Yellowstone Valley Woman

COMPLIMENTARY

BILLINGS’ MOST READ MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

Stefani icswa H CHANCELLOR

22

NAVIGATING LIFE ON HER OWN TERMS

10 SPORTSWOMEN WITH SKILLS 46 CELEBRATING THE COLORS OF FALL 86 MENTORING WOMEN

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Kris Barthuly 406.855.1252

Victoria Brauer-Konitz 406.855.2856

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MEET the STAFF PUBLISHER & EDITOR JULIE KOERBER julie@yellowstonevalleywoman.com COPY EDITOR ED KEMMICK SPECIAL SECTION EDITOR LAURA BAILEY

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Letter

FROM THE

Editor

AS I SIT HERE, my eyes are

issue) are brave with their lives.

bubbling up with tears as I think about how drastically different my life will look in a few days. My dining room table is full of bags filled with extension cords, a desk lamp, throw pillows, bedding and towels to spruce up a college dorm room. In a matter of days, my husband and I will jump in a car filled to the brim with all these things plus my daughter and we’ll come home in an empty vehicle.

I know that many of you are in the same spot in life. And while you might not soon be empty-nesters, some of you feel stretched when a new school year comes along and suddenly puts structure into your otherwise relaxed summer days.

Some feel this way after walking into retirement or starting a new job. You miss the lives around you that create energy in yours.

As I put the finishing touches on this issue and reflect on the amazing women we are featuring, I quickly see that there is plenty of inspiration for those of us who aren’t really comfortable mixing things up. We can rip a page from their stories to help us move ours along.

We have the enterprising woman who despite her secure day job, decided to launch a new business that is filling an exciting niche in Billings with the art of axe throwing. She took a risk and enriched her life. Our cover woman is the first in her family to graduate from college. Not only does she have advanced degrees, she now oversees Montana State University Billings. You can see how she followed a dream and went far beyond it.

And we have a woman who decided not to let the pandemic sideline her love of performance. Instead, she created her own stage. All three of these women (and many others inside this

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Still not following me? Think of it this way. Is your life like a bowl of chicken noodle soup?

Is it tasty yet predictable?

What would happen if you added some fresh vegetables?

A splash of lemon? Maybe some fresh herbs? Well, you end up taking something basic and dare I say, boring, and you create something zingy, flavorful and maybe even surprising. You take it beyond basic. You give it spice. You make it bolder.

So, how do we do this in our lives? Bear with me folks, this pep talk is for me as much as it is for you.

I recently found the answer in Brené Brown’s book “Rising Strong.” In the book, she dares us to stop being observers and start being active players in our lives. She says, “I want to be in the arena. I want to be brave with my life. And when we make the choice to dare greatly, we sign up to get our asses kicked. We can choose courage, or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both.

Not at the same time.” Basically, you can’t always sit comfortably on the sidelines.

If you are like me right now, wondering what life might “taste” like in the weeks and months to come, let’s promise each other to try something new. Let’s be a little bolder. Let’s realize that life changes and while it’s OK to not fully embrace that change, we can’t get stuck. Let’s make a new connection, let’s be brave. And if your “chicken noodle soup” is just basic, try to add a little more spice.

Enjoy this issue!

Julie

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TIERED CUTLERY DRAWER

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 On the Cover 22

CHANCELLOR STEFANI HICSWA

Navigating life on her own terms, inspiring others in the process

Features 10

MENTORING WOMEN

16

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS IN RURAL MT

30

WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN

40

EYE ON THE TARGET

46

SPORTSWOMEN WITH SKILLS

54

A LOOK INSIDE SAGEBORN

58

DECOMMISSIONED

62

FIGHTING INFLAMMATION?

64

GOODBYE DRY EYE

70

RUSSELL ROWLAND

72

SECONDE PASTA COMPANY

76

LIFE'S STILL PEACHY

New program hopes to raise up female leaders

Twylla Kirchen is working to bridge the severe gap in occupational therapy care Meet the group where philanthropy, education and friendship come together

22

Becky Richardson defines the vision behind a successful axe throwing enterprise

Meet three women making names for themselves

Billings Native creates skin care line that balances beauty with Nature

Megan Karls picks a stark backdrop for beautiful music Why what you eat might play a part New therapy helps bring back moisture and comfort

58

Writing about Montana with a keen eye & a dry wit Lisa Rembold is bringing fresh pasta to Montana’s Trailhead Kyndall Hinkle’s college enterprise is still thriving

YVW Home

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MENTORING

Women

NEW PROGRAM HOPES TO RAISE UP FEMALE LEADERS written by JULIE KOERBER photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

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I WANTED TO OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FEMALE LEADERS TO EXPLORE NEW THINGS, TRY THINGS THEY HAVEN’T BEFORE IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE SPACE WITH THEIR PEERS. — Jennifer Reiser

PICTURED OPPOSITE PAGE L TO R: MICHELLE QUALLS, BECKY BEY & ERICA KIMBLE

ON A THURSDAY AFTERNOON,

the Yellowstone Cellars winery is buzzing. Women fill nearly every table in the tasting room, holding up glasses before swirling, sniffing, sipping and savoring the varieties of red and white wine. They taste the tobacco flavors in one and the notes of cherry in another.

Developing wine tasting skills might be at the heart of this chat, but something much deeper bubbles to the surface.

The roughly 30 women in the room are a part of the Billings Chamber of Commerce’s new women’s leadership group known as Encore, which stands for encouragement, networking, consulting, opportunities, resources and empowerment. Each woman in attendance either owns a business, manages a team or a oversees program.

“It’s meant to be special. To me, this is a special group of people and they deserve this,” says Jennifer Reiser, the Chamber’s director of operations. She’s the mastermind behind the sessions and is writing each one as she goes based on the women’s feedback. “They put their hearts and souls into everything they do and so if we can provide an opportunity to encourage, refresh and renew, how great is that?”

Before the group was formed, the Chamber surveyed its members, asking what kind of growth opportunities they wanted.

“Highlighting and raising leadership in women was the number one by a long shot,” Jennifer says. “We really didn’t have anything that raises up and empowers women leaders and offers that mentorship opportunity.”

“What we wanted was a group that was not just about networking, not about your business awareness, but really empowering and supporting women leaders in a way that wasn’t judgmental,

JENNIFER REIS

ER

so that people felt like they could be vulnerable, honest and transparent about the challenges of being a woman — a lot of us — in a man’s world,” says Becky Bey, a government relations specialist who sat on the program’s steering committee and is now a member.

The program began in January of 2020 but after just a few months in operation with 35 women in play, Covid forced the program to take on a different look, with Zoom meetings instead of in-person events. Thankfully, 2021 provided a reboot, allowing a new cohort of women to meet face to face, share stories, find commonalities and grow together.

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Michelle Qualls manages Tallman Dermatology & Medical Spa and has for over a decade. During the pandemic, she says, her professional life continued, even though it looked a bit different, but something was missing in her day-to-day life.

manager of the Hilton Garden Inn, but she takes this time to visit with those in banking, consulting, insurance, media and nonprofit work, knowing that each woman she chats with brings a different professional perspective to the table.

“Coming in, I have so “I was craving much I have learned interaction with from other people, I KNOW IF WE MAKE A people because we finding out my past LEADER BETTER, THEIR have been so socially and my experience TEAM BENEFITS, THEIR isolated,” she says, that made me who I thankful for her am, others have been COMMUNITY BENEFITS, Encore experiences. down the same road.

EVERYONE BENEFITS. “When you get back I am not the only one — Jennifer Reiser with women in this who has dealt with environment, you the things I have dealt really gain from their with,” she says. experiences and After meeting Kim grow.” She adds, “It’s a level of trust and Lewis from United Way, for instance, camaraderie that I have really grown she’s helped host events for the nonprofit to enjoy.” at her hotel. With each Encore meet-up, At a table just a stone’s throw away, Erica she sees something deeper than just Kimble is visiting with women who are in professional growth. “I am looking at a whole host of industries. She might be people who I have known in the Billings in the hospitality industry as the general community for years that I am building

friendships with that weren’t there before,” Erica says. “They are people that I can rely on and lean on. I think we are going to have lifelong friendships through this.”

The 2021 program launched in January.

Since then, this group has not only sipped wine together, they’ve been axe throwing, took a historical walk around Billings, shared in a high-energy dance exercise class, and also delved into serious topics like diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

“I wanted to offer opportunities for female leaders to explore new things, try things they haven’t before in a safe and comfortable space with their peers,” says Jennifer. “Maybe you haven’t been canoeing since you were 10 and it scared the crap out of you, but with a group of supportive people, perhaps you would try it again?” She says the program succeeds when women agree to get out of their comfort zones. “What do you want to learn about, just what you already know? Or do you want to push yourself a little bit?”

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November, both Becky and Jennifer are looking forward to the incoming class with new experiences, new mentorship opportunities and new ways to empower and lift up women.

“I know if we make a leader better, their team benefits, their community benefits, everyone benefits,” Jennifer says.

“I think there is real power in groups of women,” Becky says, adding that you are never too old to learn and grow from someone else. “When you stop growing, you die.” ✻

ENCORE

Women’s Leadership Network HOW TO APPLY FOR THE 2022 SEASON Encore is a women’s leadership group that meets over 11 months from January through November. Sessions are typically held the fourth Thursday of each month from 2 to 6 p.m. The ideal candidate is willing to leave her comfort zone with the intent to learn more and help others tackle challenges in the workplace and life.

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Rural Montana2 BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS IN

TWYLLA KIRCHEN IS WORKING TO BRIDGE THE SEVERE GAP IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY CARE written by SUE OLP photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

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TWYLLA KIRCHEN

has enjoyed an opportunity few academics get — the chance to design an entire program.

Kirchen, 55, is the founding director of the occupational therapy doctorate program at Rocky Mountain College in Billings. The degree is the first doctorate offered by the private Billings college.

It is also something Kirchen is proud to bring to her native state, because Montana has long been burdened by an acute shortage of occupational therapists.

The three-year program, which occupies the entire third floor of the Dr. Charles Morledge Science Building, will graduate its first cohort of 30 students in November, and one-third of them already have job offers.

In August, the program received full seven-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

“That’s the most you can get for a new program,” Kirchen says.

THE THREE-YEAR

PROGRAM WILL

GRADUATE 30 STUDENTS IN NOVEMBER, AND 1/3 OF THEM ALREADY HAVE JOB OFFERS.

Her work, though a labor of love, has been both challenging and time-consuming.

“It has been four-plus years of working seven days a week,” says Kirchen, who is also an associate professor.

But she knows the value of occupational therapy in the lives of people healing from illness or injury or born with medical issues. For more than 20 years, Kirchen, who earned a Ph.D. from Texas Women’s University in 2013, has worked in schools, skilled nursing facilities and, most recently, in adolescent behavioral health settings.

“OT breathes life back into people who have lost hope,” she says.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

17

OT BREATHES LIFE BACK INTO PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST HOPE. — Twylla Kirchen

“It finds unique and creative ways to get people back to living in the most independent and healthiest ways possible.”

Occupational therapists interact with clients at all stages of life, from newborn infants in a neonatal intensive care unit to elderly adults in hospice care. OTs work in schools and clinics, hospitals and community-based programs.

There just aren’t enough of them in Montana, Kirchen says.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2020 the state had about 360 occupational therapists, ranking among the lowest in the United States. A Bureau of Labor map of Montana also revealed a large swath with no OTs, particularly in the eastern half of the state.

“Montana has so many places that have need of occupational therapists but people can’t find them,” Kirchen says. “We want to grow our own and send them to rural areas and support them so they’ll stay.”

She previously served as program director of the occupational therapy master’s degree program at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. After four years in the post and many years of living out of state, the Montana native decided to return home.

Kirchen, who served in the Army for 10 years, both in the National Guard and as active military, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Nevada-Reno in 1991 and completed work on a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2001.

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In 2013, Kirchen earned her Ph.D. in occupational therapy. She spent about 13 years in school-based settings, including a stint as the lead occupational therapist in Fayetteville, North Carolina, supervising 86 schools and working directly with students.

By 2017, Kirchen, who grew up in Miles City, wanted to live closer to her parents, Dave and Pat Thomas, who now reside in Billings. In the summer of 2017, she was mulling over her options.

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One night, Kirchen, a woman of faith, said a prayer and went to bed.

When she woke up, “the first thing that popped into my mind was to send an email to Rocky Mountain College.”

Kirchen followed the nudge, and within two hours, she got a response asking if she’d put together a proposal for a graduatelevel occupational therapy degree. She agreed, and later that year, Kirchen made a presentation to the college’s Board of Trustees.

“Partway through, they were all for it,” she says, sitting in a third-floor conference room across from her office. “And it just all came together. I think this program was meant to be.”

Kirchen was familiar with the private Billings college, having attended Rocky for a couple of years in the 1980s to study psychology. What she didn’t know was that the college, in the midst of building a new science building, was looking to add a second clinical program, hoping to duplicate the success it had with its physician assistant master’s degree.

While still working at James Madison University, Kirchen submitted a letter of intent to ACOTE and began developing the Rocky program at night and on weekends.

That included finding 90 potential fieldwork placements for students, and writing the curriculum, mission statement and strategic plan, hiring plan and course descriptions.

“The program was written to meet the unique needs of Montana,” Kirchen says.

“The focus is community-based, rural

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health and mental health.”

often with a community-based focus, in their third year.

Though people tend to associate occupational therapy with physical health, she points out that people are a combination of body, mind and spirit and “you have to address all those aspects holistically to help the person be the best version of themselves.”

One student, Kendra Joyce, created Cutting Fences, an organization that will advocate for and unite farmers and ranchers who are injured. That’s important in a rural state like Montana where agricultural plays such a big part in the economy.

On top of that, Montana is one seven states in the country where occupational therapists are considered qualified mental health providers, but there are very few OTs focusing on that aspect of care, Kirchen says.

Her emphasis when creating the OT program was making it hands-on. That’s why she incorporated design elements including a mock home environment lab, which includes a fully functioning kitchen, a bedroom, wheelchairs and adaptive equipment, where students can learn by doing.

Kirchen moved to Billings in May 2018 with her son, now 24, and daughter, 20, both college students. They help Kirchen care for her parents.

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, STUDENTS INTERACT WITH PEOPLE WHO PLAY PATIENTS. THE HANDSON COMPONENT CONTINUES FROM THE BEGINNING ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE PROGRAM. — Twylla Kirchen

“From the very beginning, students, interact with people who play patients,” Kirchen says. “They take vitals, explain what occupational therapy is and do pain assessments.

The hands-on component continues from the beginning all the way through the program.”

The doctorate includes a research requirement, as well as fieldwork rotations. What makes it different from a master’s degree OT is that students complete a capstone project, most

In August 2018, the OT program was granted candidacy status by ACOTE, which permitted Rocky to start enrolling students for a January 2019 start date and recruit faculty. Kirchen’s first hire was Kaylin Briggs.

“She and I met in Texas when we were getting our Ph.D.s at Texas Women’s University,” Kirchen says. “We said we would come back to Montana someday and start an OT program.”

Now that dream is a reality, and Kirchen couldn’t be happier.

“I’m a fifth-generation Montanan,” she says. “It’s nice to do something like this when so many generations of my family have been here. It feels like a gift to the state.” ✻

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Chancellor

STEFANI HICSWA

NAVIGATING LIFE ON HER OWN TERMS, INSPIRING OTHERS IN THE PROCESS written by LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN & COURTESY MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BILLINGS

STEFANI HICSWA, PH.D.,

has no time for pretenses and little patience for perfection. Rather, the new chancellor at MSU Billings is driven to make her time count – for her staff, her students and her family.

