406 Woman July August 2026 Lifestyle

SINGER-SONGWRITER HALEY JOHNSEN

Read Cari Klepper’s feature story about Haley and her inspiring journey to date and what’s in store for the future for this amazing talent.

by GRACE HEFLEY Insta - @tojupiterlovegrace

ELECTRIC BUFFALO

GALLERY in Bigfork provided this terrific shot of Genevieve Rose, Lily Knudsen, Emma Leon, and Lexi Heitert. Read more about this great shop in Bigfork in this month's business profile by Rachael Seymour.

Editor Note - Correction from our spring issue: The business profile on Tara Liebert at Buffalo Hill Golf Club (page 19) references the WPA program with Teddy Roosevelt as the president during this time and it should have been Franklin D. Roosevelt. We apologize for the error.

Experience The

Celebrating 35 Fabulous Years!

Decor & Fine Collectibles

Over 6,000 Square Feet of recycled treasures

Publisher's Note

We start this issue in the absolute peak of a Montana summer—when the days are hot, the lakes are calling, and we are all trying to squeeze every last drop of adventure out of the long daylight hours.

But as we flip the calendar toward September, that frantic summer energy begins to mellow. We trade the blazing afternoon heat for those perfect, crisp mornings. The golden hour seems to stretch just a little bit longer, and our communities settle back into a familiar, comfortable rhythm.

This issue is all about savoring that beautiful transition. Whether you're spending these weeks exploring the high-country trails in Glacier, soaking in the last of the lively summer festivals, or pulling the folding chairs back out to cheer on the local soccer teams as the school year kicks off, we want these pages to be right there with you.

We have filled this edition with stories that celebrate both the vibrant heights of summer and the welcoming, grounded spirit of early autumn. Wherever the rest of the season takes you, we hope you find a quiet moment to sit back, relax, and enjoy the read.

Here’s to the golden days ahead!

Cindy and Amanda

Congratulations Earl James Reynolds and family! Earl was named a 2026 finalist: best chef in the Rocky Mountain Region by the James Beard Foundation. We invite you to enjoy his passion for great food with your family here at 101 Central in Whitefish.

publisher Cindy Gerrity cindy@montanasky.net

business manager

Daley McDaniel daley@montanasky.net

managing editor

Kristen Hamilton montanakristen@gmail.com

creative & social media director

Amanda Wilson afwphotography@me.com

Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year

704 C East 13th St. #138 Whitefish, MT 59937 info@406woman.com

Copyright©2024 Skirts Publishing

Want to know about great events, open houses, and more? Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/406 Woman

Sara Joy Pinnell sara@mrsandmrpublishing.com

photographers

Daley McDaniel Photography

Amanda Wilson Photography Picture Montana design

406 Woman is distributed in Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Missoula, Whitefish and every point in between. Check out www.406woman.com for our full distribution list.

Have a great story idea or know someone that we should feature? Email us with your comments & suggestions.

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Haley Johnsen

Where the Songs Begin

For singer-songwriter Haley Johnsen, every song begins with vulnerability, and every stage leads back to a little girl who was once afraid to let anyone hear her sing.

This is one of those stories that feels especially meaningful because they remind us just how connected our Montana communities really are.

As I began writing about singer-songwriter Haley Johnsen before her return to the Whitefish Songwriter Festival this September, I already knew there was a hometown connection. Haley’s fellow artist and drummer, Kirk Kalbfleisch, is the son of Mark Kalbfleisch, who grew up next door to me in Shelby, and the Kalbfleisch family has deep ties to Whitefish and the Flathead Valley – Including cousin Bridget Larson who serves on the festival board.

It’s one of those uniquely Montana moments - a reminder that while our state is vast, the connections between people often feel wonderfully small town.

This September, Haley returns for her second appearance at the Whitefish Songwriter Festival, where audiences gather to celebrate the art of songwriting and hear the stories behind origi-

By Cari Klepper

nal music. During the festival, she’ll share the inspiration behind her songs in intimate songwriter rounds in the bars, restaurants and shops in downtown Whitefish before taking the stage with her full band for evening performances at The Great Northern Bar & Grill.

As Haley shared her story, I realized it reflects the very spirit of the festival. Every memorable song has a beginning, and so does every artist. For Haley, it began with a little girl who only sang when she was certain no one else was listening.

Music filled Haley’s childhood. Her father was a drummer who played in local bands, and artists like The Beatles, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Annie Lennox and The Doobie Brothers provided the soundtrack to family life. Yet despite growing up surrounded by music, Haley was painfully shy.

She didn’t perform for family with a hairbrush microphone. Instead, she waited until no one was around. She sang Disney songs in her room, belted Celine Dion while babysitting her young-

er brother and, when her parents were home, stood inside her bedroom closet where hanging clothes softened the sound of her voice. “It was the only time I ever felt most myself,” she recalls.

That quiet refuge would eventually lead to an extraordinary career, but first she had to overcome her greatest fear - being seen.

During her senior year of high school, Haley stepped onto the stage at a school assembly and sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow. As the applause filled the room, something changed. She realized that vulnerability wasn’t something to hide - it was what connected her to other people. She had discovered purpose.

At Oregon State University, Haley joined the Chamber Choir, performed with the women’s a cappella group and earned a music minor. Like many college students, she wasn’t certain what came next. Then, during her senior year, she auditioned for American Idol

Songwriting has always been the place where I come back to myself. No matter how big the stage becomes, the song is where I feel most tapped into my truth.

Almost overnight, Haley became a Top 24 finalist during Season 11, performing before millions of viewers. Although her journey ended before the Top 10, she returned home with something far more valuable than television exposure - she finally believed she belonged in music.

The next three years weren’t glamorous, but they became the foundation of her career. Living with her parents, Haley wrote more than 200 songs, practiced guitar and vocals every day, taught voice lessons, nannied to support herself and accepted every opportunity to perform.

Reading The Artist’s Way transformed the way she viewed creativity. Instead of waiting for inspiration, she learned to trust the process and simply show up each day. That discipline became the cornerstone of her songwriting.

By 2015, Haley had released her first album, assembled a hometown band and was steadily building an audience. Additional albums, EPs and singles followed, along with a duet with Allen Stone on “Weekend” and opening tours with The Wind and The Wave, Sawyer Fredericks and Joseph.

Then came the opportunity that would take her around the world.

In 2019, a friend told Haley that electronic artist Big Wild was searching for a background vocalist. She was already boarding a flight for her own European tour when she learned an audition was needed immediately. With minutes to spare, she slipped into an airport restroom, recorded an audition on her phone inside a bathroom stall and hit send before boarding.

Nearly 30 hours later, after landing in Germany, she received the call. She got the job. Then came another question. Did she play bass? She answered “yes.” But she didn’t. Not yet.

Haley bought an inexpensive bass guitar overseas and spent the next four weeks learning every note while traveling across Europe with her boyfriend - now husband. Two days after returning home, she joined Big Wild’s sold-out tour.

That leap of faith became a five-year adventure that took her to Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and five sold-out performances at Colorado’s legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Yet even while performing on some of the world’s biggest stages, Haley never stopped writing her own songs.

“Songwriting has always been the place where I come back to myself. No matter how big the stage becomes, the song is where I feel most tapped into my truth,” says Haley.

When her time with Big Wild ended in 2024, Haley returned her full attention to the solo career she had quietly continued building all along.

Today she performs with her own band, records new music, teaches private voice lessons and sings in senior living and memory care communities, where music becomes more than entertainment - it becomes comfort, memory and connection.

Perhaps that’s why Haley feels so at home at the Whitefish Songwriter Festival.

Unlike large concerts, songwriter festivals celebrate the stories behind the songs. Audiences experience music in its purest form, hearing directly from the writers about the moments,

memories and emotions that inspired each lyric. For an artist whose work is rooted in honesty, it’s a natural fit.

"What I love about festivals like Whitefish is that people come to listen - to the songs, the stories and the moments that inspired them. There's something about playing a song down to its bones, just me and the story, and having people actually hear the emotion in it. Getting to share my music that way is a special, unique experience,” added Haley.

As she returns to Whitefish this fall, audiences will see an accomplished performer whose career has carried her from American Idol to international tours and some of the world’s most iconic stages.

But those accomplishments are only part of her story. Its the courage to let herself be seen.

Somewhere, another little girl is probably singing when no one else is home, wondering if her voice is good enough.

Every time she steps onto a stage, she keeps a promise to the little girl who once believed her voice was something to hide. Today, it has become her greatest gift.

And in the end, that’s where the songs begin.

The 6th Annual Whitefish Songwriter Festival is SEPTEMBER 18 – 20!

Join the fun and celebration of the art of songwriting for three days, with 28 songwriters performing 30 shows at nine venues – with endless hits! Filling the bars, restaurants, shops and theaters in downtown Whitefish.

