contents
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business
Featured 8
Elizabeth Michelsen-Jonas 10 Glacier Medical 14 Dr. John F. Miller
Business
16 Business Marketing 18 Innovation
legal
24 FVCC JEWELRY
406 Profiles
26 Lynn Malmberg 28 Kintla Copy
finance
30 BUSINESS CONFERENCE
community
20 Sharing
406 Man
Education
32 Missoula Wedding Fair
22 Chris Parson
34 BMCA Winefest
Not e of c orrec t i on
In the December/January issue of 406 Woman, we inadvertently forgot to credit Alyson Booher with the photos in the story of Master Silversmith Haddon Hufford, our 406 Man. We apologize for this oversight.
Cover Girl
El i zabet h Mi c hels en-Jo nas Read her story on page 8 Photo by: Scott Wilson Photography ( www . s c o t t w i l s o n - p h o t o g r a p h y . c o m )
Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year 6477 Hwy 93 S Suite 138, Whitefish, MT 59937 info@406woman.com Copyright©2013 Skirts Publishing
View current and past issues of 406 Woman at w w w . 4 0 6 W o m a n . c o m 406
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contributors
John Fair banks Mil ler, DDS
Was born and raised in beautiful Northern Arizona but is proud to call the Flathead Valley his home. After graduating from Arizona State University in 2007 and San Francisco’s University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in 2011, Dr. Miller relocated to Whitefish with his wife Juli and their three children Nayvee, Banks, and Maxwell. Their interests are simple, be on the boat in the summer and the slopes in the winter… pretty good fit. Dr. John Miller is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Montana Dental Association. Dr. Miller feels that 406 Woman is a fantastic medium for him to communicate with the women of Northwest Montana concerning contemporary dental issues. He looks forward to treating and serving his community for the next 30 years…at least.
C hr is Parson
is a native of Montana. Since December of 2008, he has worked as the Small Business Development Director for NW Montana, located at Flathead Valley Community College. The Small Business Development Center provides business counseling in the areas of business planning, financial management and cash flow, marketing assistance, and general business management practices. His office offers one-on-one free counseling and conducts numerous training events for local businesses. Chris earned his bachelors of science in Economics with a Business Administration minor from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. In 2010 he was designated as an Economic Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council and is trained as a professional facilitator. Prior to that, Chris served 10 years as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps including 3 tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Primarily a AH-1W helicopter pilot, Chris also had several other jobs including; Aviation Safety Officer, Air Officer/Forward Air Controller (responsible for controlling air/ artillery missions in designated airspace for ground forces), and Operations Officer. Chris enjoys the great outdoors of Montana with his wife Stephanie from running, skiing, hiking, hunting, boating, and anything else that they can find time for.
Kat ie Fr ies
is the newest addition to the marketing and communications team at Flathead Valley Community College. With a passion for education, community, and public relations, she has found her home at FVCC. Her marketing career includes specializations in branding, corporate identity, and communications. Born and raised in Kalispell, she only lived away from the Flathead while pursuing a degree in business marketing at Montana State University in Bozeman. Their love of the area and family ties brought Katie and her husband back to Kalispell where they have enjoyed remodeling their cozy 1930’s farmhouse-style home northeast of town. In her free time, she takes advantage of the area she feels so fortunate to call home – camping and fishing with family and friends, waterskiing, and taking in the beauty of the Flathead.
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Susan B. C l ar ke
Susan Clarke has an MA in Applied Behavioral Science, BS from the University of Virginia and a Diploma in Counseling from The Haven Institute, an International Training Center in BC, Canada. She is co-founder of Thrive! Inc. with CrisMarie Campbell. Together they work with organizations and teams to develop trust, effective communications and strategic alignment.
Her journey through a life-threatening illness has given her a depth of experience and commitment to living life full out. She shares her journey of living full out on her Blog at www.susanbclarke.com. She has been a part of The Haven Institute faculty for over 20 years, leading Come Alive, Living Phase and Couples Alive. In addition to her group facilitation and corporate work she has continued to coach and work with individuals and couples to invite and encourage aliveness. To contact Susan you can email her at: susan@thriveinc.com.
Kr i sten Hami lt on
wears many hats these days. As founder and co-owner of Ham It Up Strategies, she and her husband, Bob, work with many clients on various projects to help them grown their business. Recent projects have included event planning and execution, magazine project management and sales, operations management, electronic newsletters, website development, and freelance writing. She particularly enjoys writing these days and is working on a novel in her spare time. She has lived in the valley for over twenty years and has an extensive background in tourism and working with non profit organizations. Kristen is grateful to her friends and colleagues who have supported her throughout the years. She knows the importance of giving back and therefore volunteers her time and services whenever she is able. In her free time, she enjoys the arts and concert offerings in the valley and tries to play outdoors as much as possible. Kristen is blessed to have a happy marriage and two terrific teenaged children who make her smile every day!
