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A Truer You: Wellness Issue

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

It is well.

January 2025 PUBLISHER

Mike Tucker | MTucker@CityLifestyle.com E D I TO R

As I sit down to write this, my new baby's warm, little body rests across my lap. His sweet, fuzzy head is heavy on my arm. I love this hard but brief time where he is still small and all he needs is me and a belly full of milk. Our bodies are so complex and mysterious— infuriating or completely blissful at times. In the same year, I can grow and birth a baby, and then several months later I take a wrong step and my knee still feels tweaked. What gives? Now in my mid- 30s, I realize that my body is keeping score. What a daunting yet exhilarating experience to keep it running in peak condition! It was time for me to start putting in some extra effort to champion through the postpartum period and feel more like myself again. Back in November I was chin deep in a hot bath when I told my husband that I wanted to sign up for the Resolution Run. He looked at me with a wide eye and said, " Really? Do it!" I was never much of a runner. It was actually on the no-no list for me prior to heart surgery due to a bad valve that I carried for most of my life. I just learned to work around it and not running was part of that. A year after my surgery I started running to my front door, running to the car, just running because I could. It's the adrenaline rush of being alive and able to pop into action that humbles me. That, and my ever-running 4-year-old. How do they have so much energy? I want this issue to feel like a burst of life. I want it to fill your lungs with hope, energy, and inspiration, and I hope that you're able to go out and do something healthy and good for yourself. Feeling our best in the body that we're blessed with is such a gift that needs constant realizing. I hope you're able to realize that today, tomorrow, and for the rest of the year. Happy New Year!

Chelsea Lyn Agro | Chelsea.Agro@CityLifestyle.com AC C O U N T M AN AG E R

Marla Huggins | Marla.Huggins@CityLifestyle.com M AR K E T S U P P O RT AS S I STAN T

Jace DeWalt | Jace.Dewalt@CityLifestyle.com P U B L I S H E R AS S I STAN T

Amanda Tucker | Amanda.Tucker@CityLifestyle.com STAF F P H OTO G R AP H E R

Rick Szczechowski | RrSzczechowski@Gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chelsea Lyn Agro, Shelby Humphreys, Susie Wall, Arielle Wilson C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R

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Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt COO Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CTO Ajay Krishnan VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

C H E L S E A LY N A G R O , E D I T O R @ M V L M AG A Z I N E Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Missoula Valley Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Missoula Valley area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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inside the issue JANUARY 20 2 5 | HEA LT H & W EL L N ES S

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Featured

20 32 6

Active and Aware

Peak Performance Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine is a passion led business supporting Missoulians.

Align with Your Roots

BetterRoots Family Chiropractic makes movement easier for Missoulians.

A Little Birdie Whispers Staycation The Wren is a modern getaway for self care.

On the Cover

Departments

Peak Performance Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine is inspired by our Missoula community. Read about how they're helping anyone with concussion or injury on page 10.

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Giving Back EDUCATION

Self Care HEALTH + WELLNESS

Expert Help WELLNESS

Hot Spot TRAVEL

Happy Hour FOOD + BEVERAGE

Photography: Rick Szczechowski

SOAK & SWEAT SINCE 1979 NOW OPEN! Come see our new showroom!

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Agency Affiliations

sharkeyinsurance.com 406-728-0030 | 619 Southwest Higgins Avenue, Missoula, MT JANUARY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

JANUARY 2025

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1-3: Xplorer Maps hosted a pre-launch party for their new Missoula map.

JUST ONE CLICK AWAY FROM FEELING BETTER

LEAD 8

C I T Y SC E N E

DELIVER

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Slow Cooker Balsamic Baby Back Ribs 6 hours 45 minutes | 4 servings Ingredients 2 lbs baby back ribs, membranes removed ½ sweet onion, chopped 1 12-oz jar sugar-free apricot preserves 1/3 cup bottled barbecue sauce

Montana’s Leading Bespoke Medical Concierge Providing exceptional medical care through highly personalized experience to individuals and families. Core to Petersen Concierge Medical is the personal relationship with your physician, allowing for a deeper exploration of your health. We focus on you individually and provide crafted care based on cutting-edge diagnostics and therapeutics specifically tailored to your goals and needs. Next to health, time is your greatest asset. With direct access to your physician, you will receive convenient, discreet, and timely attention.

