contents
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8. Social Nectar’s Connie Cermak
profile
406 Man
14. The Event at Rebecca Farm – Sets a New Bar
featured 16. The Devils Tongue – Special Feature Story by Jimmy Edwards
12. Maria Phelps – Find It For You, LLC
28. Erica von Kleist – Groovetrail & Northwest Artist Syndicate Founder 36. FCCLA Flathead Heads to the Lone Star State
business
18. Credit What Does Your Scale Say?
20. Business Coaching Whose Business Am I In?
art
legal
22. Probate in Montana Duties & Obligations of Personal Representative
26. Jeanette Rehahn – An Artist for Life 30. GSC – Festival Amadeus 34. Off Key Notes – Summer Concerts
History
32. Martha Kohl – Shares Voices of Montana Women 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage
Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year 6477 Hwy 93 S Suite 138, Whitefish, MT 59937 info@406woman.com Copyright©2014 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
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Connie Cermak
Social Nectar’s Connie Cermak By Jill Seigmund Photos by Jeremy and Alicia Brown
Photography
If you want to know how Connie Cermak is feeling, don’t ask her in a Tweet or a text message. If you want to know how the woman who introduced the Flathead Valley to social media marketing is, pick up the phone and call her. Hearing your voice will make her day. “I’m the ‘anti-social media’ social media strategist,” she says. “Social media is so much about me, me, me… instead of how are you, you, you?”
social media, because Chicago was one of the three largest cities in the world to first start using it,” she says. Through trial and error, Connie learned that social media is not just about throwing information out to the world. When used correctly, social media marketing strategically communicates information to targeted audiences through appropriate platforms. It takes some savvy and quite a bit of time to do it right.
While she primarily works with one large client based out of Calgary, she maintains a small number of Flathead Valley clients and reserves time for issues about which she is passionate. One such cause is keeping children safe on the internet, a topic which she enjoys discussing with educators, counselors, parents and children. She welcomes the opportunity to speak in local schools.
After several months she returned to her apartment in Chicago to realize that she had left something important behind in Montana. “My heart and soul were back in Montana, and I suddenly couldn’t stand all of the bustle,” she Connie was an early adopter of social media says. She sold most of her things, put the rest marketing, where she learned to use it to her in a 10’ x 7’ storage unit, and headed west. Her advantage as a marketing and business devel- Chicago friends knew she wasn’t coming back oper for the architecture and design industry when she got a dog. Soon after the dog came a in her hometown of Chicago. “I grew up with fly rod, and the rest is history.
She also worries that today’s children are not learning to have empathy for one another as a result of too much screen time. “We’re raising a generation of kids who only thinks about the next selfie,” she says.
OMG. How can someone whose livelihood depends upon the existence of social media say such a thing? “Social media should be used to create relationships that will lead to meeting people in person, looking them in the eye and shaking their hand,” she says. Social media should not replace genuine human-to-human contact. “Having 100,000 followers does not validate me. If I’m not on Twitter for a week, it’s because I’m doing something more important… like this,” she says, gesturing to the face-toface conversation she and I are having.
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Today Connie lives in Lakeside and owns Social Nectar, a social media marketing company. She helps her clients take a big picture look at their business and create an overall strategy focused on their brand, long-term goals and target market. While she has Montana blood in her veins (her grandfather was the regional forester for the U.S. Forest Service in Missoula and was instrumental in establishing the smokejumper center there), she initially wound up in the Treasure State out of the goodness of her heart. “My cousin had a stroke, and my aunt asked me to come to Montana to help,” she says.
“Kids don’t understand that what they’re doing in a second is going to last a lifetime,” she says. “That post isn’t going to last a lifetime, but it could prevent them from getting a scholarship.” She is adamant that parents should have a contract with their children allowing them 24/7 access to their phone and social media sites. “Most parents don’t realize how easy it is for perpetrators to find their children.”
Another cause near and dear to Connie’s heart is entrepreneurship. As a woman who managed to survive on an income of $13,000 her first year in business, Connie empathizes with
people just getting started in business. “The biggest obstacle I had is that people didn’t know what I did, and they didn’t know the value of it,” she says. In order to increase her revenue, she restructured her business model to include more out-of-area customers.
While entrepreneurship is a series of hard lessons learned, Connie would like to help people learn those lessons faster. Her best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to surround themselves with five people who exemplify where they want to be in life. “I’m always working on that,” she says. While she wishes she had more time to mentor local entrepreneurs, Connie is helping organize the Flathead’s first Startup Weekend, scheduled for Sept. 19 – 21 at Flathead Valley Community College. Startup Weekend Glacier Country is a 54-hour event where aspiring entrepreneurs will launch a business by the end of the weekend with assistance from team mates and coaches who have technical, financial, marketing and sales expertise. Startup Weekend is a nonprofit organization based in Seattle. Since the organization’s founding in 2007, more than 1,000 Startup events have been hosted around the globe in nearly 500 cities with more than 8,000 new business ventures launched. That’s a lot of jobs.
Connie hopes that Startup Weekend Glacier Country will not only result in new job creation in Montana, but more importantly, that it will provide an invaluable opportunity for participants to learn from one another in powerful ways made possible by sitting around a table together, looking each other in the eyes and talking. Yes, talking. For more information about Connie, visit www.socialnectar.net. For more information about Startup Weekend Glacier Country, visit https://www.facebook.com/StartUpGlacier. 406 women take note… the first 20 women who register for the event receive a $20 discount.
Jill Seigmund is the entrepreneurship coordinator at Flathead Valley Community College, working under a U.S. Department of Labor grant. She can be reached at 756-3834 or jseigmund@fvcc.edu
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Maria Phelps
Maria Phelps By Kay Burt
Faith, family, friends; a love for Montana and its people - these are a few of the things that define Maria Phelps, CEO of Find It For You, LLC. Her eyes shine as she speaks of her family, her business, and her desire to make a difference. What is not immediately evident is the tough-minded tenacity which runs below the surface, threading through her life like a vein of pure ore.
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Maria’s first aspiration was to attend the Olympics—not so far-fetched when you learn of her accomplishments. She still holds the Whitefish High long jump record at 17’8,” a mark set in 2001. After graduation, Maria attended MSU on a track scholarship, training for the grueling heptathlon events.
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After three semesters, though, she was discouraged and homesick. She returned to Whitefish in 2003 to reconsider her dreams. Maria dabbled at a variety of jobs over the next several years, from golf course maintenance (where she met husband, Kevin Phelps) to employment as a CNA at Kalispell Regional. She added the occasional second job from time to time as well as working in college courses at FVCC. “I come from a long line of hard workers,” she says. “My family doesn’t believe in handouts, but they encourage me in whatever I do.” But Maria remembers those days in another way, of an alternate life running parallel to her seemingly normal one. While training for the heptathlon—an event in which every extra ounce subtracts from performance—
Maria developed a serious eating disorder. “Those were devastating years,” she confides. “Even though I was living a ‘normal’ life on the surface, I was dealing with a crippling obsession. I hid it well most of the time, but I lived those years alternating between hope and despair.” Eventually, reinforced by her deep Christian faith and supportive friends, Maria found victory. Marriage and the birth of her son were life changing in that regard. “I realized that it was not just about me,” she remarks, “and that changed everything.” The ordeal is not without its silver lining, however; it has given Maria a lasting empathy for people, and is a part of what characterizes her today. With trademark resolve, Maria returned to college in 2009, shortly before her daughter was born. She attended online courses
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Maria Phelps
When asked for a defining moment in her undertakings, Maria considers for a moment and then remarks: “I think that was when a well-meaning friend told me it was impossible to be a good mom and have a job. I just couldn’t accept that.” The gauntlet had been dropped. at Colorado Tech, completing a Bachelor’s in Business Management and Marketing in 2011. “It took me ten years,” she laughs, “but I got my degree.”
Degree in hand, Maria next contemplated how best to use it. She briefly considered a career in medicine—she had loved her work as a CNA--but realized it was not quite the right fit. “In the end, I knew I wanted my own business,” she confesses. (Not surprising, since both sets of grandparents have pioneered Whitefish businesses).
But what type of business? While on a trip, Maria was impressed at how easily goods and services were located in Portland, and it generated an idea. When she returned home, she launched “Find it Flathead,” on Facebook, a directory listing area businesses, goods and services. Though “Find it Flathead” got off to a tentative start, Maria learned as she went. In time, the venture expanded to include “Find it Montana,” “Find it Marketing,” and most recently, “Montana Feed,” a blog feed for covering Montana life, business, economy and
entertainment. The three web-based businesses operate under Maria’s entity, “Find it For you, LLC,” offering valuable, cost-effective marketing solutions for Montana’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. When asked for a defining moment in her undertakings, Maria considers for a moment and then remarks: “I think that was when a wellmeaning friend told me it was impossible to be a good mom and have a job. I just couldn’t accept that.” The gauntlet had been dropped.
