406 Woman Vol5. No.5

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 800-862-9199

Featured Stories

Home

outdoor woman

Wellness

16 Alexis Wineman

20 Surratt Survival Clinic

Getaway 24 Bar W

28 Lone Mountain Ranch

406 Love

30 Matt & Jonelle 34 Casey & Natalie 36 Ted & Lindsey 38 Dustin & Lindsey

Food & Flavor 40 Rising Sun Bistro

contents

406 52 At Home MT

56 Creating the Life YOU Want

HEALTH

58 fitness

60 Skincare 62 Colorectal Cancer 64 ovarian cyst 66 MEDI-LIFT

Family

68 Handwriting

Art

70 Shalene Valenzuela

74 Rita Quigley

44 Soup 46 Asparagus 48 Wine

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76 Book Review

w o m a n

406 publisher

Cindy Gerrity cindy@montanasky.net

business manager

Daley McDaniel daley@montanasky.net

editor

Kristen Pulsifer Kristen@whitefishstudycenter.com

director & design

Sara Joy Pinnell ayourartisan@yahoo.com

photographers Scott Wilson scott@scotteilson-photography.com Molly Claridge mclaridge@bresnan.net Daniel Seymour montanasharpeye@gmail.com

Cover Girl

Heat her Owens Heather was born in Kalispell and currently lives in Kalispell with her husband Steve Owens and their two children , I siah 12 and E lijah ( almost ) 10. H eather and S teve own and operate Soho C abinets & Design.

Photo by: Molly Claridge (www.bestillphotographymt.com.)

Creative assistant: Amanda Wilson hair: Peter McNamee Jewlery: McGough & Co. Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year 6477 Hwy 93 S Suite 138, Whitefish, MT 59937 info@406woman.com Copyright©2013 Skirts Publishing

View current and past issues of 406 Woman at w w w . 4 0 6 W o m a n . c o m 406

WOMAN 10

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contributors

Er i n B l air

Mo l l y Si pe C lar idge

licensed Esthetician, is owner of the Skin Therapy Studio. Specializing in the effective treatment of acne and aging, Erin helps people have skin they can be proud of. She has trained with the best Acne Specialists in the country, and now brings world class acne therapy home to the Flathead Valley. Erin resides in Whitefish with her husband and daughter, where they enjoy nine months of winter and three months of company every year.

For help with problem skin, visit SkinTherapyStudio.com.

was born and raised in Whitefish, MT., and has been a photographer for about 4 years. After graduating from WHS, she moved to the Pacific Northwest for several years, Molly moved back to Whitefish and met her Husband Jeff Claridge, who had also just moved back to his home town of Kalispell after living in WA. as well. Molly and Jeff have two children, Stella age 8 and Sullivan "Sully" age 5. Also two Bernese Mountain dogs that are very much a part of the family as well. Molly enjoys family time over anything. Spending time on Flathead lake, boating, golfing, skiing, and doing anything outside. "We live in a beautiful place, get out there and enjoy it, capture it! Life is too short not to". www.bestillphotographyMT.com

Sc ott W ilson

Del ia B uckmaster

has lived in Montana for 6 years and is the owner of Scott Wilson Photography, located near Bigfork, Montana. He specializes in portrait, event, and landscape photography. When he's not wielding the camera, he likes to spend time with his family exploring the outdoors, building furniture in his woodworking shop, and scouting the surrounding area for great new portrait locations. Scott is excited to be the newest contributor to such a wonderful regional magazine as 406 Woman Magazine, and he hopes that his photographs will grace the pages in many more issues. Visit his web site or FB page to view his work. www. scottwilson-photography.com www.facebook.com/scottwilsonphoto

Mom, fitness addict and health coach, Delia Buckmaster is the owner of Exhale Pilates Studio, a boutique fitness studio located in the beautiful resort town of Whitefish, Montana. Delia received her Full Pilates Certification in LA through STOTT ® Pilates. With over 10 years of fitness experience and a background in competitive sports, her belief that Pilates is the foundation for fitness makes her a leader in training your body and your mind. Living outside of the mainstream has not stopped her success in bringing the latest trends in fitness to Montana, including TRX ® Suspension Training ™ and Barre Fitness. Delia believes that the key to optimal health is not only fitness but a balance between healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, healthy eating, and spirituality. This belief led her into a career in health coaching through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City, a cutting edge leader in holistic education.

Thomas deHoo p, MD

Dr. deHoop moved to Kalispell from Cincinnati, OH in 2011 to join Kalispell Regional Medical Center and practice with Kalispell OB/GYN. Dr. deHoop attended medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed his internship there as well. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and served as an Associate Professor of obstetrics and gynecology. While in Cincinnati, Dr. deHoop was named among “Best Doctors in America” and “Best Doctors in Cincinnati” since 2006, as well as being recognized with several teaching awards from the College of Medicine. He practices general obstetrics and gynecology, with a special interest in robotic and minimally invasive surgery. He came to Kalispell with more than five years of experience using the daVinci® robotic surgery system.

Dr. deHoop has family ties to the Flathead Valley and completed a rotation here during his medical school training in the early 1990’s.

Since then, he had made it his goal to one day return to Northwest Montana for private practice. He and his wife, Betty, have three sons.

Inge C ahil l

Born in Germany, immigrated to the United States in 1977 with $100 and a backpack. Prior to her departure from Germany she studied literature, English, French and psychology. She also taught art, music and dance classes in a school for handicapped children. Inge met her husband Mark, a custom home builder, in New Mexico. They have satisfied the needs and desires of clients in the southwest, northwest and as far away as New Zealand.

They became Montana residents in 2000. Two years later Inge established her interior design business, Home Matters LLC, that provides interior design management and consulting services. Inge is a passionate gardener and loves to cook the organic foods she grows. She enjoys living in the Flathead Valley for all it has to offer and it reminds her of home. homematters@centurytel.net

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Br ian D'Ambr osio

lives in Missoula, Montana. His latest book about the life of Ronan, Montana boxer "Indian" Marvin Camel titled "Reservation Champ" is due out in mid-2013.

D'Ambrosio writes widely for multiple publications. You can contact him at: dambrosiobrian@hotmail.com

C r isMar ie C amp bel l

has been a consultant and coach for over 17 years, working with teams, couples and individuals. She also enjoys being on stage, painting and writing. As a result, her coaching specialty is working with actors, athletes and executives as a Performance Coach, helping people bring more of who they are to what they do, to create the results they want.

For the last decade she has had her own Management Consulting and Coaching business, Thrive! Inc., with her partner Susan Clarke. CrisMarie is an Olympian who participated in the 1988 Olympic Games. She is a Master Certified Martha Beck Coach, has her Diploma in Counseling from The Haven Institute, an International Training Center in BC, Canada, and an MBA from the University of Washington. You can contact her at: crismarie@thriveinc.com.

note} from the editor

February marches on rather quickly as we enjoy some spring time weather. It almost feels weird, but that furry little groundhog didn’t see his shadow, so what do you expect? This issue of 406 Woman has some fun material to help carry you towards spring.

For example, look inside and discover how to prepare your skin for spring and look your best! What better way to kick off the new season. Medi-Lift Face & Body Solutions can help lead you in the right direction.

406 Woman also has some great tips on everything from how to survive being lost in the Montana’s harsh winter weather, to how to create a variety of different things with one the healthiest and yummiest vegetables – asparagus.

406 Woman also has some amazing news on how you can achieve your dream smile. Look inside and find out how Dr. John F. Miller, DDS, can help.

Also, be inspired and see what obstacles the beautiful and determined Miss Montana has worked to overcome and how truly successful she has been.

Once again, 406 Woman provides a plethora of wonderful and engaging material to inspire, educate and simply entertain. Enjoy!

Kristen Kristen J. Pulsifer Editor

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featured}

Alexis Wineman

Miss Montana Uses Her Platform, Personal Obstacles to Hearten Autistic Community

By Brian D’Ambrosio

Alexis Wineman prevailed over challenges on her way to becoming the state’s beauty queen.

Wineman, 18, spent her childhood in Cut Bank trying to deal with the results of autism. She had difficulty relating to and communicating with others. She says she was unsociable and others would bully her and mock the manner she spoke.

Life got harder for Wineman in fifth grade, when the school curriculum required steady concentration and timed tests, which made it more difficult for her to adjust. At times she felt angry, even resentful. Her parents took her to see her minister, and then to talk with a counselor. She wasn’t compliant.

“I felt as if I was all by myself growing up,” says Wineman. “I knew something was wrong and no one could tell me what it was. Cut Bank is a wonderful town full of warm-hearted people, but it had no resources for someone like me.”

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In seventh grade, she was diagnosed with Pervasive development disorder, including borderline Asperger’s syndrome. “My life felt over at that point,” says Wineman, “Looking back, though, it really helped me because I finally got the help I needed.”

In high school, her siblings encouraged her to join the speech and drama team and to participate in one of the Missoula Children’s Theatre’s frequent week-long residencies. She found that performing boosted her self-confidence and helped her socialize.

“The theatre was the first place in my life where I wasn’t being judged by people,” says Wineman. “I tried out for shows every year, and I even volunteered to do lights. I had the supporting role once of Foxy in Snow White. Theatre really pushed me out of my comfort zone. It made my childhood. My brother and sister are both theatre majors, and I love to perform.”

Theatre and performing were her proverbial saving graces. The “group of misfits” in speech

and drama became her closest friends, and she went to state tournaments. The arts have allowed her to, as she says, “just experience those normal things.”

“By the time I graduated, I was proud of who I was,” says Wineman. “I was confident that I had overcome the hole in which I had been sinking.”

She surprised everyone when she elected to enter the Miss Montana contest. She told people she wanted to “prove to them what she could do.” Wineman has been accepted to the University of Montana, but as part of her contractual obligations as Miss Montana, she is deferring enrollment for a year. In January, she was on the national stage in Las Vegas competing in the Miss America pageant (Alexis made it to the final 16, and she was the first one called as "America's Choice" for Miss America.). Her talent for the show was stand-up comedy.

“I can’t even say ‘Miss America’ without giggling,” says Wineman. “It wasn’t too long ago when I was the weird kid in the corner who

featured}

Alexis Wineman

“I felt as if I was all by myself growing up,” says Wineman. “I knew something was wrong and no one could tell me what it was. Cut Bank is a wonderful town full of warm-hearted people, but it had no resources for someone like me.” didn’t have many friends. Being on the autism spectrum is a life adventure, and one that I realize has been given to me for a purpose.”

In the meantime, Alexis travels across Big Sky Country talking to kids about developmental disabilities similar to her own and using her platform to form a relationship with the autistic community. She says that this is something she would have done even without the Miss Montana designation.

She has formed partnerships with the autism groups Autism Speaks and Generation Rescue and the special needs support group AbilityPath.

“I can’t even say ‘Miss America’ without giggling,” says Wineman. “It wasn’t too long ago when I was the weird kid in the corner who didn’t have many friends. Being on the autism spectrum is a life adventure, and one that I realize has been given to me for a purpose.”

“Growing up, all I wanted was to be normal. I just wanted to fit in with everyone else,” she says. “In hindsight, I realize it was a waste of time, because normal doesn’t exist. If we could just accept people for their differences, it will make life for our children and for ourselves much, much easier.”

Photo page 16 by Unforgettable Memories - myunforgettablememories.com.

Page 17, Top photo of Alexis being announced as the America's Choice semifinalist at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Photos courtesy of Miss America Organization

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outdoor woman}Surratt Survival Clinic

S u r r a t t Wi n t e r S u r v i v a l C l i n i c

By Alyson Booher

Every year, unpredictable winter storms plague It was early fall, but significant snow covered the northwest only to delay, destruct, and fatally the craggy peaks that make up the Rocky dismantle drivers passing through Montana’s Mountains. highways.

As we were flying back at night, in awe of all the snow-covered mountain tops we were The difference between either a safe rescue or crossing, I wondered where we could land death from hypothermia can be as simple as a if anything were to happen to the plane. My few survival items stowed away in the luggage husband’s response did not exactly ease my compartment, the proper equipment attached to concerns: “Well, I guess we will just turn off your vest or the right things packed away in the the landing light and close our eyes before impact.” trunk of your car.

That was the first indication that if I were going to be a passenger on any future flights in small aircraft, maybe it was time I educate myself in the world of general aviation.

I got my private pilot’s license in December 2011, which was immediately followed with These three - well, four things, if you count the completion of the Surratt Winter Survivyour mama’s love, on your list of survival al Clinic, hosted by Montana Department of needs- are ranked in order of importance. Transportation, in Marion.

They are crucial things to remember if you ever find yourself isolated without shelter in The clinic is named after Terry Surratt, a pilot who survived an emergency landing in a remote area of Montana in the winter. his iced aircraft in a snowstorm, in January The first time I thought about surviving in a of 1992, but then perished from hypothermia wilderness area while stranded in the cold, from lack of survival knowledge or skills. His widow has set up a memorial for her husband came when my husband got his private pilot that helps subsidize the clinic, which trains a license and decided to fly me from Missoula couple dozen people every year to avoid situto Fort Benton, across the Continental Divide. ations like the one Surratt found himself in.

