Yellowstone Valley Woman Magazine

Rising from the Ashes

TO CONFIGURE A TERRAIN!

"The 2023 GMC Terrain has room for everyone and everything. With versatile seating, this luxury compact SUV has the space to transport the whole family, or objects up to 8 feet long. Head to GMC of Billings for a test drive today, we are dedicated to professional grade quality and high level customer satisfaction." Josh Soares, Owner, GMC of Billings WE HAVE 21 GMC TERRAINS AVAILABLE!

WHO THE HECK do

I think I am? Recently, I was cozied up on the couch watching a marathon of “Suits” (yes, I missed watching this show the first time around) and one of my dear friends texted me completely out of the blue.

“Humor me if you will,” she started. She went on to share how she was reading a book about really embracing who she is and determining her hidden gifts and talents. She asked, “What’s one word you would use to describe me?

I’ll see if I’m accurate in the words I wrote about myself. Thank you, friend.”

That little text got me thinking. What is my true identity? How do people see me? Do they see the woman who loves big and is a pit bull for causes she cares about? Do they see someone who deeply loves her family and thanks her lucky stars for them every day?

The text threw me so much that recently, on a trip with family, I asked my sister-inlaw, “What words would you use to describe me?” She was taken aback by my question and said, “Why would you ask that?” I think she was as stunned as I was that I was really asking her at all. What’s funny is, after a bit of silence as we walked down a quiet little street in Virginia City, she said, “How would you describe me?”

I took a deep breath and thought about it for a few seconds before answering her.

Recently, I shared all of this with my friend and YVW columnist Karen Grosz. It was a phone call but as I told her the story, you could almost hear her thinking. Let’s face it — this topic is right in her wheelhouse. So, she decided to — for all you ladies forming the same questions — help us get to what guides us in life. Just turn to page 52, read her article and then, hop online for a video exercise where she’ll guide you in finding your “driver values.” It’s Karen just doing what Karen does, trying to help us find the best version of ourselves.

Circling back to the text that sparked it all, my friend shared a little bit more about the book she’s reading. I thought the excerpt from Lysa Terkeurst’s “Good Boundaries and Goodbyes” was worth sharing.

“Just like a seed contains everything in it necessary to bloom, so do we. All that a seed goes through to grow into a plant is part of the process of becoming what it was designed to be, not a process of determining its worth or value. If we don’t know who we are, we will constantly be manipulated into who others want us to be.”

Wise words, don’t you think? I certainly do.

Here’s hoping you enjoy our latest issue,

on the cover

24 reinventing angie stiller

From homelessness and heartache to a strong mom and business owner meet the warrior women

14 up for the fight

Billings mom in the battle for life, putting courage over fear

18 finding her voice

Boston Marathon bombing survivor used music to heal features

32 no nonsense leadership

Sam Morris makes it her mission to give businesses peace of mind

38 cheers to 25 years

Kris Carpenter reflects on providing rejuvenation for more than two decades

42 grow old gracefully?

Two Billings women join forces to promote health after 40

48 125 years of caring

Only a few remain of the religious order that helped found St. Vincent Healthcare

60 fighting for the flag

Billings women get rough and tumble with flag football

64 hitting her stride

Decorated marathon runner has her sights set on the Olympic Trials

68 light the candles

Senior High student helps unleash birthday cheer to those who need it most

74 IN SEASON

Comfort foood for fall eating

78 soaking in paradise

Yellowstone Hot Springs might be your perfect fall escape home and garden

84 dusty 'ole trail

Luxury living on Zimmerman

96 love where you live

A couple’s “last project” in every issue

52 karen grosz: Who Do You Think You Are?

54 fashion: What's Your Power Color?

72 taste of the valley: Gardening for Abundance

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

JULIE KOERBER julie@yellowstonevalleywoman.com

COPY EDITOR ED KEMMICK

SOCIAL MEDIA LAURA BAILEY

ADVERTISING

TERRY PERKINS: 406-860-3951 terry@yellowstonevalleywoman.com

TRISH SCOZZARI: 406-690-9528 trish@yellowstonevalleywoman.com

LYNN LANGELIERS: 406-671-2325 lynn@yellowstonevalleywoman.com

MICHELE KONZEN: 406-690-4539 michele@yellowstonevalleywoman.com

GAYLE SMITH: 406-855-8210 gayle@yellowstonevalleywoman.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR MELANIE FABRIZIUS ads@yellowstonevalleywoman.com

meet the STAFF

we our community partners

lynn langeliers Sales Executive

Michele Konzen Sales Executive

gayle smith Sales Executive

melanie Fabrizius Design daniel sullivan Photography

Terry Perkins Sales Executive

trish scozzari Sales Executive / Writer

casey Page Photography

Nicole Burtell Distribution

LAURA BAILeY Social Media / Writer

ed kemmick Copy Editor / Writer

Billings Parks, Trails, Billings Parks, Trails, & Recreation & Recreation

T h i s N o v e m b e r , B i l l i n g s v o t e r s h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o d o s o m e t h i n g t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a l . P a s s i n g t h e P a r k s , T r a i l s , a n d R e c r e a t i o n B o n d m e a s u r e s a y s Y E S t o a r e v i t a l i z e d c i t y B a l l o t s w i l l b e m a i l e d o n O c t o b e r 1 8 t h E l e c t i o n D a y i s N o v e m b e r 7 t h .

I n v e s t i n g i n B i l l i n g s

Y o u r Y E S v o t e w i l l i n v e s t i n e v e r y n e i g h b o r h o o d , c o m p l e t i n g o v e r d u e p u b l i c p a r k s a n d t r a i l s a n d g i v i n g o u r c h i l d r e n s a f e , h e a l t h y p l a c e s t o l e a r n , e x p l o r e , a n d b e k i d s

C o m m u n i t y S a f e t y

Y o u r Y E S v o t e w i l l h e l p r e d u c e c r i m e i n o u r c i t y S t u d i e s s h o w t h a t a c t i v e a n d m a i n t a i n e d o p e n s p a c e s d e t e r c r i m i n a l a c t i v i t y , k e e p i n g m o r e c o m m u n i t y e y e s o n o u r s t r e e t s

R e c r e a t i o n F o r A l l

Y o u r Y E S v o t e m e a n s a n i n d o o r r e c r e a t i o n c e n t e r t h a t w i l l r e p l a c e a g i n g f a c i l i t i e s , p r o v i d e c h i l d c a r e , h o s t r e g i o n a l t o u r n a m e n t s , a n d b r i n g e c o n o m i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o B i l l i n g s

LEARN MORE: www playitforwardbillings com

Resilient Spirits:

Resilient Spirits:

Warrior Warrior Warrior

Rising Rising Rising

IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY, the strength of the human spirit shines brightest. YVW introduces you to a trio of women who have transformed their darkest moments into stories of triumph. Meet a woman who rose above the shadows of homelessness and a harrowing encounter to become a beacon of inspiration. In the midst of a life-threatening battle with cancer, one woman's story takes an extraordinary turn to instead fight for her son and his terminal disease — a testament to the depths of a mother's love. And you’ll read the story of a survivor of the Boston Marathon Bombing. This one-time professional singer lost her desire to perform in the bombing’s aftermath only to spend a decade finding her voice again. These stories prove hardships can at times be the foundation for our most inspiring victories.

Up For the

WHEN LIFE GETS really hard, it’s easy to get discouraged. Cinda Paynter knows that first-hand. She’s not only fighting metastatic breast cancer, she’s caring for a son with a life-threatening medical condition. But most days, you’ll find she’s a warrior, fighting to find the good in the midst of incredibly difficult life challenges.

“My gratitude is so strong because this is a beautiful, phenomenal life,” Cinda says. “And I know in my soul that there is a path and a plan. So far, we’ve had a lot of tears, a lot of anger and sadness and fear, and all of that yuck. But God has proven that it always works out.”

The Billings woman has been battling medical challenges on a number of fronts since she was a child. In the eighth grade, she was diagnosed with stage one Hodgkins lymphoma.

“I had a year of chemo and went into remission, then went on about my life,” says Cinda. “Then, with a routine mammogram and biopsy in 2015, they found invasive ductal carcinoma.”

Cinda underwent a double mastectomy and later had breast reconstruction surgeries. Again, she went back to her busy life as a mother, a wife and a commercial banking representative at First Interstate Bank. But in 2018, she found herself fighting another scary medical diagnosis. This time, it involved her youngest son, Kellen, who had struggled with his vision since kindergarten. After a couple of misdiagnoses, doctors

found Kellen suffers from CLN3, a juvenile form of a genetic metabolic disorder known as Batten disease. CLN3 affects the nervous system and leads to blindness, seizures, cognitive problems, coordination issues and ultimately, death.

“After he was diagnosed with Batten, two months later, he had a seizure and it just went from there,” says Cinda. "His vision left very quickly.”

Kellen also struggles with speech, short-term memory and tremors. He’s now a seventh-grader at Will James Middle School, where he’s in a life skills class and receives physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Cinda says Kellen is funny, smart and easy-going, and as his family learns to adapt to his evolving medical challenges, so does he.

“He is our superhero. He is our inspiration,” Cinda says. “He’s what keeps us going and fighting. How he has acclimated just leaves us speechless. We’ve had a handful of hard conversations with him. He started to ask about his vision a lot. I told him, ‘As far as your vision, I believe God chose you to be his warrior, and I don’t think it’s ever going to come back, buddy.’ And he’s like, ‘OK.’”

After Kellen’s diagnosis, Cinda found the courage to face yet another battle: getting sober. Years earlier, she says, when her life became dark, she started turning to alcohol for relief. She knew

BILLINGS MOM IN THE BATTLE FOR LIFE, PUTTING COURAGE OVER FEAR

written by JULIE LOVELL photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

the time had come to quit drinking.

“Before getting sober, everything was a train wreck,” says Cinda. “It was dark, it was very yucky. I’ve now been sober for four and a half years.”

Sober, and strong enough to fight her latest challenge: cancer that has metastasized to her bones and liver.

“In 2019, by nothing but the grace of God, I believe Kellen saved my life,” says Cinda.” We were snuggling, and his head had hit the left side of my breast and it felt like he slammed it. I just screamed. I knew something was wrong.”

Tests showed metastatic breast cancer.

“I did nine cycles of chemo and I just finished my 64th immunotherapy treatment,” says Cinda. “I’m receiving two of the drugs I was receiving during chemo and continue to have scans every three months. I also get injections to strengthen my bones and keep my estrogen levels as low as possible, because my cancer is estrogen-driven.”

While there is no remission for her metastatic cancer, immunotherapy can help keep it at bay. That’s why, for now, she focuses on taking care of herself, exercising regularly and making the most of time with her husband, Andrew, Kellen and Kellen’s older siblings. The family recently enjoyed a week at a lake in Idaho thanks to the Montana Hope Project, which grants wishes for children with life-threatening diagnoses.

Cinda also finds strength in connecting with others who face similar challenges. She’s been active in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and participates in national support groups for people affected by Batten Disease. One support group has been instrumental in a clinical trial to find a cure for CLN3. She hopes Kellen will get to join that trial one day soon.

CINDA, KELLEN & ANDREW

“It’s OK to feel the anger and the frustration. We have to process it and move on,” she says. “When we have sleepless nights and we just want to point our finger and curse up to the sky, that’s OK. But we can’t live there long.”

Cinda’s sister, Marci Schieno, calls Cinda one of her heroes.

“She is the definition of courage and strength,” says Marci. “She knows she can’t always be brave, but she has to have that mindset. That’s what I learned from her: courage, and there’s no other option than to just push forward.”

Marci says Cinda got her warrior genes from their mother, Connie.

“Our mom is a very strong woman in every sense,” says Marci. “She adopted some of those traits of strength. In our family, the women are badass, and that kind of comes from our mom.” She adds with that strength is a woman who has always been a positive light.

“I love that what people think of her, they don’t think, ‘Poor Cinda and her sad situation,’” says Marci. “They don’t pity her. When her name is brought up, it’s always with a smile and laughter, because that’s who she is.”

Faith is what helps Cinda through the dark days, and when those days come, she says, she’s always on the lookout for what she calls, “God shots” — little signs that God is providing everything she needs when it’s needed. Whether it’s a persistent doctor finding the right diagnosis for Kellen, a clean Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan for herself, or the family members and friends who come alongside the family to help, Cinda is grateful.

“I have seen miracle after miracle. This is probably the best four years I’ve had of my life. But it’s also been really hard,” she says.

Cinda is blessed with a husband who does a great job caring for her and Kellen. Kellen’s adult brothers, Nathan and Noah, live in Billings and Cinda says they are amazingly helpful. Kellen’s sister,

Molly, lives in Washington and offers long-distance support.

Andrew and Kellen both share a love for baseball. As Kellen’s disease progressed, it was hard to accept when he could no longer play in Big Sky Little League. That’s why Cinda’s thankful for wonderful opportunities our community offers for people with special needs, like the Miracle League baseball games Kellen now plays in at Landon’s Miracle Field.

“To bring the love of the game and accommodate it so all of those kids can participate is so stinkin’ cool,” says Cinda.

While life has thrown Cinda some difficult curves, there’s little doubt she’s determined to stay in the game.

"I just research and research,” says Cinda. “I want to know everything. And when it hits me … the overwhelming, you know, here’s Batten disease, there’s metastatic breast cancer. The odds. I’m like, you know what, I give it the middle finger and think I’ve got God.” ✻

JULIE LOVELL, writer

Julie is a former Billings news anchor who loves sharing positive news stories. After spending a decade in Georgia, her family is happy to back home in Montana. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her volunteering for special needs organizations, stretching her faith and getting reacquainted with the joys of life under the Big Sky!

Finding Her

BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING SURVIVOR USED MUSIC TO HEAL

written by JULIE KOERBER

FOR CALLIE BENJAMIN, performing and writing music is like breathing. If she hears a song, it’s not long before she’s dissecting it, listening to the beat, the melody, and then the lyrics. In earlier days, she was on a successful path toward a long-time career in songwriting on Nashville’s Music Row. But that all came to a halt when one tragic event took her musical breath away.

“Life took a pretty hard turn,” Callie says today.

April 15, 2013. Boston Marathon Monday. Callie was more than 2,000 miles from home attending Berklee College of Music and had just one year left. To make ends meet, she waited tables at Forum in downtown Boston. The restaurant’s patio sat on the course just a block from the marathon finish line.

As she was getting ready to start her shift that day, she got a nagging feeling that she shouldn’t go.

“I just had this drop in my gut,” she says. “I just heard, ‘Something bad is going to happen today.’” She adds, “I dismissed it as quickly as it came on.”

