406 contents featured 8. Semester in Venice Susan Guthrie 30. Meet the Miss Montana Contestants
health 40. Relationship Coaching 42. Celebrating Life in Color 46. Fear Not The In’s and Out’s of the First Gynecological Exam 48. Ask the Skin Coach Antioxidants in Skin Care
...60
50. School Based Clinic in Columbia Falls 52. The Physical Stress of Pregnancy on your CNS 56. 5 Ways to Use Yoga Blocks 58. Buckle Up 60. Define Local
profiles
Legal
14. Paws to Play Dogpark
36. Exempt Water Rights in Montana
18. Aluma Glass 22. Sappari 26. Flathead Building Association
non-profit 44. Changed Lives Tricia Collins
Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year 704 C East 13th St. #138 Whitefish, MT 59937 info@406woman.com Copyright©2017 Skirts Publishing
w
6 406
oman.com
...14
View current and past issues of 406 Woman at w w w . 4 0 6 W o m a n . c o m
featured}
Semester
Venice in
By Jill Seigmund Photo by Alisia Dawn Photography
You may not associate a community college education with opportunities to live and study abroad. That’s because study-abroad programs are typically the academic territory of four-year universities and colleges. But, as residents of Northwest Montana know, there’s nothing typical about Flathead Valley Community College.
In January, a group of students will pack their bags for FVCC’s ninth annual Semester in Venice, a 12-week cultural and language immersion program that has been compared to those offered by prestigious universities.
Susan Guthrie, an associate professor of art at FVCC, became the director of the Semester in Venice program in 2016. Drawing upon her 20 years of experience travelling, studying and teaching in Italy, Guthrie has developed a network of personal and professional relationships with native Venetians that allows her students to experience life in the ancient city as a resident rather than a tourist. In fact, the students are registered with the city as temporary legal residents during their stay in Venice. Semester in Venice was started in 2008, the brainchild of longtime FVCC art professor John Rawlings. The program has evolved over the years to include new classes, tours and instructors, but the rigor of the program remains unchanged. “It’s intensive,” said Guthrie. “It’s a lot of hard work… we are not on vacation.” Operating from the campus of the Istituto Venzia in the heart of the university district of Dorsoduro, the Semester in Venice program offers students the opportunity to earn 18 college credits, including 10 language credits. All credits are transferrable to other colleges and universities. Language classes are taught exclusively in Italian by native speakers, while all other classes are taught in English. Guthrie teaches two classes as part of the program, including “History and Culture of Venice” and “History of Italian Art and Architecture.” Her lectures are more likely to take place in the streets or museums than in a classroom.
“Everything that you see there means something. The names of the streets, the canals… everything has a story,” she said. “What a joy and privilege it is for me to be able to take young people and not-so-young people to these places, knowing how to get them there and then helping them to see and understand at a deep level what they are looking at and why it is so special.”
w
8 406
oman.com
Guthrie was born and raised in Deer Lodge, a little town under the Big Sky. “I gravitated toward art as a kid,” said Guthrie, today an accomplished landscape and portrait painter. “I drew everything… I thought I could draw everything. I always had a pencil in my hand and eventually a brush.” Guthrie’s high school art teacher helped her obtain a scholarship to study art and music at Western Montana College in Dillon. At that time, Guthrie was the first person in her family to attend college.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Montana College and pursued extensive graduate studies in art, eventually earning two master’s degrees. Her graduate programs required her to spend extensive time living and studying in Italy and Germany.
“I had some of the best teachers in Florence,” she said. “We combed over every detail of a subject or artifact…we looked at the minutiae. Tourism is such a big thing in Italy, and people often just walk by something and don’t know what they are seeing.”
There is no danger of this happening with Guthrie’s students. She works hard to ensure they fully understand what they are observing. “All education is exuberant, because I’m excited about what I teach. But in Venice, I’m not showing slides… we are standing in front of the real thing.” “I have been fortunate to see, for example, Michelangelo’s ‘David’ again and again, and I am just as excited the 10th time, because I get to watch other people seeing it for the first time. My heart is elevated.”
featured}
Photos by Sarah Stern
“I hope that in some small way my legacy as an artist will include being an educator who created a continuity of tradition by being an ambitious student of the Old Master painters and passing on to aspiring artists the methods and practices that time itself has proven to be worth preserving.”
Photo Courtesy Susan Guthrie
Soon after arriving in Venice, the students learn to use the vaporetti… the city’s public “water bus” transportation system. Because Venice is comprised of several little islands connected by canals, learning to use the vaporetti is key to navigating and enjoying the city’s various neighborhoods.
The students reside in apartments scattered around Venice. They shop for food, cook and clean for themselves, getting to know their local merchants and neighbors in the process of day-to-day living. The education they receive far exceeds the formal curriculum of the Semester in Venice program.
“They are learning how to live in a foreign country, how to be global students who are culturally fluent,” said Guthrie. “Learning how to be in a new and strange place is transformative… physically, emotionally, spiritually and behaviorally… and most importantly, in my opinion, it is the surest way to become the best version of oneself.” Guthrie is entering her 31st year as an educator and believes that teaching people about art is akin to teaching people about life. When reflecting on the best version of her own self, she said, “I hope that in some small way my legacy as an artist will include being an educator who created a continuity of tradition by being an ambitious student of the Old Master painters and passing on to aspiring artists the methods and practices that time itself has proven to be worth preserving.”
Applications are now available for FVCC’s 2018 Semester in Venice program. To be eligible to participate, students must be admitted to FVCC, be at least 18 years old and demonstrate a 2.5 or higher grade point average. The program is open to students of all disciplines, and no prior experience communicating in Italian is necessary. The approximate cost to participate in Semester in Venice is $13,650, which covers tuition and fees for 18 credits, roundtrip airfare between Kalispell and Venice, housing, a meal allowance, public transportation, museum and gallery entrance fees, travel visas and more. The cost also covers a nine-day tour of Urbino, Assisi, Siena, Florence and beyond toward the end of the semester. A $1,000 deposit is due by October 31, 2017 and is non-refundable after that date. An estimated payment of $9,150 is due by November 30, 2017 and is nonrefundable after December 7, 2017. The balance of $3,500 is reserved for roundtrip airfare and a meal allowance.
Scholarships are available from the Foundation at FVCC. Scholarships are made possible by generous donors who support the Semester in Venice program at the college’s annual Big Night fundraising event. Since the establishment of La Serenissima Scholarship Fund, nearly $100,000 has been awarded to 30 students to help cover costs of participating in the program. For more information about the Semester in Venice program, contact FVCC’s Director of International Student Services Gerda Reeb at 406.756.3889 or greeb@fvcc.edu.
ww
406 406oman.com 9 9 oman.com
featured}
Semester in Venice
Blog Posts From Students Photos Courtesy Susan Guthrie
Week 4/Student: I think one of the most beautiful and yet challenging things about new adventures in life is that each adventure, travel, and journey we take, demands a different version of ourselves. We are constantly growing and learning, not just Italian language, history, culture and theater, but we are learning so much about ourselves at the same time. We are learning how to work in and as a group, some of us are learning to live on our own for the first time, we are learning to rely on strangers and to give people the benefit of the doubt, because sometimes that’s the only option we have here.
Week 8/Student: Things that used to be daunting are now just part of life. Before this program, I thought to myself… “How am I going to do it? How am I going to be living alone for the first time, in a new country, with a new language, in an accelerated learning system, trying to eat healthy, trying to keep things clean, and all the while maintaining my sanity? HOW?” Honestly, I doubted my ability to keep things in order, and it’s been hard and character building at times, but I decided to take things one step at a time and see where it leads me. Week 11/Student: I will never forget the best pear, cheese, and
w
10 406
oman.com
chocolate pastry you could ever imagine from the best bakery in the city. But most of all, I won’t forget how much Venice has allowed me to change as a person. For all good reasons. I have learned so much not only academically but socially and culturally. The way my perspective has widened in so many different directions just through living in this foreign place. It’s been a magical experience and this beautiful city gave me so much to remember. Editor’s Note: My daughter was able to participate in the Venice program this last winter (January-April 2017). It was an absolutely amazing experience for her and we were so grateful to have Susan and Gerda (along with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Departments) available as resources every step of the way.
w
406
oman.com  11
profile}
Paws to Play Dogpark Photos by Alisia Dawn Photography
The Mission
of Paws to Play Dogpark is to create for our dog friends a safe, natural environment where they can experience life off-leash and enjoy the freedom of running and socializing with other canines. We envision the park as a place for animal lovers to gather as a community and socialize while being responsible dog owners and contributing to the well being of their pets. Dogs and their owners all over the central Flathead Valley are jumping for joy over the prospect of playing off-leash at the new dog park on the south side of Kalispell. A Little History Driven by the efforts of a small team of volunteers and a whole lot of community enthusiasm, Paws to Play began our efforts by asking questions: Is there a perceived need for a dog park in Kalispell? Will the community support an effort? What park features and amenities are important? Where will it be located? The team cast a broad net, talking to private landowners, state and county officials, Kalispell Parks and Recreation Department staff, service and business organizations, and anyone else who would listen. While attending many community events, it became clear quite quickly that the residents of Kalispell, the surrounding area, as well as visitors to Northwest Montana
w
14 406
oman.com
recognized the benefits of having a quality park in Kalispell.
For the better part of two years, the team raised funds through community benefit nights; the Give Local (Flathead Gives) campaign; t-shirt sales; cash donations; and events such as Women Who Wine of the Flathead, Going for the Green, and the Woodland Park Pool Party; and our signature event, Doggie Dayz. Doggie Dayz is held in partnership with Kalispell Parks and Rec with generous sponsors such as Park Side Credit Union, Costco, Montana Ace, Lucky Dog Day Camp, Walk Your Dog Club, Big Sky Animal Clinic, and Calm Animal Care. With little more than passion and an idea, we raised $20,000 - mostly through small contributions from dedicated dog lovers. This winter, we were chosen as a Park Side Credit Union 2017 Partner; along with a generous $5,000 gift, they have helped us get the word out through social media, print and radio ads, and other promotions. In December 2016, the City of Kalispell approached us with a proposal to convert 3.5 acres of Begg Park in south Kalispell into an off-leash dog park. After public comments and council work sessions
to hammer out details, the city council voted UNANIMOUSLY to approve the allocation of the land for the park, public works time to mitigate flood drainage issues, and $40,000 for fencing the park. As part of this vote, Paws to Play committed $10,000 of our $30,000 raised to date to pay the balance of the fencing costs. What Comes Next This summer, as the flood waters receded, work started on the creation of Kalispell’s first dog park. Paws to Play and Kalispell Parks and
profile}
Paws to Play
and celebrate the Doggie Dayz of Summer with us at Woodland Park on Sunday, August 20th, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Last year, Kalispell Parks and Recreation generously let the pool “go to the dogs” for the last few hours of the season, and it was such a great success, we’re doing this again - this time in conjunction with our 3rd Annual Doggie Dayz event! Recreation mapped out a potential plan and began ordering materials to get the park up and going. Even with the generous support of the city and Paws to Play’s $30,000, we have a lot of work yet to do! We’ve always envisioned the park features being developed in stages: Phase 1: Drainage, fencing, waste disposal stations with garbage cans, message board, and benches. Phase 2: Paved trail looping around the flat area, water station, agility course, and other features (e.g., hydrants).
Contests for dogs and their owners include pet tricks, relay, and the cutest dog contest, along with our most popular peanut butter licking contest! Contests and vendor booths will open at 2 p.m. Some of the Flathead Valley’s best food trucks will be there, along with other fun activities like the photo booth. There’s no fee to watch the contests or visit the booths; donations to Paws to Play are encouraged. The Woodland Park Pool will open to dogs at 4:30 p.m. with a $5 cover charge per dog. The pool party will go until 7p.m.
Phase 3: Shade feature, restrooms, doggie wash station, memorial bricks or plaques and a large entry sign.
The current plan is to open the park at the end of August (!!!) with most Phase 1 amenities in place. We’re almost where we need to be in terms of funding for this to happen; community members interested in purchasing a bench, or other feature are encouraged to talk to us. It is easy to contact us at our website (find the address below) or find us on Facebook at Paws to Play Dog Park. Phase 2 and Phase 3 elements will be installed as additional funding becomes available. Because we want this park to be accessible to EVERYONE in the community - dog owners or not - we believe it is important to create a safe, ADA-compliant paved path. Americans with Disabilities Act compliance means people with mobility issues can walk or ride around the largest section of the park. With an August opening, the path is our next big fundraising goal at approximately $32,000.
The Doggie Dayz of Summer 2017 With the park opening soon, it’s more important than ever for our wonderful community to come out and show your enthusiasm and generous support for our Paws to Play Dogpark at Begg Park! It’s our hope that area businesses will join us as sponsors or have booths and that residents and visitors will bring their dogs
As with any event of this size, we cannot do it without volunteers. If you are interested, please email us at pawstoplaydogpark@gmail.com Paws to Play is an all-volunteer organization whose focus is fundraising to build and maintain a dog park with high quality amenities open to residents of and visitors to Kalispell. We raise community awareness, engage stakeholders, and educate people about the benefits and responsibilities of an off-leash dog park. The Paws to Play Dog Park Fund is a project held under the Flathead Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity {EIN 20-3153511} authorized to accept charitable contributions to support the project. Direct donations to the Paws to Play Fund are tax deductible. All proceeds raised by Paws to Play go toward the dog park.
PO Box 3571 Kalispell, MT 59903 www.pawstoplay.org l pawstoplaydogpark@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/kalispellpawstoplay/
w
406
oman.com 15
profile}
ALUMAGLASS
ALUMAGLASS
By Mary Wallace Photos by Alisia Dawn Photography
Where New Vision Attempts Timelessness
There may be many in the Flathead Valley who have recently become familiar with an adorable 6-year-old voice on the radio. That is the voice of Lincoln, a terrific ball of energy, who didn’t really find his voice until age three. Once he started talking, no one wanted him to pipe down, so he has become the loveable spokesman for Aluma Glass branding and advertising campaigns. Lincoln is the son of Eric Robbins, the General Manager, who has overseen marketing, brand awareness, and the design of the Aluma Glass storefront’s recent vintage 1950’s style renovations. Aluma Glass is the Flathead Valley's oldest glass and window company serving thousands of clients, contractors and designers for over 63 years. The business was originally established in 1954 and one of its longest-
w
18 406
oman.com
tenured employees was Myron Johnson who retired in 2014 at the age of 81 when the company changed hands. Legends like Myron paved the way for the new ownership to build on something that was already beautiful and successful. Oddly enough, the current owner, Curtis Bartel never conceived of becoming the proprietor of a glass company. A former Marine Corps officer who moved to the Valley in 2003, he became a contractor and had always used Aluma Glass products for virtually all his projects. His construction crew was wrapping up a project on a lot adjoining the Eagle Bend Golf Course several years ago when one day a golf ball shattered one of the windows. Because the home had not yet been turned over to the new owner, the damage repair was a responsibility of the contractor. Reluctantly, Curtis called Bill Morton, who was the owner of Aluma Glass at the time, to order a replacement window. Surprisingly, Bill told him he would replace the window at no charge.
Curtis asked himself, "Who does that? Who offers that kind of ‘above-and-beyond-thecall-of-duty’ customer service these days?" Bill Morton did. Curtis vowed from that day on to emulate his longtime friend & business associate and offer quality craftsmanship and vintage customer service in his own business.
When Bill was considering retirement, it was important for him to find someone who would continue his tradition of the excellence in products and over-the-top customer service. Bill felt that Curtis’s work ethic, business practices, and contractor background would be a valuable addition to the business and he approached Curtis to ask him if he’d be interested in taking over when he retired. The Bartel family is steeped in family tradition, evidenced by their ten (yes 10!) children, so making Aluma Glass a true "family business" was a natural desire for Curtis. They are proud to have their oldest child, Andrew, as the Aluma Glass Lead Shower Technician and Installer. It seems congratulations are in order again as
profile}
ALUMAGLASS
If you stop by the newly renovated showroom on 1st Avenue West in Kalispell, you may feel like you have indeed stepped Curtis and his wife Joy recently celebrated the birth of their youngest daughter, in early July making it a perfect balance of five boys and five girls.
When Curtis took the reins of Aluma Glass three years ago this August, he had a decision to make. He could carry on the business at the same level it had been for many successful years, or he could grow the business by launching a new and improved Aluma Glass. He made the decision to hire his brotherin-law, Eric Robbins (Lincoln’s dad) to help rebrand and revitalize the business. With a background in branding, design and sales, Eric brought his family of six over from Seattle and the journey was on! Together, Curtis and Eric have focused on keeping the great things the company was founded and built on and then simply expanding it.
Discussions about how to do this centered around the heartbeat of the business’s humble 1954 beginnings of that 50’s era customer service - when you pulled into a gas station and they would not only come out and pump your gas for you, but they would also check the tires, check the oil, and wash the windshield. It was this kind of vintage look, feel, and culture of customer service that they strived for in rebranding the company.