HITMAKERS

AARON RAITIERE

Grammy Winner

“I Swear” performed by John Michael Montgomery

“I’m Already Here" performed by Lonestar

ERIK DYLAN

“There was this Girl” and “Change my Mind” performed by Riley Green

MARLA CANNON-GOODMAN

“The Fool” performed by Lee Ann Womack

Grammy Winner

“You look Like You Love Me” performed by Ella Langley & Riley Green

“Days Like These” performed by Luke Combs

“Don’t You Wanna Stay” performed by Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson “Over” performed by Blake Shelton

ADAM HAMBRICK

EMMA ZINCK

A dynamic force in the world of “Electric Country,” and an artist on the rise in the Nashville music scene.

LAKELIN LEMMINGS

NEXT BIG HITMAKERS

On Quartz Hill Music Group’s Stone Country Records, he has recently performed on big stages with Hank Williams, Jr. and Zack Top.

A songwriter taking country music by storm with her multiple hot new singles including “American Dreamin” and “19 & Single” – Signed with Stone Country Records

EMERGING HITMAKERS

APRIL CUSHMAN, JACK BLOCKER, ETHAN THOMPSON, HALEY JOHNSEN, HALLADAY QUIST, KALYN BEASLEY, BRANDON DOMBROWSKI, JOE MARTNEZ, TOMARA, STERLING DRAKE, BRADY JOHNSON, GABE WALSH, JOHN DUNNIGAN, DAKOTA HIGDON, JACKSON CAPPS, KEVIN DANIEL, SAILOR ROSS

“Ten Rounds with José Cuervo”

“American Honky-Tonk Bar Association” and “The Beaches of Cheyenne” performed by Garth Brooks

"How Not To" performed by Dan + Shay "Somebody Else Will" by Justin Moore

KENDELL MARVELL

Grammy Winner

“Either Way” performed by Chris Stapleton “Twang” performed by George Strait

Experience the stories behind the songs from an extraordinary lineup of world-class songwriters. Collectively, our festival artists have written hundreds of hit songs, earned multiple Grammy, CMA, and ACM Awards, received Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame honors, and written charttopping music for the biggest names in country music. You'll also discover rising stars and artists featured on The Voice and American Idol.

At the Whitefish Songwriter Festival, the spotlight isn't on the stars who recorded the songs - it's on the remarkable writers who created them. Hear the hits, the stories, and the inspiration straight the artists who create the soundtrack of our lives!

The Whitefish Songwriter Festival is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting the art and songwriting and music education in Whitefish and the Flathead Valley.

Get tickets at www.whitefishsongwriterfest.org

Ask the Butcher

Tis the season…for grilling!

I’m asked frequently “hey Sonny, I want to buy a new grill, what do you suggest?”

There are so many different grills for different needs that I would need 3 pages in 406 Woman magazine to cover them all. So, I will give my top 3 hints that I offer folks of most often…

One - buy the size that is appropriate for your family, smaller grills heat faster and are way more efficient but may not accommodate your needs.

Two - do you want a smoker/grill? These are very versatile but have a small learning curve for both applications. They can be expensive so do some research to be sure it’s right for you and your family based on “one” above.

Third - what is your heat source? Briquettes? Natural wood coals? Propane? Maybe natural gas? These are all valid and serious considerations to be taken before your purchase. Auto feed pellet grills/smokers are awesome but require a couple of spare parts on hand just in case some fail... plus the auger needs maintenance if used a lot or is exposed to a lot of moisture. Briquet fired grills take longer to heat up but often the results are often grander. Gas is fast allowing you to get to your cook temp in 5 minutes plus a great sear factor.

So do your homework and dial in to the one you need for your personal accomplishments.

What else? Season all grills with good solid white fat before use. Also don’t use a wire brush to clean a grill… instead use a cleaning brick.

Any other questions on cooking or smoking? Come see us at the Chopp Shoppe.

Happy grilling folks… Sonny and crew

Experience Glacier National Park at Your Own Pace

By Josh Kroll, Hiking Fools - Photos by Sarah Kroll

We spend a lot of time in Glacier National Park. The scenery is stunning, the experience is exquisite, and the adventures are always awe-inspiring. If you’re not seeing it, then you’re not looking. The one thing that we hear repeatedly is that locals avoid the Park because of the crowds. Too many people, they say. Not worth the trouble, they complain. There are indeed other magnificent wilderness areas to explore around the Flathead Valley, but when we trek into the woods, we want to see the best of the best, and we have our own little personal ways to enjoy it no matter the circumstances. Here are a few that we would be happy to share with you.

The Late Start

Glacier is busy all day, but there are peaks and valleys in traffic and congestion, and we’ve learned to decipher that language. For example, when it comes to biking the Going-to-the-Sun Road in the spring season, parking spots at Avalanche are extremely scarce. But not around noon. Most of

the go-getters have risen with the sun, loaded the bikes, and changed into a few sets of clothing as the day gradually wakes up and warms up and the slope steadily increases heading further toward the Loop. They are generally riding back down the road before lunch with a satisfied look in their eyes, and truly they have accomplished a lot before mid-day, but that also means that they are packing up and heading toward the exit gates. Guess who is rolling in? The late bloomers, the lazy sleepers, the families with young kids who took forever to get ready; it’s a smooth transition from the early crowd to those just arriving, and when a parking space is vacated, you got it - that creates an opening. Relax and be opportunistic.

East of Eden

You might already know this, but the valley near Logan Pass beneath Heavy Runner Mountain is often referred to as “Eden” because of its pure beauty. And you also probably already know this, but the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. For the sake of this conversation, it is significant because familiar mountains can look very different depending on where and how the sun is striking them. Even if you are standing in exactly the

same spot, an alpine view of the mountains in the early hours of the morning is often totally different than the blush of highlights that grace the looming rock faces in the evening (see images below), and to the appreciative observer, this is an extraordinary delight. You never see things the same way in Glacier, with the weather and the arc of the sun constantly in flux, the trip is always worth it.

"You never see things the same way in Glacier, with the weather and the arc of the sun constantly in flux, that makes it always worth the trip."

Sea to Summit

A day at the beach is not what most people consider something Glacier National Park has to offer, but there are plenty of places to dip your toes and soak your skin. This is the absolute cleanest, clearest, and coldest water most people will ever experience, and that alone is an adventure. Grown men don’t let out a sudden high-pitched howl on a regular basis, but somehow, progressing to waist level in Lake McDonald does it every time. The rocks are incredibly brilliant in color, perfect for a stretchout-and-lie-on-your-belly photograph, and the seriously sudden drop-off reminds you that these are glacially carved and glacier-fed lakes. The best kind. Don’t forget to get wet and enjoy the exhilarating year-round polar plunge opportunities.

A Moveable Feast

Believe it or not, food is a motivator. Glacier is lined on the outside and filled on the inside with eateries and snack joints, and each offers a unique treat for the palate and appetite. Ice cream is an obvious choice to add to any given summer afternoon, and Eddie’s in Apgar Village is the classic place with outdoor throughthe-window service and scoops that are larger than life. A few quaint mercantiles (look for the red & white buildings) offer terrific options for

carb loading (try the mocha white chocolate chip cookies), and almost every camp store carries the essential snacks. In addition, the convenience store stops near the visitor centers and various motor inns have made-to-order sandwiches for grab-and-go travelers. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey, and you can eat your way through Glacier any day of the week.

You thought we might be giving away secrets of local hot spots and hidden gems, but that’s not why we’re here. We want everyone to experience Glacier at their own pace, with attractions appealing to their own interests, in a way that allows them to focus on the beauty and grandeur of this spectacular National Park instead of potential points of discouragement. You can take our advice and see if it alters your perspective, or choose an entirely different adventure – either way, we are blessed to have so many options for world-class recreation in northwest Montana, and our personal favorite is the 1.3 million acres that they call the Backbone of the World, the Crown of the Continent. We hope to see you out there.

Stories are the SpiceLifeof

By Leslie Budewitz

Spices and herbs are far more than a dash of flavor you reach for in the kitchen. Over the millennia, they’ve also served as everything from money to embalming aids and good luck charms to the spoils of war.

I’ve learned a lot about herbs and spices while writing my Spice Shop mysteries set in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, where Pepper Reece runs a spice shop and solves crime. (Think Agatha Christie or Jessica Fletcher, with recipes.) Many have ancient origins. Others were key to the Spice Trade, part of the Age of Exploration. It’s fun to tuck tidbits of spice lore into the epi

Did you know .

. .