She remembers being busy that day, waiting on the VIP tables on the restaurant’s second floor and then, in the afternoon, picking up some of the patio tables left by a server who was being cut loose for the day.

At about 2:45, after busing some patio tables, she was making her way back up to the kitchen to drop off dirty dishes when a bomb detonated about a block away.

“It was so quiet afterward, you could hear a pin drop,” she says.

Fourteen seconds later, a second bomb, placed right in front of Forum’s patio, exploded, sending debris, glass and bystanders in all directions. The bombing would be deemed a domestic terrorist attack by two brothers, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev. The two crafted a pair of pressure cooker bombs that killed three people and wounded nearly 300.

One of the fatalities was an 8-year-old boy named Martin Richard, who was standing on the edge of the restaurant’s patio just feet from where the bomb, hidden in a backpack, exploded.

“I know I was being watched out for that day with how things happened,” Callie says, adding that if she hadn’t gone back upstairs in the restaurant when she did, her story might have been very different. “It really was a matter of minutes for me.”

As she reflects on the experience sharing stories of how she raced to help tend to the injured, ushering people to safety and using restaurant tablecloths as tourniquets, she says she learned something about herself that day.

“It’s just part of the human experience to question what you’d do in that situation. Knowing that I would take action is, in a strange way, reassuring,” Callie says.

Flash back to Callie’s childhood and you’ll find a vibrant child who almost learned to sing before she talked.

“She’s been doing it since she was 2 years old. She just sang, sang, sang,” says her mother, Patrice O’Loughlin. “She knows every verse of every Disney song. She learned to sing just listening to those songs.”

Both of her grandmothers saw her talent early on. Her dad’s mom had an upright piano and started by teaching Callie a little five note scale. “Once I started fiddling around on the piano and developing my voice, my other grandmother, my mom’s mom, got me set up with voice lessons.”

Anita Rawlinson was Callie’s first voice teacher. She’s been retired for 10 years now but says she won’t forget the little girl she called a fast learner. “I remember she was a natural, that she had very good pitch,” Anita says. “Some kids have it and she was one of those memorable ones.”

“As long as I can remember, I had a passion for it,” Callie says. Eventually, she started writing songs. She kept them to herself until 2006, when a fellow student at Billings Central Catholic High died in a ski accident. Just days after the tragedy, Callie put notes to words, writing a song about saying goodbye.

“It was a calling in that moment. I wrote to the experience and tried to find a source of comfort in it,” she says. She remembers asking the boy’s mother if she could perform it at the service held

photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN and provided by CALLIE BENJAMIN

at the school. While the experience is a bit of a blur, she says of the family’s response, “All I can remember is gratitude.”

The song sparked a journey. She felt the power of expressing emotions through song.

“This beautiful thing came about from this awful, awful experience,” Callie says.

It wasn’t long before attending Berklee College of Music became her dream. She knew it would be expensive and she even went to Montana State University for a year before breaking down and applying to the prestigious music school. Berklee is home to about 4,000 students with a 10 percent acceptance rate. She applied in December of 2010 and was accepted the following February.

She studied professional music with an emphasis in songwriting. The summer after the bombing and before her senior year, thanks to a nudge from one of her professors, she landed an internship on Music Row.

“I think that summer was a glimmer of how things could be,” she says. It was a chance, she says, to get out of Boston and realign with her love of making music. “Even though I was questioning myself, I was getting confirmation from big decision makers that I had what it took,” she says. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The internship helped her get her foot in the door after graduation. She landed a job as a creative assistant with Diamond Eye Music and gave feedback on songs that would later be pitched to artists or their record labels.

“Music Row is a magical place but just like anywhere else, there is a bottom line,” she says, adding with a laugh that she grew a little tired of assessing music revolving around “beer, girls and trucks.”

Songwriting wasn’t her only focus. A year into her career she hit the road performing.

“In 2015, I did a co-tour with an act called NONIE. She’s from Australia. We were both signed with the same manager,” she says. They hit all kinds of venues all over the northeast, and the gigs uncovered a piece of her she wasn’t aware existed. “A really big part of what has shown up with my PTSD is a need for a home base and consistency,” she says. “Touring doesn’t work that way.”

It was just the first of many revelations.

“Even with the very invigorating experiences I had, I was being called to something more,” she says. “I’ve always had that calling to work with people and serve people, but it was exacerbated after the bombing.”

So, she walked away from a publishing company that had served up songs to A-listers like Garth Brooks and Brooks and Dunn. One of the last songs she worked on was “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega,” recorded by Ashley McBryde. “There are tiny moments that I will hear that song and I’ll have that one little thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I helped on this song.’”

For the next few years, she was on a mission to find herself. She spent two years as the director of arts for a Nashville nonprofit that helped provide entrepreneurial skills to low-income communities. Her “classroom” became the community room in a handful of Nashville’s housing projects.

Then, in 2018 came another passion project.

“My roommate had started a nonprofit called Girls Write Nashville, and I was a founding mentor in that,” Callie says. “Essentially girls ages 6 to 18 were assigned with a working songwriter for a semester and at the very end of the semester, they got to record their song in a state-of-the-art studio and perform it at a showcase. It was amazing.”

The summer of 2018, Callie says, “I decided to come home, get a

CALLIE PERFORMS WITH A MENTEE, IMANI, FOR GIRLS WRITE NASHVILLE

break and hopefully set the reset button.” By the time she got to Colorado on the trek from Nashville to Billings, she says, “I got this overwhelming feeling. It just said, ‘You need to be here. You need to be in the West.’”

She stayed and since then has dabbled in a handful of different jobs, trying to find her way. Today she’s the development director at Saint Vincent de Paul, a nonprofit that serves the poorest of the poor in our community. She’s led music groups among those they serve, focusing on how to use songwriting as an outlet. “So many of the people that we work with have so many talents or abilities that they never had an opportunity to explore,” she says.

And, slowly but surely, she started to realize that the traumatic experience she endured in 2013 was still wreaking havoc on her songwriting.

“I’m finally starting to break through a little bit, which I think is a cathartic experience on its own,” Callie says. “It’s being able to finally be a little more in touch with the outlet I always felt I had.”

I’M FINALLY STARTING TO BREAK THROUGH A LITTLE BIT, WHICH I THINK IS A CATHARTIC EXPERIENCE ON ITS OWN. IT’S BEING ABLE TO FINALLY BE A LITTLE MORE IN TOUCH WITH THE OUTLET I ALWAYS FELT I HAD.

In 2019, a friend from high school called her and mentioned he had a gig at Kirks’ Grocery downtown. He wanted her to join him. That impromptu jam session started to soften the spaces left hardened by tragedy.

“It felt good,” she says. “I think there was a freedom there, knowing there weren’t any expectations. Even years after the marathon bombing, I couldn’t tap into my music.” That was starting to change.

In 2021, she joined the Billings Symphony Chorale. Last fall, she joined the High Plains Chamber Singers. She loves the music and blending her voice with others.

Meantime, her mom and her aunt, Denise Smith, who are two of her biggest cheerleaders, watch the woman they once knew reawaken.

“It’s been hard to see her talent stifled for the last 10 years, but to see it coming back out and to see her embracing what she’s capable of and embracing the beauty of her voice and talent is a miracle to me,” Denise says. “I can’t wait to see what she does next.”

Recently at Kirks’ Grocery, Callie sat down at her keyboard and belted out some of her original music. Her strong, smoky voice captivated her listeners. With every note, it was clear she was getting back that musical breath.

“It takes over,” she says of performing. “There can’t be anything else in the room if there’s music.” She adds with a determined look, “Music will always be a part of my essence.” ✻

— Callie Benjamin

CALLIE GATHERS WITH FELLOW BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC GRADUATES FOR A COMMENCEMENT CONCERT WITH JIMMY PAGE OF LED ZEPPELIN, SPRING 2014.

CALLIE PERFORMS FOR HER EP RELEASE AT THE BASEMENT IN NASHVILLE

n Y u!

Each is an essential ingredient for success. So, too, are the prayers we continue to receive and the encouraging words we get. Your volunteer support allows us to do our work using under 2% of your money for administration.

You ARE Billings Food Bank. It is never more evident than during these times of need with a pandemic and all the hardships which have become our shared history. You give us what we need – when we need it. You allow us to meet the increasing demands while preparing for what is to come. You are helping us triple our capacity and expand our programs. Together we will continue to fulfil our mission now and in the future.

As promised, I will give you the progress of our 16th Street Project, which we had hoped would be ready for our 40th Anniversary (May 2022). However, reality set in and we have faced the same delays as others. We are making progress and moving ahead. It is time to ask folks if they would help us reach our goals. More of that later.

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

Warm regards,

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 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!

Food Boxes for Seniors

Food Boxes through Voucher System

Meals,

Holiday Food Ser vices

Meals provided to Tumbleweed, St. Vincent dePaul, and delivered during special events

Hope for Tomorrow

Hope for Tomorrow

• Large Catering Kitchen/Shared Use Facility

• 1,000 Seat Capacity

• Restaurant with Patio

• 1 Women’s Dressing Room

• 1 Men’s Dressing Room

• Meal Programs Expansion

• Event Venue

• Stage

• 12 Restrooms

• Meeting Area

• Gathering Place

This new facility increases our seating capacity threefold. With our existing building we will have ample room to preserve more produce and ready-to-eat meals.

This shared-use facility will serve to expand training for culinary students as well as be a spacious event venue for the community.

Currently, we are half way to fulfilling our financial goals to complete this facility. If you would like to know how you can help, or if you would like a presentation on this exciting project, please give us a call!

2112 4th Ave. N Billings MT 59101 406.259-2856

foodbank@billingsfoodbank.com

Reinventing

AND HEARTACHE TO A STRONG MOM AND BUSINESS OWNER

Editor’s Note: This story contains descriptions of attempted rape and violent assault.

WATCHING ANGIE STILLER cradle her baby boy in her arms, you can’t help but feel the love. It’s evident in the way she coos at him and gives him a look of perfect gratitude. Around her neck is a simple gold chain with the word “Mama” hanging from it on a pendant.

“I always knew I was going to be a mom,” Angie says. “I just didn’t think I would be a single mom. But honestly, I’ve never been more fulfilled in my entire life.”

What’s harder to see — simmering under the surface of this self-proclaimed mama bear — is a woman who bears the scars of her past. She’s been through hell and back just to be where she is today —a woman navigating life as both a mom and the successful owner of an insurance agency.

“I would say if I could write it on a fortune cookie, Angie Stiller would be somebody who is always trying to see the best in people, even when it is really hard,” she says.

She’s had a lot of experience with that over her four decades of life. Trying to see the best in others started when she was just a kid.

“My family was homeless, several times,” she says. “We lived in pay-by-day hotels and there were four of us kids and my mother and her boyfriend at the time.” Her mother’s boyfriend struggled with addiction. Her mother battled mental health issues. “We

were on welfare,” Angie adds.

While she remembers a happy childhood, she says she didn’t know any other way. There were summers when her mom, working as a hairdresser, would drop her and her three siblings off at a nearby park where they’d play and dumpster dive during the day. The four of them dined on happy meals at lunch. Sometimes they’d live at a nearby KOA campground.

“I can see now how dangerous some of it really was,” she says. Through it all, Angie, as the oldest, considered herself the protector. She made it her mission to find a way out of poverty, despite what were at times uphill battles.

“I was blind, really. I couldn’t see very well but I never had glasses so I couldn’t study,” she says. On top of that, she adds, “I was sleeping on my grandmother’s couch.” She admits to coming dangerously close to not being able to finish high school. She credits a teacher for throwing her a lifeline and helping her get her diploma.

Then came a pivotal moment. At 18, she remembers walking into a Farmer’s Insurance agency. The district office in Yakima, Washington, where she grew up, was hiring.

“She came in to apply and she wanted to be an agent,” says Kim Cummins, the district manager who ended up hiring her. While she was far too young to be an agent, Kim says, “Just the tenacity to come in as an 18-year-old and be willing to get on the phone to make sales calls — she could see herself owning her own business.”

It wasn’t long before Angie enrolled in Yakima Valley Community

I ALWAYS KNEW I WAS GOING TO BE A MOM, I JUST DIDN’T THINK I WOULD BE A SINGLE MOM. BUT HONESTLY, I’VE NEVER BEEN MORE FULFILLED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

— Angie Stiller

FROM HOMELESSNESS

written by JULIE KOERBER photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

College.

“I was trying to show them that there was a way out,” Angie says of her brother and sisters.

“This poor girl who is trying, trying, trying just came across all these roadblocks,” Kim says. “I just felt like she needed a hand, someone to give her a chance.”

“I just loved her the minute I met her,” Kristina Wagner says. At the time, Kristina worked at the district office, helping to oversee operations and the company’s 22 agents. “I just thought, ‘Wow, this kid has a history.’ We all knew she wanted to get the heck out of Yakima.”

Things were starting to look up. Angie got her own apartment — a little one bedroom, one bath in a decent neighborhood.

“I was really proud of where I was in my life,” she says. “I was on my way, I thought, to breaking some transgenerational curses, so to speak.”

She hadn’t lived there long when, on Nov. 5, 2004, she pulled into her apartment parking lot only to find a vehicle parked in her spot. She felt a little unsettled but kept walking to her door. She had just gotten inside when a man knocked on the screen door behind her.

“It was a guy who had been painting the outside of my apartment complex,” Angie says. “I immediately knew something was wrong.”

The man’s coloring was off. Angie noticed the strong smell of liquor on his breath. His red-rimmed, bloodshot eyes had a faraway gaze.

“He said, ‘Can I come in? Do you have just a minute for Jesus?’ I remember looking down. This was the moment,” Angie says. “I looked down at the door and he looked down too. We both realized my screen door wasn’t locked. He immediately came in and front rushed me.”

After trying to kiss her, he threw Angie down on her sofa.

“I can tell you I fought for my life,” she says, adding that the man started to strangle her.

“When someone has their hands around your throat and you think you are dying, one part of your brain is in survival mode and another part of your brain almost goes into rehashing things. I remember thinking ‘Gosh, Mom.’ I just wanted my mom to know that I loved her,” Angie says. Eventually, she blacked out. When she came to, the man was clawing at her belt, trying to take her clothes off.

“It was the craziest thing. He tried to take me back into my bedroom and I just fought him the whole way,” Angie says. “I was very calm though. I said, ‘I don’t really want you in my apartment anymore.’ I settled down a little bit. It was interesting. He settled down when I settled down.”

