contents
406
business
Featured
finance
12 Herron Park
406 Man
8 Sarah Broussard 10 Toggery
24 saving
26 Brendan Witt
14 Honoring the Legacy
406 Profiles
Business
28 Angie Olsen
16 Marketing 18 Mistakes
community
30 Women’s Foundation 34 GYCP 36 Integrative Wellness Center
legal
22 divorce
Cover Girl
Sarah Brou ssar d
Sarah Broussard photographed at Rebecca Farm with her horse, Expectation. "Expy" was the first horse that her mother Becky bought for Sarah to ride in equestrian eventing competitions. He is 33 years old and is now living out his retirement at Rebecca Farm. Photo by: Molly Claridge (www.bestillphotographymt.com.) hair and makeup by: Melanie Hobus Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year 6477 Hwy 93 S Suite 138, Whitefish, MT 59937 info@406woman.com Copyright©2013 Skirts Publishing
View current and past issues of 406 Woman at w w w . 4 0 6 W o m a n . c o m 406
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contributors
Mar ia P hel ps
a Montana native, wife to Kevin Phelps, mom of 2 – Jack 7 and Abby 3 ½, Maria keeps a busy ‘day life’. When she is not wrangling her kids, riding horses, or hunting with her husband, she is networking and helping businesses grow to their full potential by teaching them how take the steps needed to accomplish goals and move past barriers. Maria graduated, with honors, from Colorado Technical University with a Bachelors in Business Management and Marketing and pursued her dream of helping others succeed. With the start of her business in 2012, Find It For You, LLC, and FinditMontana.com (formerly FinditFlathead.com), she created a platform to help people Connect, Communicate, Collaborate and Retain. Developing lifelong relationships that continue to build on each other. Maria is also the Vice President of Flathead Area Young Professionals (FAYP.org) and works to strengthen the professional development in the Flathead Valley, Northwest Montana and beyond.
Susan B. C l ar ke
Susan Clarke has an MA in Applied Behavioral Science, BS from the University of Virginia and a Diploma in Counseling from The Haven Institute, an International Training Center in BC, Canada. She is co-founder of Thrive! Inc. with CrisMarie Campbell. Together they work with organizations and teams to develop trust, effective communications and strategic alignment.
Her journey through a life-threatening illness has given her a depth of experience and commitment to living life full out. She shares her journey of living full out on her Blog at www.susanbclarke.com. She has been a part of The Haven Institute faculty for over 20 years, leading Come Alive, Living Phase and Couples Alive. In addition to her group facilitation and corporate work she has continued to coach and work with individuals and couples to invite and encourage aliveness. To contact Susan you can email her at: susan@thriveinc.com.
Kat ie Fr ies Paul Travis
is the Director of Development for the Glacier National Park Conservancy. He has a passion for trails, outdoor education, citizen science and everything that the backcountry of Glacier affords its fortunate visitors. Whenever he gets the chance, he’s climbing, backcountry skiing, backpacking, rafting, and just enjoying the outdoors in Glacier and Northwest Montana with his wife Samantha, daughter Neve’ and son Landon.
is the newest addition to the marketing and communications team at Flathead Valley Community College. With a passion for education, community, and public relations, she has found her home at FVCC. Her marketing career includes specializations in branding, corporate identity, and communications. Born and raised in Kalispell, she only lived away from the Flathead while pursuing a degree in business marketing at Montana State University in Bozeman. Their love of the area and family ties brought Katie and her husband back to Kalispell where they have enjoyed remodeling their cozy 1930’s farmhouse-style home northeast of town. In her free time, she takes advantage of the area she feels so fortunate to call home – camping and fishing with family and friends, waterskiing, and taking in the beauty of the Flathead.
Kel l y O’Br ien 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
works for Measure Law Office, P.C. in Kalispell, MT. She is licensed to practice law in Oregon and Montana, and focuses on estate planning, probate, business, real estate and natural resources law. Kelly earned her J.D. at Lewis & Clark School of Law in Portland, with a certificate in natural resources law. She also has a B.S. in Business Administration & International Business from the University of Montana, and a minor in German. Kelly is originally from Kalispell and recently returned to the area to work with Measure Law Office. Prior to returning to the Flathead Valley, Kelly worked in private practice with law firms based in Portland and Bend, Oregon. She now lives in Whitefish with her husband and son where she enjoys a multitude of outdoor activities. Contact Kelly at ko@measurelaw.com or 406-752-6373
Jen Euel l
Jen is a native Montanan and a long-time advocate for women and girls in Montana. She is the co-founder of the GUTS! (Girls Using Their Strengths) leadership project, and the former Program Director of the YWCA Missoula. In this position, Jen grew the GUTS! program from one that served 10 girls per year, to a program that now serves more than 250 girls per year. Jen is the Program Director of the Women's Foundation of Montana and is passionate about its mission to build economic self-sufficiency for Montana women and a brighter future for Montana girls. When not working towards this passion, Jen enjoys spending time with her husband John, 4 year old daughter Amelia and their two dogs, hiking in the woods near their home in Missoula.
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Gretchen Knuf f ke
Gretchen lives in Kalispell and is the mother of 10 children ra ing in age from 1 to 19 years old. She is the owner of Maternal Instincts, a parent education company and writes on motherhood, parenting and homemaking. She also has a Bachelor's degree in Education and is a Love and Logic facilitator. When she is not doing laundry and driving kids around the Flathead, she loves a long run, a good glass of wine, a great book. Her passion in life is to make parenting easier and to help mothers find joy while raising kids, keeping homes and working. She is a motivational speaker and a blogger. You can find her at www.gretchenknuffke.com
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Sarah Broussard
Sarah Broussard Ta k e s t h e R e i n s
It’s Monday morning and I’m trying to catch the busiest lady I know—Sarah Broussard. Between fixing her daughter’s breakfast, helping a worker on a backhoe project, some quick weed-eating, and dealing with me, this is a relatively calm morning for Sarah. Come late July, however, when the 12th annual Event at Rebecca Farm takes center stage July 25-28, Sarah’s life will be a different story.
After the death of her mother Becky, in 2010, following a brave battle with breast cancer, Sarah has solely organized The Event—a four-day equestrian triathlon and major stop in the United States Eventing Association and United States Equestrian Federation’s annual circuit. With world-class courses designed by US Olympic Captain Mark Phillips and Scottish equestrian Ian Stark, as well as hosting Olympic veterans such as Karen O’Connor and Phillip Dutton, The Event has grown into the largest of its kind in the nation, showcasing dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. For twenty five years before Rebecca Farm, locals and non-locals alike had trailered their horses to Herron Park. Over time, the competition had outgrown the
Written by Matt Holloway
grounds, and the lack of additional acreage hampered continued growth. With this lack of space in mind, the Broussard family had long envisioned creating a top equestrian facility for not only the Northwest, but also the nation. After sixteen years of Eventing at Herron Park, it was time to pass the torch.
“Back then,” says Sarah, “I was competing. My goals and dedication were focused on riding; but, this was also when we began to rope my mom into organizing. Once I quit competing, I started helping Mom—first doing stabling, then with entries, and eventually as her secretary.” “In 2002, when The Event became too big for Herron Park,” continues Sarah, “my parents moved it here, to Rebecca Farm. I remember because it was the same year as my wedding. We organized the Event in July and my wedding in August, and referred to them as E1 and E2!” Full-tilt ahead, Sarah spent the next six years as “organizer-in-training.”