If you stop by the newly renovated showroom on 1st Avenue West in Kalispell, you may feel like you have indeed stepped back in time to a kinder, gentler time and place. From the vintage gas lamp style lighting, to weathered wood in the renovated interior with the showroom full of beautifully crafted products, the whole crew at Aluma Glass has worked hard to achieve a place of goodness and beauty; a place where service is key and respect is earned by doing every job with excellence and dignity. Elise Garner, the Office Coordinator, has been with Aluma Glass for almost a year. She was in the Flathead for a visit last August when she saw that they had a job opening. Needless to say, she never left and even had her belongings shipped to her from Atlanta so she could focus on her new career at Aluma Glass. She started as a receptionist and quickly became the Office Coordinator, responsible for scheduling projects, customer service, and even some design work. According to Garner, the entire crew has a spirit of friendship and family from the top down. Garner says that Curtis is so passionate about old-fashioned service to others that the staff can’t help but join him in
back in time to a kinder, gentler time and place.
w
406
oman.com 19
profile}
ALUMAGLASS
Curtis, Eric, Elise and the team invite you to stop by any time for a quick hello and a cup of Bigfork-based Fieldheads Coffee…a fun way to support other local small businesses and a way for the staff to say thanks for being part of the Aluma Glass Family.
striving for excellence in product and customer service. There is a lot of respect and appreciation for each other and together, they make a great team. She even goes so far as to say her life has been changed because of Aluma Glass. She can’t imagine working anywhere else.
The crew has grown from five employees to 11 over the last three years and even some of the old faces are still there making Aluma Glass a special place to be a part of the team. Insulated-glass-builder and jovial delivery man Scott Espeseth is now the longest-tenured employee at 15 years after 37-year glass cutting veteran Steve Gardner retired recently. But you can still find former owner Bill Morton along with Steve popping in frequently to say hi and even get some glass cut for themselves. The Aluma Glass family hasn’t stopped…it has just expanded between the old and new.
Aluma Glass is proud to be one the premier Milgard Window and Door dealers in the Flathead Valley. Milgard offers the best in vinyl, fiberglass or wood-fiberglass combo windows and sliding doors for your home. They also specialize in designing showers for existing bathrooms or help custom design the shower that dreams are made of whether for new construction or a remodel. They offer custom cut mirrors and glass for all uses – for bathrooms, for framing, for shelving, back-lit mirrors and a host of other glass design needs. They have always offered and repaired screens, screen doors, Phantom retractable screens and are happy to custom build screens to fit any need in many choices
w
20 406
oman.com
of mesh, color, and metal surround. Aluma Glass also offers cable, glass and picket rail systems for indoor and outdoor living spaces, decks, and hand rails. Eric (and Lincoln too!) is proud of their most recent additions – barn doors and hardware, custom green houses, and even classic wood shutters with iron hardware. They have grown from offering 50 kinds of custom commercial glass to over 200 kinds since 2014. Curtis, Eric, Elise and the team invite you to stop by any time for a quick hello and a cup of Bigfork-based Fieldheads Coffee…a fun way to support other local small businesses and a way for the staff to say thanks for being part of the Aluma Glass Family. Simply stop by and meet the wonderful people that make Aluma Glass the place "Where Craftsmanship & Vintage Service Still Stand." Also, it’s been
rumored that Lincoln is sometimes there to welcome you with a strong little-manhandshake and his infectious smile! Aluma Glass, 32 1st Avenue West Kalispell, MT 59901 406-755-5234 www.alumaglass.com
profile}
What’s going on at “the store where you never know what to expect?” They’re commemorating partnerships, old and new. Photos by Alisia Dawn Photography
It all began in 1980, 37 years ago when Rita Rayhill moved to Montana after graduating from University of Colorado with a degree in environmental conservation. But, her real dream was to open a small boutique in a resort town. Rita had visited Montana several times in previous years, worked at her sister’s restaurant in Kalispell and realized Montana was where she wanted to land. She and her then husband, Allen Clark, loved Antiques and anything Vintage. So her dream came true when they opened Ramblin Rose in 1980 in one of the original grocery stores in a residential area in Whitefish. In 1982, they had an opportunity to buy the building at 215 Central Avenue which where Sappari is still located today. Along with two other couples, they remodeled the store, which became the home for three stores: Northwind T-Shirts, Lotions and Potions, and Ramblin Rose.
In 1987, Rita felt a need to change it up a bit. She quit selling vintage items and clothing and began offering clothing that was made from natural fibers, and jewelry from around the world. With this new change, came a name change to Sappari. The name was inspired while her sister took a Japanese cooking course. Roxanne (Rita’s sister)
w
22 406
oman.com
told her that in class, vegetables needed to be Sappari for tempura. Sappari means fresh, new and crisp. Rita loved the word; it’s meaning and that it sounded exotic, and it left the door wide open for her to sell whatever she was inspired by.
13 years went by, she had two daughters and then found it was time for another change. With her interest in owning and remodeling homes she found she was increasingly drawn to home decor and what made a house a home. She also felt there
was a niche in the valley to expand jewelry and fashion accessories.
At a fateful meeting, when their youngest daughters were at their first coed Junior High School dance, Rita made a proposal to Connie Kelsay that would change both their lives. Would Connie want to become a partner and help expand the store’s offerings into a Montana lifestyle store? Of course she said, “Yes”. Connie was a transplant from Texas, grew up in Calgary, Alberta and had been vacationing with her family in Whitefish since the early 70’s. After attending Alberta College of Art and Washington State University in graphic design, she decided a move to small town Montana was what her soul needed. That’s where she met her partner, and then husband, Dan Hendrick. Their two daughters were the same age as Rita’s, were friends at school and it all was pretty serendipitous. Connie had just finished a degree in business when Rita’s offer came and was in the dream stage of wanting to open a small store, and possibly bring in antique furniture.
They signed some papers, hit the markets hard, bought more of the building space, doubling the floor space and inventory and grew with new customers, many who have become dear friends over the years.
profile}
Kristina Rita Then, 17 years went by and change was in the air again. Enter Kristina Angelo; a transplant from California who had found Whitefish was the spot to start a new life with her two young sons. She brought with her an artistic background and work ethic that Rita and Connie recognized and after being with Sappari for four years she became the store manager.
Kristina had studied at the Art Institute in Seattle for graphic design and loved bringing her artistic eye to create fun and inspiring displays for Sappari. Upon arriving in Whitefish, she worked for Snowdog Web Development, Bear Mountain Mercantile and fell in love with small town entrepreneurship. Kristina continues to create art pieces and is now designing snowboards with local snowboard company, “Notice.”
As Rita was fast approaching her 60th birthday, she realized it was time for stepping back a bit. Kristina expressed interest in the possibility of buying Rita’s share of the design side of the store; accessories, jewelry and furniture from her, and Rita said, “Yes.” Connie was thrilled because it was all ‘ inhouse’, Kristina and she had worked together for years and new energy was coming in. It was a seamless transition. Kristina approached her cousin Lynette to be a part of her dream and
Sappari
Connie
Lynette jumped at the chance. She’s always been Kristina’s biggest cheerleader.
Their vision is to expand their unique and hand picked home decor offerings, continue searching out beautiful artisan jewelry and accessories and gifts from around the world.
Rita continues to be the clothes buyer and brings her distinguished style to Sappari. Always known for being well priced, her selections offer looks you won’t find anywhere else. Her love of vintage has never left. After years of collecting she’s bringing in some vintage from her collection and feels vintage never goes out of style!
They all feel very blessed that new partnerships mean Sappari will continue for generations to come. They love what they do! Their friendly and helpful staff provides great service (and secrets to local life) that enhances any visit to Whitefish. They also feel like Sappari is a gathering place for locals - whether it be for ‘retail therapy’ or just to say hello. “We know its locals that make our business.“ New items arrive weekly throughout the year. It’s always changing. It’s truly a store “Where you never know what to expect.” Sappari, 215 Central Avenue in Whitefish 406-862-6848
w
406
oman.com 23
profile}
Flathead Building Association
By Mary Wallace
BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY
When Jessie Walthers stepped into the shoes of the retiring Flathead Building Association Executive Director, Renee Ewing, last fall she embarked on a journey that she never imagined. Every season brings new Association events – The Home and Garden Showcase in the spring, the Annual Norrish Memorial Golf Tournament in July, and one of the Association’s biggest annual events, the Parade of Homes, in September. So far, she seems to be enjoying the ride.
- mostly with community, conservation, and educational programs in Utah. It wasn’t long after visiting the Flathead Valley in 2012 that Jessie decided Montana was where she wanted to be. She had barely moved here when she saw the job opening for the Flathead Building Association and decided to apply.
Raised in New England, Jessie earned her bachelor degree from the University of Massachusetts and her Masters in American Studies from the University of Utah. She really found her niche working with volunteers at various non-profits
Currently, the non-profit trade association has 160 members - 30 are Builders/Remodelers and 130 are Associate members, representing sub-contractors and businesses related to the construction industry. These businesses work
w
For over 30 years, the FBA has been dedicated to promoting professionalism, credibility, quality and vitality in the building industry to the benefit of its members and citizens of northwest Montana. The Flathead Building Association consists of a diverse group of industry professionals including builders, remodelers, and associates such as architects, designers, engineers, brokers, bankers, attorneys, distributors, wholesalers and subcontractors.
together to create a positive environment in support of the construction industry of the Flathead Valley.
All new members must be nominated by an existing member and they agree to adhere to a code of quality and ethics that is the basis of what the Association is all about. Membership in the Flathead Building Association is threefold because it also includes membership in the Montana Building Industry Association and the National Association of Home Builders. For the members, it’s an excellent resource for those in the building industry: for education, training, safety, networking, and marketing. For the community, the Flathead Building Association is a directory and resource to find trust-worthy, licensed, experienced builders, and professionals. It’s the place to go to find talented, skilled, reputable, knowledgeable building professionals. The Flathead Building Association and its members strive to give back to the community here in the Flathead. Its members are part of the fabric of the community here, many in business for generations, decades. They give extensively in
Above photos: Snow Bear Chalets, one of the homes featured in the 2017 Flathead Valley Parade of Homes. Built by Malmquist Construction. Photos by Trevon Baker.
26 406
oman.com
Flathead Building
Malmquist Construction
profile}
their own businesses and service – and through the Flathead Building Association - through an annual John and Joe Norrish Memorial Scholarship program, and supporting programs such as the Flathead High School Student Built House. Jessie was kind enough to put me in touch with a handful of longtime FBA members who are active and who really encompass what the Flathead Building Association is all about.
Tyler Frank & Bear Barinowski are both proud that Malmquist Construction is a part of the Flathead Building Association, they feel that the past five years have set a new stride for construction businesses and professionals in the valley. In their words, “We feel that membership in the Flathead Building Association adds a level of credibility and accountability that benefits all members in lots of ways.” They enjoy the fact that the members of the Flathead Building Association are ambitious, hardworking, honest, and ethical. Plus, the subcontractor members are “phenomenal” in the words of Bear. Malmquist Construction has two homes in this year’s PARADE OF HOMES – a dream home on Whitefish Lake and a Tree House just off one of the ski runs at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The Tree house has already been in Architectural
Ron Terry Construction
The Flathead Building Association consists of a diverse group of industry professionals including builders, remodelers, and associates such as architects, designers, engineers, brokers, bankers, attorneys, distributors, wholesalers and sub-contractors.
Digest. Malmquist has been in Whitefish for 24 because they benefit as a company in several years and has just been voted “Best Builder” in ways – discounted insurance rates, awesome Whitefish. educational opportunities through the local, state and national Building Associations, and the Tyler grew up in Whitefish and has a diverse legislative oversight provided by the Montana background in construction through the western Building Association. Merna also stressed the states. His enthusiasm for home building comes comradery and community of the Association. from his first experience in building a home with “When someone has a crisis or someone is hurt, his father in 1995. After a short stint of building other members show up in droves to help a fellow homes Texas, he is glad to be back in the Flathead member out.” Valley building with his friends and family. Building custom homes is Tyler’s true passion in Ron Terry Construction has been in the Flathead life, and he couldn’t imagine his life outside of the Valley since 1994, and they had a goal to build building industry. homes for those who live & work in the valley. They started with a couple of homes that they Bear comes to us from North Carolina where he built and sold and have grown to become the acquired his hard work ethic from his father on local, trusted builder of affordable homes. Ron their local farm. With building experiences in North Terry Construction is also unique in the fact that Carolina, Colorado, Austria, Sicily and Afghanistan, they will purchase a home site and build a home Bear has seen a huge variety of construction covering all the costs up front for the buyer, and methods. His genuine desire to deliver upon his then they are able to sell the buyer their semicommitments and make the building process custom new home. This process makes it easier enjoyable has given home owners the relief that for their clients to obtain financing, and buy their building does not have to be burdensome. dream home. Many Ron Terry homes can be constructed with as little as $2000 down. Merna Terry of Ron Terry Construction wholeheartedly shared that they really value their Merna, who has a PHD in Clinical Psychology, membership in the Flathead Building Association reluctantly agreed to manage the company check
w
406
oman.com 27
profile}
Flathead Building
2017 PARADE OF HOMES
Finmark Builders
A diverse selection of some of the finest homes in Northwest Montana will be showcased during the Flathead Building Association’s annual Parade of Homes Friday – Sunday, September 8, 9, & 10th. Attendees will be delighted to find all the latest in home-building trends from the most affordable to the most luxurious.
book in her spare time in the early days. The company grew so much and so fast that she eventually chose to leave her day job and focus full time on their company. Merna shared that they worked so hard in their early days that another benefit of their membership in the Flathead Building Association - when their family was young - was that the monthly meetings were their only good excuse for a ‘date night’. Derek Oja, of Finmark Builders, stressed that joining the Flathead Building Association when they started their construction company was a no-brainer. Derek’s philosophy is that a home is one of the biggest investments a person will make in their lifetime. Tapping all the resources that are available to customers through the FBA is a wise choice when making such a huge investment.
Having grown up in Michigan, in a family of 14 kids, Derek and all of the Oja siblings learned their building trade ‘apprenticeship style’, passed down from their grandfather - who learned from their great grandfather in Finland. It is no surprise that the Oja’s grew up with a sense of ethics and hard work. Derek and the whole family moved to the Flathead in 2005 and Finmark Construction was formed in 2011. Derek is the 2nd oldest of the Oja siblings at 30 years old and he said that all the men in their family work for the family business, even the youngest brother – age 14- who spends his summers working for Finmark projects as well.
Finmark Construction is a company that does all of their own design work. They don’t outsource this or use commercial building plans. They build mid to high end homes for their customers, and they have two homes in this year’s PARADE OF HOMES. One is a Montana style rustic home on Windsor Court behind Sliter’s Building Company in Bigfork and the other is Derek’s own home, which he has been building over the past two years (nights & weekends between other Finmark projects). That home overlooks Foys Lake in the Lone Pine area. In the words of Derek’s grandfather, “One thing that will always pay off and carry you through, no matter what you face, is hard work.”
Flathead Building Association professionals all live, work and play in our community. They are local home construction professionals focused on providing you quality services and building expertise. Considering a construction project in northwest Montana? Visit www.buildingflathead.com
w
28 406
oman.com
This year’s homes are located all around the valley and they include everything from a tree house to a mansion. Jessie Walthers emphasizes that this year’s Parade of Homes is one of the most scenic & beautiful drives with views of Whitefish Lake and the Whitefish Range, Foy’s Lake, and Flathead Lake. What a perfect excuse to get out for a ride and enjoy our beautiful area! Savvy Parade attendees can download the Parade Craze Map App to their mobile phone to lead them on this treasure hunt of the Flathead Valley’s finest member homes. An event guide booklet will also be available ahead of time or can be picked up at any of the homes on the map.
Event hours are noon to 8 p.m. to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12 at presale ticket outlets throughout the area or $15 online or at the door. Save $3 on your online ticket purchase, Use 406Woman as a Discount Code for your tickets on www.buildingflathead.com# The award winners of this year’s Parade of Homes will be announced the week prior by the association, except for the People’s Choice award to be determined by parade participants.
Those who visit all the homes included in the tour are eligible to compete for a $1,000 grand prize shopping spree by dropping their “passport” in the grand prize box at any of the parade homes by 4 p.m. Sunday; the winner will be chosen Monday, September 11, 2017 during a random drawing. More information about the tours and this year’s featured homes will soon be available on the Flathead Building Association’s website, www.buildingflathead.com.
And the winner will be….
one of these lovely ladies By Maureen Francisco
Meet the MISS Montana Contestants that are competing in this year’s pageant. Carrie Vreeland | Miss Missoula County USA 2017
Aimée Bartel | Miss Greater Missoula USA 2017
Aimee is an international dancer, a licensed aesthetician, a model, and a dreamer; but above all she is a small town Montana girl determined to make her mark on this big world. She's proud to call the Treasure State her home, and you can always find her outside enjoying its raw, natural beauty. Aimee is constantly pushing herself to be successful in her life endeavors and to pursue her passions. She hopes to be a role model for young women throughout Montana and the world, inspiring them to believe in themselves and to follow their dreams, no matter how wild they may seem. Through her profession in aesthetics Aimée hopes to raise awareness of Alopecia, while giving back to women who suffer from the disease by offering free services.
