Issuu

R E A L E S TAT E

LI F E + C U LTU R E

F O O D + B E V E R AG E

BRE AKING TH E M O LD

BU ILDIN G A BRIGHTER BILLIN GS

TH E GO - GET TER

These Gents are Gems

J U N E 2 022

www.asinglemomentintime.net

Michael Tucker

A Single Moment In Time, are large canvas photos of local landscapes, and views from the summits of Mountains in Montana and surrounding states through the eyes of Michael Tucker. These photos have been taken with an inspirational view in time, looking down from the summits, or taken at just a moment in time that will never be duplicated. Find these beautiful large canvas photos that will add inspiration to any wall in your home or office. Go to www.asinglemomentintime.net

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

To great men.

June 2022 PUBLISHER

Richard Boggs | Richard.Boggs@CityLifestyle.com EDITOR

Chelsea Lyn Agro | Chelsea.Agro@CityLifestyle.com

What makes a great man? Does he give back to his community before he takes something for himself? Does he sow the seeds of success in his young son? Does he choose one good thing over another without compromising relationships along the way? The short answer is "yes." The great men featured in this issue have admirable qualities that are sometimes missed if we don't look close enough. Like the man who brings his boy to work with him and encourages his own life path and perspective (Harvey Singh on page 18) or the man who helps a friend grab hold of their dream (Trevan Sparboe on page 28) or the man who champions educational opportunity amid their day job (Neil Beyer on page 12). It might just be the story of yesteryear when grandpa was in his late 20s (Sarie Mackay page 24). These men and their stories are spotlit here within these pages because we care about the real work that happens behind the scenes of success—the hopes we have for our children, the late night inspiration and dream mapping, the roll-up-your-sleeves type of work when you're just getting started. It is with great pleasure that we get to honor these gentlemen and all of the men in our community who make Billings such a great place to live and love. Robert Green Ingersoll once said, “A great man is a torch in the darkness, a beacon in superstition’s night, an inspiration, and a prophecy.” I certainly can thank the men in my life who are humble and hardworking. I strive every day to inch closer in comparison to them. So please, think about the men in your life and take a moment to thank them for being there. One never knows the effect a single kind word or piece of encouragement can have.

STAFF PHOTOGR APHER

Chelsea Culp Photography ChelseaCulpPhotography@Gmail.com AD DESIGNER

Hunter Richie LAYOUT DESIGNER

Hannah Lavenburg CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Nick Mack, Sarie Mackay

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

RICHARD BOGGS, PUBLISHER @BILLINGSCITYLIFESTYLE

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Billings City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Billings area’s 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 City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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4 0 6 -206- 0192 | shawnam o rales.evrealestate. com | 1 0 2 7 S h i l oh C ros s i n g B ou l ev ard S u i te 7 B i l l i n gs , M o n t a n a

JUNE 2022

inside the issue The Gentlemen’s Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

12 Breaking the Mold

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Local Limelight

Inspired By

Outdoor Adventure

Chef ’s Selection

Events

Local real estate guru Neil Beyer gives us a fresh look at the things that matter most.

18 Building a Brighter Billings An interview with Harvey Singh.

28 The Go-Getter

Local entrepreneur curates unique businesses alongside his talented friends.

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Chelsea Culp Photography Harvey Singh and his son Taj love a good skate session, because when you work hard, you play hard, too.

R EA L ESTAT E

LI FE + C U LT U R E LI FE + C U LTU R E

FO O D + B EV E R AG E

JUNE 2022

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

7 5

1-7: Mariah Fredrickson recently launched a non-profit called Amethyst Equine, an interspecies communication ground work course designed to help troubled and at risk youth navigate stress and trauma in their lives through equine therapy.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @billingscitylifestyle

C I T Y SC E N E

JUNE 2022

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Montana Renaissance Festival Red Lodge Home of Champions is home to this year's Montana Renaissance Festival! There will be jousting and equestrian events galore, as well as popular vendors and performers, along with some new surprises. This events occurs Saturday, June 4 and Sunday June 5 at 10 a.m.

