Explore! LI F E + C U LTU R E
TR AV E L
LI F E + C U LTU R E
S(NO)W WAY HO M E
LE AVE N O TRACE
H EED TH E CALL
A P R I L 2 02 3
www.asinglemomentintime.net
Michael Tucker
A Single Moment In Time, are large canvas photos of local landscapes, and views from the summits of Mountains in Montana and surrounding states through the eyes of Michael Tucker. These photos have been taken with an inspirational view in time, looking down from the summits, or taken at just a moment in time that will never be duplicated. Find these beautiful large canvas photos that will add inspiration to any wall in your home or office. Go to www.asinglemomentintime.net 406.544.8333
BERMUDA
montaguesjewelers.com
Enjoy letting go of your stress and let us help with your business accounting needs!
REVOLUTIONARY FITNESS TRAINING
Call to set up your free consultation! Bookkeeping | Payroll | Payables | Receivables | Tax Return Preparation
928 Broadwater Ave Suite 2 Billings, MT 59101 (406) 690-2344 | B Saving Grace Accounting SavingGraceAcct@gmail.com Mention this ad for 10% off your tax preparation for 2022.
4011 Montana Sapphire Dr · (406) 296-6667 alloypersonaltraining.com AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
3
LIFESTYLE LETTER
Adventure by fire.
April 2023 PUBLISHER
Richard Boggs | Richard.Boggs@CityLifestyle.com EDITOR
Chelsea Lyn Agro | Chelsea.Agro@CityLifestyle.com
Admittedly, I'm a transplant. But like most Montana transplants, I think moving here was more of a calling to do so, rather than a preference. Simply put, I think some Montanans are just born elsewhere before making it "home." But all of the Montanans whose families have been here for generations might laugh at this commonality that I've come to recognize over the years: Montana is no cheap date when you're asking for a lifetime of adventure. If you move here, there are prices to pay in experience, sort of like a wilderness hazing ritual. Let me explain. When I first arrived in Montana, it was about 40 days after my husband and during an unusually warm spring. We decided to rent a tandem kayak and hit the Blackfoot River to celebrate our dating anniversary. In May. Early May. For all the newcomers who are reading this, confused as to what the punch line is, consider this your spring warning and the first rule in the non-existent newcomer's guide to Montana. My husband and I could barely step through the shallow water without sucking in a long and loud breath. We zipped up our life vests and paddled away downstream even though the current carried us with ease. The sun shone bright on our bare legs and the mist from small rapids sent us into breathless laughing fits. This was the perfect day. Until it wasn't. The horizon was violent with whitewater and I felt my body readying for a war that I was ill prepared for. We were in trouble. The waves inevitably flooded our kayak and the submergence into the water was that of a thousand knives piercing my skin. I had never experienced cold to this severity before. Not even when my eyelashes were crusted over at the highest peak of prime ski season. My husband was gone. I was holding onto a tree branch and pulling myself into a thicket of trees that washed up onto a thin island of other debris. There he was, down river, perched up on a rock, waving to me. With the help of countless seasoned strangers in these wild waters, we were reunited. Both sporting new badges of embarrassment and gratitude. And we're not alone. There are hundreds of stories just like ours, where Montana nearly took their lives upon arrival. Adventure awaits, but proceed with caution.
STAFF PHOTOGR APHER
Chelsea Culp | ChelseaCulpPhotography@Gmail.com ACCOUNT MANAGER
Amanda Tucker | Amanda.Tucker@CityLifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S
Chelsea Lyn Agro, Nick Mack, Sarie Mackay CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER
Alex Beierwaltes
Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
C H E L S E A LY N A G R O , E D I T O R @BILLINGSCITYLIFESTYLE
Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise
Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/BILLINGS |
Proverbs 3:5-6 Billings City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Billings area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Billings City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but
4
L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R
the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.
WEDDINGS, ELOPEMENTS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, & BRANDING | CHELSEARCULP.COM
gourmet, all day.
YOU CAN GET HEALTHCARE
FOR $69.99/MO.
