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This passion for fashion, first ignited in childhood play, would eventually lead Lisa on an unpredictable yet fulfilling journey. From styling Barbies as a child to leading her own thriving business, Lisa's path has been anything but linear. Her early career saw her navigating the "retail game" with roles in small-town clothing stores, high-end department store chains, and eventually, the vendor side of the industry. Each step provided invaluable experience and ultimately led her to the "aha moment" that changed everything: working for a womanowned business. This sparked a realization within Lisa, igniting a desire to forge her own path.
Lisa was ready to take a leap of faith and create something entirely her own. In 2018, after 15 years in the jewelry industry alongside one of her best friends, Lisa took that leap of faith. Together, they founded "For The Love," a name born from a shared catchphrase that perfectly encapsulates their passion and dedication. But as Lisa readily admits, her success is not solely her own.
"The entire journey has been based around brilliant, strong, supportive, high-energy, and kind
For the Love of Jewelry and Life Lisa Malby
By Amanda Wilson
The moment Lisa Malby walks into a room, you feel her warmth, her energy—it's like the space itself brightens. Beautiful and bold, with a welcoming presence that instantly puts you at ease, she is the vibrant force behind the jewelry company "For The Love.” She is a businesswoman who exudes both strength and fun, embodying the resilient spirit of a modern Montana woman. Lisa was born in Bozeman, with childhood summers spent water skiing on Echo Lake, her roots run deep in the Big Sky Country. This connection to Montana, coupled with her passion for fashion and design, has shaped her journey to success in a way that is both unique and inspiring.
people – mostly all women!" she exclaims. This "circle" of support, Lisa explains, began early on and continues to be a driving force in her life. She credits powerful female mentors like Judi Hofer, the first female president of May Company, for instilling in her the importance of goal setting, attention to detail, and always striving for greatness.
This collaborative spirit, a hallmark of "For The Love," is a reflection of the supportive network that has shaped Lisa's entire life. Lisa's journey is a testament to the power of mentorship, the importance of community, and the support of strong women. It's also a story of resilience, adaptability, and embracing the unexpected.
While Lisa's path ultimately led her to entrepreneurship, it wasn't a lifelong dream. "Honestly, it never really occurred to me in my early life," she confesses. "I didn’t see many women-owned businesses… I witnessed many strong women leading businesses, but not owning them."
Despite this, strong women were a constant presence in her life, shaping her aspirations and beliefs. Her college instructor, Louise Prugh, recognized her potential and guided her towards a career in fashion and retail. At home, her mother, Tana, instilled in her a love for creativity and design. "She could sew anything," Lisa recalls. This creative spirit, coupled with her mother's unwavering support, nurtured Lisa's own passion for fashion and design.
But these influences weren't limited to her immediate surroundings. Growing up in a small town, Lisa found inspiration in unexpected places, like the glamorous world of soap operas. "My best friend and I would skip 4th period in high school to watch soaps," Lisa laughs. "I loved the fashion, the hair, the fancy restaurants and shopping, and of course the drama! To me, that was proof there was so much more out there – funny, right?"
These seemingly contracting influences—strong female role models, a creative upbringing, and the aspirational world of television—come together to ignite a spark in Lisa. They instilled in her not just
These seemingly contracting influences —strong female role models, a creative upbringing, and the aspirational world of television —come together to ignite a spark in Lisa.
a love for fashion, but a belief in her own potential, ultimately leading her to found "For The Love."
Like any entrepreneur, Lisa faced her share of obstacles. Launching her business meant relying on the trust and support of established accounts and relationships she had cultivated over years in the industry. Just as this trust was solidifying, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing her to re-evaluate her business strategy.
"Department stores had always been the target customer, and with this direction disappearing, we had to figure out what would be 'next' with jewelry" she explains. "How were people going to shop with brick and mortar minimizing?"
This challenge forced Lisa to diversify, exploring new avenues like specialty stores, hospitality businesses, and direct-to-consumer sales. "It was a matter of figuring out the next approach… and ensuring that the right product was being positioned in the right places."
Throughout these challenges, Lisa's faith and unwavering belief that "everything happens for a reason" have been her guiding principles. She points to developing a working relationship with Kemo Sabe, the Aspen-based luxury western fashion house, as a significant achievement. "The way they do business is very customer service-based and high-energy, all while adding a personal touch to each interaction," she says. "To see retail done like this in modern times and being a part of it with high end Nigaam jewelry, is truly inspiring and motivating!"
But Lisa's success isn't just about overcoming challenges; it's also about finding balance and joy in every aspect of her life. Lisa's journey is a tes tament to the power of mentorship and commu nity. Surrounded by strong women, she learned to embrace challenges and adapt to the unexpected. Married to a golf pro Ryan, with a New York City office, she's a master juggler. "Between commuting, meetings, Ryan’s tournaments, and family— it’s like a giant Rubik’s Cube!" she laughs. "But it's been a blast!" Her secrets? An old school day timer, lists, and a "work hard, play hard" motto."
With a solid foundation and a passion for constant evolution, Lisa is excited about the future of "For The Love." Looking ahead, Lisa's goals for the business are centered on building strong partnerships, offering unique and beautiful jewelry, and constantly seeking new opportunities. "I am asking myself constantly, 'What’s next… what hasn’t been done… how can we make assortments better… what type of business have we not considered partnering with?”
Her advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: "Do what you love, work for a company that interests you, and work for someone you respect. Learn from them, make your mistakes, and when the timing is right – 100% go for it and have your own business!"
Ultimately, Lisa's definition of success echoes the words of Maya Angelou: "Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it."
To this, Lisa adds her own personal touch: "and loving who you are doing all this with."
This commitment to collaboration and support extends beyond her business; it's a core part of who Lisa is and how she lives her life. Lisa's commit-
ment to community extends beyond the business world. Her involvement with Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled military members, is a testament to her giving spirit. "The people you meet are true heroes, very inspiring, and give you an entirely different perspective on life, challenges, and successes," she shares. Reflecting on her journey, Lisa finds immense joy in the relationships she's built and the experiences she's gained. "The pure joy I get from the people I meet, the relationships I have been able to foster, and the places all of this has taken me to – I have traveled all over the states and abroad!" she exclaims.
These experiences, these connections— they are the true gems that Lisa has gathered along her journey, proving that success is not just about reaching a destination, but about savoring every step of the way. For Lisa, success is not just about beautiful jewelry or a thriving business; it's about the journey, the connections, and the support of her "circle." It's about embracing challenges, adapting to change, and finding joy in every step of the way. And as she continues to navigate the ever-evolving world of retail, one thing is certain: Lisa is a shining example of a 406 woman who is truly living her best life, "For The Love" of it all.
Nigaam Trunk Show - December 23- 24
Kemo Sabe Whitefish, 20 Spokane Ave, Whitefish
Bigfork’s Best
Meet Owners
Michael & Bridget Michlig
Written by Mary Wallace
Looking for a fun way to spend the day? Bigfork packs a lot of charm into a few short blocks!
There is just a certain vibe - welcoming friendly people, walkable streets, great dining and drinking establishments, art galleries, and a plethora of delightful shops!
The 400 block of Electric Avenue boasts four distinctive shops that are owned and operated by Michael and Bridget Michlig under the auspices of Bigfork’s Best, LLC. Over the past 23 years, the Michligs have created several retail concepts and taken every opportunity to grow and expand their businesses.
Today, the four separate shops in Bigfork are Artisans, a gathering of fine craftsmen, The Creek, a resort apparel store, The Artful Kitchen, a gourmet kitchen store, and The Shoe Box, Bigfork’s only shoe store.
Artisans - A Gathering of Fine Craftsmen - Representing more than 85 craftsmen from across the United States, the shop offers a range of specially curated artisanal products, from intricate woodwork to delicate ceramics, to handcrafted jewelry, to handmade handbags, and more - providing a platform for local craftsmen to display their talents.
The Creek - The Creek is a resort apparel store offering Montana essentials, a curated selection of popular resort clothing, and unique gifts. With a focus on supporting the community and showcasing the best of Montana, The Creek provides a charming shopping experience for both locals and visitors alike.
The Artful Kitchen - When Roma’s closed, the Michligs took the opportunity to fill that niche in Bigfork. The Artful Kitchen is a store that is passionate about
bringing the finest culinary tools to the Flathead Valley. They carry Made In Cookware - a full selection of stainless steel, carbon steel, and nonstick skillets, saucepans and more. Not to mention their gorgeous enameled cast iron pieces, ceramic bakeware, glassware, and knives. The store also carries specialty foods, olive oils, vinegars, and seasonings, along with housewares and gifts.
The Shoe Box which is the first shoe store in Bigfork’s history, offers premium shoe brands like Born, Kork-Ease, Naot, L’Artiste, Spring Footwear, NexGrip, Frankie 4, Comfortfusse, Santana, Lucky Brand, Rocket Dog, and more. Their focus is on quality, comfort, and style for a wide variety of feet, that are currently fashionable and will actually work for the area.
Each of their shops has its own unique product and personality, but the employees, who the Michligs say are the heart and soul of their business, are all able to rely on each other to help out where needed at any given time. Between the four stores they have 10 employees, ages 17 ½ to 80 years old. “We are proud of the culture that has developed
with our team,” says Bridget. “Each team member is devoted to warmly welcoming our customers and providing exquisite service.”
Michael & Bridget don’t just hire good people; they focus on hiring for temperament. Their philosophy is that they can teach skills and fundamentals, but the right temperament is what makes their team strong. So they hire for temperament and then offer their employees opportunities to stretch a little bit, to learn new skills and new systems in a very safe and supported way and then? Well, they get out of the way.
They have found that by empowering their employees to be creative, to experiment without having to worry about playing it safe, good things can happen. With great responsibility comes great personal power, and even if the results are less than perfect, everyone learns something. One of their catchphrases is “Let’s make a new mistake,” says Bridget, meaning if they never try new things, they will never expand their horizons.
Photos by Amanda Wilson Photography
The whole crew functions as ambassadors for their stores and know what their customers are looking for so, as owners, they exist to support the team.
They are all teammates, including Michael and Bridget. “They don’t work for us, we work for and with them,” she says, speaking of their unusual inverted power structure. The whole crew functions as ambassadors for their stores and know what their customers are looking for so, as owners, they exist to support the team. They don’t intend to change what is working so well in the meantime, and the whole team will pursue growth where it makes sense to do so.
Michael is a fifth generation Montanan whose retail background includes a career at one of the nation’s largest retailers, Sears & Roebuck. When he retired from corporate America, he opened a gallery in Sonoma, California, but he was eventually drawn back to Montana and made the decision to move back and open his gallery in Bigfork in 2001.
Michael met Bridget in late summer 2001.They randomly met on a Southwest Airlines flight and spent the whole journey talking and discovering that they had several shared interests and their worlds had been overlapping for years. When the flight was over, not wanting to part so soon, he invited Bridget to share the airport shuttle, bringing their time together to over 8 hours (which seemed like not nearly enough). Michael was smitten from the first minute, and by June 2002, they were married. Between them, they have three children and five grandchildren.
