Celebrating 114 years of Community
In partnership with
january 31, 2020
2 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020
A letter from the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce President, Jaime Devlin The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is at a very exciting time of change and growth. Our Board of Directors are dynamic people who are full of positivity and are forward thinking with having our communities and businesses’ best interest at heart. I am so very honored to be the President for 2020. I have several goals for
this year to include; adding a Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce kiosk in Stevensville and forming a Leadership program for High School students. As a member of the Chamber, you have amazing networking opportunities as well as numerous resources available to you. Being involved in the Chamber has led to positive growth for
my company. The possibilities are endless for what it can do for yours. Moving into this new year and new decade, let’s build, grow and market your business together. The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce as always, will be open to any and all members who have questions, problems, or who are in need of informa-
Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce mission statement To enhance the economic vitality of the Bitterroot Valley. Objectives: a) Businesses – drive awareness b) Tourists – increase visits c) Community – provide local first
tion, etc. And we’ll be happy to guide any new, interested businesses through the membership process. Again, thank you for this honor.
Sincerely, Jaime Devlin 2020 BVCC President
Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 3
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4 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020
History of the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is 450-members strong and celebrated 114 years of community and business support at its annual award banquet, Feb. 8. Al Mitchel has been a parttime or full-time director of the chamber for 8 years. Other staff includes Pat Easley – Office Manager and Heather Snell - Bookkeeper. Chamber volunteers are Bert Bovee, Marvin Edstedt, Ida Mann, Ruth Hazelton, John Tragmoe and Mary Kay Browning. A photo of the Hamilton Chamber Office appears on a post card dated 1899, showing the building sitting where the Safeway parking lot is currently located. Chamber minutes go back to 1923 and tell some of their early accomplishments including starting a park just north of the old silver bridge, now called Rotary Park, where they had a summer visitor center. When the Rocky Mountain Lab came to Hamilton, the chamber purchased the land and donated it to the lab. Mitchell said that each town in the valley had a chamber or a type of civic group, but in 1975 the chambers got together and decided to create the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. “We represent seven communities - Sula to Florence,” Mitchell said. “We do have members in Lolo, Missoula, and Phillipsburg, but they came to us. It’s good to have members outside the area who support
the Bitterroot Valley.” The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce promotes tourism and works with the Tourism Business Improvement District, Glacier Country, Montana State Tourism, and the Economic Development Authority. The chamber also works to bring in tournaments, teams, and their supporters. The chamber has a quarterly newsletter and maintains a calendar of events that anyone, not just chamber members, can call with event information for the website – 363-2400. The chamber has a “Super Host” (customer service) training in the spring, and an Assistance to Business Clinic (ABC) in the fall with state information about workman’s comp, state and federal unemployment, and tax laws. Leads Group is where common businesses have one representative and meet once a month to share business leads. The chamber Ambassadors put on the Ravalli County Fair Parade, host political forums, and an annual barbecue. The BVCC Leadership Team attends Montana legislative sessions in Helena to keep in touch with legislators on business issues. Mitchell said that the chamber, rather than being too political, is “pro-business.” “We’re not big enough to fight and are just trying to get along,” he said. “We’re just trying to make this a better place.” The Bitterroot Valley Chamber
of Commerce also hosts the MicroBrew Festival as its largest fundraising event the fourth weekend of July. More than 3,000 people are attracted to the event with live music, food vendors, and microbrews from across Montana and the Northwest. The core 10-member festival group plans the event and 60 chamber members help run the party in downtown Hamilton. Being a chamber member has benefits. Members place their business cards and information in the chamber office, and are listed and linked on the chamber website, and in the chamber magazine. “We’re a referral agency basically,” Mitchell said. “We’re tourism related but into business referrals and promotion. We rotate business to business referrals. We like to do business with our own members - if someone comes in looking for a motel we first refer our active members.” Tied into that is the chamber’s gift certificate program, where consumers can purchase gift certificates any time of the year to be used at 50 locations throughout the valley. “We are keeping money local,” Mitchell said. “The businesses that want to participate buy into that at $25 a year. It is very popular.” The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce has members beyond retail including medical, real estate, title companies,
non-profits, and individuals. “It is open to anyone who is pro-business in the valley,” Mitchell said. “We send relocation packets to people or businesses who are considering relocating here.” The chamber offers networking opportunities such as ribbon cuttings, after-hour events, a Leadership Bitterroot class (one day a month, October through May, to learn about other businesses), and a monthly luncheon that rotates throughout the valley. “The first thing you should put in your tool box when you go into business is your chamber membership,” Mitchell said. “If you don’t use the tool, it’s not going to work for you - you have to show up once in a while to make it work.” Pat Easley is starting year 24 as office manager of the chamber. “She is the glue that has stuck that thing together,” Mitchell said. “The chamber has been in flux ever since it started. Right now we’re pretty solvent.” The Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce building is open Monday through Friday yearround and is open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, at 105 East Main St. in Hamilton. Mitchell and Easley are the only full-time employees; seven volunteers – one per day – work in the office. The volunteers meet and greet people, help them find maps, brochures, business and tourist information.
Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 5
Chamber past presidents Past Presidents 1923-1925......C. E. Hartley 1926-1927......Dr. N.A. Lyman 1928-1934......Fred Parker 1935...............C. H. Raymond 1936...............T. M. Skinner 1937-1941......W. E. Pollinger 1942...............V.C. Hollingsworth 1943...............Dr. Foss 1944-1945......Dr. Bucher 1946...............Otto Bernatz 1947...............A. L. Kleve 1948...............Ed Nobles 1949...............Bob Savage 1950...............Melvin Kyle 1951...............Hugh Elmore 1952...............Charles James 1953...............Fred A. Willard 1954...............Jack E. Coulter 1955...............Bill Fullerton 1956...............K. J. McDonald
1957...............Glenn Shults 1958...............Gardner Brownlee 1959...............Charles Bohac 1960...............Kenneth Robbins 1961...............Tavy Parker 1961...............Vicki Barter 1962-1963......Jack Dowling 1964-1966......Fred Parker 1967...............Vic Vadiem 1969...............Doug Klein 1970...............Dr. Palmer 1971...............Lincoln Shonkwiler 1972...............Frank Popiel 1973...............Don McGourty 1974...............Bob Lake 1975...............Chet McCullough 1976...............Bill Larkin 1977...............Richard Pulis 1978...............Ben Longbottom 1979...............Marvin Bell 1980...............Dave Hardy
1981...............Shirley Dowling 1982...............Larry Black 1983-1984......Rem Kohrt 1985...............Ken Senn 1986...............Jim Carpita 1987...............Wayne Hedman 1988...............Jim Miller 1989...............Bill Perrin 1989...............Shirley Dowling 1990...............Bill Perrin 1991...............Jay Klawon 1992...............Jo Gmazel-Bartley 1993...............Emil Erhardt 1994...............Donna Larson 1995...............Dale Berry 1996...............Mike Williams 1997...............Al Mitchell 1998...............Jim Moerkerke 1999...............Jerry Wessels 2000...............Roger Linhart 2001...............Rosie Huckstadt
2002...............Cindy Beck 2003...............Bob Thomas 2004...............Cindy Mikesell 2005...............Bill Bean 2006...............Tim Bozik 2007...............Al Hill 2008...............Patti Furniss 2009...............Tom Pool 2010............... Mike Pflieger 2011...............Dr. Dirk Beyer 2012...............John Stevens 2013...............Rosie Huckstadt 2014-2015......Sherri Williams 2016...............Fenn Nelson 2017...............Chris Edwards 2018...............Lucas Pernsteiner 2019...............Susan Wetzsteon 2020...............Jaime Devlin
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Chamber membership has many benefits 1. Display of brochures and business cards in our lobby and at our Information Center in Darby. 2. Rotating business to business referrals. Chamber members like to shop with Chamber members. 3. Listing in the Chamber Membership Directory. Many of our members look in the Membership Directory before the standard phone issue telephone directory. This is an excellent way of networking and shopping local. 4. Chamber sponsored business seminars. The Chamber hosts seminars designed specifically for our Chamber members to better help you operate, manage and expand your business. 5. Ribbon Cuttings. As a new member, you’re entitled to have a ribbon cutting at your place of business when you join the Chamber. You can also have a Ribbon Cutting for a new location or remodel. 6. Attendance to the annual Membership Barbeque. Every year the Chamber hosts a free picnic for our members and their families. 7. Chamber Monthly Luncheons. Every month the Chamber hosts a Community Luncheon up and down the valley. Businesses are invited to attend and bring along a guest. This is an opportunity for you
to let us know what is going on with your business as well as your community. 8. Business Referrals to visitors and phone traffic. Our office staff and volunteers greet thousands of visitors every year and not all of them are tourists. In addition, they field thousands of telephone calls inquiring about businesses in the valley. Chamber members are always referred first. 9. Business After Hours. This is a great way for you to network with other businesses, meet people and hand out business cards. Our Business After Hours Photo MICHELLE MCCONNAHA are hosted by our Ambassadors. The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce office and visitor center is located at 105 East 10. Free event driven member- Main Street in Hamilton. ship emails. If your business is welcome visitors to our valley ferent types of businesses that hosting an event for the commu- meet every second and fourth and encourage their business. nity or having a grand opening Tuesday of the month. 16. If you are reading this artietc. you will receive a free email 14. Listing in the “Chamber cle then you are receiving one of blast to our entire membership, Recommends” brochure. Since the benefits of being a Chamber listed in our calendar of events we have so many different types member. Our Chamber Banquet and posted on our Facebook of businesses inquiries, we have is held every year to recognize Page. published a few ‘categorized’ and award Chamber Businesses 11.Free Chamber website brochures of our larger categofor their outstanding contribulisting. Our website gets a ries. Real Estate, Contractors/ tion to our valley. tremendous amount of traffic Builders, Restaurants and Lodging are the four we have in every month. As a member you our office. are listed on our website in the These are some of the benefits 15. Hospitality bags. These are of being a Chamber member. membership directory. a favorite among people who are Think about them and realize 12. Committee participation. visiting our valley and are here As a member you are welcome the many opportunities for your for a convention, tournament to attend and be a part of our buiness. There are also effecor other events. The Chamber committees in action. We have tive advertising opportunities helps promote our valley by a listing of various committees that you can purchase to help helping organizations with an where you can participate. enhance your business aware13. Leads Group Participation. assortment of various coupons, brochures or novelty items that This group is made up of difness.
Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 7
2020 Committees & Events
Ambassadors Chair: Dr. Lucas Pernsteiner, Bitterroot Chiropractic. Purpose: To act as the social arm of the Chamber. Organize banquets, ribbon cuttings and Business After Hours. Government Affairs Chair: Fred Thomas, PayneWest Insurance and Teri Polumsky, By Owner Real Estate. Purpose: To monitor and interpret federal, state, county and city legislation that would affect our valley either positively or negatively. 26th Annual Microbrew Festival Saturday, July 25, 2020 Chair: Darrell Holland and Troy Robertson Purpose: To create a gathering for family and friends to enjoy great food, music, ciders, wines and microbrews throughout the northwest. Leadership Bitterroot Chair: Pat Easley Purpose: A 9 month program designed to educate and groom Potential leaders within our Bitterroot communities. Leads Chair: Rachel Kramer, Rachel Kramer Insurance and Jasmyne Myrick, AFLAC. Purpose: To increase business through a structured system of receiving and giving leads with other oriented business people. Natural Resources Chair: Pat Connell. Purpose: To investigate resource issues and how they affect our economics and the quality of life. Tourism & Marketing Purpose: To promote tourism as an industry for further economic development and implement projects that support the goal of establishing the Bitterroot Valley
as a tourist destination. Basketball Tournaments Chair: Al Mitchell, Bitterroot Valley Chamber 2020 Basketball Tournament: February, 27 through 29, Western B Boys and Girls. Purpose: To create awareness of the Bitterroot Valley by hosting tournaments in the valley. For Information on any of the committees contact the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. Other Programs/Events Ravalli County Fair Parade Organized by the current graduating Leadership Bitterroot Class. Wednesday, August 26th, 2020, 10am Chamber Annual Membership Barbeque A gathering to say thank you to our members. September 2020 Annual 115th Awards Banquet February 2021 at the Bitterroot River Inn Guest Training Seminar Super Host Training gearing toward tourism and customer service. May 2020 / FREE and open to the public Leadership Bitterroot Lecture Series An educational speaker lecture series organized by Leadership Bitterroot – check with the Bitterroot Chamber for upcoming speakers. Ribbon Cuttings/Business After Hours Events Events which highlights certain Chamber Businesses so they are able to share with the communities what they have to offer. Check with the Bitterroot Chamber for upcoming events.
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2020 Bitterroot Chamber Board of Directors
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2020 Bitterroot Valley Chamber Board of Directors: Terry Berkhouse, Jaime Devlin, Carol Holman, Susan Wetzsteon, Ronda Lang, Scott Watters, Bill Capko, Al Mitchell, Ann Bethea and Bridger Biggins. Not shown are, Melissa Greenwood, Andrew Kilian and William Schrock.
Jaime Devlin President - A2Z Personnel Susan Wetzsteon Out-going President - Wetzsteon Electric Carol Holman President Elect Stockman Bank Bill Capko Treasurer - First Security Bank Ronda Lang Alpine Realty Scott Watters Watters Edge Design Terry Berkhouse Bitterroot college of the UM Ann Bethea Florence and Stevensville Ace Hardware Melissa Greenwood Ravalli Electric Co-op Bridger Biggins AFLAC Andrew Kilian Cybernet1 William Schrock Schrock Construction
Staff Director - Al Mitchell Office Manager – Pat Easley Bookkeeper - Heather Snell Volunteers Bert Bovee Marvin Edstedt Ida Mann Ruth Hazelton John Trangmoe Jim Mason Marie Christopher Outgoing Board Members 2020 Susan Wetzsteon Scott Watters Bill Capko
Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 9
Annual Chamber Awards Chamber Director Al Mitchell invites the community to attend the Mardi Gras-themed Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 114th Awards Banquet on Saturday, Feb 8, at the Interstate Building at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. Get your Glitz on… It’s Mardi Gras with the Chamber time! Mardi Gras is the theme for the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 114th Awards Banquet a celebration of business and community on Saturday, Feb 8, at the Interstate Building at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. Chamber Director Al Mitchell said the move to a bigger venue opens possibilities. “We’re giving up the intimacy for some open space and we are opening it to the public,” Mitchell said. “In the past it has been only for chamber members.” The festive and honoring evening lasts from 6 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. for no host cocktails, live and silent auction, 50/50 raffle. At 7 p.m. is dinner and the silent auction ends at 8 p.m. The awards begin at 8:15 p.m. Darby’s Little Blue Joint is catering the Mardi Gras themed meal and serving Boudin (pork and rice sausage), grilled king shrimp, blackened catfish, chicken jambalaya, red beans
and rice, pickled okra, chapped salad with French dressing, king cake and johnny cake. The live auction items are amazing donations from Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry and Terry Ryan. Mikesell’s is donating a 14k Rose Gold Montana Sapphire and diamond pendant valued at $2,337 and Terry Ryan is donating one semester of resident tuition and fees at Bitterroot College maximum value of $2,000. The silent auction items are donated by local businesses. The awards, usually kept secret, have been shared ahead of time to allow friends to come support the winners. Business of the Year is the Burnt Fork Market – Jimmy Edwards; Business Person of the Year is Ann Bethea – Florence Ace Hardware and Eastside Ace Hardware; the New Business(es) of the Year are Bitterroot Crossfit LLC with Jeff and JJ Lewis and Bitterroot Bouncers with Brian and Heather Appel; the Community Service Award goes to Exit Realty with Max and Tina Coleman; the Unsung Hero award goes to Katelyn Andersen; the Community Asset is Dominic Farrenkopf; the Volunteer of the Year is Susan Wetzsteon, the Economic Development award goes to Northwestern Energy and Tim Moody, Hamilton District Manager; the Spark Plug
Photo DOUG MCCONNAHA
Amy Linton and Dominic Farrenkopf added to the excitement of last year’s banquet with the sales of 50/50 raffle tickets.
award goes to Andrew Kilian; the Laurel award (in honor of past mayor Laurel Frankenfield) goes to Mary Lyn and the Chamber Volunteer of the year is Marvin Edstedt. “People should come to support the winners,” Mitchell said. “We have good award winners, spread out up and down the valley. It’s a good party and a lot of fun. People can come and see what the chamber is all about, we don’t’ use it as a recruiting tool but people are welcome to check it out.” Mitchell said the Bitterroot
Valley Chamber of Commerce has been an entity for 119 years, but the awards celebration was skipped for a few years “due to lean years or war,” he said. Steve Fullerton will be the event emcee. Call the chamber for an invitation and to RSVP at 406-3632400. Purchase tickets by Feb. 3, each ticket costs $50 and a table of eight costs $360. Attend the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 114th Awards Banquet, Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Interstate Building, 100 Old Corvallis Rd, in Hamilton.