“Mom kept saying, each year, that she wasn’t going to be organizer again,” Sarah laughs. “Then the next year would come, and she wouldn’t let me do anything! But, I understood—Mom inherited Herron Park when it
was already going. Sure, she brought it from the unrecognized competitive world to the recognized competitive world, but it wasn’t hers. When she started The Event here at Rebecca Farm, it was hers from the beginning—something in which she took serious pride and ownership. But, this ownership also made it hard to get her away from the helm.” “Even after I took over in 2009,” says Sarah, “Mom was still very involved. She considered herself ‘OrganizerEmeritus,’ and was a present force, especially regarding socializing and networking. It wasn’t until 2010 and beyond, that I came out of the office. I remember thinking, ‘Mom did all this?’ I had no idea that I would be approving t-shirt colors, working out hotels and rental cars for officials and guests. - and artwork—seriously? I’m not a creative person, and now I have to approve artwork? I always wondered why my mother was so busy—always running and moving. Now, I get it!”
Becky’s legacy, however, couldn’t be more fruitful. This past summer, nearly twenty thousand
spectators, five hundred competitors, and two hundred volunteers took part in The Event. The numbers were staggering.
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Photo on page 8: Sarah Broussard riding Guinness, 1993, Trojan-Horse Horse Trials, Cave Creek AZ. Photos on page 9 from top to bottom from left to right: Sarah Broussard riding Bad Boy Billy, Aspen Farm Horse Trials, 2009. Becky Broussard, the namesake of Rebecca Farm who died from breast cancer in 2010. Sarah, her father Jerome, and sister Rebecca present awards to Kristi Nunnink and "R-Star" the winner of the 2012 Event at Rebecca Farm. Stone at Rebecca Farm dedicated in 2011 that memorializes Sarah's mother Becky, founder of The Event. A competitor splashes through the signature water complex of the cross-country course. Photo Noah Clayton.
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But for Sarah, there was an even bigger picture.
“It occurred to me one day how The Event had become a premier equestrian event; but sadly, it didn’t mean much in the real world. Halt Cancer at X was an idea to honor my mother, and to help breast cancer research—to go beyond The Event and out into the world.”
The name comes from the dressage test—where the first movement is for the rider to halt the horse at X, a station marked in the arena. In its first year, Halt Cancer at X generated $65,000 for local and national research programs through a $5 parking donation and an additional $15,000 donated by Montana Equestrian Events. Sarah also helped found the Rebecca Broussard International Rider Grant, which is divided between two riders, one who is on the cusp of European competition, and the other who is nearing the Pan Am or World Games level. In either case, the grant is designed to be that extra bit of help needed for the rider to reach his or her next goal. Closer to home, Sarah serves as a volunteer captain on the West Valley Fire Department and runs a large animal rescue service that she colloquially calls ‘animedics.’
“When the call goes out,” she says, admittedly an adrenaline junky, “I love that rush of knowing that I’m going to help people. I always say that I don’t want bad things to happen, but when they do happen, I want to be there. I want to be front-and-center, to help, to get involved, and get in my two cents.” “With the large animal rescue service,” continues Sarah, “if a horse gets stuck in the mud and the owners call 911, I go and help. And, I get to explain why I use a certain technique, or a certain tool. The best part of helping is the teaching, and passing along information. Then, anyone can learn. Same reason my mom always wanted The Event to be free admission—so that anyone could come and learn about Eventing.”
Learning, as we know, often turns to love.
“Now,” says Sarah humbly, but distinctly, “about 95% of my core staff, support staff, and volunteers return each year. My cross-country jump coordinator will get people calling her a year ahead of time to reserve a particular jump they want to judge. These are volunteers who plan their summer around The Event. They take pride in their job, and they know that they are an integral part of the success. They take ownership of it, and rightfully so.”
Rebecca Farm
invites you to join them at The Event at Rebecca Farm July 2528 for the largest equestrian triathlon in the nation. Come show your support as horses and riders of all ages and levels from across the continent gather to show their talents. Your $5 parking donation continues to support Halt Cancer at X, and the fight against breast cancer. Admission is free and an ever-growing trade fair and concessions will be open all four days.
“When I travel to different events around the country,” adds Sarah, “I always smile when I see a Rebecca Farm shirt or hat, or when I hear over the loudspeaker about a competitor who did well at Rebecca Farm. I smile, knowing we’re doing something right.”
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Toggery
To g g e r y Written by Gretchen Knuffke
Stepping into The Toggery is like walking into the quintessential Montana experience. The building, in downtown Whitefish, epitomizes the lodge style that we love here. The exposed brick walls with photographs of local spots, the beautiful, hardwood floors, and the smell of coffee wafting through the breezeway of Montana Coffee Traders, ensure that you will enjoy your visit. Everything about this store is uniquely Montana and such a fun place to shop.
Established in 1947 as Frank’s Shirt Shop, The Toggery has withstood the test of time and seen three generations of the Stephens family. What began as a men’s clothing store has evolved into an iconic clothing store servicing both men and women in a unique style of outdoor wear that you can only find here. In fact, visitors are thrilled to find the brands sold in The Toggery, because they cannot be found anywhere else. This store has it all from ski jackets, yoga wear, swim suits, jewelry, some of the cutest bags in the valley, a huge selection of shoes in the newly remodeled shoe department, and all kinds of stylish outfits for an afternoon barbeque, a hike in Glacier Park, spending the day on the water or a night on the town. Trek Stephens came back home to Whitefish after graduating from Montana State University in 1997 and took over the reins of The Toggery from his father. He was keenly aware of the change in fashions from the more dressed up era that his father and grandfather experienced to the more casual look that we enjoy today. He had a vision of taking the store to a new level with a quality of outdoor clothing that cannot be found in the city. You have to travel to Whitefish to find these brands and to have this experience. What makes The Toggery so unique is that you are able to walk in the store and buy a ski jacket for your day on the mountain and a fashionable outfit to wear après ski. That is what Trek Stephens had in mind. An outdoor store that embraces all the adventure of our remote mountain town combined with the fashion that is both uniquely Montana and urban chic.
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Above photo of Trek and Rene Stephens by Molly Claridge . Photos on right page from top to bottom are Frank Stephens original shirt shop, The Toggery in 1947, and a Whitefish Winter Carnival float in the 1950’s sponsored by the Toggery.
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The challenge for Stephens was to change the store enough to incorporate his vision while at the same time retaining the loyal customer base that were familiar and comfortable with the old store. Trek asked a lot of those customers for advice and also relied on advice from his father and was able to transform an icon into a fresh store
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that reflects the casual, outdoorsy, adventurous ideal that we treasure here. Stephens says that his goal in the new look of the store “was to incorporate our love for the outdoors into our business. It is expressed in our products, our décor, our atmosphere, and our customer service.” In doing so it became something that Trek Stephens is extremely proud of, “being able to maintain the support of our old customers was really important to me and I found that people really care about what we do.” He and Rene, his wife, are very grateful for their location as well. They are next to some great local stores, restaurants and businesses. They all help one another to create a downtown that is vibrant and exciting to visit for locals and visitors. Whitefish has embraced The Toggery for 68 years and the Stephens family has embraced Whitefish and also Kalispell with the location on Hwy 93. It is the local people that Trek and Rene consider most when buying product and remodeling the store. Trek credits Rene with transforming the look of the store into something both visually appealing and comfortable. “She has a really good eye, great taste and has brought a whole new element to the store. “Rene has put a lot of thought and feeling into the atmosphere in the store with antique displays, lighting, fitting rooms and window displays. They all reflect her vision of where she sees The Toggery going. Together the Stephens have created a beautiful interior to showcase their apparel. Their newest remodel, the shoe department, now boasts one of the largest varieties in the valley. Next, Trek and Rene intend to update the men’s area, thus completing the transformation of The Toggery. Trek and Rene have reimagined the old classic Toggery into a rustic, charmer that is an exciting place to shop whether you are looking for a new outfit for the outdoors or out for dinner. You can find it all at this Whitefish icon. Trek and Rene hope that everyone who comes to shop enjoys their unique product choices and leave feeling like part of the family.