When they are not working, Michael has a penchant for military history and likes to collect vintage firearms. His superpower is telling captivating stories. Bridget dabbles in arts and crafts and she loves to read. She also loves to travel and her bucket list includes capturing Michael for a winter getaway to a small cottage on a rock somewhere in Ireland.
Because of their success over the years, the Michligs have enjoyed being in the position to be a resource and consult with other business owners who are considering opening their own business. “We’ve met so many amazing people who have great ideas,” says Bridget. “It has been fun and exciting to help others realize their dream!” They have come to the realization that we are not just merchants; they are also specialty store developers.
On any given day the Michligs are in one of their stores for their customers. They’ve been in Bigfork for 23 years and they love the vibe of the community. They work every day to honor their visitors, honor their employees, and to honor their passion that drives them to do what they do.
Visit one or all of their shops at 469 Electric Avenue in Bigfork, especially when shopping for the upcoming holidays! The folks at Artisans, The Creek, The Artful Kitchen, and The Shoe Box are looking forward to seeing you!
Jeannie & Soraya at the Creek
General Manger Jessie Serres at Artisans
Top photo: Holly and Cindy at The Artful Kitchen. Middle: Lily at The Shoe Box. Bottom: Joanne and Linda at Artisans.
Faith, Family & Celebrations
Lemontree Montana and Their New Cookbook
By Mary Wallace
When you visit Lemontree Montana, you can’t help but be drawn to all the beautifully displayed items and gifts.
“We love to go to the home décor and gift markets in Dallas, High Point (NC), and Las Vegas to buy beautiful merchandise for our store,” says Nancy Walker, co-owner of Lemontree Montana.
Nancy along with her daughter and co-owner, Sara Shine, look forward to making inviting displays when the new merchandise arrives. She adds, “It is exciting to us when our customers come into the store and fall in love with all the beautiful items.”
Therefore, Lemontree Montana is not just a store - it’s more of an ‘experience’ on every visit. This is especially true during the holidays when you are searching for that perfect gift for a friend or a loved one. Once found they offer complimentary wrapping using their signature specialty gift papers. “Everyone loves to receive a Lemontree gift,” says Nancy.
One of Sara’s superpowers is being remarkably in tune with what home decor products local customers want, while Nancy’s is the ability to enter a room and envision the changes that could be made to enhance the feel and ambiance. Between the two of them, this dynamic duo are able to help capture each customer’s vision and guide them
on their journey to transform their spaces to reflect their own unique style. “Sara and I help customers create a functional and pleasing environment for our customers with our many furniture and home accessories lines,” added Nancy.
Lemontree Montana’s valued team of employees are like family. This includes actual family member Rick, Nancy’s husband and Sara’s dad, who is a store mainstay, doing some of the heavy lifting, odd jobs, and supporting the staff. He and the store mascot & family dog, Cooper, are definitely cherished members of the Lemontree community. The full team participates in doing everything from greeting customers, designing store displays, ordering and unpacking product, and making the place feel like home. They all strive to make their customers feel valued and cherished.
Nancy shares more on family. “Family and spending time together Our Christian faith is always paramount in our celebrations.” A favorite Christmas tradition is to celebrate Jesus' birthday with "mom’s red velvet cake." Being with family warms her heart. “We play lots of games, indoor and outdoor; Kick ball,
Cross net, catch phrase, and every board or card game. Our family has a large age range at every gathering but everyone is included.”
What about Thanksgiving? “Lots of food, crazy fun, I can’t remember a time of any less than 25 people, which are all family,” Nancy said. “And of course if Sara or I host all the dishes coordinate and the tables are decorated for the occasion, with usually too much food!!”
And now Nancy and Sara want to share that love and feeling of family even more with their new Lemontree Cookbook.
The cookbook came about due to a community of like-minded food lovers who were naturally drawn to the sanctuary of elegance, fun, and charm that Lemontree Montana is known for. Sara & Nancy so frequently found themselves exchanging recipes with their customers that it occurred to them that they could create an epic Lemontree legacy by compiling their friends’, family, and customers’ treasured recipes into a cookbook with a distinctly local flare.
Photos by ACE Photography & Design
The book is a treasure trove of recipes gathered from the Lemontree circle of customers, their close-knit team of passionate employees, and the Walker & Shine families.
Why a cookbook? Well…whyever not?
A cookbook is a way to celebrate the wonderful cooks in the Lemontree circle and rejoice in love and memories each recipe brings. It’s remarkable, really, a cookbook is also a way of preserving a part of family or community history. It is no surprise that culinary endeavors became a popular pastime during the pandemic because people had time to explore the joy and sense of accomplishment that comes with experimenting with home-cooked recipes. And at Lemontree Montana, the love of creating beautiful comforting spaces and embracing reasons to celebrate and entertain has become something the community can cherish.
The book is a treasure trove of recipes gathered from the Lemontree circle of customers, their close-knit team of passionate employees, and the Walker & Shine families.
When the Lemontree family announced the cookbook idea to their customers, employees, family, and friends, they were truly heartened by the responses
from those willing to share their culinary hearts with the universe. The cookbook is currently undergoing the printing process - it will be available in-store in November, just in time for the holidays.
When asked if they had a favorite cookbook they referred to and Nancy replied, “Sara and I love to cook, we have many ‘go-to’ cookbooks it would be difficult to name one.”
She continued, “We have journals of our family gatherings, primarily holidays and celebrations, dating back to 1990's, noting menu, table scapes, notes of the happenings such as; ‘Who threw their gift, a beautiful tie, in the fireplace?’, ‘Who was supposed to bring the ham for Thanksgiving and showed up with cookies’ or ‘Who ended up in tears during the Pictionary game Christmas Eve.’ These journals have created heartwarming memories for generations.”
What dish is a mainstay at celebrations? “Almost every event has the famous Kahlua Cake,” Nancy said.
This family favorite is included in the new Lemontree Cookbook but they have graciously agreed to share here with our readers.
Kahlua Chocolate Cake Ingredients
1 - 18 1/4 oz package Devil’s Food cake mix
1 1/2 cups sour cream
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup Kahlua or other coffee flavored liqueur 2 eggs (beatened to blend)
1 - 4 oz package instant chocolate pudding Powdered sugar for dusting
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 12-cup bundt pan with oil. Using an electric mixer, blend all of the ingredients (except the powdered sugar) until smooth, about 3 minutes. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted near the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool. Invert onto serving platter and dust with powdered sugar. (Can be prepare 1 day ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate.) ENJOY!
Infamous Movie Cocktails Bigfork Liquor Barn
By Mary Wallace
Any movie buffs out there? It’s rather amazing how much influence a classic movie or TV series can have on the culture of the moment. Let’s explore some iconic cocktails that were made famous (or possibly infamous) because they were featured in iconic movies. So, let’s grab a drink and a seat and dive right in.
FRENCH 75 - CASABLANCA
Historically, the French 75 was named after the WW1 French M18977 75mm artillery gun and was randomly fashioned by British soldiers sta tioned in France with whatever alcohol they could get their hands on at the time. But the drink gained instant fame in the 1942 classic movie “Casablanca” when it was ordered by Madeleine Lebeau’s character, Yvonne, at the infamous Rick’s Bar (whose character was played by Humphry Bogart).
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world…she walks into mine” Rick Blaine
one-time love interest and part-time double agent
Vesper Lynd. This particularly boozy martini vari ation calls for gin and vodka, as well as an aroma tized white wine.
WHITE RUSSIAN - THE BIG LEBOWSKI
Jeff Bridges plays Jeffrey Lebowski, who is a laidback, easygoing burnout who just likes to go bowling, and who insists on being called “The Dude.” He somehow finds himself mistaken for another Jeffrey Lebowski, who happens to be a millionaire and whose wife owes a whole bunch of dangerous people a whole bunch of money at which point The Dude and a handful of his crazy friends embark on a quest to set things right. The White Russian played nearly as big a part as Bridges and its inclusion in the cult classic spurred the younger generation to try the outdated drink and made it popular all over again.
“The Dude Abides.” Jeff Bridges
Ingredients: 1 oz Ketel One Vodka, 1 oz Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, 1 oz cream. Stir together vodka and coffee liqueur in rocks glass filled with ice. Top with cream, poured slowly over the back of a spoon into the glass, to float.
French 75 - The ingredients: 2 oz Bombay London Dry Gin or Courvoisier Cognac, 1 ½ oz of freshsqueezed lemon juice, 5 oz of Laurent Perrier Brut
Chilled Champagne, and 1 tsp. superfine sugar. Combine everything but the champagne in a shaker filled with ice and give a quick hard shake. Strain evenly into two flutes or coupe glasses and top with the chilled champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Bartender: “Shaken or stirred?” Bond: “Do I look like I give a damn?
Vesper Martini - The Ingredients: 2 ounces Tan queray London Dry Gin (94 proof), ⅔ ounce Tito’s Vodka, ⅓ oz Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano. Combine all ingredients into a shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a large, thin lemon peel.
THE COSMOPOLITAN - SEX AND THE CITY
The evocative TV series, “Sex and the City” not only had a big impact on culture, language, and strong female characters, it also made a decades old cocktail vogue again. The cosmopolitan, or simply "cosmo," was invented in the 1930s, but rose in popularity in the 1990s, thanks to fact that it was Carrie Bradshaw’s favorite drink in the iconic series “Sex & The City”.
“I’ll have a cheeseburger, please, large fries, and a cosmopolitan.” Carrie Bradshaw
Cosmopolitan - Ingredients: 1 ½ oz Grey Goose Vodka, 1 oz cranberry juice, ½ oz Stirrings Triple Sec, ½ oz lime juice, orange rind twist or lime wheel for garnish. Pour all of the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with the orange rind twist and lime wheel.
BUTTERBEER - HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
Allegedly having been served in the Harry Potter films at the Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head, and the Leaky Cauldron pubs since the 1500’s, Butterbeer has become a symbol of magic in its own right. The infamous drink does have some basis in history, as written in Tudor era 1594, a weak ale called buttered beere was drunk by everyone (even children) the because the water was deemed unsafe to drink. It was also served hot and enhanced with sugar, spices, and a dollop of butter on special occasions. Here is the recipe for the ultimate adult version of this enchanted drink.
“Anyone fancy a butterbeer?” Harry Potter
Butterbeer Old Fashioned - Ingredients: One 12 ounce bottle of cream soda, ¼ cup butterscotch topping (or substitute caramel sauce), 1 ½ ounces Four Roses bourbon, 1 dash black walnut bitters, 1 ounce heavy whipping cream.
Instructions: First make ’Butterbeer Syrup’ by heating 1 bottle of cream soda in a small pot for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in ¼ cup butterscotch topping. Let cool. Add 1 ½ ounces of Four Roses Bourbon, 1 ounce of the Butterbeer Syrup mixture, and 1 dash of walnut bitters to a rocks glass with ice. Stir to combine. Shake 1 ounce of whipping cream in a mason jar or cocktail shaker until moderately thickened. Pour the cream on top of the cocktail, dust with edible glitter and cinnamon, and garnish with a star anise.
