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Karsyn Hornby An accident took her leg, but gave her a calling to help others

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NEW YEAR’S Resolutions.

priority in 2026. Picking up a new hobby or learning a new skill enhances problem-solving, improves critical thinking, combats boredom and boosts brain health. Translation: it makes your brain happier and sharper. Even, as Dana suggested, listening to two minutes of a new podcast can give you the micro-dose your brain and body need.

Even if your resolutions don’t technically revolve around one of those questions, they still sneak into your subconscious and set up camp there. Rude.

Then there’s altruism. This, my friends, is real medicine. When you give without expecting anything in return, your brain releases dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin. It’s a chemical cocktail far better than whatever you’re stress-eating. It leads to greater happiness, lower stress and feelings of satisfaction. Plus, kindness has a funny way of spreading. You hold a door, someone else smiles. Everyone wins.

I’m not saying I hate them, but I will say I hate the cliché versions of them. You know the ones. Every January, we’re bombarded with ad campaigns designed to poke at our deepest insecurities while we’re still digesting holiday cookies. Am I healthy enough? Do I have my finances in order to retire? Am I organized … ever?

I just so happened to be scrolling LinkedIn (as one does) when a post by someone I admire stopped me mid-scroll. Dana Pulis, who owns Kinetic Marketing here in Billings, was talking about a framework that completely changed how she thought about energy and life — and no, it didn’t involve waking up at 4 a.m. or drinking celery juice. After reading her post, it got me thinking — so much so that I scribbled the framework down on a Post-it note and promptly decided this was my resolution. Not six resolutions. Not a color-coded spreadsheet. Just one sticky note. Growth. Here’s how it goes. It’s called CLAP, which stands for Connection, Learning, Altruism and Play. And, yes, it sounds like something you’d learn in kindergarten. But, stay with me. “When you hit all four of these in a day, your brain lights up in ways that scrolling social media never will,” Dana wrote. CLAP, she said, is about fulfillment. Real fulfillment. So, what does true connection look like? It’s being present with the people around us. A 15-minute phone call with a friend could be all we need to reset our entire day. No filters. No likes. Just actual human interaction. Turns out, fulfilling this fundamental need reduces stress, increases happiness and fosters a sense of belonging and purpose. It’s the emotional glue holding us together. Next up: learning. What’s one thing you’ve wanted to learn but just haven’t made the time for? I challenge you to make it a

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And finally, play. Yes, play. And no, it’s not just for kids. Play builds empathy and resilience and helps people learn and connect, two other letters in our CLAP philosophy. For adults, play can be as simple as a 30-second dance party in the kitchen. Or sledding with your kids or grandkids. Or bowling. Or finally opening that board game that’s been collecting dust since 2017. If it creates a micro moment of joy, it counts. Here’s the boiled-down version of CLAP. Dana says: “Connect with a stranger for three seconds (maybe your barista?). Learn something new in two minutes. Do something kind. Turn on a song that makes you feel alive.” It’s just that simple. So, cheers to 2026. Let’s put down the cliché resolutions and pick up ones that are scientifically proven to make us happier and healthier. Give it a go. I’ll be right there, CLAP-ping along with you. ✻ Happy New Year!

Julie

BEGIN THE NEW YEAR WITH

Comfort and Community A new year brings fresh beginnings and there’s no better moment to discover a place that truly feels like home. Our community is committed to enriching the lives of older adults through personalized care, engaging programs, and a welcoming atmosphere designed for comfort, connection, and peace of mind. Schedule a tour and see why so many residents love calling Westpark Village home. We look forward to welcoming you and exploring how we can make this year exceptional together. • Month-to-month rentals with no buy-in fees

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w h at 's i nsid e o n t he cover

30 w e c a n do h ar d th i n gs

An accident took Karsyn Hornby’s leg, but gave her a calling to help others

aga i n s t the o dds

1 2 t ra nsfo rm i n g trau m a i n to s tre ngt h

One breath, one punch, one sister at a time

1 8 th e we ig ht s h e car r i es, th e l ig h t she sha res Ricki Ochoa’s journey from trauma to lifeline

2 2 uns to ppa ble h op e

One mom’s fight for her little boy with big challenges

26 th e t hre e l i ves of ti f f i n i ga l l a n t

Fighting pain, defying odds, and advocating for the gift that could save her life

feat u r es

4 0 brewing co m m u n i ty

Carla Brownson is pouring love, purpose, and belonging into Billings’ coffee culture

4 6 N EW IDEAS , N E W E N E RGY Award-winning library gets new director

5 0 GROW ING T H E W I L D

Jessica Hart is guiding ZooMontana’s next chapter

66 f lavo rs to savor : great h arves t brea d co m pan y Fresh beginnings filled with comfort

68 a zes t fo r f l avor

Why a splash of spice and a passion for cooking can transform every dish

hom e and gard e n

74 ele ga nt & elevated

Inside Gold Buckle Homes’ stunning fresh water lane retreat

8 6 TH E FINE A RT OF DES I GN I N TU I TI O N The synergy between craftsmanship and creativity

in eve ry issu e

54 k are n g rosz : It’s Over, I’m Done, and Moving On 5 6 fa shio n: Wrapped in Friendship 62 t a s te o f t h e val ley : Love Served Daily 8

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ISSUE 149

jan/feb 2026

m eet the STA FF

Te r ry P e r k i n s

t r i sh scoz z a r i

Sales Executive

Sales Executive / Writer

gay le sm i t h

Sales Executive / Writer

N i co le B u rte l l Distribution

ly n n t u cke r

da n i e l s u l l i va n

Sales Executive

Photography

k ay l a g r ay Social Media

M i ch e le Ko n ze n Sales Executive

m e l a n i e Fa b r i z i us Design

sue olp Copy Editor

ou r commun ity partn ers

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

We are here for you. We know that coming together and helping one another is how we get through stressful times. As your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors, we can help you create a plan that makes sense for you and your goals. With our knowledge and resources we can seek to help you manage risk and keep your plan on track, so you can focus on all that’s happening in life. Contact us to see how we can help you or provide a second opinion. 401 North 31st Street, Suite 900 | Billings, MT 59101 Wesley: 406-238-8911 / Kyle: 406-896-4402 advisor.morganstanley.com/the-fangsrud-stone-group

The Fangsrud Stone Group at Morgan Stanley Wesley A. Fangsrud Senior Vice President Financial Advisor

Kyle R. Stone

Vice President Financial Advisor

Kayla Schuyler Registered Client Service Associate

Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with a Financial Advisor to understand these differences. Morgan Stanley recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. © 2025 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

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! e n i l n o Visit us

Against

s d d O the ABOVE E IS R O T S E G ’S CHALLEN E IF L G IN S U N ME MEET THE WO

EVERY WOMAN carries her own story of survival, but some

are forged in moments that change everything. In the next few pages, you’ll meet five women who refused to let tragedy define their limits. They are women who turned loss into leadership, pain into purpose, and diagnosis into determination. Their journeys are raw and real, offering proof that even when life demands the unimaginable, hope still finds a way forward. ✻

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

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Transforming Trauma Into

h t g n e r t S ONE BREATH, ONE PUNCH, ONE SISTER AT A TIME written by NICOLE BURTELL photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, Wamnee Ereaux, or “Eagle” as

many call her, slides on her Title Classic boxing gloves and stands in the center of a circle of women who are all looking to get rid of a little pent-up energy. As the sound of gloves snapping against pads echoes through the small southwest Billings gym, Wamnee isn’t helping these women perfect an upper cut or left hook, she’s helping them build internal strength and a sisterhood. “The neurons are firing right now,” Wamnee shouts with a laugh as she urges her ladies to keep those one-two punches coming. She shares how bilateral movements calm the nervous system, helping to take these women out of a fight-or-flight response.

Wamnee found out in her teenage years how therapeutic boxing can be. “Growing up on a reservation, you fight about it first and you talk about it later,” she says of her childhood on the Fort Belknap reservation in north-central Montana. When her family moved to the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona, Wamnee found herself as the only Native American in an all-white high school.

IF YOU CAN HELP PEOPLE FEEL SAFE AND REWIRE THE BRAIN, YOU CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS.

“I was getting jumped,” she says. “The girls were coming at me but, mind you, punching was not a problem for me.”

As a standout basketball player, she remembers her counselor telling For nearly four years, Wamnee has — Wamnee Ereaux her, “If you go to anger-management led WahineWea Life and Fitness, classes, you can stay on the team.” which means “Woman for Woman” in both Hawaiian and Lakota, a nod Her anger-management counselor to her family’s mixed heritage. Here, pushed her into a boxing gym. the women Wamnee coaches work on breath and movement and, many “I think she hoped I got beat up and just didn’t want to fight anytimes, deal with the trauma that’s been gripping them for years. more,” Wamnee says with a laugh. Truth be told, her first time in “If you can help people feel safe and rewire the brain,” she says with an endearing smile, “you can move mountains.”

the ring, “I really got it handed to me from a professional fighter. She laid into me pretty hard.” But instead of backing down, the experience ignited something. “I told the coach, ‘Let me try again.’ I fell in love with it on day one.”

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It took time for her to understand what kept drawing her back. “If you experience domestic violence or witness traumatizing situations, you are going to have that pent-up trauma. It’s going to be there,” Wamnee says of the after-effects of her childhood. “There’s a book that I love. It’s called ‘The Body Keeps Score,’ and it really does — whether you are aware of it or not.” Slowly, she returned to the ring, not with fury, but with humility. She learned to step back, breathe and reassess before throwing the next punch. It was a much-needed lesson in self-control; one she would carry far beyond the gym. As Wamnee’s confidence grew, so did her desire to give others that same feeling. She ended up volunteering as a coach, teaching youngsters the power of boxing. “That was my way of giving back,” she says. “My coach had a nonprofit, teaching inner-city kids in the barrio on the south side of Tucson.” Her own skills kept sharpening. Six years into training, she was preparing for a national championship on the Golden Gloves amateur circuit when her coach told her something she never forgot: “It’s never going to be about you winning a championship. It’s going to be a platform for you. You are going to use boxing as a platform.” 14

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Celebrating

Life A

Lived Living T H AT WA S

AND CHERISHED MOMENTS OF THE

In college, everything clicked during Wamnee’s first psychology class. “The lights came on,” she says. She became fascinated by how the mind and body heal together. She eventually earned both her undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in mental health counseling — a combination that would ultimately shape her future. “In 2019, my tribe called a state of emergency for suicide,” she says. She came back to the Fort Belknap reservation for a weekend boxing workshop for kids and ended up staying.

join her on the journey. Her therapeutic boxing classes are free of charge and the only advertising has been word of mouth. “Somehow, they find us,” she says. “We have so many women from different walks of life who have their own set of experiences and again, while this is a very similar experience, they will all tell you a different version of how it helps them.”