Leah Lindsay
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Foy’s to Blacktail
Building a Forest for Our Community:
Fo y ’ s To B l a c k t a i l Tr a i l s a n d t h e Wo m e n Who Helped to Champion Her ron Park Written by Kelly O’Brien
When Liz Seabaugh and Pat Young first visited Herron Park in the 1980s, the area was essentially an old farmstead site, with leftover debris from years of use and uneven pastures. These women and others had been hosting equestrian schooling shows in their own backyards and decided to ask the Flathead County Parks Board if they could use the property for a training area for small equestrian events. The land, which had been donated to Flathead County by Iven Herron for use as a public park, had nothing in the way of public facilities. So Liz, Pat, and the other members of the local equestrian group set to work making the area safe for horses and leveling the ground for horse events. Eventually the fine women of the Flathead Combined Training Association raised the funds to build barns, add permanent horse jumps, a water supply and electricity.
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From that point on Liz and her daughter spent endless hours at Herron Park riding and training horses, hiking, cross-country skiing, and creating many lasting memories with family and friends. In the beginning Herron Park was not widely used for hiking and biking, and Liz and other equestrians would only travel to the upper areas of the adjacent land when it was hot and their horses needed shade. However, they could foresee the value of the trail
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system for all types of users. Moreover, they knew that it was an important asset to our community and one that was at risk of being lost to development.
These women are examples of early champions of what later became Foy’s To Blacktail Trails. They also set the stage for the next generation of families who will use and benefit from Herron Park and the Foy's to Blacktail Trails system. As a result of these efforts, in 2001 Foy's to Blacktail Trails became the official entity for preservation of lands in the area for trails and recreation. "When the Foy's to Blacktail Trails effort began in 2001, I realized our community was at risk of losing these trails. I've been volunteering for this hardworking organization ever since,” says Liz. The mission of Foy’s to Blacktail trails is to secure historic access to trails and lands connecting Herron Park to the forest lands at Blacktail Mountain though voluntary and cooperative means, and to provide for long term stewardship of these trails. Liz and Pat were later joined by others, like current board member Carol Bibler, who appreciated the value of preserving the area for recreation on a long term basis. As Carol Bibler says of the area "This is a tremendous asset for our community. The recent increase in use of these trails by all sorts of people is
remarkable. It’s so important to keep access to this special place open permanently. Once gems like this are gone, they’re gone." Over the years volunteers at Foy’s To Blacktail Trails have worked to preserve the land surrounding Herron Park to prevent it from being sold so that it will remain open to the public in perpetuity. In 2007, Foy’s to Blacktail Trails worked with The Conservation Fund to bridge buy a 320-acre parcel of private land above Herron Park. The Conservation Fund bridge-purchased the property to prevent its likely sale for development, allowing Foy’s to Blacktail Trails time to raise funds necessary to purchase the property, in phases, and donate it to Flathead County Parks as an addition to Herron Park.
The 320-acre parcel is heavily used by the public and is the gateway to forested lands extending south to Blacktail Mountain. This parcel also provides access to the Chase Family Forest, a beautiful 160-acre tract of private land that John Chase encourages the public to use for non-motorized recreation. John and his late brother Myron placed a permanent public trail easement on the property and also placed a Montana Land Reliance conservation easement on the property, stipulating that regardless of future ownership, the land will never be subdivided.
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Realizing that the largely user-created trail system in and around Herron Park was unsustainable over the long term, Foy’s to Blacktail began an extensive effort to improve the trail. With the assistance of Forestoration Inc., Montana Conservation Corps and numerous volunteers, Foy’s to Blacktail Trails created a Trails Plan and designed and built a comprehensive trail system for the area. The Overlook Trail, Family Trail, Notch Trail and Horse Trail form the core of the system which provides everything from a gentle grade that is ideal for children and seniors (Family Trail) to steeper singletrack that provides an exhilarating run or ride for serious athletes (Notch Trail). The Foy’s Overlook provides a stunning view of the valley and surrounding mountains.
In 2012, Foy’s to Blacktail Trails, in partnership with Flathead County, helped secure a $400,000 federal grant to create the "Foy’s Community Forest." The grant was part of a new federal program to support jobs and healthy forests. The purpose of the Community Forest Program is to keep designated working forests intact as sites for teaching best-management forest stewardship to community members of all ages, ranging from kindergarteners learning about nature to adult small-acreage forest owners wanting to learn more about fire prevention and disease control.
Because the Foy’s to Blacktail Trail system at Herron Park is located close to Kalispell, yet is the gateway to thousands of acres of forest lands, it is ideal location for a Community Forest. As required by the Community Forest Program, the timber on this property must be actively managed in perpetuity, providing economic benefits to the local community in the form of timber products and recreation, community programs, public access, forestry and land management education, and wildlife protection. As Senator Jon Tester said, “(the) Foy’s Community Forest will give folks in the Flathead more opportunities to enjoy and learn about our treasured outdoor heritage. This responsible investment in Montana’s forests strengthens our economy and ensures that folks can enjoy these trails for generations to come.”
Since 2010, Foy’s to Blacktail Trails has purchased and transferred150 of the 320 acres of at-risk private land to Herron Park. Foy’s to Blacktail Trails is now working hard to purchase and transfer the remaining 170 acres. The addition of these lands will build on years of community investment in permanently securing public access to the Foy’s to Blacktail Trails system. Moreover, with this final piece, the organization, and founding members like Liz Seabaugh, will finally see its vision come to fruition.
Blacktail Trails
Foy's to Blacktail Trails must match the Community Forest grant in order for Flathead County to actually receive the funds. The organization currently needs to raise about $450,000 to purchase the remaining 170 acres of land. Then they can shift their focus to securing a permanent trail easement southward to the land that leads to Blacktail Mountain.
While this sounds like a daunting task, the volunteerdriven organization believes that Flathead Valley residents value these trails enough to show their support by donating. Even though Liz Seabaugh does not get out to Herron Park these days as much as she would like, she remains active on the board of directors and still maintains her passion for the area. From the very beginning of this project, Liz has been amazed at the generosity of the volunteers and donors that helped to create Foy’s to Blacktail Trails. When asked about the early days of the Foy's to Blacktail Trail system, she did not hesitate when she said "No one ever questioned that the area was marvelous." Thanks to her, and countless other volunteers, the community will be able to enjoy this marvelous trail system for generations to come.
For more information about the Foy’s to Blacktail Trails at Herron Park, visit FoysToBlacktailTrails.org or call 406-203-3939.
Photo on page 12 by Erik Browne. Photo credits on page 13 are listed from left to right, top to bottom. Horse ride by Jessica Lowry, two young cyclists by Liz Seabaugh, trail volunteer by Tom Esch.
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featured} Becky Broussard
Honoring the Legacy of Becky Broussard Written by Katie Fries
On April 30, hundreds of community mem- Eight years ago, at Becky’s insistence to get more in- dation and President Karas, 450 donors contributed bers joined the Broussard family and
friends to pay tribute to Rebecca Chaney Broussard and celebrate the legacy she
left the community through the new Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nurs-
ing and Health Science at Flathead Valley Community College.
"Today we pay tribute to an extraordinary woman who inspired many to make a difference in this community we call home,” said FVCC President Jane Karas. “Becky Broussard was educated as a nurse, and throughout her life, she exemplified the values nurses hold dear. Becky was a caring compassionate woman, generous, and a true philanthropist.”
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Becky, and husband, Jerome, have had a continued focus on supporting education, sincerely believing in the philosophy that, in Jerome’s words, “it always makes sense to teach someone to fish rather than giving them a fish.”