Thanks to the faithful movie geeks on the team at the Bigfork Liquor Barn for sharing their favorite spirits to create these famous movie cocktails. Be sure to stop in and let them know if you try one or more of these recipes.
Ask the Butcher
By CT Morris
Caramel Rolls
What do I need to create unbelievable Caramel Rolls & unforgettable memories?
Dough ingredients
2 family members
4 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 packages of active dry yeast
1 cup of warm milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2 eggs
Directions
(Young adult family member) In a bowl mix 2 cups of the flour and all of the yeast together.
(Adult family member) Warm the milk in a different bowl and stir in sugar, butter and salt.
(Together) Pour the bowl with the liquids into a large mixing bowl. Mix in 2 eggs. Slowly add the flour mixture… blending with an electric mixer. Add the remaining 2½ cups of the flour.
Ingredients Needed for caramel Topping
2 family members that are a dynamic duo
11/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
6 tablespoons of dark corn syrup
(Together) Combine ingredients (Adult family member) Heat ingredients until melted. Pour into two 9x1½ inch round metal baking pans.
Ingredients needed for next step
2 family members that are now in sync
1 stick (1/4 cup) of melted butter
1 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of cinnamon
(Young adult family member) Prepare a floured surface to roll out the dough. The dough should be soft but not sticky. (Together) Roll half of the dough into a rectangle. (Adult family member) Melt butter. (Together) brush ½ of the butter over dough, then sprinkle ½ of the brown sugar and ½ of the cinnamon over the dough. (Together) roll up the dough from
one of the long sides and seal the seams by pinching them together. Using a serrated knife slice the dough into 12 pieces. Place rolls in one of the baking pans. Repeat all of the above steps with the remaining dough.
Cover rolls and in 2 hours they will rise until they are double in size. Cook at 370° in a preheated oven for 20 minutes. Makes 24 rolls that you can share with family and friends.
Give each other a high five (that was awe-inspiring team work)!
Christmas Red Cabbage Salad
Ingredients
For The SalaD:
1 small head of red cabbage, finely shredded
1 large carrot, grated
1 large apple cored and sliced thinly
1 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/3 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Fresh parsley or mint, for garnish
For The DreSSiNG:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Prepare the Salad
In a large bowl, combine the shredded red cabbage, grated carrot, sliced apples, toasted nuts, feta cheese, and sliced red onion.
make the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey or (maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Toss everything Together
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Garnish and Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley or mint before serving. You can let the salad sit for about 15-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld or serve immediately.
Tips
This salad can be made ahead of time. Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve to maintain the crunchiness of the cabbage.
Feel free to customize with other ingredients like orange segments, pomegranate seeds, or even some roasted Brussels sprouts for added flair.
Enjoy your festive salad!
Small Space, Big Energy
Houseplants for Serenity, Air Purification, and Seasonal Care
Story & Photos By Mariela Lopez, Horticulturist at Hooper’s Garden Center
As the cooler days approach and snow starts to fall, we’ll be looking at our homes as sanctuaries from the outside world. For those living in small spaces it’ll be essential to create an environment where we can seek warmth, comfort, and a sense of balance. In these moments of transition, houseplants offer an invitation to bring a touch of nature indoors and create pockets of peace even in the smallest of spaces.
But in these compact spaces, every choice matters. The plants we bring into our homes do more than just fill in space; they set the tone for how we move through our room and even how we feel in our daily rhythms.
Feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice of harmonizing energy (or “chi”) within a space, aligns closely with modern understandings of human psychology and environmental design. This practice achieves harmony and balance based on the arrangements of your houseplants. In other words, these plants play a vital role in feng shui, symbolizing life, growth, and natural energy. Their influence on the human mind is backed by research: studies have shown that indoor plants can reduce stress, improve our mood, our outlook, health, and even enhance productivity. But in a small space, every inch counts, it’s essential to be mindful of where and how we place them.
Think about where you spend the most time. Perhaps it’s your desk, a cozy corner in your home, or your kitchen. Now think about what energy you’d like to cultivate there. For instance, a peace lily, with its elegant, arching
leaves and soft white blooms, brings a sense of tranquility and balance. It doesn’t take up too much room as it usually grows 3 ft. high (in the proper climate they grow up to 6 ft. tall), but its calming and grounding presence is definitely felt.
In feng shui, the health of your plants is a reflection of the energy in your home. A thriving plant invites vitality, while a neglected one may mirror stagnant energy. This is also a prime part of your daily routine and how you’re tending the energy to your life to help you practice balance in your room and within yourself.
And just like us, houseplants tend to slow down in this final quarter of the year. Because we will experience less sunlight during the winter months, your plants may need to move closer to the window to absorb any available sunlight or try a grow light indoors!
The health of your plants is a reflection of the energy in your home.
A good way to think about what houseplants are feeling is to put us in their shoes (...or I guess in their pots). Winter brings a challenge of dry air from heaters and radiators. Just as our skin feels the pull of dryness, so do our plants. By lowering air humidity in our homes, we are causing our plants to lose moisture during transpiration at an accelerated rate. Some small gestures might be to add a tray of water near your plants, a humidifier, or mist their leaves. It not only acts as a subtle act of care that mirrors how we must care for ourselves but also keeps a nourishing, adaptable, and moist environment for the plants.
And perhaps the most important reminder: water sparingly. During winter, houseplants also enter a phase of rest called dormancy. Since plants require less water during dormancy, overwatering is one of the most common causes of plant decline in winter. A good way to avoid this it to let the soil guide you. Water only when it’s truly needed, allowing the plant and the soil to breathe in their own time. And now that our windows remain closed, the air we breathe can become stale. This is where houseplants quietly do their work, filtering the air and refreshing our spaces.
Consider the snake plant. It’s not just a plant that purifies the air; it’s also known for its resilience and ability to thrive in low light. Its upright, sword-like leaves bring structure, protection, and strength to a room, even on the darkest winter days. Maybe consider another popular houseplant– the spider plant. The spider plant, with its cascading green leaves, works diligently to remove toxins in the air.
In a small space, there is beauty in simplicity. Rather than filling every corner with objects, consider how a few well-placed plants can transform a room. Perhaps you have a large window ledge that catches that morning light. A single bonsai or a small collection of succulents can turn that space into a moment of peace.
Hydroponics, a growing trend in indoor gardening, also offers an innovative solution for those with limited room. There are plenty of ways to continue gardening and propagating in the wintertime, which for many out there is a pocket of peace itself. Hydroponic systems can range from simple countertop setups to vertical towers allowing you to grow herbs, leafy greens, or even small flowering plants without the bulky containers. Regardless of what you choose to create this Zen space,
Feng ShuiFriendly Plants
these opportunities are what connect us with nature when it’s too cold outside.
As fall and winter move in, houseplants offer more than just aesthetic value– they are sources of life, energy, and healing. In small spaces, where every detail matters, the right plants can transform your home. Through the ancient wisdom practice of feng shui, the rhythm of seasonal care, and the quiet work of air purification, houseplants help us create balanced homes— becoming reflections of the peace and energy we hope to carry with us into the colder months.
Hooper’s Garden Center 2205 MT Highway 35 E in Kalispell 406-752-2770 - www.hoopersgarden.com
LostGetting in the Pages
By Leslie Budewitz
“The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.”*
Of all the pleasures a book gives us, one of the biggest is the chance to travel back in time, no shoes required. One of the first books I bought for myself was Calico Bush by Rachel Field, published in 1931 and still in print. Twelve-year-old Marguerite is a French girl orphaned on board a ship from the old world to the new, in 1743. Unexpectedly alone in Boston, she’s “bound out,” in service to a young family pioneering in coastal Maine.
It was a world my tenyear-old Montana self knew nothing about. It still captivates me.
That’s the magic of historical fiction. It shows us how people lived, and how they felt, in another world. How they dealt with problems very different from those we face—and those that are much the same.
I’ve loved weaving pieces of the past into my contemporary mysteries and suspense novels, whether set in fictional Jewel Bay, Montana (all resemblance to Bigfork purely intentional), or Seattle, where my main character runs a spice shop in Pike Place Market and walks through the past every day. My first standalone, Bitterroot Lake (written as Alicia Beckman), became much richer when I brought in the mysteries of a historic lodge, spent an afternoon in a pioneer cemetery, and prowled around one of the last remaining ice houses in NW Montana.
As a writer, I go where the stories lead me— and in my newest book, All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories: A Stagecoach Mary Fields Collec-
tion, they led me back nearly a century and a half. Mary Fields was born into slavery in Tennessee in about 1832. Eventually, she came to work for the family of Mother Amadeus Dunne, Mother Superior of the Ursuline Sisters in Toledo, Ohio. In 1884, Amadeus came to Montana with a group of nuns to establish girls’ schools at the Jesuit Missions to the Indians. A year later, Mary traveled west to help nurse her friend, deathly ill with pneumonia, and stayed until her own death in 1914, living first at St. Peter’s Mission west of Cascade, and then in town. She’s believed to have been the first Black woman in the country to drive a U.S. Postal Star Route, the source of her nickname.
The stories in the collection explore Mary’s big heart, and the freedom and community she found in Montana.
It’s all got me thinking about why we love reading stories set in the past.
The places: We get to live for a few hours in a drafty English manor house with musty drawing rooms and kitchens below stairs: a Crow Indian lodge set up wherever the buffalo roam; or a late 19th century hotel that housed Seattle’s Chinese and Norwegian laborers—all without having to worry about leaks in the slate roof or wonky wiring.
Who isn’t intrigued by ghost signs—the faded advertising signs on brick buildings, some exposed for decades, others newly discovered when neighboring buildings come down? Inspired by the ghost signs in Kalispell, I created my own in The Solace of Bay Leaves, part of my Spice Shop series, to share with you.
The clothing: Even the thought of wearing a corset makes a modern woman’s ribs ache. But when we turn the pages, we can picture Scarlett O’Hara sweeping into view in her tight bodice and wide skirt—pulsing with the determination that led her to turn Tara’s curtains into a new dress so she could beg for money and love. How did it feel to wear armor? Pelts? To swing a heavy sword and plunge deep into the mountains, in the worlds Tolkien and Martin created?
Writing about Mary gave me an excuse to get lost in my reproduction Sears Roebuck & Co. 1897 catalog. Men’s shirt collars? Check. Walk-behind plows? Check. Watch charms, doorknobs, locks, and corn mills? They had ’em. What did Mary need to fix her wagon and keep the mail running? No worries. Mr. Sears and Mr. Roebuck have the answers.
As a writer, I go where the stories lead me—and in my newest book, All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories: A Stagecoach Mary Fields Collection, they led me back nearly a century and a half.
The surprises: How did British women who spoke excellent French become spies who worked behind enemy lines or aided the Resistance during World War II? Jacqueline Winspear, Cara Black, and Rhys Bowen all give us their versions of the story. What was childbirth like in late 19th century New York? Life in a logging camp? What happened to women who flouted the social strictures of Victorian England? To a man who deserted his Confederate Army regiment in 1864, or a Black woman who fell in love with a white man in Mississippi a hundred years later?
