirque Du Soleil show, “Mystère” in Las Vegas. Cirque founder Guy Laliberté was also one of Inspiremetoday.com’s Luminaries. “When I came up with the idea for Cirque Du Soleil, people told me more than once that I was crazy," said Laliberté. "Crazy because they didn’t think I’d be able to pull it off. Friends supported me and the bankers thought I was crazy and even then, we still pursued it. “ Taking part in “Mystère,” Gail played the part of a Palmier, or a Palm Tree. From all of Gail’s interviews and relationships with these luminous individuals, she says there’s one thread connecting them all. Each lives with an incredible sense of gratitude for life, which helps keep them grounded. “It’s hard to get uninspired when you do this every day,” Gail said of her work. “I’m like a sponge. I feel like I can fly. And I want this to be there for everyone.” Gail’s next dream is to execute the Global Hug Tour. Gail and her husband Darrel, a pilot for NetJets International, plan to visit 50 locations across the world, giving hugs -- both physical and metaphorical, to individuals and communities in need. At each location, Gail hopes to build a local “Hug Tribe” prepared to help her in dolling out the embraces. At each location, funds will be donated to a local non-profit. These funds will be raised through GlobalHugTour.com, where individuals can donate a hug for $10. According to Gail, two “hugs” can provide schooling to a child in Cambodia for one year. And 100 “hugs” can provide one openheart surgery in India. Gail is currently working to find sponsors or contributors to help make all the donations for the Global Hug Tour go directly toward the nonprofits. She hopes to have the tour underway by the end of2010. “I’ve always been a gypsy,” Gail said. “If I could do anything in the world and I knew I could not fail, I would want to give everyone in the world a hug.”

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Seven Inspirational Tips from Gail Goodwin to Make Your Life Rock! 1) Be grateful. No matter where you are in life, find something to be grateful for. When you are grateful you open the floodgates to allow more goodness into your life.

2) Live inspired. Just like you feed your body each morning, remember to feed your mind, heart and spirit with inspiration. When we are inspired, we remember our magnificence and know that we have the power to be, do or create anything we desire. 3) Understand the power of focus. If we receive more of the things we focus on- then focus on the good things in life. Focus on what you want, not what you don't want. Focus on faith instead of fear and where you're going instead of where you've been. Today's focus will be tomorrow's reality.

Goodwin, with her husband, Darryl Slattengren, and Sir Richard Branson on Branson’s private island, Necker Island. Goodwin calls her interview with Branson, one of her favorites

4) Act now. Take steps toward your dream even if you don't know HOW to make it happen. Knowing WHAT you want and WHY you want to make it happen are much more important than knowing HOW to make it happen. Just take the first step and allow the rest to line up for you. 5) Surround yourself with excellence. Just as in Nature, we grow better when we're surrounded by sunlight and nurtured with love. Fill your life with people who support you and your dreams. Weed out the naysayers and negative influences in your life and replace them with mentors and positive influences.

“Goodwin, in costume as a ‘palmier’ or palm tree for her guest performance at Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas.”

6) Dream BIG and Embrace Crazy! Don't let the size of your dream be determined by how big someone else can dream. Dream YOUR dream and make it happen. If someone tells you, "That's crazy", that just means you're following your passion and you're on the right track! If you're not a bit scared, you're not playing big enough.

7) Love is all there is. Love one another and give to others with no expectation of receiving anything in return. Share love in the form of your time, talents and treasures and give back to the world with love. Find a way to share your love to make the world a better place.

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Living Green

new fashion experience has entered Whitefish.

Ethos Paris has established itself locally and brought eco friendly, socially responsible fashion to town. Their look is trendy and cool while remaining loyal to a “holistic”, environmentally conscience approach to fashion. Check out the following article published in the Examiner. com, and learn more about the chic women that started Ethos, and their green ideas behind their creation.

The green fashion movement is growing. Designers and labels address various elements of eco and social responsibility, some more comprehensively than others. Taking what appears to be an unusually holistic and detail-oriented approach, Ethos Paris operates by a formal charter outlining the company’s mandates, values, and objectives, not only for traditionally green ideas like sourcing organic materials and eco-friendly manufacturing, but for a whole range of business, trade, sustainability, vocational, and educational practices. In themselves, these would make for an attractive company doing business in a beneficial manner. Without generating stylish, durable and fashion-forward apparel, however, Ethos would be another NGO and not a Paris fashion house. With apparel being retailed out of some 200 stores across Europe, and a growing presence in the States that Portland saw punctuated last fall with an impressive showing at Portland Fashion Week, this fact has never been lost on Ethos Paris founders Ann & Leslie Leroux. I looked into some of the principles & practices underlying Ethos' way of doing business, and got a chance to ask Leslie Leroux some questions about the evolution of Ethos Paris and its comprehensive approach to business, and fashion.

Examiner.com: What first turned you on to fashion?

Leslie/Ethos Paris: We didn’t really choose fashion per se. We wanted to create an alternative business model in an industry that we felt (and still feel) needs change. ... My Mother and I are both creative and the idea of designing clothes didn’t intimidate us. We also wanted to deal in products of first necessity: food, shelter, clothing… and thus decided we would create a line of ethical garments; ethical meaning socially and economically sustainable, and… ecological. Today, Ethos Paris is a fashion house with great designers (Johanna Riplinger and Katrin Serres Berrisch) and fashion is our passion! Examiner.com: I’m a believer that market-based advocacy is one important way to succeed in greening the fashion industry. The physical garment itself appearing on the rack might be close to the last step in the business cycle, but the fashion appeal of it is still first in the minds of most consumers. Do you have any feeling about how much of your business is coming from consciously ecominded retailers & consumers, and how much is just people and buyers saying “wow that looks 'delicious!'” Designer Johanna Riplinger works with Ethos Paris partners in India. Photo: Leslie Leroux Leslie/Ethos Paris: In the beginning, all of our customers were eco minded consumers, many of them consciously purchasing a maximum of their needs from ... eco and fair trade sources. We knew that we could always count on these buyers as long as we kept to our goals regarding sustainability. But our real challenge was in getting mainstream retailers to try our products alongside the popular brand names and styles. We had to have a product that could

withstand comparison on style, quality and price, and then bring in the big plus of eco-fair trade as a clincher.

Examiner.com: What can people look forward to finding on the racks this Spring from Ethos Paris?

Leslie/Ethos Paris: We really love dresses and feminine tops! At least 15 different tops and 10 dresses are included in each collection. Most of our women’s styles are designed to bring out a woman’s femininity which make the designs very “à la mode”, fun and sexy. You’ll also see our more classical line that includes slacks, button down shirts and jackets. Even though the fabrics are diverse, from light flowy voile to structured cottons, the collection is very comprehensive, created for maximum mixing and matching. We even have a line of herbal dyed prints that matches up with the solids – super eco!

