A Fresh Look at Great Falls
In early October we had the opportunity to talk to hundreds of women (and even a few men!) at the Women’s Expo. What we heard over and over again is that people crave positive stories about their community. We smiled broadly and nodded along, happy to hear our assumption was correct. From spotlighting local music and tasty eats to uncovering what makes our neighbors tick, we’re here to celebrate the “special spark” that lights up the Electric City.
If you’re picking up The Great Falls Edit for the first time, you may be wondering, What exactly is this publication? We’re a free, local magazine bringing you great stories about remarkable people and all things Great Falls. Join us online at greatfallsedit.com, and don’t forget to subscribe to our free email newsletter for a regular dose of the content our community deserves.
Thanks for being here!
Let’s Explore!
The Ultimate Great Falls Family Bucket List
8 ADVENTURES TO TACKLE
Great Falls is packed with great options for winter fun to keep kids engaged all season long! Use this article as a checklist to discover familyfriendly adventures around town. From cozy crafting at Brush Crazy to hitting the slopes at Showdown Montana, each spot offers a chance to make special memories together. Cut out this list, grab a pen, and let the kids take charge of checking off each activity. How many can your family complete? Even when it’s chilly outside, Great Falls has lots to offer families!
HI-LINE CLIMBING CENTER
HONEY HIPPO. PLAY CAFE
TRES65 STUDIO
BRUSH CRAZY
FALLS FAMILY FUN WHEELS OF THUNDER
Cover Art by Shauna Layton: Each issue features original cover art ready to cut out and frame.
SHOWDOWN MONTANA
LANES
2024 Holiday Events in Great Falls
38th Annual Holiday Happenings Craft Show
Over 140 vendors and artists will be set up for the largest craft show of the year. It features handmade and vintage goods.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena
2024 Burn the Bird
Join Race Montana for a fun run! The first 400 participants receive a groovy pair of specially designed ‘Burn the Bird’ socks! The 10k kicks off first at 8 a.m., followed closely by the 5k and then the 1.3 mile walk around Gibson Park.
8-11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 Gibson Park
30th Annual Parade of Lights in Downtown Great Falls
Head downtown to light up the holiday season (and the Downtown Christmas Tree) at the 30th Annual Parade of Lights. This year's theme is "Holiday Luau," so put on your leis and decorate those palm trees!
6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 Downtown Great Falls
Museum Store Sunday Shopping Event
Join a special shopping event at the C.M. Russell Museum Store. Enjoy music, snacks and holiday cheer while mingling with local artisans. It is the perfect way to shop for holiday gifts while at the same time supporting your local museum. Snag a surprise discount, offered in store, online and in the custom print shop. Museum Shop Sunday is an international event with over 2,100 museums participating.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 The C.M. Russell Museum
Art of Christmas Open House & Artist Market
More than 30 artist vendors will sell artwork including pottery, jewelry, fiber-art, sculpture, woodburning and more. Don’t miss guided gallery tours, photo opps with Santa, face painting, holiday crafts and more.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art
41st Annual Downtown Great Falls Christmas Stroll
Celebrate the holiday season at the 41st Annual Christmas Stroll in Downtown Great Falls. Enjoy activities for the whole family, delicious food vendors, meet Santa, and much more!
5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
Downtown Great Falls along Central Ave.
Rock for Santa
Support Toys for Tots! with live music, raffle baskets and charity fun!
6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
The Do Bar
Christmas with the Great Falls Symphony & Symphonic Choir
Relive Grant Harville’s first GFSA concert conducting the Great Falls Symphony. The performance will feature Tchaikovsky’s dazzling suite from The Nutcracker, along with traditional Christmas carols, a singalong, and a surprise guest conductor. Santa will be there too!
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Mansfield Theater
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks
The Torchlight Parade starts when the sun sets and the fireworks show quickly follows as the finale. It is free to watch from the base area & the bar and kitchen will stay open later than usual.
5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 (or as soon as it’s dark) Showdown Montana
Dr. Stacy Kingsland: Medicine, Mentorship, and Community
r. Stacy Kingsland, a respected internal medicine doctor in Great Falls, blends her career with a passion for teaching. Raised in Great Falls, Kingsland left for college, earning a biology degree from Carroll College and an M.D. from the University of Washington. While initially drawn to orthopedic surgery, she found her true calling in internal medicine.
Stacy, left, with her family.
“A lot of times [Internal Medicine] can be like solving a mystery,” Kingsland shared. “Not knowing what’s wrong with somebody, and it’s up to you to try to figure out what’s going on.”