BETTERPRICE BETTEROUTCOME BETTERHEALTH 805 24th St W 406-206-3154
ProofDonutsCoffee proofdonutscoffee
(406) 855-2422 vitality-direct.com 1537 41ST ST W, BILLINGS, MT 59106 AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
5
APRIL 2023
inside the issue The Explore Issue
20
10
16
F E ATU R E D
D E PA RTM E NTS
10 S(no)w Way Home
4
Lifestyle Letter
8
Business Monthly
10
Travel Journal LI FE + C U LT U R E
16
Inspired By LI FE + C U LT U R E
20
Outdoor Living T R AV EL
24
Outdoor Adventure T R AV EL
28
Kids Corner LI FE + C U LT U R E
30
Hosting Tips FO O D + B EV ER AG E
32
Events
34
Happy Hour FO O D + B EV ER AG E
An adventure memoir.
16 Heed the Call
Exploration is a matter of perspective.
20 Sleep Inside, Outside
Four incredible places to (literally) sleep under the stars.
O N T H E C OV E R
Photography: Chelsea Culp A perfectly serene landscape is an evergreen muse for anyone with an adventurer's spirit.
6
PREVENTION CAN SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF WASTED DOLLARS Your home is probably your most significant investment, and we know that you want to make sure it stays up to shape. With our 20 years of knowledge and experience, we have set out to maintain your investment and save you money. Whether you need an appliance repaired, a new irrigation system, or work completed around your home – you can count on us!
Veteran-owned and operated
Call 406-272-2307 for a free estimate! (Conditions May Apply)
PROUDLY SERVING BILLINGS, LAUREL, HUNTLEY, SHEPHERD, RED LODGE, AND SURROUNDING AREAS
“I’m particular so you don’t have to be.” 406•200•4182 www.truthe.kw.com 80 25th St W Suite 1
Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.
AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
7
BILLINGS BEST HEADSHOTS
APRIL 2023
business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.
Proof Dounts Have you seen their donut videos on social media? They pull apart and an oozy center is nearly intoxicating. Proof Donuts & Coffee was started in a home kitchen about five years ago. Recipes were tested and after four years, a dough recipe was born. Feast your senses on these decadent treasures any day of the week!
What do your photos say about your business?
AR I CA P
H
II
O T O G
R A
P
H
Photography Proof Donuts
Scan to read more.
Y
CHILDREN FAMILIES SENIORS HEADSHOTS
CD 8
Sean Me
Aricalipp.com
1212 Grand Ave Suite 10 C Billings, MT. 59102
B USIN E SS M ON T H LY
�•,
406-290-9443
Watch Professional Bull Riders! On Sunday, April 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the MetraPark Arena, watch the activity unfold as the PBR comes to town!
A Trusted & Superior Level of Dental Care!
$0
Cleanings!
406-248-6177
For insured patients. Call for details.
TurleyDentalCare.com
Appointments 7am–7pm & on Saturdays!
First Week FREE with mention of ad 406.534.2883 | purebarre.com/location/billings-mt 1595 Grand Avenue Billings, Montana
Your Dream Home should be left to hands you can count on!
www.AlpineBillings.com (406) 252-7100 AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
9
S(no)w Way Home
An adventure memoir
ARTICLE BY NICK MACK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX BEIERWALTES
10
T R AV E L J OU R N A L | L IFE + CULTURE
The road to Potosi Hot Springs weaves between spell-binding and nail-biting. It’s a fairytale path that snakes along a sparkling ice-capped creek but it’s also a treacherous driving test buried in snow, peppered with potholes and decorated with U-turns from defeated explorers. Alex’s truck jostles over another hidden crater and spins toward the creek before regaining traction and bouncing onward. My grip on the armrests remains tight, but I try to breathe and enjoy the view. Blinded by the late-winter wonderland, Alex adjusts his sunglasses and reaches a free hand to pat Bosco. Our canine adventure buddy pants excitedly behind us, and each breath lands steam on the back of my neck. I wipe the fog off my window. It’s late afternoon and the sun has already vanished behind the violet peaks of the Tobacco Root range. We’ve timed our excursion well. By the time we park, hike two miles, and settle into the ninety-degree natural jacuzzi, we’ll have prime seats to watch the sky darken from gray-blue to a rich, starry purple. The terrain shifts. The metallic rumble of a cattle grate spits us into a clearing that serves as a campground in the summer. Come June, the space will be brown and dusty, littered with firewood and tents. Currently, it’s an unblemished white sea. The trailhead lurks across a bridge at the far end, where the trees—stripped of their bark by starving bears—grow dark and dense. There’s no reason to hike through