Setting out in 2002 with fair-trade in mind, the Lerouxs initially recognized what they felt was an absurd distinction being made by many companies between fair-trade and green initiatives. In a traditional definition of “fair-trade,” companies who ensure that suppliers & growers providing their raw or processed materials are being paid fair prices and wages meet the definition. In the case of growers & processors of natural fibers and textiles for apparel, it made little sense to the Lerouxs that “fair-trade” labels could be applied while simultaneously selling and encouraging the use of toxic pesticides and chemicals, promoting unsustainable practices that damage the land and local ecologies, poison water tables, and expose producers & their families to all the associated health risks. With this in mind, the Lerouxs set out with both fair-trade and organic standards woven into their business model. Photos courtesy of Ethos

Go into Ethos and see for yourself the delectable creations that these intelligent and eco savvy women, Leslie and Ann Leroux, have created. We are fortunate to have such a remarkable and hot fashion source in our fine little town. Ethos Paris Boutique 525 Railway, Suite 101 Whitefish MT 59937

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Art & Culture

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406 Woman

By Amy May

t’s a dream many artists have—to own an art gallery and sell their work. The dream often seems overwhelming and impossible to realize. But six Flathead Valley artists are now pinching themselves after tweaking the dream just a bit.

They managed to turn their hopes into reality by teaming up and pooling their talents. Coming to the understanding that owing an individual studio, gallery or shop was too expensive and time-draining, the women joined forces to create an artisan cooperative in Bigfork called Persimmon. Last year, local artists Signe Ensign, Linda Ensign, Wendy Anderson, Deliah Albee , Jill Gotschalk and Callie Hulsander-Cooper found a space to collectively highlight their individual art including ceramics, jewelry, water and acrylic paintings and wearable artwork. “There’s no way we could each afford a space of our own,” said Wendy. “This is the one way we could own a gallery and still have time to create art.” The women met after years of working the same art fairs around the state. While having lunch one day, they decided to team up and create an artist’s co-operative in Bigfork. Jill and her husband owned a building on Electric Avenue and decided the main floor would make the perfect space for a gallery. With each member of the co-operative

Cooperative Artists Realize Dream at

Local Artisans Are All For One.

Bigfork’s Persimmon Gallery

doing volunteer shifts at the gallery every week, they’re able to keep it staffed without a payroll. Each founding member keeps the profits of their sales with the exception of five percent, which goes back to the gallery. Persimmon also features revolving local consignment artists.

“I mean, we’re still friends, so that says something,” said Wendy laughing. “I think we probably like each other even more now. We’re like a big funky family.”

“Being moderately priced, many people come in to look for gifts for others,” Callie added. “People comment on the energy of the gallery along with the use of color. It has a really great feel and flow.” Despite the down economy, the co-op members say business has been better than expected. The women have even managed to expand their gallery by featuring local consignment artists, renovating the space and offering classes. With workshop space behind the gallery, Signe and Deliah teach classes in jewelry and painting retrospectively, keeping foot traffic constant throughout the year. Even with the gallery’s success in business, the women agree that their biggest achievement in their first year was building strong relationships with each other. “I mean, we’re still friends, so that says something,” said Wendy laughing. “I think we probably like each other even more now. We’re like a big funky family.”

Persimmon opened for business at the Bigfork Art Walk in 2009, and in its first year, the gallery won the Best Art Gallery in Bigfork award and the 3rd Best Art Gallery in the Flathead Valley award, according to the Daily Inter Lake newspaper. With more than a dozen other art galleries in Bigfork, Callie says Persimmon’s appeal comes from its wide array of colorful and vibrant art and affordable prices, with items ranging from $5-$1000. Customers can find anything from Persimmon Gallery is located at 537 Electric Ave. simple beaded earrings to ceramic decorative in Bigfork. Store hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday tiles, pottery bowls and colorful acrylic through Saturday. Persimmon Gallery can be canvasses. contacted at 406-837-2288.

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esse spends as much time as she can scouring thrift stores, sifting through antique warehouses, or in garage sales finding the recycled items she uses to build her pieces. Old photographs, vintage storybooks, and the summerset collection catalogue inspire her. She also looks to Etsy, the online store to buy and sell all things handmade, for inspiration and supplies. When Jesse is not creating her whimsical pieces, she could be found working downtown at Sappari Boutique, spending time with her two kids, Emily 9 and Jasper, 3 and or having a glass of wine with her husband of 15 years, Pat. Jesse’s ultimate goal is to share her creations throughout the country and create coherent gallery show to share her joy of creativity and storytelling through recycling. Her art can be purchased at Sappari, Hunter and C.O. and through Jesse at pclark@aboutmontana.net.

Big Jessie’s Contemporary Folk Art and Fine Shrines By Hope Kauffman Photos by Sara Pinnell

Peeking inside Jesse Rosier’s food pantry (turned studio) one may spot a crown clad Mona Lisa, a bowling pin turned doll, or a portrait paired with tiny copper wings. Stacks of tattered picture books and old maps lay among sparkling shards of crystals. Warped iron sits atop of the collection of ephemera Jesse has so lovingly gathered. Jesse uses each individual piece to create her revolutionary assemblage sculptures that are, in essence, three-dimensional collages. Each one of her creations is completely unique and one-of-a-kind. Jesse combines new age design with a bold vintage edge to create fanciful quirky sculptural collages. She combines blocks of history, bringing items together that that may otherwise never have met to tell a new story. Rosier began creating her assemblage sculpture after scrap booking for many years. She wanted to take her love of collage to a larger level and began making shrines with the help of her husband Pat’s woodworking skills. Jess then moved to smaller pieces and also created functional sculpture in the form of jewelry holders and frames. Her art soon morphed into her current assemblage sculpture, with each piece possessing its own unique personality.

completely unique and one-of-a-kind.

Each one of her creations is

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Arts Work!

By Marti Ebbert Kurth Photos by: Alabastro Photography ©

What’s the picture in your head when you hear that someone will be performing a dance set to “classical Baroque music?” Don’t you think of ladies with bouffant hairdos, outrageously uplifted bosoms and over emphasized butts? Well, that’s the first image that pops into my mind.

But thank god, women’s liberation took hold of our world about 35 years ago, and now when a trained dancer--a woman firmly engaged in the year 2010-- choreographs a dance set to “Classical Baroque Music” it ain’t gonna look like a Marie Antoinette party!

This woman of whom I speak is Karin Stevens and she will bring her interpretation of classical Baroque dance to the Flathead Valley this summer when her Seattle-based company performs at “Well modern dance is only about 100 years Festival Amadeus on August 7, in Whitefish. old and even though you more often see dances Karin is staging “Harmony of the World,” a dance composed to contemporary music, most all of the set to an 18-piece string orchestra comprised of famous choreographers, such as Martha Graham orchestra musicians from the weeklong Festival. and Mark Morris, have created dances utilizing She describes the choreography as “spanning classical orchestra music,” she explains. the Baroque to the 20th Century,” thus you can The repertoire that she and John Zoltek, Music assume that for this performance the costumes Director of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale will be derived from spandex and bare skin rather and Festival Music Director, have selected for “Harmony of the World” is somewhat eclectic, than bone corsets. mixing old world musical styles with new. It Trained as a classical ballerina with the Pacific ranges from the Baroque era of Bach and Vivaldi, Northwest Ballet, Karin completed a B.A. in to Mozart’s classical style and finishes up with dance from the University of Washington 1999. 20th Century composers Greig and Corigliano, In 2003, she was awarded a full scholarship and with the finale being the iconic work, “Hoedown” teaching assistantship for the Mills College (CA) from Copland’s ballet, “Rodeo.” MFA Dance program. While there, she fell in love with modern and improvisational dance and “Karin is a dynamic modern dance formed the Oakland Dance Encounter, where she choreographer who has a major collaborated with local composers and performed interest in interpreting the nonin many Bay Area venues.

narrative classical music repertoire.

