Boise, ID February 2026

Compassion as a Professional Fiduciary

By: David Cooper - Chief of Trust & Investment Administration -

208.350.2023

Helping Charlie

Charlie is a friend and beneficiary of a trust I administer at Idaho Trust Company. Like me, he went to law school and became a lawyer. After passing the bar exam and joining a prestigious firm, he began to struggle with focus and relationships. He was eventually diagnosed with a mental illness, which led to serious personal and professional challenges.

Charlie is an avid reader and usually calm and easy to talk to. But when frustrations build, he sometimes has difficulty managing his emotions and may behave inappropriately, verbally or on rare occasions physically. One such outburst severely strained his relationship with his mother.

Because we share a legal background and are close in age, it’s easy for me to feel compassion for Charlie. Why him and not me? There’s no simple answer. But my relationship with him underscores how important it is for a professional fiduciary to serve with both technical skills and compassion.

The Roles in Which We Help Clients

Idaho Trust Company serves as Trustee, Personal Representative, Agent under Durable (financial) Power of Attorney, and Conservator. All fall under the umbrella of fiduciary services: standing in someone else’s shoes to make financial decisions on their behalf.

Being a professional fiduciary requires broad knowledge of law, investments, financial planning, tax, and relationships. Ultimately, these skills are applied to help real people—the beneficiaries. Helping Charlie is a clear example of how our work directly impacts individuals and families.

Here are the sources of authority for the fiduciary roles in which we serve.

FIDUCIARY ROLE ←→ SOURCE OF AUTHORITY

Trustee ←→ Trust Document

Personal Representative ←→ Will/Probate Court/Letters Tesamentary Conservator ←→ Court Appointment Agent under DPOA ←→ Durable Power of Attorney

Professional Compassion: Key Components

Here are some key components of how a fiduciary can serve its clients with compassion:

• Empathy: How would I like to be treated if I were in this person’s situation?

• Transparency and clarity: We can’t always say yes, but honest explanations show respect and build trust.

• Personalized communication: For Charlie, that means mostly texts and occasional calls; travel is difficult.

• Thoughtful discretion: See the nuances in each beneficiary’s circumstances, especially around health, housing, education, and employment transitions.

• Education: Reduce misunderstandings about trust terms, timing, taxes, and process.

• Clear, kind decisions: Explain the “why,” not just the “no”.

• Documentation: Record compassionate considerations and the trust-based rationale to support compliance and reduce disputes.

• Collaboration: Coordinate with attorneys, accountants, and care managers when appropriate, while protecting privacy.

• Support family relationships: Many parents hire a professional fiduciary to help their children and grandchildren preserve strong relationships without money getting in the way.

• Compassion as an advantage: In fiduciary work, there is no substitute for truly caring, personal service.

Why Compassion Matters

Compassion in trust administration means humanizing fiduciary duties within the boundaries of the trust and the law. Trustees often manage assets tied to a family’s legacy, security, and emotions. Interactions may involve grief, stress, or conflict. Compassion shows in how a trustee listens, explains, and sets expectations with plain language, empathy, and consistent processes.

Compassion strengthens fiduciary rigor rather than weakens it. Clear documentation, consistent criteria, and respectful communication can reduce disputes and reinforce confidence in the trustee’s neutrality. A compassionate trustee honors the settlor’s intent while promoting dignity, stability, and healthier relationships among beneficiaries.

Conclusion

At Idaho Trust Company, it is a privilege to serve families as fiduciaries. In Charlie’s case, it took almost two years, but by combining technical expertise with patient, compassionate relationshipbuilding, we were able to help him and his mother reunite for Thanksgiving after years of separation. As professional fiduciaries, we aim to make a positive financial impact. More importantly, we strive to help individuals and families achieve stronger relationships and better lives.

If you're ready to start planning for your estate planning, visit idahotrust.com or visit any of our offices in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, or Idaho Falls.

Boise 208.373.6500

888 W Broad Street

Idaho Falls 208.524.5545 2194 Snake River Pkwy Suite 202

Coeur d'Alene 208.664.6448

622 E Sherman Ave

Why Loving Local Matters

February tends to invite reflection—but in a place like Boise, it also invites action.

“Love Local” isn’t a slogan here. It’s a pattern of behavior. It shows up in where we choose to spend our time, who we support when we need something done well, and which businesses we return to not out of convenience, but out of trust. In a community built on relationships, those choices matter.

This issue is about the people and enterprises that invest in Boise every day. The restaurateurs who open early and close late. The business owners who take risks, hire locally, and build something meant to last. The creatives, builders, and professionals who believe this city is worth committing to—not just as a market, but as a home.

