M c G o u g h & C o ... W h e r e M o n ta na G e t s E n g ag e d www.McGoughandCo.com
131 Central Avenue Whitefish, MT 59937 406-862-9199
w w w. M c G o u g h a n d C o . c o m 1 3 1 C e n t r a l Av e n u e W h i t e f i s h 406-862-9199 800-862-9199
406contents Design 16. Bestow Buffet Tips 20. Lighting Merry & Bright
406
love
...30
30. VanHorn Wedding July 2, 2016
food & flavor 36. How to Sparkle this Holiday Season 40. Pecan Pie
Family
46. Citrus & Celebration 48. Simply Enjoy
History
52. Alice Greenough Rodeo Queen
Music~Arts 42. Gallery Things that make me smile 54. Shot in Montana
...52
Build a life
you don’t need a vacation from. Tanya Gersh, Realtor
Luxury and Vacation home specialist PureWest Christie’s International Real Estate
One of the top producing Real Estate agents in Whitefish for 2016
ta n ya gersh
r e a lto r
cell 406.261.4830 email Tanya@PureWestMT.com
401 Baker Ave, Whitefish, MT 59937 WWW.whitefishlakerealty.COM WWW.purewestrealestate.COM
Cover Girl publisher
Cindy Gerrity
cindy@montanasky.net
business manager Daley McDaniel
daley@montanasky.net
executive editor
Kristen Hamilton
kristen@hamitupstrategies.com
director & design Sara Joy Pinnell
sara@mrsandmrpublishing.com
Leah McCormick
Leah is originally from Massachusetts and currently lives in the Flathead Valley. Love brought Leah to this valley as her fiancé was born and raised in Kalispell! She loves her job at Whitefish Escapes managing and marketing their luxury vacation rental business. When she's not working she enjoys being with her fiancé hiking, snow shoeing, boating and spending time with family and friends. Leah feels blessed that she has the opportunity to live and work in such a beautiful place where everyone is friendly and the outdoor activities are endless! 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 ph o t o g r aph y . c o m )
Business Girl
photographers
Daley McDaniel Photography Alisia Dawn Photography Camp-n-Cottage Scott Wilson Photography Kelly Kirksey Photography
Jerry and Lois Photography Greener Visuals Wedding Photography
Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year 704 C East 13th St. #138 Whitefish, MT 59937 info@406woman.com Copyright©2016 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
Brooke Bezanson
Our reining Miss Montana is not only smart and beautiful but she’s one heck of a golfer too! Brooke’s platform during her year as Miss Montana is to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and shed light on dyslexia. Read her full story in our Business & Health feature. P h o t o B y : J e r r y a n d L o i s P h o t o g r ap h y (www.jerryandlois.com)
Want to know about great events, open houses, and more? Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/406 Woman 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.
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Checking In
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Feeling grateful is an understatement as I write this month’s editors letter from our lanai in Maui watching the sun set over the ocean. The trip had been planned since spring so we had months of planning and anticipation. Prior to leaving, I definitely had to remind myself more often than not to enjoy today and it (the vacation) will come soon enough. Enjoying today sounds so simple but I’m certain I’m not the only one who struggles with it. I’ve started a new routine that helps…quiet meditation for about 5 minutes a day. I know it doesn’t sound like much but for those that know me – 5 minutes is a lot! Also, not just enjoying today but whatever you are doing that moment. For example, we’ve just barely finished raking up leaves and we’re already shoveling snow. I’ve come to enjoy those tasks especially when I don’t think of them as chores. I’m still working on getting my husband to feel the same way! Regardless, the process is very mindless and allows you to clear your mind while methodically clearing a drive. This doesn’t work if you are in a hurry and have to rush. I find getting up 15-30 minutes earlier is really helpful as there is nothing worse than having to rush. This is especially true when we have to deal with sketchy driving conditions. Give yourself the extra time and keep yourself and those around you safe. As we head into 2017, I’m also grateful for our incredible contributors (writers and photographers) and readers that make 406 Woman such a great publication.
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
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What you’ll find in this issue Brooke Bezanson is our reigning Miss Montana and oh what an inspirational young woman. I predict we’ll hear a lot more from Brooke in the future. Please read her full story in our Business & Health section on page 8. Check out our story on Alice Greenough by Brian D’Ambrosio on page 52. She led an amazing life working the rodeo circuit and was the first woman inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1983. Wow – Brenda Wilkins is an indestructible woman! Read her story by Nancy Dewar on page 20. She’s a lady that we can learn from for sure. Check out Kasey Patton’s story on Holiday Blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder on page 40 in our Business & Health section. She offers some great advice for coping during this business holiday season.
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Meet
CrisMarie Campbell…
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
Cris Marie Campbell
Master certified Martha Beck coach and consultant, co-owner of Thrive! Inc.
Kristan Clark
Co-owner of Bestow Heart and Home, designer and writer.
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
Public relations and marketing expert for organizations in the arts and music
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.
Profession:
Relationship Coach and Business Consultant — I help individuals create the connection they crave in their relationships, and I help teams develop trust, have tough conversations and get clear on their strategic direction.
Resides:
Whitefish, MT
Notable Accomplishments: Olympic Rower, Flight Test Engineer for Boeing’s 777, Actor at Whitefish Community Theater (my favorite was one of the leads, Nina in Looking) and starting and maintaining my own business for the last 14 years. My workweek always includes:
Having real conversations with my partner Susan about our business, our relationship and our life.
My favorite outdoor activity is: Taking a walk in the woods with my partner Susan and our dog Rosie. Every weekend you’ll find me trying to:
Brianne B. Perleberg
Find a great movie to watch.
Kristen Pulsifer
A great Pinot Grigio and a good salad.
Founder of I Want Her Job and Senior Consumer Marketing Manager at NASCAR track Phoenix International Raceway 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..
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For full bios for our contributors, please visit www.406woman.com.
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When out for a meal, I always look for this on the menu: When it comes to food, I can’t live without:
Chocolate: Dark Chocolate with Almonds!!
When it comes to electronics, I can’t live without:
iPad — I love making daily quotes and doing Facebook Live videos!
My bucket list includes doing this in the next year:
Successful launching our first book, The Beauty of Conflict, Harnessing Your Team’s Competitive Advantage
design}
Bestow
Buffet Tips
This time of year is filled with celebrations, from intimate dinners to large parties, formal to casual, dinner to dessert. Serving buffet style is appropriate for any of these gatherings and can make life so much easier for the hostess. Here’s some great tips for building a stunning or fun buffet.
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First, think of how your guests will flow through the space. If you are serving a large crowd, consider having the guests flow on both sides of the table. If it’s a small intimate event, a sideboard at the edge of the dining space can do the trick. A large kitchen island may be perfect for a casual get-together. Written by Kristan Clark of Bestow Heart and Home
Photographed by Camp-n-Cottage
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The Foundation:
Once you’ve got your platform, it’s time to build the foundation. You’ll show off your wonderful menu by displaying it at different heights. Our first choice is to use cake plates to accomplish this, but stacked magazines or books tucked under your tablecloths will do the trick.
The Centerpiece:
Keep it simple, since the star of the buffet is always the food. Ours features two candlesticks and a simple floral arrangement that won’t get in the way of guests reaching to dish up their plates.
Serving Dishes:
Be creative when choosing serving dishes, but make sure they complement the theme of your party, your place settings and one another. We’re using classic white china with a silver band, so we chose crystal, silver and even lacey galvanized tin encircling one of our cake plates. The textures and colors keep it interesting without competing with one-another.
Go with the Flow:
One of the most important buffet tips is to set your plates at the front of the buffet line and silverware at the end. Your guests can dish up without juggling silverware and no worries about guests circling back for silverware, interrupting the line. If you’re serving a large crowd, create multiple stacks of napkins, dishes, cups, etc. especially on a double-sided buffet.
Double Vision:
Partner your main buffet with a beverage, hors d’oeuvres, or dessert buffet, which will certainly prevent congestion and encourage guests to mingle.
A Touch of Whimsy:
The finishing touch is an unexpected sprinkling of sparkly antiqued mercury glass ornaments. Get creative and sprinkle some whimsy along your buffet for a fun and festive final touch.
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Be Inspired
Mercury glassware does not actually contain mercury or silver. Rather, mercury glass is double-walled glassware with a coating on the inner wall. At Bestow you’ll find mercury glass in classic silver with gold accents, but also in warm tones and our signature teal. Featured in beautiful accent pieces, vases, votives and ornaments, mercury glass can add sparkle to any setting. But what is Mercury Glass? Mercury glass was first discovered in Germany and became popular in Europe as a substitute for expensive silver. Also known as silvered glass it was in high demand because of its affordability. Thus, it was often referred to as poor mans’ or farmers’ silver. The glassware does not actually contain mercury or silver. Rather, mercury glass is double-walled glassware with a coating on the inner wall. When first patented, in the mid-1800’s, glass companies kept their mercury glass recipes top secret, but most solutions were made from silver nitrate mixed with glucose. Some glass companies even mixed fruit juice in their solutions!
Bestow Heart and Home 217 Main Street Kalispell, MT 406-890-2000 www.bestowheartandhome.com
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Mercury glass fell out of popularity for a time, but was renewed when it began to appear in Christmas ornaments. Today it is very popular and can be found in many shapes and colors. Sprinkle it around your home, not just on the Christmas tree, and enjoy the iridescent finish all year round.
Photographed in The Venue at Bestow with items from Bestow Heart and Home. Come visit us in Historic Downtown Kalispell
Vintage – Home Décor – Gifts – Jewelry – Inspiration - Venue
Call 406-890-2000 or visit www.bestowheartandhome.com for more information.
MERRY & BRIGHT By Wright’s Furniture
The lighting of a space changes the mood of a room as well
as the perceived size of a room. Lighting style and placement are important aspects of interior design and work in conjunction with color selections, room size, furniture and availability of natural light. The elements that come together when the right lighting is achieved transform a room into a unified arrangement of functionality and style.
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Contemporary Lamp
with lightly stained wood base accented with polished chrome plated details. The round hardback shade is an oatmeal linen fabric with polished chrome plated trim. 21"Ht.
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Ceramic Table Lamp
with metal accents with mocha shade, 32.5"Ht.
Rustic Forest Table Lamp in antique copper metal finish, 30"Ht. 18"W
Transitional Lamp
in aged Atlantic grey finish, 3 way, 28"Ht.
styles that match you
Bison Table Lamp
in Natural Bronze Finish with Charcoal Grey Linen Shade, 31.5" Ht.
Industrial Table Lamp in Metal Rusted Finish with Metal Shade, 29.5"Ht.
Lodge Table Lamp
with tree climbing bears, 3 way with night light in bee hive, 32"Ht.
-Product featured is available at Wright’s FurnitureWright’s Furniture in Whitefish has many table lamps and other lighting styles available in stock and for special order. Please visit our 60,000 sq. ft. showroom or view or website at www.wrightsfurniture.com.
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love} stories
Dr Jill Ridley-VanHorn and Tim VanHorn July 2nd 2016
Photographed by Mike Greener with Greener Visuals Wedding Photography
Who are you? Tim is originally from Wisconsin and is the oldest of three siblings. He has a degree in Information Technology and has worked his way up to be an Infrastructure/Help Desk Manager at Murdoch's Ranch and Supply Store.
He is very hard working and ambitious. He is tall, handsome, and very shy. He has a smile that can melt a New Jersey Turn Pike operator. He has been involved in doing Cross Fit for years and can adeptly do 20 pull-ups, 50 box jumps, and run a five minute mile; all before lifting a huge amount of weight on a barbell. He is an avid hunter and uses his bow and arrow as well as his rifle to hunt deer/elk/pheasants. Tim loves dogs and recently lost his longterm buddy and hunting partner (chocolate lab). He has a strange appeal to cats. All sorts of cats seem to really like him. Tim worked on ski patrol when he lived in the Midwest and continues to enjoy skiing in Montana.
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Jill is originally from Tucson, Arizona and is an only child. She grew up playing tennis competitively and went on to briefly play in college. She has bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Spanish Literature from the University of Colorado, Boulder, a master's degree in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Wyoming and a doctoral degree from the University of Colorado. She is into school. :) Jill graduated from her undergraduate program and, not certain what to do for a career, bought a one way ticket to Greece with a friend and traveled and worked in Europe for close to a year. She loves to travel and experience new cultures/food/ways.
Jill currently works as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in Bozeman. She loves animals and would have a hobby farm if she could find a place to do this. She and Tim have three dogs and three cats. She would love to have chickens and alpaca but Tim isn't so sure about this. Jill loves yoga and hiking.
How did you meet? We met on match.com. We weren't "matched" but Tim is a great "shopper." He found my profile and had recently won tickets to see Rodney Atkins. He asked if I wanted to go the following day and I said yes. I was about ready to throw in the towel on online dating (because it is so truly awful) but my mom insisted that I go on at least ten dates with ten different people before giving up. I decided to hammer it out and Tim was date #7. Needless to say, dates 8-10 never happened. He forgot his wallet on the first date. We talked and talked and divulged our deepest secrets. It was an immediate trust and connection. On the second and third dates we couldn't stop laughing (belly laughing). We had gone on at least six dates before he kissed me and I was getting very impatient. My friends told me to chill out because the six dates all happened in about a week and a half and a week and a half is not enough time to freak out because he hadn't kissed me. He finally did.
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Jill had always thought the notion of "just knowing you've met the "one" was cheesy and she hated to admit it when she experienced this feeling with Tim
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The Proposal?
Tim proposed to Jill at the top of the Drinking Horse hiking trail. He was going to do it a few days prior but there was a guy paragliding who was very distracting. Jill thought it was funny that Tim kept stalling at the top of the trail. He usually gets to the top and heads down right away. She understood why after the proposal.
What is love? Jill- Love is that flittery heart feeling, looking into another's eyes and getting lost, trust, kindness, feeling safe, true joy at another's joy and pain with their pain. Jill had always thought the notion of "just knowing you've met the "one" was cheesy and she hated to admit it when she experienced this feeling with Tim. Tim- I guess trust. Someone I can’t wait to get home and see. Someone I can laugh and be goofy with.
What do you love most about each other? Jill- I love Tim's eyes and his warm smile. I love the way he wears matching sweatpants and sweatshirts when he is relaxing at home. I love that he is silly and likes to scare me around the house. I love his drive and his loyalty. Tim-I love her sense of humor and her adventurous personality and willingness to travel on a moment notice. Her curiosity and how smart she is. When did you know you were in love? Jill- I knew very quickly. I had a weird thought…I had never understood how someone could forgive another for infidelity and
although of course I hope this never happens; I understood how it could be possible. I knew after our hiking trip too. We were comfortable together and had so much fun. Tim- I knew after our hike up Bear Trap Canyon around our third date. We didn’t stop laughing the entire hike.
Wedding Details Our wedding was at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Saturday, July 2, 2016. We had a fun welcome party the Friday night before. We had guests from all over the country, the world actually. We had some friends come from Thailand. I thought it would be interesting to watch interactions between my college roommate's dirt bike riding, trailer driving husband and my friend from Thailand's sophisticated "foodie" girlfriend. They got along famously.
Our families worked really hard to get everything in order. My dress broke in the back from what my friend called, "over-hugging.” Thank goodness there were straps. When we were cutting the cake, Tim dropped some cake down my dress. It was really funny. One of my bridesmaids was eight plus months pregnant and another had a two month old infant with her. They are rock stars. Everyone rode the chairlift up to the ceremony and it was a little bit cloudy. The sun came out just as we exchanged vows. It was really cool. I was late for the ceremony which is totally par for the course. My step-brother is a marine and did an awesome reading. It was super cool.
Honeymoon plans-We took a trip to Hawaii before the wedding (a pre-honeymoon). Nothing else is planned yet.