The chancellor books her calendar six weeks out and packs her hours with whatever will take her another step toward creating rewarding lives for everyone in her orbit. She places particular emphasis on the word creating. For her, that translates into purposefully setting boundaries and honing priorities.

As she describes the path that took her from high school in Dillon to university chancellor in Billings, she stresses “authenticity” and “intention” – two creeds that have served her well both personally and professionally.

“This job is too fast-paced to be somebody I’m not,” she says. “I have never worried about climbing a career ladder or been focused on breaking the glass ceiling. My goal is to help students be successful, whatever that takes.”

visioning and raised student retention rates to among the top in the nation. Now, at MSU Billings, she strives for similar success.

“We’ve been talking a lot about our ‘true north’ here,” she says.

“Student success – I really want to focus on that at MSUB. The other piece is to let people know what a gem this place is. The caliber of the faculty and staff here is amazing.”

Despite her busy schedule, Dr. Hicswa — she prefers to be known simply as Stefani — is approachable and down-to-earth. She introduces herself with a vibrant smile and a firm handshake.

She is committed to her position but she is just as committed to her husband, a consulting forester, and her two teenage I REALLY WANT sons.

STUDENT SUCCESS – TO FOCUS ON THAT AT MSUB. THE OTHER PIECE IS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT A GEM THIS PLACE IS. THE CALIBER OF THE FACULTY AND STAFF HERE IS AMAZING.

“My family is not just important to me, but they’re integral to what I do at all times,” she says. “I make no excuses. My kids are part of who I am.”

Early in her career, Stefani and her husband decided that he would take charge of the kids’ daily schedules while she attended to official duties. But she refused to compromise on certain priorities. Until the boys reached their teens, she cooked them a hot breakfast every morning, made every effort to join them for dinner and always made it home in time to read to them before bed. In between, she made a point to attend school activities and, when that was impossible, participated virtually.

— Stefani Hicswa, MSUB Chancellor

Stefani has created a life that she relishes – a life that intertwines family and career. She was the first in her family to earn a college degree (her mother has since gone on to earn her own B.A.) and took her current position in January as the first woman chancellor in the 94-year history of MSU Billings.

Her chosen pathway has also reaped rewards for the institutions over which she has presided – from president of Miles Community College (2006-2013) to president of Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming (2013-2020). At both institutions she guided capital projects, led the campus and communities through strategic

Today, she decompresses by trading in her “chancellor role” to become a “weekend warrior,” joining her family on high-octane mountain bike, snowboarding, or white-water rafting adventures.

“I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie,” she says with a smile. “By focusing and being ‘in the moment,’ my mind is not spinning on SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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university issues. When I play, I play as hard as I work.”

There’s no question Stefani works hard. Her day typically begins at 4 a.m., when she curls up on her couch with phone in hand to check her email and social media feeds. She doesn’t drink coffee but relies on her own inner energy to launch her day.

She arrives at the office early and keeps her 8 a.m. hour open for whatever might pop up unexpectedly. By 9, she faces a day jam-packed with meetings, briefings and spontaneous interactions with students. She frequently lunches with donors, community members and friends. After hours – often three to four evenings a week – she attends university and communityrelated events.

At day’s end, she re-checks social media and email, knowing that whatever she can address quickly saves her time in the morning. Lastly, she unwinds with one of the three or four books she’s been reading — maybe one of the CJ Box or Longmire series.

“I might only get through three or four pages (before nodding off),” she says, smiling again.

Unlike so many who are driven to success, the chancellor shuns perfection.

“Perfectly perfect is impossible to expect anyway,” she says.

“Give yourself grace.”

In a chapter she authored for “Gen-X Presidents Leading Community Colleges,” by Martha Ellis and Linda Garcia, Stefani explains her take on “work-life balance.” Besides prioritizing family, she takes short-cuts that save her time.

“Just because I can do something does not mean I should do it or that it is the best use of my time,” she says.

She only irons the front of her blouses because she figures the back is out of view and will just get wrinkled anyway. Her bed is often left unmade and the laundry is left unfolded. She says housekeepers are one of the best investments she’s ever made.

“Rather than spending time every weekend cleaning my house, I spend that time with my family,” she says.

In truth, Stefani blows the lid off “work-life balance.”

“Sometimes the best adventures are when you feel a little offbalance,” she says. “Sometimes you have to break the rules to lead the life you want.”

With her forthright manner and can-do attitude, Stefani exudes 24

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I’M KIND OF AN ADRENALINE JUNKIE.

BY FOCUSING AND BEING ‘IN THE MOMENT,’ MY MIND IS NOT SPINNING ON UNIVERSITY ISSUES. WHEN I PLAY, I PLAY AS HARD AS I WORK.

a spark that has propelled her into local, state and national leadership roles. She firmly — Stefani Hicswa, MSUB Chancellor believes that good leaders aren’t just born but can be nurtured, and she’s constantly on the lookout for opportunities that will allow others to shine.

“When I’m talking to young women, I ask them ‘If not you, then who?’” she says. “I try to push them to have confidence to dream dreams they didn’t even know were possible.”

Amy Sexton, a student at MSU Billings and the Montana University System’s student regent, calls the chancellor a “phenomenal mentor.”

“She has inspired and supported me to go after opportunities that previously seemed unreachable,” Amy says.

Stefani smiles when asked what she considers to be the components critical to shaping strong leaders.

“Love, care and compassion,” she says. “I really think we need to hone in on that more.”

Bossan Abdyyeva is a beneficiary of that strategy. The former

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Domestic abuse spiked 40% during 2020 and is not subsiding

YWCA is here to help Women and children who come to YWCA for shelter and services are victims of violent crime. Most live in poverty and are at high risk of becoming homeless. The number of victims who rely on YWCA’s services increases every year. Because YWCA’s existing shelter is always full it is difficult for us to keep up with the demand.

YWCA is raising funds to build a second shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault on our campus. This will increase our capacity to protect victims by 300%. More women and children will have the safety and access to the services they need to rise above poverty and violence and get on a path to a safe, sustainable future.

Domestic abuse is not a relationship issue; it is a community safety issue.

You can help by donating to the YWCA Gateway Horizons Building Fund today!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and YOU can make a difference. Donate today at ywcabillings.org/donate or 909 Wyoming Ave, Billings, MT 59101

406-252-6303 | ywcabillings.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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EVERY SINGLE STUDENT ON CAMPUS KNEW HER. SHE MADE EACH STUDENT FEEL SPECIAL, ESPECIALLY SINCE SHE KNEW STUDENTS' NAMES. — Bossan Abdyyeva

don’t think they can afford it and don’t know how the system works.”

Northwest College student had transferred to MSU-B before Stefani was named chancellor. Knowing how the chancellor maintains connections with students, despite her high position, Bossan was particularly excited at the prospect of seeing Stefani lead at MSUB. “Every single student on campus knew her,” Bossan says of her experience at Powell. “She made each student feel special, especially since she knew students' names.”

Stefani knows firsthand the power of encouragement.

“My parents always told me ‘You can do whatever you want,’” she says. As the oldest of four siblings, she alone chose the academic life. She maintained good grades and learned the rewards of serving others.

“That service piece of growing up in a small town really made a difference,” she says.

Yet, neither she nor her family knew the process involved in progressing from high school to college. Her motivation was heightened when she was discouraged from pursuing college, based on financial constraints.

“That made me angry. That’s part of what drove me,” she says.

“I don’t want anyone to feel like college is a barrier because they

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Stefani not only earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana, but went on to earn a master’s degree at Montana State University and a doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin.

The doctorate came after she attended a national leadership conference for women. Inspired by what she was exposed to at the conference, she set her intentions, at age 28, to become a college president.

“I knew I needed my doctorate and experience,” she says. “Within 10 years I was a college president.”

When she was hired as president of Miles Community College, she was mother of a 2-year-old toddler and still nursing a 2-month old.

“I did not climb a traditional career ladder, nor wait until my children were grown to pursue a presidency,” she wrote in “Gen-X Presidents Leading Community Colleges.” “Stopping out of my career to have children did not hold me back. I didn’t worry about being the perfect wife, mother or homemaker. I invested in a good partnership with my spouse and asked others for help. By setting priorities and deciding early on that I would not attempt to be all things to all people, I have navigated my life on my own terms.”

Stefani sees part of her role as chancellor at MSU Billings as instilling hope in the community. Area business leaders may not use the word “hope,” she concedes, but they talk about their

OPTIONS TO MAKE YOU FEEL AT needs and their desire to see students stay and invigorate the local economy. As a champion for the university, she also fosters philanthropy.

“I get to tell people about all the cool things we are doing at the university,” she says. “Who doesn’t want to give to scholarships?

You can make a huge difference in a student’s life.”

She’s also a committed advocate for faculty and staff. When she arrived this past January, she was bowled over by their devotion to students and their willingness to adapt during the Covid pandemic.

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“I got to see the extent to which they would go and the creative activities they engaged in to make sure they didn’t lose students through the cracks,” she says.

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“The most expensive degree is the one that’s not finished,” she says. “We have an obligation to help our students finish. They need to complete to compete.”

As Stefani navigated her way through her own career, her research on student retention has proven especially relevant. She relied on data to identify certain gaps and then set about addressing those gaps. When students failed to show up for class, a simple phone call made a difference. When students were presented with high

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will walk across the stage at graduation to shake her hand. That commitment made a huge difference for one former Northwest College student, who stated that fact in his graduation speech.

“He said, ‘When I made that promise, then and there I set that goal. I wouldn’t be standing here without that goal,’” she recounts.

At MSUB, Stefani has set a goal for the campus, the community and herself: to involve all parties in a shared strategic visioning process that will shape the university’s future with student success in mind. The strategic visioning process is best when it reflects multiple viewpoints, including those that conflict. Stefani is adamant that the vision be broad.

“Who am I to have ‘My Vision’?” she asks. “We create a shared vision about what we can do collectively.” expectations, they raised their own.

More surprising, research showed that students taking refresher courses were more successful if they attended college courses simultaneously.

“It shrinks that time for earning a degree,” she says.

“They can totally handle it. It’s about trusting them and pushing them.”

She’s also been known to press freshmen to promise that one day they

Katlyn Gillen, a 2020 MSUB graduate and now on staff at the university, will no doubt participate.

She considers Chancellor Hicswa as a perfect fit for the university at this time.

“The chancellor is lively, compassionate, sedulous and supportive,” she says. “She has reached out to me on many occasions to congratulate, sympathize, and/or check in. I don’t think words can describe how spectacular she is.”

With students returning to campus and Stefani gearing up for her first full year at MSU Billings, she voices excitement at the prospect of changes

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to come in higher education.

“Covid has changed the world and we have already had a head start,” she says, noting that MSU Billings has long been the leader in online learning in Montana. “We’ve been on that cutting edge. We are primed for the future.” ✻ LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA, writer A long-time resident of the Columbus area, Linda HalsteadAcharya enjoys spending time and learning from her rural neighbors. She has a degree in wildlife biology but for the past 25 years has pursued a career sharing other people's stories in print. She loves riding, writing and traveling.

CHANCELLOR Stefani Hicswa

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THE AGE AT WHICH SHE FIRST BECAME A COLLEGE PRESIDENT, AT MILES COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

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THESE FLOWERS HAVE A LOT OF FIGHT The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is full of flowers, each carried by someone committed to ending this disease. Because like flowers, our participants don’t stop when something’s in their way. They keep raising funds and awareness for a breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. It’s time to add your flower to the fight.

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W MEN EMPOWERING W MEN MEET THE GROUP WHERE PHILANTHROPY, EDUCATION AND FRIENDSHIP COME TOGETHER written by LAURA BAILEY photography by LOVELY HITCHCOCK

WHEN MARIE MCHATTON moved to Billings 20 years ago, she struggled to find friends. Work kept her busy, and she had plenty of acquaintances, but she longed for the close-knit friendships she left behind in Colorado.

“I was so unhappy here because I didn’t have any girlfriends,” Marie says.

A chance meeting at an airport turned everything around. One of Marie’s friends from Colorado came to Billings for a visit, and on the plane, she happened to sit next to Susan Shald, a Billings woman who is active in P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization for women.

She got off the plane and said to Marie, “You’ve got to meet Susan!”

Susan invited Marie to a P.E.O. chapter meeting in Billings, and it was through P.E.O. that Marie quickly found the friends she’d been longing for, including Susan.

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As Marie quickly discovered, P.E.O. is not just a social network, it’s an international organization dedicated to supporting women through education. P.E.O., which simply stands for Philanthropic Education Organization, provides scholarships, grants, loans and awards for women pursuing higher education. Financial support for the organization comes from local chapters throughout North America who host a variety of fundraisers.

In August, Marie opened her backyard to her P.E.O. chapter for bunco, a lively, no-experience-needed dice game. Each participant donated $20 to P.E.O. to play. There were prizes, and lots of fun and camaraderie.

As Marie and Susan put it, their chapter likes to put the “fun” in fundraising. However, the work that P.E.O. does is serious.

Worldwide, P.E.O. has given over $383 million in financial assistance to more than 116,000 women to pursue their educational goals. An additional 6,500-plus women have received P.E.O. International Peace Scholarships totaling almost $230 million, and P.E.O. has provided more than 51,000 women with

more than $65 million in grants. In addition, the group owns and supports Cottey College, a women’s liberal arts and sciences college in Nevada, Missouri.

Many Montana women, including several from the Billings area, have been the recipients of P.E.O scholarships and/or have attended Cottey College.

“It’s not known well enough that we have all this money for education,” Susan says.

P.E.O. is not just a social network, it’s an international organization dedicated to supporting women through education.

PHILANTHROPIC EDUCATION ORGANIZATION Providing scholarships, grants, loans and awards for women pursuing higher education.

P.E.O. was started by seven women in Iowa in 1869. In those days the suffrage movement was starting to gain traction, but women wouldn’t have the right to vote until 1920. Higher education was available, but young women did not have the same opportunities for education as men.

P.E.O. was started to help level the playing field and provide women with funding for improved educational opportunities.

P.E.O. has always been a grassroots organization that has grown through networking. Susan, who is recently retired, is president of her P.E.O.

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"YOU HAVE THIS RELATIONSHIP AND FRIENDS ALL OVER THE WORLD. WHEREVER YOU GO, YOU HAVE SUPPORT." — Susan Shald

chapter, which is one of 13 chapters in Billings. There are about 30 chapters in Montana, and more than 6,000 in the United States and Canada. P.E.O. members – half a million strong – all share a desire to see women supported and uplifted.

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Susan was involved with a chapter in Nebraska before moving to Billings, and after her arrival here, it wasn’t long before someone in the Billings chapter reached out to her and invited her to a meeting. Through P.E.O., she quickly made friends in her new city and developed a social network that she still has more than 20 years later.

“You have this relationship and friends all over the world,” Susan says. “Wherever you go you have support.”

One of Marie and Susan’s favorite P.E.O. projects is putting together care packages for Montana students at Cottey College.

Billings chapters are provided with a list of students’ names and important dates including birthdays, holidays, when finals weeks are scheduled. Besides assembling snacks and other

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“Anytime you fill somebody’s bucket yours gets filled. That’s why we get together,” Susan says.

P.E.O. chapters are diverse and are made up of women from all walks of life and all stages in life. In Susan and Marie’s chapter there are young mothers, career professionals, retirees and empty-nesters. Some have children, others do not. Some are married, some not. There are no restrictions or requirements for membership.