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¼ cup balsamic vinegar ½ tsp garlic powder Directions Coat the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray. Cut ribs into four piece segments and place in slow cooker with onions. In a small bowl, stir together remaining ingredients. Spoon sauce over ribs and cook on low until tender, 6-7 hours until the internal temperature reads a minimum of 145° F. Remove ribs from slow cooker and place on prepared baking sheet. Place in oven to broil on low, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to platter and serve immediately.

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ARTICLE BY CHELSEA LYN AGRO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK SZCZECHOWSKI

Active and Aware Peak Performance Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine is a passion led business supporting Missoulians

“I’m fine.” How often do we hear this response? It’s second nature really—an automatic reply to keep things moving and progressing forward. We see it on the big screen constantly, reiterating how common and ok it is to just press on to win the big game or evoke some false sense of bravery or strength in an emotional scene. But what if the bigger act of courage is to admit that something might not be fine? Peak Performance Physical Therapy has seen the full gamut of human tolerance, offering sports medicine, orthopedics, vestibular and

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concussion therapy in addition to women’s health, focusing on pelvis floor issues, breast cancer and lymphedema rehabilitation since 1995. Headed by Jill Olson, PT—a 5th generation Missoulian—Peak Performance Physical Therapy has been deeply involved in the evolution of concussion recognition and rehabilitation among many other injuries that go misidentified, mismanaged, or minimized. Industry standards beckoned change in how they manage potential brain injuries here in Missoula but it wasn’t until a local tragedy struck our community that new implications were put in place. “It was on Mother’s Day, 2010, he was playing a football scrimmage for Eastern Oregon

and his parents were there watching the game. In the fourth quarter, he took a knee to the head and walked off the field and was disoriented and then collapsed,” said Jill. “They life-flighted him to Boise and he sadly passed away with a fatal brain injury a few days later.” She’s telling the story of Dylan Steigers—the young man whose namesake is the Dylan Steigers Concussion Project, a non-profit which encourages education, testing, and protection for these types of injuries. The project originally served as a resource for coaches, parents, and athletes to learn more about concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Since 2010, the project has raised over $250,000 to advance knowledge of concussion identification, management, testing, CONTINUED >

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and awareness. The project has expanded to serve concussed individuals throughout Montana. “He had multiple signs of concussions in high school,” said Jill. “As the concussions most likely progressed, he struggled a lot more with school, with classes, with behaviors—a lot of behavioral changes that now looking back, his parents are pretty sure there were probably more concussions there that hadn’t been fully identified and handled as we know to handle them now.” Today, Peak Performance Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine utilizes specially trained physical therapists to assess the vestibular system, oculomotor system, balance, dynamic visual acuity and a neurocognitive screen. These assessments often serve as a caveat to identify previous concussions and/or weakness of those systems leading to a higher chance of sustaining additional concussions. “Over 65% of concussions have vestibular involvement and 95% of concussions involve the ocular motor system. Big percentages,” said Jill. We’ve gone beyond the concussion baseline program testing now to involve the professional assessments of the vestibular system and the oculomotor system, and the autonomic nervous system." It’s a complex web of bodily systems that the staff at Peak Performance Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine has to navigate to diagnose and treat any individual with a suspected concussion. There is cognitive fatigue which relates to memory, attention, and concentration, the vestibular system which relates to our equilibrium, the oculomotor system and eye tracking, neck injuries, migraine sequela, autonomic nervous system—a biggie that houses your breathing, exercise tolerance, anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure—and disordered sleep, moods, and emotions. Among these, POTS syndrome—postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. “It really takes specially trained professionals to identity all of those systems, what triggers those systems, and drives the symptoms,” said Jill. (See side bar for symptoms to look out for!) “So with our concussion assessments, we need to assess all of these systems, see what’s been impacted, and then come up with very specific treatments for each of those areas that have been impacted.” These improvements with deciphering if someone has had a concussion has also led to big state changes like the Dylan Steigers’ Protection of Youth Athletes Act. Peak Performance has been able to operate at the level they desire with help from the Community Health Alliance (previously known as the Foundation for Community Health) by receiving two grants to purchase the