Coming home with a deeper understanding of human nature: The late Victoria Thompson, author of the Gaslight Mysteries, once told me that the historical is tailor-made for a writer who wants to explore social issues. Frank commentary about racism in a contemporary setting can be uncomfortable; in lesser hands, it can be preachy. But because humans haven’t changed a whole lot— “in every era,” she says, “we kill each other, love and hate each other”—a writer can probe and portray human flaws more easily in a historical context.
And admit it, much as you love your cell phone, it’s nice to visit a world where you didn’t have to be tied to it every minute of the day.
Maybe the best reason of all: For both readers and writers, traveling back in time for a few hours is just plain fun.
*novelist L.P. Hartley (1953)
‘Tis the season for a good mystery! I’ve written two Christmas mysteries I hope you’ll enjoy—with a cup of cocoa or a snifter of spiced brandy!
In Peppermint Barked , spice shop owner Pepper Reece is looking forward to a cheery— and profitable—holiday season. But she’s plunged into danger when a young woman working the Christmas rush in her friend Vinny’s wine shop is brutally attacked, on the busiest shopping day of the year. local author} Les L
In As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles , it’s Decorating Day in Jewel Bay when Erin witnesses an altercation between Merrily Thornton, recently returned to town, and the parents who disowned her. Erin is convinced that Merrily’s turned her life around. But when her new friend is found dead, a string of Christmas lights around her neck, Erin investigates to protect the community she loves and keep the Christmas spirit shining.
Leslie Budewitz writes the Spice Shop mysteries set in Seattle's Pike Place Market and the Food Lovers' Village mysteries, set in a fictional version of Bigfork, Montana, where she lives. Her newest book is historical fiction, All God's Sparrows and Other Stories: A Stagecoach Mary Fields Collection. As Alicia Beckman, she writes moody suspense set in Montana. Find her books in print, ebook, and audio across the US and Canada, wherever you buy books.
Always Something Special
For The Holidays
Ah! The absolute JOY of it
By Mary Wallace & Wright’s Furniture
all…Christmas shopping, that is. Are you feeling it yet? Welcome to the world’s most useful hack for this year’s holiday shopping sanity. Visit Wright’s Furniture first. Seriously, I think I can guess what you’re thinking! But wait…just hear me out.
First & foremost, you’ll find delightfully less hustle and bustle…think back to last holiday season and that stressful visit to one of the big box stores. Too people-y? Music rather loud? AND come to find out, they were out of the very item you came in to get! Remember that?
Your locally-owned Wright’s Furniture store is spacious, quiet, feels incredibly homey, and is wonderfully decorated for the holidays. It’s pure pleasure to wander through and the gifts are artfully displayed so that they can easily be pictured in the homes of your potential recipients.
What’s more, you’ll find a wide assortment of affordable, thoughtful, useful, and enduring gifts - both large and small. Not only do the design team and sales associates at the store have an innate sense of what you want and need for your own lifestyle, they also understand what your gift recipients will want and need. And even if you don’t have the faintest idea of what to get someone, they are ready with thoughtful questions that will lead to finding just the right thing.
The whole team at Wright’s put their heads together to curate the perfect gift assortment and they’ve made sure they have plenty of items in stock, so if you find that most exquisite and perfect all-around gift, you can get one or get a dozen, and you’ll be sure to have one for everyone on your list.
And finally, there is the free gift wrapping. Trust me on this one! You will want to take advantage of this festive holiday service. You’ll be thanking yourself on Christmas Eve.
And SO…without further ado… check out this impressive list of holiday shopping suggestions:
For the hostessfestive table linens, dinnerware such as glasses, iconic candlesticks, versatile vases, counter stools or barstools, or unique furniture poufs.
For your loved onesClassic Pendelton blankets or branded mugs, plush Tibetan Sherpa pillows, unique decorative and functional bowls, or luxurious sheets.
A comfy recliner, a bar cart or cabinet, a patterned blanket, sculptural equine or wildlife art pieces, or luxurious sheets.
For co-workers or gift exchangesPendelton branded mugs or Stanley Thermos, whimsical holiday candles, or vintage knick knacks.
Any blanket or Pendelton branded merchandise -hands down!
‘Baby’s First Christmas’ crib blanket or the softest ever travel blanket and matching baby hat, a comfy rocking chair, or a custom crib mattress.
For the old soul -
Any Pendelton blanket, Sherpa pillow, or vintage
For the one who has everything
you’ll find one-of-a-kind accessories, small furniture pieces, or (always a favorite) Wright’s Furniture Store gift cards.
For the One that likes to curl up -
Go big or go home, right? Spring for the fuzzy blanket, the Stanley Thermos and mug, and the Sherpa pillow.
Pro-holiday shopper tip: Stock a gift closet! No matter how prepared we are during the holiday season, there always seems to be some generous spirit or two that catches us off guard, and we naturally want to have something to give in return. When shopping for your list above, consider picking up a couple extra items for last-minute gift exchanges, party hosts and more; it’s handy to keep a few extra, wrapped gifts on hand for easy gift giving.
And lastly, no one could possibly fault you if you happen to find a lovely gift for yourself, right? After all that successful shopping, isn’t it the least you could do? As always, you can’t go wrong when you’re holiday shopping at Wrights!
Wright’s Furniture is open 7 days a week, offering complimentary design services with free local delivery and install. visit the Wright’s furniture showroom in Whitefish or learn
Jordan&Jacob
July 27, 2024 - Columbia Falls, Montana - Photos by ACE Photography and Design - Lexi Elhers
I had the moment of realization sitting with my family and your family thinking this what life is about. Two people meshing and uniting as one big family, and I knew you were going to be the one person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Tell us about yourselves…
Jordan – I was born and raised in Fairbanks Alaska. I’m a Dental Assistant for Smile Montana Dental Center. We currently reside in Columbia Falls. I’m the middle of five siblings, daughter to TJ and Kristie Lefebvre (mom is deceased) and my wonderful stepmom Dona Larimer. Even though my mom couldn’t be there in person on our big day, she was definitely there in spirit.
Jacob was born in Kalispell. He is an Independent Contractor here in the Flathead Valley and owner of Northwest Montana Construction. Jacob is the baby of the family. He has two brothers and a sister. He is the son of Christian (Chris) Hanson and Nicole Bunker. We recently lost Chris in August to cancer.
We are currently awaiting the arrival of our first baby, a girl. We have a fur baby named Suby WRX, he is a blue nose Pitbull and thinks he weighs 100lbs. ( LOL)
Jordan – What is the trait that you most admire in Jacob?
My favorite thing about Jacob – that’s a tough one, being as he has many admirable traits. I would have to say my favorite is the look he gives me when I’m doing something silly, like trying to bust a move in the kitchen. He
is the one you want on your side when you’re sad or need a good laugh. One thing a lot of people who know Jacob don’t know that he is actually pretty shy but will entertain you with his endless supply of fun facts.
Jacob – When did you realize you wanted to get married to Jordan?
“umm when I had the moment of realization sitting with my family and your family thinking this what life is about. Two people meshing and uniting as one big family, and I knew you were going to be the one person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with” - Jacob
Why did you choose the venue you did to getting married?
We chose our home in Columbia Falls because we planned our wedding in two months. No joke. I think it’s important for those who are looking to get married that it doesn’t have to
WeddingDetails
rentals
Barn door events and rentals Caterer
be a $50k wedding. We had a lot of help from our family to pull our dream together in that short amount of time, but it is possible. This wedding was very much a DIY and on a budget.
Jordan – What did you enjoy most during your wedding day?
I have two moments that really stand out to me as my favorites. The first was gifting the bridesmaids their little favors in the morning that included a personal note, all of them cried.
My second was coming down to the field where we held the ceremony and seeing Jake’s face for the first time that day.
Jacob – What is your favorite activity to do as a couple?
Either going on drives up in the mountains or golfing together.
tJ and Brandon lefebvre (the bride’s dad and brother), with the help of many other family members and friends
Cake/dessert
k’s Confectionskristen Hamburg music
Bride made playlist then amber Bunker and Jason Sharpe made sure it was played dress
Mimis Bridal
tuxes/suits JC penney rings kay Jewelers
Flowers
glacier Floral designsalyx wieringa hair
Christine Hanson HairChristine Hanson makeup
Salon lefeJamie lefebvre
Jayden&Gabrielle
August 10th, 2024 - Gratitude
Photos by Kylie Schlegel, Kylie D Photography
Ranch
It was important to us that we exchanged vows on family property where we could see our beautiful mountains. From the venue, you can see Glacier National Park, Blacktail Mountain and the surrounding areas.
Tell us about you…
We are both Flathead Valley natives. Gabrielle was born and raised in Kalispell and is a 6th generation Montanan. She is a financial coordinator for a dental office by day and volleyball coach by night and weekends. Jayden was born in Kalispell and raised in Bigfork. He spent 5 years in the Army right out of high school and met Gabrielle after he returned from Poland in 2022. He works for the City of Kalispell in the Sanitation Department. Jayden inherited a dog when he met Gabrielle and became a dog dad to a Siberian Husky named Luka. They are new homeowners as of November!
Gabrielle – What is the trait that you most admire in Jayden? He is patient and kind.
Jayden - When did you realize you wanted to get married to Gabrielle? It was the first time we told each other we loved one another.
Why did you choose the venue you did to get married?
It was important to us that we exchanged vows on family property where we could see our beautiful mountains. From the venue, you can see Glacier National Park, Blacktail Mountain and the surrounding areas.
Gabrielle – What did you enjoy most during your wedding day?
Having all of our favorite people together in one place to celebrate our love. We are beyond blessed with the people who support us.
Jayden – What is your favorite activity to do as a couple?
Attend church
DetailsWedding
Venue & rentals
gratitude ranch, kalispell Mt
Caterer
Homemade family barbecue
Cake/dessert
Cakes by debi, kalispell Mt
music
destination dJ, kalispell Mt
dress
J Scott Couture, Bigfork Mt
tuxes/suits
J Scott Couture, Bigfork Mt
rings
Coins and Carats, kalispell Mt
bride hair and makeup
Honey Beauty Montana
FINE ART ~ BRONZE SCULPTURE
JEWELRY ~ MONTANA SAPPHIRES
10 AM TO 6 PM MONDAY THROUGH S ATURDAY
S UNDAYS 1 1 AM TO 5 PM
From Migraines to Mission
My Unexpected Journey to Empowering Others
By Amanda Wilson
They say, 'when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.' Well, life gave me migraines, and I made... a camera strap and a business. Sounds a bit crazy? It kind of is... and totally unexpected. Here's how I went from pain to purpose, and co-founded Nyack Exchange, a company dedicated to empowering others through movement with at-home physical therapy, fitness and wellness products.
As a professional photographer, I've always loved capturing life's beautiful moments. But for years, migraines and chronic neck pain overshadowed my passion. The weight of my camera equipment, coupled with long hours spent editing at my desk, took a toll on my body.
Desperate for relief, I took the first step and sought help from physical therapist Scott Ruta, MSPT. Scott, a professional with extensive experience and a genuine passion for helping his patients, recognized the complex nature of my case. "Amanda's case perfectly illustrated how seemingly unrelated factors can contribute to chronic pain," Scott recalls. "We needed to address not only the physical symptoms but also the underlying causes."