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volved in local education, she and Jerome endowed a scholarship with a $1 million gift to FVCC, the largest gift received in the history of the college. To date, the endowment has provided 299 scholarship awards since its inception, helping as many as 84 students in just one year afford to attend college and achieve their educational goals. When Becky passed away in 2010, the community and the nation lost a caring and thoughtful philanthropist. But Jerome and their daughters, Rebecca and Sarah, wanted to honor Becky’s extraordinary life. Becky was a community college student and a nurse and dreamed of one day seeing a nursing school at FVCC. To support Becky’s dream, the family presented a generous $4 million gift to the FVCC Foundation, the largest gift ever received by the college, to fund the construction of the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science, as a lasting legacy in Becky’s honor. The Broussard's asked the community, in a spirit of cooperation, to raise an additional $1 million to complete the project. With the support of the FVCC Foun-
$1.5 million, exceeding the goal by 50 percent in just nine months.
In May 2011, the college broke ground on the 32,000-square-foot facility which houses the colleges practical nursing, registered nursing, paramedicine, emergency management, physical therapist assistant, surgical technology and medical assistant programs, anatomy and physiology classes, and the college’s first student health clinic that will provide FVCC students access to affordable basic health care services.
On the day of the dedication, the com-
munity was there in full force to thank and celebrate Becky and the Broussard family.
FVCC Board of Trustees President Bob Nystuen opened his remarks by asking, “Would today, April 30, 2013, be the happiest and most joyous day we have had at Flathead Valley Community College in a
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long, long time?” He was answered with a resounding “Yes!” in the form of booming applause from the packed house of community members. As the program continued, guests were touched by the moving and inspiring remarks by some of Becky’s closest family and friends.
“I’m so proud that, under the legacy of my mother, the students of Flathead Valley Community College have the opportunity to learn to be birthers of babies, to cure, and to save lives in the Broussard building,” said daughter Rebecca. “I am very honored and blessed to be Jerome and Becky’s daughter, to be Sarah’s sister, and to be part of such a generous family.”
Daughter Sarah thanked her mother for instilling in her a sense of spontaneity and a zest for life. Sarah became a certified EMT through FVCC and excitedly shared her desire to enroll in the college’s paramedicine program in the new building.
“Here I am, standing in the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science at Flathead Valley Community College, in my mind and my heart, a true community college,” she said. “This building was built by the people in this community, from the people in this community, for the members of this community, for the betterment of this community. I am so lucky to live here and to raise my family in this wonderful community.”
Jerome expressed his sincere appreciation to the community and to the college for moving the project along so swiftly, noting that the time from his original commitment to the conclusion of the project was a mere 20 months. “I like that,” he said proudly.
As he looked around the building’s beautiful foyer, reflecting on the donor wall listing the 450 individuals and local businesses who gave financially to the project, the poem written by his daughter Sarah displayed next to the donor wall, and the wall directly behind him displaying a photo of Becky and personal quotes
from those who knew her best, he was briefly struck by emotion.
You all jumped in, whether you made a monetary contribution or a contribution of your time and energy,” he stated. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you’ve done.”
Upon completion of the program, as attendees toured the new facility, the sense of commitment, pride, and passion for educating a skilled health care workforce in the Flathead Valley was apparent.
“Not only will this building impact the
lives of our students and the lives of their families, but each one of us will be
touched forever by the dream of a very special woman, her exceptional family, and the great community in which we all live,” stated Karas.
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business}
Marketing
Marketing, Your questions answered. Written by Maria Phelps
Over the past 6 months, I have been asked a gazillion questions about marketing. I realized that marketing is a tough concept for everyone but, yet, it can be simple if you know some simple answers to 'common' questions.
Q:
I have limited resources, how do I continue to market myself, and make it WORK? I have spent so much money and see no return?
A:
The worst thing you can do, is try something (on a whim) and not follow through. Your clients want consistency and they need to see that you are going to continue to provide solutions to their needs. It takes time to gain trust and even longer to keep it. So why are you wasting a ad if you are only going to do it for a month? Be in the spotlight, but do so when it is consistent with your business. Do an 'Audit' of your business marketing and what you have done in the past. Go through all the things you have done and evaluate what has been great, good, okay, or just didn't work. Sometimes it takes you (or a second opinion), looking back, to see what has, or hasn't been working. If you have a new business, it is important to look at similar businesses and do research. Yes, you have to do research! See what they have done, read their blogs, look over their social media pages and see what worked and what didn't. Also, you are your own business, take the time and see what YOU can bring to the table. Again, research what is the most effective in your industry and what YOU can contribute to it. Everything else will fall into place. The value of your products or services will increase 10-fold, if you step back and review some of the basics in marketing. Once you understand your product, your promotional options, your placement and how you will price those products and services, you will be a big step ahead of most. AND, remember, not every marketing concept works with every business!
Q:
Why do I have to blog? I am not a writer, and I just don't understand why my website needs it?
A: Have you heard of content? Well, content
DRIVES traffic. How are those wonderful Google bots going to know what you have to offer if you don't write about it and do so consistently? Even if you say you are not a good writer, its CONTENT! Hire someone to help you edit your posts, and push that information out to all your followers. The only way you are going to be able to expose yourself, is to start. The web is a huge and widely available resource. If you are not active on the web, you are MISSING OUT!!
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A blog is a great place for you to connect with your client, interact, and build relationships. Blogging allows you to gain insight on who, what, and where your followers are coming from and needing. Providing blogs and information that asks questions and engaging content, to build a conversation is also a great way to build crediblity in your industry.
why they do what they do. If you are having trouble in just 'getting things done' it is important to remember your WHY. What have you done lately that truly embraces why you do what you do? Have you captured the moments that embrace the true meaning of the why? If you can't understand and deliver your WHY, then you will have issues. Head back to the root of what you are wanting to accomplish.
self. I am guilty of this as well, but if you want to portray youself as a professional, than BE a professional in all things you do. This includes everything from design, to web development, to your PERSONAL Facebook posts. Those personal 'bashes' on competitors or on peers, shows others that you are not as professional. Remember, everything you do on the internet is available for all to see. If you post images or ads on the web and do so poorly, your potential clients are not going to take you seriously.
drained and unable to do what is necessary?
Q: How can I create a professional image? Q: I'm burned out! How can I continue to A: First off, stop trying to do everything your- grow my business if I consistently feel that I am
And on a personal note, yes, it is YOUR social media feed, but seriously, it is really tiring when I see 'professionals' acting like grade school kids on their newsfeeds. Get over yourself and act like a professional.
Q:
What do I do when there seems like nothing left to do?
A:
This is simple….Go back to your WHY! I always reiterate to businesses the importance of
A:
GET HELP. It is important to understand that there is a point when you need to ask for help. You are being more selfish when you are not asking for help. Your business is suffering because you are wanting to do everything by yourself. It is important to understand how to delegate and do so WILLINGLY. If you can't give up some of your business (only temporary) you will end up hurting your business in the long run. Be responsible and get help when needed. Every business has the potential to succeed. Sometimes it means heading back to the drawing board and seeing what will work and what won't. It is only when you decide to not make the necessary changes or when you decide its too hard, that it won't work. You can make a different in your industry, you just have to realize that it isn't something that comes easy, it is something that come with determination and drive.
business}
Mistakes
Small Business Success Depends on Composting Mistakes & Misfires 1. “Wow! I think you are being rude! This is the worst client interchange I have ever had!!” Joe, our web designer, shouted at us over Skype.
“Well, I don’t like being called rude! I just am not satisfied with the work. I thought you would have more for us by now.” I replied.
Written by Susan B. Clarke
instead of opting out or throwing it out. This process includes discovering what gaps may have led to the problem in the first place. Two critical issues became clear and both seem like situations that can often arise for small businesses:
Issue One: Small businesses do not operate on a straight line or according to a tight business plan.