“We had 40 kids in a little library in Hays, Montana,” she says. “I met with council that next Monday and asked for a building to put together a boxing program there because there was a need, and we showed them the need.”

Thirty-five-year-old Alahna Rowland is one of those women. Her first class felt like crossing a threshold she’d been searching for. “The moment I started, I felt like I belonged,” she says. She’d spent years trying to heal the wounds after growing up in an abusive foster home.

Today, Wamnee has no idea how many lives she’s touched with her boxing gloves. For the past three years, she’s gathered to teach up to three times a week, inviting women to

“This has given me confidence. It’s given me the urge to do something about my trauma, not just hide from it,” Alahna says. “Working with Wamnee,

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THIS HAS GIVEN ME CONFIDENCE. IT’S GIVEN ME THE URGE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT MY TRAUMA, NOT JUST HIDE FROM IT. — Alahna Rowland

I’ve learned to control my breathing. I’ve learned to ground myself.”

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Some days, she still hears the voice that tries to tear her down. “But now I have a new voice that’s louder,” she says. “I feel like I’m getting on the right path. That’s why I love this place.”

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Angie Pollock, another regular in the gym, comes for many of the same reasons. “I used to be a blackout fighter,” she admits. “One of my heroes was murdered in a fistfight, and I swore off fighting. It was a battle to keep myself from going to that edge of rage.” With Wamnee’s guidance, she’s learning control.

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And Wamnee sits back and celebrates every one of these steps forward. “I know now. This is my purpose here on earth,” Wamnee says. She dreams one day of expanding her program with regular music and art therapy classes. She’d also love to develop a digital platform that women across the country could log into where they can learn the breathwork of boxing. She knows when you match breathwork with activity, magic happens. “It empowers me to watch women grow,” she says. And, while some of the women she teaches come and go, she makes sure each one of them knows that they will always be welcome back to this healing space. With a smile she says, “You will always have a little tribe here waiting for you.” ✻

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The Weight She Carries,

t h g i L e Th s e r a Sh e Sh RICKI WOLFE OCHOA’S JOURNEY FROM TRAUMA TO LIFELINE written by JULIE KOERBER photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

WHEN HER PHONE RINGS late at night. Ricki Wolfe

“I was terrified,” Ricki says. “It was a pivotal moment for me. I thought, ‘Should I terminate my pregnancy?’ My faith said, ‘No.’ One day, I looked up into the sky and I said, well, you know, if you do this, she is still going to be there. You will always be a mom.” Nine months later, her daughter Nevaeh was born.

“There’s not a phone call I won’t take,” Ricki says. She likes to think she shows up in people’s darkest moments. And, she understands personally, the need to have someone in your corner.

Soon after, Ricki enrolled in college and planned on becoming a nurse. About that same time, she started experiencing dizzy spells and severe headaches. Every few weeks, she’d end up in the emergency room in extreme pain.

Ochoa doesn’t hesitate to pick up. She knows the other end of the line could bring a shaky voice or a life-or-death intervention. She understands deeply how critical these moments can be in saving a life.

“I had a very tough childhood,” Ricki says simply. “I suffered some severe traumas along the way.” She was 7 when her parents split. That meant summers in Montana with her dad and winters in Florida with her mom. The two worlds couldn’t have felt more different. Montana was laid back and carefree. In Florida, Ricki’s mom worked three jobs just to keep a roof over their heads.

I ALWAYS SAY THIS CAREER CHOSE ME.IT GOES SO DEEP. I GENUINELY FEEL THIS IS WHO I AM AND WHO I AM SUPPOSED TO BE. — Ricki Wolfe Ochoa

“They told me I had vertigo,” Ricki says. Yet one more trip to the ER uncovered the truth. “I had a domestic violence incident and went to the emergency room because my head was pounding.” She remembers the medical staff telling her, “You are negative for trauma but we found a pretty good size tumor on your brain.”

“I learned to fend for myself at a really young age,” she says. The experience gave her a deep empathy for those struggling with life.

The diagnosis was acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor that had been slowly growing near her brainstem since youth.

But even with that strength and perspective, her path grew more complicated. She found herself pregnant at 17.

“I had lost 60% of my hearing in one ear and didn’t even know it,” she says. “I got out of surgery and they broke the news that they couldn’t get it all. They did get it off the brainstem so that I could survive.” JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

The unexpected question ended up changing the course of her life. “I always say this career chose me,” Ricki says. “It goes so deep. I genuinely feel this is who I am and who I am supposed to be.” Ricki not only got her bachelor’s degree, but by 2010, she completed a master’s in mental health and rehabilitation counseling. When she walked across the stage to receive her master’s degree, her brother Michael was there to cheer her on. It was one of the last times she’d see him. “He left us a video of why he did it,” Ricki says of her brother’s suicide. “He said, ‘All my life I have found ways to cope and at this stage in my life. I have no coping methods anymore.” Ricki pauses, then says, “It was the most brutal thing.”

RICKI PICTURED

SHORTLY

IES

ES OF SURGER AFTER HER SERI

Her brother shot himself in a field on their father’s farm. “For him, it was a lack of getting any mental health care and just thinking he couldn’t handle it all,” Ricki says. His death has become a driving force in her counseling practice. After working for others for a number of years as a licensed clinical professional counselor, last July she opened her own practice, Zoetic Therapy. The word zoetic means “living” or “vital.” “My brother is with me every day. In every session I do, there’s a piece of him here,” Ricki says. When she goes to work each day, Ricki makes it her mission to teach others how neurological impairments impact mental health. These types of injuries cause physical changes to the brain and can alter how emotions are regulated. That makes standard treatments less predictable. Suicidal tendencies rise. Traditional antidepressants often fail to work. “This is where we lose people,” Ricki says. “They give up.” Ricki has heard her patients tell her many times, “I’m not responding the way I should be to the pills. I don’t feel the way they say I should.” Ricki’s response? “Let’s talk about it.”

R, MICHAEL

RICKI’S BROTHE

Five months later came a second surgery to try to get more of the tumor. While they were able to do so, her surgeon told her trying to take the entire tumor could have sparked a major, potentially fatal stroke. Sadly, that procedure resulted in a cerebral fluid leak, bringing yet another surgery. Doctors had to shave muscle from her face to seal the leak and grafted it all in place. Nerves were severed in the process, limiting the feeling on the left side of Ricki’s face. “I have optic-nerve damage. They gutted the ear canal,” she says, meaning she lost all hearing in her left ear. The nerve that controls balance was also severed. When she awoke from surgery, “I remember saying to myself that the pain was so bad that I didn’t even care if I lived,” Ricki says. “That was a tough moment for me.” By her junior year in college, she was struggling to put the pieces of her life back together when one of her professors at Montana State University Billings sat her down. “She asked me, ‘Why are you doing this (nursing school) when you wanted to be a counselor?’” 20

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Brandee Pacheco can’t thank Ricki enough for her perspective. “I shouldn’t be alive,” Brandee says. On Sept. 3, 2021, she was riding on the back of her ex-husband’s motorcycle when he decided to go around a vehicle that was turning. He didn’t see an oncoming car. “The other vehicle took us out,” Brandee says. “I flew 25 feet into the air and landed on my head. I was in a coma before the firemen even got to me.” After being treated at a Billings hospital, she was eventually flown to Craig Hospital outside of Denver, a facility that specializes in brain injuries. “My temporal bone was broken,” Brandee says. “I had a hole in the back of my skull. My fingers were broken. I had nerve damage. I couldn’t close my right eye.” Doctors warned her family that with her type of injuries, suicidal thoughts were common. Within that same year, those thoughts rose to the surface. Brandee even planned her suicide for a night when her two daughters would be away. She says, “Unfortunately, one of my daughters came home early.” That’s when Brandee found Ricki.

“She made me talk through things that no one has ever asked me about. She helped me work the parts of my brain that she could tell caused frustration,” Brandee says, adding Ricki helped her find ways to work around those frustrations. And, she helped Brandee set up a safety plan. “When you are in a crisis, your brain shuts down,” Ricki adds. Her instruction to Brandee was simple: “Here’s what we are going to do when we feel this way. You don’t even think about it, you go to the safety plan.” Brandee’s plan was to immediately call her best friend. The friend would call the authorities, and the second call would be to Ricki. Brandee explains that her safety plan involved a code word. “That meant my friends needed to get to me now,” she says. “Ricki taught me a way to express my feelings. If I am thinking it, I write it down. I get it out of my mind and off my chest.” Brandee goes on to say, “I needed to heal but I didn’t know how. I’ll probably never be who I was but, I’m getting back to being close to who I was.” Thanks to her healing journey, Brandee has been able to watch her children grow into adults and she got remarried to a man she says brings out the best in her. “God put her in the right place at the right time,” Ricki says.

BRANDEE PACHECO SHORTLY AFTER HE R ACCIDENT WITH HE R DAUGHTER

Ricki still gets a brain scan every two years so doctors can keep an eye on the tumor that’s still living near her brain stem. Knowing just how precious life is, Ricki says, “I always have something on the horizon to look forward to. That’s big for me,” Ricki says. “I encourage everyone I know to dream a little.” She also wants those she comes in contact with to know they aren’t alone. Ever. “You are not weak if you ask for help. You are actually strong,” Ricki says. “The big picture here is, we want you here. We need you here.” She pauses before adding, “We are all in this together.” ✻

There are days when Ricki has to dig deep to get through the day. Scar tissue from her brain surgeries bring daily headaches. When a migraine strikes, it’s next-level. When you ask her how she lives life with daily pain, she says, “I look at everybody around me that has a story. Everybody has one. The second I think my story is challenging, I find inspiration in someone else’s.” Today, Ricki is happily married and has two daughters — Nevaeh and Aariah. Within the next few years, she would love to go back to school to get her doctorate in neuropsychology so she can better serve her clients. Right now, Ricki can’t perform neuropsychological exams and the wait can be upwards of a year for those in need to have them. It’s valuable time when a diagnosis awaits. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

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Unstoppable

e p o H

ONE MOM’S FIGHT FOR HER LITTLE BOY WITH BIG CHALLENGES written by LAURA BAILEY photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

TO MEET JAMES THOMAS is to be filled with light. James, born with a rare genetic mutation, is a little, 5-year-old wonder. He exudes a contagious joy, despite his complicated disabilities, which cause him to be wheelchair-bound and developmentally delayed. “He’s just made of love,” his mother, Katy, says. “I can’t know how many people he has touched.”

He’s well known in his Billings Heights neighborhood, where he can often be found on the sidewalks in his TREXO. As soon as James is placed inside the device, he squeals with enthusiasm and punches the air, straining at the belts that hold his legs in place. “He loves his TREXO,” Katy says, holding his hand as he takes slow, mechanical steps. When James and Sofia were born, Sofia was given a clean bill of health, but James had club feet. Soon after birth, he was fitted with casts to correct them. The casts were challenging, Katy says, but nothing like what lay ahead of them.