February is often framed around romance, but the deeper idea of love is commitment. Showing up.

Choosing local not once, but repeatedly. Supporting the places and people that, in turn, support our neighborhoods, our economy, and our sense of connection.

Inside these pages, you’ll find stories that reflect that commitment—features that highlight local leaders, thoughtful investments, and the small decisions that collectively shape our community. These are not just profiles; they’re examples of what’s possible when people believe in where they live.

At Boise Lifestyle, our role is to spotlight those stories and help strengthen the ties between residents and the local businesses that serve them. When local partners thrive, the community benefits—and when the community engages, those partnerships become meaningful.

Thank you for continuing to build this community with us. We’re proud to share the stories that make Boise not just a place to live—but a place to belong.

VINCE

GEWALT, PUBLISHER @BOISELIFESTYLE

Boise Lifestyle is available for pick up at the Boise Metro Chamber, 1101 W. Front St.

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Vince Gewalt | vince.gewalt@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Tricia Busalacchi | tricia.busalacchi@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Jill Trotter | jill.trotter@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITER

Jordan Gray | editorial@boisecitylifestyle.com

SALES SUPPORT ASSISTANT

Maria Serondo | support@boisecitylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Russell Detablan | editorial@boisecitylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Martha Channer, Pamela Kleibrink Thompson, Tammy De Weerd, Jordan Gray, Baile Hall, Gabi De La Rosa, Savanna Jaggears

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Martha Channer, Lynnsey Phillips, Michael Sheehan, Zilla, Gregory Jaggears

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

Education Rooted In Human Stories

Where Winter Becomes Community

The

Boise’s Portal To Playful Wonder

How

1-3: In December 2025, Jack’s Urban Meeting Place marked a decade in downtown Boise with a celebration equal parts playful and purposeful. The open-house anniversary invited the community to wander, explore, and rediscover JUMP through tours, hands-on activities, and moments of surprise. A Dr. Seuss–themed atmosphere set the tone, with party hat–making, treats, inflatables, maker labs, and even skateboarding chickens.

4-6: Guests drifted from a pop-up Happiness Hour with DJ Tennant to Who-la-hooping in the MOVE Studio, plus cupcakes and an anniversary video. Less about nostalgia, the milestone reaffirmed JUMP’s core mission: bringing people together through creativity, movement, and shared experience continues. Photography by

Education Rooted In Human Stories

For adults and families, Learning Lab offers patient instruction, dignity, and opportunity through service locally

Based in Garden City, (308 E. 36th Street.) Learning Lab is changing the lives of both its students and its volunteers. A literacy education center for adults and families with young children, Learning Lab offers classes based on students’ individual needs in reading, writing, math, and English language learning. Preparation for GED and  citizenship exams is also offered. It started with a small volunteer effort in 1991 at the Boise Public

ARTICLE BY PAMELA KLEIBRINK THOMPSON

Library when Junior League of Boise members, concerned about future job needs, began helping adults with reading and writing. Today, it is an independent nonprofit that offers free, personalized education for all ages, focusing on adult literacy.

Many of the Learning Lab’s 300+ volunteer tutors have stayed with the organization for more than a decade, some since its beginning.  Serving close to 500 students, the staff is led by Kristin Livingstone, Executive Director, overseeing programs that help students with reading and writing skills. Other key staff includes Jenni Storti,  Development Director; Cassie Goyden, Business Manager; and Jennifer Panitch, Director of Programs

Many of the volunteers find inspiration while helping students who are often in

crisis and struggling, whether they’re native-born residents whose schooling was interrupted, new immigrants or immigrants who have been in the U.S. for years and are just now learning English.

Soeurette Chambreau’s love for reading inspired her to volunteer. “Learning Lab is a friendly, nurturing, and safe place...to learn.  During my tenure as a tutor I have worked with students just beginning to learn English, GED students, citizenship students, and preschoolers learning their letters.”

At the annual fundraising event, attendees hear stories about the students, their hard work and humility. Students include a Ukrainian dentist who works as a housekeeper and an Afghani chemistry teacher who stocks shelves at Walmart. The students at the Learning Lab are often

“Learning Lab is a friendly, nurturing, and safe place...to learn.”

seeking a fresh start and are willing to start at the bottom.  Attendees also hear stories about how Learning Lab volunteers often feel connected to the larger world by tutoring and making a difference.

