Gallatin Valley Life 2014-2015

FINE HOME FINISHES TILE

FIXTURES

STONE

DOOR HARDWARE

FLOORING

KITCHENS & CABINETRY LAUNCHING WINTER 2013

WWW.EARTHELEMENTS.COM 81211 GALLATIN ROAD | SUITE E | BOZEMAN | MT 59718 | 406.414.7040

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FINISHES TO FIT A FULL RANGE OF BUDGETS offering the perfect design choices from a starter home to a high end home

in this issue publisher mike rey editor dave reuss

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design jared byerly

contributors sarah antonucci alyssa barnes bill bilverstone evelyn boswell jessica bayramian byerly william r. mealer meghan o'neal peg potter dave reuss corinne richardson morgan woods published by rey advertising 3220 hillcrest drive bozeman, mt 59715 406-539-1010 reyadvertising@q.com

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on the cover gallatin valley and spanish peaks. photograph courtesy of prudential real estate

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drinks and dancing exploring bozeman's nightlife bozeman spirits building a local distillery bozeman symphony the beauty of music and community the bzn bozeman's airport small town pride life in the madison valley flyfishing three backyard rivers the madison, gallatin and yellowstone stewart title 120 years of service changing lives the healing touch of chiropractic care museum of the rockies from quonset huts to the world in 57 years selfless love a teen mom chooses adoption skis and guns the bridger biathlon club the nova cafe best breakfast in town bridger feeds a bozeman landmark, a legacy of care apollo 8 honoring the historic voyage in bronze

earth’s treasures showcases organic art from around the world

The natural world is a wellspring of artistry, architecture and aesthetic design. From the rocks to the creatures that wander and flutter, nature provides some of the most intriguing and exciting interior design elements and home accents imaginable. Earth’s Treasures, “Bozeman’s Lil Museum and Mining Store,” showcases natural wonders from around the world.

Indonesia's climate and ground minerals have transformed their ancient wood into lively, multihued petrified wood that can be used as end tables, pedestals or seating around the fireplace. Cut and polished tops accentuate the striking wood grain, while the sides of the stumps are left unadorned and rustic. Placing a beveled-edge, rectangular piece of glass on top of two matching stumps creates a beautifully refined coffee table. The logs are also cut into thick slabs, creating impressive wall hangings that become the focal point of any room. A petrified wood sink, however, is truly an interior designer’s dream. The sink sides are untouched and a bowl is polished out of the top; a custom faucet completes the oneof-a-kind utilitarian piece of art.

Pakistan and Mexico have beautifully colorful onyx, a stone that shows the layers of formation in a swirling of green, red, yellow and white. Once the stone is quarried, the local artisans begin their craft, shaping sturdy, yet decidedly delicate, wine goblets, champagne flutes, platters, plates and bowls.

Although paintings are the most common way to decorate a wall, nature provides a myriad of more fascinating choices.

Artists have learned how to collect butterflies after their natural death, spread their wings and decoratively frame them for colorful, varied and unique displays. Insects most often considered pests could actually become treasured works of art. Having framed bugs in your design arsenal is like a secret weapon: unexpected, yet captivating. Some bugs are chosen for their natural colors, like purple-winged locusts or turquoise beetles, while other bugs are chosen for their large size or unique features, such as the giant stick bug with spines or rhinoceros beetle.

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1. Red and Black Butterfly 2. Onyx Goblets and Platter 3. Argentina Blue Onyx Lamp 4. Fossilized Ammonites

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Framed leaves, giant amethyst geodes, fossilized fish on slabs, carved stone pedestals and display ammonites also number among the many interior design elements and artistic options available at Earth’s Treasures.

Located at 25 North Willson Ave, just off Main Street, Earth’s Treasures is open Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. For more information on any products, services or monthly web specials, please visit www.

EarthsTreasuresMT.com or call (406) 586-3451.

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re-couture

bringing fashion forward in big sky country In 2008, Lynnell Parks opened Re-Couture – an upscale resale boutique specializing in gently used designer apparel, shoes and accessories – and irrevocably changed Bozeman’s fashion landscape. Parks’ little shop not only filled a local fashion void, but also provided an eco-friendly outlet for recycling beautiful clothing and eliminating fashion waste. When Parks expanded to her current location on West Main in 2010, she added consigned and locally made furniture, home furnishings and décor, and locally handcrafted art and jewelry to her fashionable offerings. A style epicenter for fashionistas, Re-Couture has a little something wonderful for everyone.

With fashions ranging from Theory’s understated tailoring to Free People’s boho chic trends and prices from five dollars to $500, Re-Couture has current styles to suit every age, aesthetic and budget. Furthermore, Re-Couture is the only local outlet for luxury designers the likes of Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Christian Dior and Armani at a fraction of retail. Locally unavailable lines like Banana Republic, J. Crew and Abercrombie & Fitch can also be found in abundance. In addition, Re-Couture boasts an impressive selection of maternity, plus-size and formal fashions and is currently rolling out new clothing and jewelry lines as well. And, as one might expect from a resale location, the selection is always changing, the treasure trove of designer fashion steals replenished daily.

Yet, with an unparalleled selection of enviable luxury home décor and designer furniture, Re-Couture doesn’t just offer fashionable clothing. A popular outlet for local interior designers to consign gently used home furnishings, ReCouture’s well-appointed showroom includes everything from Persian rugs, rustic leather and reclaimed barn wood to sought-after pieces by designers like John Winddicomb and Henredond. Whether you’re refreshing a room,

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redecorating a ski chalet or making a rustic vacation cabin feel like home, Re-Couture has you covered.

“Style is ageless,” remarks Re-Couture Manager Gwen Stevens, who is proud to work in a store that caters to nearly every age, size, style and taste, while unswervingly providing the best possible customer service. Re-Couture’s friendly staff is knowledgeable about current trends and designers, authentication and fashion styling.

“We do our best to provide each and every person with a positive experience, to make them feel comfortable and welcome, whether they’re here to shop or consign,” says Stevens. Customers can even add their special request must-haves to the boutique’s “wish list,” to which staff then refer when reviewing consignor offerings.

Despite a substantial consignor base, Re-Couture is always looking for new fashion. Favoring designer labels and hard-to-find brands, Re-Couture accepts current, gently used clothing, shoes, accessories and furniture.

Providing support and direction during the entire process, the ladies at ReCouture can even come to your home to review your closet with you. For further information, or to consign your gently used goods, contact the store at 406.582.5710.

Re-Couture is located at 2320 West Main Street and open Monday through Saturday, from 10AM to 6PM. For more information or updates on new arrivals, sales and promotions, visit www.recoutureboutique.com or like Re-Couture on Facebook.

drinks and dancing exploring bozeman’s nightlife

By Meghan O’Neal

Bozeman: where the townsfolk spend the days in the mountains and the nights in the bars. Despite being home to MSU, our nightlife isn’t just partying college kids. Bozeman hosts a quickly growing nightlife where something is happening any night of the week.

DANCING Looking to impress on the dance floor? The Rocking R, or R Bar, often provides some of the best local DJs on the weekend, and their small dance floor fills quickly. Shake your hips to the hottest hits, or if that’s not your style, make your way to the back and grab a seat with your buds or shoot some pool at one of their six pool tables. Drop by Thursday nights for karaoke. Be warned: this bar is often

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packed, so it may be a bit of a fight to get to the bar. Head down the street to Bar IX for some more DJs and dancing.

You never know what you’ll find at Bar IX. From girls dancing on the bar to serious poker players upstairs, this bar hosts a healthy mixture of folks. Local DJs jam on the weekends. Be sure to check out their weekly specials; they have some of the best in town. Looking for more of a hiphop scene? The Zebra often hosts live music with smaller hip-hop artists. The dance floor here is slightly bigger than other dance floors on Main Street, but on the weekends this bar finds its fair share of attendees. For all of you cowboys out there, try Mixers, where you can show off your country swing-dancing skills. Located a little off the main drag, Mixers provides a haven for all of you boot-wearing,

cowboy-hat-donning folks out there—although it does find its mix of people merely looking to have a good time.

DIVE Sometimes, you just have to dress down and grab a brewski at one of the low-key bars. Here, you know you’ll find a variety of folks, from the down-on-hisluck loner sitting at the end of the bar to the group of college kids at the pool tables drinking a little too much. Bozeman hosts a variety of these spots, all with their own flavor. The aptly named Barmuda Triangle received this fond moniker for its habit of trapping bar-goers hopelessly within its clutches.

Made up of three bars, you can easily bounce from bar to bar and decide which is more your scene.

The most popular of the three, the Molly Brown, is also the largest. Pool tables line one end, and on the weekdays you’ll likely find a spot. Drop by Wednesday evenings for their ever-popular trivia nights starting at 8pm. Across the parking lot lies the tiny Haufbrau. This establishment carries few tables and limited standing room, so it often fills quickly with few people. Looking to perform?

Every Sunday and Monday sees a handful of musicians at open mic night where the crowd is supportive and positive. The third and final piece of the Barmuda Triangle is the Scoop. Labeled with a large, neon sign which reads, “Bar,” the Scoop provides sanctuary to all sorts. Don’t expect a smile from the bartender, but you can expect some good pool and a relaxed atmosphere. For some of the best live music in town, head to the Filler, located off the highway up to Bridger. From bluegrass to heavy metal, the Filler provides music from bands all over.

They often host themed parties throughout the year, so keep an eye out for events.

WINE AND DINE Recently, a number of high-class bars emerged onto the Bozeman scene. Primarily a wine bar, Plonk also serves a variety of delicious dishes as well as some of the best cocktails in town. Sip on a glass of a wide variety of wines and try out the ever-changing cheese board—you’ll be begging for more. For all of you whiskey drinkers, the Copper provides an extensive whiskey menu with varieties from around the world. Not a whiskey fan? No problem—their full bar fulfills any of your needs.

Drop by around dinnertime for a steak or burger.

One of the newest establishments in town, 14 North provides excellent meals and delicious cocktails.

A little on the expensive side, come with a heavy wallet.

MISCELLANEOUS The Crystal Bar hosts the ever-famous Power Hour where things tend to get a little crazy. If you can push your way to the bar in this small establishment, Thursday through Saturday from 11pm-12am all well drinks are only $1. The hour often turns into a feeding frenzy, so if you choose to enter the fray, do so with caution. In the summer, venture up to the roof where you can soak in the sun and sip on a beer. The Pourhouse, 317, and Colonel Blacks are all located in the same building, so on those cold winter nights, you can go bar-hopping without entering the frigid cold. Located upstairs, the 317 is a small Irish pub. Find a booth in the corner and put back a Guinness. Drop by Tuesday nights for live bluegrass. You won’t find much of a party scene here, but you will find good company.

Down the hall, the Pourhouse provides ample seating in a laid-back atmosphere. On the weekends, they often provide a DJ; however, the dance floor is a little tight and very crowded.

Colonel Blacks downstairs never sees too big of crowds and has an attitude that says, “Anyone is welcome here.” A smaller establishment, it only houses one pool table and a small bar. Come by Tuesday evenings for karaoke and $3 Long Islands.

For more karaoke, try the Bacchus Pub Wednesday nights. During the day, drop by for an amazing pasty and other pub grub. For a place to watch the big game, Spectators is the way to go. With their overflowing plates of nachos and their weekly drink specials, you’ll get your fill without emptying your wallet. Located across the street from campus, it’s a college favorite as students walk here for a muchneeded post-class drink.

Bozeman nightlife is something worth exploring.

Whether you’re looking for a raucous good time dancing the night away or a quiet glass of wine after a long day, there’s always fun to be had. Try something new, and expand your horizons. You never know what you might find.

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bozeman spirits distillery

By Dave Reuss

If Montanans like anything, it’s good drinks and good company. With these two facts in mind, local entrepreneur Jim Harris began looking for a new project in the spring of 2011. After following the success of Butte’s Headframe Spirits in the news, Harris met with the owners, John & Courtney McKee, and asked for guidance on starting a distillery of his own. Once a rough plan had been outlined, Harris drew inspiration from the business models of micro distillers in Missoula, Butte, Billings as well as outside of Montana to find the recipe for success: high quality products and an inviting downtown location.

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The new tasting room for Bozeman Spirits Distillery, located at 121 West Main just next door to John Bozeman’s Bistro, has been a fixture for businesses in downtown Bozeman: the location began as a Safeway in the early 1940s, then a Sears, and finally the home of Schnee’s Boots and Shoes for the last four decades. “It’s the perfect location for the distillery,” Harris says. “The building just works.”

When it comes to products, Bozeman Spirits Distillery will be offering their take on the three most popular liquors in the nation: whiskey, vodka, and gin. They will start with Montana Cold Spring Vodka, which will come in both flavored and regular versions. Their flagship beverage will be an aged whiskey named Montana 1889 Whiskey, celebrating the year that Montana admitted to the Union. Harris plans to age the whiskey for at least two years before bottling downtown. Finally, they’ll have Ruby River Gin, flavored with juniper berries harvested from the banks of the Ruby River in southwest Montana.

There are also already several other products approved. “You will have to wait and see when we open… gotta have a few surprises,” Harris says.

Alongside their selection of spirits, Harris aims to partner with local vendors to provide appetizers, seafood, tapas, meat and cheese trays, and plenty more. They also plan on offering specialty cigars and Bozeman Spirits merchandise, including flasks, and mini-sized casks so customers can age their own whiskey.

“This project has taken a long time like a good whiskey—but the city and state have been increasingly supportive,” Harris says. “We’re really looking forward to giving Bozeman a distillery in the heart of downtown. I have wanted a business downtown since the early ‘90s.” He envisions a friendly, well-lit atmosphere where friends, coworkers, and just about anyone can come in for a sample of locally made spirits. If everything goes according to plan, they’ll open their doors in the summer of 2014. You can visit BozemanSpirits.com or follow Bozeman Spirits on Facebook (facebook.com/bozemanspirits) & Twitter for the latest updates.