Katy is a tireless advocate for James, and with the support of family and friends, James is thriving. James may be nonverbal, but there’s little doubt how he feels. He has strong eye contact and communicates with a steady gaze and expressive facial features. He laughs, fusses when he’s tired or not feeling well, and expresses joy by kicking and swinging his arms. He enthusiastically engages with everyone, visitors and strangers included.

L TO R: GEORGE, JOHN, SOFIA, KATY AND JAMES

When James’s siblings George, 8, and Sofia, 5, his twin, read to James, it often seems as if he is hanging on every word. Sofia, an early reader, embellishes stories from books she knows by heart, and George reads from “Captain Underpants” and “Dog Man,” his favorite books. Aside from family time, James’s favorite activity is working with a specialized robot, called a TREXO, that helps him walk.

Around James’s third month, Katy noticed some changes. James’s movements seemed to her to be out of the ordinary. When she took her concerns to his doctor, she was told to just get some rest. James’s unusual movements were nothing to worry about.

“My mama instinct knew better,” Katy says. “I was feeling so gaslighted and like I was crazy.” Then, on a Sunday night, things took a turn for the worse. The jerky movements worsened and by Monday morning, Katy and James were at the emergency room, where he had a full-blown seizure. Within hours, they were on an emergency medical flight JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

to Denver Children’s Hospital where James was diagnosed with infantile spasms. John caught up to them on a commercial flight. Later that day, the doctors told Katy and John that James would never lead a normal life. The news was devastating. Katy remembers John, her always settled, always calm “rock” breaking down in tears at the news. She was shaken to the core. “I didn’t know what to do,” Katy says. “I couldn’t catch my breath.” What followed was a gradual acceptance as they fell into a routine that included multiple visits to Denver Children’s Hospital for medical care and various treatments to bring James’s seizures under control. James was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation, STXBP-1, which was the cause of the seizures, and other disabilities. Katy and John quickly became a well-oiled machine, organized and ready to adjust to any crisis at a moment’s notice. With George only 3, and Sofia still an infant, they relied heavily on John’s parents, who live nearby, for childcare. “Everybody just picks up a chunk, and we all work together,” Katy says. “It’s just a lifestyle now.” That lifestyle, for Katy, includes a lot. Katy is from Romania, and while she was in Romania, she earned her bachelor’s degree in social work. Seeking adventure, she came to the United States on a diversity visa — a rarity in 2012. After moving to the U.S., she earned her master’s in social work from the University of Wyoming.

TREXO IS A CANADIAN MEDICAL DEVICE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE U.S., WITH A COST OF ABOUT $35,000 AND NO INSURANCE COVERAGE. BELIEVING IT COULD HELP JAMES, KATY LAUNCHED A COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER.

As a social worker, Katy has worked with children for 13 years and has worked for Billings Public Schools for nine years. She currently works with at-risk youth at Castle Rock Middle School. It’s emotionally challenging, but she enjoys being a safety net for the kids in her program. “They’re all trying to find their way in the world,” Katy says. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Katy also maintains a private therapy practice in the evenings through Talk Space, an online platform, something she’s also deeply committed to. “I’ve been through a lot with my clients,” Katy says. Katy’s stress load is huge, but she manages to keep it together — calendar in hand with every detail planned — until the next time James is hospitalized, then Plan B clicks into place, and she has that planned too. In addition to his visible disabilities, James has a weakened immune system and deals with lots of respiratory issues. Trips to Denver Chidren’s Hospital are still frequent and most trips are unplanned and happen in a moment’s notice. At home, John cares for George and Sofia. With James as a brother, George has become more in-

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dependent and self-reliant than most 8-year-olds, and he’s always willing to help. He rides his bike to school on his own and looks after Sofia. Although she’s 5, Sofia is still in preschool. She loves to dress up in outfits as sparkling as her personality. “She never shows up to disappoint in any situation,” Katy says. For most of Sofia’s early years, James was in and out of the hospital. She too has had to mature sooner than most children and has loads of patience for a child her age. “They’ve been a part of it all and they love their little brother like no other,” Katy says. In addition to John’s parents, the Thomases have a strong network of friends they lean on for support. “It was very catastrophic in my thinking at first,” Katie says. “I thought we were going to be so alone in this journey because no one was going to know that to say or do, and it’s been exactly the opposite. It let them in instead of drove them away.” It was that network of friends and family that helped make the TREXO a reality for James.

where she works and they walk the halls. The movement has helped James build and maintain muscle mass and control. The robot is controlled by a sophisticated app and measures James’s effort compared to the effort of the robot. In the past year his share of the effort has increased from around 20% to more than 60%. The TREXO will grow with James into adulthood, with periodic modifications every time he grows out of it. It will be a few years before he’ll need his first upgrade. Even with the TREXO, progress is slow for James. He still spends a lot of time in various therapies, including physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and he enjoys swim therapy and horseback therapy in the summer months. Every year, Katy goes to Colorado Springs with James for a 6-week intensive therapy session to aid his progress.

SO MUCH OF IT IS HOLDING HOPE WHILE HAVING ACCEPTANCE SO YOU CAN SURVIVE THIS JOURNEY.

For now, there is no treatment specifically for STXBP-1. The medicine that he’s on to control his seizures causes eventual blindness. “You make many tough medical decisions because you literally have no other options,” Katy says.

— Katy Thomas

TREXO is a Canadian medical device that’s not available in the U.S. It cost roughly $35K. None of it would be covered by insurance, but Katy had a feeling that it would be beneficial for James, so she decided to ask her community for help and launched a fundraising campaign. The results were astounding. The Thomases received loads of support from friends and neighbors, and the community fell in behind their efforts as well, with bingo fundraisers, fundraisers at restaurants, bake sales — anything and everything. Katy wouldn’t take no for an answer, and when one opportunity fizzled, she moved onto the next. John, who is usually reserved and prefers a behind-the-scenes role, became a visible and active advocate for James, volunteering for TV and radio shows. “When it comes to James, he’s all-in for anything he needs,” Katy says. Katy and John set a three-year goal to raise $1,000 a month and instead they raised $35,000 in three months, including a $10,000 sponsorship from the Montana Hope Project. With a $35,000 check in hand, Katy and John ordered the TREXO, only to find that the device could not be shipped to a U.S. address. The news was devastating, but they didn’t give up. They found a friend of a friend of a friend who had a Canadian address, and had the TREXO shipped there, then drove to Canada to pick it up. It’s only been a year, and the TREXO has been life-changing for James. So far, he has walked 319,857 steps with the help of the robotic device. He walks for 40 minutes a day, weather-permitting. When it’s cold or rainy, Katy and James head over to the middle school

Last year, she and John were faced with a decision to enroll James in a clinical trial for a new treatment for his genetic disorder. The trial came with serious risks, but great potential. In the end, Katy and John decided against the treatment. Fast forward one month, and they heard one of the children in the trial had died. It shook Katy. “This was such a point of hope for everyone in the (STXBP-1) community, and this felt like a dead end,” she says. “So much of it is holding hope while having acceptance so you can survive this journey.” No matter what comes next for James, Katy is empowered by her experience. She knows that with her network of friends and family she can do anything. “If it’s about James,” Katy says, “I’m unstoppable.” ✻

Growing young minds one day at a time.

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The three lives of

t n a l l a G i n i ff Ti FIGHTING PAIN, DEFYING ODDS, AND ADVOCATING FOR THE GIFT THAT COULD SAVE HER LIFE written by LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

TIFFINI GALLANT has lived two lives so far. She hopes to

parents carried the gene. To everyone’s surprise, it was discovered then that her biological father was asymptomatic with PKD.

Tiffini’s first life spanned her mostly-typical childhood into young womanhood. Her second life came on with a vengeance, when a rare kidney disease stole her health in her mid-30s. Now, with all the energy she can muster, the young mother is determined to live a third life — but it all depends on a donated kidney.

“He had gone through his entire life not knowing it,” she says, adding that he’s suffering symptoms now.

live a third.

PKD is a chronic disease that causes uncontrolled growth of fluid-filled cysts on the kidneys. It’s estimated that roughly 500,000 Americans live with PKD, of which about 50 percent remain asymptomatic. The other half, however, will develop kidney failure in their 50s. Tiffini, who exhibits a particularly aggressive form of the disease, has already had one kidney removed and is now facing failure of her remaining kidney.

Today, Tiffini lives in constant pain — the severity of which ebbs and flows depending on when she last received her monthly lidocaine infusion at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City. The once-active 37-year-old now lives PKD IS A CHRONIC month-to-month as she seeks a match. The KIDNEY DISEASE MARKED disease has robbed her of her health, her job BY FLUID-FILLED CYSTS. and her marriage. Although she finds most comfort in her “happy place” — a cushy rocker by the fireplace — she is no couch potato. During the two weeks of the month that the infusion moderates her pain, she’s working hard to educate and encourage organ donorship. Not only is she seeking her own salvation, but she hopes her efforts will offer new lives for others.

ABOUT 500,000 AMERICANS HAVE PKD; ROUGHLY HALF SHOW NO SYMPTOMS, WHILE THE REST OFTEN DEVELOP KIDNEY FAILURE IN THEIR 50S.

By her own description, Tiffini grew up as a “normal country kid” until the age of 12, when a rare form of pneumonia baffled her doctors and nearly took her life. “I had no symptoms and then I was on death’s doorstep,” she says. A chest scan to assess her lungs revealed an unrelated mass of cysts covering both of her kidneys. The diagnosis: polycystic kidney disease or PKD. As in most cases, that meant one of Tiffini’s

Tiffini survived her bout with pneumonia and went on to live a fairly normal life — punctuated by an occasional brief stint in the hospital. There was no known treatment for the pre-teen, other than blood pressure drugs and a low-sodium diet — the understanding being that high blood pressure enhances the development of cysts.

She was advised against participating in sports, but otherwise lived a life similar to her peers, attending school and dreaming of her future. She had her heart set on joining the Navy and becoming a police officer. Poised to make that dream come true — she’d tested in the top one percent of recruits — her world imploded when she was told her PKD made her ineligible for the Navy. “My whole life was shattered,” she says. Then, while attending college, a nephrologist dashed her other dream — her dream to have children. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

“He tells me that it would be selfish of me to pass on that disease,” she says, pausing as the memory still stirs deep emotions. “Those were earth-shattering changes, that I couldn’t join the Navy and that I couldn’t be a mom.” Yet, Tiffini refused to let her disease define her. She earned a master’s degree (online) from Georgetown University and spent more than a decade working in the Billings area, at Montana State University Billings, the Billings Gazette and A&E Design. Her work gave her purpose and opportunities to pursue her two passions: helping others and telling others’ stories. In her off hours, she practiced yoga, volunteered at the Salvation Army and enjoyed the role of partner in her young marriage. In her early 30s, her life took yet another turn when nephrologist Heather McGuire offered a new take on Tiffini’s crushed dream of motherhood. N, HOLDEN

TIFFINI AT

R SO TMENTS WITH HE ONE OF HER TREA

“She said, ‘Well Tiffini, do you wish you weren’t born?’,” Tiffini recalls. “That was such a powerful statement to me.” Tiffini knew it’d be a high-risk pregnancy, but she was willing to take the chance. “It’s a fifty-fifty toss-up whether your child could inherit PKD,” she says. “But I was so inspired by that advice. We decided ‘Let’s do it!’” Ultimately, Tiffini gave birth to a healthy baby boy — Holden — although the pre-eclampsia she had experienced toward the end of the pregnancy took a toll on her kidney function. Yet she returned to work for several years, until a kidney cyst ruptured while she was at her desk writing. The excruciating event led to an infection that precipitated her second life, a life of chronic pain. During one period she spent more than a year virtually bedridden, taking narcotics to get through the day while simultaneously attempting to care for her toddler son.