“We’re there to watch each other grow,” Marie says. “It’s women empowering women.” ✻

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WITH WORK FROM HOME and part-time office days still in many people’s schedules, business casual attire is now making an appearance on more than just Fridays. The ever-popular pencil skirt and stiff dress pants are moving over and denim is moving in. While we always need to consider our audience before slipping on a pair of jeans, it’s the easiest piece to add for a more relaxed look. Simply structure your attire as you would if you were business professional top to bottom, replacing one item with a more casual article of clothing — in our case, jeans! ✻

FASHION 34

DENIM IS TAKING CENTER STAGE AT THE OFFICE

YVW MAGAZINE

VICKI-LYNN TERPSTRA, writer With nearly a decade long career in retail, VickiLynn has cultivated a true passion for fashion.

Even though her day job involves event planning and social media for the largest insurance agency in the Northwest, she uses her style and industry know-how to help keep women in the Yellowstone Valley looking their best.

Broad rs e d l u o h S

Remember those structured shoulder pads that accompanied pretty much every look in the 80s? Well, they are back. This time, however, they’re more relaxed and are proving to be a perfect look for casual workwear.

When presented in a classic shade like this creamy neutral, not only is the look timeless, but it is also the perfect transitional outfit as we move into fall. Accessorizing with the color of the season like this rich merlot bag will help polish the look even more.

GET THE LOOK: ASTR sleeveless muscle turtleneck, $68; Levi ribcage straight ankle jeans, $108; Jules Kae purse, $95; Dolce Vita braided heel, $120. All can be found at Something Chic.

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Bolder er Blaz

Taking things up a notch means ditching the standard black blazer and replacing it with something that screams tailored fashion. Bright colors in a structured silhouette look both professional and fashion forward. Keep accessories simple and let the jacket speak volumes.

Details like the zipper up the seam of the leg adds subtle interest. Denim and white boots are one of the most on trend looks of 2021. These white boots, however, are the perfect partner to skirts and sweaters as well for those meetings that call for a more professional look.

GET THE LOOK: Joseph Ribkoff zip front marigold jacket, $235; Liverpool Sadie crop straight jean, $109; Julio Design necklaces, $49 & $55. All from Neecee’s. Gianni Bini Tovyy bootie, $99 from Dillard’s.

ted

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Inevitably, as the weather shifts to cooler days, our instinct is to reach for that sweater. You can still choose a professional look for sweater weather, just give it a more sophisticated feel by adding a classy scarf. Picking pieces from our foundation wardrobe like soft stretchy denim and a cozy black sweater are easy. Elevate the look with a structured camel jacket and this style easily weaves itself into your workday.

GET THE LOOK: 42 Gold Rue black mule, $119; Tribal camel jacket, $179; AG Prima cropped jeans, $235; Raffi black sweater, $126; scarf, $29. All can be found at Cricket Clothing Co. 36

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Doubelneim D

The possibilities are endless when mixing denim. This simple look gives you a perfect opportunity to make accessories pop. Wearing head turning booties like these studded stilettos takes the casual denim up a notch. Denim on denim can take different forms but for the office picking darker denim with a button up chambray blouse gives this a professional edge. When layering denim in the office, pick jeans without holes and keep the shoes sharp, avoiding overly casual sandals and sneakers.

GET THE LOOK: Calvin Klein indigo button up top, $69; Jen7 by 7 for All Mankind Bayvie ankle straight jean, $99; Fossil Ryder Satchel, $248; Anna & Ava earrings, $25; Steve Madden Virtuous bootie, $149.99. All from Dillard’s.

Figure g Flatterin

Anchoring an outfit is easy with dark denim. The darker the shade of the denim, the more comfortable people are transitioning this style into their workplace wardrobe. Fitted skinny jeans look sleek and clean. A button down or a V-neck blouse are a perfect business partner for denim every day. This classic top is flattering, chic and versatile.

GET THE LOOK: Sam Edelman Daniella block heel sandal, $119; Jenna link necklace, $78; Catherine Gee Daria cheetah blouse, $258; Hudson Enchanter jeans, $198. All can be found at RocHouse.

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BECKY RICHARDSON DEFINES THE VISION BEHIND A SUCCESSFUL AXE THROWING ENTERPRISE written by CYDNEY HOEFLE photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN 40

YVW MAGAZINE

ENERGIZING MUSIC PULSES

through the open building. Groups of people laugh as they tease and encourage each other. Visitors range from guys with their girlfriends to groups of women to families. Near the front entrance, a young boy and his mother listen attentively to the safety instructions as they anxiously await their turn.

“This is what it’s all about!” Becky Richardson says with a smile.

“That little guy will remember this forever.”

Standing inside her family’s business, Ox Indoor Axe Throwing, Becky shares a little bit about how this unique business became a reality.

“It’s really about chasing your dream,” she says. “The only way to predict the future is to come up with a vision and start working toward it.”

of Coralville, Iowa, and took a job riding along as an assistant with an ambulance service. She is a petite woman, and when two people died in a car accident, she was the only one on the crew small enough to climb into the crushed car to rescue the two surviving children.

“It was a catalyst for me,” she says. “I had only been with them for two weeks when the accident happened. It stayed with me for a long time. I decided quickly that the medical field was not for me.”

She left Iowa on a soul-searching adventure. It was 1987 and she was barely 18 when she packed her ’72 Datsun and headed west.

IT’S REALLY ABOUT CHASING YOUR DREAM. THE ONLY WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO COME UP WITH A VISION AND START WORKING TOWARD IT. — Becky Richardson

An energetic woman, Becky has spent her lifetime going against the grain. As you listen to her history, you see how an axe throwing business isn’t really out of character for Becky.

As a 17-year-old, she convinced her father to sign papers allowing her to enroll in the Army Reserve to train as a medic. She was the youngest in her class and one of only a handful of women.

“I thought I wanted to be in the medical field,” Becky says. “The Army Reserve was a good fit for me. It challenged me athletically and academically.”

After she completed training, Becky returned to her hometown

“Dad hugged me and told me to check the oil. Always check the oil,” she says with a laugh.

Becky’s pilgrimage brought her to Yellowstone National Park and the beginning of her life in Montana.

“I drove through the northeast corner of the park and loved it,” she says. “I had no plans, but when I came to Gardiner, there was a sign for employment at the park headquarters.” Becky signed on for the season as a security guard at Old Faithful.

“My experience in the Army Reserves cinched that one for me,” she says. “When I wasn’t patrolling the stores looking for shoplifters or keeping people away from the wildlife, I was hiking, canoeing, exploring and falling in love with the outdoors.”

When the fall rolled around, she ventured off to Big Sky, where she spent the winter working at the ski hill, followed by a summer

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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WE’VE CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY. IT’S A STRESS RELEASER AND A REAL POSITIVE PLACE TO BE. — Becky Richardson

working at the golf course.

“After being a ski bum and working on the golf course, it was time to get serious about my future,” she says. “I needed to get my education.”

Becky pursued an elementary education degree at Montana State University and felt she’d found her niche. Even so, the summer of her freshman year had another crazy adventure in her life.

“I worked in the Rocky Mountain National Park hacking for peregrine falcons,” she said. Further explanation revealed that Becky spent the summer near Estes Park, Colorado, where she would hike into a remote area five miles from the trailhead and camp out in a tent while she tended baby falcons. She was in charge of six of them.

“All of my falcons survived,” she says proudly. “It was an interesting summer. I learned to enjoy my solitude. That was back in the day when there were no cell phones, I didn’t have a firearm for protection, and I slept in a tent. But I never felt afraid, ever. It deepened my love for the outdoors.”

Over the next several years, Becky finished her education, married, moved to Billings and began her family. It was a time when it was difficult to get a teaching job with School District 2, and a position failed to open up. Needing work, Becky turned to her other gift, computer technology.

“My dad was a college professor and also built computers for a living,” she says, “So my sister and I both learned the technical side of computers from the best teacher very early in our lives.”

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Becky began a career in information technology and worked for a number of local businesses. She even taught computer science at MSU Billings as a system network adviser and instructor. Eleven years ago, she settled in at First Interstate Bank, where she’s a support manager in the IT department. It’s there she met her husband, Mark Coxwell.

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“Mark came into my life at a difficult time and was an incredible friend,” she says.

“We have enjoyed so much together. He’s the most non-judgmental, compassionate person I have ever met.”

It was on one of their adventures to Denver that the couple was first introduced to axe throwing.

“My twin sister travels a lot and a few years ago she started frequenting axe-throwing bars. She kept telling me that I needed to visit one. Even before Mark and I checked it out, I was thinking it might be a good business to have in Billings. We visited a couple of them in Denver and I was hooked from the first time. Mark loved it too.”

She started planning immediately. Mark and son, Nick Richardson, both caught her vision, and soon the three of them, along

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with Nick’s fiancé, Sara Guralnick, were off and running. Today they own the first and only indoor axe throwing venue in Billings.

When they opened in July of 2019, they were located at 1711 Sixth Ave. N. The success was immediate.

“There’s something therapeutic about axe throwing,” Becky says.

“Once you get the hang of it, it really builds your confidence to throw the axe at the target and have it stick.”

But just as the business started rolling, Covid hit, which stopped it in its tracks.

“It was hard,” Becky says. “We weren’t sure we would weather it or not. On top of that, our landlord changed the terms of our lease, so we needed to start looking somewhere else.”

The timing actually proved to be good for Becky and her team.

They found the perfect location inside the former Billings Gymnastics building at 119 Rhea Lane. The shutdown gave them time to build out their new location.

“We’re all about reusing materials if we can,” Becky says. “We took all the lanes out of our old location and rebuilt them here and added twice as many.”

Becky credits Nick for the design and building of the lanes. Using refurbished pallets as the lower wall, each lane is attractively lined with the planks. Above the planked wall sits heavy wire meshed panels. They cover roughly two thirds of the wall that separates

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each set of lanes but still allow throwers and spectators to watch the action. Tables throughout encourage patrons to bring their own food and beverages.

“We’ve created an environment where people are happy,” Becky says. “It’s a stress releaser and a real positive place to be.”

On any given night, you might catch the competition behind an axe throwing league. A business might bring in its employees for a team-building event. Or, a family might stop by to have fun and bond.

“Axe throwing is an equalizer,” Becky says and adds, it’s fun to see women do as well as or better than the guys.”

With just as many women as men involved in the business, Becky has dubbed the gals that work at the business the Ladies of Ox. They’ll help with the safety talks and demonstrate the art of throwing to newcomers.

“We can all throw just as well as the guys,” Becky says with a laugh. “It’s truly a fun sport for any age.”

Plans for the future include more tournaments, league nights and eventually knife throwing.

“Everything I’ve done in my life has contributed to character building,” Becky says. “And this is the path my life has taken.” ✻

TRY YOUR HAND AT

AXE THROWING

Learn the sport, see who has the best aim, let go of a little stress. To learn more about Ox Indoor Axe Throwing, visit oxthrowingsports.com to reserve a lane or check their hours.

CYDNEY HOEFLE, writer A fourth generation Montanan, Cydney was raised on a ranch on the banks of the Yellowstone River where an appreciation of the outdoors was fostered. She and her husband raised three children in Billings and are now the proud grandparents of three. The best part of any of her days is time spent with Jesus, family, friends, a good book or capturing someone’s story in words.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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Skills

SPORTSWOMEN SPORTSWOMEN WITH

MEET THREE WOMEN MAKING NAMES FOR THEMSELVES

TO THE CASUAL OBSERVER,

the world of fly fishing, skeet shooting and hunting may look like a totally male-dominated dose of adventure. Dig a little deeper, however, and you'll find women making their mark in these outdoor sports. From a state champion skeet shooter to a woman who will represent the nation fly fishing to a hunter who now holds an impressive big game record, the Yellowstone Valley has its share of female-powered athletes. ✻

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Casting FOR COMPETITIONS RED LODGE WOMAN JOINS THE U.S. FLY FISHING TEAM written by LAURA BAILEY photography courtesy of LINDSAY SZOFRAN

WHEN LINDSAY SZOFRAN wades out into the stream with her fly rod, she takes a minute to think about what might be below the water’s surface. She visualizes the rocky topography, the underwater flora clinging to the rocks, the tiny emerging insects, the current moving everything, and, of course, the trout, with their noses pointed upstream, waiting for the perfect presentation of her fly.

“It’s fascinating to me to try to understand a world I can’t see,” Lindsay says. “I just want to absorb the whole experience.”

Lindsay has been fly fishing for more than 25 years. She started out working in a fly shop, and for the past several years has been a licensed fly fishing guide and has taught dozens of people to fly fish. She’s caught more fish that most people ever will, and now she’s taking her passion for the sport to the next level: competition.

She’s one of six women on the inaugural United States Women’s Fly Fishing Team, and she’s hoping her mindful approach to fishing, along with her nearly obsessive attention to all the technical details, will give her an advantage as she competes this year in regional, national and, eventually, world competitions.

These days she’s out on area rivers, lakes and creeks practicing.

It comes easy. Fly fishing is one of her favorite ways to spend her days.

“The challenging part of any competition is not the day of the

competition, it’s the journey to that competition,” Lindsay says.

“It’s staying focused, staying motivated and staying on track with training.”

Lindsay first became acquainted with competitive fly fishing in 2014, when her husband Andy competed on the men’s U.S. Fly Fishing Team circuit, qualifying for regional competitions and then, finally, the national competition in Lake Placid, New York.

Lindsay went along to all his competitions and was a streamside judge during nationals.

When the U.S. Women’s Fly Fishing Team began to take shape in 2020, competitions were suspended due to the pandemic, so team members were recruited through an application process.

Lindsay applied and was chosen along with Ashley Wilmont of State College, Pennsylvania., Carolyn Emery of Ball Ground, Georgia, Lesley Smith of San Diego, California, Tess Weigand of Coburn, Pennsylvania, and Team Captain Madoka Myers of Boulder, Colorado.

In June they held their first competition in Pennsylvania, which also offered them a chance to get to know each other.

“Fishing with other likeminded people is fun and I’ve already made lifetime friendships,” Lindasy says.

Several more competitions are planned in the coming year, and if all goes well, the women will compete in the first-ever world

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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championships in Norway next July. For now, her spot is guaranteed, but as more competitions are held, she’ll need to do well to keep her spot on the team.

“In competition, the opponent is myself,” Lindsay says. “I’m always trying to improve my skill set to be as good as I can possibly be.”

Lindsay grew up in Ballantine and, after earning a marketing degree at Montana State University, went to work at Red Lodge Mountain. She met her husband, and favorite fishing partner, Andy, in Red Lodge. Andy is an outfitter and together they own and operate Fly Fishing Only Adventures.

“He’s taught me almost everything I know about fishing,” Lindsay says.

When Lindsay is not guiding, she runs her own retail and marketing consulting business. For a few months each fall, she guides for steelhead for Speywater Lodge in Oregon. Steelhead are a species of trout that begin their lives in freshwater streams and live in the ocean and return annually to the same freshwater spawning grounds where they hatched. They’re huge fish and catching them on a flyrod requires expertise and mastery of spey casting, a dynamic, difficult technique.

“I think of everything they have survived to come back to this river and spawn,” Lindsay says. “To hold that fish for a moment is really amazing.”

Lindsay is known for being a patient and thoughtful instructor.

“When you teach someone, you give them the opportunity to have success on their own,” Lindsay says. “I love it when that lightbulb goes on and they catch that fish.”

For many of Lindsay’s guests, a trip down a Montana trout stream is a lifetime goal, and Lindsay doesn’t take that lightly. She wants them to have the best experience possible.

“We take that for granted because we live here, but people come from all over the world to fish here in Montana and specifically the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We have a rich history of well-managed resources, and because of that we’re catching more fish – and these are wild fish, and that’s a special thing,” Lindsay says.