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“I was raised by the most amazing tapestry of my Missoula village people. My parents always taught me to give more than you receive, and to give back to Missoula.” RightEye Neurovision software and finance advanced concussion education for the staff. So why is Peak Performance Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine so invested in Missoula? Just ask the woman at the heart of it all: Jill Olson. “I was raised by the most amazing tapestry of my Missoula village people. My parents always taught me to give more than you receive, and to give back to Missoula.” She went to Hellgate High School and remembered her dad encouraging her to choose a profession. Teaching, accounting, and physical therapy were the top contenders until she witnessed firsthand the work that was done and the lives that were touched through Key Club and Kiwanis Club. Her outreach as a member included supporting students with disabilities. “I was just so moved by working with those students with disabilities and seeing other physical therapists work with them. What we did there really, I think, lit the fire for me to want to pursue physical therapy.” She later married a physical therapist—Barry Olson, formerly the director of rehabilitation at Community Medical Center. “He was really instrumental in launching the Ronald McDonald House in Missoula.” That venture has made a lasting impression on the Missoula community and served so many families along the way. The efforts of her personal and professional lives are tightly wound, making her job not just a job but

“At Peak Performance you’ll find the art of medicine thriving.”

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Fast facts from UPMC—a worldrenowned health care provider and insurer—regarding concussions: • Between 1.7 and 3 million sports- and recreation-related concussions happen each year. Around 300,000 of those are from football • Five in 10 concussions go unreported or undetected • Two in 10 high school athletes who play contact sports—including soccer and lacrosse— will get a concussion this year • Girls’ soccer sees the second most concussions of all high school sports, while girls’ basketball sees the 3rd most.

a passionate career which has been led by each chapter of her life. “As the business exploded, I was traveling all over Western Montana, servicing part-time contracts for part-time coverage when I realized my passions at that time really were orthopedics and sports medicine and working with women with breast cancer,” said Jill. “And then we took on a whole line of breast prostheses and bras, and with my orthopedic knowledge I was able to bring a good treatment approach to all the shoulder involvement and upper trunk involvement following mastectomies and lumpectomies and radiations. And then I added a lymphedema certification.” From there, as her three kids grew and got involved in ballet and soccer, she became specialized in dance medicine. “I was very passionate about feet and orthotics so then I took on a whole line of ballet pointe shoes and opened up a dance shop, selling ballet pointe shoes, because we could get a real

Symptoms of concussion include: • Dizziness • Imbalance • Nausea and/or vomiting • Balance problems • Sensitivity to noise • Sensitivity to light • Blurred vision • Headache • Low energy • Unequal pupils • Sleeping more or less than usual • Difficulty remembering • Confusion • Inability to concentrate • Mental fogginess • Loss of focus • Easily angered or upset • Feeling nervous or anxious • eelings of sadness • Crying more than usual • Lack of interest in usual activities CONTINUED >

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customized fit and I became well-versed in all the orthopedic injuries and mal-alignment injuries that dancers have.” She was also the soccer mom on the sidelines, completely equipped with braces and tape and treatment options of every variety. Of course, her family and passion led life have also involved other groups in Missoula like the Brain Injury Alliance of Montana (BIAMT). “We’ve done a lot of cosponsoring and supporting of each other. The BIAMT generously sponsored three of our physical therapists to attain their brain injury specialist

certifications (CBIS),” said Jill. Her biggest success though is a humble one. “I know all of us is smarter than one of us,” said Jill. “Three of the strongest traits I look for in hiring is employees who are humble, hungry, and smart. And so we bring our strengths to the table for the good of the patient, and my job is to identify their strengths and turn them loose… Medicine is an art and a science, and corporate medicine and productivity demands have stripped away the art of medicine. At Peak Performance you’ll find the art of medicine thriving.”