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wine
how to
Sparkle this
Holiday Season
Written by Karen Sanderson, Brix Bottleshop
Friend having a baby? Time for champagne! Anniversary? A toast to the happy couple! Birthday? Bring on the Bubbles! Christening the new boat? Pop! Champagne and sparkling wine has traditionally been known as a celebration beverage. This glorious sparkler was chosen for good reason. If the sensation of tiny bubbles tickling your tongue isn’t enough to make you instantly giddy, the euphoric feeling after your first sip certainly will. It’s the perfect icing on the cake of an already happy occasion. But, one has to wonder. Why save the bubbles for celebrations? Why aren’t we drinking this magical elixir of joy on a daily basis? Perhaps one of the reasons is price and prestige. Since champagne starts around $45, it’s no wonder why it has been limited to special occasions. Did you know that high quality sparkling wine from other regions of the world can be found for under $15? That sounds like a reason to celebrate just in itself!
inside the bottle pushes out the lees. More sugar and a bit of wine, called the ‘dosage’ may be added before the bottle is finally sealed and topped with a wire cage. This classic process is called “method champenoise.” Most sparkling wines are made in this classic tradition.
Recommendations: Pierre Peters Brut, $65 - Perrier Jouet Brut, $50 Billecart Brut Rosé, $98
CRÉMANT
Any French sparkling wine made outside the Champagne region is called a Cremant. It is made using the same method as in Champagne, but is usually bottled with a lower carbon dioxide pressure, so there are softer bubbles. The label will tell you which region of France it comes from and the grapes used will vary by region.
What is the difference between Champagne and sparklers from other regions of the world? The answer begins with how and where it is made.
THE MAKING
Sparkling wine begins as a low-alcohol still wine. Next, it undergoes a second fermentation with the help of added yeast and usually a bit of sugar. The wine is bottled and capped. The extra yeast converts the sugar into alcohol, and a natural carbon dioxide emerges as bubbles. The bottles are regularly (and slowly) turned upside down in racks in a process called riddling. When the transformed yeast, or “lees,” has moved into the neck of the bottle, the conversion to bubbles is complete. This process can take anywhere from 18 months to 4 years. Finally, in a process called disgorgement, the cap is popped off and the pressure
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first to record production of a French sparkling wine called, “Blanquette de Limoux” in 1531. The winery was called Abbey de St Hilaire, and this winery still makes Limoux bubbly today. (Ironically, they are not located in the Champagne region.)
REGIONS Champagne
In order for sparkling wine to be called “Champagne,” it must be made with grapes exclusively from the Champagne region of France. Three grape varieties are allowed in its production: chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. The big champagne houses of France can source grapes from up to 80 vineyards to produce their consistent, high demand bottles. “Grower” champagnes are popular by only using grapes from the estate vineyard where the wine is produced. Contrary to popular belief, Dom Perignon did not “invent” champagne, although he did contribute to its production and quality. Benedictine monks were the
Recommendations: St Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux $14 - Lucien Albrecht Cremant Rosé $22 - Charles Fere Blancs des Blancs $10
PROSECCO
Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine made with the Glera grape. It has been known for being a touch sweet, but can also be found in a dry “brut” style. The difference between this and method champenoise style a sparkler is that its second fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. This helps preserve the fruit and floral notes and makes it more cost effective. Recommendations: Adami Prosecco, $18 - Morasutti Prosecco, $10 Mionetto Prosecco, $15
MOSCATO D’ASTI
This Italian sparkling wine is made in the Piemonte region of northwest Italy with Moscato bianco grapes. It is known to be a dessert wine. It is slightly fizzy, softly sweet, and unusually low alcohol. The bubbles are derived from peach, orange blossom, and nectarine and are the classic flavors you’ll find in a moscato. Recommendations: Vietti Moscato, $18 - Centorri Moscato, $12 - Saracco Moscato, $18
CAVA
This Spanish sparkling wine is produced using the traditional method. It is usually made from the macabeu, parellada and xarel-lo grapes. Cava can be a great substitute for Champagne by offering a terrific bubbly for half the price. Recommendations: Maestres 1312 Cava Brut, $18 - Ana Codorneiu Cava Rose, $13 Segura Viudas Riserva, $24
DOMESTIC
California, Oregon, and even Washington turn out some amazing bubbly in the method champenois style. Some producers have elevated to cult status with their consistent high ratings and praise. Schramburg Blancs des Blancs Brut, CA, $25 - Gruet Brut, NM, $18 Argyle Brut, OR, $25
SERVING
Believe it or not, bubbly does not have to be served in flutes. Regular white wine glasses will easily serve the same purpose. For the ideal experience, however, champagne flutes are recommended. These tall, narrow vessels help retain the carbonation as long as possible, and show off the strings of bubbles as they rise up the glass. This shape also keeps hands away from the bowl to maintain cool temperatures. Sparkling wine should be chilled before using, but never put a bottle in the freezer. Overly cold champagne can change the flavors and can ruin a classic bottle. Also, be careful when opening a bottle of champagne. Make sure to keep your thumb over the cork as you twist it open. Do it over away from people and fragile things. Twist the bottom of the bottle until the cork comes out and keep glasses nearby to catch any spills when opening. Now back to when to drink your bubbly… Every day is special, isn’t it? We have several regular customers who celebrate “Champagne Fridays.” Great idea, right?
Happy New Year! *clink* TERMINOLOGY
When you buy bubbly, the terminology on the bottle can be confusing if you don’t know what they mean. Here’s a breakdown: • Brut Nature or Brut Zero: No added sugar • Extra Brut: Very dry • Brut: Very dry to dry • Extra-Sec or Extra-Dry: Off-dry to medium dry • Sec: Medium dry • Demi-Sec: Sweet • Doux: Very-sweet • NV/Non-vintage: A blend from several different vintages of wine • Vintage: All the wine is from the vintage listed on the bottle • Blancs des Blancs: made with chardonnay • Blancs des Noirs: made with pinot noir and/or pinot meunier • Rosé: Some of the most prestigious bubbles are rosés using pinot noir
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Pecan Pie By Carole Morris
Now that our days are cooler, the scent of a pie baking evokes blissful memories. I’m not talking about any pie, although all pie varieties are delicious. I am describing the scent of a pecan pie. Warm and rich, this pie will be a favorite in your household.
If you have a young person in your home during the holidays, let them help make this mouthwatering delight. They will love helping roll out the dough, in addition to mixing the ingredients for the filling. A child’s memories of baking with you will be stored, and intertwine with their good memories of the holiday season.
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Pastry for a single crust pie: INGREDIENTS 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt 1/3 cup shortening 3 to 4 tablespoons cold water
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 F In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour and salt. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until the pieces resemble peas. Sprinkle water over the mixture and mix with a fork. Form dough into a ball and roll out on a lightly flowered surface. Place pastry into a pie plate and trim edges to ½ inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold pastry edge under, and flute with a fork or your fingers. Set aside.
Pecan filling: INGREDIENTS
In a large bowl mix together the following ingredients: 3 eggs
1 cup of white sugar
1 cup of dark corn syrup 2 tablespoons butter (melted) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Then stir in:
2 cups pecans Pour mixture into pie crust and bake in the center of the oven for 60 minutes (when tapping on the center surface of the pie lightly, it should spring back when done).
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“Pie is the food of the heroic. No pie eating nation can
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things that make me smile By Kristen Hamilton
Periwinkle
I even love saying it! For me the color reminds me of pretty flowers and happy days. I love it when I see a periwinkle streak in someone’s hair. These Fly Fishing Snoods have some great periwinkle accents. What a fun gift for a fishing gal in your family. Check out www.damselflyfishing.com to order. Made with love in Bozeman.
ir ght now Jansz Tasmania Premium Cuvee
Honeysuckle and citrus scents are immediately apparent with slight aromas of nougat, roasted nuts and a sniff of strawberry from the Pinot Noir. Delicate fruits and creaminess wash through the mouth leaving a lingering finish of citrus and nougat. About $25 per bottle at fine wine shops in the valley.
Wedding Expos!
If you or family member have an upcoming wedding, the area wedding expos are a great way to check out what’s available in Northwestern Montana and what’s new this year. You'll have a great time meeting some of the premier vendors in our region and get started on your party planning.
Kalispell: The Wedding & Event Expo will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center Building, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. $5.00 Admission at the door.
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Missoula: The 30th Annual Mis-
soula Wedding Fair will be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown, in Missoula on January 8th, 2017. Doors open at 11:00am and admission is FREE.
Colorful Antique Rugs by Mehmet
Beautiful and full of history! OMG you will love Mehmet – I can assure you that selling you a rug is not the priority at his store. He is passionate about rugs and has an amazing selection so plan to spend some time exploring and learning about these woven creations. If you are looking for a unique antique rug, please be sure to stop by! You can’t miss Antique Rug Imports on Idaho St at First Ave East (across from Flathead Industries) – look for the rugs on display.
Gandy Dancer Gourmet Pepper
I was in Tucson recently for a weekend with my three sisters and aunt to celebrate my mom’s birthday. When us girls get together, it’s all about finding great recipes and cooking some terrific meals. In that spirit, on my way out of town I picked up a jar of Gandy Dancer Gourmet Pepper to bring some Montana flavor to the skillets and table. It was delicious! The pepper is hand-crushed one small batch at a time by owner, Catherine Malarchick, here in the flathead valley. The recipe is a third-generation blend with railroad ties hence the name “Gandy Dancer.” The term is an early 1900’s slang for the hard-working men responsible for the building and repairing of America’s railroad tracks. I think her gift pack would make an awesome hostess gift during the holidays. Check out www.gandydancerpepper.com for more information.
Halladay for the Holidays!
Listening to Halladay Quist makes us smile for sure. This ubertalented musician graced our business cover in April/May 2015. Since then she’s been busy performing and recording and is releasing her new album this month. It goes live on Amazon and iTunes in December with a new music video “Just a Little Love.” You can also see Halladay live throughout the holidays performing at the Yuletide Affair 13 with Alpine Theatre Project, Christmas with the Quists at Izaak Walton Inn, the new Firebrand Hotel in Whitefish, and more. Be sure to check out her website at www. halladayquist.com or like her on Facebook for latest tour dates.
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Citrus & Celebration By Dr Austine Siomos
I have always loved the holiday season. I cannot think of a better place to be for the holidays than beautiful Montana. Winter here is snowy, breathtaking and cozy. The holidays are a wonderful time for family, friends and celebration. They are also the most difficult time of year to stay healthy in our diets and habits. As a pediatrician, I continually remind myself that I am always taking care of not only the child, but the child’s entire family and often extended family as well. Nutrition is a challenging issue. There is a lot of history in food, with traditions and customs that are unique to each family. Food can be an emotional and difficult topic for families. Never is this truer than during the holidays. I often talk with frustrated parents who feel that they buy and prepare healthy foods for their children, but that other family members undermine their efforts with too many sweet and processed treats, such as chips, cookies, cakes and beverages.
A sample conversation with a family member can go like this: I love my child, and I know you do too. I want him/her to grow up strong with good nutrition and good habits, so that he/she can achieve any goals. I want him/her to avoid being on medications for blood pressure, cholesterol and other medical problems. I want him/her to be able to play on the floor with his or her own children and live to spend time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I know that I can’t control everything about his/her future, but I would like to help him/her have the best health habits possible for future happiness and health. Would you be willing to support me in this, by promoting whole and natural foods and avoiding foods and drinks that have added sugars and sweeteners? Children learn best from those who love them.
How do we teach our children about good nutrition without insulting family members, friends and others who are dear to us? This is the most interesting question that I encounter daily in my profession.
Citrus fruits and the holidays
The best way to tackle this question is by making it all about the child. Any family member will agree that a goal for all children is that they grow up strong, healthy and able to achieve their goals, whatever those may be. We want them to be able to feel good as they are growing, and be mentally, psychologically and physically strong. I see healthy habits as central to this goal.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many families did not have the means to buy gifts for Christmas. At the time, it was a luxury
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Even thinking of citrus fruits brings about smiles and happiness for most people. There is a strong history of citrus during the holidays. If you know anyone who was a child during the depression, they may be able to tell you about the history of oranges in stockings.
to eat something as sweet as an orange. This was one of the most common gifts for children at that time. Imagine an orange being the sweetest thing you ate all year! Citrus is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the Rue or Rutaceae family. The most familiar citrus fruits include oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines and clementines. You may have heard of the large citrus fruit, the pomelo. Other less well known members of this genus include the etrog, the Moroccan citron, the Greek citron, and the most interesting looking citrus fruit, Buddha’s hand. In addition to being delicious and refreshing, citrus fruits have countless health benefits, some of which are described here.
Health benefits of citrus fruits
Attaining or maintaining a healthy weight: Lemon or lime juice in water is an excellent way to start the morning, for numerous reasons. These fruits contain pectin fiber, which is great for fighting hunger cravings. The juice is also a natural mild diuretic and helps with bloating. It is also thought to aid in digestion. The best way to drink lemon or lime water is to squeeze half a fresh lemon or a whole fresh lime into a glass of water. The fresh juice is better than bottled. Add ginger or cayenne pepper for
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Mediterranean Mason jar salad
These Mason jar salads are a beautiful way to have lunch on busy work or school days. The layers are attractive, and there are countless combinations. The key is to start with the dressing on the bottom, and then add layers, with the greens near the top so they stay fresh. I use three different citrus fruits in this recipe: lemon juice in the dressing, limes with the beans and oranges as a layer in the salad.
Ingredients:
(for one mason jar meal) · 1 tbsp Olive oil · 1 lemon · ½ tsp oregano
extra flavor and anti-oxidants. Avoid adding sweeteners.
have shown similar results for pancreatic cancer
Improved exercise performance: A study in 2010 studied women who were participating in an aerobic training program. Half of the women were given oranges regularly and half were not. The ones given oranges had lower blood lactate levels, higher anaerobic thresholds, and also had lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and higher HDL (good cholesterol) levels at the end of one month. So there is science behind those orange slices at soccer games!
Lower stroke risk: A compound called hesperetin is found primarily in citrus fruits. Hesperetin has been shown to increase blood flow. Researchers have studied this in people who are known to have cold hands and cold feet. They gave half of the people fresh squeezed orange juice, and half were given Kool-Aid. The people who had orange juice had measurably warmer hands. More importantly, people who eat the most citrus fruits have a lower risk of stroke.
Immune system support through vitamin C: The winter is an important time to have a strong immune system. Vitamin C was discovered in the early 1900s when sailors on long voyages were developing interesting symptoms that were eventually described as scurvy. The term, “Limey,” which was used to refer to British sailors, actually originated from the fact that they took lemons and limes on voyages to avoid scurvy. We know now that vitamin C is important for countless processes in the human body, including immune system activity. The best sources of vitamin C are fresh fruits and vegetables. Lower cancer risk: Several studies have suggested lower risks of specific cancers in those who eat citrus fruits. A 2013 article in the Journal of Breast Cancer showed a decreased incidence of breast cancer in women who ate the most citrus. A study in 2016 showed a lower risk of gastric cancer in citrus eaters and in 2015 the same was shown for esophageal cancer. Other studies
· salt and pepper to taste · ¼ cup beans of any type · ¼ cup cucumbers, diced · ¼ cup tomatoes, diced · ¼ cup cheese – dairy (feta goes well with this salad) or nondairy cheese, depending on preference · ½ cup dark leafy greens · ¼ cup fresh orange, diced
Instructions
1. If using dried beans, soak and cook as usual. Add the zest and juice of one lime to a cup of beans. This aids in digestion.
2. Squeeze the juice of one lemon directly into the Mason jar. 3. Add the olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper to the jar. 4. Layer the ingredients in the order listed Dr Austine Siomos I am a pediatric cardiologist. I trained f irst 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.
5. Cover the jar, refrigerate, and get ready for compliments at work or school!
6. Most people like to dump the jar out
on a plate in order to eat the salad. In a pinch, just give it a good shake and eat directly from the Mason jar with a long fork or chopsticks.