IN COMPETITION, THE OPPONENT IS MYSELF. I’M ALWAYS TRYING TO IMPROVE MY SKILL SET TO BE AS GOOD AS I CAN POSSIBLY BE. — Lindsay Szofran

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When the fishing is slow or her guests struggle to master their cast, she reminds them that a day on the water isn’t just about catching fish, it’s about experiencing nature and being outside in a wild and wonderful place. For Lindsay, the experience of fishing is a mindfulness practice. To stand in the current, visualize what’s under the water and focus on casting out to achieve a perfect drift to catch a feeding fish, is no small thing.

“It allows you to appreciate that moment in time,” Lindsay says. “You don’t worry about the past or the future, just focus on that moment.” ✻

TAKING TAKING 16-YEAR-OLD ELIZABETH KAMMINGA IS A DECORATED SKEET, TRAP AND SPORTING CLAY ATHLETE written by LAURA BAILEY photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

BY THE TIME

the familiar ka-ching sound rings out, and a fluorescent-orange, clay “bird” flies across the landscape, Elizabeth Kamminga, 16, is telling herself, “Be patient, wait for it.”

She knows she can hit the target, but it takes focus to wait until the timing is perfect. Then, it’s a blast from her shotgun, and the bird shatters in the same instant.

“I can hit anything, but I can’t hit everything,” Elizabeth says during a recent practice session at the Blue Creek Sport Shooting Complex & Preserve south of Billings.

She’s certainly come close to hitting everything.

Through the nationally recognized Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Elizabeth is a two-time state champion shooter among young women in her age group, and she’s been to nationals twice, where she held her own among some very serious youth competitors.

To put the kind of precision it takes to master her sport, it helps to understand some of the events in which she competes.

First, there’s skeet shooting, where the shooter moves between eight stations with predictable patterns of clay targets. It takes 100 rounds to complete the eight stations, and the best score Elizabeth has achieved in competition is a 92 of 100.

“Skeet is the most mentally challenging for me,” she says. “It’s memorization and if you’re off by even an inch you’re going to mess up your shot.”

Then, there’s trap shooting, where the shooter moves between five stations and the clays are thrown randomly in any direction.

Each one is a surprise. Readiness and focus are critical.

“You can’t wait too long, or the bird will be too far out to hit,” Elizabeth says.

Trap takes four rounds of 25 shots to complete, and Elizabeth is proud of her patch she received for shooting a 25 out of 25 (a perfect round) in trap. Her best score in a trap competition is 93 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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I HAVE A LOT ON MY PLATE. IT’S ACADEMICS FIRST THEN SHOOTING. — Elizabeth Kamminga

PROGRAM LAY TARGET C IC T S E TITLE OF LA O LANDED TH H AT THE SCH T E B A Z LI SHIP, E CHAMPION PION. LADY CHAM E T TA S 2021

out of 100.

Elizabeth started in the sport when she was about 12 when her uncle – six years older than she – was shooting competitively.

He says the sport needed more girls. On the way home from a competition, he let her shoot his shotgun “It was the heaviest thing I’d ever held, and I could feel the recoil all the way through my body,” Elizabeth says.

The third event that Elizabeth competes in is called sporting clays. It’s played on 13 to 15 stations that are scattered across a course in varying natural terrain. It also requires 100 rounds and about three hours to complete. While skeet and trap are the same no matter where you go, every sporting clays course is different, and Elizabeth is always up for the challenge. Elizabeth’s personal best in sporting clays competition is 83 out of 100.

The shotgun she uses now is much lighter weight and has a women’s fit. She’s put thousands of rounds through it in practice and in competition. Holding her shotgun has become as natural as holding a pen, and the recoil is unnoticeable now.

What’s her favorite?

What gives Elizabeth a competitive advantage is her ability to calm her nerves, stay steady and focus. It’s also what Elizabeth likes about shooting. You have to be able to tune out every distraction and focus on just one thing, she says. The more relaxed she is, the better.

“Sporting clays – wait, I don’t know – skeet, probably. And trap, I’ve recently learned to love. I guess it just depends on my mood,” Elizabeth says.

Elizabeth competes in all three events but opted not to go to nationals this year so she could visit colleges. She’s entering her senior year at Billings Senior High and if she can maintain her GPA, she will graduate as a valedictorian. She’s also president of the Senior High Honors Society and treasurer of the school’s student council. And she also plays varsity soccer. Thankfully, soccer, which she plays in the fall, doesn’t interfere with shooting, which typically runs from January through May, with nationals in July.

“I have a lot on my plate,” she says. “It’s academics first then shooting.”

During the shooting season she practices at least twice a week with her team and usually once a week on her own. Her grandfather Tim Sather is her biggest cheerleader and has helped her by buying her gun and keeping her shells stocked.

“A lot of times I’ll shoot with her to help give her space and adjust her timing,” Tim says.

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“It’s a mental game now, not just getting to know the gun,” Elizabeth says.

Her coach, Nate Carpenter, says she’s definitely cool under pressure, and has become a student of the sport.

“Elizabeth is a hard worker,” Nate says. “She puts in the time, and she has the drive to get better.”

Elizabeth is not sure if she’ll continue to compete at the college level, but several of the colleges she’s looked at have shooting clubs or teams.

“I’ll continue to shoot for fun for sure, no matter where I go,” Elizabeth says.

In her estimation, that’s the best part of shooting. It’s a sport that you can participate in your whole life, and it’s one that will help you hone your focus and stay mentally strong. It’s also a great way to make friends of all ages, Elizabeth says.

“It’s fun,” she says, “and anybody can do it.” ✻

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Hunt

ON ON THE THE

TERI SCHULZE BAGS A RECORD-BREAKING BLACK BEAR IN MONTANA written by JULIE KOERBER photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN & TERI SCHULZE

ON THE MORNING of May 2, 2020, Teri Schulze and her husband, Paul, were just waking up after spending a night under the stars. The evening before, the two hiked several miles back on their property along the West Fork of the Stillwater looking for just the right spot to hunt black bear. As the sun broke over the horizon, Teri was busy stirring up a mug of spiced cider.

“I had our little tin cups by the fire and I was warming up the water when my husband looked up and said, ‘Honey, there goes your bear,’” Teri says.

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She’d spent eight years trying to find one.

“I have gotten lots of bear licenses and they are all in the drawer except for this one,” Teri says with a laugh. “You are guaranteed a tag, that’s all you are guaranteed.”

Three years ago, the couple installed game cameras on their property — a cabin built in the 1800s that Paul spent time refurbishing. One of the bears they captured on video was known for breaking off limbs and stealing apples from their more-than-

a-century-old apple trees. Little did Teri know, that was the bear that was standing several hundred yards ahead of her.

“Some of the girls are a little squeamish but a lot of the boys hunt and, of course, they have to pull out their pictures.” Teri chuckles when she thinks back to that day. “They were super-impressed.”

“Here he came through this opening just a hill away,” she says.

She’d already spent time going through the motions on where she’d stand and how she’d pursue the hunt. “You go over it so many times in your mind. When he’s right there, MY DAD WAS A BIG it’s so incredibly exciting. You have to have OUTDOORSMAN AND HE that calmness that stills over you because TAUGHT US TO RESPECT you want to make a clean shot.”

IT. JUST GETTING OUT IN As Teri perched herself on a nearby embankment with her .30-06 rifle, her husband took to higher ground, using hand signals to point her toward the bear.

NATURE, IT IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST THING ANYONE CAN DO TO FIND SOLITUDE AND REJUVENATE YOURSELF. —Teri Schulze

Now that she’s found her bear, she already has her sights set on her next big thrill.

It took eight years for Teri to land her bear.

She has no idea how long it will take to successfully hunt a mountain lion.

After Teri field dressed the animal, his weight was estimated at roughly 460 pounds.

“That’s a really big black bear in Montana. That was in the spring after he supposedly lost a percentage of his weight after hibernation,” she adds. The hunt ended up adding Teri’s name to the list of trophy black bears compiled by Boone and Crockett, an organization that oversees big game records nationwide. Teri’s bear is number 40 on the list.

Today that bear sits on the floor in Teri and Paul’s home. It took a taxidermist a year to make him into a rug. Every time Teri looks at it, a piece of her travels back to what she calls “the perfect hunt.”

“My dad was a big outdoorsman and he taught us to respect it,” she says. “Just getting out in nature, it is absolutely the best thing anyone can do to find solitude and rejuvenate yourself.”

“Mountain lion. I am going to get a lion,” Teri says.

“It was about a 400-yard shot,” Teri says with pride. “It was just so incredibly exciting. I am not going to lie. My heart was pumping, going a thousand miles an hour.”

“There’s not a single woman’s name on there other than mine,” Teri says. Paul is quick to add, “She shot the largest bear ever by a woman in Montana.” He glances at his wife and says, “It was the hunt of my life.”

Teri feels the connection, since she was in middle school when she first started hunting with her father.

“You have to be in the right place at the right time because they are even more elusive than a bear,” she says.

It’s a good thing Teri Schulze is a patient woman. ✻

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“I was really lucky to get a spring bear because they are just out of hibernation.

They weigh a little less but their coats are amazing,” she says. “My bear is just beautiful.”

Not long after the hunt, Teri shared pictures with her kids at Lewis and Clark middle school. Teri has been an English teacher for two decades. She loves to share hunting photos and stories because she hopes it helps instill a love for the outdoors with the younger generation.

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A LOOK INSIDE BILLINGS NATIVE CREATES SKIN CARE LINE THAT BALANCES BEAUTY WITH NATURE written by KATHLEEN WOODFORD photography courtesy SAGEBORN

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IF YOU WERE TO ASK

someone who creates beauty products how they were educated, they may tell of earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and joining a development team at a cosmetic company.

with her husband, Justin, and 8-year-old son, Wren. As a family, they enjoy outdoor activities like those she knew as a child. Her father, Jim Orler, was a salesman and traveled around the state selling VCRs, stereos and other audio equipment. Her mother, Dee, was also in sales and could be found stocking merchandise at the local Skaggs store.

Not so with Billings native Stephanie Bigart. She will tell you that her teachers were the Beartooth Mountains and the “Our whole family had that entrepreneurial spirit,” Stephanie valleys underneath them, where native grasses, wildflowers says. “My sister, Lisa, has had her own business in Billings for and sagebrush flourish. Her lessons didn’t stem from test tubes 22 years. It’s a woman’s boutique called RocHouse.” Her brother, filled with indecipherable ingredients. They came from studying Mark, is a lawyer based out of Boise, Idaho. the connection between the simplicity and peace of nature and our own well-being.

It was a serendipitous meeting that led her These lessons formed the genesis for her products being sold in Onyx Wellness, a skin care company, Sageborn.

“MY DEDICATION IS studio and spa in Billings. Stephanie had run IDENTIFYING THE BARE into Onyx owner Lisa Oppegaard one day “I started Sageborn because I wholeheartedly MINIMUM, HIGHESTand the two discovered their similar paths believe that nature has enough to help us in the world of health and wellness. Lisa had QUALITY ORGANIC achieve vibrant skin and celebrate the real once worked for Stephanie’s sister at her self,” she says. “My dedication is identifying INGREDIENTS THAT YIELD clothing store. She asked Lisa to be on her the bare minimum, highest-quality organic SPECIFIC SKIN CARE podcast to talk about the healing benefits of ingredients that yield specific skin care RESULTS WITHOUT THE USE her infrared saunas and halotherapy room at results without the use of chemicals.”

OF CHEMICALS. Onyx. Then, last spring, she decided to sell Her company was formed in 2014 with a —Stephanie Bigart Sageborn at Onyx Wellness with a successful line of formulas that rival the purity of the launch party in April. mountains from which they were created.

“We live such busy lives and often don’t slow Stephanie grew up exploring the outdoors down long enough to really take care of ourselves,” Lisa says. “But and it is a passion that has never left her. Her family — she is now, people are really starting to look at health and wellness the youngest of three siblings — often spent their weekends differently and are excited to try different holistic avenues.” camping and fishing in the Beartooth Mountains.

“My dad was born and raised in Red Lodge and he took us to the same lakes and trails his dad had taken him to,” she says.

“We would walk through fields of flowers, and he would tell me their names. It was those experiences that gave me my first real connection to nature.”

She now lives on a ranch at the base of the Bridger Mountains

Lisa sees the difference in her clients when they visit her studio, “When people come out from a treatment, they are a different person. They’re smiling and look much better, calmer and happier.”

Stephanie can see the same transformation in her customers once they use her Sageborn products. “I have always promoted

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the importance between healthy lifestyle choices and how those choices make us feel and look,” she says.

of the up-close-and personal nature of Zoom meetings, which can highlight skin imperfections.

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It is a perfect business model in today’s world because the beauty industry has experienced a drastic downfall in sales resulting from Covid-19. Physical distancing, curtailed salon visits and mask-wearing made heavy makeup less of a priority. Instead, people became more interested in taking good care of their skin. According to beauty trend experts, customers are adding more steps to their skincare routines, particularly with increased sales for serums and oils — most likely a result

These oils and well-being routines were characteristics found at Sageborn long before the pandemic hit. They contain ingredients wholesome enough to eat, including oils made from carrot seed, sunflower, lavender, geranium, avocado, rosehip, antioxidants and vitamins.

“I have been able to achieve the promises of the skin care industry: anti-aging, complexion brightening, skin smoothing, hydration, blemish prevention and healing,” Stephanie says.

Skin care is only part of the equation, since healthy habits are equally important. The

A RITUAL DICE IS A FUND REMINDER TO PRACTICE DAILY HEALTHY HABITS WHICH INCLUDE: EAT REAL FOOD; MOISTURIZE; CALM YOUR MIND; PROTECT YOUR SLEEP; BREAK A SWEAT; AND HYDRATE.

use of rituals can help to engrain these habits into people’s daily lives, creating an even deeper inner beauty. Called the Sageborn RITUAL, the steps include eating real food, moisturizing, calming your mind, protecting your sleep, breaking a sweat and hydrating.

It’s why Stephanie created what she calls the RITUAL Dice. Roll the dice and no matter how it falls, it’s a reminder to focus on one of these six daily steps.

“Stephanie did a great job adding something fun. You roll the dice and do something good for yourself,” says Lisa.

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“I try to give clients the tools they need to improve their confidence and believe anyone can achieve better health and mental wellbeing,” Stephanie says. “I’m excited to be their partner on this journey and here at Sageborn, we believe your time is now.” ✻

KATHLEEN WOODFORD, writer

Kathleesn is an award-winning journalist based out of Conrad, Montana. Born and raised in Missoula, Montana, Kathleen spent her childhood exploring, and playing in, the mountains and wilderness areas that surrounded her home. She now writes magazine and newspaper articles with an affinity for Montana history, environmental issues, and human-interest stories.

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d e n o i ss i mm o c e D_ MEGAN KARLS PICKS A STARK BACKDROP FOR BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

written by STELLA FONG photography courtesy of MEGAN KARLS

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IN THE STARKNESS

of decommissioned military installations amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Megan Karls commissioned herself to make music. With her violin tucked beneath her chin, she filled these remote and abandoned structures with beauty from composers like Johann Sebastian Bach. Each piece was brought to life in the raw Montana hinterland.

With traditional music venues shuttered during the pandemic, Karls couldn’t carry out her roles as the co-concertmaster for the Great Falls Symphony, assistant concertmaster for the Billings Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, and violinist for the Cascade String Quartet. Instead of closing the door on performing completely, she embarked on a solo unlike any other, creating the video album, “Decommissioned: Solo Violin in Cold War Relics.”

