Billings, MT June 2021

J U N E 2 02 1

THE HONORABLE

Ashley Harada

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

JUNE 2021 PUBLISHER

Robert Saunders | robert.saunders@lifestylepubs.com, Jessica Bickham | Jessica.bickham@lifestylepubs.com

Welcome to the Women's Issue IT'S BEEN A LONG, COOL, AND SNOWY SPRING - NOW WE FINALLY HEAD INTO SUMMER! As things heat up, get ready to read about some inspirational local women (and their husbands)! From financial planners and chefs to judges,

AD DESIGNER

Rachel Chrisman L AYO UT DESIGNER

Randah O’Doherty CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chris Montague, Mary Muncy

there is plenty of variety. Amidst the variety is a constant: talented and dedicated

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

women who are making their community a better place. Come and see what the

Alienated Productions - Daniel and Kasandra Kessel

fairer sex have to tell us about business and marriage, public service and funerals, love and law, food, events, and more. Be sure to get outdoors this summer - maybe visit Norm's Island for a hike.

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Billings Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Billings areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Billings Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

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Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

INSIDE THE ISSUE JUNE 2021

FEATURES 8 Alexandrite June’s Imperial Birthstone

12 John And Rachel Bonner A True Billings Success Story

22 Women of Billings Petroleum Club Meet Amy, Megan, and Caroline

8 12

26 He Really Loved Her A 96-Year-Old Woman’s Marriage Advice

26

22

DEPARTMENTS 4

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E

A Ring with Alexandrite Gemstone

M

G S O 8

Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

T N

E

JUNE’S IMPERIAL BIRTHSTONE

ALEXANDRITE ARTICLE CHRIS MONTAGUE

ALEXANDRITE IS THE BIRTHSTONE FOR THE

waned until new supplies were discovered in

MONTH OF JUNE, SHARING THE MONTH WITH

Brazil in 1987. Brazil, Sri Lanka, and East Africa

PEARL. The controversial history of alexandrite

are now the main sources for alexandrite, though

dates back to Imperial Russia, where it was first dis-

these gems are not as vividly colored as the orig-

covered in emerald mines near the Tokovaya River

inal Russian gemstones.

in the Ural Mountains. Its Finnish discoverer initially

Natural alexandrite gemstones are now rarer

mistook it for emerald before realizing it changed

than diamonds. Because it’s so scarcely available,

colors under different light sources.

fine-quality alexandrite is practically unaffordable

According to legend, this gemstone was named for Alexander II because it was discovered on

to the general public. Even lower quality stones are expensive and limited in supply.

the future czar’s birthday in 1834. Because alex-

Since the 1960s, labs have grown synthetic

andrite’s red and green hues matched Russia’s

alexandrite—not to be confused with simulated

military colors, it became the official gemstone of

alexandrite, which is actually corundum or col-

Imperial Russia’s Tsardom.

ored crystals infused with chromium or vana-

Russian jewelers were fascinated by this rare

dium for color. Creating synthetic alexandrite is

color-changing gemstone. George Frederick

an expensive process, so even lab-grown gem-

Kunz, the master gemologist at Tiffany & Co., was

stones can be expensive.

also fond of it. He produced a series of alexan-

Alexandrite’s main property is its ability to

drite rings between the late 19th and early 20th

change color under different light sources. Rare

centuries. Alexandrite was occasionally used for

Alexandrite can change from brilliant green to

jewelry in Victorian England as well.

fiery red. Color change can occur in other gem-

After Russia’s gem mine deposits were exhausted, the popularity of alexandrite stones

stones as well, most notably the Sapphire and Tourmaline family of gems.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Billings

9

ALEXANDRITE (CONTINUED)

J U

Greenish Red Alexandrite

Earrings with Alexandrite Gems

N Raw Alexandrite from the Ural Mountains

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Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

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Star t desi gni n g your new hom e toda y.

Move i n this Fa ll!

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11

Success Stor y: John and Rachel Bonner

Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

ARTICLE ROBERT SAUNDERS | PHOTOGRAPHY ALIENATED PRODUCTIONS

G L AS S 12

JOHN AND RACHEL BONNER ARE, IN MY OPINION, ONE OF BILLINGS’ MOST FASCINATING SUCCESS STORIES. Their respective backgrounds and journeys contain astonishing similarities and differences, and it is striking that they have now wound up in the same place.