Peak Performance Physical Therapy 1940 Harve Avenue, Suite 2 406.542.0808

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704 SOUTHWEST HIGGINS AVENUE MISSOULA

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Est.

1999

furnishing the new west

MODORY + AMIRA fine rugs & furniture

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BETTERROOTS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC MAKES MOVEMENT EASIER FOR MISSOULIANS

A l i g n w i t h Yo u r R o o t s

ARTICLE BY SHELBY HUMPHREYS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK SZCZECHOWSKI

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“ We ’re n ot f i x i n g p ro b le m s a s muc h a s re m ov i n g b a r r ie rs t o h e l p t h e b o d y ac c e s s it s i n n at e w i s d o m .”

New Year’s resolutions can take many forms but no matter what we choose, the same maxim applies: “The preservation of health is easier than the cure for disease.” This nugget of wisdom from BJ Palmer guides the founders of BetterRoots Family Chiropractic, Doctors of Chiropractic, Morgan and Nico Smith. Together, they tag-team care to equip patients with the knowledge and understanding needed to take control of their health and activate the body’s innate power to heal. The couple met while attending Parker University in Dallas, Texas. Their first encounter was ironic, given that their areas of study emphasized how to bring life and health to ailing bodies. “We met in a cadaver lab,” said Nico. “We had a great conversation, and I thought we might make good study partners. It turned out that we worked really well together.” It was during their studies that Nico and Morgan learned to hone their senses to pick up on subtle tensions in the body. “Our first quiz was to reach in a bag of various coins and pull out a dime heads up,” said Nico. “That kind of sensitivity is what makes chiropractic medicine so effective.” For people who’ve been post-holing through life with chronic pain that won’t respond to conventional treatment, chiropractic care can be a game changer. That’s because chiropractic solutions address the root causes of pain. “Everything we do is intended to restore communication and optimal function of all the body’s systems,” said Nico. “We’re not fixing problems as much as removing barriers to help the body access its innate wisdom. When we see patients who’ve been enduring pain for a long time, the first thing we say is, ‘You’re resilient,

not broken. We can get there. You just need the right support.’” Morgan remembered one patient who came in with tingling in her hands, recurring headaches, and a tight upper back. “She was extremely frustrated,” said Morgan. “She had seen so many doctors. She was given a list of 15 medications to choose from, but they only suppressed her symptoms. She had never received chiropractic care before but after her first adjustment you could see a light bulb go off for her. I remember she said, ‘I just don’t know why it took me so long to find you guys.’” While most people would not typically associate chiropractic care with treating tingling and headaches, the root causes are exactly what the discipline addresses. “People often think we treat just backs and bones,” said Nico. “Actually, our traditional training focuses on the nervous system. We can help people be proactive and address any dysfunction before it becomes problematic.” Proactive care could include any number of services from BetterRoots. In addition to traditional adjustments, they offer soft tissue modalities, like cupping and Graston Technique. Cold laser and electrical stimulation therapies can help reduce inflammation and boost healing. These services are part of a holistic model of care Morgan and Nico have designed for the whole family. In fact, at the time of this interview, they were starting a family of their own. Pregnant with her first baby, Dr. Morgan wasn’t shy about taking advantage of her husband’s expertise. “It’s been super handy to have a chiropractor on hand,” said Morgan. Certified in the Webster Technique, Dr. Morgan offers pre CONTINUED >

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“

We c a n h e l p p e o p le b e p ro ac t i ve a n d a d d re s s a ny d ys f u n c t io n b e fo re it b e c o m e s p ro b le m at ic .