In the sun and wind, dressed in a red gown or sleeveless blouse, she stood outside, below a radar tower, or inside a discarded missile silo. She performed, hunkered down in an abandoned stairwell, and played in a dark racquetball court, lit only by flashlights. She sat on dusty concrete floors, dangling over a crevasse in the floor. A chapel filled with sunlight provided the inspiration for her rendition of Bach’s Chaconne, a 15-minute musical composition of repeated short harmonic progressions.

“Chaccone is the greatest masterwork, literally for an unaccompanied violin,” Karls says. “It’s a mountain to climb so I wanted to take on that challenge, to record it in adverse conditions.” The piece was written in the 1700s as the fifth and final movement of Bach’s Partita No. 2 in D Minor. Each section is based on a dance: the Allemanda, Corrente, Sarabanda, Giga, and

finally the Chaconne, which is longer than all four movements that precede it, combined.

Accompanied by her husband David Raba, Karls traveled to abandoned sites in Ledger, Conrad, Glasgow, Havre and Cut Bank. After they were married on Aug. 18, 2018, the couple honeymooned in St. Marie, located on the site of the abandoned Glasgow Air Force Base.

“I have always been attracted to far flung places,” Karls says.

Karls was born in northern Wisconsin, close to the town of Watersmeet. “I wound up in school in Wausau, which is about two hours south,” she says. “It’s kind of the last outpost in Wisconsin.”

The Wausau public school program introduced her to music when she was 10 years old. She gravitated immediately to the violin.

“The only way I can describe it is, the first time I held the violin, and put the bow to the string, I just felt like I was struck by lightning, and for me nothing else mattered forever and ever.”

As an adolescent, she says, “I was very much on my own. I am an only child. I was a little adult because my parents worked all the time.” Her father was a mechanic, her mother a food service worker. “We just struggled,” she says. “I grew up in a trailer park. I was grateful for the public school music program.”

Although she wanted to be a ballerina, she abandoned the idea because she says, “I really like to eat. Actually, I really liked science. I was interested in going into space, but the violin chose SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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Generously, Marguerite Donnelly decided to help Karls. “I will give you a scholarship. I will pay for your lessons,” she recalls Donnelly saying. “My teacher then found me a patron to make a down-payment on a violin. I just had a lot of great support.”

“What a lot of people don’t know is to audition for a professional orchestra now, you play behind a screen,” Karls says. “They actually put down a carpet so they can’t hear if you’re wearing high heels or men’s shoes. You aren’t allowed to speak.”

Karls remembers going to see Jorja Fleezanis when she was 15 years old. She was awed by the first female concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra in its 105-year history, who had joined the institution in 1989. Karls admired not only her talents, but the purple hair she wore at that performance. Years later, Karls had the opportunity to play with Fleezanis in Missoula.

“As I age as an artist,” the 35-year-old Karls says, “what’s really important for me moving forward is to bridge that gap for women because there’s a ceiling in the way. There’s still an achievement gap, though it is so much better than it was. It’s just in my generation that it is beginning to equalize.”

AS I AGE AS AN ARTIST, WHAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME MOVING FORWARD IS TO BRIDGE THAT GAP FOR WOMEN BECAUSE THERE’S A CEILING IN THE WAY. — Megan Karls

In making “Decommissioned,” Karls played “Soliloquy” by Stas Omelchenko, “Pastorle” by Craig Naylor and “Flore” by Grant Harville. Working with them satisfied her goal of collaborating with living composers. To describe the music that represents the prairies of Montana, Karls says, the key word is “space.”

“In Grant’s and Craig’s pieces, in different places, you can hear expanse,” Karls says. “With an instrument that has to be babied and held for hundreds of years, I think of the soul of the violin as the sound of our most intimate feelings.”

While her husband, Raba, a graphic designer, filmed her performance, she produced and edited the final version.

me.”

Her music instructor also chose her.

“There was a teacher in Wausau that scooped me up. She found me, a woman who was a few generations older. This woman had grown up loving the violin and had wanted to be a violinist herself, but at that time, it was impossible to be awarded a job in classical music.”

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“He set up the camera and made sure it didn’t blow over,” she says. “It’s been humbling to acknowledge this is not perfect. It’s not a studio-engineered piece.”

The chirping of birds and rushing of wheat grass can be heard in some of the music.

The remote locations were wracked with heat and wind, and lacked conveniences. She washed her hands with water she brought with her before she played her valued instrument. She made sure she remained hydrated to be in good shape to execute her music. She changed into her performance clothes in locations harboring trash from years of neglect.

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“I pushed my body to the limit, out of my comfort zone,” Karls says.

In Karls’ profession, “There’s so much emphasis on presenting this flawless performance, and in a way, the biggest gift this project gave me was to be OK with not being perfect.” Now, she has come to a new definition of perfect, that of “always getting better.”

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“There isn’t perfection as an artist,” she says. “There isn’t perfection in being human.

I have worked hard to be a good wife and a good daughter, but I’m not perfect.”

Karls is looking forward to the Billings Symphony kicking of its new season this fall. She’s grateful to be able to return to the newly renovated concert hall in the Alberta Bair Theater. As she takes her violin and faces a live audience once again, she’ll embrace this new outlook on what it means to be a performer, no matter what her stage.

✻

Life Gets Better with Age. Each of us lives a life richly colored by family, friends and personal experiences. At Westpark Village, our programs help you live your passions, fulfill your potential and keep precious memories alive, while making cherished new ones. Come and experience just how rich your life can be.

Call today for personal tour with Emily at 406-652-4886.

STELLA FONG, writer

Stella divides her time between Billings and Seattle and is the author of two Billings-centric books, Historic Restaurants of Billings and Billings Food. Her writings have appeared in Big Sky Journal, Western Art and Architecture, the Washington Post as well as online at lastbestplates.com.

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WHY WHAT YOU EAT MIGHT PLAY A PART written by KARLI BIES, REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

PAIN. SWELLING. REDNESS. HEAT. They are all signs that a body might be fighting inflammation. It’s the body’s natural way of responding to infection or injury. Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about and quite a bit of research being done to understand the connection between diet and inflammation in the body.

A quick Google search will bring up hundreds of antiinflammatory diet books that range from eating a generally healthy and well-balanced diet to those touting extremely rigid diet plans. Why should we care about inflammation? Research shows inflammation builds up plaque in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. It’s also been a culprit in higher rates of 62

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cancer and a higher risk of diabetes.

While the jury is out on whether diet alone can fix chronic lowgrade inflammation, research shows what you eat can increase or reduce your risk. For instance, colorful fruits and veggies might serve up antioxidants, which help keep inflammation at bay. On the other hand, processed sugars might trigger the production of C-reactive proteins that ultimately spark inflammation.

That’s why inflammation is a topic that Dr. Kaila Sellars, a naturopathic doctor at the Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic, keeps tabs on. She spends time in her practice treating patients who struggle with it.

Did you know?

COLORFUL FRUITS AND VEGGIES CONTAIN ANTI-OXIDANTS THAT CAN HELP REPAIR CELLULAR DAMAGE CAUSED

BY INFLAMMATION. OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS LIKE THOSE FOUND IN SALMON, TUNA, FLAXSEED AND SOY HELP AID THE BODY’S RESPONSE TO INFLAMMATION AND CAN EVEN HELP REDUCE THE PAIN TIED TO IT. PROCESSED FOODS LIKE SUGARY CEREALS, SODA, AND FRIED FOOD CONTAIN UNHEALTHY FATS THAT CAN TRIGGER INFLAMMATION.

Getting to the

HEART OF INFLAMMATION Q & A WITH DR. SELLARS Q. HOW CAN A PERSON’S DIET REDUCE INFLAMMATION? A.

The clinic really focuses on the foundations of health, which include drinking enough water, sleep, exercise, stress management and diet. We recommend a diet filled with lots of fruits and vegetables — specifically dark, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and dark berries. I also recommend foods with higher omega-3 fats like flax, chia seeds, salmon, and walnuts. We ask people to be aware of how much added sugar as well as how much fiber they are consuming because oftentimes people don’t realize how much sugar is in foods and how little fiber they are getting.

Q. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS PEOPLE HAVE WHEN THEY COME INTO THE CLINIC WITH INFLAMMATION OR POSSIBLE FOOD SENSITIVITIES? A. Most people have migraines, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acne, or bloating.

Q. WHAT KIND OF TESTING CAN YOU DO TO HELP PATIENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT MAY BE CAUSING THESE SYMPTOMS OR POSSIBLE INFLAMMATION? A. We use an IgG blood test that checks 132 different foods and spices for sensitivity. We ask people to eat a variety of foods before they take the test and then it is sent out to an independent lab for testing.

NOTE:

IgG is what the body makes when there is a possible sensitivity. This is different from an actual allergy where the body

produces an IgE or immunoglobulin E to counteract the allergen.

It’s important to talk with a healthcare provider rather than doing an at-home kit/test, as an allergy could be life threatening.

Q. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU GET THE TEST RESULTS BACK? A.

After the test results determine what the person is possibly sensitive to, we recommend an elimination diet for these foods.

This means they remove the food completely and then slowly reintroduce them back in one at a time.

Bottom line, your GI tract is made up of layers of smooth muscle. Research shows if you aren’t eating properly, suffer from sensitivities or are following an extremely rigid diet, these muscles might not work the way they should. Pain and inflammation could be the result. Dr. Sellars stresses focusing on the sleep, taking in fluids and reducing stress as well as reducing processed sugar and increasing fiber. If, after focusing on those pillars you still feel side-effects or inflammation, you might benefit from IgG testing and working with a provider who can help you get to the bottom of your discomfort. ✻

KARLI BIES, writer Karli is a registered dietitian whose passion is not only food and nutrition but working with clients on their overall health. She loves helping make changes that are sustainable and helping to create healthy relationships with all foods.

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GOODBYE

DRY EYE NEW THERAPY HELPS BRING BACK MOISTURE AND COMFORT written by SUE OLP photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

LONA WARRENBURG suffered from dry eyes for “maybe the last 20 years,” she says. At the least, her eyes felt tired and gritty. Over time, the problem grew so severe that if the 54-yearold Billings woman didn’t dab ointment in her eyes at night, in the morning it felt like she was ripping off a layer of her cornea when she first opened her eyes.

“It was very painful,” she says. “The ointment helped, but it did not make the problem go away.”

When Warrenburg learned of a possible treatment this spring, she made an appointment to see Dr. David Bauer, a Billings optometrist. After her problem was diagnosed, Warrenburg underwent a simple 20-minute procedure called LipiFlow that offered a warm, gentle eye massage.

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It cleared the glands that produce the oily top layer of tears and restored the eyes’ tear balance.

“It was actually very soothing,” she says. “It was very comfortable, there was no pain, and it helped put moisture into my eyes.”

Warrenburg is one of estimated millions of Americans who suffer from dry eye disease. The condition is caused either when the eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears are of poor quality.

Tears, which keep vision clear and eyes healthy, are made up of three layers: the outermost oily layer, the middle water layer and the bottom mucin layer responsible for evenly distributing tears across the cornea, the surface of the eye. Whether external factors cause tears to evaporate or the glands that make tears decrease

production, the result is dry eyes.

pandemic led them to wait until this year.

The condition affects more women than men, due, in part, to hormonal changes, and tends to worsen as people age. Certain medical conditions and medications can also contribute to the problem, and the environment can have an impact, says Dr. Robyn Clausen, co-owner of Bauer & Clausen Optometry.

“We had been looking into it for a couple of years, waiting for the right time to make it available in our practice,” Clausen says.

“There’s a lot of dry eyes in this region because of our dry climate,” she says. “Montana is probably higher than the national average.”

Symptoms “are sometimes the opposite of what you expect,” Clausen says, pointing out that some people experience watery eyes. Their eyes may burn while they’re reading, their vision fluctuates and they may experience a gritty sensation.

The four doctors at Bauer and Clausen Optometry saw enough of the problem that this March, their office acquired the technology and training to treat the condition.

If a routine eye exam detects a possible case of dry eyes, dry-eye testing can later be performed to reveal the content of a person’s tears or determine if the glands that produce the tears aren’t working properly. Based on the results, a variety of procedures are available at the office, most performed in minutes, Bauer says.

WE’VE ALWAYS TREATED DRY EYES, BUT WITH THE ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT, WE’RE ABLE TO GIVE PATIENTS NEWER AND BETTER OPTIONS, EACH TREATMENT IS SPECIFIC TO THAT PATIENT’S TYPE OF DRY EYES. — Dr. Robyn Clausen

“We’ve always treated dry eyes, but with the additional training and equipment, we’re able to give patients newer and better options,” Clausen says, adding that each treatment is specific to that patient’s type of dry eyes.

Initially they planned to introduce the technology in 2020, but the

“We usually see them back about eight weeks after treatment,” he says. “Most people notice that their eyes feel better, less dry and more comfortable during the day.’”

He is quick to say the procedures don’t necessarily completely eliminate the problems, and clients are encouraged to partner in their own care, continuing to use warm compresses and lubricant drops to extend the life of the treatments.

Results of a treatment such as LipiFlow can last between one and three years, he says, “assuming good compliance at home.” Patients generally pay for the tests and treatments out of pocket. Certain tests are covered by medical insurance.

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Vicki Veltkamp, 61, of Billings, who had worn contacts for years, experienced scratchy, irritated, bloodshot eyes.

“I started to feel like my eyes were getting itchy and I felt like my eyelids were getting goop built up in them,” Veltkamp says. “And then I started struggling with redness.”

She tried countless eye drops and ointments, but nothing seemed to help. After a recommendation from a friend, Veltkamp sought help from Bauer & Clausen.

She underwent two procedures, first Bleph-Ex, which helps restore health to the eyelid, and then LipiFlow. The treatments removed the redness from her eyes and “greatly improved the comfort of my eyes, although I still have some dry-eye sensation.”

Veltkamp continues to use eye drops but is especially pleased that the redness hasn’t returned.

Madeline Randolfi, 31, of Billings, wore contact lenses since high school. But two years ago, dry eye disease kept her from wearing

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IT WAS ACTUALLY PRETTY INCREDIBLE, I SAW IMMEDIATE RESULTS. — Madeline Randolfi

contacts and she had to rely on glasses. With her wedding coming up in mid-June, Randolfi turned to Clausen for help. Clausen evaluated, then treated her eyes, using LipiFlow.

“It was actually pretty incredible,” Randolfi says. “I saw immediate results that carried through up until now,” while also continuing to use eye drops and moist eye compresses.

Even better, on the day of the wedding, she popped in single-use contact lenses with no problem and wore them all that day.

“It was great to see my husband’s face and his expressions,” she says. ✻

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The

Eternal Student T H E F U L F IL L IN G JO U R NEY OF SELF-LEAR N IN G

APPARENTLY, and this is because my neck hurts, not

YVW COLU MIST

written by KAREN GROSZ

because many of those who love me have said it, I am, shall we say, a bit bullheaded. When I decide on something, it happens. If something should be done in a certain order, especially if I developed the order, that’s how it should be done. Right is right, wrong is wrong, and while it is not my way or the highway, I am fairly certain my way is always the best way.

Which has caused my current, locked-tight, don’t-turn-rightwhile-driving neck pain, according to Louise L. Hays, author of “You Can Heal Your life.” I found Louise as I have found so many things, by taking on a rigorous, fulfilling journey of self-learning.

If you have read my book, “What’s Next,” or sat in on one of my speeches in the last couple of years, you know that I was told I was a stupid girl, too stupid to pursue a career in nursing, by an influential teacher. She said it would be a waste of time and money, and that proclamation kind of crashed my life. I decided a cute boy named Paul, who is now a wizened old man, was a better choice than figuring out how to get educated. As it turns out, he wasn’t that bad of a choice. We’re still together 40 years later, and my life has been full of educational moments and movements, with his support.