“An herb is a fresh or dried leaf. A spice is a dried plant part—a bud (cloves), bark (cinnamon), root (ginger), berry (peppercorns), seeds (fennel), or even stigma (saffron). The same plant may provide both—fresh or dried cilantro leaves are the herb cilantro, while the dried seeds are the spice coriander.” —Assault & Pepper

“An ancient token of friendship as well as an ingredient in the anointing oils Moses used, cinnamon is one of the oldest-known spices, well-traveled and heavily traded.” —Guilty as Cinnamon

“Some sources claim that herbs and spices were used in the Middle Ages to make rotten meat edible. Others note that no amount of doctoring makes rotten meat safe—and no one who could afford spices would eat rotten meat. More likely, they say, that spicery dressed up the taste of salts and vinegars used to preserve food.” —Guilty as Cinnamon

“To make herbal medicines more palatable, eighteenth-century apothecaries mixed them into sugary syrup, adding cool-tasting peppermint to disguise the nasty flavors. So, Mary Poppins was right.” —Peppermint Barked

“According to European folklore, never give away parsley if you are in love, or you'll give away your luck” —Between a Wok and a Dead Place

“With all the herbs used in ancient burial rites—cumin and lavender in mummification, cinnamon and cassis in preparing the body and on funeral pyres, even pepper up the nose for

eternal life—the path to the afterlife must have been a fragrant one.” —To Err is Cumin

“From ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome to modern days, lavender's fragrance has made it one of the most popular herbs in human history, used for everything from mummification to treating insomnia to making the evening dishwashing more tolerable.” — Lavender Lies Bleeding

Although most of us think of scent when we think of lavender, it’s also got a light, summery flavor that gives it a range of culinary uses. In fact, it’s a member of the mint family, along with savory herbs like thyme, rosemary and oregano. This recipe for Lavender Shortbread can also be made with rosemary, and it’s so easy that even a non-baker or newbie can make it flawlessly.

We sprinkled flake salt on top of half the pan when it came out of the oven—so good! Mr. Right suggested a drizzle of chocolate, and since I’d just made a jar of our luscious chocolate Cabernet sauce, we tried it, with a sprinkle of flake salt. Perfect, any time of year!

Lavender Shortbread

2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon dried lavender buds (or 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary)

1 rounded teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter, cut into chunks

flake salt, dark chocolate, or dark chocolate syrup (optional garnish)

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Using a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar, herbs, and salt. Add butter and pulse into fine crumbs, then pulse a few more times until bigger crumbs start to form (“gathering”), being careful not to overprocess. Mixture will be crumbly, not smooth or doughy.

Press into an 8 or 9 inch square baking pan. Prick top all over with a fork dipped in flour. (Tip: Hold the tines of the fork with your fingers when you pull it out of the unbaked mixture, to prevent crumbs from sticking to the fork and to keep the vent holes open.) Bake until golden brown, 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven; top with flake salt if you’d like.

Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into squares while still warm.

Optional: Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate or chocolate syrup and sprinkle with flake salt.

NOTE: You can buy culinary grade lavender from a reputable spice dealer or at any of the lavender farms in the valley. If you grow your own, even better! Just make sure it’s grown without herbicides or pesticides; harvest when no more than half the buds are open, in the morning before the heat of the day releases the oils.

And remember, friends, that stories are the spice of life.

In Lavender Lies Bleeding, Pepper lends a sympathetic ear when vandals destroy the greenhouse at friend Liz Giacometti’s lavender farm. But then Liz is killed, and Pepper digs in to solve the crimes. As her questions threaten to unearth secrets others desperately want to keep buried, danger creeps closer to her and those she loves. Can Pepper root out the killer, before someone nips her in the bud?

Leslie Budewitz tells stories about women’s lives, seasoned with friendship, food, a dash of history, and a heaping spoonful of mystery. She writes the Spice Shop mysteries set in Seattle's Pike Place Market and the Food Lovers' Village mysteries set in a fictional version of Bigfork, Montana, where she lives. Her latest books are Lavender Lies Bleeding, the ninth Spice Shop mystery, and All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories: A Stagecoach Mary Fields Collection, historical short fiction set in Montana. As Alicia Beckman, she writes moody suspense set in Montana.

Find her books in print, ebook, and audio across the US and Canada, wherever you buy books. In the Flathead Valley, look for her books at Bookworks in Whitefish, Barnes & Noble and The Bookshelf in Kalispell, and Electric Avenue Gifts and Birch Provisions in Bigfork.

Natalie&Gabriel

February 20, 2026

For Natalie Kocekian and Gabriel Gandzjuk, Carmel Valley, CA is more than just a breathtaking back drop—it is the place where they met, and the com munity where their roots run deepest. Both Penin sula natives, they share their home with Gabriel's daughter, Sequoia, Natalie’s father, Kirkor, and their German Shepherd, Theo. The family is also prepar ing for an exciting new chapter with a baby on the way this September! Natalie brings her expertise to tech as an Operations Manager for YouTube TV, while Gabriel operates globally as an independent Creative Director.

How we met

In a modern world dominated by dating apps, Natalie and Gabriel share a love story written by serendipity. Two de cades ago, a 16-year-old Natalie was attempting to learn guitar in Carmel Valley Village. Every week as her lesson ended, she would pass a handsome younger student waiting for his turn with their talented late instructor, Steve Fox. The two shared nothing more than occasional, polite waves or a quick hello but Natalie always remembered how handsome

The wedding day itself was pure magic. I arrived via a horse-drawn carriage, stepping into a circle of our loved ones all bundled up just as a light snow began to fall.

In a modern world dominated by dating apps, Natalie and Gabriel share a love story written by serendipity.

he was and those beautiful eyes. Fast forward to 2022: Natalie and Gabriel met as adults at Sea Star Horse Sanctuary where Natalie was being hosted for a photo shoot with some horses and Gabriel was volunteering, soon after they realized they were those exact same teenagers from twenty years prior. The connections only deepened from there. They discovered that when Steve Fox passed away in 2020, he had left his guitar to Gabriel—the very same instrument both had practiced on all those years ago. They even chose to take their engagement photos right outside the home where those formative lessons took place. But the ultimate twist came a few weeks into dating when they introduced each other's names to their parents. They learned that long before either of them was born, Natalie’s father, Kirkor, had served as the best man in Gabriel’s parents' 1972 wedding. Decades of history and a shared musical legacy prove that their reunion in the Valley was always meant to be.

Natalie – What is the trait that you most admire in Gabriel?

What I admire most about Gabriel is his steady, unwavering patience. Whether he’s navigating complex conflict, troubleshooting a problem, or simply holding space and waiting for a difficult task to resolve when I’m ready to give up, he is my anchor. He possesses a rare kindness and resilience that grounds our family. Seeing how incredibly sweet and attentive he is as a father only deepens my admiration for him—he is, truly, just a profoundly kind human being.

Wedding Details…

Wedding Planner

Bijou Weddings by Design

Venue and Caterer

Sage Lodge

Rentals

The Top Rental Collection

Cake/Dessert

Aurore Bakery

Music

The Tiny Band

Dress Galia Lahav

Tuxes/Suits

Hall Madden

Rings

Kocek Jeweler Inc

(the rings were made and designed by the Brides Father)

Hair & Make Up

Emily Young Artistry

Flowers

Wild Blume

Cowboy Hat and Bride’s Boots

Stetson

Brides Fur Wraps

David Appel Furs

Gabriel – When did you realize you wanted to get married to Natalie?

It was early in our relationship that I knew Natalie was the woman I wanted to build a life with. Her unique humor and refreshingly honest way she sees the world was a breath of fresh air the minute we met. It's become more enduring to me as time has gone on, and our inside jokes have gotten a lot funnier because of it. She's the kind of person who wants to experience life to the fullest, with timeless style and class and leads the way there. She faces any challenge head on and always does the right thing, especially when it's difficult. She reminds me that it's her "eldest daughter" grit. And I believe it. Her nurturing nature towards me, her close friends, and loved ones has shown me the true value in relationships built over time and has made me feel confident in her becoming my wife and the person to share my life with.

Why did you choose the venue you did?

Montana has held a profound place in Natalie’s heart since 2020, when she and her German Shepherd, Theo, embarked on a road trip from California to Missoula. That initial connection deepened in 2024 when she and Gabriel purchased a home in Whitefish, which has since become their cherished sanctuary for holidays and summers. When searching for our wedding venue, we wanted an experience that captured that magic—a destination removed from the city where our loved ones could gather, relax at the spa, and enjoy incredible dining. Sage Lodge was an effortless choice.

Natalie – What did you enjoy most during your wedding day?

Ultimately, we wanted our wedding weekend to feel like an immersive, three-day retreat. By reserving the Ranch Houses at Sage Lodge, we were able to bring our closest friends and family together for an adults-only weekend focused entirely on deep connection and community. Being in our 30s and 40s, it is incredibly rare to get such concentrated, uninterrupted time with the people you love. Curating that experience—and watching old friends, new friends, and family bond over shared meals— was what I loved most.

The wedding day itself was pure magic. I arrived via a horse-drawn carriage, stepping into a circle of our loved ones all bundled up just as a light snow began to fall. It was an intimate, breathtaking ceremony that we will cherish forever.

Gabriel – What is your favorite activity to do as a couple?

It's a tie between going out to eat at a new restaurant we've never been to and hiking our German Shepherd Theo, whether on a beautiful trail in Whitefish or along the scenic beach route in our hometown of Carmel.