Amanda Gatz | Miss Gallatin County USA 2017
Amanda is a senior at Montana State University studying Dietetics. She hopes to one day help people improve their lives through nutrition. She loves to explore Bozeman, from hiking Sacagawea peak to having tea at the Bozeman teahouse. Amanda's favorite thing about Bozeman is the many things to do, and endless opportunities to meet the people that live there. She hopes by gaining the title of Miss Montana USA she can represent Montana in a way that inspires other women to achieve their potential and believe in themselves.
Anita Green | Miss Missoula USA 2017
Anita is a University of Montana alumna who received her B.A. in Sociology with an emphasis in Inequality and Social Justice and a minor in Communication Studies. Last year, Anita made state history by becoming the first openly transgender person in Montana to be elected as a delegate to a nominating convention when she served as a pledged delegate to Bernie Sanders at the Democratic National Convention. Anita is running for the title of Miss Montana USA in hopes of inspiring other transgender women to achieve their aspirations. She is planning to pursue a Master's in Social Work to eventually become a substance abuse counselor.
w
30 406
oman.com
Carrie graduated with honors from Montana State University with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Being a registered nurse and licensed esthetician, Carrie has developed a passion for health, beauty, and selfconfidence. Carrie volunteers in her community and has a goal of becoming a nurse practitioner specializing in women’s health. Living with lupus, she wants to find an avenue to educate women with autoimmune diseases on how they can accomplish goals and lead fulfilling lives.
Claire Shinn | Miss MSU Bozeman University USA 2017
Claire is originally from Missoula, but is going to school in Bozeman for her business degree. She has been in 4-H for 10 years, Future Farmers of America for three and is a Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership 2015 and HOBY Junior Volunteer of 2016. She has been very involved in the Missoula community through these organizations and they have helped her grow and develop into the woman she is today. Claire love's everything there is to do outdoors such as hiking, swimming, skiing, hunting, fishing, camping, pretty much anything ending in "-ing". She is beyond excited to see what this new experience has in store for her and what she will learn from it.
Dani Walker | Miss Yellowstone County USA 2017
Dani Walker is a multi-cultural woman of American Indian, Mexican, and Caucasian decent, who overcame adversities of growing up in a low-income household to become the first in her family to graduate college. Her heart for service, inspired by childhood role model Princess Diana, lead to fourteen years of volunteerism for over fifty non-profit organizations. Currently she fundraises and advocates for Donate life, organ donation, to honor the legacy of her late cousin Andrew. Dani appreciates traveling the U.S. as a communications specialist, hosting a weekly Youtube show, and frequenting her local library’s non-fiction section for business marketing books. Honored to represent Yellowstone County, she hopes her participation in the Miss Universe Organization will provide new opportunities to serve, and represent her state.
featured}
The Miss Montana USA and Miss Montana Teen USA competition is on September 10 at noon for the preliminary show and the final show is at 3 p.m. The competition will be held at Missoula Children's Theatre. Delaney Harrington | Miss Greater Billings USA 2017
Delaney, 18 years old, is a second year college student at MSU Bozeman studying mechanical engineering technology and drafting design. She hopes to someday use her degree to help others in need and make her community, country, and world a better place. She is a dancer, actress and singer since the age of three. She is currently studying for her black belt in taekwondo. She has lived in Billings her entire life and is so excited to represent this amazing city this September.
Emma Jobson | Miss Bozeman USA 2017
Emma is a third year PhD student at Montana State University studying plant genetics. After graduation, she hopes to work abroad at an international research facility. Additionally, Emma coaches figure skating at the local ice rink, and serves on the board of directors for the curling league. When she’s not on campus or in an ice rink, Emma likes running, hiking, and kayaking around the mountains surrounding Bozeman.
Maria Vega | Miss Fort Peck USA 2017
Maria has grown up in the Fort Peck reservation. Living in Wolf Point, Montana, a place she calls home, others she says see addicts, suicide rates, poverty, and hopelessness. According to Maria, she has experienced firsthand what it is like to have parents, friends, and a significant other become addicted to drugs. She is a sexual abuse, domestic violence, and suicide survivor. Through her personal challenges, she hopes to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner with a specialty in substance abuse. She hopes to inspire others to not let their experiences of their past hold them back from planning for a bright future.
Shelbi Schroeder | Miss Billings USA 2017
Shelbi was born and raised in the Flathead Valley where she learned to love the outdoors. She has a passion for hiking and being on the water. She is the owner of Adore Salon and Spa and is a vibrant, intelligent and driven business owner. She is focused and wants to encourage and inspire young women entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and conquer their goals.
Emily Madieros | Miss Garden City USA 2017
Emily is an Event Planner, Photographer and Bridal Stylist in Missoula. She is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Business Administration to achieve her goal of designing and owning her own event venue. Emily has always had a desire to work with children in need and hopes the venue can be a place where she can work with organizations, who share the same goal, raise awareness and achieve the necessary funding to make the differences needed in the lives of these children. In her spare time, Emily loves enjoying all that Montana has to offer in the great outdoors, including hiking, fishing, skiing and camping. She hopes to achieve the title of Miss Montana USA to create a platform on which she can become the voice for those who may not have one for themselves.
Grace Zitzer | Miss Zootown USA 2017
Grace is a Dillon, MT native and moved to Missoula after graduating from Concordia University-Portland in 2013. She studied social work at Concordia and will graduate from the University of North Dakota with her Masters in Social Work in December. Grace currently works as a Child Protection Specialist for the state of Montana. In her free time, Grace loves trail running with her family and being outside with her dogs. She also enjoys volunteering at CampMake-A-Dream and the American Cancer Society.
Yessenia Jarvey | Miss Cascade County USA 2017
Yessenia currently works as a Early Childhood Educator at Wee Disciples Pre-School. She plans on attending the Aveda institute of Minneapolis. In her spare time she enjoys working full time, exercising and spending time out doors. She likes to use her sparkle to make other people's day better. Overall Yessenia has a kind heart.
w
406
oman.com 31
Now, meet the TEEN Contestants Giavanna Lynch | Miss Billings Teen USA 2017
Alexis Sartain | Miss Manhattan Teen USA 2017
Alex is a senior at Bozeman high school, where she is in the process of starting a new club at her school that helps connect students who do not have friends to eat with during lunch. She hopes to bring teens together and reduce the fear and anxiety of those who eat alone. She loves to fly and see new places, and hopes to travel abroad and fill her passport. Alex has been involved with her 4-H club for the past eight years showing pigs at her local county fair, and is an active archery shooter. Alex is a team player, and loved playing volleyball for her school and club teams for the past six years. After high school she will attend college to earn her degree in Radiologic Technology.
Alyssa Shipp | Miss Miles City USA 2017
Alyssa is a Senior at Custer County District High School in Miles City, MT. She has been involved in numerous extracurricular activities such as; 4-H, FFA, student council, Fuel Up to Play 60, Ending Childhood Hunger in MT Youth Council, Custer County Rodeo Club, National Honors Society, football manager, varsity track athlete, and so on. With all of these activities, Alyssa still manages to keep a GPA of 3.6. After high school she plans to go to college to major in business management and marketing.
Daria Porter | Miss Missoula Teen USA 2017
Daria is a strong, independent, redhead whose love for others is unconditional. She enjoys the outdoors and loves to be active. Daria is outgoing and loves meeting new people. Her curiosity is the inspiration she uses to advance her adventurous side. She is passionate about helping her friends and those she cares about to become bold and confident as they navigate the world. Daria's goal in life is to impact others in a positive way and be a loyal and compassionate friend.
Diana Johnson | Miss Cascade County Teen USA 2017
Diana is a junior at Foothills Community Christian School in Great Falls, MT. She participates in varsity golf and varsity volleyball at her school. She is also part of her school's leadership team, Treasurer for Student Government, and a recent inductee of the National Honor Society. She is a member of her school's mission team that recently made a trip down to the San Carlos Apache reservation to help build a house and do kids' ministry. Diana enjoys hiking, skiing, horseback riding, and spending time with her family. A few interesting facts about Diana: She loves watching hockey and has a slight obsession with jeeps. Diana is a goal-oriented person who loves helping other people. She aspires to be a inspirational leader and role model to others.
w
32 406
oman.com
Faith, family and friendships contribute happiness in Giavanna’s life. Born and raised in Billings, Montana, now a Junior at Senior High School with highachieving goals, Giavanna is focused on the medical field and aspires to become an Orthopedic Surgeon. In her free time she enjoys volunteering at Angel Horses, a non-profit organization providing equine therapy to children and elderly with emotional or physical disabilities allowing her the opportunity to give back to her local community.
Jalyn Lundy | Miss Great Falls Teen USA 2017
Jalyn will be a senior at Charles M. Russell High School. She's on the varsity cheer team and she also cheers for Montana Storm All-Stars. She enjoys hunting and fishing with her dad and shopping with her mom. She loves to do hair and makeup and travel as well.
Julianna Korf | Miss Kalispell Teen USA 2017
Julianna is a hard working individual who aspires to do great things. She wants to help the community in any way she can. She is committed and hard working both at school and in sports. Being raised by a single mom she has learned a lot and is inspired by how hard her mother works. She commits herself to community service in the Flathead Valley.
Karra Lohr | Miss Shelby Teen USA 2017
Karra is a Senior at Shelby High School. She enjoys being outside, helping on her family farm, and being involved in her 4-H club. She raises show and market swine and has been very successful in her many years of 4-H. Karra is also proud of the work she has been able to do in her community and aspires to continue helping others as a senior this upcoming year. Karra feels that her community has taught her how important it is to be apart of something bigger than herself.
Lauren Peterson | Miss Greater Missoula Teen USA 2017
Lauren is going to be a senior at Sentinel High School in Missoula. She has a strong passion for golf and loves to act at the Missoula Community Theater. She is heavily involved in her community through lots of volunteer work. Her favorite hobby is to backpack around Montana in the summer time. After high school Lauren aspires to join the United States Air Force to become a pilot. She hopes to inspire young woman to use their strengths to better the world.
Maddy Hellinger | Miss Toole County Teen USA 2017
Maddy is a senior at Shelby High School. She is very passionate about her community and contributes as much as possible by being actively involved in reACT (a teen led movement against Big Tobacco), Key Club, National Honor Society, and 4-H. Her other activities include basketball, golf, honor band, jazz band, and student council. Maddy aspires to become a pharmacist and wants to be a positive role model for other young woman to pursue their dreams!
Madalyn Warren | Miss Missoula County Teen USA 2017
Madalyn is a ninth grader who enjoys wrestling, a sport she’s been doing for three years. She recently earned third place in her weight bracket. Madalyn also loves playing volleyball and plans to continue it in high school. Currently, Madalyn’s in 4H where she’s raising her lamb, Elvis, to show at the fair. She is competing in the Miss Montana Teen USA pageant to gain confidence and be able to give a voice to others who are bullied for many reasons, but specifically having a disability.
Madison Friend | Miss Greater Miles Teen USA 2017
Madison, an incoming senior, has been a resident of Miles City since her birth on November 3, 2000. She has four younger siblings and over 20 younger cousins who have given her many opportunities to babysit and be around children. Since her sophomore year, Madison has been taking courses at Miles Community College earning credits that will go towards her Associates degree. During the summer, Madison enjoys spending her time at her family’s cabin at Hell Creek, MT. Madison also enjoys spending time with and visiting her extensive family spread throughout the world.
Mariah Trevizo | Miss Yellowstone County Teen USA 2017
Mariah, 16, will be a senior at Billings Senior High School where her favorite subject is history. Mariah also enjoys modeling, camping with her family, and swimming. Mariah's goal is to be the first member of her family to graduate from college. She hopes to study psychology at Colorado State University.
MeKayla Weber | Miss Hamilton Teen USA 2017
MeKayla will be a Junior at Hamilton High School. She enjoys science, 4-H, choir, and cheerleading. MeKayla plans to pursue a career in the medical field. She has a passion for helping people and a strong faith in Jesus. MeKayla hopes to inspire others through hard work and determination.
TyRee Blair-Miller | Miss Kinsey Teen USA 2017
TyRee will be a senior this year. She has developed a deep love for animals, especially her English Bulldog, Jersey. TyRee has always loved dance and this past year she danced with her high school’s dance team. She also enjoys spending time with her family and her animals in Kinsey, MT.
w
406
oman.com 33
legal}
Exempt Water Rights in Montana The Notice of Opportunity to File for Exempt Water Rights Considerations for Property Owners
When Ann and Michael received a flyer in the mail from the Montana Department of Natural Resources about water rights entitled “Notice of Opportunity to File for Exempt Water Rights” they were somewhat perplexed as to what to do next. The notice contained a form asking them for additional information on their water rights. Ann and Michael received a notice at their home within the city limits and also received a notice for the vacation property on the lake. They did not think they had any water rights for their property in town and were confused about how to respond. Ann and Michael were aware that they had water rights for their vacation property, and wanted to make sure to respond correctly to ensure they preserved this water right and their early priority date for the well on this property. In reviewing the notices further they first found a helpful checklist that assisted them in determining whether they needed to file anything in response. After going through the check list they determined that their home in town was located in a subdivision with a public water supply and therefore they did not need to do anything further to respond. However, because their vacation home on the lake drew water from a well that was first put to use prior to July 1, 1973, they needed to file a Statement of Claim for Existing Exempt Water Right form for this property.
w
From there they were directed to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (“DNRC”) Water Resources Division, which is the 36 406
oman.com
By Kelly O’Brien, Attorney at Law
entity responsible for maintaining the central record system for all water rights. They were able to find some initial information though the DNRC website regarding their water rights, as well as some of the documents and information they need to file with the claim. They also utilized the DNRC mapping system to locate the point of diversion, but needed additional information to complete their claim. They decided to call an attorney to assist them in providing the background information to support their claim. Once they had all of this information together they submitted it to the DNRC. Fortunately, for Ann and Michel there were not any objections to their claim and after the time required for review ultimately they were issued a final decree for their exempt water right. For Ann and Michael they were able to complete their claim without significant complications or objections. However, the process may be more complex for other property owners and could involve significant research or objections from other water users. Consequently, it is critical to be thorough in completing the Statement of Claim for Existing Water Right and providing the relevant background information. Moreover, if you received a Notice of Opportunity to File a Claim for an Exempt Water Right it is important to understand what you need to do (or not do) to respond.
What Does Notice of Opportunity to File a Claim for Exempt Water Right Mean?
First, it is helpful to understand some of the history and background regarding exempt water rights in Montana. The 65th Montana Legislature passed House Bill 110, which set a deadline of July 1, 2017 for the DNRC to provide notice to all property owners in the state of Montana of an opportunity to file a claim for an Exempt Water Right. An Exempt Water Right
includes “Those claims for existing rights of livestock and individual uses as opposed to municipal domestic uses based on instream flow or ground water source” as well as claims in some specific basins or subject to specific orders (see § 85-2-222(1) M.C.A.). An “existing water right” includes only those rights that were established or otherwise put to beneficial use on or before July 1, 1973. This Notice is required as a part of the process within Montana to examine claims and adjudicate existing water rights. Adjudication is essentially the legal process sorting out water rights to determine who has valid existing water rights, the amount of water included in the right, and who has priority to use the water. Montana follows what is known as the doctrine of prior appropriation. Essentially, this means the first to withdraw water for “beneficial use” has priority over later water users. House Bill 110 provided new deadline for water uses that did not previously file a claim for existing exempt water right by June 30, 2019. This is a voluntary process meaning that property owners that do not file a claim for exempt water right by deadline do not lose water right. However, failure to file a Statement of Claim for an existing exempt water right will result in a loss of the original priority date. A claim of a water right allows the water use to enforce their water right against all other water rights in the state. Accordingly a water user that loses an earlier priority date will lose the ability to enforce the water right against those with a later priority date. If you previously filed a notice for your water right you now need to file a claim. A notice is not a claim of a water right it is a notice only. However, if you filed a claim in 1982 pursuant to the statewide water
legal}
Water Rights
divisions/water/adjudication/hb-110-exemptclaim-filing. DNRC water resources division water right query search also has information on your water rights. If you are not sure how to answer these questions on the claim form you may want to contact an attorney with a background in water law to assist you in obtaining the relevant information and answering the necessary questions to file your Statement of Claim.
