Making it count.
Investments are such a cornerstone for building a healthy (and wealthy) life. And of course they're not always possible in every chapter because investments are usually costly, but when you start small and early, they add up significantly over time.
Before you go thinking that this issue is chocked full of financial advice, I'll go ahead and tell you that it isn't. Actually, it's far from it. The way I think of investment is one that encompasses a long-term grind to get something to be, and stay, valuable. Take jewelry, for instance. This issue features Adorn to Rise, an heirloom jewelry business in town. Claire isn't selling something that's made overnight. Her craft has been honed for years—a talent that she nurtured until she could produce something that felt polished and special in a way that came from somewhere deeply meaningful. When you buy a piece of jewelry from Claire, you're buying something made to last, made for Missoulians, and made with heart.
Missoula Public Health is also featured because sometimes the greatest investments we make are the ones that go unseen in our day-to-day lives but ultimately have the biggest impact. Aspects that touch every fiber of our lives like our environments, wildlife management, food safety, tattoos, school resources, and vaccines, just to name a few. It's a huge topic to get a slight window to through their story on page 22.
Our other big story is one that feels so natural for April: The WildWalk. I've been going with my own little family for years and it always feels so powerful to support and recognize how impactful wildlife truly is to our existence here on earth. When one resource starts to suffer, we all begin to feel it over generations. Our actions and considerations are needed so much more than we think. I'm so proud to live in a place that has the WildWalk, WildFest, and the International Wildlife Film Festival to give our community the ability to educate themselves and make a difference.
That's what investment is. It's education, showing up, working hard, being diligent, and choosing the right or better thing over the easy thing. I hope this issue inspires you like it inspired me.
CHELSEA LYN AGRO, EDITOR @MVLMAGAZINE
April 2026
PUBLISHER
Mike Tucker | MTucker@Citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Amanda Tucker | Amanda.Tucker@CityLifestyle.com
EDITOR
Chelsea Lyn Agro | Chelsea.Agro@CityLifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Rick Szczechowski | RrSzczechowski@Gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Marko Capoferri, Jennifer Ferenstein, Emma Trotter
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tony Cesare, GreyCap Media, Viv Steinberg, Josh Taira, Prisma West
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
Our new Stuffed Cheeseburger is seasoned and seared with Hoagieville seasoning, stuffed with grated cheddar and American cheese, topped with more American cheese and finished with our secret housemade burger sauce! Indulge today!
inside the issue
Walk the Walk
The WildWalk parade, WildFest, and the International Wildlife Film Festival are investments in Missoula's cultural community.
A Group Effort for the Greater Good
National Public Health Week raises local awareness of the constant serviceability of public health in Missoula.
Local fine jewelry studio offers a way to connect meaning to what you wear.
The Roxy Theater's Film Festival
Coordinator Lizzie Archer makes the acquaintance of a monkey along the parade route in 2024. Our involvement in iconic events like this can make a lasting impression on generations to come. Photography: GreyCap Media
business monthly
ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES
Earth Day Clean Up
The best way to make an immediate difference in the place you live is to volunteer! Pursue opportunities like river and trail cleanups, tree planting, Missoula Urban Demonstration (MUD) projects, native plant and gardening projects. We'll be sharing some organizations that have volunteering opportunities throughout the month via our social media. Give us a follow and join us in participating!
Ways to Help Encourage Public Health Safety
Missoula Public Health has a big job, and that job is made easier when we all chip in along our day. Here are some ways you can help:
1. Bystander intervention for alcohol-serving staff & responsible alcohol sales
2. Checking that childcare facilities have been inspected
3. Does your company have employee wellness in place?
4. Are there safety materials, like fire extinguishers and an AED in the public space you're in?
5. Is someone smoking in a prohibited space?
6. Are traffic lights out?
Hands-On Science: Water Week
Join spectrUM as a drop-in to be guided in science acitivites in the spectrUM Discovery Area from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. April 1 kicks off "Water Week" which explores topics on all things water. No registration required and the University of Montana spectrUM Discovery Area is free and open to all visitors. Located on the second floor of the Missoula Public Library.
WALK THE WALK
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER FERENSTEIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREYCAP MEDIA, TONY CESARE, VIV STEINBERG, JOSH TAIRA, PRISMA WEST
THE WILDWALK PARADE, WILDFEST, AND THE INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE FILM FESTIVAL ARE INVESTMENTS IN MISSOULA'S CULTURAL COMMUNITY
The idea of organizing a community event to celebrate wild animals and biodiversity all started in 1992 with the seemingly simple pronouncement, “What you really need is a parade.” Support for the idea involved investments of time, creative energy, and resources, which led to the founding of one of Missoula’s most beloved and enduring annual events: the WildWalk Parade. What started as a parade of a few hundred people has grown to thousands. And while some things have changed, the WildWalk Parade remains a participatory celebration where parade goers don colorful costumes transforming into diaphanous jellyfish, ponderous buffalo, and slippery salmon often adopting their animal’s persona as they follow the migratory parade route along Higgins Avenue.