Scott's holistic approach to treatment was a revelation. He didn't just focus on my pain; he educated me about my body, its mechanics, and how to move in a way that promoted
healing and prevented further injury. Through targeted exercises, postural adjustments, and a custom-designed camera strap we made that alleviated the strain on my neck, I finally found relief.
Nyack Exchange:
A Partnership Born from Passion
My journey to recovery sparked a desire to pay it forward. Scott's expertise and my firsthand experience with chronic pain fueled our shared mission to empower others. Together, we founded Nyack Exchange, a company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for pain relief and physical well-being.
Our first product, the Stance Camera Harness, the very one we created for me during my treatment, was a testament to our collaborative approach. It seamlessly integrates into daily life and offers a tangible solution for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts struggling with neck pain, just like I was.
But our innovation didn't stop there. As Nyso did our determination to bring Scott's 25 years of physical therapy pled with Scott's recognition of the growing
Amanda Wearing the Stance Camera Harness
For chronic pain sufferers, PT IN A BOX ® offers a pathway to improved physical well-being
groundbreaking solution for at-home physical therapy and rehabilitation.
"We wanted to create a comprehensive, affordable, and user-friendly at-home physical therapy program," Scott explains. "We tailor each kit to a specific pain point, providing professional-grade tools, detailed instructions, and exclusive video tutorials that I guide users through every step of the rehabilitation process" says Scott.
From neck and back pain to headaches, shoulder and hip issues, PT IN A BOX® offers a range of solutions designed to empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being. We're not trying to replace physical therapists, instead, we're providing a valuable tool that complements traditional therapy, making professionallevel care more accessible and affordable, allowing people to experience the benefits of physical therapy in the comfort of their own homes, at their own pace.
A Mission to Empower
This commitment to accessibility and empowerment is at the core of everything we do at Nyack Exchange. For chronic pain sufferers, PT IN A BOX® offers a pathway to improved physical well-being. We want to provide a comprehensive program that is
both effective and accessible, it’s about giving people the power to manage their health and improve their quality of life without the barriers of cost or inconvenience.
Scott recently retired from his practice in Whitefish, allowing us to fully dedicate ourselves to Nyack Exchange and its mission. With his decades of expertise, we're excited to innovate and expand our reach, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience the power of movement and the freedom of optimal physical health.
Scott and I believe that knowledge is just as important as the right tools. That's why we've created a wealth of resources on our website, nyackexchange.com and created a social community, to help you understand your body, your pain, and the power of movement. We offer informative articles, instructional videos, and expert advice to support you on your journey to better health. We would love for you to join us.
For me, the journey from patient to entrepreneur has been nothing short of transformative. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to help others. It's a privilege to work alongside Scott and witness the impact our collaboration is having on people's well-being.
Perhaps you're currently grappling with pain or simply want to improve your health.
Or maybe this has sparked something within you because you have a dream you've been hesitant to pursue. Remember, I'm just an average person, who took a step. We all have something to offer, we all have a mission, sometimes it's unexpected and not anything we thought was possible or for us. But here I am, proof that if you take that first step, you might be amazed at the incredible path that unfolds before you. www.nyackexchange.com
Amanda and Scott share informative instructional videos on nyackexchange.com.
Amanda Wilson and Scott Ruta MSPT, ATC, Cped, Founders of Nyack Exchange. Photo by JKM Photography.
Meet Emily Scyoc and Denise Summers from Whitefish Mountain Resort Making Memories, One Guest at a Time
By Rachael Seymour
The Flathead Valley is packed with different sights to see and activities to do, with Whitefish Mountain as its crown jewel. Atop its peak sprawls Whitefish Mountain Resort, a bustling village in of itself, boasting hundreds of employees seeing thousands of visitors a year. Amongst those employees are Guest Information and Services Manager Denise Summers and Assistant Manager Emily Scyoc, working hard to make sure those visitors are taken care of.
How did you find yourselves working for the mountain?
Denise Summers: I moved here in 2008 and lucked out at getting a job as the assistant man ager in GIS (Guest Information and Services). I worked there for three years, moved to pay roll for a year, then in 2011 moved back to Guest and Info. I moved from Basalt, Colorado, which is near Aspen. It was starting to get a little crowded there and we wanted to find something a little less crowded, near the mountains and some water… We found Whitefish!
I’ve been employed at Whitefish Mountain Resort since the summer of 2019. My husband and I fell in love with Glacier in 2004 and started vacationing here every year after that. We wanted a different life, get out of the rat race if you will, and we just couldn’t resist the call of Montana any longer! I worked two seasons as a front-line attendant, then as the ski coordinator. I worked in that position for 2 1/2 years and now the assistant manager in Guest Information and Services for the past two years.
What would be an average day for you guys? Would it differ between seasons?
DS: Yes! It definitely changes between seasons for us. In the winter season, we're selling and printing tickets, booking lessons, checking people in, making sure their pass is ok, and checking if they need waivers signed. We are answering a myriad of questions, not only in person, but through email and the phones. All of the little details that make a great experience here.
ES: During the winter season, our department meets at 8:00 a.m. for our morning meeting, and by 8:30 a.m. we’re open to the public. There are usually people watching and waiting for us to open. You normally walk in through the door and it’s nonstop until around 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon.
DS: Summertime it’s a little more laid back, people are looking for you to help plan their day. The skier is like ‘I know what I want’ and you're often just the facilitator. In the summer, it’s more like, ‘well how much time do you have?’ What do you like to do?’
ES: We also manage lost and found both seasons, which can be a challenge. You’d be amazed how many people lose one single black glove!
How Do you prepare for upcoming seasons?
DS: Emily and I are tasked with creating and maintaining the products for sale related to lifts, lessons and activities. Our off-season consists of a lot of testing products to ensure information flows appropriately from our estore to our POS system. It’s a matter of checking all the boxes before staff starts to show up, so we’re ready to give them as much information as we can, in a short amount of time, to prepare them for the arrival of guests.
ES: There’s always going to be something unexpected that happens. You have to be confident in the product you’ve put out and the things that you’ve done to prepare your staff. Our job can be super stressful. But when you know that your staff is great and you’ve done your best to prepare for the unknown, it certainly helps alleviate the stress of the ‘what ifs?’.
What do you do to help with the bad days, or even seasons?
DS: Leave work at work. Over the years I’ve learned how to do that. Maybe to vent to myself in the car, but once I’m at home, it’s like ‘Ok the day is over.’ I also try to go out and ski briefly. We call them ‘attitude adjustments’ and they are! I come back and I’m energized. I’m a happier person.
When you know that your staff is great and you’ve done your best to prepare for the unknown, it certainly helps alleviate the stress of the ‘what ifs?’.
ES: I would say I look for community and communication, and the shared experience of having someone going through the same thing as you. If you are dealing with a difficult guest and a coworker helps you navigate the situation, I think there’s a shared experience in turning that around. And I think we both have a lot of really wonderful female friends within the resort corporation that our office is often known as the Safe Space, where people can come and just shut the door and say ‘Ok: I just need to get it out.’
What does it take to run your position and any advice for someone following in your footsteps?
DS: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and admit that maybe you don’t know! I think to be able to be a little vulnerable is a good thing.
ES: I would say stay curious. Be curious enough to want to figure out the puzzle pieces of the system and why things are working and also ‘Hey can we do something else with this?’ The way you look at your job and your new staff. Ask them questions, get to know them! Sometimes you have to know your staff well enough to talk to them effectively, motivate them, and know how to help them. I think being curious about life around you keeps you in a good place to help manage people, equipment and things.
How has Whitefish Mountain Resort impacted You?
DS: I feel much more comfortable in my own skin. I feel respected and confident in the work field. We have people that work above us that listen to us and consider our opinion. I’ve gained the confidence to express myself and not feel ashamed because they're supportive. I’ve grown into my own skin working here.
ES: Whitefish in general just changed my life into a very different kind of life. WMR, the people here, have been so encouraging and took the time to invest in me, and saw something in me I didn’t see in myself, which gave me the confidence to walk the steps of being in this role. It’s a beautiful thing to have an upper management that’s in your corner, wanting you to succeed.
What are you looking forward to this winter?
DS: Actually, getting to ski this winter! I had a bum knee last year and hopefully this year I get to actually ski. How many people can say when they go to work, they can take an hour, hour and a half break and go ski? That’s a benefit most people don’t have in their work environments.
ES: We have a returning core staff in the winter that have been here for years and years, some of them before either of us, and I always look forward to getting the gang back together! And of course, the excitement of ‘who are we gonna get this year’ in the new staff? What kind of dynamics will we have? I look forward to all those interactions, personalities and getting to know each other.
So the next time you’re on the mountain this ski season and you’re looking for some information, or you want to purchase a pass, or you’re looking for a single black ski glove, head to Guest Information and Services and say hi to Denise and Emily, and maybe a thank you for all their and their coworker’s hard work!
skiwhitefish.com
Elevate Your Giving Power
Discover Donor Advised Funds for
Charitable Giving
By Jessa Ash
As the holiday season approaches, many of us start thinking about ways to give back to our community and support causes that are close to our hearts. One of the most effective and flexible ways to manage your charitable giving is through a donor-advised fund (DAF). Let’s explore the numerous benefits of using a DAF, especially during the holiday season, and how Fischer Investment Strategies can help you maximize your philanthropic impact.
What is a Donor-Advised Fund?
A donor-advised fund is a charitable giving vehicle administered by a public charity. It allows donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then see the account grow tax-free, making even more funds available to donate to recommended grants over time. This structure provides donors with the flexibility to support their favorite charities at their own pace while benefiting from the tax advantages of a charitable donation.
Tax Benefits
One of the most significant advantages of a DAF is the immediate tax deduction you receive when you contribute to the fund. This can be particularly beneficial at the end of the year when many people are looking to maximize their tax deductions. Here are some key tax benefits:
1. Immediate Tax Deduction: When you contribute to a DAF, you can take an immediate tax deduction for the full amount of your donation, even if you plan to distribute the funds to charities over several years.
2. Avoid Capital Gains Tax: If you donate appreciated assets, such as stocks or real estate, to a DAF, you can avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation. This means more money goes to the charities you care about.
3. Tax-Free Growth: The assets in your DAF can be invested and grow tax-free, potentially increasing the amount you can grant to charities in the future.
Flexibility and Convenience
DAFs offer unparalleled flexibility and convenience for donors. Here’s how:
1. Timing of Donations: You can contribute to your DAF at any time and take the tax deduction immediately, but you have the flexibility to decide when and how much to grant to charities. This is particularly useful during the holidays when you might want to support multiple causes.
2. Simplified Record-Keeping: With a DAF, you only need to keep track of one receipt for your tax records, regardless of how many grants you recommend. This simplifies your record-keeping and makes tax time easier.
3. Ease of Granting: Recommending grants from your DAF is straightforward and can often be done online. This makes it easy to support your favorite charities quickly and efficiently.