Both of them grew up in Billings. Rachel went to Skyview High School, and after graduating she spent seven years in New York studying acting, sing-

Rachel attributes the rapid growth of First

ing, and dance. She attended the American Musical

Financial Equity Corporation to its user-friendly

and Dramatic Academy and New School University,

model: “We offer a place for advisors to run their

earning a BA in Liberal Arts. In June of 2007, Rachel

business according to their own philosophy

returned to Billings to join her father as a licensed

without the stress of heavy-handed corporate

financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. Together, they

oversight.” She offers a homily - which any busi-

moved to First Financial Equity Corporation, and

ness executive is surely familiar with - with her

eventually, her father teamed up with a colleague

own twist: “Success in business is 10% prepara-

and purchased the company. Now the company has

tion and 90% execution. It’s easy for educated

more than 40 offices, several hundred advisors, and

people to over-prepare.”

Rachel is managing a team of 21 people, responsible for Billings, Casper, Wyoming and North Dakota.

John grew up in the country around Billings.

He struggled in school, so his mother homeschooled him. As a child, he was always fascinated by bicycles; his mother wisely incorporated this passion into the daily routine, and John started every morning with a bike ride. When he was 13 years old, John asked his parents to pull into a bicycle shop they were passing so he could ask for a job. He was given the opportunity to start repairing bicycles, and within two days he had fixed up fifty of them, to his new boss’s amazement. John continued to work at the bike store, doing a 24-mile round trip on his own bicycle between home and work. He also got the opportunity to work in customer service; though customers would frequently ask to speak to someone older, his co-workers often said, “I can help you if you want, but this kid knows more about the bikes than I do.”

After high school, John went to vocational tech

John and Rachel

and started a career painting cars. Around the same time, he worked at a glass shop and found CONTINUED >

S P E C I A LI S T S

A TRUE LOOK AT THEIR BUSINESS AND RELATIONSHIP

CityLifestyle.com/Billings

13

SUCCESS STORY (CONTINUED)

John and Rachel

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Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

out that he loved automotive glass work. He soon made a choice to pursue a passion instead of a paycheck: although there was a lot of money in painting, he wanted to do glass work. Shortly thereafter, John met Jim McCall when he was called out to do a glass job for him with some motor homes. They got to talking, and Jim learned about his passion, so Jim asked John a simple question: “Why don’t you start your own glass shop?” At the time, John was only 22, and he said so. Jim replied, “When I was your age, I had 19 employees.” One week later, John started his glass shop. Advice wasn’t the only thing Jim McCall offered: he also rented John his first building. Much like Rachel, John’s best advice when starting a business is to jump right in. “Not

Glass Specialists 1010 Shiloh Crossing Boulevard

knowing I didn’t have what it took is exactly what it took. Sometimes if you know too much, you can talk yourself out of a great opportunity.”

Success brought its own challenges: John says

The glass shop opened on Valentines Day in

he let success go to his head and he started hang-

2003, while John painted cars at night to pay

ing out with the wrong people, frequenting the

the bills. He struggled for 2 years. In the difficult

party scene and getting into drugs. That led to

early days, Jim McCall was more than a landlord:

humility lesson number two: probation and house

he was also a mentor and a counselor. He seemed

arrest, though it could have been a lot worse. As

to always know when to stop by with encourage-

John says, “The judge gave me a second chance.”

ment and perspective. It was during this time that

Difficult and uncertain times followed, but John

John learned what he calls his first humility lesson.

sought healthier ways to spend his time, and pur-

Understandably, he wanted to appear successful,

sued reading, especially audiobooks.

so whenever someone asked him how his business

After getting his life and business back on track,

was doing, he always said it was doing well and that

John met Rachel in 2013 through a mutual friend.

they were busy. After a while, John realized he was

They started off as friends, then both realized there

better off being honest, though it was difficult to

was a lot more there. Dating life was tumultuous at

admit when they were struggling. However, he soon

first; both of them had bad habits to break when

found that people in the community were eager

things got difficult in the relationship. That changed

to help local businesses in need; one such person

when a family member, then a pastor at Fresh Life

contacted the Hertz rental agency and started get-

Church, induced them to start coming to church

ting him sizable recurring orders.

with him. They started going to church consistently, and that led them to start changing their lives and social circles and start living better. “We started facing the bumps in the road and facing each other instead of going back to unhealthy things.”