Kel l y O’Br ien
works for Measure Law Office, P.C. in Kalispell, MT. She is licensed to practice law in Oregon and Montana, and focuses on estate planning, probate, business, real estate and natural resources law. Kelly earned her J.D. at Lewis & Clark School of Law in Portland, with a certificate in natural resources law. She also has a B.S. in Business Administration & International Business from the University of Montana, and a minor in German. Kelly is originally from Kalispell and recently returned to the area to work with Measure Law Office. Prior to returning to the Flathead Valley, Kelly worked in private practice with law firms based in Portland and Bend, Oregon. She now lives in Whitefish with her husband and son where she enjoys a multitude of outdoor activities. Contact Kelly at ko@measurelaw.com or 406-752-6373
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Elizabeth Michelsen-Jonas
Elizabeth MichelsenJonas Written by Inge Cahill Photos by Scott Wilson Photography
Licorice black, Georgia clay, tangerine, vermillion, zinc, lilac and antique gold represent a fraction of options from which to choose to apply to a well-worn surface. "Color is everything- it provokes life and excitement. ", says Elizabeth Michelsen-Jonas, a dark haired, tall, slender artist and owner of Patina. She is professional, philosophical, well spoken, a great listener, and her attire is always edgy and artful. When you have the opportunity to talk with her you will enjoy her peaceful reflection and kindness. There is nothing ordinary about Elizabeth and that includes the home she has created for her daughter and herself. Elizabeth's eye and style were inspired by her mother, an artisan who emigrated from Denmark with her family to the east coast. Her mother’s multi-faceted talents in sculpting, tailoring, painting and more, shaped Elizabeth’s childhood and youth. She speaks fondly about her grandfather, a cabinet maker and oil painter that applied fine faux finishes before it was a trend. After settling in Connecticut, the family transformed an old barn into a home, using beeswax and linseed oil glazes for plaster finishes and thus brought European refinishing traditions to life on American soil. She still remembers the earthy and natural scent of that home and much like her family, Elizabeth was driven to succeed on her own. After graduating from high school, she moved to New York. Her first job was as a window set designer and store manager at a French fabric and furniture store on 57th street. With an eye and passion for the fashion industry, Elizabeth started sewing elaborate pieces of clothing for clients in the music industry. She designed wardrobes for the first MTV VJ Adam Curry, pop artist Milli Vanilli, rock band Extreme and Chastity Bono, just to mention a few. While working in the world of music, Elizabeth was offered an opportunity to “advance” concerts by promoting artists and their performances near their respective venues. That led to a job offer with Enigma Records, a recording company in Los Angeles. Suddenly she found herself working and traveling from coast to coast. Another chapter in her life was inspired by a movie that featured French sculptress Camille Claudel. Elizabeth said her hands were
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burning with a desire to start sculpting. She put her hands to it, and she found that the gift that coursed through her mother had landed upon her. It wasn’t long before she was offered the opportunity to freelance for a sculpture studio that produced the originals for companies in the Toy Industry. Many of them were recognizable characters found in Warner Brothers cartoons, Star Trek and Walt Disney. Following a visit to her sister in Montana, and the time she spent exploring the beauty we all find in the Flathead Valley, Elizabeth decided to move to Montana, and established Patina, Inc. in 1998. The word Patina comes from the Latin for “shallow dish” which undoubtedly grew to be colored with the result of time and the elements. Figuratively, a patina can refer to any fading, darkening or other signs of age, which are felt to be natural and/or unavoidable. It is a tarnish that forms on the surface of copper, bronze and similar metals produced by oxidation or other
chemical processes. Peeling, cracking, crazing, burning, scuffed, faded or stained, it is the physical result of antiquation from time and tide, the weathering of life. She chose the name because it represented what was imbued within her by her European ancestors--the loveliness found in the organic and natural aging process. Her mother often pointed her to those subtleties found in the surfaces of things, and how its true beauty was created by the effects of time and the experiences the object endured. Elizabeth learned how to mimic this beauty with old world materials and techniques, and this is what established her as a valuable resource for designers, builders and architects looking to establish that kind of integrity in the homes they were creating. Patina has progressed with the times, and Elizabeth is keen on maintaining a fresh approach to cutting-edge techniques and incorporates vibrant new colors. Her most recent “Revival Collection” is de-
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rived from her strong faith, her Scandinavian soul and a new spirit that gives a distinctive flavor to furniture by incorporating unexpected combinations of French industrial gray, matched with crisp color combinations of orange, ochres and rich earth tones that exude warmth and life. Revival adds an ideal classic look with an exotic twist, and it embraces ancient surfaces and finishes that are welcomed as state of the art. Patina is a valuable resource for cabinet shops, wood workers, architects, designers and homeowners alike. Often they are challenged by unique finishes that are requested by their clients. Anything from entertainment centers, kitchens and baths to built-in cabinets or accent walls. Elizabeth will create a custom finish per a client’s request. Provide her with a snap shot of an old and tired dresser via email, and she will offer samples and techniques to transform it into a state of the art piece. She can treat entire door and trim packages for new homes with specialty finishes and possesses the ability to add ornamental and aesthetic value to furniture and cabinets, old or new. She defines refinishing as an enjoyable revival. In our fast paced throwaway society some may ask, “Why paint or repair an old piece of furniture when we could get something new?” Aged pieces have an emotional value and are part of a story like an heirloom, or are vintage or reclaimed with good quality that is worthy of a pro-
fessional make over. Often one has a perfect piece that fits a space and functions well but needs an updated finish. In most cases refinishing the piece is likely to be a fraction of what it would cost to purchase something new. Elizabeth's palate appreciates everything from edgy leading trends to ancient traditions. You could find her recreating the exterior luster of an aged armoire utilizing old world paints, or a beeswax rub, and find an unexpected glossy red painted interior. When an artful one of a kind handsome piece is prescribed as a center piece for a home, something that sparks a conversation, like an emerald green coffee table with brown leather chairs that have an added hue of bronze and metallic sheen woven into the wood finish by a subtle hand; contact Patina. She will offer up a broad array of decorative finishes including; aging, washes, authentic distressing, patinas, milk paint, metal leafing, hand painted motifs and wall tattoos. Wall tattoos? “Yes.”, replies Elizabeth, “An iconic element painted on a wall like a shadow of retro designs, stylized patterns or elements of images found in nature.” She has a plethora of images that people can choose from. She then projects it on the wall and paints it in either a complimentary accent color, or a subtle soft tone on tone shadow. "It's a simple way to add tremendous character and definition to a room."
Elizabeth Michelsen-Jonas
Elizabeth lends impeccable detail to every project she is called on from consultation to final touches, and her approach comes with a commitment to artistic excellence. She has expanded on her family’s trade secrets and has also had the pleasure of working in some of her other gifts like wardrobe design, sculpting, and concert production. Now she is passing on her family heritage and talent to her wonderful daughter Elsa. The highly gifted Artist has a passion for refreshing and revitalizing old and vintage pieces. Examples of Elizabeth’s complements can be found in some of the finest homes in the Flathead valley. Like a musician that finds inspiration from an old lyric, Elizabeth strokes a brush for a one of a kind result, and welcomes the season of Revival with new colors and attractive finishes to make all things new again. You can make an appointment to visit at her studio or arrange to meet on-site for anything that needs a makeover with extraordinary custom treatment.