The Requirements for Submitting a Statement of Claim for An Exempt Water Right If, based on your answers above, you determined that it is necessary to file a Statement of Claim for an existing water right, then you must submit the necessary information to DNRC for review as follows:
1) Claims Form. A copy of the Statement of
Claim for Existing Water Right is included with the Notice from DNRC. This form asks for basic information regarding the water right and use such adjudication you do not need to re-file. This process as the source of water, point of diversion, means of applies only to those water rights exempted from diversion, place of use, and volume. DNRC has spethe previous process. cific instructions on how to fill out the Statement of Claim for Existing Water Rights form. However, if Does the Notice Apply to Your Property? you do not know the answers to some of these quesIt is important to recognize that House Bill 110 tions it is important that you seek assistance from required the DNRC to send the Notice to all DNRC and/or an attorney with a background in property owners in Montana regardless of whether water rights. or not the property owner has an existing exempt water right. This means that there will be a large 2) Maps. You must attach a legal and accurate map number of property owners in Montana that receive with your claim. The map must clearly identify the this notice when it does not apply to their property. point of diversion, means of conveyance (pipe, ditch, etc.), place of storage, place of use (house, lawn, etc.), If you received the Notice of Opportunity to File for section/township/range, and property owners name Exempt Water Rights there are a couple of initial and address. questions to ask to determine how you need to respond as follows: 3) Documentation of Your Claim. You must also provide all relevant background information to es1) Do you have a water right? tablish your claim and establish your priority date. a. If you live in town and receive water from a The documentation you provide will depend on the municipal water source you do not need to re- type of historical water right as follows: spond. · Decree or adjudicated water rights: b. If you received domestic or stockwater from These are water rights that have been recoggroundwater (including wells or springs) or innized by a court. You can obtain documentation stream flows as the source of water then you of these water rights through County Clerk and proceed to answer question number 2 to deterRecorder in the county of the decree. mine if you need to file a Statement of Claim for an existing exempt water right. · Water rights filed by “Notice of Appropriation”: These are water rights where the property owner and first user (known as 2) Did you or your predecessor in interest (the the “appropriator”) of the water filed a “Notice first to use the water on your property) put of Appropriation” with the County Clerk and water to beneficial use prior to July 1, 1973? Recorder. Documentation will be located in the a. If your water right has a priority date after Office of the County Clerk and Recorder in the July 1, 1973 the notice does not apply and you county where the water diversion is located. do not need to respond to the notice. These are often simply through references in a real estate deed or other reference in the chain b. If your priority date is prior to the July 1, 1973 of title. deadline and you have not already filed a claim you need to file the claim to preserve your pri· Use Rights: These are water rights estabority date. lished by use only. Use rights are often the most difficult to document because typically there is The Notice from DNRC also included a helpful not a written record of the use rights. These wachecklist to assist landowners in determining ter rights can be established by any documentawhether or not they should file the claim. This tion to support the first use, which may include checklist is also available through the DNRC, Water an affidavit by a landowner, maps, water meaResources Division website at http://dnrc.mt.gov/ surement records or other agreements.
w
406
oman.com 37
You can view information regarding your water rights through DNRC’s central system, see http://www. dnrc.mt.gov/wrd. Start with a review of the information available through DNRC, which will likely list the parameters for that specific water right, such as the purpose of use and volume of use. Review previously recorded deeds, the legal description and maps of the area. A review of the deeds and legal description also allows you to compare the description with the information listed on the statement of claim, such as the specific point of diversion. You may also discuss water rights with previous owners and neighbors as they may have important information about historical water use. Provide all the relevant information available regarding your water right in the documentation of your claim. 4) Fee. You also must provide the relevant filing fee with your claim. In most cases the filing fee is $130 but there are some exceptions so make sure you confirm the relevant fee with the information provided by DNRC prior to filing.
Use Available Resources and Seek Legal Advice If your are not certain if you have water rights, or if you need help determining the nature and extent of your water rights to file a Statement of Claim for an existing exempt water right make sure you utilize all of the resources available to you. Start by referring to the information available from DNRC to determine if you need further assistance documenting your claim. There are numerous factors that go into determining the nature and extent of water rights, which can be overwhelming to property owners. If the complexities of your water right become too overwhelming seek professional legal advice. This is especially true if you find conflicting information or believe there is a potential objection regarding your water right. By taking the time to thoroughly document and examine your water rights before filing your Statement of Claim for your water right you may save yourself significant time and money and ensure preservation of your priority date. For advice regarding your water rights or water law issues contact Kelly O’Brien at Measure, Sampsel, Sullivan & O’Brien, P.C. at (406) 752-6373/ www.measurelaw.com
w
This article is intended for educational and information purposes only, it is not intended to act as legal advice. 38 406
oman.com
health}
What to Do When You’re the Only One Who Wants Relationship Coaching Written by Susan Clarke
Do you want relationship coaching but your significant other, business partner, or teammate refuses to cooperate? CrisMarie and I often get calls for relationship coaching both for personal relationships and business relationships. In the first call, we often hear how the client wants to improve a relationship with their significant other, business partner, boss or teammate, and thinks the problem is with the other person. They’d really like their other person to agree to coaching and counseling, but the other person just won’t. Sure, it’d be great if both parties were interested in improving or enlivening a relationship and were willing to seek help. However, we don’t agree that the other person needs to be different for the relationship to improve. If a relationship is flat, painful or creating suffering for you, there’s a lot you can do to make the relationship better, whether the other person shows up or not! In our experience of leading hundreds of couples through our couples’ workshops, and hundreds of teams in business off-sites, the biggest learning and transformational experience is not inside the other person - but inside you.
w
In other words, transformation and change generally come from the inside-out, and the other person doesn’t even need to come to coaching. 40 406
oman.com
If It’s Not Me - It Must Be You!
When things are not going well in a relationship, the tendency is to either blame the other person or blame yourself. Let’s face it, someone must be wrong if we’re so miserable! If it’s not me - it must be you! This happens in romantic relationships, on teams and anytime there are high stakes, passionate, strong emotions, and different opinions. What you may not realize is these three conditions:
· high stakes · passionate, strong emotions · different opinions
These conditions are all natural and healthy anytime you get two or more people together working on something that matters. You want these conditions on a team, with a business partner and definitely in a marriage! You know what I’m talking about. You want to be passionate about your partner, your job or your business. You also want to get the added bonus of someone who will offer you different points of view, options other than your narrow perspective. Plus, business, careers, and especially marriages - are about high stakes!
However, these three conditions create tension, ambiguity and uncertainty. When that tension builds inside of you and between you and another, it’s hard to get control. As humans, we don’t like not being in control. So what do you do?
You resort to your cognitive brain, your thinking, rational brain. Unfortunately, this part of your brain is not where empathy lives, or your feelings. Without being willing to drop into what you really feel or be willing to connect to what’s driving the other person or even yourself, you go to right/wrong or black/white thinking.
The Blame Game
Blame is blame. Whether you are blaming yourself or the other person, you’re stuck in a cycle that has only one solution: someone is right and someone is wrong. As a result, you’re missing a lot of available information and possibilities. What else is there? Well, there are two parts to the solution we suggest. (Notice we’re aren’t saying this is the right solution just a different solution!) First, let’s talk about Turning 180.
Too often people look outside at the world around them for the cause of their pain. From this perspective, you tend to focus on what is being done to you as though you have little choice or control.
health} Turning 180 involves looking inside.
What’s really going on inside? This is where all your power lives. When you look inside, you can shift things. Once you start operating from the inside and make the shift from, “they’re doing this to me,” to, “I am somehow participating in creating what’s happening here,” you’re immediately more empowered and have a choice in how you show up. This shift also dramatically changes the conversation with the other person.
Let’s look at an example
Hannah gave us a call because she was having a very difficult time with her business partner, Todd. They’d been in business together for over five years. The business had grown to 25 employees and revenue over $15 million. During that growth period, Hannah had been balancing raising young children and working long hours in supporting the growing business, while Todd, her business partner, was single and energized by the growth.
She signed up for our Ignite Your Relationship Mojo online program. This program involves six online modules and a group coaching opportunity once a week.
She just asked if he’d listen to her talk through what she was wrestling with, as a sounding board. He was totally open to that. Indeed, he did care about her. He just didn’t like be labeled as the problem.
In one of the early sessions, we introduced the idea of Hannah also started having deeper and fuller Turning 180. conversations with her husband, Sam. She learned that while she was busy making the money, Sam was going For Hannah, that meant looking into what she was through his own struggle with what was next for him. really feeling and wanting. Turning 180, opened doors in her conversations. What came up for her was surprising. Because she approached the conversations with both She realized she had a lot of guilt and grief about Todd and Sam, focusing on what was happening inside focusing on growing the business while her children of her, she found each of them responded in a much were young. Yes, she had a husband at home who more open, interested and available way. Now Todd helped raise the kids and supported her decision, but and Sam were not the problem, but potential resources, she was sad she’d missed birthdays, and being the one or at least a friend and partner that could meet her in who’s shoulder the kids cried on, and was fed up with the challenge of choosing. coming home after the kids were asleep. She also admitted she was proud of what she and Todd had created. She’d enjoyed growing the business and developing talent in the people who had become a big part of her life and community.
In the group sessions, Hannah had support to drop in Hannah had been okay with the decisions to grow, had and feel her grief and her joy, which helped her feel even thrived with the intensity, but she had reached her stronger. She was anchored in that both things were true: she wanted a business and missed her family. It wasn’t Todd’s fault - nor hers.
Bottom Line
When you’re struggling and suffering in a relationship, be it at work or at home, even if that other person isn’t willing to jump into working on the relationship, there’s always something you can do to improve your dynamics. Don’t just suffer and/or fight about it. Instead Turn 180 and look inside and work from there. You might find the outside relationship will grow as you do. Hannah sure did!
She wasn’t actually angry with Todd. In the end, she stayed in as Todd’s business partner but She understood why he wanted to shifted her role. They actually brought in Sam to take keep growing the business. It made on some of Hannah’s responsibilities. perfect sense. Todd and Sam are best of buddies. The kids love having She just wasn’t sure she could do their smart and business savvy mom helping them with more and felt helpless in making a school and other activities. The business has doubled in choice between family and business. size and revenue! Can you see how this isn’t just a right or wrong decision?
For Hannah, she did some deep work on why building a business had been, and was still, so important to her. She let herself feel the grief and the joy of that choice.
As far as we know, neither Todd or Sam ever reached out for coaching or counseling.
Holding for strong emotions is a challenge; Holding for conflicting emotions is even more challenging. Being part of Ignite Your Relationship limit. She wasn’t ready to give up the business, but she Mojo gave her a group of women who were facing and dealing with some of the same challenges. It helped her just wanted to stay stable for a while. grow in her own capacity to feel deeply. Todd on the other hand wanted more, more and more. He just didn’t get that Hannah didn’t have more to give. What you may not realize is…
So she asked Todd to join her in getting some business Feelings Are the Path to Connection Turning 180 helped Hannah tap into her own coaching support. emotional landscape and start dealing with her deeper From Todd’s point of view, this wasn’t his issue and she yearnings and desires. needed to get her priorities straight and either focus When you can tap into your own deep well of beliefs, family or the business. emotions and longings, you connect to your heart, Hannah was angry and fed up with Todd’s lack of mind and soul. interest in and appreciation of her concerns. She just wanted him to listen and consider her position. Sure, The level of resource you have from this place is they were successful, but to her more was not always exponentially greater than just resolving problems from your cognitive brain! better. Since Todd wasn’t interested in coaching or strategy Hannah Steps Towards Resolution sessions, we encouraged Hannah to engage in some Hannah discovered ways to have deeper conversations coaching for herself. with Todd, without Todd having do anything different.
CrisMarie Campbell and Susan Clarke are Life Coaches and Business Consultants. They work with professional women, leaders and teams and couples in business. Their focus is on helping you access your Mojo to transform your life, relationship and business! Check out their programs FIND YOUR MOJO, BUILD YOUR MOJO and IGNITE YOUR RELATIONSHIP MOJO at www.thriveinc.com/programs. Watch their TEDx Talk: Conflict – Use It, Don’t Defuse It! on YouTube. Contact them to coach with you, consult with your business or speak at your next event at thrive@ thriveinc.com or 406.730.2710.
w
406
oman.com 41
health}
Celebrating Life In Color
By Shannon Freix
On October 1, 1997 the phone rings at the home of Mae Stubbs. She answers and the radiologist in the white lab coat she met a couple days prior is on the other end. “I’m sorry to tell you that the biopsy came back positive for breast cancer,” explained the voice on the other end.
The rest of the conversation was a blur. Mae remembers hanging up and then being flooded by a cycle of feelings she could not control: anger, fear, disbelief, anxiety, and confusion. The merry-go-round of emotions went on for weeks as she struggled to absorb her new reality. No one is prepared to learn they have cancer. Or that a loved one has cancer. Mae explained how her wide angle lens of life instantly narrowed to a pinhole. All her effort was now focused on beating cancer and getting healthy.
Today, with a broad smile on her face, Mae tells her story about surviving cancer. Twenty years later – to the day – on October 1, 2017, she will be celebrating her victory over cancer at the Pink Me Up! color celebration. “Although I’ve been a part of this event for several years, this year is a landmark for me,” Mae says. “On the very same day I learned I had breast cancer in 1997, I’ll be participating
w
42 406
oman.com
in the Pink Me Up! color celebration to prove that I’m still going strong.” This will be the fifth time Mae has taken part in Pink Me Up!
Pink Me Up! is an annual community event hosted by Kalispell Regional Healthcare to celebrate cancer survivors and bring awareness to all cancers. Participants can choose a 1k or 5k distance, and it’s about fun, support, wellness and inspiration. Teams and individuals are showered in bright colors at various paint stations along the course. The paint is actually dyed cornstarch, so it is safe and non-toxic. After a full day of festivities, there are thousands of walking colorful canvases at the finish line and it’s surely a sight to see! All registrants receive an event t-shirt to wear on the course or some get crafty and bring an already-decorated costume from home. “There are participants of every kind at Pink Me Up! You can walk, skip, run or roll through the course,” explains Melissa Hulvat, MD, surgeon at the Bass Breast Center. “This event is for
everyone. If you like to have a good time and can tolerate a lot of silliness, then we want to see you there.”
This year’s event offers some new additions including more slip-n-slide obstacles — a big attraction last year — giant animal pool floaties and black event t-shirts for each registrant to really make this color celebration pop. The planning committee has also created an accessible course so that participants in wheelchairs or those with other needs can participate.
No matter the course, all participants should expect to get “pinked” or “purpled” along the route including the spectacular rainbow color blast as the event finale. Registrants are also eligible to win prizes for best costume, most creative team name and largest team. In 2016, Mae’s team took home the trophy for largest team with more than 50 members, aptly named “Breast Intentions.”
Mae adds confidently, “This year, we are going to set a new team record. I plan to get 75 people on our team and anyone is invited to join the Breast Intentions team when they register.”
The theme of this year’s event is Cancer Stinks. To highlight that message, event coordinators will be selling colorful Pink Me Up! socks at the event with the same motto on them. Each volunteer will receive a complimentary pair of Cancer Stinks socks. Additionally, all event proceeds will benefit the Cancer Support Community (CSC) of Kalispell.
“It’s a perfect slogan because cancer does stink,” shares Jennifer Young, Outreach Coordinator for CSC of Kalispell. Jennifer was a part of her sister’s cancer journey and speaks from experience. “Spouses, kids, siblings, parents, friends and coworkers are affected, too. You’re not sure what to do to help, what to say. That’s why I’m motivated to help people in this circumstance.”
process would be like. Mae’s son, Josh, thought cancer only had a fatal outcome until they talked about it together.
“I really had to get out of my own head and realize that he was also battling cancer with me,” she shares.
Mae is ever grateful that she went through cancer treatment with her middle-school son by her side and with friends and family members as her support team. Attending Pink Me Up! is a way she can give back to others that are going through this tough journey, too.
At CSC Kalispell, everyone impacted by cancer has a place to connect with others in a cozy, homestyle setting. To talk. To feel better. To connect with others going through similar situations. CSC efforts are no-cost to the community and include wellness classes, outdoor adventures, wig-fitting and image workshops, and support sessions. “No one — not even your doctor or nurse — can tell you what it’s really going to be like,” says Mae.