“I have been waiting for you to confirm the colors and the content. If your small business is anything like I can’t go forward without that. I ours, things can come up like: thought that was why we had this l A family emergency call scheduled.” Joe said.
We have been working with our web designer for a few months in preparation for a totally new look and feel to our website and our brand. Progress was slow due to some unexpected schedule events that took us off the original timeline.
In a small family business, I don’t think it is uncommon to have a number of support team members who are heavily relied upon and yet are not involved in the day-to-day business. This leads to all sorts of communication issues. The latest one for us has been in the area of website design. The above conversation happened and it nearly resulted in our web designer quitting and/or us looking for a new designer who could finish the work six months into the process. Instead, we decided to step back and compost the conflict for greater clarity and better results for both our business and his.
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Composting Mistakes & Misfires—as we call it, is simply diving into the mess and using that so called waste to fertilize the situation for new growth going forward,
WOMAN 18
l An opportunity for a great part in the community theater
l A contract that is too good to walk
away from, and that starts immediately
That’s when the best set plan goes way off-track!!
Each of the above issues occurred after we signed on to re-do our website and business brand. Since there are very few of us in our company, these events resulted in no one being available to takeover as project leader for the website design. As a result, we were delayed.
During the barrage of these events, our website project had to take a backseat. Of course, as is often the case, our web designer was a small business guy himself as well. While he waited, he stopped focusing on us and focused on his business instead. When we got back together we made the mistake of not setting up a meeting to re-align and assess what we had wanted when we started. This was our mistake. We needed to re-sync our expectations.
Lesson One: Stuff Happens. So Realign When You Reconnect.
In small business stuff happens and the schedule changes. Without extra staff, projects are sometimes delayed. And when business gets back to its usual pace, it is important to re-align and make sure everyone in the business and supporting the business is still on the same page! Issue Two: Vendors and support team members are not part of your team or your business. Their business is their first priority.
Below are examples of such vendor relationships:
l A great local accounting firm. You call
them anytime for assistance.
l An assistant or bookkeeper that is an
independent contractor working weekly or a few hours every day.
l A web designer or vendors who are
regular suppliers. They are often a critical part of business, yet still independent. It is easy when working closely with people to assume they are as invested in the business as I am.
First and foremost, our web designer was invested in his business. Of course, he wanted us to be happy and satisfied with the final web design. However, that did not mean he was either knowledgeable or as invested in our business as we were. During the delay, he’d filled his time by taking care of his business, meaning he was not staying on track with ours.
Lesson Two: You Are Separate Businesses. So Communication Is Critical.
Remember, their business needs to be their first priority and should be. This means that we need to communicate clearly. This often involves greater focus on expectations and accountability. It also can involve crucial conversations when things break down. It helps to remember that we each want our businesses to be successful AND we each have different visions, values and focuses It helps to stay curious and open when problems come up!
After composting the misfire, we were able to go back to our website designer and reset our goals with both his and our schedule, needs and expectations. Something else will come up tomorrow, like a 406 article deadline. (Which is another great opportunity for our business and a business we want to support). The timing for this month was not so great on my end. Instead of getting discouraged and opting out, I decided to compost our current business challenge and use the lessons learned to meet the deadline. In many ways that is what I love about being a small business owner: I get control and responsibility for my success and my failures. Stuff happens and often plans are changed. Still, with a touch of creativity, curiosity and a willingness to compost any mistakes or misfires, business—like a garden—gets better when compost is added to the mix!
So the next time you are faced with a conflict, misfire or major obstacle, remember: Dive in and stay curious. It may get messy but, like compost, it will be great fuel for growth!
legal}
divorce
Estate Planning After A Divorce
By Kelly O’Brien, Attorney at Law
A divorce is an emotionally draining, frustrating and exhausting time. The last thing anyone wants to think about is more legal paperwork. However, a divorce is one of those life changes when an examination of your estate plan is especially important. It is a time that requires either an update or a whole new estate plan to avoid unintended consequences for you and your family.
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Discuss Potential Changes to Your Estate Plan with Your Spouse Before Filing for Divorce In general, once you file for a divorce you will be bound by a temporary restraining order, which may limit your ability to modify your estate plan or make major financial changes until the divorce is complete. While it may not always be possible to have an open conversation with your spouse about estate planning before you file a divorce, it is still a good idea to have discussion with your spouse, and attorney, about potential changes or modifications to your estate plan, or a revocation of your existing wills before or during your divorce.
WOMAN 22   
Before your Divorce is Finalized First, it is very important to keep in mind that you are not legally divorced until the judge signs the final decree. The process of actually getting a divorce can take several months or even years before it is finalized. In the meantime, unless you have updated your estate planning documents, your soon to be ex-spouse could still inherit from your estate; or in the event of an accident or a major health issue, your soon to be exspouse may able to continue to make financial or health care decisions on your behalf. Update, or Execute New Health Care Documents A health care power of attorney allows you to appoint another individual to make your health care decisions in the event that you are unable to do so for yourself. Within the process of your divorce it is important to make sure that your health care power of attorney is updated so that your soon to be ex-spouse no longer has the ability to make health care decisions on your behalf. If you do not already have a health care power of attorney in place consider executing one to
make clear you do not want your former spouse to have any input into decisions and that your important health care decisions will be provided for by the person you choose.
Update Your Financial Power of Attorney If you had executed a Durable Power of Attorney for financial decisions, which appoints your soon to be ex-spouse as your agent you may want to immediately revoke it and execute a new power of attorney. A Durable Power of Attorney for financial decisions gives the individual of your choosing an immediate and present power to sign documents on your behalf, access to bank accounts and all other financial powers. While an automatic temporary restraining order will likely be in place during your divorce, it is still important that your power of attorney is updated or revoked to avoid any unintended consequences. After Your Divorce is Finalized If you have already been through the divorce process and are ready to move on with your new life now is the time for a
First, it is very important to keep in mind that you are not legally divorced until the judge signs the final decree. The process of actually getting a divorce can take several months or even years before it is finalized.
new estate plan. While in Montana any nominations of the former spouse, or distributions to a former spouse, are automatically revoked after a divorce, this default can provide for some odd and unintended consequences. A new estate plan enables you to be in control of what happens to your property upon your death or incapacity. Estate planning is also the process by which you appoint who you want to be responsible for carrying out your wishes for your assets, as well as your family, financial, and heath care decisions
Create a New Estate Plan At a minimum your estate plan should include a Last Will & Testament, Power of Attorney for Financial Decisions, Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions, and a Living Will. Even if you are not quite ready to execute a comprehensive estate plan, it is critical to at least have a minimal will, which appoints your personal representative and sets out your plan of distribution. In addition, durable powers of attorney for health care and financial decisions allow you to be in control of your life in the event of a disability or incapacity. These documents allow your life to carry on during a disability; your bills will be paid and your care will be provided for by the person you choose. Review & Update Beneficiary Designations After a divorce, updating your beneficiaries is especially important. The last thing you want your family to have to
deal with is removing a former spouse or other unintended beneficiary after you are gone. Work with your financial planner, or check with your specific financial institution on how to make and update beneficiary changes.
Plan For Your Children While you may not be able to control all aspects of planning for your children after a divorce, you can decide what assets your children will inherit from your estate and how and when they will receive funds from your estate. For younger children, you may consider setting up a trust for their inheritance wherein a trustee of your choice will manage funds for your children until they reach the age of majority. This allows you to control how your children will receive these funds and provides for financial management of your estate separate from your former spouse. Don’t Procrastinate After a divorce you likely feel like you have had enough paperwork and attorneys to last your lifetime, but do not put off updating your estate plan. Discuss your thoughts and concerns with an estate planning attorney to ensure that your estate plan reflects your current situation and ensures that you and your loved ones are protected and prepared.