ET PERFORMS NOT DEAD YET PO E TH A K. A. I, IN TIFF POETRY JAM 2025 LOUIS DREYFEST

AT JULIA

“At times, I couldn’t bathe myself. I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t stand upright,” she says. “We thought there is no way this could last.” But it did. Unable to work she saw no option but to apply for disability. She describes the process as “grueling.” A visit to Mayo Clinic, where she saw Dr. Vincent Torres, known as the “Godfather of PKD,” confirmed what she was experiencing. “A certain percent have rapidly progressing polycystic kidney disease,” she says. “He said it was just my genetic lottery.” As the pain took control, she tried fentanyl patches, acupuncture and nerve blocks to no avail. She was prescribed the drug, Jynarque. At $21,000 a month, it’s the first drug to gain approval for patients with the aggressive form of PKD. As Tiffini’s pain persisted, surgeons decided to remove Tiffini’s excessively enlarged left kidney to allow more room for her right — hoping it would offer relief. But the pain proved relentless.

HO HAS MOM, TAMMY, W TIFFINI AND HER JOURNEY SUPPORT IN HER 28

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BEEN A HUGE

This summer, when her kidney function dropped below 20 percent, Tiffini celebrated. The news meant that she finally qualified for a kidney transplant, a life-saving procedure that might still be years into the future.

“They told me to expect four to six years,” she says. “That took the wind out of my sails.” While the role of donor is much less arduous than that of a recipient, she knows it’s still a big ask. But it’s a big ask she takes on as her current mission in life. Meanwhile, she strategically plans her activities around the monthly treatments that offer her moderate relief. She started a support group for others who deal with chronic pain and illness and she’s authoring a memoir in which she deals with the impacts of chronic pain on one’s mental health, finances and relationships. And when the muse moves her, she writes poetry, referring to herself as the “Not Dead Yet Poet.” “It’s a creative outlet and gives me the ability to laugh and spread awareness,” she says. Last year, as her condition worsened, she was recognized in the Gazette’s “40 Under 40.” As Tiffini faces the prospect of dialysis, she’s thankful for support from family and friends. Her parents have relocated from Florida to Montana to assist her and a sister is currently undergoing testing to see if she might be a match. “She’s actually told me since she was 12 years old that she wanted to give me a kidney when the time came,” Tiffini says. Besides her own prognosis, Tiffini was dealt another blow that brought her to her knees. Noticing blood in Holden’s urine during potty training, she had him tested. “He does have it,” she says. Today, Tiffini relies on weekly therapy to keep from being consumed by despair. She was particularly moved when her therapist suggested a new perspective on the future of mother and son. “She said, ‘Who better to model for Holden how to face the adversity of his disease than his mother?’” Tiffini says, “That gave me purpose.” Purpose continues to drive Tiffini as she promotes organ donation. Even if one donor’s kidney is no match for her, there’s a likelihood it will help someone else. And it may allow Tiffini to move up the waiting list. “I can’t say I’ll ever go back to the life I lived,” she says, “but the prospect of living a life free of chronic kidney pain and complications is nearly unfathomable. It’s enough to give me hope.” Tiffini clenches that fragile thread of hope as tightly as she can. She is determined to live her third life. ✻

Becoming a Live Organ Donor UNDERSTANDING THE JOURNEY, THE RISKS, AND THE RESOURCES

All adults in the United States — and in some states people under age 18 — can sign up to be an organ donor. The process involves a thorough medical and psychosocial evaluation to ensure the donor is a good candidate. If approved, a date will be set for surgery. The procedure for a kidney is often laparoscopic. Recovery will likely involve a brief hospital stay, typically one to three days and will bring some pain, discomfort and exhaustion. The recipient’s insurance will typically cover medical expenses while the donor may be eligible for financial assistance for lost wages and travel. The risks are considered low but can include allergic reactions, bleeding, infection blood clots and exhaustion.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

go to uofulivingdonor.org. And to help Tiffini on her journey, consider donating to her GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/a-new-

kidney-for-tiffini-help-her-heal

LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA, writer

SCAN TO BECOME A SCAN TO DONATE LIVING ORGAN DONOR! DOLLARS TO THE CAUSE!

A long-time resident of the Columbus area, Linda Halstead-Acharya enjoys spending time and learning from her rural neighbors. She has a degree in wildlife biology but for the past 25 years has pursued a career sharing other people's stories in print. She loves riding, writing and traveling.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

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we can do

s g n i Th d r a H

AN ACCIDENT TOOK KARSYN HORNBY’S LEG, BUT GAVE HER A CALLING TO HELP OTHERS written by JULIE KOERBER photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

AS A MOM of an infant baby girl named Ari and a 3-1/2-year-

old son named Dax, Karsyn Hornby has to be quick on her feet. There have been times when she’s picked up her son from preschool that she’s been innocently reminded by her son’s school friends that her feet look a little different. “Some of the kids will say, ‘Look at that robot leg,’ or ‘Look at the girl with one leg,’ and my son is just standing there and will say, ‘This is my mom. She got hit by a car. She has one leg,’” Karsyn says, proud of her son’s response. “He doesn’t understand yet that maybe it makes my life a little different, but I think he’ll appreciate that as he gets a little older. I want him to know that if things happen in your life, you have the skills to get through it.” Having the skills is something Karsyn regularly preaches and has been one of the most powerful lessons learned over the last 18 years. 2008. It was the summer before Karsyn’s freshman year in high school. Living in the small town of Buffalo, Wyoming, Karsyn and three of her friends got a wild hair to take Karsyn’s mom’s car and hit the city’s pool for some ice cream and a little fun. Even though they didn’t have permission to take the car, one of the girls was 15 and could drive.

“They initially saved my limb. They harvested a vein from my leg and used it to try to get blood flow because the nerve was still intact. They waited three days,” Karsyn says. “It ended up not working.” What resulted was two more surgeries. The last one was defining. “I remember waking up,” Karsyn says. “I could feel how light my leg was. I moved in the bed and I remember saying, ‘It’s gone.’ The weight wasn’t there.” While she initially processed the loss of her leg well, within months, she slipped into a deep depression. “I was very hateful, very dark,” Karsyn says of her 13-year-old self. “I would have ideation about suicide. I never planned anything, but I thought about it often.”

I THINK OWNERSHIP IS A REALLY BIG VALUE OF MINE. IT WAS EMBARRASSING AND DIFFICULT, BUT I WAS ABLE TO SAY, I CAN OWN MY ACTION IN THIS.

When she started to own her part in her accident, her life started to shift.

“I reinvented myself,” Karsyn says simply. She started to focus on the things she could do instead of the things she couldn’t. She got attached to mantras — Karsyn Hornby and quotes and found herself plastering inspirational Post-it notes everywhere. She still clings to a Marianne Williamson quote which in part reads, “As we let “My other friend, who was 13, asked if our own light shine, we unconsciously she could drive,” Karsyn says, adding give other people permission to do the that while she screamed ‘no’ in her head, she didn’t say a word. same.” Karsyn says, “I think I related to that because I wanted to “She hopped in the driver’s seat and drove home.” When it came hide myself a lot and that only brought more pain.” time to pull her mom’s car into the garage, Karsyn got out to try to direct her friend into her mom’s parking spot. She knew if it Within time, she started to speak publicly about her experience, wasn’t parked just right, they’d get caught. sharing with driver’s education students, high school crowds and “She tapped the gas and the car lurched forward, hit me and crushed me and my leg into a wood bench we had in the garage. The car pinned me against the wall and completely smashed my leg,” Karsyn says. “My bone was sticking out. I almost bled-out in the garage.” Karsyn was airlifted to the hospital in Casper for surgery.

anyone else who needed a dose of inspiration. She’s given talks, she guesses, upwards of 50 times. Each time proved a little more therapeutic. “I think ownership is a really big value of mine,” Karsyn says. “It was embarrassing and difficult, but I was able to say, I can own my action in this.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

Three years after her accident, Karsyn got a job at the local gym working the front desk. It lit a fire in her for fitness. When she moved to Billings for college, she found a job at a gym here. The decision completely changed her career focus. The owner of the fitness facility saw something in Karsyn and asked if she ever thought about becoming a personal trainer. By the time she turned 18, she was certified and fell in love with the job. “Sometimes you just need this gentle suggestion from someone and it can change your whole life,” Karsyn says. College brought her to Montana State University Billings where she earned a degree in health and human performance. She’d eventually go on to earn a master’s of science in athletic training and began teaching at the university. While she spent years as a personal trainer, for the past two she’s worked with veterans as a health and wellness coach through the Veteran’s Administration.

ME BACK WITH A VOLLEYBALL GA KARSYN’S FIRST HOOL BUFFALO HIGH SC PROSTHETIC AT

“I’m not a veteran and I would never claim to go through those hardships. However, I think I’ve experienced something really hard that I had to grieve through,” Karsyn says. “Sometimes we can just connect on that level — the grief in me recognizes the grief you’re experiencing. Let’s use this in the path forward.” While she’s impacting veterans on a daily basis, she’s earned a reputation for being “the one to call” when someone finds themselves a new amputee. “She came to visit me right out of the hospital,” says Andrew Walker, who lost his leg a little over a year ago. “It was a strep infection that started in my right heel,” he says, recounting the events of Christmas Eve 2024. “I started to notice it. I didn’t have a fever,” he says, adding the infection was so fast moving, that by Christmas day, he was in the hospital, intubated and clinging to life.