Meeting other survivors or patients going through treatment really helped her understand what the
Twenty years after the phone call on October 1, Mae is still cancer-free. She continues to inspire others and to fight cancer with fitness. Join Mae in supporting our neighbors with cancer and register for Pink Me Up! Go to krh.org/cancer-stinks to sign up. Early bird registration and discounts are valid until August 21 so don’t miss the opportunity to save a little cash. After this date, you can still register at regular cost through September 28. If you’d like to volunteer at Pink Me Up!, contact Muffie Thomson, Public Affairs Coordinator, at (406) 758-1468 or email her at mthomson@krmc.org. Above photo: Mae Stubbs (number 299) and part of her group, the BreastIntentions.
nonprofit}
Changed lives Tricia Collins By Kristen Hamilton
Children enter foster care not for something they’ve done wrong, but rather due to abuse and neglect at the hands of those chartered to care for them. But what happens when a woman turns an unthinkable childhood into a platform for foster care and adoption advocacy? It’s a powerful and inspiring story of transformation. Meet Tricia Collins. This is the story of how one incredibly brave woman is using her own trauma and abuse-filled past to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care in Missoula. Tricia shares how she went from being a child in foster care, to becoming a foster/adoptive mom, and is now an advocate for children in the foster care system. The journey to healing from childhood abuse is never short and always involves others coming alongside to help the victims find their value and worth in this world. This is Tricia’s story of finding her way home. Some children conjure up in their imaginations the idea of an evil monster lurking underneath their bed. Daddy comes in to tuck them goodnight and they tell him of their fears and he takes a flashlight and shows them there are no evil monsters and reassures them with loving arms and comforting words. But, Tricia’s dad was the evil monster, and he offered no loving arms or comforting words. The abuse was unthinkable and ongoing and, as she shared her story with me, she felt a familiar gnawing in the pit of her stomach as she began thinking of her purple bedroom and his red terry cloth bathrobe, his grey mustache. Tricia
w
44 406
oman.com
remembers, “I cannot explain in words what this did to me, and the confusion that it caused me. This man was supposed to teach me about love and trust and to be my protector. Instead, he chose a very different path, one that would alter my life dramatically. I do not recall a time when I did not live in fear. He threatened to hurt other family members if I told our ‘little secret.’” Tricia also endured deep psychological abuse. “I vividly remember my eighth birthday. It was a Sunday. I woke up so excited. It was my job to make my parents coffee each morning. My dad had strict rules about where the coffee grounds went on which day. Some days it was the garbage disposal, others, the garbage can. As I made the coffee, I remember racking my brain- was it the garbage or the disposal today? The stakes were high if I made the wrong decision, and I knew it. My dad was a violent man, and the smallest thing could flip that switch. In the end, I chose the wrong one, and I was made to eat the coffee grounds that made me sick the rest of that day.” Tricia endured sexual, physical and emotional abuse for nearly a decade. But one August day when she was 10 years old, she would finally break her imposed silence and tell a sibling the night before going to a church camp for the week. This would be the beginning of the end
of the torture and psychological trauma that she had endured almost every day of her life. Tricia’s father was removed from their home, but even so, the years after her father left were tumultuous. The rage and pain she had suppressed all her life began to surface. Her anger at her mom for not protecting her was palpable, though she could not articulate that in words at the time. Her home continued to be a war zone for a variety of reasons, long after the enemy had gone. The wreckage left behind would not easily be corrected. Tricia eventually ran away from home and made a very serious suicide attempt that landed her in the hands of Child and Family Services and in to the world of foster care at the age of fourteen. She remembers, “I would bounce around from foster home to foster home, often because of my own behavior. I was acting out of that place of pain and brokenness. Those early lessons I had learned about the world not being a safe place and not trusting anyone were no longer serving me well. This eventually landed me in a group home for delinquent and troubled youth. My husband has since informed me that this is not where they send the good kids; I was not getting any gold stars.” She continues, “But everything in my life ever so slowly began to change right before my
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” 16th birthday when a family from the church I attended decided to become licensed foster parents and take me into their home and their family. Their names are Rich and Ruth Hedman. The pastor had warned them I had a lot of anger, but they were not scared away. They took me in and made all the difference for me. They chose to love me and accept me as I was. What did Ruth do when she learned that I smoked? She gave me an ashtray and showed me where I could smoke; it was on the front porch, because I was accepted as I was. I did not have to hide behind the house or beside the garage. I could be me, all of me, warts, rage and all.” There were no overnight changes in Tricia. Understandably, her heart was hard and walls were up, and at times, impenetrable. But she was paying attention and she saw something different in Ruth and Rich. “When I did something horribly wrong and shameful, I saw my foster mom, Ruth, had forgiveness in her eyes. She wore it in her countenance, and I knew she was not faking. This is a woman of remarkable grace and beauty, custom chosen by God to help me, and she said yes to the challenge. It was not easy for her and it would be two full decades before I would mail her a thank you card for all she had done in my life. Oh, to have seen her weep at the mailbox as she received that card, only her and the angels know what that meant to her.” What finally began to turn things around for Tricia? “At 38, I had my first child. I saw for the first time with my own eyes how the relationship between a father and a daughter is meant to be. I saw my husband with our daughter and the special bond that they shared.
nonprofit}
I saw him comfort her at night in her bed, in appropriate ways, and I wept. I wept the tears for the little girl inside of me who never got that. I allowed the pain to surface as I nursed my baby girl late at night, and I wept, sometimes uncontrollably, with no sound emerging at all. I asked God all the hard questions and I felt Him answer me in my soul. Why did you allow this to happen to me? How could you give me to a father who could do things like that? And not all the questions were asked nicely and with tender words like those. I was angry. The rage was surfacing and I was giving it all to God. He was getting both barrels, and I found out that He could handle it and even welcomed the conversation. I remember Him speaking into my spirit frequently during this time. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” What? Did I hear that right? He had a plan all along and it was for my good? He planned to use these awful things to help others, could it be? He had a plan and a purpose in place and all I had to do was learn to trust Him and feel safe in His presence, which would prove to be no small task. So, I began to walk the journey of healing with Him and what a journey it has been! My husband and I would struggle with infertility only a few years later, and God would direct us to add to our own family through foster care. We would eventually adopt a daughter that came into our home through foster care. The journey to foster parenting has not been easy, but it is worth it. We choose to love these children with our whole hearts, with no guarantees, because they are worth it. God has asked our family to continue the legacy begun by my own incredible foster parents, Rich and Ruth, and who knows how many generations will follow in our footsteps?”
Child bridge
Today, as the Missoula Community Director for Child Bridge, Tricia is an advocate for children in the local foster care community. Child Bridge is a faith-based non-profit that recruits and equips foster and adoptive families for children in need of foster care. In her role, Tricia shares about the need for foster and adoptive parents with local church congregations, and is a voice for children who cannot speak for themselves. By sharing her own remarkable journey, she invites others to be a part of the beautiful redemptive story that God is writing in each and every one of the lives of children who’ve been victims of abuse and neglect, and the families called to care for them. She asks potential families if they are willing to be like Ruth and Rich were to her, a vital part of a healing journey?
If you would like to have Tricia speak at your church, group or next event, or would like to learn more about Child Bridge, please contact us. The wounds of neglect and abuse are healed through relationship. For more information, or to schedule Tricia for a speaking event, contact Child Bridge at info@childbridgemontana.org
w
406
oman.com 45
health}
Fear Not Young Ladies!
The In’s and Out’s of the First Gynecological Exam By Kassandra Patton
Screening
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend a young woman’s first visit to the gynecologist sometime between the ages of 13 and 15 years, unless indicated sooner. This information may make any teenager reading this want to hide the magazine…But wait! Things have changed significantly in the last 10 to 15 years in regards to a young woman’s screening and wellness care in our offices. Gone are the days when a teenager is required to have a full female exam just for setting foot in a gynecologist’s office. The newest recommendation is that there is no need for a pelvic exam on women under the age of 21 that is not having symptoms consistent with genital tract disease or dysfunction, even if she is sexually active. A Pap smear is also not required on any woman under the age of 21 regardless of sexual activity.
w
46 406
oman.com
If there is concern of sexually transmitted disease, we will most likely be able to screen a sexually active woman by using a urine specimen obtained in complete privacy by the patient during her visit.
So, what exactly happens at a female screening or wellness visit for a teenager? A thorough medical history is obtained as well as detailed information about your periods and any other concerns. I prefer to have a parent or guardian present during this portion of the visit as many teenagers do not have knowledge of their family histories. When it comes to asking more personal questions, such as about sexual activity and any private questions that the patient might have, I will offer to have the parent or guardian step out of the room to allow for questions that might feel too embarrassing
to ask with an audience. Counseling may also be done at this time regarding safe sex, substance abuse, and healthy lifestyle. After we are done taking a complete history, a brief physical exam is often performed. For patients younger than 18, a physical exam similar to that at a pediatrician or family practitioner’s office will be performed. If she is older than 18, a breast exam may be taught and performed as well.
Sexual Activity
Ideally, a teenager will be seen prior to having sex. It is a good rule of thumb to come into the gynecologist if the patient has a steady boyfriend or if she is considering “taking things to the next level”. It is also good to start on birth control prior to becoming sexually active as some methods take one month before they are fully effective. Many teenagers are afraid to
health}
After we are done taking a complete
report that they are having sex because they do not want to have an exam. This is concerning as it is important for her to not be afraid to come to our office for evaluation. A pelvic exam is rarely needed. A careful history and a lot of counseling will be the focus of this visit. A urine sample may be taken for STI testing.
performed. For patients younger than
Gynecological Concerns
18, a physical exam similar to that at
Period Problems
If the patients periods are heavy or painful enough that they are interfering with their school work, sports or job, further evaluation is needed. If they are experiencing very irregular periods or periods that don’t appear for three months or more, or if their periods have not yet started by age 15 despite other signs of puberty (such as breast development) they should be seen in our office.
Yeast infection/vaginal irritation
If the patient has concerns about vaginal discharge, odor, itching, or burning, they may have an infection that needs attention. This is especially common in the summer months as prolonged exposure to wet bathing suits or clothes damp from sweat can make ideal conditions for growth of a yeast infection.
Other concerns
Any other concerns that a patient may have about your gynecological health can be addressed with a visit to a gynecological practitioner. The patient may no longer get a sucker or sticker when they leave the doctor’s office, but what they will get as a reward is peace of mind that their health can be carefully maintained without fear of GYN visits.
history, a brief physical exam is often
a pediatrician or family practitioner’s office will be performed. If she is older than 18, a breast exam may be taught and performed as well. Kassandra Patton, WHNP joined Kalispell OB/GYN in March of 2013, moving to Montana from Illinois with extensive experience as a women’s health nurse practitioner. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, she worked for 10 years as a labor & delivery nurse. Kassandra has a strong interest in teenage wellness exams, reproductive health and contraception management. She and her husband, Jeremy, have two children, three dogs and two cats. They love the outdoors and moved to Montana looking to enjoy a better lifestyle in our beautiful Big Sky Country.
health}
ask the skin coach
Antioxidants in Skin Care
By Erin Blair, Licensed Esthetician + Certified Health Coach
Q:
Do I need to use skin care products that contain antioxidants? What do they do, and why would I need them?
A: Antioxidants are very important to protect against damage that will speed the aging process. The short answer is, ‘Yes you need them.’ This is especially true during the summer months, when we’re exposed to more sunshine.
When the skin and other body tissues have experienced damage by these free radicals, the result is sagging, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dark spots, and cancer. DNA damage can occur, leading to long term and irreversible aging and disease.
Why antioxidants? Free radicals, that’s why
Antioxidants provide the electron that these free radicals are seeking. They literally sacrifice themselves, rebalancing the system and stopping the damage in its tracks. Neutralizing the oxidation process protects the skin from mutations that would result in unwanted aging. Antioxidants speed up the skins’ natural repair process, as well as preventing further damage.
Bear with me for a quick bit of science. A free radical is an atom that has shed an electron in an abnormal way. In a desperate attempt to rebalance itself, this unstable atom then aggressively attacks and steals an electron from another atom or molecule. In other words, it’s acting ‘radically’. The attacked molecule, in turn, becomes a free radical and steals from another in a process that quickly snowballs.
What to look for
As the name suggests, antioxidants are substances that prevent oxidation. They protect us from ‘free radicals’ that occur when our body is exposed to certain environmental factors, such as the sun and pollution.
w
48 406
oman.com
Some antioxidants that work well topically include vitamin C in the form of ascorbyl palmitate, vitamin E as tocopherol acetate, vitamin A, alpha lipoic acid, DMAE, ferulic acid and green tea. A trustworthy, high quality brand will be your best bet. A good formula will have a synergistic
blend of several antioxidants, because they work better together than alone. The inclusion of peptides will further boost the anti aging benefits of the serum. Importantly, it will have the correct dosage for the greatest impact on your skin, the right forms of the antioxidants (for instance, ascorbic acid is a form of vitamin C that is irritating, and one you may find in less beneficial products) and an effective delivery system. Cheap drugstore brands are not going to offer all these necessary benefits. Lastly, a serum containing antioxidants should be packaged in a dark bottle to protect the integrity of the contents.
When to use it
The most impactful application of your new serum will be in the morning, under your SPF. A potent antioxidant serum is quite active, and you may need to gradually introduce it over the course of a few weeks. It’s usually safe to start out with two or three times per week, slowly increasing frequency until you
Antioxidants provide the electron that these free radicals are seeking. They literally sacrifice themselves, rebalancing the system and stopping the damage in its tracks. Neutralizing the oxidation process protects the skin from mutations that would result in unwanted aging.
can tolerate daily use. If you experience irritation or small red bumps, this is probably an indication that you need to slow down the introduction of your new serum. Depending on your current regimen, you may eventually be able to use it at night as well. Of course, working with your esthetician will take the guesswork out of this. My favorite antioxidant serum is an anti aging powerhouse of 18 active ingredients in a formula that will deliver all that goodness deep into the skin, where it can do the most good. I have my clients gradually introduce it, do to the high level of activity it stimulates. We both love it, because their skin just glows...and I know it’s working at a molecular level to prevent damage and keep them looking younger.
Erin Blair, LE CHC owns Skin Therapy Studio, where she embraces a creative method of treatments, products and coaching to get skin clear... and keep it that way. It's a 'whole person' approach to difficult skin concerns. Visit SkinTherapyStudio.com for more info, and to submit questions for Ask the Skin Coach.
w
406
oman.com  49
health}
School Based Clinic Brings Care to Columbia Falls Students
By Allison Linville
In 2010, the idea was pitched to create a school-based health clinic in Columbia Falls. “The thought was that we could reduce the logistics around going to the doctor to make healthcare more accessible for many students,” says Brittany Coburn, Family Nurse Practitioner and coordinator for the Columbia Falls School Based Health Clinic. Now, the clinic provides healthcare access for all students who may need primary care. The School Based Health Clinic (SBHC) currently operates at Columbia Falls High School, and offers care for acute and chronic conditions. Coburn defines those conditions for students and parents often. “Acute care is for an urgent situation like illness or pain. Chronic care addresses an ongoing condition like anxiety, asthma, allergies, and painful periods for women, or behavioral health issues,” explains Coburn. “The School Based Health Clinic offers care for these concerns and many more. We try to cover any issue students may have, in addition to educating students about physical and behavioral health and wellness from a preventative care standpoint.”
“The goal of the School Based Health Clinic is to increase access to healthcare and reduce the amount of work lost for a parent to attend appointments,” states Coburn. By establishing the clinic at the high school, care providers also collaborated with school administrators to reduce student absenteeism due to healthcare appointments or issues.
The clinic has full prescribing authority, and limited lab support with additional lab technology and x-rays available at the nearby North Valley Professional Center. There is a full healthcare team, including Coburn, FNP, Dan Masar, FNP, Lisa Crane, RN, and Lil McGuinness, RN, in addition to a behavioral health counselor, Kyle Stansbury, LCSW, and the school nurse, Cathy Dragonfly. This patient care team follows the North Valley Hospital
w
50 406
oman.com
mission of caring for the whole person, including mind, body, and spirit, and the clinic is proud to offer this same high level of care to high school students through the School Based Health Clinic. “I call the parents and talk with them over the phone about the visit and the needs of the student, so they are still very involved in the process,” says Coburn. “We –the clinic staff—want to teach families about wellness, preventative care, and maintaining a state of health, and we also just want to be there to help when the students are hurt or sick.” Also, Coburn explained that teachers and faculty can be seen in the clinic as well to reduce the amount of time spent getting to healthcare appointments. The School Based Health Clinic works with many primary care providers in the valley and is focused solely on providing access to students, not bringing in more patients. Clinic providers constantly collaborate with other primary care providers to send important information and keep open lines of communication. Coburn explained that there were years of work and a focused team that made the clinic a reality to help students at Columbia Falls High School. “The previous superintendent worked with North Valley Hospital’s Senior Director of Provider and Clinic Services, Rhonda Tallman, and the Columbia Falls School Nurse Cathy Dragonfly, and they made this clinic happen. It took an incredible amount of work, and then I joined in two years ago to help coordinate the program.” She continued that without the continued focus on the program as a priority and
strong support from school administrators, it wouldn’t have happened. “We don’t turn anyone away here,” Coburn explained. “We help students get enrolled with insurance if they need to, and we make it work for anyone to be seen.” Coburn is glad the program can help local kids. She explains, “There is certainly a student population that we are able to reach through the school that maybe wouldn’t have any access to care otherwise.” Coburn seems to be made for this position, as her passion for working with students and helping to expand the clinic to better serve the Columbia Falls area is apparent as she speaks about the program. She says, “I love working with high school students – they are a great population. It’s wonderful to see how many kids we can help by being in the school. Making healthcare accessible is one of the best things we can do for the local population.”
School Based Health Clinic is a service provided by the North Valley Professional Center and North Valley Hospital. You can learn more at NVProfessionalCenter.org.