Today Maria operates her business while simultaneously homeschooling Jack, eight, and Abby, four, finessing business hours around a three-day-a-week, year-round school schedule. On alternate school days, the children attend group homeschool activities. It is telling that Maria’s office and the children’s schoolroom share the same space. Her desk sits neatly adjacent to Jack’s and Abby’s. She also sees to it that there’s time for long walks and family activities, attributing much of her success to husband, Kevin. “I could not
have done it without his support,” she emphasizes. “Kevin is my husband, my friend and my strongest encourager.” There are obvious challenges in the dual roles, but Maria believes setting boundaries is critical. “I keep my business hours strict and our family time sacred,” she emphasizes. “I would not want my family to be short-changed because of my business, nor would I want my clients’ needs compromised, either.”
As Maria considers her journey over the past ten years, she is grateful-- even for the tough times. “It was part of a greater plan,” she says. “If things hadn’t happened just as they had, I wouldn’t have the life I have now.” It is a life she would have no other way. In her “spare” time, Maria serves as President of Flathead Area Young Professionals. Learn more about Maria and Find it Montana, Find it Flathead and Montana Feed at FindItMontana.com.
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Rebecca Farm
The Event at Rebecca Farm Sets a New Bar
National Geographic Traveler has named The Event at Rebecca Farm one of the Top 25 Summer experiences in Montana. And it's no wonder—more than 500 competitors are expected to participate in the 13th anniversary July 24-27, 2014. The Event is the largest equestrian triathlon in the U.S., where many of the world's best horses and riders, as well as promising young competitors, compete in dressage, show jumping, and cross-country in a combined triathlon.
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Last summer The Event set new records, with 560 competitors competing in the Horse Trials and 45 young and future event horses featured. By adjusting the schedule, organizers were able maximize capacity and accommodate all competitors who wanted to enter. Admission for spectators is free. Guests walk the cross-country course or view it from a hillside with a great vantage point of the 640-acre complex and views to the high peaks of Glacier National Park. Six different arenas offer close-up seating for dressage and show jumping. A trade fair is also offered with a wide range of food and beverage concessions, as well as a kid's zone with face painting and pony rides. “The Event just keeps getting better and better because of the efforts of so many people,” said Sarah Broussard, organizer of The Event. “We couldn’t do it without the wonderful community of volunteers who help us and the amazing competitors who travel from all over the nation— all the riders from novice to professional who
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Above Photo by Brian Schott
make this event so special. It's great to see Olympians compete alongside our local, regional and national riders.” In memory of The Event’s Founder, Rebecca Broussard, “Halt Cancer at X” is an initiative to raise money for breast cancer research. A $5 parking donation is collected each day to help support this campaign. Last year's campaign raised $70,000 for both local and national organizations. International equestrians have observed that Rebecca Farm is unlike most other courses in the world, with iconic jumps to look like massive animals—and even prehistoric creatures in the zone called “Jurassic Park.” Advanced and three-star division riders jump through a hole of brush hanging from a frame called the “Key Hole.”
As a sport, eventing is one of the most comprehensive and exciting in the world today, testing horse and rider over a series of challenges, disciplines and courses that showcase the attributes of a well-rounded team. With historic military ties meant to replicate the demands of the cavalry, their cumulative performance in the triathlon determines their final standing. The Event features competition in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, as well as The Classic, or long-format, which incorporates roads and tracks, steeplechase, and cross-country. Dressage tests obedience and the harmony between horse and rider. Cross-country demands endurance, courage, boldness, confidence, and stamina with horses running
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Rebecca Farm
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Above photo of Sarah Broussard presents a check to Dr. Melissa Hulvat, MD FACS Breast Surgical Oncologist at Kalispell Regional Medical Center's Bass Breast Center.
In memory of The Event’s Founder, Rebecca Broussard, “Halt Cancer at X” is an initiative to raise money for breast cancer research. A $5 parking donation is collected each day to help support this campaign. Last year's campaign raised $70,000 for both local and national organizations.
long distances at high rates of speed on a timed course with a variety of jumps and other challenges. Show jumping examines precision, agility, and technique while jumping over high obstacles in an arena. The cross-country course is designed by Ian Stark from Scotland, one of the leading designers in the world. The sinuous, 4-mile course features over 150 obstacles and four water complexes. Prior to The Event on July 23, the USEA Young and Future Event Horse Series will be featured. The Future Event Horse series judges the potential that yearlings, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds have to become successful event horses. The Young Event Horse series gives owners
and breeders the opportunity to showcase the potential of their four- and fiveyear-old horses. To access Rebecca Farm, from the junction of Highways 93 & 2, travel 2 miles north on Highway 93 to Reserve Loop and go west 2 miles, then south on W. Springcreek Rd. The entrance is 3/4 mile on the right. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to run an event of this caliber. Volunteers can work as scribes, jump judges, traffic and crowd control, or even paint jumps. Lunch, t-shirts and the opportunity to be close to the action are some of the benefits to this fun opportunity. To sign up as a volunteer, please use the online form or call (406) 253-1862.
For more information, visit www.RebeccaFarm.org.
Wednesday, July 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. USEA Young and Future Event Horse Series. Thursday, July 24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dressage, all FEI levels. Dressage, National Horse Trial levels. Novice cross-country. Friday, July 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dressage, all FEI Levels. National Horse Trial levels dressage continues. Cross-country phase for Training, Training 3-Day, Novice 3-Day. Saturday, July 26, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cross-Country phase all day. All FEI levels. National Horse Trial Levels continue. Show jumping for Training 3-Day, Novice, Novice 3-Day. Sunday, July 27, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Show Jumping phase, all remaining levels. Awards ceremony at end of each division.
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Jimmy Edwards
406 Man
Special Feature Story The Devils Tongue By Jimmy Edwards Photo by Mark Bryant Photographics
It was a typical, gorgeous Indian summer September day in western Montana and my buddy Mike had been bugging me to take him out on a fly-fishing float. Mike was a small-framed Chicago man with that twang-e, Chi-ca-go accent. His arrogance was something you had to get used to, but when you did, he was good company. His sister-in-law (Lagora) was visiting from back east and he wanted me to take them both fishing, I reluctantly gave in. The day started somewhat differently than most of my float trips because we were getting a late start. Mike and Lagora met me at the Petty Creek Bridge, 30 minutes northwest of Missoula Montana. We would float to just below the rest stop area, through the Devil's Tongue, a nasty piece of water carved along a rock wall. It was the first major rapid upriver from a 10-mile whitewater stretch with level III rapids. The rest stop takeout was upriver of the tongue but below it was a great bank that was not fished much by boat fisherman with an ok take out. The weather was fairly warm, but a fall chill was in the air. While getting the boat and gear together, Mike was gearing up in his waders. He was excited, just like a little kid. Lagora had on men’s breathable waders that were way too big for her. I asked her to take them off and assured her she would not get wet, we would not have time for wade fishing today. I also assured her that my Hyde drift boat had never tipped over. While going through the typical routine of launching the boat, I wasn’t thinking and was grabbing way too much extra gear and anxious to get in the water. I grabbed my booted Simms guide waders and threw them on over my blue jeans. I had done a thousand float trips and never wore jeans under my waders, ever. My booted Simms waders were easy to slip out of quickly. There was no bagginess and the jeans were uncomfortable, but being in a hurry I did not give it a second thought. We jumped in and pushed off down the river, it was going to be one of those slow afternoons with the clouds starting to move in from the distant north. The fish were not feeding that great, but a few pods were still sipping on Mahogany Duns. The slow moving trout seemed to be just out of reach for my two novice fly casters. Lagora was all about the beauty of enjoying a new experience on her first Montana adventure. Taking in what she was experiencing I finally settled into the float. The day moved on as we pulled over for a snack and an icy 406