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the beauty of music and community

By Meghan O’Neal

Community is the mantra of Bozeman. Strangers smile and wave as they walk down the street. Downtown closes its streets for community-wide events. Bozemanites never hesitate to help someone in need or give to a charitable cause. We are a united people, working together to enrich our lives and create a positive environment—and the Bozeman Symphony exemplifies this way of living.

Since 1968, the Bozeman Symphony has brought the joy of music to Montana. And it’s worked; in its 46th season, the Bozeman Symphony sees its most popular year yet. Selling out of their season tickets, the symphony recently opened another performance, including a Sunday morning show along their Saturday evening performances. This addition allows around 2,200 audience members each performance weekend.

And it doesn’t stop there. The Bozeman Symphony not only brings music to the community, but it also generates interest in its younger members. Each year, the symphony treats 1,100 fourth graders from Bozeman and the surrounding areas to a free concert. This experience allows young children to experience live music as well as educate and inspire them to pursue music throughout their lifetime.

Their Treats for Tickets program immerses children in the musical process. For a small price of a shared snack for the musicians, the kids sit in on a rehearsal and speak to the symphony members during their breaks, getting a rare look at the behind-the-scenes process. At the end, they receive two free tickets for the weekend performance. “The kids have a nametag with their instruments written on them, so they can speak to the symphony members who play their instrument,” says Sherry Linnerooth, the symphony’s Executive Director. “It’s a lot of fun for everyone.”

The symphony encourages family events as well. They offer free family performances on certain dates throughout the season, as well as a $50 season pass for families to come to the dress rehearsal the Friday before the performance. “It’s meant for families, but if a couple shows up with 35 kids and says, ‘these are all mine,’ we’ll let them all in,” Sherry says, laughing.

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Their most-attended community event occurs every summer at the Fourth of July celebrations at Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Put on by the Gallatin Empire Alliance Club, it saw roughly 4,000 families last year.

Bozeman is not the only town that gets to enjoy the symphony—the symphony brings live music to towns in the area that don’t have easy access to live performances. Funded by grants and foundations, small ensembles travel a 180-mile radius around Bozeman and provide free performances.

“Every year we are looking for new opportunities to serve the community,” Sherry states. They forever seek to expand their borders. Funded primarily by grants and donations, the symphony turns to fundraising to aid expansion. This year, they will host a New Year’s Eve gala where attendees participate in a formal dinner, listen to a symphony performance, and dance. Tim Abell, a Hollywood actor and producer, will MC the event.

The Bozeman Symphony’s reach in the community goes beyond bringing musical performances to the town; they hire talented local musicians and give them an opportunity to perform live. “It is a great part-time job for college students,” says Sherry. “We currently employ around 100 performers, some full time, some part time.” Each performer receives a small per service fee for their performances.

They’re always looking for more performers—to audition,

simply visit their website for information.

Now in its 11th season, the symphony provides the Bozeman Piano series, which has two performances per year. Recently, the symphony partnered with Montana State University to purchase a Steinway nine-foot grand piano.

Sherry smiles. “We are very excited about this acquisition.

Without the university’s help, we would not be able to have one of these instruments in Bozeman.” Sherry says.

Another aspect of the symphony is the Symphonic Choir.

Comprised of 110 singers, they will perform with the symphony on specific dates. Every other year, they perform a stand-alone concert. The next is scheduled for next spring.

The symphony brings in well-known artists who are often up-and-coming. “They love Bozeman,” Sherry says. “The

community is really good to them.” Local businesses give gift baskets, complimentary hotel rooms, and Audi provides cars for the duration of their stay. The symphony greatly influences the community, and Bozeman wishes to return the favor.

This year, the symphony has set aside $23,000 to commission new work. These pieces will carry the Bozeman Symphony name, and Matthew Savory, director of the Bozeman symphony for 19 seasons, will head this endeavor.

The Bozeman Symphony works toward one simple goal: to provide live music to the community as well as encourage music lovers to explore the craft. It understands that music and art is to be shared, not hoarded, and works tirelessly alongside the Bozeman community to cultivate its rich culture.

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THE

By Corinne Richardson There is a renaissance taking place in southwest Montana. It’s a well-kept secret amongst those who live and vacation here, and Gallatin Field Airport is at the heart of it. Gallatin Field, recently renamed Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), has undergone a huge transformation—one that has doubled its size, introduced a customs office, and posited it to become the busiest airport in Montana.

There is much to admire about the airport: its light and spacious design abounding in historical and regional references. A combination of local materials, wood, metal and fieldstone, paired with expansive mountain views, gives a sense of Big Sky Country’s spaciousness.

Canada geese and sandhill cranes suspended in the high vaulted ceiling, an impressive bronze grizzly greeting visitors as they deplane, and a live video of Old Faithful streaming into a deep blue sky all exemplify what Montana is famous for: distinctive natural beauty.

Behind the expansion is a man who is passionate about airports. “I love the airline industry, but I have a passion for this airport,” says Brian Sprenger, Airport Director. “I’m a huge supporter of our community, which I define as West Yellowstone to Bozeman.” Sprenger’s love for airports is in his blood. His mother was a flight attendant and his father worked for Frontier Airlines in Denver before taking a position at Gallatin Field as station manager. When he was five, Sprenger saw the first Boeing 747 fly into Denver and he was enthralled for life. Sprenger has almost thirty years of airport experience, twenty-eight at Gallatin Field. In 1983, he got his start at Gallatin Field cleaning airliners and began working for Northwest Airlines in 1985 as a Customer Service Agent. He moved to Kalispell, then Minneapolis where he gained station management experience and managed education programs.

In 1999, Sprenger was offered the job of Assistant Airport Director at Gallatin Field. “I feel it’s a privilege to live here in Bozeman. I get both to do the work I love and be where I

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want to live,” he says. In the thirteen years since his return, Sprenger has lived through a lot of change. He remembers when it was unusual to have more than one airliner on the ground at Gallatin Field, when boarding was via movable steps to the aircraft, and baggage claim were nonexistent.

“It was a very intimate, exciting process,” Sprenger says.

Now, especially around busy holidays such as President’s day, there are as many as seventy commercial and corporate jets flying in and out of BZN per day. To put that in perspective, when including general aviation, that’s seven to eight planes an hour, or one plane every three minutes.

As he speaks, an Airbus A320 fills his office window, pulls up to the gate, and I can’t help but feel the same sense of excitement heard in Sprenger’s voice. We watch the jet’s arrival and the sudden action around it—the field crew directing the plane, carts darting to and from the aircraft, the appearance and disappearance of luggage, the slow whir of the engine shutting down. I stare out, mystified by all the moving parts and turn back to Sprenger, and ask, “How do you operate an airport?”

Sprenger laughs in his shy, quiet manner. “We provide the

facility, the terminal from which everyone can operate— concessions, garbage handling, inside and outside security, the personnel employees of individual entities.” Over the years, the airport has grown from 30,000 to 430,000 passengers annually and now employs five hundred people.

Sprenger attributes a large part of the airport’s growth to Big Sky. “What Big Sky means to Bozeman is not always evident,” he says. BZN’s current nonstop flights from Atlanta and New York became possible because of Big Sky’s marketing. The initial investment of Chrystler and Northwest Airlines in the Chet Huntley days really launched the airport, and Boyne continued marketing that investment, Sprenger notes. “Big Sky Resort, the Yellowstone Club, Moonlight Basin, and the Club at Spanish Peaks took Gallatin Field from a one-season business to two,” Sprenger says. However, Sprenger is quick to point out that Bozeman is also crucial to Big Sky. The four pillars that give BZN strength and sustainability are the Bozeman community population base, Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky, and Montana State University.

The airport expansion came at a challenging economic time. “In 2008-09 we were deciding whether to do the terminal expansion project. When the bottom fell out we were down some in numbers, but we stayed the course and committed to the design process until we had to make a final decision,” Sprenger says. “It was risky to move forward, but we were seeing indications that traffic wasn’t going to drop and we thought the project would boost the local economy,” he adds. The expansion is already paying off. A video shot at 5 a.m. one recent morning shows every gate occupied by a plane.

Sprenger has accomplished a lot during his tenure as Airport Director, an appointment conferred upon him in 2009. In addition to the terminal expansion and new customs office, BZN, in conjunction with the FAA , has over the past fifteen years adopted new procedures that have reduced delays by 90%, added a $1.5 million dollar radar display, a control tower, and additional private air traffic control employees. BZN has also applied to privatize the airport screening process. One significant change was a modification to the airplane approach pattern. Sprenger points at a photo pinned to his bulletin board in which six planes are backed up on the runway, a delay caused by inclement weather but exacerbated by the airport’s approach control design. It practically took an act of congress to implement the change, but Sprenger worked

tirelessly with the FAA and Montana Senators to expedite the airport’s departure process and thereby reduce delays.

Because Gallatin Field has grown more quickly than the FAA predicted, the airport has had to become proactive in making improvements and has used their own resources to make upgrades. Sprenger credits his predecessor, Ted Mathis, for having left Gallatin Field in a good financial position that allowed the airport to afford these improvements.

As for the new customs service at BZN, introduced in conjunction with the Yellowstone Club and Signature Flight Support in July, Sprenger says, “we’ve not even begun touching on what customs can do for us beyond servicing private jets.” For example, having a customs office at BZN allows hunters to take their weapons overseas, benefits any airline coming in to service Mexico, and offers international airlines the ability to bring in a charter flight to Yellowstone National Park. International cargo can now be cleared at BZN. “It will be interesting to see how customs service develops,” Sprenger says. “The market will determine the growth direction.”

One of the highlights in Sprenger’s career in airport management happened on September 11, 2001. While airports across the country were shut down, Gallatin Field remained open. FEMA directors, convening in Big Sky for a conference, were shuttled back to work by military flights from BZN. But Sprenger admits that Airforce One landing at Gallatin Field was among his top memorable experiences, and the photograph in his office is impressive.

Sprenger watched Airforce One’s descent from the control tower in a severe thunderstorm. “For me, it satisfied a lifelong dream of seeing a Boeing 747 flying into Bozeman.”

As for future airport plans, Sprenger admits that it’s an ever-evolving industry, but on his wish list is expanded service, especially to Texas, and he hopes the airport can keep its competitive edge by remaining the lowest cost airport in Montana on a per-mile basis. “We’ve accomplished a lot in a few years,” Sprenger says, “and now it’s time to make sure the changes are leveraged to the fullest. We need to focus on improving the consistency of good service from the time a passenger parks to the time they board.” In the meantime, you can expect that Sprenger will be posting the next problem to tackle on his bulletin board—and then churning out solutions.

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good food fast

dining at the co-op Need a healthy meal solution between work, soccer practice, and dog walks? What about the idea of spending more of your lunch hour actually enjoying your food instead of waiting for it? Are you new to Bozeman and looking for a familyfriendly place to dine?

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for an entire plate of food that won’t be eaten. The Co-op offers easy, affordable dining options for families in a kid-friendly atmosphere. It’s also a great way to taste a little bit of that salad you’ve always wanted to try. Just grab a spoonful—it’s that simple. Plus, there’s always something new to try: menus change daily and feature ethnic cuisine.

The Co-op, a Bozeman mainstay since 1979, offers made-from-scratch meals featuring fresh, local, and organic ingredients. With two locations in Downtown Bozeman, the Co-op offers hot food all day, not just during traditional lunch or dinner hours.

In addition to hot meals, Co-op West Main is a full-service grocery with an extensive wellness department and a coffee bar upstairs. Co-op Downtown offers a convenient grocery selection, sandwiches, smoothies, and more.

All hot food is available in a convenient self-service deli, making it a great option for personalizing your meal and choosing your own portion sizes. Have a kid that only wants a scoop of rice and a few tomatoes? No need to pay

Co-op West Main is located at 908 West Main Street and Co-op Downtown is located at 44 East Main Street.

Everyone is welcome to dine and shop at the Co-op. For more info, visit bozo.coop or call 587-4039.

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IS IN MY HANDS

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downtown bozeman association hosted events Winter Crazy Days – Friday, February 28 through Saturday, March 1 from 10am to 6pm. Starting at 10am, Over 200 merchants offer unbelievable end-of-winter sales! Don’t miss this great chance to save on those items you have wanted all winter long.

Bridal Walk – Saturday, April 12 from 11am to 3pm, Downtown. Every year on the second Saturday in April from 11am to 3pm, brides and their entourage are invited to roam the streets of downtown and take advantage of the numerous businesses that can offer you all of your wedding needs. From bridal wear to flowers, cakes, jewelry, or honeymoon assistance… downtown has everything to offer the Montana wedding. You can also sample wedding cakes, taste wines, and have a chance to win many great prizes.

Same-day registration at the Baxter Hotel at 105 West Main Street.

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bite to eat from numerous food vendors that will be on site or step into a few of the downtown stores that stay open late.

Crazy Days – Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 from 10am to 6pm. It’s the biggest, the best and the original. It’s the Downtown Crazy Days on the 3rd weekend in July.

Over 200 downtown merchants take to the sidewalks with unbelievable sales on spring and summer merchandise.

Bite of Bozeman – Wednesday, July 30 from 6-9pm. The Sweet Pea Festival presents the annual Bite of Bozeman on the Wednesday preceding the weekend festival. Come mingle on Main Street with your friends and family, enjoy fine cuisine by over 40 local restaurants and listen to great local bands. Visit sweetpeafestival.org for more information.

Bobcat Fest on Main – Friday, April 25, from 5-8pm.

Downtown, local businesses, and MSU organizations invite all MSU students and faculty and the Bozeman community on Main Street in Downtown Bozeman. Don’t miss this great chance to get the MSU community together in Downtown to help thank MSU for being an essential part of the Bozeman Community through food and fun.