Angie says she saw something click in the man. “He told me, ‘Don’t call the cops.’ And then he said, ‘I’m really sorry. I took some narcotics today.’” As the man started to back out toward the door, Angie remembers telling him, “I am going to sit down in my bathroom and shut the door.”

The man broke her glasses in the struggle, so when she grabbed

a cell phone as she went into her bathroom, she didn’t realize until after the man left that it was actually his.

“I called the cops and they picked him up that day,” she says.

Ronald Vernon Smith was booked on attempted rape charges. In the days and weeks that followed, police were able to match his fingerprints to a rape and murder in Woodland, California. That crime had gone unsolved for five years because Smith’s prints hadn’t yet been entered into criminal databases.

“The motive for those crime junkies out there was exactly the same,” Angie says. “He had stalked me. I didn’t know. He had made up his mind that I would be his victim.”

Knowing that his victim in California, Joanne Marie Crider, didn’t live through her attack, Angie says the survivor’s guilt ran deep.

“I told her, ‘Angie, you are here because you were brave enough to fight him,’” her friend Kristina says, adding that because of her, another family got closure. “You got him. That’s something you should be very proud of. Even in your panic, you were a hero.”

“He’ll spend the rest of his life in prison,” Angie says with conviction.

Even with her attacker behind bars, Angie went through bouts of paranoia, seeing Smith lurk around every corner. Looking back, she says, there was the Angie before the attack and the Angie after. They were two very different people.

“I had a lot of conversations with God right after it happened,” she says, adding that her anger was intense, as was the urge to self-medicate with alcohol. “I couldn’t understand why God would let something like that happen to me.” In her 30s, she says, “I did a lot of work and a lot of soul searching.” Eventually, she came to forgive her attacker. “I forgave him for me because it was a poison that I was carrying around,” she says.

Ultimately, her old boss Kim Cummins, who had moved to Montana to take a district manager position in Billings, begged Angie to move here. She could see how the attack had changed the girl she had taken a chance on three years earlier.

“Kim encouraged me. She always told

me I didn’t have to be my past and I could break those generational curses,” Angie says. “I could be who I wanted to be but it wouldn’t be easy. With her guidance, I was able to finish college and to really try to straighten myself out.”

Angie started working with Kim in the Billings district office of Farmer’s Insurance and lived with her for a few months as she got back on her feet. She got into therapy and Kim and her husband helped Angie finish college at MSU Billings.

“I did tell her at some point, ‘Angie, you thank me and you think I gave you an opportunity and I did but you had to take it,’” Kim says today. “It’s hard to leave your family and leave the life you know and start over.”

Billings proved to be a good fit. Angie met her husband, Blade, at MSU Billings. They married in 2012; two years later, Angie took the giant leap to open her own insurance agency with Farmer’s.

“I was terrified,” she says with a laugh. She took every penny she had in her savings and laid it all down on her dream of business ownership.

“With an insurance agency, there are no assets. You are basically bargaining on people’s loyalty and your ability to keep them

happy professionally,” she says, adding she felt the pressure to succeed.

Nine years later, Angie calls herself an “insurance junkie” who boils down her love for her job to having a passion for taking care of people. “If you aren’t protecting your future self and your future life, you’re doing a disservice to your family. I try to educate people on that,” she says. “My entire life, I’ve been so interested in the human condition, how we interact and how we love each other. Protecting other people just makes sense to me.”

Two years ago, Angie started to focus on her own family. She could hear her biological clock ticking. She and her husband tried to have children but were unsuccessful. As she felt what she calls a “pull to be a mother,” she found out her husband didn’t feel the same pull.

“When my ex-husband finally came clean, so to speak, and decided he was no longer interested in being a parent, then I immediately just jumped into action,” she says. They divorced in February of 2022. Weeks later, she contacted an adoption agency that specialized in single parent adoptions. She wrote a profile and hired a photographer to take lifestyle photos, painting the picture of what a great mother she’d be. She was matched with her son’s biological mother that following June.

“When I met Banks, it was life-changing,” Angie says. “When he came, it was a level of Iove I could never have fathomed. He came five weeks early and rocked my whole world, which was perfect. I hopped on a plane. I was out of here within an hour. I just put a bunch of spandex in a suitcase.”

She got into North Carolina at 3 in the morning on Dec. 20, slept in the hospital and met the premie boy she’d name Banks that morning. He spent his first week of life in the neo-natal intensive care unit.

“If I wasn’t crying, I was just staring at Banks,” she says. “I had a mixture of emotions that I think most moms can attest to — awe, gratitude, excitement, just looking at this tiny human being and knowing that his future is now dependent on my ability to create structure and a safe environment for him. It was wild.”

Banks biological mother had just turned 23. “She was just trying to get her life back together,” Angie says. “There’s a huge socioeconomic piece to why she gave him up for adoption. I told her, ‘I’ll be your cheerleader for as long as you’ll allow me.’”

“I told her, I will never fully be able to express in words how my life changed, how much I love this boy and much I will always love her,” Angie says.

As she made the flight home with her new baby in tow, she knew life was going to be different.

YOU CAN WITNESS SOMETHING. YOU CAN BE TRAUMATIZED. YOU CAN LIVE THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS BUT IT’S ULTIMATELY YOUR DECISION WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE GOING TO STAY THERE.

— Angie Stiller

Since Banks was born, Angie has written a handful of letters to his biological mom.

“I felt like there was pressure to do it right the first time and then right around month two when I hadn’t really slept at all, I hit my wall,” Angie says. “I was blessed to have a group of women. I call them my sister mothers.”

The 10 women who make up this group swooped in.

“They cleaned my house. They forced me to take naps,” Angie says.

“They held me when I was literally standing in the middle of my house melting down saying, ‘I promise I can do this.’”

“She was a complete mess in the beginning. We would laugh. She never slept and she googled everything the baby did,” Kim says.

TOP L TO R: ANGIE AND BANKS STILLER, VALERIE JUHL. SEATED ON THE COUCH: TERI JAMES, BONNIE MADSEN, KIM CUMMINS AND SUZY BRYAN.

“Banks is going to have quite the experience growing up around so many women.” Kristina adds, “Sometimes, she’ll say, ‘Guys, this is too much.’ We just say, ‘You have to understand how much we care for you and your success is our success.’”

As she braces for this new future, she’s not one to forget her past. Recently, Angie joined the board of Tumbleweed, an nonprofit that focuses on homeless teens.

“If you would have told 13- or 14-yearold Angie who slept in a park?” Angie says of her role with the homeless outreach non-profit. “It feels incredible. I’m just getting started,” she says. “I want Billings to know that these are our children and if you don’t want to see the vagrancy downtown then you better be a part of the solution.”

She’s also spent some time jotting down notes for a potential book, whose working title is “Suddenly Her.” In her book, Angie hopes to take a deep dive into her trauma and the science behind healing. She hopes one day to share her story on a broader platform and maybe even use it in public speaking.

“I want people to know that you don’t have to stay there,” Angie says. “You can witness something. You can be traumatized. You can live through something like this but it’s ultimately your decision whether or not you are going to stay there.”

Most days, you’ll find Angie splitting her time working from home or carting Banks to her office. If she needs to take a call or jump into a meeting, the women she works with never hesitate to be an extra set of arms for the little guy she calls “her main squeeze.” She never

takes for granted the sisterhood that formed at the office.

“I just want to wake up every day and be better because I want to show my son what a strong, loving female looks like,” she says.

“I’ve learned you can’t take yourself too seriously. A setback is just a set back and it’s OK to have a meltdown and cry about it and then get up the next day and put your blazer on and a pair of pumps if you need to. You just can’t stop.” ✻

No Nonsense No Nonsense leadership

leadership leadership

SAM MORRIS MAKES IT HER MISSION TO GIVE BUSINESSES PEACE OF MIND

written by LAURA BAILEY photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

WHEN SAM MORRIS travels for work, she brings a large plastic tote filled with marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Inside, she’s got everything from edible THC gummies and THC-laced beverages to potent synthetic THC cookies. Aside from a small marijuana leaf on the package, they look like a snack you’d pick up at a convenience store. She’s got a few joints in there as well, with attractive names on the labels like Biscotti and Girl Scout Cookie.

There’s also the collection of vape pens, which can be used for marijuana or nicotine, and slender, shiny dab pens that look like something you’d find on an executive’s desk. She’s got a handful of the tiny containers that look like lip balm that hold cannabis concentrate for “dabbing” mixed in with a few other surprises in the box.

She’s ready to answer questions about all of it. Sam is co-owner and vice president of Chemnet Consortium, which helps companies across Montana and throughout the region implement and maintain drug and alcohol testing programs. The company is based in Billings and also offers TSA pre-check fingerprinting and documentation, background checks and DNA and paternity testing.

The company serves about 1,200 clients, and Sam provides them with education so business owners, supervisors and other key employees know what to look for and how to react when someone is drinking or using drugs on the job. When they have reasonable suspicion, Chemnet provides the drug and alcohol screening.

It’s a no-nonsense business that Sam leads with compassion. She works alongside a team of six full time employees and a handful of parttime employees.

“The stuff we deal with can be highly emotional. You have to be nonjudgmental,” she says. “We sit with people who are likely to lose their job.”

Drug and alcohol screenings can be performed as a part of pre-employment, after an accident, or if there’s reasonable sus-

picion, and some companies have random drug-testing policies.

“Basically, our clients call Chemnet and we handle it from point A to point Z,” Sam says.

Chemnet employees also provide referrals to drug treatment programs and addiction counselors for those who fail their screenings.

“I never knew my heart would break for addicts. Once I learned about addiction, understanding it a little better was very eye opening for me,” Sam says.

The recent legalization of marijuana in Montana is a major concern for business owners. The drug may be legal, but showing up to work high or getting high on the job is not OK.

“How do you create a safe work environment in a state with legalized marijuana? We’re learning that,” Sam says.

Sam and her husband, Stan, purchased Chemnet 10 years ago. They were introduced to the opportunity by their accountant, and after learning more about it, they decided to go for it.

“There was never a question of should we do this,” Sam says. “It was, if we can make this work then we should make it work.”

Stan is a pilot for a major airline and flies full-time. He’s always ready to help with big decisions at the company but leaves the day-to-day management to Sam. There’s a mountain of logistics involved in maintaining multiple testing sites across the state and region, but Sam is focused on creating a workplace culture that empowers her employees to reach their potential.

“I am really passionate about creating a place where people want to come to work,” Sam says. “Creating that environment is by biggest concern.”

It wasn’t that long ago that the company struggled with a toxic workplace culture. Sam admits that she allowed it to slide, and it

had gotten so bad even she didn’t want to come to work.

“When you’re walking in to work with a pit in your stomach every day, then something’s wrong,” Sam says.

Part of the turnaround included Enneagram personality assessments. Each employee took the simple assessment to learn which one of nine different personality types they are. It’s been a helpful tool, especially in communication and helping each employee find their niche within the office.

“We needed to find out how everybody is wired so we can talk to each other in the way that works best for each person,” Sam says. “Just knowing our differences has made a huge difference in our culture.”

A list of six workplace values also hangs on the wall of the company’s break room. Besides being a reminder of what’s expected, they validate the progress they’ve made as a team.

Tracy Webb joined the Chemnet team two years ago and says she never experienced such a positive and encouraging workplace culture in all her years of employment.

“We don’t have to work to be happy, we are happy,” she says. Chemnet’s investment in each of its employees has paid off.

Sam makes sure her team members are recognized not just for their hard work but also for the little things. They celebrate birthdays and employment anniversaries. Sam has had to learn to balance her involvement with operations and how to empower her employees.

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned about myself is that I don’t have to be in the way all the time,” Sam says. “If your business starts and ends with you then there’s nothing in between. It took

zoomontana.org

Chase December

Finals

Montana.

Memorial during

Belle gets adventurous and as a result becomes a captive in the Beast’s enchanted castle! Dancing flatware, menacing wolves and singing furniture fill the stage with thrills during this beloved fairy tale about very different people finding strength in one another as they learn how to love.billingsstudiotheatre.com

MY PASSION WITH FLYING IS REALLY TO EXPOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO AVIATION

F R inge Festiva L

Venture Theatre presents its Fringe Festival, January 18th-19th and 25th-26th.The festival features four nights of shows featuring local and regional performing artists of all types including dance, standup comedy, theater improv, one act plays, musicals, performance art, spoken word/poetry, and puppetry.venturetheatre.org

s ou L s t R eet d an C e

This high energy show comes to the Alberta Bair Theater on January 19th and presents a new era in dance, while pushing the artistic boundaries of street dance. Soul Street concerts consist of a mix of movement that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The music is combined with an electric mix ranging from hip-hop to classical. It’s a show that will make you laugh and keep audiences of all ages entertained.

a Con C e R t F o R the w ho L e Fami Ly

Billings Symphony presents its Family Concert on January 26th at the Alberta Bair Theater. Four time Grammy nominees, “Trout Fishing in America,” will perform along with the Billings Symphony. Trout Fishing in America is a musical duo which performs folk rock and children’s music. billingssymphony.com

me a lot of personal growth to get there.”

Sam didn’t start out with her eye on business ownership. She had her eye on the sky. She wanted to be a pilot, and it was a dream from the time she was young.

“I had parents who never really said, ‘You can’t do that’ – and I took that seriously,” Sam says.

Sam met her husband when she was 16. He was a couple of years older and had just gotten his private pilot’s license. Sam went flying with him every chance she got. They both attended Rocky Mountain College and graduated with degrees in aeronautical science. After marrying and starting a family, Sam decided she wanted to stay at home with their children, who are now 18 and 16. When the children were young, Sam managed airline contracts, which was lucrative and flexible. Throughout it all she maintained her pilot’s license and flight instructor certification.

“I’ve always loved instructing,” Sam says.

That’s why seven years ago she jumped at the chance to join the Rocky Mountain College Aviation Program faculty as the lead coach for the flight team. The flight team is an intercollegiate competition for young pilots. Rocky’s team includes 12 pilots who participate in competitions across the region. Pilots are judged on landings, takeoffs, navigation and other aspects of flying.

“My passion with flying is really to expose young people to aviation,” Sam says.

Sam has several young female pilots on her team, which reflects the trend the industry has seen in the last 30 years toward more women in aviation.

“That shift has been positive, and watching the kids, they don’t have that stigma,” Sam says. “There’s still that old-timer mentality out there, but you don’t hear it as much.”

When Sam is not running her company or soaring across the sky, she serves on the Tumbleweed board, Better Billings board and council for Harvest Church. She’s also member of the Yellowstone County DUI Task Force.