They got married in June of 2015 in a small backyard ceremony, then went to work the next day.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Billings

15

SUCCESS STORY (CONTINUED)

Later, they squeezed in a honeymoon at Hauser Lake in Helena. Marriage brought its own challenges, and they spent “a few bumpy years learning how to be married and letting go of the past.” Both John and Rachel had been married once before, and one of their biggest challenges was to not bring past troubles into their new relationship. Now, after six years, their hard work is starting to bear fruit, in both their relationship and their businesses.

John says you have to start by figuring out your “why.” Because Glass Specialists is in the automotive industry, safety is the biggest part of their “why”. Windshields are actually an important part of car safety- an improperly installed windshield will crumple if a car flips, with potentially lethal results.

A properly installed windshield saves lives, and the team resolved to install each windshield as if their own families were going to be in the vehicle.

If you look around the glass shop, you will notice a number of plaques and documents dedicated to workplace culture. That is intentional. From almost the very beginning, John has chosen to invest heavily in building company culture. Early on, he sent key employees to expensive but essential workplace culture seminars. John says, “If you want to grow your sales, take care of people.” If you treat people well, growth will follow.

Glass Specialists has supported the Special Olympics for years now, and at the worst part of the coronavirus lockdown, when business was slow, John got the call asking him to renew his sponsorship. He thought about it, prayed about it, and resolved to write the check. The next day, his shop was full. Like many businesses in town, after a rocky start, Glass Specialists had their best year ever in 2020. The unique challenges forced the team to focus on the basics and do those things well.

You might sum up John and Rachel’s success story in John’s own words: “Every time we give, blessings follow.”

John and Rachel

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Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

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17

Harada Ashley

JUDGE, LAWYER, MILITARY SPOUSE, MOTHER, AND MORE ARTICLE ROBERT SAUNDERS

ASHLEY HARADA HAS A HISTORY OF SERVICE IN MONTANA

When Tim retired from the military, Ashley

GOING BACK GENERATIONS. Her father, Donald Hossack, was

opened her own private law practice and

assistant chief of police in Kalispell. More notably, in 2009, he belatedly

began to get involved in the Billings com-

received the Silver Star for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity

munity. She serves on the Catholic School

in action” as a Marine during the Vietnam War. The event included

Board and the Salvation Army Advisory

him diving onto a grenade that landed in his company’s foxhole and

Board, having also chaired the latter. Even

shielding the rest of the men from the blast with his own body. Donald

before becoming a District Court Judge,

Hossack’s bravery and selflessness clearly inspired his daughter.

Ashley was a leader in her profession, serv-

Ashley grew up in Kalispell and finished high school in Havre.

ing as President of the Yellowstone Area

There, she met her future husband, Tim Harada. After graduating, she

Bar Association, as a panel member State

went to MSU Northern in Havre, working full-time to support herself.

Bar of Montana Fee Arbitration Committee,

Her job was what first inspired her to be a lawyer - she was a secre-

and assisting with the State Bar of Montana

tary, receptionist, and legal assistant at a law firm, and she loved it.

Modest Means Program. Ashley, Tim, and

After college, Ashley went to law school in Missoula, simultaneously

their two children, Nolan and Bellamy, also

working as an intern in a law office and as a teaching assistant at the

volunteer two to three times a month serving

university. After law school, Ashley clerked for District Court Judge

meals to the food insecure in Billings.

Richard Cebull in Billings. At the same time, she and Tim got married.

Several things inspired Ashley to become

Military service runs strong around Ashley - her husband Tim served

a judge. She felt strongly called to set a good

in the Air Force and was deployed in Qatar and Afghanistan. Because

example of being a judge who works for and

of this, she was essentially a single mom from 2010-2011. While clearly

actually earns their salary. “As an elected

no stranger to hard work, Ashley found working full-time while raising

official, I serve at the will of the people. Hard

children on her own to be a definite challenge.

working taxpayers pay my salary and they CONTINUED >

18

Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Billings

19

ASHLEY HARADA (CONTINUED)

“I VALUE THE TIME OF LITIGANTS AND ATTORNEYS AND I STRIVE TO RUN A PUNCTUAL AND EFFICIENT COURT. I OFTEN HEAR FROM ATTORNEYS AND LITIGANTS HOW MUCH THEY APPRECIATE MY TIMELINESS.”