Y WITH R FIRST SURGER KARSYN AFTER HE (R) COUSIN, DAYLAN KEEGAN (L) AND

HER BROTHER,

“It was a rough time,” he says, spending weeks in the intensive care unit, much of it unconscious. “I almost died and I lost my right leg. I had to figure out how to be a dad and go back to work and be active again,” he says, adding that he had zero preparation for what life was throwing at him. When he finally went home, he found himself in a deep depression, hobbling around his home with a walker. “You go home and you realize that it’s really not ever going to be the same,” Andrew says. That’s tough. It’s a tough reality check.” That’s when Karsyn paid him a visit. “She’s really helped me process that trauma and move forward,” Andrew says. Karsyn showed him how to take his new prosthetic leg on and off. She’s been there for him when questions arose. “One thing that stuck with me was that this is going to be hard, but she said, ‘it’s okay, because we can do hard,’” Andrew says with emotion. “It was the acknowledgment that, yes, it’s going to be difficult, but you can do it. And, this was coming from someone who has done it.” A year later and it’s a whole new world for Andrew. A former endurance runner, over the summer he was fitted with a running blade and has started to learn the mechanics of adaptive running. “The other day, I ran for three minutes straight and I was like, ‘Hell yeah!’” Andrew says with a laugh. He’s got his sights set on a mountain race called The Rut, a six-mile course that is both up

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and down hill. While he did the 18-mile version twice before he lost his leg, today, he’s content. “Just finishing will be enough,” Andrew says. You could say Andrew is following in Karsyn’s footsteps in trying to inspire fellow amputees. Together, they lead a relatively new amputee support group each month at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Montana in Billings. “She has a calm and quiet way about her,” says Lynn Ratcliff, who works as the hospital’s Director of Business Development. She’d heard Karsyn’s name pop up time and time again as someone who was an ally for new amputees. So, when the opportunity arose to look for a leader of the support group, Lynn knew in her gut that Karsyn was a perfect fit for the role. “She has such a positive approach and attitude about her life and how she has been able to thrive through everything that she’s gone through after a traumatic amputation,” Lynn says. “The inspiration she shares with others is just phenomenal.” On a recent Monday evening, a half-dozen members of that community met to connect and bounce things off each other. The group chatted about comfortable sleep positions, how to get through the airport with a prosthetic, and even more obscure questions like when they dream, do they have both limbs? Each question brought thought-provoking answers, colorful stories and, most importantly, bonding time. “Has your nerve pain gone away?” one member asks. Phantom pain, when nerves continue to try to fire to the missing limb, can be debilitating and it is often the worst right after an amputation. “I have times when I am just sitting there and it feels like my foot is exploding,” says Kelly Stokes. He suffered an accident seven years ago at work but elected to amputate his leg five years ago after severe pain crushed his quality of life.

KELLY STOKES, KARSYN AND ANDREW WALKER

“I was run over by a forklift,” Kelly says of his accident. It left him with nine broken bones from the knee down, a ruptured Achilles tendon, and a severely dislocated ankle. He ended up getting sepsis and doctors were forced to remove much of his injured calf. “On a day-to-day basis, my pain was probably anywhere from a six or a seven and then, I would have spikes of 8, 9 and 10 almost daily, especially at night,” he says. His sleep was nonexistent. “I thought, ‘I don’t want to live the rest of my life like this.’” That’s when his physical therapist put him in touch with Karsyn. “She told me, ‘Hey, I know this girl and she is an above-the-knee amputee,” Kelly says. She kicks butt and does anything and everything that she wants to. I think it would be good for you to get in touch.” He was amazed at Karsyn’s attitude and ability. “When I first started talking with her, she was doing yoga and Pilates. She was hiking and skiing,” Kelly says. “I thought, well, if I do this, I don’t think it will be the end of the world. I might have to make some adjustments, but I think overall I can do better than I am now.” He’s intensely grateful that Karsyn helped him work through his decision. After his surgery, she was there to answer questions like, do you put your leg on when you get up in the middle of the night? Or, what happens if you are on vacation and your leg breaks? “Honestly, the words are hard to describe,” he says. “My life looks way better. I’m blessed beyond anything that I could have imagined. That mindset is 95% thanks to Karsyn.”

KARSYN & LYNN RATCLIFF JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

KARSYN AND HER HUSBAND, ETHAN, WITH THEIR TWO CHILDREN ARI AND DAX

To sit back and watch Karsyn’s magic at work, Lynn says, has been nothing short of inspiring. “Karsyn has helped Kelly and she’s helped Andew and she’s helped dozens of other people. I would challenge that her investment in those people is paid forward so many times,” Lynn says. “I think Karsyn greatly underestimates the impact she’s had in our amputee community and in our region. It’s significant and it’s beautiful to watch.” Her dedication is proving to be contagious. “That same thing Karsyn did for me, I’m trying to pay it forward to help someone else pull through that darkness a little bit,” Andrew says. “It’s a good feeling. It really is.” When asked how she feels about the accolades, Karsyn is quick to brush it off saying she doesn’t want to take away from anyone else’s journey. She prefers to think of herself as a catalyst.

— Kelly Stokes

There have been times that Karsyn has had to take a bit of her own advice and dig deep to find that inner greatness. Ten years ago, she had to overcome a massive limb infection that had been dormant since her amputation. It brought a year of crutches and additional surgeries. She’s faced comfort issues with her prosYVW MAGAZINE

“There’s an adaptive division, and that just called to me,” Karsyn says with a laugh. “I was like, ‘oh, that’s my jam!’”

MY LIFE LOOKS WAY BETTER. I’M BLESSED BEYOND ANYTHING THAT I COULD HAVE IMAGINED. THAT MINDSET IS 95% THANKS TO KARSYN.

“You facilitate someone’s greatness that they already had. You know that it’s there and it’s theirs,” Karsyn says. “I am just helping to pull on the strings. What’s going to get you to take that initial step forward.”

thetic and learned pregnancy does a number on the way her prosthetic leg fits. She takes each issue in stride, is big on self-care, and chooses to focus on new challenges to keep pushing herself forward. Right now, that includes training for what’s called a HYROX competition, an event which pairs running with different functional workout stations to test strength and endurance.

While she prides herself on showing her children that anything is possible in life, she makes sure she finds outlets to share that message with others who are in the midst of a struggle. “I love humans,” Karsyn says. “I love connecting to people.” Over the years, that’s meant meeting people in their hardest moments.

“I think I have a sensitivity and to not just say, ‘Oh, it’s all going to be fine.’ Instead, I say, ‘I can really empathize with that thing you are feeling. I was there. I remember it,’” Karsyn says. “Just getting in the trenches with people because you do understand it.” She encourages others to recognize their own strength and capacity to endure, even with they’re not ready to see it yet. “I want them to exit feeling encouraged, feeling just a little bit lighter, a little bit more positive,” she says. “I can’t make others lean into it, but I can encourage them to try.” ✻

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ICONIC PEOPLE

Cliff Potts had two goals every day First, to stay alive Second, to do something of value Cliff Potts

April 28, 1942 – October 24, 2019

Struck by polio at age fifteen, Cliff became a quadriplegic – but he refused to let that define him.

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Brewing

Community

CARLA BROWNSON IS POURING LOVE, PURPOSE, AND BELONGING INTO BILLINGS’ COFFEE CULTURE written by BECKY HILLIER photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

FROM SMALL TOWN cafes to big city centers, for decades

people have gathered together and around cups of coffee to talk a little business or share some hot “tea” between friends. Maybe you need the jolt of caffeine, or you just crave the camaraderie that comes with it. For Carla Brownson, the owner of Maple Moose Coffee and Pop Shop in Annafeld, a southwest Billings subdivision, there’s something much more meaningful brewing in that seemingly simple cup of Joe. Coffee is a conduit to connect people, ideas, even communities. It turns out, Carla is too. To understand how Carla and coffee became a thing is to believe that everything happens for a reason. Growing up in Lewistown, she thrived in the friendly, small-town atmosphere where neighbors helped neighbors and there were no strangers. “I’m a small-town kid. I think that has something to do with why I have things the way they are today,” Carla says.

“We always had these avenues to work with young people. It’s just so fun,” she adds. Then, she unknowingly stumbled onto a new path. “My parents and uncle purchased a coffee kiosk back in 1999 in Lewistown,” remembers Carla. “I was living in Billings, newly married and my mom asked if I wanted to come to barista training and just learn. I was like, ‘sure.’” What seemed like an afterthought at the time laid the groundwork for her future. “I went to all that training way back then and, my, how things have changed.”

ING S I R P TER ✴✴✴ ✴ EN MAN ✴ WO ✴ ✴

She set her sights on becoming a teacher, so a degree in elementary education and a job teaching pre-K at Shiloh Christian Academy in Billings, were steps toward that goal. “I love working with kids,” she says. Between Carla’s teaching and her husband’s various roles in youth ministry over the years, it seemed she was doing exactly what she was called to do.

✴

She didn’t quit her day job but she did put her barista training to good use over the years. “I always worked at coffee shops, kind of as a therapeutic side-gig,” she says. “I am definitely a people person. People give me energy.”

From Montana to Tennessee and back to Montana, Carla has worked at a variety of coffee shops, even managing the one at Clydehurst Christian Ranch in McLeod, Montana, where husband Scott is now a director. With fulfilling careers and three children of their own, Carla and Scott were content. While building their house in Josephine Crossing eight years ago, the opportunity presented itself for Carla to combine her passion for people and her joy of java. “Greg McCall (the developer of Josephine Crossing) said they were starting a new location in Annafeld, and they wanted to

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

WHEN I HIRE NEW PEOPLE, I TELL THEM SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT MESS UP DRINKS AND YOU MIGHT GET THINGS WRONG, BUT WHAT MATTERS MOST TO ME IS HOW YOU TREAT OUR CUSTOMERS. IT’S IMPORTANT THAT YOU LEARN THEIR NAMES AND LEARN THEIR DRINKS. IT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL GOOD. — Carla Brownson

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have a marketplace-type area” Carla recalls. “We were pumped that Elysian School is right there and kids could walk down after school. We told Greg, ‘We have an idea.’” The idea was not to build a sterile, cookie-cutter coffee shop. Instead, she wanted to create a cozy spot filled with friendship and conversation. A hangout for kids after school. A haven of hospitality where generations could meet, mingle and make memories. In Carla’s words, “We wanted to create a community.”

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After years of planning and patience, Maple Moose Coffee and Pop Shop officially opened in January 2023. The friendship flowed, goodwill was poured into every patron and that community Carla prayed for was born. Maria Knight, a regular at Maple Moose, can attest to the successful execution of Carla’s philosophy and vision for her comfy, caffeinated corner of the world. “It has a warm, cozy vibe, like going into your family’s house,” says Maria. “It’s really nice to have this communal space to get to know people within my community. We can bring the kids or have a game night or host a baby shower. It’s the perfect spot.” Carla points to a place on the wall that says, “Welcome to Maple Moose Country. Today is better with you here.” “When I hire new people,” she adds, “I tell them sometimes you might mess up drinks and you might get things wrong, but what matters most to me is how you treat our customers. It’s important that you learn their names and learn their drinks. It makes people feel good.”