Karin explains that the title for the concert was inspired from the Vivaldi piece they will perform, “L’Estro Armonico” which translated loosely means, “Harmonic Inspiration.” And that work seems to describe her dance building process as well. “I start (choreographing) with improvisation, then see what thematic ideas come out of it. I listen to visual images in the music. What does this piece say to me? Does it have struggle or is it carefree? I don’t try to mimic movements to the score but rather pay close attention to its structure and phrasing and find a new layer in the music which But the Northwest called her back, and in I express in the movement,” she continues. 2007 she and her husband returned to Seattle, Doesn’t sound much like the stylized, formal where she formed Karin Stevens Dance (www. movements of Baroque dance, which was the karinsevensdance.com) and landed the “dream “clear stylistic ancestor of classical ballet" job of my career” as Dance Curator for the (according to Wikipedia) does it? Fremont Abbey Arts Center. Karin says she is especially excited about coming I asked Karin if it was somewhat unusual for to Montana to perform with Festival Amadeus, as a ‘modern’ dance to be set to Bach and Vivaldi? she has fond memories of childhood train trips

from Seattle to Whitefish for ski trips with her parents, Bill and Kay Burg. “My dad grew up in Montana, and my folks retired to Whitefish a few years ago. So bringing this dance performance to Montana is a chance to share my art with their new community as well as my family,” she says. One challenge for Karin will be organizing her six dancers onstage around the 18 stringed instrument players. She has performed solo and in duets with live musicians, but says this is going to be a whole new logistical experience. And it will be a new creative adventure for John Zoltek and the Festival Amadeus musicians as well. Maestro Zoltek says his chance meeting with Karin a number of years ago planted the seed for this collaboration. At that time he viewed her solo performance to J.S. Bach’s Cello Suite no. 1, a work she has reconfigured for four performers and will be including in this summer's show. Zoltek recognized that Karin’s talent would add an interesting, new dimension to the Festival, which is in its third season.

“Karin is a dynamic modern dance choreographer who has a major interest in interpreting the nonnarrative classical music repertoire. It seemed like Festival Amadeus 2010 was the appropriate time to delve into this venture. I’m certain that the result will be inspiring and unique, appealing to lovers of both music and modern dance,” he says. In an era where “Dancing with the Stars” dominates the pop culture scene, “Harmony of the World” set to live classical music, offers a refreshing dose of substance and grounding. And a nice view of harmony between the ages!

View the complete Festival Amadeus 2010 calendar on the Website www.gscmusic.org. Concerts will be held in Whitefish and Kalispell this year. Call the GSC for a brochure and tickets, 257-3241.

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Shop Talk : MkLaren Text and Photo by: Lori Grannis

n any given

afternoon, business owner Julie Hilley may be crouched down on the floor perusing shoe samples alongside passing salesmen, creating snappy fashion displays, or helping someone pick out a new summer wardrobe from among the many brands found at her chic fashion store on Higgins. MkLaren women's clothing boutique opened two years ago, after Hilley decided she wanted to join the retail fray, and looked into the kind of business that might do well in Missoula. "While on my way to a friend's wedding in Billings, I stopped in Bozeman to do a little shopping," she remembers. "I walked into my favorite shop, Meridian, browsed, then inquired why the Meridian in Missoula had closed, and asked if it would ever come back." Once a women's clothing outlet in the Southgate Mall Meridian was, for a time, a Missoula institution. So when it closed doors in 2000, it left many fashion-forward locals to scramble for other wardrobe sources. Meridian founder and franchise owner Andi Bennett talked with Hilley, and said she may be interested in franchising a store in Missoula once more, provided it had a different name. MkLaren, at 124 North Higgins Avenue, is a rebirth of Meridian in Missoula, according to Hilley. Formerly a marketing publicist for the Missoula Children's Theater, Hilley sought a career change that could carve a niche for her in an industry she loved. Fashion retail sounded appealing, she says, and having her own store would be a dream come true. "I did a lot of research on what I thought the town needed in terms of fashion, and I kept coming back to the fact that most women in the state knew the Meridian name and what it stood for," she says. On the whole, Hilley says she thinks Montanans tend to be "shopping deprived" compared to other states. That sets up shoppers to be extremely "loyal" to their favorites. Among hers, "Cherry Tree" in Kalispell, "Village Shop" in Whitefish, and "Meridian" in Bozeman, fit the bill in a time when Missoula was devoid of choices. When Hilley approached Bennett two years ago, both women agreed that Missoula was ready for the Meridian concept once more. "You have stores like Nolita, Laurel Creek and others here, and each has such a distinct offering and personality, they all seem to cater to a different clientele," she says. "Meridian encompasses a broader demographic, and MkLaren by Meridian definitely does."

The concept of Meridian is laid out in a kind of visual branding that leaves a very distinct impression. Fashion-forward with the latest brands, it's contemporary women's fashion bundled into a total shopping experience, she says.

Prior to moving to Missoula in 1999, Julie and husband Tom Hilley

lived in Bigfork, and owned Garden Bar and Wild Deli. They currently own Sean Kelly's and Stone of the Accord. Though neither was a stranger to business ownership, Julie Hilley says she was will completely unanointed in the area of retail. "That's why I chose to become a part of Andi Bennett's franchise family - the longevity and expertise she had in fashion retail was amazing and I could never have learned all that I have in two short years on my own without that kind of mentoring," Hilley says. "You really have to know what you're doing to make a go of this business and I wanted to assure my success." For Hilley, that means buying trips alongside more seasoned retailers, who have taught her to manage inventory on a budget. "We go to market all together and we buy similar things, but each store is owned by a different woman, so there is also a uniqueness and individuality reflected in our selections," she says. "It's all about offering people more choices." The challenge of thinking outside the retail and fashion box, says Hilley, is part of what makes a good buyer. "You have to consider things you don't like, every bit as much as things that you do," she says. Hilley carries a lot of the usual hot fashion suspects, such as jeans from 7 for all Mankind, and True Religion, but she also carries brands like Rich & Skinny, Paige Premium Denim, Michael Stars, Marc by Andrew Marc leather and dresses, Susanna Monaco dresses and tops, and Riller & Fount. "We carry brands that may seem obscure to some, but true shoppers know," says Hilley of the collections found at her tony downtown shop. Meridian boutiques, or some permutation of the original name, such as "MkLaren," can be found in Bozeman, Billings, Minneapolis and Missoula, but more are slated to open, she says. Lori Grannis is a local food, lifestyle and fashion journalist. She may be reached at: llgrannis@gmail.com Visit MkLaren at 124 North Higgins Avenue Missoula, MT 59802 or call at (406) 829-3501.