By Dr. C. Claude Basler, DC, Basler Family Chiropractic Photos courtesy of Basler Family Chiropractic
The Physical Stress Of Being Pregnant & Having More Than One Child Written From A Man’s View
If you have ever been mindful of your posture while pregnant...kudos to you. For all the others who really never thought their posture is important, this is for you. I get to bring some insight on the spinal structure and how being pregnant is chaotic on the body. And, how having more than one child and being pregnant is even more chaotic. A quick little background about me and my office. I am a father of two awesome amazing kids, with my oldest being 3 years old and currently my AMAZING wife and I are expecting another. I am a family chiropractor who specializes in the Gonstead technique of chiropractic and emphasizing on pediatric and pregnancy chiropractic care. My purpose for this article is to obtain some joyous laughs for those mothers who have been pregnant and have been through it with multiple kids. Secondly, to tread ever so carefully with a few smirks for those mothers who are currently pregnant with multiple kids.
w
Compensation. This word is often used to describe something that counterbalances another
52 406
oman.com
action. So, the body creates or offsets in a different direction to cover-up what we are sub-consciously doing. For instance, pregnant mothers will compensate due to postural distortions that they are developing. Another compensation is pregnant mothers with more than one child. These are two different compensatory postures that we see in our office when pregnant mothers start specific chiropractic care. Figure A and B depict two compensatory postures that limit the mother’s ability to heal post-partum. (figure A) Pregnant mothers, do you ever find yourself standing like this (Figure A)? This is the first compensatory posture that many mothers assume while being pregnant. Why? For beginners it is easy to perform and distributes the weight that you are gaining (all for good reasons) over a greater surface area. Your body is already fully developed, now you have to “grow” yet again. For nine months some expecting mothers utilize this posture on a daily basis. It FEELS GOOD! When in the long-run it is wreaking havoc on your spinal stability. The farther your push your pelvis forward the greater you’re mid-back (between your shoulders) has to create yet another compensation. It is a downward spiral due to the fact that the mid-back will play a huge part in stabilization when breast feeding comes along.
(figure B) Do you ever find yourself standing like this (Figure B)? Some might say, “I have these hips, so you’re darn right I’m gonna use them.” I completely understand that statement. This should resonate with just about every mother out there with more than one child. This is a very common compensatory posture that “WE” often utilize. I say we in the previous sentence because us fathers sometimes prefer this posture as well (I speak from experience on this one, I have caught myself doing this). Not only are you currently pregnant, but you get to hold another child during this process. The physical stress on your body only continues. Without going into too much detail over this picture, it should be obvious the stress it puts on your spine and most importantly your central nerve system (CNS). (Really no excuse for us fathers on this one.) Abnormal movement patterns: When you perform an activity such as compensatory posture for a period of time, your body begins to build negative memory. When either Figure A or B are performed on a consistent daily basis without any limitations your body is beginning to maladapt. Simply meaning, you are not healing yourself. The CNS is not 100% adaptable when the spine is twisted, corked, or infringed upon. As a mother you might say, “These postures are
a.
health} not painful, they feel good.” Guess what? Your pain tolerance and what your CNS allows is significantly skewed compared to your husbands. Your male counterpart really has no excuse for what is painful or dis-comfortable the perception of pain for males is flawed. You really should not compare us to what you have to go through. Props to you moms out there.
someone’s CNS, which means their quality of life. Think of the spine as a protective coat of armor. It's sole purpose is to protect the CNS. While pregnant, the CNS is working overtime to develop your expecting baby. So, for this reason any compensatory postural changes will begin to disrupt the spine which will automatically hinder the CNS from staying at 100%.
The entire purpose of having “good posture” is due to gravity. Whether you believe it or not, you fight gravity every single day. When you have a compensatory posture that is abnormal, the spine is not aligned; which means your central nerve system is not happy. You are supposed to have 3 distinct curves when looking at someone from the side view, and the spine is completely straight when looking at someone from the front. Any deviation off of these parameters within certain degrees will begin to suppress
Caring for children and being pregnant is tough stuff. Being pregnant alone is tough on the body. It doesn’t have to be detrimental to your overall health and well-being. When the spine is aligned you have the energy to take on the day. Your CNS is happy and as a direct result your body does not have to work overtime on a daily basis. Taking a little time for the mom’s out there is what we are all about. Making sure that your health starts from the inside first and foremost.
When you perform an activity such as compensatory posture for a period of time, your body begins to build negative memory.
b.
w
406
oman.com 53
health}
5 Ways to Use Yoga Blocks
to Intensify Your Pilates Workout By Delia Buckmaster, PMA®-CPT and bootybarre® Master Trainer Photos Danella Miller
Do yoga? Don’t do yoga? It doesn’t matter. The yoga block is perfect for making any workout better. It can help deepen your core engagement, challenge your balance, and make old moves new again. For Pilates, the block can be a part of any exercise, taking your workout to another level. Back Support
Start position Sitting, hands on yoga blocks, arms extended with fingertips facing feet, legs straight out in front Movement Inhale: Prepare
Exhale: Lift the hips off the mat, body in a straight line Inhale: Return the hip to a hover
Benefit of yoga block Less stress on the wrists. More range of motion for the arms to extend.
Mountain Climber
Start position Plank position, feet on one yoga block. Hands under shoulders Movement Inhale: Prepare
Exhale: Bend one knee, return to plank Inhale: Bend the opposite knee, return to plank
w
Benefit of yoga block Makes it more challenging to stabilize.
56 406
oman.com
Side Leg Lift
Start position Lying on side with hip on one yoga block, spine is long, forearm on the mat, opposite arm on the mat for support or behind the head (as shown). The bottom leg is active. Movement Inhale: Lift the top leg as high as you can maintain stability
Exhale: Lower leg to meet the bottom leg. Benefit of yoga block Challenge your balance and deepen inner thigh engagement.
Shoulder Bridge
Start position Lie on your back, arms by side, legs parallel, knees bent, feet relaxed and one foot on the yoga block. Movement Inhale: Prepare Exhale: curl the hips and spine off the mat Inhale: no movement Exhale: lift the leg opposite of the yoga block, and extend toward the ceiling Inhale: lower the leg only as far as you can maintain control of the movement Exhale: Use your abs to bring the leg back up toward ceiling. Roll the spine down to your start position before switching sides. Benefit of the yoga block The foot is elevated for a deeper stretch of the hip and glute engagement. Will also challenge your balance.
health} Double Straight Leg Lower & Lift
Start position Lie on your back with your legs extended toward the ceiling and yoga block between the feet. Interlace your fingers behind your head and curl the upper back off the mat to the base of the shoulder blades. Eyes forward. Movement Inhale: Lower legs toward the floor only as far as you can maintain control of the movement and not lift the lower back off the mat. Exhale: Use your abs to bring legs back up Benefit of yoga block The block helps you maintain engagement in the legs and inner thighs deepening your core connection.
w
406
oman.com  57
health}
Make it Automatic
Every year, the Flathead County Buckle Up Montana Program joins the Montana Highway Patrol and local Law Enforcement along with many safety advocates to educate on the benefits of wearing a seat belt and properly securing your children in car seats. Contrary to popular belief, more crashes and more fatalities happen during the summer and warmer months, even here in Montana. The warmer weather means that there are more drivers on our roadways. It also means that families are going more places and doing more things. Getting everyone safely to their destinations is the goal, so reminding everyone to buckle up is the most important and effective way to reduce crash injuries and fatalities. In addition to increased patrols and zero-tolerance enforcement, we really want to get the right information out to motorists. There are too many false notions out there about seat belts:
YOUTH Young adults in particular seem to think they are invincible in vehicles. Unfortunately, they are dying at a disproportionate rate because they are not wearing their seat belts. MALES Almost twice as many men are dying in vehicle crashes compared to women, and wearing their seat belts less than women.
w
58 406
oman.com
PICKUP TRUCK DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS Pickup truck occupants think that they don’t need to wear their seat belts because they believe their large vehicles will protect them in a crash. However, the numbers from NHTSA tell the truth: 60 percent of pickup truck occupants who were killed in crashes were not buckled up. That’s compared to 42 percent of passenger car occupants who were unbuckled when they were killed in crashes. Nighttime also poses a particularly dangerous threat to vehicle occupants, which is why an important part of the safety message to motorists includes the words “day and night.” In 2015, about 57 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who died during the nighttime hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were not wearing their seat belts. More people are losing their lives in nighttime crashes than ever before. As of May 30, 2017, there have been 58 lives lost on Montana’s roadways, compared to 67 for this time last year. The No. 1 contributing factor to the deaths of these drivers and their passengers is the lack of seat belt use. The habit of buckling up is simple, and it should be an automatic action for you, and for everyone in your vehicle. Even one unrestrained occupant can harm and injure other restrained occupants in the event of a crash. Do not just buckle up to avoid a ticket — your life, your friends’ lives, and your families’ lives are more important than that.
health}
Siri,
Define Local. by Dr. John F. Miller DDS
For starters I am going to offer up an apology. A semi-sincere plea for forgiveness, understanding and acceptance to those who can call themselves Locals of this great valley. My friend Siri defines Local as belonging or relating to a particular area, typically exclusively so...When used as an adjective. I’m going to add the qualifier that to be considered a true local, a person should have attended all or part of high school in the Flathead. Forgive me for being part of the problem. The Influx. The Imposters donning heathered cotton-poly shirts with the word HOME nestled inside the silhouette of our great state while their license plates still say things like The Golden State or Wild Rose. Forgive me also for the hypocrisy of pulling in my uHaul (from The Golden State of course) expecting your acceptance whilst turning back and freely
w
60 406
oman.com
handing out annoyed glares to the migratory patterns of those behind me. Let’s be real for a second. The majority of you reading this right now are like me. You hail from somewhere else but you were exposed at a younger age, seduced even. You went back home and you couldn’t shake it. Subconsciously a plan was set in motion, opportunities weren’t necessarily looked for, but they were not dismissed. Eventually the stars aligned and you staked your claim for a future in the Flathead. I feel like the following verse from Sir Paul McCartney sums up my youthful sentiments towards the Flathead:
What can I do, what can I be When I'm with you I want to stay there If I'm true I'll never leave And if I do I know the way there Got to get you into my life
The Flathead that I fell in love with is the 90’s Flathead. I have fond recollections of the old Sportsman Ski Haus on Idaho Ave., now it’s Flathead Industries. I smile when I remember watching Jurassic Park with a mess of cousins at the Liberty Theater in downtown Kalispell, now it houses the Fresh Life Church. I look at Woody’s Country Store and remember how it meant to my young mind that Echo Lake was near. Echo Lake is my Happy Place and a big reason I met my wife who...wait for it...is a Canadian, a Wild Rose even. Surprise, Surprise. I’m breaking all the rules here. By the way, Woody’s hasn’t changed at all, and I greatly appreciate that. Our Crown Jewel, Glacier National Park, had over one million visitors in the month of July alone. This is Montana, we should never have one million of anything. Don’t hate the player, hate the game. But you can’t hate the game either because the game just happens to be that we live in an amazing place and people want to come and see it for themselves. Our job is to meet them with a big Montana Smile because
health}
Let’s be real for a second. The majority of you reading this right now are like me. You hail from somewhere else but you were exposed at a younger age, seduced even. You went back home and you couldn’t shake it.
most of us were just like them once. They are all going back home but we’re not going anywhere, because this is our home and come September we’ll have it all to ourselves. So take your big Montana Smile into the Montana Shirt Co. and rock that “Home” shirt because your license plate says The Treasure State.
w
406
oman.com 61
Come Discover Southside Consignment II
Best place to shop for antiques!
SouthsideConsignment & antiques
406 contents Design 16. Layering Bedding Like a Designer 30. Tablescaping Up’s a Daisy 34. The Making of a French Farmhouse
Fashion 26. Summer Style The Village Shop
30...
food & flavor 40. When in Rhone 44. French Onion Soup 46. Gardening, Gut Health and Garlic 50. Cheese Steak
History 52. Dorothy M. Johnson Witty, Gritty Taleteller
...52
406
Checking In
w o m a n
Cover Girl
publisher
Cindy Gerrity
cindy@montanasky.net
business manager Daley McDaniel
daley@montanasky.net
executive editor
Kristen Hamilton
kristen@hamitupstrategies.com
design
Sara Joy Pinnell
sara@mrsandmrpublishing.com
Elisabeth Kate Meerkatz
Elisabeth was born and raised in Kalispell Montana. She feels blessed to be a pure bred Montanan;) She's always been outdoorsy - hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and spending time with family and friends. Recently she married the love of her life Jake, in beautiful Somers Montana. Newlywed life seems to suit her. Elisabeth works in Bigfork at Sake to me restaurant where she gets to enjoy some amazing food and great friends.
Elisabeth has always been a
traveler and has traveled all around the world, but
photographers
Daley McDaniel Photography Amanda Wilson Photography Alisia Dawn Photography Scott Wilson Photography Kelly Kirksey Photography Carrie Ann Photography Marianne Wiest Photography Danella Miller Photography
Montana is always the place she loves best!
P h o t o B y : K e l l y K i r k s e y P h o t o g r ap h y ( w w w .K e l l y K i r k s e y P h o t o g r ap h y . c o m )
Business
Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year 704 C East 13th St. #138 Whitefish, MT 59937 info@406woman.com Copyright©2017 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
Want to know about great events, open houses, and more? Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/406 Woman
Lincoln Robbins
Lincoln is 6 years old and attends elementary Kalispell. He lives with his parents and three sisters and is known as the “Voice of Aluma Glass”. He didn’t start talking until he was 3 years old and now you can’t get him to be quiet! school in
Photo By: Alisia Cubberly of Alisia Dawn Photography ( w w w A l i s i a D a w n P h o t o g r ap h y . c o m )
406 Woman is distributed in Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Missoula, Whitefish and every point in between. Check out www.406woman.com for our full distribution list. Have a great story idea or know someone that we should feature? Email us with your comments & suggestions. Interested in increasing your business and partnering with 406 Woman? Check out www.406woman.com.
Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness. Pearl S. Buck Cindy Gerrity, our publisher, shared this quote with me recently and it really got me thinking. There are small joys that surround us every minute that I am certain we miss because we are so focused on a predetermined end result. For Example. I’m a walker. Every day I try to walk three miles and being a creature of habit, I pretty much walk the same route every day. I typically listen to music and walk with the purpose of getting my exercise in. Only recently have I started to notice my surroundings and my daily walk has become less of a chore and more about something that I look forward to. I search out the elderly couple walking their dog as we give each other a wave, the mom and son playing on the monkey bars at the park reminding me of my son, and the beautiful flowers blooming in so many yards.
Be sure to enjoy the small joys in your life!
What you’ll find in this issue
{
I absolutely love the new Tablescaping – Ups a Daisy in this issue. Lynn Malmberg with Empress Tents & Events and Vintage Whites is so talented and has a wonderful design eye. Check out the full spread and get some great ideas on page 30. There are 12 young adult and 15 teen contestants competing in the Miss Montana USA contest this year. Read their bios on page 30 in our Business & Health section and learn more about these amazing young women. Susan Guthrie, an associate professor of art at FVCC, will once again take a small group of students to Venice to live and study abroad in January. It’s an amazing program and we are lucky to have it offered locally. Read Jill Seigmund’s story about Susan and the Venice program on page 8 in our Business & Health section. CORRECTION: Lauren Lipscomb of Lauren L. Photography deserves the photography credit for the photos of Tress Wambeke in our last issue including the back Business & Health cover shot. We apologize for not having her name correct.
{
Meet Brian D’Ambrosio… Our Talented 406 Contributors C. Claude Basler, D.C.
Family chiropractor, allowing you to express your true potential
Erin Blair
Licensed esthetician and owner of Skin Therapy Studio
Delia Buckmaster
Founder of Exhale Pilates Whitefish & delia pilates™, PMA®-CPT, International Educator, bootybarre® master trainer, health coach, mom, Montana obsessed.
Cris Marie Campbell
Master certified Martha Beck coach and consultant, co-owner of Thrive! Inc.
Susan B Clarke
Faculty at The Haven Institute for 20 years and co-owner of Thrive! Inc.
Brian D’Ambrosio
Accomplished writer and newly published author of “Reservation Champ’
Jen Euell
Program Director for the Women’s Foundation of Montana
Kari Gabriel
Exec Dir or Flathead CARE plus wildlife rehabilitator and educator
Kalispell OB/GYN Doctors & Practitioners
Board certified OB/GYN professional offering expert advice
Marti Kurth
Journalist/Author
Allison Linville
Helena, MT and Silver City, New Mexico
Public relations and marketing expert for organizations in the arts and music Community Relations Coordinator at North Valley Hospital
John Miller, DDS
Specializing in general dentistry, Dr Miller provides expert advice
Carole Morris
Instructional Specialist, Author and Adjunct Professor. The proud mom of two perfect children and grammie to three flawless grandchildren.
Kelly O’Brien, Esq.
Business law specialist with Measure Law Office, P.C.
Kristen Pulsifer
Writer, editor and owner of Whitefish Study Center
Karen Sanderson
Wine expert and owner of Brix Bottleshop in Kalispell
Lucy Smith
Executive Director of the Flathead Community Foundation, believes that everyday philanthropy is changing the world
Mary Wallace
Mother of three and grandmother to two, is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up..
w
For full bios for our contributors, please visit www.406woman.com.
74 406
Profession:
oman.com
Resides:
Notable Accomplishments:
The books "Warrior in the Ring" (2014); "Shot in Montana: A History of Big Sky Cinema" (2016); "Montana and the NFL" (2017).
My workweek always includes:
time to hike; time to read; time to travel; extensive learning; and plenty of serendipity.
My favorite outdoor activity is:
hiking a peak or summit anywhere in Montana.
When it comes to electronics, I can’t live without these apps on my iPhone: I don't own an iPhone. I have an old flip-phone that is worthy of Smithsonian induction.