Sweet Pea Festival – August 1-3. Sweet Pea has been a Bozeman tradition for over thirty years. This event occurs the first weekend in August at Lindley Park. You can spend the entire weekend enjoying a wonderful variety of music, dance, and theatrical performances. There are children's art workshops, arts and crafts vendors and great festival food.

Visit sweetpeafestival.org for more information.

Art Walks – 2nd Fridays, June-September and a Winter Art Walk in December from 6-8pm, Downtown. Dates are June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12 & December 12. Art Walks occur on the second Friday of the month June through September and a special Winter Art Walk in December from 6 to 8pm at art galleries and businesses displaying artwork located along Main Street and at the Emerson Center for Arts and Culture. The galleries feature artists’ openings and receptions and often provide hors d’oeuvres and complimentary refreshments. Also, keep an eye out for local musicians playing music as your stroll Main Street.

MSU Community Cat Walk – Friday, August 22 from 11am to 1pm on Main Street. Join us for the Montana State University Cat Walk on Friday, Aug. 23 from 11am to 1pm.

MSU President Waded Cruzado, Champ, the MSU Spirit of the West Marching Band and other MSU representatives and community members will make their way down Main Street and through the Mall to create some “Bobcat Buzz” throughout the community by visiting businesses and stores, playing the fight song and passing out Bobcat gear, schedules and Bobcat window decals along the way.

Heading into our 4th year, the MSU Cat Walk has already become a “can’t miss” community tradition!

Music on Main – Every Thursday night for eight nights from June 26 through August 14 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm between Black and Rouse Avenues on Main Street.

Every Thursday evening through late June to midAugust for eight weeks, enjoy live music, food and fun in Downtown Bozeman. Bring the kids from 6:30 to 8pm for planned activities games with the Children’s Museum, Montana Outdoor Science School, Haven and other great organizations. Enjoy live music from 7 to 8:30pm. Grab a

Downtown Trick or Treating – Friday, October 31 from 3-6pm on Main Street. A safe way to enjoy traditional trick or treating in beautiful Downtown Bozeman. Over 100 businesses welcome kids and families with candy and Halloween decorations.

Gallatin Valley Life

Ladies’ Night – Thursday, November 20 from 5-10pm.

Nobody enjoys holiday shopping more than the ladies, and this event gives them MORE of what they’re craving…

a fun, stress-free evening of dining and holiday shopping in Downtown Bozeman. There will be specials and promotions at over 30 downtown retailers and restaurants! So, grab your friends and come downtown for a fun holiday shopping experience!

Cat/Griz Downtown MSU Pep Rally – Thursday, November 20 at 5:30pm. Help the team get pumped for the big game versus the Grizzlies! Free food, drinks, Bobcat gear and amazing raffle prizes!

kick-off the holiday season. First, Santa Claus works his way from the Emerson Cultural Center down Main Street, singing Christmas carols and lighting the downtown holiday lights with more than 6,000 people in tow to help get people into the holiday spirit. Then enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, pictures with Santa Claus, entertainment, holiday treats and much more. The fun lasts until 7:30pm.

Buttons will be available for purchase after Thanksgiving at various Bozeman locations. The full schedule of events will be available online at bozemandailychronicle.com or as a printed publication inserted into the daily paper and available at many downtown locations on the Friday prior.

Small Business Saturday – Saturday, November 29.

Since 2010, Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekend of the year. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we’re asking millions of Americans to shop small at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. When we all shop small, it will be huge. Visit smallbusinesssaturday. com for more information.

Winter Art Walk – Friday, December 12 from 6-8pm.

The Downtown Bozeman Association and participating art galleries and businesses are excited to bring you the first Winter Art Walk. Many galleries will feature artists’ openings and receptions and often provide hors d’oeuvres and complimentary refreshments. Also, keep an eye out for local musicians playing music as your stroll Main Street in Downtown Bozeman.

Christmas Stroll - Saturday, December 6 from 4:307:30pm. Be a part of Downtown Bozeman’s greatest holiday tradition: the Christmas Stroll. Always on the first Saturday in December, come downtown to officially

For more information on any of the Downtown Bozeman Association hosted events above visit www.downtownbozeman.org.

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your plastic surgery

CHECKLIST Courtesy of SW MT Plastic Surgery, William R. Mealer, MD

The popularity of plastic surgery is soaring – and more and more doctors are trying to meet the demand. Any licensed physician can call himself or herself a “cosmetic” or even plastic surgeon, so the importance finding a properly trained and certified provider is paramount.

We have prepared this checklist to help guide you through your plastic surgery procedure – from choosing a plastic surgeon to managing your recovery.

CHECK OFF EACH ITEM TO PREPARE FOR YOUR PROCEDURE: 1. Researching YOUR PROCEDURE. From skin treatments to surgery, plastic surgeons provide a wide array of procedures. Research will help you narrow down the best options for meeting your goals.

• Visit www.plasticsurgery.org for full descriptions of plastic surgery procedures and the results you can expect from each.

• Consider other online resources such as BeautyforLife.com and the Partnership for Patient Safety at www.p4ps.org. If you are interested in breast implants, also consider breastimplantsafety.org.

2. Choosing your plastic surgeon.

There are many ways to find a surgeon, including seeking recommendations from your primary care physician, friends and family. But when you’re ready to make a choice, be sure your plastic surgeon meets the highest standards of education, experience and ethics.

• If you are considering a surgical procedure, make sure your surgeon has operating privileges at an accredited medical facility*.

• Ask your candidate about their most recent continuing medical education.

• When you choose an AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS member surgeon, you can rest assured that your doctor has all of these qualifications, which are the conditions of membership.

3. Consulting with your plastic surgeon.

Well before your procedure, you’ll meet with your plastic surgeon for a consultation to discuss your goals and determine the best plan to achieve your desired results. The consultation is your opportunity to ask your surgeon tough questions. You should feel confident asking about your doctor’s credentials, experience, outcomes and safety record in the type of procedure that interests you.

• Confirm that you are a good candidate for your chosen procedure.

• Identify any alternative procedures for achieving your desired results and understand the pros and cons of each.

• Review before and after photos that illustrate the procedure and results that you can reasonably expect.

• Ask friends, family and doctors for referrals.

• Determine what will be expected of you to achieve the best results.

• Compile a list of plastic surgeons.

• Discuss the risks associated with your procedure and how your doctor handles them.

• Make sure each candidate has at least six years of surgical training and experience, with a minimum of three years specifically in plastic surgery*.

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• Make sure each candidate is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Gallatin Valley Life

• Tell your plastic surgeon about medical conditions, allergies and previous medical treatments. On the day of

the consultation, it’s helpful to bring a list of your medical conditions and any medications, vitamins or herbal supplements you are taking.

• Find out who will perform your procedure and where.

• Determine the length of the recovery period and the kind of recovery help you will need. Plan for the appropriate level of support you will needs from family and friends – such as a ride from the facility, help with changing dressings or assistance in bathing.

• Share old pictures of yourself with your surgeon to show how your appearance has changed.

• Discuss the cost of the procedure.

4. Planning for your surgery. Safe and successful plastic surgery depends not only on your doctor, it’s your responsibility, too. These steps will help make sure you’re ready for plastic surgery – both before and after your procedure.

BEFORE • Be sure you are physically healthy, eating right and not smoking.

• Establish realistic expectations for the results of your procedure.

• Read, understand and sign informed consent documents for your procedure.

• Understand the procedure’s after-effects and recovery time.

• Have your plastic surgeon thoroughly address all of your questions about your recovery.

AFTER • Each procedure requires a specific postoperative protocol. Follow your doctor’s orders for a safe recovery.

Enhance your Natural Beauty William R.Mealer, M.D. Bozeman Deaconess Hospitals ONLY Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.

406-585-2700 www.swmontanaplasticsurgery.com www.montanabreast.com Nose Surgery • Laser Therapies • Facelifts • Eye Lid Repair Tummy Tuck • Liposuction • Breast Augmentation • Breast Lift • Botox® Injections Juvederm® Injections • Laser Vein Therapy • Facial Peels

small-town pride life in the madison valley

By Alyssa Barnes

“I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.”

–John Steinbeck

This Steinbeck quote is a favorite for folks around Ennis, as is captures precisely the way we feel about the Madison Valley and the little town at its core, just 50 miles southwest of Bozeman. You’ve probably driven through it on your way to historic Virginia City, or en route to Salt Lake City. Maybe you’ve even stopped for lunch or a cup of coffee on your way through. Its offerings are significantly more substantial than the “bar and post office” towns that surround it. The residents of McAllister, Cameron and Virginia City appreciate the convenience of

Ennis’ local grocery store, movie theater, restaurants, stores and bowling alley. But the most appealing thing about this small town is not the town itself. What truly makes Ennis special isn’t visible at first glance.

To live in Ennis is to be surrounded by pride, passion and love. People don’t move to Ennis to get a leg up on the corporate ladder. They don’t scour the real estate ads searching for a rent-controlled apartment near public transportation. And they certainly don’t come for the glamorous nightlife. Whether they were born and raised here, uprooted their families and relocated from somewhere halfway across the country, or chose the valley as a peaceful place to retire, the residents of Ennis live here deliberately. However they’ve ending up here, they have made the decision on purpose. They live here because something about this special place touches their hearts.

For some, it’s year-round access to a piece of the best fly fishing in the country on the Madison River. For others, it is the tantalizing possibility of harvesting a trophy bull in their own backyards each fall. And for many, they can’t pinpoint the reason they love living here—but it has something to do with the incredible scenery, the slower pace, and most importantly, the overwhelming sense of community they feel as a resident.

A perfect example of that camaraderie was evident throughout the 2013 high school football season, as the entire community pulled together to support its hometown team. The Class-C Ennis Mustangs played a flawless 15-0 season to qualify for their first state championship in three decades. Days before the big home game, Ennis became a sea of green and white with nearly every business in town proudly showing off the school colors in their display windows. The booster club busied itself with plans for a downtown game-day tailgate party complete with moustache face-painting for those who weren’t able to grow their own versions of #85 Braydon McKitrick’s, the “Nasty,” in support. Two nights before the game, the busy boosters visited every single player’s home in the valley, staking

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Gallatin Valley Life

signs that read, “Go Mustangs!” The entire town buzzed in hopeful anticipation of Saturday’s game.

On Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., the Ennis Mustangs greeted the Wibaux Longhorns on the field.

The fan-packed stands screamed and cheered as the ball traveled back and forth between the two teams. The Mustangs led throughout, with the Longhorns trailing closely behind at times, never allowing the Ennis boys a moment of rest. When the fourth quarter clock ran out, the Ennis Mustangs had the lead over Wibaux, 68-56. For the second time in thirty-one years, the Mustangs held off the Longhorns for the Class C 8-Man State Championship trophy. And the town of Ennis could not have puffed its chest out any farther.

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Fans rushed the field screaming, crying, and embracing their kids, nephews and friends. Senior player Reid Farnes told Bozeman Daily Chronicle reporter Gidal Kaiser, amidst the roaring mob, “You can’t explain this. There’s nothing like having everyone in your community wanting to hug you because you are a champ.” The day after the game, senior Braydon McKitrick posted the following to his Facebook page: “I just want to say thank you to everyone in this small town of Ennis! It was a knock down drag out brawl yesterday and without you guys screaming and yelling it woulda been so hard to make it through. Thanks for everything you guys do and did! Love you all big and small. I'm truly blessed.”

Even as the excitement of this victory begins to fade ever so slightly, the community will come together again to support girls’ volleyball, the local food bank, or raise money for a family in need. Ennis may never have a pro team, a shopping mall or even a stoplight, but what it lacks in stature it recovers tenfold in heart.

Bozeman 1921 West Main 406-587-5428 PierceFlooring.com

2014/2015 23

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Gallatin Valley Life

FLYFISHING BACKYARD RIVERS

By Dave Reuss

Ask anyone what comes to mind when they think of fly fishing, and nine times out of ten, they’ll mention the classic 1992 movie A River Runs Through It. Shot primarily on water near Livingston and Bozeman, this film introduced the world to the dreamboat Brad Pitt while he whipped dry flies around his head on the banks of gorgeous mountain streams. But as soon as the movie was released, the secret was out: the Big Sky State was a fisherman’s paradise. People flooded in from around the globe to sample the endless blue-ribbon trout waters the crisscross the landscape.

There were exponentially more boats on the water (which led to countless discussions about how out-of-staters were ruining the sport for everyone), but all the tourism helped small fishing towns thrive and raised awareness about conservation and preservation. Now that permits and access restrictions have balanced the amount of people on the river, the fishing industry in southwest Montana has reached a happy equilibrium—there’s an amenable ratio of cagey veterans and wide-eyes newbies on just about every riffle. Here’s a look at three classic stretches of water and what makes them so special.

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The Famous Madison Running from outside Ennis, through the whitewater-filled Bear Trap Canyon, along Highway 84, and finally into the Missouri, this piece of water is a Montana classic. Get ready for perfect opportunities to wade or float—the choice is up to you. If you’re visiting the lower Madison in the summer, don’t expect to be there alone. This stretch can turn into an aquatic Mardi Gras when the weather is right, hosting countless drift boats, wade fishermen, and more tube-riding floaters than you can shake a 5-weight rod at.

During the summer months, higher water temperatures can make the fishing unproductive and dangerous to our finned friends. Also, the lower river is prone to algae growth. The good news is the lower river tends to warm up quicker in the spring and not cool down as fast in the fall.

This promotes great fishing early in the spring long before the upper river is even ice-free, as well as the opportunity to catch fish long after the leaves have fallen.

The Winding Gallatin This is the smallest significant piece of water around Bozeman, but it’s still a treasure when it comes to fishing. Winding down the Gallatin Canyon, this river has an estimated ~1,400 rainbows over eight inches, per mile, as calculated by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks department.