Supporting Charities During the Holidays
The holiday season is a time when many charities see an increase in demand for their services. Using a DAF can help you support these organizations more effectively:
1. Responding to Urgent Needs: During the holidays, many charities run special campaigns or have urgent needs. With a DAF, you can quickly respond to these appeals and provide timely support.
2. Year-End Giving: Many people make their largest charitable contributions at the end of the year. A DAF allows you to make these contributions in a tax-efficient manner, ensuring that your donations have the maximum impact.
3. Matching Gifts: Some employers offer matching gift programs during the holidays.
“You mean I can donate to my favorite causes and my donation amounts will be deducted from my total income? So instead of paying those taxes to Uncle Sam, I can save them for my favorite charities?? Why WOULDN’T I do that?”
By contributing to your DAF and then recommending grants to eligible charities, you can take advantage of these programs and potentially double your impact.
How Fischer Investment Strategies Can Help FIS understands the importance of strategic charitable giving and the impact it can have on both your financial plan and the causes you care about. Here’s how they can assist you with your DAF:
1. Personalized Advice: Our team of experienced advisors, including me, will work with you to understand your philanthropic goals and help you set up a DAF that aligns with your financial plan.
2. Investment Management: We can help you invest the assets in your DAF to ensure they grow tax-free, maximizing the amount you can grant to charities over time.
3. Tax Planning: Our advisors will provide guidance on the tax implications of your charitable contributions, helping you maxi-
mize your tax benefits while supporting the causes you care about.
4. Legacy Planning: We can assist you in naming successors to your DAF, ensuring that your charitable legacy continues for generations to come.
5. Ongoing Support: Our commitment to you doesn’t end once your DAF is set up. We provide ongoing support and advice to help you make the most of your charitable giving.
6. Giving Options: Don’t know what cause you want to give to? FIS can provide you with a list of Non-Profits and give you information on what they do for their community.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be able to give back to our community!
Reach out to Jessa Ash today for more information. Embrace the spirit of giving Jessa Ash, Registered Investment Advisor Fischer Investment Strategies 406-212-1983 - jessa@fisfp.com
The Rise of Functional Medicine
By Dr. Tom Flass and Brittany Coburn NP-C
Photos by Dianne Dotter at dianne@dolliphoto.com
“Doctor my eyes have seen the years, and the slow parade of fears without crying, now I want to understand…”
The lyrics to a favorite Jackson Browne song resonate with many of us “older folks” but may hold special meaning for healthcare providers and patients navigating the murky waters of our medical system. Healthcare in the United States is going through a period of rough transition, leaving many patients and their providers frustrated and confused. We spend twice as much on healthcare in the US compared to any other developed nation yet have worse outcomes in many areas. 95% of those U.S. healthcare dollars are spent on costly surgery, drugs, and hospitalization while only 5% or less is spent on prevention. The world's leading medical journals, JAMA and The Lancet both recently reported that most illness and death affecting Americans are diet and lifestyle related. Yet somehow only 1/3 of medical schools offer minimal training in nutrition, and extraordinarily little in lifestyle modification
Medical providers in our current system are increasingly getting squeezed to see more and more patients in shorter office visits, not allowing them to offer the type of care that both deserve. Preventive personalized medicine gives way to turnstile prescription factory care resulting in sky-high rates of burnout in medicine. The health care consumer is also getting squeezed, with steadily rising insurance premiums, sky high deductibles, and insurance companies declining coverage for sometimes well-established medical testing and conditions. Small wonder that so many people are upset and want something different. By all measures, the current model is unsustainable.
We all deserve better.
The good news? As with all crises we have faced as a nation, innovators and out of the box thinkers start to shake things up and offer new paths forward. Alternative solutions that start as small grassroots operations hit a point of groundswell as new ideas catch on. Enter the rise of Functional Medicine.
What is functional medicine and how is it different?
The current medical model mostly treats the symptoms and effects of harmful diet, lifestyle, & toxic exposures rather than addressing the root causes of disease and ill health. We refer to this as “downstream” medicine as opposed to “upstream” medicine. Patients get caught in a kind of hamster wheel, always chasing symptoms but never fixing the issues at the core of their problems. Functional medicine is a very different approach, and can be best described as science-based, personalized, root-cause (upstream) medicine. Time to get off the hamster wheel folks.
Increasing numbers of people across Montana and the rest of the country are discovering the benefits of Functional Medicine. The worldrenowned Cleveland Clinic opened a Center for Functional Medicine almost a decade ago, with wild popularity. Traditional healthcare providers are starting to pursue training in this field, often as much for what it can offer them in their own health challenges as what it can offer their patients. We at Functional Medicine Associates are no exception, and credit Functional Medicine for our own heal-
ing and health care “awakening.” It was effective where conventional medicine was not, and to us, it just made sense. Identify and treat the root causes of disease and poor health before they have a chance to do any more damage and take actions to restore the person to a state of health. While Functional Medicine is by no means the only type of care that embodies these principles, we feel that it does the best job of integrating “holistic” medicine with modern medicine and science.
Science-based: Functional Medicine continually uses the latest research to inform the practice of cutting-edge medicine that stays ahead of the mainstream. It is a commonly accepted fact that medical discoveries take 20-30 years to evolve from groundbreaking research to “standard of care” medical practice. Given the health of many Americans, we do not have 20-30 years to wait. Your health and the health of your family matter now, so why aren’t we incorporating more of these concepts into the practice of medicine?
This recalls a quote by the philosopher Schopenhauer: “All truth passes through three stages- First it is ridiculed, then it is violently protested, then it is eventually accepted as self-evident.” With medicine, which changes very slowly, we are somewhere in the first and second phases, but being dragged toward the last stage kicking and screaming.
The current medical model mostly treats the symptoms and effects of harmful diet, lifestyle, & toxic exposures rather than addressing the root causes of disease and ill health.
A few examples of Functional Medicine being light years ahead of the curve include the importance of our gut bacteria (the microbiome) and “leaky gut” which is the all-too-common state of increased permeability of our intestinal barrier. Both concepts have been self-evident and a cornerstone of Functional Medicine for decades and have an enormous impact on our health but were mostly ignored or ridiculed by the mainstream until recently.
Good medicine is personalized medicine. True patient-centered healthcare such as Functional Medicine recognizes and embraces the individual and discards the “one size fits all” approach. Each patient has their own unique background which is a combination of their genetics and their exposures through diet and lifestyle which profoundly impact their health. We believe that there are six fundamental “Pillars of Health” that need to be evaluated and sometimes adjusted for an individual to be truly healthy. These six pillars are the root cause of health or disease. We will explore each of these in more detail in future editions of this magazine:
1. Nutrition
2. Sleep
3. Exercise and physical activity
4. Stress reduction and mental health
5. Connectedness and community
6. Exposure to sunlight, nature and a clean environment
A good medical provider is a detective, working with the patient using a detailed “six pillars” history as well as physical exam and targeted laboratory testing to uncover the upstream causes and triggers of the individual patient’s disease and ill health. Armed with this information, the provider can advise the patient on incorporating dietary & lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, and judicious use of medications to restore health. This is what we all deserve from healthcare, and what we believe is the future of medicine.
For more information about Functional Medicine or to find a
Icelantic Skis Founder Ben Anderson
By Rachael Seymour
Whitefish has always been a welcoming town for tourists and new citizens alike. More often than not, it’s those who’ve been visiting and slowly falling in love with the town and its surrounding beauty for years, who finally make the choice to listen to the mountains’ call and settle down beneath it. Ben Anderson is no different. Like many of those that ski in the winter, he loves the closeness that comes with Whitefish Mountain Resort. “It’s such a nice change of pace…you get up there in 15, 20 minutes, you park right there, and ski.” At the time of this interview, Ben is not in Whitefish, or Montana for that matter. He’s in Colorado, for business. Although a relatively new Montanan, Whitefish has been a welcoming reprieve from the busyness of his everyday life: The active owner and founder of Icelantic Skis.
While Icelantic is considered a critically acclaimed and award-winning ski company, it came from quiet beginnings almost 20 years ago. Growing up in Evergreen Colorado, Ben, enamored with snow, always dreamt of making skis. Of course, growing up in the 90’s snow scene, that meant being a little against the crowd. While all of his friends were flying around on the more popular snowboards, he sketched out skis in his high school design class and dreamed of logos. While claiming it was just a hobby at the time, he knew this was it. “I kind of knew what I wanted to do.”
He graduated and went on to college to major in Industrial Design at Western Washington University for a few years before realizing everything he needed to learn he could find outside of a classroom and announced this to his parents.
“One day I walked out of my econ class and said to them, ‘you know what? I’m done.’” And they laughed and said, “Oh we knew it!”
Ben left school and continued to work and develop his craft, while studying every design and business book he could get his hands on. During this time he brought in a childhood friend and artist, Travis Parr, to help come up with and create artwork for the skis. After some years of brainstorming, creating and troubleshooting, Ben and Travis were able to launch Icelantic Skis in 2006. What followed was years of steady but successful expansion of the business, earning their place in the snow scene as a creative and dependable company. Though not as hands-on in the business as he used to be, these days he still actively participates in helping with design, sales and
marketing. He always wants to make sure he’s supporting his teams and giving them the tools they need to be successful.
In addition to being focused on creating cool, quality skis, Icelantic is determined to leave the world better than they found it and pave the way for those behind them. As of 2022, Icelantic is currently a B-certified corporation, which is no easy task to accomplish. To receive a B-certification, a company must be held to the highest standard of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and accountability amongst the foundational level of the company, including the stakeholders. “It was pretty cool to see just how naturally and authentically we built this brand and built this business and this team and put resources into this company we believe in…I think since the beginning one thing that
I think since the beginning one thing that we stayed true to was that we’ve just been authentically ourselves.
we stayed true to was that we’ve just been authentically ourselves.” While it took a few years to pass, Icelantic was one of the first ski companies to obtain the exclusive certification. Other snow apparel companies in this league are Burton, WNDR Alpine, and Faction.
While the company is still rooted in Colorado, Ben’s relationship to Whitefish was years in the making.
What started as an annual getaway trip between old friends, Ben had felt his deep connection with the town grow over time. “In the last 20 years I’ve been all over the world, but for some reason Whitefish has always been this special spot I could just feel inside me and I always thought ‘is that just a premonition?’” During a time he actually needed to be there for business, he went to dinner at Indah Sushi where he ended up meeting his wife. His wife happens to be the owner, Tiffany Newman, that is when the rest fell into place. “To see it come full circle and call it (Whitefish) home now, I’m like ‘oh my God, I couldn’t be happier!’” The community is also something he enjoys. “I love the passion that’s in the valley and on the mountain. It’s done in a way that’s not ego driven or blown out; it’s refreshing.”
Something Ben is looking forward to this season is the redesign of their top selling Nomad and Maiden Freeride collections. That and taking his 2-year-old daughter up the mountain, ready to pass on his knowledge and passion for the sport. “I’m excited to see how she progresses this year!” And of course, he’s looking forward to having a good snow year. Adding to this, Ben brings up the theory about how high bee activity in the summer is connected to a snowy winter. After reflecting on this past summer, we laugh and agree we will probably have a great, snow-filled winter. When asked what he loved about skiing, he sighs.