My bucket list includes doing this in the next year:
I am heading to Mississippi in December for several months to write a book about the Mississippi Blues Trail. My goal is to have actor Morgan Freeman, who owns a blues bar in Clarksdale, to write the forward.
design}
Layering By Wright’s Furniture
bedding like a designer
A thoughtfully made bed can make the whole room appear updated, chic and beautiful. Here are some tips for how you can layer your bedding like a designer.
w
78 406
oman.com
design}
Layer a collection of bed linens to create a combination of specific colors, patterns and textures to maximize the visual impact of your design. 1. Start with matching fitted bottom sheet, top sheet and pillow cases
2. Add a quilt, coverlet or bed spread 3. Place euro sham pillows in front of sleeping pillows (2 euro shams for a full/queen size / 3 euro shams for a king size)
4. Place decorative shams in front of euro shams
Decorative shams should coordinate with the main cover pieces. (Standard sham for twin or full bed, Queen shams for queen bed, King shams for King bed)
5. Layer a duvet at bottom of the bed and fold it. It creates balance with the pillows and can easily be pulled up to add warmth and comfort.
6. Add decorative toss pillows and bed scarf to add additional coordinating textures, pops of color, overall balance.
7. Add welcoming top layers. Throw blanket, bed tray etc. 8. Finish with a large decorative basket, trunk, or bin near bed for pillows when bed is being used.
Wright's furniture offers many collections of bed linens, decorative pillows and throw blankets. Visit our showroom to see available bedding stock or special order a custom bedding set. 6325 Hwy 93 South, Whitefish, Montana www.wrightsfurniturestore.com
w
406
oman.com  79
w
84 406
oman.com
villageshopwhitefish.com
201 Central ave. whitefish Montana 59937 - 406.862.3200 @thevillageshop_mt
fashion}
summer
The Village Shop has clothes for you that echo the beauty and freedom of summer. Get dressed, go outside, and most of all..... ENJOY!
w
88 406
oman.com
The Village Shop,
Downtown Whitefish. 406-862-3200 @thevillageshop_mt
w
406
oman.com  89
Up’s a daisy Tablescaping
By June Jeffries for Empress Tents and Events Photographed by Kelly Kirksey Photography
w
92 406
oman.com
Up or down,
design}
floral arrangements are a great accent to any tablescape, turn your floral arrangement upside down and you will have a spectacular living chandelier that shines in a different light. Our theme is bright colored Gerbera daisies for a fresh and contemporary look, sweet treats for fun, a minimalist table setting for simplicity, a suspended floral chandelier for a new perspective and a venue that evokes everything nostalgic and eclectic, essentially a grab bag of decor tricks.
If you want to step away into yesteryear Weatherwood Homestead is just the place to do it, it is a hidden treasure nestled beneath the mountains, an oasis of serenity; the perfect place to gather for any event big or small and the ideal place to stage a scavenger hunt with 25 acres of grass and trees, only 25 minutes from Glacier National Park. There are so many amazing spots to choose from at Weatherwood: the 100 year home built from chinked logs, the English garden outside the kitchen door, the barn, the quaint cabin built for two and plenty of wide open spaces; but since the best place to hang a floral chandelier is from a branch we set the tables under a tree. You can do this is your own backyard.
We chose Gerbera daisies for their bright, diverse color range and happy beauty. Each petal is an individual flower attached to a central disk, which is a copulation of thousands of tiny flowers unseen by the naked eye. But for all of its delicacy it is a great flower to work with because it is tough and hardy. Creating a hanging arrangement is a DIY project, finding the proper vessel is important; we used hanging wire baskets, the metal grid simplified the process of securing the foam with floral wire. Once the foam is in place turn it upside down to ensure it is secure. Be mindful when placing the flowers remember the view is different upside down, leave a long stem and fill the open space with greenery it will showcase the vibrant colors.
w
406
oman.com 93
design}
The garden
tables and chairs are perfect for a small soiree; the table size is ideal for a setting of four, the wood top looks great without linen, the rich mahogany tones showcase the Fleur de lis stoneware (Meravic) and hammered flatware. To finish it off we filled the glasses with ice tea and an orange slice, filled a bowl with mother nature’s candy and added a small floral arrangement to mirror the flowers above. It was the perfect combination for a warm summer day. To add a little more fun to the day we set up a dessert station on wooden spools retrofitted for display. We decorated the cake with flowers and fruit, cupcakes with spray roses, and filled milk glass bowls with a bounty of seasonal fruit. The picnic basket is lined with leaves clipped from a poplar tree. We might have gone a little overboard with our sweet selection but you can never get enough sugar. All furniture and tabletop accessories provided by Empress Tents & Events and Vintage Whites. Tablescape design by Lynn Malmberg (contact Lynn at http://empresstentsevents.com)
w
94 406
oman.com
The making of a French
farmhouse By Zina Sheya Designs
w
96 406
oman.com
When traveling through the French Countryside, and viewing the rolling hills filled with lavender—you realize the elements that go into making the French Farmhouse style heightens each of the five senses. Immediately, you feel welcome with its simplistic rustic, yet elegant, elements. This style, not only seamlessly fits with the rolling hills of Europe, but can easily be adapted into upscale and city dwellings.
design}
Let me take a moment to touch on a few elements of the French Farmhouse.
Articles of Art & Function Bread Boards
One of my favorite kitchen wall accents, for a French Farmhouse, is incorporating different shapes and sizes of vintage bread boards and wood Pizza Peels. These not only act as a unique wall focal point, but can also be functional. One can grabbed off the wall for your next alfresco dinner, then artfully layered with French favorites, such as; cheese, olives, cured meats and Baguettes (don’t forget the wine).
Baskets can be used on top of cabinets, for both indoor and outdoor throw blankets. One of my all-time favorites is using large tobacco baskets for wall art. The textural interest these provide is perfect for any wall.
Baskets
They are both functional and decorative, adding great texture to a room. Opt for the larger, worn material baskets that provide a layer of history. It is the visual interest of the woven material, and the age that you are looking for. I usually find great aged baskets at vintage markets or antique fairs. Baskets can be used on top of cabinets, for both indoor and outdoor throw blankets. One of my all-time favorites is using large tobacco baskets for wall art. The textural interest these provide is perfect for any wall. Also, use old suitcases and wicker trunks (the uses are endless).
w
406
oman.com 97
design} Zinc and aged galvanized tin
Perfect, for not only inside applications… but also outside. Flank a front entrance door with large containers filled with geraniums, rosemary, or lavender—all of which are plants that are easy to maintain and are water smart.
Wood Dough Bowls
My favorite French Farmhouse accent item. They can be placed in the center of dining room tables or coffee tables. They are also functional, because they can be filled with magazines and seasonal ornaments. In the kitchen, use for a fresh fruit bowl. If used in the bathroom, use a smaller bowl placed on a shelf. Then, fill with hand towels and European soaps, or fresh cut lavender bundles. The bowls range in sizes and shapes (my favorite is the long oval style).
Objects, Finds & Relics
The French Farmhouse is a style in which you can incorporate vintage and salvaged items. Where is the best place to find unique, worn European salvage? At vintage faire or flea markets, because the prices are often much better at these markets. Additionally, a few vendors actually travel to Europe and rummage through old barns and the countryside to bring back salvage pieces. But remember to think outside the box, just because it’s not from Europe doesn’t mean it won’t fit in the French Farmhouse. Through the years, designers’ love for Paris and the European lifestyle has motivated them to study and replicate the look and style you often find in the French Farmhouse. Many times items are salvaged from barns right in their own back yard. Items such as white water pitchers that can be filled with simple garden flowers.
w
98 406
oman.com
Copperleaf Chocolat
company
239 Central Ave. Whitefish Mt. 406-862-9659
Things We Love locally made artisan chocolates, chocolate bars from around the world, time tested books & leather bound journals.
w
406
oman.com  99
design} Linen and grain sacks
Grain sacks from Europe are sturdy and often have a red or blue strip down the center. They come in a variety of sizes, and can be used as table runners or pillows for both indoor and outdoor accents.
Metal
Aged and rusted, with layers of peeling paint—are often the metals you will see incorporated into the French Farmhouse style. It is in the patina that brings the effortless style we love. Ornamental metal panels, and grates, are used as wall accents. Iron gates welcome guests into hidden gardens filled with fountains, olive trees, and geraniums with decomposed granite and small simple iron bistro tables.
Distressed Wood Floors & Distressed Wood Furniture
The typical farmhouse table is simple, sturdy, worn, and sun faded. Place some French linen or grain sack placemats on the table. Add a few simple clear glass jars with flowers and herbs from the garden. Next, pull up a few wooden and metal folding chairs, and you have an understated French Farmhouse dining room.
Wood Beams
Natural, not stained, wood beams are focal points in French Farmhouses.
Crocks
Vintage Crocks are perfect for using as utensil containers in your kitchen.
Shutters
One noticeable accent, when traveling through Europe and France, are the use of shutters. They adorn almost every building, farmhouse, and café. This simple accent adds both textural interest and pops of color. Often times you will
w
100 406
oman.com
see shutters painted in bright blues, reds, yellows, and greens. I like to incorporate shutters into the interiors as well. They can be used as headboards, and wall décor. I love using old chipped shutter doors for closets and pantries.
Paint Colors
Creamy white, off white, antique white, linen, grain sack, light grey, and light blue. You will notice a trend in most of the colors; they have a muted, aged, and worn aspect (especially the whites). You will not see bright white or the Swiss coffee color over there, most often paint is a linen tone. As you can see the French Farmhouse Style is not one of perfection or great expense, but one of elegance meeting life’s journey. “It is in the journey that memories are made and life happens, not in the destination.” I believe in this quote, especially when designing my own home. I want people to feel welcome, special and relaxed. The perfect balance, not too fancy or too casual.
Remember, until next time… Be Inspired. Design questions? Feel free to contact me at zs@zinasheyadesigns.com
When in
Rhone Written by Karen Sanderson, Brix Bottleshop Photos Courtesy Karen Sanderson
A Journey through Southern France
Dreaming of Provence
To those who have ever dreamed of taking a voyage through the French countryside of Provence; keep those dreams alive. It has earned that reputation for a reason! My daughter and I recently spent some time in France to visit my husband. His work kept him in the Mediterranean for the entire summer and naturally, we wanted to tag along. We travelled to Europe with few plans and somehow ended up on a fantastic voyage through the lovely countryside of Provence and the Rhone. As you can imagine, I was in wine history heaven on a trip through two of France’s most famous wine regions. Thus, to balance out the trip, we took turns. One day was a “mommy day” visiting wineries, and the next day was a “daughter day” full of kid friendly adventures.
The Arrival:
(earning that first glass of rosé) Just imagine the feeling of stepping off the plane in Marseilles on a sunny afternoon in Provence. The first thing you want to do is find a cute little café and have a glass of rosé, right? Oui! As it turns out, Marseilles is a very large city, so we planned on heading north to the smaller town of Aix en Provence. “It’s 2pm and only a 30m drive, ” I thought. I could wait for that rosé. And what a wait it was. Every arrival by plane requires going through customs. We could handle that. But let me tell you, nothing will
w
102 406
oman.com
make you want to a glass of wine more than waiting over 2 hours for a rental car! The “ugly Americans,” who couldn’t fathom this made the wait even more painful. But this is France. We quickly learned: nothing comes quickly in France. Since we were so patient, the manager upgraded us to a premium car at no charge. Tres bon! So began our “quick” drive to Aix en Provence around 6pm. The day had started early in Rome and I was soooo ready for that rosé. Driving in France took some getting used to and Aix en Provence was more like an hour away. When we arrived, I hadn’t booked a hotel, but thought we could find something easily. Oops! Lesson learned. Here’s another thing one needs to learn about France: parking is not easy, especially in a new town at dusk. After driving around for an hour, we finally parked temporarily in a bus zone in front of a hotel. Luckily the hotel had a room on this busy Friday night. The darling Brasserie in front of the hotel looked like the perfect place to have my first glass of rosé! It was a higher price than preferred, but at
“ Yes, it really does look like this.”
Hotel Christophe in Aix en Provence
9:30pm, we had to make a quick decision. Finally, I learned that this town was full of underground parking garages and one happened to be right across the street. The restaurant closed at 10pm, so if we wanted to eat, we’d better hurry. Finally, at 10:45pm, we were settled in our room with the luggage. We were exhausted, hungry, and the brasserie full of fabulous looking wine was closed. But wait, was that a room service menu on the desk? Is it possible? I called. “Oui,” they said. “We can bring you a charcuterie snack with pastries and bread.” “And to drink?” they asked. “Apple juice and…Rosé?” I replied, in utter desperation. Et voila. By 11:15pm, crashed out on the bed, I said to my daughter, “That was the very best rosé de Provence I’ve ever had in my life.”
Journey through Provence
Here’s a tip on driving in France: you can set the GPS language to English, and I would highly recommend using it. But, if you allow yourself to get lost in any region of France, let it be Provence. We drove the countryside and passed many winery properties along the way. It was beautiful. Our next destination was Avignon where we had a nice little hotel booked outside of the city. Since we had the entire day, and check in wasn’t until 3pm, we decided to have lunch in Salon de Provence. What a darling town! This small, quaint village rested at the base of a large medieval castle. As we walked through the cobblestone streets we noticed several locals dressed in medieval costumes. Apparently, we had arrived on the last day of the town’s annual Renaissance Festival. Even better, it is the norm to have a local rosé with your lunch. We ended up spending the day wandering the streets here before making our way to Avignon.
Must Try Provence Rosés:
If you haven’t yet jumped on the rosé train, we encourage you to hop on board. These are dry, fruity wines and make perfect summer sippers. Most rosés from this region are blends of Mouvedre, Grenache, and/or Syrah. Serve them cold and enjoy them with a variety of summer foods. Here are a few of our favorite rosés you can find in the Flathead Valley: Terrebrune Bandol Rosé,$35 Trinquevedel Rosé, $19 Miraval Rosé, $25 Bargemone Rosé, $16 Mont Gravet Rosé, $9 Vieille Ferme Rosé, $8
food}
Rhone
Chateau de Segries:
While driving through the small towns of Tavel and Lirac, I kept a keen eye for familiar properties. Suddenly, a sign for Chateau Segries turned up. This was a popular wine we sell at Brix, so naturally we had to follow the signs leading us to the domain. As we continued, more signs leading us to an old chateau. The building, however, did not indicate any information about visiting. Cautiously, I knocked on the door. A man stepped out and introduced himself as Frederic, the winemaker. It was clear he spoke no English, so in French I told him our story and that I sold his wine in America. “Would you have a moment to tell us about the winery?” I asked. He was delighted to have us, and invited us in.
Destination: Rhone
After several weeks of driving through French wine regions, we discovered that some areas are much more wine tourist driven than others. Provence and the Rhone are very spread out and do not market wine tourism like their neighbors to the north. In Bordeaux and the Loire, wine maps can be found at every hotel encouraging visitors to visit their properties and taste wine. In Provence and the Rhone, you are more likely to find wine shops who pour samples of many different wines from their region. Overall, it seems more logical to schedule appointments if you want to visit domains directly. Just like Provence, we chose to “get lost” in the Rhone and discover the region on our own.
w
104 406
oman.com
The family history of Chateau Segries goes all the way back to the 1600’s and was passed down through family until the 1980’s. Because of this long history, the new second owners decided to keep the original name. Frederic explained how the vineyard and wine had not produced quality wine for over 100 years. When his family bought the property, their goal was to improve the vineyards and return the winery to its glory. After showing us around the property, Frederic poured wines for me to taste. These Grenache, syrah, mouvedre blends were quite delicious and it was clear the family had succeeded in their quest. While I tasted, my daughter played with the dog, Flash, and peaked into the winery to watch the son on the bottling line. The winery is run by family members and each has a specific role. Frederic said guests visit a few times a day and even though they don’t advertise, the guests are always welcome. This is typical of the Rhone, although in the future, I think I would try harder to book appointments. After departing Segries, we drove to the famed village of Chateauneuf du Pape. Several familiar properties were spotted as we drove through the narrow, tree lined roads of the Rhone. In typical road trip fashion, we were hungry and did not detour. Once we arrived we discovered we had arrived in between lunch and dinner, so finding food was not easy. (Restaurants in France are only open at certain hours of the day.) After nibbling on treats found at a boulangerie, we strolled through the steep streets of the village. In Chateauneuf du Pape, one can find many tasting rooms. Some sell wines of specific domains and others are wine shops offering samples of several rhone producers. I opted to visit the boutique of one producer: Chateau Beaucastel. Our trip didn’t allow for another property tour, so this was my one and only chance to try their famed CDR (Cotes du Rhone) blends. We stepped into the tasting room and met a sweet gal from Texas pouring wines. She gave me samples of their premier whites and reds. Et voila: our journey through the Rhone was complete.
Naturally there is much more to the Rhone than these two areas. Below you’ll find a few of our favorite wines from the Rhone region. Most Rhone wines tend to be heavier bodied with rich earthy characteristics. The fruits are typically deep dark berry with hints of coffee and licorice.