The Lunch for Literacy will take place on Friday, February 20, at the Boise Centre on the Grove at 11 am. New York Times bestselling author and journalist Kim Cross will be the keynote speaker. An Idaho resident, Cross is currently Boise’s Writer in Residence. Her most recent book, In Light of All Darkness, was a finalist for the Edgar Award and winner of the Truman Capote Prize for Distinguished Work of Literary Non-fiction.

Tickets for the Lunch for Literacy as well as information about the silent auction are available at Literacy26.givesmart.com . Book baskets like the one pictured with the award winning picture book, The Horse Who Wanted to Fly, are welcome as are other items like travel, art, entertainment experiences, and services including career coaching.

Learning Lab welcomes donations as well as volunteers interested in tutoring or filling in for tutors. The organization also offers occasional opportunities for groups and corporations to volunteer in general facility enhancement projects. Contact the Learning Lab online at learninglabinc.org or call 208-344-1335.

ACCOMMODATES

DEDICATED PERSONAL

FLEXIBLE

WHERE WINTER BECOMES COMMUNITY

THE MCCALL WINTER CARNIVAL TRANSFORMS

COLD DAYS INTO SHARED EXPERIENCES

THROUGH SCULPTURE, PARADES, AND SIMPLE MOMENTS THAT BRING RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TOGETHER YEAR AFTER YEAR

Winter in Idaho has a way of sharpening the senses—snow muffling sound, cold air clearing the mind—and nowhere is that more evident than in McCall each February. From January 30 through February 8, 2026, the town once again leans fully into the season as the McCall Winter Carnival returns with its signature mix of art, humor, and high-spirited community celebration.

Founded in 1924 as a way to shake off the winter doldrums, the Carnival began modestly, with ski jumping, snowshoe races, and neighbors gathering simply to see one another. A century later, the spirit remains, even as the scale has evolved. Today’s festival stretches across ten days, allowing events to breathe, visitors to linger, and local businesses to welcome winter crowds without being overwhelmed. It’s a thoughtful rhythm that reflects how McCall itself has grown—still intimate, but confidently seasoned.

At the heart of the 2026 Carnival are the snow sculptures, towering and whimsical works carved by local and regional artists and scattered throughout town. Each year’s theme invites playful interpretation, turning downtown McCall into an open-air gallery where humor and craftsmanship meet under fresh snowfall. Strolling the sculpture route, hot drink in hand, remains one of the Carnival’s simplest pleasures.

Live music fills the air throughout the week, from daytime sets to evening performances that draw both locals and visitors indoors to warm up together. The vendor court overlooking Payette Lake anchors the scene, pairing lake views with savory food, drinks, and a steady hum of conversation. It’s the kind of setting that encourages lingering—one more song, one more bite, one more lap around the sculptures.

Family-friendly events run throughout the day, while evenings bring a livelier energy to restaurants and gathering spots around town. The schedule is intentionally layered, offering plenty for a weekend visit but also rewarding those who stay longer or return midweek. Carnival isn’t meant to be rushed.

The undeniable high point arrives with the Mardi Gras Parade, a joyful collision of floats, costumes, music, and small-town spectacle. Equal parts satire and celebration, it’s the moment when the entire town seems to spill into the streets, bundled up and smiling. Earlier in the weekend, the Kid’s Torchlight Parade sets the tone, reminding everyone that this festival, at its core, belongs to the community.

Beyond the programmed events, the Carnival serves as a gateway to everything that makes McCall a winter destination. Nearby ski hills, snowmobile trails, and frozen-lake adventures pull visitors outward, while cafés, galleries, and shops draw them back in. The balance is intentional: Carnival complements winter recreation rather than competing with it.

EACH YEAR’S THEME INVITES PLAYFUL INTERPRETATION, TURNING DOWNTOWN MCCALL INTO AN OPEN-AIR GALLERY WHERE HUMOR AND CRAFTSMANSHIP MEET UNDER FRESH SNOWFALL.

For visitors, a little planning goes a long way. Lodging fills quickly, but cancellations are common. Shuttle services help ease parking, and dressing in layers is essential—this is winter, after all. Most events are free, making it easy to tailor the experience to a day trip or a longer stay.

As McCall Winter Carnival looks ahead to 2026, it remains what it has always been: a celebration of winter, creativity, and connection. Whether you come for the sculptures, the music, the parade, or simply the excuse to gather, Carnival offers a reminder that winter in Idaho isn’t something to endure—it’s something to enjoy. VisitMcCall.org

Date Night

AT HOME

THREE CREATIVE IDEAS TO CELEBRATE LOVE

ARTICLE BY BAILEY HALL

Not every date night needs to involve reservations or an elaborate itinerary. With a little creativity, you can create magical moments right at home. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or just want to reconnect, here are three ideas for unforgettable at-home date nights.