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“Simply Enjoy” family}
By Kristen Pulsifer
I stretch
out on my bed, computer in
my lap. I begin typing, and the next thing I know, my daughter is waking me up. I slowly pick up my lulled back head and wipe the drool from my chin (and from my key board) and look towards my child. Her hair is tussled and crusted to her own slab of drool that formed on her own chin. I slide my computer aside and hoist her growing body into bed next to me. I ask her what is wrong, and out of a half awake, dreamy state she says, “The whales were swimming by my bed, and I could not get out of bed and across the floor to get to you, and …” she is asleep on my chest. I smile and hold her. My mind of course flashes to all those nights when she was a baby, and she would sleep on me for hours. At that time, it was a bit easier, as she fit on my chest. Now her legs stretch past my knees, and her head is curled up under my chin, forcing my head into a horrifically awkward position. She just doesn’t fit the way she used to! As she sleeps next to me, another memory comes to mind, of a plane ride I took with my other daughter, when she was only 8 months old. I was flying with her, by myself, and she was working on her second day of the Rotavirus. At that time I had no idea what she was sick with, but I knew I was over changing the
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most fowl diapers imaginable. The contents were of a substance I never dreamed could come from such a small body. Anyway, I held her in my arms on the plane until she finally stopped crying and fell asleep. I sighed, and let my head clunk against the window of the plane. The gentleman next to me quietly laughed, and nudged me, like he had known me for years. “This to will pass, and you’ll actually miss it some day, I promise.” I politely smiled and nodded, thinking ‘bull!#*@!’. But he was right. Every time I am either up in the wee hours of the night with sick kids, or so angry I could cry, I remember that man and what he said. And, it does pass, and yes, I do miss it.
in a week.” Possible, but I also know that the brain is not “unengaged” when it’s focusing on quality time with family. Experienced educators also say, “You can turn practically anything into a learning experience to keep your child's brain stimulated. Not only will this help prevent learning loss, but it will give your child a positive outlook on learning and improve their attitude.” What a perfect time to simply talk to each other or just play a game – those things engage the brain.
Why do I tell you this? Because as I think of all the advice of what to do with your children over the holidays, and the things you can do to keep them ‘bright, vibrant and mentally stimulated’, I can’t get past what I felt the other night when my daughter crawled under the covers with me. What it felt like to slide my computer aside, take a deep breath and simply enjoy being with her. Find ways to simply enjoy each other. You know those catalogue pictures, with all of the family members wearing matching pajamas? Well, I’m not saying you have to go that far; but, whether it’s skiing, skating, sledding or just sitting in front of the fire and watching a funny movie, just take pleasure in one another’s company.
from each other’s company without the
Educators say, “academic skills are lost when the brain is unengaged for an extended period of time. And believe it or not, that can begin to happen even
Whatever it is, just keep loved ones close to home, safe and happy. Work on benefiting stress of school and work. TAKE A BREAK and ‘engage your brain’ in appreciating the moment, friends and family. And, remember the words of that kind man on the airplane. I will never forget them, because they have pulled me through a plethora of crazy times. Happy Holidays! Be safe and enjoy. Information cited from: Tiffany Cooper Gueye, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life). “Seven Educational Activities for Your Child Over the Holidays.”
Copperleaf Chocolat company 239 Central Ave. Whitefish Mt. 406-862-9659
Things We Love Locally Made Artisan Chocolates, Mary Frances Beaded Purses, Scarves, & Time Tested Books.
history}
Alice Greenough:
Rodeo Queen of the Old West Written by Brian D’Ambrosio Photos courtesy of Red Lodge Historical Society
“Anytime you go out, take 'Willie' with you."
That was advice Ben Greenough gave his eight children. “Willie” meant willpower, and his daughter, Alice, who traveled the world trick-riding, riding saddle broncs and steers, had plenty.
It wasn’t your size that counted when riding broncs and steers, Ben instructed. One needed coordination and abundant nerve. All the Greenough children grew up on the family ranch —and all knew the cattle business and horses. Five of them — Turk, Bill, Frank, Margie and Alice — went on to the big time rodeo. Between them, they most likely captured every championship rodeo offered.
Alice Greenough was born in 1902 on a ranch near Red Lodge, Montana. Her father, a well-known pioneer, arrived in Montana Territory from Illinois in 1884. He met his bride-to-be on a trip back. (He
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was selling and breaking horses.) They homesteaded at Red Lodge where the family maintained the ranch until the early 1990s. Long before Ben died in the 1950s he saw the family name come to be synonymous with rodeo.
Alice and her brothers and sisters were conditioned to withstand a rugged life. "Dad used to leave us in now camps for a month at a time. If we ran out of food we didn't starve. We killed grouse and ate wild berries. It was the survival of the fittest."
Alice had seven brothers and sisters, five of whom would one day work in rodeos. The family became known as the “Riding Greenoughs.” Alice’s father, Ben, was a mail carrier. Ben was an orphan, who traveled from New York City to Montana at age 16 and found work as a cowboy. Alice worked closely with her father, milking cows, rounding horse, at sometimes, even helping him deliver the mail.
Alice started rodeoing while still in grammar school. "I cut class to ride saddle broncs in the local fair."
The Greenough family kept dozens of horses to ride and Alice fed cattle, roped then, and rounded them up. In her childhood, she developed the riding and roping skills that would later bring her fame.
The open land of the West was Alice’s playground. “I can’t think of a day in those mountains that we didn’t have fun,” Alice once recalled.
When Alice was a teenager, she received her first job, assisting a local rancher who came to the Greenough house looking for help. She and her sister, Marge, also started riding in local rodeos. Alice mostly rode in races, occasionally even bucking broncos. One day Alice and Marge spied an ad for the “Jack King Wild West Show,” which was in need of bronco and trick riders.
history} Alice Greenough The open land of the West was Alice’s playground. “I can’t think of a day in those mountains that we didn’t have fun,” Alice once recalled.
Marge and Alice Greenough on February 3, 1976. Alice won the World's Championship in women’s bronc riding in Boston in 1933, '35 and '36 and again in 1940 in New York City. "The saddle bronc event was closed to women after 1941;' it was said to be “too rough for the girls.” The last time Alice took part in the event, only 5 out of 22 women participants didn’t end up in the hospital. She and Margie were among them. "It was a hard life, but we could take it," she said, in 1969. "Today’s girl would probably fall in a heap." An accident in El Paso in 1930 kept her on crutches until 1932 (she had a badly broken ankle). That year, she went to Mexico City to take part in the Rancho Charros, a Mexican fiesta held in the bullring. "The Mexican people weren't surprised to see a woman bronc rider." She also rode bare back and rode steers. While in Mexico City, she met a Spanish impresario who was contracting bullfighters for a season in Spain. He saw her ride and asked her to go to Spain. She rodeoed in 40 of that country's largest bull rings. But a surprise awaited her. Spain had no steers to ride —only mature, fighting bulls. “Each bull I rode was immediately taken away to be fought and killed.” When she had trouble getting off, a torero caped the bull and gave her a chance to get off.
In her memoirs, Alice recalled that Spanish women seldom went outside alone and one day she went out in her rodeo costume, a teacher instructed a group of schoolgirls to turn away. The teacher didn’t want the children “to see a woman in pants.” Spain at this time was seething with rebellion. "One morning I looked out of my window and saw three men killed in the plaza. The rebels paraded the bodies through the streets.” She was happy to leave.
From Spain, she toured the South of France, and then returned to the U.S. and another season of rodeoing. In a full life of professional rodeoing, Alice traveled throughout the United States, Spain, Mexico, Australia and to Canada mingling with royalty and the famous. She met the Duke of Windsor while he was still Prince of Wales. “He was a friendly, shy young man,” she recalled. Alice met him, and the late King George V and Queen Mary at the royal stables during a trip to England. She said that she and Marge worked in every state except for Maine, Vermont, and New Jersey.
“We had a lot of fans,” said Alice. “Little kids in school would pretend to be us when they’d ride their stick horses…”
In 1934 she again went abroad, this time to England with Tex Austin, a great rodeo producer of that time. Of all the countries she had visited, Australia, she once said, was her favorite. Her first trip was in 1934, when she won the women's bronc-riding event in the Melbourne Centennial show and entered the Sydney Royal Show. In 1939 she returned again, this time to defend her World Championship title in the Sidney Royal Show. She found the Australians a western ranch type people at heart — “rugged and easy to get along with.”
Her mementos from the Land Down Under included a pair of kangaroo leather boots made from the hide of a kangaroo she hunted with a shotgun.
Alice taught the actress Dale Evans, the wife of Roy Rogers, how to ride. She worked in pictures – made two in 1938, but according to her, “You have to sit around too much. There’s too much waiting for shots.” In addition to the Hollywood venture, the rider lassoed herself a bit of fame in journalism by writing magazine articles, one of which entitled, "What a Cowgirl Wants.” In 1942, the year after the saddle bronc event was closed to women, Alice and a Tucsonian, Joe Orr, bought a rodeo of their own. They operated it for 14 years. Alice produced it, ran the office, arranged contracts and rode broncs in every rodeo they presented.
A reporter summed up Greenough’s life and energy in 1945: “Predawn rising, getting breakfast for the family and hired hands, cleaning up the ranch house, lending the boys outside a hand with branding or bronc busting, cooking a noon meal, then designing and making riding clothes, and in season, canning, preserving and salting down foods.”
Before permanently relocating to Tucson in the 1970s, she started the Historical Museum in Red Lodge. She filled it with memorabilia from her own family. Even in retirement, Alice kept nine hours a day at Wall's Livestock Supply and every chance she would get, she’d go down to her brother Frank's ranch at Sahuarita. In 1975, Alice was the first person named to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. In 1983, she was named to the Cowboy Hall of Fame. “The rodeo life was a good life,” she said at the induction ceremony.
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art}
Montana
is the
star
in a new book on all the movies made here Written by Chris Cauble
For nearly a century, movies have been made in Montana. The state played itself in Cattle Queen of Montana, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Winter in the Blood, and of course A River Runs Through It, and it doubled for an Arctic ice pack in Firefox, Nebraska in Nebraska, the authentic Old West in Heaven’s Gate, and even heaven in What Dreams May Come. The Kootenai River swallowed up Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep in The River Wild, a stunt double for Leonardo DiCaprio tumbled down Kootenai Falls in The Revenant, and Forrest Gump’s brother ran through Glacier National Park. Butte played itself in Evel Kneivel, substituted for San Francisco’s Chinatown in Thousand Pieces of Gold, and hosted a zombie apocalypse in Dead 7. Charles Bronson’s Tele-
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fon blew up a school in Great Falls, Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando battled in The Missouri Breaks, and Far and Away’s Oklahoma land rush actually thundered across Montana prairie. And there are many more.
From megahits with the biggest Hollywood stars to acclaimed independent films and forgettable flops, Shot in Montana: A History of Big Sky Cinema covers them all, including the actors, directors, and shooting locations.
This rich history of filmmaking has been thoroughly researched and documented by Montana author Brian D’Ambrosio (Warrior in the Ring), who interviewed numerous actors and filmmakers for intriguing, little-known stories that took place behind the cameras.
The text is accompanied by 120 photos of the movie sets, actors, screen images, and film posters. “Shot in Montana” sells for $23. It can be purchased at http://www.riverbendpublishing.com/shot-in-montana.html.
Going To The Sun Gallery Proudly
presents our featured artist for december 2016
Ron Lesser
Ron Lesser
- Though born in New York, Ron has always been drawn to the West. Lesser is most famous for the posters used by 5 Clint Eastwood western films, including the iconic poster for “High Plains Drifter” and Joe Kidd”. Lesser’s focuses on soft lighting and strong areas of light and shadow patterns with realistic detail, all to tell a story, As a prominent illustrator for 25 years, storytelling comes naturally to him. Ron has an extensive collection of western and Civil War material and artifacts, as well as Native American weapons and clothing.
visit our showroom to see his beautiful work.
406 contents featured 8. Miss Montana USA Brooke Bezanson 12. Local Film Makers McGarvey and Townsend
profile 16. Making Art Work Dan Talago 20. An Indestructible Woman Brenda Wilkins 26. Realtor Tanya Gersh 32. The Mercantile Fabienne Averill 36. Exhale Pilates Delia Buckmaster
...20
business
22. PowerHouse Montana 28. Embracing Your Zone of Genius
health
38. Play Therapy Helps the whole family
Legal
40. Holiday Blues & SAD
non-profit
46. Ask the Skin Coach Eczema
34. Choosing an Entity Type for your Small Business
54. Changed Lives The Muniz Family 56. Philanthropy in the Millennial Age 58. Flathead Valley Nonprofits Need Your Help!
44. Menopause What’s hormones got to do with it?
48. Holiday Food Safety 50. SPD, Autism, ADHD The Ever Rising Tide 52. Dental Health & Entertainment
Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year
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704 C East 13th St. #138 Whitefish, MT 59937 info@406woman.com Copyright©2016 Skirts Publishing
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View current and past issues of 406 Woman at w w w . 4 0 6 W o m a n . c o m
featured}
Hole in One Literally…
Miss Montana USA 2017 Earns Prestigious Title on Her First Try By Maureen Francisco Photos by Jerry & Lois Photography
“People are going to tell you that you are amazing and beautiful your whole life, but if you don't believe it yourself nothing will change. Be proud of who you are and be content with that whether in a group or by yourself.” – Brooke Bezanson
Brooke Bezanson, 19, was raised on a golf course and started golfing at about the same time she learned how to walk. She then golfed on the varsity team throughout high school where she placed second overall at state her senior year and her team placed first. (Her handicap is a 7.) She didn’t get good at golf on her own. She got help from her dad.
406 Magazine: Your dad, Ed, was a professional golfer. Who is better at golf? Brooke: My Dad has been my coach since I was a little girl. We went golfing every chance we could get in the summer. When I was little he was everything I hoped I would be. I love my Dad, which is why I let him think he's better!
406 Magazine: The golf course is so different from being on stage. What made you decide to compete in the Miss Montana USA pageant? Brooke: I wanted to challenge myself to do something out of my comfort zone. I had a cousin that was Miss Montana several years ago and she inspired me to try. Standing in front of an audience and being judged was definitely not something I had ever considered yet I wanted to prove to myself I could do it and this was the perfect opportunity.
406 Magazine: Interestingly enough, this is your first pageant and you got the job on your first attempt. What did you learn about yourself in this journey? Brooke: First, I learned that being optimistic can give you confidence and take you places you previously could not have imagined. I was never one to wear a lot of make-up or dress up very often and I discovered I enjoyed that aspect of the pageant. I learned that dressing with confidence is the first step to being confident and my journey has just begun. Oh yes, I also discovered I like the color red! 406 Magazine: You’re still getting used to the spotlight. Even though you are Miss Montana USA, you do get nervous being in front of people. How do you calm your nerves? Brooke: What works for me is to just start dancing. Before I walked out on the
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stage during the pageant I was dancing around to calm my nerves.
406 Magazine: You’ve been Miss Montana USA for almost four months. You’ve already traveled to a handful of cities and states. What have been some of your favorite appearances? Brooke: I’d have to say one of my favorite appearances so far was returning to my old high school, Loyola Sacred Heart in Missoula. It was great to see my teachers and classmates. Everyone was so nice and supportive and it was the only appearance I wasn’t nervous to attend. Another memorable event was going to Jacksonville, Florida to
attend a USO event called, Operation: That’s My Dress. It is one of the many ways that USO connects to service members and their families by providing new gowns and dresses to female service members and spouses from an international fashion designer, Sherri Hill, free of charge. 406 Magazine: While helping women in the military has brought you so much joy, your platforms are raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and shedding light on dyslexia. How did you choose those platforms? Brooke: My grandmother recently passed away from Alzheimer's. This disease
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Get To Know Your Miss Montana Teen
USA 2017 Elle Cook
was devastating to my whole family. We had to watch helplessly as she slipped away. In addition, I've had dyslexia for my entire life, it has affected me in many ways but I still consider dyslexia my gift.
1. She’s a Junior at Billings West High School.
2. Elle is 5'7.5" and praying for a growth spurt!
I want to share my experience in hopes that other children that face this or any challenge understand they can still achieve anything through hard work. It has taught me not to sweat the small stuff and has never stopped me from achieving my goals.
3. In the past year, Elle has learned the importance of self-
confidence. She believes it’s okay to be herself because everyone is beautiful in his/her own way.
406 Magazine: You’re an inspirational Brooke. For those reading this article and they want to compete in a pageant, what advice do you have for them? Brooke: It is your differences that are your gifts. That’s what makes you unique and special and will set you apart from everyone else.
406 Magazine: What are your goals and aspirations after Miss Montana USA? Brooke: To finish my degree in Media Arts and pursue my dream of becoming a director of animated films. Additionally, I want to continue with my modeling career. 406 Magazine: Each person is a hero to someone. Who is your hero? Brooke: Hayao Miyazaki, he has directed some of my favorite animated movies. He has accomplished everything I have ever wanted to do and I aspire to one day became as accomplished an artist as he is.