You can find her on Facebook To make an appointment, please call 406. 253. 4250 email: parinamontana@gmail.com 9
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Glacier Medical spa
It takes a community… Glacier Medical Associates Med Spa By Kristen Hamilton Photos by Scott Wilson Photography
The combined community of the current 13 medical providers on site at Glacier Medical and the additional providers being added to the Integrative Wellness Center and Med Spa will be able to focus on the overall care of the “We have modeled our facility after Duke patient using a wholistic approach. “We will University’s Integrative Wellness program focus on the individual…body, mind, and and other successful models that integrate lifestyle…to help them reach their wellness health and wellness,” said Dr. Bayne French, goals,” said Dr. Ryan Wigness, chiropractor. the Medical Director of the new facility. He added, the entire medical ownership of Wigness opened Whitefish Chiropractic Glacier Medical Associates, which includes Center 10 years ago and will oversee the eight physicians, is fully on board. Integrated Wellness side of the new facility. He is a specialist in soft tissue techniques The addition of 3,200 square feet to the including Active Release and Graston that lower level of Glacier Medical on Baker have helped many of his patients live an acAvenue in Whitefish only has the client in tive pain-free life. He said, “I will do whatmind. The space will feature four rooms on ever is needed to help the patient.” His the Integrative Wellness side and four rooms approach is to focus on getting the patient on the Med Spa side. Piney Creek Interiors healthy or to correctly diagnosis a condition is helping with the design. “We will have a to be sure they are getting the proper care. relaxing ambiance with clinical backing,” Wigness feels right at home in the valley and added French. loves to enjoy the outside whenever he can. After years of planning, the addition of a Med Spa and Integrative Wellness Center at Glacier Medical Associates becomes a reality on March 1, 2013
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Joining Wigness on the Integrated Wellness side of the operation is Samantha Ray providing health and fitness coaching. Samantha and her team will work with patients on a proactive approach to nutrition and fitness. Melissa Pfannenstiel will provide acupuncture services and Michael Eayres, Rayme Caton and Jennifer Krack will provide massage services. Ryan Wigness will provide all chiropractic services. “The goal of our team is prevention with the focus on wellness,” Wigness added.
French grew up in Eureka and trained in both Seattle and Alaska. Before becoming a medical doctor, French was a chiropractor. “To be able to meld traditional medicine and several complementary approaches under one roof is very exciting.” French has been with Glacier Medical for 5 years and in his free time he enjoys many outdoor pursuits. Dr. Daniel Munzing joins French on the Med Spa side as one of the physicians that will be
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performing injectable treatments including Botox and Juvederm. Munzing has been with Glacier Medical Associates since 1992.
Between French, Munzing and the community of physicians in the building, patients can enjoy peace of mind knowing that there will always be a doctor nearby.
Shari Bjelland is joining the Med Spa team and comes with a strong background as a clinical esthetician. She worked at the Montana Center for Plastic Surgery in Missoula for years and is excited to bring that experience to Glacier Medical. The Med Spa will offer injectable services and basic skin services with a plus; corrective facials and peels using only the best medical grade products will be the standard. The Palomar ICON laser will be used for hair reduction, photo facials (reducing the appearance of age spots, veins, etc), scar and stretch mark reduction. The Palomar laser was chosen due to its technology. “It is considered state of the art in the laser therapy industry and we wanted to have the best service and equipment available to our patients,” French said.
Glacier Medical spa
to energy-based aesthetic treatment. The ICON Meuchel came to Glacier Medical approximately is the only laser on the market to offer this safety two years ago. “It was an easy choice to get involved here, this group of providers has an excepfeature. tional reputation for patient focused care.” She The “Image” product line will be used in the Med wanted to be a part of such a dynamic group of Spa offering a full line of skin care in both phar- professionals. maceutical and organic grade products. Glacier Medical is taking a community minded approach One of the most unique aspects of the new facility to dealing with the sale of products through the is the dedication to involve the community on all Med Spa. “We recognize that product sales can levels. They continue to reach out to professiongenerate a strong revenue source. The physician als in the valley to fill in any gaps that might not be leadership determined profits from the sales of available within their doors. They are focused on products will be donated to support health and providing the best for every patient and at times wellness through the non- profit community,” that might be recommending another option. Munzing noted. “We feel that this is a very appropriate way to give back to the community that Patients can also expect options for group care has supported Glacier Medical for over 40 years,” and education in the future. Utilizing the power added French. of a group and reaching many individuals at a
Kelli Meuchel is the Administrator of the entire facility and added that communication and collaboration among the providers is key. “Patient centered care is enhanced with our electronic medical record which allows the providers to know an entire health history of a patient prior to treatment, regardless of where they are in our building.” The group commented that Meuchel The Palomar ICON offers patented technology has offered amazing leadership through this prothat ensures an added level of safety by deter- cess and has had the skill set and energy to pull a mining the average melanin density of skin prior great group of people together.
time can be very powerful, motivating and affordable. The continuing theme will be to focus on health and not disease. Wigness said, “People will have an opportunity to benefit from complementary therapy in an affordable fashion.”
French said of the team, “We reached out to the best in the valley to build our team.” Whether you have an immediate need or if you are looking for long-term health and wellness, the team at GMA is dedicated to you…the patient.
Page 10 - From left - Med Spa Team: Dr. Daniel Munzing, Shari Bjelland Keley Rouse, Dr. Bayne French
Page 11 - From left - Integrated Wellness Team: Dr. Bayne French, Jennifer Krack, Michael Eayres Melissa Pfannenstiel, Samantha Ray, Rayme Caton, Dr. Ryan Wigness
Glacier Medical Associates Integrative Wellness Center Med Spa & Laser Therapy 1111 Baker Avenue Whitefish, MT 59937 406-862-5174 www.glaciermedicalassociates.com
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featured} Dr. John F. Miller
Dr. John F. Miller DDS “I’d get those California plates off your car as soon as you can.” This unsolicited advice was thrown in my direction at The Town Pump after informing my fueling neighbor of my new arrival to the Flathead Valley. I was not surprised by this gentleman’s sentiment knowing fullwell I had somehow snuck my way into the Exclusive Flathead Valley Resident’s Club; a little good-natured ribbing is requisite to eventually claiming oneself a Local.