Transform your backyard or balcony into a dreamy picnic spot! Spread out a cozy blanket, add a few fluffy pillows, and hang string lights or fairy lights for ambiance. A small fire pit or lanterns can also add a romantic glow.

Pack a picnic basket with finger foods and a bottle of wine or sparkling water. Don’t forget a decadent dessert like chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Lay back and stargaze, identifying constellations or making wishes on shooting starts. To make it extra romantic, bring a bluetooth speaker and play soft music.

Unleash your inner artists with one of these three fun and interactive dates. Grab some inexpensive canvases, brushes, and acrylic paints from the craft store. Don’t forget aprons or old clothes to protect against spills!

• Paint each other’s portraits for a mix of laughter and creativity.

• Work on a collaborative paintingeach person adds their own touch to a single canvas.

• Try a themed painting challenge, like recreating your favorite memory together.      Pair this date with a cheese platter and wine and don’t worry about being “good’ at painting - it’s all about enjoying the process together.

Start the day with love by turning breakfast into an indulgent experience. Prepare a tray with a DIY breakfast charcuterie board. Include mini pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, bacon, and pastries. Add small bowls of toppings like syrup, Nutella, or whipped cream.

Mix up mimosas or serve coffee with flavored syrups and whipped cream for a café vibe. Then, snuggle up in bed and watch a favorite movie or TV series. ROMANTIC PICNIC UNDER THE STARS

Boise’s Portal To Playful Wonder

HOW A JAPANESE-INSPIRED ARCADE BRINGS

CURIOSITY, COMMUNITY, AND PLAY TO BOISE

When you step through the red torii gates of the Isekai Japanese Arcade & Gashapon, it’s like entering another world. Which is appropriate, since “isekai” translates to “different world.”

“Have you ever seen ‘Alice in Wonderland’ or ‘Spirited Away’?” Isekai Arcade Co-owner Matthew Gillikin asked. “Those worlds are isekais – you have a normal person from the rather mundane world go into a fantasy world. We wanted to create that here in Boise.”

The arcade (3143 North Cole Road, Boise) is reminiscent of a Japanese night market, stocked with dozens of gashapon (also known as gacha) and claw machines filled with toys and plushies. Gillikin and co-owner Susie Gillikin, his wife, opened the fantastical escape in October 2025.

CAPSULES OF FUN

Gacha toys, which come in plastic capsules for a set number of tokens, can range in design and size.

“The most popular is a Vocaloid, which is a computer-generated singer, a J-pop singer named Hatsune Miku,” Gillikin said. “And we have a lanyard keychain of the character and different versions. I put in orders every six weeks because they just burn through.”

Other bestsellers include figurines from the latest anime hit or Sanrio characters. There’s also miniature server racks, cat litterbox snow globes, and koi man (a muscular, briefs-wearing male figure with a koi’s head).

“We get the really weird stuff because it makes people giggle. It stops people in their tracks and they're like, ‘Oh, I hate that.’ And then they put money in and they get two of them. It's just awesome.”

ARTICLE BY JORDAN GRAY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISEKAI JAPANESE ARCADE & GASHAPON

‘THE REST OF MY LIFE’

Getting to the October opening started with a 2023 trip to Japan. The Gillikins bonded in the 90s over all things Japan, including anime. Susie had visited before and had friends through the Japanese exchange college she taught at, but it was Matthew’s first time in the country.

“Within probably an hour, I knew that gacha was going to be the rest of my life,” he said. “I was completely, completely blown off my feet by what I saw. They are everywhere. They are as ubiquitous as anime, as street food, as karaoke, as cosplay.”

Gillikin said he was instantly transported to being a child at the Safeway vending machines, armed with handful of quarters and gleeful anticipation.

“I saw this one gashapon, and it was a fox spirit in samurai armor holding a dagger in his mouth. And all around it was just every other imaginable thing you could think of, ranging from miniature foods to cars to anime characters to miniature gashapon

“Those worlds are isekais –you have a normal person from the rather mundane  world go into a fantasy world. We wanted to create that here in Boise.”

of gashapon that actually worked. I still have that fox. I have so many gashapon, but he's my favorite. You know you're going to get something, but you don't know what. But whatever you do get, you love. And that's just the essence of gashapon.”

Returning from their trip, the Gillikins set out to license a variety of gacha and bring them to the U.S. They started out as Chibi Pop Toys, bringing stacks of gacha machines to Boise’s Gem State Comic Con in 2024.