10 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020
Burnt Fork Market wins Business of the Year Award
Jimmy Edwards, owner/manager of Burnt Fork Market, said he was honored to be selected for the Business of the Year in Ravalli County. The Edwards family opened the original Stevensville grocery store in 1946, sold it and then it closed for five years. Jimmy Edwards re-opened the store as Burnt Fork Market in December 2014 bringing back 25-30 jobs to the Bitterroot Valley. “Burnt Fork Market is proud to accept the award and look forward to making a positive impact in Stevensville and the Bitterroot Valley in years to come,” he said. “I feel honored that they chose us, it is nice to be noticed.”
Owner/manager Jimmy Edwards said he was honored to be selected for the Business of the Year in Ravalli County.
Burnt Fork brags that they brought a level of quality in meat
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and produce to valley and lowered the price of beer and wine with a better selection. Burnt Fork is a store that prides themselves on promoting local flavor from local produce, eggs, honey, bubba’s wood to local beer and much more. Burnt Fork works hard to be community involved from the Scarecrow Fest and Creamery Picnic, to raising money for the fireworks display on July 4th. Burnt Fork Market started the Scarecrow Brew fest and looks forward to this year’s event on Saturday Oct. 3. At the Fork we have teamed up in helping bring a great golf event to Hamilton called the Bitterroot shoot-out, this year it is at the Hamilton Golf Club on July 11 and 12. Edwards said that as the owner/manager he is proud the
Photo PERRY BACKUS
Burnt Fork Team working hard to be a quality community involved business. “They are always going the extra mile in customer service and having fun with instore events such as an ugly sweater contest or best witch on Halloween,” Edwards said. “At the Fork we support special needs like Austin Schrivner who does a good job for us and was named volunteer of the year for Stevensville last year.” Edwards said Burnt Fork Market is a small company, always looking for people to join their team and currently looking for a quality meat butcher. “We’re also focusing on Brown Trout and protecting the Bitterroot River. We’re always trying to do the best thing for the environment,” Edwards said.
Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 11
Exit Realty wins Community Service Award Max and Tina Coleman, owners of Exit Realty, won the Community Service award with the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. “It is important to us because I was told no other realtor has ever won it,” Max Coleman said. “Realtors are not known for giving. But we consistently give, and we are involved with more nonprofits than any other realty company in the valley.” Tina Coleman added that Exit Realty was under consideration for this category and Business of the Year. “I would rather get this award for giving back,” she said. “This speaks to my heart, and is what we’re all about. Of all the awards we could have won, this one means the most. It speaks to the heart of what we are trying to accomplish. We tell our agents; it is difficult to change the world but you can change yours” Just before Christmas Exit Realty paid off all the overdue school lunch accounts in Ravalli County, nearly $15,000. They reg-
ularly sponsor clubs and sports teams, donate to non-profits including $9,000 to the Gary Sinise (Veterans) Foundation in August, classroom grants, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Bitter Root Humane Association and law enforcement. “There is not one of our agents who is not giving back in some way, shape or form,” Tina Coleman said. “We encourage it. I’m also really proud that there has been an Exit person on the board of Habitat for the last 10 years. We’ve never not had someone on the board and gave them the money and lots with no commission charges.” EXIT Realty Corp International was founded in 1995. We have offices operating throughout North America. EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley has been serving Ravalli County since 2006 opening its first office in Hamilton, MT. It has since expanded opening an office in Stevi in 2016 and in Darby in 2017. EXIT Realty is an empathy driven company focused on developing human
potential. We do not sell properties. We help people achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams. We actively strive to improve our communities; giving back and helping out wherever we can. We would like to leave the County we serve a better place because we operated in it. Broker/Owner Max Coleman has lived in the Valley since 1992. He has an extensive background in sales and serving. When opening a Real Estate Brokerage, he had many different brand names to choose from. He chose EXIT Photo MICHELLE MCCONNAHA because of its philosophy of Max & Tina Coleman of Exit Realty Bitterroot Valley, winners of the Chamber empathy and providing the best Community Service Award. platform for success for both clients and agents. “This award actually belongs to His wife, Tina, moved to the our agents,” Max Coleman said. Valley from Canada in 2013 Her background in education, admin- “Every single one of them gives their time, energy and money istration and EXIT Realty was the perfect compliment. Together to help make their community a they focus on developing their better place. It is their dedicaagents to be the best humans tion to serving our clients that has they can be. They provide the afforded EXIT Realty Bitterroot training, the education and the resources to be able to serve and Valley the opportunity to make an impact.” care for their clients.
Marvin Edstedt wins Chamber volunteer of the year The Chamber Volunteer of the year is Marvin Edstedt who works Fridays in the Chamber office. “I just do it because I love it,” Edstedt said. “I’m not in to it for anything other than intermingling with our visitors from out of state and out of country.” At the Chamber office Edstedt answers the phone, greets visitors and helps with any of the chamber procedures, like mailing fliers and helping John Trangmoe.