FINE ART - BRONZE SCULPTURE - JEWELRY - MONTANA SAPPHIRES

MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 10AM TO 6PM - SUNDAYS 11AM TO 5PM

Let the Electric Buffalo Gallery Light Up Your Life

By Rachael Seymour

Photos by Amanda Wilson Photography

Imagine this: It’s one of many gray, dreary days in Bigfork Montana, and you’re feeling just as dull as the low hanging clouds in the sky. You need some color in your life, a little bit of pep in your step. So you go out and about on the main strip of downtown Bigfork, not sure how to pick up your mood. You're walking along when you look up and see a neon sign in a shop window: The Electric Buffalo Gallery. Intrigued by the cool name, you step inside. Suddenly you’re hit with an array of color and light, sparkling jewelry, colorful, intricate paintings, and crystals of every shape, size and color that decorate the bright yet cozy space. You step inside, and you’re welcomed with a warmer, lighter feeling. You're greeted by friendly staff and this is exactly what you needed.

This is what to expect if you go into the Electric Buffalo Gallery. Found in the heart of Bigfork, it provides a variety of unique items that everyone can enjoy. The gallery started in 2013 by Jack Saunders, the founder and co-owner. While its first year was in 2013, the seed for it was planted long ago, when Jack was a child growing up in Eastern Montana. Jack had a love for collecting rocks and the unique beauty often found within them. This love followed him when he attended the University of New Mexico to study business and play golf. During this time, he discovered the stunning and distinct look of Southwestern jewelry and art.

With his acquired fascination in the stones and styles characteristic of the Southwest, Jack took the time in New Mexico to further explore these art forms. His passion ultimately inspired him to share this beauty with his home state, and in 2013, Jack purchased a store on Electric Avenue. In a tribute to Bigfork and the native influences that inspired him, the Electric Buffalo Gallery was established.

During the next decade, Jack traveled to many gem and mineral shows developing a love for spectacular crystal specimens and a wide array of gemstone jewelry while creating lasting relationships with people from all over the world. His interests expanded, looking to bring in more traditional pieces of art such as paintings into the gallery.

Jack met and partnered with Genevieve Rose in 2023, and she began assisting him in man-

aging the gallery and curating merchandise. Together, they travel throughout the country searching high and low for items that best reflect the gallery’s dynamic and lively aesthetic.

At the heart of the gallery’s work is their commitment to authenticity and artists who pour themselves into their craftsmanship. By serving the local community and creating a culture of collaboration with their team, they bring in a sense a purpose and excitement. Genevieve’s ability to spot emerging trends enables them to curate a selection of products that resonate with customers and leave a lasting impression.

“We’re constantly seeking unique and extraordinary pieces to showcase in our gallery, ensuring we provide the best shopping experience possible,” says Genevieve.

We’re constantly seeking unique and extraordinary pieces to showcase in our gallery, ensuring we provide the best shopping experience possible.

According to her, a hot trend lately has been jewelry laid with pretty pink conch shell!

Electric Buffalo Gallery takes pride in its relationships with Montana artists, including painters Colt Idol, Darren Haley, Carol Hagan and Allen Jimmerson, knife maker Dan Gwynn and Southwestern silversmiths Artie Yellowhorse and David Rosales. To further promote the artists and their extraordinary work, the gallery hosts trunk shows in the summer.

The gallery wants to make sure they’re available to the public throughout the year so they maintain a consistent schedule, open 7 days a week starting at 10 a.m., except for the four major holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Jack and Genevive strive to keep the gallery’s social media presence fresh and current with captivating content featuring beautiful models adorned in jewelry, stunning crystal specimens, knives and intricate art pieces. While there are definitely some unique pieces that match their price tag, The Electric Buffalo Gallery makes sure that anyone who walks through their door feels

welcome and can afford to leave with a little something special.

"My vision for the gallery was rooted in creating a bright and colorful atmosphere featuring items from Montana and the surrounding Rocky Mountains as well as the southwestern region of the United States, with the galleries of the Southwest serving as a significant source of inspiration,” says Jack. “It was important to create a unique space featuring stunning turquoise and sapphire jewelry, while also offering artists an opportunity to showcase and sell their work while being fairly compensated. Our store’s diverse price range may surprise visitors who judge by appearance, as we cater to a wide range of customers.”

There’s a lot of beauty and heart and soul in this little gallery. From the carefully hand-picked pieces to the friendly staff, the Electric Buffalo Gallery wants everyone who walks through their doors to feel happy and welcome. Both Jack and Genevive innately believe in the power of art, and its ability to uplift one’s mood and soften their spirit.

Park Side Credit Union is pleased to feature one of its valued 2026 Park Side Partners, The Making Place, in this issue of 406 WOMAN.

THE MAKING PLACE Where People Can Make Things

By Mary Wallace

There's just a vibe the minute you walk into The Making Place. More than just a creative workspace, it seems to be a hub for inspiration, connection, and hands-on discovery. From the moment you walk through the door, there’s an unmistakable energy, welcoming and inspiring all at once. It's not fancy yet somehow feels elegant in its efficient use of space—like hygge collided with a wizarding world of creativity.

Seriously, I stopped in for a tour and immediately felt compelled to grab a coffee from the Uptown Hearth and, well... make something. The space has a way of awakening that creative spark, inviting everyone to come on in, create, and explore.

The concept of creating a making place began in 2023 with a group of like-minded creative friends hanging out in someone’s living room. They were discussing how artists and wouldbe artists (like themselves) are limited by the cost of renting a workspace, as well as access to the tools and knowledge that could help them pursue their unique creative endeavors. Things quickly escalated when someone suggested creating a tool library where people could borrow tools and equipment just like they borrow books. And just like that, a survey form was created to ask the community if they would support such a concept by donating tools and time, and what kinds of things people

might want. The result was overwhelmingly positive and brimming with excitement, indicating a desire for three main services: workshops & classes, a tool library, and a communal workspace.

Soon offers of donated tools and money were coming in. It became clear that they needed to create the structure to develop a nonprofit. The group held their first organizational meeting in December of 2023. They began gathering donated tools and storing them in each

other's garages, all the while seeking a workable space. The universe eventually responded when the Uptown Hearth offered the third floor of their renovated building! They opened their doors to their community workspace in June 2025.

Event Coordinator Amy Gwartney, Marketing Coordinator Emma Jacquelyn, and Development Leader Tricia Hinchey greeted me warmly at the top of the stairs, eager to share their passions for the Making Place.

The hope

is that The Making Place will bring people together through creativity, connection, and

Anticipation is already building for the Harvest Moon Fest, slated for Saturday, September 26th, from 11 am to 5 pm. The event brings creatives together for an afternoon of fun, featuring musical acts, food trucks, and local art vendors, as well as hands-on activities where attendees try their hand at new creative skills and take home their completed projects. Past events have had hands-on screen printing, games, ceramics, and metalworking demonstrations, an open mic, cider making, raffles, and an impressive range of different artist and vendor booths for attendees to browse. The event is held at Harvest Moon Homestead located at 700 Mooring Road in Columbia Falls. Early Bird passes will be available at harvestmoonfest. org beginning August 1st.

“We exist to provide creative space and resources for the people of our community to make, share, and learn together. We simply want to make it easier for people to make things!” said Amy.

The Making Place now boasts several dedicated craft stations, an ever-growing tool library, and three small studios for resident artists. Additionally, they provide space for both community events and for makers to gather. Everything is there - the tools, the equipment, the supplies, and the workspace, along with people who can help bring any vision to life.

The Making Place has several commercialgrade sewing machines, workshop equipment, leatherwork tools, woodworking equipment, 3D printers, and a supply room bursting at the seams. Members can come and go anytime during workshop hours to putter, make something, or borrow any of the resources this magical place has in store. Non-members can buy a day pass or register for an open class to come in and give the place a test drive.

Membership tiers range from $10 to $79 per month. Members receive discounts and can access the tools, equipment, and supplies during makerspace hours. There is also a Volunteer Membership option that allows anyone who volunteers for 10 hours per month the opportunity to enjoy a free workspace membership.

The Making Place hosts events such as the Maker of the Month, the Mend & Mingle, Paint & Sips, monthly craft nights (where makers can bring whatever project they are working on and hang out), occasional art supplies and tool swaps, and so on. The hope is that The Making Place will bring people together through creativity, connection, and shared experience. Just as importantly, they envision it as a social space that does not revolve around alcohol or consumerism, but instead encourages meaningful interaction, learning, and play.

Their Spring fundraiser, Stories Under the Strawberry Moon, was recently held in June at the White Raven Winery and Vineyard. Local storytellers shared their experience of "Taking Chances" in collaboration with Flathead Story Concerts. It was an enjoyable evening in support of the local arts.

The Making Place is nearly all volunteerdriven. There is a group of working board members, enthusiastic volunteers, and participants. They are artists, makers, and professionals collaborating to create a makerspace for our community. Amy, Emma, and Tricia are just part of the team that keeps The Making Place’s doors open and everything running smoothly. They all have full-time careers outside their involvement with the Making Place but have gladly volunteered their time to make it all happen.