“We tripled our sales of what we thought we were going to do,” Gillikin said. “It was the Venn overlap of all of our favorite things. We decided pretty early on that we would do a brick and mortar.”

In January 2025, after putting gacha machines at ABU Games and Tea Won Boba & PC Café, the idea of a physical store gained new motivation when Gillikin was laid off.

Perhaps it was kismet, but the newly dubbed Isekai Arcade landed in the same complex as the Capital Asian Market. Working at a furious pace and while still traveling to conventions, the Gillikins crafted their space with a lot of help and with locals in mind.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

A first-time visit to the Isekai Arcade will include a free token, a chance to hug the giant Totoro from “My Neighbor Totoro,” opportunities to try your hand at a claw game or pick a gacha, and the Sakura Lounge when you need to rest.

“We are trying to create a space that's safe for cosplayers and fans of anime and teens and young adults and gamers to come and meet and hang out,” Gillikin said. “Whether they spend a dollar or not, it doesn't matter.”

“Within probably an hour, I knew that gacha was going to be the rest of my life. I was completely, completely blown off my feet by what I saw.”

Events have included trinket swaps, anime watch parties, a Godzilla-themed day, and workshops on empowerment through makeup and costuming.

“There's always a lot going on here,” Gillikin said. “Which has always been the goal, to just have events, have this place be for the community.”

And if you’re still not convinced of gacha’s appeal, Gillikin offered this: “We say, ‘We sell joy.’ That's what I want to put in the world for the rest of my life. Just a place where I can do that, where people can come and get a tiny few minutes of joy and giggly goofiness and happiness that makes them remember the wonder of giving a gift or getting a gift as a child.”

For hours and events, visit isekaiarcades.com .

How familial love and responsibility grow into leadership that uplifts artists and Boise’s creative economy

ART SHAPED BY LOVE

ARTICLE BY MARTHA CHANNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTHA CHANNER + PROVIDED

We live so many kinds of love that it is surprising we don’t have more words in the English language to describe our zeal. Words like devotion, obligation, and passion refer to both lovability and offerings given from the heart; essentially our sacred duty to love and be loved.

This story is largely about familial love and how that extends out into the world to include friendship, sponsorship, and great works. Dedication often begins at home and is fostered with the type of care and consideration that nurtures excellence and facilitates a strong leadership ability. This is what cultivates boldness that is not overbearing, but is instead a type of beauty that inspires greatness in others.

Nelli Garibyan is one such example of a bold but benevolent community leader. “It takes some nerve to step outside of a prescribed way of doing things and begin to change things for the good of all.” But, Nelli is no politician, she is a rising star in the art world – specifically an art dealer and gallery owner. Her cherished ideal is to transform the business of art into a hardy, sustainable venture that galvanizes art communities and creates solid, livable income for working artists. “The art world has run on an outmoded system for so long that it’s really time for a new marketing model, one that allows artists to fully participate with their representation. It has been like ever shifting sands and it’s my goal to put a much better business structure in place.”

Along with her father, Bill Garibyan, she has gone many steps down this road in the last three years. From co-creating The Art Guide of Ada County to opening her latest gallery, IAG Boise on the corner of Idaho and Capitol Boulevard, she is living her promise in leaps and bounds. Three years ago The Idaho Art Gallery was a small exhibition space, albeit filled with Bill’s sublime landscape paintings, as well as the work of other artists. Nelli’s experience as a professional marketing consultant has since grown that garden into what is now IAG Meridian and IAG Boise.

To understand the deeper roots of her dynamic abilities, Nelli refers back to her family, specifically her parents, Bill and Rena. “We are Armenians who left Russia in the eighties to escape political persecution. My dad was a successful architect/designer and my mother was an English teacher. They decided to leave after a babysitter had to hide me from vigilantes who were looking to harm Armenian children. My wonderful parents left everything they knew and

“It has been like ever shifting sands and it’s my goal to put a much better business structure in place.”

CONTINUED >

loved to save me. So, I feel not only deep gratitude, I also feel an obligation to contribute to what they love – and Dad loves to paint.” She goes on to say, “I am not an artist, but I have gained a deep appreciation for the arts through my family and this experience. What an education in aesthetics! When I set out to help with the gallery, I had no idea that the learning curve would be so involved - not just learning about what constitutes good art, but also all the twists and turns of running a gallery - much less two.”