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Carla’s customer-centric approach and reputation soon garnered attention from other entities in the community, like Rock 31 in downtown Billings, which invited her to open a satellite Maple Moose in their building last July. Opportunity knocked again when Community Leadership and Development Inc., or CLDI, reached out to Carla about taking over operations at Rail Line Coffee on the South Side of Billings. CLDI is a faith-based organization whose original vision for Rail Line was to provide jobs through an apprenticeship program for those who lacked job experience. It would give employees training, job skills and an income, while also reinvesting in the community.

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— ON OCT. 11, 2025 —

MAPLE MOOSE AT RAIL LINE OPENED CLDI, a faith-based organization, invited Carla to take over operations at Rail Line Coffee, a South Side Billings café created to provide job training and reinvest in the community. 44

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Carey Darlington, CLDI’s Operation and Development Director, says Carla was an obvious choice for Rail Line. “Carla and her husband just missionally aligned very closely with CLDI, the values we wish to represent and put forth,” she says. “Our intention was never to be in the coffee business. it was to get it going and get it running. Our goal is to always move quality, good people to the South Side so we’re just so excited to move in a partner that really embodies the flavor of what we do at CLDI.”

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Carla felt honored when CLDI approached her. “They said we would really love for you to come in and take over this space,” she recalls. “They asked how I would feel about their apprenticeship program and I said, ‘Great, let’s do it now.’” A lease was signed and on Oct. 11, 2025, and Maple Moose at Rail Line opened. “The thing that really excites me about the South Side is I would love to see Rail Line eventually feel like the Annafeld location,” she says. “We brought our ice cream and our soda down there; we’ve repositioned things and have a couch seating area. We want the South Side families to know ‘this is a place for you.’” It’s a personal calling for Carla, who got to know some of the families on the South Side while working for the after-school program at Friendship House last spring. Her heart and compassion for kids and community grew even more through the experience. Now, she can bring her brand of community-building where it’s needed most.

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“We have a plaque in our house that says ‘Love God and Love Others’ and that’s been kind of my mantra,” Carla says. “I love Jesus, I love people. That’s the whole point.” If you believe everything happens for a reason, then you can clearly see how Carla and coffee became a thing. What was once her fun side-gig has all along been the perfect metaphor for a ministry of her own — pouring the very best parts of herself into every person she meets, filling their cups with not only coffee, but kindness, compassion and love.

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“I’ve cried tears of joy. I’ve cried tears of frustration,” she says. “There are days I can’t believe I was brave enough to do this, and I have to thank my husband. I couldn’t have done it without him. I do feel like this is what God has called me to do, to be a light in my community and to love people well.” ✻

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BECKY HILLIER, writer Born and raised in Miles City, Becky spent 20 years as an award-winning local news anchor. She served as a board member of Big Sky Honor Flight which helped fly WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. to see their war memorials, free of charge. Becky served as the director of communications and media for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). She currently works for the NILE Rodeo in Billings. Her husband is a Billings Police Officer and they have two adult children.

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written by LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

AWARD-WINNING LIBRARY GETS NEW DIRECTOR

NEW ENERGY

NEW IDEAS,

FOR THOSE WHO THINK “BOOKS,” when they think

about the Billings Public Library, think again. Sure, the city’s library still offers thousands of titles — both actual books as well as digital and audio versions. But the brand-new library director, Kelsie Rubich, blasts the long-held stereotype that libraries are merely book depositories. She also blasts the stereotype of the “shushing” librarian. Instead, picture the tall, vibrant 41-year-old as a one-time wannabe firefighter and a competitive weightlifter. No doubt her bold spirit shapes her approach at the library, where she’s got a mission in mind: to keep the library ever-adapting and relevant to the needs of the Billings community. “One thing about libraries,” she says, “is they’re really great about evolving. My vision is to honor the history of this library’s 124-year legacy, but I do want to push the boundaries from what we’ve done in the past.” Currently, one in three Yellowstone County residents has a library card. She’d like to double that number. As she strives toward that goal, she welcomes new ideas just as she nurtures ideas that have already proven popular.

“I’m curious. I prioritize personal growth. I’m not afraid of taking on challenges,” she says. Officially named library director last November, she earned that title by way of 25 years of library experience, starting as a high school student shelving books at the community college in Yakima, Washington. “I was a library user as a kid,” she says. “I was really excited to have that first job.” In college, she earned a bachelor’s degree, with a specialization in library studies and information systems, and later added a master’s degree in information science — all the while working in the schools’ libraries.

I’D REALLY LOVE TO HAVE PEOPLE COME TO THE LIBRARY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY CONNECT WITH. THERE REALLY IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE — AND THAT’S BY DESIGN. — Kelsie Rubich

Kelsie sees the library as a civic center, a hub that offers not only information but spaces for patrons to meet and a source of innovative programs for everyone. “I’d really love to have people come to the library and figure out what they connect with,” she says. “There really is something for everyone — and that’s by design.” New ideas and strategic planning come naturally to Kelsie, who considers herself a life-long learner.

After graduating, she spent years in various positions, from leading story times to teen programming to general reference, at several branches of the Timberland Regional Library system, a 27-branch system in the South Puget Sound. While in the Tacoma area, she met Colin Rubich, a native Montanan who was stationed there as a Judge Advocate in the Army. By 2014 the couple had moved to Billings, where he became a federal prosecutor and she landed a job at the brand-new Billings Public Library.

“There just happened to be an opening when I moved here,” she says. “The new library opened six months before I started.” It was also about that time that the library nearly lost Kelsie. “Shortly after I moved here, I was thinking, is this what I want to do forever?” she says.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

THE LIBRARY EXPRESS LOCKER PROJECT OFFERS PATRONS 24/7 ACCESS TO MATERIALS THEY HAVE ORDERED ONLINE.

The self-described “adrenaline junkie” had long dreamt of being a firefighter. She trained, passed the tests, took an EMT course and volunteered at the Lockwood Fire Department. But the reality of being a firefighter — mostly medical calls — didn’t appeal to her. “That vision in my head didn’t align with reality,” she says.

spearheaded — projects, she stresses, that wouldn’t have been accomplished without partnerships from local businesses as well as support from the friends of the library and the library foundation. “You can have a vision, but you need a team to realize it,” she says.

It was also about that time that she became pregnant with her first son, Carter, now eight. Two years later, she gave birth to Liam.

One such brainchild is the Library Express Locker Project, which offers patrons 24/7 access to materials they have ordered online. The concept was born from the Covid era, when patrons drove up to the curb for book pick-ups.

“I’m glad it worked out how it did,” she says. “That wasn’t the job for me.”

“We wondered, how could we extend that service without putting a burden on staff?” she recalls.

Today she fuels her need for a challenge through her professional role. “Here, every day is always different,” she says. “I never know what I’ll learn or what I’ll be asked to make a decision about.”

The project started with one set of lockers just outside the library. Since then, and in partnership with Intermountain Health and the Children’s Clinic, the library has added lockers in three other locations: outside the clinic off Wicks Lane, at the walk-in clinic in Lockwood and at the children’s clinic off Zimmerman.

On her rise to the apex in Billings, she dedicated years in various library departments, from senior outreach librarian to information systems coordinator, and finally, in 2022, to assistant director. “I think it affords me a unique perspective — to look back,” she says. “I know the value of the work we do.” Nowadays she finds fulfillment by supporting and mentoring her staff. She is quick to credit them for making the library not only function, but function with heart. “The connections we make with our patrons, that human element, that really resonates with me personally,” she says. “And seeing them (staff) thrive and advance into positions, I love that part of my job.”

“It was really this innovative idea for us — something no other library in Montana had (nor has) attempted,” she says. “They really exploded. Many days the lockers are full.” In fact, it was the locker project that earned the Billings Public Library recognition as Montana’s Library of the Year for 2025. “For us, that’s a huge honor,” Kelsie says, crediting library staff for making it happen. “It just speaks in recognition of our organization that’s willing to take these innovative risks.” Another game-changer is the library’s maker space, the CO+LAB, which just celebrated its first year. Its name, she explains, combines the words “collaboration” and “laboratory.”

As Kelsie moved into administrative positions, she came to realize she had a knack for taking the long view.

“Our vision for the space is to create opportunities for people of all ages to explore, learn, and create together,” she says.

“I discovered I loved the administrative side of things and shaping the future,” she says. “That’s when I started thinking bigger, thinking both creatively and strategically.”

The goal was to make 3-D printing, sound production and laser printing accessible to everyone. The library even provides a “mini-maker” program for kids and allows patrons to check out and take home 3-D printers, sewing machines and podcasting kits.

“Thinking bigger” paved the way for several projects that Kelsie 48

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While she looks to the future, Kelsie also relates to the past. She is the first woman library director in the last 35 years, but she follows a long history of women library directors/head librarians, tracing back to 1901 when Mabel Collins was hired as the library’s first head librarian. Despite the chasm of 124 years, Kelsie sees parallels between today’s library and Billings’ first library. “Back in the early 1900s, it was already being used for more than access to books,” Kelsie says. “They used the library for programs and meetings, which led to two expansions in its first 20 years.” Today, the library offers more than 100 different programs each month and counted more than 3,000 reservations for meeting spaces in the past year. Now as director, Kelsie contemplates expanding library access through smaller branch locations. “It’s unusual for an area this size (encompassing 2,600 square miles and counting 170,000 residents) to be served by one single branch,” she says. She knows it’s a stretch and she’s well aware of her challenges — a growing demand for services on a flat budget — but she’s eager to take them on. “I kind of lean into those challenges,” she says, smiling. “I’m hopeful that it’s not a ‘forever challenge.’ I consider myself to be a tenacious and persistent person. I don’t give up easily.” ✻

? W O N K U DID YO RARY OFFERS IB L IC L B U P S THE BILLING GRAMS IN… PRO ➨ CRAFT MAKING ➨ Speakers and author readings ➨ DEMOCRACY BUILDING ➨ Knitting and crocheting groups ➨ FREE MOVIES ➨ Story time ➨F OREIGN LANGUAGE CONVERSATION GROUPS ➨A memory lab for digitizing old photos and negatives ➨ A SEED LIBRARY ➨…and so much more!

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Growing THE

Wild JESSICA HART IS GUIDING ZOOMONTANA’S NEXT CHAPTER written by LAURA BAILEY photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

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WHEN JESSICA HART, the executive

director of ZooMontana, talks about the zoo, she uses the words “home,” “family,” and “community.” Sure, the zoo is home to more than 50 species of animals, but for Jessica, it’s more than tigers, bears, a sloth, and a pen of playful red pandas. It’s how ZooMontana opens its gates every day, providing a warm welcome to visitors from across the region. “ZooMontana is a community for all our staff, and it’s a place for our community,” Jessica says. “I hope visitors find that sense of home we have here. The zoo brings a lot of people together.” Jessica came to ZooMontana in 2020 as an events coordinator, but soon was promoted to chief operations officer, working alongside former ZooMontana Executive Director Jeff Ewelt. While Jeff was the one in the spotlight, Jessica focused her attention on building organizational structure and enhancing workplace culture. In 2023, Jeff suggested they begin working on a succession plan. It was a preparedness measure that checked an important organizational box. The plan was finalized in 2024, and that’s when Jessica was tagged for the interim executive director role. “It was decided that if something were to happen, I would be the person,” Jessica says. And then something did happen. Jeff took a job at a zoo in Nebraska. It left Jessica suddenly in the role of interim executive director.