Kim Davidson, a friend and fellow business owner, has long admired Sam for her professional and personal values. Recently the two were on a trip, and while at a coffee shop, two young men held the door for them. Sam noticed their kind gesture and anonymously bought their drinks.

“She always goes above and beyond,” Kim says. “It’s always more than the average person would do, and she never expects anything in return.” ✻

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I’VE LEARNED ABOUT MYSELF IS THAT I DON’T HAVE TO BE IN THE WAY ALL THE TIME. IF YOUR BUSINESS STARTS AND ENDS WITH YOU THEN THERE’S NOTHING IN BETWEEN.

— Sam Morris

Cheers Cheers Cheers 25 YEARS

TO

25 YEARS

KRIS CARPENTER REFLECTS ON PROVIDING REJUVENATION FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES

written by JULIE KOERBER photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

WHEN YOU WALK into Sanctuary Spa and Salon, the scent of lavender lingers. It’s here that owner Kris Carpenter holds one dream and one dream only for you — that you’ll leave feeling far more refreshed than when you came. It’s been a constant mission in all 25 of her years at the helm.

“I think the vision I’ve had the entire time has been creating a place to take care of women, giving them a place they could come for an hour or even a day to fill their bucket again,” Kris says. Twenty-five years is a long time. But even still, Kris admits the milestone kind of snuck up on her. “I know the reality and statistics of business and to even hit that landmark is pretty exciting.”

Over the years, Kris has traveled the nation looking for new types of services to offer in Billings. The desire to be different shows with not only Sanctuary’s Chakra Balancing Massage but the rejuvenating Rosemary Mint Body Polish. Each of the services offered has been an evolution.

“When you have a business that has been around that long, it doesn’t look like what it did in the beginning, nor should it,” she says. “It’s been having to shift and change and continually try to stay relevant.”

daughter-in-law who has joined Kris in the management of not just Sanctuary but Kris’ second business, The Joy of Living.

“She goes above and beyond no matter what the situation is,” Mariah says. She explains by saying that there’s never a birthday or work anniversary that goes unnoticed among the staff. Mariah adds that it’s not uncommon for the management team to all read the same book for personal growth. They recently read the book “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Power of Giving People More Than They Expect,” by Will Guidara, the owner of a five-star restaurant who loves to turn “ordinary transactions into extraordinary experiences.”

I THINK THE VISION I’VE HAD THE ENTIRE TIME HAS BEEN CREATING A PLACE TO TAKE CARE OF WOMEN, GIVING THEM A PLACE THEY COULD COME FOR AN HOUR OR EVEN A DAY TO FILL THEIR BUCKET AGAIN

— Kris Carpenter

If you ask those who have watched Kris in business, they’ll tell you that one of the keys to her success goes far beyond her drive to grow her business: it’s her business of growing people. She looks for employees who want to “serve from the heart.” And, when she finds them, she not only empowers them to help make the day-to-day decisions, she also gives them an opportunity to shine.

“I’ve always known what it meant to walk the talk and set a good example, but I never knew what it was to be a team builder. That’s something Kris has instilled in me,” says Mariah Carpenter, Kris’

Mariah says Kris does that for her salon guests, and she focuses on her employees in just the same way.

“One of our staff got a flat tire one day and she had her son, Rob, my husband, go and change her flat tire so at the end of the day that wasn’t something she had to deal with,” Mariah says.

About four years ago, Kris started something that she says has paid in spades. Instead of what many businesses call a “quarterly review,” Kris began what she calls her “Hopes and Dreams Meetings” with employees. It’s a scheduled time where she not only goes over that team member’s business but asks them the simple question of, “What can I do for you?”

“It’s great because I know my team on a different level,” she says. “I know what matters to them and it’s not necessarily what matters to me.”

In 2012, she reached outside her salon walls to start a scholarship at MSU Billings. She gave a five-figure donation to the university’s endowment to lend a hand to non-traditional students for

decades to come.

“I felt like there are plenty of scholarships for the brightest and the smartest,” she says. “I wanted this to reflect a person who is just trying to get going.”

Over the summer, she’s also been empowering her staff to develop a scholarship for those wanting to enter the salon industry. Kris explains that her employees are coming up with the criteria, and once the scholarship is set in motion, they’ll help pick the recipient to help that person enter cosmetology or massage therapy school.

“That doesn’t mean that the person who gets the scholarship will have to come work for us, there are no ties that way,” Kris says. “It’ more about broadening our belief in that it is an incredible industry to go into.”

With the dawn of medical spas and massage being incorporated into chiropractic offices, Kris has felt the pinch. All of these businesses are vying for the same talent. That’s where she hopes stepping forward and offering scholarships will help expand the pool of potential team members.

“We had to change how we ran our business and how we thought about business. That’s been the beauty of being around that long – you either do or you die,” Kris says.

When asked what advice she’d give a woman just starting her own enterprise, Kris doesn’t hesitate to say never stop learning.

“I think it’s being willing to work really, really hard and keep learning. There’s no business that isn’t hard work but learn and love it,” she says. Kris spells that out by saying she has a business coach she works with monthly. She knows where to turn for legal help and she’s teamed up with a great banker. “All those things have been super critical to our success,” she says.

Those partnerships help her stay focused and do what she does best — taking care of her clients.

“Successful businesses are passion projects,” she says. “That’s the essence of Sanctuary for me. It’s my passion. I’m really glad I took the leap. I’m thankful that there were people who taught me things. They taught me so much and now, to see it get to this point is pretty dang fun.” ✻

Grow old Grow old Grow old gracefully? gracef gracefully? gracefully? Grow old

WHEN MISTIE MIMS and Stephanie Morup first crossed paths at the YMCA, they shared a goal of improving their overall health. Little did they envision then, during that long-ago boot camp, that one day they’d be helping each other attain that shared goal. Nor did they foresee that they’d be dovetailing their expertise — in hormone therapy, fitness and nutrition — to help others navigate the over-40 divide.

Mistie, the former fitness director at the YMCA, is a certified personal trainer, health coach and sports nutritionist. She and her husband, Jaysun, make up Mims Fit, a health and fitness business they started eight years ago.

Stephanie is a PA-C (certified physician assistant) who specializes in hormone therapy — specifically bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (B-HRT). Formerly with Premier Aesthetics, she recently opened her own business, MorUp B-HRT.

While their business ventures remain separate, both Mistie and Stephanie agree that optimal health can be achieved only by addressing the overall body — and that includes fitness, nutrition and hormonal balance.

“It goes hand in hand,” Mistie explains. “You can’t have one without the other.”

Besides sharing that philosophy, the two share similar experiences that led them to the work they’re doing today. Their personal stories – of the changes they faced when they entered their 40s –sharpened their focus. Both now share a passion for helping other women work through life’s changes.

“People say we should age gracefully,” Stephanie says. “But what is aging gracefully? And on whose terms?”

Now 52, Stephanie had a complete hysterectomy at 40. To address the sudden changes that came with it, she was prescribed synthetic hormones that left her with weight gain, irritability and bloating. Frustrated, she quit the hormones and worked her tail off in the gym. But the scale wouldn’t budge.

Mistie

“I hit (gained) 50 pounds and was feeling miserable,” she says. “It would have been worse if I wasn’t a gym rat.”

gracefully? fully? gracefully? gracefully?

ON WHOSE TERMS? ON WHOSE TERMS?

She went to three providers before finding a doctor who addressed her symptoms with information and B-HRT. She started feeling better. She lost weight and kept it off. The change made her a believer.

Delving further into the latest research, she came away convinced that a flawed study was at the root of hormone therapy’s bad rap. Her research also convinced her that bio-identical hormones — rather than synthetic hormones — are the key to minimizing any risk associated with HRT.

Energized by the changes she experienced personally, Stephanie enrolled in courses in Salt Lake City through Dr. Neal Rouszier, considered by many as the “guru” in B-HRT.

“Now we can look at aging by treating aging as a disease,” she says. “We have medicines for blood pressure and diabetes; why not treat this?”

THE BIO-IDENTICAL CONNECTION

As Stephanie explains it, when women hit pre-menopause and menopause, many find themselves suffering from a host of issues including irritability, depression, hot flashes, foggy thinking, lack of sexual desire, difficulty sleeping and vaginal dryness, among others. Long term, the drop in hormones can also lead to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other health issues.

Though it’s known that hormones can relieve some of these symptoms, providers have been reluctant to prescribe them. The hesitancy traces to the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative Trials that tested the use of synthetic hormones in older women already dealing with health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. When early indications suggested that the hormones increased the risk of cancer, even slightly, the study was terminated and the use of hormones was virtually abandoned.

“The reality is, these women were ill anyway,” Stephanie said. “Because of that study, they said all hormones were a problem.”

Yet, that’s not the end of the story. A subsequent study in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) in 2017 revealed a totally different outcome. It found that the women who had remained on hormones long term actually benefited from them,

JOIN FORCES TO PROMOTE HEALTH AFTER 40

written by LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA

photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

that the hormones were protective and increased longevity. It also revealed that bio-identical hormones offered a better alternative for improved health outcomes and less risk overall.

“It didn’t make sense,” Stephanie asays. “We were making these hormones before (menopause), so why would they suddenly be dangerous?”

Likewise, she points out, commonly prescribed birth control pills contain the very same hormones and yet have not been pulled from the shelves. To address the misguided bias against hormone therapy, Stephanie relentlessly strives to get her message across.

“Educate, educate, educate,” she says.

She is a strong proponent of bio-identical hormones because they more closely match the genetics of a women’s natural hormones, she says. They are compounded from plants such as soy and yams, as opposed to Premarin, which is synthesized from the urine of pregnant mares.

Stephanie emphasizes that her practice is not limited to women. Men, too, can suffer from hormone imbalance. When testosterone levels are too high, the symptoms include acne, aggression, early puberty, high blood pressure, low sperm count and even increased risk-taking behaviors.

An appointment with Stephanie involves a thorough medical exam, lab work and a discussion about the patient’s symptoms and goals. Once the lab results are in, Stephanie works with her patients to tailor their treatment.

“My goal is to have them understand the pros and cons, to educate the patient so they decide what’s right for them,” she said.

And this is where Mistie comes in. Struggling with her own post-40 problems — in a matter of months she’d put on 25 pounds and felt out of whack — she, too, made an appointment with her doctor.

“My physician said, ‘Welcome to your 40s,’” she says.

Refusing to accept that, Mistie eventually figured out that her issues were related to hormonal changes. She continued working out and simultaneously opted for BHRT under Stephanie’s counsel. Getting her hormones back in balance helped with her sleep, her energy level and even lessened her brain fog, she said.

Now, at 49, Mistie is back at her desired weight and feeling great. She credits Stephanie for her thoroughness, her knowledge, her accessibility and even her affordability. And she appreciates Stephanie’s passion for what she does.

“Because of where Stephanie has my hormones, I feel like I did in my late 20s, early 30s,” she says.

Yet, both women agree that hormones alone won’t help with weight loss and fitness.

“I have found, and so has research, that the key to success if you want to be fit after 40 is to adjust your priorities to be more health-oriented,” Mistie says.

A woman’s metabolism slows as she hits middle age, and with that, her need for calories also drops, she adds. Having gone through her own struggles, Mistie, like Stephanie, has focused on helping women in that age group.

“(With balanced hormones) you still need to work at it, but it’s easier,” Mistie says. “We just have to work out differently.” For one, “differently” means making workouts more efficient and targeted, she says.

MY GOAL IS TO HAVE THEM UNDERSTAND THE PROS AND CONS, TO EDUCATE THE PATIENT SO THEY DECIDE WHAT’S RIGHT FOR THEM.

— Stephanie Morup

Thursday, October 19, at 8 a.m. Billings

EVERYTHING YOU WANT. ALL IN ONE PLACE.

Special Offer

New members who join and enroll in auto renewal of their annual membership will receive a $30 Digital Costco Shop Card.*

Expires Nov. 19, 2023

Join before we open!

Sign up at our existing location.

2290 King Ave. West

Hours: weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Shop opening day starting at 8 a.m. 3880 Zoo Drive Billings

For location details, visit Costco. com and search: Billings Opening

*To receive a Digital Costco Shop Card, you must provide a valid email address and set up auto renewal of your Costco membership on a Visa® card at the time of sign-up. If you elect not to provide a valid email address and sign up for auto renewal, a Digital Costco Shop Card will not be emailed. Valid only for nonmembers for their first year of membership. Limit one per household. Nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. New members will receive their Digital Costco Shop Card by email within 2 weeks of sign-up. Costco Shop Cards are not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. A Costco membership is $60 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $60 upgrade fee a year. Each membership includes one free Household Card. May be subject to sales tax. Costco accepts all Visa cards, as well as cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT and Costco Shop Cards. Departments and product selection may vary. NWR000191

Awareness Code: 23705 ∙ Expires: Nov. 19, 2023 ∙ Valid only at: Billings Costco and Costco.com

This mobile trailer allows them to transport a wide range of equipment to wherever their clients desire. It’s proven to be ideal for anyone who sees the gym as a barrier. They’ve used this to help improve the lives of overweight youth all the way up to workplace wellness sessions, accommodating up to 30 people with each workout.

“Once you’re in your 40s and older, it’s less about cardio and more about weight training,” she says. “Weight-bearing exercise prevents osteoporosis and a decline in muscle mass.”

The difference is also about finding the right approach to make workouts less daunting for those who might be exercise-shy or think it’s “too late.” To establish a routine, Mistie schedules sessions with her new clients for two or three days a week. Mistie is all about taking baby steps, coaching patience and tailoring workouts to make her clients enjoy what they’re doing. She reminds them that results take more time in middle age, but that ultimately they will look and feel better. More importantly, their commitment to healthy living will decrease their chances of developing serious health issues later on, she adds.

Just as Mistie has relied on Stephanie’s expertise, Stephanie has benefited from Mistie’s wealth of experience. Stephanie discovered that, even with her hormones in balance, she’s having to change up her workouts.

“I learned that you can’t just go on a walk and that be enough,” she says. “You can’t just lift weights and that be enough. You

have to find ways to shock your metabolism. You’ve got to mix it up.”

As the two reconnected through their practices, they started referring clients to each other.

“Of all my clients who’ve gone to hormone replacement therapy, not one has regretted it. Not one,” Mistie says.

Above all, Stephanie and Mistie agree that no one should accept a dead-end diagnosis of “welcome to your 40s.”

“Some people feel they’ve missed out on the opportunity to be fit if they’re 40 and out of shape,” Mistie says. “But that’s simply not true, because it’s not too late. Just like it’s not too late to change your career after 40.” ✻

A long-time resident of the Columbus area, Linda Halstead-Acharya 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.