Fun facts about Brooke: 1) She’s 5’10’. 2) Brooke is now a blonde with a bob haircut. In high school though, she used to have long red hair. Then brown. 3) She only knew how to walk in heels six weeks before the competition. 4) She has a high score of 358 in Flappy Bird.
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Teen and Miss. The contestants become so close in such a short period of time.
5. During her reign as Miss Montana Teen USA she hopes to
make a difference in her state by developing her own non-profit organization to help families with kids who have chronic medical conditions. She also looks forward to representing Montana at Miss Teen USA!
Photo courtesy of Ed Bezanson and Peter Tucker.
406 Magazine: What do you look forward to the most during your reign year? Brooke: I look forward to discovering a different side of myself. It took confidence to get on that stage and it's going to take even more to be Miss Montana USA. Competing in the Miss USA pageant is going to be the most exciting experience I will have had so far in my life. I also look forward to meeting school children throughout the state and sharing my story.
4. Elle’s favorite part of pageants is meeting all the girls, both
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6. After Miss Montana Teen USA, Elle plans to graduate high school, attend UCLA, and then become a dermatologist.
7. Chocolate milk is her favorite treat because you can drink it with any meal, and who doesn't love chocolate?
8. Elle’s mom is her hero. She is a strong woman figure in her life,
and has always taught her to be herself. Elle’s mom has her own legal practice and is helping people everyday. She is the most selfless, compassionate and beautiful human being Elle knows.
9. Elle has a very strong faith and values the relationship she has with God.
10. She has a dog named Lilli who is a Cavalier King Charles.
(To learn more about the Miss Montana USA | Miss Montana Teen USA pageant, go to MissMontanaUSA.com. Social media accounts are: Facebook: Miss Montana USA or Miss Montana Teen USA, Instagram: MissMTUSA or Miss MTTeenUSA, Twitter: @ RealMissMTUSA or @MissMTteenusa and Snapchat: Miss Montana USA or Miss Montana Teen USA.) 406 oman.com 67
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McGarvey and Townsend,
local film makers Photo by Alisia Dawn Photography
As Angela Townsend works on her latest movie project, she reflects fondly on the journey of her experiences that got her to where she is today. “Everything that I am, I owe to my loving parents,” Angela says, both proud of her own accomplishment and of her parents’ devotion. “It was also my parents who carried me through all the difficult times in my life—and there have been many. But it was their drive that kept me going forward. Growing up, I had an ideal childhood. In fact, I would say it could not have been better. It was this childhood that allowed me to be imaginative, to learn the power of words, and to learn that words are living things and how we choose to use them could have a tremendous impact in our world and on others as well.”
But not everything in Angela’s past has been such an ideal fairytale. An unexpected tragedy presented an opportunity that changed the course of her life “I started writing full time when my youngest son was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a blinding form of eye cancer. Writing served as an escape. I wrote to find peace, to find hope for my son, and to create our own adventures that would take us away from the sterile hospital environment that neither of us could control.” Six years ago, Angela went to work for Attorney, Dale McGarvey. “Dale and I hit it off immediately, he’s a hard worker and so am I. We’ve done well working together and I’ll always be grateful for Dale’s unwavering belief in me.” While employed by Dale McGarvey’s law firm as a paralegal, Angela’s writing career took off. She became a multi-published, award-winning and bestselling author with her middle grade, young adult, and audio books. It wasn’t long before she started getting offers from the movie industry.
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Working together, they have teamed up with some of the top people in the industry and have helped bring Angela’s books to the big screen. “I think it’s something in my blood, a drive to make motion pictures,” says Angela. “My grandfather, Herb Townsend, was born in a time when movies were just beginning. Films in the early years were under a minute long and it wasn’t until the late
“In order to be successful, I think you need to surround yourself with people who believe in you. 1920’s when motion pictures were produced without sound. My grandfather always had a movie camera in his hand, and with the help of my grandmother and a few local friends, my grandfather made a movie entitled, Clementine. If my grandfather were alive today, I know he’d be proud that I’m now part of the industry he loved so much.”
Angela and Dale now have two motion pictures under their belts, and they look forward to making more movies in the future. The Forlorned was completed last year, filmed in the old Somers Mansion in Somers, Montana. The second movie, Blackstone Manor, was also completed this month and filmed on the east side of Kalispell.
“In order to be successful, I think you need to surround yourself with people who believe in you. Dale is certainly at the top of that list, but I’m so fortunate to be represented by the biggest and best entertainment attorneys in Hollywood, Michael Eisner, Kenneth Suddleson and Irene Flores. I consider them to be good friends and I will always be indebted to them. When I handed over my film to Ken, former vice president of Paramount Pictures, I had total trust in his abilities. No matter how busy he was, day or night, he always picked up the phone and made time for me, and he just recently sold The Forlorned to a major horror distributor. I’m so thankful for him. He has taught me a lot about the business. I know that Ken and I will have a long, successful future working together.” Despite being submersed in the film industry, in this last year, Angela has formed her own publishing company, Spinning Broom Books. She’s been giving away hundreds of signed copies of her middle-grade novel, Angus MacBain and the Island of Sleeping Kings, to children with the same kind of cancer her son had, and book sales continue to rise. Angela looks forward to a long career in the industry and to helping others. You can find out more about Angela by going to her website www.angelajtownsendbooksandfilm.com/ and for her Angus MacBain series by visiting www.angusmacbain.com
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Behind the scene photos courtesy of The Forlorned, Inc.
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Angela Townsend
Making Art Work
An Interview with Master Woodworking Craftsman Dan Talago By Nancy Dewar Photos by Alisia Dawn Photography
When it comes to creating furniture, the craftsmanship of Dan Talago is first-class. This exceptionally talented Kalispell man has been doing design and woodworking for 28 years here in the Valley. If you are looking for a top-notch, made-to-last piece of furniture; look no further! Not only will you get an heirloom quality piece of furniture that future generations will enjoy, but also a one-of-a-kind design. I recently had the pleasure to sit down with Dan and learn more about him, his inspiration and his creation process. How did you get into designing and creating furniture?
I’ve always been artistic, and I’ve always worked with wood. I never took any art or design classes. It was just in me. As a child, I helped my Dad refinish antiques. I built my first complete guitar in 1984 but had been restoring and fixing guitars my whole life. I started this professionally in 1988 and hit the ground running with schooling by some highly skilled woodworkers.
What types of furniture do you make?
I make all kinds. Tables, desks, dressers, coffee tables, blanket chests…you name it. As long as it is free standing. I don’t do fitted cabinets.
What do you like most about creating furniture?
It’s fun to put “form before function,” like creating a riddle that must be solved. How am I going to do that? Problem solving is really the root of it, which I love.
How would you describe your design style? Do you have a signature look?
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I don’t have a pedigree or signature look at this time, and I hope I never do. I don’t want to be predictable.
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I also like to incorporate other elements in my designs such as metal and stones and am looking to get more involved with glass and leather. It’s not just about woodwork anymore.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
A lot of influence comes from European architecture. I spent a fair amount of time in Germany and other countries when I was in the Army. I go back often and take lots of photos of architectural details. My Father has a collection of Chinese furniture that has provided inspiration. Right now, I’m working on a couple of narrow hall tables that are inspired by a bridge in Europe. The design includes wood, steel and beautiful stone counter-weights.
Can you describe the process to me?
The time I spend on each piece is all dictated by the design. I begin with doodles and sketches. I always have a sketch pad in front of me in case a great idea pops into my head! From there I finalize the design on the computer with CAD (computer aided design) software. Then it’s on to the tools and actual building. Where I stand out from the norm is the extensive sanding and finishing process I do. Few go to this extreme. My teachers do.
More about your finishing process?
The greater percentage of the entire process is sanding. The larger share of the sanding is done by hand using small blocks; no power tools. I sand each piece to a very fine grit, starting with 120 grit sandpaper and ending up with 600 grit paper in a 7-step process. At around 220 grit, I’m actually going from smoothing to polishing. The wood becomes as shiny as it ever will be with this process. When finished with the sanding, I oil each piece with three coats of a proprietary blend. The oil and shine is actually in the wood, not on the wood; and nothing can chip or crack. It will last forever. I suggest dry-dusting the piece and lemon oiling it one to two times a year.
Do you do commissioned pieces?
I love working with clients on custom pieces. We work together on the integrated design. I don’t make replicas of other furniture. However, if a client shows me something they like, my approach is to figure out how we can deviate and make it even more beautiful.
What types of wood do you work with?
I do a lot of work with Sapele. I began working with it when I was building guitars, as it has the strength and density to properly affect the sound. Plus, it’s beautiful. Right now,
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Talago
I oil each piece with three coats of a proprietary blend. The oil and shine is actually in the wood, not on the wood; and nothing can chip or crack. It will last forever. I’m working on a table made of Douglas Fir and another made of Fumed Oak, which will turn dark overnight when exposed to ammonia fumes. It is actually a naturally occurring process noticed in horse stalls long ago. So, that’s not cheating. I say, “If you have to stain it, you’re probably working with the wrong wood.” I prefer not to work with Alder or Hickory; think they’re best used for BBQ!
Describe yourself in three words. Not that tall!
I got my shortness from Mom, my baldness from my Dad and my mustache from Aunt Phyllis! It’s a West Virginia thing!
And to end, what’s the best way to contact you?
Some of my pieces are on display at Glacier Hardwoods on Highway 93 just south of Kalispell. I also welcome people to come meet with me at my workshop. The best way to reach me is via the email link on my website. (DanielTalago.com) Thanks for the great and interesting time spent together, Dan! I learned so much and am in awe of the amazing furniture you create!
What is the most rewarding aspect or part of your work?
The first coat of oil is like plugging in the Christmas tree! That’s when you see all the payoff from the hours of sanding.
What do you do in your spare time?
I do a lot of reading and cooking. My Mom always cooked, and I like good food! Right now I’m kind of focused on BBQ and smoking, and I’m studying Julia Child a bit. I want to study charcuterie in Italy someday. My favorite books are historical novels. I’m currently reading a lot of books on World War II.
Speaking of food, what is your favorite restaurant?
ShowThyme in Bigfork. They create amazing food that can’t be pigeon-holed in any specific category. Blue and Rose are true artists when it comes to food and hospitality.
Any advice for aspiring woodworkers and creators?
Start with the basics. If you can’t get hands-on direction, get books and figure out how to do it. TV shows stop short in the creating process. They are fast and kind of fake for true woodworkers (though great for home owners!). If you really want to pursue something as an art, you need to go way deeper.
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An Indestructible Woman
Brenda Wilkins of Westcraft Homes, Soul Powered and… By Nancy Dewar Photo by Alisia Dawn Photography
When I first sat down with Brenda Wilkins, I thought our interview would be about life as a woman in the world of home construction and development. After all, I was meeting with the co-owner of Kalispell-based Westcraft Homes. When I left, I was simply blown away by all that I had learned and discovered about her. Talk about peeling away the layers. Brenda’s father and mother, Marvin & Chloe Galts, started their family business in construction and land development in 1972 with projects in Alberta, Montana and Arizona. Westcraft Homes was founded in 2004 by her parents, and is now led by Brenda and her father Marvin Galts. Their current developments include Silverbrook Estates, The Meadows, Buffalo Mountain and Northland in Kalispell as well as Whisper Village in Meadow Lake Resort. While Marvin focuses on the development and finance, Brenda focuses on operations, marketing and building the team. She explained, “In development, it all comes down to having the land base, well-designed product and the right team.”
Brenda is no stranger to team building, as she began her first leadership, consulting and coaching company in 1987 in the middle of her Masters in Organizational Communications from San Diego State. She went on to complete her Doctorate in 2000 from The University of Montana. She said she fell into the field simply by “dumb luck” while getting her Masters when she managed leadership programs for corporations throughout San Diego. In describing her management development responsibilities, she said, “My job was to figure out what leadership changes were needed, develop the programs and hire the resources.”
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Her consulting business grew organically, largely through word of mouth. In her early 20’s Brenda was working in a male dominated world with companies such as Boeing, NCR Corp. and Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical Corporation. She said that refusing to work with Microsoft in the early 1990s catapulted her business! She was 26 at that time and 8 months pregnant. “I looked at the Microsoft team throwing coffee cups and dropping the F-bomb and knew that it wouldn’t be a good fit! It was the era of Microsoft Millionaire Making and I said ‘no. People thought I was crazy but it showed I had clarity about which
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Brenda Wilkins
clients I chose. My phone rang off the hook with that little ‘no’ from companies looking for a consultant who driven by their best interests, not the money. The Microsoft ‘no’ led me to lead a culture change initiative at The Boeing Company.”
Ten years later business expanded again when she did the first academic research on personal and executive coaching, leading her to advise some of the top coach training schools in the country, consult with the International Coach Federation and speak to organizations around the country about coaching, leadership and building businesses and teams. Brenda currently works with clients in the US, Singapore, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil and Israel. Her current focus is coaching executives one-to-one to develop them as leaders in their organization and leaders in their own life. Her client roster includes executives from Facebook, Cisco, Survey Monkey, Chick-filA, Box, William Morris, Accenture and Ernst & Young, to name a few. But it doesn’t stop there. In addition to co-managing Westcraft and running her consulting business, Brenda is also writing a memoir and starting another coaching business. When asked about her memoir, Brenda explained, “It is about my journey to become indestructible. When I was young with two toddlers, my husband was diagnosed as bi-polar and hospitalized. It was a 17-year journey, and we lost him to his illness. I went from being a silver-spooned girl to an indestructible woman. I know every woman has the power to develop or share their indestructible force to change the world, and I am passionate about cultivating that power in my next business.” In her new coaching endeavor, Brenda has teamed up with fellow Executive Leadership Coach Sarah Kaler, founder of Soul Powered. Through Soul Powered they accelerate the work of women entrepreneurs and executives who are a force for good and live on their terms. “We are putting partnerships together to achieve this vision around the globe through educational, coaching
and retreats. Sarah is the perfect new partner with her own story of indestructibility in life and business. As experienced serial entrepreneurs, we are relentlessly compelled to support women driven to do their highest work and good in the world.” Brenda stands out not only for her amazing career but also on a personal level. She is kind, authentic and down to earth. She doesn’t use the word Dr. with her name. “I don’t want to create any barriers between myself and others. I’m interested in the people in the world. Not the stuff that surrounds them. I’m going to learn as much from you as you will from me.” She is also quite funny. When asked if it is ever difficult being a woman in business, she laughed and said, “I’ve had a lot of guys call me sweetie or honey. I say ‘no problem, stud-muffin,’ and we just get on with it!” Just as Brenda carved her own way professionally prior to joining the family business, her two children are doing the same. She always told them, “Do not for a minute assume there is a place for you in the family business. You need to find your way.” Her 27year old son, Mike, is a police officer in Calgary, Alberta; a profession he knew he wanted since he was 10-years old. Daughter, Nikki Wilkins, is a singer/ song writer in Los Angeles known as “Lio Nicol.” She has an incredible voice and recently cut her first album. Brenda said that her daughter was a jock growing up, and no one knew she even sang. While studying Biology at the University of Montana she told her mother she wanted to be a song writer. Nikki said, “My dad was so brave. I want to be a song writer and just have to be brave too.” What a delight to meet such a talented, brave and inspiring woman. Thank you so much for your time, Brenda. And speaking of time, in her spare time Brenda is now training for a halfmarathon in Phoenix in January!