Summer Art Academy Young artists get the chance to study under professional masters of their craft in concentrated areas of their choice. Class sizes are limited. Art supplies are included in the cost of tuition and students bring their own snacks and lunches. Summer Art Academy is located on the Rocky Mountain College campus through the Yellowstone Art Museum. To register, please visit ArtMuseum.org. This camp is held the week of June 6.

Billings Biggest Garage Sale Join in on the fun and have a garage sale or come out and shop hundreds of garage sales all in one place! There's surely something for everyone. This event takes place on Saturday, June 25 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at MetraPark in the upper lot.

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Breaking the Mold

LOCAL REAL ESTATE GURU NEIL BEYER GIVES US A FRESH LOOK AT THE THINGS THAT MATTER MOST ARTICLE BY CHELSEA LYN AGRO PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA CULP PHOTOGRAPHY

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | R EA L E STATE

JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S

Neil Beyer Real Estate Agent eXp Realty

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | R EA L E STATE

Neil Beyer isn’t someone who waits for the storm to pass, twiddling his thumbs. He’s right there, holding the umbrella for someone other than himself. His refreshing insight on real estate and education leaves a lasting impression.

NEIL, I LOVE THE SOUND OF A MORE INTIMATE, RELATIONSHIP-BASED SERVICE WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOME BUYING OR HOME SELLING PROCESS. CAN YOU SHARE WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND WHY YOU DIDN’T CHOOSE A MORE CONVENTIONAL TYPE OF REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE? Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote is etched in a stone on my desk and is one of the cornerstones of how I try to approach life. From a business perspective, my goal with every client I work with, regardless of the size of the transaction, is to connect, communicate, educate, and anticipate putting the needs of my clients at the forefront of every decision I make, and, as much as possible, taking the burden and stress of the home buying/selling process off their shoulders and placing it onto mine. The home buying/selling process is intimate by nature. I am prying into the personal lives of my clients to try to understand their needs, wants, and desires so I can help them navigate the market, guide them through the process, negotiate the best deal, and get them to closing with the highest level of confidence in their decision.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE TOOLS, SUPPORT, AND LEADERSHIP THAT EXP REALTY OFFERS ELEPHAS REAL ESTATE AND WHY THOSE TRUSTED RESOURCES CARRY OVER INTO YOUR BUSINESS PRACTICE? eXp Realty is shaking up the real estate industry by offering agents rare opportunities. Firstly, eXp’s business is entirely cloud based, allowing training, seminars, networking, and collaborating to take place entirely online via eXp World—a virtual workplace with offices, theaters, conference rooms, even sports facilities. The training that’s available and access provided by eXp through eXp World is unparalleled. Over 50 hours of live, virtual, free training is available daily, and if a training session doesn’t align with your schedule, they record them and make them accessible through the eXp University library. Secondly, eXp provides phenomenal support locally. Led by eXp State Broker, Damian Forrester, eXp went from one agent in the state of Montana to 260 in only six years. My colleagues in Billings are an experienced, dynamic, tight group of professionals who are always willing to provide support, advice, and suggestions.

ASIDE FROM HELPING YOUR CLIENTS REACH THEIR REAL ESTATE GOALS, I KNOW NONPROFITS AND ACCESS TO EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT? Education exposes us to ideas and opportunities. It provides growth and awareness. It is the foundation for everything else. I created two education-based programs to help students and teachers achieve their goals and reach their full potential. The first is the MSU-Billings ELEPHAS Civic Leadership Award. I donate 10% of my commission on every transaction to MSU-Billings full-time

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JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S

Neil Beyer Elephasre.com 406.272.6568

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | R EA L E STATE

“I know it’s easier said than done, but most importantly be patient, stay positive, and have faith.”