Hi, I’m Dr. John F. Miller DDS. I’m pleased to introduce myself to the lovely women of Northwest Montana. Joining me is my beautiful wife Juli, along with our three amazing children Nayvee (6), Banks (3), and Maxwell (0.85-ish). Juli grew-up in Southern Alberta and I hail from Northeast Arizona. I was initially
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drawn-in by her otherworldly physical attractiveness, only to realize shortly after that this was surpassed by her emotional and spiritual intelligence. She is my perfect companion.
After getting married we called Mesa, AZ. home while I completed my Biology degree from Arizona State University (Go Devils) where I graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2007. During that time we welcomed Nayvee Lee into our lives, and the three of us took our show on the road all the way to San Francisco in the summer of 2008, where I began my training at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry as a recipient of the Dean’s scholarship.
Upon arrival in San Francisco, we found our 800 overpriced square feet felt a little too roomy so we bucked conventional wisdom and added Banksy to the mix in 2009. It was around this time that Juli and I had to make the major decision of where to lay down some roots and raise our children. I said, “Julz, we spend all of our vacation time in the Flathead because we love
it so much. If we don’t move there we’ll never experience the rest of the world.” It was then that I began my search for employment in the valley and was blessed with an ownership position at the Columbia Falls Family Dental Center alongside Dr. Dean Calderwood. We had fallen in love with our city by the bay and our hearts hurt as we travelled north over the Golden Gate and it’s iconic orange bridge with the GPS set for Whitefish, MT.
A year and a half has passed since that road trip and we couldn’t be more content. The life we found was a little too relaxed so we added 8 pounds of chaos in the form of Maxwell Jay last spring. Wow, I think that about covers a nut-shell’s worth of an introduction to the Miller family. I’d like to focus the remainder of this column on a subject I am very passionate about: Teeth and the practice of Cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry is defined as a set of elective (not required for health) dental procedures, with the aim of improving the appearance of one’s smile. The dental options available for improving one’s smile
featured} Dr. John F. Miller
include: whitening(bleaching), replacing discolored or silver fillings with today’s highly aesthetic composite, orthodontic treatment, gum surgery, composite bonding to improve the shape of teeth and/or close gaps, implants, crowns, traditional veneers, and minimal prep veneers (lumineers). A standard smile makeover will usually require several of the steps above to achieve the most desirable outcome. The following case study demonstrates this as we follow Mrs. Patient from the beginning of her smile journey to her dream smile. Upon initial presentation (see Figure 1), my highly motivated patient had the following concerns with her smile:
· She had chipped the edges of three of her incisors (front teeth) which had to be continually fixed with composite filling material These fillings are visible in Figure 1. · She was unhappy with the alignment of her teeth with her focus being mainly on her canines being angled inward. · She was dissatisfied with the ove all shape of her teeth desiring longer teeth. · Her gumline was uneven and this showed when she smiled.
Pre-Treatment
After Orthodontics and Bleaching
Dream Smile
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· She desired a whiter tooth shade.
This list of concerns can seem overwhelming, but you’ll see that all of them were easily addressed with treatments from my list above. The following sequence of treatment was planned for Mrs. Patient:
· Whitening (Bleaching) Teeth.
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· Orthodontic Treatment to improve tooth alignment. · Laser Surgery to even out her gum line. · Traditional Veneers.
Considering these treatment modalities individually, whitening is the quickest and easiest way to improve the appearance of one’s smile. In the context of this treatment plan it served to lighten the tooth structure underlying her semi-translucent veneers. Also, since her veneers were going to be a lighter shade, bleaching helped bring the remaining teeth into a more complimentary shade.
Orthodontic treatment was required to bring her teeth into a more ideal alignment prior to her veneer restorations. Orthodontics is not always required to achieve an ideal result. Traditional veneers can fix minor discrepancies in tooth alignment up to 1 - 1.5 millimeters. For Mrs. Patient who desired a wider smile, orthodontics was necessary. (See figure 2) As I mentioned earlier, Mrs. Patient is highly motivated and notices things like her gumline being lower on her upper right lateral incisor relative to its left side counterpart. Normally this is an observation I would bring up with the patient when designing their final smile. Repositioning the gum line is completely dependent on how much movement is desired, and the patient’s underlying bone level relative to the gumline. In more advanced cases the bone level is modified to accommodate the desired gumline. In our situation, fortunately, only minor movement was desired on a single tooth and this was easily accomplished using a soft-tissue diode laser.
Traditional veneers consist of removing a small portion of enamel on the facial surface of the tooth, the side of the tooth touching the lip. Since Mrs. Patient had completed orthodontics, and the teeth were in nice alignment, minimal preparation was required to accommodate stunning veneers. Mrs. Patient was in temporary veneers for approximately 2 weeks while her permanent restorations were being fabricated. (See Fig. 3) At her final visit, the temporary veneers were removed, the permanent veneers tried in for patient approval, and following approval were bonded on. This is a great example of a patient following through with treatment to achieve not an alright smile, but an amazing smile - the smile of her dreams.
I have been around this country and feel confident that a better place is hard to find. We enjoy unbelievable summers with perfect temperatures, long days, refreshing rivers, and pristine lakes. The winters are equally as enjoyable with easy access to amazing skiing/snowboarding. Year-round we are witness to some of the greatest scenery on God’s great earth. There is no reason we should not be smiling, we live in Montana. I want you to realize that a nicer, brighter smile is available for you; the smile that matches the enthusiasm and excitement that you feel inside.
*Special thanks to Alan Gibb at Gibb Orthodontics in Lethbridge, Alberta and Dave Swanberg, master ceramist at Precision Dental Prosthetics in Helena, MT. 15
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Marketing
Business Marketing and the 'morning after' Written by Maria Phelps
Its 6am on a Tuesday morning. You feel completely drained because your Monday was horrific. Now you feel your week is just going to get worse. You grab your coffee and you wonder how today can be different. You have tried everything you can think of to help boost your business to the next level. The problem isn’t in what you haven’t done; it is in how you are approaching what you have already done.