“We’re the ones who get all the out of state materials like travel books and maps for visitors who come into the Chamber office,” he said. “Maps are still going strong for the most part even with GPS. We keep maps of all the different states around Montana in case they need them.” He said he is an ambassador for the Bitterroot Valley and all of Montana. Edstedt has been a volunteer
at the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce for 11 years, worked as a veteran’s service officer for the Vietnam Veterans of America and was a history teacher. “I tried to teach US history but I think that is everyone’s least favorite subject in school,” Edstedt said. “After my career I went to the Chamber to see if they needed volunteers on day and they did so I’ve been there ever since.”
Photo DOUG MCCONNAHA
The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the year is Marvin Edstedt who works Fridays in the Chamber office.
12 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020
Ann Bethea wins Business Person of the Year Award Ann Bethea is the Business Person of the Year. “It feels good,” she said. “It’s been a long year and I’m happy to receive this award.” Ann Bethea has run her various family businesses since 1985. She’s always enjoyed working as a team and thriving as a boss. In 2009, Ann and Jim Bethea purchased Florence Ace Hardware and purchased the second store, Eastside Ace hardware in 2018. After a difficult year, with the sudden passing of her husband, Ann has continued to focus on the growth of the both hardware stores. “I don’t know much about hardware, but I know how to run a businesses,” Ann said. “It has been quite a challenge, very rewarding and I haven’t burnt the businesses down, that was my goal.” She said the support of neighbors, staff, family and friends has truly shown Ann the meaning of The Bitterroot Valley Community Spirit. “The community, including the Ace corporate community, has jumped up to help and made my year a better year.”
Photo PERRY BACKUS
Ann Bethea, owner of Ace Hardware in Florence and Stevensville, is the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year.
This outpouring of help and faith has reinforced her commitment to these towns and one of her favorite phrases, “neighbors helping neighbors.” “This is a great community to be in, that’s for sure,” Ann said.
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What Ann loves most about the retail world are the friendly customers and the fun challenges they present daily. Brainstorming solutions with the local and knowledgeable staff is easily one of the most rewarding aspects of the hardware business. Ann is a people person and thrives on interactions with her community. Florence Ace Hardware and Eastside Ace Hardware are both known for their generous contributions to their communities, from sports sponsorships, donated supplies, to hiring of afternoon high school students. Ann has served on the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Board and is past president of the Florence Civic
Club as well as volunteering at Mountain Home Montana. Ann recently started two “Little Free Libraries” in front of the store that create a user friendly access to everyone who wants a book. Ann credits her strength to her beautiful daughters. She is also extremely grateful to corporate Ace, for being a valued resource, who also want to see Ann and her communities continue to prosper. Ace Hardware prides themselves as “The Helpful Place” and throughout these trying times have proven they truly believe in those values; those values that so greatly reflect our own small towns.
Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 13
Photo DOUG MCCONNAHA
(left to right), Dr. Susan Berland, Physical Therapist, Jonna Schwartz of Roam Hot Yoga, Bridget Richardson, yoga instructor, JJ and Jeff Lewis, BRCF owners and Dr. Jim Kostecki, chiropractor in front of Bitterroot CrossFit Health and Wellness Center.
Bitterroot CrossFit wins New business award
ness businesses. “I think for all of us that are in there we all have a love for Bitterroot CrossFit is the New helping people out and it carries Business of the Year for the over,” he said. “We all love what Bitterroot Valley Chamber of we do so that makes it easy and Commerce. fun. Not everyone that comes in Jeff and JJ Lewis are owners. does CrossFit, they come in for Jeff Lewis said it is a “huge other businesses too. It is a group honor to be named New Biz of effort by everybody.” the Year.” The new location, off Highway Bitterroot CossFit has around 93 and onto East Side Highway 140 clients and shares the buildnear GSK, has proven to be a big ing space with Chiropractor Dr. benefit. Jim Kostecki, Jonna Schwarz’s “It has been a huge blessing to Roam Hot Yoga & Fitness; and move and be in the space were Physical Therapist Dr. Susan in,” Lewis said. “People find us. Berland. Word of mouth is how we get Jeff Lewis credits them all for the success of the health and well- most of our customers.”
MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
MICHELLE.MCCONNAHA@RAVALLIREPUBLIC.COM
Bitterroot CrossFit is a family business. Jennifer’s dad owns the property and son Tyson drops in occasionally and all the Lewis kids help. “What’s so great about the Bitterroot Valley is that it is home,” Jeff Lewis said. “I’m fourth generation, my kids are fifth generation.” He said that the Bitterroot Valley has grown and changed and is now a mixture of people a change from when it was more agriculturally based. “I think what is so cool about the Bitterroot is that a lot of people have moved in and it is a melting-pot of all different types,”
Lewis said. “I would say the hospital, labs and school are where most of our customers come from. They weren’t all born and raised here and might see the world a little differently, it’s a good mix.” The Bitterroot CrossFit Health and Wellness Center is located at 484 Old Corvallis Road. For more information call 406-360-1828 or email jeff@bitterrootcrossfit.com and view their class schedule at bitterrootcrossfit.com/classes. The Bitterroot CrossFit Health and Wellness Center slogan is “You can’t trade it for a new one, so take care of the one body you have!”