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Shop Talk : Sprouts

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By: Kristen Pulsifer Photos by: Hope Kauffman

onday morning,

I entered Greskos to meet my 8:30 interview. Aside from the lovely aroma of the delicious baked goods awaiting my attention at the counter, I noticed the familiar scent of lavender as I approached Kelly Marchetti, the owner of the children’s clothing boutique, Sprouts, located in downtown Whitefish. This scent also infuses her lovely shop and brought vividly to mind the entire sensory experience I have every time I enter her store. Sprouts is a charming children’s boutique located at 216 Central Ave. The shop is filled with stunning children’s clothing, made up of vibrant colors, stylish patterns, and soft materials. There are even a few charming birds that quietly chirp from the back of the store to draw you in further. It is every grandmother’s gift buying haven, and every mother’s desired place to shop when they want their children to look stylish, yet fun, and age appropriate. The entire Sprouts experience is calming, pleasant, and …. infused with the scent of lavender. After Kelly graduated from the University of Montana, Missoula, she moved to Whitefish and began working for Nancy Svennungsen, the previous owner of The Village Shop and Indigo Creek. While Kelly managed Indigo Creek for Nancy, she became pregnant. As she prepared for the birth of her first child, Kelly watched Whitefish’s only specialty children’s clothing store, Little Tikes, close its doors after 20 years. After the birth of her first daughter and the realization that there was no longer a fun, local place to shop for quality baby and children’s clothing, Kelly applied her experience in store management and fashion merchandising and began creating her own world of suitable and stylish children’s clothing. Kelly’s children became her true inspiration for her store and the products she stocked. She wanted a place where mothers could find stylish, upscale, children’s clothing that was exclusive and different. Out of this inspiration and local need, Sprouts was born.

Sprouts fills a niche that no other store, locally, fills. Sprouts carries soft cotton brands such as Baby Lulu, Appa Man, Mimi & Maggie, Rabbit Moon, Feather Baby, and Blabla. These boutique brands are not mass merchandised and offer selections, colors, and styles that are truly unique. When asked if stores like Target create competition for Sprouts in this ever changing economy, Kelly responds, “No! I actually consider myself fortunate to have Target right up the road. They make my job easier in that I can specialize in the boutique brands that are not commonly found.” Kelly feels Target, and stores alike, allow her to do what she wants to do without direct competition. She is able to focus Sprouts on different and delectable clothing, and has a truly successful specialty boutique that does not need to focus solely on wardrobe necessities, such as basic t-shirts and socks. July is the fourteenth anniversary of Sprouts. Sprouts opened in the back of the luscious shop, Sage and Cedar in downtown Whitefish. Then, as Sprouts grew, Kelly realized she had a thriving children’s boutique that demanded more space, so she began looking at other options. Sure enough, the location on the corner of Central Avenue and Third Street, now known as Copperleaf Chocolates, was looking for a new inhabitant. Kelly took a risk, moved in, and continued to prosper in her new space. As time passed, the new owners of Kelly’s space made plans to establish their own business in the Central and Third location. Kelly moved again, to her present location at 216 Central Avenue. With each move, Sprouts continued to flourish and carry more and more stylish clothing and exclusive merchandise. Sprouts is a delightful store. It is easy to find fresh, hand-picked gifts, and comfortable, yet hip clothing for ages newborn to ten. Kelly does a superior job selecting cool, modish clothing that mother and child will have a blast buying and wearing. Come visit this fashionable Whitefish treasure and find a place where mothers can shop with their children and actually agree on what to buy! Visit Sprouts today at 216 Central Ave., Whitefish or call at (406) 862-7821

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Shop Talk : Sappari

By: Hope Kauffman Photos by: Sara Pinnell

hen wandering through the Iron

gate into Sappari on Central Avenue in Whitefish, one may never be sure what to expect. Hand-stitched parasols perch on rafters as glass bottles wink from every corner. The room sways with billowing curtains as dancing bells chime and reflect in rows of mirrors. Glimmering chandeliers light the spaces that are not touched by streaming in rays of fresh sunshine from the ample skylight. Sappari is a treasure hall filled with exotic dreamy items that cannot be found anywhere else. The boutique has a rich history and colorful foundations that lead it to be an icon of Whitefish and a local favorite. In 1980 Rita Rayhill, co-owner of Sappari, had just graduated with a degree in Environmental conservation. However, instead of marching into the wild unknown, Rita began a journey of cultural preservation- starting a vintage clothing, antiques, and collectables shop called Ramblin’ Rose in Whitefish, Montana. Soon after opening, her success allowed her to move downtown to Central Avenue, the current home of Sappari. Inspired by her new location, Rayhill began to revamp Ramblin’ Rose and carry new clothing, exotic imports, as well as, jewelry and accessories. With all of these changes she also chose a new name: Sappari, a Japanese word meaning new, fresh, crisp, and a sense of well being. In 2000, twenty years after Ramblin’ Rose first opened and moved to Central Avenue, Rayhill decided it was time again for a change for the boutique. This new beginning came in the form of a partner, Connie Hendrick, a casual acquaintance turned life long friend and business partner. Connie had studied visual arts in college and plowed away at several desk jobs before joining Rayhill in revamping Ramblin’ Rose. Four years before they teamed up she had returned to college to pursue a business degree with two small children still at home juggling motherhood and studies prepared her for the work with Rayhill to reinvent the boutique. With the new team of Connie and Rita, whose buying style is immaculately matched making the transition to partnering extremely easy, the store began to grow and evolve even more. Sappari carried not just clothing and imports but began to sell furniture and home décor while expanding their already overflowing inventory of jewelry, clothing, and accessories.

Ten years after the partnership, Sappari celebrates great growth and success and this summer is reinventing their image yet again; remodeling the store creating spacious more shop friendly areas as well as beautiful new shelving for exploration. The store will continue to carry its chic contemporary clothing; designer jeans, as well as its hand knit imports, great handbags, and furniture. It will also continue to house heaps of glittering jewels and gems from local designers to global brand names. They will continue to embrace trends while staying eccentric and whimsical. Although Sappari has urban edge and funk it bears down-home prices and aims to serve locals. “ We are a local shop, Every time we buy we ask ourselves, can we afford what we are buying? Would we buy this for ourselves?,” says co-owner Connie. Their local-global minded business skills have created their success. Sappari has been recognized with “Best of Whitefish,” awards for “Best Place for Women to Shop,” and “Best Place to Find Gifts” awards and is very grateful for each customers support. Not taking it for granted, they are extremely honored and always strive to be the best store they can be. Connie and Rita love going to work everyday. They get to be in a place with beautiful unique items in a fun relaxed atmosphere working with employees that are like family and customers who are friends. Co-owner Rita notes, “We love going to work because we know our customers, working is just chatting with friends. That’s the best part of our job.” The employees are a large part of the success of the store. The ladies say, “We are surrounded by artists and individuals.” Each employee adds one more sunny element to an already glowing atmosphere. Connie and Rita are also inspired everywhere they go; from Turkey and Greece to their frequent pilgrimages to Los Angles and Denver, world culture influences their changing style and growing tastes. Sappari never strays too far from its foundation always staying colorful, fresh, and eclectic no matter what the primary influence. Visit Sappari today at 215 Central Ave. Whitefish or call at (406) 862-6848