There are also plenty of browns, as well as some cutthroat, scattered brook trout, whitefish, and even the occasional grayling. Keep your waders handy, as navigating the canyon in a drift boat is strictly verboten by the FWP.

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Gallatin Valley Life

In the canyon, the area near Durnam Meadow is worth investigating, as is the stretch of water just across from Portal Creek. Down in the valley, the fishing around Williams Bridge can be excellent, as can the fishing around Gallatin Gateway where the side channel can allow for easy wading.

Though many anglers avoid the lower-most stretches of the Gallatin, a few places here will put a fish in your net.

The Massive Yellowstone Only 30 minutes from Bozeman, this is the longest undammed river in the contiguous United States. The mighty ‘Stone is know the world over for its incredible views, pockets, and riffles—it’s even known by some as the Yankee Stadium of trout fishing. The upper section runs from the rough-and-tumble town of Gardiner down through Livingston, with plenty of access points in between. Make sure to bring your drift boat, as this big river is mighty hard to fish with only waders at your disposal. Here, you’ll hook up with cutthroats, browns, and plenty of whitefish—just make sure to treat whities with respect.

Two of the best stretches to float are between Carbella and Emigrant—made easier by the new FWP access site at Point of Rocks on river left—and the classic “Bird Float” from Grey Owl to Mallard’s Rest where the parking lots on weekends are often stuffed to the gills.

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With a relentless commitment to personalized customer care and quality craftsmanship, Midwest Welding & Machine (Midwest) provides unparalleled welding, machining, light fabrication and mechanical repairs. Founded in an old blacksmith shop on the corner of Mendenhall and Rouse, Midwest has been serving the region since 1944 with the same objective: help customers achieve their goals while maintaining a 69-year legacy of quality and service.

midWest provides:

for quite some time, Midwest

the next great work of art, Midwest has the

• Full-service welding – MIG

is now adding this service to

experience, expertise and artistic vision to

and TIG welding for both

meet customer needs locally.

get the job done right. Located at 2320 n.

“Midwest’s goal is to offer the

7th ave. in Bozeman, Midwest Welding &

best powder coating services in

Machine is open monday through Friday,

manual and precision CNC

the country,” remarks longtime

from 8am to 5pm and can be reached by

machining;

manager Val Lint. Expanding

calling (406) 587-5417 or (877) 796-7790.

fabrication and repair; • Full-service machining –

• Heavy equipment service and repair; and • Powder coating – a brand new service at Midwest.

6,000 sq. feet and installing a 40-ft.-long curing oven, Midwest is ecstatic to be able to provide powder coating to the Gallatin Valley and

cleaner, greener and

throughout Montana.

more durable than painting,

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powder coating entails spraying

Whether poWder

an object with electrostatic

coating a unique sculpture,

powder and then baking that

repairing a broken heirloom,

object until the coating cures.

fabricating a custom staircase

Although a popular technology

or helping a local artist realize

Gallatin Valley Life

w w w. m i d w e s t - w e l d i n g . c o m val@midwest-welding.com p: 406-587-5417 f: 406-587-5821 2320 N. 7th Ave A , Bozeman, MT 59715

POWDER C O AT I N G

midwest welding and machine

By Dave Reuss

We’ve all seen it: the massive

booth, they installed a 40-foot

road on North 7th Avenue past

It’s big enough to fit a nice-

anvil perched at the side of the the Interstate. In fact, it’s one

of the largest in the world—but what really goes on behind it?

Well, in a word: everything.

“If you name it, we can

probably do it: welding,

machining, repairs, powdercoating. Really, we do

oven—the largest in the state. sized RV, but they use it for

things like architectural steel,

stairways, signs, and all types

of equipment for construction.

“The Bozeman area is

successful, our area is busy, and the construction industry needs us,” Lint says.

something different everyday,”

But the huge powder-coating

Midwest. “People consistently

corner of the massive back

says Val Lint, manager of

say, ‘I had no idea you did all this.’” For the last 42 years,

Lint has worked for Midwest, starting as an apprentice

machinist in 1971, and working his way up to shop foreman,

shop supervisor, shop manager,

and then finally manager. Since he started, the company has expanded and outgrown the

building multiple times, adding

new options for their customers.

Most recently, they’ve added state-of-the-art powder-

coating to their repertoire.

To compliment their 25-foot

spray booth and 25-foot blast

capabilities make up just one shop at Midwest Welding.

Their widely talented staff

of 16 employees handles the

diverse work they do, making

repairs on equipment, welding, fabrication, and plenty more.

Spread out through their

warehouse, they’ve got just about everything you could

want for building things out of metal. “We do tons of

design and machining for our

customers,” Lint says. “If you

can imagine it, we can probably build it.”

For more information, visit midwest-welding.com.

2014/2015 29

Stewart Title celebrates 120 years of professional service with a personal touch.

This year marks Stewart Title’s 120th anniversary.

Since opening our doors in 1893, we’ve been through many changes, from booms and busts to wars and moonwalks. In that time, Stewart expanded across Texas, throughout the United States and around the globe to become one of the largest title companies in the world.

One thing, however, has always remained the same – our commitment to providing exceptional customer service, expertise and peace of mind to our customers for another 120 years and beyond. In celebration of this milestone, we take a look back at Stewart’s history of growth and service.

A humble beginning In 1893, the foundation was laid for what would eventually become a worldwide real estate services company when a small abstract company in Galveston, Texas, was purchased by a man named Maco Lee Stewart.

120 years later we are proudly celebrating our humble

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Gallatin Valley Life

beginnings and remarkable growth into the company you work with today.

A history of growth In 1908, Stewart Title Guaranty Company was incorporated. Its original directors included Maco; his brother, Minor; and W.C. Morris. To date, a member of

the Stewart or Morris family has always been involved in steering the company and keeping it true to its roots.

Throughout the early 1900s Stewart continued to grow, gaining statewide coverage of Texas by the 1950s, and by 1987, Stewart’s particular brand of service had expanded to all 50 states. From there, it just made sense to share the benefits of title insurance with the rest of the world.

Today we have offices around the globe and do business in more than 80 countries.

A commitment to service Throughout our rich history, we’ve never lost sight of the fact that you – our customers – are the reason for our success. That’s why great service is part of the fabric of our company. It’s what leads us to provide innovative tools to make every real estate transaction more convenient and efficient while maintaining the financial strength you depend on for peace of mind.

A continued tradition Since opening its doors 120 years ago, Stewart Title Company has established a lasting legacy of providing professional title services with a personal touch, and at Stewart Title – Bozeman, we’re proud to carry on the tradition. For over 11 years, our Bozeman neighbors have trusted our experienced team to provide a wide range of resources to help improve any real estate transaction.

Contact us at (406) 522-7636 or stewart.com/bozeman and see why Stewart Title is the right title company for you.

2014/2015 31

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Gallatin Valley Life

We’ve been providing over 120 years of professional service with a personal touch.

Another reason why Stewart Title is the right title company for you.

2013 marked Stewart Title’s 120th anniversary, and at Stewart-Bozeman, we’re proud to carry on our company’s tradition of providing exceptional, personalized service into 2014. From title insurance to settlement services, trust our experienced team to provide a wide range of resources to help improve any real estate transaction.

Stewart Title Company – Bozeman 2020 Charlotte St., Suite 6 Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 522-7636 stewart.com/bozeman Like us on Facebook® @ fb.com/stewarttitlebozeman

© 2014 Stewart. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Teri Egan Escrow Officer

Brett Hyde Business Development Officer

Michelle Skinner Title Officer

Samantha Matlack-Folkman Senior Title Officer

Holly Parker Escrow Processor

CHANGING LIVES

By Dr. Morgan Woods

Growing up in southeastern Minnesota, I always knew I wanted to be a doctor.

In fact, I wanted to be a pediatrician. I worked at summer camp, lifeguarded, taught swimming lessons, and ultimately took a path in which I could work with as many people and kiddos as possible.

Becoming a Chiropractor had never even entered my thoughts, until I lost my hearing.

Losing something so vital to interaction with the world will throw you for a bit.

However, I did not let it stop me. I sought out options and opinions. The only avenue the brought relief, and eventually the return of some of my hearing was Chiropractic. In changing my path from becoming a medical doctor, to becoming a chiropractor I learned a lot about myself, and how I can help people live the life they imagine.

In my practice I have strived to provide a healing and open environment. I work to provide the highest level of education for my patients, and the highest caliber of care. This means that I spend a lot of time learning myself, but also remaining innovative in treatment techniques, accompanying therapies, and research.

My belief in the power of the body to heal has led me to become certified by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to perform in office research. I have also been certified by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) to work with pregnancy and pediatrics.

I am continuing to work with them to receive my diplomate. By challenging myself and seeking out other areas of care, I have had the opportunity to work with people from all different walks of life, including newborns minitues after their first breath of air, and the elderly

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Gallatin Valley Life

that are breathing their last breaths.

These experiences have taught me about my passions. I am incredibly passionate about working with children with challenges. In particular, sensory processing disorders, which are on the rise at an astronomical rate. It is estimated that 1 in 6 people currently experience a neurological integration disorder.

Working with these children has been rewarding, challenging and educational. It has also lead me to work with other brain disorders, such as traumatic brain injuries (concussions, strokes, TIAs, etc), with postitive and encouraging results.

I also really love working with women that struggle with infertility. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 6% of women aged 15-44 are clinically infertile. Another 11% experience difficulty becoming pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. Though infertility is not strictly a woman’s issue, by relieving nerve dysfunction in the areas that carry information to and from the reproductive organs, fertility has been increased in both women and men. Often dietary changes and challenges are also present.

Once, I am able to help a woman or man, or family achieve their goal of becoming pregnant, I work with them throughout to reduce nausea, sciatica symptoms, breech presentation, and promote proper pelvic alignment for labor and delivery. When the baby is born it is very common for a mother to bring the child in to be checked immediately after birth to get them on the right path of development.

I recently found out that I was expecting my first child with my husband. We are thrilled, however, it has given me another unique insight into women and the physical changes and challenges that are associated with pregnancy. I have found

that it has increased patients’ trust in my judgement and recommendations. It has also opened my eyes to all the valley has to support women’s health and pediatric health. Overall, I believe the experience of being a pregnant pediatric chiropractor has created a space for me to better understand my pregnant patients, and a deeper drive to assist those that desire having their own children.

I am continually hearing from patients that have had chiropractic care in the past, that I provide a different and effective style of Chiropractic. It has a quality to it that is lacking in other practices. All I can attribute this to, and perhaps it is silly of me, but I treat others as I like to be treated. I believe everyone knows their body better than I do, though I can figure out quite a bit about theirs through tests and such. However, it is ultimately their innate that I look to when creating care plans and making recommendations.

All of these things said, I have every intention of remaining in the valley to serve those who are looking for an honest and ethical family doctor. I want to help your child find relief from colic, acid reflux, and ear infections naturally. Or if your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum, or neurodevelopmental disorders, or if you have a family member that has suffered a head trauma, stroke or other debilitating disorder, I want to give you another option. I am always looking for ways to improve your interactions with the community, myself, and my practice.

Let me show you how different Chirorpactic care can be, and how it can help to change your life for the better. Just as it has changed mine.

2014/2015 35

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Gallatin Valley Life

2014/2015 37

MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES

FROM QUONSET HUTS TO THE WORLD IN 57 YEARS

By Evelyn Boswell

Big Mike at Night: Photo courtesy Museum of the Rockies

A life-sized bronze cast of a T. rex unearthed by Museum of the Rockies field crews near Fort Peck Reservoir, Fort Peck, Montana, stands sentinel at the entrance to the Museum. It was nicknamed “Big Mike,” after a former president of Montana State University.

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Gallatin Valley Life

For more than half a century, the Museum of the Rockies has attracted tourists to Bozeman and drawn visitors through town to the Montana State University campus.

Thousands of people a year now examine the dinosaur exhibits that grew out of MSU research in the badlands of Montana, many hoping to get a glimpse of renowned paleontologist Jack Horner. They recline in the Taylor Planetarium to watch super volcanoes or learn about the “Season of Light.” They visit the Tinsley House to experience life on the Montana frontier, and the Enduring Peoples exhibit to learn about tribes in the Northern Plains and Rockies. They jump at the unexpected gushing of Yellowstone geysers in the Martin Children’s Discovery Room.

Starting in the spring of 2014 and already attracting national attention, the MOR will make a 50-year loan to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. The museum will send one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever discovered to Washington, D.C., where it is expected to be viewed by more than seven million people a year. Hidden for 65 million years until Kathy Wankel of Angela, Montana, found it in 1988 near the Fort Peck Reservoir, the Wankel T. rex will be displayed in the National Museum’s new paleontology exhibit scheduled to open in 2019. At the end of 50 years, the 38-foot-long fossil will return to Montana.

“If you’ve ever stood next to a real T. rex skull, you’ll realize what a breathtaking thing it is: four feet long, with teeth the size of bananas,” Kirk Johnson, Sant director of the Smithsonian, has said. “It is the most terrifying carnivore that’s ever lived on the planet. And it really makes you ponder what life would have been like with these things prowling the North American landscape.”

Visitors in the past have watched MSU satellites launch into space.

They’ve seen moon rocks and the treasures of King Tutankhamen.

They’ve read the original document signed by Abraham Lincoln that set up land-grant Dr McGill: Photo courtesy Museum of the Rockies Founder of Museum of the Rockies, Dr. Caroline McGill, institutions in the United States, donated the first collection of artifacts to the Museum, and is learning how MSU got started seen here in the Museum’s original WWII Quonset Huts, located and getting a taste of what it’s like at the corner of Cleveland and 8th, Bozeman, Montana.