••• VISIT •••

ZOOMONTANA online at

zoomontana.org or in real life at 2100 S. Shiloh Rd. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

“I think he knew in the back of his mind what he was going to do and planted a seed in me,” Jessica says. That was in February 2024, and when the opportunity to apply to be the permanent executive director came, she knew it was what she’d come to ZooMontana to do. She stepped into the role of executive director in August last year. “I always knew I was meant to work with people and help them find their thing,” she says. “I never knew I would be running a zoo, but I’m happy to be here.” As often as she can, Jessica takes a break and walks the zoo grounds and chats with visitors. When she has only a few minutes to take a break, she visits the animals in the indoor exhibits, just outside her office. Sydney, the kookaburra, recognizes her and greets her with a loud call. “She’s her own bird,” Jessica says. “I don’t know what we’d do if we didn’t have Sydney.” ZooMontana sits on a 72-acre footprint, and today, only 35 acres are developed. There’s plenty of room to grow, but Jessica is focused on intentional and timely steps.

“I want us to grow. We’re in the teenage stage when it comes to the zoo realm,” Jessica says. “We want to continue to grow in a beautiful way.” ZooMontana is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). It is a rigorous accreditation process, but the layout and design of ZooMontana is already ahead of the curve compared to other zoos. “AZA is trying to move zoos toward more natural habitats, like the ones we have already at ZooMontana,” Jessica says. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

ZooMontana has always had a focus on animals from the 45th parallel, so all the animals in the collection are accustomed to the climate in Billings. “It helps our animals be able to stay outside for the majority of the days of their lives,” Jessica says. A recent surprise arrival of two juvenile bobcats has Jessica and the staff at ZooMontana buzzing. “I went to Montana State, and I cheered for the Cats. Of course I wanted to have bobcats,” Jessica says, adding that the bobcats will complement the grizzlies already at the zoo, a play on Montana’s classic rivalry between the University of Montana’s Grizzlies and Montana State’s Bobcats.

of animals the zoo can have. One of the initiatives that Jessica took on in her years as COO and plans to continue is developing a strong, positive workplace culture. There are between 30 and 40 employees, depending on time of year, a few interns and hundreds of volunteers. In addition to the animals at ZooMontana, there are 10 gardens, including a botanical park, that are all tended by volunteers. “The place looks the way that it does because of them,” Jessica says. As a Billings native, Jessica has been to ZooMontana so many times over the years that she can’t recall her first visit. This place had just always been a part of her life. Now as a married mom of two boys, 8 and 4, her sones now know their way around as if it were their neighborhood.

The two bobcat kittens were found when they were very young and turned over to Montana Wild, a rehabilitation center run by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. The mission of the organization is to return animals to the wild, but in the case of these two bobcats, returning them to the wild wasn’t an option. They had beI WANT US TO GROW. WE’RE IN come habituated to their human keepTHE TEENAGE STAGE WHEN IT ers. Fierca the lynx, a longtime ZooMontana ambassador, is older and nearing the end of her life. She’s no longer on exhibit, and with some updates, her enclosure could be used to house the bobcats when she passes. But for now, they’re in a temporary habitat as they become accustomed to their new caretakers and life at ZooMontana.

COMES TO THE ZOO REALM. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO GROW IN A BEAUTIFUL WAY. — Jessica Hart

“Fierca was an ambassador for ZooMontana for many years, but she’s a homebody now,” Jessica says. Jessica tries to make time every day to sit with the bobcats in their enclosure. She wants them to know her and trust her in hopes that they will step into an ambassador role someday, and Jessica will be able take them to schools and events.

“It has been a really cool experience to have my kids grow up in this space,” she says. Jessica knows she’s following in big footsteps. Jeff, known as Jeff the Nature Guy, was a dynamic and visible fixture at the zoo and in the community. Jessica is determined to keep that energy alive at ZooMontana. “We miss him dearly,” Jessica says, “but he’s just a text or phone call away if I need him.”

While Jessica admits that she never would have thought she’d be running a zoo, she’s grateful to be able to step in at a time when visitor numbers and community support are on the rise. “I’m always surprised when I hear people from Billings and Yellowstone County say they didn’t know there was a zoo here,” Jessica says. “I want them to know there’s a zoo here, but I also want people across the state to know there’s a zoo here for them, too. This is their zoo too.” ✻

“It’s just so they know who I am in case I have the chance to take them out some time,” she says. The latest capital project is the Wild and Well Animal Health Center, an onsite veterinary clinic for zoo animals. Currently, animals need to be transported out of the zoo for vet care and the logistics of moving zoo animals and impact to the animals is substantial. The Wild and Well Animal Health Center will eliminate those concerns and also pave the way for increasing the number

LAURA BAILEY, writer

Laura is a Red Lodge based storyteller with more than 20 years experience. When she's not tapping away on her keyboard, chances are she's off on an adventure with her family or starting another DIY project. You can find her online at www.penandlight.com.

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IT’S OVER, I’M DONE,

YV W COLU MN IST

written by KAREN GROSZ

and Moving On

I USED TO SAY that I would never say “way back when” or anything that reeked of being stuck in the past. Now that I have more past than future, I find myself saying it a bit more often than I would wish. Like now, for instance. You see, way back when, when I was young and scared, poor and trying to do things I did not know how to do — like love a husband, raise a child and run a home — I started sewing for the people I loved.

My younger siblings received colorful clothes with all of the buttons fully attached, as well as all of the trailing threads because cutting threads did not interest me. My mom never received a blouse with a hem because finishing the project was not nearly as much fun as starting it. My mother-in-law, a classy dresser, once received a jacket with a note about how awful I thought it was, and a release from mandatory wearings. She found the note in the pocket while giving a presentation to a church group. I assume that really boosted her confidence. Still, I began to identify as a seamstress and

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earned a tidy sum for projects I was proud to sell. It was sewing that taught me math in the real world and color theory, that I actually could set a goal, accomplish it and have value in the world. Eventually, I had a sewing room filled with fabrics and loads of projects conceived, some finished and many abandoned. That room was not safe to enter with bare feet or time constraint. It was a haven for losing myself to the act of creation. Because sewing was my “thing,” I had the nicest sewing machine, the best scissors and equipment only found in the garment district. Then I started working, training, traveling, and slowly cleaning out the detritus of projects that no longer interested me. It was over and I was moving on. Over the years, the topof-the-line sewing machine came out of the closet for quick hems and a few Christmas projects. Then, as luck would have it, last year we headed to Yellowstone Hot Springs for an early spring getaway, just as the snow started falling. And falling. And falling. We stopped in Big Timber for lunch and to rethink our plans. Paul ordered lunch and I dove into the quilt shop for entertainment.

ly in ana’s 14th. org

hase mber inals ana. orial ring

Quite entertained, I left the quilt shop with two quilt kits, three projects and new scissors. (And chocolate — if you have not seen their chocolate counter you have not lived.) We turned for home, forgoing hot tubs for hot chocolate and warm projects. I pulled out my trusty machine and found that it was no longer up to the challenge. It bucked and skipped, revved and wandered and by Sunday afternoon I was over it — the project abandoned. I pulled that project out a few weeks ago, determined to complete what I meant as a gift for my daughter, Liz. As I machine quilted it, with skipped stitches, and colorful words, I decided it was my Beauty & the Bea st last quilt. And that the decision was a relief, as is often the case if you stop and listen to yourself. Moving on is in your best Billings Studio Theatre presents “Disney’s Beauty and interest. the Beast Junior,” January 10th-13th. Brainy and beautiful Belle yearns to escape

It can be hard to admit when you are over something that is supher narrow and restricted life including her brute of a suitor, Gaston. posed to be part of your identity. And yet, after a lifetime of movBelle gets adventurous and as a result becomes a captive in the Beast’s ing to the next thing — and the one after that — asking, as I do castle! Dancing flatware, menacing wolves and singing inenchanted the book “What’s Next?” what goal am I moving toward, who I furniture fill stage with thrills a during this beloved fairy tale about will be now, Itthe is freeing to chase “Next.” very different people finding strength in one another as they learn how

We often ido the middle of the dark and cold, to love.b l l i nthis g s s in tudJanuary. i o t h e a tIn r e .c om we wonder if this is all there is, or if we must keep doing the things that make us who we are. It is now, with an open calendar, FestivaL that we wonder if we FRinge should move on. When the answer is yes, we often calculate the cost and decideFestival, to retreat to what we know, Venture Theatre presents its Fringe January 18th-19th and who we are, andfestival changefeatures nothing. 25th-26th.The four nights of shows featuring local and regional performing artists of all types including dance, standup But, if like me, you want to say “it’s over” or “moving on,” and not comedy, improv, one actand plays, performance art, feel regrettheater but instead lightness joy, musicals, I think you should conspoken word/poetry, and puppetry.v e n t u r e t h e a t r e .o r g sider three things.

souL stReet danCe

First. Are you making a permanent decision to a temporary probThis high energy show comes Alberta Bair onequipJanuary lem? Are you frustrated withtoathe co-worker, madTheater at your 19th or and presents a new era skills in dance, while pushingCould the artistic ment disappointed by your or lack thereof? you boundaries of astreet dance. Soul Street concerts consist a mix of solve this with conversation, a purchase, or a Google orof YouTube movement will keepyou youmight at thewant edge to ofabandon your seat.fleeing. The music is session? If itthat is fleeting,

Third. What are you making room for? Being done, over it, moving on, means you will have space for a new hobby, a new person, new ideas, a new you. It is easier to let go when you only let go long enough to grab onto your Next, the thing you desire, the dream, your tomorrow.

IT IS EASIER TO LET GO WHEN YOU ONLY LET GO LONG ENOUGH TO GRAB ONTO YOUR NEXT, THE THING YOU DESIRE, THE DREAM, YOUR TOMORROW.

I ran away from home as a teen. It was my first deliberate act of moving on. But I ran with and to a person I knew would always, carefully, be there for me. It made that first act of moving on safe, and repeatable.

— KAREN GROSZ

It also means he has had 45 years of practice watching me move from one Next to the next, and he has formed a few opinions — like his wife, the seamstress, will always be defined by her ability to create, be it a community, a book, a meal or a quilt. He was with friends in Alaska when I declared I would never quilt again. He arrived home with the loving ability to get rid of the worn-out machine and replace it with a new one. I didn’t think I wanted it. I thought I was done. But sometimes, and I only write this here because he won’t see it, he is right. I’ve been back to Big Timber twice and the local shops have provided long receipts for fabrics and threads. My machine is a wonder, which automatically cuts those pesky trailing threads. And I am, once again, a seamstress because sometimes when you think you are done and over it, ready to move on, all you need is someone to say, “Are you really?” and then hand you a present. ✻

combined with an electric mix ranging from hip-hop to classical.