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Shop Talk : Amore Salon

By: Hope Kauffman Photo by: Brent Steiner

ntering the Salon you are greeted

by a welcoming smile, coffee, and ushered to your own deliciously suede chocolate chair beside a warm fire. The salon is a mix of masculine and feminine influences from the cove ceiling, crown molding, and track lighting, to iron mirrors suspended by heavy chain, Italian tile, and granite countertops. Each corner has something texture and detail to be explored and appreciated. The natural elegance of the beautiful space creates a relaxing romantic haven for every client as well as each staff member. Its no wonder Amore was voted Salon Today’s Salon of the Year in 2009. The talented team of over twenty independent contractors is educated in hair shaping, highlights, color, hair extensions, massage, spa treatments, manicure, pedicures, skin care, makeup, reflexology, body waxing, as well as wedding and special occasions. Amore offers a world-class atmosphere for down-home prices treasuring its local customers and rather than depending on tourism for business. Creating Amore is a lifelong dream for owner Tracey Anderson and her husband Devon. Tracy supervises over twenty independent contractors; she notes, “Being an independent contractors allows each person takes ownership for herself and her career.” She sees her staff as a team and focuses on team building with activities each month such as laser tag or oldfashioned saloon photo shoots. Tracy also sees her role as being an inspirer and a career advancement leader. Tracy and her team travel to shows in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami in order to have the best training available.

Amore is not only a success story for Tracey, it is also an inspiring journey of friendship for Tracey and Carolyn S Carolyn, former owner of Bella Salon in Kalispell, is now independent contractor, mentor, and life-long friend who joins Tracey’s team after 20 years of journeying through personal and professional life with Tracy. Carolyn and Tracey met over 20 years ago waitressing at Black Angus Steakhouse. The self-proclaimed “young and rogue” waitresses shared many memories in youth before Carolyn moved to Alaska. The friends kept in touch and soon Tracey called Carolyn telling her she was going to beauty school. Without a moment of hesitation Carolyn replied, “I’m going with you.” Taking a leap of faith, she left Alaska that year and went with Tracy to embark on a new adventure. The ladies graduated from beauty school in 1996 with an excitement and invigoration for hair. Although they had passion, they still needed years of experience before they could open their own salons. After working at salons around the are for many years Carolyn created Bella Colour Salon in Kalispell, which she recently sold. Since then, she has moved to Amore as an independent contractor to be a mentor and friend to Tracy. Tracey sees Carolyn as a peer who she can share the hardships of being a successful entrepreneur, manager, and businesswoman and can share with someone who has experienced what she is going through. The ladies note that their wild youth was fun but “these are the golden years.”

Visit Amore at 35 Fifth Avenue West, Kalispell, MT 59901 406.755.5513 www.amore-salon.net

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Laser treatments done by Whitefish plastic surgery's, Patty Dobis and Aestheticians, Jene Morrison and Missy Vance

Professional Profiles

Meet Sharon, New Image Concepts Dynamic Treatments, Visible Results, Beautiful Skin at Every Age

8000 HWY 35 SUITE 5, BIGFORK, MT. 406.837.1464

ach decade of our lives have different joys, struggles, and brings a whole new layer to ourselves. It's life, it’s aging, and it’s beautiful. Along the way we try to take better and better care of ourselves and our skin is part of that process; keeping healthy inside and out. LED Light Therapy also works in layers, from the inside out, and works on different levels to treat varying skin conditions. It uses light to smooth away scars and cellulite, zap acne, and even reverse the effects of sun damage. Owner Sharon Tillett of New Image Concepts has added LED Therapy to her list of facial skin care treatments. “I’ve been researching light therapy for two years, looking for the safest, most effective LED treatment out there. I’ve found it.” Light Emitting Diodes (LED) offers a noninvasive treatment. It stimulates collagen and elastic production, kick-starting the skin’s own regeneration process. For acne-prone skin the Blue light therapy uses a specific wavelength to spark the development of free radicals which attack acne-causing bacteria.

The Red light therapy uses another specific wavelength which stimulates the skin cells regeneration process. A combination of the two encourages cell rejuvenation; restoring skin tone, lifting, and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. The 20 minute treatments are recommended in a series of 10. “Everyone’s skin has different concerns,” says Sharon, “and I like that this LED therapy offers a variety of methods to address those differences.”

New Image also carries Jane Iredale mineral makeup; Epicuren’s Enzyme based program, and Jan Marini Skin Research products. You can shop online and find out more about other services at www.newimageconcepts.com.

Whitefish Plastic Surgery & Med Spa 5850 HWY 93 S, WHITEFISH, MT. 406-862-6808

cne Vulgaris is a common condition that affects many people of varying age groups but mostly adolescents. Genetic predisposition, or hormonal imbalance, leads to excessive oil production by the skin’s tiny sebaceous glands. These glands can become blocked at the skin’s surface (clogged pores) and when colonized by normal skin bacteria, breakouts of inflamed acne occur. Many treatments directed at different aspects of the causes of acne are available. Antibiotics, hormone modulators, exfoliants and oil gland suppressants are commonly prescribed in oral or topical forms.

Laser treatments are probably the most effective method of treating active acne immediately, and getting the inflammatory cycle under control. In milder cases Lasers can be used alone, or in more severe cases, used as an effective adjunct to comprehensive medical treatment, allowing the topical products or medications to work more effectively. The Med~Spa at Whitefish Plastic Surgery is pleased to announce the addition of Harmony Advanced Fluorescence Technology (AFT) Laser, to our ever expanding menu of Laser services. This laser uses a specialized blue light to treat acne extremely effectively. The AFT Laser heats the sebaceous gland and either destroys the gland and/or destroys the bacteria within the gland without damaging the surrounding tissue. For optimal results, eight AFT Laser treatments are scheduled at twice weekly intervals, resulting in approximately 80% clearance of active lesions in just four weeks. A complimentary consult with our Laser Nurse will help determine if this treatment is recommended for you! Call 862-6808 for more information, or to make an appointment.

Meet Billie, Mountain West Bank What’s happening in the Mortgage Loan World Today?

Practical information for the Self Employed Borrower BILLIE LITTlE, REAL ESTATE LOAN OFFICER MOUNTAIN WEST BANK, NA • 44 W IDAHO, KALISPELL MT • 406.752.2265 EXT. 133 / 406.253.5494

on’t panic…things are still progressing with the Mortgage World. Yes, it is getting a bit harder to obtain financing than it has been in the past. However, there are still products and excellent rates available. The days of “Stated Income and No Document” loans are gone. For those self employed borrowers who, historically, could walk in and obtain a mortgage based on credit, home value and assets…no longer an option. The days of a note and a handshake have ended. The self employed borrower, typically, aspires to pay the least amount of taxes as possible. This can be in the form of writing off everything feasible, to ensure that bottom line is advantageous for tax purposes. Unfortunately, if you aspire to obtain financing these days, this will not be an alternative. Investors and Underwriters will now require two years of full tax returns, both personal and business. Another requirement is an average of the past two year’s income. This information is needed to calculate an average monthly amount to qualify for the loan. When preparing your return in the upcoming year, it will be extremely productive to keep this in mind. Mountain West Bank, NA has the products and programs needed to facilitate any type of real estate mortgage transaction. Drop by and see what we can do for you. We will find a solution to fit your particular mortgage needs and financial situations.