Amy is the Event Coordinator and joined the Making Place movement because she missed the camaraderie of the art scene after moving here from Portland. She saw the original survey form and thought, “Oh my soul!” and she was hooked! Amy owns Earthen Rituals Bodywork and also does freelance web design, marketing, and runs an Airbnb on their property, the Harvest Moon Homestead.

Development Lead Tricia was drawn to the Making Place after attending the Harvest Moon Fest, saying, “It was so fun and I loved the idea of being part of creating this Maker’s community.” Tricia is also the owner of Garden Girl Gardens, which offers design, installation, and maintenance.

Emma is the Marketing Coordinator and learned about The Making Place when, as a graphic designer, she received a ‘call-to-action’ email. Emma owns Emma Jacquelyn Design, which helps other businesses create cohesive and effective brand identities. She was featured as the Maker of the Month last summer with her Branding workshop adding, “Branding is also an art form!”

There are 60 members, 200 volunteers, several volunteer members, and each and every one is excited to reach the milestone

of hiring their first paid staff. Soon the Making Place will have a Workspace Director.

Being a Park Side Partner has already helped make inroads toward the goals for 2026 & beyond, which include putting processes in place to ensure sustainability, hiring one more staff person to strengthen services and handle administrative tasks, working on foundations and fundamentals, and adding more members, volunteers, and volunteer members.

“Having the chance to do radio ads with Josh Kroll, and the potential to have Park Side staff volunteer for our events is going to be amazing,” said Tricia. Even being invited to apply was a game-changer - they took the opportunity for everyone to come together to help write their story, and to set priorities for the coming year.

When asked if there was any advice for the artists and makers out there, Emma jumped in. “Don’t be afraid to start your art journey. You don’t have to be an expert! Humans are already innately artistic and honestly, adults don’t play enough. Come to The Making Place and let us help you get started. Try

something new, make a mess, experiment a little. You just have to begin.”

For those who want to explore a mind-blowing plethora of knowledge sharing from local artists, be sure to check out The Making Place’s Event Calendar at www.themakingplacemt.com/calendar, or stop by for a visit at 619 Nucleus Ave, 3rd Floor, Columbia Falls, MT.

Each year, the Park Side Partner program selects three non-profit organizations in both Missoula and the Flathead Valley, each chosen with the help of a Park Side staff committee. Each nonprofit receives a significant donation, help from Park Side employee volunteer groups, cross-promotion, and shared advertising to increase their exposure in their own communities. It is a meaningful example of strategic philanthropy and of the credit union difference in action. This positive impact continues to grow year after year, creating an unparalleled network of cooperation, connection, and community support.

From Podcast to Trailhead

Your Next Great Hike Starts Here

Featuring local authors

Diane BoydWoman Among Wolves

Jim WilliamsPath of the Puma

Blake PassmoreClimb Glacier series

Jake BramanteHike734

Episodes include: Best Hikes for Families

Essential Equipment for Day Hikes History of the GNP Lodges And many more!

Discover Glacier National Park with the Hiking Fools! Montana adventurers Josh and Sarah bring Glacier's trails to life with expert route tips, wildlife facts, park history, and inspiring stories. Tune in to the Hiking Fools podcast and let their family motto, " Always Go! ", inspire your next adventure.

The Hiking Fools Podcast can be found locally on Bee Broadcasting podcasts or on any of your favorite

MINDFUL DESIGNS

Building a Better Future

By Carla Gallagher

With over 60 years of combined experience, the three principals of Mindful Designs have earned a reputation for creating some of Northwest Montana’s most distinctive custom homes. Marty Beale, Jason Pohlman, and David Radatti have poured their professional lives into developing the smartest and most responsible building company in the area. Based in Whitefish, Mindful has spent more than two decades refining an approach that goes beyond architectural lines and construction materials— one that balances aesthetics, building science, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the land.

The Mindful team believes a home should be more than a structure. Every project has a “soul” that marries a raw landscape with a family identity. Every project begins with listening: understanding how clients live, what inspires them, and how they want to experience Montana’s remarkable landscape. The result is a highly collaborative process which thoughtfully transforms ideas into homes that feel uniquely personal.

The homes themselves are defined by meticulous details and exceptional performance. Mindful Designs has built its reputation on creating residences that seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor living while emphasizing comfort, energy efficiency, durability, and wellness. Whether perched on a mountainside overlooking Glacier National Park, the North Fork of the Flathead, or nestled among the Salish Ridge forestlands and lakes, each home is crafted for years to come, building a better future.

Many of the Mindful clients quickly become friends, frequently describing the experience as one rooted in trust, communication, and partnership. The company’s hands-on leadership team guides homeowners through every phase of design and construction, helping to simplify what can often be a complex process. This commitment to transparency and collaboration has earned Mindful Designs numerous accolades, including multiple “Best

of Whitefish” honors, and a loyal following of homeowners who return for future projects more than once and enthusiastically recommend the firm to others.

Today, Mindful Designs stands as a reflection of the values that define Montana itself: authenticity, craftsmanship, and a profound appreciation for place. Their mission is simple yet ambitious—to build homes that not only endure the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains, but also inspire a deeper connection between people, nature, and the lives they create within their walls.

Along the lines of building within an ecological landscape, Mindful Designs has started working with several families to design and craft their new line of homes which are humbly called Pods. These pods represent their truest attempt at marrying ecological sensibility with high performance, sleek, modern living spaces built for the wilderness of Montana.

The Pod series is a fresh and exciting approach to building homes that softly integrate into the topography and natural character of unique landscapes, rather than requiring large scale site demolition and restoration. Taking advantage of net-zero super-insulated platform enclosure systems, the foundation system of pods is largely comprised of piers, allowing them to “float” above terrain, with the potential to take advantage of the space beneath.

The pods are carefully crafted spaces that seamlessly combine indoor and outdoor living while enthusiastically paying tribute to aesthetics, efficiency, and responsible materials. Pods can be built as multiples or individually - each pod is created with the capacity to work as part of a larger system, allowing homeowners to design a space that fits their life today while having the flexibility to adapt to their future needs by adding pods at a later time which can be inter-connected with corridors which are suspended between pods. Instead of building one large, fixed home, the design uses separate pods that can be arranged in myriad different ways with ample opportunity to celebrate different views and outdoor spaces. Homeowners can choose the number, size, and layout of these pods to match their budget, lifestyle and the land they are building on. This makes it easier to design a home that feels personal and functional, while allowing for distinct wings or sections of homes. Yoga studios, band rehearsal stations, and not-so-remote offices are easy to dream up and implement.

Pods represent a solution to one of the biggest drawbacks of the typical custom home design and build process: the extensive timeline to go from concept to ground-break. With the super structure pre-designed, pods allow for a rarely seen marriage of personalized customization with a rapid preconstruction process. The bones,

These pods represent their truest attempt at marrying ecological sensibility with high performance, sleek, modern living spaces built for the wilderness of Montana.

shell and systems of the structure stay the same, while layout, configuration and built-in details have endless possibilities.

Environmental consciousness is at the heart of Mindful Designs’ Pods: a design and building assembly process that produces minimal construction waste; a foundation system enables a massive reduction in the amount of concrete, steel and waterproofing while also minimizing the need for heavy land grading, thereby preserving the natural beauty of the site; a high performance thermal envelope to minimize heating and cooling demand while creating a sanctuary of comfort within a home that boasts vast expanses of glazing.

Beyond practicality, the Pod Series creates a true sense of harmony. Every detail—from the layout to the finishes—is designed to work together. The goal is to “dial in” a perfect floor plan that connects the home to its surroundings and reflects the owner’s lifestyle. This results in a living space that feels balanced, comfortable, and unique.

The men and women of Mindful Designs spend their free time enjoying the outdoors – fishing, rafting rivers, climbing peaks, skiing, snowboarding, boating, biking, hiking, and hunting. This passion for Montana’s natural environment

inspires and fuels much of their design philosophy. Pods embrace the union and flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. Large banks of sliding-glass exterior doors provide generous openings to an expansive covered deck; an exterior spiral staircase can be added, which would access a rooftop patio; a hot tub can easily be recessed into the deck platform; thoughtful window placement and operation provide cross ventilation, allowing fresh air to pass freely through the home; views and natural light flow into and through the spaces. All this while hosting a structure that can withstand as much snow as a Montana winter could throw at it.

In the end, Mindful Designs’ Pod Series stands out because it blends innovation with responsibility while providing landowners with an option to hit the quick-and-easy button while somehow also getting a high-performance, customized, world class home built by the finest craftsmen and craftswomen in this Valley. Pods offer a smart solution for modern living by reducing environmental impact, increasing efficiency, and providing unmatched flexibility. These pods are more than homes—they are adaptable, futureready spaces that allow more harmonious living for people in our breathtaking, sensitive and wild Northwest environment.