IT’S ESTIMATED THAT UPWARDS OF 2.5 MILLION WOMEN

IN THE U.S. OVER THE AGE OF 40 ARE USING BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA, writer

Caring Years of 125

ONLY A FEW REMAIN OF THE RELIGIOUS ORDER THAT HELPED FOUND ST. VINCENT HEALTHCARE

written by SUE OLP photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

ON ANY GIVEN DAY, you might find Sister Bernadette Helfert or Sister Eileen Hurley at the Guest Services desk at St. Vincent Healthcare. As one of the hospital’s volunteers, they might be one of the first faces to help welcome a person into the hospital. Or they might take a little trip to help deliver flowers to brighten up a patient’s room.

Spotting one of these Sisters of Charity might not be easy. They traded their religious attire for street clothes years ago. While the habits are gone, the history still runs deep with these women. They are two of only four members the order left here that helped found the Billings hospital.

On Aug. 7, Saint Vincent Healthcare helped ring in 125 years of service to the community. Much has changed since that cornerstone was laid, thanks to the direction of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth.

In the early days, nuns not only led the fledging medical center, but they also they raised funds to keep it running and nursed the ailing patients. Sisters also “performed a great deal of backbreaking labor,” author Sue Hart wrote in “The Call to Care,” a book which detailed the hospital’s first 110 years. They cleared away brush and debris, gardened, raised poultry outside and inside kept everything in tip-top shape.

“No lay help was even considered, as resources were too meager to afford even a comfortable living for the Sisters,” Hart adds.

These days, the remaining sisters serve as volunteers. All the other roles, from administrators to the medical and support staff, are filled by lay people. What hasn’t changed, Helfert says, is the focus on faith.

“The ministry of Jesus will always be there, and that’s what will remain,” she says.

From the beginning, St. Vincent Hospital, with its Catholic core, had an ecumenical flavor, Hart wrote. Dr. Henry Chapple,

a physician who was an Episcopalian, teamed up with Father Francis Van Clarenbeck, a Catholic priest, in 1897, to request the Sisters of Charity consider constructing a hospital in Billings.

The property for the original building, built along what is now Division Street, between Broadwater and Wyoming avenues where Central High School now sits, was donated by two Protestants and a Catholic.

“And certainly, as far as the Sisters were concerned, St. Vincent Hospital was established to serve all of the Billings community, as well as the surrounding region, without regard to race, religion, color or creed,” Hart said.

Tracy Neary, vice president of mission integration for St. Vincent, tells an amusing story about how the initial location for the hospital was chosen. The town of Billings grew up around the tracks laid by the Northern Pacific Railroad. At first, the hospital was to be located south of the tracks.

“However, Mass was on the north side of the tracks,” Neary says. “So, part of what weighed into the decision was making sure the sisters wouldn’t be held up by a train and be late to Mass.”

Much of the hospital’s history has been preserved in a newly completed archive on the first floor of Marillac Hall, near the corner of North 30th Street and 12th Avenue North, where the hospital was relocated in the 1920s. A large photographic mural on one wall of the room depicts people and places central to the origins of the sisters’ order and the hospital’s history.

Neary, during a, informal tour of the archive, opened a drawer that held another piece of the hospital’s past, a tiny crutch and brace, used circa 1916 for treatment during the devastating polio epidemic. The archive will be available to the public during periodic open houses over the next year.

Marillac Hall was opened in 1947 to house both the sisters and a nursing school. One who remembers that time is Sister Jean Lind, who completed several stints at the Billings hospital. Now

ON PAGE 48: SISTER MARY AGNES HOGAN, SISTER BERNADETTE HELFERT, SISTER KATHERINE FRANCHETT AND SISTER EILEEN HURLEY.

90 years old and living at the Mother House in Kansas, Lind was interviewed via video for the 125-year celebration. A Butte native, Lind, who attended the St. Vincent School of Nursing in Montana in the mid-1950s, put her focus on maternity care.

After she left to earn a master’s degree, she returned to St. Vincent Hospital in 1966 and initially served as an instructor at the nursing school and then as OB supervisor from 1969 to 1972.

“I loved to work in the nursery and in labor and delivery,” she says.

She then served as supervisor of the newly created neonatal intensive care department, from 1972 to 1977. Lind remembers being part of a response team that traveled via fixed-wing aircraft to pick up patients and transport them to St. Vincent. She recalls one particular challenge, when a baby was transported aboard the plane.

“The IV began to freeze in the bottle,” Lind says. “The baby, we had in the incubator, so what do we do? Well, you put the bottle in the incubator, but you have to stop and think for a minute, well let’s see, how are we gonna do this?”

Hurley, 81, also a native of Butte and member of the order for more than 60 years, can still be found these days at the hospital staying active beyond her weekly stint at Guest Services. She is also one of two sisters who serve on the hospital board, along with Sister Judith Jackson, and as a member of the Quality and Patient Safety Committee for the three Montana hospitals.

Hurley, one of the last of the sisters in hospital leadership, served in multiple roles in different locations over the years, ranging from teacher to parish administrator to director of lay ministry for the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings and part of the leadership of SCL Health. It wasn’t until 1990 that she came to Billings to stay.

“I knew people here,” she says. “And I could use some of my gifts, even in my retirement years.”

She’s observed the change in leadership over the course of time.

“For a long time, there were only sisters as board members,” Hurley says. “And then at some point that began to transition.”

That changeover also occurred among the administration of St. Vincent and the other two SCL hospitals in Montana, St. James in Butte and Holy Rosary in Miles City. Like a relay race, the sisters began passing the baton onto a new generation of leaders and health care providers.

“The whole thing is we plant the seed, but we’re not necessarily going to see it all grow,” Hurley says.

Helfert, who was born and raised in Helena, has also worn many hats in her nearly 65 years of ministry. The list includes elementary teacher and principal, member of the order’s personnel board and its leadership council, parish administrator and mission director.

In 1994, she was asked to assume the role of regional vice president for mission integration for Montana’s three SCL hospitals.

“As the sisters left, there was a gap in who was going to focus intentionally on the values,” she says. “It’s the spirituality of what we do, more than just care, it’s deeper. It’s sharing in the ministry of God’s work here on earth.”

Helfert paused, tears in her eyes, when asked what that looks like in the hospital.

“Sometimes people say to me ‘I can tell the difference when I walk into the hospital, I feel the difference,’” she says. “It is the spirit of the healthcare workers. They are so caring.”

It stems all the way back to Mother Xavier Ross, who founded the SCL order, Helfert says. From the start, the founder taught young novices that when somebody walks in the hospital “they are the face of Christ, and you treat everybody the same.”

Helfert sees the era of the sisters at St. Vincent coming to an end. “Now there are four of us, and we’re all in our 80s,” she says. The baton is being handed to people like Neary, who has worked at St. Vincent since 2000 and now has the responsibility to encourage caregivers to serve in ways that demonstrate to patients “the embodiment of Christ the healer.”

“We want people to find healing and hope in all their encounters with us, whether they’re patients, community members or coworkers,” Neary says. “How do we bring alive that Gospel vision of hope?”

Another recent change the hospital has seen is the 2022 merger of the St. Vincent’s umbrella organization, SCL Health, with Intermountain Health. When SCL Health leadership, including members of the order, considered the merger, a key question was whether such a move would allow it to maintain its Catholic identity. Only knowing that would continue allowed the merger to go forward, Neary says.

It will permit St. Vincent Healthcare to grow and change in some ways, to better meet the needs of its patients. That includes the budding plans to build a replacement hospital on North 27th Street.

But the hospital’s name will remain the same, she says, and so will its values, which permeate the hospital.

“People can’t always name it, sometimes it feels a little intangible,” Neary says. “It’s the intentionality of caring for the whole person – you’re more than a diagnosis, you’re a whole rich flourishing human being and we want to help people find that fullness, that wholeness of body, mind and spirit.” ✻

SUE OLP, writer

Sue Olp worked for many years as a reporter at the Billings Gazette, covering everything from healthcare and education to county government, tribal issues and religion, not to mention plenty of human-interest stories. Now retired, she is a freelance writer and enjoys gardening, reading and spending time with her family, including her grandchildren.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO FIND HEALING AND HOPE IN ALL THEIR ENCOUNTERS WITH US, WHETHER THEY’RE PATIENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS OR COWORKERS.

— Tracy Neary,

1STANNUAL SENIORADVOCACY AWARDS

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Are you even who you think you are? Do you see yourself as others see you, and if you did would you be kinder, stronger, maybe able to leap tall buildings in a single bound?

One of the most profound things I get to do when life coaching a client, especially one who is an entrepreneur, is to help them figure out what makes them tick, what things they do on auto pilot and what things they are doing intentionally. What I've seen, after almost 30 years of this work, is that most of us operate on a set of tracks that we can maneuver without even thinking.

We start the day with the same brand of toothpaste our mom bought for us, way back when. We drink our coffee made just

the way we like it. We exercise the same way today that we did yesterday and wear basically the same outfit (maybe changing a color or accessory). Then, we get in the car, which is just like the last car we owned and we drive the same roads to work that we’ve been driving every darn day since we first started working there. Our computer screen opens to the same program and our lunch, well, it’s like everything else, predictable.

If we are, as they say, what we do, then that's it. We are a routine, a habit, and we operate with the ease and comfort of simply putting one foot in front of the other.

From time to time though, something changes. We try a new food at a sketchy restaurant, sleep in a tent — alone — on a mountainside, get laid off from work, become ill, or ask for a

YVW MAGAZINE

divorce. It's in those moments when we’re most scared that we lean into our most authentic selves. Our driver values click in — the values you didn’t choose but are there judging, alerting you to potential danger and making sure you are safe in every situation, all day long. When that happens, our primal brain takes over and we discover that we not only can be more, we actually are more than we ever believed.

If your driver value is loyalty, you become more loyal to yourself. If it is kindness, you become kinder to yourself and the situation or person challenging you. Your driver values, when you let them lead, help to make you more brave, more intelligent, more loved and loving, and more everything you genuinely want to be, especially in the toughest situations.

But — and this is a beautiful thing — if you are brave enough to ask, what would your friends, family and coworkers say about you? You see, they might see you more holistically, dare I say with a truer frame, than you see yourself.

You don't like your hair or your proclivity to flee instead of fight. You critique your toes, your word choices, the food you ate, and how loudly you laugh. You critique, at every juncture, the things, every one of them, that others would describe as your strengths, not your weaknesses.

You do this to fit in, to stay safe and to act as a check and balance of an ego that could run away with itself and my goodness, we wouldn't want that to happen now would we? You might get, as my mom often said I was, too big for my britches or that I was punching above my weight class.

Your criticism might make you feel that you are in control, that you know who you are, but it might also hold you down. It might keep you from flying when wings are what you were given. What if, just for today and maybe tomorrow too, you leaned into who you really are? What if you stopped and asked yourself, for real, no games allowed, what you liked and didn't like about yourself? What if, and this is what I am going to suggest you do right now, you asked three people you spend the most time with, how they would describe you? What do they consider your greatest strengths?

Their answer might be, and probably could be, life changing.

You should respect these three people and know that their honest opinion comes from a place of love and not the opportunity to mold you into their version of you. You’re not looking for critique or empty praise. You are looking for real words, real feelings, real insight. My grandson, now 14, is well trained. When I say, "You

are my favorite grandson," he says, "You are my favorite Amma." I have no other grandson, and his other grandmother is called grandma. This sort of platitude is not helping either of us grow, even though it's fun banter.

WHAT ARE YOUR DRIVER VALUES?

WHAT ARE YOUR DRIVER VALUES?

If you're not sure, visit yellowstonevalleywoman. com/values and let Karen lead you through an exercise that might help you answer that question.

So, when you ask your “three” to describe you, don't argue with them. Don't say “I am not...!” Just settle in and absorb what they say. Then, and this is the power play, stop for a moment and ask yourself if you believe them. Truly. In your heart. In your darkest moments or your times of pure joy, are you what and who they think you are?

Maybe those three have given you a glimpse into the purest, truest, most amazing you that you could be. If, and this is the hard part, you let yourself be all that they described.

If you are going to answer the question — Who am I? — you’ll want to understand your driver values. And you’ll want to get ready to live your “next,” which is a natural, life-affirming action that I talk about in my book “What's Next?”

It is scary to ask these questions, and to use them to live your best life, to leave fear behind, to accept your true power, to be your most authentic self. But my friend, I believe in you. When you live authentically — as you, for you — you are your very best for you, your family, the community and, dare I say, the world. ✻

By Karen Grosz

Power Power Power Power Color Color Color Color Power WHAT’S YOUR

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO COLOR that you pull from your closet? Is it one that flatters? Is it one that gives your confidence a boost? If you’re not quite sure the answer to those questions, there’s a new business in town that’s helping people find their power colors. Kaitlyn Bolotas is a stylist for House of Colour, a franchise that specializes in color analysis. She recently sat down for a little Q&A on how we can all tap into our own personal power colors.

Q. TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN FASHION?

A. I grew up here in Billings, moved away for college, and then I came back almost 10 years ago and have been here ever since. I am married and we have a wild 2-year-old son who is just the best! I was never into fashion growing up. My "fashion" was a pair of jeans and a T-shirt or my volleyball gear. It's funny that now I own a House of Colour franchise that is all about fashion and style. I'm so passionate about helping women look and feel their best. It just goes to show how much my own color and style analysis changed my life.

Q. WHY IS COLOR ANALYSIS IMPORTANT?

A. Everyone can relate to the confidence boost we feel when we're wearing clothes that make us look and feel good. House of Colour shows you how to incorporate colors and styles into your wardrobe in a way that feels authentic to your own personality. During a color analysis, we determine your season, which essen-

tially means we find the colors that harmonize best with your skin, complementing your natural beauty, and making you shine!

Q. WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE EXPECT FROM THEIR CONSULTATION?

A. Above all, I tell people to allow themselves to be excited about what is about to happen! Your appointment will take around two hours and you will leave with all the knowledge and tools you need to move forward. We go over clothing colors, your best metals, hair color and your season's best denim. You get to leave with a color fan and book which both make your color journey easier.

Q. HOW DOES MAKEUP PLAY INTO THE HOUSE OF COLOUR?

A. When you're wearing the right colors, you can actually wear less makeup! While the color analysis process is based on your undertones, your makeup is matched to your overtones. During your appointment, after we determine your season, we find your best shades of makeup. All of our makeup is categorized by season so that you can be extremely confident you are wearing colors that harmonize with your skin. Our quick 90-second makeup routine consists of our dual mineral foundation, finding your signature blush, mascara and your season's three points of red with lipstick. Most women tell me they have always struggled finding a good blush color. Knowing your season takes all the guess work out of that.