“The only three things you need to survive a winter situation, besides your mama’s love,” said Frank Bowen of Northern Lights Training Group, are “shelter, water, and food.”

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The point of the clinic was clear: the only way to ensure the best odds of surviving such a storm while traveling is be prepared. At the first clinic I had only the minimal amount of gear and failed to (A) build a proper shelter, (B) start and keep a fire going, and (C) procure any type of water melt, treatment or food rationing.

I was left with just “my mama’s love” to keep me going.

Determined to redeem myself, I insisted on attending the DOT Surratt Clinic once again, January 11-13, 2013. This time around, I came prepared to battle the cold and come with correct dose of mental toughness. I had a tarp for a shelter, water-proof matches to make a fire, and a pot to melt snow for water.

The clinic is made up of a handful of experts from around Northwest Montana. Frank Bowen, founder of Northern Lights Training Group taught us how to construct a shelter from a tarp and pine bows, and how to build a snow shelter. He listed shelter and fire as the first priorities in a winter survival situation, because exposure to the elements in extreme weather will cause your body to lose heat faster than can be produced.

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outdoor woman} Surratt Survival Clinic

“Don’t assume it is going to happen to the guy down the street,” said David Hoerner, Bureau Chief for the Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division. “It’s those times when you least expect something to happen that you find yourself unprepared.”

until three in the morning, when I made en. “I can’t emphasize this enough. There the walk of shame back to the warmth of are so many instances where people wanthe bunkhouse. der off and end up dying from hypothermia. It is a lot easier for rescuers to locate The most valuable piece of information a vehicle than a single person moving away that one can retain, is that low body tem- from the site.” peratures will lead to hypothermia and will Each of the twenty participants built their leave you unable to think clearly or move Following this second go around at the own snow fort. I felt confident my little well. One mistake a pilot never wants to survival clinic, I left with the sense of emtarp and pine bow lined snow fort was go- make is leaving their transportation. This powerment, and with the sense that I can ing to be warm enough to tough out the wisdom applies to cars as well as aircraft. survive in a winter emergency scenario. cold, and sleep in it overnight. I mean I did I highly recommend this clinic for these have a sleeping bag, how cold can it get? “If you find yourself stranded in cold very reasons.

Apparently, cold enough to keep me awake weather, stay with the vehichle,” said Bow-

Photo on page 20: Bitterroot mountain range during winter en route to Moose Creek backcountry landing strip. Photos on page 22: From left to right top to bottom: Montana Department of Transportation sign for their annual Winter Survival Training course held each year. - A snow shelter, as seen here, is a great way to provide protection against wind and elements when trees or other wind barriers are unavailable. - Survival Clinic attendee, Travis Booher, heads for the forested area with his supplies to build a shelter which he will spend the night in below freezing weather to test his skills. - Beechcraft fuselage used in survival training. This simulates what may have been left of an aircraft after a crash landing, and can be used as alternative shelter. - Clinic attendee starting a fire using a magnesium block.

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getaway} Bar W

The Gals of Bar W

By Kristen Hamilton Photos by Scott Wilson Photography

Tucked back off Highway 93 just north of Whitefish is the Bar W Guest Ranch. In the typical fashion of a western guest ranch, the Bar W offers all things and experiences having to do with horses but it is much more than that.

“It is a place where guests dreams come true,” said Carrie Austin, Sales and Reservations agent at the Bar W. Heather Ready, Marketing Coordinator at the Bar W added, “Always taking the guest experience to the next level is our number one goal,”

Let’s face it, vacations are fun and being able to work in an environment that helps put smiles on people’s faces makes for a great job. After spending some time with Heather and Carrie, I’m convinced that treating people special comes naturally to both gals.

Both Heather and Carrie hail from Minnesota but now happily call Whitefish home and love living here.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire with a Mass Communications major, Heather knew her calling was the hospitality industry. First she landed at a remote fishing lodge in northern Russia and worked a season as the assistant manager. “It was a great experience,” she said, but being she missed her dog, Stella, too much to make the commitment for another year.

She spent three years in Fort Collins, Colorado working for The Drake Magazine, a fly-fishing magazine, before heading to her next adventure working for Turneffe Flats Lodge in Belize. It allowed her to live part of the year in Bozeman in their US office and part of the year in Belize, living in Caribbean paradise. These experiences not only honed her skills as an accomplished angler but mostly how to help make the guest experience extraordinary.

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The opportunity to work at the Bar W came up last spring and Heather knew the job was meant for her.

She said, “I fell in love with Whitefish on a trip about 10 years ago and said that I would live someday.” The busy summer and working with a great staff reinforced that decision. This fall the Bar W also hired a new General Manager, Paul Robertson, who worked with Heather at Turneffe Flats. They are excited about the experience and expertise he will bring to the ranch.

Carrie also attended college in Wisconsin, graduating from University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Golf Enterprise Management. She explained that the PGA realized that there were a lot of golf professionals in the US but not necessarily enough people with the skill set to run a golf club. The focus of the major was on food & beverage, management, and tourism, which play perfectly into her current position. Before she came to the Bar W two years ago, she worked for the private golf community, Rock Creek Cattle Company in Deer Lodge. Carrie also fell in love with Whitefish during a spring break years ago and is thrilled to call it her home now.

“This summer (at Bar W) was fantastic. The best season ever and we had a great crew,” said Heather. They host visitors from all over the US and the world with many repeat visitors. She added, “there is really something for everyone here.” Families love the diversity of activities and the kids love the animals.

Carrie noted that “glamping” was very popular as well this summer. Glamping is essentially glamorous camping where guests enjoy the outdoors with the luxuries of home including a private bath. Carrie is already seeing an increase in reservations for this summer and com

mented that “the economy is changing and people are ready to travel again.”

Although the summer is the busy time of year with 20+ staff members on board, the other seasons are seeing an increase as well. This keeps Carrie and Heather busy year round as the winter season has as few as five people working on the ranch. “It makes every day different and it’s really fun,” Carrie said.

They now host four “Cowgirl Up” weekends in the spring and fall where the girls “run the ranch.” Activities include skeet shooting, archery, horseback riding, fishing, plus added fun like line dancing at the Blue Moon, Vintner’s presentations, and a spa afternoon with Remedies Day Spa.

The Bar W also host authentic cattle drives, adults only week, and photography week to fill in the gaps during the slower seasons.

During the winter, sleigh rides and dinners are the main activities so when the ladies aren’t busy fielding calls and working in the office, you can find them in the gazebo cooking dinner. “We’re always changing gears as there is something going on all the time,” Heather said.

Although lodging is available year-round, “many people don’t realize that you don’t have to stay on the ranch to enjoy the amenities,” Carrie said. They love to welcome guests for a day of adventure throughout the year.

Both Carrie and Heather’s families are still in Minnesota but they are content to call Whitefish home. “They love it here and are excited for another busy season full of great guests and lots of fun,” Heather said.

Bar W Guest Ranch - 2875 Highway 93 West Whitefish, MT 59937 - 406-863-9099 - www.thebarw.com

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getaway}Lone Mountain Ranch

Lone Mountain Ranch

RA Romantic u s t i c RTrip o mBack a n c ine

Time at Lone Mountain Ranch

By Lisa Jones Photos by Brian Schott

Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana has been a special getaway for the young and old since it was homesteaded in 1915. Placed on the National Registry of Historic places in 2006, the ranch still maintains an authentic Montana experience where guests feel at home and part of the ranch family, while being taken care of with discerning customer service. Perched at the doorstep of Yellowstone National Park the lodge offers the ultimate winter playground, while the seasoned staff is every bit as impressive as the mountains surrounding them.

A jovial staff serves Montana-raised prime rib family style in a room illuminated by kerosene lanterns and live cowboy music round outs the experience. Succulent wild salmon is a wonderful substitute for those who would rather eat from the ocean. It’s an evening reminiscent of times long ago — and a sweet time with a date!

The Ranch offers 85km of cross-country skiing, 30km of snowshoeing, backcountry ski and snowshoe tours into Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding Gallatin National Forest, as well as snowcoach trips into the interior of Yellowstone Park, sleigh rides, massages and yoga. Big Sky and Moonlight Basin offers unLone Mountain Ranch (also known to some as surpassed alpine ski terrain just minutes from “Love” Mountain Ranch!) is a romantic place the ranch. for guests, as it provides a serene and peaceful setting with the stunning scenery of the Rocky And while lighting a fire in the cabin and snugMountains. Couples enjoy the cozy, quaint and gling up after a long day of skiing (or taking authentic Montana log cabins, each with a fire- a dip in the hot tub) is a sure way to connect place or wood stove, as well as a plethora of with a loved one, many guests also relish in the activities to share, all which make for an unfor- friendships they come away with. gettable romantic getaway.

Rick and Vera McGill, from Kingston, TenThe sleigh ride dinners offer a particularly ro- nessee are visiting the ranch this year for the mantic evening. Snuggled under the blankets 10th time. What did they like most about their with the snow falling overhead as the horses experiences here? “Everything! The skiing is jingle through the forest, guests are transport- fabulous. The food is wonderful. And the staff ed to the remote North Fork cabin for a special and other guests make it a unique atmosphere dinner cooked on an old fashioned wood-fired where you end up feeling like you are leaving cook stove while being serenaded by live music. family at the end of the week.”

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750 Lone Mountain Ranch Road Big Sky, Montana 59716 800-514-4644

www.LoneMountainRanch.com

Accommodations 19 Cabins plus the Ridgetop Lodge

Dining Sleigh Ride Dinner, Saloon and Dining Room serve gourmet meals sourced from local and regional farmers and ranchers. Open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner Nordic skiing/snowshoeing 85km groomed x-country trails 30 km snowshoe trails

Downhill Skiing Biggest Skiing in America® - Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin interconnect totaling 5,532 acres

Yellowstone Tours Lone Mountain Ranch offers guided x-country, snowshoe and motor coach tours into Yellowstone National Park

Fishing ORVIS® endorsed guides offer a variety of winter fly-fishing and ice fishing excursions Sleigh and Stay Package Treat yourself to an unforgettable retreat, complete with Montana's original sleigh ride dinner and live entertainment, one night in a cozy cabin, a delectable breakfast in the log dining lodge, and one-day trail pass for two people. Cost: $179/ person/ night based on double occupancy.

getaway} Lone Mountain Ranch

Photo on pg. 28: Horse drawn sleighs transport guests to a remote cabin for a special and romantic dinner. Photos on pg. 29 top to bottom from left to right: Guests enjoy the special dinner to the live music of Bruce Anfison. - Guests gather at the old-fashioned Saloon at Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky while the horses are hitched up to antique sleighs. - Bruce not only plays a mean tune, but drives some nice horses. - Guests sleep well after a hearty dinner and awake refreshed, ready to tackle more than 80k of groomed Nordic trails, with stunning views of Lone Peak. - A warm glow from the Northfork Cabin where a prime rib dinner is served family style in a room illuminated by kerosene lanterns. - Wool blankets keep guests cozy warm as the driver and team navigate the trail through the snowy woods.

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Matt & Jonelle Photographed by Kelly Kirksey Photography www.kellykirkseyphotography.com

Your wedding is…something you spend months planning. It is something you spend your life dreaming about. It is placed in the “one of the best days of your life” box, so that certainly means perfection...or does it?

My name is Jonelle, and my husband is Matt. We were married in Whitefish, MT (at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake) on September 29, 2012.

The night before the wedding, I went to sleep feeling like it was the night before Christmas.

Except instead of Santa coming down the chimney, I was getting the man of dreams, with whom I would spend the rest of my life. In the morning, the girls gathered, started our morning coffee and muffins, and began getting the hair pinned and the makeup on. I was floating. We had spent 7 months making sure every detail was in place, and I just knew, everything was going to be perfect.

I went upstairs to grab something, and from below I hear, “Yea, Garry had to go, too. They were just getting some fluids and should be back from the hospital soon.”

“What??” I yelled as I ran down the stairs. Garry is Matt’s father, and the minister who would be leading our wedding ceremony. He was in the hospital. As it turned out, a groomsmen and Garry had gotten very sick that morning. I heard the news at noon, and our wedding was at 4.

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“These are the things I’m not supposed to know about!” I exclaimed. I was assured they were almost finished, and everything was ok. I released the tension in my shoulders, and said a quick prayer. Thank God for amazing bridesmaids and a few white lies.

4 o’clock came, my father handed me to Matt, there was singing, scripture readings, personalized vows, some Shakespeare, a sand ceremony, and the best, most meaningful kiss I will ever have.

We left the ceremony hand in hand, and met the rest of the wedding party for our celebratory hugs and “woo hoos”. We went to take pictures, and that’s when the mud was wiped away, and the real story became crystal clear. It wasn’t just one groomsmen and Garry that were sick. There were two other groomsmen, the best man (Matt’s brother), and MY GROOM! I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t believe this was happening. At one point, during family pictures, I looked over and saw the best man laying in the grass, my husband sitting on the curb with his head in his hands, and the rest of the groomsmen loosening ties and chugging water. We slowly made our way through the photos, with the support, patience and grace

given to us by our amazing photographer. We were about 20 minutes late to the reception, but finally, we made our grand entrance!