As women who live in Montana, many of us herald the merits of buying local, whether it’s at the farmer’s market or our neighborhood hardware store.

But even more than that, it’s nice to be able to recognize the people behind the businesses that are getting our money, and to know that, like us, they’ve invested in our community. According to Civic Economics’ Andersonville Study of Retail Economics in October 2004, every $100 spent at a nationwide chain results in $43 of local economic activity. On the flip side, every $100 spent at a locally-owned business results in $68 of local economic activity. And more money in the community means more jobs. On that note, we proudly introduce a few of the professionals doing business in a neighborhood near you.

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Rhonda Kohl, Trails West Real Estate Rhonda Kohl,Trails West Real Estate 492 East Second Street Whitefish, MT 59937 c: 406.250.5849 - o: 406.862.4900 Rhonda@TWRE.com

honda Kohl (Oseen), Broker/Realtor is pleased to announce her recent move to Trails West Real Estate and Affiliate of Christies Great Estates to join the Whitefish Team. Originally from Southern Alberta, Canada, Rhonda has resided in Whitefish since 2003. Shortly after getting settled here, she had the great opportunity to be employed by Discovery Land Company's Iron Horse Golf Club; a high end private golf community which transferred over to member ownership in the spring of 2008. With over 14 years of real estate sales experience, including 6 ½ of those years with Iron Horse, Rhonda has established herself firmly and brings a level of dedication and knowledge to the 'Iron Horse' market offering unparalleled customer service and confidence. She will continue to market Iron Horse through Trails West Real Estate and Christies Great Estates and is also excited to broaden her horizons and expand her knowledge to the greater Whitefish area and Flathead Valley. You can be confident that every aspect and detail of her work will be addressed with expertise, enthusiasm and discretion. Trails West’s affiliation with Christie’s Great Estates opens an international market to buyers; they however also feel it is important that Trails West maintain a small town feel. The company takes pride in their agents on passion for service, their unwavering commitment to clients, and dedication to the real estate profession. Trails West/Christies have a competitive edge in the “premier” real estate market and are able to present the stunning Flathead Valley to the world through their comprehensive website at Christies Great Estates website at www.ChristiesGreatEstates.com Trails West website at www.TrailsWestRealEstate.com. Offices include downtown Bigfork, Harbor Village, Lakeside, Whitefish and at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Trails West has been locally operated for over 40 years in the Flathead Valley.

Meet Tamara & Judy, Insty Prints Insty Prints Gives Back Insty Prints, 131 Main ST, Kalispell MT. 406-752-8812 49504 HWY 93, POLSON MT. 406-883-3778

uccessful communities help each other, share ideas and work to make their collective environment a better place to be. At Insty-Prints we not only believe in this, but we act upon it daily. Giving back to our community is vital not only to those we are helping but to us as well. There are so many worthwhile organizations doing great things to make this a thriving community. It's impossible to help and give to them all, but Insty-Prints believes in supporting as many as we can. In 2008-2009 we supported more than 70 businesses and organizations in their efforts. So many of these organizations are from the non-profit sector, and they appreciate and understand the value of the support that Insty-Prints provides. In 2009 alone, we printed more than 36,000 free posters announcing events or fundraisers for groups and organizations around the Valley. Hundreds of dollars in gift certificates have been donated for various auctions or charities. It's simply helping each other out and giving back to a community that's been a positive place for us to be. We also feel it's important to give our time in the community. Volunteering in various groups and organizations has allowed us to give back with our time and learn more about some of the worthwhile opportunities in our valley. Having an active role in our wonderful community…it's what Insty-Prints is all about.

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”She’s here, and she’s

perfect.” A high-risk pregnancy and premature delivery can be frightening, but at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, we’re with you week by week.

“Having the KRMC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit behind us was a weight off our shoulders — knowing that whatever happened, it would be handled well, and our baby would be safe.” —Carolyn Bechard Evelyn Bechard. Born March 3, 2010.

Hear more about the Bechard family’s birthing story by logging on to nwhc.org/birthingcenter.

Proud Parents: Carolyn & Jonathan Bechard of Kalispell.

NORTHWEST HEALTHCARE

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Professional Profiles

Meet Linda, Montana Expressions Meet Tracy & Kristine, Integrity Property Management, Inc. Integrity Property Management, Inc. 37 5th Street East, Suite 103 Kalispell, MT 59901 406.755.6336

ntegrity Property Management has been in business for over two years and has grown to over 100 units. We pride ourselves in our customer service and quick response time. We have decided to streamline our business to meet the needs of the Residential market, and look forward to growing our inventory with clean, well maintained properties. Integrity Property Management has had great success with finding quality tenants and has a current 91% occupancy rate. We work as a team to take the stress away from the owner while maintaining their asset. We are a full service property management company that provides ·Marketing ·Tenant Screening ·Rent Collection ·Income Reporting ·Periodic Inspections ·Fast Response To Maintenance And Repair Issues ·Open Communication With Both Owners and Tenants

Our focus is to protect the value of the owner’s asset while providing clean, safe, and tenantable housing.

Visit our website at www.integrityrentalsmt.com

Call Tracy or Kristine to get more information on how we can help you. **We abide by the Landlord / Tenant Act as detailed in the Montana Code Annotated & all Equal Opportunity and Fair Housing Laws.

123 Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901 Phone: 406.756.8555 Fax: (406) 756-8559 Email: info@montanaexpressionswest.com

ontana Expressions on 123 Main Street in Kalispell is a dynamic cache of diverse creations. Immediately upon entering the store, I can see why it has been a foremost design source in the Flathead Valley since 1989. There is an incredible array of rugs, furniture, lighting and accessories to purchase at the time of your visit. The staff can assist you with custom ordering items to fit your specific design style. Owner/designer Linda Clark followed in her grandparents footsteps that homesteaded in Montana in the early 1900’s. Linda moved to the Flathead Valley 26 years ago, once she completed her degree in Textile/Interior Design. After owning and operating a hand-woven clothing business for 7 years, she made a career change and joined the staff of Montana Expressions. For nine years, Linda went to high-end weaving trade shows from coast to coast. Several years after managing the store, she purchased the business and moved it to the present location. The building, prior to being Montana Expressions, was The Stockman’s Bar. In order to maintain the integrity of the building and its’ colorful history the original tin ceiling back bar and front bar were incorporated in to the new décor. The charm and character of these features is the perfect backdrop to the eclectic treasures that Linda has to offer. Designing for people and their spaces, Linda’s success lies purely in expressing the homeowners' unique personal style. She draws on an extensive network of furniture manufacturers and custom artisans to outfit indoor and outdoor spaces with traditional and unusual furniture, lighting and accessories. Montana Expressions resources allow them to furnish anything from a fishing cabin, refined lodge or the traditional home. Visit Montana Expression full design service to pick one special piece or coordinate your entire project form the ground breaking to completion. You won’t regret it!

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Robert Hooper,

aka Bob Senior, aka Dad Hooper, WW2 Veteran and lover of family, flowers and history, is an example of The American Dream. Together with his family, he started Hooper’s Nursery 37 years ago from a building that resembled a fruit stand. Bob Hooper is sitting in a chair with the demeanor of someone awaiting an execution. Carrie, his wife of 67 years, put pressure on him until he agreed to be our next 406 Man. I freely admit that I sealed the deal with the promise of chocolate. There is something endearing about a humble man. The icing on the cake is having his other half sitting beside him, giving her man support.

