Spreading Cheer
The holidays are here and as the spirit of the season is among us, we often try to replicate what made the season feel so magical to us in our youth. The traditions we set for our own families often mirror some of what we experienced as a child whether it is the smells, the sounds, the lights, the holiday activities or a combination of it all that reflect that best.
This month, we wanted to highlight the magic of the season and what our city has to offer that helps spread holiday cheer. We’ve compiled a gift guide to make your shopping easier and that also supports our local businesses. We also wanted to share what our area has to offer this holiday season for entertainment and ways to give back. While this season can be beautiful for some, it can be painful and lonely for others, especially those who have recently lost a loved one. In the true spirit of the season, let’s take care of those in our community that need assistance or who are alone. My hope for you this season is that you feel love and peace and that we all remember to take care of each other extending grace, empathy and love.
Happy Holidays!
December 2024
PUBLISHER
Maggie Hebron | maggie.hebron@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Tara Johnson | tara.johnson@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Justine Thibault
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Hailey Livingston | hailey.livingston@citylifestyle.com
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Proverbs 3:5-6
business monthly
BZN is Ringing in the Holidays With New Flight Announcements
Delta Air Lines announced seasonal non-stop service to Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), and Seattle (SEA) for the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday. Service to BOS and JFK will run daily, excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays, beginning December 21, 2024 through January 5, 2025. Seasonal service to SEA will run daily, excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays, for the holiday season beginning December 31, 2024 - January 5, 2025.
Secure patient messaging and on-line scheduling available. Same and next day medical appointments available. Most insurance accepted. Call 406-586-7873 to schedule.
(406) 600-7617
406photo.com
Big Sky Youth EMPOWERMENT
PROVIDING COMMUNITY, CONNECTION, AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
ARTICLE BY KATIE THOMAS
“Smile! You’re on camera!”
All individuals approaching the tiny skate park outside of 225 East Mendenhall are greeted by this signage. Driving by or walking into Fresco across the creek, you can’t miss the bright mural on the one-story building adjacent to the concrete ramp. Snow or shine, groups of young skateboarders can be seen here throughout the year, skating and talking and generally occupying this special space between school and home.
This is the site of Big Sky Youth Empowerment, a local nonprofit and group mentorship program, serving the teens of Gallatin Valley. Combining mentorship with outdoor adventures for 7th to 12th graders who are facing life challenges,
Big Sky Youth Empowerment (BYEP) states their mission as such: “BYEP creates a transformative community where vulnerable teenagers experience belonging, purpose, and well-being through group mentorship, adventure, and connection with the natural world.”
Founded by local therapist Pete MacFadyen in 2001, BYEP started out as a one-man operation in MacFadyen’s garage, with just six participants. “He was seeing a lot of teens in his counseling sessions and noticing that just one hour per week wasn’t really enough time,” explains Marie-Luise Klotz Tumolo, BYEP’s Marketing and Communications Manager. “He felt like if he took them outside and created that group mentorship system, the impact would be much bigger—his ability
to help them would change drastically. So he gathered up the first group of teens and got to work.”
This intention of helping struggling teens with a combination of therapy and a connection to the outdoors has evolved into what BYEP is today. The programis divided into three 12-week seasons: Winter, Summer, and Fall, with 10 hours of programming each week. Once their application is accepted, teens are grouped by grade into programs (Traverse is 7th and 8th grade, Approach is 9th and 10th, and Crux is 11th and 12th) with peers, mentors, and program managers for weekday workshops, held 4p.m. to 7p.m. in groups of six to eight teens.
“The workshops have different components,” says Tumolo. “A really powerful
one is the check-in, where they talk about the high of their week and the low of their week, just to kind of get a baseline of what’s going on in their life. Often hearing about what what’s going on in others’ lives helps to create this sense of connection that they’re not alone and they have each other to support each other through it. So whatever problems they’re facing, BYEP is here to be an additional resource in their lives.”
The programs focus on building healthy relationships, independent decision-making, and interpersonal skills with topics like Group Forming, Building Connections, Commitment to Personal Growth, Cultivating Healthy Relationships, Building Trust and Rapport, Deepening Trust, Social Identity: Culture and Influence,
Self-Assessment and Exploration of Gifts. Examples of activities include woodworking, pasta-making, painting and other crafts—the talent and creativity of these groups can be seen in the program workshop rooms throughout the building; all surfaces are covered in an explosion of color and imagination.
Weekend adventures include skiing, snowboarding, hiking, rock-climbing, white-water rafting, gardening, paddle boarding and of course, skateboarding, for which helmets and waivers are mandatory. (Fun fact: MacFayden recruited some of his first teens by going to skate parks during school hours and seeing who was not in school.) Thanks to partnerships, federal and private grants, fundraising, private donations, events,
and other means, BYEP is able to provide these activities and all the accompanying gear at no cost to the teens (the entire program is free, in fact—BYEP is scholarship and needs-based).