“We made it”, I thought. “Now we just coast through the reception, and everything will be right on track.” Matt, however, didn’t feel so relieved. He still felt awful, and couldn’t even stomach a salad. We were both in tears at our sweetheart table as we realized this was not the night we had dreamt of. Not the romance and excitement we had planned or envisioned. We took a break outside for some fresh air. Matt’s grandfather came outside.

“We’re taking Daniel (Matt’s brother and best man) to the hospital for fluids, and we think you should come too.”

Matt refused immediately. He, of course, didn’t want to leave his own reception. I suddenly had a moment of clarity. If he stayed, feeling as bad as he did, neither of us would have any fun. We would be sitting in tears at our sweetheart table for the rest of the night, Matt feeling bad that he felt bad, and me feeling bad that he felt bad about feeling bad! I told him to go. If we were going to have any chance at a successful reception,

406 love}

Wedding

he needed to do anything it took to feel better. Hopefully he would make it back before our reception was over. He got in the car, I took a deep breath.

I walked back into the reception as everyone was finishing up dinner. I felt like I was in a daze, and yet, still had an overwhelming sense of peace. We had a room full of family and friends wanting to celebrate our day, and by God, we were going to celebrate. Matt and I were married!! We have the rest of our lives to celebrate together. But I had that night to make the most of my wedding day with my best friends and family. So we danced,and partied. As the night went on, I made my rounds, a few people went to bed, and the rest of us kept right on partying. I got the occasional update, with estimated return times that just seemed to get longer and longer. It was 10:15pm, and we had to be out of the room by 11. What would I do if he didn’t get back in time? “Please. We at least need a dance.”

And then he arrived. He came through the door, I ran to his arms, and kissed him. The DJ came up to me and asked “Do you still want to do the dances?” “You bet!” I said.

Matt’s mom, by this time, had gotten hit with the bug, and she had to leave the reception before Matt got back. They did not get their mother/son dance. That was a big loss for the reception, but we achieved the rest. We planned the bulk of our activities to be finished by 7:30. We hadn’t anticipated they wouldn’t even begin until 10:15. But we did it!

The day was definitely not as expected. Every range of emotion was felt on that day. The most pronounced feeling, however, was joy, and gratefulness. We were married! We are blessed with the most loving and understanding friends and family we could ever ask for, and the most patient, and giving photographer, videographers, and DJ on the planet. They all stayed past their scheduled times to make sure they captured this day, in all of its glory. Everyone kept the party going, showered us with grace, and still helped us create one of the best days of our lives. Through sickness and health, right?

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Wedding

a little more about

Matt & Jonelle How did you meet?

We met in Denver, CO in September of 2009. We were there for a wedding that happened to be between Jonelle's best friend, Abbey, and Matt's brother, Daniel.

Jonelle was the maid of honor and Matt was the best man. We had an amazing weekend in Estes Park, and just couldn't get enough of each other.

The proposal?

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It was December 29, 2011. Matt had arranged a big ski trip to Winter Park with my parents. I was home for Christmas, so my parents and I flew out together. My parents said they were meeting up with some friends, so Matt and I started the trek from Denver to Winter Park to spend some extra time together. From the airport, however, he took me to the restaurant where we first met to have some lunch. I was surprised he even remembered what restaurant it was! We got back on the road and he handed me a Christmas present. It was a scrapbook. It was the story of our relationship, and he wanted to go through it together on our drive, and reflect on our history. Talk about the good times and the rough times, and evaluate how we've grown. There were pictures and journal entries in sequential order with countless emails and facebook messages. We looked through all of this while listening to a playlist he had created timed exactly for the length of the car ride. We laughed and cried, and my stomach knotted up as I realized this day was going to be remembered forever. We arrived at the cabin, and walked in to an aisle of rose petals and candles, leading to the porch door, where I could see champagne and flutes

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waiting for us. We went out on the deck, he got down on his knee, and I said YES! Of course my parents were there, my best friend, and Matt's family were all involved and had been busy setting everything up, and were now waiting for us at a restaurant. We had an amazing, celebratory dinner, and one of the best weekends of my life.

What is love?

Jonelle: Love is surrendering. It is sacrifice and complete release in both the giving and receiving of love. It is revealing the depths of who you are and being filled with acceptance. It is letting your walls down and letting another person into your life completely and fully, to the point of becoming united, yet still maintaining your own identity. You become amplified by your partner. Where your best attributes are highlighted and, your not so great parts are worked on :) Love is not always easy. It often becomes a choice - to listen to each other, and to forgive one another. Love is laughter and tears, dancing and wrestling, and as my grandfather told me, no matter what, and through it all, love is "making it work."

Matt: Love is grace, filled by endless absence of abandonment.

What do you love most about each other?

Jonelle: From day one, Matt has pursued me wholeheartedly. He has found ways through our entire relationship to make me feel like the most loved, most valuable, most beautiful woman on the planet. He loves my heart so well. He lets me be as goofy as can be, makes me

laugh, makes me think, challenges me, and supports me 100%. I also love that he plays guitar.

Matt: Her heart, which is terribly difficult to quantify or explain, is the precise reason I love it so much. She has such a strong passion for everything she does. She loves people much better than I ever could. She can be excited in the most absurd situations... She goes to, runs away from, smiles at, loves what I could not or would not. And because of that, her heart excites me. It leads me to a world I could never experience on my own.....Also, she is mind numbingly gorgeous.

When did you know you were in love?

Jonelle: I knew I loved Matt the first time he came to New York in January of 2010. This was only the 3rd time we had seen each other, but after 3 months of daily conversations, our hearts had connected quite deeply. We were in Central Park walking under the tunnel by Bethesda fountain, and I remember looking at him, and knowing this amazing feeling I felt being with him, was love.

Matt: I don't ever remember it being in question.

Fun Facts:

Our 3 year dating relationship was long distance. Matt was stationed in Alaska (he's in the Air Force), and I was living in New York. For the first year that we dated, every time we saw each other, we were in a different state.

We went to St Lucia for our honeymoon!!

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Story

Casey+Natalie Who are you?

Natalie is a farm girl from North Dakota where her parents still live. Her older brother, sister-inlaw and nephew live in Orlando Florida. Natalie has been passionate about horses all her life.

When she isn't traveling, skiing, boating, or exploring, she is on her horse.

Natalie owns and operates a full care horse boarding facility in Columbia Falls and is fortunate to spend time outside!

Casey: I was born and raised in Northern Minnesota. It was a good place to grow up and a good place to be “from”. I moved out west when I was 17 years old and spent time in Wyoming, Utah, and Montana. I spent many winters working in the ski industry in Utah, but always had my hands working wood in the summers. Whether it was crafting a log for a house or gripping an oar on a river raft, I have always had a special place in my heart for Montana and moved my family to Whitefish in 1994. I have been involved in the building and development business here ever since. I have never looked back or forward.

This is my home.

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How did you meet?

We met through common people. I was looking to move across the Valley with my horses and a

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Photos by: Carrie of B2 Photography www.montana-wedding-photographers.com

friend suggested I talk to Casey about property.

After talking briefly and emailing back and forth, Casey had located the perfect living situation for my horses. It wasn't until a couple months later that we met up for a "thank you" drink. We haven't been apart since.

The proposal?

Easter Sunday of 2012, I had to work at our barn so Casey volunteered to help me. He got a head start and left before me. When I got to my office there was an Easter egg on my desk with a sweet note inside. I started finding Easter eggs here and there, all filled with little love notes.

Then the trail of eggs stopped. We were outside working in the paddocks together when I spotted another Easter egg. Casey was immediately by my side as I opened it. Inside was a gorgeous Tacori ring from McGough & Co. It was an Easter to remember!!!

What is love?

Natalie: Love is an art. Love is unconditional selflessness. Love is powerful. Love is too small a word to explain whatI feel for Casey.

Casey: Love is the most powerful human emotion there is and yet strangely, romantic. Love is something you cannot comprehend until you truly have experienced it. Because everyone de-

sires love so strongly, I think we all, at varying points in our lives, mistake attraction, infatuation, fascination, and all of those kinds of feelings for love. True romantic love is a pure, easy, and infinitely strong bond of trust between two souls that allow each other to simply be themselves and to enjoy and celebrate each other for who they are – in every moment, every day , every year, a lifetime.

What do you love most about each other?

Natalie: Besides the amazing cup of coffee he makes me every morning? I love his optimistic attitude, imbued with common sense, and a crazy sense of humor. I think everybody deserves somebody who makes them look forward to tomorrow. No matter what we are doing, I always look forward to another day with Casey.

Casey: I love Natalie’s abundance of life energy.

Her love for me, our families, every creature large or small (excepting spiders and snakes) shines as bright as the morning sun. There is not a day that she does not make the absolute best of. She has a smile and giggle that will jolt a petrified curmudgeon to life. She is entirely self-reliant and can outwork most men I know, but has the softest and sweetest heart that can be. She is genuine and honest, intelligent and humble. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes upon, inside and out.

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Story

When did you know you were in love?

Natalie: After several weeks together I realized everything was brighter, more alive and more fun when Casey and I were together. I felt like I was skipping across the clouds.

Casey: I fell in love pretty early in our relationship.

It was only a matter of months before I knew Natalie was a truly special woman. I had developed strong feelings for her, and while I trusted my heart, I deliberately wanted to be patient, and I wanted to experience all four seasons together with her. Our first year together was so incredible in so many ways. We literally have spent every day together from the first day we met. We had a ton of fun together and truly, simply, and easily enjoyed being with each other.

But that was the easy part. We also faced some serious challenges that year and we faced, fought, endured, and thrived, together, in midst of some pretty crazy stuff. It’s the tough stuff that seals the bond.

Fun Facts: We looked at different wedding locations before we unanimously voted for our home outside of Whitefish.

I wanted a simple, elegant, romantic wedding. With the help of family, close friends, and Cara at Mums Floral, it was magical! We invited 150 of our close friends and family and it was amazing watching them become acquainted in this beautiful location we call home.

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Story

Ted + Lindsey

Photos by: Marianne Wiest Photography www.mariannewiest.com Who are you?

Lindsey, Non-Profit Recruitment and Animal Welfare Advocate Ted, Flight Engineer with the Royal Canadian Air Force

How did you meet?

We laugh at this the most, but times they are a changin'... we met on the Internet!

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The proposal?

Ted: I scrapbooked the lyrics to "our" song ("All I Want Is You" by Barry Louis Polisar), highlighted with pictures of our time together. The final lyrics were "All I want is you, will you be my bride? Take me by the hand and stand by my side."

While picnicking near waterfalls and beaver dams, I gave Lindsey the scrapbook as a surprise. As she went through the pages and made it to the end, I had the ring ready, out of her view...the only problem was that I had miscounted which page she was on, so when she made it to the end of the book, I thought she was one page back! Overcome with

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complete nerves and Lindsey tearfully staring at me after reading the final lyrics, I blurted out "Well, will ya?" She said, "Yes!" and the rest, as they say, is history.

What is love?

Lindsey: Love is beyond being best friends. It is about partnership, generosity, grace, gratitude and laughter. If you’re not being generous, behaving graciously towards your partner, and grateful for the life you share, then what’s the point? And the laughter is important – you can’t take yourselves too seriously, so silliness is an important part of this special friendship!

Ted: Love is a force of nature that cannot be altered. It is bigger than any one person. It is inherently free. Love is the one thing that a man will fight to protect when he finally realizes he is in it.

What do you love most about each other?

Lindsey: I love Ted’s supportive nature, his ability to be a tough man’s man while caring about those who cannot help them-

selves. And you know, his beautiful eyes and fantastic stature don’t hurt either!

Ted: There isn't any one thing that I love most about Lindsey as everything about her has my heart. BUT if I had to choose one thing, it is how her outer beauty, that everyone gets to see, is overshadowed only by her inner beauty; and only I get to see all of that.

When did you know you were in love?

Lindsey: I knew I was in love when the butterflies in my tummy told me so! Who knew that you didn’t actually need to be standing right in front of a person to get butterflies in your tummy?!

Ted: I first realized that I was in love with Lindsey when I'd rush to the sound of my phone ringing in anticipation of her calling.

Fun Facts: We both love creating things with our hands. Lindsey is quite the crafty person (scrapbooking, crocheting, sewing/quilting, cross stitching, jewelry making) and

Ted is into woodworking and antique restoration, so our future home should be a very personal, yet tastefully crafted home.

We never get the bed to ourselves...our two rescue dogs seem to own the prime real estate on our mattress – lucky dogs!

We are both very musical people. Lindsey is a musical theatre performer by trade (one of her many!) and Ted has been playing guitar for about 30 years. Our combined musical libraries are stocked with everything from 19th century early Americana and opera to 1920s jazz, 1950s rock 'n' roll, Broadway musicals, and Ted’s beloved heavy metal (Lindsey is less fond of the metal!) Lindsey has a tendency to make Ted laugh a lot with her whimsical knack for creating ridiculous on the spot lyrics to old favorites or entirely new songs on just about anything.