Prisma West
As Film Festival Operations Manager David Mills-Low observed, Missoulians love a celebration that reflects the character of our town, and in fact, the WildWalk Parade and WildFest (the after parade gathering) represent “one of those cultural touchstones and a true sign that spring is actually coming.”
The origins of the WildWalk Parade are rooted in a modest investment by the Montana Arts Council through a grant provided to Craig Menteer, a local artist and performer. With funding in-hand he approached Dr. Chuck Jonkel, renowned
bear biologist and founder of Missoula’s International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF). Craig proposed adding a parade as a way to energize the community and kickstart the film festival. Chuck enthusiastically agreed and with the support of a cadre of committed volunteers, artists, teachers, and students, the WildWalk Parade was born.
Additional investments were needed and community members and local businesses stepped up to support the artists while the city and county of Missoula donated workshop space
GreyCap Media
YOUAREENCOURAGED
at the Missoula County Fairgrounds, providing a place for people to gather. Art students from the University of Montana and students from local schools worked and learned together about the animals they created, how they moved, and behaved in their natural environment. That first year, despite all the uncertainty the investment of time and resources paid off, Craig recalls. “Missoula really turned out,” he said. Hundreds of people showed up dressed in costume as he wryly noted, “It didn’t hurt that it was a sunny day.”
Whether you are a seasoned veteran of many a WildWalk Parade or a newcomer, the festivities will be welcoming and inspiring. This year, the WildWalk Parade starts at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18. The staging area is in the Caras parking lot off Pattee Street (near the river) and the parade winds its way south on Higgins Avenue towards the XXXX. You are encouraged to come in costume dressed as your favorite flora or fauna. It usually takes about an hour for the parade to wrap up at the BN Plaza and for WildFest to begin, which boasts live
Viv Steinberg
For more information about WildWalk+WildFest and the 49th annual International Wildlife Festival (April 18-23), visit WildLifeFilms.org . Films start at 2 p.m. and includes youth matinees for children of all ages.
“EVERYONE SHOULD CARE: WE ALL LIVE IN THIS WORLD AND WE HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN LEARNING, HELPING AND CELEBRATING THE NATURAL WORLD. WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.”
music, food vendors, and fun activities hosted by local organizations.
Spontaneity and wonder remain enduring qualities of the WildWalk Parade; no one really knows what animals you will encounter and which local schools will show up, with school kids dressed en masse, perhaps as penguins, which by the way, are called a “waddle” when on land, a “raft” when swimming, and a “colony” or “rookery” when nesting. And yet, change is inevitable, and the WildWalk Parade is no exception; there are fewer workshops and less funding available for artists interested in creating the big pieces such as the blue whale, giant loon, or buffalo that have graced past parades. Art programs at many of the public schools are also stretched thin which makes it harder for kids to fully participate both in the classroom and parade.
Luckily, support for IWFF, including WildWalk+WildFest is something we can all do: as individuals we can attend, participate, or volunteer. Businesses and community members play a vital role through sponsorship and donations. Founded in 1977, IWFF is the oldest ongoing festival devoted to wildlife films and like any wise investor, the IWFF is in it for the longhaul and already gearing up to celebrate next year’s 50th anniversary with special events and celebrations. The IWFF thrives on community involvement—helping make the community what we want it to be. As David Mills-Low observed, “Everyone should care: we all live in this world and we have a role to play in learning, helping and celebrating the natural world. We’re all in this together.”
Josh Taira
Josh Taira
Josh Taira
GreyCap Media
Tony Cesare
Redefining MVP: TIM TEBOW’S LIFE BEYOND FOOTBALL
An exclusive Q&A with City Lifestyle
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
From championship trophies to global humanitarian impact, Tim Tebow’s journey has defied every standard playbook. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Tebow pulls back the curtain on the moments that truly defined him, from a humbling middle school church retreat to the life-altering shift of fatherhood. This isn’t just a look back at a career; it’s an invitation into the heart of a man driven by purpose. Read the highlights below, then join us for the full, unfiltered experience by scanning the QR code at the end.
Q: WE ALL KNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE CURL CONTEST.
A: I was competing for my future high school team (my brother’s team), and I pushed myself way past what was smart. I ended up collapsing and needing medical attention. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pain, it was the lesson. Would I be willing to do something that others aren’t? For much of my life, I strived to bring my best for a game, but I hope that I can say at the end of my life I was willing to do that for things that actually matter.
Q: YOU’VE ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SPORTS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT NOW?