The Most Expensive Five-Letter Word in Personal Finance

By Jessa Ash, Investment Advisor –Fisher Investment Strategies

There is one five-letter word that quietly costs people more money than inflation, taxes, or even the occasional bad investment.

LATER.

"I'll deal with it later."

"I'll start investing later."

"I'll update my estate plan later."

"I'll figure out retirement later."

Life has a funny way of making "later" feel responsible. We tell ourselves we'll make financial decisions when work settles down, after the kids graduate, when the market calms down, after vacation, after the next promotion, after the holidays.

The problem is that "later" almost never arrives.

As a financial advisor, I've learned something surprising. The biggest financial mistakes aren't usually dramatic. They aren't people betting everything on a risky stock or falling for an investment scam. Those stories make headlines, but they aren't what I see most often.

Instead, I see successful, intelligent people who simply stayed on autopilot.

The couple who meant to consolidate old retirement accounts but never got around to it.

The widow who inherited investments she didn't understand and felt too overwhelmed to ask questions.

The business owner who spent twenty years building a successful company but never built a plan for life after selling it.

The professional who accumulated wealth but couldn't answer one simple question:

"What is all this money actually supposed to do for me?"

That's a different conversation than simply asking, "How much do I have?"

WE MEASURE EVERYTHING EXCEPT WHAT MATTERS

We count calories.

We count steps.

We count followers.

We count square footage, horsepower, airline miles, and credit card points.

But very few people ever stop to measure financial confidence.

Think about that.

If someone asked you today, "On a scale from one to ten, how confident are you that you're making the best financial decisions possible?"—what would your answer be?

Not lucky.

Not hopeful.

Confident.

There's a difference.

Confidence doesn't come from having the biggest investment account. I've met millionaires who constantly worry about money, and I've met retirees with modest savings who sleep wonderfully because they have a thoughtful plan.

Money solves fewer problems than most people expect.

Clarity solves many more.

THE FINANCIAL JUNK DRAWER

Most of us have one.

That drawer in the kitchen where batteries, takeout menus, old chargers, tape, random keys, and instruction manuals somehow end up together.

It isn't organized.

It isn't intentional.

It's just...where things go.

I've realized many financial lives look exactly like that junk drawer.

An old 401(k) from three jobs ago.

A brokerage account opened during the pandemic.

Life insurance purchased twenty years ago.

An IRA someone recommended years back. Several savings accounts.

A few subscriptions nobody remembers signing up for.

Everything exists.

Nothing connects.

The issue isn't that any individual piece is necessarily wrong. It's that no one has stepped back to ask whether all of those pieces still work together.

A financial strategy should feel more like an orchestra than a junk drawer.

At some point, financial planning stops being about spreadsheets and starts becoming about life.

WEALTH ISN'T ABOUT NUMBERS

Here's something that may surprise you. Many people who appear financially successful privately admit they're exhausted by managing everything themselves.

They're researching tax changes late at night. Wondering whether they should refinance. Second-guessing investment decisions. Unsure whether they're taking too much—or too little—from retirement accounts.

Hoping they're not overlooking something important.

They don't necessarily need someone to "manage investments."

They need someone to help manage decisions.

Those are two very different jobs.

THE QUESTIONS THAT MATTER MORE

At some point, financial planning stops being about spreadsheets and starts becoming about life.

Can you help your children without jeopardizing your own retirement?

Could you retire earlier than you think? If your spouse suddenly had to manage everything, would they know where to begin?

Would an unexpected illness completely derail your plans?

Are your investments aligned with your goals—or just sitting where they've always been?

These aren't questions Google can answer for you.

They're conversations.

And conversations often uncover opportunities that software never will.

THE COST OF WAITING

People often assume waiting is the "safe" decision.

Sometimes it is.

But sometimes waiting quietly becomes the most expensive choice available.

Waiting to invest means missing years of compounding.

Waiting to update beneficiaries can create headaches for loved ones.

Waiting to create an estate plan leaves important decisions to the courts.

Waiting to ask questions often means living with unnecessary uncertainty.

The irony is that the people who tend to wait are usually responsible people. They're busy raising families, building careers, caring for aging parents, volunteering, traveling, and trying to enjoy life.

Financial planning gets pushed to the bottom of the list because nothing feels urgent. Until it suddenly does.

HERE'S A DIFFERENT CHALLENGE

Instead of asking yourself how your investments performed this year, ask yourself something different.

"If I were starting from scratch today, would I build my financial life exactly the way it looks right now?"

Most people pause before answering. That pause is interesting.

Sometimes it reveals confidence.

Sometimes it reveals opportunity. Either answer is valuable.

MY FAVORITE MEETINGS

The best client meetings aren't the ones where markets had a great quarter. They're the meetings where someone walks out saying, "I hadn't even thought about that."

Not because we sold them something. Because we helped them see something. Sometimes that's a tax strategy.

Sometimes it's protecting a surviving spouse. Sometimes it's realizing retirement is possible sooner than they imagined. Sometimes it's simply replacing years of uncertainty with a clear plan. That kind of clarity has value far beyond dollars.

ONE SMALL STEP

You don't need to overhaul your financial life this weekend.

You don't need to become an investment expert.

You don't even need all the answers. Just choose one thing you've been putting off. Review your beneficiaries. Find that old retirement account. Update your will.

Ask the question you've been meaning to ask. Or simply sit down with someone who can help connect all the pieces.

Because the most expensive five-letter word in personal finance isn't "debts."

It isn't "broke."

It isn't even "risks."

It's "later."

And today is always a better day to begin than someday.

Taking Care of Yourself. We Are Here to Help.

60+ years of dedicated care for women

Written by Gwen Jonas, MD

Women Caring for Women: Expert Care for Every Stage of Life

Women are often the caregivers, advocates, and organizers for everyone around them. They care for children, partners, parents, friends, coworkers, and their communities—often placing their own health and well-being last. As a result, many women live with painful symptoms for years, assuming they are simply part of life or something they must learn to tolerate.

At Kalispell OB/GYN, we believe women deserve the same compassion, attention, and care that they so readily give to others. For more than 60 years, our private practice has been dedicated to caring for women—providing personalized, evidence-based healthcare and partnering with women through every stage of life.

We are committed ourselves to providing a pleasant relaxing environment to help you feel at ease. We strive to listen thoughtfully, share in any decision making process with you, and if a procedure is needed, to ensure it is as painless as possible. Whether you are seeking answers for a new concern or have struggled with symptoms for years, our team is committed to listening, understanding your goals, and helping you find solutions that improve your health and quality of life.

GYNECOLOGIC CARE, NON-SURGICAL AND SURGICAL SOLUTIONS

Many women experience gynecologic conditions that affect their daily activities, relationships, work, and overall well-being. Yet too often, symptoms are dismissed as something they simply must live with.

We provide evaluation and treatment for a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:

•Heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding

•Uterine fibroids

•Ovarian cysts

•Endometriosis, Adenomyosis

•Chronic pelvic pain

•Pain with intercourse

•Pelvic organ prolapse

•Premenstrual Symptoms

•Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome

•Other gynecologic concerns affecting quality of life

Treatment plans are individualized and may include medical management, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery depending on each patient's needs.

Kalispell OB/GYN offers advanced procedural care for appropriate candidates, including in-office hysteroscopy for evaluation and treatment of uterine conditions, endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding and office labiaplasty. For many women, in-office procedures provide greater convenience, faster access to care, and substantially lower out-of-pocket costs compared to procedures performed in a hospital setting.

PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE CARE

Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect nearly every aspect of a woman's life. The most common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, brain fog, vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms, changes

Seeking care is not simply about treating symptoms—it is about investing in your health, your future, and your quality of life.

in sexual health, and overall well-being. There are less common symptoms as well such as joint pain, heart palpitations and anxiety to name a few.

While these changes are natural, suffering through them is not a requirement of aging.

We provide comprehensive evidence-based menopause care, including individualized hormone therapy when appropriate. We also help women understand long-term health considerations related to bone health, cardiovascular health, and overall wellness during and after the menopausal transition.

FERTILITY EVALUATION AND SUPPORT

For women hoping to grow their families, fertility challenges can be emotionally and physically overwhelming. Our team provides fertility evaluations and diagnostic testing to help identify potential causes of infertility and develop a personalized plan of care.

SERVICES INCLUDE:

•Initial infertility evaluation

•Preconception counseling

•Ovulation assessment and treatment

•In-office ultrasound

•Evaluation and treatment of gynecologic conditions that may impact fertility

When advanced reproductive technologies are needed, we work closely with fertility specialists to ensure coordinated care and support throughout the journey.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIVE WITH SYMPTOMS

As women, we often prioritize the needs of everyone around us before our own. Yet our health affects every aspect of our lives—from our families and careers to our ability to enjoy the activities we love.

If you are experiencing heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, menopause symptoms, fertility concerns, bladder issues, prolapse, or other gynecologic conditions, you do not have to navigate them alone. Seeking care is not simply about treating symptoms—it is about investing in your health, your future, and your quality of life.