Lindsey has been very fortunate to travel the world while performing and has so far visited 28 countries. Ted, on the other hand, has visited some far-off countries,

but on military tours and operations – a little different from being a tourist!

So, we’re heading out on our first big trip together, and we will both be able to be just tourists, which we are definitely looking forward to.

Lindsey is very interested in genealogy and has become something of a designated family tree builder. In learning more about Ted’s family tree, we have become very excited about discovering more about his maternal family’s roots in Slovenia, in Central Europe. Combining Slovenia with Austria and Hungary, we are looking forward to culture and adventure as we explore these countries for three weeks, while also meeting some of Ted’s relatives in a small village in Slovenia near the Hungarian border.

Wedding Plans: Our special day will be held at Ten Arrows Ranch, in greater Bigfork, MT. We are working hard to make our big day feel like a day at the summer county fair in the first half of the 20th century.

We have planned the wedding to be a family-centric event with loads of fun spread throughout. As guests arrive,

the fun begins with lawn games and cocktails. Our ceremony will be framed by mountains and trees, with not a single telephone-wire in view – our guests will be seated in pews and benches created by the owners of the Ranch, from old headboards and shutters! As the bridal party sits for photos with our fantastic photographer, Marianne, the guests will be treated to music, games, cocktails, cotton candy, popcorn and everything else you’d expect from a fair.

The reception will be in the beautifully aged barn onsite, bathed in candleglow from mason jars and full of dancing, jokes and merriment! Our guests are encouraged to dress in attire from the 1920’s to the 1960’s, and Lindsey will be wearing a tea-length, simple dress, while Ted will be decked out in a tweed vest and pageboy hat! We hope our special day will be remembered by all for the fun and love that will be felt through all of the activities. The way Lindsey sees it, this is the one day in a person’s life when they can bring all of the people they care about together for an amazing day, to share the best parts of their lives. We are both very excited to have everyone together, and we are expecting guests from as far away as Sweden, Ireland, and Bahrain!

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Story

Dustin+ Lindsey Photos by: Kelly Kirksey Photography www.kellykirkseyphotography.com

Who are you?

Dustin Bauer and Lindsey Shaver

How did you meet?

Lindsey: We both attended the same grade school, and I am the same age as his younger sister, so we always knew of each other. Our families were very close because of that. The summer of 2009 I went to Creation Festival in Washington with him and his family. That's when we really started to get to know each other.

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The proposal?

Dustin: After getting the approval from her parents two months prior, we went on a trip to Scarywood in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with her sister and nephew. Trying to decide on the right time to ask her, I anxiously carried the ring in my pocket all day. It never felt like the right opportunity came up until after we got home. After dropping off her family, we went to my house where we proceeded to unload my bags from the trunk of her car. As she was reaching for my bag, I grabbed the ring and got down on one knee. As she turned around with a confused look on her face, I asked her with tears in my eyes, "Will you marry me?" She asked if I was serious, and I said yes.

She said yes, and embraced me with a big hug!

Lindsey: It was really sweet, nothing too extrav-

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agant which was great because it was totally us, and if he did it any other way I probably would have known what was going on. This way I was completely shocked and him having tears made it 10 times better!

ers is beautiful and makes me smile. I love how she has no idea how beautiful she really is even though I tell her.

When did you know you were in love?

Dustin: I knew I had fallen in love with Lindsey when she completely opened up to me and showed me whereherheartwasandwhatherplanforherlifewas.

What is love?

Lindsey: Love is having that special feeling with someone that you've never had before. The way Lindsey: I wouldn't say there was a specific you can be completely yourself around that person and always have a good time whether time when I fell in love, it just gradually got to watching TV or out doing something active. that place where I knew there was no one else who could make me feel the way he does. In the Dustin: Love is wanting to spend the rest of your first stages of our relationship, I definitely knew there was something different in him that I nevlife with your best friend and knowing that we er had with anyone else, and I was excited to see can be happy together in any situation. Love is understanding one another’s needs and being where life would take us! there to comfort and care for one another. True love is unbreakable.

Fun Facts: Dustin: I told her I loved her while watching Dirty Jobs.

What do you love most about each other?

Lindsey: Dustin has a kind heart that I adore. He Lindsey: I remember my mom and I sitting on has a way of saying the right things that comfort me the porch before I even really knew Dustin, and when I need it most. He truly is my best friend, and I we were talking about how amazing it would be could never imagine living my life with anyone else. if Dustin and I really started to date. He just has such an awesome family and heart for God and Dustin: I love that Lindsey has a heart for God, was everything I wanted in my future husband. and she continues to help me grow in a relationWe were just day dreaming. It’s just funny how ship with Him. The compassion she has for oth- it all turned into reality.

food}

Rising Sun Bistro

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food}

Rising Sun Bistro

Rising Sun Bistro…

Re s t a u r a n t I m p o s s i b l e t o Re s t a u r a n t P O S S I B L E !

By Kristen Hamilton Photos by Scott Wilson Photography

Robert Irvine and the Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible” crew were in Kalispell recently to work with the owners and staff at Rising Sun Bistro. True to form (as its depicted on the hit television show), it was a crazy two days that included lots of tears and a completely new look for the struggling restaurant.

The story starts following Rising Sun’s move from Whitefish to a larger location in downtown Kalispell in the summer of 2011.

The move offered the popular bistro a lot more space and a much larger population to draw from. Personally as a huge fan of the restaurant (and a Kalispell resident), I was thrilled by the move. Although the plan was to quietly open and slowly build a new clientele base, the customers were lined up from day one. “The response was great, but we were overwhelmed from day one,” said Jennifer Griffith, one of the owners.

Jennifer, along with the other owners, Sally Truscheit (also Jennifer’s mom) and Peggy Kirby, settled in to their new surroundings. Jennifer ran the business side of the operation including staff and Sally and Peggy covered the kitchen and all that goes along with serving great food. They were open seven days a week offering breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, but long hours and the general stress of owning a restaurant took its toll on the partners (and the

family). Although each partner was working long hours, over time they stopped communicating and the restaurant began to suffer.

As a chef, Sally has been a long time fan of the Food Network and in particular the hit show Restaurant Impossible. She had mentioned it on more than one occasion to Jennifer and even told her at one point, “get us on that show.”

Jennifer recalls, “After a particularly bad day and a terrible fight with Sally last winter, I went home and ended up watching a marathon of Restaurant Impossible shows.” At the end of each show, the Food Network invites struggling restaurants to apply. “I finished watching about 2:00am and went straight to the computer to apply. I was pretty dramatic in my responses,” she added. “We weren’t necessarily failing at that point but the potential to fail in the future was definitely there.” If the Rising Sun was even to be considered, she knew she had to

get the attention of whoever might read the application.

Jennifer provided photos of the restaurant and was interviewed via Skype. At first, the show was hesitant as the Rising Sun was a pretty cute restaurant and a big part of the show is the makeover. But she was persistent and stressed the fact that the partners were going on about eight months of not communicating – they needed help! Finally, Shooters Inc (the company that produces all of the Food Network reality shows) sent a representative to the restaurant to interview the owners and staff. Jennifer admits that the communication between the three owners was so bad at this point that she wasn’t sure if they would show up for the interview. Thankfully they did.

Following that interview this summer, Jennifer contacted the show about every ten days. She didn’t want to be pushy but didn’t want to lose the opportunity. The owners were still not talking, and they got in an-

other big fight about the restaurant. That’s when she finally heard that they were chosen and made the call to her mom simply saying, “We got it.”

From there everything moved very quickly.

“The crew that was assigned to show 504 (season five, episode four) was incredible,” Sally said. Their main contacts were Nick Smalarz, Associate Producer; Paul Perrymore, Producer; Jill Litman, President; and Julie Roberts, Emotional Support; all from Shooters Inc. They arrived in Kalispell a day in advance of Restaurant Impossible star, Robert Irvine, to work with the staff and owners in mid-September.

The restaurant had to be completely wired for video and audio for the show. “They (the network) invests a lot of money to make these shows, and they expect good TV,” Jennifer said.

Of course the show has a crew, but they rely heavily on over 100 volunteers in every

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Rising Sun Bistro

Above photos courtesy of Rhonda Woody

location and the people and businesses in the valley came forward immediately.

The volunteers’ jobs included everything from setting up privacy tents, to construction, to cleaning. The sentiment shared by owners is pure gratitude for all of the volunteers.

The four areas that the producers pinpointed in need of help for the bistro were financials, leadership, service, and food.

If you are a fan of the show, you’ve seen Irvine start the segment with a trial run of service and food at the restaurant.

For this they were told to prepare for 10 guests. 30 guests all showed up at once which they were completely unprepared and essentially it was a disaster. Then he ordered a slew of items off the menu and pretty much hated everything. About the French cuisine, he said “Three blind mice (referring to the owners) is the only thing French around here.”

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Then he asks the hard questions that always bring out a lot of emotion. What you may not know is that Roberts is the one that helps bring out that emotion.

Sally said, “Every time I talked to Julie (Roberts), she made me cry most often because she was crying. I really felt like

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she cared and understood what we were going through.” When she met with Irvine she was pretty quiet and he had to remind her that she was “not a stuffed pig and can talk.” All in all Sally was prepared though and knew that the experience was going to be emotional and exhausting. It was for all of them.

Irvine spent a lot of time lecturing Jennifer and her “bossy ways.” “He was continually pointing his finger at me saying “you think you know it all don’t you?” or “Do you ever shut up, etc,” Jennifer said.

“It is similar to a boot camp where they have to tear you down completely before they bring you back up,” Sally added.

Jennifer, Sally and Peggy all defended their individual responsibilities at the restaurant and no one seemed to be taking responsibility for the potential failure that they may be facing in the near future.

“Robert tried to make all of us responsible for all aspects of the restaurant,” Jennifer said.

All the owners agreed that the turning point seemed to be when Irvine met Jennifer’s daughter, Ella. She came in to say hello and was introduced to Irvine. After a quick chat, Ella went into the kitchen and gave both Sally and Peggy hugs. At this point, he realized that bringing the

family back together was the most important thing and would help put the restaurant back on track. Having Ella be part of the show would also be good TV so he asked to meet her again, this time with the camera rolling. Ella, of course, thought he had a pretty short memory having just met him an hour earlier and having the same conversation.

Regardless, after two days, they were ready for the unveiling. Over 1,200 people called for the 300 coveted spots available for dinner. The night was completely chaotic but invigorating. The restaurant received a complete makeover, and it is beautiful. Irvine told them that “this was the best restaurant that I have worked with and I’ve enjoyed the makeover the most here.” Right before the doors opened, he looked at Jennifer and told her she was his hardest nut to crack in 58 restaurant makeovers. He also commented that there had never been a volunteer sign up filled to capacity so quickly. They loved the support from the community.

Overall the Rising Sun Bistro owners are grateful for the experience, and they learned a great deal from the Restaurant Impossible crew. The original airing of the show (#504) was on December 19, 2012 on the Food Network.

The Rising Sun is back on track and excited about the future. The bistro has been transformed in more ways than one and truly offers a wonderful dining experience. The favorite enhancement to the decor is the new “community table” that seats 12 for meetings, luncheons or dinner out with friends. Your favorite dishes are still on the menu, but they have added a few delicious new items.

Jennifer is quick to point out that the dinner menu features all entrees under $20.

They also have music every Wednesday night with Steve Eckels and that has been very popular.

The Rising Sun Bistro is back and is Restaurant “Possible “– they invite you to come in soon!

Rising Sun Bistro 25 2nd Avenue West in Kalispell 406-755-7510 www.risingsunbistro.com

Open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Tuesday through Saturday (9:00am-9:00pm) Open for Sunday Brunch (9:00am-3:00pm)

food}soup

Soup

by Megan Grunow photos by Amanda Haynes It was a frosty day in December when friends Kim Knuth, Courtney Perkins and Megan Grunow hatched an idea to solve the daytime lunch predicament that goes hand-in-hand with being an extremely time restricted individual. It all began while the friends were Christmas shopping together and Kim purchased a book called, “Ski Town Soup’s: Signature Soups from World Class Ski Resorts,” by Jennie Iverson (sold at Bonelli’s Bistro in Kalispell).

On the drive back to Whitefish, the three friends decided to start a “Super Soup Group.”

The core group of soup chefs is always the same: Kim, Courtney and Megan. Occasionally friends, husbands, fiancées and co-workers throw their hats in the ring for a chance to enjoy homemade soup each day of that week and to ultimately win the “Best Soup of the Week Award,” which is usually

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a swift pat on the back and several congratulatory text messages.

On Sunday nights, each person picks a night of the week to make a soup. The following morning, each participating ‘Souper’ gets a delivery by the previous night’s chef. Usually, each serving is served in a reusable and easily heated quart sized glass jar.

Megan Grunow, an architect by trade, came to Whitefish 3 ½ years ago with Kibo Group, Architecture. During the economic down-turn, she was laid off and spent a year doing “bucket list jobs” like working a season on Big Mountain. As fate would have it, Bayard Dominick and Megan crossed paths and she began working at his bar, Crush Wine Bar. Megan is currently in the process of buying Crush and has purchased a full-beverage liquor license for

the space which will go live around the 1st of March.