degree seeking students who are civically engaged on campus and in the community. The second is my Classroom Contributor Program. The Classroom Contributor program identifies a K to 12 public school teacher with a project that lacks funding and develops and manages a fundraising campaign on the teacher’s behalf. In 2021, the program raised nearly $4,000 to fund two classroom projects—a mental health support program called Creative Courage, spearheaded by Billings West Art teacher, Tori Wardrip, that utilizes art as therapy to help teens use art-making and mindfulness as a coping mechanism for depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. And the second was the purchase of a large hydroponics growing system for Ben Steele Middle School Science teacher, Michael Thomas, who uses the growing systems to get students actively engaged in the classroom and excited about science.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE MOST IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR AN UNCOMPLICATED AND TIME EFFICIENT HOME SALE? ANY TIPS FOR SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT LISTING THEIR HOME? There are many factors that could impact the complications and time efficiency of a home sale. However, the biggest mistake sellers can make, and one that is common in this market, is overpricing a home. Sellers see homes selling above listing price and conclude that they should list their home above market value, but an overpriced home runs the risk of extending the amount of time it’s on the market, decreasing the excitement and interest surrounding the home, and lowering the final sale price of the home. A listing receives the greatest amount of exposure the first several days after going live. You want to take advantage of that initial exposure by doing a thorough Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and listing the home at or slightly below the estimated market value. The lower price opens home tours and bidding to more buyers resulting in more offers, increasing demand, and driving up the sale price. The more offers received, the more leverage the seller has.

HOME BUYING SEEMS LIKE SUCH A HIGH PRESSURE, HIGH STAKES TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW WITH THE MARKET BEING SO COMPETITIVE. WHAT WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT CAN YOU OFFER SOMEONE WANTING TO BUY A HOME RIGHT NOW? Despite the challenges that exist for buyers, it is a good time to purchase a home. While I don’t have a crystal ball, all indications suggest Billings is on the verge of tremendous growth—the combination of population growth and low inventory equates to high demand and appreciation. Know your budget and have a game plan. Examine additional ways, outside of price, to make your offer more competitive. Consider increasing the earnest money amount; if making an offer above listing, consider an appraisal gap contingency; depending on the property, consider doing a home inspection for inspection purposes only not requiring the buyer to make repairs or adjust the price but allowing an exit if you find significant issues with the home. I know it’s easier said than done, but most importantly be patient, stay positive, and have faith. Understand the market and be dedicated to the process and you will have success.

JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S

AN INTERVIEW WITH HARVEY SINGH

IDNSP E PAIR RTEM D EBY N T | | LCATEG IFE + CULTURE ORY

BUILDING A BRIGHTER BILLINGS HARVEY SINGH Harvey Singh landed in Billings in the wake of the 2010 twister that tore the roof off the Rimrock Auto Arena. National news outlets referred to the storm as the “Father’s Day Tornado,” and fatherhood loomed on Harvey’s horizon as he rode into town to repair the hail damage. Within the next three years, he would become the parent of his own contracting company and welcome his son, Taj, into the world. Since then, Harvey has been recognized as Businessperson of the Year by the Billings Chamber of Commerce, in addition to receiving a profile in the Gazette’s “40 Under 40” series as a standout business leader. Taj, meanwhile, has enjoyed early stardom, refining his acting chops in Singh Contracting commercials and featuring as an extra in the Pixar movie, Soul. Today, Harvey and Taj are Billings celebrities—friendly, recognizable faces that symbolize our community’s exciting future. What’s the secret to the duo’s success? Harvey explains, “We’re constantly doing our own thing. I don’t have a competitive bone in my body; it’s all about creating. When someone does something and it works really well, I see a bunch of people will go and do the same thing. And I’m like, ‘No! Don’t do that! You go do something creative, and I’ll go do something creative, and together we’ll grow.’ That’s where creativity beats competition. You can have a competitive mind and get

ARTICLE BY NICK MACK

what’s already there, or you can have a creative mind and add value to a place.” For Harvey and Taj, adding value to Billings is a full-time job. Between construction work, restaurant ventures, sponsorship, and community service, the father and son work hard to improve their community every day. “It comes from a place of gratitude,” Harvey says. “Knowing we’re lucky to have what we have and pouring it over to other people.” Taj gets the opportunity to tag along on all Harvey’s adventures, manning cash registers, depositing checks, and even hitting the gym at six in the morning. This teamwork is essential to Harvey’s parenting philosophy. He remarks, “I see too many parents who are just raising kids but not really investing in them. I always tell my kid what I’m doing; I don’t sideline him. He’s very inquisitive. But I always get excited for the opportunity to tell him my take, and also to tell him, ‘You’re your own person; you have to decide what you think is right.’” Running several businesses in addition to driving Taj from homeschool to CrossFit to Jiu-Jitsu to the skate park may sound incredibly draining, but Harvey views every trial as an opportunity. By centering his days around creating a better world for his son, he maintains a strong enthusiasm for all aspects of his work. Before Taj’s birth, he admits he was “going through the motions. No identity, no passion or purpose.” He credits his son with

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA CULP PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

“I want to invest in the place my son is from. Billings is an open canvas. It hasn’t been decided. There’s no place I know of that you can make such a big impact.”