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cold one. It was getting a bit chilly; Lagora asked if there was any extra gear to wear. Reluctantly taking off my Simms wind stopper vest, with the proper zipper, and handed it to her. Knowing how important it is to always keep the proper gear on. Reaching into the front of the boat storage, grabbing an old fleece, with a beer logo and a crappy zipper. Before we pushed off for the final part of our trip, I jumped out of the boat and took a quick leak. In a hurry, putting one strap on from my waders, I zipped up my beer fleece vest and jumped back into the boat. The beauty of the day lingered and you could smell the freshness of the fall air like most Indian summer days in Western Montana. The calmness was surreal with clouds moving closer from the distant north, as it always seemed to do before a storm. With the Devils Tongue coming up on us I knew we needed to approach it on the far left, even though my buddy Jim Cox, a local fishing pro had scolded me on how dangerous it was, especially with a heavy drift boat, not terribly worried and giving it little thought. The Devils Tongue was carved along side a massive rock wall and had gradual drop, with a stair step drop over a submerged giant rock of about two to three feet. As we came up on it the sound of the water roared like a freight train. When taking this chute you need to be far left to be out of danger, missing an oar stroke because my hands were out of position, (one of my crazy river rat friends had borrowed one of my oars), so I had taken one off my raft to replace it. One oar was fitted with an oar-rite, and the other oar with a rubber stop, and not having both the same was difficult to handle in nasty situations but still manageable for a seasoned oarsman. Surprised at how the current pulled me right placing my boat out of position, heart pounding and thinking what the hell, what better fun than to soak Mike in the front of the boat? I began positioning the boat to take the Devils Tongue head-on. The water roared and the backsplash of the wave seemed huge as my adrenaline raced through me. Mistakenly slowing the boat with some quick pulls of the oars, the bow hit hard entering the chute, buckets of cold water gushed through us, soaking not just Mike, but all of us. Water was everywhere and the front of the boat was tilted up and we were not moving. I turned to check on Lagora, the boat had surfed, water was gushing in the back of the boat from the tongues chute, and within a matter of seconds the boat was filling up with water. In total disbelief, adrenaline pumped through me as I scanned the area, my eyes zoomed in on the safety of calm water. As the boat began to move slowly down river sinking, I thought about throwing the rods and gear on a giant rock to our right, I knew that we had to get to safety. Barking out orders with firmness—to leave everything and get to the calm water. Lagora was amazingly calm, but Mike was in shock. Fortunately he had on a wading belt. Both grabbed hold of the rock and began pulling themselves toward the calm water. Thoughts of Lagroa’s oversized waders went thru my head, relieved she had taken them off, but worried Mike would be pulled into the fierce current, belt or no belt, he would drown. Able to maneuver not having those waders on, Lagora pulled Mike to the calm water. She was amazing and strong for a city girl in this situation. With them safe my attention went to my safety now. The river
swirled around me and watched my rods and gear disappear, the boat submerged and I was in the eye of the storm. Struggling to get my waders off and fighting the force of the raging cold current. Cursing myself for having my jeans on, they were now wet and heavy. Frantically trying to get the waders off, feeling like I was in a wrestling match under water. Finally, out of my waders, out of breath, heart pounding, body numb, but in disbelief of what just happened. Taking deep breaths, trying not to inhale water, confident I was going to be ok, all of a sudden there was a pull on my body. Trying to relax and go with the current, I suddenly went under, and then back up again. The current was strong but manageable, there was something going on out of my control. It was only a couple seconds or so but it felt like eternity. The water raged and the sounds pounded through my head. Pulled under water again, unable to figure out what was going on. Then a sick feeling hit me…my waders were next to me. They were filling up with water and pulling me. My heart pounded with fear, realizing that one strap was still strapped to my shoulder and my vest with the crappy zipper was zipped up too far for me to reach the wader strap. Furiously pulling on my vest zipper, while the raging water roared around me. I went under again, the sounds became dull and heavy. Everything was in slow motion; time had stopped. Feeling at peace or maybe in a state of dull shock, crazy thoughts filled my head: I'm a certified diver, a strong swimmer, and I was going out like this? As I popped up gasping for air as it were my last, the water splashed into my face, now everything was racing and loud. The zipper was jammed, the weight of the waders and heavy jeans were unbearable on my lower back, fighting to keep my mouth above water. Everything was going from slow motion to racing, thinking if I could at least get my feet under grounded, but unknown to me the river bottom was some forty feet down. Beginning to panic and struggle, I went under again. I could not believe what was happening, thoughts of life raced through my head at the speed of light, continuing to fight, telling myself that I was not going to die. Time became eternity and the shore seemed so far away. The weight of the waders and heavy jeans pulled me deeper. Smothered by an eerie silence and darkness, my lungs expanded and every muscle aching, continuing to tug on the zipper with a vengeance, being pulled deeper, the light faded even more, seconds turned to minutes, exhausted, I was done. Then as real as life, these beautiful blue eyes were looking into my eyes, it was a magical. They were angel eyes, even though my daughter has blue eyes, they were of a beautiful woman, an angel, right in front of me face to face. Every muscle relaxed, a tranquil calmness came over me as if everything was going to be ok, my beautiful children flashed thru my head as real as life, as if they were right there. Then a bright light, POW, the Angel was gone and a sudden powerful burst of super human strength came over me as I ripped on my zipper, with disbelief it came undone, swimming upward with every ounce of strength as the vest pulled off me and the wader strap slipped off my shoulder, it felt like it took forever swimming to the surface, suddenly, as if the Devil pulled one last time, my wader strap wrapped around my foot and tugged
Jimmy Edwards
on me one last time before releasing down river with one of my socks. Gasping for air as my head gushed through the cold water, my lungs and head felt like they were going to explode coughing up the river water. My face barely broke through the surface gasping in relief, head throbbing, body exhausted, lungs and back burning. Hearing the sounds of a child-like murmur, it was Mike. The annoying sound kept me conscious as I drifted with the current towards shore. Finally feeling my toes hit river bottom, crawling and pulling myself out of the river with my last ounce of strength. Everything appeared quadruple; the next thing was waking up face down in the sandy, muddy, wet shore. Having fought so hard that I passed out with exhaustion for a length of time. When my eyes opened, a bald eagle was soaring over me, his white head glistened, he seemed so close, as if I could reach out and touch him, so beautiful, like a dream. Regaining my conscience, a sheriff ’s car with lights flashing, parked on the highway above caught my eye as I struggled to get my legs under me, shivering, coughing, my lungs burning, my head and ears were still throbbing. The sheriff shouted out are you okay and said that help was on the way. Lagora was full of energy from the life experience as if it were all planned, Mike was in shock. They were stranded on a little island, not in any hurry to get back in the water. I yelled to them that everything was going to be ok and try to stay warm. We waited for almost two hours while the wind howled, as darkness fell, then the rain began to pour, finally, I decided to walk out, becoming impatient with the ridiculously slow response of search and rescue. Soaked, tired, freezing, one sock off and trying to keep my senses, I walked up the steep mountain side barely feeling the rocks and pine needles poking my feet and the rain pounding down on me. Coming upon some railroad tracks and a small road, I began walking toward a light as a sheriff ’s car pulled up. He gave me a ride over to the other side of the river where search and rescue had finally arrived. As Mike smothered me and recounted his struggle, someone wrapped a cover around me. Then suddenly a lady moved Mike out of the way and reassured him that he was fine, she handed me a cup of hot cocoa. She was with her husband in their motor home at the rest stop area; she had witnessed the whole thing. She looked into my eyes, with a look of relief, and said, I told 911 you drowned. She recounted to me that she watched me go under so many times, and the last time you went under for a very long time, it is a miracle you are alive. Feeling the warmth in my hands from the cup of hot cocoa this lady had given me, thoughts swirled in my head. It was a miracle, I was alive, never giving up, my children gave me the strength, the bald eagle took me under his wing, and those beautiful blue angel eyes comforted and reassured me everything was going to be alright. I find beauty every day and those beautiful blue angel eyes still fill my head. Most importantly I remember the many mistakes made that day taking the river for granted! Jimmy Edwards lives on his Ranch with his daughter in Missoula. Where he has taught his two boys to row and fly fish the rivers of Western Montana. They also have two bald eagles that reside on the ranch year round. 17
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credit reports
WHAT DOES YOUR SCALE SAY? No, not your bathroom scale! We’re talking about your credit scale. While most of us
try to avoid talking about the scale (of either type), it is important to understand what it is telling you: is your score right on target or way off in the danger zone? Written by SONIA HANSEN, TIFFANY STARKEL AND SONAL SHAH Just like keeping you and your body healthy requires more than trying out the latest diet fad, keeping your credit score in the right range requires a healthy financial lifestyle. This issue, we are going to take a look at the dreaded credit scale, debunk some common myths, and give you some tips to keep that credit healthy!
Myth #1:
Your credit score and your credit report are the same thing.
Fact:
Your credit score is derived from the information in your credit report. Your credit report contains detailed information regarding your credit history and is utilized by creditors, lenders, insurers, employers, courts, landlords, and utility companies in order to evaluate your finances and determine your creditworthiness. The credit score is a three-digit number that expresses your ability to pay in numerical terms, and is designed to predict the risk you will get behind on paying your credit obligations. A math algorithm that uses information found in your credit report generates it.
Myth #2:
I don’t need to check my credit report if I pay my bills on time.
Fact:
Payment history is not the only thing that affects your credit score. Data from credit reports is compiled into five weighted categories to make up a credit score.
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1. Payment history (35%): If you lent someone money and they were late paying you back or never paid you back, would you lend
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them money again? In simple terms this is exactly what a lender or creditor reviews when considering whether to loan you money. Now, don’t freak out - a few late payments won’t send your credit score plummeting, and keep in mind that no late payments doesn’t translate into a perfect score either. Health tip: Have a routine.