In the beginning of April, Crush will moonlight as a fresh juice bar during the day.

Kim Knuth and Courtney Perkins met in Shanghai in August, 2010, while earning their MBAs in Duke University’s Cross Continent program. Fast forward 2 years, and they both find themselves living in gorgeous Whitefish, Montana, embarking on their first business endeavor together. Kim and Courtney founded Venture Forward in October, 2012.

Their mission is to partner with small businesses and accelerate growth by providing strategic vision, management expertise and financial capital. In their spare time, they enjoy all that Whitefish outdoors has to offer as long as the activity ends with an “-ing”! To contact Venture Forward, please go to v-fwd.com

The following are the winning recipes for the Souper ’s Choice awards from Super Soup Group: Laabskins Wedding Soup and Spicy Peanut Chicken Soup. Enjoy!

Laabskins Wedding Soup

(recipe contributed by Courtney Perkins)

Meatballs:

·3/4 pound ground turkey ·1/2 pound chicken or pork sausage, casings removed ·2/3 cup fresh white bread crumbs ·2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves) ·3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves ·1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano ·1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving ·3 tablespoons milk ·1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten ·Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Soup:

·2 tablespoons good olive oil ·1 cup minced yellow onion ·1 cup diced carrots (3 carrots), cut into 1/4 inch pieces ·3/4 cup diced celery (2 stalks), cut into 1/4 inch pieces ·10 cups homemade chicken stock ·1/2 cup dry white wine ·1 cup small pasta such as tubetini or stars ·12 ounces baby spinach, washed and trimmed

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For the meatballs, place the ground chicken, sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Pecorino, Parmesan, milk, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl and combine gently with a fork. With a teaspoon, drop 1 to 1 1/4-inch meatballs onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. (You should have about 40 meatballs. They don't have to be perfectly round.) Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.

In the meantime, for the soup, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken stock and wine and bring to a boil. Add the pasta to the simmering broth and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Add the fresh dill and then the meatballs to the soup and simmer for 1 minute. Taste for salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1 minute, until the spinach is just wilted. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with extra grated Parmesan.

Spicy Peanut Chicken Soup

(recipe contributed by Katrina Platt)

1 Large onion, diced 4 T Olive oil 1 tsp Chopped garlic 6 T Curry powder 2 tsp Cayenne Pepper 2 tsp Ground coriander 5 cups Basic chicken broth

2 cups Tomato puree 2 cups Crushed plum tomatoes Salt and Pepper to taste ½ cup Smooth peanut butter 1 lb Chicken white meat, diced 1 cup Scallions, sliced thinly Chopped peanuts and cilantro

Cook onions in olive oil until soft and translucent.

Add garlic and cook two minutes. Add curry powder, cayenne pepper and coriander and fry for additional two minutes. If dry, add a small quantity of olive oil until moist.

Add Chicken broth and scrape bottom very well with wooden spoon. Add tomato puree, crushed plum tomatoes, salt and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes. Stir often and scrape bottom every few minutes. DO NOT BOIL.

Combine peanut butter and ½ of soup in blender or food processor and puree, adding small quantities of broth as necessary if too thick. When smooth, add puree to remaining coup and stir well. If soup seems thick, add broth to taste.

Cook chicken in boiling water until done (approximately 15-20) minutes. Drain and add to soup. Add scallions to soup, cook 5 more minutes and serve Sprinkle chopped peanuts and cilantro for garnish.

food}

Asparagus

The Super Food Called Asparagus

By Kristen Ledyard Owner/Executive Chef of John’s Angels Catering LLC

Asparagus wrapped philo with prosciutto and parmesan

Green asparagus (blanched no longer than 1 minute) medium stalks Thinly sliced prosciutto Philo sheets Melted butter Grated and shredded parmesan Fresh chopped Italian parsley

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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Take your philo sheets and butter three layers with a pastry brush, and then cut into triangles for easy rolling. Sprinkle with grated parmesan. You can add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you would like a

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spicy appetizer. Lay a slice of prosciutto cut to fit in the philo triangle. Lay your asparagus with the tip still showing in the triangles and roll, pinching the seam closed. Simply bake until golden brown.

Garnish with the shredded parmesan and chopped parsley.

This is a great appetizer made ahead and baked when your guests arrive. Show off other colors and tastes of asparagus with the following recipe.

Grilled white asparagus salad

White asparagus Favorite lettuce mix (make sure it has a little arugula in it for balance) Sliced almonds Mandarin oranges (drained and patted dry if canned) Balsamic vinegar Extra Virgin olive oil One lemon Salt and pepper

Put some of the balsamic, olive oil, salt and pepper on a plate and mix. Roll your asparagus on the plate. Grill your asparagus until just tender. Do not overcook because you still want a little snap to your stalks. Set back on the plate and let cool.

Mix your greens with the almonds and mandarin oranges. The rest is so simple.

Just organize the asparagus over the greens mixture and pour the rest of the liquid on the plate over the top. Finally, squeeze the juice of one lemon over the

top (be careful of the seeds). It’s easy, tastes great, and healthy fresh.

Now, it is hard to find purple asparagus in our beautiful Valley, but the white and green are available. The difference is whether the stalks are allowed to get chlorophyll from the sunshine. If they are covered up they remain white. The flavors do differ, but it really is up to your individual taste which one is preferable.

Asparagus can add a true artistic touch by combining these flavors and colors. Our next dish is a show stopper!

Steamed Asparagus with Poached Egg and Vinaigrette

Medium asparagus stalks (colored variety is best) Favorite flavored vinegar (passion fruit, strawberry, raspberry, or balsamic are good choices) Extra Virgin Olive Oil Honey (local variety is best) Poached egg Course sea salt and ground pepper

Steam the asparagus to tender (test with a fork). This will retain good nutrients, as well. Begin to poach your egg and start the simple vinaigrette. In a bowl, combine your vinegar and honey while pouring extra virgin olive oil with a whisk. Taste. Add salt and pepper with a final whisk. Toss your asparagus with the vinaigrette and top with the poached egg. Finally, throw in a last sprinkle of salt and pepper. A per-

fect garnish is an edible flower. Present on special family plates for each person to enjoy. Remember that personal history is always interesting to guests. This is a fantastic first or salad course.

This is only the beginning to the wonderful world of the asparagus. Always remember to store properly in your refrigerator. Your pantry list should be updated. If the tips of the asparagus begin to separate, you only have a day or two to use. Typically, the stalks can last up to a week. I prefer to wrap a damp paper towel around the ends of the stalks for a longer usage time.

Sunshine is here so enjoy the flavors of the season. Shop local when possible and remember to update your pantry items.

Here’s to a great culinary 2013!

Photo by Alisia Cubberly

The sun is shining and brings life to the Valley’s vegetables. One of my favorite and super healthy vegetables is asparagus. It is found in green, purple, and white colors, not to mention the different flavors. From bitter to sweet, depending on the ground it is grown in and the region. We can grow asparagus in the Valley, and I take true advantage when it is available fresh from the soil.

Not only is asparagus low in fat (1 gram per I cup), and low in cholesterol and carbs, it is also high in protein (5 grams per 1 cup), zinc, magnesium, and fiber. It comes highly recommended for restrictive diets, as well. Asparagus is a true super food. Let’s explore some fun and fast recipes while learning more about the easy to prepare, colorful, and health beneficial asparagus.

food}

wine

Q: A:

Wine

By Karen Sanderson Photo by Scott Wilson Photography

My friends and I were at Stillwater Fish House on Saturday night and had

no idea what to order off of their extensive wine list. Any suggestions?

Ordering wine can be daunting, but luckily, you chose one of the most wine savvy restaurants in the valley! My basic rule of thumb is to pair lighter weight foods with lighter weight wines and heavier with heavier so that one doesn’t overpower the other.

Also, when four or more people would like wine, I always encourage ordering a bottle or two that everyone will like. One of my recent trips to Stillwater was for a double date night with our friends Amber and Josh, and I will share what we ordered and why ~

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Since this was a celebration, (just getting a babysitter is reason to celebrate in my book!) we started with a bottle of Gruet Sparkling Wine. It was a perfect match with our various appetizers of fresh oysters, hush puppies, and hamachi crudo. Honestly, I think sparking goes with ANYTHING, and is a perfect starter for any occasion.

The big question was what to order with

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our entrees of a lobster mac & cheese, 2 butterfish in the miso sake reduction, and seared scallops with beurre blanc. Our very knowledgeable server, Deva, suggested a limited “off the list” Chardonnay. Chardonnays sometimes get a bad rap, but it truly is a terrific, versatile white and its luscious creaminess is especially delicious with buttery sauces and richer fishes. Either the Elk Cove Pinot Gris or Guigal Blanc would have also been an excellent choice, as they would have enhanced the variety of textures and flavors of those entrees very well.

I’m not sure how, but we were easily persuaded to try the key lime pie for the grand finale, and naturally, had to have a dessert wine to go with it. The Tabali Late Harvest Riesling was a sweet treat on its own and was amazing while sipping along side the pie. By that point in the dinner we were having so much fun that we weren’t too

particular about wine, but I must say that when it’s done right, it truly does make the evening that much more special. The staff at Stillwater was very informed and passionate about their wine options and I love how this restaurant rotates them as often as their menu options. Not all restaurants can pull that off, so hats off to them for doing it so well. And, hats off to Amber and Josh, too, who make excellent dining friends, which, of course, is the most important part of any meal - your company!

Cheers to you and yours,

Karen

Brix Bottleshop 101 East Center St, Ste B Kalispell, MT 59901 406-393-2202 www.brixbottleshop.com

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home}At Home MT

At Home MT Photos by Anthony Harris

When Barbara Eckert and Thomas Hoffman bought their Historic property at 501 Main Street in sleepy downtown Stevensville, Montana, they had no idea that it would soon become home to the Design Firm of At Home MT.

Barbara, born in Montana, had lived most of her adult life in the San Francisco, Bay Area. Tom grew up in Detroit and moved to Montana after visiting family. They met in Stevensville with the help of Match.com and recently celebrated their 7th anniversary.

Barbara and Tom knew upon buying the property that it was going to be a labor of love to bring the classic red brick American Foursquare back to its former glory. The home was built in 1910 by the Cook family. It contained all of the elements common to its time and reflective of the families prosperity. Over the years the once majestic property had been a family home, a boarding house, a book store and had most recently been converted into business offices.

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Renovation began in May 2011 with the updating of two bathrooms, repairing and sanding the

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original wood floors and painting of the plaster walls throughout. While work was underway, Tom and Barbara lived in the side yard in their 19 foot Airstream; and they didn’t live there alone.

They had their four rescue Yorkies; Walker, Jean, Charlie and Butler.

The first order of business was to remove the previously installed modern oak kitchen. While most contractors would have shaken their heads at this, theirs was not surprised. With several renovations under his belt, he knew that they wouldn’t be following the “normal” guidelines of renovating. In came a vintage cast iron double drain board sink for the kitchen. Soon to be followed by an old butlers pantry picked up by Tom at a local Estate Sale. Out came all of the existing 1980’s lighting and in came vintage, age appropriate fixtures. Followed by the installation of a working furnace, gas stove and bead board. The renovation continued with a new roof and repair of the double porch at the front of the home.

The one sure thing, was that if it was old, functional and beautiful, it was going to be incorporated.

As the renovations progressed, folks would stop in to ”just see” the inside of the old house. It seemed a shame to not take advantage of the location and interest and in May of 2011, At Home MT was born. Here was the opportunity Barbara had always wanted. To show folks how to use and live with the items they loved.

What started out as a two room gift shop quickly spread to take over the entire first floor. As folks started to ask how they should display the pieces they were purchasing, the Design Service was born.

Barbara specializes in Spatial Layout. Spatial design is a relatively new discipline that crosses the boundaries of traditional design disciplines such as architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and landscape design.

It focuses upon the flow of space between interior and exterior environments both in the private and public realm. The emphasis of the discipline is upon working with people and space, particularly looking at the notion of place, also place identity and genius loci (the spirit of a place).

home}At Home MT

Barbara’s design style is clearly eclectic. Believing that each room of your home should contain something old, something loved, something whimsical and something beautiful! Shades of White is a constant theme. She builds collections of everyday and unusual items. Displaying these collections in containers and calling them “controlled chaos”. She believes that if you love something, you should display it. Never pack away or store what you cherish. If you can not see it and enjoy it daily, then you are losing out. Life is short and you should surround yourself with the people and things that you love.

the barn had to be lifted 12 inches in one corner. Walls were reinforced with steal, insolation was laid and a new roof added. Where there was once a lean-to on the side of the barn now stands a glass room built out of old windows. There are now two full floors of fantastic finds.

cocktail hours. The highlight was an overnight stay at the Historic Belton Chalet at the mouth of West Glacier National Park.