CONTINUED >

JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S

forming him into a better person, adding, “People spend so much time trying to work on themselves, but so little time working on their children. You could take all the work you feel you need to do on yourself and share that with your child, and you’ll both benefit. Take your kid with you. Don’t just stick him in school and not ask what’s going on.” Harvey hopes his own willingness to improve will extend to others concerned with Billings’ future. “There are two types of people,” he says. “People who are looking for progress, and people who do not want the place to change and don’t want people to come here. In all reality, it’s inevitable. You don’t have to worry about people coming to your town if you’re doing something with your town. If you’re not doing anything to make it better and someone else comes in and doubles your work ethic, you can’t get mad at them. I want to invest in the place my son is from. Billings is an open canvas. It hasn’t been decided. There’s no place I know of that you can make such a big impact.” Amazingly, it’s been twelve years since the Father’s Day Tornado touched down in the Heights. Since then, Harvey Singh has not only helped Billings rebuild—he and Taj have proven its potential for greater growth. With teams like this father-and-son duo leading the charge, our community’s future looks brighter than ever.

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

Harvey Singh Singh Contracting, Inc. 406.245.2222

JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S

O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | LI F E + CULTURE

The Legacy of a Father ARTICLE BY SARIE MACKAY

The beacon of the American Dream shone brightly during the Homestead Act, nearly tripling the population of Montana during the early 1900s. My grandfather, Paul Johnston, arrived in Ranchester, WY, just south of the Montana border, in 1917 at the age of 28. Within a few years, Paul and his brother Vint had established lumber yards in both Ranchester and the booming little settlement of Wyola, Montana. Several more would spring up across southeastern Montana in the years to come, serving town and country folk alike. The Johnston boys hailed from Red Cloud, Nebraska, but in cemeteries at Martha’s Vineyard and elsewhere in Massachusetts, the bodies of their forebears give testament to their dependable, if strait-laced, English roots. In my many years of knowing him my grandfather wore a suit and tie seven days a week. He communicated honesty and reliability through his steadfast habits, work ethic, and a twinkle of dry humor. CONTINUED >

JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S

"I had the privilege of living with Pink and Elsie for a time, and because of this, I carry their sincerity and plainspoken gifts with me." — Sarie Mackay

In the summer of 1924, a rumor buzzed around Wyola that a new school teacher was coming to town. Paul, who was nicknamed Pink due to his strawberry blond hair, listened carefully to this intelligence and asked his friend, teacher Robert Stobaugh, to visit the station on the appointed day to see if this young lady was wearing a wedding ring. Stobaugh reported back in the negative, and Pink began his campaign to win Elsie Pokarney of Fromberg, MT. During this period of time, Charles Lindbergh, who often buzzed in and out of remote western towns, made an emergency landing in a field south of Wyola. At a dance that evening, Elsie did the one-step with the dashing pilot. “Of course he danced with me,” she often said. “He knew who could kick a wicked foot.” Nobody’s fool, Pink proposed to Elsie a few days later, and they began their own Montana story, raising three children and eagerly stepping into community leadership. Pink, for all his formal manners, had a sixth sense about his customers. He published a newspaper from the lumberyard that contained everything from building plans to jokes to patriotic anecdotes to ads for everything from canning supplies to barbed wire. The paper was a rallying point for community efforts such as

O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | LI F E + CULTURE

obtaining a school bus or dealing with the aftermath of winter storms. The jokes never stopped, and in the early 1940s they took on a dark wartime humor: “If you find an unexploded bomb, pick it up and shake it like he**. It’s often a matter of a stuck firing pin.” Pink insisted on his two daughters studying piano and held their feet to the fire regarding practice. On Sundays, he could be found seated in a front pew at the Laurel, Montana, Methodist Church, where the entire family was engaged in activities and choir. He never went to bed without sitting down in his old brocade wing chair around 9:30 p.m. and reading a few scriptures. And every Monday, he delivered a week’s worth of well-read Wall Street Journals to his old friend, physician Dr. Earl Hall. I had the privilege of living with Pink and Elsie for a time, and because of this, I carry their sincerity and plainspoken gifts with me. Men of Pink’s stamps are part of our history. They provided for their families, lived by example, and they knew how to tell a story. When the time came, they found gentle ways to touch the lives of their grandchildren. The sweet irony of their legacy is that today’s dads are even more involved, compassionate, and wise because of that solid foundation laid so long ago.