A: Becoming a dad. Nothing compares. From the moment I knew my wife was pregnant, I felt a new depth of love for our child, but when you bring your baby home, the responsibility hits you like nothing else. Suddenly, everything you see, every decision you make, you’re asking, “Is this corner too sharp? What happens if she reaches that drawer?” It changes how you see the world and how you see other people.
Q: YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND FOOTBALL. HOW DID THAT SEASON OF LIFE SHAPE YOU?
A: I talked a lot about that very thing in my book Shaken . We all go through moments where our faith in our abilities and purpose feels rattled, but I believe it’s often in those storms when God can show us who we could become.
Q: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT COMPARISON CULTURE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE COMPARISON HAS BECOME SUCH A TRAP TODAY?
A: Because we’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. Social media shows people’s “best day,” often filtered and staged, and then we measure our reality against that. There’s a reason filters are so popular—it’s not real. We end up scrolling through images that don’t tell the full story, and without realizing it, comparison starts to steal our joy and our gratitude.
“We’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel... comparison starts to steal our joy.”
Q: YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE “MOST VULNERABLE.” WHERE DID THAT CALLING BEGIN?
A: When I was 15, I met a boy in the Philippines who was treated as a throwaway because he was born with physical differences. That moment changed me. I realized God was calling me to pursue a different kind of MVP, not “Most Valuable Player,” but “Most Vulnerable People.”
Q: FINALLY, WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
A: I have some weird coffee habits, which include protein powder, collagen, and cream all mixed together. I love golf dates with my wife. And every night, I bring snacks to bed to share with our dogs. It brings me more joy than it probably should.
This conversation barely scratches the surface. Tim goes deeper into the moments that rattled him, the joys of fatherhood, and one story he has never shared publicly until now. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on Share the Lifestyle Podcast.
for the exclusive reveal and more with Tim Tebow unfiltered.
the first time ever, Tim shares the inspiration behind a project he’s been holding close to his heart.
Redefining MVP
FEATURING TIM TEBOW
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A GROUP EFFORT FOR THE GREATER GOOD
NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK RAISES LOCAL AWARENESS OF THE CONSTANT SERVICEABILITY OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN MISSOULA
ARTICLE BY MARKO CAPOFERRI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK SZCZECHOWSKI
April, in most of the U.S., means spring has arrived: new leaves pushing out of dull branches, lawns becoming green and vibrant, robins plucking worms from between the emerging grass blades to feed their newborns.
April in Montana can mean a blizzard or a golf outing, or both.
Whatever the weather, the first full week of April also means National Public Health Week, an initiative of the American Public Health Association to “celebrate the
“I think if people spent a week in the life of a public health professional, they would realize that truly every week is Public Health Week.”
impact of public health and spotlight priority issues that can improve our nation’s well-being,” according to their website.
For Chief Health Officer for Missoula Public Health Jeanna Miller, while it’s good to devote a week to shining a light on the work they do, it’s also just another day (or week) at the office.
“I think if people spent a week in the life of a public health professional, they would realize that truly every week is Public Health Week,” she says. “We are out there in our community in so many different ways, identifying what
we all can do to make it easier for people to make the right choices and enjoy good health.”
At this point you may still be asking, “what exactly is ‘public health,’ and why should I care about it?” Well, public health is a lot of things, Jeanna explains.
“Something like crosswalk signals, or unleaded gasoline—things that you might not always think of as being public health initiatives are absolutely public health.”
Lily Walsh, Missoula Public Health’s Communications Officer, says, “I didn’t have a public health background when I
started working here. I feel so fortunate to be in this role where I’m able to look and see this is where the community has a need that I didn’t even realize there was a need because the health department has come in and helped out.”
“It’s always so fun to tell people, when people ask what I do for work, ‘did you know? We do all these things,’” Lily continues. “We give out free Narcan, we give out free gun locks. We have a lot of resources that we just give to the community.”
“A lot of people don’t know what the health department does,” Jeanna says .
“Public health is so broad and it touches every aspect of your life. My favorite definition of public health is it’s what we as a society do collectively to improve the health of everybody.”
- Jeanna Miller, Chief Health Officer for Missoula Public Health
“That really is something that public health professionals everywhere are talking about. Because what happens when your strategies are successful and what you implement is effective is people forget why it’s important. Vaccines have been so successful that you probably don’t know somebody who has had measles or polio. We are this close to eradicating some of these diseases, and then some of the perceived risk really goes down.”
“A lot of the time, folks in public health say, ‘you might not know what we do, but you would certainly know if we weren’t doing it,’” she says. “In the world of prevention, the better you are at your job, sometimes the easier it is for people to forget why it’s so important.”