more snow than absolutely necessary. Alex taps the gas pedal. The truck roars and refuses to move. The snow doesn’t even feel deep, much less look it. It’s not quite knee high. Smaller, less powerful trucks have driven through worse. Our vehicle isn’t stuck at some ridiculous angle—one wheel rests only slightly lower than the others, and it digs a little deeper with each careful gas pedal nudge. The situation does not appear hopeless. At first. “It’s hopeless,” Alex says, folding up his emergency shovel. Exhaust hangs thick over our deepening shadows. The truck makes plenty of noise, rumbles with plenty of power, but it won’t budge, won’t rock back and forth, won’t grip at anything—not even the dog bed, a gift from Bosco that we’ve wedged under one wheel. The German Shepherd runs laps around me. He’s having the time of his life, free from his kennel in Bozeman and his owner, Ben: the only other soul who knows we’ve gone adventuring for spring break. Naturally, there’s no cell service to inform Ben where. I roll out from next to the tire I’ve been excavating. Actually, “excavating” is too generous a verb. For every scoop of snow I displace, an equal amount tumbles from above, encouraged by Bosco’s heavy steps. Alex has given me the larger shovel, along with a coat (to supplement my sweatshirt) and an energy bar (to CONTINUED >
AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
11
supplement my Funyuns). He is an Eagle Scout. I am a Scout-dropout. It shows in the little things. I try to wipe sweat from my forehead, but it’s already frozen. We haven’t seen a single soul. Alex scans the horizon. “Think there’s anyone crazy enough to live out here?” One mile down the road, we find a hobbit hole, modeled after the famous fantasy dwelling, carved into a hill with a whimsical circular door. I briefly imagine a warm meal and friendly company waiting inside, but the barbed-wire fence proves less than inviting, and worry replaces my intrigue as we approach the brass knocker. No one answers. The next cabin is more conventional: large and above ground, with an even larger workshop attached. It’s also vacant. The road loses its charm with each panicked step in boots that may have been waterproof five years earlier. Bosco bounds back and forth, knocking into each of us mid-stride, threatening our balance and wearing us down with his relentless optimism. Eventually, we come across a quaint strip of cabins bordering the creek. Dark windows reflect our frosted faces. Silence dominates the area, broken only by the crunch of snow underfoot. We figure these homes are just as deserted as their neighbors, until a tiny truck fishtails out of nowhere, headed for the nearest town.
12
T R AV E L J OU R N A L | L IFE + CULTURE
CONTINUED > AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
13
The driver is disheveled, dressed in flannel. His identical sons, white as snow and vacant-eyed, stare at us from their firewood perch on the truck bed. None of them speak, but the driver slows down and lowers his window. Alex and I explain our situation. Their faces remain motionless—nobody frowns, laughs, or blinks. We ask for help digging out the truck. The driver finally says, “If yer still stuck tomorrow morning, we’ll dig ye out.” The thought of riding back into town with these folks never crosses my mind. It’s dark now, somehow so much darker than before the encounter. As the temperature plummets to single digits, the
14
T R AV E L J OU R N A L | L IFE + CULTURE
prospect of a nine-mile hike into town becomes increasingly less appealing. Alex and I turn back and resign ourselves to a long night in his truck. We jump on the opportunity to twist the keys and burn a little fuel each time one of us wakes up choking on a frozen snore, shaking and confused in the darkness between windows fogged by Bosco’s oppressive breath. A slow night passes this way. We have enough fuel to heat the truck intermittently, but we don’t want to push our luck. Morning arrives, cold but clear, and we decide not to wait for the small truck that may or may not arrive to thaw us out. As soon as the sun rises above the sharpening outlines of the Tobacco Roots, we pull on
gloves that we’ve toasted on vents and tackle the hike into town. The cabins appear less foreboding in the morning light. Bosco’s collar jingles jollier than ever as we make slow progress toward town. There’s nothing to talk about; there really hasn’t been for hours, despite the novelty of the experience. Small talk is out of the question, and we move by instinct with little debate. About two miles out, exhausted and numb, we reach into our pockets, where our phones have begun to buzz. Ben has already contacted our parents, concerned by our lack of communication. Everyone more or less believes we are dead. I cannot adequately describe the life-restoring qualities of the Trucker’s Special Breakfast at the Town Haul Diner. The hotcakes, sausage links, eggs, and hashbrowns hit differently between the cozy memorabilia-laden walls. This is the type of eatery where the Coke arrives in plastic red cups, the coffee flows nonstop, and the hashbrowns come crisped just right.