IN EVERY ISSUE 68

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I remember the day it happened, the day I realized I could learn throughout my life, the day the light bulb went off and I decided to be me, instead of the limited version I had sunk into for a few years. I was in a class on early childhood education and the leader said, “We help children know they will always, throughout their whole lives, be learners.” For some reason, I heard that in my soul and embarked on selfteaching, self-learning.

If I was interested, I pursued it. Sewing taught me the math I had never quite “gotten.” Cooking, as my mother-in-law said, “is just chemistry and common sense,” both of which I needed to practice more of. Toastmasters taught me public speaking, and car sales shot me down the path of selling, training, team building and leading.

Mentors helped me perfect my gifts of writing — giving me the courage to publish not just one book (which has great advice, but was a bit of a flop) but several, including the one I am excitedly writing now, “Quiet Leadership.” Other valued mentors helped me discover my gift for coaching others to grow as individuals and teams.

Now, when I speak to students, I tell them there are three keys to a happy, successful life: to work hard, to learn something new every single day, and to help others. Sometimes they

hear me, sometimes they don’t and that’s OK. My goal is to reach the person who was told they were too stupid to learn, and encourage them to learn anyway, to never, ever, no matter what life throws at them, have a day where they don’t do something, learn something, give something.

When we owned In Good Glazes, a business I knew nothing about when the doors opened, and eventually became one of the most successful studios in the country, we saw people too scared to paint pottery because they were afraid they would do it wrong.

Lights Kids would quickly get overZoo it, listen to our instructions, and dive in. Take Senior were harder to get started — auplifetime of in timecitizens out of the holiday shopping frenzy, pack the family doing same thing every day, in the way, had ZooMontana’s decreased the the car and enjoy a magical holiday lightsame display during Zoo Lights.The display will be and openerror, in December 14ththeir capacity to embrace trial to live in- the the 7th-8th, moment.

20th-24th from 5pm to 9pmso each night. zo otomchallenge ont a na . org As 15th, I age,and I fight against that pattern, I find ways myself every day.

Cha se hawks Rodeo

Yesterday, I actually argued about how a bathhouse plumbing Toutedshould as onebe ofhandled, the best rough stock America, the Chase problem and the dayrodeos beforein I had an in-depth Hawks Rodeo takes place in the Rimrock Auto Arena on December conversation about how to wire an RV park. I have mastered 22nd.Top cowboys and stock come straight from the National Finals running a commercial kitchen during the last three years and find Rodeo in Las Vegas to compete right here in Billings, Montana. that when I said yes to managing a church camp in the summers, And best of all, it’s for a great cause. The Chase Hawks Memorial I became a better resource for my coaching and team building Association works to bring comfort and assistance to families during clients, as aand badcrisis.m ass atechasing timesas ofwell tragedy t r a p a r kaway .c o mbears. Plumbing and electrical conversations are just a bonus.

THE THREE THINGS I LEAN HARDEST INTO NOW ARE: “Crucial Accountability,” from VitalSmarts.

I use this book extensively in both my life and coaching practice. The idea that accountability conversations with others start with the conversation we are having with ourselves revolutionized my thinking on the subject of human growth and leadership.

Second, as noted above, Lousie L. Hay and her book, “You Can Heal Your Life.” I have gained insights into my thinking, and ailments, as well as helped others to understand how they have been manifesting pain in their lives for over 30 To h aof vethat y o ubook, r e v eand n t smy l i ssore t e d neck, h e r e ,today e m aIi relented l years. And, because j e s s i c a @ b i l l i n g s 3 6 5 .c o m on the subject I was being bullheaded about, took some time to reflect and stretch, and feel like me again, ready to take on the

world with an open mind, something I purport to always have, but need to be reminded to actually have.

Last, TED talks. I hope

NOW, WHEN I SPEAK TO STUDENTS, I TELL THEM THERE ARE THREE KEYS TO A HAPPY, SUCCESSFUL LIFE: TO WORK HARD, TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND TO HELP Beauty & the Bea st OTHERS.

you are using them, and IStudio hope Theatre presents “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Billings — Sam Kaufman youJunior,” get the chance January 10th-13th. Brainy and beautiful Belle yearns to escape her narrow restricted life including her brute of a suitor, Gaston. to give one, asand I did.

I and as a result becomes a captive in the Beast’s feelBelle theygets areadventurous “safer” than enchanted flatware, menacing wolves and singing YouTube, as castle! the Dancing presenters furniture fill the stage with thrills during From this beloved fairy tale about are experts, and the audience is critical!

TED talks I have very different people finding strength in one another as they learn how learned how to tie my shoes properly (who knew?!) and that my to love.b i l l i n g sst u d i ot h ea t re. com propensity to learn, to grow, to keep trying the next thing and the next after that, is not that I am unsettled, it is that, according to FestivaL Emilie Wapneck, I am aFRinge Multipotentialite.

That is a big word for a lifelong learner.

Multipotentialites dig into a subject, Venture Theatre presents its Fringe Festival, January practice 18th-19thit,and and25th-26th.The move to the next, often amassing multiple degrees. festival features four nights of shows featuring local and regional performing artists of all types including dance, standup

Which brings me back to myone diagnosis of being a stupid girl, andart, comedy, theater improv, act plays, musicals, performance myspoken lack ofword/poetry, a degree, which I now, stubbornly refuse to pursue.

I and puppetry.vent u ret heatr e . or g carried a limiting hurt for many years, and then, while working souL stReet danCe diligently to get over it, I realized that while the teacher shouldn’t This high energy show comes to the Alberta Bair Theater on January have saidand it quite that way, was saved lives on every 19th presents a newshe era in right. dance,She while pushing the artistic shift I would have worked as a nurse, because details are not my of boundaries of street dance. Soul Street concerts consist of a mix thing.

I owe her debtkeep of gratitude, do my potential patients! movement thata will you at theasedge of your seat. The music is Shecombined not only saved their lives, her meclassical. into with an electric mix honest rangingwords fromlaunched hip-hop to It’sI ahope showyou thatare willliving make— you laugh and keepdiscovery, audiences joy of all what a life of wonder, andages entertained. learning. ✻

a ConCeRt Fo R the whoL e FamiLy Billings Symphony presents its Family Concert on January 26th at the KAREN GROSZ, writer Alberta Bair Theater. Four time Grammy nominees, “Trout Fishing Growing up in the shadow of Mt. Rushmore gave in America,” will perform along with the Billings Karen an appreciation of high Symphony. ideals. Living Trout in for duo 25 years gave performs her a frontier spirit.

Lifeand Fishing in America is a Alaska musical which folk rock in Montana finds her building community. A selfchildren’s music. b i l l i n gdescribed ssy mp hon y. c om "multipotentialite," she loves coaching others with her business, Canvas Creek Team Building.

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RUSSELL ROWLAND WRITING ABOUT MONTANA WITH A KEEN EYE & A DRY WIT written by VIRGINIA BRYAN

BILLINGS

WRITER

Russell Rowland published three novels and one anthology before he tackled a nonfiction travelogue about Montana. The premise was simple. He’d visit each of Montana’s 56 counties, interview people living there, learn about each county’s history and economy, observe and document what he saw and heard.

“Fifty-Six Counties: A Montana Journey” (University of Montana Press: 2016) is an exploration of classic Montana themes, including its booma n d - b u s t e c o n o m y, h a r s h we a t h e r, s e l f-re l i a n c e a n d f i e rc e d e t e r m i n a t i o n , t o l d from an honest, contemporary perspective.

Rowland pitched the idea behind “Fifty-Six Counties” to a HarperCollins editor many years ago.

“Nobody would buy a book like that!” came her disappointing response. That might have been the end of it, but Rowland was undeterred. It just took 20 years for the idea to see print.

While planning his Treasure State journey, Rowland contacted friends and colleagues across Montana to find out who to talk to, where to stay and what to see. Cleverly, he offered a first edition of the book to anyone who contributed to his travel expense fund.

After the book’s publication, he retraced his steps and delivered readings from it in every Montana county.

When asked why the book resonated with readers, Rowland deadpanned, “Nearly everyone who has read it knows someone in it.” He is known for his dry wit. One reviewer said Rowland 70

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refuses to be sentimental and he doesn’t sugar-coat anything.

Perhaps the sweetest postpublication moment for “Fifty-Six Counties” came when Rowland got an email out of the blue from Tom McGuane. McGuane is Montana’s best-known living writer, author of several acclaimed novels and short stories, and a regular contributor to the New Yorker. McGuane told Rowland he’d taken “FiftySix Counties with him on a fishing trip. He didn’t catch any fish because he couldn’t put the book down. That’s high praise.

Later, Rowland ran into McGuane in an Ennis cafe.

They’d never met. As one Montana writer to another, Rowland stuck out his hand and said, “Hi Tom. I’m Russell Rowland.”

The thrill is still evident in Rowland’s voice when he tells of their encounter. “‘McGuane is in a different stratosphere,” he says.

On the surface, Rowland’s fifth novel, “Cold County” (Dzanc Books: 2019), appears to be a “whodunnit” populated by wellworn Montana characters. Tom Butcher, the local rancher, good guy and lady’s man, is found dead, beaten by a baseball bat. Suspects include Peter Kenwood, a wealthy rancher who covets Butcher’s land. Kenwood’s ranch manager, Carl Logan, a newcomer to the area, and his son, Roger, might be involved.

Rowland turns the classic “whodunnit” on its ear by insisting that

"‘FIFTY-SIX COUNTIES,’ A BOOK I READ WITH PLEASURE AND ADMIRATION, IS A GREAT COMPANION FOR THOSE WHO ALREADY LOVE MONTANA AND FOR THOSE ANXIOUS TO GET A REAL SENSE OF THE PLACE WITHOUT THE SALESMANSHIP." — Tom McGuane, author of “The Cadence of Grass” and “Gallatin Canyon”

we explore his character’s lives, their flaws and secrets. We learn that resolutions are hard to come by in rural Montana, where living in a small community requires an ability to get along, trust and mutual respect.

Shortly after “Cold Country” was published, Rowland got an unexpected email from a casting director who read the novel after seeing a highly favorable Wall Street Journal review. He wanted to buy the movie rights. Rowland found an agent, negotiated a deal and later learned that an Oscar-nominated director had signed on to the project. Since then, nothing. Rowland is a patient man. He knows these things take time.

Rowland continues to build on the success of “Fifty-Six Counties” and his other books. His public radio program, also called “FiftySix Counties,” continues his interviews with Montanans to explore why we live here and what we deem important. He and Great Falls author Aaron Parrett have created a podcast in which they interview current writers and discuss their books in the context of earlier writers who’ve inspired them.

This summer, Rowland and Parrett interviewed John Norman Maclean, son of Norman Maclean, most famous for his Montana elegy, “A River Runs Through It” (Abe Books: 1976) and the movie that followed. John Maclean’s new book, “Home Waters: A Chronicle of Family and a River” (HarperCollins: 2021), is a family memoir that gives us more “back story” from the family cabin on Seeley Lake near the boundary of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

It clarifies actual events surrounding the death of Norman Maclean’s brother, Paul, on the streets of Chicago. Links to the radio program, the podcast and more are at russellrowland.com.

In addition to all of this, Rowland mentors other writers online and holds writing classes in the dining room of his Billings home.

He’s working on his sixth novel set in the Bakken oil fields of eastern Montana. ✻

RUSSELL ROWLAND

RECOMMENDS A CENTU RY’S WORTH OF READING ❏ “ My Antonia,” by Willa Cather (Hough ton Mifflin: 1918) ❏ “ The Sound and the Fury,” by William Faulkner (Cape and Smith: 19 29) ❏ “A River Runs Th rough It,” by Norman McLean (Abe Books: 1976) ❏ “ The Last Report on the Miracles at Lit tle No Horse,” by Louise Er drich (Harper Peren nial: 2002) ❏ “ A Bloom of Bone s,” by Allen Morris Jon es (Ig Publishing: 2016) ❏ " The Center of Ev erything," by Jamie Harrison (Counterpoint Pres s: 2021)

VIRGINIA BRYAN, writer Virginia Bryan is a freelance writer and Director of ArtWalk Downtown Billings. She has written extensively about our region's artists,culture, history and women.

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econde S

PASTA COMPANY

LISA REMBOLD IS BRINGING FRESH PASTA TO MONTANA’S TRAILHEAD written by STELLA FONG photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

CHEF LISA REMBOLD is bringing new zest to our plates.

The reason behind the name is simple. “This is my second pasta company,” Rembold says.

She worked as executive chef at Stacked, a block from Zest, for a couple of years, later moving to the Northern Hotel as the iconic hotel’s pastry chef. With the sudden departure of the executive chef in 2016, Rembold took the helm of the hotel kitchen, becoming the seventh chef since its reopening in 2009. She then joined Zest as the executive chef and culinary director when the store opened at the end of last year.

In the late 1990s, she owned Deli de Pasta in Yakima, Washington, where she first created fresh pasta accompanied by house-made sauces. In 2007, she purchased Café Menage, a fine-dining restaurant focusing on foods from Italy and France. Several years later, she opened Sweetie Pie Baby Cakes before she retired and moved to Billings in 2012.

Rembold comes from a restaurant family. She started busing tables and cutting french fries at her sister’s restaurant in Lander, Wyoming, as a child. After completing her bachelor’s degree from the Culinary Institute of America in the ’70s, she cooked in Florence, Italy, for six months before opening her businesses in Yakima.

She relocated to Billings to be closer to her son. “When I moved here, I was really going to retire,” she says. “That lasted for six months.”

At Zest, Rembold has found another family.

In the kitchen at Zest, a cookware and kitchen store in downtown Billings, she is shaping pasta to sell through her Seconde Pasta Company.

“Everyone here is all about food,” Rembold says. She taught online cooking classes during the pandemic and now teaches inperson classes. At 64, she says, “I like knowing I can create new things, a new business.”

“There’s definitely a market here for fresh pasta,” Rembold says. “I enjoy making it and introducing people to fresh pasta. I was surprised at how many people here have never eaten fresh pasta.”

Through the Yellowstone Food Hub, Rembold has offered Carrot Linguini, Spinach Penne, Turmeric

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Fettuccine and Chocolate Tagliatelle. With an Italian pasta machine, the Sirman Concerto, Rembold can make different shapes of pasta.

“I have 15 different dies for 15 different shapes,” she says.

“The dies are made from heavy bronze, making the noodles textured on the edges to hold sauce better.”

Her pasta is made with local eggs, semolina and double zero flour, a fine flour that is exceptionally light and easy to work with. Natural vegetable dyes give the pasta its color.

As she works to introduce her new line of homegrown flavors, she has some tips for those who might never have cooked up a fresh pot.

“You need a pot big enough so the pasta can roll in the water,” she says, recommending a six- to eight-quart stock pot for cooking. To remove the pasta from the water, a spider skimmer lifts and drains the pasta, saving the cooking liquid.

“If you are making your own sauce, definitely don’t throw the water out,” Rembold says. “Adding some water can give the sauce more body, more flavor.”

And just like her fresh take on pasta, chef Lisa Rembold is adding flavor and zest to Billings with the Seconde Pasta Company.

Lisa old b m e R

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taste

GRAB A

WHERE TO FIND SECONDE PASTA COMPANY

Currently, Seconde Pasta Company pasta is sold through the Yellowstone Food Hub and will be available through Zest when coolers are in place.

Through the food hub co-op, Rembold’s housemade pasta can be found along with food rasised by local ranchers and farmers, and culinary creations made by local producers. Customers order online and pick up items on Thursday evenings at locations throughout Billings, and in Red Lodge and Absarokee. ✻

gnocchetti sardi alla campidanese Recipe from Lisa Rembold Gnocchetti Sardi is a small Sardinian gnocchi, which is a dumpling-like noodle that is usually made with potatoes. This gnocchetti is a true semolina pasta made with saffron. The classic sauce to pair with Gnocchetti Sardi is a sausage and fennel ragu or Campidanese sauce.