14 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020
Bitterroot Bouncers wins New business award Bitterroot Bouncers began as a backyard, word of mouth business run by husband and wife team Brian and Heather Appel in 2017. The popularity of rentals quickly grew over the course of a year and the clear need for children’s entertainment in the valley became irrefutable. The Appels decided to take a leap of faith when the current building their business resides in at 806 S 1st St in Hamilton became available and renovations quickly ensued. Six months later, the indoor playcenter as we know it today, was unveiled. A grand
hit amongst the community, Bitterroot Bouncers name and services spread throughout the valley and infiltrated the Missoula market with fever. A year later, BItterroot Bouncers has not only 15 different bouncies, a mobile rock wall with air jumpers, and carnival supplies available for rental at homes or businesses, but they also offer a children’s indoor wonderland with two birthday party rooms and six large bouncies to entertain them in every season. The business has expanded many services for their second year of
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Brian and Heather Appel began Bitterroot Bouncers as a backyard, word of mouth business in 2017. Meeting the need of entertainment and something to do for youth in the valley, it has expanded to include an indoor play center offering events, services and thank yous to the community. .
operation in the indoor playcenter, with new events and added services such as the monthly Teen Nights, Family Nights and weekly Date Night Drop N’ Go’s. A full coffee bar with delivery service, party rooms that double as classrooms, meeting hubs, play groups and company parties, offer something for everyone. A much needed and appreciated addition to the community, Bitterroot Bouncers aims to give back. Christmas 2019 brought the Kids Shop For Free event where kids picked out a gift for their parent and BB staff wrapped it for them to take home and put under the tree. All monetary donations generously given by the public were donated to
Emma’s House. Now in 2020, Bitterroot Bouncers is honoring noble professions and rewarding them with freebies and discounts in order to say thank you for serving our community. MDMH and Law Enforcement officials have been the first to be recognized and each month will bring a new group to commend. Brian and Heather Appel want to thank the community for helping make their dream come true and for providing the ongoing support, kind words and recommendations to others. They feel honored to be a positive, children focused addition to the Bitterroot and hope to bring many more years of smiles to the families in the valley.
Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 15
Northwestern Energy wins economic development Award The Hamilton Gas and Electric crews maintain the distribution systems and install new service connections for both new residential and commercial customers. NorthWestern Energy has provided reliable and affordable energy to customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska for more than 100 years. The company got its start in small communities, providing essential services that allowed towns to grow and prosper. Today, NorthWestern is proud to deliver safe, reliable and innovative energy to 726,400 residential and business customers. With roots in the Montana Power Co. and South Dakotabased Northwestern Public Service Co., NorthWestern Energy took its current form in
2002 when the company bought the Montana Power electric and natural gas transmission and distribution system and became a partial owner of Colstrip Unit 4. In 2014, NorthWestern Energy purchased 11 hydroelectric facilities in Montana, which now make up the base of the company’s generation portfolio. NorthWestern Energy is a leader in clean energy, with more than 60% of its power generation for Montana coming from carbon-free resources, including hydro, wind and solar. The company is proud to be a valued member of the 318 communities in Montana and South Dakota it supplies with electrical service, along with Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, as well as the 180 communities in Montana, South Dakota and
this community. Right before she left she handed me a huge packet of materials and said, ‘You are now the Soroptimist representative for the RML Community Liason Committee.’” MICHELLE MCCONNAHA MICHELLE.MCCONNAHA@RAVALLIREPUBLIC.COM During her career she moved to Honolulu and established Mary Lyn receives the a business that sold plants for Bitterroot Valley Chamber of the tourist industry, she then Commerce’s Laurel award. founded Post-A-Gram which Lyn said she is “deeply honproduced Messages in a Bottle ored to receive the Laurel for the tourist markets across the Award.” “Knowing Laurel, those are big country and the Incentive market. She currently owns Big Sky shoes to fill,” she said. “I got to know Laurel through Soroptimist. Promotions, a promotional prodShe had a profound impact on uct distributor businesses.
“I lived most of my life in the city but when I moved to the Bitterroot Valley I found I could serve,” Lyn said. “This place is so welcoming and I’ve enjoyed serving long-term at the SAFE in the Bitterroot, the Soroptimists International and the Task Force for Affordable Housing.” She said building women through education is vital. “You don’t do anything by yourself,” Lyn said. “As Soroptimists we are giving away $20,000 a year in scholarships and will have a big fundraising event in April.”
MICHELLE MCCONNAHA MICHELLE.MCCONNAHA@RAVALLIREPUBLIC.COM
Tim Moody, Hamilton District Manager with Northwestern Energy, said receiving the Economic Development award from the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce was appreciated. “We support development in the Bitterroot Valley,” Moody said. “It was kind of surprising. We do work with developers doing commercials or residential projects and we just want to help them. It makes a big difference to the valley.” Moody oversees the electric and gas crews for work in the Hamilton District that begins between Florence and Stevensville and extends down the valley to just past the southern end of Darby.
Mary Lyn wins Laurel Award
Photo MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
Tim Moody, Hamilton District Manager with Northwestern Energy, receives the Economic Development award from the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Nebraska it supplies with gas service. NorthWestern Energy employs 1,533 people across its service territory.
Photo MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
Mary Lyn, owner of Big Sky Productions.