S ELF CA R E | HEALTH + WE LLN E SS

”

and postnatal treatments. For moms, that means the potential for easier labor and faster healing. “There’s things we can do to help a delivery go smoother,” said Morgan. Even just days after the baby arrives, chiropractic can help. For example, if the delivery was a c-section, sometimes those sutures in the skull don’t come together without the pressure that occurs when traveling through the birth canal. “We can do gentle cranial adjustments while the baby is resting on mom’s belly,” explained Morgan. For Nico, watching kids heal is a special treat. “They respond to chiropractic care extremely well. Kids are active, growing fast, and putting their bodies through a lot. But, they’re not fighting decades of stress and tightness. It’s awesome to see how fast they progress through treatment.” It was his own positive experience with treatment that persuaded Nico to become a chiropractor. “I was in a neuroscience program and playing college football when I sustained a neck injury. After going to several doctors, I tried chiropractic. When I was adjusted, I felt a difference right away. I thought, Wow! This is so nurturing and brings so much relief. I could do that for other people!” Even though he changed disciplines, Dr. Nico hasn’t had to give up his passion for athletics. “I treat athletes who want to gain that extra five or ten percent in their performance.” They’ve helped

retired Griz players, Spartan racers, and even a steer wrestler. When these high-performing people come in for help, Dr. Nico has resources they can tap into. “I tell them, ‘I don’t claim to know everything but I’ll utilize my resources to go to war for you,’” said Nico. Of course, he sees a lot of weekend warriors, too. “Missoula is full of active people who like to move and play. They’ll come in and say, ‘Give me the mustard.’ They want to do whatever it takes to keep enjoying the things they love,” said Nico. Missoula’s active population is what drew Morgan and Nico to plant roots here. “I discovered Missoula was full of hearty people when an 80-year-old guy passed me running up the M Trail,” Nico said. After a few days in town, Morgan knew Missoula was the right fit. “My patients here have been the best ever. We give them the information, and they immediately put it into practice. It’s a pleasure to work with people who are so in control of their own health.”

RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE

• BetterRootsChiropractic.com • Watch Dr. Nico’s Stretch and Mobility Exercises on YouTube @betterrootschiro • New Year’s Introductory Offer: New patient exam, including: spinal scans, history assessment, and adjustment (if needed) for $60 CONTINUED >

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I t e l l t h e m , ‘ I d o n’ t c l a i m t o k n ow eve r ything but I’ll utilize my re s o u rc e s t o go t o wa r fo r yo u .’

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”

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Your Smile Matters Helping Patients Live Healthier Lives

I had a great experience working with Dr. Petrino and his staff. They were professional, caring, and fast. I would recommend him to anyone who is in need of root canal treatment. Dr. Petrino is a perfect example of why it is important to seek a specialist when complicated procedures are necessary. He has the education, experience, and technology to provide successful, unobtrusive treatment that is relatively painless. Thanks Doc!”

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1940 HARVE AVE SUITE 2 MISSOULA, MT 59801

Let Us Handle Your Pain Established in 1995, by Jill Olson, PT, a 5th generation Missoulian. Peak Performance has diverse specialties ranging from sports medicine and orthopedics, to vestibular and concussion therapy as well as Women’s health, breast cancer, and lymphedema rehabilitation. We are conveniently located near Southgate Mall. We invite you to stop by and see how Peak Performance Physical Therapy is here to help you!