1/2 t. saffron threads 2 T. extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, ground 1 pound fresh sweet tomatoes such as San Marzano tomatoes, peeled and roughly chopped Handful fresh basil 1 pound Gnochetti (tiny Sardinian Gnocchi) Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste ¼ pound Pecorino Romano cheese, grated 74

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DIRECTIONS • Soak saffron in 1/4 cup warm water. Tear up two-thirds of the basil leaves. Set aside.

• Over medium high heat, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft, about five minutes. Add sausage, break up, and brown slightly, about five minutes. Stir in tomato, two-thirds of the basil, and saffron and water. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer for about an hour.

• While the sauce is simmering and reducing, about halfway through, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, about three minutes. NOTE: Fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried.

• Reserve one cup of pasta water. Drain pasta, then add to sauce, with as much of the pasta water as needed, and half of the grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Bring sauce to a boil, about three minutes.

• Serve in a pasta bowl, top with chiffonade of basil and cheese.

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8/4/21 3:26 PM

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? REVISITING A STORY FROM

2015

LIFE’S STILL

Peachy

KYNDALL HINKLE’S COLLEGE ENTERPRISE IS STILL THRIVING written by JULIE KOERBER photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

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spe ci a l

KYNDALL HINKLE

remembers hearing colorful stories of her great-grandfather and grandfather hauling in truckloads of peaches to sell on a roadside stand. Their peach enterprise would take them from the western slope of Colorado all the way to the eastern border of the state.

“Grandma would let everyone know and so when the truck would pull in, everyone would be waiting and they’d load out the boxes,” Kyndall says. “Peaches have always been a thing in my family.”

For the past 10 years, they’ve been “a thing” in Kyndall’s life as well.

Back in 2015, when we first visited with her, she was an enterprising college student and shared how she would bring in a semi-truck worth of peaches — roughly 2,000 boxes — to sell and help pay for her education at Montana State University. Thanks to those free-stone peaches, she graduated without a penny of debt. Today, she’s a 29, married and the mother of a 15-monthold girl named Adelyn. And, while college is behind her, she’s still selling what she calls “the Cadillac of peaches.”

“I never thought I would continue to do this past

college,” Kyndall says, “but, here we are. This is my 10th season selling.” Today, instead of one semi-truck full of peaches, she brings in three from a handpicked grower out of Caldwell, Idaho. One summer can deliver up to 120,000 pounds of the sweet and juicy fruit. She laughs when she says, “They are the ‘bend-over peaches’ because you have to bend over to eat them because of the juice.”

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Bac k to sch o o l

Peachy K een

Business maj or gets savv y when it comes to paying fo r college

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hen Aug ust hits and a smal l peach stand spro uts sout h of Laurel selling off the best and juicy Freeston most e peaches, what’s happ here is mor ening e than just pounds of peac finding their hes way into buye rs’ kitchens.

It’s the sign of a sweet and savv y college student tryin g to earn her business degree at Montana State Universit y without acqu iring a mou ntain of student loan debt in the process.

With each passing year in operation, Kyndall says, “The business kept growing and I would get questions year-round of people asking, ‘You are going to do peaches again, right?

You are going to do peaches?’” If she closed up shop, she adds, “I’d let too many people down, so I just continued.”

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BACK IN 2015 KYNDALL WAS AN ENTERPRISING COLLEGE STUDENT AND SHARED HOW SHE WOULD BRING IN A SEMITRUCK WORTH OF PEACHES TO SELL AND HELP PAY FOR HER EDUCATION AT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY. THANKS TO THOSE FREE-STONE PEACHES, SHE GRADUATED WITHOUT A PENNY OF DEBT.

As the business grew, so did her dreams of how it could evolve. She decided there had to be a use for the frozen leftover peaches other than just making her own pie filling for her family. That’s what helped her launch a side

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

77

RE ABOUT

FIND OUR MO

HES AT KYNDALL PEAC es.com

peach kyndallFO LLOW ON AND

I HAVE PEOPLE WHO COME EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND THEY ARE THERE TO GIVE YOU A BIG HUG. NOW THAT I AM MARRIED AND HAVE A CHILD, IT’S FUN TO SEE PEOPLE AND SEE THEM BRING THEIR FAMILIES. — Kyndall Hinkle

business with an eye on specialty peachflavored products.

On a sunny Saturday, Kyndall stands in the Red Rooster Restaurant’s commercial kitchen in Laurel stirring up her Zesty Peach Barbecue Sauce. Dozens of bottles sit at the ready, waiting to be filled.

Fresh onion and red pepper sit on a butcher’s block counter ready to be diced and then added to the boiling pot. It took months and four different recipes to perfect.

“It’s best with white meat – chicken, pork or fish. I have some people sit down and eat it with chips. It’s just that good,” she says, noting that friends and family served as her taste-testers throughout the recipe’s evolution. “It’s a zesty sauce so it has a little bit of spice.”

And barbecue sauce, Kyndall hopes, is just the beginning.

“I am thinking about preserves and jams. We have talked about salsa but that is a little bit trickier. You do need to use fresh peaches,” Kyndall says. “We would like to figure out how to do pie filling.”

For now, she’s planning to sell her barbecue sauce on her website and at her roadside stands. Those have expanded as well. In 78

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addition to her two spots in Billings and Laurel, her husband mans a stand in Bozeman. If pre-order sales are high enough in one community, she’ll drop off boxes of peaches. She currently does that in Philipsburg, Plentywood, Kalispell and Helena.

“My mother-in-law lives in Philipsburg. She gets the whole community to buy peaches and they take a whole truckload down of presold peaches,” Kyndall says.

While she loves seeing the growth, she also loves seeing her regular customers every August when her peach trucks roll into town.

“I have people who come every single year and they are there to give you a big hug,” Kyndall says. Her mailing and email list has roughly 3,000 names on it. “Now that I am married and have a child, it’s fun to see people and see them bring their families. It’s wonderful to build those relationships.”

The gig, which picks up speed in June and ends the first part of September, has allowed her to work part time and spend more time with her growing toddler.

“I’ve been very blessed that this is my main income. It definitely exciting and it’s something special,” Kyndall says, reflecting on the generations before her who sparked her interest. “It is such a unique thing that I would never have imagined but it is really fun and now I can’t imagine not doing it. As long as I can do this, I will.” ✻

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COOKING UP A BIT OF HOME

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR when

many bid adieu to children, siblings and friends as they embark on the next chapter of life — be it college, military service, a new job or just a new adventure. Why not make sure they take some of the flavors of home with them?

I asked Yellowstone Valley Woman’s own Julie Koerber, who will be packing up her youngest for college, to share a family staple. and she sent a recipe for Crock Pot White Chicken Chili. With a bit of prep work in the morning, there is a homecooked family recipe waiting to be enjoyed at the end of the day. No need for takeout.

From my quick and heathy playbook is Simmering Chicken. At the end of the day, I can have a meal on the table in less than 30 minutes. And to show that sharing is a two-way endeavor, the tip on simmering sauces came from my daughter, who has been on her own for way too many years.

Cheers to a quick and easy taste of home!

written by KAY ERICKSON photography by LOVELY HITCHCOCK

Enjoy! ✻

h's saravinaigrette vinaigrette dressing dressing From the kitchen of Sarah Brown

3 T. lemon juice or any kind of vinegar 1 garlic clove, peeled and lightly smashed 1 t. Dijon mustard, smooth or grainy Kosher salt Pepper ¾ c. extra-virgin olive oil DIRECTIONS

TA ST E OF THE VALL EY

In a screw-top jar, combine the lemon juice or vinegar, whole garlic clove, mustard, ¾ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Cover and shake to dissolve the salt. Add the olive oil and shake to blend. Taste for seasoning. Do not consume the garlic clove. Let it sit in the jar to infuse flavor to your vinaigrette.

s on i t a i r a v

Greek Vinaigrette: Add 1 t. chopped oregano and ½ t. finely grated lemon zest.

French Vinaigrette: Add 1 t. chopped tarragon.

Herby Vinaigrette: Add 1 t. of mixed herbs.

Parmesan Vinaigrette: Add 2 t. finely grated parmesan cheese.

Creamy Vinaigrette: Add 1 T. heavy whipping cream.

IN EVERY ISSUE 80

Sarah Brown, a journalist and Yellowstone Public Radio's producer and host of “Field Days,” provided her Basic Vinaigrette recipe. Her family has salad almost every night and her vinaigrette is there to accent any salad.

YVW MAGAZINE

Spicy Sesame Vinaigrette: Add 1 T. toasted sesame seeds, 1 T. toasted sesame seed oil, and 1 t. crushed red pepper.

Ginger Vinaigrette: Add 2 t. peeled and minced fresh ginger.

e's juli crock pot white chicken chili

From the kitchen of Julie Koerber

SERVES 4 15-ounce can of black beans 15-ounce can of corn, undrained 10-ounce can of Rotel tomatoes, undrained 1 package of ranch dressing mix 1 t. cumin 1 T. chili powder 1 t. onion powder 8-ounce package of cream cheese 2 chicken breasts DIRECTIONS Start by draining and rinsing the black beans. Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crock pot. In a large bowl, mix black beans, corn and Rotel tomatoes with dry spices and ranch dressing mix. Stir together and spoon over top of chicken breasts. Place cream cheese on top. Cover and cook on low for six to eight hours. When finished cooking, take chicken breasts from pot, shred and add back to the chili to stir. While this chili is wonderful all on its own, you can add a “topping bar” with sliced scallions, shredded cheddar, or even olives. Serve with crusty bread or tortilla chips.

kay's

simmering simmering chicken chicken

From the kitchen of Kay Erickson

SERVES 4 12.5-ounce Indian simmer sauce (I use Maya Kaimal, mild or medium sauce) 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into ½-inch cubes 16-ounce package of frozen cauliflower florets, thawed 80-ounce can pineapple tidbits, drained Steamed rice or cooked couscous DIRECTIONS Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, adding chicken to sauté until lightly browned. Add the simmer sauce, thawed cauliflower and pineapple tidbits and simmer until cooked through, about 20 minutes. Serve over steamed rice or couscous.

NOTE I like using couscous because it takes roughly five minutes to cook.

KAY ERICKSON, writer Kay has spent her professional career in public relations and broadcast news, currently at Yellowstone Public Radio. Her journalism degree is from Northern Illinois University. Her passions include her family, sports and food. Her mom and an aunt taught her the finer points of cooking and instilled a love of good food and family mealtime.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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h n Y u!

Everyone is feeling the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Billings Food Bank is no different. The demand for our services has DOUBLED and will greatly change next year’s service numbers. Due to the generous support of our community, however, we are able to function with no lapse in service.

Of course how we do business looks different. Our staff and volunteers have adapted to the guidelines required by the CDC. Because we adhere to these guidelines, we are able to continue with food delivery and fulfill our mission.

We take this opportunity to thank our staff and volunteers for their diligence in providing safe assistance to our growing list of people needing help. We thank those we serve for their patience and understanding as we adapt to our new routine. We also thank the outpouring of food donations and financial assistance we have received from those who understand these trying times simply require that we all do more.

On behalf of those we serve, we genuinely thank you!

WHO WE SERVE

28% 0-17

47% 18-60

23% 61+

Volunteers and Staff!

HOW YOU CAN HELP During September, October and November, TOWN PUMP will match your donation. ❏ I would like to make a tax deductible donation to the Billings Food Bank. ❏ I would like to information about giving through the endowment fund.

My Name:____________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________ City _________________ State______________ Zip_________ E-Mail Address: ________________________________________ Mail to: Billings Food Bank • P.O. Box 1158 • Billings MT 59103-1158 Does your employer match charitable contributions? Please ask and help us double the value of your gift!

You can go to www.BillingsFoodBank.com to make a secure donation online!

Again this year, Town Pump is offering their generous matching gift program.

They will match 100% of your donations to Billings Food Bank made at any Town Pump location during the months of September, October & November.

Thank you Town Pump!

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home7

86

CELEBRATING THE COLORS OF FALL

Adding a bit of autumn to your home décor

94

SIMPLE WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON

Tips from designer & blogger Rachel Beeman of Rae Elizabeth

96

STEP UP YOUR STYLE

Give an old ladder new purpose this fall design

98

A STUNNING INDOOR/ OUTDOOR TRANSFORMATION Major remodel creates a picture perfect home SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

85

colors fall CELEBRATING THE

OF

ADDING A BIT OF AUTUMN TO YOUR HOME DÉCOR written by TRISH ERBE SCOZZARI photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

CELEBRATE FALL’S STUNNING COLORS and enjoy the beauty of the season. Getting the look and setting the tone in your own home is easier than you might think. We tapped area artisans and designers to show us how to add color, texture and interest to your favorite indoor and outdoor spaces.

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“My favorite time of year is fall,” says Marie Taylor, artist and owner of M. Taylor Studio and creative director at Roots Garden Center. “It’s the organic earthiness of jewel-tone colors like Indian oranges, red ochres, golds, and shades of maroon and purple.”

OUTDOOR ESCAPE To add autumn’s rich color, Marie complements a small metal table and chairs with a tall terra cotta pot full of the perennial beauty Echibeckia, a hybrid of black-eyed Susan and eucalyptus.

“You can also hang an art piece. It makes a statement and you can change it out with the seasons,” Marie says. From there, she says, “Continue to add layers. You can use a quirky little birdhouse — a functioning birdhouse — and other plants like this Black Pearl (Coral Bells) that’s dark and turning into fall.” Its blue vase pops with contrasting color.

“You need light and dark colors, so use the natural greens of kale or cabbage,” she says. Finish off this designer look with a light punch of cream and off-white flowering mums. “The dark greens of the Echibeckia with the white mums make these colors bounce more.”

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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Discover what your specific style is by first choosing your space and what container you like. “If you choose this part wisely,” Marie says, “you’ve got it made.” This way you can keep this container year-round and simply switch out what’s inside without spending a lot to do it.

A locally built wood wagon delivers textural detail especially when combined with elements of metal and foliage. This iconic look brings the splendor of an outdoor garden or sunroom and easily livens up an entryway.

The idyllic grouping combines African Inca Orange marigolds with a touch of burgundy and off-white blossoms dancing with Peacock Red kale and green cabbage showcased in country metal cans. Another quirky little scrap wood birdhouse also by an area artist creates instant charm.

“For fall parties,” Marie says, “you can switch this out with pumpkins, squash, corn husks and scarecrows.”

Whether it’s a back garden area or your front lawn, enjoy the crisp feel of fall enhanced with the soothing sound of a babbling brook. A metal water feature provides ambiance bubbling over in seasonal-colored layers of shrubs and fall plants. A simple water fountain becomes the dramatic focal point of your landscape when draped in fall’s showy colors.

MARIE TAYLOR, ARTIST AN D OWNER OF M. TAYLOR STU DIO AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT ROOTS GARDEN CENTER

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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I LIKE ADDING INTEREST WITH A LITTLE BLING. GOLD IS COMING AROUND THIS YEAR SO YOU CAN USE IT AS SPARKLE FOR LIGHTING AND LAMPS. —Kim Erbacher, Owner of Stone Mountain Interiors

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BRINGING THE WARMTH OF FALL INDOORS Create inviting spaces in your home with warm earth tones. Top the mantle or side table with a handmade rug, muted pottery or a rich wood-turned bowl. Add the essence of a loose-structured bouquet combining cream-color roses, orange Gerber daisies and crimson red Alstroemeria or any mix of flowers accentuating a pop of your room’s main color.