First of all, give yourself some credit. If you take anything from this, have it be this: “I am the only one who can make myself not succeed. It is ‘ME’ who needs to make the changes.” I have walked into businesses where I can feel the energy is completely drained. They are not happy; therefore their customers will not be happy when they walk into the door. When I feel that, I just want to leave. We are human and have been giving a great sense of feelings, so if you are feeling down, everyone will know about it.
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Do you have a 'why"? When someone asks you ‘why did you start your business, or why did you pursue that career’ can you give him or her a solid answer?
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Why or why not? If you can’t dig down and ‘remember’ the why, there can be potential issues revolved around that. People want to know your why, whether it is because you love seeing others succeed, or that you love furniture and wanted to open a store because of it, or that you love fashion and have a fun boutique. Whatever the case, when people walk in your door (or talk with you), they should feel your ‘why’ and be excited also.
Want a better morning after? -Don’t allow one bad day to make your entire week impossible. You can make it possible by changing your attitude towards the issues and giving others a sense of your 'why.'
-Take advantage of your ‘why’ and tell others about it. Through social media, share your photos and passions with others. It’s not just about selling your product. You have to show others a different side of ‘you’. Believe it or not, customers (or potential customers) don’t want to see you selling your product all day, they want to see the ‘other side’ of the business. -You can start your day with a smile, by helping someone else smile. Its not about you, its about
showing others that you care about them. Send a thank you card, give someone a call and tell him or her they are amazing, stop by their place of business or work and give them a hug. The results may amaze you!
-Don’t live your life hating your ‘yesterday’. Be proud of who you are and where you have come. If you can make a small change everyday, your customers and clients will feel a change and you will see results.
So how are you going to wake up tomorrow? Are you going to let your yesterday rule your today? Just remember, small changes will make a big difference, but you must take that first step. Maria Phelps is the owner of Find It For You and FinditFlathead.com. Maria has built her business around a positive marketing approach. She strives to help others see the value that they already carry inside them. FinditFlathead.com offers a community driven directory of business and services in NW Montana, business solutions, marketing support, and a business analysis and support system for your passions in life.
business}
Innovation
How to Make An Innovation LEAP! Relational Health + Organizational Clarity Written by Susan B. Clarke
A Team Strategic Meeting
"We need to focus on positioning our new product line and stop spending so much time and focus on the legacy stuff,” Tom, head of Marketing, passionately spoke up.
“I totally disagree! We need to make sure we don’t lose the clients that got us here while we are re-inventing something new,“ Hank, Chief of Operations replied.
“There they go. That’s our biggest problem. Those two cannot agree on anything and we end spinning! Nothing new happens. We need help!,” Mary, head of Finance, lamented to her fellow teammates about her peer’s behaviors.
So often, as management consultants, we are brought in when there is conflict between two leaders on a team or between two teams, and as a result, there is a standstill in innovation or progress. The designated problem is seen as the two difficult members, and the rest of team, are thinking they could get much more done if only those two would “work it out.” We Disagree.
Though, to be honest, as business partners in Thrive!, our management consulting company, we often fall into the same trap. We each have our spin on the best approach to moving our business forward and have been known to argue about who’s right and wrong without getting to the best solution or making any significant progress.
Often, when we get a call from a potential client, the initial conversation is a request for some type of team-building experience or an 406
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intervention involving the two leaders. However, we have found that the real issue isn’t solved simply by teambuilding or by working with the identified problem relationship off line. No, the best scenario is working with the team as a whole and using the time to work both on relational health and organiza-
tional clarity.
Why? Because teams fall into the trap of fighting over strategy, or how to do something. They lose sight of why they are fighting in the first place and become like silos in a farm field, out there doing their own thing. In addition, as long as team members believe their views are not respected or considered, they will fight as though the air was being sucked out of the room. It is critical for the team, as a whole, to notice the signs and signals of a breakdown in clarity, or when someone is fighting for respect.
In the situation outlined above, we came in and worked with the leader and team. We started by working with team members’ different working styles and having crucial conversations that had been left unaddressed. We then tackled the bigger picture of the company’s core purpose, values and a team collective goal. Once the core clarity questions were answered, it was easy for the leader and the team to see that both team members’ positions had some important value and needed to be explored further. They found that it is important to retain the best of how things have been done in the past. It is also important not to get stuck and be able to expand into what might come next. Most importantly, they started to bring forward a plan of action that did expand upon both positions and allowed for innovative ideas to emerge.
When focusing on organizational clarity, it is the job of the leader to drive the team to collective outcomes. When people are fighting over strategies, it is the leader’s job to step out of the conflict and make sure everyone is on the same page as to why we are focused in a certain direction, or more simply, “What problem are we trying to solve together?” The leader needs to make sure there is a more compelling team goal then simply rewarding individual success. The second piece is relational health. Team members need to learn to understand, value and appreciate their differences, be it in style or in approach. If these differences are not valued or considered, people fight or disengage which is totally counter-productive. In addition, old conflicts that have not been addressed, when cleared up, make room for new potential. When the leader thinks these style differences or old conflicts are the real cause of breakdown, they have to stop driving the business solution and instead facilitate clearing up these differences between team members. It is the old racecar adage, “Slow down on the turns, to go fast on the straightaways.” Great teams don’t take these situations off-line, they recognize them as opportunities for a creative leap. If they dive into the ‘real’ issues and take the time to clarify collective goals and address any breakdown between team members that may have caused one or the other to pull back or operate independently, they gain valuable team intelligence. The best innovations are not the one’s we each already know, it’s the one’s that come when our intelligence and expertise is combined and used to build upon, that is when new ideas are born.
legal}
sharing
S h a r i n g W i t h Yo u r N e i g h b o r s Practical Considerations Associated with Easements and Other Shared Use Agreements
By Kelly O’Brien, Attorney at Law
A
friend of mine recently purchased a
quaint little home in the country.