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PowerHouse Montana taps into the state’s best kept secret—
n e m o its w
By Sarah Korn, the Women’s Foundation of Montana
Jeff Ament, the bassist for Pearl Jam and a Big Sandy native once said, “the best kept secret about Montana is the women.” At the Women’s Foundation of Montana, we believe this to be true—Montana’s women and girls are our most untapped resource. The Kauffman Foundation’s Index of Startup Activity has identified Montana has the most entrepreneurial state three years running, and many of those entrepreneurs are women. “I think in no particular order, there is sort of a pioneering spirit here in Montana,” Paul Gladen, director of the University of Montana Blackstone LaunchPad told the Missoulian. “People are always being resourceful and figuring out how to do stuff.” According to Prospera Business Network, 35,449 businesses in Montana are women owned, about 32% of all businesses. Considering Montana doesn’t have any cities widely considered to be a major start up hub like Seattle or San Francisco,
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this number is impressive. Indeed, the resourceful, start-up mindset seems to be inherent in many Montanans. Montanans like to get things done and when you live in a state as vast get those things done yourself. The Women’s Foundation of Montana is committed to creating a brighter future for Montana’s women and girls through strategic grant making, research, policy work, and initiatives, such as PowerHouse Montana. PowerHouse Montana (www.powerhousemt.org) is an online platform with the aim of building networks of self-starting women all over the state, whether they own their own business or not. Women can sign up for free as volunteer mentors, and send messages through the website sharing opportunities and resources with the aim of lifting each other up. “In some areas, we have come very far, but in others, we are still behind,” Women’s Foundation of Montana Program Director Jen Euell says. “When we invest in women, it doesn’t just benefit the women. It benefits our children and ultimately, the
community.” Statistics show that women typically invest a greater portion of their income in their families and communities, and by helping women achieve economic independence and take control of their own financial futures we are helping make Montana thrive. When communities are spread so far apart from each other, it can be challenging to build in-person networks, so the digital sphere is where the real magic happens.
Currently PowerHouse Montana has over 200 volunteer mentors from 17 counties signed up on the website, and the number is only growing. “Meeting people from across the state is an invaluable networking experience,” says Glendive PowerHouse Jen Rahr of Deer Creek Design.
Mentorship is one of PowerHouse Montana’s key components, as research shows that it has hugely beneficial impacts on women entering the workforce, remaining in the workforce, and moving up
business} “When we invest in women, it doesn’t just benefit the women. It benefits our children and ultimately, the community.” Statistics show that women typically invest a greater portion of their income in their families and communities, and by helping women achieve economic independence and take control of their own financial futures we are helping make Montana thrive.
in their careers. Women with mentors are six times more likely to stay at a job, and women who are mentors get promoted an average of five times more than those who do not mentor. In a 2011 study by LinkedIn, 80 percent of women reported never having had a mentor at work. According to women’s mentoring organization Levo League, nearly 95 percent of women were afraid to ask for a mentor. What does a woman have to lose from not having a mentor? The glass ceiling is alive and well, the pay gap remains intact, and the United States does not mandate paid family leave. There’s plenty of reason for women to feel dissatisfied with their careers and discouraged about their financial futures. By creating a culture of women helping other women, we can ensure that approximately half of our population has a seat at the table and a voice in the conversation. Many start-ups in big cities like Seattle and San Francisco have realized the potential of women, and now it’s time for Montana to follow suit. By sharing resources and opportunities with other women through PowerHouse Montana, we grow a culture of support, fresh thought and innovation.
PowerHouse Montana also organizes in-person networking events called #MentorMondayMT that occur on the 4th Monday of the month in communities across the state. Events are held regularly in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Missoula, Helena, Glendive, and Kalispell. They’re grassroots events led by volunteer organizers where women come together to discuss issues facing women in the workplace, share business cards, and create new connections. Sometimes business owners use it as an opportunity to have an open house, other times, groups meet at restaurants to take advantage of happy hour. “I've gotten so much out of the #MentorMondayMT events in Bozeman, listening to and speaking with other women to learn how they lead, overcome challenges, and navigate busi-
ness in general,” said a PowerHouse user in Bozeman in an anonymous survey. “I've made significant connections at these events and even got a client for my business.”
In Kalispell, the group is new, but is growing at an exciting rate. In October, Susan Clarke and CrisMarie Campbell of Thrive, Inc. presented about having difficult conversations at work. In November, Robin Kelson of Robin Kelson Consulting and the Good Seed Company presented about building resilient businesses. Both events were held at Montana West Economic Development. The presentations typically begin at 9:00AM on the 4th Monday of the month, and those who are interested in more networking meet for breakfast before the presentation.
If you are interested in joining PowerHouse Montana and staying up to date on #MentorMondayMT events in your area, register yourself or nominate another PowerHouse in your life at www.powerhousemt.org.
PowerHouse Montana is a project of the Women's Foundation of Montana. Established in 1999, the Women’s Foundation of Montana is a component fund of the Montana Community Foundation working to grow the economic independence of women and create a brighter future for girls in Montana. With a permanent endowment of more than $1 million, the foundation has awarded more than $700,000 to organizations improving the lives of women and girls in Montana. Looking for a way to support women's entrepreneurship and opportunity, while saving on your income taxes this year? Find us at www. wfmontana.org and on Facebook. Learn more about the Montana Community Foundation at www.mtcf.org. Or call Jen Euell at 406-4617695 to find out how you can be involved.
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Join us as we work to create a brighter future for Montana women and girls, because when women prosper, communities thrive!
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Tanya Gersh
Living and working the resort and lake life Photos by Alisia Dawn Photography
Twenty-one years ago and fresh out of college, Tanya moved to Whitefish with her husband and immediately started investing in Whitefish Real Estate. Tanya grew up in the Sun Valley, Idaho area so was no stranger to resort living. They both had successful full time jobs, Judah as an Attorney and Tanya as an Event Planner. They worked hard and saved, sacrificing travel, dining and entertainment for their future. It paid off. They purchase their first rental property in 1999 and soon purchased more. They eventually branched out to commercial properties, and have continued investing in Whitefish almost every year creating a successful and thriving real estate portfolio.
Tanya along with Monica Pastor and other business partners are owners of 100 Central Avenue downtown commercial building, formerly Coaches Corner. They are busy planning a complete remodel of the iconic, heart of Whitefish, building. The exciting remodel will take place very soon.
In the last twenty years, Tanya learned the Real Estate profession first hand. She watched the market, saw endless properties and gained knowledge through personal investment experience. This has left her with a unique deep and organic understanding of the business. “Real Estate is a life changing decision that can make or break you financially and is to be taken very seriously. I feel honored to have the opportunity to share my knowledge,” Tanya says.
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Tanya knows Whitefish first hand. Through the years, she has personally lived on the lake, in Iron Horse, downtown, on Lion Mountain and on the ski mountain. She currently lives between her lake and downtown properties. Tanya also credits her years of event planning to the success of her Real Estate business. Tanya helped set the national standard for luxury mountain-chic weddings. Her work was in dozens of publications including Brides Magazine. She spoke at National Conventions and consulted with the design of wedding locations. She credits her education in Psychology to helping her to become one of most successful event planners in the industry.
Since Event Planning was mostly seasonal work, Tanya was always able to focus on managing her real estate investments, but there came a time when she was focusing more on real estate than planning. One day, with the encouragement of her family, she decided to make it official. Now, Real Estate is her full time job and new passion. Her background in luxury weddings has taught her to understand and connect with clients in a unique way.
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Tanya Gersh
Tanya says, “Real Estate is less about the hunt, as any agent can house hunt. It is more about embracing a need and being educated, organized, connected and savvy enough to produce. I love, live and embrace Whitefish with such passion that I am like a walking Chamber of Commerce. I authentically embody what a good Realtor is. Resort and lake life is my passion, I want everyone to live and own it like I do.”
Tanya has two sons, Jacob 12 and Micah 9. “My boys already know the Real Estate Business. I include them in every aspect of my life, as they are my world,” she said. In her spare time, Tanya loves to ice skate. Judah and Tanya are huge supporters and sponsors of the Stumptown Ice Den. Judah and the President of the Whitefish Sports Facilities Foundation that runs the rink. If you visit the Ice Den, you will find their banners over the ice and you will probably find Tanya working on her figure skating skills! Tanya Gersh, PureWest, Christie’s International Real Estate 406-261-4830 WhitefishLakeRealty.com
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Embracing Your Zone of Genius Stop Wasting Your Heartbeats Written by Susan Clarke
Have you ever optimistically tried starting a new project like wallpapering your living room or using that new budgeting computer program or planning that perfect vacation to Europe, thinking, “I can figure this out!” Yet hours, days later you haven’t made much progress and feel overwhelmed and frustrated and think, “Why did I do this?!” Are you good at something that pays you well, but you know there is something you love doing that you’re great at. And yet, you don’t want to risk losing what you do have? Well, I would say I have been guilty of both. This week I was humbled by just how much time I invested in trying to master a business software tool that was suppose to be simple. Well, it might have been simple if I asked for the recommended help! But before I dive deeper into that part of the story, I want to introduce you to a model I learned from Gay Hendricks and his book and program The Big Leap.
Your Big Leap
The focus of the entire program was around making ‘the big leap’ to living and working more from your zone of genius rather than your zone of excellence, competence or incompetence. As a business owner, I don’t think I’ll ever be spending all of my time in my zone of genius. For me, this is when CrisMarie and I are facilitating a team through strategic and team-building conversations, or when we’re speaking on stage, or when I’m coaching an individual client. No, owning our business has taught me that there are many activities I need to do that are not my genius but allow me to enjoy freedom when I am in my zone of genius.
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However, I found taking an honest look at how I am spending my time through the Four Zone Model. Zone of Excellence
You are very good at these things. They even bring you success, but they don’t make your heart sing.
Zone of Genius
You absolutely love doing these things & you’re phenomenal at them. These activities give you the highest ratio of abundance and satisfaction to the amount of time spent.
Zone of Incompetence
You don’t do these things well. You may not even like doing them and are best re-assigned or delegated.
Zone of Competence
You can do these things, but may not like doing them much and could be done better by someone else.
business} Back To My Little Computer Project
I’m pretty good with technology, and I like it. So I thought approaching a weekend technology project would certainly be time spent in at least my zone of excellence. Unfortunately, that is not how it went. I wanted to get familiar with our new business automation software program. Saturday morning I ran through the tutorials and started working with some basics. I thought I’d spend an hour or two to get this up and running, but I got caught up in trying to do a few recommended sample training projects, which took me about six hours. As I went along the tutorial, I was having enough success that I kept working and enough failure that the end results were unsatisfying. The weather outside was beautiful. So I did finally stop myself sometime in the afternoon and enjoyed the day even without achieving the success I wanted. I picked it up again on Sunday morning, again thinking I’d only spend a couple hours but was lucky to tear myself away at 3PM! By Monday morning, I was determined to see some positive results from all my efforts to master this new business automation system, but other work pulled me away. It was then that I realized how I had gotten sucked in and spent hours and hours in my zone of incompetence! It was a humbling admission.
What Are You Wasting Your Time On?
So I ask you, what part of your job might you be doing where you just aren’t competent and it’d be better to either hand the job off or ask for help? The zone of incompetence would seem like the easiest zone to recognize, but if you are like me and pride yourself in learning or working things through, you might struggle longer than needed in this zone. By the way, I now have a session scheduled with the online support team. So I have decided to write this article while I am waiting, instead of staying in my zone of incompetence any longer!
Laurie never intended to have her team stay tied to one product. She loves innovation and design, and though customizing can tap some of her zone of genius, it is much more about providing ongoing service not innovation. She’s currently at a critical junction for herself and possibility the business. Does she change the relationship with this client and free up her team to move back to their zone of genius? Or, does she stay with stable, excellent work? This challenge happens with teams, and it happens with individuals. We get competent or even excellent at something and at some point have to make a decision between staying comfortable and stable or making a big leap and moving more toward the zone of genius.
Zone of Genius
So I ask you as a business leader, where might you be caught in excellence and ready to make the big leap to your zone of genius? As an individual, where might you do something well, but it’s not your passion? Where are you doing excellent work but not working from your zone of genius? Of course, it’s not all about operating just from your zone of genius, but it is helpful to notice where you are spending your time. Maybe you aren’t even aware of your zone of genius. Or, maybe like me, you sometimes get caught staying in incompetence, or even competence, when you could instead make that big leap! I encourage you to draw out the four quadrants and map out your current activities whether you are leading a team, running a business or even working in the home. After tracking where you are currently spending the majority of your time, you can decide if that is where you want to stay! Got to go, its time for my training call! Here’s hoping I get beyond the zone of incompetence!
Now that we have talked about the zone of incompetence, let’s look at the challenge of Excellence.
Seduction of the Zone of Excellence
We all want to achieve excellence and sometimes when we find that spot, we want to stay there. But it can be excellence that stops your genius. Let me tell you about one of our clients. Laurie is an executive coaching client of mine who leads a division of a software design company. Her team made their mark through creating, implementing and now customizing an IT solution for a very large Insurance company. This service line makes a significant amount of revenue for the entire company.
Susan Clarke and CrisMarie Campbell are Life Coaches and Business Consultants. They work with leaders and teams, couples in business and professional women. Their focus is to help people speak up, be heard and deal with conflict effectively. Watch their TEDx Talk: Conflict – Use It, Don’t Defuse It! on YouTube. Find them on Facebook @thriveincmt. Check out their next Be BRAVE program or Mojo Coaching at www.thriveinc.com under Services. Contact them to consult with your business, coach you, or speak at your next event at thrive@thriveinc.com.
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Inspired by the Palette of the West
The Mercantile at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake By Nancy Dewar Photos by Alisia Dawn Photography
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake has a gem of a retail store that many here in the Valley may not know about! The Mercantile, which opened just over a year ago, is like stepping into a Westerninspired trading post offering an array of unique and special goods. With Fabienne Averill at the creative helm, the Averill family has a store that truly speaks "Montana" and the West. In developing The Mercantile, the Averill’s wanted more than just a hotel gift shop. They felt they had an opportunity to create a more exciting store with trendy and authentic western items.…a place for locals to stop in for lunch, have some fun, listen to live music and shop a bit. I recently chatted with Fabienne to learn more about her and the inspiration behind their venture. A quote from a Ralph Lauren book spoke to Fabienne and played a large part in the direction of the merchandise. This quote, that is painted on a wall in the store, reads: “I was inspired by the palette of the West, the colors of the sunset, turquoise jewelry, rainbow sarapes, the texture of broken in chaps, beat up cowboy hats and pickups, rodeo buckles, Concho belts, fringed jackets, faded jeans and cowboy dusters. I love the freedom of the West and eclectic freer style it inspires. – Ralph Lauren” The merchandise selection reflects this passion with Pendleton throws, authentic Navajo pawn handmade jewelry and Montana made goods. Fabienne even went to the Black Feet Reservation to find original native American art and hand painted jewelry. They also offer great fashion for women and men, boots, home goods and sportswear. Fabienne is excited about their newest line, Duckworth, a made in Montana company specializing in Merino wool for activewear. It includes baselayer clothing and casual wear made from 100% Merino
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wool from sheep raised in Dillon, Montana and manufactured in Bozeman. Fabienne says, “The store feels like you’re in a treasure box. We are a bit like a trading post, with many one of a kind items you won’t find elsewhere.” Fabienne’s parents also played a part in her inspiration in developing The Mercantile. Her mother, Deborah Fellows, is known throughout the country for her western bronze sculptures. She also is an inductee into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Texas. Her step father, Fred Fellows, is a famous western oil painter and a member of the Cowboy Artists of America. Fabienne’s father, Ken Bjorge, is also
a sculptor who owns and operates the Bjorge Gallery in Bigfork. Their artwork can be found at The Mercantile. This being Fabienne’s first retail venture, it’s amazing that she nailed it so beautifully! When asked about starting the store, Fabienne said, “Brian and I decided to bring in and create items we hadn’t seen before. We went to a Western market in Colorado and started very conservatively with items in a comfortable price range. We also created products, like our Glacier National Parks pillows that we had custom made locally from Pendleton fabric.”
profile} The merchandise selection reflects this passion with Pendleton throws, authentic Navajo pawn handmade jewelry and Montana made goods. Fabienne even went to the Black Feet Reservation to find original native American art and hand painted jewelry. Fabienne designed the store, brought in all the fixtures and refurbished old furniture to use for displays. “The store is performing beyond our expectations!” Fabienne is a very creative woman. She talked a bit about the joy she gets from new opportunities that have come her way since opening the store. “Being a creative person, it’s nice to be able to do a lot of things. I’ve been working with Peter McNamee on product and fashion photo shoots. Our kick-off party at The Lodge last June, The Renegade Runway, was a huge theatrical orchestration on many levels. But it was fun. I grew up in a family of entertainers and love to entertain. And we’re currently working on an online store for The Merc.” But she doesn’t stop there! While working on the design of the new Firebrand Hotel, the interior designer came across beautiful metallic painted animal skulls… that were very expensive. In her typical “grab the bull by the horns” fashion (no pun intended), Fabienne purchased skulls on eBay and painted them herself with direction from Laurel of Laurel Interiors, her trusted painting expert! I don’t know how she does ALL of this with three young children and a 4th on the way… who happens to be due 5 days before next year’s Renegade Runway party slated for June 9th… which promises to be even bigger with some national brands involved! A very involved mom, Fabienne spends a lot of time with the kids; Laird, 4; Renoir, 3; and Sterling, who just turned one. With their new addition next year, Fabienne and Brian will have 4 children under the age of 5!