“I love the freedom of it. I love to do exactly what we sell. Anytime we’re stressed out or overwhelmed, you can go out and it brings you right back to the reason of ‘why we do what we do.’”
You can find Icelantic products at Tamarack Ski Shop, REI, at the demo center on Whitefish Mountain Resort (where you can find a special edition Glacier National Park themed ski set!) and their website at icelanticskis.com.
Are Your Pee Pipes Piddling?
Written by Shawn Shanahan, APRN-WHNP
A leaky bladder is not a laughing matter, or is it? For one thing laughing all too often leads to leakage. So does coughing, sneezing, exercising, or changing positions. Unprovoked bladder leakage may just incline one to stay home and become a recluse. Sometimes it feels like just living causes the bladder to leak! It happens at the most inconvenient times and interrupts the most joyful times with family and friends. Having to excuse oneself surreptitiously to change one’s bottoms can ruin the best jokes. Holding back a full belly laugh just can’t be healthy. Laughter is supposed to be the best medicine. Blowing a snotty nose repeatedly from allergies or infection is bad enough, but when one is leaking from both ends, it is just NOT FAIR! Furthermore, who wants the odor of urine to take the fun out of jumping up after your kid sneaks a whoopee cushion onto your chair? If you are concerned about weight gain because you no longer exercise due to a misbehaving bladder, I say, “Enough already!”
Although common, do not accept stress urinary incontinence (SUI) as a normal part of aging. Do not accept any type of incontinence as normal for that matter. SUI is the most common type of bladder leakage in younger women. In fact, 24-40% of women over 30 years old suffer from it. The good news is that it is treatable and that there are several treatment options. Treatment can be as simple as bladder retraining through pelvic floor physical therapy and lifestyle management, practicing exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles, or using vaginal estrogen. Vaginal estrogen plumps up the tissue around the bladder opening to give more support for urinary control. Another option may be wearing a vaginal supportive device called a pessary to lift dropping pelvic organs. Many women come to Kalispell OB-GYN for pessary fitting.
Surgical options are also available, and some are not very invasive at all. The
tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, also known as the urethra, may just need a little support. A strong thin strip of material may be permanently placed behind the urethra to act as a back stop to prevent leakage from pressure on the urethra during daily activities. In the medical world this is called a sling. This effective method takes the work out of managing leakage.
A similar way to support the urethra without any incisions includes injecting a bulking agent around the urethra. This agent called Bulkamid is very low risk for complications and is also immediately effective. The polyacrylamide hydrogel has been available for use in Europe since 2006 and in the USA since 2020 when it was approved by the FDA. The procedure involves 3-4 injections of soft water-based gel around the urethra and takes on average 10 minutes to perform. The injec-
This procedure was a life changer! I can run, sneeze, cough, laugh and I don’t pee anymore! I love being active with my young kids and hesitated racing them in the driveway, or jumping on the trampoline because I’d pee my pants.
tions may be administered under general anesthesia or with a local anesthetic. SUI leakage is cured or significantly improved in 92% of women for up to 7 years. Risks are minimal, and recovery is very quick. Bulkamid should not be injected when a bladder infection is present, or if the urethra is constricted, and the FDA has not approved it for men. It is an appealing treatment option for women with a busy lifestyle wanting a quick fix. Don’t take my word for it. In the words of Hayley B., “This procedure was a life changer! I can run, sneeze, cough, laugh and I don’t pee anymore! I love being active with my young kids and hesitated racing them in the driveway, or jumping on the trampoline because I’d pee my pants. Not anymore…the procedure literally changed my life and it lasts up to 7 years! I’m so happy.”
Kalispell OB-GYN will be happy to assist you or your loved one with incontinence issues to find the best treatment(s) geared toward your needs. You do not have to accept leaky pipes as a way of life. From Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” At Kalispell OB-GYN laughter can be the best medicine.
Shawn Shanahan, APRN-WHNP-BC joined Kalispell OB/GYN in March 2021, moving to Montana in 1986 to raise her two sons and to enjoy the great outdoors with her spouse. She earned her nursing degree from the University of Utah in 1986. She became a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner through Harbor-UCLA in 1987 and earned her Master of Science in Nursing through the University of Nevada – Reno in 1993.
Shawn has 10 years of public health experience in addition to over 25 years of private practice. She is also a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), a Certified Wholistic Health Educator (WHE), a Certified Geriatric Care Professional (CGCP) and North American Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP). Shawn enjoys providing a wide range of women’s care, including contraception, fertility care, menopause management, prenatal and postnatal care, sexually transmitted disease management, bladder care, cancer screening, and management of sexual concerns.
Shawn seeks to empower patients and their families through education to pursue informed choices that promote well-being.
Beautiful You, Only Better Nastastia Byrd Han - Cura Med Spa
“Beauty comes from a place within,” says Nastastia Byrd Han of Cura Med Spa. “Here at Cura, we focus on highlighting each individual's natural features and emphasizing the beauty that they hold. Our goal is not to transform someone to make them look ‘different’, our goal is to remain “beautiful you, only better.”
Cura Med Spa opened its doors in February 2024. Nastastia’s love for medical aesthetics combined with her passion for helping and encouraging others runs deep in her veins. She believes confidence is the key to personal happiness. “Confidence has to come from within; it is the root of our successes”.
Nastastia is a 4th generation Flathead Valley native. Growing up in northwest Montana instilled an appreciation for beauty in all things that surround her. As a young teenager, it became evident that healthcare was her future. Nastastia is a licensed and board certified nurse practitioner. She graduated from Montana State University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and then earned her Nurse Practitioner and Masters in the Science
By Mary Wallace
of Nursing through Case Western and Maryville Universities. She has trained with multiple well renowned aesthetic practitioners in the industry. Opening a Med Spa fulfills Nastastia’s drive for entrepreneurship, her passion for helping others look and feel their best, and her love for the practice of medicine.
“At Cura, our emphasis is on embracing and enhancing your natural beauty,” says Nastastia. “We will help you craft a more radiant and confident version of yourself while preserving all the features that make you inherently beautiful.”
Cura Med Spa offers multiple advanced modalities focused on all things skin and facial rejuvenation. Crafting a custom individualized treatment plan together, from the list of services shown below, allows us to determine specific goals, desires, and areas of concern. Together, we work to accomplish this on a timeline and budget that works best for the patient.
Botox (AKA Neuromodulators or Wrinkle Relaxers) - Is the most requested aesthetic procedure in the world and provides incredible results. Nastastia specializes in advanced Botox injection techniques and is proud to partner with Allergan,
the most FDA approved for areas of the face to be treated with Botox. Botox injections are quick and easy with zero downtime. Results can be evident as quickly as 3 days but the final results are present 10-14 days post injection. Botox injections are best for softening wrinkles in areas that utilize repetitive movements and muscle tension and also for the prevention of the formation of deep set lines and wrinkles.
Cura is one of the first med spas in the country to offer an industry leading technology with Cutera’s Secret Duo which pairs radio frequency microneedling with a 1540 glass laser for the ultimate skin rejuvenation and resurfacing treatment. “This treatment is an incredible option for everyone; whether you are looking for pre-juvenation and prevention, or rejuvenation and correction.”
Aquagold Glow Tox Facial - Looking for poreless, hydrated, airbrushed, glowing skin? Ask about Aquagold. Aquagold is a micro injection facial that infuses the highest quality ingredients directly into the epidermis to leave skin instantly hydrated and glowing with results that continue to improve over the next weeks.
Cura’s Signature Laser Facial - Nastastia has carefully crafted a menu of treatments that are ad vanced and guaranteed to provide results. Cura’s Signature Laser Facial is an exclusive treatment only found at Cura that pairs dermaplaning with a laser treatment followed by a medical grade facial that is designed to address your very specific skin needs. The combination of multiple treatment modalities make this treatment a superior treat ment that is hard to top.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers are a beautiful way to enhance your natural beauty with a soft, subtle touch. Fillers add volume and smooth lines, re freshing your look without changing your unique features.
Laser Genesis Skin Rejuvenation - This non ablative laser treatment works to effectively even out skin tone, treat fine lines and wrinkles, target acne scars, rosacea, large pores and generalized redness. They are not only great for instant beau tiful results before a big event; laser genesis is a go-to when treating acne, hyperpigmentation and redness.
IPL - Also known as a photofacial, this treatment is phenomenal for eliminating sun spots, age spots and uneven skin pigmentation. Results are accentuated by this treatment's ability to also stimulate collagen and elastin renewal which effectively reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Laser Hair Removal - Who wants to deal with unwanted hair and endless shaving? Laser hair removal is your answer to smooth, healthy, nonirritated skin.
Chemical Peels and Active Facials - Nastastia partners with Lira, a globally known and science backed company to create customized facials and peels that will address all the unique needs of your skin. The results from Cura’s chemical peels are instant and lasting. Minimal downtime treatments make this a great option for nearly every patient.
Acne focused laser and peel treatments - Nastastia has a personal love for the treatment of acne. The combination of lasers and medical grade skincare treatments provide her acne clientele with life changing results.
Dermaplaning - Best for minimizing the appearance of skin imperfections by removing the uppermost layers of your skin. A surgical grade blade gently glides across your skin removing all the superficial layers of dead skin and peach fuzz. This treatment leaves skin smooth, silky and glowing!
Medical Grade Skin Care and SupplementsBecause 80% of transformative results are achieved at home through daily use of high quality products, Cura is proud to offer some of the industry’s most advanced products on the market.
Cura’s Signature Laser Facial is an exclusive treatment only found at Cura that pairs dermaplaning with a laser treatment followed by a medical grade facial that is designed to address your very specific skin needs.
Nastastia Byrd Han is one of the most approachable and down to earth people one could hope to meet. She truly believes that people are just inherently beautiful and she wants them to see that for themselves. She offers complimentary comprehensive consultations in which a patient has the opportunity to go over all their concerns, and together she works with them to formulate thorough and customized treatment plans that are guaranteed to leave her patients looking and feeling beautiful.
On any given day, Nastastia’s alarm goes off at 5 am - She likes to start her day focusing first on her own personal health and wellness. “My 5 am workouts are one of my favorite parts of the day; the house is quiet and I can intentionally focus on myself.”
She is an avid outdoor enthusiast and she especially loves trail running, hiking, mountain biking, wake surfing, downhill skiing, and anything sport related with her children.
Together, Nastastia and her husband Young have 6 children, ages 9 to 15 still at home, as well as one in college. Because she is so passionate about fitness, she loves seeing her kids' natural athleticism come to life. Young runs a thriving orthodontic
practice as well as consults as one of the top recognized Invisalign providers and specialists in the nation. Nastastia is busy with Cura and all that comes from the startup and expansion of a new medical practice. Busy lives can make for a complicated schedule and Nastastia claims that one of her superpowers is multitasking. Young and Nastastia both work hard to be influential, and insightful parents for their children.