She
was initially excited about living outside of town where she had plenty of room to breathe, and although she was aware
that the neighbor’s driveway crossed her property and that they shared a well, it
wasn’t until after she settled in to her new home that she realized exactly what this meant.
For
my friend this essentially
meant that she was subject to an easement
and water well agreement with her neighbor that was vague and uncertain.
Since
her neighbor was not agreeable regarding
maintenance costs, it also meant constant disputes with her neighbor.
After
a while
her peaceful little home seemed a lot less peaceful.
If you are considering purchasing property (especially property outside of the city limits), it is important that you adequately review any easements or existing share use agreements to ensure that you understand and agree to the terms. It is better to negotiate for new terms prior to purchasing the property than to wait until after you own the property to realize that you may not agree with your neighbor.
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First, what are some examples of these types of agreements and how are they used?
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Easements One of the most common types of encumbrances on real property is an easement. Many people living outside of the city limits will likely have some type of road or utility easement either on their property, or used to access their property. By definition, an easement is a “nonpossessory” interest in the land of another individual that gives the easement holder the limited right to use the land of another. There are several different types of easements, some examples include right of way easements which provide access to a separate property; or utility easements, which provide access to a utility service provider. Easements can be created by an express grant or reservation; or created by implication, use or prescriptively. With this in mind it is important to also consider potential easements that may not be recorded with the local county.
Other Shared Use & Maintenance agreements Shared use agreements are really a type of easement which relate to the sharing of specific property elements such as a shared water well, septic system, or drain field.
Shared property agreements are all too common here in Northwestern Montana, however more often than not property owners may not understand the terms of these agreements binding their properties, or may not even realize they exist.
Specific Issues to Address in Drafting or Reviewing Agreements The best way to reduce desputes regarding easements or other shared property use agreements is to make sure that the terms of the agreement are specific. When reviewing an agreement ensure that it is specific regarding the following terms: Purpose & Use – The easement document or agreement should set out the specific purpose and scope of the agreement. It should also clarify the permitted uses for the easement.
Costs, Maintenance & Repairs- The agreement should address issues such as: How the property owners share costs; what costs are permitted; limitations on costs and when maintenance is required. Also, if you are the owner of the servient estate (the land on which the easement is located) you will want to ensure that if a user damages your property that that user is required to pay for any damage.
legal}
sharing
The best way to reduce desputes regarding easements or other shared property use agreements is to make sure that the terms of the agreement are specific.
Location- The agreement should specifically describe where the roadway easement, shared water well or septic system is located and describe the land it impacts. Regarding a roadway or driveway easement, ensure that the easement has been surveyed and an accurate map exists. If the terms regarding the location of an easement are not clear it can cloud the title for the entire property and create issues with insurance and access.
Exclusivity & SuccessionThe agreement should specifically state whether or not it “runs with the land,” and is binding on heirs or successors in interest. It should also set out who has the right to use the easement and whether or not it is intended to be exclusive to only certain users. Liability & Insurance- Ensure that the agreement addresses whether or not insurance is required by one or all of the users. Similarly it may be appropriate to contain an indemnification or “hold harmless” provision to protect the landowners. Resolving disputes- What happens in the event of a dispute between the parties? It is important to describe how and where conflicts should be resolved.
Termination- An easement can be perpetual, meaning it continues until specifically terminated by all the parties; or it can contain a specific time limit. It is critical to understand the duration of the easement and whether or not it can be terminated by misuse or actions by one of the parties. These are just a few key issues to address when reviewing an easement or other shared property use agreements. To avoid the situation of my friend with the “quiet” little home in the country read and understand the specific terms of an agreement before you purchase your property. Then you can negotiate terms that are clear and make sense for all of the parties involved. However, if you did not adequately review or negotiate the terms of an agreement that applies to your property before you purchased it, it is always a good idea to take a second look. It may be beneficial for all parties to the agreement to revise it to ensure that it is clear and addresses the relevant issues.
For issues relating to drafting, reviewing or negotiating easements and shared use agreements contact Kelly O’Brien at Measure, Sampsel, Sullivan & O’Brien, P.C. at (406) 752-6373 /www.measurelaw.com
21
406 man}
Chris Parson
Chris Parson You wouldn’t think that being a AH-1W Super Cobra Helicopter Pilot in the Marine Corps and assisting small businesses through the Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) have much in common, but Chris Parson would argue that they do.
Parson is the Director of the Small Business Development Center at FVCC. Since 2008, he has worked with numerous small businesses that are looking for the upper edge to succeed. Through his office, he works with startup operations to businesses that have been in existence for 30 years - “Any business looking for assistance,” Parson says.
(that) “generally the bulk of customers I work with are under 50 employees.”
How does a former helicopter pilot have the experience to help businesses? “The military is run like a business in every capacity except we didn’t have to market ourselves,” Parson said. Being a pilot was only one of his jobs; he also was an operation and safety officer in the Marine Corps, responsible for staff, budgets, planning, etc.
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Parson is a Montana native. He earned his degree in Economics with a minor in Business from Montana State University in Bozeman. Following college, he spent 10 years in the military, last based at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. He completed three tours in Iraq as a pilot and a ForThe resources available at the Small Business ward Air Controller. During his second tour in Development Center include, but are not limited November of 2004, his helicopter was shot down to, one on one consulting and advising, planning, (one of two helicopters that were shot down in financial and technical assistance, and marketing the same day). Thankfully, he wasn’t injured and assistance. The most impressive item is that the was picked up by US forces after the crash. He services are free. The definition of a small busi- was in Iraq, when the war started, until 2006. “It ness is under 500 employees, but Parson admits was a great adventure,” he said.
WOMAN 22
Photo by Daniel Seymour of SharpEye Photography
By Kristen Hamilton
406 man}
Chris Parson
“My experience in the military carries over nicely in the real world,” Parson noted. He gained valuable skills in planning and leadership that he uses now to help businesses.
When he heard about the Director position, he knew it was his opportunity to return to Montana. The Small Business Development Center is funded in part by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Montana Department of Commerce, and FVCC.