Q. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE CONSULTATION?

A. My favorite part is when we try on the different lipstick colors. Women are either terrified of a lip color (I know I was) or they are used to wearing something, just not the right colors. When we match the lipstick to the corresponding drape and they get to see how beautiful they are. It is such a fun thing to observe.

Q. WHAT ARE THE HOTTEST TRENDS AND HOW THEY CAN BE RELATED TO YOUR COLOR PALETTE?

A. Pink is totally in right now and I love it. There's something about wearing pink that makes a woman feel empowered — but it must be the right shade of pink! When I was in the process of opening my fran chise, my grandma told me a story of when she was working, years ago. She bought an expensive pink pant suit but never wore it because when she got it home, she didn't like the way it looked on her. A while later she had her colors done and she realized she didn't like it because it was the wrong shade of pink. So pink is great and all but if you're not wearing your best pink, it may not have the same effect on you as the right one will.

Going the opposite direction from pink, lots of girlies are in their neutral era. Mono chromatic looks in neutral colors are a big trend. But did you know every single neu tral color has a specific undertone? Each color season has 10 to 15 neutrals, so even

if you want to live your best neutral life, let's find your best ones! You will shine in your best neutrals because they will harmonize with your natural coloring.

Q. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH HOUSE OF COLOUR?

A. I had my colors done in November 2022 and style in February of this year. After I knew it was something I wanted to pursue, it was a quick turnaround for funding, setting up a studio, paying the franchise fee, and going to training. I was able to open the doors to my studio at the end of May and have not once looked back.

Q. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO OPEN HOUSE OF COLOUR?

A. When I opened my franchise, the closest gal was about six hours away. I knew House of Colour was something Billings desperately needed and not everyone has the time and ability to travel that far. And because of how life changing color and style analysis was for me, I knew I had to provide that same experience for the women on Billings. A big goal I have is I want to open a retail store front where we can have our studio for appointments and also be able feature local vendors who sell products, like jewelry for example, that can be categorized by season. ✻

TO HAVE YOUR COLOR & STYLE ANAYLSIS done, you can book your consultation at hocwestbillings.com. If you mention YVW in the booking notes, you’ll get a $10 rebate.

WHAT HUE IS YOUR YOU?

A LOOK AT THE FOUR COLOR SEASONS

WINTER: COOL, BRIGHT & HIGH CONTRAST SUMMER: COOL, SMOKY & SOFT

AUTUMN: WARM, RICH & EARTHY

VICKI-LYNN TERPSTRA, writer

With nearly a decade long career in retail, Vicki-Lynn 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.

SPRING: WARM, BRIGHT, & SPLASHY

WHAT WOULD POSSESS a group of women to gather on a sweltering hot Sunday afternoon to fine-tune football passing routes? Sure, they might love the game but there’s more to it than that. Here, amid the yard lines and first downs, is a stress reliever, a way to lend a hand to a good cause and, even more, a way to foster friendships shared simply by being on the team together.

The Lady Montana Fierce is a women’s flag football team in Billings that’s been in existence only since last fall. Practicing twice a week, the women have been molded into a fiercely competitive team that’s getting ready for their second game of the season against the Miles City Mayhem.

At their first game last fall, the women were still getting used to one another —learning their positions and, in many cases, the fundamentals of the game. It may be flag football, a non-tackle sport, but as they found out quickly, it’s still an aggressive game. They lost their last game, in June, by a touchdown.

“After we lost the first game, we went to the second less afraid of playing them,” says Jessica Brown, the team’s center, who also plays defensive tackle. “We’ll be really prepared in September.”

Jessica was recruited to play by her husband’s best friend, Cody Yerger, who happens to be the coach.

kinds of experience to the table.

“I grew up with brothers who played the game,” says Miranda Gilbert, the team’s left guard and defensive tackle. “Now this is my chance to play.” For Miranda, it’s been an outlet from her daily work. She spends most of her day in front of a computer screen “doing nerdy stuff.” She found the group on their Facebook Page and decided to check them out at one of their practices. She hadn’t even watched the entire practice before she was out on the field.

“A spark goes off in my head when I’m out there,” she says, and adds with a laugh, “It’s so fun. You don’t have to be in shape to play with us. In fact, we like all shapes, and round is definitely a shape!” She also says she sports the number 42 so that EMTs will know her age “when they scrape me off the field.”

THERE ARE MORE THAN 30 WOMEN ON THE TEAM’S ROSTER, AND THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MORE PLAYERS. THEY PRACTICE TWICE A WEEK AT THE SOCCER FIELD AT ROCKY.

Cody coaches youth football and heard from the Miles City team that they were looking for more teams to compete against. He started recruiting, beginning with his girlfriend, Shaydean Saye, who plays wide receiver and linebacker, and together they started to field a team.

Before long, they had a full roster of women ranging in age from 20 to 50 coming from all types of backgrounds and bringing all

In all seriousness, Miranda says all body types are welcome because in football, all builds are necessary. Flag football is played much like regulation football, with 11 players and the same positions.

“We need the tall, athletic fast ones and we need ones that are bigger and stronger. There’s a place on our team for everybody. Don’t let your shape or age be a detriment,” she says.

There’s a good deal of laughter among the women too, and they know when to get down to business and when to take themselves less seriously.

“Oh, they’re competitive,” Cody says, “But they also like to have fun.” He reminded the women of the mimosas that they brought to practice on Mother’s Day.

“We were celebrating moms,” one of the women in the group shouts. “There’s nothing wrong with that!”

For Jessica, it’s been an opportunity to bond with her kids. Her son plays for Billings Central Catholic High School, which uses Rocky Mountain College’s football field for games.

“The first time I walked out on that field, it made me think about how it feels for my son when he walks out to play,” she says. “I feel like I can relate to him better.”

It might be flag football, but there’s a lot of physical contact at both practice and games. The women get roughed up. In fact, their shirts and shorts have been torn and they all have their share of battle cuts and bruises. It doesn’t seem to bother them. Even in practice, they’re not afraid of pushing their bodies to the limit.

“I look forward to Wednesdays,” Miranda says. “I call it ‘Walk Again Wednesday,’ because it takes until Wednesday before I can finally walk after Sunday’s practice.”

“What?” Cody says. “We’re not that hard on you!” Cody often brings his youth team to practice scrimmages with the women to give both teams an opportunity to play against another team.

“We encourage our teammates to bring their husbands and kids for that reason,” Shaydean says.

“But they better be prepared to be alert and know that the man that gets the lowest wins!” Jessica jokes, referring to lining up against their opponents. “My knees feel 40, but I’m getting good at getting lower than anyone else.”

Right now, the team is gearing up for their third matchup on Sept. 16 against the Miles City Mayhem.

“We’d love to have more teams to play against,” Cody says. “We’re talking to other towns trying to get them to put a team together.”

There are more than 30 women on the team’s roster, and they are always looking for more players. They practice twice a week at the soccer field at Rocky.

On a hot July afternoon, the women hit the field, warming up with sprints, lunges, high kicks and stretches before the coaches called them together to go over plays.

As coach Cody called out pass plays — “Speed out, Slant, Hitch” — the women took turns running the routes.

Toni Moody, one of the new recruits, runs a daycare during the week and says that this is a great way to get out of the house and be with adults. Her natural athleticism showed on the field as she confidently caught passes, and the team was excited to have this former roller derby player on board.

Kathy Birkle, whose position is offensive tackle, plays because football is her boys’ life. With three of them in grades six, eight and nine, you’ll find her on the sidelines of a lot of their practices and games.

“This gives me a connection with my boys,” she says. “They don’t hold back,” Kathy laughed. “But then, neither do we!” ✻

montana fierce vs. miles city mayhem

When the two teams suit up for their next game, all the money raised will go to benefit breast cancer and domestic violence awareness. To learn more about the team, either email Cody Yerger at montanafiercesports@gmail.com or check out their Facebook page, Montana Fierce Sports.

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.

CYDNEY HOEFLE, writer

Stride Stride i i

written by LAURA BAILEY photography by CASEY PAGE

DECORATED MARATHON RUNNER HAS HER SIGHTS SET ON THE OLYMPIC TRIALS

WITH EVERY MILE Mary Felig runs, the time 2:37 is on her mind. Two hours and 37 minutes is the Olympic Trials Qualifying Standard for the women’s marathon. She’s been chasing that time for years, and it’s finally within her reach.

“It’s a great marker to have out there in front of you,” Mary says. “It makes you think, ‘I can do big things.’”

If everything comes together this fall, there’s a good chance she’ll reach her goal at the McKirdy Micro Marathon in New York, set for Oct. 14. The McKirdy, with its blazing fast course and exceptional runner support, is geared toward elite marathoners like Mary who are looking to run their fastest times.

Mary, 32, is one of the fastest women in Montana, and among the fastest female marathoners in the nation. It’s taken 10 years of hard work and thousands of miles in her sneakers to reach that competitive level. For years she strived to run a marathon in three hours, and when she broke three hours a few years back, she hit her stride and has been shaving time off each race since then.

“Something changed in my mindset,” she says.

It was then that she set her sights on 2 hours 45 minutes, which at that time was the Olympic Trials Qualifying Standard. It was well within Mary’s reach when, in 2021, the Olympic committee

changed the time to 2:37 for the 2024 Olympics. It was a massive and unexpected change.

“It was a very grounding moment,” she says. “It felt so attainable months ago.”

Had it not changed, Mary would have easily met the qualifying time. In fact, she’s come in under that old qualifying time twice since the change. Even though her goal has changed, she’s approaching it with the same tenacity.

“It’s really a good thing. It’s a predictor of the health of women’s sports in our country,” Mary says.

Mary’s sweet spot is two marathons a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. She runs lots of other races in between. Earlier this year she took first overall in the Queen Bee half marathon and set the course record. Then she did the same thing at the Run for Heaven's Sake half marathon, and she set a new Women's Run record for the five mile, beating Karen Sanford Gall's previous record. She also took third last year in the Montana Mile during the Big Sky State Games and placed seventh this year.

“I think putting yourself out there and doing races that are not your thing and are out of your comfort zone makes you a better runner,” she says.

I THINK PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE AND DOING RACES THAT ARE NOT YOUR THING AND ARE OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE MAKES YOU A BETTER RUNNER.

— Mary Felig

Mary grew up on her family’s ranch in the wide-open country between Ekalaka and Broadus. She went to a one-room school from kindergarten through eighth grade, and when she was old enough for after-school activities, her mother would drive her to Broadus for activities including track practice and track meets.

“I’m so grateful for that because running has become such a long-lasting part of my life,” Mary says.

Mary fell in love with running in the seventh grade, and after middle school sports, she competed in track and field at Broadus High School. Her best events were longer distances, and she eventually earned a track and field scholarship to Montana State University Billings. It was during college that she ran her first marathon. Her goal was just to finish. She finished. Her time wasn’t great, but the experience ignited a passion for marathons. Since then, Mary has run 18 of them.

Distance running, especially marathons, are as much a psychological experience as a physical experience. Runners have a lot of time alone with their thoughts, and each race poses different challenges on both physical and mental levels. Mary takes each race one mile at a time.

“If I’m going into a race, I’m taking my time before I start to reflect and ground myself and remind myself how fortunate I am to be at this point in the sport,” she says. “I always want to finish with gratitude.”

It’s a combination of years of training and a maturity that helps elite marathoners master the psychological and emotional as-

pects of running. Mary has hit that intersection and is at the top of her game.

“I feel fantastic. If you watch elite runners, distance runners are crushing it in their 30s,” Mary says. “I’m at a point in my life where I’m a lot more comfortable with myself and that translates to my running and being able to take risks.”

Becoming accustomed to big races has also come with a learning curve. Mary has run the Boston Marathon four times. Her first time was her worst. More than 30,000 athletes run the Boston Marathon, and the whole city turns out to line the course. Looking back, she admits that the experience was overwhelming. Her best finish was in 2021 when she placed 75th in the women’s division.

“Each time I did it after that I learned something more about the course and the race and I was able to do it smarter and faster,” Mary says.

One of the most meaningful races for Mary was Boston 2019, when a large contingency of women from Billings went.

“When you have other people with you, you build each other up and you’re all better for it,” she says.

Mary teaches physics and AP physics at Skyview High and is passing on her love for running as the head coach for the Skyview High cross country team and assistant track coach. She spends most mornings all summer and fall running with the teens. She loves their enthusiasm as they explore distance running. More

than anything she wants them to love running for life. Her words of encouragement to them echo in her ears as she races.

“If I’m feeling those feelings of self-doubt I think, what do I tell the kids?” Mary says.

This last year, the Skyview cross country team took first in the Billings City Meet for the first time in school history, and placed sixth at the Montana State Meet — beating both Senior and West, which was also a first in school history.

"When I was a part of the Skyview cross country team, having Mary as a coach and a role model was one of the best things that could have happened to me as a young woman,” says former student athlete Hannah Hirschi. “She helped me push past my limits in running and achieve things I didn’t think were possible. Seeing her passion for running and watching her achieve so many things in the sport inspired me to continue running after high school. Through her coaching, she helps young women believe they can do great things not only in sports but in every aspect of their lives.”

Mary keeps her running schedule flexible, running most days, and once a week she does a long run of 18 to 22 miles. She also does speed interval workouts once a week. With every stride she’s aiming for 2:37.

“I’ve dealt with all the emotions and highs and lows of pursuing this goal,” she says. “I am ready.” ✻

Roger Daniel

Chris Mercier Tina Schock Bobbi Roberts

SENIOR HIGH STUDENT HELPS UNLEASH BIRTHDAY CHEER TO THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST

written by JULIE KOERBER photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

FOR ELLIE EDWARDS, there have been 16 birthdays featuring, more than likely, 16 frosting-topped cakes to help her celebrate her special day. She couldn’t imagine not having all the fanfare to help her ring in another year. That’s why she’s on a mission to make sure no birthday goes unnoticed.

Ellie was in middle school when she began to realize there were a few things in life she was taking for granted.

“I went to Lewis and Clark, and I found out there was a food pantry. I had gone in on one of the first days of school and there was nothing,” Ellie says. “No food. No clothes. Nothing. There are people who are my age who are coming here to get shampoo. I took that for granted.”

She says seeing those empty shelves sparked something inside her.

“I got all of my friends and we had a big Christmas food drive and stocked it up with clothes, new hangers and food,” she says. “We used leftover money from our charity drive to get a freezer to get burritos or hot pockets or healthier options that kids could come in and get for lunch. I ran with that through my eighth-grade year, and now my little brother who is at Lewis and Clark is doing the same thing.”