After practicing in Seattle, Kingsland and her husband (Casey, see below) returned to Great Falls, where she took over a local practice. Today, she’s not just a doctor, she’s also a teacher. Kingsland is a key part of the University of Washington’s WWAMI Program, where she mentors medical students from across five states. Her dedication to teaching was recognized in 2017 when she was nominated for the WWAMI Excellence in Teaching Award, one of only nine faculty members chosen from over 325 clinical sites across the five states.
“Stacy Kingsland is an exceptional teacher,” said Dr. Paauw, Director of the University of Washington Medical Student Program. “She
Mighty Mo’s Casey Kingsland: From Homebrew Hobbyist to Award-Winning Brewmaster
ixteen years ago, Casey Kingsland was a stayat-home dad, recovering from heart surgery and looking for a way to fill his free time. With his wife, Stacy (see above), working full-time, Kingsland found a hobby in homebrewing, a way to tinker and experiment during his downtime while caring for their newborn daughter.
“I started homebrewing just so I could access what I actually liked drinking,” Kingsland says. Initially, he focused on replicating the craft beer styles he missed from Seattle, where he and his wife had lived while she was in residency before returning to their hometown. Friends became his eager taste testers, and over time, his hobby grew into a passion.
When his longtime friend Seth Swingley suggested opening a brewery, Kingsland hesitated. “I didn’t know anything about running a business,” he recalls. But after years of homebrewing, Kingsland
and Swingley took the leap, and Mighty Mo Brewery was born in 2013.
The brewery opened its doors on a freezing Christmas stroll night. They offered just six beers on tap, but it was enough to attract the locals who were drawn in by the warmth and the chance to try something new.
A decade later, Kingsland is still tinkering. He oversees everything from crafting new recipes to ensuring quality control. Some of his original beers, like Dam Fog and Smoke Jumper, are still on tap today. Mighty Mo Brewery has become a cornerstone of downtown Great Falls, helping to transform the city’s appreciation for craft beer.
“Once we acquired our building, I got super busy with the brewery. And that’s been my life ever since,” Kingsland says.
“Starting out, it was all about having a place where
always makes sure her students are fully engaged, and trusts them with responsibility.”
Her approach to mentoring is hands-on. “Their very first day I let them know that this is an environment where they can ask questions. I tell them, ‘Ask anything that you don’t understand, or you don’t know,’” Kingsland said. “But, I also let them know I’m going to ask hard questions as well. ‘There’s no point in being here, if you aren’t learning.’”
When she’s not working with patients or students, Kingsland makes time for running, which is her personal escape. Whether training for a half marathon or cheering on her daughter at swim meets, Kingsland finds balance through sport.
“She’s one of the people who I would like to be when I grow up,” said one of her former students, Anders Ledell. “Most doctors are focused on getting me in to see their patients. Dr. Kingsland was focused on giving me an education.”
For Stacy Kingsland, giving back to her community isn’t just about being a doctor, it’s about shaping the future of medicine and leading by example.
Casey’s success began in his garage.
people could gather, enjoy a beer, and relax,” Kingsland says. His success, he admits, wouldn’t have been possible without the support of his wife. “There’s no way I’d open a brewery if it wasn’t for her.”
Today, Mighty Mo Brewery continues to be a local hub for both craft beer lovers and the community, offering a space for people to connect over a pint – a simple joy that Kingsland first discovered in his garage.
Supporting Children Through Grief During the Holiday Season
By Bridgette Pence, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Grieving the loss of a loved one is challenging at any time, but during the holiday season, that absence can feel especially intense – particularly for children, who may struggle to understand and process their emotions. As adults, we play an essential role in helping children navigate their grief. Here are some tips, dos and don’ts, and supportive approaches to offer comfort during this sensitive time.
Understanding Grief in Children
Children experience and express grief differently than adults. While they may show sadness, anger, or confusion, they may also revert to “younger” behaviors, like wanting more attention or comfort, bed-wetting, or baby talk, especially if the person lost was a central figure in their lives. Some children may feel responsible for the death, especially if they’d ever wished that person would “go away.” Recognizing and normalizing these responses can help you support the child with compassion and understanding.
Communication Tips for the Holidays and Beyond
Create a Safe Space: Encourage an open and honest environment where children feel safe to express their feelings. Let them know it’s okay to talk about their loved one and share emotions. Model this by talking about your own feelings or holiday memories to show them it's natural.
Use Age-Appropriate Language: Tailor your language to the child’s developmental level. Younger children may need simpler explanations, while older children might understand more complex concepts about death and loss.
Encourage Expression: Invite children to express themselves in various ways. This could be lighting a candle, drawing, writing letters, or engaging in creative play. These activities serve as valuable outlets for their emotions.