Parson commented that the biggest challenges for businesses are typically in two areas – finance and marketing. Most of the clients he works with have these challenges. He said, “Entrepreneurs are usually good at two things selling or making the product but other aspects of the business are missing. Working on the business while not always in the business, is the real challenge.” Parson welcomes businesses that recognize they have gaps, and he is there to help fill in the pieces. He enjoys helping people and works with all different types of businesses to help them succeed. He said, “It’s satisfying to watch a business succeed. We can play a as little or as big a role as you want.”
Through the college, there is also a number of great continuing education classes that can help small businesses succeed. Parson personally teaches classes such as “Profit Mastery: Creating Value and Building Wealth” and “Business Success Strategy 101 – Business Essentials”.
If you have a small business and are looking for the extra edge, I encourage you to contact Chris Parson. He’s got the experience and resources to help. Chris Parson, Director, Small Business Development Center - Flathead Valley Community College 406-756-3836 www.nwmontanabusiness.com
education}
Jewelry
By Katie Fries
FVCC JEWELRY STUDENT WINS I N T E R N A T I O N A L
FVCC Goldsmithing & Jewelry Arts student
Deanna Campsall, always enjoys designing custom jewelry, but she especially enjoys it when her designs win her national recognition.
Gemvision, a provider of Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) products for the jewelry industry, held its fifth worldwide Matrix Design Contest earlier this year. The student category of the contest was relatively open-ended, looking to award the best, most creative, or most pleasing overall design, created by a student using its Matrix jewelry designing software. One winner was chosen out of submissions from across the globe.
FVCC is one of 11 colleges in the nation with access to the 3-D Matrix 7 software. This CAD software is customized specifically for the needs of jewelry design such as gem sizes and metal weights, and with it, Deanna designed a grand-prize winning ring.
406
“My whole goal with the ring was to make something that was sellable,” said Deanna. “A lot of artists create really neat artistic and mechanical designs, but my focus was on what I thought would sell,” she said.
WOMAN 24
C O M P E T I T I O N
Specifically, the ring is a wedding band with two anniversary bands and a tension-set alexandrite stone with a decorative cage around it. “It’s pretty neat,” she admitted.
At this point, the ring exists only as a design, but bringing it to reality is a possibility down the road. Deanna is still getting through the basics of stone setting in the Goldsmithing & Jewelry Arts program; however, once she masters setting, she could actually build the ring.
Deanna attributes a large part of her success to the support and encouragement she has received through the program and instructors, praising the fact that everyone has been willing and eager to help her succeed. FVCC jewelry instructor Karen Kolar, couldn’t be more proud of Deanna’s accomplishments. “I think Deanna really put herself and the FVCC jewelry program on the global map,” said Karen. “I am tickled.”
The jewelry program at FVCC is unique in that it is comprehensive. Students can learn how to both design jewelry and fabricate it. Karen describes it as the “whole package,” presenting students a rare opportunity that offers huge advantages over many other jewelry programs in the nation.
Recent graduates of the program have seen much success. According to Karen, one graduate works in jewelry design and fabrication for a Portland jewelry store, another works from Kalispell designing jewelry online for a company, and a third has his own mill and does custom cuts for people who send him designs.
So what’s in store for Deanna? She originally got into the program to learn more about jewelry to help her in her current position at Gold Rush Pawn Shop. Now, she says, she has discovered her career path. “I thought the program would be fun and would give me something to do, but I’m really excited to say that it’s turned out to be something much bigger,” she said. “My husband is insisting that I’m going to be famous – I don’t know about that yet,” she laughed.
This young designer may be well on her way. Upon hearing the news of her winning design and obvious talent, a local jeweler has already set up an apprenticeship for her. Deanna plans to graduate from FVCC in 2014 with an associate of applied science degree in Goldsmithing & Jewelry Arts, and a certificate of applied science in 3D Jewelry Design. This is just the beginning of what promises to be a bright future for her in the jewelry industry.
406 women}
profile
Striving to Make All Events Special
L ynn M almberg
Empress Tents & Events Lynn Malmberg is the epitome of the phrase “jack of all trades.” She’s driven to do a great job in the many different and diverse businesses she’s been involved in.
Moving to the Flathead valley over 30 years ago from Cranbrook, British Columbia, she is not afraid of hard work and trying her hand in the many business ventures that have come her way. You might not always see one of her company’s handiwork because the job is done behind the scenes: deep cleaning and hood cleaning at area restaurants. In 1999, she bought out her partner and loved the flexibility the company offered allowing her to be at home to take care of her children. “I believe in quality work and great customer service,” she said. It must be working as the business has tripled since then, and they have added cleaning semi-trucks to their menu of offering. Although her oldest son has taken over many of the day-to-day tasks, she is still involved with the office work and scheduling.
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Lynn’s five children range from eight to 25 years old, so working from home is important. Her biggest priority is “to spend time with my
WOMAN 26
Written by Kristen Hamilton Photo by Scott Wilson Photography
family,” she says. Thankfully, she found business models that would allow her to do that.
A newer venture for this entrepreneur is owner and operator of Empress Tents & Events. Purchasing the inventory from her sister last year, Lynn thought the business sounded like fun. She has always loved to entertain and loves working with people. Empress is a full service rental company (tents, chairs, tables, dishware, etc.) for parties and events. She believes that everyone should have a special event, regardless of the budget. “You can really do something nice without costing a lot of money,” she said.
“I love it when someone walks in a room and says ‘oh my gosh - that is a great idea,’” of an event she’s decorated. Lynn says Empress is primarily rentals, but she takes great pleasure in having a hand in the full planning to really help make it extra special. It’s a lot of work, and she says she definitely underestimated that aspect; but, she enjoys it tremendously.
“I like to work and find great satisfaction in developing relationships,” Lynn said. Whether those relationships are with fellow colleagues or potential customers, she wants to offer a great experience.
Having personally seen Lynn’s handiwork, the woman’s touch is apparent and makes for a very elegant affair.
Another venture is Lynn’s Team Building business. She is building a solid base of customers. They build a program to strengthen communication within companies using games and exercises. Helping businesses has been very rewarding, and she looks forward to growing this aspect of Empress Tents & Events.