2. Amounts owed (30%): Owing money on multiple credit accounts doesn’t automatically classify you as a high-risk borrower. However, if a high percentage of available credit has been used, this could be an indicator of overextension, and an increased likelihood of late or missed payments. This is why it is recommended to use only 30% of your credit limit. 3. Length of credit history (15%): Generally speaking, a longer credit history will increase a credit score. Credit scores take into account how long your credit accounts have been established (including ages of oldest and newest accounts), how long specific credit accounts have been established, and how long it has been since you’ve used certain accounts. 4. Types of credit in use (10%): While a credit score considers your mix of credit accounts, it is not necessary to have one of every type. It’s also not a good idea to open a credit account you don’t intend to use. It is important to have a good mix, considering credit cards and installment loans with good payment history can boost your score. Health tip: Diversify.
5. New credit (10%): If you’ve just realized from reading #4 above that you only have one credit account, don’t rush out and open some more. Research shows that opening several new credit accounts in a short period of time indicates greater risk. Additionally, multiple credit report inquiries may be a red flag to potential creditors. Believe it or not, your
credit score actually takes into account how you shop for credit. Health tip: Maintain moderation.
Myth #3:
All credit reports are the same.
Fact:
There are three credit reporting agencies that track your credit. Since your credit report is used for various reasons, it is highly important to regularly obtain a copy and ensure the reported information is accurate. Additionally, reviewing your credit report can help spot signs of identity theft early. You can obtain your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) for free once every 12 months by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. Credit reports from each of the three bureaus are also available for purchase if you would like to check your reports more often. It is important to review your report from all three bureaus because each of them may receive different information about you from varying sources. For example, your credit card may report to Equifax and Experian, but not TransUnion. Note that your free credit report will not include your credit score, but you can pay $8 to get the credit bureau’s credit score and determine if you are at a healthy level. But remember this scale is different than the bathroom scale as with credit scores, the higher the number the better! And good credit health means more options when it comes to financing. Health tip: Get your annual check-up
business}
credit reports
5
WHAT’S YOUR SCORE?
healthy habits to maintain when managing your credit health:
Credit Score Ranges 720 and up Excellent 675 – 719 Good 620 – 679 Average 620 and below Poor
Myth #4:
I have to have a finance degree to understand my credit report.
Fact:
All credit reports have similar information which once understood can be easily read. Once you have obtained your credit reports, reading them can be as daunting as getting your lab results back from the doctor, but all three reports have the following common elements:
Personal Information This section contains items such as your name, date of birth, social security number, current and previous addresses, and employment data. Public Records Court judgments, wage garnishments, liens, and bankruptcy filings are reported in the public records section.
Adverse Accounts and Potentially Negative Items This section lists credit accounts that have been reported as unpaid or paid after the due date during the history of the account. Even if you are currently paid to date on a credit account, it may still be included in this section if you have ever paid late or missed a payment. Most negative information stays on your credit report for seven years, although Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings last for ten years and tax liens last for fifteen years if left unpaid. Accounts in Good Standing and Satisfactory Accounts Accounts that have been paid as agreed are listed in this section.
Credit History Requests In this section, those who have requested your report within the past two years will be listed as well as their purpose for requesting your credit history.
Myth #5:
If I find something wrong on my credit report there is nothing I can do about it.
Fact:
You can contact the credit bureau and dispute anything on your credit report that is incorrect. If you discover inaccurate information on your credit report, such as accounts that do not belong to you or information that should no longer be on your credit report, you should submit a written dispute request to the credit bureau from whom you obtained the report. Credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate your dispute. If they confirm the information is inaccurate, they will remove it from your report and send you an updated report. However, if they cannot confirm the correction, they will send you a letter of explanation. Just like any exercise routine, results don’t happen in a short period when it comes to your credit health. It takes time to establish credit sources and manage your credit history responsibly. Negative information can remain on your credit report for seven to 10 years so don’t expect overnight results. Making the right choices for your credit can help steer you in the right direction and get your score where you want it. Health tip: Stay with it.
This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only, it is not intended to act as professional advice. If you have additional questions, contact JCCS, PC in Whitefish at (406)862-2597 or Kalispell at (406)755-3681.
HAVE A ROUTINE. It is easier to stay healthy when you establish a routine. Make sure you have a process to pay your bills on time. Any bill can potentially wind up on your credit report if you become delinquent and the account is sent to a collection agency.
DIVERSIFY. Diversification is important with exercise regimens and when establishing credit sources. Having a variety of loans, for example a revolving line of credit (such as a credit card), a car payment, and a mortgage will illustrate your ability to manage different types of credit responsibly. MAINTAIN MODERATION. Like any health routine, start slowly. Don’t make the mistake of opening up too many credit cards too soon. You should only borrow what you can afford. This lets future lenders and creditors know you are a responsible borrower. GET YOUR ANNUAL CHECK-UP. Just like you should get your annual physical, make sure you review your credit report at least annually. You want to make sure you go directly to the website. Following links sent to you via email may lead to a scam!
STAY WITH IT. Your credit score is a moving target – it can improve over time. It is not just a snapshot of where you are at the moment, but your history of payments. 19
Whose Business Am I in?
& how can i get back on track!
Written by Susan B. Clarke
I’m a small business coach who works with business owners challenged to make their business successful. Recently, I was working with Mary, who initially contacted me because she was having what she called “time management” issues. Mary was a successful small business owner who was also doing lots of community work and serving on two different boards. I assumed we’d be dealing with a prioritizing problem, but that wasn’t the case at all. In our second session, Mary revealed the real issue. Her business, a presentation training service firm, was failing, and because of her volunteer efforts, she didn’t have the time or the skillset to get the business back on track. As I listened, I could relate. Mary’s business had been built around one primary customer. In fact, 80% of the revenue came from that customer. Years ago, she’d been found by a Fortune 500 customer and since then they’d given her all the business that was needed. Mary also did some local work at colleges and non-profits, at a reduced rate. For many years, this situation had worked great. However, nine months ago, the Fortune 500 company hired a new VP of training who made shifts in focus and budget, and suddenly Mary’s business was dropped. At the time, Mary had no idea how much of an impact the loss of that customer would have. She assumed she could pick up new customers quickly, but that didn’t happen. As we talked and as Mary opened up about how 406
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things were really going for her, I realized that she was dealing with her failing business by focusing on helping everyone else and not directly facing her own business issues. Again, I could relate. When my confidence is shaken, I do whatever I can to feel worthy or good enough. So it was with Mary. She didn’t know how to fix her own business, so instead she focused all her attention on community service. The community was gaining from her awesome volunteer efforts while Mary got some positive acknowledgment for a job well done. The problem was, her volunteer work wasn’t paying the bills. Here’s a question I learned to ask during my education as a coach: “Whose business are you in?”
There are three types of business: my business your business the universe’s business We do our best work when we stay focused on our own business. I shared this idea with Mary and heard a lot of good reasons why doing the volunteer work was Mary’s business. Of course, volunteering is a wonderful way to give back. But if that giving back cost Mary her health, wealth, and well-being, it was time to switch her focus back to her business. I hope it’s obvious that my use of the word “business” here is two-fold.
The first meaning of “business” is literal: the external business. In Mary’s case, it’s her presentation training business. Mary needed to realize that having one customer bringing in 80% of the revenue is a risky lifeline. Building around and focusing primarily on that one customer may very well have caused the overall business to stagnate, and it didn’t provide much visibility in the broader market. Once that big client left, the overall state of Mary’s business became clear. It was obviously not set up to handle marketing and selling. Mary had been great at delivering awesome training and hiring other great trainers, but she and her business didn’t have marketing and sales skills or processes in place. Focusing on Mary’s business meant training and building a new marketing and selling process from the ground up. I’ll use a golf analogy here, since the Whitefish Ladies Golf League has just kicked off and, as a member of 406 Thrive! (yes, named after Cindy Gerrity’s wonderful 406 Woman magazine and our coaching business, Thrive!), I’m thrilled to be getting back on the golf course. In golf, the best players know that having a good short game and excellent putting skills is a winning combination. Lots of golfers spend most of their time at the driving range, hitting long shots instead of practicing sand shots, chips, and putts. Why? Well, it’s more fun. Practicing hitting out of a sand trap is hard work. In any business, sales and marketing are like practicing the short game and putts. It’s hard and uncomfortable. I’m guilty of doing it, and so is Mary.