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Questions like, “What do you remember most about them during the holidays?” or “How do you feel when you think of them at Christmas?” invite children to open up and share memories at their own pace.
Be Honest: If a child has questions about death, answer them honestly and clearly. Avoid euphemisms like “gone to sleep,” which may be confusing. Instead, use straightforward language.
The holidays can be a season of mixed emotions for grieving children and families. You do not have to be an expert on grief to support the child in your life. Most importantly, have patience with your child and yourself. Keep communication open. Encourage expression of feelings, and consider that “expression” can look different for everyone. Finally, reach out for help and support from our Great Falls community.
Bridgette Pence is a licensed professional counselor. Her practice, Nourish Wellness Therapy, offers support for both adults and children navigating grief.
Things to Do
Validate Their Feelings
Let children know it’s normal to feel both happy and sad during the holidays. They may be excited one moment and tearful the next, and both emotions are valid.
Share Your Own Feelings
It’s okay to share your own feelings of grief. This can help normalize their emotions and foster connection. Just be mindful to keep the focus on their experience.
Maintain Routines
Keeping daily routines can provide a sense of stability and security for grieving children. Familiarity helps ground them during difficult emotional times.
Encourage Remembrance
Incorporating a memory of the loved one into holiday traditions can be a powerful way to help children honor their feelings. For example, cook Grandma’s favorite holiday recipe, or hang a special ornament to represent the loved one.
Offer Continuous Support
Things Not to Do
Don’t Minimize Their Grief
Avoid phrases like “You’ll get over it” or “They’re in a better place.” These phrases are usually used with such good intentions, but rarely help a child to feel better. Rather, these statements can invalidate their feelings and may make them feel misunderstood.
Avoid Overprotectiveness
While it’s natural to want to shield children from further pain, be cautious not to avoid conversations about the loss. Instead, allow them to express their feelings openly.
Don’t Force Conversations
If a child isn’t ready to talk, don’t push them. Sometimes just being present is enough. Let them know you’re there, and they can open up when they feel comfortable.
Steer Clear of Clichés
Phrases like “Everything happens for a reason” can be unhelpful. Offer genuine understanding and support instead.
Don’t Rush the Process
Grieving takes time, and everyone processes loss differently. Be patient and allow the child to grieve at their own pace.
Grief doesn’t have a set timeline. Check in regularly with the child, even after some time has passed. Let them know you’re there for them, no matter how long it takes. For resources available in the Great Falls Community read the full story at greatfallsedit.com.
hot seat in the
Carie and Melissa from Holiday Entertaining Tips
What are some essential items for a holiday charcuterie board?
Q: What is on your ideal charcuterie board?
We love cheese! So our ideal board would definitely be filled to the brim with all types of cheeses, spreads, carbs and jam and honey. You can’t go wrong with those ingredients!
Q: What are your top 3 favorite cheeses?
A good hard cheddar, crumbled; brie because it’s so versatile; and then either an herbed goat cheese or a blueberry-vanilla chevre.
Q: Most unique item you’ve used on a charcuterie board?
We did a hamburger topping board for a customer, so you can imagine those are not our normal ingredients.
Q: What’s a misconception people have about creating the perfect charcuterie board?
There isn’t one right way to do it. Just buy ingredients that you like, make sure you have a little bit of everything and just go for it. Have fun with it and get creative-there is no perfect way!
Q: How did you come up with the idea for Grazie?
We always thought having a food truck or mobile cart would be a great idea for weddings and other events. We found an older trailer online at a great price and went for it. Luckily, we are friends with the talented Justine Marchion who
Q: Music or podcast you’re listening to?
Start with a brie or veggie dip in the middle of your board and then slowly build around it. We recommend adding holiday details and seasonal garnishes. Fun additions are pomegranate seeds, Montana holiday jams and using mini cookie cutters to make little trees or snowflakes out of cheese! Don't forget a few truffles for dessert!
Do you have any advice on choosing ingredients to suit both adults and kids?
We believe that kids love to try foods especially when there are so many options on a charcuterie board. They are experts at mixing and matching and making tasty little creations. We find kids are typically very happy with boards that have tasty carbs,simple cheeses, meats and fruit. They may even surprise you with what they will try when the choices are presented on a fun, ready-to-enjoy board!
Well we start Christmas early in the kitchen, so it’s Christmas music right now for sure!
Q: What’s a cause that’s important to you?
Since we have been open we have been able to donate and give back to a lot of local causes, including many schools and sports organizations, 1,000 in Action, the Humane Society, Scottish Rite, local museums, hospitals and businesses. We also host a fundraiser every year on 3.21 to raise awareness about Down Syndrome.