At Kalispell OB/GYN, we are women caring for women. We are honored to walk alongside our patients through every stage of life, providing expert care, compassionate support, and treatment options tailored to each woman's unique needs.

Kalispell OB/GYN is currently accepting new patients. If you have been waiting to address symptoms or concerns, now is the time.

Please call 406-752-5252 to schedule with one of our providers.

The New Era of Personalized Aesthetic Medicine

How Advanced Skin Analysis is Changing the Way We Approach Skin Health

When many patients come into our office, they already have a treatment in mind.

They may ask about Botox, BBL, Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, or a new skincare product they’ve seen online. While these treatments can be incredibly effective, the most important question isn’t “What treatment should I get?” It’s “What does my skin actually need?”

In today’s world, aesthetic medicine is becoming increasingly personalized. Just as no two patients have the same medical history, no two patients have the same skin. That’s why we recently introduced the Aura Reality Camera to Glacier MedSpa.

This advanced imaging technology allows us to see beyond what is visible in the mirror and gain a deeper understanding of each patient’s unique skin concerns. Rather than relying on assumptions, Aura provides objective information

Written by Leslie Lovelady, FNP

that helps us create customized treatment plans based on your skin’s actual needs.

Most of us evaluate our skin based on what we notice day to day. We may see a few wrinkles, some redness, or areas of pigmentation. However, many skin concerns begin developing long before they become obvious.

Aura allows us to analyze multiple aspects of skin health, including:

SKIN AGE ANALYSIS

Aura compares your skin characteristics to others within your age group and provides insight into how your skin is aging. Many patients are surprised to discover their skin appears younger—or older—than their chronological age.

SUN DAMAGE BENEATH THE SURFACE

Years of UV exposure can create pigmentation changes that may not yet be visible. Aura helps identify these developing areas before they become more noticeable.

REDNESS AND VASCULAR CONCERNS

Persistent redness is often dismissed as simply part of someone’s complexion. Advanced imaging can help reveal vascular patterns and areas of inflammation that may benefit from treatment.

WRINKLES AND COLLAGEN LOSS

Fine lines and wrinkles are only part of the aging process. Aura helps us evaluate deeper changes related to collagen loss and skin quality.

TEXTURE AND PORE ANALYSIS

Skin texture plays a major role in overall skin appearance. Aura allows us to assess pore size, texture irregularities, and overall skin quality.

TRACKING PROGRESS WITH CONFIDENCE

One of the most valuable benefits of Aura is the ability to track changes over time.

Patients often ask, “Is my skincare working?” or “Am I seeing improvement from my treatments?”

Skin Analysis Brown Spots

Skin Analysis Wrinkles

This advanced imaging technology allows us to see beyond what is visible in the mirror and gain a deeper understanding of each patient’s unique skin concerns.

Aura Reality CameraFrequently Asked Questions

Instead of relying solely on memory or photos taken on different devices and in different lighting, Aura provides consistent imaging that allows us to objectively monitor progress. This helps both patients and providers make informed decisions about future treatment recommendations.

PERSONALIZED RECOMMENDATIONS, NOT ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTIONS

One patient may benefit most from medical-grade skincare. Another may be an excellent candidate for BBL. Others may achieve their goals through treatments such as Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, SkinTyte, injectables, or collagen-stimulating procedures.

The goal isn’t to recommend the most aggressive treatment. The goal is to recommend the most appropriate treatment for your skin.

Aura gives us the information needed to build treatment plans that are customized, measurable, and focused on longterm skin health.

WHY FALL IS THE PERFECT TIME TO START

As we move into the fall season, many patients begin thinking about correcting the effects of summer sun exposure.

Fall and winter are ideal times for many laser and light-based treatments because reduced sun exposure allows for safer treatment and optimal healing.

An Aura consultation is an excellent first step in preparing for laser season. By identifying concerns such as sun damage, pigmentation, redness, texture irregularities, and signs of aging, we can develop a personalized treatment plan designed to help you achieve healthier, more radiant skin.

The first step toward better skin isn’t choosing a treatment— it’s understanding your skin.

That’s exactly what Aura helps us do.

What is the Aura Reality Camera?

Aura is an advanced skin imaging system that analyzes multiple aspects of skin health, helping providers create personalized treatment recommendations.

What can Aura see that I can’t see in the mirror?

Aura can highlight sun damage, pigmentation, redness, texture concerns, pore size, wrinkles, and other changes that may not yet be obvious to the naked eye.

How long does an Aura consultation take?

Most consultations take approximately 10-15 minutes.

Is the scan painful?

Not at all. The process simply involves taking a series of photographs of your face.

Who should have an Aura skin analysis?

Anyone interested in improving their skin health, learning more about the aging process, building a skincare routine, or exploring treatment options.

Can Aura help determine which treatment is right for me?

Yes. Aura provides valuable information that helps your provider determine whether skincare, BBL, Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, SkinTyte, injectables, or other treatments may be most beneficial.

Why should I schedule an Aura consultation before the Fall Laser Event?

The consultation helps identify your biggest skin concerns and allows your provider to create a customized treatment plan before laser season begins.

Q&A WITH Carrie Thompson Logan Health Genetics & Genomics

Where are you from?

I grew up in Middleport, a small farming community near the Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario, Canada. Living in a close-knit rural community taught me the value of relationships, resilience, and helping neighbors support one another.

Q: What is your background?

My professional background includes oncology, gastroenterology, adult and pediatric care, and genetics. Over the course of my career, I have been fortunate to care for patients at every stage of life, from newborns to older adults. Genetics became a natural fit because it combines many of the things I am most passionate about: prevention, education, lifelong learning, and helping families understand their health.

Q: What inspired you to become involved with genetics and genomics?

My interest in genetics grew naturally from my background in oncology and my own family history of cancer. Early in my career, while living in Jackson, Wyoming, I cared for a young girl named Regan who was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a childhood cancer that can sometimes have a genetic basis. At the time, I was beginning to learn more about the role genetics can play in cancer risk and diagnosis, and that experience had a lasting impact on me.

After Regan passed away, her family gave me a painting that still hangs in my exam room today, 25 years from when I was gifted it. It serves as a daily reminder that behind every diagnosis is a person, a family, and a story. That experience inspired me to continue my education and eventually pursue advanced training in genetics and genomics. What continues to

inspire me today is the opportunity to help patients and families find answers, better understand their health, and sometimes change the course of their future.

Q: What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is helping patients and families find answers. Genetics often provides clarity during some of the most uncertain moments in a person's life.

I also enjoy building programs that improve access to care in rural communities. One project that is especially meaningful to me is Project Zebra, an initiative funded by the Logan Health Foundation to provide stuffed zebras to children seen in our genetics clinic. In medicine, zebras are often used to represent rare conditions, and many of the children we care for have diagnoses that are uncommon. The zebras are a small way to provide comfort, compassion, and a sense of belonging while helping children understand that being rare also makes them special.

Q: How can patients come to see

you?

Patients can be referred to the Genetics and Genomics Program by any healthcare provider, including primary care providers and specialists. Individuals and families may also self-refer if they have questions about their personal or family health history. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting 406-607-8003.

Q: What do you like to do outside

of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and my three blue-heelers exploring Montana, and escaping to our cabin near the Bob Marshall Wilderness. I love hiking, gardening, painting, reading, and tackling home renovation projects.

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Advancing Personalized Care Close to Home Inside Logan Health’s Genetics and Genomics Program

Healthcare is entering a new era, one in which care is tailored not only to symptoms, but also to the unique genetic makeup of each individual. At Logan Health, that future is already taking shape through the Genetics and Genomics Program, helping patients and families throughout rural and frontier communities in Montana and the surrounding region better understand their health, their risks, and their options.

Understanding Genetics and Genomics

To understand genetics and genomics, we need to define some words; it can be a bit confusing.

A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity, made up of DNA. Acting as a set of specific instructions, most genes tell your cells how to make molecules called proteins, which regulate nearly every process, structure, and function in your body. Every person carries these unique set of genetic instructions that influence health throughout their life. Genetics focuses on individual genes and how traits or conditions can be inherited within families.

A genome is an organism's complete set of genetic material, containing all the instructions required for that organism to develop, survive, and reproduce. Genomics takes a broader view, examining a person's entire genome and the complex interactions between genes and environmental factors.

Together, these fields are transforming healthcare. By identifying changes in DNA, providers can diagnose conditions more accurately, uncover the cause of unexplained symptoms, assess inherited disease risk, and help guide treatment decisions tailored to each individual.

Why Patients Consider Genetic Testing

Genetic testing is one of the most powerful tools in modern healthcare, offering insights that can help individuals and families make informed decisions throughout life.

Some people seek testing because of a personal or family history of disease. A history of cancer, cardiovascular conditions, neurologic disor-

ders, or other inherited conditions may suggest an underlying genetic cause. In oncology, testing can identify hereditary cancer syndromes such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome or Lynch syndrome, helping individuals better understand their cancer risks and screening needs.