Lynnette Ludviksen, retail manger
“I grew up as an only child and always wanted a big family. I have great help, and none of this could happen without these awesome people,” Fabienne explained. She recently brought a new manager on board, Lynette Ludviksen, who is a tremendous asset. “She has a breadth of knowledge about retail and is just an angel.”
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I think the last few comments Fabienne made when we met sum up how she’s created so much. “Growing up with artists, they were always creating something beautiful. Its just in me to do the same.”
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Choosing an Entity Type for Your Small Business By Kelly O’Brien, Attorney at Law
Joan and Ann decided to start a small retail business together. They found the ideal downtown location, decided on a name and started ordering merchandise. They discussed the business plan and goals at length and believed that they agreed on most of the major issues relating to their business. However, Joan was recently divorced and was concerned about the potential impact on her personal assets if the two of them had a disagreement regarding how to manage the business. Ann had recently built her dream home and wanted to ensure that debts of the business could not encumber her home. To address these issues, Joan and Ann decided that they would create a separate entity for their business. They knew that they wanted to protect their personal assets, but didn’t want to make it too complicated. The women began looking at different entity types, but had difficulty deciding what the best fit was for them and their business. Like many business owners, they just didn’t know where to start. There are several options for business structures, with each option having its own benefits and drawbacks. New business owners should consider each of these options prior to starting a business to make sure they structure a business entity in a manner that works for their particular business.
Partnership
A partnership is an agreement between two or more individuals for a business or trade. Each person contributes money, property, labor or skill. Each partner shares in the profits and losses of the business.
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A partnership is a “pass through” entity for tax purposes. This means that the partnership itself does not pay income tax, instead any profits or losses are passed through to its partners. Each partner is required to report his or her share of the income on his or her personal tax return. The advantage of a partnership is simplicity. General partnerships do not require filing anything with the Secretary of State, and partnership agreements can be fairly simple. The management in a partnership is simple as well because the partners typically manage the business and a separate board of directors is not required. Partnerships can be general or limited partnerships. A general partnership is essentially the default business entity created when two or more individuals begin a business together. No special filing or registration is required to form a general partnership. A limited partnership is a more formalized type of partnership that requires the filing of articles with the Secretary of State. Once the limited partnership is formalized, it provides limited personal liability for the individual partners for the debts of the business. There are various types of limited partnerships which reduce personal liability including a limited partnership, limited liability partnership and a limited liability limited partnership, each with its own requirements and restrictions. However, partnerships, especially general partnerships, do have significant drawbacks. The most significant drawback of a general partnership is the fact that the personal liability of the individual partner is not limited. This means that creditors of the business may be able to collect from personal assets of the partners. Also, unless it is set out by a partnership agreement, partnerships have the potential for gridlock in
decision making if two partners cannot agree on an important business decision. To avoid these pitfalls and reduce potential personal liability, many business owners utilize other entity types such as a corporation or limited liability company.
Corporations
A corporation is a separate legal entity that exists separately from its owners. As a separate entity, it has its own rights, privileges, and liabilities apart from the individuals who form it. A corporation requires a board of directors, which are the managers of the company. The shareholders are individuals that invest in and own the company. The shareholders must have an annual meeting at which they elect a board of directors. The board of directors manage the company and make policy decisions for the company. The board of directors in turn vote on and appoint the corporate officers who manage the company's day-to-day business. The most significant advantage of a corporation is that it affords limited liability to its shareholders. This protects the personal assets of the owners from the personal assets of the business. Further, corporate stock can be easily sold and transferred. The sale of corporate stock provides for a relatively easy method to raise capital. A corporation can continue on after the death of or transfer of shares by one or more of the owners, which provides estate planning advantages. Shareholders that are also employees of a corporation may also have additional tax-free benefits that they may also take advantage of such as health insurance. However, corporations are more complex entities to form and administer than partnerships or other types of business organizations. To form a corporation, you
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business
There are several options for business structures, with each option having its own benefits and drawbacks. New business owners should consider each of these options prior to starting a business to make sure they structure a business entity in a manner that works for their particular business. must file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. A corporation must have bylaws to guide the general organizational structure of the entities; including how and when meetings will take place, voting and other administrative issues. Typically a corporation will also have a shareholder agreement to govern how shares can be sold or transferred. For many small businesses, corporations may have too many formalities to maintain and to many “hats” for the owners to manage so they consider alternative business formations.
Owners of an LLC are called members. Unlike S corporations, members may include individuals, corporations, other LLCs and foreign entities. There is no maximum number of members, and a sole individual may create a single-member LLC.
LLCs also have increased flexibility in tax treatment. The LLC can elect to be taxed as a corporation, partnership, or a “disregarded entity” (meaning the LLC pays taxes through the owner’s individual tax return) by filing specific tax election forms with the IRS. If the LLC does not make a separate tax election, a domestic C Corporations A C corporation is subject to double taxation. This LLC with at least two members is classified as a partmeans that the corporation pays taxes on its profits nership for federal income tax purposes. and its shareholders pay taxes on any capital gains from dividends. The profit of a corporation is taxed to Members of an LLC enjoy limited personal liability the corporation when it is earned by the corporation, with increased flexibility in tax treatment and manand then these profits are taxed to the shareholders agement. However, to effectively manage the company when the profits are distributed to shareholders as div- and protect personal assets, an LLC should have a well idends. Obviously this can provide disadvantages from structured operating agreement between the india tax perspective, especially for small business owners. vidual members of the LLC. The operating agreement should set how additional members may join the business or withdraw from the business, and what happens S corporations An S corporation is a separate type of corporation that to an owner’s interest in the event of their untimely elects to pass corporate income and losses through death, bankruptcy or other life event. to their shareholders for tax purposes. This allows S corporations to avoid double taxation. A corporation can make a Sub Chapter S election by filing a special Seek Professional Advice tax election form with the IRS. All of the other Ultimately, Joan and Ann decided to discuss their busiformalities of a corporation must still be followed in ness with a business attorney and decided that an LLC was the best choice for their particular business. They an S corporation. felt the balance between limited personal liability, ease To quality for S corporation status, the corporation of administration and management flexibility would must meet separate requirements. To qualify for S provide significant benefits for them. However, every corporation status, the corporation must be a domestic business owner should carefully consider the various corporation. Also, the corporation can have no more business entity structures prior to starting a business than 100 shareholders and the shareholders must be and seek professional advice. individuals, certain trusts and estates. Partnerships, corporations and non-residents cannot be sharehold- A business attorney can advise you how to structure ers of an S corporation. Further, an S corporation can your business, as well as discuss the benefits and drawonly have one class of stock; it cannot have separate backs of specific types of legal entities for your parvoting classes for stock. There are also certain types of ticular business. The decision about the specific legal business such as financial institutions and insurance structure for your business will impact your tax liability, ownership rights, and business operations. Making the companies that cannot register as an S corporation. right decision about the legal and corporate structure For a small business that meets these requirements, an of your business is critical to your long-term success, S corporation can be beneficial. S corporations pro- so discuss your options with your tax advisor and busivide the limitation on liability to protect personal as- ness attorney to determine what is right for your spesets of the owners, while avoiding double taxation on cific business. While creating a separate entity for your the corporate tax. However, because all of the other business will not ensure that your business will always formalities of a corporation must still be followed in be successful, it can help protect your personal liability a S corporation, some business owners decide they do and help organize the structure and management of not want the additional administration involved in an your business. S corporation. For advice regarding incorporating, creating a separate legal entity or general business law, contact Kelly O’Brien Limited Liability Companies at Measure, Sampsel, Sullivan & O’Brien, P.C. at (406) A Limited Liability Company (“LLC”) is a hybrid be752-6373/ www.measurelaw.com tween a partnership and a corporation. Members have limited liability protection similar to a corporation but reduced administration and additional flexibility in This article is intended for educational and information purposes only, it is not intended to act as legal advice. management similar to a partnership.
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Getting to Know
Delia Buckmaster
from Exhale Pilates On the second floor of a building in the heart of downtown Whitefish, walking into Exhale Pilates is akin to walking into a boutique fitness studio in a much larger city. The lofted space overlooks the commercial-heavy Central Avenue and its hardwood floors and exposed beams provide a decidedly urban feel.
Small studios that house instructors for everything from cycling to yoga have popped up everywhere in recent years, but Exhale Pilates isn’t new. It has been a staple in Whitefish for more than 10 years, offering barre, rowing, TRX® and, of course, variations of Pilates classes. “I was lucky to open up before the wave of small studios,” owner Delia Buckmaster said. “And I was able to learn a few things along the way.”
Part of that is staying nimble. Two years ago she expanded, adding six Pilates reformer machines and springboards to a room dedicated to group practice. Joseph Pilates originally engineered these elegant pieces of exercise equipment out of hospital beds to offer light resistance to bedridden patients in England during World War I. A reformer is the central piece of equipment in a Pilates studio and makes a dramatic impression when someone first sees it, and an even more dramatic change to the body when someone uses it.
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“Combining Pilates with other forms of fitness is a wonderful way to train and see better results,” Delia said. “Pilates helps to improve overall alignment, balance out any muscle imbalances, prevent injury and any recurring injuries.” Delia has worked in the fitness industry for over 15 years and Exhale was born out of a strong passion for Pilates and the desire to teach and inspire others with genuine excitement and enthusiasm. Despite adding space and more instructors over the years, most days you can still find Delia doing what she loves most: teaching others. She still instructs Pilates, barre, rowing classes and works with wellness clients. “I think of myself mostly as a teacher,” Delia said. “If I continue to learn and practice then I will be the best I can be for them (clients).”
One of those clients is Whitefish Olympian Maggie Voisin, who trains with Delia between freeskiing events.
“I can’t even begin to explain how much I love Pilates,” Voisin said. “Not only do I believe it’s going to make a difference in my skiing, but it has changed my respect for my mind and body. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Delia. I look forward to working with her throughout my career.”
Like most studio owners, Delia just loved to teach and couldn’t foresee her studio growing into what is now 3,000-square-foot space. This set in motion in-house education and finding a team of qualified and passionate instructors.
“For the small town we have, Exhale is blessed with talented instructors who not only inspire their clients but inspire each other,” Delia said. Delia has been named the best fitness instructor in Whitefish for three years running, but her career highlight was being chosen as a finalist for the Pilates Anytime 2016 Next Instructor Competition earlier this year. “To be recognized by leaders in the industry and your peers is an incredible honor,” Delia said. “The
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Delia Buckmaster
best part is the amazing friends I’ve made from around the world throughout this experience.”
The future plan for Exhale Pilates is to incorporate a center for learning, offering more teaching certifications and continuing education. “I love passing knowledge on to others and helping them become the best they can be,” Delia said. “Pilates has taught me that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined. If I can get clients to feel the same way then I’ve given them the tools to be, as Joseph Pilates said, the ‘architect of their own happiness.’”
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Play Therapy
Helps the Whole Family By Allison Linville
April Schottelkorb interacts with a child in play therapy.
It was shortly after September 11, 2001 when April Schottelkorb, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC, and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, realized she wanted to specialize in play therapy. She was a graduate intern at an elementary school, where she was working with a young boy who was distraught about losing a beloved pet. After she talked with him for a while, the boy started playing with some toys in her office. Schottelkorb watched as he picked up small metal planes and went around the room, flying the planes into furniture and walls, and suddenly it struck her. “He was communicating,” she said. “He had seen the horrific events of September 11th on TV. and was still trying to process them, so he was playing it out—that was just his form of communication, because he was so young.” Schottelkorb said, “I immediately knew I wanted to be a play therapist and help kids like him work through things in the way they know how, by playing it out.” Schottelkorb recently returned to her hometown of Kalispell to work with North Valley Behavioral Health as the only credentialed play therapist in the Flathead Valley, and one of only six Registered Play TherapistSupervisors in the state. She practices Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), which acknowledges that for children, play is the most natural means to facilitate learning and expression since abstract thinking has
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not yet been developed. Dr. Schottelkorb related the practice to the Planetree philosophy of patientcentered care that North Valley Hospital provides. “I knew this type of therapy would be a perfect fit in combination with the philosophy of the hospital. It’s child-directed, and is only effective when the child experiences a safe and accepting relationship with the therapist.” In traditional adult therapy, adults talk about their struggles with a therapist, but in play therapy, children play out their concerns. “It’s the same idea of communication and processing, just expressed differently,” says Schottelkorb. Her office is set up with a variety of toys that allow for creative expression and communication, such as a sand box, an easel, arts and craft materials, a doll house, blocks, and puppets. To explain how play therapy works, Schottelkorb simplifies an intricate process. “I’m like a mirror. I reflect back to the child what they are doing, feeling, and saying. Through this reflection, children gain greater awareness of themselves and learn the words to use to express themselves to others.” Also, she mentions that it’s essential to create a place where kids feel safe, accepted, and have permission to be themselves. Without this safe relationship, no positive change can occur. Often, parents bring children to play therapy because they are having behavioral problems at home or at school. Young children communicate their struggles through their behaviors as they do not have the words yet to adequately express themselves verbally.
Child-centered play therapy has been found to be effective for children ages 3-12 with a variety of presenting problems, including ADHD, anxiety, aggressive behaviors, trauma, speech delays, academic achievement delays, parent/child relationship difficulties, and behavioral problems. Schottelkorb says, “Beyond helping the children work through their struggles in the playroom, I also team up with the parents and other adults in their life to help discover together what strategies can be implemented at home or at school to give the child the support they need to be more successful.”
“Sometimes adults don’t understand how using play in therapy is helpful, but it’s important to remember that kids communicate and problem solve through their play,” says Schottelkorb. “Kids are so smart, but we don’t always recognize that they have a different way of communicating than adults do. I am constantly amazed by the creativity and problem solving skills children have, which is just one of the reasons I love working as a play therapist.”
April Schottelkorb, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. She earned her doctorate in counseling from the University of North Texas and master’s in counseling from the University of Montana. Dr. Schottelkorb worked as a counseling professor at Boise State University for eight years and as a school counselor for three years in northwest Montana prior to joining North Valley Hospital Behavioral Health in Whitefish.
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Holiday Blues & Seasonal Affective Disorder By Kasey Patton, WHNP
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…” The snow is on the mountains, pumpkin spice is everywhere and our “To-do” lists are beginning to get out of hand. The holiday season is upon us with Christmas decorations already showing up on store shelves and holiday music and television programs abound. This is a season of joy, giving thanks and an increase in stress! Holiday stress is defined as: stress, depression or anxiety that can occur anywhere from prior to Thanksgiving or Halloween and last until after the New Year. With so many demands piling up around you, it can be hard to sort through it all…the perfect gift for your boss or child’s teacher, or the right outfit that doesn’t show off all of the Halloween candy that you indulged. What about finding a menu for your party that works with your gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian sister-in-law?