business}
My Business
It’s always worth the effort to practice winning skills. As a coach, I mostly like coaching rather than doing the marketing and selling coaching. Mary is no different. She loves doing the training, so once she sold to the big client and was able to keep practicing her long game, that’s what she did. The second meaning of “business” has to do with the internal world. In Mary’s case, taking care of internal business meant working on her confidence and focus. Sometimes it’s easy to know how to help someone else, to see the root of a problem that’s not my own. I can spend considerable time advising and assisting others in building their business or improving their life, and I can even feel quite good about those efforts. But if those efforts come at the expense of my own well-being or business success, I need to do something different. This often means turning toward my internal business and addressing a sense of failure and lack of confidence. Mary finally did decide that focusing on her business, both externally and internally, was the best call. First, she reached out to me and opened up, telling me what was really on her mind. Second, she stepped away from some of the committee work and volunteer efforts. She let people know she’d be back and that she was facing a crisis at work. She assumed folks would think she’d failed, but instead people appreciated her vulnerability and candor in saying what was true. Third, she got educated and went back to the basics of learning to sell and market her business. She developed a local presence and got a few larger corporate clients and now things are beginning to turn around. I was thrilled recently when I was at an event and overheard Mary sharing about how she’d learned the importance of getting out of everyone else’s business and getting back to her own! It’s always good to ask, “Whose business am I in?” If the answer isn’t, “My business,” then it might be good to take a closer look and get back on track, externally, internally, or both. Susan Clarke specializes in working with business leaders dealing with crisis, conflict or change. You can learn more about her and her Empowerment Coaching at www. thriveinc.com and www.susanbclarke.com. 21
legal}
probate
Probate in Montana An Overview of the Montana Probate Process and the Duties and Obligations of a Personal Representative By Kelly O’Brien, Attorney at Law
Clients come into my office on a regular basis with varying questions and misconceptions regarding the probate process. Sometimes people have concerns in estate planning because they had a bad experience in the probate process of family member, or they may have recently been appointed as a personal representative of an estate and do not know what to do next. Whether it is an individual creating a new estate plan, or a family that has recently experienced a loss, understanding the basics behind the probate process can be helpful in planning and decision making regarding an estate. What is Probate? Probate is the legal, administrative process of transferring property after a person's death. The probate process determines the value of the assets of a deceased person and distributes these assets according to state law. More specifically the probate proceedings serve to do the following: Determine whether or not the deceased person had a Last Will & Testament, and determine the validity of that Will; Appoint a personal representative to gather, manage and protect the property and assets of the deceased; Identify and notify heirs and devisees of the estate; Pay debts of the deceased and settle claims of creditors; Distribute assets and property of the estate to the heirs according to the Last Will & Testament and Montana state law. How the assets will be distributed depends on whether or not the deceased person had a Will prior to his or her death. If there is a Will, then the property and assets will be distributed by the personal representative as directed under the Will. 406
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If the individual died without a Will then property and assets will be distributed according to Montana law of intestate succession. The laws of intestate succession in Montana determine who receives property and assets of a deceased person, and how much of that property they will receive. According to Montana law if an individual is survived by a spouse only, then his or her spouse will receive 100% of the property of the estate. If the individual had children with that spouse, then the spouse is also entitled to receive 100% of the estate property. However, if the deceased person has children from a prior marriage, step children, or is not married, the distribution of property becomes more complicated. How is the Probate Process Started? The probate process is initiated by the personal representative of the estate, also known as an executor or administrator. A personal representative will either be appointed in the Last Will & Testament, or if no Will was established then the personal representative is appointed according to priorities set out in state law (typically a surviving spouse or children). In general the personal representative of an estate is the individual responsible for gathering up the assets of the decedent; paying off debts and expens-
es of the estate; and distributing assets either to the individuals named in the Will, or in the event the decedent did not leave a Will, according to state law. How the distribution of an estate is accomplished depends on the specific nature of the estate and assets, and whether or not there was a Will. However, there are a few key tasks and duties that are essential to every probate process. To actually carry out the role of personal representative, the individual appointed must file an application for appointment with the probate court. Often this is accomplished with the assistance of a probate attorney that will draft the application and appropriate documents to file with the court. What does a Personal Representative Do? First and foremost the personal representative should attempt to locate the Last Will & Testament, and all other financial information of the decedent. Ideally, the decedent would have provided the location of this information to the personal representative. If not, his or her attorney may have this information. It is important to locate the original Will and not a copy, as the personal representative must file the original Will with the probate court. Upon obtaining the Will the personal representative must file it, along with the application, with the probate court. Upon approval of appointment by the probate judge, the court clerk will issue Letters of Administration, certifying the appointment of the personal representative. The Letters verify that the personal representative is authorized to deal on behalf of estate for actions such as opening a bank account, selling property, and collecting and paying debts. Once the personal representative has been appointed by the probate court, it is important that the personal representative take immediate action to further the probate process. One of the first ac-
tions after appointment as personal representative is to notify the interested parties and potential creditors of the estate. The notices advise beneficiaries of their interest in the estate, and puts creditors on notice that they have four months within which to file claims against the estate for payment of their accounts. Depending on the nature of assets and type of probate proceeding, an inventory of the estate assets may be required. An inventory must be filed within nine months of appointment of the personal representative. The inventory accounts for the estate assets, which consists of all property owned, individually, by the decedent. Upon the expiration of the four month creditor claim period, the personal representative can pay the creditors. In the instance of a formal probate the personal representative must file a final accounting with the court which accounts for all receipts and disbursements during the probate process. Once the probate judge approves the accounting, the personal representative pays the creditors and taxes of the estate. Then, the remaining assets of the estate can be distributed to the heirs and devisees and the probate estate can be closed. Duties of a Personal Representative Aside from the basic required tasks, the personal representative also has a duty to act in the best interests of the estate. The personal representative also has a duty of loyalty to the estate, as well as to the heirs and devisees. These duties are of the utmost importance as failure to act in a manner that is within the best interests of the estate may result in removal of the personal representative, or
separate legal action against the personal representative. This means that the personal representative must: avoid conflicts of interest; use reasonable care, ordinary skill and prudence in carrying out the duties of the personal representative; direct any benefit derived from the appointment to the decedent's estate to the beneficiaries; and not use any of the assets of the estate for his or her own, personal benefit. Perhaps one of the best ways for a personal representative to avoid breaching his or her duties is to maintain detailed records of the estate assets and accounts. The assistance of a probate attorney can be beneficial in maintaining records of the estate, and keeping up with the probate timelines and requirements. Seek Professional Advice The legal definition of probate and the tasks and duties of a personal representative is important to understand, however in reality these are real lives and real families trying to cope with tragedy. When a family experiences a death it can be a troubling and overwhelming time. That is why it is important to have an attorney that can look after your interests during the probate process to reduce any unnecessary complications, prevent undue delays and, perhaps most importantly, ensure that your loved one’s last wishes are properly acknowledged. Seek professional advice as a probate attorney, to help make the process quick, affordable, and understandable.
If you have questions about the role of a personal representative, or the probate process in general, contact Kelly O’Brien, Measure, Sampsel, Sullivan and O’Brien, P.C. at (406) 752-6373/ www.measurelaw.com 23
Going to the Sun Gallery presenting
Gallery Nights June 5th, 2014.
The Art of Brent Flory. Brent Flory is a seasoned regional artist who paints the West as it was in a " not so long ago time." He has painted for the Charlie Russel show in great falls, being featured on their advertising bill boards across the state. And has shows and works at the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas. He paints the land, the Natives and the horses. On horses, Brent says: " I think we owe them something, the horse has served mankind for a very long time."
July 3rd, 2014. Two visiting Featured Artists! Presenting Renowned Landscape artist, Randy VanBeek. Randy is featured in Western Art Magazine, U.S. Art, Home DĂŠcor, Art Trends, to name a few and art collections throughout the world. He was last year invited to the elite artist group, the scull club at the Charlie Russel Musemn. He is a master in the harmonious union of line, form and color to which a viewer is attracted. His paintings tell a story of beauty and sensation.
Featureing Acrylic artist Kevin Bowers. A local Missoula artist and art teacher, Kevin was born in "Big Sandy" and raised in Havre, Montana, having his heritage in the "Blood Cree and Blood Snake" tribes. Kevins's bright colored works are collected around the world and can be found in some of the finest collections of the world, including Gene Hackman and Anthony Hopkins. Kevin's love of the Western genre is reflected in his fine works of art.