Alex and I recline across from Ben, who has journeyed out to rescue Bosco while we await a tow truck in the town of Harrison, Montana. Maybe I still have hobbit holes on my mind because as our shoes drip slush and we listen to the chatty local clientele, I’m reminded of the conclusion of The Return of the King, when Frodo and the boys return to their favorite pub and sit quietly, unable to reconcile their adventures with the mundane pleasures of home. Sure, our journeys may have varied in length and stakes and similarly trivial details, but I feel changed nonetheless, ready to face the world with renewed perspective and tackle fresh challenges. From a certain point of view, all we’ve done is drive a truck into a snowbank and endure a sleepover with a smelly dog, followed by a brisk morning hike. From another, we’ve tested our preparedness and explored our resolve, we’ve battled the elements and emerged slightly wiser. It’s all in the telling.
THRIFT SHOP
Open
10- 5:30 Weekdays 10-4 Saturdays
giamt.org • 406.696.8704 • 10 S. 30TH ST. • BILLINGS, MT AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
15
Heed the C all
ARTICLE BY SARIE MACKAY
Exploration is a matter of perspective
16
I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE
“There isn’t a train I wouldn’t take, no matter where it’s going,” wrote Edna St. Vincent Millay. America loves its adventures, whether it’s a ride in a hot air balloon or a decision to take a difficult class. Over the last few decades, we’ve come a long way from the families who poked marshmallows out of the car windows for
the Yellowstone bears. Yes, there was a time when this was considered rollicking family adventure. But now we know that a fed bear is a dead bear, and none of us want that. Our awareness of the wider world has changed. Most of us understand that humans in the wild are a minority, and that’s as nature intended. We’ve all become
better naturalists, and we understand that there is a linkage that connects everything, from flower nectar to pond algae to swooping hawk to scrabbling wolverine. This sense of connection is a fabric that ties us to all other living beings and things, like a tympanic membrane that gives us a CONTINUED >
AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
17
constant sense of how we affect our environment and its occupants. It’s what keeps us safe on the trail. It helps us choose the right time and the right equipment. And it fills us with respect. As Native American activist John Trudell said, “All human beings are descendants of tribal people who were spiritually alive, intimately in love with the natural world, children of Mother Earth.” Adventure risk is a deep topic, and much has been written about it. The NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) teaches its students that risk management is the same thing as safety. Outdoor risks can include loose rock and unstable surfaces, rugged, steep, and uneven terrain, cliff edges, crevasses, moving water (fast or slow), and potentially hazardous animals and insects. Interestingly, NOLS also teaches that certain hazards and risks can be posed by one’s companions—for example, fatigue, state of mind, and choices that can influence their judgment and decision-making. Awareness and natural intuition help us prepare; they also whet our appetite for risk. Adventure can be as simple as foraging for the earliest dandelion leaves or scouting the hills for morel mushrooms. But there are also books to be written, canyons to explore, engines to be rebuilt, alpine vistas to see, and personal limits to test. It’s the personal limits concept that all of us can relate to—fixing a broken appliance with the help of an internet video often results in immense exhilaration and a boost in self-confidence. Dealing successfully with a crisis—something as life-altering as being laid off and then finding the fortitude to carve a new path. This is as big a reward as climbing a famous mountain peak. Traute Parrie of Red Lodge, who spent over three decades with the US Forest Service, goes each winter into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness on extended ski explorations. She says, “Adventure challenges me mentally or physically. It also involves uncertainty. I love any activity that requires all my senses. Sometimes I want an adventure with a buddy, but going solo requires even more attentiveness. The risk that is inherent with adventure—whether that's taking on a new challenge at work, or exploring the backcountry in avalanche terrain, or bike-packing in high wild country, makes success that much more rewarding.” As we contemplate what’s next, courage and curiosity kick in. The initial idea comes: “I could go explore that canyon with the petroglyphs” and is followed by an attentive and imaginative process known as planning: how will I get there, who will come along, what will I need, what is the terrain, how far will I go? Whatever we choose, adventures add to one another, multiplying us and making us more than we were.