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Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to help decrease holiday stress. First, be generous. Not the kind of generosity that comes from your wallet or is wrapped in pretty paper. Be generous with your smile, your kindness. It can be contagious, helping somebody else, as well as making you feel better. Be patient when the lines are long and slow at the store, give the cashier your best smile and try to understand how frustrating or overwhelming their day is too. Make sure that you give compliments to those who could use it, somebody with a fabulous outfit or your coworker who is going the extra mile today. Secondly, it is important to try to keep a positive attitude about your situation. Remember that the dinner party will soon be over and the wrapping paper recycled in the bin. If things are going wrong, stop and think about what this situation will feel like one year from now. Is it something to look back and laugh about? Quite
possibly! Perspective is important when all of our holiday obligations begin to overwhelm us. One of the most important things to try and do is to stay organized. A list, whether in plain paper and pencil or on your smart phone, can be your best friend. Planning ahead can also help. Give yourself some wiggle room on the time to prepare your casserole as well as the time it takes to get ready. We all know the first outfit tried on will only be the one of many before walking out the door! Managing your time and only accepting invitations to obligations that are important to you can also be a lifesaver. It is okay to say a polite “no, thank you” when your time is being stretched. Let’s not forgot the wonderful freedom of online shopping! Delivery to out of state relatives is a snap when you order online and have it shipped directly to them, this saves time at the post office as well as time
health} spent out. Local businesses also have many wonderful items and the crowds are far better than in the big box stores. Some even have online shops, shipping available, and even free gift-wrapping!
But what if it is more than just stress?
Sometimes depression or anxiety that starts around the holidays is actually a clinical depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. SAD results from a change in a person’s body due to lower amounts of daylight. The amount noted with the population varies from 1.4% in Florida to 9.9% of the population in Alaska. The most common symptoms associated with SAD during the winter are difficulty waking up in the morning, over eating--especially carbohydrates-- not wanting to spend time with family or friends, and a lower sex drive. These physical feelings can lead to despair and overall sadness. The main difference between SAD and holiday stress or blues is that SAD will occur regardless of social obligations or a holiday and will persist long past the New Year. The symptoms may also be more severe and even noticeable to friends and family. It is important to speak with your health care provider if you are experiencing depression or anxiety that seems out of proportion for what is going on around you. There are many natural treatments
available as well as medications. Exercise and exposure to natural or artificial light can be helpful and is recommended if you notice your mood begins to shift. It is also important to reach out to a friend or family member if you suspect that they are struggling with stress, depression or anxiety. A kind word or gentle suggestion to visit with their doctor can go a long way. In summary, holidays can be a time of great joy and happiness for some, but for others it can bring sadness, anxiety or great stress. We all need to remember to focus on the joy that the season can bring, not put too much on our plate, and help others who may need an extra hand navigating the next few months. A shift from a negative attitude to a more compassionate and kind outlook can make all the difference.
Kasey 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. Kasey has a strong interest in teenage wellness exams, reproductive health and contraception management. She and her husband, Jeremy, have 2 children, 3 dogs and 2 cats. They love the outdoors and moved to Montana looking to enjoy a better lifestyle in our beautiful Big Sky Country.
Sometimes depression or anxiety that starts around the holidays is actually a clinical depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. SAD results from a change in a person’s body due to lower amounts of daylight.
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menopause
What’s hormones got to do with it?
Everything!
Do these symptoms sound familiar? · Hot flashes · Night sweats · Insomnia · Irritability · Vaginal dryness · Painful sex · No sex drive · Moodiness · Depression · Anxiety · Weight gain · Decreased focus · Skin changes – dry skin, increase wrinkling · Body aches or joint aches · Less endurance · Hair loss · Less genital and breast sensitivity
By Pady Dusing, CNM Flathead Valley Women’s Center
All the above are associated with menopause and generally start to show up a year or two before you stop having your menstrual cycle. On average, menopause starts around 50-51 years of age. If you’ve had a partial hysterectomy, but still have your ovaries, these symptoms will sometimes begin earlier, maybe in your mid-40s. It’s really all about balance, a state of equilibrium. Life balance is about family, job, personal time, fitness, eating healthy, environmental issues and adequate sleep. Let’s talk about body balance. Three factors play into the picture: the thyroid, adrenals and sex hormones. The thyroid regulates metabolism. The adrenals regulate stress hormones and fat loss. The sex hormones include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol.
As you’re facing menopause, it’s important to remember to take time for yourself and think about balance, especially in early menopause. Women are living longer and want quality of life. You don’t have to put up with unwanted symptoms any more, as there are many ways of approaching menopause and the cascade of symptoms that you are experiencing.
Natural products for perimenopause/menopause include black cohosh, dong quai, Estroven (an over-the-counter supplement that is a combination of herbs only), evening primrose and natural progesterone cream.
Diet and lifestyle changes can promote hormone balance. Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine, alcohol or soda drinks, as they may increase irritability, anxiety and mood swings. Avoid sugar, as it suppresses the immune system and intensifies cravings. Learn to relax, get more sleep and laugh more often. You know those terrible hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and no-sex-drive symptoms you’ve been having? You’re thinking, “I can tough this out.” But finally you reach a point where you don’t know who you are anymore. Don’t worry if you don’t feel like your good old self. There is hope and help for you.
Let’s talk about bio-identical replacement hormones (BHRT). What are they?
· Developed in 1938, they come from wild yams; therefore they are plant derivatives and not synthetics. · The estrogen derived from wild yams has the same molecular structure as those made in our bodies when we were menstruating. That means the uptake of hormones to all your tissues is better and closest to what your body made. · BHRT puts the hormones back into our bodies in the same amounts and ratios as our endocrine system produced them years ago.
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Compare this with synthetic hormones. Synthetics are not found in nature, and they are not identical to the hormones we manufacture in our bodies.
Perhaps you have heard of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. New studies show that women under 60 years of age and within 10 years of menopause can benefit from BHRT with much less risk than older women who are more than 10 years into menopause. A key point, however, is that the majority of the women enrolled in the WHI study were older and much past menopause; their average age was 63.
There is new evidence on the use of hormones for menopause:
· Coronary heart disease – Risk was lower if BHRT was started early and if it was started when the woman was younger than 60. · Breast cancer – A closer look at the 2002 WHI data revealed estrogen alone was not associated with an increased risk, but there was a slightly increased risk when synthetic progesterone was added. There is a small study that suggests adding testosterone to counteract breast cell proliferation lowers the risk. Also, using bio-identical progesterone lowers the risk of breast cancer when compared with the risk from using synthetics. · Cognitive health – There was a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease if BHRT was started between ages 50 and 60. · Blood clots/stroke – If hormones were given transdermally, there is no risk.
The goals of hormone therapy/BHRT are to relieve your symptoms, improve your quality of life and relationship, and reduce osteoporosis. It’s about balance – balancing your body and your life. If you would like further information on any of the above, I would be very happy to help you. For an appointment please contact my office at (406) 752-0303. New patients are welcome. Pady Dusing, CNM Flathead Valley Women’s Center 195 Commons Loop, Suite D Kalispell, MT 59901 Pady has been in practice in Kalispell for 28 years, specializing in women’s health care. She graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in 1987. She has been prescribing bio-identical hormones since 1996 and has 20 years of experience.
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ask the skin coach
By Erin Blair, Licensed Esthetician + Certified Health Coach
Eczema: What’s Gut Got To Do With It?
Q:
I’ve had eczema for as long as I can remember. I’ve tried many prescribed creams, even Prednisone, and nothing gives me relief. Do you have any suggestions to help with eczema?
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A: Eczema is a term used to describe many forms
of dermatitis. These inflamed, itchy rashes are an enigma; according to conventional medicine, the cause is unknown. However, having seen eczema respond extremely well to a diet-based approach, I tend to agree with the Functional Medicine school of thought: eczema (or any chronic inflammatory condition) is really only a symptom of deeper dysfunction. The term ‘Functional Medicine’ is used to describe a growing trend in healthcare which seeks to identify the root cause of illness. Practitioners of various disciplines are aligning with this way of thinking. They’re finding even the most mysterious illnesses can be completely reversed by figuring out (and correcting) the cause, instead of only treating the symptom. Applying an anti-inflammatory cream, or taking an immune-suppressant steroid, is intended to relieve the symptoms of eczema. This relief is temporary at best. Functional Medicine
practitioners see the root cause of eczema (and psoriasis, rosacea, or even melasma) as beginning in the digestive system. They point to a malfunction of the immune system that begins with what’s known as ‘leaky gut’. Medically called ‘increased intestinal permeability’, leaky gut is the beginning point of most illness, from the functional perspective.
When the intestinal wall becomes compromised, microbes and particles of undigested food are free to pass into the bloodstream. Our immune system sees these particles as a threat, and begins to attack our own tissues, which is known as autoimmunity. This results in chronic inflammation that can show up literally anywhere in the body.
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I like to think of skin as a billboard, communicating to us that something deeper is amiss. Inflammation is akin to fire. If you’re seeing ‘fire’, you have a choice to either quench it, or fuel it further.
According to Dr. Mark Hyman, “This causes food sensitivities, especially to gluten and dairy, which are the biggest food causes of eczema. Leaky gut also triggers many other health problems including fatigue, brain fog, headaches, depression, allergies, sinus problems, irritable bowel, reflux, joint pain, skin diseases such as acne and eczema, autoimmune diseases and more.”1 I like to think of skin as a billboard, communicating to us that something deeper is amiss. Inflammation is akin to fire. If you’re seeing ‘fire’, you have a choice to either quench it, or fuel it further.
When I suspect a deeper, digestion-based issue is driving inflammation in a client’s skin, I ask them to make a few changes. Eliminating dairy, processed sugar, and gluten is a major step in the right direction. Often, within days they will begin to see and feel improvement. Sometimes lab testing is needed to identify more complex food sensitivities and allergies. In these situations, I refer clients to a qualified Functional Medicine practitioner who specializes in autoimmune issues of the skin. Working together, they can repair the gut through diet and supplements. This puts out the fire from within, while I offer guidance on topical products to help soothe and protect the skin during the healing process. 1
http://drhyman.com/blog/2015/11/12/7-strategies-to-eliminate-eczema/
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.
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Holiday Food Safety By Jessica McDonald, Flathead City-County Health Department
The holidays are approaching and for most of us this means preparing large amounts of seasonal foods for family and friends. Food safety can be a special challenge and can make your holiday memorable in a good or bad way. Foodborne illness is a serious health issue in the United States with an estimated 76 million people contracting some kind of foodborne illness associated with improper preparation of meat, poultry and fish, which can carry food poisoning germs commonly known as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Keep your family and friends safe this holiday season while also considering your high risk guests, including infants, children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems when planning your holiday feast.
Tips for safe cooking
· The USDA recommends the following food safe strategies this holiday season: · Prevent the spread of bacteria by using hot soapy water to clean hands, utensils, knives and work surfaces (counters and cutting boards). · Separate your meat and poultry from one another (cooked or raw) and use separate cutting boards for meat, vegetables and other foods. · Use a food thermometer to ensure poultry and stuffing has an internal temperature of 165 degrees and 145 degrees for roasts, steaks and chops. Check the temperature at the innermost part of a bird’s thigh or the thickest part of the breast. Also, allow for longer cooking times with stuffed poultry. · If serving hot foods buffet style, maintain a temperature of 140 degrees or greater by using warming trays or chafing dishes. Keep cold foods below 40 degrees by nesting foods on ice.
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Transporting foods?
Transporting home cooked foods to your holiday destination can be a risky transfer if temperatures are not maintained. The risk for bacterial growth increases after foods are cooked because a drop in temperature allows bacteria to grow and thrive. Foods in the “danger zone” (between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit) are the most likely to grow the type of bacteria that causes food poisoning and can double in bacteria growth in as little as 20 minutes (USDA, 2016). Transport food safely by keeping hot and cold foods outside of the “danger zone.”
Leftovers anyone?
A major bonus during holiday food season are the days following when leftover foods are readily available. To keep you safe after the holidays, it is recommended to: · Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of preparation to prevent bacteria growth. Foods left out too long or cooled too slowly can progress to the danger zone very rapidly. · When reheating leftovers, cover to retain moisture and make sure they reach 165 degrees as indicated by a food thermometer. · The majority of leftovers including beef, poultry, eggs, seafood and miscellaneous food items (gravy, soup, stuffing) will stay safe for 3-4 days if refrigerated properly. Make your holiday gathering risk free this season by following these simple safety steps. For more information on foodborne illness and other food safety precautions contact the Flathead City-County Environmental Health Department at 406-751-8130 or http://flatheadhealth.org/environmental-health.
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SPD, Autism, ADHD:
the ever rising tide By Dr. C. Claude Basler, DC, Basler Family Chiropractic
The age-old adage that proper practice prevents poor performance is often times associated with sports performance, business timelines or some sort of health fad. We often do not recognize a need for something until we come to a crossroad section and have to choose. Much like the holiday season coming around
the corner, we have been through this season of life before. We fundamentally know what our top priorities are and what needs to be handled first and foremost. It’s called ORGINAZATION. It’s all about staying organized and making sure we know the holiday season is a marathon and not a sprint. Organization is key and fundamentally sound in allowing your body to properly stay and be healthy. How does organization manifest? Through
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Now, some numbers to give us a basis of the “Ever Rising Tide.” 1/20 kids are suffering from some sort of sensory processing disorder. More children are diagnosed with Autism in the United States than those diagnosed with cancer, AIDS, or diabetes combined. 11% of kids ages 4-17 years were diagnosed with ADHD as of 2011 (and the rates are rising). These “labels” that we give our children are spiraling out of control and are continually growing. Our thought process is usually geared towards maybe catching a disorder earlier enough so we can salvage what is left over. Though this might be satisfactory for some, often times it leaves you waiting for the hot mess to occur before you can do anything about it. Health care is not manag-
ing a disorder with prescriptions and just getting by on a day to day basis. That’s not “Healing” anything. Health care focuses specifically on supporting the ONE system dedicated to preserving the health of the entire body, the Central Nerve System. This system must require uniformed INTELLIGENCE to allow proper ORGANIZATION to thrive in the body. So, the central nerve system’s mission is to coordinate intelligence which maintains the material of the body creating uniform organization. Now, simply put we know the role and function of the central nerve system. The CNS controls, regulates, maintains, and heals all aspects of the entire body. Any interference with the central nerve system causes
These “labels” that we give our children are spiraling out of control
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and are continually growing.
Each minute the central nerve system is receiving and processing millions of bits of information and integrating proper behavior to allow the body to survive and thrive.
Health care is not managing a disorder with prescriptions and just getting by on a day to day basis. That’s not “Healing” anything.
transmission of intelligence to be in-coordinated. This is the beginning of all known disease and disorders in our body. Is the rise in increasing numbers of Autism, ADHD, and SPD associated with the central nerve system? YES! Enter the chiropractor into the equation. Chiropractors are trained to locate and if necessary adjust subluxations within the body. What is a subluxation? A subluxation places undo stress upon the central nerve system interfering with the transmission of coordination. If you do not have proper coordination you do not have organization in the body. Any interference with organization is always directly or indirectly due to subluxations in the spinal column. To put the myth aside a subluxation is not a “pinched nerve”, the nerve is irritated. Do you ever get irritated? Road rage, waiting in line for hours, or how about a complete stranger standing really close to you invading your personal space. That screams like irritation to me! When this irritation happens are you thinking clearly, are you in a complete healthy state?
If our children are living with subluxations that go uncorrected proper intelligence cannot manifest. Messages are still being transmitted through the nerve, it’s just dangerous because the nerve is not at 100% organization. It’s basically like messing with a downed power line. Finding the link for children with Autism, ADHD, and SPD has to begin in addressing the central nerve system. Each minute the central nerve system is receiving and processing millions of bits of information and integrating proper behavior to allow the body to survive and thrive.
So, should we wait for the rising tide to come in before we take action and make informed choices with our children? Spinal injury was present in 80% of infants examined shortly after birth in a study done by Gottfied Guttman, MD. “The upper neck should be examined and, if required, specifically adjusted…as the success of the adjustment overshadows every other type of treatment” – Gottfried Guttman, MD. Get checked.
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Are You Not Enter tained? by Dr. John F. Miller DDS
Of course, as a reader, you are aware that 406 Woman Magazine hits the newsstands six times a year.
As we approach the end of another year, I would like to review some of the best advice that I’ve given in this column over the past three years.
That means every two months I, along with the other contributors, need to figure out how to entertain our readers for two pages or so. I have been contributing to this great publication for over three years now and I’m going to say I have written north of 20 articles. Articles about dentistry to be specific.
This is the time of year that we are preparing for New Year’s goals and resolutions. I want some of those goals to involve your teeth and oral health. I want this review to educate and motivate you in your endeavors.