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Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

deserve hard working judges who devote extra hours

is essential to curbing crime and keeping our community

and energy when necessary. I am not a stranger to hard

secure. She says, “I have serious concerns about the

work and I will continue to serve tirelessly.”

safety of this community and the impact on the vulnera-

Having had her own legal career, Ashley has good

ble and law abiding citizens. We have seen a significant

reason to appreciate working judges. Litigation is

spike in violent crime as of late. I have a duty to consider

an infamously time-consuming affair for all parties

this when imposing appropriate sentences and sanc-

involved. Harada says, “I value the time of litigants and

tions and I take this very seriously.”

attorneys and I strive to run a punctual and efficient

In their spare time, Tim and Ashley golf, fish, and camp.

court. I often hear from attorneys and litigants how

Ashley likes college football and is, of course, a Griz fan.

much they appreciate my timeliness.” For one exam-

Their favorite local business is Juliano’s, though Craft

ple, Harada opted to run a DN Pilot Court, which fea-

Local is a close second. As you can see from their photos,

tures expedited hearings in cases where children are

the Haradas also enjoy travel. Along with roughly half of

removed from their parents. The pilot program ensures

the other people I know in Billings, they went to Mexico

among other things, that children are allowed safe vis-

this spring for siestas, sunshine, and margaritas. Keep

its with their parents, and the Montana legislature has

your eyes peeled for some vacation destinations and

proposed making the program permanent.

travel tips in upcoming issues. In the meantime, join us in

Perhaps most importantly, Ashley is motivated by public safety. A swift, fair, and equitable justice system

the Women’s Issue’s celebration of Ashley Harada’s service and accomplishments in the legal profession.

DWORKING JUDGES WHO DEVOTE EXTRA HOURS AND ENERGY EN NECESSARY. I AM NOT A STRANGER TO HARD WORK.”

WH

HA R

“HA

R D WORKING TAXPAYERS PAY MY SALARY AND THEY DESERVE

CityLifestyle.com/Billings

21

AR

TICLE R OB

E

RT

THE WOMEN BEHIND THE BILLINGS PETROLEUM CLUB S AU N D E R

S

MEET AMY, MEGAN, AND CAROLINE

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Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

and the members get to know each other. While most dining establishments have regulars, practically everyone who eats at the Petroleum Club would qualify as a regular anywhere else. Handled well, this allows for a superior depth of relationship and much better service.

Megan helped lead the current management team as the stepped up during the difficulties of 2020, when there was a real risk that the Club might fail. Instead, everyone pulled AS

ONE

OF

BILLINGS’

OLDEST

CLUBS,

THE

together. Megan says, “Now the Club is doing better than

PETROLEUM CLUB IS WELL-KNOWN. Its marquee high-

it has in a very long time. We were forced to step back and

floor location, custom built when the Sheraton Hotel was first

really assess things, the things that get overlooked when it’s

constructed in 1981, is legendary. What is not widely known,

business as usual.” Megan’s goal now is to really take the

however, is the three women who now make the Petroleum

Petroleum Club to the next level, to make it the “It” place in

Club tick. Meet Executive Chef Caroline Replogle, Executive

Billings - the place you want to propose to your girlfriend,

Administrator Megan Mizelle, and Events and Sales

among other things. Like Amy, she is eager to facilitate new

Manager Amy Bridgeford. The latter two women have been

and unique special events for the members.

with the Club for the past 4 years, while Chef Caroline is

Megan was recently accepted to the Pennsylvania

only a few weeks in. All 3 have intriguing stories and bring

Institute of Mortuary Science; when she graduates in

unique value to their respective positions.