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The Go- Getter

ARTICLE BY CHELSEA LYN AGRO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA CULP PHOTOGRAPHY

LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR CURATES UNIQUE BUSINESSES ALONGSIDE HIS TALENTED FRIENDS

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C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Trevan Sparboe takes an idea, balls it up in his hands, blows some magic into his fists, and reveals a dream come true upon the reveal in his palms. Ok, maybe it doesn’t go exactly like that but he does take an idea and turn it into something special just like a magic trick. Trevan shares an intimate look at how both of his businesses were found and how he hopes they’ll flourish. FIRSTLY, YOU HAD ME AT DRINKS AND DONUTS. FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU OR WHAT YOU’RE UP TO, LET’S FILL THEM IN, SHALL WE? TELL ME ABOUT BLIND BISON AND PROOF DONUTS AND WHERE THE INSPIRATION CAME FROM FOR BOTH. Who doesn’t love drinks and/or donuts, right? We’ll start with The Blind Bison. This is a pop-up style bar business with a nod to both historical and modern-day speakeasies. The Blind Bison was created in 2019 by Bryan Taylor and I to showcase a different style of cocktail culture that wasn’t necessarily of suit to the restaurants we had been working at during this time. Proof Donuts and Coffee, on the other hand, was the product of persistence and watching another friend struggle to get his dream off the ground. The mastermind behind the dough is my business partner and long-time friend, Klay Welter. Klay had been trying to make these awesome donuts for years and would fall in and out of trying to make a donut shop come to fruition. I wanted to see him make this a reality, and sometimes all we need is a little help.

I’m beyond gracious that he’s shared this talent with me and I hope my background in the restaurant/hospitality industry helps make this even bigger than we can imagine. AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, WHAT’S THE BIGGEST RISK WITH STARTING A COMPANY? AND IS THAT RISK IRONICALLY THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF THE WHOLE PROCESS? I truly believe that the biggest risk someone can take with starting a company is not calculating that risk before they take it. Had I just gone into something without weighing the risks and rewards, that would’ve felt like a terrible decision. However, being able to look at the whole situation and understand the risk that is present gives the risk taker the confidence to make the most of it. I wouldn’t say it’s the most enjoyable part, personally. I do find joy in it, just not as much as the entire process itself. LIKE A MONTANA GROWING SEASON (CHALLENGING AND UNPREDICTABLE), TELL ME HOW OUR CLIMATE IS A CHALLENGE FOR YOU IN THE KITCHEN WITH DOUGH. WHAT ARE THE MAIN THINGS YOU WORRY ABOUT AND HOW DO YOU COUNTERACT THEM TO PROTECT YOUR PRODUCT? I’m not going to act like an expert and say I know exactly what makes what happen, but I do know that when we have all the seasons in one week, the donut making process is incredibly different day to day. Humidity plays a huge role in the proofing process of the dough.

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JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S

Follow Blind Bison @BlindBisonBar

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Trying to control this without an insulated proofer becomes a challenge, but Klay knows a lot about how to bounce back from certain challenges. For now, I’m learning as much as I can, and I’ve got a great person teaching me. Attention to detail and the way things feel are good indicators if anything needs changing. I LOVE YOUR SPEAKEASY APPROACH TO SPECIALTY COCKTAILS. CAN YOU SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS POP-UP TYPE BUSINESS MODEL FOR YOUR COCKTAIL BAR? We pitched our idea to some friends, (I say pitch, but it was just a loud conversation) and we landed a gig for our first event that October. We had about a month to put together a cool little weekend centered around classic cocktails, exciting riffs of our own, and some interesting techniques that are a little tedious for normal restaurant service. From there, we decided to theme the weekend, primarily to help us with drink ideas and to tie the whole event together. To make the experience somewhat informative—and sustainable if we want to continue doing this—our menus were going to walk our guests through decades of cocktail history, starting with the days of the Wild West. The speakeasy vibe gave us the opportunity to make it feel exclusive, though it was open to the public and we made our debut in the Buffalo Room at Plaza Arcade. We then reached out to some awesome members of the local music scene and decided we would host three nights of live, local music for our guests to enjoy. Our pop-up concept eventually evolved into an events and marketing business that has been used to throw festivals and concerts, as well as to have helped garner attention for multiple restaurants across the city, while giving local artists and musicians a new platform to perform from that is constantly changing.