In 2013 the couple will once again host a Garden Party in their yard during Stevensville’s Annual Creamery Picnic in August. Last year there were Most of Barbara’s antiques have a European edge 30+ vendors, selling vintage and handmade to them. She imports directly from other Design- items as well as live music and food/beverage ers in France, Italy, Germany and South America. concessions. The entrance fee was $2, which was If you are looking for French Grain Sacks, 100 donated to a local animal charity, Flo’s Fund. year old unused linen, or olive baskets and copper stencils this is the place! You will also find What’s next on the horizon? Rentals! Vintage one of a kind whimsical pieces; wreaths made items are now available to rent for Weddings and It wasn’t long before At Home MT started ap- from paper or light fixtures created from old bi- Special Occasions. Chandeliers, Urns, and Bird pearing in Antique and Junk Shows across the cycle wheels. cages are popular this year. However, the most State. Once the word got out that Stevensrequested rentals so far are for Whisky Barrels ville was home to a different kind of Antique And as if that were not enough, Barbara & Tom and vintage seating for 80. You can also rent or store, business really took off. host an Annual Holiday Shopping Tour! Last year buy custom Aisle runners and table cloths. the tour lasted over two days and showcased the The most recent endeavor has been to take the Flathead Valley. Participants enjoyed travel by existing 100 year old Barn that sits on the prop- luxury coach, sipping mimosas, and discovering At Home Montana is open week days noon till erty and renovate it to house the ever growing Antique shops. The event was filled with gour- 6:00 PM. Weekends noon till 4:00. Also, business. Built on dirt without a foundation, met food, gift bags, manicures and two hosted by appointment; 406.239.9216.

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Your life

Creating the Life YOU Want:

Your Feelings Matter Written by CrisMarie Campbell

Many may not know this, but I am a big fan of the Law of Attraction (LOA, for short). I know, Egads, she’s woo-woo! Really, I’m just a gal who wants what I want, when I want it!

Early Experiences I am resourceful. In the 8th grade I liked a big, strong and cute boy named Gary on the cross-country team. But Gary didn’t like me. Well, to be clear he hadn’t even noticed me. So, as a good, resourceful Catholic girl, I found St. Joseph’s Prayer, an ancient prayer which illustrates one of the first applications of the Law of Attraction, that is, before LOA became reinvented through The Secret and the modern day masses. (Check it out: http:// prayertostjoseph.org)

In order for this prayer to work, it is said that you must ask for your heart’s desire and then repeat the prayer every morning for nine days in a row. After that you will receive what you are praying for. What can I say? At the end of my nine prayer days—Gary liked me. But when that happened, I didn’t want him anymore. I know, Fickle girl!

Be Very, Very Afraid

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LOA folks often imply that if you have a negative feeling, you’d better be aware that you are going to create bad things. Always stay positive! So of course, being a good student, I tried this when brushing up against negative emotions in myself like anger, fear or sadness. Frantically, I would search for something to make me happy, like listening to an inspirational tape or reading a self-

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help book. Then I would feel happy, though a bit high and buzzy, like I had just eaten loads of cotton candy on an empty stomach.

Along with some good old-fashioned hard work, I lived like this for many years and was able to manifest amazing things. I went to the Olympics as a rower even though I was the smallest and lightest person in my event. I was at the top of my MBA class and was the pick of the prestigious consulting firms after graduation. I found my perfect house for a song, and then sold that perfect house right before the housing crash. (I utilized old St. Joe for real estate transactions, too!) Again, along with hard work, all of these things are amazing examples of my experience with the LOA.

all those icky-ucky feelings, I focused on solving my physical ailments by looking for the answers outside of myself. As I result I wound up choosing:

Relationships that I didn’t want because I didn’t think I had a choice.

Careers I didn’t want because I didn’t think I had a choice.

Friends I didn’t want because I didn’t think I had a choice.

What helps my manifestation ability is that I am someone who has big feelings and emotional expression, which puts a big punch behind my wants. Early on, however, I got the message that my emotional expression made those around me uncomfortable. As a result, I shut down as much as possible. By age thirteen, I was adept at suppressing and repressing, and to compensate, I focused on achieving instead. By seventeen years of age, I was having back problems. By nineteen, I was highly allergic to the outside environment. Plus, as an athlete, I had all sorts of physical injuries.

I had developed a habit of listening to people outside of myself and not making my own feelings matter. I focused on achieving and making others happy in order to gain approval and success in life. And succeed I did. On the outside it didn’t look bad at all. I had a successful consulting business. I lived in a great house. I was acting in the community theater and had a great relationship. However, I found myself saying, “I hate my life,” which I didn’t understand.

Nowadays, I subscribe to the belief that what I don’t feel, shows up in my body. In his book the Mindbody Prescription, Dr. Sarno describes this linkage quite well. Instead of dealing with my discomfort with anger, sadness and

Rather than pretend that everything was okay or look for answers outside of me from yet another doctor or guru, I went through a mind-body program and looked inside.

There were two main things I did (and still do):

What You Ignore Shows Up Somewhere

So what was the problem?

Ring of Fire

Emotions are just energy in motion and are always on the way to shifting into something else—if we allow them to flow. When we stop their flow, meaning we don’t allow ourselves to feel our “negative” emotions, then we actually keep them stuck. It is paradoxical.

1. I learned how to slow down and land or grounded in my own feet. Yes, energetically, I am constantly out of my own body and focused on my environment. I developed a practice of brining my energy back into my own shoes. As I do this, I usually take a deeper breath.

2. Then, I get curious about: What am I feeling,

now? This may sound simple, but when I first started doing this, I did it about 50 times a day, because I didn’t know how I felt. I was so used to not knowing, having ignored my feelings for so long.

Doing these two things repeatedly, took me through what Martha Beck, author of Steering By Starlight, calls the “Ring of Fire,” which is a hellacious catch-up process where one experiences many of the repressed emotions they have been avoiding. I remember one weekend, we were at a horse workshop in Phoenix and for no apparent reason, I just cried and cried and cried.

It was fairly embarrassing, but, as it turns out, I was with a great group of life coaches who didn’t blink an eye.

I realized I was fairly unhappy with some things in my life. I was working way too much, had a dog that I could not manage, a friend whom I didn’t feel comfortable around, and a business associate who wanted more control over me than I was comfortable submitting to. Over a course of about nine months and lots of feelings, all of those things have changed. But they would not have changed had I not been willing to feel just how miserable I was and get clear about what I did and didn’t want.

Your Feelings Matter

So my point here is, don’t be so quick to dismiss what you are feeling, especially if it is “negative.”

I believe emotions and body symptoms are here

to give us guidance. They are a way we connect to our higher selves; and, they are our navigational systems that say, “HEY PAY ATTENTION. YOU ARE OFF COURSE!”

Emotions are just energy in motion and are always on the way to shifting into something else—if we allow them to flow. When we stop their flow, meaning we don’t allow ourselves to feel our “negative” emotions, then we actually keep them stuck. It is paradoxical.

The quickest way through emotions of anger, fear or sadness is to let it move through you. We tend to think that if we actually let ourselves get angry or cry it will never stop. That has not been my experience. By giving myself permission to get either hopping mad or sob, it may last two to five minutes. That’s it. By letting it out in dribs and drabs it can go on for a LONG time.

Take Home Tools

Many of my clients are busy taking care of their kids or families, building their businesses, or just managing a daily hectic schedule. As a result, they have ignored their own bodies and emotions. They claim they just don’t have time. My argument is, if you don’t take the time, you won’t like the results.

So, slow down and land in your own body. Ask yourself, “What am I feeling now?” and make what you feel on the inside matter more than what is on the outside, even for just a minute.

See if you get any information that you can use to take care of yourself more effectively.

Then when you respond to someone on the outside, you’ll be clearer about what you really want to say or do. In addition, if you are a fan of the Law of Attraction, you’ll be a lot clearer about what you do and don’t want to attract in your life.

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fitness

Strive for Daily Progress, Not Perfection

By Delia Buckmaster Photo by Scott Wilson Photography

New Year’s resolutions were set over a month ago so we should be on a roll by now. We feel like we should be coming out of 2012’s fog and on our way to a new and better version of our selves. In actuality, our motivation levels can change from week to week puts a lot of pressure in a 52-week period to hold true to those resolutions.

I try and create a ‘motivating’ environment for people. I work hard to inspire them, encourage them to change their lifestyle, and support them in accomplishing their goals. Clients will ask things like “will you please motivate me,” “I know what to do but I can’t motivate myself,” and most commonly “I have no motivation and I don’t know why.” I have my own personal struggles with motivation. As a fitness instructor, motivation is a huge part of my job. Even on the days when I’m not feeling the most energetic, I have to put my best face forward to get that class moving.

Have you ever looked up the word ‘motivation’ in the dictionary? This is what you would find; 1. The act or an instance of motivating, or providing with reason to act in a certain way. 2. The state or condition of being motivated. 3. Something that motivates; inducement; incentive. Not very helpful, is it? Fitness professional are familiar with the terms intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic comes from within, internally driven caused by the sheer sense of pleasure or satisfaction from exercise or activity. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is environmental or socially mediated in some way. For example by getting praise or support from friends or family members.

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Let’s do better than that. Motivation is the most integral part of our personal well-being. In fact, motivation is what drives us to do things we do and pursue them further. If you’re not motivated, no amount of advice can help you live a healthier life. We are all looking for something to drive us, something to get

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us moving. For some people, athletes for instance, it may come from the desire to compete and to win.

For others, it may come from a desire to be healthy or to live longer. The problem with motivation is that many of us believe it’s something that will come to us if we wait long enough. Rather than believing in the fantasy, maybe we’d be better off by realizing that motivation is something we create, not something we wait for.

You make important choices each day about diet, nutrition, physical activity and emotional wellness.

Instead of focusing on motivation, strive for daily progress, not perfection. Progress means you are moving steadily toward your goals. Striving for perfection makes it difficult to see each day as a success upon which you can build.

“Motivation may be what gets you started, but habit is what keeps you going.”

Here are few ways to make some progress…

Start Slow Make many small intentions, like exercising more often or drinking more water. Set daily tasks only the gain satisfaction by putting a huge “X” on the ones you’ve accomplished.

Be Positive A huge part of being healthy is, believing you can do it and realizing its not going to happen overnight. Negativity is defeating, optimism is empowering… and the latter is key to making healthy lifestyle changes in the long run.

Stay Balanced Being healthy doesn’t mean you have to stop socializing and having a good time. Eating alone and spending hours on Social Media sites isn’t healthy either. Connecting with people online is like eating empty calories. You will rarely feel satisfied and “full” the way you might feel if you met friends for a drink or had a much-needed chat with someone in person or over the phone.

Make it Fun Researchers have found that people who commit to a regular exercise routine don’t do it to lose weight, avoid heart disease, or prevent osteoporosis – they do it simply because they enjoy it. Think of exercise as a menu not a prescription.

Choose a number of different physical activities that are personally enjoyable and refer to that list only Listen to Your Body – Nobody sees the number on the scale except you. So stop worrying about the scale, and pay attention to what your body is telling you.

Keep Going Good things come to those that work their butts off and never give up

Find a Role Model When you think about getting in shape, do you picture someone that you admire for his or her physique and dedication to fitness? However choosing a celebrity isn’t the best approach. Instead, seek out someone attainable that you know personally.

Visualize Create a vision board. It’s simply a visual representation of your goals. This will allow you to

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fitness

be clear on your goals, hopes, and future. It can help motivate, boost self-confidence, and foster behaviors that lead to success.

How to Create a Vision Board: 1. Find images or words that capture your dreams and goals.

2. Paste all your images on your board. It doesn’t have to be perfect! Just make sure the images stand out so that you can see your goals clearly 3. Place your vision board in a place that will allow you to look at it often. This way you can use your board as a daily reminder of your aspirations and what you want your life to be

Virtual Board option: Pinterest is a Virtual Pin board that lets you organize and share all the beautiful thinks you find on the web and browse pin boards created by other people.

Name one of your Boards ‘Motivation’ and start to pin quotes, pictures and tips on nutrition, fitness, and anything else that will keep you focused. I have personal account to motivate me, and a board for my studio to motivate my clients.

Lastly, Ask For Help

1. Find friends with common interests that will help you stay on track.

2. Hire a Personal Trainer or join short-term programs at your local gym such as a 6-week boot camp.

3. Work with a Health Coach.

Health Coaches are knowledgeable advisers who provide ongoing support and guidance as you set your goals and make sustainable changes that improve your health and happiness.

For those you that are selfmotivated and fall into the I’M BORED category, I’ve found some fun apps that will to suit all your personalities…

FitID is the Facebook of fitness apps. Only you'll be adding a lot more information to your profile. It encourages you to track your every meal and workout and even post snapshots of your body changing as you make progress. The key is that you can follow others' pages and they can see yours, and both can provide feedback via commenting.

If you are motivated by people watching you and want to surround yourself with people who are healthy this is the app for you.

Cost: Free Available on iPhone, iPad, and Android

Gym-Pact—which debuted last year but just launched on Android—knows what really motivates you: money. Your credit card info is required during set-up and then you’re asked to choose a monetary penalty (minimum $5) for when you miss workouts. Then, you tell the app how many times you plan on working out each week, and you check in to your gym when you get there. (It uses GPS to verify your location, so no checking in at the gym while playing poker at the Bulldog Saloon.) Every time you skip a workout, you pay the penalty.