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Jeanette Rehahn
Getting to know Jeanette Rehahn An Artist for Life
I You’ve been an artist your entire life. When did you first know that this was what you wanted to do? JR - At about the age of four my mother put a pencil in my hand and I’ve been drawing ever since. It was not a choice but a path; I was attracted to the arts from the beginning. It was drawing and painting, ballet, theater and music. My family did none of those things but for me, it was my nature. A professor at the Art Institute of Chicago once tried to discourage you from your ambitions.... why? JR - He said that “women couldn’t be artists.... that women married artists and supported them.” At first it devastated me but over time I persevered because art was a part of me. Your professional background has included some unconventional pursuits! Please describe a few. JR - Since I felt separated from fine art I investigated the sciences. I was living in a university environment and that gave me the opportunity to do so. I used 406
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my creative abilities to mold molecules for science lectures, create manuals for science education, and illustrate a variety of scientific interactions. Describe your medium and why you’ve chosen it? JR - I work with pastels or chalks. Actually they chose me. I was looking for a new medium that could help me express my love of Montana’s beautiful landscapes. I happened to be in Santa Fe with a fellow artist who had brought a new book with her. She left for a workshop and I had a quiet moment and decided to check it out. Fifteen pages into it I was struck with creative lightening. All of my body lit up, hair standing on end when I realized this was it! The name of the book was “The Poetic Landscape” by Elizabeth Mowry. What is your creative process? JR - First is my forays into nature. One of my favorite ways of accessing my subjects is via boating. It enables me to get farther into the wilds where there are fewer “human tracks.” If there are tracks, I remove them since nature is my interest. And
sometimes I paint views that are right in the middle of human activity. I take many photos, which I adjust for composition and framing. Then I do a value study drawing and, if satisfied, I move to a sanded paper, which is mounted on board. Then I do a quick charcoal sketch for placement. Once I am satisfied I begin with NuPastels as a value underpainting, taking care to balance the lights and darks. Once the paper is covered I begin using soft pastels, going over the surface again with my final colors, creating the textures and patterns I enjoy. The landscapes you paint are typically Montana scenes... how do you choose them? JR - With the love in my heart. The beauty that surrounds us constantly overwhelms me. I am creatively carried away by the wonder of our beautiful Earth and here she is at her wild and abundant best. “I am made to love the pond and the meadow, as the wind is made to ripple the water.” Henry David Thoreau
Congratulations - Your work has been acknowledged recently in national art publications. Which ones? JR - I won honorable mention in the Pastel 100, Pastel Journal Magazine in 2013 and honorable mention in Artist’s Magazine, online addition in 2013. Where can we see more of your work? JR - My work may be seen at Frame of Reference Gallery in Bigfork, Montana and at ShowThyme Restaurant in Bigfork. Also my website, www. jeanetterehahn.com I will also be having a show at the Hockaday Museum of Art, titled “Wild Grasses, Flowing Waters,” opening on September 24, 2014 with another pastel painter, Janet Sullivan. Bigfork has been your home for 10 years now. What do you most admire about your community? JR - Bigfork is a wonderful small arts village. Fewer people, more trees! The area is beautiful, so beautiful.
Nature abounds and is always accessible. She (nature) is pretty much in charge of all of us who live here. I feel completely embedded in it. I’m kind of a “nature first” person and I feel many of the people who live here are the same. Where do you see yourself and your artwork in the near future? JR - Painting more. There is so much to see, so much to investigate, so many artistic opportunities. I want to share what I see with others and to offer what I have captured in my
vision. I am thrilled to be able to bring a bit of nature’s beauty inside of people’s homes. Thanks Jeanette! We look forward to seeing more of your inspiring and beautiful artistic creations in the future! Jeanette Rehahn www.jeanetterehahn.com Frame of Reference 565 Electric Ave, Bigfork, Mt 59911 (406) 837-7329 27
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Erica von Kleist
Erica von Kleist Groovetrail and Northwest Artist Syndicate By Julie Laing Photo by Molly Claridge
From the first phrase curling out of her horn, Erica von Kleist reveals undeniable talent. She might be swinging out a standard on clarinet with her latest jazz ensemble. She could be trilling a high note on piccolo over the resonating bass line laid down by her partner in music and life, Don Caverly. Every time, you immediately know you’re about to hear something good—very good. Less apparent is the reason she’s standing on a small stage in a small town in northwest Montana. Why is this Julliard-trained, Grammy-nominated artist putting down roots in a 406 community? And why, after just 19 months in Whitefish, has she stretched beyond a full teaching and performing schedule to start not one but two organizations? “This area is an entrepreneurial biodome. Talk about a self-sustaining community,” von Kleist said. “I want to...dig into the music scene here and mine the talent. It’s so underutilized here.... This is about changing the amount people value arts and music and culture in their lives.” Although impressed by the area’s arts focus and the musicians brought in by various groups, von Kleist argues for a paradigm shift. Such a dramatic change requires big ideas, so in February she announced dual projects: the nonprofit Groovetrail and the for-profit Northwest Artist Syndicate. “The existing arts community here is wonderful,” von Kleist said. “In no way do these organizations intend to muscle in and create a new status quo. But I see such an opportunity for artistic development, for music development, here that will benefit everybody.” 406
Groovetrail’s first task is to expand the audience for local music, whether preschool kids hearing
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outreach until the community starts to clamor for more music and music education.”
Von Kleist has seen firsthand how music can change a community during her years in New York, where she worked with Feel the Music, a program that helps 9/11 families. Through Jazz their first live jazz band or elderly veterans taking at Lincoln Center, she taught talented kids who their first piano lesson. Groovetrail has scheduled couldn’t afford prestigious prep school programs free outreach concerts by local musicians this yet went on to earn performance scholarships at summer (see sidebar). The organization, which arts colleges. is awaiting approval of its 501(c) status, is also setting up collaborations and pilot programs with But Groovetrail’s roots go even deeper—to a 9-year-old girl in West Hartford, Connecticut. At other local arts groups. that young age, von Kleist quickly picked up first Even in launching Groovetrail, von Kleist made flute and then alto saxophone. Her artistic and the organization’s approach clear. A benefit per- “colorful” family encouraged her but struggled to formance by von Kleist and pianist Gerald Clayton, pay for lessons and even to stay together; her para four-time Grammy nominee, featured Whitefish ents split when she was 12. High School’s top jazz combo. On stage, the stu- Music “was my coping mechanism when I was a dents received master class-level instruction from kid,” said von Kleist, now 32. “I poured myself into both Clayton and von Kleist. In 10 minutes, both music.” the students and the audience saw how talented musicians inspire young performers to push their West Hartford heavily supports arts in its education system and filled some of the gap. Then the boundaries. Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Trust bought von Kleist a Von Kleist’s private students also supported quality alto saxophone. She still plays it today and Groovetrail by writing and recording original credits the instrument with her drive to become a songs released on a benefit album at their spring professional musician. recital. The project was a hit with both the listeners and the student performers, von Kleist said. “A “My productivity started to shoot through the lot of the kids are coming into lessons saying, ‘Do roof,” she said. “It gave me a lot of confidence to go into music school. It led to a whole new level we get to record today? Can we record?’” of seriousness.” Although she knows such ground-up fundraising and development take time, von Kleist wouldn’t But commitment wasn’t enough. In May of her sehave it any other way. “Groovetrail is a slow burn- nior year, when New York University deferred an er,” she said. “I want to prove by example how offered scholarship, von Kleist considered joining important music is in the community by doing the Army just so she could afford to keep playing
Northwest Artist Syndicate events:
Tupelo Grille, live music Tuesdays thru Saturdays The best jazz & roots music in the valley, June through September.
Groovetrail Events:
June 10th, Brendan House at Kalispell Regional Hospital Live music from 10:30am - 11:30am. June 21st, Heritage Place Healthcare Community in Kalispell Live music from 3:00 - 4:00pm.
August 23rd, afternoon-evening: Live Funk Concert & Fundraiser concert at Stillwater Landing, Whitefish.
Groovetrail Partnerships:
Apprenticeship Program with North Valley Music School, Outreach concert series with the Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival. Check at www.groovetrail.org for performance dates
Erica von Kleist events:
"Alpine Clarity" CD available starting June 19th. Check Itunes, CD Baby and www.ericavonkleist.com for details. 20% of proceeds from album sales benefit Groovetrail. music. Justin DiCioccio, director of the Manhattan School of Music, heard her story and found funding to bring her to his school for a year. A full ride to the Julliard School followed and launched von Kleist’s career. “It was a miracle to be able to go to college, having that opportunity through someone’s generosity,” she said.
Now in Montana, von Kleist wants to pay that generosity forward. Although Groovetrail may seem the obvious answer, von Kleist said the beauty of the new sister organizations is that they feed each other. Groovetrail focuses on the next generation of performers and listeners, and NAS focuses on the local musicians they learn from and hear. NAS operates as a booking agency for local musicians. Its online database showcases some of the Flathead Valley’s top artists and provides a one-stop shop for clients. The 4-month-old organization is already turning a profit. Although NAS will book gigs for any artist, featured groups are marketable because they have a true band identity, honed skills and ideally an album. Von Kleist said that the NAS website only features 30% or 40% of the working musicians in the area. As NAS grows, it aims to increase its pool of top-notch artists—and the jobs for them—by making good musicians better.