If you have specific questions about any of the techniques discussed in this article, Contact Kelly O’Brien at Measure, Sampsel, Sullivan & O’Brien, P.C. at (406) 752-6373/ www.measurelaw.com
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finance}
saving
Taking Financial Responsibility: What’s Your Game Plan? By Lisa D. Macalister
The old adage, “People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan,” can be especially true when it comes to finances. And, given the current economy, the best time to start taking control of your finances is today. Being financially responsible doesn’t just happen. It’s a conscious decision you make to live within your means. Slowly, American consumers are catching on. A nationwide survey on the financial state of U.S. households, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, found only 13 percent of households are currently saving 7 percent or more of their disposable income; although, fully thirty-six percent of households expect to save at this level in 5 to 10 years.* While that trend may be encouraging, there remains ample room for improvement.
What is your Life Stage? ·Single working woman ·Single Parent ·Recently married, divorced, or widowed ·Managing a family ·Nearing retirement ·Living in retirement
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It’s Never Too Late to Plan No matter what stage of life you’re in, you should have a strategy that helps meet your current financial needs, while creating a path to help you reach long-term financial goals. Whether you’re either just starting out or are nearing retirement, a strategy is necessary. The good news is, no matter what your age, it’s never too late to start.
WOMAN 24
A proactive approach now, can help avoid ·It is never too early to begin saving for disappointments later. Consider the follow- retirement … consider what amount of ing scenarios: your current income you can allocate
·Start a savings plan. By just saving a small amount today, you can make a huge difference later. What financial goals can you set today to help make your dreams a reality? A financial planner can help create a plan by identifying goals and needs, and help you stay on track with the steps to achieving those dreams. ·Are your loved ones adequately protected? Would your family or partner be able to maintain their standard of living in the event something happened to you? Buy a life insurance policy — or increase your coverage — and make sure your loved ones are protected.
·What about college expenses? If you’re a parent or guardian, it’s never too early to start saving for your children’s college expenses. Start a college education fund, so they won’t be burdened with student loans and can attend the college of their choice.
into retirement savings vehicles, such as 401(k) plans, IRAs and other investments. With retirement possibly lasting 20 or 30 years, the more resources you have, and the sooner you begin planning, the more likely you’ll be able to enjoy it.
No matter where you are in life, a proper financial strategy will help you achieve your financial goals, maintain your current lifestyle and ease worries about the future. Take action today to help realize tomorrow’s goals and dreams. *Viewpoint on U.S. Savings Rate, PwC Financial Services Research Institute, 5/13/2010. This educational third-party article is being provided as a courtesy by Licensed Agent, Lisa D. Macalister, NewYork Life Insurance Company. For additional information on the information or topic(s) discussed, please contact (Lisa D. Macalister) at ldmacalister@ft.newyorklife.com, (406) 471-3377.
406 man}
Brendan Witt
Brendan Witt A Life
of
O l d -T i m e H o c k e y , N e w B e g i nn i n g s
By Brian D'Ambrosio Photos courtesy of Brendan Witt Brendan Witt knew one of the Philadelphia Flyers would approach.
After all, the bruising fourth liners tended to drop the gloves. Slightly after the six-minute mark of the first period, the “Dan Line” – consisting of Dan Kordic, Daniel Lacroix and Scott Daniels – hoped to send a message. “Philly put these guys out,” says Witt. “So you knew something was about to happen. The puck dropped and all three of those guys were coming at me. Lacroix didn’t get to me quicker than Kordic. Kordic beat Daniels by a hair. That’s how that happened. A lot of people forget that.”
Witt, an adherent to old-school hockey’s philosophy of shedding the mitts and playing to the final buzzer each night, piled up 1,424 penalty minutes in 890 career regular season games. In his 17 years, his exceptionally spirited bout with Dan Kordic on March 9, 1997, stands out in the annals of hockey tussles.
Younger brother of legendary enforcer John Kordic, Dan spent the full 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons with the Flyers, recording a career high in games (75 in 1996–97) and penalty minutes (210, two years in a row to lead the team in 1997–98). His NHL career was overcome in 1999.
Noted primarily for his unrestrained abandoned, dishing out of body checks, and general stinginess in front of his own net, Witt chucked the knuckles, too, when needed. A vanishing fusion in today’s game, he could fight, play, and turn the goal crease into his personal battlefield. The Witt-Kordic fight was, in the words of Washington Capitals announcers, “a beauty” and “a great battle.” As far as who won, the decision - Kordic ended up with a cut nose – and an extra 12 minutes in penalties. “You know you’ve had a good fight when you receive a standing ovation from the Philly crowd,” says Witt, who
406
WOMAN 26
lives on a one-hundred acre ranch south of Missoula, Montana. “I love Philly fans. They are very passionate. To get that applause - I loved it.”
the boards in Washington. He showed no pity for even his childhood hero when the Bruin’s power forward dared enter his territory.
“You know who gave me the most trouble was Scott Daniels, who played for Hartford, New Jersey and then Philly. I had also had a helluva fight with Jason Wiemer in juniors, too. It’s on You Tube.”
“So, I’m cross-checking him and challenging him. Well, Ray Scampinella, the longtime linesman, says ‘hey, kid, what are you doing?’. I said, ‘I’m trying to fight my idol.’ I thought that was pretty cool. Playing against great players like Mark Messier was pretty awesome, too.”
Witt says that in addition to the Kordic altercation, his most memorable scraps came against Chicago Blackhawk Ryan VandenBussche (March 12, 1997) and twice in the same contest verse, New Jersey Devil Randy McKay (December 1, 1998).
Witt’s long, stretched hair, hippyish winter knit, and multihued tattoos give him the appearance of a rock star-hipster hybrid, but the facial scars and blemished knuckles reveal the hazards of his profession. “Playing with the Capitals, it was great to have guys like
Dale Hunter and Craig Berube around,” says Witt. “They
taught me to play hard, check hard, and sweat it out. They were guys from a different era.”
Witt, 38, says he is still good friends with Chris Simon and Craig Berube – a veteran enforcer who served first as an opponent, then mentor and buddy, and once as an accidental casualty.
“In training camp, I broke Berube’s jaw when I hit him along the boards. I was so scared because his wife was very upset. She gave it to me when I came over to their house. He had to take out his teeth and drink protein shakes for three weeks.” One of Witt’s most unforgettable moments came in 1995, when he had the opportunity to pin Cam Neely against
“Since I was 13,” says Witt, “a lot of my friends were Oilers fans, but I loved Boston. I always carried a Cam Neely card in my wallet. He was tough. He didn’t take any crap. He was in your face. I loved that style of hockey.
Beneath Witt’s 6’2”, 223-pound exterior, is a garden of compassionate and grateful seeds. In 2002, his wife, Salima, experienced severe hemorrhaging and mysterious complications eight days after giving birth to their second child. Salima developed a life-threatening blood infection that left her suffering in intensive care for months. Even though she made a full recovery, it shook Witt deeply and instilled in him a greater appreciation of the fragility of life. “We travel and spend as much time together as we can,” says Witt. “We were in Morocco and Ethiopia recently.”
In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma swirled around the Witts’ Jupiter, Fla., home as the family of four huddled inside. While the structure endured without major damage, the fear and worry were suitably distressing.
“That was another scary thing,” says Witt, a native of Saskatchewan, Canada. “You know, one of the benefits of retirement is that I get the chance to spend time with my daughters. When I was playing, I was an enigma to them.” Witt played A-League junior hockey in Seattle, and he
“You know you’ve had a good fight when you receive a standing ovation from the Philly crowd,” says Witt, who lives on a onehundred acre ranch south of Missoula, Montana. “I love Philly fans. They are very passionate. To get that applause - I loved it.”
would often drive to Montana to hike in Glacier National Park and scope out communities.