The flipside: The money collected from those who cut class is put into a pot each week, divided, and paid out as rewards to those who did make it to class.

So actually working out could make-up for your poker losses.

Cost: free. Available on iPhone and Android

Pear Mobile is ideal for runners, especially those training for races. But it's more than an app: Before heading out to the trail, you strap on a simple heart rate monitor that syncs with the app. Then, choose your workout plan, like a "20 Minute High Intensity Interval Run" (many are free, others cost upwards of $200 for things like a 12-week customized training plan), put your headphones on, and head out. Whatever motivating playlist you've chosen will pause for your digital coach to give you cues, telling you how far you've gone and when to speed up or slow down. At the end, you'll have detailed stats on your workout that show your heart rate throughout, how many calories you burned, your pace, and more. Those stats will help motivate your next run. Can you go further? Faster? Also, the headphones that come with the system are a plus.

Cost: app is free, but it's $99.95 for the Mobile Training System with heart rate monitor and headphones, iPhone only.

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Answers

Q:

skincare

answers

By Erin Blair, Licensed Esthetician

I have a lot of blackheads, mostly on my nose, but also in the rest of my T-zone. They

A:

just keep coming back no matter what I do! Can you suggest something to help with those? The pore clearing strips I’ve used only seem to help for a day or so.

I have good news, and bad news. The good news is that you may not actually have blackheads. The bad news is that they’re probably here to stay. Most everyone thinks they have blackheads in their T-zone, but upon closer inspection, what they usually have is an imposter called sebaceous filaments.

up within the pore. It will gradually keep growing until it’s removed, making it larger than the other dark dots around it. Sebaceous filaments, on the other hand, are similar in size when compared with each other. And since they’re supposed to be there, they’ll be right back in a day or two if you remove them. Whoever invented ‘pore They’re supposed to be there clearing strips’ is laughing all the way to the Our pores produce oil, which is normal and bank, at your expense! healthy. In fact, the oil contributes to creating an acidic environment, which helps ward off bacteria and viruses that might The right skin care will help otherwise enter through the nose, eyes and A correct skin care regimen will help balance mouth. Our bodies are so smart; the oily T- oil production, reducing the overall appearzone we love to hate is actually an important ance of sebaceous filaments. Cleansers that part of our immune system! When this oil leave you feeling tight and dry will encourmakes contact with air, it oxidizes and be- age rebound oiliness, making the condition comes darker, similar to the way a cut apple worse. Moisturizers should be appropriate turns brown. for your skin type. If you are naturally oily, you’d benefit from a lightweight hydrating So the question becomes, how can we tell moisturizer that won’t clog your pores. It’s the difference between a blackhead and a tempting to avoid this step if you’re oily, but sebaceous filament? A blackhead is a com- the right moisturizer will replenish water in bination of oil and dead skin cells, building the skin so you don’t become dehydrated,

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leading to even more oil production. If your skin is dry, a richer, more protective moisturizer will be helpful. Either way, you’ll want to be sure the formula is free of comedogenic (pore clogging) ingredients if you ever get breakouts.

What if I do have blackheads?

If you’ve determined that you do indeed have blackheads, then you’ve got an exfoliation problem. Dead cells are building up inside the pores, mixing with oil, creating what we call open comedones. This is one variation of acne. The best way to treat this is to determine which products you’re using that contain comedogenic ingredients, and eliminate them. You’ll also want to use an exfoliating product suited for your skin type that will penetrate into the pores and help expedite clearing. A scrub may also be indicated, depending on your skin type and the severity of your condition. A deep porecleansing facial treatment with extractions will speed the process.

Q:

My teenage son is really breaking out, and I’d like to

make sure his diet isn’t making things worse. Are there any specific foods that he should avoid, like chocolate?

A: The short answer is yes, there absolutely are foods to avoid. Diet is one of several contributing factors in

acne, so while making these changes will help, it is not

a complete remedy. But because the following ‘acneic

foods’ are some of the staples of a teenage diet, eliminating them will be a great stride in the right direction.

Dairy, dairy, dairy

You may have heard that milk makes acne worse.

It’s true. While once a theory that evolved from the observations of many experts and acne sufferers, it is now documented fact. Harvard research has confirmed that milk, especially low-fat milk, is directly linked to the frequency and severity of breakouts.

This really extends to all cow’s milk products, including cheese, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt.

Good substitutions include ‘milks’ such as hemp (my personal favorite), almond, and rice milks. I recommend my clients avoid soy milks, for too many reasons to list here, but suffice it to say they aren’t the best option. Goat’s milk, yogurt, and cheese are good alternative choices.

Sugar is the enemy of acne

Refined sugar and high-glycemic foods create a chain reaction that leads to acne breakouts. If you’re not familiar with which foods are considered high-glycemic, Google the ‘Glycemic Index’. It’s a system that ranks foods on a scale of 1 to 100 based on how quickly they raise blood sugar and insulin levels. Knowing these comparisons will help you make more informed decisions; the goal being to limit the amount of sweets and other foods likely to spike blood sugar.

Peanuts, really?

Androgens (so-called ‘male hormones’) are integral in the condition of acne. Diet plays a starring role in our hormone levels, and certain foods contribute to our levels of androgens.

Enter the androgenic peanut. Peanuts, peanut butter, and peanut oil should all be severely limited. Many teenage boys I know happen to live on peanut butter (and milk and sugar for that matter). Other nuts are not an issue, so switching to almond butter is usually a painless transition.

Eating lots of meat can also be a factor. A study conducted at the University of Helsinki in Finland, published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that a higher intake of animal protein and fats were associated with higher levels of androgen hormones. Vegetarians had lower levels of male hormones than meat eaters, and diets high in plant foods such as whole grains appeared to lower androgen levels.

Lessening the consumption of food that’s been linked to breakouts will certainly make a difference. I recommend that my acne clients eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain, and fish. I ask them to avoid dairy, sugar, androgenic foods, and processed or fast food.

Please submit questions for Skincare Answers to skintherapystudio@gmail.com

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health}

Colorectal Cancer

Over 50…

Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer

By Kristen Hamilton

tunately, even if it meant sacrificing his health.

Luckily, he found out about the Montana Cancer Screening Program that provides screening at no charge. He contacted the gals in the Flathead City-County Health Department to be put on the list for screening. When he met with them he said, “They were kind and wonderful.”

But there is good news….among Montanans Costello was scheduled for the procedure and with colorectal cancer, more than 95% survive thankfully was given a clean bill of health. “It at least five years if their cancer is diagnosed was a relief,” he said. He wants to spread the at the local stage. With statistics like that…it’s word and be sure everyone knows that there are programs available to help you stay healthy. worth it to get screened.

So much so that he recently spoke to state legColorectal cancer screening saves lives and islators advocating continued funding of the can give you peace of mind. Screening can find program. Costello said, “I feel blessed and want and remove precancerous polyps (abnormal to be sure I help in any way I can.” growths that protrude from the inner wall of the colon or rectum) before they turn into can- Many insurance plans and Medicare help pay cer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer for colorectal cancer screening tests. Check at an early stage, when treatment often leads with your plan to find out which tests are covered for you. to a cure.

Your Colorectal Cancer is the third most common cancer in Montana for both men and women, after prostate and lung cancer for men and breast and lung cancer for woman. It affects all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people aged 50 years or older.

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James Costello knew he should have a colonoscopy. His bothers had urged him for years to get one now that he was in the age bracket that colorectal cancer most often strikes. The problem was that Costello couldn’t afford the procedure. “I have two sons and they are my priority.

I would rather sacrifice the things I need to be sure my sons are taken care of,” he said. Unfor-

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If you are unable to pay for a colorectal cancerscreening test, assistance may be available to you through the Montana Cancer Screening Program. The program supports comprehensive cancer control in Montana by providing ongoing quality screening services to Montana men and women, and education in a manner that is appropriate, accessible, cost-effective

and sensitive to the client’s needs. Screening services include mammograms, clinical breast exams, Pap tests and pelvic exams for the early detection of breast and cervical cancers and colonoscopies and FOBT tests for the early detection of colorectal cancer. Diagnostic testing is also provided for the follow-up of abnormal screening tests. Eligibility for the Montana Cancer Screening Program is based on age and income.

In Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, and Sanders Counties, contact Sally Kay Bertelsen at the Flathead City-County Health Department, 751-8162.

Statewide assistance is available by calling toll free 1-888-803-9343.

health}

ovarian cyst

Q:

ovarian

c yst

By Dr. Thomas deHoop Kalispell OB-GYN

I had a pelvic ultrasound that showed an ovarian cyst. In 4 weeks, I will have another follow up ultrasound. What is the difference between ovarian cysts and

A:

ovarian cancer? Are they the same or two different topics?

In a woman of reproductive age who has not gone through menopause, ovarian cysts are a normal, natural, monthly occurrence.

Every month the ovary develops an egg to release for fertilization.

This egg develops into a cyst that reaches its maximum size in the middle of the cycle (about 14 days prior to menses in a normal 28 day cycle) that ruptures and releases the egg. For the next 14 days before the menses, the ruptured cyst can continue as a different cyst that produces hormones to prepare the lining of the uterus for implantation of a pregnancy. These cysts are usually complex, meaning their walls may be thick or irregular in contour. A complex cyst may have septations in the center that divides the cysts into compartments, or the fluid may look like it layers out with different densities or debris. If pregnancy doesn't occur, then the cyst resolves, the hormones decline initiating a menstrual period. So, you can see that an ovarian cyst can be normal. This is why when they are initially seen, it is best to repeat the ultrasound in 4-6 weeks

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to look for resolution as most of these will resolve spontaneously.

This prevents unnecessary intervention. Abnormal cysts are those that are large (greater than 8-10 centimeters), persist for months, or are associated with significant pain. Despite that, the vast majority of abnormal cysts are not cancerous. So, ovarian cancer can present as cysts but not all ovarian cysts are cancerous; in fact, the vast majorities are benign.

In women who have entered menopause, cysts are much less common. The ovary is no longer producing eggs for ovulation, so a monthly cyst is not produced. Some cysts, simple cysts, can be common and benign. A simple cyst has a thin wall, no sepations and the fluid is homogeneous. These cysts can be watched safely if there are no other concerns. Any complex cyst or solid mass in the ovary of a postmenopausal woman needs to be considered for removal if there is any question that it could be malignant.

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health}

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family}Handwriting

" C h i c k e n S c r at c h

By Kristen Pulsifer I sit down in one of those wee little chairs in my daughter's first grade classroom. I eye the two adult chairs right next to her teacher's desk and wonder.... why? Anyway, I shake my head, I am not here for that kind of comfort. I am here to be comforted and reassured that my lovely daughter is doing 'OK' in school. Her teacher, who we all adore, sits down and goes over the report card, explaining all of the 'S's, the 'N's' and the 'P's, and what they mean. She tells me my child is fine, but there is one area that needs work.

My heart rate quickens, I swear my upper lip formed beads of sweat. She can't read, she can't count! What's wrong??? I feel like a cartoon character, as my face had to have taken on some funny forms as these thoughts ripped through my brain. "She needs to work on her handwriting," her teacher calmly says. Her handwriting?

Ah, handwriting. I can deal with that. Handwriting? Really? OK!

Her teacher explains the importance of good handwriting, and I realize she has some valid points. In my years of teaching and working with kids, I never truly paid attention to handwriting. I used to become quite frustrated with messy handwriting when I would grade my students' papers, simply because it would take me longer to grade their work when I couldn't read their writing. I would tell my students that they should write more neatly as to keep their teacher happy while grading their homework. "You want a happy teacher grading your paper, don't you?" I would smile, they would not.

or

Handwriting?"

is much different than typing on a keyboard.

While there is still value to typing in relation to the hand's relationship to the brain, Virginia Berninger, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Washington states that "handwriting differs from typing because it requires executing sequential strokes to form a letter... Pictures of the brain have illustrated that sequential finger movements activated Bounds also points out an interesting bit of re- massive regions involved in thinking, language search. When looking at MRI brain scan results and working memory-". Combining technology of children "who had practiced writing by hand, with writing is proving popular. There are many the scans showed heightened brain activity in a new kids' games for ipads that help put the art key area, indicating learning took place." Prac- of writing and computers together. Now that’s ticing handwriting skills actually helped en- a game we can feel good about our kids playing! hance a child's ability to learn and retain what There are so many things that are important they were learning. to think about as our children learn and grow.

Simply thinking about the art that goes into Handwriting is one that we can all work on tomany forms of handwriting - I understand the gether. My daughter constructed a mail box in point. Also, when I see nice handwriting with her bedroom, and she writes letters to us and my students or just with people in general, I al- we write back. She thought that would be a most always think they must be careful people great way to practice her writing and a fun way who care about expression and the clarity of to communicate 'I Love You's' to Mom and Dad. their work. Those with neat handwriting are I am taking advantage of it, as these notes will people who are concerned that others under- not be around forever. stand the ideas they are trying to communicate.