OVE OF HISTORY… I grew up surrounded by history living in Braddock, Pennsylvania. In 1755, General Edward Braddock and British troops left Virginia and used Frazier as the guide with General Washington as the aide on the expedition. It was on July 9, 1755 when the British troops arrived at Frazier's cabin and engaged in gunfire with the French troops. During the battle, General Edward Braddock received a wound and died later on July 13, 1755. The area where Braddock was wounded is now known as Braddock's Field. In the back yard of the house I grew up in, there was a cannon from the battle. My interest in history developed as a young boy and became one of my loves.

N THE BEGINNING… Bob Sr. and Carrie met in an elementary school in Braddock, Pennsylvania. Bob was in the second grade and Carrie was in the first grade. They became classmates when Carrie achieved promotion to the second grade in the middle of the year. Bob stated, “She was always really smart and gifted.” I remember Carrie playing glow little glow worm, glitter, glitter on the violin, in front of our 2nd grade class. We were kids during the depression; there was never enough food on the table or coal for heat. We would stand next to where the men on the steam engine trains had to shovel coal to climb a tall hill. As we waited at the side of the tracks, we would hold out pillowcases and the men taking pity on us would shovel out coal. Picking the coal off the ground, we would put it in our pillowcases, run home give the pillowcases to our parents and have heat for a little while.

It was not until Carrie and I were in High School that we decided we would make a good team. When I was a senior in High School, Pearl Harbor was bombed. My classmates and I registered to fight in the war as soon as we graduated. We were in the war from the very beginning and the majority of our classmates died. Carrie and I decided that if I made it out of the war alive, that we would not fuss at each other over silly things. Sixty-seven years later that philosophy still holds true. When we have a problem, we talk it over; whether it is business or family we discuss how we can fix it.

OOPER’S INCEPTION…. 38 years ago, I was a firefighter in Florida and Carrie was an educator teaching fourth graders. Our son Robert Junior and his wife Cheri lived in Lewiston, Idaho with their two children. We took off on vacation to visit them and while we were there Cheri became ill. We stayed longer than we intended and decided to take a short cut through the Flathead Valley. It was love at first sight. We called our kids and told them we found the most beautiful place. They drove to Kalispell to check it out and purchased “Pierce’s Nursery”. The pictures they sent us were in the wintertime; not a pretty sight. The building resembled an outdoor fruit stand. We retired from our jobs in Florida and told Robert and Cheri that we would help for five years. Starting your own business is never easy and ours was no exception. We lost $10,000.00 the first year we were in business. A truckload of Evergreen trees, which were ordered by the previous owner, arrived and the roots had all frozen on them. We were responsible for paying for the order even though they all died. Learning experiences of this kind are always painful.

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Hard work paid off for us, though. We got up at 5:00 in the morning and planted flowers and shrubs at various businesses. We returned to the nursery, transplanted flowers, and worked until 5:00 at night. Our hands would be so cold we would put them in a pan of warm water throughout the day. We had a window of time, April- October, to get all the work done. We built all of the green houses and additions ourselves. Each family member found a section of the Nursery that became his or her niche. We have always enjoyed what we do and working with each other.

UN HOOPER HAPPENINGS… We always have fun working here. One of the first open houses that we had it snowed and snowed. We built a snowman and had him holding a sign that said, “Yes we are open!” Customers sometimes ask us fun questions that make our day. A woman called and wanted to know what was wrong with her strawberries. They were not growing but bunches of strings were coming out of the ground. We informed her that she had planted them upside down and what she was seeing was their roots.

EXPANDING….

Eventually we hired employees and mentored them. Through the years, our employees have become part of our family. They take pride in the building and in helping our customers. This is one of the most rewarding businesses to be in. People come in and become tranquil as they walk around looking at the flowers. You cannot ask for a better stress reducer. Well, the five years has turned into 38 years and the time has flown by. We are in our new building and we built all the greenhouses and out buildings just as we did in the previous building. In our old building, we were open from April-October; we now are open year round. Every year our flowers and trees are prettier than the previous year. Our son has said every year since we opened that he will do better next year…And he does!

HANGE IN CUSTOMER DEMAND… Vegetables are selling more than they ever have, because customers want to know where the foods they are eating come from. They want to be able to control the environment their vegetables come from. Petunias, Geraniums and Marigolds still are the big sellers, in the blossom department. People find comfort in flowers considered old standbys. The changes in customer demand have helped us to diversify. Outside the office, we have “Espresso by Cheri”. We have a section on Hydroponics, growing with water instead of soil. There is an array of pots of various sizes and shapes, gardening implements, organic seeds, plants and fountains. Oh, let us not overlook the deer repellent, definitely needed in Montana. Green houses embrace the main structure and have an astounding variety of trees, shrubs and vibrant flowers.

S I DEPART… Walking out of Hooper’s Nursery, I turn around and look at the green and white building. It is warm and welcoming with the ambiance of home. This place holds warm and joyful memories for me, as I am sure it does for each person that has had the opportunity to shop here. Memories of my Mom and me walking close together as we chose the perfect flowers from Hooper’s. She is gone but those memories are part of my foundation. Poetry flits through my mind as I walk past Roses of every hue and Hydrangea with names such as Endless Summer. They beckon me to touch their velvety petals. “The earth laughs in flowers” could be a statement that Ralph Waldo Emerson would say is fitting when strolling though Hooper’s Nursery. Check out their website at: www.hoopersgardencenter.com The website has “What’s happening at Hooper’s in each month of the year” Pointers on when to plant and specific answers to questions you may have about plants.

By Carole T. Pinnell Photos by Sara Pinnell

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Man

Monte Turner By Lori Grannis

On weekday mornings, Missoulians pile out of bed, pour a steaming cup of Joe, and tune television sets to local morning news. Between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 7, the first face to hit local flat screens is usually convivial "Montana Today" morning chat host Monte Turner. Flanked by youthful co-hosts Hasalyn Harris and Brooke Foster, seasoned Turner leads hosting duties, and waxes on everything from weather to local art and charity concerns, and citywide politics, fitting in jokes whenever possible. Ham with those eggs? With Turner it's never a choice.