When she moved up to Senior High School and was looking for new ways to get involved, she started asking questions.

“Ellie and her mom, Hollis, said we would like to help — what can we do?” says Nikki Dolan, the food insecurity program coordinator for Billings Public Schools. “We were talking and a teach-

er at Riverside mentioned that she would love to do something special for kids on their birthdays.”

Just one mention to Ellie and her mom was all it took. The pair jumped into action to create birthday cake kits for kids served by the program. They even thought about the barriers a family might face in making a cake.

“Making a cake requires eggs and oil and milk,” Ellie says. “Those things are not only expensive, but if you are getting them from a food pantry, they have to be refrigerated. You can’t always assume that those things are accessible at home.” She did some digging and discovered a way to overcome that. She found a recipe that only called for a cake mix and a can of soda pop.

“My mom and I tried it and it is actually really good!” Ellie says.

So, before the school year starts, Ellie and her mom will hit up the dollar store and pick up tin cake pans that have lids, cake mixes, cans of soda, frosting, sprinkles and birthday candles. They’ll buy enough for about 50 kits at a time, knowing It costs only $7 to make up one kit. They’ll tape on a note with birthday wishes and directions and then Nikki will wait for a counselor, teacher or school principal to ask for one for a student.

“This is a fun and inexpensive way to change someone’s day and add some love and happiness,” Ellie says with a huge smile.

“It isn’t always just for the kids themselves,” Nikki says. “One young girl got a cake kit for her dad and used it to give him a gift

I DON’T THINK ANYONE SHOULD FEEL LESS SPECIAL ON THEIR BIRTHDAY.

— Ellie Edwards

Ellie & Nikki

on his birthday. There wouldn’t have been any other gift for him. The cake was his gift, and it was a way she wanted to celebrate her dad.”

The birthday cake kits are a part of a much larger program to make sure kids don’t go hungry during the school year. The food insecurity program will feed up to 380 elementary children each week by stuffing a weekend’s worth of food discreetly in their backpacks on Fridays. In middle and high school, upwards of 400 kids are served in their school’s food pantries.

“We have so many more people using our program,” Nikki says, noting that the need has soared over the last few years. “Many people think that it is just the people that live on the South Side of Billings that need our help. This need is throughout our community. It’s the Heights. It’s the West End. I think it’s because of the cost of fuel, housing, food — everything is expensive.”

As a result, Ellie is hoping to continue her efforts during all four years at Senior high. She hopes someone else will pick up this project after she graduates. The reason is simple.

“I don’t think anyone should feel less special on their birthday,” she says. Last year, 150 kids took advantage of the birthday cake kits. “There are 150 families that got to share that special memory and I had something to do with it. That’s awe✻

YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE TO THE BIRTHDAY CAKE KITS,

IF

either with material donations or cash, you can call Nikki Dolan at (406) 679-1716 or email dolann@billingsschools.org to find out how you

written by KAY ERICKSON

GardeningAbundance

(& GENEROSITY) FOR

SHARING THE WEALTH OF WHAT YOU GROW

MAYBE IT’S MELONS or tomatoes or, yes, even zucchini. What my garden produces as well as what a friend might share or what I might pick up at the downtown farmers’ market often has me reaching into my recipe file. How do I store my harvest to enjoy in winter? Or, better yet, how can I keep serving these veggies in ways that won’t cause my family to scream, “Again?”

Here’s what I’ve found. The Frozen Melon will extend the life of the wonderful, flavorful late-season melons. Tomato Relish from Jule Glasrud makes a lot, but it pairs well with so many meats and seafood that it will not last long in the refrigerator. And the Zucchini Beef Italiano is another

way to serve zucchini (not another loaf of zucchini bread) without having the family rebelling. Enjoy! ✻

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.

FROZEN MELON

2 c. sugar

1 quart of water

3 T. fresh lemon juice

Ripe, firm, fresh melons

DIRECTIONS: To create a light syrup, combine the two cups of sugar and the quart of water in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Boil about five minutes without stirring. Cover the pan and let it cool. Add three tablespoons of lemon juice for flavor and to prevent discoloration of the melon. Refrigerate and use as needed.

Remove rind and seed melon. Cut into balls or cubes about one inch in size. Pack the cubes into freezer containers, filling to within a half inch of the top. Pour chilled syrup to cover the melon, leaving a half-inch head space. Cover, label, and freeze.

TOMATO RELISH

RECIPE FROM JULE GLASRUD

7 pounds of ripe tomatoes (blanched with skins removed)

7 large onions (each about the size of a large lemon)

1 c. salt

1 bunch celery

1 red pepper

1 green pepper

6 c. sugar

3 ounces of mustard seeds

2 c. vinegar

DIRECTIONS: Grind the tomatoes and onions. Add one cup of salt and mix well. Put the tomato and onion mixture in a jelly bag and let it drip into a bowl overnight. Discard the liquid. Add finely chopped celery (about two cups) to the tomato onion pulp. Add in finely chopped red and green pepper. Mix in the six cups of sugar, three ounces of mustard seeds and two cups of vinegar, mixing well. Store in smaller jars or in a gallon jar in the refrigerator.

NOTE: Julie keeps this relish year-round in the fridge in a large jar.

ZUCCHINI BEEF ITALIANO

SERVES 6

4 c. sliced fresh zucchini

1 pound lean ground beef

1 c. chopped onion

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 t. each: kosher salt, dried basil

½ t. dried oregano

¼ t. freshly ground pepper

2 c. cooked rice

1 c. each: tomato sauce, cottage cheese

2 eggs, beaten

1 c. grated cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS: Butter a shallow 2-quart casserole dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook zucchini in boiling salted water for two to three minutes and then drain well. Cook the ground beef, onions, garlic and seasoning in a skillet until the onions are soft. Add the rice and tomato sauce. Blend the cottage cheese and eggs together. Layer half of the zucchini slices in the buttered casserole dish and then spoon ground beef mixture on top. Spread cottage cheese over the beef. Top with remaining zucchini. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.

Place the casserole on a cookie sheet in case it boils over. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

COMFORT FOOD FOR FALL EATING

inSeason2

written by STELLA FONG photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

WHEN FALL ARRIVES, I welcome its presence, though there’s a piece of me that still hangs on to the memory of summer. In my garden, I am putting to bed the final harvest of a sun-kissed bounty. Zucchinis, carrots, apples and pears that are found in

my refrigerator make for great ingredients to transition into the delicious flavors of fall. It’s now time for heartwarming soups, wholesome cookies and hearty braised dishes. ✻

zucchini pear soup

SERVES 4

This soup combines summer and fall bounty with pear bathing the palate with fall flavors. Garnishing this soup with popcorn adds a bit of fun and thoughts of summer corn on the cob.

3 T. butter

1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

1 medium white onion, peeled and diced

1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced

½ t. fresh thyme leaves

Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

4 medium zucchini, trimmed and diced

4 medium ripe pears, peeled, cored and diced

4 c. vegetable stock

Dollops of sour cream or plain yogurt, for garnish (optional)

Popcorn, for garnish (optional)

Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS: Over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add carrot, onion and potato. When onion is softened, about five minutes, add zucchini, thyme, salt, and pepper and continue to cook until everything is tender, about 10 minutes.

Add pear and cook until softened, about five minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil. Cool mixture and puree. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve cold or reheat and serve hot. Garnish with sour cream, fresh thyme and popcorn, if desired.

cider braised chicken with apples & dried cherries eason2

SERVES 4

Chicken cooked in the spices of cumin, turmeric, ginger and coriander fills the kitchen with enticing aromas and the stomach with savory warmth. Garnish with chopped chives and spritz with some lemon juice. Mop up the flavors of fall from the apples and the lingering spirit of summer from the cherries with a slice of warm bread.

6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

1 T. vegetable oil

Salt, to taste

Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

1 large red onion, sliced

2 large red apple, peeled, cored and cut into thick slices

1 t. cumin

½ t. turmeric

½ t. ground ginger

½ t. ground coriander

4 T. dried cherries

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 c. dry hard cider

1 c. chicken broth

Fresh chopped chives

Lemon wedges

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pat the chicken pieces dry. Heat an oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and swirl to cover bottom. Sprinkle thighs with salt, and place skin side down onto pan. Sear for three minutes. Add onions and sear for another three minutes. Stir onions and check for the browning of chicken. When golden, flip the chicken and sear for another three minutes. Push the chicken and onions to the side of the pan, add apples and sear for three minutes.

In a small bowl, combine the spices and sprinkle on the chicken, apples and onions. Stir and cook for one minute. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Carefully and slowly pour in cider. Simmer for five minutes until reduced by about half. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Put pan in the oven and roast for 10 to 15 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees or when juices are no longer pink when pierced with a knife. Juices will be thin. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped chives and lemon wedges. Serve with thick slices of toasted rustic bread.

oatmeal carrot cookies

MAKES 24 COOKIES

These cookies are rustic in color and flavor. When the cookies come out of the oven, the edges are crispy with the middle somewhat cakey. I love the softness in the middle as it reminds me of carrot cake, but the oatmeal gives the cookie texture.

1½ c. unbleached all-purpose flour

1 t. ground cinnamon

1 t. ground cardamom

¼ t. ground nutmeg

½ t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

½ t. salt

1 c. unsalted butter

1 c. packed dark brown sugar

½ c. sugar

2 large eggs

2 T. maple syrup

2 T. vanilla extract

3 c. old-fashioned rolled oats

2 medium carrots, peeled and grated

DIRECTIONS: In a bowl, add flour, spices, baking soda and salt. Mix to combine and set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter with sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add maple syrup and vanilla extract. Add flour mixture and mix on low until just combined. Stir in oats and carrots. Cover and chill dough in refrigerator for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Scoop out dough, about 2 rounded tablespoons, onto prepared baking sheet, about 2-inches apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are lightly browned.

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.

Soaking Soaking Soaking paradise paradise paradise in

YELLOWSTONE HOT SPRINGS MIGHT BE YOUR PERFECT FALL ESCAPE

written by STELLA FONG photography by YELLOWSTONE HOT SPRINGS

AS I SLIP MY FOOT into the soothing water, the view is world-class. It’s a National Geographic film clip in real life. Nestled between two mountain ranges and just a short jaunt from the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park sits a jewel surrounded by the rough. Consider it a staycation destination that’s sure to melt off stress as the healing minerals soak into your skin. Just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Billings, you’ll find one of the newest hot spots — Yellowstone Hot Springs. This is Mother Nature’s playground, where she dusts the mountain peaks with white and can exhale her incredible breath between the mountain sentinels. A sign, about a mile from the destination, lets the traveler know when to turn right onto East Gate Road. At the hot springs, RV parking and spaces for tent camping are available along with four cabins across the highway and a brand-new motel that offers four suites with two bedrooms, and one with a single bedroom.

“We provide a clean and comfortable space and an amazing experience. The guests come back and come back,” says Erin Kennedy, the property’s general manager. “These hot springs relax and renew you. Our guests tell us that while other hot springs just relax you, you are regenerated here.”

TAKE A DIP

Yellowstone Hot Springs has five pools with views of the nearby mountains and the Yellowstone River. It’s not unusual to spot eagles, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorns or an occasional bear

or wolf. The grounds surrounding the waters are thoughtfully landscaped with stamped concrete paths and pergolas, plus trees and flowers. There are spaces for gatherings and other spots perfect for being alone with a good book. A couple of cornhole boards offer fun for all ages and lawn recliners and chairs are lined neatly around the pools to relax under the sun or put down a towel.

The large main pool holds its temperature around 102 degrees, while the intimate hot pool hovers around 104 degrees. While the warmer options bring relaxation, the colder pool at 60-65 degrees invigorates. Soaking in waters high in sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and silica is believed to increase circulation, soothe aches and pains in muscles and joints, and ease irritated or dry skin.

Off to the side of the pools is the Kneipp Walk, which offers a different kind of hydrotherapy. It begins with walking in a shindeep, narrow, rectangular hot pool lined with polished river rock, then entering a cold plunge pool. The challenge is to remain in the hot pool for several minutes before plunging into the cold pool and then wrapping it up back in the warm waters. Kennedy says guests report feeling “tingles from toes to your nose.” Thermal shock is touted to stimulate the circulatory system, reduce inflammation and even beat fatigue.

The pool operator-supervisor, Ronald Boeckman, whom Kennedy calls the “pipe piper,” takes pride in making sure visitors have a good experience. With one guest who was in a wheelchair and

fairly immobile, Kennedy says, “he walked her into the pools of the Kneipp Walk with an umbrella over her head to keep the sun out. After walking a couple laps, she exclaimed to her husband, ‘I can feel my feet. We're moving here.’”

As for the cabins and motel, “These are extended stay hotel rooms without a front desk,” Kennedy says. “On the day of check in we send you a text with the key code.” While the cabins have a coffee pot and microwave, the motel rooms have a kitchen outfitted with pots, pans, dishes and utensils. Katie’s Coffee, which sits close to the cabins, provides coffee, pastries, quiches and sandwiches.

The once modest modular home is updated to a modern farmhouse décor for the hotel accommodations. While Robert and Mary Wallace act as the general contractor and interior decorator, Kennedy has been involved, saying, “the process definitely speaks to my creative wants. It’s a throwback to my hotel days.”

After more than 30 years in the hotel business, Kennedy says, “I like my job now because I love getting to know my guests on the day they arrive. It’s more intimate here than what I was doing before.”

Back in March of 2019, Kennedy was hired as a consultant for reviving the business for the hot springs. “Six months later, I officially became an employee,” she says. She took on the opportunity to create new options for the business as well as train workers. “I loved training new employees and I still love training as part of my everyday job. It really piques my interest.”

Erin Kennedy

Kennedy landed in Montana from Kansas after coming to visit her two older sisters who lived here. “Two weeks turned into 35 years,” she says, and she made her home in Billings. She started as a switchboard operator at the Holiday Inn, eventually taking on positions as a front desk clerk to catering sales rep, to convention services manager, to director of catering to finally becoming the director of sales in 2001.

After the Covid pandemic, Yellowstone Hot Springs offered her an opportunity to refresh her years of learned skills in a smaller environment. Now that she has a hand in virtually every aspect of

the springs, she’s aware of how extraordinary this spot is.

“The waters are pretty special. We’re the only ones in Montana with these waters,” Kennedy excitedly says of how the mineral waters flow from the earth at a rate of 150 gallons a minute into the pools with no added chemicals. The flow-through system empties into the river, “so it’s all natural.”