16 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020
Cybernet1’s Andrew Kilian wins Spark Plug Award place.” “I don’t know whether it’s the Seasonal Affective Disorder or Andrew Kilian was selected because it’s a rustbelt city, but to receive the Spark Plug Award people will actively look away from the Bitterroot Chamber of from you if they don’t know you,” Commerce. Kilian said. He said he feels honored, flatHe moved to the Bitterroot tered and will continue to serve. Valley in 2008 to be a caregiver “It’s not every day you’re recfor his mother and was amazed ognized for what you do for the by the genuine offers of help he community,” Kilian said. “It’s received. He called the Bitterroot such a feeling of validation that Valley accepting, welcoming, you’re doing something right, rare and special. Photo DOUG MCCONNAHA that you’re helping move the Andrew Kilian, pictured here at the annual Hamilton Downtown Association Crab Fest, “One of the greatest misconwas selected to receive the 2019 Spark Plug Award from the Bitterroot Chamber of community in the right direction. ceptions is the belief that we’re Commerce for his fun spirit and enthusiasm. This is such an amazing place, all alone in this world and, at the last best place, and it brings least in the valley, that’s a myth,” that when you see kindness it and I’m really excited at the out the best in people.” Kilian said. “It is so unbelievably stands out. When the town supprospect of role modeling that Kilian came from Buffalo, NY, kind and generous here. Maybe ports the home team, it’s with all successful behavior for those which he called an “alienating it’s because the valley is so small their heart.” kids. If they see an adult reading His examples of generosity to them it can cement that habit included the Clothing Closet for the rest of their lives.” “Happiness [is] only real when shared” - Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild that gives clothing free to the He believes he was selected people who really need it super- for the Spark Plug award FAST • RELIABLE • UNLIMITED markets who donate to the because he occasionally wears a Senior Center or Food Pantry. dinosaur costume to community Kilian said belonging to the events. BVCC helps the locally owned “I’m not gonna lie,” he said. Cybernet One fulfill their mis“Some people still don’t know sion statement of improving it’s me and I think my wife is fine the community they serve. He with that. When I put it on its said through the Leadership like magic, people just smile or Thank you for Honoring Bitterroot program Cybernet bust out laughing and that’s a us with the Spark Plug One connected to many other pretty wonderful feeling. I think if Award! businesses and people. you can do something, however Your smiles “The Chamber really gives us silly, to make one person’s day make our shenaningans access to the community at large that much better I believe that’s to do that,” Kilian said. “It goes important work worth doing.” all the more worthwhile. beyond simple networking and His favorite is wearing the cosallows the fabric of the Valley’s tume for the parade. community to be knit that much “If you can add to that many more tightly together and really people’s happiness … I think take off. At Headstart there’s a that’s the right answer,” Kilian big call for reading at storytime said.
MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
MICHELLE.MCCONNAHA@RAVALLIREPUBLIC.COM
363-2183
Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 17
Susan Wetzsteon wins volunteer of the year Susan Wetzsteon is the 2020 Volunteer of the Year by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. She is the store manager at Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry where she has worked for 14 years. Before that she inspired quilters at Fabric Shop and Quilts (owned by Rosalie Reinbold) and owned her fabric business “In Good Company” with Jaime Grant, Sue Engle and Sue Anne Iman for 17-years. She said the honor of being selected Volunteer of the Year was a surprise. “I am honored to be receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award,” Wetzsteon said. “It was very nice to be recognized.” She said she chooses to be involved with the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce as a nod to the past and to help build a solid future. “It is hand in hand with what I feel passionate about,” Wetzsteon said. “Why I get involved in the community is that, personally, being a fifth generation Bitterrooter I want my grandchildren and their children to be able to live and work and have a life in the Bitterroot Valley, to continue to live and prosper here.” She is the recent past president of the BVCC and she did put in many hours with that but the award is also for her volunteer work in the larger community. She volunteers with church programs, the Bitterroot Quilters Guild, Sprinkle Pink, the BVCC board and the Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement District (DHBID). “This is my fifth year on the Chamber board and I got involved with the Chamber by being liaison between the Chamber and HDA, as HDA president,” Wetzsteon said. “The DHBID board represents the property owners of the downtown. We manage the taxing for those businesses, trash collection, outdoor lights, snow removal and flower pots – the beautification of downtown.
Photo MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
Susan Wetzsteon received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. Supportive of healthy businesses, she represents the fifth-generation of her Bitterroot family, has worked at Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry for 14-years and is the outgoing Chamber president.
“My husband says I have a hard time saying no but I think it is a good thing,” Wetzsteon said. “People need to get involved in their community and this is a great community to get involved in.” She represents the fifth-generation of her Bitterroot family, who moved back Montana in 1969-70. She graduated from Hamilton High School, attended college at the University of Montana. She got married here and has two sons and families with five grandchildren. Her oldest son lives in the Bitterroot Valley and her youngest son is in the Air Force in Las Vegas. Wetzsteon said she is optimistic for the future of the Bitterroot Valley. “In other places, downtowns are dying but we have a thriving downtown business community,” she said. She’s pleased with two key efforts com-
pleted in her tenure as Chamber president. “The Chamber has been able to update our website mobile ap and it will be ready in April,” she said. “Our website will be more user friendly. Also, we’ve beefed up and added to our leadership program with guest lectures from leaders from Western Montana.” She said the BVCC Board is a great group of people to work with and that she has enjoyed getting to know them. “People ask what the Chamber is going to do for them but it is more how joining helps makes you part of the community and makes the community a stronger and better place,” she said. “Also, people need to think about what they can add, how they can help to make it stronger. It’s not always what you can get, but how you can help.”