“It’s an ongoing need,” Tumolo says. “The teens in this time that we live in are facing new challenges, one being the rapid growth of social media and how it impacts their mental health. Our program is still so relevant and we really are situated within the context of our community. We couldn’t do this work without the help of so many partners, sponsors, and our amazing network. We’ve had incredible success over the past 23 years – we’ve served over 1,000 teens. However, the need is still great. Our work is not done.”
Making Spirits
JOIN OUR MISSION TO SPREAD WARMTH AND COMPASSION BY NOMINATING SOMEONE WHO DESERVES A CHRISTMAS BLESSING
“We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way.”
As the Christmas season approaches, we’re reminded of the power of community and kindness. This year, through City Lifestyle’s nonprofit, The Kingdom Building Foundation, we will help people who may be struggling quietly without the support they need. But we need your help to find them.
Over the past three years, this campaign has grown into something truly beautiful, touching the lives of more than 150 families nationwide last year alone. Each year, we’ve seen firsthand how generosity can bring relief, hope, and a renewed sense of faith in others.
One person we had the opportunity to help was an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with a rare eye cancer. After he had to undergo chemotherapy and surgery to remove his eye, his doctors recommended a prosthetic one, but insurance wouldn’t cover the cost, calling it “cosmetic.” When we heard his story, we knew we had to help. Because of this campaign, he got his prosthetic eye and a piece of his childhood back with it.
Another was a wife and mother of two who fought a yearlong health battle and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Just days before Christmas, she underwent surgery but passed away due to complications. Before her surgery, she received one of our cards and, in tears, told us this gift gave her some peace, knowing her family would have help in the difficult times ahead. It wasn’t just about the financial support but knowing that someone cared.
These stories remind us why this campaign is so meaningful. It’s not just
about writing checks; it’s about telling people they aren’t forgotten and that someone is there to lend a hand. It’s about giving families a moment of relief when the world feels unbearable.
“We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”
Together with Matthew Perry, President, Steven adds that the gratitude from recipients was overwhelming, affirming this tradition’s importance. “We believe God has blessed our company with success,” Matthew adds, “so we want to be a blessing to others.”
We know many more people could use a little help this Christmas, and that’s where you come in. Do you know someone who could use a blessing? We want to hear about them.
To nominate someone, scan the QR code or follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the form in our bio. Nominations are open from November 27 to December 10, 2024. Let’s bring hope to those who need it most.
The City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is completely confidential. No identities will be revealed or publicized. All entries will be read, and selections and the amount given to each recipient will be based on the severity of the need. For more information, visit KingdomBuildingFoundation.com
SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY WITH THOUGHTFUL GIFTS FROM LOCAL ARTISANS AND SHOPS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Holiday
Gift Guide!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LC PHOTOSTYLE
Previous Spread: La Cuisine
2405 W Main St, Bozeman LaCuisine-Bozeman.com
Montana Reel Craft Pass
Available at Various Breweries Including Lockhorn
Hard Cider 21 S Wallace Ave, Bozeman ReelCraftPass.com
La Châtelaine Chocolat Co.
110 S Rouse Ave, Bozeman ChatelaineChocolate.com
This Spread: Commonform
109 E Oak St, Bozeman Commonform.co
Herdbull Woodworking Cutting Boards HerdbullWoodworking.com
Chalet Sports
108 W Main St, Bozeman ChaletSportsMT.com
Chalet Sports 108 W Main St, Bozeman ChaletSportsMT.com
Country Bookshelf 28 W Main St, Bozeman CcountryBookshelf.com
Bozeman Oil & Vinegar 111 E Oak St, Bozeman BozemanOilandVinegar.com
TGP SERVICES
ARTICLE BY HAILEY LIVINGSTON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUCE MUHLBRADT | 406 PHOTO
Melissa and David Carter, owners of TGP Services, have built their business on a simple yet heartfelt foundation: gratitude. After 24 years of marriage and 20 years in the Gallatin Valley, they set out to start a company with a clear mission. For them, being “grateful everyday” is not just a tagline; it’s a way of life, deeply engrained in their personal and professional relationships. Their two sons, 23 and 16, have been essential in this journey of gratitude and compassion—one of them whom even works at TGP Appliances with the Melissa and David—making the business a true family affair. Gratitude is at the center of everything they do. “Gratitude is a verb,” David explains. It’s something that must be demonstrated, not just spoken. This philosophy shines through in their commitment to treating every customer, employee, and community member with respect CONTINUED >
and genuine care. David and Melissa recently partnered with Kimball Appliance with dreams of taking their mission across Montana, making it a point to do good for as many people as possible, not just themselves.