Mineral springs with plenty of ambiance all within a few hours

from home. Kennedy knows it’s the perfect little getaway without all the travel.

I can attest to that. Although my staycation at Yellowstone Hot Springs was short, that sense of relaxation and renewal lingers. As I make my way back up the road through the real-life National Geographic journey, I’m looking forward to future escapes. ✻

V is i t O ur N ew Sl ab S how r oom A t O ur B i lli n gs Loc a t i on A nd C hoos e Fr om O ur G r a ni t e M oun t ai n P ri va t e Colle c t i on

V is i t O ur N ew Sl ab S how r oom A t O ur B i lli n gs Loc a t i on A nd C hoos e Fr om O ur G r a ni t e M oun t ai n P ri va t e Colle c t i on O f Q ua r t z , N a t ur al S t one a nd Wood Coun t er t ops

O f Q ua r t z , N a t ur al S t one a nd Wood Coun t er t ops

Dusty ‘Ole Trail Dusty ‘Ole Trail

LUXURY LIVING ON ZIMMERMAN

written by TRISH ERBE SCOZZARI photography by SETH CROFT & DANIEL SULLIVAN

BILLINGS’ FAMOUS ZIMMERMAN

TRAIL carries the name of two brothers who carved the original route down the Rims in the early 1890s. It’s one of the state’s earliest landmarks. The men had blazed the path to more easily access the land they owned on the valley floor.

Decades later, a paved road was constructed down the steep cliff running close to the original trail. It eventually connected to 32nd Street, stretching across the city to King Avenue.

Along the west side of this busy thoroughfare sits the brothers’ chunk of prime property. It’s been kept in the Zimmerman family for well over a century. Several years ago, however, the family sold a parcel of the ground for commercial use. A long-time area family bought the remaining acreage.

“I always loved and wanted this ground,” says Alan Lees, a Laurel native whose parents and grandparents hailed from nearby Roundup. “I talked with the Zimmermans over the years, but they didn’t want to sell.”

With the one lot sold, Alan inquired again about the rest of the land. “I wanted to put together a deal that was manageable for us.”

At the time, four or five other developers vied for the three remaining blocks of land comprising nearly 50 acres. “The Zimmermans didn’t want to break it up, so we were willing to step up,” says Alan.

Today Zimmerman Luxury Apartments sit in the center of the fertile property. The expansive high-end community is being built by Lees Construction and Development.

“The company was started specifically for this project,” says Preston Lees, one of Alan’s three sons involved in the Lees family businesses, encompassing real estate, construction and property management.

“The land would get developed at some point,” Alan says, “and scaling back to residential was important to us. We’re hometown people trying to do the right thing for the community. We chose luxury apartments to better fit into the community. I think the neighborhood appreciated it.”

The three-level garden style apartment buildings rise above the landscape. They mix nicely with the pastoral setting.

“We utilized hipped roofs in earth tones to make them blend in,” says architect Frank Nienaber of Studio 4 Architects. “And not laying them out in a grid provides nice green space for the tenants as they walk through the development.”

The darker-colored exteriors accentuated with cream trim give off an earthy look, paralleling the overall design. “I would say that the exterior has a hint of contemporary commercial mixed with Prairie style,” Frank says.

Glass-enclosed exterior staircases highlight the buildings’ façade, reflecting impressive craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The first of two phases feature three 12plex and six 24-plex buildings for a total of 180 apartments.

“The first 24-plex was rented before we even showed it,” says Callie Holzinger, administrative assistant for Metro Property Management. “We’re still showing people the process, including the estimated completion of the (swimming) pool.”

Other amenities offered include a clubhouse complete with a doggie wash, since the community is dog and cat friendly. The clubhouse is centrally located and is scheduled to open at the end of September. Abundant green space joins the list of conveniences within this neighborhood. “The city’s walking trail goes right through our property,” Preston says.

“We wanted this to be ‘Montana’ with open space and nature,” he continues. “We could have doubled units here but we opted for open green space. You can see the Beartooths (Mountains) and see

WE WANTED THIS TO BE ‘MONTANA’ WITH OPEN SPACE AND NATURE. WE COULD HAVE DOUBLED UNITS HERE BUT WE OPTED FOR OPEN GREEN SPACE. YOU CAN SEE THE BEARTOOTHS (MOUNTAINS) AND SEE THE RIMS FROM THE HIGHER-LEVEL APARTMENTS.

— Preston Lees

the Rims from the higher-level apartments.”

The one- and two-bedroom apartments in the first phase share a “common thread,” Preston says. “They’re oversized compared to most apartments.” The one-bedroom offers 927 square feet of living area, while the two-bedroom has 1,260 square feet.

“We went with much larger kitchens upgrading to Euro-style cabinets, stainless-steel appliances and quartz countertops,” Preston says. The frameless cabinets from Kitchens Plus give off a modern vibe. Subway tile backsplash finishes the sleek look.

The units feature high-efficiency washer/dryers, plentiful storage and Knockout blinds on the ample bank of windows.

Beautiful Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring with warm wood tones from Pierce Flooring give subtle interest in a color appropriately named Hearth. “The flooring says ‘functionality,’” says Preston, “creating a higher-end luxury feel.”

Plush-textured carpeting in a neutral color called Peaceful creates a tranquil ambiance in the bedrooms.

A king bed fits perfectly in the spacious master bedroom, where a deluxe walk-in closet strikes the perfect balance. The en suite gives off a spalike ambiance with its exquisite soaker tub, quartz covered double-sink vanity and expansive mirror.

“We’ve gone the extra mile,” Preston says, adding that the walls are sound-insulated. This extends an additional barrier against external noise. Even the exterior deck boards are an inch and-a-half thick, thus cutting down potential din.

The collective composition of Zimmerman Luxury Apartments, from all the details and amenities both inside and out, was not

easy to achieve.

“It’s a lot of work,” says Preston, “a lot of fun and struggle. It’s been an uphill battle. We started this project before the major cost escalation and the supply issues hit. We had to make decisions like, ‘Do we buy 180 air-conditioners and stoves?’”

Fortunately, the decision made was to secure what was needed

to equip the dwellings. “Then, we had to hire full-time security,” adds Preston.

However, as Preston explains, “The miracles keep falling in place. The Zimmermans had this land before Montana was a state and it’s where generations of the family lived. We talked with the Zimmermans about the crops they grew here. We wanted to honor the land.”

Alan agrees: “It feels like it falls your way when it’s supposed to.”

“We still have a lot to do here,” says Preston, with the second phase of building beginning in the near future. The plan calls for four more 24-plexes, two 12-plexes and 10 duplexes, for an additional 140 units.

A unit equipped for those with disabilities plays a part in the overall design as well. One unit will be available in each of the 24-plex buildings.

Alan’s vision of focusing on doing what’s right for the Billings community while respecting the land inspired Preston and his wife to name the new streets in the apartment complex.

The Zimmermans named the entrance road Green Valley Drive. “We combed the Yellowstone County website,” says Preston, “as you can’t duplicate names. “We’ve added Harvest Time, Home Valley Drive, Spring Wheat Lane, and more.”

These new street names pay homage to Zimmerman ancestral land. The intriguing potential of what else may arise on this West End site remains to be seen. There are a couple of lots with plans yet to be decided.

“We’re working with partners to do something on these two pieces,” says Alan. “My guess is it’ll be in the next five years.

For now, the Lees family stays busy building a fruitful community for our growing metropolis.

Zimmerman Luxury Apartments encourages the future to remember the past – that once dusty trail forged down into what’s become Montana’s largest city. ✻

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit www.zimmermanluxury.com

GLACIERWHITE NATURALGRAY

written by TRISH ERBE SCOZZARI

BEFORE

JONI OSWALD swings open the front door at her and husband Mike’s West End home. On this summer day, her smile appears as bright as the sun. She’s eager to share the most recent revamp to their forever home.

It was just over a year ago when Yellowstone Valley Woman featured the total renovation of this home’s entire main floor. The beautiful transformation turned an outdated ’70s look and feel to a functional modern feast for the eyes.

Today, however, there isn’t time to revisit the dramatic interior remodel that changed the choppy outdated floorplan to a transitional-style open concept. Instead, Joni’s on a forced march to the patio. Opening the sliding glass door just off the kitchen, Joni leads the way to a mesmerizing open-air wonderland. The patio

and backyard present a picture-perfect portrayal of sophisticated outdoor living.

What was once an exposed plain-Jane deck now offers a more urban approach to how to love where you live. The couple married the indoors with the outdoors in the customized comfort and flair they enjoy.

“Before,” explains Joni, “the patio had lots of stairs and was open. It was a great deck, but Mike said he wanted a place to watch TV in the fall.” One thing led to another. It all fell into place the minute Joni discovered the centerpiece for this stunning living space.

It happened on the day Joni walked into R&T Services. She immediately became enamored with a tall dark structure positioned in

the middle of the showroom. Its sturdy columns captivated her imagination, spinning her creative wheels into overdrive.

“I saw the awning,” Joni says, “and said, ‘this is what I want!’”

The massive awning spreads over the patio area like the wings of eagles. The all-aluminum, oil-rubbed bronze-colored pergola sits center stage.

“It’s remote control all-motorized with veins/louvres that adjust the amount of light in or out,” explains Tim O’Brien of R&T Services. It’s also equipped with recessed lighting.

“It’s high-tech, with rain and wind sensors,” Tim continues. “It reads the wind and opens the louvres as to not create undue stress. It was engineered in Florida to withstand hurricanes. Wind above 65 miles per hour will override the rain sensor, but when the louvres are closed there’s no leaking.”

“It has a mind of its own,” says Joni.

In case of inclement weather, a built-in drain system installed in the heated concrete floor channels away any spillage. The powder-coated drainage grates pair inconspicuously with the stained and stamped concrete floor’s San Diego Buff color.

The adobe-inspired buff color juxtaposes superbly with the bronze pergola. “All the colors are coordinated,” says Tim, referring to the island bases, the fire pit, and “everything else going on back here. Once the pergola color was picked, we powder-coated the steel siding.”

Steel siding covers the islands and fire pit bases. Its deep rich toasted color magnifies the beauty of Persa Blue granite countertops from Magic City Granite. The unique greyish stone quarried in Brazil radiates stylish elegance, displaying specks of brown, taupe and icy-blue hues.

The islands extend over eight feet in length. The “grill island” has a stainless-steel Blaze gas grill, fridge and soft-close double-drawer storage. Joni demonstrates how each appliance opens and closes while commenting, “The grill has a rotisserie and it’s all from R&T.”

The second island situated in the middle of the pergola offers seating for four on the outer side. Tucked into the base on the inner side is a stainless-steel trash cabinet. Two overhead fans keep the space cool and the fresh air flowing. A table and chair set offers more seating when needed. Joni spiced up the look by laying an area rug be-

She’s Custom Made...

neath. It complements the charm Joni bestows on this backyard sanctuary.

The couple’s outdoor recliners give a little extra personality to the space while echoing the cool blue vibe of the granite countertops. What better spot for Mike to relax and watch the new lift cabinet TV this fall? It’s also where the couple’s two dogs like to hang.

“We’re out here pretty much every night,” says Joni. “We have a dog we throw the ball for a thousand times a night!”

The Oswald backyard keeps up a bee-zy pace, as Joni’s also a bee-keeper. “We have three bee hives out behind the tall sunflowers,” she says. “We had 90 jars of honey last year, with just two hives. Our three hives are very, very busy this year.”

The busy bees stick close to their hives across the yard. They fly over along one end of the patio when it’s time for a drink. “They come over and get a little drink from the water fountain,” Joni says, touching the rocks sprinkled around the inside edge. “I put crystals around it so they have a place to land.”

Central Vacuum System

Next to the water fountain sits an artsy bird bath. Painted rocks show up between exotic plants, along with whimsical “welcome” signs. “They’re things fun to look at,” Joni say. “It’s eclectic. I like to collect.”

Close by sits the 55-inch-diameter bronze base fire pit looking hot in its leathered granite top. The leathered granite is a finish option that gives the surface a slightly matte appearance. “I didn’t want it shiny like the island tops,” notes Joni.

“The fire insert from HPC has an electronic ignition,” Tim says. “It has a push button to turn on or off.”

Everything has its place and its function in this magnificent park-like setting. Joni’s still a stickler for organization and function so again, across the yard, where more flowers abound, is the veggie garden.

“We call it our salsa gardens,” says Joni. “We grow onions, tomatoes and such.” The garden’s well protected. Tall vinyl fencing surrounds the entire backyard and patio. Mature cottonwood, aspen and evergreens stand guard, as well. Impeccable new landscaping by CW Designs enhances the grounds as does a new addition on the garage.

“Freyenhagen Construction added on to the end of the garage so we have lots of storage,” says Joni, lifting up the pull-down door

ALL THE COLORS ARE COORDINATED... ONCE THE PERGOLA COLOR WAS PICKED, WE POWDER-COATED THE STEEL SIDING.

— Tim O’Brien, R&T Services

WE HAVE THREE BEE HIVES OUT BEHIND THE TALL SUNFLOWERS. WE HAD 90 JARS OF HONEY LAST YEAR, WITH JUST TWO HIVES. OUR THREE HIVES ARE VERY, VERY BUSY THIS YEAR.

— Joni Oswald

accessible from the patio. This convenience allows Joni and Mike to slip anything from the patio into this enclosed space.

The garage’s original window on this side of the house was kept in place. “Our garage is heated, so leaving the window open between the addition and the garage, we can keep it heated,” Joni says. “We can now park both vehicles in here. Everything’s organized.”

“It’s been a fun project,” Tim says. “Joni is a delight to work with. It’s the coolest part of the job when we help a customer achieve their vision and it comes together for a happy end result.”

Joni, Mike, the two dogs and a cat are happily celebrating the end result. It’s all come together, reinforcing why they chose to stay in the neighborhood and remodel their home — inside and outside. It’s all about their choice to “love where you live.”

“I think my neighbors are safe from all the commotion and the many vehicles that have been around here. Our neighbors have been awesome.” With a smile, Joni adds, “This is our last project.” ✻

I want to thank Tom and Robin Hanel, and Korinne Rice for selling my Dad and Mom’s home of 63 years. They took care of every issue that came up and the process went so smooth and fast

Thank you Tom, Robin and Korinne. You are the best!

—

Julie Jorgenson

Selling a house after 63 years of living in it can be traumatic. The Tom and Robin Hanel, and Korinne Rice Team, with their experience, professionalism, understanding, and kindness guided me through the sale every step of the way. I still feel possessive of my childhood home and I will feel the same for my adult home. They sheltered me and I still keep the memories.

— Shirley Steele