Monte on his funniest moment in television... Amedia personality and business owner since the mid 1990s, he also Beyond the bloopers that I've committed over the years - and believe me,

served as president of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce for two years while nurturing his own sign business, Turner Sign Arts. But these days, with the recently sale of the business, and the KECI hosting gig over at about the time folks are just getting in their cars to drive to work, Turner finds himself doing an awful lot of reflecting. In 2008 the third-generation Montanan and Missoulian began taking steps toward retirement with the construction of a rural dream home in Tarkio - just 45 miles outside of Missoula. Like anyone who works hard to find a healthy balance between money and time, Turner (and wife Loie) had hoped to have more time to do some of their favorite things. In his case, that meant fishing, bird hunting, and spending time exploring the great outdoors. But with Sign Arts sold, the father of three grown children - son Cameron now at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and flying Kiowa helicopters for the United States Army - found himself bored stiff. Could this local media treasure - a guy who pull a laugh out of the grumpiest of early risers - find himself relegated to the unlikeliest of noontime vocations? A week ago, Turner shared his story with 406 Woman, to become this month's 406 Man - the first-ever in Missoula.

onte on his rise to local media fame... Back in the early to mid-90s, Bob Precht owned all of the NBC affiliates across the state. He's lived here for years, but once produced The Ed Sullivan Show, and is married to Sullivan's daughter. One day he approached me and asked me to start something - like radio on television, he said - a kind of morning news show. I told him that maybe I could help out until they found somebody permanent, but that I had a sign company and had to take care of business. He said "I need you to sign on for three years minimum - to develop, report and host." I started May 1, 1997, in a time slot of 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. for a full-time reporter's salary. He eventually sold the station, but it's been 13 years on-air and they haven't kicked me out of the chair yet.

my file is getting fairly hefty with reprimands - there was a time when we could have dogs as guests on the show. So one year in June, just before the Five Valley Kennel Club all-breed dog show, we had an owner-handler on with a French Bulldog. This thing was so cute, and we were talking about it, and all of a sudden... Well, let's just say, it did many things on command and relieving itself right on the desk, on-air, was one of them! One of the funnier moments.

onte's Hollywood connections... Back in the day when Bob (Precht) owned all of Montana's NBC affiliates, we did interviews with stars of NBC programming. These were two minutes long, and featured a star of a popular show, like Kelsey Grammer of "Frasier." At the time, Bo Derek was filming some show, or pilot in Hawaii - which turned out to be short-lived - and I was slated to interview her. Interviewing her remotely, for whatever reason I could see her, but she couldn't see me. I said, "Bo, have you ever fantasized about hunting ducks with a fat guy in Montana?" She absolutely cracked up, and was a really good sport about it. We both laughed and it was a good moment. You know, I still have people bring that up to me, and that happened probably 10 years ago.

onte on Montana recreation and down-time... Before we moved out of Missoula into our new home in Tarkio two years ago, I figured I'd be fishing the river everyday, and out exploring with the dogs and living the outdoor dream in Montana. And you know, the truth is, I've probably only wet my line once! I guess it's the concept that if you can do it anytime, you just never seem to make time for it. I still do love ice fishing, and head up to Bitterroot Lake in Kalispell for Kokanee salmon each winter. I usually do quite well, but last year's count? Zero. Most people who know me also know that I have been an avid bird

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hunter for years - along with some game hunting - and now that's much less frequently. I don't know what it is, but ever since we moved out into the country, I'll look through my window and watch the geese with their goslings on the river, and I'll think, "Oh, how cute." And I just don't want to pull the trigger so much anymore. Even the deer look so much like our Labrador retriever "Brandy" in the face to me, it just doesn't feel right to pull the trigger there either. Maybe I'm softening up in my old age.

Monte on new-found forms of hunting...

Well now I've taken up mushrooms and antler sheds. I'm also taking a naturalist class - an intense week-long course put on by the Montana Natural History Center. A naturalist, in case you don't know, is a person who can take you out and has more than basic knowledge of things in the wilderness - of plants and animals. I really have always loved nature and now want to take it to the next level. So along with many other Montanans, you'll find me looking for morels, and picking up antler sheds.

onte on life after the sign business...When I sold Sign Arts last year, it wasn't something I was planning to do - it was just an opportunity that came up and I took it. So, the truth is, I didn't really have any kind of Plan B. That meant that when the show ends at 7:00 a.m. each weekday morning, I have been coming home to a full day with no plans. I remember at first, I would walk in the house and think, "Okay, should I take the dogs for a walk?" I did that for awhile. Then after a week of that, I said, "I gotta find something else to do..." Now, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I'm a lunch duty playground aid at Lewis & Clark Elementary School, helping watch over 487 kids from kindergarten to fifth grade. I'm outside with Band-Aids and bathroom passes, dressed in an orange vest. For a two-hour work day, I get a retirement plan and accrue time off like anyone else. Now, having said that, I will probably have to work there for 30 years to get a day off, but that's beside the point.

onte on the University of Montana Grizzly football.... I follow Griz football from the front seat of my truck. I'm not a crowd person, despite being in the media. On my off time I don't like being recognized. Times when I used to go to the stadium, I couldn't relax, because some guy who'd had too many beers would come up and ask me "Hey, are you Jill Valley?" So these days, I prefer to just to listen. Often, games are on when I'm out hunting pheasant, and I'll jump back in the truck to warm up for awhile and catch parts of the game. But when it's a really close year, I gotta say it screws with hunting. I like the blowouts - when I can come back to the truck and hear the score is 49-to-7, and head back out. But having the Griz in Missoula is almost akin to having a professional franchise here. The fan base is huge. In fact, I can sit right here in this coffee shop window and look out and see something "Griz" at just about any given moment like that car that just passed with the paw on the back of the window. It's all over the place.

onte on today's crop of reality television shows.... I am not one to watch American Idol or Dancing with the Stars, but I do like "Axmen" or "Deadliest Catch" - those macho dogs chewing tobacco and holding 28-inch chainsaws, or weathering a storm up on the deck of a boat. But honestly, I don't turn on the TV until Friday night. I read all week long, and then catch a few favorites like "60 Minutes." Recently, I almost felt unAmerican not knowing what "March Madness" was. What can I say? It's the same thing with not fishing the river once you live on, or near, it - just because you work in television, doesn't mean you'll watch it all the time.

onte on crossing paths with inspiring people... I once spent a whole afternoon talking to Frank Borman - a former NASA astronaut. He flew two flights while at NASA - Gemini 7 in 1965 and Apollo 8 in 1968. His stories about training and his experiences in space were really incredible. But I've known Bean Bradley since my teens. He was four years ahead of me in high school and is now an extremely successful rancher in the Ruby Valley in southwest Montana. He also owns

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a commercial security systems business. He has such a positive outlook on life, and taking risks, and why as a country we need to take risks. He has such a marvelous vision of our country and why we have to take more risks and put our nose to the grindstone. In fact, before I sold my business, he's the one who told me that I was "in a rut" and had to try new things. Something about that just clicked.

onte on parental wisdoms... I may not have much wisdom to share, but I know this: Two girls cannot share the same bathroom, or clothes! When I married my wife Loie, I became an instant step-parent and it required a lot of work. Kids of divorced families come with baggage and they have a lot of feelings and emotions that are as strong as an adult's. I learned that the hard way. Now I know, all these years later, nothing kids say is ever really a personal attack. That's big stuff. My step-daughter Alice Ann and I fought like crazy back then, but now we are close and just laugh about it.

onte on being a grandfather.... My little granddaughter Abby came for a visit last summer and we floated the Clark Fork River. She was absolutely terrified of the fish beneath her, and she screamed nonstop from Tarkio to Forest Grove - about nine miles! There was not an Osprey or an eagle left anywhere. But we talked it all out and she wants to float again this year. I'm not sure it had hit me until recently that I was a grandparent, but whenever Abby's around, I just melt. They're just so sweet and impressionable at that age.

Lori Grannis is a freelance journalist living in western Montana. She may be reached at llgrannis@gmail.com.