2 years, she wants to open her own funeral home. In the

Amy Bridgeford is originally from Lewistown. Her primary

long term, she wants to get elected to the office of County

role is to coordinate all events at the Petroleum Club. Currently,

Coroner. This goal would entail a move, as Yellowstone

the Club has between 150 and 200 events, both public and private. In the short-term, Amy wants to learn more about marketing and help the Club continue to grow. Her goals are to increase the number and quality of member-only events, including off-site events, thereby improving the value of a membership at the Club. She is also interested to explore starting a networking, leadership, and mentoring group for Petroleum Club members that

“Now the Club is doing better than it has in a very long time. We were forced to step back and really assess things, the things that get overlooked when it’s business as usual.”

meets regularly at the Club. In the long term,

CONTINUED >

Amy would like to get into the event business, and hopefully own her own venue. Amy’s spare time is devoted to the outdoors: hiking, fishing, and her passion for horses. Her favorite place in Billings (apart from the Petroleum Club!) is Norm’s

The Women Behind the Petroleum Club

Island, a lovely trail along the Yellowstone River where she can walk her dogs off leash in peace and quiet. Her favorite drink at the Petroleum Club is her special Manhattan; if you get to know her, and are a little bit lucky, she just might slip behind the bar and whip one up for you.

Megan Mizelle moved to Billings in 2016 from Sheridan, Wyoming. She started working in events at the Petroleum Club, then moved to wait staff and eventually to the office.

Now she is effectively running the Petroleum Club while going to school to be a funeral director. Megan’s favorite thing about the Petroleum Club is the community: the staff

CityLifestyle.com/Billings

23

PETROLEUM CLUB (CONTINUED)

of Montana, where she left without a degree but with 3 years of education in finance and economics. For the past 10 years, she has worked at Lilac, Walker’s, and Ten at the Northern Hotel. While this is her first role as head

“I want to expose people to things they otherwise might not encounter in Billings.”

chef, Caroline feels well-prepared by the dedicated and talented teams she worked with at those establishments. Her favorite place in Billings is the King’s Hat, a local fast food place on the South Side, actually visible from the Petroleum Club. In her spare time, Caroline likes to play with her cat and read science fiction from the ‘50s and 60s - Frank Herbert, Robert Heinlein, and, of course, Isaac Asimov.

Caroline’s favorite dishes to prepare are

County has no such office, instead circulating the duty

dumplings and crepes. Paradoxically, she

among the County’s various morticians. Megan plans to

says she can’t make a good pancake. I personally am

bring a unique angle to the business of funeral arrange-

looking forward to the dumpling tasting menu she says

ments. “Funerals have been done the same way for 150

is in the works. Chef Caroline says to look for more

years - it’s boring.” One of her ideas to shake up the indus-

unique tasting menus to come: “I want to expose peo-

try is offering all-natural burial services - no embalming,

ple to things they otherwise might not encounter in

and natural boxes instead of synthetic coffins. She is

Billings.” Her ultimate goal? “To elevate the food to the

excited to bring a female perspective to the industry, as

level that the members desire and deserve.”

traditionally in many cultures, women were the ones who cared for the deceased.

Megan’s favorite place in Billings is Last Chance Cider Mill. She especially likes the tasting flights, but has a word of warning: “Watch out, because sweet drinks that are 9% alcohol sneak up on you.” Her favorite drink at the Petroleum Club is the Avocado Martini.

The Petroleum Club’s newest employee is also arguably the most important: Executive Chef Caroline Replogle. Caroline brings a broad and diverse range of experience to the job, and a welcome revamp of the dining club’s menu. She was born in Dallas but grew up in Billings. After high school, she went to the University

24

Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

Chef Caroline’s Soon-To-Be-Famous Scallops

Her ultimate goal? “To elevate the food to the level that the members desire and deserve.”

– Chef Caroline Replogle

CityLifestyle.com/Billings

25

TIMES PAST

He really loved her.

A 96-YEAR-OLD WOMAN’S MARRIAGE ADVICE ARTICLE MARY MUNCY

26

Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

A lit t le smile stretches across her face as she looks at me. "Are you married?" she asks. I shake my head.

"Well marry a man like David."

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TIMES PAST (CONTINUED)

SHEBA’S APARTMENT IS COVERED IN KNICKKNACKS. Tokens from Israel sit on the coffee table, vases from China on the bookshelf, and some German dolls watch from a shelf over the dining room table.

“Come in! Come in! Have a seat! Oh, just move the mail,” she says.