Must Try Rhone Wines:
Chateau Beaucastel, Perrin Family, $120 Guigal Chateauneuf du Pape: $62 St. Damien Gigondas, $32 Janasse Terre D’Argile CDR: $26 Chateau Segries CDR: $16 Bila Haut Rouge CDR: $13 Perrin Reserve CDR: $12
This trip was a fantastic voyage through Provence and the Rhone. If you go, we are happy to offer pointers to plan your trip. If you prefer, we can bring Provence and Rhone to you by offering a wide selection of wines from our shop and others throughout the Flathead Valley. Cheers! Karen
food}
Ingredients needed 3 Tbsps. butter 2 ½ cups thinly sliced onions 4 ½ cups beef broth 2 ½ Tbsps. sherry 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 6 slices French bread (toasted) 3 cups shredded Gruyère cheese In a saucepan melt butter, then stir in onions. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes (stir often until golden brown). Add sherry, beef broth, Worcestershire and a pinch of pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Ladle soup into oven proof bowls, place toasted French bread on top. Sprinkle the top of soup and bread with Gruyère cheese, broil until light brown. Serves 5-6 fortunate individuals.
French Onion Soup By Carole Morris
food}
Gardening, Gut Health and Garlic
Gardening is a favorite pastime of many, especially Montanans. This is a wonderful hobby that anyone, from young to old, can embrace. It fits multiple personality types. Your garden can be small, large, organized, wild, well protected or shared with wildlife.
One of the most challenging aspects of nutrition for families is how to encourage children to eat vegetables. Of course this is difficult! Vegetables are not usually as sweet as fruits, and with all the overly sweet, processed options out there, it can be difficult for vegetables to be attractive to kids. I recommend offering vegetables first with every meal, and having a rule that kids at least have to try every vegetable. Summer and fall are much easier for kids and vegetables, because this is when the home gardens are blooming and the farmers markets are abundant! So why am I discussing gardening in a late summer / early fall article? Garlic and its relatives are the star of this article, and I learned in researching that garlic actually grows best in Montana when it is planted in the fall (between mid-September and mid-October) and harvested the following summer. If snow cover is expected for the whole winter, then the plants will grow beneath the snow. If snow is expected to come and go that year, about six inches of straw for mulch is recommended.
Gut Health
Moving from gardening to our bodies, gut health is a big topic these days, in scientific research and in the general population. As anyone knows who has had intestinal issues, a well functioning digestive system is something many take for
w
108 406
oman.com
By Dr Austine Siomos
granted until they have problems! There are many recommendations out there, and just like with other nutritional topics, recommendations for gut health can be confusing and contradictory.
So what do we know for sure about the gut (the whole tube from your mouth to your other end, including the esophagus, stomach and intestines)? We know that it is much more complex than originally thought. Some fascinating areas of research involve the enteric nervous system and the bacteria in the gut. The gut contains 100 million neurons, more than the spinal cord! It also has countless neurotransmitters and neuroreceptors. Thus the gut is incredibly sensitive to a person’s psychologic and neurologic state. Gut bacteria is also fascinating. Many people are surprised to find out that there are at least as many bacterial cells as human cells in our bodies, and this is a good thing! We need the bacteria and the bacteria need us. There is good evidence that our diet and the medications we take have significant effects on the bacteria in our gut. Good bacteria is the kind of bacteria that works best without intestinal cells to promote regular and comfortable digestion, without bloating and without constipation or diarrhea. So how to promote good bacteria in our bodies?
Probiotics: live bacteria that are part of fermented foods and also can be taken in pill form. Of course natural sources are always preferable to pills. Examples of natural sources are sauerkraut, kefir, homemade yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, tempeh, olives, and anything pickled at home. Prebiotics: not to be confused with probiotic, a prebiotic is not bacteria but is fiber that ben-
eficially nourishes the good bacteria that are already in the large intestine. This is where garlic and its family members (leeks, onions, ramps, scapes, etc) come in. Think of these are fertilizer for your good bacteria. This is why fiber, even insoluble fiber, is so important for good intestinal health. Get dirty: this is easy to do with kids around. Take off shoes, run around in the grass, garden, get dirt under your fingernails! Certainly there are times when sterility and disinfecting are important, such as in medical settings, if you have just prepared chicken or pork on a counter, or if someone in the house is immunocompromised. But in general, dirt is good and there is good evidence that we should not be bleaching and disinfecting everything! Avoid antibiotics: there are times when antibiotics are necessary, but when you or your medical provider are on the fence, consider giving it some time and avoiding antibiotics. Antibiotics are great at killing bad bacteria, but are indiscriminant, and kill the good bacteria in our guts too. Cut out sugar and processed foods: simple sugars (monosaccharides) are the most basic form of sugar. These are glucose, fructose and galactose. These are present in added sugar and in refined carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, white pasta). The issue with these regarding intestinal bacteria is that they are so simple that the bacteria are not required to break them down. Thus they pass right into the bloodstream and leave the good bacteria hungry. This results in inflammation, hunger, difficulty thinking and processing, mood difficulty and over time can change the intestinal bacteria.
Garlic
food}
and walnut pesto
I love pesto. It is versatile and does not require exact measurements or certain ingredients. Pesto can be made with any green vegetable, some spices and some nuts. Substitutions are welcome. This pesto can be used as a dip, as a filling for mushrooms or other small bites, or just eaten with a spoon!
Garlic and Allium Vegetables
The allium genus of vegetables includes onions, scallions, shallots, leeks and chives. The allium family also includes beautiful flowering plants, including the striking allium giganteum flower!
Garlic is one of the oldest health foods known, and has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. The Egyptians wrote about garlic in some of the earliest written agricultural records. Roman workers regularly ate garlic, and gladiators were known to eat garlic before competitions. World war I medics used garlic oils as an antibiotic for war wounds.
Health benefits of garlic
Decrease cancer risk: A study in 2009 looked at the anti-cancer properties of 34 vegetables, and garlic came out number 1! Cancer starts with DNA damage. Garlic phytonutrients have been shown to prevent and reverse DNA damage, even in the presence of known carcinogens. A study in 2012 with colon cancer patients demonstrated that flavonoids in onions and other vegetables decreased the amount of DNA damage.
Treat diabetes: Garlic has been demonstrated to help regulate blood sugar levels. By promoting good gut bacteria, it decreases the rates of fungal infections in people with diabetes. It promotes good circulation, which combats many of the complications of diabetes. Lower blood pressure:
Arteries become stiffer with age, which affects all organs. Those that consume garlic have less stiffness in their aortas by improving the function of the lining of the arteries. A study in 2014 demonstrated that regular garlic consumption worked as well as blood pressure medication to treat high blood pressure!
Intestinal health: garlic is a prebiotic, as mentioned above, and promotes the health of good bacteria. It also inhibits the bad bacteria as well as parasites! Garlic also is known as a gut anti-inflammatory agent, and can be helpful for those with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Treat and avoid the common cold: Garlic
supplementation is known to boost the function of the immune system. One large 12-week study in 2001 found that a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% compared with placebo.
Decrease risk of stroke and heart attack:
Garlic and onions have known anti-platelet activity. This is most effective when eaten raw. Strokes and heart attacks are caused by vascular disease. Since the brain and the heart are the most vital organs for life, these are the most devastating results of vascular disease. But vascular disease affects all organs and aspects of life, including sexual function. In fact, erectile dysfunction is often one of the earliest signs of vascular disease in men. Garlic is actually good for treating sexual dysfunction in both men and women.
Ingredients: - 1 cup Packed Fresh Basil Leaves - ½ cup dark leafy green (chard, kale, arugula) - 5 whole garlic cloves - ½ cup walnuts - 1 Lemon for juice - 1/4 cup olive oil - ½ teaspoon salt - fresh pepper to taste
Instructions 1. Toast the walnuts and garlic cloves in a pan
over medium heat. Stir them constantly and remove from heat when they are slightly brown and fragrant. (Nuts can go from brown to burned quickly, so watch them!) 2. Wash the basil and greens
Dr Austine Siomos I am a pediatric cardiologist. I trained first to become a pediatrician and then specialized in the study of pediatric hearts. I see children from before they are born until they are ready to see an adult cardiologist. I am passionate about the health of all children and families. My goal for all children is to promote healthy habits and avoidance of those types of heart disease that are generally considered to be adult problems.
3. In a food processor or blender, place the greens, juice of one lemon, garlic, walnuts, olive oil, salt and pepper 4. Pulse the ingredients (pause intermittently to push the larger pieces on the sides down) until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
w
5. Enjoy by itself, as a dip, as a filling or as a sauce!
406
oman.com 109
w
110 406
oman.com
food}
cheese steak By Justin Pinnell
The best thing about a cheese steak is… you can make it your own. My humble, but correct, belief is no one owns the cheese steak--not even Philly. I intentionally made it a little vague, with helpful hints for a superior flavor. This version is the Justin Cheese Steak, which will make your mouth water with its savory flavor.
w
112 406
oman.com
The best part of this recipe,
just throw it all in the slow cooker… then go do what you want. No matter how busy or lazy you may feel, you can make cheese steak with plenty of energy to spare.
INGREDIENTS 4 pounds chuck roast
16 ounces sliced mushrooms
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 green bell pepper (sliced into thick strips)
2 teaspoons coarse ground black pepper 2 cloves of garlic 1 cup beef broth 1 can condensed French onion soup 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 cup beer (Wee Heavy Scottish Ale is my recommendation) 1 large yellow onion sliced into large slices
Instructions 1. Season the chuck roast with the Himalayan salt and coarse pepper.
2. Heat your slow cooker on high, while rubbing French’s yellow mustard all over the chuck roast
3. Pour olive oil into slow cooker. When it’s hot, add the roast and brown for 4 minutes on each side. 4. Then add beef broth, the French onion soup, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, garlic, and the beer. 5. Cook on low for 8 hours.
1 red bell pepper (sliced into thick strips) 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes French’s yellow mustard French hoagie rolls Cream Cheese or Provolone (or both) Horseradish brown mustard butter
6. Add in the onions, mushrooms, and bell pepper in the last hour of cooking. 7. Toast your French rolls with a bit of butter spread onto the cut sides.
8. Remove beef from slow cooker and slice (remember to cut your beef against the grain). 9. Add your cheese of choice, (if provolone put on top of meat, if cream cheese spread liberally on roll).
10. Spread horseradish and brown mustard on roll, if desired. Add cooked veggies.
Put broth in bowl on the side. Dip… taste...AMAZING
french fries Instructions
Heat canola oil (or oil of choice) in a large heavy-bottomed pot to 325⁰ degrees. Scrub and rinse large russet potatoes. Slice potatoes lengthwise into a bowl filled with cold water. Rinse until water is clear (which means the starch is gone). Transfer uncooked fries to paper-towels and pat dry with additional paper towels. Fry potatoes for approximately 5-10 minutes (until golden brown). Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with a paper towel. Put hot fries in bowl, sprinkle with salt and flavor of choice.
Option for seasoned fries:
w
truffle oil - parsley - freshly chopped garlic - hot sauce grated parmesan cheese - red chili flakes - fresh herbs
406
oman.com 113
history}
Witty, Gritty Taleteller A Life of
Dorothy M. Johnson Dorothy M. Johnson, a witty, gritty Western taleteller famous for such books as “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” died Sunday, November 11, 1984, at her home in Missoula’s West Rattlesnake Valley. She was 78 and had suffered from Parkinson’s disease and other illnesses for the final couple of years of her life. Before her death, the author of “The Hanging Tree,” “The Bloody Bozeman,” “A Man Called Horse,” and many other books, short stories and magazine articles specified that the inscription on her grave marker be “PAID.” “God and I know what it means,” she said in an interview shortly before her death, “and nobody else needs to know.”
Born Dec. 19, 1905, in McGregor, Iowa, to Lester E. and Louisa Barlow Johnson, Dorothy Marie Johnson moved to Great Falls, in 1909, and later Whitefish, in 1913. Johnson described her childhood in Whitefish in several lengthy magazine articles. “The raw new town where I grew up – Whitefish, Montana – swarmed with money-hungry children who were willing to do almost anything to make an honest nickel. The trouble was that just about everything you could do was part of your normal chores and you didn’t get paid for it. Like filling the woodbox or lugging in a bucket of water while your mother admonished automatically, “Now don’t hurt your back,” or splitting kindling while she warned, “Now don’t chop your foot.”Or
w
By Brian D’Ambrosio Photos Courtesy Montana Historical Society
feeding the chickens, carrying out the slop bucket, washing dishes, picking potato bugs and shoveling snow…After I explained gladly about allowances (it was seldom that I knew more about something than my parents did), they got the idea across tactfully that maybe some children in some places received allowances but no such outlandish custom was going to be introduced in Whitefish, anyway not at our house. That was back in the days when parents and children could still communicate with no trouble.”
Johnson published several articles about her childhood in Montana The Magazine of Western History. Her nonfiction conveys her love of Montana and her interpretation of the West’s uniqueness. She described Whitefish as a “raw new town,” filled with opportunity credited to the jobs created by the Great Northern Railroad. For the workers attracted to Whitefish, it was “the anteroom of paradise . . . the promised land, flowing with milk and honey. All they had to do to enjoy it was work.” In one of her writings, the diligent, reliable men and women of Whitefish stood out against the “rich people and Eastern dudes” she encountered in Glacier National Park. When she wrote of the social divide she noticed among visitors to the park, she viewed it in terms of an East-West split: “We unrich Westerners were suspicious of the whole lot of them. We looked down on them because we thought they looked down on us. But they didn’t even see us, which made the situation even more irritating. Years later, when I lived in
a big Eastern city, I learned not to see strangers. . . . But in the uncrowded West, in my country, it’s bad manners, and on the trail it’s proper to acknowledge the existence of other human beings and say hello.” Reared a widow’s daughter, she graduated from Whitefish High School in 1922 and studied premed at Montana State College in Bozeman before transferring to State University of Montana in Missoula. By the time she graduated with a B A. degree in English in 1928, she had already published her first poem. She was married briefly with the last name of Peterkin. After graduation, she found work as a stenographer in an Okanogan, Washington, department store. After another stenographer position in Menasha, Wisconsin, she spent 15 years as a magazine editor in New York City at Gregg Publishing Company and Farrell Publishing Corporation.
From 1944-50 Johnson also edited a women’s magazine in New York City; she eventually returned to Whitefish where she became news editor of the Whitefish Pilot (1950-1953). In 1953, she returned to the University of Montana as a member of the journalism faculty. She once told students, “One of the perils of going to the university is that you are liable to hear me tell you how to get on a horse three or four times before you graduate. Writers are like students— they sometimes have to learn things they don’t even want to know. Getting on a horse was part of the necessary information I had to learn. ”
Dorothy Johnson spent the majority of her childhood in Whitefish. After a short stint on the east coast, she returned to Montana, where she lived in Whitefish and Missoula. She is pictured here, circa 1953, second from left, at the Big Mountain Ski Resort in Whitefish, attending the Montana Library Association banquet.
114 406
oman.com
history}
Dorothy M. Johnson
Harold Guy (H. G.) Merriam, professor emeritus of English at the University of Montana and an American Rhodes scholar, and a major influence in Johnson’s early writing development, later said of her: “She wrote prodigiously — story after story. I felt from the beginning that she had a real talent for them I think the reason for her success was that she kept right at it; she didn’t letup ...”
Johnson wrote 16 books, beginning with “Beulah Bunny Tells All” in 1941 and ending with “All the Buffalo Returning” in 1979. Johnson’s most popular work, “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence,” is simultaneously a period piece and an eternal tale of payback, love and honor redeemed that climaxes in a shootout. Johnson’s prose is graceful, and while her short stories might be standard, they’re also always transfixing and nuanced, with subtle forms of irony at each turn. Eventually turned into a western movie classic (1962) directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne and James Stewart, this is one of Johnson’s short stories that has endured. In 1959, “The Hanging Tree” too became an unforgettable western movie. Gary Cooper,
a fellow Montanan, starred in “The Hanging Tree,” and once gave Miss Johnson a pheasant wishbone which she copper plated and wore as a necklace. Ultimately, Johnson was a complete and ideal Westerner, and this helped her do extremely well in a literary genre that tended to be dominated with male bylines. Johnson affirmed women’s ability to write Westerns: “After all, men who write about the Frontier West weren’t there either. We all get our historical background material from the same printed sources. An inclination to write about the frontier is not a sex-linked characteristic, like hair on the chest.” Though Johnson never self-identified as a trailblazer or an activist, she was, according to one friend, a “witty, gritty little bobcat of a woman,” and her writings reflect her western strength of mind.
Following her death, a memorial service was held in Missoula on Wednesday, November 14, 1984. Her body was cremated and the ashes interred in Whitefish Cemetery next to the grave of her mother.
w
406
oman.com 115
Going to the Sun Gallery is pleased to present Gallery Nights September 7th, 2017. Wildlife Artist, Virginie Baude from Wyoming - Original Oils​
Diane Whitehead
Patricia Griffin
from Pennsylvania-
Color Artist in Oils
from Montana- Original Oils in Color
Come join us for Music, Wine and Cheese, and of course Beautiful Art!​