18
I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE
“All human beings are descendants of tribal people who were spiritually alive, intimately in love with the natural world, children of Mother Earth.” — John Trudell AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
19
Sleep Inside, Outside 4 Incredible places to (literally) sleep under the stars
Photography by Amangiri, USA
20
O UT D OOR LIV IN G | TR AVE L
It’s always magical to spend a night sleeping under the stars. In decades past, adventure seekers have packed the SUV or camper with tents and gear for ‘roughin’ it’ in the great outdoors. But the swanky and exploding category of luxury outdoor hotel is something to investigate for an unforgettable, next-level experience. For those who prefer glamping rather than pitching their own tent fireside, here are a few options that incorporate sweeping views and a unique
opportunity for travelers to be more authentically embedded in the landscape of the place they’re visiting. These resorts have bucket list-worthy rooms that capture the best of both the luxury resort experience and the outdoors. Whether you crave the dry heat of the remote Utah desert or the luminous beauty of the Northern Lights, we’ve curated a short list of some places you *must* check out.
Photography by Amangiri, USA
Amangiri, Utah In southern Utah, Amangiri is a five star resort perfect for an adventurous weekend in the desert. However, it is the simple rooms built to emphasize the beauty of Canyon Point that truly make it an incredible place to stay. Each suite has an outdoor lounge and fireplace with private pools or rooftop terraces available too. Don’t miss a dip in the ‘gram-worthy pool, which wraps around the landscape’s curved dunes and arid plateaus. CONTINUED >
AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
21
Photography by Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland These arctic igloos make Urho Kekkonen National Park look like a dreamy winter wonderland. Snuggle up inside the glass-roofed globe and watch the dancing northern lights overhead. Get immersed in the world of northern lights, midnight sun and other miracles of this world-renowned arctic resort. Just bundle up before stepping outside – temperatures can drop to -22 degrees!
Photography by Valtteri Hirvonen
22
O UT D OOR LIV IN G | TR AVE L
Hacienda Na Xamena, Ibiza The Spanish island Ibiza boasts lush pine forests, hidden calas (cove beaches) and Hacienda Na Xamena, a resort suspended on a cliff 600 feet above the Mediterranean. Guests flock to its spa for the eight saltwater thalassotherapy (seawater as a form of therapy) lagoons, which are linked together with waterfalls. Swim to the edge of the pool and drink in the sweeping sea vistas. Photography Hacienda Na Xamena, Ibiza ©
Photography by Pacuare Lodge
Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica This jungle hideaway is so out there, you have to whitewater raft down a river or ride a gondola to get there. A network of hanging bridges connect the villas, which have thatched roofs, plantation teak wood floors, rattan furniture and private plunge pools. In the evening, zip 400 feet down a cable for a meal at the Nest, a platform at the top of a ceiba tree, then take a night-time stroll along romantic pathways lit by candles and lanterns.
Photography by Pacuare Lodge
AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
23
A view of the playa from Pike Canyon
24
O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | TRAVE L
LEAVE NO TRACE Find Quiet Beauty at the Alvord Desert ARTICLE BY DONNA BURKLO PHOTOGRAPHY BY DONNA BURKLO AND GARY CALICOTT
The Alvord Desert is simultaneously simple and complex, stormy and calm, untouchable and embracing. It is a dry lakebed 12 miles long by seven miles wide located 260 miles southeast of Bend in the eastern shadow of the Steens Mountains. The desert never called out to me as it does for some. Friends told me that I was “missing out” when I didn’t join them at the Alvord for Burning Man-like weekends in the heat of the summer. It just didn’t seem like a place for me. It took the request of a quiet, introspective, gentle one to accompany him on an adventure to arguably his favorite place on Earth to get me to go. Through those eyes, I fell in love. At the Alvord playa, I found a dome of stars the likes of which I’d never seen. The Milky Way shone full length and breadth with incredible clarity. I found freedom – complete freedom – to walk and dance and sing knowing no one would scare me or judge me or bother me. I found silence. I found that the playa was never the same, yet always what I was looking forward to
at the end of a long drive. I learned to listen for the sound of the lakebed drying – to notice the wide variety of patterns each cycle of damp and parch would create. I learned to pick a reference point on the Steens or Tule Springs Rim when I went for mileslong headphones-on mind-cleansing walks lest I become completely disoriented in the wide open. My guide instilled in me a deep respect for the potential danger inherent in driving miles out into the middle of what is sometimes a shallow lake and most of the time a series of sun baked tiles. You can get impossibly stuck in the fine mud with no hope of a tow for hours and it’s often difficult to tell where solid ends and mud begins. For me these days, the Alvord Desert is a regular several-times-yearly pilgrimage. Sometimes I arrive and the playa is inaccessible due to its current wish to become a lake again. Sometimes I hope for the most glorious night under the stars and there is cloud cover. Sometimes I’m reminded that, even though I can, I ought not drive CONTINUED >
AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
25
Lenticular clouds provide a dramatic show over the desert.