In the meantime, visitors to the to visit the National Archives in Museum of the Rockies can still see Washington, D.C. They’ve heard the inside story on toys the Wankel T. rex in the form of “Big Mike,” a lifeand examined weapons that changed the West. size bronze cast that stands outside the museum’s front entrance. The MOR also has about a dozen other T. rexes, But the Museum of the Rockies doesn’t just draw people so visitors will see plenty of other dinosaurs, too. Among to Bozeman. “It also shares Montana with the world,” them is a T. rex called Peck’s Rex that’s as complete as said Pat Leiggi, director of exhibits and administrative the Wankel T. rex. It was discovered near the Fort Peck director of paleontology.

Reservoir in 1997 and will be displayed sometime in 2014.

The Museum of the Rockies is currently sending a traveling exhibit through Asia, offering millions of people With all those opportunities to share Montana, the a chance to see dinosaur fossils and casts from Montana, Museum of the Rockies has become more than a including “Custer,” the world’s largest T. rex skull. The dream come true for its founders, according to historic exhibit opened in 2011 at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur documents that describe the formation of the museum.

Museum, one of the MOR’s two sister museums in Japan. The original goal was to establish a highly regarded museum that would interpret a 447,000-square mile area “Visitors to the exhibition will know these fossils come called the Northern Rockies Region. In fact, that is why from Montana, the Museum of the Rockies and Montana the museum was named the Museum of the Rockies State University. This is an incredible opportunity for instead of the Museum of Bozeman or the Museum us to share Montana’s treasures with an international of Gallatin County. That is also why it didn’t stay the audience,” said Shelley McKamey, MOR’s Executive McGill Museum, briefly carrying the name of founder Dr. Director since 2003, when the exhibit headed to Japan.

Caroline McGill despite her objections.

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“We feel this should be a community, not just a college or town or county effort,” McGill typed in her 1956 notes about the museum. “If all interested will look through their attics, closets, basements, libraries, I’m sure they can find many objects of interest that will be able to give or loan to the museum.”

She added later that, “We hope to make this a living museum with the constant change of exhibits, but still with a big store room where all can be viewed and from time to time put into special exhibits.”

McGill was a doctor in Butte when she became concerned about the rapid disappearance of the Montana frontier.

So, during her lunch hour and weekends, she started collecting antiques, books, photographs and artifacts to preserve the state’s social and natural history.

The 5’1” McGill, who always wore flats, also appealed to a higher power for help.

“Am praying for good volunteers to man front desk, get all to register, others to show collection, others to go out and interview donors, others to study the history of acquisitions and the donors. Later others to help catalog,” McGill wrote in January 1957, adding, “We must have volunteers!”

McGill’s vision for a museum eventually turned into the building that sits on the southeast side of the MSU campus, next to the Bobcat Stadium. But the first version of the museum was much more humble.

“We didn’t just spring from the forehead of God,” Swingle told a recent group of docents he was training.

The Museum of the Rockies was originally housed in “The important thing is to three World War II Quonset collect the articles while they huts at the current location are still available and before of Hapner Hall. McGill, who they are sent to out-of-state temporarily lived in one of the museums or are lost,” she said huts, wrote about Burlingame in a newspaper article from Siebel Dinosaur Complex: Photo courtesy Museum of the Rockies sanding the floors and MSU the time.

Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University is widely recognized as students moving furniture. She one of the finest science and research museums in the world. The Museum commented on the challenges is a federal repository for fossils and is noted for its remarkable collection Eventually, McGill filled the of creating displays in buildings of dinosaur fossils displayed in the Siebel Dinosaur Complex. top two floors of her four-story with only curved walls. apartment building, learned of more collections by others, and saw the need for a museum to properly display them But, she said, “It isn’t the fine building that makes a and preserve them. museum. It’s the material displayed in it and the use made of it.”

After retiring in 1956 at age 76, McGill devoted the final three years of her life to making it happen. Among those The Quonset hut museum formally opened on Feb. 12, helping were Montana State College President Roland 1957 with approximately 40 people braving the cold to Renne; MSU historian Merrill Burlingame; English attend the ceremony. From then on, the museum was professor Verne Dusenberry; jack-of-all-administrators open from 2 to 4 p.m. on weekdays and other times by Roy Huffman; “strong young students” and approximately appointment.

30 townspeople. Even David Swingle, the museum’s past education director who has been affiliated with the museum A little over two years later, two months after McGill’s for more than 55 years, remembers moving a glass-front death, the museum moved across campus to a dairy barn case for McGill. where the College of Arts and Architecture is now located.

The dairy barn was big enough to hold a Crow teepee and “You, sonny boy, come here,” McGill said to Swingle drew a steady stream of visitors. Its 11 rooms were each when he was a boy mowing a lawn in Bozeman. dedicated to a particular theme, such as a Victorian parlor and tools used by early doctors and dentists. About half of

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Quonset 1957: Photo courtesy Museum of the Rockies

The Museum opened its doors in 1957 and was housed in six WWII Quonset huts on the Montana State College campus. The huts were originally built to house 2,500 WWII pilots going through basic training, after which they became girls’ dormitories at the college.

Jack Horner, Wankel Rex: Photo courtesy Museum of the Rockies

Jack Horner, Curator of Paleontology at Museum of the Rockies, provides scale for a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil at excavation site near Fort Peck Reservoir, Fort Peck, Montana, June 1990. The T. rex is on loan to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and will become the most viewed dinosaur fossil in the world.

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the items were from McGill’s original collection.

But Huffman, who was acting director of the museum at that time, noted that the temperature was impossible to control, the plumbing was bad and the roof leaked at times.

It was also full of chicken dust.

“To my mind, it was a real fire trap,” he wrote in his papers.

With those concerns, because Montana State College was growing and because the dairy barn was scheduled to be torn down in 1965, MSU dedicated five acres for a new museum to be built. A board of trustees was formed, and the museum was officially incorporated in 1965 as the Museum of the Rockies. A ground-breaking ceremony was held in 1971, and the Museum of the Rockies opened to the public the following year.

But Hager said he didn’t work alone. In a 1987 article in the Bozeman Chronicle, Hager said he first realized the potential for success when he saw the entrepreneurial spirit of MSU President Bill Tietz and Vice President for Research John Jutila.

“It was a museum program waiting to happen,” Hager told the Chronicle.

He also credited 120 volunteers for providing “incalculable help in raising money and putting things together.”

Horner’s arrival in 1982 began with Hager making a road trip to Choteau and doing some quick maneuvering to find funds. The outcome brought Horner back to his home state and set the Museum of the Rockies on its course of “Touch things. Talk out becoming a paleontological loud and laugh… We aim to powerhouse. Horner, engage everyone who enters now Regents Professor of our front doors,” said the Paleontology at MSU and first newsletter published by Curator of Paleontology the Museum of the Rockies. for the museum, turned the Museum of the Rockies “The original plan was to into a world-class research build six pods with a seventh facility that includes one becoming an auditorium,” of the most important Tinsley Snow and Fog: Photo courtesy Museum of the Rockies Swingle said. Each pod dinosaur fossil collections The Living History Farm at Museum of the Rockies is a historically accurate would have a different focus recreation of a working Montana homestead complete with costumed interpreters, in the world. He has been a and features the Tinsley House, built in 1889 and moved to the Museum’s grounds and be built as the money consultant for the Jurassic from Willow Creek, Montana, in 1989. became available. After two Park movies. He recently pods and a connecting hall were built, however, plans for received a lifetime achievement award from the Society of the other pods were dropped.

Vertebrate Paleontology.

“The museum became sort of the university attic,” Swingle said. “The museum kind of staggered on.”

But then, he said, a revolution occurred.

Michael Hager became director of the museum on Oct. 1, 1978 and realized that the museum couldn’t keep drawing crowds if it focused only on history, Swingle said. Hager, who was a geologist, also had the “intuition to recognize real genius” and brought Dr. John R. Horner to the Museum of the Rockies from Princeton University.

“It was a crazy, wonderful time,” said Hager, now president and CEO of the San Diego Natural History Museum.

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In 1989, the Museum of the Rockies completed a $9.5 million expansion that incorporated the original pods and hallway and added enough room to feature the latest MSU research in paleontology, archaeology and history.

In 2009, the museum received its largest donation ever when it acquired the Hamilton-Povah Yellowstone Collection, said Curator of History Michael Fox. The collection consists of more than 1,200 artifacts that document the history of the Hamilton Stores in Yellowstone National Park and became the basis for the museum’s largest ever history exhibition Welcome to Yellowstone!

Tourism in America’s First National Park, which opened in the fall of 2013. This donation was accompanied by a

$250,000 matching grant which helps support the ongoing care and documentation of the collection.

“Regional history has always been a primary focus here at the Museum of the Rockies,” Fox said. “Dr. McGill would be proud of the work that we have continued here since her days as curator. The acquisition for the Hamilton-Povah Yellowstone Collection demonstrates our commitment to this history for generations to come.”

The Museum of the Rockies today includes galleries, classrooms and offices; the Hager Auditorium; the Siebel Dinosaur Complex, named after Thomas and Stacey Siebel; and the Taylor Planetarium, named after Jim and Bea Taylor.

The Siebel Dinosaur Complex opened in 2007, providing more than 10,000 square feet for dinosaur exhibits—three times what was previously available.

The Taylor Planetarium originally opened in 1989, then reopened in 2013 after six months of renovations. The planetarium is now one of only a handful in the world to have a state-of-the-art Digistar 5 projection system. The high-definition digital system not only provides better

sound and visuals than the previous system, but it also lets planetarium manager J. Eric Loberg create his own shows and bring in new shows.

Nearby the main museum building is the Tinsley House, which was built in 1889—the year Montana became a state—and opened to the public in 1989—the year Montana celebrated its centennial. It came to Bozeman via I-90 in 1986 from Willow Creek.

“My vision was that the homestead would allow us to tell a very important story of Montana settlement and agriculture in a way that would generate a great deal of public interest,” Hager said. “But I had no idea it would be so wonderful and so important to the educational program of the museum.”

The entire Museum of the Rockies’ story has been wondrous and circuitous, according to those who have followed it.

“The Museum of the Rockies’ motto might be Carpe Diem (Seize the Day),” Swingle said. “Initially MOR did not arise from systematic planning. It arose from inspiration and enthusiasm and courageous decisiveness.”

“Montana’s most entertaining museum.”

-Lonely Planet

Museum of the Rockies is recognized as one of the finest research and history museums in the world. Known for our vast collection of dinosaur fossils and permanent history exhibits, MOR also thrills visitors with changing exhibits from around the globe, the Martin Children’s Discovery Center, the Living History Farm, and the Taylor Planetarium, featuring one of the world’s most advanced digital projection systems.

Come spend the day with us. And experience MOR.

To become a member or to donate, visit museumoftherockies.org

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coverage with a local touch brad daws – state farm insurance agent Around Montana, local means a lot. With the huge influx of out-of-towners moving to the Big Sky State in the recent years, it’s always nice to find someone born and raised right here in Bozeman. One of those lifers is Brad Daws. As the owner of Brad Daws Insurance, he’s just about as local as you can get.

Brad grew up in Bozeman, eventually attending MSU with a football scholarship as a defensive end, earning the rank of co-captain and playing both All American and All Conference.

He met his wife Ginnie here as well, married early, and they both graduated with degrees in business from MSU in 1976. They moved to Salem, Oregon, to start their adult lives in the busy world of business management at a State Farm insurance branch, but after a couple years of corporate life, they moved back to Bozeman in 1978. Brad decided to start a scratch agency of his own—in layman’s terms, it meant he had no customers. To remedy that, he hit the streets, going door-to-door and meeting people.

Over time, his business grew from just one to ten licensed team members. Some 36 years after he shook hands with his first customer, his company now services over 15,000 policies and accounts—most of which are right here in Gallatin Valley. Now he’s the largest auto insurer and home-owner insurer in the region.

What’s his recipe for success? “It comes from representing a great company, and surrounding myself with competent and ethical team members,” Brad says. That, plus keeping the client’s best interests in the forefront, has kept his staff busy for years.

“From there,” he says, “everything else takes care of itself.”

And all that hard work has paid off: his team managed to end up ranked 44th within State Farm nationwide—which is no small

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task, considering they were competing against over 18,500 different offices.

Over the years, his location on West Main has gone through three different remodels, most recently just this last October, which more than doubled the size of his offices. As a multiline agency, his company provides insurance and financial services of all shapes and sizes, delivering personal, auto, home, and renters insurance, as well as commercial and life as well.

The team members each dedicating themselves to certain areas, becoming specialists in every field: personal lines, productions, service, claims and more.

“By focusing on specific areas, we can better serve our customers,” Brad says.

“I’ve got a terrific team of

people that I love working with.”

And just like every other industry, the insurance business is evolving. The buying habits of customers are changing and Brad is ready to help his customers via phone, computer, or in person.

“Whether they want to buy insurance in the middle of the night or across my desk, they have flexibility.”

But at the end of the day, Brad’s just happy to be serving his friends and neighbors here in the Gallatin Valley. “Bozeman is our hometown, and I feel strongly about my community and my customers. I’m passionate about what I do.”

Drive home the savings.

Car and home combo.

Combine your insurance and save big-time.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.速 CALL ME TODAY.

Brad W Daws Insurance Agcy Inc Brad Daws, Agent 1716 W Main Street Ste. 2, Beaverpond Plaza Bozeman, MT 59715 Toll Free: 800-865-2622 Bus: 406-586-HOME

0901135.1

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL

Bozeman’s finest pet care facility with a great and caring staff

“Pets are members of your family and we treat them like they are members of ours.”

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We pursued certification to become the first AAHA certified hospital in Bozeman (of which only 12% of hospitals in America meet these standards.) We did this because we care about your pet and we continually strive to provide the highest level of care possible.