To learn more or to schedule a private/personal consultation, call us at 406-542-0808.

www.peakpt-mt.com

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A JOURNEY INTO WELLNESS ARALIA HEALTH ARTICLE BY ARIELLE WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY RENSKE PHOTO

The modern healthcare experience often mirrors an impersonal conveyor belt—brief encounters, hasty assessments, and a shallow grasp of the individual behind the ailment. Yet, for Missoula’s Sarah T., this narrative was upended the moment she walked through the doors of Aralia Health. “For months, I battled relentless fatigue, digestive discomfort, and a sense that something was off,” Sarah reflects. “I’d been to doctor after doctor, and I kept hearing that everything was fine. But I knew I wasn’t fine.” At Aralia Health, Sarah encountered an approach that felt almost revolutionary: genuine presence and intentionality. Co-founder Dr. Stephanie Raven devoted over an hour to their initial consultation, delving deeply into Sarah’s

EXP E RT H E LP | WEL L NESS

intricate health tapestry, from her life’s pressures to her daily rhythms. “It wasn’t rushed— it was deliberate,” Sarah remarks. “And it wasn’t about labeling my condition; it was about understanding my full narrative.” This philosophy—treating the essence of the person, not merely their ailments—charted Sarah’s path to recovery. Together they found evidence of leaky gut syndrome and hormone dysregulation, Sarah embarked on a curated regimen of dietary modifications, targeted supplementation, and innovative regenerative therapies. Within a few months she felt a resurgence of vitality and balance. Aralia Health’s other practitioners are equally committed to this ethos. Dr. Marissa Cavalier specializes in the nuanced realm of hormonal health, adeptly guiding women through life’s pivotal transitions, such as perimenopause. “These transformative stages are too often marginalized,” Dr. Cavalier asserts. “My mission is to remind women they have options that restore and heal.” Similarly, Dr. Payton Robertson champions a proactive, performance-driven model of care, with a focus on men’s health, preventative care and performance optimization. “There’s so much we can do to optimize health and vitality before issues become chronic,” he emphasizes. For Sarah, the care she received at Aralia Health transcended the clinical. “They didn’t just restore my health; they returned my life to me,” she proclaims. “This is not merely a medical practice—it’s truly healthcare.” For those in Missoula seeking solutions and a personalized connection in their healthcare journey, Aralia Health stands as a beacon of hope and transformation.

Aralia Health 206 South 3rd Street West 406.493.0075 AraliaHealth.com

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Experienced, Objective Financial Advice and Management – Tailored Just for You

283 W. Front St., Suite 101 | Missoula, MT | (406) 329-4040 | 406wm.com | dadavidson.com LEFT TO RIGHT: Julie Holmes, CWP, FPQP®, Senior Registered Associate; Frank D’Angelo, CFP®, CWS®, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Branch Manager; Cynthia Fritch, CFP®, CPFA, CWS®, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor

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A LITTLE BIRDIE Whispers Staycation

H OT SP OT | TRAVEL

THE WREN IS A MODERN GETAWAY FOR SELF CARE

ARTICLE BY SUSIE WALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK SZCZECHOWSKI

Whether you are visiting from out of town or you’re a local looking to enjoy a staycation, The Wren Missoula has everything you need— comfort, unique amenities, and location, location, location. The Wren is a 73-room boutique hotel located on E. Main Street. Locals may remember it as a Days Inn prior to its restoration. “We’re smack dab in the middle of everything going on in downtown,” says General Manager Todd Liphardt. The hotel is managed by Columbia Hospitality. These third party managers work with the ownership team to build and operate hotels in vibrant communities known for their lively downtowns. Other properties in the company’s nest include The Lark Bozeman and The Sparrow Boise. Instead of going outside to build a new box, Columbia Hospitality looks at recreating structures to fit the character of each location. This business model goes a long way in separating The Wren from other chain hotels. “They are very mindful of coming into the community and helping to develop the personality of the downtown,” says Todd. “It’s thoughtful, it’s mindful, and it’s strategic in its minimalistic approach to the amenities and the properties. Our goals are to make people feel comfortable but also get involved in the local community.” To the team at The Wren, that involvement means going to Griz games, taking advantage of our incredible music scene, floating the river, and shopping and dining at local establishments.