When it comes to their personal lives and their business, Melissa and David believe in “mutual advancement”— building relationships that benefit everyone involved. They emphasize the importance of keeping promises, being a good community member, and serving others whenever possible. Whether is supporting the food bank
or just a single person in need, they hope to always use their business as a vehicle for positive impact.
TGP Appliance wants to keep their message simple: in a world full of constant challenges, gratitude is the key that opens doors to opportunity, success, and a sense of belonging. For them, the most important part of life comes down to the relationships you have with others. Their dedicating to fostering genuine connections has made them not only successful business owners but also leaders in cultivating a culture of thankfulness.
Give Where You Live
What do you love most about Bozeman? The endless trails, vibrant arts scene, or the strong sense of community? Whatever it is, our local nonprofits are at the heart of what makes Bozeman special. As we enter the season of giving, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how you can give back to the community you love.
WAYS TO GIVE WHAT CAUSES DO YOU CARE ABOUT?
ANIMALS
Gallatin Wildlife Association GallatinWildlife.org
Dedicated to preserving and restoring wildlife, habitat, and migration corridors.
ARTS & CULTURE
Bozeman Symphony BozemanSymphony.org
Engaging, uniting, and uplifting the human experience through music and the arts in Montana.
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
Bienvenidos a Gallatin Valley BienvenidosGV.org
Connecting new Spanish-speaking families in Gallatin Valley with local volunteers who help them achieve their goals.
YOUTH
CASA/GAL of Gallatin County GallatinCountyCASAGAL.org
Training committed volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect and are involved in the court system.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Casting for Recovery
CastingForRecovery.org
Offering free fly-fishing retreats for women with breast cancer to connect with each other and nature while receiving oncology and psychosocial support.
VOLUNTEER
Your time is a powerful gift. By volunteering, you empower nonprofits and directly impact your community. Whether you’re mentoring, organizing events, or lending a hand, your efforts make a difference.
DONATE
Every dollar you give transforms lives. Your support fuels essential services, creates opportunities, and builds a resilient community. No contribution is too small—your generosity ripples throughout the region.
PARTNER WITH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Partnering with One Valley Community Foundation turns philanthropy into a lasting legacy. Whether you’re starting a fund or supporting a community initiative, we ensure your contributions leave a meaningful impact. With One Valley, your generosity helps shape the future of Gallatin County. Learn more at OneValley.org .
NOVEMBER 30TH
Holiday Market
Gallatin County Fairgrounds 901 N Black Ave Bozeman
Whether homemade, home grown or hand crafted, the products at the Gallatin Valley Farmers Market Holiday Edition are all created with care—straight from the hearts of Bozeman’s best. Shop local and support your neighbors this holiday season by purchasing one-ofa-kind items! Find everything from coffee, hot food, baked good, jewelry, wood crafts, pottery, kids items—and more!
DECEMBER 7TH
44th Annual Christmas Stroll
Downtown Bozeman
The holiday season kicks-off with the Stroll! Starting at 4:30 PM, Santa Claus will work his way down Main Street, singing Christmas carols and lighting the downtown holiday lights with festive friends in tow. Bring the whole family down to enjoy merry activities and traditional holiday treats until 7:30 PM!
DECEMBER 7TH-8TH
41st Annual Nutcracker
The Willson Auditorium 404 W Main Street, Bozeman
Montana Ballet Company’s annual production of The Nutcracker in collaboration with the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra is a cherished holiday tradition. With delightful choreography, stunning sets and costumes, exciting theatrical elements, and world-renowned guest artists, this classic tale will enchant all audiences.
DECEMBER 8TH
Paint Your Pet
Bunkhouse Brewery 7715 Shedhorn Drive Bozeman
Paint your pet while enjoying sips at Bunkhouse Brewery! Provide three photos of your pet which will be traced onto a canvas, with the important shadows and highlights being mapped out for you.
DECEMBER 13TH
Winter Art Walk
Downtown Bozeman
The Downtown Bozeman Association and participating businesses invite you to a special Winter Art Walk. Many shops will feature local artists and often provide hors d’oeuvres and complimentary refreshments. This is a wonderful chance to stroll Downtown Bozeman, take in some art and culture, and knock out some holiday shopping!
DECEMBER 21ST
Yule Festival
Gallatin County Fairgrounds 901 N Black Ave Bozeman
Stop by for holiday cheer with plenty of merrymaking! Pictures with Santa, Christmas cookie decorating, a gingerbread house contest, a Christmas market and more throughout three exhibit buildings!