Others pursue testing during family planning or pregnancy. Carrier screening can identify whether prospective parents are at risk of passing certain inherited conditions to their children, while prenatal screening can provide information about the likelihood of specific chromosomal conditions during pregnancy.

Genetic information can also play an important role in treatment decisions. A common form of testing is Pharmacogenomic testing. Done with a simple cheek swap, saliva sample or blood draw, this test evaluates how an individual's genetic makeup may influence their response to medications, helping providers select therapies that are more effective and less likely to cause side effects.

Understanding genetic risk can lead to earlier screening, targeted prevention strategies, and more personalized care, often before symptoms ever develop.

For some patients, genetic testing provides answers after years of uncertainty. Identifying the genetic cause of a rare disease or unexplained symptoms can end a long diagnostic journey, guide medical management, and connect families with appropriate resources and support.

Ultimately, the greatest value of genetic testing is its ability to inform proactive healthcare. Understanding genetic risk can lead to earlier screening, targeted prevention strategies, and more personalized care, often before symptoms ever develop.

A Person-Centered Approach

The Logan Health Genetics and Genomics Program is designed to make these advanced tools accessible, understandable, and actionable. Patients receive individualized risk assessment, education, testing coordination, and follow-up care tailored to their personal and family health history.

A distinguishing feature of the program is its innovative care model, which includes genetics-trained advanced practice providers working alongside genetic counselors, physician specialists, and multidisciplinary care teams. Through the integrated Logan Health system, patients also have access to a physician who is dual board-certified in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Clinical Genetics, expanding access to specialized expertise for complex prenatal inherited conditions. Together, this collaborative team helps ensure patients and families receive comprehensive genetics care close to home.

The program serves patients across the lifespan, offering services that include hereditary cancer risk assessment, prenatal and preconception counseling, pediatric genetics, pharmacogenomics (study of the body’s response to medications), cardiogenetics (study and treatment of inherited heart diseases), neurogenetics (study how DNA affects the development and function of the brain and nervous system), and rare disease evaluation.

The program also provides long-term care for individuals and families at increased genetic risk for cancer and other inherited conditions. Beyond testing, the team helps patients understand what their results mean and develop personalized plans for ongoing screening, sur-

veillance, prevention, and specialty care. This proactive approach empowers patients and families to make informed decisions and take steps to protect their health throughout life.

Expanding Access in a Rural Region

Providing specialized services like genetics and genomics in a rural region comes with unique challenges. Logan Health serves a large and geographically dispersed population, where access to specialty care can be limited.

As demand for genetics services continues to grow, the organization has developed innovative care models to bring these services closer to patients and families. Through a combination of telehealth, outreach clinics, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a genetics-trained advanced practice provider workforce, patients can access specialized genetic evaluation, testing, counseling, and follow-up care without the burden of extensive travel.

The organization has also invested in workforce development through its 13-week Cancer Genomics Course. By preparing advanced practice providers and other healthcare professionals to deliver genetic-informed care, Logan Health is helping build the workforce needed to meet growing demand for genomic medicine in rural communities.

Genetics specialists also help patients navigate testing options, insurance coverage, laboratory selection, and available financial assistance programs. This individualized approach helps ensure patients receive appropriate, high-quality testing while minimizing barriers to care.

National Advances in Genomics

Across the country, genetics and genomics are transforming healthcare. Advances in sequencing technology have dramatically reduced the time required to analyze DNA and expanded access to genetic testing, allowing genomic information to be incorporated into medical care more frequently than ever before.

In cancer care, genomic testing is increasingly used to identify genetic changes that may guide treatment selection, prognosis, and screening recommendations. Emerging technologies, including liquid biopsies that detect tumor DNA

in a blood sample, are creating new opportunities to monitor certain cancers and assess treatment response with less invasive testing.

As genomic medicine continues to evolve, Logan Health remains committed to bringing these advances to patients in our region. Through participation in research studies, clinical trials, and national collaborations, the organization is helping advance new approaches to cancer risk assessment, early detection, treatment selection, and survivorship care. Logan Health also participates in initiatives focused on population-based genetic screening, working with leading academic partners to better understand how genetic testing can identify individuals at increased risk for hereditary cancer and other inherited conditions before disease develops.

Beyond oncology, genomics is influencing many areas of medicine, including cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, and pharmacology. Billings Clinic Logan Health has expanded access to rapid and ultra-rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill infants and children in the NICU and PICU, allowing care teams to obtain diagnostic information in days rather than months and helping guide timely treatment decisions for some of the region's most vulnerable patients and their families.

Looking Ahead

The future of healthcare is increasingly personalized, and genetics and genomics are playing a central role in that transformation. As scientific discoveries continue to expand our understanding of disease, patients can expect more precise risk assessment, earlier diagnosis, targeted therapies, and preventive strategies tailored to their individual needs.

Through continued investment in clinical care, education, research, and innovation, Logan Health is helping ensure that patients and families throughout the region can benefit from advances in genomic medicine for generations to come.

For patients and families, genetics and genomics offer more than information, they offer the opportunity to better understand health, make informed decisions, find answers, and take proactive steps toward a healthier future.

Here’s to 250 More

By Dr. John F. Miller DDS - SMILE MONTANA

Two hundred and fifty years. Also known as semiquincentennial. Hell of a spelling bee word if you ask me. “Can you use it in a sentence please?” “The United States of America just celebrated its semiquincentennial anniversary on July 4th, 2026.”

I had big plans, you know. Back in like April I was going to order the American flag overalls and the Bald Eagle trucker hat. I was going to get stickers in the shape of stars and tape off the stripes and spray tan my back with my kids. But it was only April and I had plenty of time before it was too late. You guys know how this story ends.

Regardless, I celebrated properly with my family, friends, and neighbors. And even though I didn’t look as patriotic as I had hoped, I sure as hell felt patriotic!! Due to the semiquincentennial placebo effect the BBQ tasted better, the fireworks were bigger, louder and brighter, and the stars and stripes popped extra hard off of our flag against a bright blue Big Sky.

Within my little family we have our traditions, our rituals, our go-to meals, our goto activities, and our go to movies. I’m sure most every family is like this in some fashion. One of our movies is the Peanut Butter Falcon. One of our favorite parts is when Tyler (played by Shia LaBeouf) asks his new and unexpected travel companion Zak (played by Zakk Gottsagen) what rule #1 is. His question lingers in the air as they are

walking and finally Zak answers, “PARTY!” That is not the answer Tyler was looking for but I really relate to Zak’s answer.

What is the point of all of this Freedom if we are not having a little (or a lot of) fun every now and then? We need to be actively seeking out the FUN in life. Not passively. Make a plan to find some fun everyday with your people or even alone. Every once in a while we need to smile and laugh so long and hard that our face hurts. All of our greatest core memories are memories of experiencing joy. So, make some memories and bank up some joy reserves for the future.

I have adult children now who no longer live with me. What memories have I left them with? What memories have I yet to create with them? Will they say, “Dad was

Teeth are also very special and I encourage you to treat them as such. Like every day, not just the mornings of your dental appointments. There is a direct correlation between quality of teeth and quality of life.

fun?” Sorry, I meant “Dad is fun!!” For sure they will. Zak was right, rule #1 should be “party.” Reasonably and responsibly. Fun is always more fun when the work is done.

Sitting with my wife Juli at the end of it all I exclaimed that 50 years is really the “special” interval. Meaning we won’t get all worked up again until 300. Don’t misunderstand me, America gets worked up every year but just like birthdays, the fives and zeroes are a little more...special. So with that in mind this was really my 1st “special” Fourth of July and I won’t see another one until I’m 95!! Maybe I don’t want to see another one? So guess what y’all? I’m just going to make them all special from here on out. I invite you to join me.

Teeth are also very special and I encourage you to treat them as such. Like every day, not just the mornings of your dental appointments. There is a direct correlation between quality of teeth and quality of life. I’m not going to get too intense on the teeth thing this time around so I just invite you to be honest with yourself. Are you taking good care of your teeth? Good enough care that any and all potential pathologies (tooth decay, gum disease) are prevented?

You can’t truly know without having regular check-ups with your dental provider. I’ve gone over it quite a few times now in 406 Woman, but dental pathologies typically don’t start to hurt until significant damage has been done that is significantly more expensive to repair. And one last thing while I'm still up here on my soapbox, x-rays are not dangerous and are so very important for the dental team in diagnosing your oral condition.

I asked you a question like 104 words ago. I asked, “Are you taking good care of your teeth?” Every day that I work I examine a patient's x-rays and teeth and I get the pleasure of telling them, “your teeth and gums are in perfect health, whatever you’re doing keep doing it,” makes my day.

Happy 250th American birthday folks. If it’s not obvious, I have lived in this great country my entire life. My life has panned out far better than I deserve and the last thing you will ever get out of me is a disparaging remark towards our nation. Let’s seek out the fun in life, let’s take good care of our teeth, and then let’s PARTY like it’s 2076.