Consider changing out your home’s art to welcome in fall’s natural colors like this handcrafted map of Montana (pictured on pg. 89).

Its organic subtlety pairs stunningly with the richness of brown leather or the rustic distinction of weathered wood touched by forest moss. Hang your special art on the wall above a bench or chair or leave it as is creating a unique conversation piece.

Fashion your private space and then fall into the arms of your favorite chair. It’s the season to relax a bit, read that novel or just sit and sip a cup of hot tea. Kim Erbacher, owner of Stone Mountain Interiors, shows how to create your ultimate niche.

“Starting with a neutral wall color you add interest with area rug and accessories,” says Kim, noting Sherwin Williams’ Anew Gray has always been a popular neutral paint color. A soft Karastan rug made with recycled properties and composed of a “nature-

inspired pattern” flows with burnt orange and terra cotta colors.

“It’s like art — find what speaks to you and go with the one you fall in love with. You then pull in the chair.”

The luxuriant caramel color of this Hawkins leather chair and ottoman warms the space, flawlessly drawing out the deep mineral colors of the rug. Cross-stitching on the arms of the chair expresses stylish character along with the leather’s natural markings. “This could be in a great room or bedroom or den,” Kim notes. Whatever space you decide to freshen up, you’re well on your way with two main pieces.

“I like adding interest with a little bling,” Kim says. “Gold is coming around this year so you can use it as sparkle for lighting and lamps.” Let touches of gold shimmer in a piece or two of wall décor, as well.

Continue nesting the colors to accent the rest of the niche. A glass-top shelving unit neatly shows off treasured items. Balance this first-class look with a small natural wood or stone table next to your chair.

A show-stopping tablescape adorned in classic autumn style promises to capture the season.

You can give your dining table a designer look with a mix of high-quality silk flowers and a

your comfort your way.

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YOU ADD LAYERS TO IT. BERRIES ARE FABULOUS. WE USE THINGS YOU WOULDN’T EXPECT TO BE IN A TABLE SCAPE AND COMBINE COLORS YOU DON’T NORMALLY EXPECT. — Lisa Pugrud, Owner of Reals Deals

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few unique items.

A live-edge Indian walnut table provides a full-bodied background for fall’s softer colors. Browns, creams and yellows mix with vibrant pops of burnt orange and a hint of pink. A gnarled wood ball adds distinct texture, as do cotton ball stems. “Moss branches brighten it up so it’s not so dense,” says Lisa Pugrud, owner of Reals Deals along with her husband, Jerry.

the last six months we’ve seen more people coming back to more natural décor in their homes,” Lisa says.

To use a table scape all year long, keep those big pieces and change out the color to suit the season. For instance, replace fall color for pinecones and Christmas ornaments. Pull in black wicker baskets for a dramatic effect. This keeps the cost down and keeps your table scape looking fresh. ✻

“You start with your base,” says Lisa. This impressive creation sits in two metal trays. “It’s nice to have it in a container so you can move it,” adds Jerry, the designer of this imaginative piece.

Pieces of fruit tucked in sparingly make great color companions to the floral. A special clock imparts personality and books elevate a wood-base lamp. Rustic chargers accent cream-color distressed plates, lending a slice of French country charm.

“You add layers to it,” says Lisa. “Berries are fabulous. We use things you wouldn’t expect to be in a table scape and combine colors you don’t normally expect.”

“When doing a table scape, you want your eye to stop, not glaze over it,” Jerry adds. “Take a sentimental piece and build around it. Bring in a candle to add an extra element and a lighter tone.”

“Customize your table scape using your own pictures or special color. Use what’s personal to you. We can help you with it. In

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simple ways

TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON TIPS FROM DESIGNER & BLOGGER RACHEL BEEMAN OF RAE ELIZABETH DESIGN

INVEST IN QUALITY SCENTS: Whether candles, incense

SPRUCE UP THE PORCH: Add a splash of autumn to your

ACCESSORIZE: Bring out the warm fluffy throw pillows! The

WELCOME IN FALL: You may have seen the trend for front

or wax warmers, test them out and pick your favorites.

possibilities are endless.

porch with pumpkins and straw haybales. Get creative!

door mats. Simply layer your mat with one bigger woven mat beneath to add a little extra charm.

LAYER UP: Adding layers to your home is a must. Think throw blankets on chairs and couches.

FRESH LINENS: It's always a treat to get fresh new linens for your bedroom. It creates the coziest of spaces to enjoy a hot cup of tea and a good book.

FOR MORE TIPS

— FROM RACHEL — VISIT

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IN EVERY ISSUE

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LOOK WH AT W E FOU ND written by RACHEL JENNINGS photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

style

STEP UP YOUR

GIVE AN OLD LADDER NEW PURPOSE THIS FALL

WE ALL HAVE those throw blankets ready to grab when the

weather turns chilly. Why not place them all in one simple, easyto-grab spot that creates a visual pop as well? I decided to turn an antique ladder into just such a space. This easy do-it-yourself project gives the room so much character and beauty. Plus, it helps you stay organized.

TO GET STARTED Looking for an old ladder may seem daunting, but you can easily pick one up at an estate or garage sale, at a thrift store, from your garage or even from your neighbor’s garage (with permission, of course). When I chose the ladder for my project, I picked one with plenty of grunge and character. Old paint and a few dings in the ladder’s legs make it the perfect candidate.

I started by pressure-washing my ladder. You need a clean surface but make sure not to take too much character off in the cleaning process. After washing, I let the ladder dry for several days in the sun. We want all the moisture dried out so the paint, stain or polyurethane spray will adhere. If you pressure-wash your ladder, you’ll notice that the water tends to raise the grain of the wood a bit. Don’t worry, just give the ladder a good sanding — nothing too vigorous — just enough to smooth any rough spots and prevent splinters. We don’t want to snag or damage our blankets.

Brush or wipe off any dust on the ladder from sanding and set it in a space that you can use to paint or stain and seal. If you use paint, you will need two coats of a satin or gloss paint. If you use stain, you will stain, wipe off the excess and then seal with polyurethane. I left my ladder unstained and simply sealed it with several coats of polyurethane, using one can for each side. I let the poly dry between each coat. Once it was dry, I flipped my ladder and repeated this process on the other side. This might sound like we are using a lot of product, but these ladders are old and the wood tends to be dry and splintery. The additional coats will help it look nice, protect your blankets and give the old, dried

wood new life.

What you will n eed...

• antique • • • • •

or aged ladd Once you have er sandpaper finished the paint/stain painting or 2 cans of po s ta inin g a nd lyurethane spray sealing, attach 4 anti-slip g the anti-slip uards guards on blankets the bottom of each leg of the ladder as well as the area that will rest up against your wall.

Besides protecting those areas from wear and tear, they will prevent the ladder from sliding on smooth surface floors.

Now, simply enjoy! Place the ladder in an empty corner of any room and adorn with blankets folded so that they can be set over the rung of your ladder. This blanket rack is oozing with character, not only from the ladder itself but the blankets you choose to display. It's versatile, cost-efficient, and takes up hardly any space.

Add in the fact it helps you organize your stash of blankets and that’s a win-win in my book! ✻

RACHEL JENNINGS, writer Rachel is a self described "Junker," who not only loves all things old, but LOVES the challenge of trying to make something new out of each find.

While she is a Hair Stylist by day, in her off time you can often find her covered in paint, trying to repurpose something she's found.

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transformation2

A STUNNING INDOOR/OUTDOOR

MAJOR REMODEL CREATES A PICTURE PERFECT HOME written by TRISH ERBE SCOZZARI photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

PERFECTLY POISED

in a quaint neighborhood off Alkali Creek Road sits the three-level Tudor-style home of Dr. James and Rita Turley. Settled in a peaceful grove of trees atop a small hill, it creates a picturesque impression.

“We built the house 23 years ago when the kids were little,” says Rita, a healthcare consultant. “We liked the fact it was close to both Jim and my work. Jim is a dentist and I was then employed at St. Vincent's (Healthcare). When I started my consulting business, it was great because the airport was close.”

With the kids grown and two grandchildren in their lives, Rita and Jim decided to remodel the home. “We wanted to open it up and modernize it,” Rita says.

entertaining with improved functionality. New wall color throughout presents a sophisticated palette of grey neutrality.

Beige carpeting cushions the dramatic stairway to the second level as well as the master bedroom. New marble flooring in the dining room and living space adds elegance.

“Rita wanted to keep the tile in the front foyer,” says designer Angie Freyenhagen of Freyenhagen Construction, “so we used marble flooring to flow with the beige-colored tile. We opened the archway between the foyer and the living room and we opened the dining room, which now has a brighter, more open feel.”

The reinterpretation of the floor plan includes seamless passage

The complete transformation infuses the couple’s love of

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with natural light.

before from the living room to the outdoor oasis. Previously, there was no access.

“We took out a faux curved wall that was in the living room and the windows,” Angie says. “We replaced it all with a wall of glass.”

The wall of glass is a four-panel bi-fold sliding door opening the home to true indoor/outdoor living. “It’s a specialty door,” says Aaron Reay of 406 Window Co. “Freyenhagen prepared for this door. They have the flexibility to make modifications to accommodate this oversized custom door.”

Re-doing the existing design and incorporating this artistically inclined change creates a modernized haven filled 100

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“We love it,” says Rita, a cooking and entertaining enthusiast. “We have big parties. Twenty-five people were here on Sunday and there was no crowding. The kids swim and we have fun.”

IN THE END, WE WON’T BE SATISFIED UNLESS OUR TEAM HAS MET OR EXCEEDED ALL OF THE HOMEOWNER’S EXPECTATIONS. – Jeremy and Angie Freyenhagen

The flow from the living room onto the patio embraces the outdoor landscape beautifully. It creates a seamless transition to the outdoor kitchen and pool area.

Let the Freyenhagen Team turn your home dreams into a reality.

“From the first meeting to the final touchup, we will be there every step of the way to guide you through your home remodel with expertise and care.”

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before

“We added overhangs and the outdoor kitchen,” Angie notes.

The new roofline allows family and guests to chat around the rectangular fire pit or hang out at the outdoor kitchen bar. Large ceiling fans keep it cool while overhead heaters and recessed lighting favor the nightlife.

This high-impact remodeling project highlights Rita and Jim’s fondness for entertaining. The hubs of the home are the new outdoor and indoor kitchens.

“Once you live in a kitchen for 23 years,” Rita says, “you know what you want.” The indoor hub underwent a massive makeover for this reason. “I love to cook, so we added a steam oven and a drawer microwave as I didn’t want it on the counter. My goal was to keep countertops totally clear.”

One of Rita’s other considerations was making sure the new Thermador double oven was a side swing door. “Otherwise, you burn yourself with a fold down door,” says this petite bundle of energy.

BORROWING SPACE FROM THE FOUR-CAR GARAGE, THE LAUNDRY AND MUDROOM HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM THE BUTLER'S PANTRY, WHERE DISHES COME FOR CLEANING AFTER ENTERTAINING. 102

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Nearby, the enlarged center island with 36-inch gas range and pop-up ventilation establishes the kitchen’s focal point. Thirteen feet of Cambria Skara Brae quartz from Granite Mountain Countertops stretches across the room’s middle. An angled end allows Rita “plenty of room” to get around it. “I wanted it to seat eight people comfortably,” she says.

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“The pattern of the quartz is gorgeous,” remarks Angie. It’s so gorgeous it’s used as full-height backsplash. Meticulously veinmatched, it certainly scores the “wow” factor. Redone cabinetry adds to the overall palette of this refined space.

We are proud to be on the Freyenhagen construction team.

“We redid the cabinets, taking them up to the ceiling by adding

“OUR REMODEL PROJECT WITH FREYENHAGEN CONSTRUCTION WENT BEYOND MEETING OUR EXPECTATIONS

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an extra foot. This gives the kitchen depth as do the added gold accents,” Angie says.

The fireplace in the sitting room off the kitchen also got a new do. “We recovered and redid the fireplace in dark marble,” Angie says. Rita, pointing out the flat screen mounted above the

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For many are called, but few are chosen.

fireplace, adds, “We had no TV in this room, but now with the kids gone we like the TV here.”

A glass door leading out to the patio and to the must-have outdoor kitchen was also installed.

NatureKast weatherproof cabinets service the outdoor kitchen. The cabinetry’s sleek grey wood-grain look complements earthy elements of stacked stone, metal and granite. “I have so much storage out here,” says Rita.

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There’s also plenty of cooking surface on the large Lynx grill with side burner. Everyone enjoys gathering on custom metal stools lining the wrap-around island bar.

“The bar’s countertop is Niva Brushed granite,” says Dennis Boyd of Granite Mountain Countertops. “This is granite with beautiful gray and warm taupe tones from India. The brushed surface makes for a wonderful low texture countertop perfect for exterior kitchen and barbecues.”

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Rita mentions that this essential kitchen space complete with beamed vaulted ceiling “used to be part lawn and part cement slab.” It now bursts with textural pattern and personality embedded in a very efficient layout.

“We also added columns with rock work,” says Angie, “and we built a wind barrier wall of stacked stone leading to the side lawn.” The stacked stone encompasses the kitchen area,

“THE BAR’S COUNTERTOP IS NIVA BRUSHED GRANITE. THE BRUSHED SURFACE MAKES FOR A WONDERFUL LOW TEXTURE COUNTERTOP PERFECT FOR EXTERIOR KITCHEN AND BARBECUES. — Dennis Boyd, Granite Mountain Countertops

blending with the natural setting. Revamped grounds feature lush landscaping and porcelain tile from Italy.

HAGSTROM ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION TIED INTO THE ORIGINAL ROOF GIVING A SEAMLESS LOOK TO THE NEWLY EXTENDED ROOFLINE. 108

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“It’s an Ardesie stone finish named Island,” says Joe Fournier of Spring Creek Landscape Co. “Its advantages are its ease of maintenance, it does not stain and it is not slippery.” The tile takes the patio/pool experience to another level of outstanding

beauty.

A natural sandstone formation bordering the pool makes this oasis one-of-a-kind. Its uniqueness is easily admired from the home’s master en suite, as well, compliments of a trip across the border.

“At a resort in Mexico, there was a wall of glass with nothing but the outdoors beyond,” explains Angie, “so I wanted to do something like it. This was the perfect home as it offers the privacy. Rita was totally game for it!”

A door blocking what used to be an ordinary bathroom, off the couple’s bedroom, was taken out and the entire dated design was obliterated. The focal point of this totally renovated space showcases the great outdoors.

Unfettered black-trim windows invite nature’s artwork into this resort-kindled spa. Where an old “garden tub” sat unused in the corner, the pristine view of the sandstone formation displays a much brighter outlook. The length of custom windows narrates a vivid description of greenery rising from the lower garden.

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Anti-fog mirrors hang from the ceiling as not to deter from the alfresco splendor. The double-sink vanity topped with Annicca Cambria quartz adds richness. The quartz’s neutral white background highlights grey veining tinged with flecks of gold and purple.

The tranquility of this custom-designed en suite is also

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FREYENHAGEN CONSTRUCTION OPENED UP THE STAIRWELL AND ADDED A CUSTOM METAL RAILING, GIVING EASY PASSAGE ONTO THE LANDING WHICH CURVES INTO JIM'S "OFFICE."

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heightened with light-colored tile. “For a seamless look we ran the flooring up the walls of the walk-in shower,” says Angie.

“The entire area is light now. It’s not closed off.”

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This grand home radiates with more light and well-designed character since the homeowners embarked on this major remodel. Each custom detail has added another layer of depth and visual interest.

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