So, pick up a new language, or simply sit down Bounds continues on: "It's not just children who with your kids and write letters to friends. Just benefit. Adults studying new symbols, such as step away from the email briefly and work on Chinese characters, might enhance recognition your writing. Be old fashioned and send a letter. by writing the characters by hand... Some physi- Whatever it is, value this simple art of writing cians say handwriting could be a good cognitive that even our teachers are pushing as a way of exercise for baby boomers working to keep their learning to be careful and communicative. minds sharp as they age." So, let's add handwriting to that long list of exercises we try to do Information quoted from everyday to keep ourselves fit and functioning. The Wallstreet Journal, "Personal Journal" her handwriting improve, but so did the quality of her work. According to an article, written by Gwendolyn Bounds, in The Wall Street Journal, handwriting "is more than just a way to communicate. The practice helps with learning letters and shapes, can improve idea composition and expression, and may aid fine motor-skill development."

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Anyway, my child's teacher had a point. I soon - Tuesday, October 5, 2010 realized that the messy handwriting she exhibited while working would happen when she Researchers emphasize the "hand's unique "How Handwriting Trains the Brain", was either hurrying or being careless. If she relationship with the brain when it comes to by Gwendolyn Bounds slowed down and took her time, not only did composing thoughts and ideas." Handwriting

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art}

Shalene Valenzuela

M i s s o u l a A r t B e at :

Following Shalene Valenzuela’s Patterns Written and Photographed by Brian D’Ambrosio

closes the contradiction of what we pretend to be. She understands that the world is a charming inconsistency and that every time we take a step forward that we, in truth, revert back to the same primitive habits and patterns. We are programmed that way. We are not only constructed to stand in opposition to our own selves, but to In addition to these themes, her sculptures prod philosophize our daily conflicts. fun at our society’s pervasive construction of nostalgia as yet another form of relentless con- What Shalene’s art does so well is to rein in that ambiguity and repetition, or, at very least, sumption. sleekly push those forces out into the open. In“A lot of the imagery I’ve pulled from dated deed, the action taking place in her narratives sources,” says Valenzuela. “It comes from the era relates to “a pattern,” says Valenzuela, “a rut in my mother and grandparents grew up in, from life,” something we replicate on a daily basis and old photos, magazines and yearbooks, and the do so unquestioningly. advertising of the social, political events of their days. It all seems so innocent, but that is so far Since much of her imagery is culled from “dated” sources, we see “an idealized time” in society from the truth.” and advertising. We see fashionable clothing, Through the hand-painting or screen-pressing cookbooks, trendy hair styles, the latest cosof symbols, faces, and imagery on thin, fragile metics and appliances, the staid pursuit of the objects, Valenzuela exposes contradictions in inanimate; the decadent swamp of consumeradvertising, culture, and society. Beneath the ism bogging citizens down; cosmetics covering shiny veneer we see that the world is a per- up self-hatred. Valenzuela’s eschews the notion petual caricature of itself; every moment dis- that we must be forced to equate products and Shalene Valenzuela’s ceramic and porcelain art provides much to ponder. For starters, within her pieces lurks a mild – and at times not so lenient – criticism of consumption modes, consumerism, societal expectations, etiquette and delineated gender roles.

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WOMAN 70

services with our human well-being. And she exposes the roots, origins, and perhaps (hopefully) the zenith of this madness.

Jabbing holes at fairytales and urban myths through the faces of smiley, yet unhappy ladies from a Time magazine Tupperware ad, may seem a bit brusque to some eyes. But, in actuality, a variety of women’s issues are executed with a jokey, often ironic tone.

“It has more to do with the expression and glances on the faces of those painted and what’s being implied by the actions,” says Valenzuela, who currently serves as the director at the Clay Studio of Missoula and teaches at Flathead Valley Community College. “I hope that the imagery of that old advertising captivates, but I would also like the viewer to investigate more, to investigate those things that you can’t tell or know from afar.”

Shalene’s work is aesthetically beautiful – pretty telephones, seemingly delicate clay hammers and boards, but it also has a lot of depth, for her pieces explore the interaction of humanity,

nature, and mystery. Everything we see hides another thing, and we want to see what is hidden by what we see.

While the issues she explores generally delve into the very tangible psychology of self-esteem and self-perception, she knows full well that true art evokes a feeling of mystery – a mystery without which the world as a collective entity would not exist.

Her illustrations and their sense of seriousness are real; the attitude or identity of the subject is guesswork.

To Shalene, art is the practice of supplying content and thought, a

method of provoking a substantive discussion of earlier times and a way to better comprehend the generally accepted behaviors of the present. It is her way of halting what never stays still, of pinning down the elusive foe called time.

Valenzuela says, “Really, the art you see comes down to a moment in time, a moment in time with an implied past and an implied future, which gives the viewer a hint into the patterns of life. I hope there is more to it than at first glance. In the end, I hope my art evokes questions about those patterns of life.�

art}

Rita Quigley

Rita Quigley: The Photographer ’s Sense of Place Written by Brian D’Ambrosio

Knowingly or not, a person chooses a home because of who he or she is. Rita Quigley’s hometown of Missoula is full of who she is – every certainty and distinction. She is a photographer who uses the medium to express her love of ghost towns, ghost art signage, bygone structures, blue skies, colorful fish, garaged vehicles, fence posts, horses, and snow-capped peaks.

“When I go hiking, traveling, fishing, or camping, I’m looking for a story to remember,” says Quigley. “Every picture tells a story. My pictures tend to tell the story of Missoula and what people like to do here. They like rivers, forests, and outdoors.”

Rita Quigley is diligent. She has a sense of what’s sacred, and a strong grip on elegance. She has the ability to marvelously mix emotion and geometry together in a single instant – a skillful trait frequently lacking in the clutter of the contemporary photo-art market.

Quigley’s work shows us that it is naïve to think that we are in control of our destinies. There are too many variables to account for. There are too many random collisions. Her catalog is proof positive that photography is not documentary, but intuition, a poetic practice. It's more about being sensitive to coincidence and chance than being a control freak. You can't go looking for the right shot; you can't want it badly, or you will not find it. Photographic treasures are not found by those who search.

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“You can’t force it,” says Quigley, who was born deaf. She overcame that barrier by developing her sense of vision into pictures. “You have to let it happen naturally.”

WOMAN 74

Quigley says that she has an inventory of approximately 16,000 photos. Henri Cartier-Bresson, once said that your first 10,000 photographs are your worst, so at least Quigley has that milestone behind her. Which of these photos deserve to make the cut? That topic is often debated between Rita and her husband James, who serves as her advisory board, custom framer, and loving fan. “What sells is what I pick,” laughs James, who sits alongside Rita and I, at Hunter’s Bay Coffee, a few minutes before the start of his wife’s July First Friday presentation. In truth, sometimes Quigley has to compromise and market those photos that the masses can better relate to. Though, that’s not to suggest that she doesn’t shoot as she pleases, for rusty Studebakers and old junkers compromise a fair amount of the showing.

To look at one of Quigley’s photos is to comprehend that photography is an art form of line, color, light sensitivity, shadow, form, and the interplay and balance of these elements. We see that photography is a long haul, a lifelong apprenticeship, a never-ending attempt to seek out that one moment that can be frozen in time, the one second when the juxtaposition of art and actuality are inseparable.

For Quigley, photography is a spontaneous impulse to seize the split second of abandoned luncheonettes, striking sunsets, familiar landmarks like The Wilma, and endless highways, and make them eternal. From photos of tiny

shacks hawking antiques, to colorfully expressive building balconies, we feel the innovation of her expression.

What Quigley’s aspires to perfect, perhaps Cartier-Bresson summed up best in his book The Mind's Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers: “To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.”

What does Quigley’s work say about her?

“It says that I am a lucky person and very fortunate to live where I do,” says Quigley.

It also says that she has spent considerable time honing her craft.

For some, photography is looked at as a simple and easy pastime; it is, however, a varied and unclear process, in which the only basic commonality among its users is in the instrument. Quigley understands that Missoula is crammed with many skilled photographers, all of whom know just how laborious and knotty the medium’s learning curve can be.

“It’s difficult to be in a town with so many talented people and to get your name out there,” says Quigley. “It’s competitive here. After 10 years, I feel as if I am a known photographer. I’ll continue to capture what I see.”

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art} books

Book Review Sponsored by

862-9659 - 242 Central Avenue, Whitefish Below Copperleaf Chocolat Co.

ELSEWHERE By: RICHARD RUSSO BOOK REVIEWS BY JOAN G. SMITH Richard Russo has been a favorite of mine for several years, with novels such as Straight Man, Bridge of Sighs and That Old Cape Magic. When his memoir, just out in 2012, was published, I ordered it and was not disappointed. Elsewhere paints a picture of his life that is a window into the characters and locations in the novels he has authored.

Gloversville, in upstate New York, was the town Russo grew up in, and it was famous for tanning leather and making leather products. It was not an easy life for those in the trade, but family and neighbors were closely knit. His father was a charming man, but not a family man. His mother always wanted more out of life, so they divorced, and Richard Russo was faced with a life of caring for his mother - always!

Gloversville came upon hard times in the 1950's as new machines and inventions for making leather products were introduced.

Richard's mother was most anxious to try new territory and for awhile always had some kind of job and was attractive to men. However, she was a perfectionist and had an extremely nervous disposition that made it hard to live with and manage.

Mother and son always loved each other, and she lived close by in various towns, even when Russo went to college and graduate school, married and fathered two daughters, and was a professor and then an author. His wife, Barbara, was wonderful about it all, which is a miracle in itself.

The various moves around the country are hilarious, heartbreaking, interesting and

even comic. They are back and forth to Helwig Street in Gloversville and eventually wind up in Boston, always keeping track of family and showcasing how his success as author finally provided enough money to make it at least a little easier. This is a beautiful memoir, by a Pulitzer Prize winning author.

THE FALLEN ANGEL By: DANIEL SILVA I must admit, I always wait impatiently for the newest Daniel Silva novel to appear!

The Fallen Angel, out in shelves in July on 2012, does not disappoint.

Gabriel Allon is a bit older now and has survived his latest mission for Israel intelligence. He is quietly restoring a Caravaggio painting at the Vatican and enjoying his other career as an art restorer. The Vatican is always filled with intrigue however, and Gabriel is suddenly summoned to headquarters in St. Peter's Basilica by an old friend who happens to be the powerful private secretary to Pope Paul VII. Luigi Donati and Gabriel are old friends, for various reasons, and trust each other completely despite their religious differences.

Claudia Andreatti was found dead on the floor of the Basilica, and it was apparent that she had either jumped or been

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pushed to her death from the high balcony in the gallery. The first responders assumed it was suicide, but when Gabriel arrive at the scene, he is certain it was murder; her neck was broken and a gold chain she was wearing was missing.

When Monsignor Donati arrives on the scene, he agrees that he thinks it was a murder and it could have been his fault because - he had asked her to secretly investigate, Donati's suspicion that the Vatican Museums were being plundered.

Claudia had been investigating for six months and discovered a dangerous secret agenda much worse than just looting timeless treasures- sabotage that could lead to world wide devastation.

and his team are in Israel and Jerusalem and then on to the Temple Mount where a shocking climax takes place in the most contested parcel of land in the world, going back to the beginning of time in Jerusalem.

This novel takes the reader from the Vatican to St. Moritz, Berlin and Veinna as the investigation escalates. Finally, Gabriel

I will end with this reminder, and I quote - "that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

art} books

Olivia and the Fairy Princess Author: Ian Falconer Children's book Reviews By Kristen Pulsifer

The Olivia series, by Ian Falconer, has been around for some time, but I can never pass one up- especially a new one. Olivia and the Fairy Princess, just out at the end of 2012, ranks right up there with the humor and fun of all of the other Olivia books.

As usual, Olivia is struggling through one of her issues. "I think I'm having an identity crisis" Olivia exclaims to her parents. Olivia has no idea what she should be. Her father tells he that she will always be his little princess, but that poses a problem. Olivia is one unique pig and "All the the girls want to be princesses." Olivia then begins her latest journey to figure out what she should be.

Olivia likes the princess idea, but she must be a unique princess. She tries on all outfits from princesses around the world, but she is still confused.

She even goes as far as developing her dark side, which just does not suit! She reflects on all sorts of identities - everything from princess to Warthog, but nothing seems to suit. as Olivia lies in bed one evening, she contemplates all the careers that sound interesting. "Maybe I could be a nurse and devote myself to the sick and the elderly." But that does not work for her. She thinks about being a reporter that travels the world, but still, Olivia is not content. Then, as she gazes out her window at the moon, it comes to her. She finds the perfect identity for herself that will put her far above all the princesses... "I want to be a queen" proclaims Olivia. What other identity could any of Olivia's readers imagine to be better for the precocious Olivia.

I have to say, that one of the many reasons I enjoy all of the Olivia books is because the humor is not just for children. I find myself laughing regularly as I read along to my daughters. Olivia is one cool pig and teaches a great lesson to our kiddos - be an individual, and a funny one at that!

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