“I thought about buying property in Missoula in 1998,” says Witt. “There wasn’t much there, a Red Lion Inn and a grocery store.”
Three years ago, Witt, who says “he didn’t like the behaviors he saw in his childrens’ middle schools in Florida”. He then looked south of Missoula and “found a real nice place.” “I love to hunt,” says Witt. “I love it.”
On this Saturday morning, Witt is at Glacier Ice Rink chumming around with Missoula Youth Area Hockey Association beginners. Witt and the National Hockey League Players Association gifted 25 sets of new hockey equipment to the “Learn to Play Hockey” program. It’s his first organized contact with the sport since retirement. “Honestly, I’ve been playing hockey since I was a kid, so I’ve been taking a break. I don’t miss the travel. I never had a lot of time to heal my body when I was playing, and there were not many days off.” That’s not to suggest Witt doesn’t cherish the opportunities he has had – only that he’s not the kind of guy who will wax on nostalgically or sink too deeply into the past. He sums up his playing style in one word: proud. “At the end of the day, you’re playing a kid’s game,” says Witt. “You’re living the dream. You’re getting paid well. It’s like my dad always said, ‘take pride in your work’.”
Witt says that the powering passion for which he is reputed – a mixture of hard skating, snarl, and physicality – is absent on the ice and in the lineups these days. “You can’t finish a guy at the blue line like you used to because of concussions,” says Witt. “A guy like Bob Probert was honest. You could run him, but if it was legal, he was cool with that. Dave Brown was like that. Joel Otto was like that. I love that. There was a respect there. The game has changed that way. Today, you’ve got a bunch of wimps.”
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406 women}
profile
Angie's Greenhouse Photo by Scott Wilson Photography
A ngie O lsen
plants in there to make a design. I love that people stop to take pictures of the truck out front and that they like what they see me create. We have a boat with a pond in it that we bring out and decorate. I really enjoy that side of the business.
flower shops in high school and college and learned a lot of design techniques. I have done some weddings and personalized a few funerals. That is something that is both challenging and exciting to me. I would like to do more of that kind of design.
tember is very busy and sometimes the days start at 4 am and don't end until 11 at night. Making sure everything is watered, fertilized How did you first get involved in business? and warm. I have a mix of wholesale and retail customers so I try and balance those as well as keeping it all going at home. I am always here, I was in Landscape Architecture at Mon- so the kids come to the greenhouse and have tana State and I took a graduate level plant fun. They like to come and help out. pathology class and absolutely loved it! We What inspires you? were studying diseases and working extensively with potato lab and seed potatoes which I love it when somebody comes in from out I found really interesting. I had worked with potato growers in high school before I left, and I of town and stops to take pictures. People will was really involved in 4H and FFA. FFA got me see something here and want to recreate it for involved in selling to Farmers’ Markets and the themselves. It is the artistic side of it. Somebusiness of growing. I do love design architec- times in summer you will see someone lying in ture as well, I love creating something artistic the road to take a picture of my truck out front. out of what I grow. What do you do in the off season? What are you most passionate about? The last two years I have had Christmas I love decorating. I have a wall out in back trees and a Christmas shop. I also really enjoy of the store that is made up of pallets, and I put floral design. I worked at a couple of different
I experienced the challenges that a family faces when they have a cancer diagnosis. I was doing treatment, and I had 5 kids that needed a support group. I found this group out of California called Kids Konnected and I brought it here. What is great about it is that we just go and have fun. We don't sit around talking about it; we go to the zone or go camping. When a patient is given a cancer diagnosis we put together a basket for the doctors to give to families. Those baskets include information, not just about Flathead Kids Konnected, but about other resources for help and information on how to talk to children about cancer. They also include age-appropriate items such as a book or blanket for each child.
Angie Olsen started her successful business over 20 years ago with a small greenhouse at her home, that has now grown to 5 large greenhouses. She learned her trade through her involvement in 4H and FFA, and she continued on to study Landscape Architecture at Montana State. She returned home a couple of years later and put her knowledge to work with Angie’s Plant Care and Greenhouse. I met up with Angie on a busy, sunny day at her greenhouse, where customers were excited about the beginning of the growing season.
Q: What is the biggest challenge? Q: What is Kids Konnected and how did you get involved? A: How much work it can be and trying to juggle it all. The season from January to Sep- A: In 2008, I was diagnosed with cancer, and
Q: A:
Q: A:
Q: A: 406
WOMAN 28
Q: A:
Flathead Kids Konnected will have a camp in September. You can find out more about the national Kids Konnected at www.kidskonnected.org. If you would like to find out more about the local program or the summer camp, call Angie at 253-7888.
community}
M eet
Woman
the
W omen ’ s F oundation By Jen Euell
of
M ontana
Who we are: The Women’s Foundation of Montana builds resources and leads change to advance the economic self-sufficiency of women and create a brighter future for girls. We are the leading funder of change for women and girls in our state. We raise money to build our endowment which provides a permanent source of grants. We believe that when women and girls prosper, communities thrive.
self-sufficiency in Montana. We believe that if we do not invest in women and girls, their lResearches and educates on the economic children and families, and eventually state barriers and opportunities for women & and national economies, will suffer. girls Montana women experience lConvenes strategic partners to create soeven more barriers. lutions and advocate for social and systemic For thousands of Montanans, the appeal change of living among our mountains, rivers and plains fails to match the reality of what lConnects women and organizations with Montana has to offer in terms of economic resources and information security, employment opportunities and the promise of a better future. Statistics lFosters leadership among women and indicate that nationally, Montana ranks girls among the very bottom states for both per capita income and wages. As disturbing as lRaises funds and builds its endowment to these statistics are, they fail to take into acincrease financial support of programs and count that Montana ranks near the bottom initiatives that perpetuate its mission. nationally for gender equity in wages. Not only do Montana men make less than their Why a foundation for counterparts across the country, but the women make considerably less than men. women and girls? In service to our mission, the Foundation:
Women still experience barriers that prevent full participation and fairness in society, which negatively impact their communities.
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Women's and girls' funds provide grants that benefit women and girls as well as communities overall. For the past two decades, women and girls' Poverty, a lack of education and job train- funds have improved access to education, ing that lead to gainful employment oppor- jobs and asset growth. This in return retunities and systemic injustices all prevent duces teen pregnancy, increases the numwomen and girls from attaining economic ber of women and girls who complete their
WOMAN 30
education, supports positive early job experiences and strengthens sustainable economic self-sufficiency. As we increase our investments, these achievements continue to grow.
Our History The Women's Foundation of Montana was established in 1999 with a $500,000 challenge grant from Chambers Family Fund to the Montana Community Foundation. The Chambers Family Fund sought to build a permanent resource for women and girls in Montana, where the family's oil business previously operated.