What’s one quick tip to make a charcuterie board look instantly festive for the season?
Add rosemary and some cranberries for garnish! Always a festive look.
Are there any special holiday classes or workshops you’re hosting this season?
One of our favorite classes of the year is the Charcuter-Wreath class! We provide ingredients and the instruction for each participant to build their own charcuterie in the shape of a wreath to take home and enjoy. We have one set for Thursday, Dec 12th at 6:30pm but stay tuned for an additional date as these usually fill quickly!
Best Brunch Spots in Great Falls
Wild Hare
518 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401
Best for locally-sourced ingredients and veganfriendly options.
Our must-have: Thai Cobb Salad with an OverMedium Egg
Magpie
202 2nd Ave S Suite 104, Great Falls, MT 59401
Best for a group with different taste buds as you’ll find both classic favorites and creative new dishes.
Our must-have: Savory Waffles
A & K Diner
705 Central Ave W, Great Falls, MT 59404
Best for those needing a toothsome brunch with hearty portions.
Our must-have: Bulgogi Beef Omelet
Family Affair
616 26th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401
Best for a cozy atmosphere and comforting dishes.
Our must-have: Biscuits & Gravy
Celtic Cowboy
116 1st Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59401
Best for a boozy brunch, a true Irish experience.
Our must-have: Farmer’s Breakfast
Fifth and Wine
214 5th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405
Best for a special occasion brunch. You’ll find the atmosphere sophisticated yet relaxed.
Our must-have: Colazione Flatbread
Tracy’s Family Restaurant
127 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401
Best for classic diner fare in a nostalgic setting. It’s a favorite for a reason.
Our must-have: Old Smelter Stack
Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe
1500 9th Ave South, Great Falls, MT 59405
Best for comfort food. Made-from-scratch biscuits come in a variety of flavors.
Our must-have: Sweet Biscuit
WILDER WITH EVERY VISIT.
PLAN AHEAD FOR 2025
Start your trip with a stop in Lewistown at American Prairie’s National Discovery Center, located at 302 W. Main Street. Our staff is on hand to help plan your visit, check out the interactive exhibits and Night Sky Theater that explore the nuances and biodiversity of grasslands, and take in a few films in the Ken Burns American Heritage Theater that introduce visitors to American Prairie and its important mission of preserving the prairie ecosystem. Admission is free and open to all.
The prairie is just a short drive from Lewistown, heading north on Highway 191. American Prairie offers a variety of affordable overnight accommodations for families to stage adventures on the prairie grasslands. Tent and RV sites at Antelope Creek Campground and Buffalo Camp range from $13 - $38 per night, and the Myers Family Huts on the PN are $173 per night for a hut that sleeps up to nine people.
Are you looking for an off-the-beaten path family vacation that combines breathtaking scenery, wildlife watching, and quality time together? Look no further than American Prairie. This vast, unspoiled expanse of Montana grassland is a hidden gem just waiting to be explored. With a wide range of activities suitable for all ages, American Prairie offers a unique and enriching experience for the entire family.
Selected in 2024 by Outside Magazine as the “Best Place to See Wildlife,” American Prairie topped the list of Adventurous Family Trips That Your Kids Will Love. We are lucky as Montanans to have one of the most exciting and ambitious conservation projects in North America right in our backyard.
Located in Central Montana, American Prairie is a vast prairie destination and refuge for hundreds of species, including migratory birds, roaming herds of deer, pronghorn, and elk, numerous colonies of prairie dogs, and a growing herd of bison. The nonprofit organization’s goal is to connect more than 3 million acres in Montana’s Northern Great Plains along the banks of the Missouri River that will serve as a sustainable, fully functioning ecosystem for wildlife and offers visitors permanent access to an iconic landscape.
ADVENTURES FOR ALL AGES
American Prairie is a paradise for nature enthusiasts of all ages. From spotting bison and pronghorn to exploring diverse ecosystems, every day brings new discoveries. Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with your family. American Prairie offers a chance to slow down, enjoy the simple pleasures of nature, and create lasting memories together. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping activities or leisurely exploration, American Prairie has something for everyone. Hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and stargazing are just a few of the options available.
TIPS FOR A FAMILY VISIT
Plan Ahead: Go online to American Prairie’s website (visitamericanprairie.org) to reserve your camping spot or make a hut reservation. Download maps and familiarize yourself with this remote and rugged area of Montana. Pack for the Weather: Montana weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for anything from sunshine to snow. Bring Binoculars: These are essential for wildlife viewing and will enhance your family's experience. Safety Considerations: Note that services are limited once leaving paved roads and highways, and cell phone coverage can be unreliable.