18 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020
Dominic Farrenkopf wins Community Asset award MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
MICHELLE.MCCONNAHA@RAVALLIREPUBLIC.COM
Hamilton resident Dominic Farrenkopf has been selected by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce to receive the Community Asset award. “I feel very honored,” Farrenkopf said. “I think it is great that the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce considers me a Community Asset.” He said the reason he feels this way is three-fold: his job as Director of Community Life at Sapphire Lutheran Homes, his job as Hamilton mayor and his love of volunteering in the Bitterroot Valley. “I do my best work when I approach it with a servant’s heart at Sapphire,” he said. “I’m serving the residents and I’m serving the community. I love being host at events, I love throwing parties and concert series and all the things that engage the community.” As mayor, his approach is similar but with an attitude of civic duty. “I asked people to elect me
and they did so now I feel it is my duty to engage the community and be a part of as many things as I can,” Farrenkopf said. When he volunteers for the schools and the libraries it is mostly to pass on his love of reading and poetry. “I have such a love of literature, poetry and words that I can’t keep it inside, I have to share it,” Farrenkopf said. “When I have the opportunity to teach a poetry class or read to kids l am sharing what I love. I try to inspire children to read, use their imagination and tell a story or write a poem. I try to engage them on a creative level and pass it on to keep literature and poetry alive.” Farrenkopf was born in In Hamilton in the “new hospital” in 1978. He grew up in Victor, Photo Provided Laura Instness dancing with Dominic Farrenkopf at Sapphire Lutheran Homes’ 2020 graduated from Stevensville High School in 1996, joined the Winter Ball. Farrenkopf will receive the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Community Asset award. US Coast Guard in 1997 and and grew a love for caring for to run for mayor, ran for office served until 2001. He married seniors as he worked at the and was elected in 2017, taking his high school sweetheart, Discovery Care Center for 11 office in 2018. Hannah, and settled back in years. He worked at Sapphire Farrenkopf said he’s happy Hamilton in 2004. He started Lutheran Homes as community everywhere in the community. working with senior citizens life director for seven years. “I’m happy at Sapphire, I’m “During my time at Discovery happy volunteering, I’m happy Care Center and Sapphire as the mayor,” he said. “I love Lutheran Homes I met a lot Hamilton, I love the Bitterroot of people in the community,” Valley. This is where I’m from Farrenkopf said. “I have grown and it feels so good to be part through my jobs, volunteerof the past because of who ing and organizations like I worked with, the present the Chamber, the Hamilton ™ because of who I work with now Downtown Association, the and the future because of the American Legion, social clubs ground work we are laying that and all the things in the comwill propel Hamilton in to the munity.” avhcr.com He decided he felt called years ahead.”
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Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 19
Katelyn Andersen wins Unsung Hero award MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
MICHELLE.MCCONNAHA@RAVALLIREPUBLIC.COM
Katelyn Andersen will receive the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Unsung Hero award. “I was honored when I was told I got the award and I am humbled that someone thought of me for this,” Andersen said. “But I like to fly under the radar.” Katelyn Andersen is an Associate Professor for Montana State University Extension (MSUE) serving Ravalli County since 2006 in the program areas of 4-H Youth Development and Family & Consumer Sciences. Starting January 1, in her role with MSUE she now serves as a part-time Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent for the community and part-time Well-being and Workplace Environment Facilitator for Rocky Mountain Laboratories. The Family and Consumer Science program area involves food and nutrition, family finances, health and wellness, mental health and human lifespan development. “Community Development is a part of all the program areas because that’s truly what we’re doing, we are enhancing the community by being that catalyst in the community maybe by being the connector of people,” Andersen said. They key is getting to know the people of the community then connecting the people who are resources to the people with needs. Andersen shares connections with the community, maybe even between communities, spurring on ideas and helping to find
solutions. In recent years some programs have taken off beyond what she envisioned, especially in the areas of health and wellness. First was the “Bike, Walk, Roll and Win” an idea to get the community moving. Andersen worked with interning MSU nursing students to develop the program, create a walking map and round up prizes. The program expanded to Stevensville and Darby with their own walking maps. “It served a need that I didn’t realize that was a void in our community,” Andersen said. Winter Wellness has also filled a need in our community, helping people to connect and get moving during the dark winter months. “Once again I didn’t realize that it would become such a successful program,” Andersen said. “I believe we have over 250 people who have logged their winter physical activity. We have reached probably 700 individuals, youth and adults through the wellness classes we have had this winter.” The state of the community to handle and discuss mental illness was another surprise. Initially, she thought the community needs were met by community resources of Western Montana Mental Health, West House Crisis Facility, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and Sapphire Community Health. “But when we offered the Thrive program as a brief education class on what is it and how can we share at the library and those entities came, in addition to
Photo MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
Associate Professor Katelyn Andersen works part-time Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent for the community and part-time Well-being and Workplace Environment Facilitator for Rocky Mountain Laboratories. She will receive the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Unsung Hero award.
school counselors and therapists, I realized our community doesn’t feel prepare and this is something we need,” Andersen said. “It was just a one-hour meeting at the library but if I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have shown up to the mental awareness conversation.” Andersen said the mental illness initiative last year was a surprise. “That has evolved beyond the speaker series that Rocky Mountain Lab provided to the community through community discussions focusing on mental health and mental illness in our community,” Andersen said. There are programs that come from Extension all the time but developing a program specific to the needs of the community is Andersen’s specialty, “How I determine programs is I listen to the needs of the commu-
nities and I’m willing to say yes, let’s make it happen,” Andersen said. “Let’s dream of what could be instead of what is.” Andersen works half time Family and Consumer Sciences for the community and half time at Rocky Mountain Lab, all through the Ravalli County Extension Office. RCEO also has full-time agent Patrick Mangan, Agricultural and Natural Resources, and will soon have a second full-time Extension Agent with 4-H responsibilities. Jennifer Murillo is the three-quarter time nutrition educator and Jocelyn Snider as full-time administrative assistant. “You don’t know where yes will take you but you need to keep saying yes,” Andersen said. She is perfect for the Unsung Hero Award in the Bitterroot Valley.
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