Her latest dream is to establish a downtown event that she calls Art Row Boise which will be a mapped promenade down Capitol Boulevard to showcase public art sites, The Boise Art Museum (BAM), The Blu gallery at Boise State, Capitol Contemporary Gallery, and, of course, IAG Boise. She hopes to culminate at The Rotunda gallery in the Capitol building itself, with pop-up exhibits. “This concept creates good opportunity for tourism as well as local art lovers and collectors. It will also help to advance the careers of local artists and contribute to Boise’s burgeoning art scene. We have a lot going on here in the arts that I think everyone should know about. Boise has some world class talent that needs to be seen and experienced!”

“Boise is such a great city,” she says with a huge smile. “When I began this art trek I did so to help my father live his dream. Now I realize I can help a lot of people, including contributing to the success of the beautiful city that I love. It doesn’t get better than that – and that is love that lasts.”

DIS COVER THE VALAIS REGION OF SWITZERLAND, WHERE ALPINE TRAILS, THERMAL SPRINGS, AND LOCAL TRADITIONS CREATE RESTORATIVE TRAVEL.

AN ALPINE ESCAPE

In Switzerland’s Valais region, wellness and adventure are always part of the same itinerary. Morning could bring a high-alpine hike, afternoon a soak in mineral-rich springs, and evening a table set with traditional cuisine, always including delicious wine and cheese. For travelers, the best part will be finding the perfect balance between exploring the outdoors and relaxing with wellness-infused activities in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

A CAR-FREE ALPINE ADVENTURE IN ALETSCH ARENA

An easy train ride from Zurich lands visitors in the Aletsch Arena, a high-alpine region on the south side of the Bernese Alps, home to three villages: Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp. Known for its ski slopes in winter and hiking in summer, the area is entirely car-free, making walking and local buses the main modes of transportation through its quaint chalet-lined streets.

One of the main attractions of the ski-in/ski-out area is the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 12-mile glacier is visible from several vantage points, shaping every experience in the area.

WHERE TO STAY

ARTICLE BY GABI DE LA ROSA

Located in the heart of Bettmeralp, Hotel Panorama provides no-fuss accommodations steps away from the picturesque Chapel Maria Zum Schnee. The hotel’s restaurant offers delicious regional cuisine, including raclette paired with Swiss wine. A good bottle of Pinot Noir or Gamay is also easy to come by because the Valais region of Switzerland is one of the largest wine-producing areas in the country, with vineyards dotting the steep slopes of the Rhône Valley. In addition to wine and cheese, eating cholera, a covered vegetable pie invented in the region during the cholera epidemic, is a must.

WHAT TO DO

Begin at Viewpoint Moosfluh, the closest and lowest vantage point of the Aletsch Glacier. From there, trailheads lead to Villa Cassel, once the home of a British financier and now a museum focused on history and conservation. The hike passes through a thousand-yearold forest with views of both the glacier and the Matterhorn.

Walk over Goms Bridge, a nearly 1,000-foot-long suspension bridge that connects two hiking areas over the Rhône River. For a final look at the majestic glacier, take the cable car to Viewpoint Eggishorn. At nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, it offers panoramic views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Jungfraujoch, or the “Top of Europe,” and the most comprehensive view of the Aletsch Glacier.

HISTORY AND ALPS MEET IN MARTIGNY

A short train ride takes visitors to one of the largest cities in the Valais region of Switzerland. The city is a crossroads between Italy and France, with a history dating back to Roman times. Visitors can tour Roman ruins, including a well-preserved amphitheater, ancient settlements, and Roman baths.

WHERE TO STAY

Martigny Boutique Hotel is minutes from the train station and is one of the few establishments in the city employing people with disabilities. The light and bright hotel provides a comfortable base for exploring the city.

WHAT TO DO

Take the steepest funicular in the world, the Mont-Blanc Express, on a scenic ascent through the Alps. The funicular connects to a smaller train that leads to the Trient Valley on the French-Swiss border, where, at the top, a full day of activity begins. Hiking, biking, zip-lining, or traversing the Emosson Dam, which straddles France and Switzerland, are all options. The crystal clear blue waters of Emosson Lake are perfect for a picnic or a break between adventures.

Back in Martigny, Barryland, the only theme park in the world dedicated to St. Bernard dogs, offers a look at the history of the dog, bred by monks in the 17th century for alpine rescue work. The Barry Foundation, founded in 2005, continues to preserve the breed and educate visitors about it. Guests can watch the dogs train, play, and interact as they learn about their role in the region.

Roman influence remains visible across the city, including at Les Bains Publics at Hotel Borsari, where visitors can soak in cement wine barrels located in the hotel’s spa. The baths sit on the site of a former wine tank factory and offer a circuit of hot and cold pools in a historically inspired, wine-colored setting.