Services

Montana Veterinary Surgical Service MVSS is Montana’s most skilled and experienced small animal surgery referral service. Dr. Mark Albrecht is the only small animal residency trained surgeon in Montana. He is one of the first 50 surgeons in the world to be trained by Dr. Slocum to do Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomies (TPLO) and the first person in Montana to offer TPLO surgeries.

We are a beta test site for the Canine Unicompartmental Elbow Procedure (CUE)- a revolutionary treatment for elbow dysplasia.

Gallatin Veterinary Hospital GHV provides complete general and advanced pet care, including extended and Saturday hours.

• Acupuncture - Dr. Sara Hann, DVM,CVA (one of our new team members) is using acupuncture to provide complimentary care to treat arthritis, lameness, postoperative pain, nerve injury, back and muscle pain, GI problems, lick granulomas, allergies and general wellness.

• Advanced anesthesia care based on recommendations and consultation with a Board Certified Veterinary Anesthesiologist.

• Every pet that undergoes anesthesia has a dedicated anesthetist whose sole job is to make sure anesthesia runs smoothly and your pet is safe.

• Uniquely designed anesthesia recovery area and warming kennels help provide a smoother, gentler recovery after anesthesia.

• Experienced oncology (cancer care) for pets from surgery to chemotherapy.

• Dental care from prophylactic cleanings to advanced care. Dr. Kari Swenson, DVM has completed further training in advanced extractions and restoratives with Dr. Tony Woodward of Montana Pet Dental, a Board Certified Veterinary Dentist. Dr. Woodward also provides service to Montana at Gallatin Veterinary Hospital every month.

• Rehabilitation services with Jen Hill, CCRP and Kali Randall, CVT including laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, e-stim and customized at-home exercises.

• Laparoscopic surgery including minimally invasive spays - the least painful way to spay your pet.

• On-site laboratory services for fast results for critical care patients and special pricing from Antech for outside services allowing for advanced testing with great pricing.

Community Involvement

In the last year, we have made monetary donations (in conjunction with our wonderful clients) through projects such as our Holiday Pet Pictures and the Bozeman Canine Classic K9-9K. In addition, we have also donated services to the following shelters: Heart of the Valley (Bozeman) Stafford Animal Shelter (Livingston) Lewis & Clark Humane Society (Helena) Chelsea Bailey Butte

Siverbow Animal Shelter (Butte) Albert’s Angel Fund (Butte) Bitterroot Humane Society (Hamilton) Bassett Rescue of Montana (Missoula) For more information on our humanitarian projects, please give us a call at 587-4458. Or visit us at 1635 Reeves Rd. E., or online at gallatinvethospital.com.

• Digital Radiography (X-rays) along with digital dental radiography. This technology and our level of expertise allow us to better diagnose and then treat your loved ones. Digital images facilitate fast, easy consults by Board Certified specialists.

• Diagnostic ultrasound, with monthly visits from Dr. Brit Culver - one of only two Board Certified Small Animal Internists practicing in Montana.

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Selfless Love

a teen mom chooses life and adoption Fiona Bennett is passionate about life— currently a senior at Bozeman High, she’s a varsity cheerleader for both football and volleyball, co-manager of the Lady Hawks basketball team, and plans to become an ER nurse. On April 10, 2013, a beautiful baby girl was born to Fiona and her boyfriend and adopted by a Bozeman couple. Fiona has graciously offered to share the story of her experience as a teen facing an unplanned pregnancy. Fiona lives with her dad and little brother here in Bozeman. Her mom lives in Hawaii.

At fifteen, Fiona traveled to Livingston with a friend who opted for an abortion. A year later, at sixteen, Fiona found herself in the same position: she was pregnant. Following is Fiona’s story, as told via interviews with Fiona, her dad, Roger, and her mother, Mary Jo. (Please note: Fiona’s boyfriend, the names of his parents and the adoptive parents, as well as the beautiful baby girl have all been withheld to protect everyone’s privacy, to ensure the necessary boundaries for the adopted child, and to help sustain the close relationship between all of the parties involved.)

How did you hear about ZoeCare?

Fiona: My dad told me about Zoe. I’d also heard of it before when a friend of mine was pregnant and I’ve heard the radio commercials. I really liked going to Zoe. The staff and nurses were all very welcoming. I never felt pressured or judged, and I felt really loved.

How did Fiona tell you she was pregnant?

Roger: I will always remember the evening she told me. She said, “Dad, I have something to tell you and I am scared.” I asked, “Well what is it?” She said, “I want you to ask me questions.” She said she

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hadn’t broken the law, but it involved a boy.

At this point, I knew. Fiona didn’t need a lecture on the nature of her decision; she knew she had messed up. What she needed was to know that I was going to be there for her. So, despite my distress over the whole matter, I told her I loved her, and that I would support her through this process.

Mary Jo: She sent me a text saying, “I’m pregnant. I’m sorry.” I responded, “There’s no need to be sorry.”

A number of young women choose abortion or emergency contraception. What influenced your decision to carry your child to term and to give the gift of life to a grateful couple?

Fiona: The condom broke, and I knew I was pregnant. I felt like a light was on inside of me. I just said to myself, “Ok God, I get it.”

My dad is very pro-life, so is my boyfriend, and his parents are pro-life too. I’d also seen an episode of 16 and Pregnant when I was about 13. It’s the only episode where the couple chooses adoption. I knew then that if I were ever in the same situation, I’d choose adoption for my baby.

What events in your life and Fiona’s helped you collectively choose life?

Roger: I believe, for Fiona, it was always her understanding that, if she should get pregnant, carrying the child to term would be the only option because she understood that this was not her child. Meaning, she did not own it and, therefore, have the right to terminate its life.

Mary Jo: My only counsel, when she told me that she was going to continue the pregnancy, was that this needed to be her decision if she was going to be able to

sustain her strength throughout an inevitably rocky experience.

Did Zoe help you with your adoption plan?

Fiona: Yes, they put me in touch with Lutheran Social Services. They were very affirming, supportive, and helpful when I told them about my decision to go with an adoption plan.

Tell us about the adoption: how you found, chose, and worked with the selected family.

Fiona: My counselor at Lutheran Social Services gave us profiles from six couples.

We both liked the same file. They provided lots of photos, and bullets with their interests, likes, dislikes, etc. We immediately really liked them and chose to meet them.

How did your parents respond to your adoption decision?

Fiona: My dad was really proud of me and supportive. Both of my parents were very supportive.

Mary Jo: It was very important to me that Fiona made a fully informed decision regarding open adoption. She had no way of knowing how painful it would be and I did not want her to regret her decision.

So I made sure she knew that keeping her baby was also a viable option. As Fiona’s pregnancy advanced, I was keenly aware of the layers of anticipatory grief—for us.

As my role as a grandmother was becoming more real, I experienced waves of grief thinking about Fiona’s baby being raised by another family. I shared this openly with Fiona. Being honest and vulnerable with Fiona, deepened our relationship and allowed me to trust more completely that

this entire experience was divinely guided, and that my daughter, granddaughter, and I would each be well cared for.

How was your interaction with the boyfriend’s parents?

Roger: Fortunately, his parents were always totally supportive of the decision not to abort. They would not have wanted it any other way.

Mary Jo: I have a great deal of respect for everyone. Fiona’s pregnancy served as a catalyst for many relationships to form, and I think that everyone who had a part to play was touched deeply. Everyone truly embraced Fiona. During her long labor at the hospital, her boyfriend hardly left her side and his family kept a constant vigil in the waiting room.

How did your friends, peers, teachers and others respond to your adoption decision?

Fiona: It’s funny. I got a lot of different responses. A lot of people left me in the dust when they found out I was pregnant. I can completely understand that they just didn’t know how to handle it. Most people don’t know how to talk to a pregnant teen which became VERY clear during my pregnancy.

Although I did have some social struggles, there were some people that I could not have even imagined going through this without.

First of all, my therapist, Flora, she helped me through all my road bumps and really helped me prepare for giving my daughter to her new family. I never felt judged by her, and she was always at my side. Secondly, my friend Ashley, she was my shield at school. If anyone ever had anything mean to say about me, she was always right there to defend me and cheer me up. She told me how proud of me she was all the time, and was one of the only people I shared everything with during my pregnancy and journey afterwards.

Thirdly, my friend Margot. I met Margot during my pregnancy through Lady Hawk

basketball. We were managers together.

Margot became one of my best friends, to say the least. She always made me feel so loved and cared about.

I knew I could go to her with anything and still can. Margot is truly an amazing person.

a decision, because no decision will be easy. People may try to tell you negative things but try not to let it hurt your heart.

Start by going to ZoeCare.

The ladies at ZoeCare will explain all of your options.

They’re very understanding, really good listeners, and you will feel completely loved and not judged at all.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Lady Hawk JV and Varsity basketball Fiona, photographed by Jessie Moore teams. When I was managing that season, I was visibly pregnant. Sometimes, at away games, I would get mean stares or hear people making Would you recommend adoption to your negative comments about me. Despite this, friends and other young women/couples?

I felt completely surrounded by the most Fiona: I believe adoption is the greatest inspiring people, so it didn’t even faze me. gift for everyone involved. Your baby is Thank you for loving and accepting me. I receiving the gift of everything that you learned so much from all of you and I loved could not provide for her, the adoptive cheering you on. family is receiving the gift of life, and you are receiving the gift of unimaginable Also my boyfriend deserves a lot more credit strength that you would never gain in any than he received. Although we had a difficult other situation. So yes, I would recommend couple of months when I first told him I was adoption. It is a gift more valuable than pregnant, both he and his parents were very anything, but it is hard. I live every day supportive. He came to every doctor’s visit feeling as though part of my heart is gone. with me. He gained lots of respect from a But I am at peace knowing she is getting number of people. He just really matured, the life she deserves. It’s so affirming for and the niceness that was always there me to see that we’re both living the life God became more evident to everyone. has given us. I’m living my life, and seeing her live her life helps me know each day What counsel do you have for other young that making an adoption plan was the best women who may be facing an unplanned possible outcome for both of us. pregnancy? continued on page 51 Fiona: It will most likely feel very overwhelming, but it’s so important to know that you are strong enough to make

2014/2015 49

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Do you have a personal faith position that helped influence your decision for life?

Fiona: I believe in God and angels. I believe they watched over me through this entire process. I would not have been faced with this unless God gave me the strength to go on this journey.

Abortion is something I personally could not go through with, but I understand that some people think that it is their only option. I hope they can hear my story, be encouraged, and consider adoption.

Roger: I sincerely hope that the decisions Fiona made will act as a positive role model for others who find themselves in a similar situation. This may be a tremendous story but it has not been an easy path for her. Unfortunately, Fiona’s path is unusual, but I hope her example will make it far less unusual. In fact, I hope this will be the new normal. This is a story that I would never have wished for... to have my teenage daughter go through a pregnancy followed by an adoption. However I am eternally grateful for the opportunities it delivered. It has brought me closer to my daughter, Fiona. This has been an extraordinary journey for all of us.

How do you hope Fiona’s story will impact her peers, your peers, and persons who will find themselves in a similar situation?

Mary Jo: First and foremost, I am grateful Fiona turned to Roger and me for support right away, and that she trusted her relationship with us enough to do so. Unquestionably, Fiona faced fear, anxiety, and avoidance along the path she chose. It was not an easy nine months in her life. But witnessing the culmination of her love and determination as she labored and gave birth to her daughter was truly a gift beyond words. Perhaps one of the most grace-filled experiences a mother and young daughter could ever share.

Fiona, Roger and Mary Jo - thank you for sharing your story with us. There’s so much more to this ongoing and unfolding story of life. Fiona and her boyfriend do not have to know the pain, anguish, and trauma of aborting their child. Two sets of parents did not lose a granddaughter, and the blessing of life has been given to a beautiful baby girl and an extraordinary Bozeman couple.

To read more about Fiona’s story please visit the ZoeCare website at gotozoe.org, click on “ZoeCare Stories” and learn so much more!

Want to talk to Fiona? Contact ZoeCare for more information.

2014/2015 51

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2014/2015 53

P RUD E NTIAL MONTAN A REAL ES TATE

By Peg Potter

Historic Downtown Bozeman is bustling with quaint shops and a wide range of bars and restaurants that keep locals and visitors coming back. More and more people are realizing what a great place Gallatin Valley is to call home. Annual events include Winterfest in February, Sweet Pea Festival in August, College Rodeo in the summer, and the Christmas Stroll, to name just a few. Community culture abounds here with events and activities throughout the year offered at the Emerson Cultural Center, the Ellen Theatre, Intermountain Opera, Shakespeare in the Park, the Bozeman Symphony and many concerts, lectures and other events held at MSU. Bozeman is home to Montana State University since 1893, originally a Land Grant College, now offering curricula from the College of Agriculture to Arts and Architecture, and Education to Engineering, as well as Business to Letters and Science. With numerous job opportunities, including Montana State University, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, Simms Fishing, Oracle, Zoot Enterprises, Murdoch’s and a plethora of high-tech companies, homebuyers are finding career opportunities in this great place to live, play and raise a family. Our local chamber of commerce, along with Prospera Business Network, actively works to attract new hightech business to the area.

People from all over the world visit the Gallatin Valley year round to enjoy recreational opportunities, to experience the small, college-town experience, and breathe in our clean air and slower pace of life. Bozeman Yellowstone National Airport is the number-one airport in the state, bringing visitors into the area and to nearby Yellowstone Park. Fly fishing is a major attraction, as well as floating, canoeing and kayaking the three major rivers: the Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone—all within 30 minutes of town. Hunting big game, upland birds and waterfowl is a major fall activity,

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while summer brings enthusiastic hikers and mountain bikers to our hundreds of miles of recreational trails.

Horseback riding trails and snowmobiling shouldn’t be overlooked. But our number-one winter attraction is skiing at Bridger Bowl and Big Sky, and cross-country skiing at Bohart Ranch and Lone Mountain Ranch.