The challenge was met in January 2005 when the $500,000 from the Chambers Family Fund was matched dollar-for-dollar to establish the initial $1 million permanent endowment for the Women's Foundation of Montana. The endowment continues to grow and the proceeds from the endowment provide annual support for the Women's Foundation's granting programs. In the past decade the Women’s Foundation has granted nearly $500,000 to nonprofit organizations in Montana to support job training programs, financial education, leadership training and more. In addition to grant making, the Women’s Foundation has established itself as a leader in the state
Pam Bucy, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, spoke at the release of the report, pledging to work toward pay equity for women in Montana. The release event was followed by a briefing with Governor Steve Bullock and his staff. We are pleased that the adminOur Work Today On Friday, March 8th, 2013 we joined istration has responded by creating a women’s groups from across Montana new Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work at the Capitol to celebrate Interna- Task Force to create solutions for pay tional Women’s Day and work toward inequality in the state. equality for Montana women and girls. Our hard-working partners included You can find the full Status of Women in the American Association of Univer- Montana Report, as well as a Fact Sheet sity Women, Business and Professional summary of the findings at www.wfWomen, Montana Women’s Lobby, montana.org. Montana Women Vote, the Interagency Committee for Change for Women, and In addition to our research and policy the Montana Women’s Mural Project. work, the Foundation is currently conCollectively, these groups represent ducting a grant cycle that will fund programs in the state that are providing thousands of women across the state. financial literacy, entrepreneurship, At a lunchtime press event, we were ex- and STEM (Science, Technology, Encited to release our new Status of Wom- gineering and Math) programming to en in Montana report, providing data Montana girls. We believe that investon key indicators for Montana women ing in girls now will pay big dividends including economics, health and safety, in the future. and leadership. The event was attended by nearly 100 legislators, lobbyists, We invite you to be a part of non-profit and state employees and the movement to invest in the interested citizens. The report reveals power and potential of Monthat we are making progress, but still tana's women and girls. have far to go. The Women's Foundation of Montana is an endowed, component fund of The realities are these: 42.5% of Montana’s female-headed the Montana Community Foundation, households with children live in pov- building capacity for systemic change. erty. As the only statewide foundation dedicated to funding for women and girls, Montana women’s earnings are the 4th donations are leveraged through our lowest in the nation. endowment and focused on lasting On average, a Montana woman, work- change for women and girls. Our funds ing full-time, year round, earns 74% of come from Montanans just like you who believe that when women and a man’s salary. girls prosper, communities 1 in 5 Montana women ages 18-64 do thrive. not have health insurance. We are proud to add 406 Woman MagaAmerican Indian women earn only 67% of men’s salaries, and only zine as a partner in our work and look 93% of the income earned by the to- forward to future collaboration on tal population of Montana women. events and initiatives. providing ongoing research on the status of women. We also support policy change efforts and host the convening of stakeholders to create innovative solutions.
Montana women obtain higher education at higher rates than men, with 21% obtaining a bachelor’s degree compared with 18.6% of men.
To learn more about our work or to invest with us in a brighter future for Montana women and girls, please visit our website at www.wfmontana.org.
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community}
GYCP
Youth Stewardship In Action
Introducing the new Glacier Youth Corps Partnership By Paul Travis Photo courtesy of Montana Conservation Corps
Imagine this remarkable experience. Waking up each morning in the crisp mountain air of Glacier National Park, pulling on your boots, and helping your crew cook and eat a hearty breakfast as sunlight spills over the mountains and into your campsite. Then heading to your work site with seven of your best new friends, in some of the most stunningly beautiful mountain scenery you have ever witnessed. Now imagine you get to do this all summer…all while receiving outdoor leadership skills, scientific research and natural history education, and hands-on conservation work experience. It won’t be easy but the rewards will be great. Maybe you’ve never swung an axe before, collected data for researchers, or even been to a National Park. By the end of the summer, this incredibly valuable experience will teach you the importance of service and stewardship, allow you to grow personally, give you the skills to succeed professionally, get you in the best shape of your life, and create a deep connection to Glacier National Park and the natural world that will stay with you forever.
servancy, Montana Conservation Corps, Glacier National Park, and is made possible through generous gifts from Leonard & Norma Klorfine, John & Pat Case, James & Janna Shennan, D.A.Davidson & Co, and the National Park Foundation, among others. The GYCP will seek to empower young adults from local communities within Montana as well as from across the United States in meaningful service and hands-on conservation projects in Glacier. Projects will include trail maintenance, native plant restoration, noxious weed control, historic structure rehabilitation, and citizen science data collection. The addition of GYCP crews puts more boots on the ground and will allow Glacier National Park to complete important projects that it would not otherwise, at a fraction of the cost.
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In addition, the GYCP crews will spend one day a week working with and mentoring visiting youth groups that come to Glacier as part of our Citizen Science High School and Discover Glacier Education programs. Last year, these Glacier National Park Conservancy funded programs were able to bring 247 students into GlaThis summer, 35 young adults will benefit from cier. We now have the ability, by utilizing the this incredible experience as they engage in GYCP crews, to reach even more students. service projects throughout Glacier National Park with the brand new Glacier Youth Corps The impact that the GYCP will have on Glacier Partnership (GYCP). The project is a partner- National Park and the participating youth is ship between the Glacier National Park Con- best summed up by Jane Ratzlaff.
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“Creating the Glacier Youth Corps Partnership provides an opportunity to address three of our priority areas with a single project: It engages youth in worthwhile employment, helps build their resumes, perhaps creating conservationists, and helps fulfill our “education” priority. It allows the park to get work done on trails and historic structures, fulfilling our “preservation” priority. It addresses citizen science research by having crews in the field all summer with keen observational skills, fulfilling our “research” objectives. It showcases an exciting new program for youth resulting from national park partners working together.”
When you visit Glacier this summer, keep an eye out for the GYCP crews, and thank them for the good work they’re doing. These young adults are not only fixing the trail you’ve been waiting all summer to hike, but are getting the experience of a lifetime. We invite you to be a part of this extraordinary program for future years so that young people will continue to learn the value of service, environmental stewardship and develop a lifelong passion for Glacier and the outdoors. For more information on the Glacier Youth Corps Partnership, or the many other ways that the Glacier National Park Conservancy supports Glacier National Park, visit www.glaciernationalparkconservancy.org or call 406-892-3250.
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I n t e g rat i v e W e l l n e s s C e n t e r Lights dimmed, with soft music playing in the background, as the providers of Glacier Medical Associates Med Spa & Laser / Integrative Wellness Center anxiously awaited opening their doors to the Flathead Valley at their Open House. After months of planning and preparation, the time to share their services, expertise, and knowledge with the community had finally arrived.
As the first guests made their way down the elevator into the new center, they were met with a sweeping sense of calmness and relaxation. The environment was soothing as guests sipped on wine and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres while they toured the facility. “It is my goal to ensure that each guest feels welcome, comfortable, and calm throughout their entire visit at the center,” said Meredith Boulter, Supervisor of the new facility.
to the community,” adds Shari Bjelland, Clinical Esthetician and Laser Technician.
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The goal of the Integrative Wellness Center is prevention with a focus on wellness. This center consists of five treatment rooms for chiropractic services, massage, acupuncture, and health and fitness coaching. Dr. Ryan Wigness provides chiropractic care, Melissa Pfannenstiel and Erin Boedeker provide acupuncture treatment, and Rayme Past the reception area guests made their way to the Med Spa & Laser Caton, Michael Eayrs, and Jennifer Krack offer massage services. “We side; including two spa rooms, a spacious laser room, and an inject- will focus on the individual…body, mind, and lifestyle…to help them able room. Beautiful artwork and luxurious comfort help to keep cli- reach their wellness goal,” noted Dr. Ryan Wigness, Chiropractor. “I ents in a pampered frame of mind, as they wait for their corrective have never seen such a beautiful Med Spa,” a guest commented. anti-ageing service. “We will have a relaxing ambiance with clinical backing, “Dr. Bayne French, Medical Director of the Med Spa & Laser/ The Open House was a great way to celebrate the Center which has Integrative Wellness Center. The waiting area displays a large pre- been open since March 1, 2013. “We had such a great turnout…and sentation of Image Skincare, a pure but corrective line that helps slow the feedback was overwhelmingly positive,” notes Rayme Caton, Masthe aging process. All profits from the skincare sales go to non-profit sage Therapist. The new facility continues to build upon the moorganizations in the community. “In this way we are able to provide mentum from the event and is honored to have their doors open to our clients with the best maintenance program and also to give back the public.
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