The Y brings people together to connect, achieve their potential, and belong.

At the Treasure Valley Family YMCA , discover $30 Programs

Personal Training and Nutrition

Group Exercise for All Abilities

There’s truly no place like this place— become a member today and experience it for yourself.

Three campuses.

Two educational models.

One classical Christian community.

We invite you to learn more about what a classical Christian education could mean for your family by taking a tour of one of our three campus locations: Locust Grove (Meridian), North (Boise), and Bridge (Garden City).

Sign up for a tour or request more information at TheAmbroseSchool.org/Admissions

STORIES ON stage SHAPE how WE BELONG here

BCT’s season asks where we stand, inviting audiences to reflect, connect, and grow together locally

ARTICLE BY JORDAN GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOISE CONTEMPORARY THEATER

Theater gives us a unique lens into stories.

Whether we commiserate with, loathe, or love the characters on stage, we start to see different aspects of ourselves through them.

Boise Contemporary Theater (BCT) decided to tackle “Where in the world am I?” as its theme for the 28th MainStage season. For BCT Producing Artistic Director Benjamin Burdick, his answer is ‘Idaho.’

“After graduating from Yale University, I went out to Los Angeles to act,” Burdick said. “My real love was in theaters – both small and large – telling stories and feeding off of that symbiotic energy with a live audience. I was born and raised in Idaho, and I knew I wanted to come back. I saw that a position was open at BCT, applied, and we moved back in April of 2018.”

This season, the location question was answered through a California school board tackling a mumps outbreak in “Eureka Day,” followed by the classic World War I tale from the Western Front: “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.” Patrons can visit the Rochester, New York, friendship of Kenneth and Bert in “Primary Trust” from February 4-21 before wrapping up the season in 1950s Iran with “AJAX" from April 22-May 9.

BCT itself is embodying its location theme this year by growing. The theater recently added the Ghost Light Pub, and is continuing with major upgrades and renovations as part of a $3.3M capital campaign.

“It takes an entire village to make a nonprofit arts organization work,” Burdick said. “BCT has an incredible staff, from full-time to front of house, who make this place possible. Our 100-plus volunteers keep performance nights running smoothly. Our Board

works tirelessly as ambassadors of the place. And, most importantly, everyone who walks in that door to experience the magic of theater are the most important piece. They are all the ones who keep the doors open and the lights lit.”

One can’t forget the thespians who bring the shows to life.

“We hire actors from all over the country,” Burdick said. “Many come from New York City, Chicago, and L.A. That being said, it is very important to me that we support the incredible actors we have here. In the first CONTINUED >

show of the season that I directed, three of the five actors were local. In “All is Calm”, seven of the ten are.”

Burdick is also committed to showcasing Boise artists outside the MainStage, through the Locals Only program.

“We started it last summer and, as with everything new, we learned a lot,” he said. “There is much to improve, but I loved the excitement it brought to artists and patrons alike.”

As for the stories, Burdick wants audiences to think or laugh or cry, and then linger.

“What happens after are lively and civil conversations about the play between friends and, occasionally, total strangers. We hope all of it helps folks become more empathetic people. The world could use a little more empathy, and that’s why I think the arts, and theater in particular, is so crucial to the community.”

To purchase tickets to an upcoming BCT show, visit bctheater.org .

SOUTHERN STYLE GOULASH

WELCOME HARVEST WITH THIS SIMPLE SOUP RECIPE

HistoryToday.com explains that goulash is a beefy soup that originated in the barren beauty of the Hungarian plains during the ninth century. The dish was prepared by Hungarian Cowboys who spent months roaming the vast expanses of Eastern Europe on horseback while tending to their cattle. A lifestyle of sleeping under the stars calls for simple meals. Such soups spread throughout Europe and later across the world.

Though the soup is intimately linked with Hungarian culture, my

grandmother created a Southernstyle version. To make supper time feel fancy, she embellished this easy weeknight meal by describing it as a special recipe from Hungary. She was known to stretch the truth with her imaginative tales, but she was right about this recipe’s origin.