The playa can quickly turn from dry plain to a shallow lake. Plan for extreme changes in weather conditions. If it rains, head for the edges. During wind events, head for sealed cover.
26
O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | TRAVE L
at top speed because of the fragile lives – human and animal – that I may disrupt. I’m always glad I made the trip. If you go, plan your trip around a stop at The Fields Station for gas, groceries, a burger and shake. Visit the Alvord Hot Springs, a spot for a wonderful soak with a killer view. Bring the kids to offer them a lesson in the power of nothingness. Let their senses acclimate to the pace and subtleties. The Steens are nearby for a completely different experience on a day trip. Bring along your common sense, your respect for nature and fellow humans, extra water, extra gas, your plan B, and, most importantly, your sense of wonder.
Tips for Visiting the Alvord Desert
The view from Alvord Hot Springs.
WHERE TO STAY: The Alvord Hot Springs, bunkhouse/MASH (Mobile Alvord Sleeping Hut) or camping spots. AlvordHotSprings.com. The Fields Station, hotel rooms or RV spaces. TheFieldsStation.com. Free camping on the playa.
LEAVE NO TRACE: No fires can touch the playa. Pack your trash. Respect private lands. Emergency services are two hours away.
Photo: Gary Calicott
AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
27
Easter Activities Have fun with your kids with these Easter activities
1. Painting Easter Eggs
4. Make an Easter Egg Tree
Bring out the colorful paint and brushes! Decorate your Easter eggs with the brightest colors and unique designs.
Cut out paper Easter eggs and color them and use ribbon to tie them to a tree. You can either decorate a tree in your yard or you can collect a few branches and make a DIY tree decoration.
2. Egg and Spoon Race This game is fun for all! Play the Egg and Spoon Race by placing an egg on a spoon and see who can reach the finish line first without dropping their egg.
5. Easter Bunny Cupcakes Bake yummy Easter themed treats! Don’t forget to decorate with jelly beans and chocolate eggs!
3. Jelly Bean Guessing Game
6. Easter Bunny Goody Bag DIY
This game is fun and challenging! All you need is a jar and jelly beans. Fill your jar to the top with jelly beans and have your kids guess how many jellybeans are in the jar.
Take a white paper bag, cut out and glue on ears, and draw a bunny face! Use this goody bag to surprise friends with Easter goodies.
ARTICLE BY BAILEY MORRIS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
28
K I D S COR N E R | ARTS + C ULTURE
1
4
2
5
3
6
AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
29
Hosting the Perfect Dinner Party PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Your next event, served alfresco Catering experts Chef Kyle and Hannah Williams, owners of Savor & Swirl culinary company, create an outdoor dinner party with chef-driven perennial dishes served in beautiful seasonal settings. For this alfresco dinner party, Chef Kyle draws on his favorite recipes updated for a modern palate and paired with wine selections to complement the bountiful feast.
Insider Tips for Hosting: • Build a menu around the season. Start with what produce is available locally based on the season for the most authentic meal experience. For instance, Chef Kyle says “In November, people crave turkey, sage stuffing and cranberry sauce,” but that meal served in the heat of Summer wouldn’t hit the same. In-season fruits and vegetables will always be of highest quality and best taste. • Always greet guests with a beverage and appetizers. “Offer champagne for wine-lovers or a sparkling drink or signature cocktail. It’s all about serving guests to the highest caliber,” Kyle says.
30
H OST IN G T IP S | FOOD + BE VE RAGE
• Draw inspiration from the season’s colors and temperatures. For Spring and Summer, think flowers, fresh herbs and linens. For Fall, think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.” For Winter, head indoors to create a cozy environment for guests to connect. • “You can’t go wrong with fresh flowers,” Hannah says, “but keep bouquets low to not interfere with conversation flowing. For fall, I like richer, jewel-toned florals to mix and match and keep whimsical. I vary glass vases with bur - nished brass for warm fall vibes.” • An easy but thoughtful detail is to put a simple menu at each place setting, so guests know what to expect. “Add a pen, so guests can jot tasting notes, especially for wine pairings or multiple courses,” Hannah says. “Guests can share comments, then take the menu home as a sweet reminder of the event.” • Follow the French principle of mise en place or everything in place before your event. “This is actually our company’s name,” Kyle says. “It’s that important to us. Make sure the wines are all open, cocktails are pre-made, place settings are out, candles are lit and music is playing. When guests arrive, it gives that wow-factor and shows you intentionally made them feel special.” • To build confidence as a host, start small and practice. “Keep the menu and guest list small,” Kyle says. “Choose recipes you already have confidence in. If you make a great Beef Stroganoff, then go with that. People will love it!” •
As fun as it is to dine outside, always have an indoors back-up plan. “We’ve had to bring it indoors before,” Hannah says. “It’s still fun.” Insider Tips for Hosting: “Think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.” AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
31
APRIL 2023
events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.