IT’S OBVIOUS THAT YOU THOUGHT THAT BOTH OF THESE BUSINESSES WOULD JIVE WELL WITH THE BILLINGS COMMUNITY. WHAT ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY GAVE YOU THE CONFIDENCE TO PURSUE THESE DREAMS HERE? Our community supports whatever you give it, as long as you give it your all. It has been incredibly gratifying for people to seek out products from both of these businesses, whether it be to support local or because they actually enjoy what we are presenting them. There is so much passion and drive in Billings. Shedding a little light on that helps the entire community blossom. Neither of these businesses would be where they are if it wasn’t for the good nature of those who have supported both ventures endlessly. Also, people are crazy for donuts around here, holy smokes! I SUSPECT THAT DRINKS AND DONUTS SPELL OUT THE PERFECT PARTY. ARE YOU OR WILL YOU TAKE RESERVATIONS FOR EVENTS WITH BOTH OF THESE BUSINESSES? IF SO, HOW CAN SOMEONE GO ABOUT RESERVING YOUR SERVICES AND HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO THEY NEED TO BE PREPARED IN ORDER TO ENJOY YOUR PRODUCTS AT THEIR SPECIAL OCCASION? That sounds like a great idea! I can’t say that we’ve honestly thought about operating them together by appointment, but we have brought them together to collaborate for certain pop-ups. In November and December of 2021, we did a nine day brunch series at Harper and Madison with eight different chefs, Blind Bison cocktails, and Proof Donuts! As of now, we are still working on getting our preorder system set up as we start to move into our new location. I hope to have a better answer to this question soon!

CONTINUED > JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S

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JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S

JUNE 2022

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

J UN E 1 0 T H

The BIG Event

SWIFT R IVER R AN CH | 6:00 PM Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yellowstone County as they celebrate The BIG Event, their annual fundraising gala! Put on your boots for some Montana glam or get snazzy with a Hollywood dress and join BBBSYC for the Boots & Pearls night, which celebrates mentoring relationships throughout Yellowstone County.

J UN E 1 1 T H

Cooking Class: Paella & Spanish Tapas

Z EST | 5:30 PM Paella is a family favorite for the owners of Zest restaurant. They make it in the summertime on the grill but it's just as easy to whip up not he stovetop for a weeknight dinner. Learn how to create the perfect Socarrat (the later of crispy toasted rice at the bottom of the pan), plus a simple Spanish tapas recipe and Marguerite's nonalcoholic sangria.

JUNE 12TH

ZZ Top Raw Whisky Tour

FIRST IN TER STATE AR EN A AT ME T R A PA R K | 7 :30 P M You won't want to miss ZZ Top on the Raw Whisky Tour!

J UN E 1 8T H

Dancing Under the Stars

DON LUIS , 15 N 26TH STR EET | 7 :0 0 P M Don Luis is hosting a street party! Featuring Limited Warranty by Tammy Staples. J UN E 2 4 T H

SummerFair 2022

MS U BILLIN G S | 4:00 PM SummerFair 2022 is here! Now in its 44th year, SummerFair is the region's largest arts and craft festival bringing handmade creations from near and far to Billings for a weekend of art, food trucks, and entertainment.

J UN E 2 7 T H

Knife Skills

Z EST | 5:30 PM Have you ever wanted to know how to actually use a good knife in the kitchen? Here's your chance! In this hands on class you'll learn everything you need to know about knives: how choose the right knife for the job, how to hold and how to sharpen your knives. They'll cover key skills such as chopping and onion, mincing garlic, and dicing vegetables.

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