I’m in scrubs with several phones, keys, and first aid trappings weighing my pockets as I putter around her kitchen, cleaning. I’m working in Raintree Square Assisted Living in Indiana and Sheba is my 11:30 wellness check. The woman who trained me told me never to sit down in Sheba’s room because she’ll talk until one of you falls asleep. I pull out the dining room chair anyway.

She points to one of the vases on the bookshelf. “That is one of my favorite colors. That blue,” she said. She bought it from a (very expensive) vendor in China while her and her first husband, David, were there to smuggle Bibles in. It was a fake, and David thought so when they bought it, but he was too good to her, she said, and bought them anyway. A little smile stretches across her face as she

28

Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

looks at me. “Are you married?” she asks. I shake my head. “Well marry a man like David.”

David passed away in 1989 after 45 years of marriage and whenever she talks about him smiles. He really loved her. Here’s some advice from Sheba, a 96-year-old woman with a successful marriage.

They got married when she was 19 just as World War Two was starting. David was drafted into the air force after four months of marriage. Sheba followed him.

The two travelled all over the United States as he went through basic training and got his wings. The only time she wasn’t with him was when she returned home to give birth to their first son in 1946, David junior, and then a couple of months later, they went back to David senior’s base.

This was one of the hardest times in Sheba’s life. She

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had to work to support herself in each new place and finding a job got harder with each move. The hard days were the ones where she thought about herself. The easy days were the ones where she thought about her husband.

Marriage is work and compromise. So she worked and compromised for him, without thinking of herself.

“Things were different in the war. Everything was faster.”

They got married faster. They were under more stress

Develop

Independence

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sooner. But they got to support each other through it. They never fought in those early years; there just wasn’t time.

Even though followed him, he only got so many days off base. Their time together was made precious by scarcity.

Their marriage certainly wasn’t perfect – no one’s is – but he loved her with actions not just words, and she did the same. He loved her by providing for her until he died, and even afterwards. He loved her by fighting for her. He loved her with gifts. He knew every aspect of herand he loved the good and accepted the bad with grace.

She loved him by following him. She followed him while he was in the air force and all over the world once he was out. She loved him by listening to his war stories year after year. She loved him by respecting his work. Even now, sitting in her easy chair, hunched from arthritis, she

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can’t say anything about David without mentioning how much he loved her.

After David died, Sheba stayed single for seven years.

This was not for lack of men trying, she’s always quick to add, but out of respect for his memory and a little belief that no one could ever love her like David did.

Our love stories may not involve a world war. But with hard work and compromise, maybe even a little bit of scarcity, maybe we’ll get close to what they had.

I really want to.

CONTINUED >

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TIMES PAST (CONTINUED)

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Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

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HEALTHY LIFESTYLE THE PRO GOLFER’S FITNESS JOURNEY

SCOTT

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WORKOUT ARTICLE CITY LIFESTYLE

SCOTT STALLINGS DISCOVERED HIS INTEREST IN GOLF AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 3.

But it was the “aha moment” for his love of the game that came in 1997 when Tiger Woods won the Masters and would forever change the entire landscape of the industry, as well as what Stallings would aspire to achieve in his future professional endeavors.

Little did he know at the time, however, not just how successful he would become, but also how an unforeseen health compromise would also rock his world, and his cross training, for the better.

He was a seven-time tournament winner and was an All-American while attending Tennessee Tech, and he has won on the PGA Tour three times as a professional golfer.

Flash forward to the year 2016: It became a life-changing year he never would have anticipated; one filled with strife as he learned he had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and acute adrenal fatigue. It was a result of some unhealthy nutritional habits, both of which affected his ability to continue effectively as a professional athlete.

With the guidance of doctors, surgeons, and his good friend Rich Froning, a four-time Crossfit champion, Scott developed a workout to trim 60 pounds, boasting 10% body fat, revising his daily eating habits, and sleeping healthily through the night.

Had Scott not gone to the doctor because of that innate fear, he never would have known the diagnosis of sleep apnea that needed to be addressed.

Luckily for Scott, he didn’t have an overwhelming, crazy life overhaul. Instead, he was able to find one small thing, delivering simple systematic changes in his workout that led to his improvement in fitness and quality of life.

“You only get one body,” he says. “Golf is a grind, but don’t let physicality get in the way of your game,” Scott says.

32

Billings Lifestyle | June 2021

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