In the future, Lynn plans to continue to work hard and expand her businesses. “A showroom would be great to showcase events and party sets,” she said. In the meantime, you can be assured that when Lynn is not working, she’ll be spending time with her family and giving back to the community. She is an active volunteer with the Booster Club, Parent Teacher Organization, and the local Chamber. Plus she is an avid sports fan and a devoted spectator. “It’s all about balance in life,” she adds.
Empress Tents & Events 406-892-7600 www.empresstentsevents.com
406 women}
profile
K intl a C opy
and
C reative
its all business!
You might see Kelly and Andrea Beatty cheering their kids on at a local sporting event or enjoying a cocktail at Casey’s after work but during the day … it’s all business at Kintla Copy and Creative.
Realizing that the area needed a printing house that could accommodate requests from business cards to billboards with a top-notch designer on staff, the Beatty’s took a leap of faith 10 years ago and haven’t looked back.
Kelly graduated with a BA in Fine Arts from Miami University in 1988 then in 1992 headed west. Andrea moved to the Flathead Valley that same year. They married in 1994 and settled into jobs honing their specialties. Kelly has become the best in his field as a designer creating some beautiful and successful marketing campaigns for the numerous clients he works with in. Andrea is a master at building relationships and anyone lucky enough to meet her is graced with a sincere smile and can do attitude. They decided they would be best as a team and opened Kintla Copy and Creative. Kelly says, “Kintla is much more than a copy shop. We of406
WOMAN 28
Written by Kristen Hamilton Photo by Scott Wilson Photography
fer printing, design, copying, and we’re the only authorized Ship Center for FedEx in Whitefish.”
When they first opened the real estate market was thriving and so was their business with that segment. As times have changed, so has Kintla and now they work with a large variety of local businesses from non-profits, to small businesses, to large organizations.
Being a small business allows them to offer personal one-one services to their customers. “We ask questions and make sure our customers get what they want while working within their budget,” Kelly noted. Kintla is truly are a “one stop shop” for businesses in the valley. They love it when a customer realizes that they can get everything done for their business at Kintla and work with a customer on many levels. Andrea commented, “A builder may walk in needing a copy of blueprints but soon realizes that he can have his business cards, brochures, banners, and log sheets printed here.”
I witnessed this great service while I met with the Beatty’s. A newly published local author, Jess E. Owen stopped in to pick up some bookmarks to promote her Young Adult fantasy, Song of the
Summer King. I asked her why she chose Kintla. She replied, “I always love going to Kintla. Since launching my debut novel, I've needed multiple promotional pieces, from posters to bookmarks, and going to Kintla is always easy and fun. Their prices are great and it's a wonderful atmosphere-like visiting friends who happen to run a print shop and can offer advice and expertise on any project.” Side note – Owen’s book is available for Kindle through amazon.com, Bookworks, and her website jessowen.com.
Owning your own business “isn’t always easy but it works,” said Kelly. Over the years they have adjusted and diversified their business plans as needed and are now looking to the future and the next 10 years. I encourage you to contact Kelly or Andrea when you work on your next printing or promotional project…you’ll be glad you did!
Kintla Copy & Creative 503 Railway Street Whitefish, MT 59937 406-862-6724 www.kintlacreative.com
finance}
Business
INVEST IN SUCCESS BUSINESS CONFERENCE Written by Chris Parson
On April 24 -25th, the Montana Small Business
Development Center Network will be hosting
their 4th annual Invest in Success Conference
in Butte, MT. This conference allows businesses the opportunity to hear dynamic talks from
individuals including nationally-recognized
speakers, Montana business experts, and SBDC business advisors. Topics include small busi-
ness exporting, change management, market
research, visual merchandising, and other relevant hot topics in the world of small busi-
ness. Our keynote speaker is Michael Shuman, an economist, attorney, author, entrepreneur,
and one of the world's leading experts on community economics. Michael currently works for at Cutting Edge Capital, where he manages
its economic development initiatives. Michael
most recently wrote a book called Local Dol-
lars, Local Sense: How to Move Your Money
from Wall Street to Main Street and Achieve Real Prosperity.
Conference attendees will also have the chance to sign-up for a behind-the-scenes look at the SeaCast Investment Castings facility in Butte, taking place during the afternoon on the 24th. Space is limited to 50, so attendees should register in advance to ensure a spot. Interested individuals are encouraged to register early to take advantage of the early bird registration discount. Early bird ($75.00) is March 1st, 2013 and then $125 afterwards. For more information, visit the conference registration website at www.regonline.com/investinsuccess
community} happenings
M issoul a W edding F air Photos by Dax Photography www.daxphotography.com 406 Woman magazine was thrilled to be a part of the Missoula Wedding Fair on January 6th hosted by Cherry Creek Radio. It was a great day meeting with brides and their families as well as getting to know our fellow industry partners better. Great food, great entertainment, and a great time was had by all. Thanks to Dax Photography for providing these terrific photos and their support of the Missoula Wedding Fair.
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WOMAN 32   
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community} happenings
BMCA Winefest Photos by Scott Wilson Photography
January 12, 2013
On a cold January night, 200 people enjoyed great wine, delicious food, and wonderful camaraderie at the Big Mountain Commercial Association (BMCA) Winefest at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake. This annual event raises money for the S.N.O.W. Bus that provides free transportation to skiers, boarders, visitors, and employees to the Whitefish Mountain Resort during the winter. Rick Cunningham, Executive Director of the BMCA, said in terms of money raised it was the most successful Winefest ever.
Wine and beer distributors that provided ample samples included Fun Beverage, George's Distributing, Great Northern Brewing Company, and Intermountain Distributing. Other sponsors that helped make the event a success were At Your Service Property Management, Airworks, American Bank, Box of Rain, Five Star Rentals Montana, Good Medicine Lodge & Tamarack Ski & Patio, and Professional Therapy Associates. Rick also wanted to extend a special thank you to Ruth Lane and the numerous volunteers that helped make the event a success plus anyone that we might have missed in this list.
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