While I am passionate about the Art & Science of Dentistry, it can be difficult to write original content every two months &...wait for it...be entertaining. I sit down and I first think of my audience: · The smart and savvy women of Northwest Montana · I think of my wife Juli · I think of the amazing women I work with on a daily basis
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Being Informed
Having a well-informed approach to your oral health care is a major focus of my writing. We have been told our whole lives to brush, floss, see the dentist regularly, etc. I want to tell you why you do these things.
Acid is Not Cool
While sugar is often touted as the enemy, acid is the direct cause of traditional dental cavities. Understand that any source of carbohydrates will give acid-producing bacteria found in dental plaque the ability to well, produce acid. So, not only will candy and soft-drinks cause cavities, but so will milk and bread if inadequate oral hygiene is present. Under normal conditions, every time we eat fermentable carbohydrates the acid levels
rise in our mouths for approximately 25 minutes before our saliva can neutralize things back to healthy levels. Understand that if you snack frequently, or sip Big Gulps all day you are drastically increasing the exposure-time of your teeth to destructive acid levels.
Dental X-Rays are Safe
Dental X-rays, or radiographs, give your dentist a significant amount of information concerning not only your dental health, but also the health status of the supporting structures of your teeth, mainly your bone. To keep things brief, the average background radiation that humans are exposed to on an average day equates to about two Dental X-rays. In a five year period we take 40 dental radiographs give or take.
Baby Teeth are Important
As I mentioned in my April 2013 article titled “Raising Healthy Smiles!” Baby teeth are the dress-rehearsal for their permanent successors. Also, they hold space in the developing jaw for the permanent teeth to reside. Premature loss of baby teeth will likely cause orthodontic complications later. Go to 406Woman.com and read that article...it’s really good if I say so myself.
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dental
This is the time of year that we are preparing for New Year’s goals and resolutions. I want some of those goals to involve your teeth and oral health. I want this review to educate and motivate you in your endeavors.
A Healthy Smile can Open Doors
I could also call this one, “An Unhealthy Smile Will Close Doors.” As much as we don’t like to admit it First Impressions are very important social interactions. Bad First Impressions become First and Last Impressions. How often do we read that click-bait on our Facebook feeds called something like “10 Traits of Irresistible People” to read “bright and healthy smile” in the first two or three? There is truth in this. For my article on this matter I did a little experiment where I Googled “First Impressions” to find that 18 of the first 20 results directly mentioned a good smile.
Emerging Dental Technology is Seriously Awesome
I recently discussed dental implants in an article titled something like “nothing better than the real thing...yet.” We are doing fully guided implants now where we start with a fully 3-Dimensional Cone-Beam. We then plan the entire procedure digitally based on the available bone and surrounding anatomy. Next, we take a 3-D scan of the patient’s teeth and gums and fabricate a precision surgical guide on our in-house milling unit. Finally, after the healing phase we are placing beautiful crowns made in less than an hour while you watch Top Gun. We are operating in the micrometer world; a millimeter is a mile to a dentist. All this while never putting any goopy stuff in your mouth. BOOM!
Never Easier or Cheaper
What I mean is saving your teeth will never be easier or cheaper than it is right now. I say “saving” because pulling teeth is actually cheaper in most cases. Dentistry is expensive. I’m not going to sit here and say that is isn’t. Your mouth is just like any other intricate machine. It needs maintenance. You could skip putting oil in your car if you don't mind replacing the engine eventually. It would be much easier and less expensive to just do the routine maintenance. It's no different with your teeth. Wow. I could go on forever. Maybe I will do a part two to this one.
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I just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I just feel extremely blessed to not only live and mingle among you, but to be able to contribute to this area as a Dentist and community member.
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Child bridge
Changed lives The Muniz Family By Kristen Hamilton
There are a record number of children coming into foster care in our state. Over time, some of these children need permanent families to care for them. And, sometimes these families are relatives. Aunts and uncles, grandparents, and even great-grandparents are stepping in to care for children when a family crisis arises. Nationally, there are 2.7 million grandparents caring for their grandchildren. Montana makes up a staggering 6,600 of this total. Parental physical or mental health problems, addictions, financial challenges, or incarceration may result in neglect or physical abuse, and are just some of the reasons a child may need out of home care. This can happen to families irrespective of backgrounds. Sometimes, kinship families must step in quickly and may feel ill-equipped to deal with the challenges of raising a family at a different stage of their lives. Supports of many kinds are critical. Child Bridge is a nonprofit organization that finds and supports foster and adoptive families for Montana children in need. Since early 2011, their work has grown across the state and they currently serve children and families in 21 Montana communities. Their support extends to the ever-increasing number of kinship families across the state. Meet one of the Child Bridge supported families who are providing kinship care. Sandra Muniz, is a great-grandma caring for her 3 young, great grandchildren. Sandra is a strong woman, who
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wanted her family to stay together and to have the love and guidance of family, even if she had to endure personal sacrifice.
Tell us about your family:
I am the great-grandma of three lively young children ages 2, 5 and 7… two lively boys and a spunky little girl. I have been caring for the boys for several years and recently their younger sister has been added to my responsibilities!
Where you live: Billings, Montana What activities do you enjoy as a family:
We are busy to say the least! We love to participate in a lot of different activities together. We enjoy camping, bike riding, horses and just time exploring together. It has been very encouraging to have them join me in my love of horse shows where I am the cook for the events. My oldest, Gabriel (age 7) has been working on training a colt that no one else could work with, and I am so proud of him and have seen him grow in this experience and responsibility.
As an older mom, to young children, what has that been like for you?
When I knew my two great grandsons were hav-
ing trouble, I convinced my granddaughter to let me take care of them until she got on her feet. Long story short, she was not able to hold up her part of the agreement. I felt it was my responsibility as great-grandma to keep them and do the best I could for them. I filed for guardianship of the boys and it was given to me. Later, my little granddaughter was added to our family. I love these children dearly, and am trying to help them experience a rich childhood that they have not yet been able to have, but so deserve. I have had to learn some new ways of parenting that are different than how I raised my own kids.
Can you describe any struggles that you have had? I focus on keeping active and not letting myself slow down. Keeping active doesn’t give me time for aches and pains. I believe it’s a blessing and privilege to care for these children no matter the sacrifice.
While I am on a fixed income, I was so excited to be able to take them on their first vacation this past summer. We drove with our small trailer from Montana to Texas and back. I let them help me decide when to travel and what places they would like to stay and enjoy for the day. It’s what families do.
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Child bridge
I focus on keeping active and not letting myself slow down. Keeping active doesn’t give me time for aches and pains. I believe it’s a blessing and privilege to care for these children no matter the sacrifice.
While I have responded to my grand children’s needs, I’ve learned so much through this time with them. It is such a different experience than raising my own kids many years ago. I am continuing to seek ways to help my boys who struggle with self-esteem challenges. I work at having them understand that what happened to them is not their fault, and that they are valuable, special, and worth so much, both to me and to God. I enjoy raising these young ones, which keeps me on my toes, and I love that I cannot let myself get old or worry about things, as I am far too busy for that. And, while some days are exhausting, I am proud of what we have accomplished and know it was the right choice.
How were you introduced to Child Bridge? I found out about Child Bridge thru a presentation at church. They were there letting our congregation know about the need for foster and adoptive families. I was already caring for my children and intrigued about the support that they talked about. Support is so important. I reached out to them and they have been so helpful connecting me with others who are in the same or similar situation. Their monthly foster/ adoptive family resource group meetings are very informative and helpful, and the kids love going
for the kids portion. I have been learning new ideas regarding parenting techniques for kids who have been through some of the things my kids have endured, including getting down on their level, seeking to understand and hear what their behavior is saying, and to focus on relationship with them. I was blessed to be able to do this over the past few weeks more intentionally with my middle grandson who was going through some challenges. It has been so good to learn how to listen to him, and spend quality time with him. It’s made such a difference already. I have high praises for Child Bridge. It is so amazing how much help it is, and if it helps me, there must be a lot of families out there that are helped too. Sometimes just the moral support of knowing that someone else has gone through it gives me hope to keep going. Just having someone to listen, and knowing I can call Child Bridge when I need to, is so relieving. I am in it for the long haul with my grandsons, and I’m hoping to help my great-granddaughter to be able to transition back to her mom over the next few years. This is a wonderful and yet
very difficult journey, and I am so relieved to have support as I walk it! I truly believe God is on our side, and I am amazed how often He brings just the right scripture, sermon, or conversation to me to help remind me of the hope found in him. I couldn’t do this alone.
If you’re providing kinship care through the foster system and seeking help, contact Child Bridge, at info@childbridgemontana.org. They can connect you with one of the monthly resource groups across the state. And check out the Montana Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Project, (montanagrandparents.org). It’s the only organization of its kind in the state, and offers caregivers support, education and access to resources to live happier, healthier lives and assist them in raising healthy and well-adjusted children.
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For more information on Child Bridge visit www.childbridgemontana.org.
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Enter the Young!
Philanthropy in the Millennial age
By Lucy Smith
At the Flathead Community Foundation1, I have the privilege to see our community at its most generous and to meet everyday philanthropists of all ages and means. More and more I am impressed by the vision and skills of our next generation of givers. For anyone who worries that Millennials and Philanthropy do not mix, please meet two members of our Women’s Giving Circle, Women Who Wine of the Flathead (WWWF). Read and be inspired as Katy Croft and Allison Young describe philanthropy’s role in their lives.
Katy:
I’m not sure where philanthropy and I began. As a CPA and tax advisor, one way I help people reduce their tax bills is through charitable giving. Although many people tithe faithfully, I believe that we can do more than that to help children and families in our community.
Knowing that I give is important to me. I really did not want for anything as a child and it was easy to not understand how less fortunate families lived. As I grew older, the inequities began to trouble me. I found it unfair that some people had so little and I wanted to share with them. My mother volunteered to “adopt-a-family” each Christmas, and she included me in planning and shopping for other children and their parents. I loved choosing special things for them, it felt good to give! I am teaching my kids to be charitable, leading by example. We ring the Salvation Army bell together and Bowl for a Kid’s Sake as a family. They love it! I serve on nonprofit boards whose missions align with my personal concern for mothers and children. When that takes me away from home, my kids know I’m out raising money to help other families.
Allison: Women Who Wine gets major credit for connecting me to philanthropy as part of my life. At first our monthly meetings were my social hour, a chance to see friends and meet other women. Fundraising was a bonus! But that focus changed quickly as our meetings deepened my awareness of local nonprofits and their work. It is easy to lack awareness of the needs around us when we are busy with our jobs and families. Meeting nonprofits each month and hearing their stories pulled on my heartstrings. It was also exciting to know that by giving together, our $30 monthly donations resulted in thousands of dollars in grants each year. I was born and raised in Kalispell, so local causes speak most to me personally. When WWWF makes a grant to a small nonprofit staffed by a handful of volunteers on a shoestring budget, it makes a difference and that is special. I would love to be a fly on the wall sometimes, to see the impact our grants have.
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Philanthropy was part of my life growing up in Spokane. My mother volunteered for the Children’s Museum and she would bring me along to stuff mailers or do other tasks a child could manage. At school, community service was emphasized and expected of students from adolescent years on. I continued to volunteer and help raise charitable funds throughout college. The Spokane Inlander published an annual showcase of area nonprofits and we decided as a family which causes we would support financially. My husband and I believe in the importance of giving back and are modeling this for our 7-year old son. We want him to experience that giving feels good and even a small gift makes a difference. My relationship with a nonprofit organization and the community it serves determines my philanthropic direction. While my hometown community has my heart, I also believe in supporting my global community through charitable funds that I know to be solid.
I also look to my peer network. Millennials are now assuming leadership roles in our professions and have acquired some discretionary income. We rely on each other to make good decisions and to elevate our impact. Friends and colleagues talk a lot about their charitable interests and volunteer service – the fundraising or work party they attended over the weekend, a special need that they invite us to support with them, an invitation to pitch in and host a table for a good cause. We use social media to connect with each other and our world. It’s second nature to our generation to share ideas, rally support, gather volunteers and raise funds this way. Building community through relationship. Our Giving Circle, Women Who Wine is a shining example of sharing philanthropy for greater impact. I love that we are empowering women to make a huge difference in their community, one small gift at a time.
Community is critical to who we are as people, and part of being in community is knowing what we have to offer and what others need.
The Flathead Community Foundation is a public, charitable, nonprofit organization established in 2005 to “enrich the lives of present and future generations by supporting philanthropy in the communities we serve.” We connect donors with their charitable interests and support the work of local nonprofits through permanent endowments, donor-advised funds and community grant-making.
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Flathead Valley Nonprofits Need Your Help! By Kari Gabriel, Executive Director of Flathead CARE
There is no time like the present…Non-profits all over the Flathead Valley need your help, especially at this time of year. Some of us help kids, some help animals, some help families that are hungry or homeless – we all help some particular group that needs us. Those of us working for nonprofits are doing it because we believe in our cause, and it is up to us to convince you that we are a good cause to support! None of us are flush or getting rich, quite the contrary. In our case, at Flathead CARE, we recently lost our single major source of monthly financial support, due to that organization’s loss of donors. Everything trickles down with nonprofits - that can be a good thing, or in this case, a bad thing. We are scrambling to figure out how to continue providing drug and alcohol prevention to middle school and high school students, with a huge hit to our already-tiny budget. Each year, it seems like we scramble more and more to make ends meet, but this year is especially challenging. We are determined to survive, and will be exploring other areas of fundraising. There are other nonprofits in this same spot, and I fear some will end up closing their doors. We are one of 408 nonprofits headquartered in Flathead County, not counting churches. Further, according to Chany Ockert, local fundraising consultant/expert, Flathead County residents give at a rate of 3.5 percent of their income, more generous than much of the nation, which is about 2 percent. We are lucky to be a nonprofit in Flathead County, Montana! It is impossible to support each organization, so we all have to choose wisely, perhaps supporting those that tug hardest on our heartstrings. Supporting nonprofits can be really good for personal, as well as, corporate giving. Sponsoring a charitable program and volunteering your business’ time is a great way to raise awareness about a specific cause and also promote how your business has partnered with
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that organization. You can post how you have just supported them on your social media platforms and your website. One of the most immediate benefits to a business or to an individual is being able to get a charitable donation tax deduction. Donations that are generally taxdeductible include sponsorships of charities or events, donations of inventory or services and cash donations. Some businesses even have a matching gift program, where they will match employee contributions to local charities. This is an excellent way for the business and the employee to benefit, while the nonprofit gets double the contribution! There are some other really simple ways to support nonprofits in our community, and in some cases, like with the AmazonSmile Foundation; it doesn’t cost you anything more to choose a charity to support along with your purchase! Flathead CARE (along with several other local nonprofits) is one of the charities that you can choose at smile.amazon.com (you have to type in our full name: Flathead Community Awareness Responsive Education). The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible smile.amazon.com purchases. Only purchases made at smile.amazon.com, (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app,) generate AmazonSmile donations. As of November 2016, $37,903,623.82 has been donated to eligible charities by using AmazonSmile! Smith’s Grocery and Target also have reward or incentive programs that you can designate your purchases to
benefit your favorite local nonprofit, and I’m sure there are others as well. For 34 years, Flathead CARE has served as an informational resource and support to teens, parents and the community, and in doing so, has proven to be the Valley’s most consistent voice on prevention. Flathead CARE is committed to reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs by youth in Flathead County, through youth development, education and empowerment. We are the only non-religious and non-referral based youth development and prevention program in the Valley. With the ever-present alcohol and prescription drug abuse issues that are youth are facing today, there will always be a need for drug & alcohol prevention. So, as I said at the beginning, there is no time like the present…All of us local nonprofit organizations in Flathead County would be incredibly grateful for your help at this year-end, an especially tough year. Kari Gabriel became the Executive Director of Flathead CARE in April 2008. She is accredited in Public Relations through the Universal Accreditation Board (APR), and has worked as a marketing and public relations practitioner in higher education administration, with nonprofits, and in private industry, for 25 years. She holds a B.S. in Political Science, and a M.Ed. in Technology in Education. In addition to her work with Flathead CARE, Gabriel is serving in her 4th term as a Kalispell city council member, and also volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator and educator.