“This whole area is teeming with talent,” von Kleist said. “There’s no reason local musicians should not be out there, playing and teaching in the community. If you give them more opportunity for employment, they’re more likely to stay here and more likely to perfect their craft.”
To learn more about Groovetrail and Northwest Artist Syndicate, visit www.groovetrail.org and www.northwestartistsyndicate.com. Julie Laing is a professional writer and editor. She can be reached at misslaing@yahoo.com.
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art}
music
Festival Amadeus August 3-10 offers eight nights of extraordinary classical music By Marti Ebbert Kurth
The Festival Amadeus 2014 guest artist lineup includes the internationally acclaimed, Fry Street Quartet, comprised of Robert Waters, violin, Rebecca McFaul, violin, Bradley Ottesen, viola and Ann Francis Bayless, cello. The quartet returns for its second appearance with the Festival. In Whitefish they will perform a chamber concert on Monday, August 4 and then on Friday, August 8, in a combined orchestra concert with the Festival Amadeus Strings. Additional artists scheduled are Polish born violinist, Kinga Augustyn and pianist Spencer Myer. Both musicians have been featured recently in concerts with the Glacier Symphony. Joining them will be Tanya Gabrielian, a rising young pianist based in New York. These guest artists will also be featured as orchestra soloists throughout the week. Also performing with pianist Gabrielian will be Festival Amadeus orchestra principle musicians Reid Merley, oboe, Dinah Weimer, clarinet, Alicia McLean, bassoon and Paul Rossi, French horn. A new addition to the Festival this year will be three chamber concerts held on August 5, 6, 7 Maestro Zoltek has selected a diverse program of in Bigfork that will feature the Festival Amadeus composers for the four Orchestra Night concerts chamber artists. The concerts will be held at 7:30 beginning on Wednesday, August 6, with a Mozart pm at Blessed Pope Paul II Catholic Church with favorite, Piano Concerto No. 21 “Elvira Madigan” featuring guest pianist Tanya Gabrielian with the a wine and champagne reception starting at 6:30 Festival Amadeus Orchestra. The work’s nickname p.m. on the church patio that offers stunning vis- comes from the 1967 Swedish film of the same name tas of the Swan Mountains. that follows the tragic story of a Danish tightrope dancer. Also on the program will be the “Oxford” “We are delighted to be bringing three of these ex- Symphony by Haydn. traordinary chamber concerts to the community of Bigfork this summer. It’s a chance for the Festival Orchestra Night 2 on Friday, August 8 will feature concerts to be shared with an even wider audience the Fry Street Quartet in concert with the Festival and to provide another cultural opportunity for our Amadeus Orchestra Strings in Mozart’s “Eine Kleresidents as well as the summer visitors," said Alan ine Nachtmusik” loosely translated as “A Little Night Satterlee, GSC Executive Director. Music” and the “Intro and Allegro” by Elgar. The conThe 2014 Festival Amadeus classical music event in Whitefish has been expanded this summer to offer eight nights of extraordinary chamber and orchestra concerts featuring internationally distinguished guest artists and the Festival Amadeus Orchestra. Produced by the Glacier Symphony and Chorale under the direction of founding Music Director, John Zoltek, the Festival opens on Sunday, August 3 with a free concert in Depot Park, and closes the following Sunday, August 10 with a grand finale orchestra concert. During the week there will be three chamber nights featuring the soloists and ensembles, followed by four orchestra concerts pairing the guest artists with the orchestra and conducted by maestro Zoltek. All concerts will be held at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center and begin at 7:30 pm.
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cert will also showcase works by Handel and Sibelius. Orchestra Night 3, on Saturday, August 9, is titled “Turkish Polonaise” and highlights Polish violinist Kinga Augustyn performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major “Turkish” and “Polonaise Brilliant in D Major for violin and orchestra” by Wieniawski. The repertoire is completed with a Beethoven’s energetic “Symphony No. 8 in F Major.” The week culminates in a Festival Grand Finale orchestra concert on Sunday, August 10 featuring pianist Spencer Myer in Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major,” plus Mendelssohn’s “Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Mozart’s wonderful “Linz” Symphony. The Free Open Air concert that opens the Festival follows the tradition of offering a blend and “sampling” of the above classical repertoire. It’s a great opportunity for families to gather for this outdoor evening of wonderful classical music introduced by Maestro John Zoltek. Both a Festival Pass and a Pick 4 Pass are available for the Festival Amadeus concerts and can be purchased by calling 406-407-7000. The Festival Pass is transferable and is priced at $188 for adults, $166 for seniors and $102 for students. A Pick 4 Pass offering a choice of any four concerts is priced at $122 for adults, $107 for seniors and $67 for students. Single tickets are priced in two seating tiers and can be purchased on the website www.gscmusic.org starting on June 1, 2014. Festival Amadeus in Bigfork tickets include the wine tasting for age appropriate adults and are priced at $20 adult; $18 senior; $10 youth. Festival passes are available for $50 adult; $45 senior; $25 youth.
CONCERT SCHEDULE “Open Air Orchestra Concert” Sunday Aug. 3 – Whitefish Depot Park. Gates open at 6 p.m, concert begins 7 p.m. Entry is free and food, beer and wine will be available from vendors. Picnicking is welcome. Bring blankets and lawn chairs and claim your spot on the lawn. The following concerts will all be held at Whitefish Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.
music
Orchestra Night 1: Festival Amadeus in Bigfork “Mozart’s Elvira Madigan”: Wednesday, Chamber Concerts. Aug. 6, Tanya Gabrielian with the Fesival All concerts held at 7:30 p.m at Blessed Amadeus Orchestra, John Zoltek Conductor. Pope Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Coverdell Road, Bigfork. Chamber Night 3: “Violin Piano Synergy”: Thursday, Aug. 7, “Violin Piano Synergy”: Kinga Augustyn and Spencer Myer. Tuesday, Aug. 5, Kinga Augustyn, violin, Spencer Myer, piano Orchestra Night 1: “A Little Night Music”: Friday, Aug. 8, Fry Street Quartet with the Festival Amadeus “Fry Street Quartet in Concert”: Wednesday, Aug. 6, Fry Street Quartet Orchestra Strings, John Zoltek Conductor.
Orchestra Night 3: Chamber Night 1: “Turkish Polonaise”: Saturday, Aug. 9, “Fry Street Quartet in Concert”: Monday, Kinga Augustyn with the Festival Amadeus Aug. 4, Fry Street Quartet Orchestra, John Zoltek, conductor. Chamber Night 2: “Mozart Piano Wind Quintet”: Tuesday, Aug. 5, Tanya Gabrielian, Reid Merley, Dinah Weimer, Alicia McLean, Paul Rossi.
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“Mozart Piano Wind Quintet”: Thursday, Aug. 7, Tanya Gabrielian, Reid Merley, Dinah Weimer, Alicia McLean, Paul Rossi.
Orchestra Night 4: “Festival Grand Finale”: Sunday, Aug. 10, Spencer Myer with the Festival Amadeus Orchestra, John Zoltek, conductor.
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history}
MARTHA KOHL
MARTHA KOHL
MAKING SURE THAT THE VOICES OF MONTANA WOMEN CONTINUE TO BE HEARD By Tom Cook, Montana Historical Society
It is easy to imagine that, if Martha Kohl had lived 100 years ago, she would have marched with the suffragists demanding “votes for women.” This is the centennial year of Montana women winning the vote, and Kohl talks about that achievement with the strength and passion of the women who fought for it so long ago. As historical specialist at the Montana Historical Society, Kohl put together a team of historians and MHS staff to come up with ways to commemorate the suffrage centennial statewide. But as Kohl and her advisory board talked about the anniversary, it became clear to them that they needed to broaden the lens beyond suffrage because the history of Montana’s women has long been overlooked.
“I’ve given talks to many groups of people who study and who care about Montana history,” Kohl said. “I ask them to name five women from Montana history in the 19th century and five Montana women from the 20th century, and most can’t,” she said.
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“The suffrage anniversary provided the perfect occasion to fix this oversight,” Kohl said. To promote an awareness of the role of
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women in Montana history, MHS launched a yearlong “Women’s History Matters” project to celebrate the suffrage victory as well as the overall role women have played in Montana history.
At the heart of the project is a dedicated website, www.montanawomenhistory.org. Over the course of 2014 it is highlighting women homesteaders, politicians, warriors, community activists and much more. Historians Ellen Baumler, Annie Hanshew, and Laura Ferguson have taken the lead in writing for the website, which features two new articles a week. These articles feature trail-blazers like banker Elouise Cobell, lawyer Ella Knowles Haskell, rodeo star Fanny Sperry Steele, and nurse Susie Walking Bear as well as examining historical “hot topics”—from health care and employment discrimination to opportunities provided by the Homestead Act and the effects of Title IX.
this year,” Kohl said. “We have a whole list of things people can do to celebrate.”