The phrase “all real estate is local” holds true everywhere.

Throughout most of the country, the real estate market has recovered from the recent past decline, and Bozeman, Big Sky and the surrounding Gallatin valley are no exception.

We are delighted to report that 2013 was the best year for real estate in our area since 2007. Sales volume as recorded by the multiple listing service was up 34% from the previous year. The average sales price is up 12.44% from 2012. The residential market (areas 1 & 2), which is often the pulse of current economic conditions surpassed 2012 sales volume by 23%. An impressive 1,271 single family homes in Gallatin County sold in 2013 with an average price of $364,736. The average days on the market for these properties was 90 days, which means that homes aren’t sitting on the market long! The trends we saw last year are continuing into 2014 with an abundance of homes already sold already. We really are seeing a seller’s market—but remember, every time a home is sold, it creates another buyer so it has a further positive impact on the market.

We’re optimistic that the low interest rates and affordable housing prices will again boost our market, and we’ll continue to see growth in our local economy. One visit here and we’re sure you will agree that this is one of the last best places to be!

Peg Potter is a Broker at Prudential Montana Real Estate in Bozeman where she’s lived for 38 years. To contact Peg, call (406) 570-8828 or email her at peg@pegpotter.com.

One visit and yOu will agree, this is the last best place tO be!

406.586.7676 | 2001 stadium drive, suite a | bOzeman, mt 406.586.7676 | 1925 n 22nd avenue, suite 201 | bOzeman, mt 406.995.4060 | 55 lOne peak drive, suite 3 | big sky, mt

prumt.cOm

An independently owned and operated broker member of BRER Affiliates, Inc. Prudential, the Prudential logo and Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under license with no other affiliation of Prudential.

Equal Housing Opportunity. All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed reliable; however, is not guaranteed by Prudential Montana Real Estate, Managing Broker, Agents or Sellers. Offering is subject to error, omissions, prior sales, price change or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by Seller. We urge independent verification of each and every item submitted, to the satisfaction of any prospective purchaser.

SKIS

GUNS

bridger biathlon club takes aim

Imagine trying to shoot five targets with only five shots.

Then imagine doing that with your heart pounding, your lungs feeling like they are about to burst, and your hands quivering having just cross-country skied several kilometers at top speed. Welcome to biathlon: an Olympic sport for over 50 years and the latest craze to hit Bozeman.

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Bozeman is a ski town. Families here ski together. While our kids span the spectrum from energetic novices to Olympic hopefuls, they don’t have to aspire to be an elite athlete to get out on skis. Cross-country skiing is a fun, low-impact aerobic sport that can also fuel kid-worthy adrenaline rushes on groomed ski trails negotiated on

race skis weighing in at just over one pound each.

Think Lycra and carbon fiber—the winter version of bike racing. Now add gunpowder and firearms engineered for Olympic athletes. Supplement this with cold Montana powder and the DNA of Bozeman’s ski community, and you get the exciting sport of biathlon in the Gallatin Valley.

Here in Montana, we have a long history with guns as tools necessary for our ranching and hunting way of life. Nearly two-thirds of all Montana households have firearms, and teaching our kids about gun safety and how to responsibly handle and use firearms is part of who we are.

Skiing requires physical skill and endurance.

Shooting requires mental focus and precision.

Biathlon teaches kids the ABCs of athletic development: agility, balance, coordination and speed. And humility is your constant companion as a biathlete. Unconstrained exuberance is rewarded with the splat of your bullet hitting the face of the steel target—the auditory “reward” for a missed shot. There are no perfect races in biathlon, and the winner is often the one who best manages misfortune.

Gaining momentum in the U.S. in recent years, biathlon is the most watched winter sport in Europe—second only to soccer in popularity.

The sport involves skate skiing a course up to 20 kilometers, stopping during the race three to five times (depending on the competition format) to complete shooting stages. Biathletes carry on their back a bolt-action .22 caliber rifle that weighs at least 7.7 pounds and is equipped with mechanical sights (no scoped or optical sights are allowed).

Each shooting stage involves hitting five circular targets with five bullets from a distance of 50 meters (160 feet), requiring the racer to ski a 150-meter penalty loop for every missed shot. The competitor with the best time wins.

Hunting History and Olympic Origins The story behind the sport dates back thousands of years. In the snowy areas of the world, skis were used more for transportation than recreation, and shooting while on skis was a necessary skill to master. Four-thousand-year-old rock engravings

found in Norway depict hunters traveling on skis, armed with spears. Imagine North America’s oldest ancestors traveling over the snow through the Gallatin Valley carrying their obsidian-pointed spears in search of mammoth while trying to avoid saber-toothed cats.

Fast forward a few thousand years—the rifle eventually replaces the spear and militaries in Northern Europe begin friendly shoot-and-ski competitions, the first of which took place in 1767 on the border between Sweden and Norway. In World War II, the special snow forces of the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division saw mountain combat in the Italian Alps. The U.S. National Guard carries on this tradition in the present day with its biathlon team.

The sport made its Olympic debut in 1924, and was officially established as an Olympic event at the Winter Games in Squaw Valley, California, in 1960. Today, biathlon is a mainstay of the Winter Olympiad. The men and women of the U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team proudly represented the USA at the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Sochi. More than a few of these Olympic athletes spend the Thanksgiving holiday in West Yellowstone annually as the migration of crosscountry skiers and biathletes return to the home of early season snow and world-class grooming.

Montana Biathlon Biathlon has a storied past in southwest Montana dating to the 1970s with events hosted by the Montana National Guard and local ski clubs.

Bozeman's Peter Hale, Scott Hanson, Stuart Jennings, Kari Swenson, Paul Swenson, George Tuthill, and Brian Wadsworth were members of Team USA in the 1970s and ‘80s. In 1984, Kari was a member of the bronze-medal-winning U.S. relay team at the first women's Biathlon World Championships in Chamonix, France.

She placed fifth behind four Russians in the women's individual 15-kilometer race hitting all 20 targets—the best ever for a U.S. biathlete in 26 years of international biathlon competition at that time. Bozeman skier Leif Zimmermann made the Olympic team in cross-country in 2006, and carries on the tradition of excellence in biathlon as well.

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We’re fortunate to not only have an enthusiastic biathlon community, but also two biathlon venues in southwest Montana within 100 miles: Bohart Ranch, nestled in the Bridger mountains just a mile up the road from Bridger Bowl, and Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone, which was host to a recent Winter Biathlon National Championship.

Bozeman is also home to the high-performance Biathlon Elite team comprised of MSU students of national and international caliber.

The team boasts three U.S. Junior World Championship Team alums, twelve North American Cup podiums, and five U.S. Biathlon National Championship wins.

Bridger Biathlon Club Bohart Ranch plans to again host local and national biathlon competitions with the help of the newly formed Bridger Biathlon Club (BBC). It was established as a non-profit with a mission of promoting the sport by encouraging athletes of all ages and abilities to participate—everyone from local school children and MSU students, to para-athletes and disabled veterans. Sportsmanship, rifle safety, discipline, and fun are all hallmarks of the BBC program.

If the necessary funds can be raised, the Club will soon be installing twelve new Olympic targets as well as two Paralympic targets at Bohart.

Through this local effort, BBC seeks to cultivate a larger biathlon community from Montana and neighboring states, and re-establish southwest Montana as a premier destination for year-round training and local and national level competitions.

With the financial support from many in the Bozeman community and with assistance from the U.S. Biathlon Association, the construction of the new state-of-the-art biathlon range at Bohart will serve as a permanent venue for the development of local and regional biathletes.

“There’s something special about being involved in a program with people so passionate about biathlon,” said Kari Swenson, volunteer coach for BBC. “I was blessed with so many people that invested time and energy into my development as a biathlete, and it’s fun to begin passing that on to local kids with seemingly boundless enthusiasm for skiing and shooting.”

A popular summer variant of biathlon combines trail running or mountain biking and shooting. The annual 7.5-kilometer mountain bike biathlon race at Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone is held every June, and Montana’s Big Sky State Games program annually host their summer biathlon at Bohart Ranch each July. There are youth training camps associated with both race events.

Want to get involved with the biathlon community in Bozeman? To learn more or to make a tax-deductible donation, contact the Bridger Biathlon Club at info@bridgerbiathlonclub.org.

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BEST BREAKFAST IN TOWN

THE NOVA CAFE

By Bill Bilverstone

When an editor calls, a freelance writer is expected to put on their game face, head out, and get the story. No matter the weather. No matter how dangerous, boring or distasteful the tale might be. So imagine my delight when an editor called and asked me to ferret out “The Best Breakfast at The Nova Cafe,” which happens to be my favorite Bozeman breakfast stop.

Late Friday morning, I walked the two blocks of Main Street that separate F11 Photo and The Nova Cafe. There, a chirpy blond hostess told me that the Nova’s owner, Serena Rundberg, was busy and that email was probably the best way to reach her. By Friday afternoon, I had an appointment to meet with Serena the following Tuesday.

Over the weekend, I got together with a few friends who meet Saturdays and Sundays for a roving coffee klatch. That Sunday, we met at the Leaf and Bean. When I mentioned my article assignment, an attorney at the table was eager to offer an opinion. Since he didn’t want to be identified, he’ll be known as Attorney D. Attorney D is a burly, bespectacled man with a fuzzy reddish beard and a thick head of wavy hair. Attorney D enjoys eating breakfast at the Nova four times a week—and his many years Nova breakfasts easily qualify him to offer an opinion.

“The Early Bird’s Special,” he told me (a traditional bacon, eggs and toast breakfast gussied up with half a Belgian waffle), “is the best breakfast deal in town and ‘The Morning After’ is the best breakfast.

I like to accompany it with a large caramel macchiato.” As per the menu, the “Morning After” is “a cheesy Belgian waffle topped with two local eggs any style and two slices of MT Best Meats bacon.”

First thing Tuesday morning, Serena and I sat down in Nova*a*go*, which the Nova website bills as “the cool, new sister space located adjacent to and connected with the Nova Cafe.” Serena is a handsome, dark-haired woman of medium height, and younger than you’d think. She balances her eagerness to laugh with the composure needed to manage a restaurant in a town where eateries come and go like flights from Bozeman Yellowstone International.

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Back in 2005, feeling like there had to be more to life, Serena gave up a lucrative sales rep job at a California software company and moved to Bozeman. Together with a partner, she bought out O’Brien’s, the restaurant located where the Nova now prospers. By 2007, just a short two years later, the Nova had garnered its first BoZonesponsored Best of Bozeman Award.

Sounds easy if you read it fast, but the transition from number-one sales rep to operating a restaurant necessitated a steep learning curve—not to mention getting the public through the door. Although Bozeman folk came to appreciate the Nova fairly quickly, early days saw a Western community somewhat suspicious of the restaurant’s colorful decor and edgy menu.

Serena and her partner were all about community from the get-go. The Nova contributes coffee grounds and other compostable foodstuffs to community gardens and an everchanging farrago of local art adorns the walls. A blog that features both art and community topics is embedded in the Nova’s stylish website and, perhaps most telling of all, the Nova purchases the bulk of its groceries from Montana and especially Bozeman-based producers.

Serena bought out her partner in 2009, a move that, besides placing the Nova squarely on her shoulders, brought her face to face with one of her demons. Serena had a hard time delegating and suffered from “the nobody can do it as well as me” syndrome. While the Nova had won Best of Bozeman Awards in 2007 and 2008, it didn’t win in 2009. Serena fought to stem the drift and by 2010, the

Nova’s third Best of Bozeman was on the wall. Serena had discovered that, given trust and responsibility, most people would flourish.

As of 2013, the Nova has won six Best of Bozeman awards.

“It’s an across-the-board effort,” she said. “From the host to the wait staff, clean silverware and Chef Sean’s skill in the kitchen.” Most important, though, was her judgment on the best breakfast her restaurant makes.

After a moment’s thought, Serena said, “I like to choose from the specials menu because that’s where Chef Sean experiments. The Special Benedicts are probably my ongoing favorite.” The ever-evolving Special Benedict, which is loosely based on Eggs Benedict, might feature fixings as disparate as MT Best Meats smoked ham, trout or green onion wild rice and yams—and this from a Nova menu that includes everything from a salmon-embedded scramble through a meat lover’s omelet to Eggs Argyle.

My long search was over. I’d found the best breakfast—but I might need to come back a few more times to make sure I got it right.

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SMART HOME BUYING IN

10 EASY STEPS

By Sarah Antonucci

Step 1 – Qualify yourself.

When you go to the bank, you may find that your credit score is not ready to qualify you to purchase a home or you need to pay off some debts. Another thing to consider is whether your bank is the right one for you. You should also try local banks and credit unions, as they all have different loan programs.

Step 2 – Commit yourself.

If you’re not willing to commit yourself to buying a property, consider renting in a certain area or school district to “test the waters.” The transaction costs of buying or selling a property can be expensive. If you can’t stay for several years, it might be not be financially beneficial to purchase a home. Commit to saving money for your down payment and closing costs. Ideally you should have 20% down to avoid mortgage insurance.

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Gallatin Valley Life

Step 3 – Research for yourself.

Find the area of town you prefer to live, and then focus your search to this area. Make sure the area fits your budget. Check the school districts as well. Even though you may not have children, schools are very important for re-sale of your home.

Step 4 – Know yourself.

Make a list of your must-have features—you need to know what home features are most important to you.

Step 5 – Find someone who understands.

Contact an agent to officially start your search. They need to know your budget, area of town, and top features that you want. They also take care of all the behind-the-scenes work to provide a smooth process. If you follow these steps, then buying a home can be very exciting—rather than an emotional roller coaster. You may need to be patient if you are not finding a home you like in your price range.

The right home will come up before long.

Step 6 – Be realistic.