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The Wren has seen an increase in returning guests as the hotel gains its reputation for service. Building that reputation takes extra effort for a hotel whose name might not ring a bell as strongly as some. Both Todd and Front Desk Manager Katie Mandilian credit the staff at The Wren for playing a big part in building that reputation for service. “Our staff is our number one asset” says Katie. “They really are what make our guests enjoy coming back.” The staff is comprised of local residents who make them adept at offering up first-hand recommendations on where to go and what to do. “We always tell our guests that if you’re looking for something to do, or even have specific food preferences, let our team know and we’ll help you,” says Katie. The staff keeps updated on happenings from annual events to weekly karaoke at The Union Club, and they put together, and continually update, an interactive map of downtown. “We want the guests to have a good time in Missoula, and not just at the hotel,” says Katie.

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The Wren’s commitment to being a part of the Missoula community is evident from the minute you step into the bright and spacious lobby. Rotating exhibitions provided by the Missoula Art Museum hang on the wall. On another wall, a display on smokejumpers—courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service—is next to colorful surf boards from Strongwater Surf that tempt travelers to check out Missoula’s bustling riverfront. Upstairs, local artists like Josh Quick have shared their talents through unique Missoula-themed infographic art in each room. Examples include a timeline of musical acts that have headlined The Wilma and a whimsical map of local hiking trails. In addition, the woodwork throughout the hotel comes from Belgrade-based Dry Fly Builders. “Those are expensive decisions to make,” says Todd. “It shows that the team puts their money where their mouth is as it relates to investing in sustainability and utilizing as much local as possible.”

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“I think there is an art to hospitality. It’s not brain surgery but there is something to be said for those who can be the most aware of service. That’s what we really try to focus on, and that’s the magic that sets us apart.”

Guests will find a number of special touches at The Wren. The lobby features plenty of comfy seating alongside expansive workspaces. A selection of board games and complimentary La Croix sparkling water in the mini-fridge can be enjoyed in the lobby or taken up to the privacy of your room. Some hotels sacrifice necessity for style but here, personality meets function. Eclectic lamps illuminate end tables beside beds draped in warm Pendleton blankets. Colorful towel racks hang in the bathroom, and huge walk-in showers with the handles far away from the shower head keep you dry until the water temperature is just right. Room options range from standard rooms with king and queen beds to expansive suites to the bunk bed rooms—a magnet for any kid or kid-at-heart. Guests with four-legged friends are welcome on the second floor which features wood floors instead of carpet, and blankets designed to repel dog hair. There is no microwave or refrigerators in most the rooms but guests can easily receive those items upon request. All of these unique touches along with a friendly staff dedicated to service make The Wren the perfect base for your Missoula adventures. “I think there is an art to hospitality,” says Todd. “It’s not brain surgery but there is something to be said for those who can be the most aware of service. That’s what we really try to focus on, and that’s the magic that sets us apart.”

WREN MISSOULA

Need a caffeine fix? Basecamp Coffee is the on-site coffee shop at The Wren, making it a weather-free experience if you are enjoying a Missoula staycation. Nothing says self care quite like going downstairs and having an experienced barista make the perfect hot latte. Wrap your palms around a big mug and decide on what pastry to devour—there are many! Here’s a look at what local favorites to expect: • Black Coffee Roasting Company • Bernice’s Bakery • Le Petit • Posh Chocolat • Back to the Mother kombucha • Nourishing Cultures kombucha JANUARY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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M I X IN G H E A LT H A ND F L AV O R A Delicious Mocktail to Savor Without the Alcohol.

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

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ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP • 1 cup cane sugar • 1 cup water • 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary ROSEMARY PEAR MOCKTAIL • 5 tablespoon pear juice • 1 tablespoon rosemary simple syrup • 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice • sparkling water to taste

HOW TO MAKE ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP Combine sugar and water in a pot and cook over medium heat. Cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Turn off heat and toss in rosemary sprigs. Cool Completely. HOW TO MAKE ROSEMARY PEAR MOCKTAIL Pour pear juice, rosemary simple syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water. Add ice and garnish if desired. JANUARY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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