So, while every week at Missoula Public Health is basically a Public Health Week, the official National Public Health Week is an important opportunity to raise awareness of this vital work that touches all aspects of our lives here in the Missoula Valley. It’s a lot of very hard work, and it should be celebrated.
“I think it’s important to raise awareness that public health really is everything,” Jeanna says. “Public health is so broad and it touches every aspect of your life. My favorite definition of public health is it’s what we as a society do collectively to improve the health of everybody. I think something like National Public Health Week is an opportunity to talk about it with everybody.”
“Everybody” is kind of a key word here: public health requires a society-wide effort, from local governments to individual community members themselves, in a commitment to sustaining a certain quality of wellbeing for all here in Missoula.
“Nobody can do it on their own,” Jeanna says. “Lily can’t save public health; I can’t save public health. I can’t impact one factor all on my own. We have to do it together.”
“Everybody” also includes our public health professionals, how they choose to show up for themselves, their families, and their community.
“I think the way I carry this work personally is in the concept of service,” Jeanna says.
MISSOULA PUBLIC HEALTH
“I really feel like some days I would do this job for no money from a cardboard box, because to see this impact is amazing. And so, I think that the way that I value service and the way that I live that through volunteerism and being a foster parent and those kinds of things, it makes those hard days easier.”
“I let people know that I carry Narcan on me,” Lily says “And it’s important as a like citizen of Missoula too. To know if someone is in a place where they need that, I’m prepared.”
“Our job really is to figure out how to use really, really limited resources for the maximum good,” says Jeanna. “And when that’s what you did all day? I don’t always sleep great ‘cause there’s a lot to do, but I don’t lose sleep over the ethics and morals of what we’re doing at the health department.”
Missoula Public Health shows up in our everyday lives in ways that certainly go unnoticed. You might not think about all the work that’s being done when it comes to our food service, industry permits, public accommodations, and even our body art. Public health is especially considered within your own workplace through safety materials, smoke-free areas, employee training, employee wellness, and daycare inspections. All efforts combine for the greater good in keeping Missoula a safe place for our community.
Rooted in Reason
LOCAL FINE JEWELRY STUDIO OFFERS A WAY TO CONNECT MEANING TO WHAT YOU WEAR
ARTICLE BY EMMA TROTTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK SZCZECHOWSKI
Have you ever taken off your wedding ring before a river float? How about reconsidered a necklace before a long hike or camping trip? Claire Mannheimer, owner and designer at Adorn to Rise, makes jewelry that not only can withstand daily life in Missoula, but protect and lift you up, too.
“My philosophy around adornment and the jewelry we wear is they are empowerment pieces,” she said. “My style is very symbolic, so my pieces have meaning behind them. The intention is that the symbol reminds the wearer every day to step into their fullest potential.”
Looking for something ready to wear? Adorn to Rise has two collections.
The Alchemy Collection showcases suns and moons, symbolizing masculine and feminine energy. “That collection is inspired by the idea that everyone has both energy types and to value both equally,” Claire said. “Given the situation, you might want to lean on one more than the other, but we are all an amalgamation of both.”
The Warrior Collection features shield shapes and has a heavier, textured feel to it. “The idea is jewelry is our modern
“My style is very symbolic, so my pieces have meaning behind them. The intention is that the symbol reminds the wearer every day to step into their fullest potential.”
armor,” Claire said. “It’s beautiful, but it can make you feel more powerful and more prepared to take on the day.”
The easiest way to shop the collections is online at AdornToRise.com, which also sells one-of-a-kind and vintage pieces. Claire also has an appointment-only showroom in downtown Missoula, where you can shop in person or consult with her on a custom piece, featuring materials you already own or symbols important to you.
“There’s a lot of sentimentality behind pulling the diamonds out of grandma’s ring or how the physical object can remind you of a less tangible memory,” Claire said. “There’s a deeper meaning behind my pieces and my designs, that adds to your inner world reflecting your outer world and vice versa.”
So, if you want jewelry to reflect—and weather—Missoula, buy it in Missoula. “You’re supporting a real person that pays their rent and needs groceries,” Claire said. “It contributes to the vibrancy and interest of Missoula and what makes Missoula cool.”
Claire Mannheimer
Adorn to Rise
Claire Mannheimer is the designer and metalsmith behind Adorn to Rise, a fine jewelry studio based in Missoula. Her love of jewelry began early. She strung beads as young as 5 and later studied metalsmithing in college. She grew up borrowing her mother’s jewelry, listening to the stories behind each piece and learning that jewelry can hold meaning, memory, and identity all at once.
When she’s not in the studio working, designing, or playing with gemstones, Claire can be found skiing, mountain biking, or exploring the mountains around western Montana. The lessons she learns in the outdoors shape the inner work that informs her designs, inspiring pieces that feel grounding, enduring, empowering, and meant to be lived in every day.