A P RIL 1 ST
OperaFest 2023
H ILAN DS G OLF CLUB | 6:00 P M NOVA Center for the Performing Arts and Rimrock Opera present OperaFest on Saturday, April 1. This is no April's Fools Day joke!
A P RIL 8T H
Monthly Morning Bird Stroll
MON TAN A AUDUBON CEN TER | 8 :30 A M On this monthly birding adventure, learn birding basics and some bird calls/songs. ID by ear and work on your description skills to visually ID the species that you see. Come with your own gear or borrow some; they have binoculars and guidebooks available to check out. Rain, snow or shine!
A P RIL 8T H
Weekend Wonders Family
MON TAN A AUDUBON CEN TER | 1 0 :30 A M This naturalist led program is perfect for people of all ages. Every month features a nature theme, an outdoor adventure, and a hands-on learning experience.
A P RIL 2 0 T H
Evening Yoga
JAG G ED EDG E YOGA | 5:30 PM Before we venture out to explore the hiking or biking or riding trails, let's gain some perspective and find our inner balance. Only $15 for a 60 minute class.
A P RIL 2 7 T H
Imani Winds: A Woman's Perspective
T HE BILLIN G S DEPOT | 7:00 PM A Woman’s Perspective presents contemporary masterworks by women composers Valerie Coleman, Nathalie Joachim, Ruth Crawford Seeger, Tania León, and Reena Esmail.
A P RIL 3 0 T H
Billings Youth Orchestra Spring Concert
LOCKWOOD PER FOR MIN G ARTS C E NT E R | 4 :0 0 P M The Billings Symphony Youth Orchestra, formerly Billings Youth Orchestra, returns for a spring concert, bringing together the talents of young musicians from preschool to college aged young adults across four different orchestras: Preludio; Concert; Young Artist; Repertory.
Want to be featured?
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Billings
32
EVE N TS
I F YO U A R E READING THIS... S O I S YO U R B E S T C L I E N T.
2 OU T OF 3 of our readers regularly purchase from our ads.
ADVERTISE WITH BILLINGS CITY LIFESTYLE™ LEARN MORE AT CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/BILLINGS
“YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR PRIORITY!”
CALL AND BOOK YOUR CLASSES OFFERED » CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR)
MOVE TODAY!
» EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS (EMT) » HEALTHCARE PROVIDER CPR » WILDERNESS TRAINING
» OSHA COMPLIANT » AVERT APPROVED TRAINING CENTER $10 OFF PER STUDENT WHEN THEY MENTION AD
406-206-2105 » america1stresponse.com 3333 2nd Avenue N #250 Billings, Montana 59101
(406) 302-5521 WWW.MONTANAMUSCLEMOVERS.COM 2601 OVERLAND AVE BILLINGS, MT 59102 AP R I L 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BI L L I N G S
33
COCKTA IL CLUB
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIFE N LIGHT
Enjoy this refreshing cocktail for a soft, round & subtly sweet taste with a fruity fresh kick.
HAKU LYCHEE MARTINI ingredients: • 2 oz. HAKU® Japanese Craft Vodka • 1 oz. house made lychee simple syrup
directions: 1. Combine ingredients 2. Shaken vigorously over ice 3. Strained and served up in a chilled Martini glass 4. Garnish with a lychee
34
H AP PY H OU R | FOOD + BE VE RAGE
Honesty Integrity Accountability Quality Safety Excellence Commercial Construction | Custom Home Building | Custom Design Services
406-969-5444 | ybconstruction.com
Repair Fine Lines, Sun Damage or Scars
premieraestheticsmt.com 406-794-0003 CHERRY FINANCING NOW AVAILABLE