Goulash is a quick, economical dinner with robust tomatoes and macaroni noodles for any working mom to whip up on a whim.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Pound Cooked Ground Beef

• 1 Yellow Onion Diced

• 4-5 Russet Potatoes Peeled and Cut into Cubes

• 1- 28 Ounce Can of Whole Tomatoes

• 1 Cup Elbow Macaroni Noodles

• Salt and Course-Ground Black Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat a lightly greased pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

2. Add the ground beef and brown.

3. Drain off any liquid or grease. Return to pot or Dutch oven to heat.

4. Add in onion, potatoes, tomatoes, salt and pepper.

5. Cover with water and boil. Stir occasionally, add more water as needed and until potatoes are cooked.

6. Stir in noodles and simmer until the noodles are fully cooked.

7. Serve with Southern cornbread.

ARTICLE BY SAVANNA JAGGEARS PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREGORY JAGGEARS

Boise + Eagle Events

FEBRUARY 2026

1-15 — “NOW AND THEN” AT EAGLE THEATRE COMPANY

Eagle Performing Arts Center: Romantic comedy about the costs of the choices we make. eagletc.org

1 — MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL

Morrison Center, 1 PM: A spectacular, high-energy musical experience. boise.broadway.com

5 — ROCK ‘N’ ROMANCE

Riverside Hotel, 7 PM: Michael Renaud & Diane Johnson with The Last Call Band. riversideboise.com

6 — THE LIFE OF GALILEO

Morrison Center, 7:30 PM: Exploring courage, truth, and the fight against oppression. morrisoncenter.com

6-7 — SKIJOR BOISE

Ford Idaho Center: Experience the adrenaline of fast horses, daring skiers, and full-throttle snow action. fordidahocenter.com

7 — THE MUSIC OF QUEEN

Morrison Center, 7:30 PM: A thrilling celebration of Queen’s music with live band and orchestra. boisephil.org

7 — 2026 WINTER CARNIVAL MARDI GRAS PARADE

Downtown McCall, 12 NN: Join the fun with floats, flair, and festive energy in a lively Mardi Gras–style parade! visitmccall.org

7 — 29TH ANNUAL

INDOOR TRIATHLON

Harward Recreation Center, 8:30 AM: Swim, bike, and run your way through this indoor multi-sport challenge. nampaparksandrecreation.org

7 — DADDY DAUGHTER DATE NIGHT

Harward Recreation Center, 7:30 PM: A magical night of music, dancing, and special memories for dads and daughters. nampaparksandrecreation.org

7-8 — WINTER WINE WEEKENDS

Split Rail Winery, 12 NN: Flight of Big Reds for the Big Game. idahowines.org

11 — TRIBUTE TO RITCHIE VALENS & BUDDY HOLLY

Riverside Hotel, 7 PM: A high-energy tribute bringing the golden era of rock and roll to life with unforgettable classics. riversideboise.com

12 — WOO AT THE ZOO

Zoo Boise, 6 PM: An after-hours zoo night full of fun, drinks, and wild romance. zooboise.org

12 — FIELD TO FORK FESTIVAL

JUMP Boise, 8 AM: Taste, connect, and explore Idaho’s food future. fareidaho.org

13 — 80’S VALENTINE’S PROM

Knitting Factory, 8 PM: A romantic balcony evening with Casio Dreams, champagne, and chocolates. knittingfactory.com

13-15 — 31ST CANYON COUNTY SPRING HOME SHOW

Ford Idaho Center: Get expert tips and fresh ideas for your lawn and garden from local specialists all weekend. canyoncountyspringhomeshow.com

14 — WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE EXPO

Expo Idaho, 10 AM: Shop, learn, and connect with inspiring women and local creators. iblevents.com

14-15 — DREAM WEDDING EXPO

Expo Idaho: Everything you need to bring your wedding vision to life! iblevens.com

18 — CONVERSATIONS AT THE CENTER

Wassmuth Center, 6:30 PM: An evening to connect, learn, and help shape a shared vision for the future. wassmuthcenter.app

18-28 — THE LION KING

Morrison Center: Get ready for the Circle of Life! Don’t miss the return of Disney’s THE LION KING! morrisoncenter.com

20 — MATT MCCUSKER

Egyptian Theatre, 8 PM: The Healing Frequency Tour. showclix.com

20-22 — DOUBT: A PARABLE

Stage Coach Theatre: A gripping drama that keeps you guessing. broadwayworld.com

21 — CUPID’S UNDIE RUN

Tom Grainey’s Sporting Pub, 12 NN: Run, dance, and raise awareness for a great cause. ctf.org

21-22 — BOISE REPTILE EXPO

Expo Idaho: Explore the fascinating world of reptiles and exotic animals up close. showmereptileshow.com

25 — 32ND ANNUAL BUY IDAHO CAPITOL SHOW

Idaho State Capitol, 8 AM: Discover Idaho’s best local businesses and products. buyidaho.org

28 — PROTECTING THE NEXT GENERATION

Boise Centre, 5 PM: An evening of insights and action on safeguarding our children’s future. syringaspeakerseries.org