You may qualify for more than you’re comfortable spending each month. Set a reasonable budget. A higher mortgage may leave you little room for the unexpected or to make upgrades such as paint, fences, and home maintenance.

Step 7 – Investigate your top 3.

During your search, ask lots of questions about the properties and use experienced professionals along the way to investigate such as home inspectors, lenders, title companies, and contractors. Your Real Estate Agent should guide you through this process. The more you know upfront about the house, the better prepared you will be during the appraisal and inspection process.

Step 8 – Make an offer.

Again your Real Estate Agent will guide you through this process. They will help you decide how much to

offer by being on top of the current market conditions. A comparative market analysis is helpful to see what similar homes are selling for in the same area. If the market has increased, be prepared to offer over asking price in order to secure your home.

Step 9 – Enjoy and maintain.

Protect your life’s largest financial investment by simple maintenance such as changing air filters, painting, carpet cleaning, and adjusting sprinklers. This will help you enjoy a safe and comfortable place for your family and friends.

Step 10 – Watch rates.

Home mortgage rates can fluctuate and if you’re in a home for the long run, consider refinancing if the loan rates decrease substantially. In the loan business, a decrease of more than one point in interest can save you hundreds a month in mortgage rates—but restarts your payoff calendar and potentially adds more closing costs to your principal.

M O N D A Y - S AT U R D A Y 1 0 A M - 6 P M · S U N D A Y 1 1 A M - 4 P M

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DOWNTOWN BOZEMAN, MONTANA 111 EAST MAIN STREET 2014/2015 63

BRIDGER FEEDS

A BOZEMAN LANDMARK, A LEGACY OF CARE

By Jessica Bayramian Byerly

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Gallatin Valley Life

Despite her petite stature and subtle grace, Bridger Feeds owner Libby Burr is a surprisingly imposing figure. Full of compact energy and quiet fervor, Burr is driven by a work ethic paralleled only by her mentor and Bridger Feeds’ creator, Marcia Anderson, and by an estimable commitment to her family, her customers and the community she calls home. And she loves what she does. With measured words, Burr describes a life propelled by compassion, unwavering loyalty and grit that has resulted in a remarkable business.

After earning a degree in equine nutrition from Colorado State University, Burr began work as an equine facility manager, horse trainer and certified riding instructor outside Denver. Wider skies brought her to Montana, where she worked as an equine heard health manager and continued to teach. Burr decided that an indoor job during the winters sounded pretty appealing.

“Correspondence with animal lovers inspires me though, it keeps me ambitious in my job and in my search for quality,” explains Burr. That ambition found a happy home at Bridger Feeds, where Burr was hired as manager in 1996. The following years were spent learning, growing and evolving, both personally and as a business.

By the time Burr assumed ownership in 2010, the ranchers who had been Bridger Feeds’ bread and butter were sparse and the store’s demographic had dramatically changed, prompting Burr to pursue companion animal health in a more focused fashion. She earned her certification as a companion animal dietician in 2004 and began assisting veterinarians and offering lectures regarding nutrition and diet plans for special needs cats and dogs as well as providing preventative care.

When it was first established in 1985, Bridger Feeds primarily sold cracked corn, COB (corn, oats, barley) and cowcake, catering to a modest customer base of farmers and ranchers. But by 1995, when Anderson built the business’ new building on Evergreen Drive – a building that won a local beautification award of excellence in 1998 from the City of Bozeman and was designed, in part, by

Anderson herself – Bridger Feeds had grown to include a vast selection of products for companion animals and livestock alike. In 2001, with a growing number of her customers seeking support and feed for pets (not just horses, poultry and livestock), Burr adjusted, made a plan and set forth to meet customers’ needs, setting a precedent that shapes Bridger Feeds to this day: provide the supply based on her clientele’s demand, not the national trends.

And, in tough economic times, that business model has made all the difference, allowing for a natural evolution determined by the changing face of the Bozeman community and its beloved animals.

After years of listening to her customers, Burr’s niche further revealed itself – client support and animal advocacy – and she adjusted once again. “There is no best food, there is a right food for your situation,” states Burr. “Sometimes I need to spend a good amount of time getting to know a person, their animal, their situation before assisting them with choices.” By developing a solid rapport with each customer, Bridger Feeds associates are able to determine appropriate product solutions based on personal philosophies, preferences and needs.

The entire Bridger Feeds staff shares Burr’s commitment and willingness to get their hands dirty – feeling a dog’s coat or checking a cat’s feces isn’t out of the question. In fact, it’s encouraged. In order to give the animals to whom she caters the best possible health, Burr is not only thorough in her evaluations, but incredibly selective with her products, attempting to buy as locally and organically as possible and making space for a “fresh and frozen room” packed with options for a range of species. Customer service at Bridger Feeds is about developing authentic, long-term relationships. “I truly appreciate my customers,” Burr says as she smiles. “I’ve watched them go through generations of dogs, cats, horses, bunnies, you name it, and hope to have helped increase their quality of life from the beginning to end. In return, they have taught me so much and made sure I am on my game…for them.”

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This past summer, Burr opened a satellite store in Four Corners to further serve her customers. “We, my staff and I (we’re a team), don’t want to be bigger, just better,” remarks Burr. “I wanted to offer our services in a convenient location for folks on the west side of the valley; it’s truly for our customers.” The new location is still developing its own identity, often through customer direction. Burr encourages customers to enter the dialogue, to tell her what they want to see in the little storefront. Most often, she’ll have it there by the next morning.

Much as Burr humbly follows in the footsteps of her mentor, she also has set an example for others to emulate. A businesswoman of admirable integrity, Burr is passionate about her job, committed to her community and unswervingly dedicated to her family. “When you’re a business owner,” says Burr, “you’re given the privilege to give back to the community… and the responsibility. For example, I try to provide food for our war vets and their therapy dogs at no cost to them. It’s the least I can do for their service to our country.” Through example, Burr is already instilling in her children that sense of responsibility and joie de vivre. “I’m giving my kids a tremendous advantage to see a mom that works hard and is happy to do it,” remarks Burr.

Entrenched in the community through substantial donations to Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, the outdoor arena at Gallatin County Fairgrounds, community tennis courts, and numerous other endeavors, Marcia Anderson did, indeed, leave rather large shoes to fill. A philanthropist, trailblazer and Montana rancher, Anderson continues to impact the valley’s people and places. “It’s important that I continue her vision, stay in touch with the community through business, and be sure to leave it better than when we arrived,” says Burr. She keeps Bridger Feeds active in the community by sponsoring animal related events like the Winterfest Keg Pull, Summer Fair Dock Diving, Doxie Dash and Santa-paws. Through Bridger Feeds, Burr supports groups like 4-H, FFA, Wounded Warriors, MSU Bobcats and Bozeman Icedogs. In the end, Bridger Feeds and the women at its helm have done far more to nourish the two- and four-legged creatures in this community than simply provide sustenance.

In addition to offering pet food, grain, wild bird seed, toys and treats, Bridger Feeds provides delivery, frequent punch cards, mobile services, 4-H discounts, diet consultation and much more. Located at 501 Evergreen Drive in Bozeman

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and 186 Garden Dr., Unit #101 in Four Corners, Bridger Feeds is open Monday through Saturday (and Sunday at the Bozeman location only). Come check out the petting zoo (May through October) at the Bozeman location or “Harmony,” Bill Ryder’s life-sized horse sculpture made entirely of musical instruments, at the Four Corners store. For more information, call 406.586.3026 (Bozeman) or 406.586.8990 (Four Corners), visit www.bridgerfeeds.com or check Bridger Feeds out on Facebook.

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"Earthrise" - One of history's most infuluential images taken by Bill Anders Dec 24th, 1968 Apollo 8

Apollo 8 Launch

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Gallatin Valley Life

Borman, Anders, Lovell

Von Braun - Designer of the Saturn V Rocket

Honoring

Apollo 8 in bronze

By Dave Reuss

I

Badge designed by Jim Lovell

magine the tension of crawling into the command module of Apollo 8 on launch day. You’re over 35 stories off the ground, ready to blast off into space to do something no one has ever done before. The Saturn V rocket you’re attached to is the most powerful vehicle ever created by man, capable of generating 7.5 million pounds of thrust on lift off that will blast you to a world-record speed of 24,200 miles per hour.

Your pulse hammers in your ears as engines start burning millions of pounds of fuel, and the entire rocket shakes as the countdown approaches zero. Since it’s only the late 1960s, the overall processing power of your entire command module is far less advanced than a basic cell phone—and you need to trust that technology to send you deep into space, around the moon ten times, and back home safely.

It seems unbelievable, but that’s exactly what three brave men did in the winter of 1968. With the entire world watching, Jim Lovell, Frank Borman, and William Anders successfully made the first manned flight to orbit the moon. During their six-day journey, they made history. They became the first humans to see the far side of the moon. When the astronauts took turns reading the first passages of Genesis during Christmas Eve live, one in three people on the planet—over one billion total—listened in on the radio and televisions around the globe. And Anders shot of the Earth off the Moon’s horizon has become one of the most iconic photos ever captured: the famous “Earthrise.”

Apollo 8 is widely regarded as the most historically significant of all the Apollo missions, largely because orbiting the moon ten times was more than just a challenge—it was a patriotic honor. Deeply entrenched in both the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, America was deeply divided and needed heroes to rally behind. The success of the mission created a lasting sense of pride and hope for the future.

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Lovell in Harrington's Studio And now, on the 45th anniversary of their legendary journey, local artist Dennis Harrington is creating a life-size bronze sculpture titled Brave Men and Brilliant Minds. The piece is designed to not only honor the three heroic men that traveled to the moon and back, but also to honor the thousands of talented NASA employees that helped get them there. In total, over 400,000 individuals were responsible for the success of Apollo 8.

Harrington—well known for his grizzly bear bronze Guardian Spirit that has greeted passengers at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport for the last two decades—is honored to be involved with something of this magnitude.

To start the project, the first step was contacting Captain Jim Lovell. Portrayed by Tom Hanks in the classic film Apollo 13, Captain Lovell is perhaps most well-known as the commander of that historic flight. It was during that mission that he uttered the iconic phrase, “Houston, we have a problem.” Lovell’s accomplishments are staggering: he’s a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional space medal of honor, a member of the first crew rendezvous, first to orbit (14 day record), and he’s the first person to fly into space four separate times. Furthermore, he’s one of only 24 people to fly to the moon, the first of three to fly to the moon twice, and only person to fly to the moon twice without making walking on the surface.

"We're happy Dennis wanted to do this project."

- Captain Jim Lovell

“I managed to get a hold of Captain Lovell and presented the idea,” Harrington says. “He loved it. He contacted Anders and Borman—because if they weren’t all onboard, it wasn’t going forward.” Once Harrington had a conceptual drawing to show the three astronauts, everyone was excited about the project.

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Apollo 8 Reentry - Dec 27th, 1968 - shot by US Air Force ALOTS

Sea of Tranquility - Taken by Apollo 8 for the historic landing of Apollo 11

Jim Lovell navigating using star alignment

Apollo 8 Mission Chart

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Historical firsts First manned use of the Moonport at Kennedy Space Center.

First humans to journey to the Earth’s Moon.

First pictures of Earth from deep space taken by astronauts.

New world speed record: 24,200 mph.

First live TV coverage of the lunar surface.

First manned flight on the Saturn V rocket.

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Captain Lovell, Command Module Pilot of the Apollo 8, flew to Bozeman to visit with Dennis and he is confident that Dennis can do justice to their historic mission. “We’re happy Dennis wanted to do this,” Lovell says, speaking on behalf of both Borman and Anders. “Going on that mission was strictly our patriotic duty, so we encouraged him all the way.

Dennis is a good sculptor. I’ve seen his work and we’re sure he’ll do a good job.”

Harrington is working hard to make sure every aspect of the project is perfect. His studio is filled with photos of the three astronauts, and he’s sculpting from exact copies of their genuine in-flight suits. Every detail is considered—right down to Lovell’s Naval Academy ring that he wore to space four different times. Harrington made a plaster cast of Lovell’s hand and will transfer a perfect copy of the ring to the final sculpture. What makes this project special is that Apollo 8’s entire crew is still alive, so all three men can have input on the sculpture every step of the way.

Harrington plans to fund the project by making scaled-down 13-inch versions of the finished sculpture. “There will be an edition of forty-five, marking the 45th anniversary of that momentous flight,” Harrington says. “Only a select number of those will be available for collectors to purchase.” Ultimately, the final life-size sculpture will reside beside the Apollo 8 Lunar Module at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

Lovell is hoping that by bringing the Apollo 8 mission to the forefront of current events, it will reinforce the importance of a strong space program. “By installing this statue, Dennis can revive our need for a viable space station,” Lovell says.

“We’re losing our leadership in space. It was a good program for the country.”

He called it a win-win situation. “The program didn’t cost a lot of money and it had a big impact on scientific discovery,” Lovell says. “I’m a little disappointed right now that we’re not proceeding aggressively. I’m looking forward to seeing this sculpture installed at the Museum of Science and Industry next to our module,” he says.

“The Apollo 8 was an accomplishment that people of great minds made happen,” Harrington says. “And I hope to shine a light on that extraordinary event in our history.” Visit dennisharrington.com to find out more about this project and check for updates.

WatcHing apollo 8 Thanks to the internet, you can experience the same awe and excitement that the whole nation felt when Apollo 8 made their way to the moon. Footage of their launch from Kennedy Space Center and their readings from Genesis on Christmas Eve are both available on YouTube. And in honor of the 45th anniversary, NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio has produced an animation showing step by step how the classic “Earthrise” photo was taken. By syncing recent lunar images with the ones first taken by the Apollo crew, you can see how a lucky rotation of the command module resulted in one of the most famous images in American history. It gives a fascinating perspective on an incredible time for the US space program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-vOscpiNc

Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago, IL

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