Something that especially fulfills Nastastia is watching her children dream big and accomplish goals. She takes so much pleasure in being an inspiration to others. If you are ever able to invite Nastastia to join you on your personal health and wellness journey, she is almost always up for the challenge. Not only does she love encouraging others to set and achieve their own goals but finds extreme joy in cheering others on crossing the finish line with them. Helping others feel good and gain confidence in themselves inspires her to the core.
“If you truly desire something, there’s always a way. As an aesthetic medicine specialist, I am here to help you achieve your goals. Investing in yourself is one of the best choices you can make.”
Cura’s beautiful Med Spa is located at 690 North Meridian Road, Suite 106, Kalispell, MT. What are you waiting for? Book your complimentary consultation today at www.cura-derm.com today to get started on your path to being “Beautiful You, Only Better!”
Photo by Amanda Wilson Photography
Q&A wItH Robert Rogers, MD, Logan Health Urogynecologist
What brought you to the Flathead Valley?
I met Dr. Richard Taylor at a conference and he invited me to come out and look at a practice opportunity with him here in Kalispell. My wife and I visited and were so impressed with the area and the practice. We were skiing, hiking and boating regularly at the time and saw ourselves doing all of these things here. So after more than two decades practicing gynecology in Pennsylvania, we moved to Kalispell and I joined his practice in about 2005.
What’s your specialty of practice?
I am board certified in gynecology as well as urogynecology and reconstructive vaginal surgery. Therefore, I specialize in laparoscopic surgery, pelvic reconstructive surgery and bladder repair. I diagnose and treat pelvic floor conditions such as weak bladder or pelvic organ prolapse, as well as diseases of the women’s reproductive system.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I love being able to help people who feel there is no help or who feel their symptoms are just a normal part of aging. There is so much we can do and it is so rewarding to help people understand there are options available that will allow them to feel relief.
What are some of your professional interests?
I enjoy studying and educating other practicing gynecologists about female anatomy and surgical techniques. I have written several chapters for textbooks and have also served as an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania. I am a lifelong learner and thoroughly enjoy opportunities to expand my knowledge and assist others in doing the same.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love spending time outdoors. My wife and I enjoy hiking, boating, exploring Glacier National Park and especially enjoy spending time with our family and friends. I love hosting my children and grandchildren and sharing our home and surrounding activities with them when they visit.
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When Lori was first diagnosed with a form of pelvic organ prolapse, she felt a rush of emotions. “I was devastated,” she recalled. “It was alarming, and I didn’t know what to expect.” She had felt the unmistakable symptoms of the condition, a “fullness” in the pelvic area, and when she visited Logan Health Women’s Care - GYN, urogynecologist Robert Rogers, MD, immediately understood what was going on.
“The vast majority of women with pelvic organ prolapse feel pressure in the vagina, and some of them can see or feel a bulge,” Dr. Rogers explained. “It’s very uncomfortable. Some women also experience urinary incontinence and leak urine.” Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when weakened muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor cannot hold the organs in their proper place, causing them to drop from their natural position. This condition is very common, with some studies suggesting that 40-50% of women will experience it to some degree during their lifetime. Some women are more likely to experience pelvic organ prolapse, such those who have had a child or multiple children, as well as those who have a strong family history of the condition. Straining, heavy lifting, and intense cough-
Lori’s Journey Through Pelvic Organ Prolapse Back to Adventure
By Amanda Sheppard
Montana is home to all kinds of adventures: hiking, swimming, rafting, running, kayaking and mountain biking, to name a few. Montana is also home to Lori Giardina who, at 65, enjoys all of the above. For those with such a drive to explore and exercise, health conditions are not just limiting; they can bring life to a standstill. Fortunately for Lori, there is a surgical solution that got her back to enjoying the great outdoors and all the activities she loves.
ing can also put pressure in the pelvic area and worsen pelvic organ prolapse symptoms.
Like many women who receive this diagnosis, Lori was overwhelmed, but Rogers was quick to alleviate her concerns. “He was reassuring that there were options available and that I would be able to continue with my very active lifestyle with either of them,” she said. The first option was a pessary, which is a soft ring device that is inserted to help hold the organs in place. “Most women don’t feel it,” Rogers said, “and it gives them significant relief from the pressure and discomfort. My colleagues and I treat a lot of women conservatively with pessaries.” The other option was to surgically reconnect the tissues supporting the pelvic organs.
Lori opted for the pessary and used it for two and a half years before asking about a more permanent fix. “The pessary was working, but there is maintenance that is required. Every three to six months, you have to go in and have them check it to make sure everything’s okay. It just wasn’t conducive to my lifestyle, so that’s when I visited Rogers again about surgery,” she said.
The surgery is brief and only requires an overnight stay. During recovery, Rogers advises women to avoid any straining for several months. “It actually takes four full months for complete healing to take place, when the scar tissue comes in, reforms and strengthens,” Rogers said. “I ask my patients to keep their bowel
Photos provided by Logan Health
There
are a lot of women out there having symptoms, and they don’t come in because they feel that there’s no help for them. They think it’s a natural part of aging.
movements soft and to avoid heavy lifting over 15 pounds for several months.” These measures help protect the repaired and healing tissues, and while they require the patient to sacrifice activities involving straining for a short time, the long-term effects more than make up for it. “I kayak and raft and swim, and I couldn’t do that this summer, but that choice was well worth it,” Lori said. “For me, it was life-changing to be able to have this surgery. I felt like I regained my normal lifestyle again.”
Lori’s story is just one of the many that are heard daily by those at Logan Health Women’s Care. The expert team of OB/GYNs and GYN physicians that treat pelvic organ prolapse help ensure that every woman finds effective care through treatment options that are tailored to their lifestyle. In this way, they help women like Lori get back to living their best life.
With these medical experts in the Flathead Valley, Rogers and Lori both hope that more women will seek care for this condition. “There are a lot of women out there having symptoms, and they don’t come in because they feel that there’s no help for them. They think it’s a natural part of aging,” Rogers said. “But there’s a lot we can do in this day and age.”
Lori is more than happy to encourage women not only to consider treatment, but also to find a medical professional who will provide thoughtful, personalized care, like Rogers. “A ton of women have this issue. I never thought in a million years I would ever be dealing with this, but I would send anyone his way in a heartbeat. He’s very thorough, very comprehensive and truly, truly cares about his patients.”
Best of all, Lori has returned to the activities she loves. “It was life-changing to be able to move forward and be completely active and go back to doing everything I’ve ever done,” she said. With her recovery completed and her enthusiasm renewed, Lori once again sees a lifetime of adventures ahead of her.
To learn more about our clinics and the services offered by Logan Health Women’s Care, please visit logan.org/women.
Better Forever
By Dr.
As someone in the public arena in a small community it’s always good practice to avoid talking about politics. So, I won’t. However, it just hit me as this election is wrapping up that while the majority of us don’t like election season with all the crazy commercials and what not, sign companies must love it. Right? Their production must quadruple that of a non-election year. So many signs. Crazy.
Each of us has had a life experience that has shaped the way we view the world. Our unique perspective in other words. These perspectives heavily influence our approach to life, including political views. And as much as I feel strongly towards a certain ideology and as much as I have a hard time understanding how others might think differently than me, I’m grateful that we are allowed to have our differing opinions and express them at the polls. Because many folks can’t understand why I think (in a political sense) the way I do. But if they’re like me then they value the fact that I am free to think and vote the way I please.
The beautiful thing is these perspectives evolve as we experience more, communicate more, learn more, etc. Like my perspective on the art, science and practice of Dentistry. Sixteen years ago I started dental school in San Francisco at a program regarded as one of, if not the best for learning clinical dentistry. It was regarded as a program that was on the cutting edge of advancements in the field.
I dove right in and absorbed it all. I was in awe at how dentistry was actually done. Thinking
the techniques taught to me were the best and weren’t going anywhere. Here I am 16 years later, only four presidential election cycles mind you, and when I think back on it I feel like we should’ve been doing dentistry in a cave. Ok, so that’s a bit hyperbolic, but man do I operate differently these days.
The most exciting thing is however, that I’m going to feel the same way in another 16 years. I am no longer making the mistake of thinking, “The nerds have done it, it can’t possibly get any better, or easier, or more accurate, or less painful, etc.” It’s amazing now and as long as I don’t become an “old dog” it’s going to continually get better.
I’ll try and rattle off the big examples while hopefully keeping you, the reader, engaged. During my time in dental school the hot new technology was something called Cone Beam Computed Technology, or CBCT for short. What does it do? Thanks for asking, it captures a three dimensional image of the hard tissue of whatever it scans, and in our case it scans the lower half of your face...the part where your mouth is.
You guys, this is huge. This took us from the two dimensional world into the third dimension. Its biggest application has been for implant surgery planning. We can place implants with precision and predictability in a far less invasive manner than before. It allows dentists who are preparing to do a root canal a precise map of a tooth’s pulpal anatomy.
The best part, is when they were teaching us about these machines we were told they were too expensive and patients would have to go to imaging centers (much like getting an MRI), but now they are pretty standard in any dental office up to speed on tech. For example, each of my three dental offices has one. We will come back to this technology as it will build on some of the other examples coming up.
What about Digital Optical Scanners!!! Three exclamation points because this tech has improved not only my dentistry, but it has greatly improved mine and the patient’s experience
John F. Miller DDS - SMILE MONTANA
I’m barely scratching the surface here, people. Just trust me, dentistry is getting better every day and it’s not going to stop. This is good news for humanity.
receiving needed dental care. To keep it short, a digital optical scanner allows the dentist to capture a detailed three dimensional image (we use the term impression in dentistry). This technology has been clinically viable in my opinion for almost 15 years and was originally introduced for the purpose of making ceramic crowns “in house.”
The big advantage is that the patient no longer has to have a pile of goop shoved in their mouth to capture an impression. They no longer have to wear a janky temporary crown for a month waiting for the lab to make their crown. And they no longer have to have that painful second appointment that oftentimes requires getting numb again. All of these are awesome for the Dentist also. We will also revisit this tech after talking about our last example.
Drumroll please.......3D printing. It’s only getting better and better and it’s now precise and accurate enough for use in dentistry. If we combine 3D printing with the other tech I’ve mentioned above the possibilities are insane. An Oral Surgeon who needs to do major surgery on someone’s jaw can now capture a CBCT image and 3D print a precise model of the patient’s jaw to visualize their surgery ahead of time.
An Orthodontist can take a digital optical impression of a young patient’s teeth, digitally plan the entire case, and 3D print out the successive models allowing them to fabricate clear aligners (think invisalign) in an hour or two.
A dentist can remove someone’s teeth (relax, they needed to be removed they were full of disease ok), place 4 to 6 implants which were planned using the CBCT, immediately attach what’s called a scan body to each implant, take a digital optical impression, then design digitally a whole new set of teeth that can be 3D printed and attached within an hour or two. I know, I’m super excited about it all, just like you.
I’m barely scratching the surface here, people. Just trust me, dentistry is getting better every day and it’s not going to stop. This is good news for humanity. So regardless of what happens in between my writing this and it coming out, take solace in knowing the right and the left are in favor of making dentistry easier, faster, cheaper, more comfortable, etc. That might just be the common ground we’ll need to recognize that we are all Americans and neighbors and we are in this mess together.