The goal of the project is not to re-write history, but rather to broaden the story, Kohl said. “Women have not been at the center of power, so when we tell history from the perspective of people in power, and we often leave women out,” she said. Montana has come a long ways since women won the right to vote, Kohl said, but the work of letting their voices be heard continues.
The site also provides extensive information encouraging people and organizations all across the state to organize activities and events in their communities to recognize and learn more about the history of women in Montana.
“We are encouraging every community to do something focusing on women’s history
Above Photo of Martha Kohl, Historical Specialist at MHS
history}
women’s suffrage
100 th anniversary of women’s suffrage By Martha Kohl and Tom Cook
The right of women to vote is taken for granted today, but the thousands of people who fought for that right should never be forgotten.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage being approved by Montana voters.
cent in favor of women’s suffrage. It would be another six years before women got the vote nationally. Montana suffrage supporters rejoiced, and in 1916 followed up their victory by electing Maggie Smith Hathaway (D) and Emma Ingalls (R) to the state legislature and Jeannette Rankin (R) to the U.S. Congress.
An air of inevitability surrounded the victory but it had not come easily. Montana women’s rights advocates first proposed equal suf“The Suffrage Daily News” that began publifrage twenty-five years earlier at the 1889 cation in 1914 in Helena provides insight into state constitutional convention. how that battle was won. In a September 1914 issue, for example, the front page headline speaks glowingly of a parade held at the Montana State Fair by suffrage supporters, touting it as the “most significant ever seen in the Northwest.” The front page also carries a political cartoon of a meeting in a cigar filled backroom. Attending this anti-suffrage meeting are caricatures labeled “Food Doper, Anti-suffragist, White Slave Dealer, Saloon Keeper, Special Privilege, and Gang Politician.” Montana suffragists used images like this in their campaign. On November 3, 1914, Montana men went to the polls, where they voted 53 to 47 per-
Although the constitutional convention did not grant them equal suffrage, it was an important step.
platforms. Then, in January 1913, the legislature passed a women’s suffrage bill by large majorities (26 to 2 in the Senate and 74 to 2 in the House). This left the 1914 popular vote of the people as the last hurdle to amending the state constitution. The movement’s final triumph involved hundreds of women across the state. The campaign found arguments for every interest group, bringing in outside talent from the national suffrage movement as necessary
The campaign emerged victorious. In general, farming counties supported suffrage, while mining counties opposed it—possibly out of fear that women would vote in Prohibition.
For Montana feminists, voting rights proved a difficult target. Suffrage clubs formed and disbanded as the movement lurched between periods of concentrated effort and years of “discouragement and apathy.” The state legis- With the passage of equal suffrage, women lature voted on equal suffrage during almost had won the battle for justice. The hope ofevery session between 1895 and 1911. ten expressed that they would make politics more moral remained an open question. As After the 1911 session, however, a sophisti- the Harlem Enterprise editorialized after the cated and multifaceted organizing campaign votes were counted: “Evidently Montana has changed the momentum. The first step to- a better educated body of men who recognize ward victory came when suffrage advocates the intelligence of their women. . . . Now we convinced both the Democratic and Republi- will see whether politics in the state will be can parties to write equal suffrage into their more ‘rotten’ than under the control of men.”
Photo top of page 20: Red Lodge’s Alice Greenough was one of Montana’s most celebrated rodeo stars . Photo on page 21 left: First Convention of the Montana Federation of Negro Women's Clubs, Butte, Montana, August 3, 1921.
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music
“Off Key Notes”
Thursday!Fest at the Museum at
Central School between 1st and 2nd Streets East in Kalispell. Starting at 5:00pm weekly from 6/26 through 8/28. Here is a line up of the incredible bands booked:
By Bob Hamilton
The ability of music to bring people together is amazing. Very often, music bonds us as one if even for a few moments, and generally, brings a sense of community to a group of people who might otherwise regard each other as total strangers. Indeed, most of us have experienced those wonderful musical moments of enlightenment and sheer joy while listening and /or dancing to live or recorded music with either a small group of friends, or by swaying with tens of thousands of other concert goers in a huge venue. I have been very fortunate personally to have been a part of many such moments in my lifetime, being raised by parents who loved music in their home, and being old enough to and having had the privilege of attending concerts by some of the great musical giants of our time as a teen and into adulthood. To paraphrase a quote that I saw recently on Facebook “I may be old, but I got to see all the cool bands”. But I digress. A “music moment” can occur anywhere and at anytime. One such joyful musical moment occurred for me on my recent trip to Maui with my wife, Kristen….our first real vacation together in, I kid you not, over a decade. Our condo complex on the ocean was filled, of course, with other tourists from the US mainland like ourselves, Canadians, many retirees who lived there permanently as well as a contingent of Japanese vacationers whom we did our best to communicate with when we ran into them on the beach. One evening, after watching yet another stunning sunset over the Pacific, we were playing some music out on our 2nd floor deck, relaxing and enjoying the views and the evening, only moving occasionally back and forth between the deck and the condo’s kitchen to get drinks, food, etc. At one point from my sound device, the first distinctive chords of “Happy”, a current international smash hit about “getting happy” by the artist known as Pharell as I found out later, popped loudly over the grassy courtyard below. Within seconds, I looked over the deck’s railing
Picnic in the Park Summer Concert Series at Depot Park in Kalispell.
June 24 through August 26. Tuesdays, 7:00pm–9:00pm and Wednesdays, 11:30am–1:30 pm
6/24/14 - Kenny James Miller Rock/Blues
6/25/14 – God Fearing Women – Rock/Reggae and Funk
7/1/14 – Luke Dowler and the Savage Gentleman – Rock n’ Roll 7/2/14 – One Less Karen – Acoustic Duo with a Sense of Humor 406
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to find dozens of people from all walks of life, all generations from ages 8 to 80, and yes, even the Japanese folks who spoke almost no English, spontaneously gyrating with joy to the infectious beat and positive lyrics of “Happy”. There was, for a moment, an inexplicable unity brought about by music between people who probably had more things dividing them than uniting them----things such as age, race, widely varying backgrounds. Music bridged all of that in a moment. And oh yes, I almost forgot. “Happy” is one heck of a song. With summer fast approaching, “the time is right for dancing in the streets” of the Flathead Valley and to capture your own “music moment”. The Picnic in the Park Summer Concert Series, presented every Tuesday evening and Wednesday at lunchtime beginning June 24th in Kalispell’s Depot Park (presented by Kalispell Parks & Recreation) continues to enthrall audiences with a great eclectic mix of musical acts. There is something for everyone on the schedule. Musical moments and great food await you in a fun and family- friendly atmosphere. Meanwhile, Thursday!Fests return to downtown Kalispell beginning June 26 at a new location---the lawn of the Museum at Central School. This weekly event features fantastic live music, dancing, a food court, and a beer garden in an open-air street festival atmosphere. Be there, or be square. Both of these weekly events are FREE!
6/26/14 - Andre Floyd and Mood Iquana Hot Funky Blues
7/3/14 - 1985 - New Wave Time Trippers - 1980 New Wave/Alternative Rock 7/10/14 - Billy Angel and Fresh Ink Classic Rock n' Roll 7/17/14 - Can of Arrows Rock/Blues/Groove
7/24/14 - Moonshine Mountain Band Rock, Country & Bluegrass 7/31/14 - Smart Alex Country, classic rock, swing & blues
8/7/14 - Marshall Catch - Indie rock 8/14/14 - 20 Grand - Funk/hiphop
8/21/14 - Big Daddy & The Blue Notes Montana Blues 8/28/14 - Kenny James Miller Rock/Blues
*Schedule subject to change.
See you this summer as you capture and seize your moments! 7/8/14 – Smart Alex – Great Music, Enough Said
7/30/14 – Swiftcurrent – Get your dance shoes on!
7/15/14 – Erik “Fingers” Ray – Montana’s Only One Man Band
8/6/14 – Larry Myer – Original Acoustic Folk & Rock
7/9/14 – Mike Bader Band – Rhythm & Blues 7/16/14 – Bill Rossiter – Old Time Music
7/22/14 – 20 Grand and Aerial Skills – Funk/Rhythm & Blues
7/23/14 – Louie Band and the Texas Playgirl – Country/Swing/Classic Rock 7/29/14 – Red Hot Blue Chips – Cajun/Zydeco/Bludeco
*Schedule subject to change.
8/5/14 – Christian Johnson Project – Classic Country/Rock/Grassroots New Grass 8/12/14 – Andre Floyd – Funky Blues
8/13/14 – Marshal Catch – New Rock & Roll
8/19/14 – Flathead Valley Community Band – Big Band Tunes 8/26/14 – Marley’s Ghost – Eclectic Country & Reggae
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