Second. Does moving on make you and nauseous? For many of us It’s a show that will make you laugh keep audiences of all ages that locked-gut, can-hardly-breathe and can’t-think-straight feelentertained. ing is truth. Truth can come in as a whisper, but more often than not it gives you a jolt, tugs your ear and makes you pay attention. Listen to pain, eRt lean into it, but only enough to find the a the ConC FoR the wlong hoLe FamiLy path to your best decision. You are not meant to remain stuck, Billings Symphony presents its Family Concert on January 26th at the to do, over and over, what you can no longer tolerate doing. Grab Bair Theater. timethe Grammy “Troutfear Fishing a Alberta Tums, make the call Four and feel powernominees, of overcoming to in America,” will perform along with the Billings Symphony. Trout become a little more you. Fishing in America is a musical duo which performs folk rock and children’s music. b i l l i n g s s y m p h o n y.c o m

KAREN GROSZ, writer Karen Grosz is a local Team and Leadership Development coach and motivational speaker. She owns Canvas Creek Team Building, is the author of “What’s Next” and “Quiet Leadership” and founding voice of the Facebook group “I’ll Help”- Billings. You can find more from Karen at karengrosz.life.

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DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 63

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

Friendship WRAPPED IN

ON-TREND GALENTINE’S GIFTS YOUR FAVORITE GIRLS WILL LOVE

THIS GALENTINE’S DAY, it’s all about celebrating

friendship in style—and the accessory trends set to take 2026 by storm. Think heart-shaped jewelry and vibrant pops of color that make each gift feel as meaningful as the bond you share. Mixed metals are the standout jewelry trend this season, with layered chains that blend dainty details and bold, chunky elements. Scarves are also having a major moment, appearing in romantic prints and vibrant pinks—knotted at the neck, draped over a shoulder, or tied to a tote for an effortless Parisian edge. And speaking of bags, this season’s handbags range from sleek single-strap shoulder styles to full-on statement

1. written by GLEA LAHR photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN YVW MAGAZINE

For friends with a bolder sense of style, add a western-inspired twist: think the perfect cowgirl hat paired with an eye-catching statement belt to add flair to any look. These pieces don’t just accessorize an outfit—they celebrate connection, making them the perfect way to toast friendship and unforgettable style this season. ✻

3. 56

pieces, trending in rosy hues and versatile neutrals that perfectly complement Valentine-inspired wardrobes. Galentine’s gifting can also lean cozy, with stylish beanies and fashion-forward plush socks that feel both practical and on trend.

From Stone Feather Road

1. Charlie 1 Horse “The cowgirl hat” in cranberry, $179 2. T ickled Pink Silk Cashmere Scarf and Cupcake Pink Silk Cashmere Wrap, both $109 each. 3. Pink Concho Belt, $1,150 4. Bow Navajo pearl necklace, $375 5. Bow ring, $125 6. American Darling tooled-leather handbag, $169

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

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5. 6.

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From Cricket Clothing Co.

1. Grey belt, $98 2. 2. Silver necklace, $59 3. Gold coin necklace, $59 4. Black studded handbag, $129 5. Mixed metals gold and silver chunky bracelet, $36 6. Gold earrings, $49

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GLEA LAHR, writer With more than 20 years as a cosmetologist and makeup artist, Glea has dedicated her career to helping women feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. She believes beauty and fashion are about expression and confidence. She has a passion for making women feel seen, empowered and inspired through the artistry of style and makeup.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

written by KAY ERIKSON photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

TASTE OF TH E VA LLEY 62

ove L S E R V E D D A I LY

WHY COOKING WITH KIDS CREATES LASTING FAMILY BONDS

DID YOU KNOW that inviting your kids into the kitchen

does more than help get dinner on the table? Cooking together fosters independence, builds essential life skills, sparks creativity, and promotes healthy eating habits — not to mention the math and science skills put to use along the way.

For Jessica Louk, teaching her kids to cook is simply another way to show love.

Jessica is a mom of four: 14-year-old Olive, 13-year-old Lars, 12-year-old Tor, and almost 10-year-old Florence. In the early years, she often cooked with one child perched on her hip while the older ones helped stir, pour and prep. More often than not, the kids would argue over who got to help, prompting Jessica to learn the art of delegating kitchen jobs early on. When it comes to creating such an inclusive kitchen, Jessica credits her mother, a native of France. As soon as she and her sister were capable, their mom handed over cooking responsibilities. Jessica YVW MAGAZINE

fondly remembers evenings when her parents worked late and she and her sister surprised them by making dinner together. One recipe that remains a full family production is her mother’s crepe recipe — made sweet or savory — with experimentation being part of the fun. Another favorite comes from her father’s side of the family, the Sorensons: cabbage biscuits, a dish rich with tradition. Understanding the memories that can be created around food, Jessica has extended her love of family cooking beyond her own home. As a librarian in the Billings Public Schools system, she encourages students to check out cookbooks from the school library. Many return to share how their families used those books as a reason to spend time cooking together. The thought makes her smile, knowing that a kitchen filled with kids becomes a special place all its own. ✻

sweet2CREPES ~ Recipe Jessica Louk

2½ to 3 c. milk 2 c. flour 4 T. oil 4 T. sugar 1 t. salt

DIRECTIONS: Mix all ingredients together, making sure the bat-

ter isn’t too thick. If it is, add more milk or a little water to liquify the batter, if needed. Cook in a 7- to 8-inch skillet over medium heat and wait until bubbles form on the top and the edges of the crepe curl or look dry. Flip and lightly brown on other side. Remove. Repeat with the remainder of your batter. Once you are ready to serve, sprinkle sugar on the inside of the crepe and add other sweet fillings. Ideas include cherry pie filling, apple pie filling, bananas and walnuts, hazelnut spread or Biscoff spread. Top with whipped cream and powdered sugar for an added garnish.

savory2CREPES

Savory crepes are made in the exact same manner, except add savory spices to match the filling. Ideas include:

HAM AND SWISS: add a few slices of ham and Swiss cheese on

the inside of the cooked crepes. In addition, add garlic powder to the batter instead of sugar. Roll the crepes like burritos and bake in a greased pan with alfredo sauce over the top. Bake at 350 and wait until the sauce appears melted and somewhat golden.

BUFFALO CHICKEN: mix grilled chicken with buffalo sauce in a

bowl. Add the grilled chicken, blue cheese crumbles and dressing to the inside of the cooked crepes. In addition, add buffalo sauce to the batter before cooking. Roll the crepes like burritos and bake in a greased pan with alfredo sauce over the top. Chopped celery can be added to the sauce as a garnish, if preferred. Bake at 350 and wait until the sauce appears melted and somewhat golden.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

cabbage ROLLS

~Sorensen Family Recipe provided by Jessica Louk

DOUGH 1 pkg. yeast ¼ c. granulated sugar 1 c. lukewarm milk 2 eggs (beaten) ¼ c. margarine (melted) 1 t. salt

FILLING 1 lb. ground beef 1 large onion, chopped 2 t. salt ½ t. ground pepper ½ t. garlic salt ½ head of cabbage 1-2 c. sliced/grated mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS: Mix yeast, milk, sugar and 1½ cup of flour. Let

set for 45 minutes. Add eggs, melted margarine, salt and remaining flour. Mix well. Let rest for 1½ hours. Brown 1 pound of hamburger with one large, chopped onion, 2 teaspoons of salt, ½ teaspoon of pepper, ½ teaspoon of garlic salt. Add ½ head of chopped cabbage. Cook until the cabbage is tender. Cool. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough into ¼ inch thickness and cut into 5-inch squares. Fill with the mixture and add sliced or grated mozzarella cheese on the top of filling before pinching corners together to form a bun. Pinch seams together. Let set on greased baking sheets for 10 minutes. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. 64

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KAY ERICKSON, writer Kay has spent her professional career in public relations and broadcast news, currently at Yellowstone Public Radio. Her journalism degree is from Northern Illinois University. Her passions include her family, sports and food. Her mom and an aunt taught her the finer points of cooking and instilled a love of good food and family mealtime.

APPLY TODAY! yellowstonevalleywoman.com/scholarship JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

F L AV O R S T O S AV O R :

Great Harvest Bread Company FRESH BEGINNINGS FILLED WITH COMFORT written by STELLA FONG photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

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Editor’s Note: With so many

good food hot spots around town where you can enjoy so many unique bites, we put Stella Fong on assignment to find the best flavors to savor. Make sure you check each issue for her pick that you won’t want to miss!

AFTER ALL THE HOLIDAY

festivities, I seek reprieve and renewal while still wanting the nostalgia of the celebrations to linger. Stepping into Great Harvest Bread Company on Poly Drive, the first whiffs of cinnamon and baked bread comfort my senses. On a recent visit I gratefully accepted the complimentary slice of honey wheat bread with some reservations, not wanting to be indulgent. I met friends for lunch, and I reviewed the menu but ultimately chose the Yardbird Salad. The mixed greens and spinach-based combination features spiced, toasted walnuts and pepitas, roasted chickpeas, craisins, golden raisins, avocado and grated Parmesan cheese, all served with a side of house-made Garlic Lemon Vinaigrette and topped with chunks of grilled chicken. With each bite, there is a mix of salty and sweet, with crunch from the nuts and greens, and savoriness from the chicken. Heather Lamont, co-owner with her husband, Bart, grew up baking and cooking. “My first job was in a bakery, so I know about working early in the morning,” she says of her 5 a.m. mornings at the IGA bakery in her hometown, Evanston, Wyoming. She relocated to Billings after her husband completed law school in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2018. “I always loved Montana,” she says. “We would come camping here every summer, and we thought this would be a great place to raise a family.”

bread, remain crowd favorites. As we step into the new year, Great Harvest may just be the place to find a bite of freshness mixed with lots of comfort. ✻

START THE NEW YEAR CENTER STAGE!

KINKY BOOTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6 | 7:30 PM

THE CHOIR OF MAN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15 | 7:30 PM

In the spring of 2025, Lamont saw the social media posting about the bakery’s sale. She approached her husband with the idea of buying the business, believing it would bring together the years of experience they had gained. The couple had owned a construction company in town, and at the time, she worked in the human resources department at Billings Public Schools.

TANGO AFTER DARK

With three children now grown, Lamont believed it was a good time for her to pursue this endeavor. These days, her 17- and 22-year-old daughters help at the bakery while her son, who is attending Utah State University, helped out during his summer break. Her husband steps in as the “maintenance guy,” paring down the “fix-it list.”

TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

With 15 employees, up to 200 loaves of bread can be baked daily, depending on the day and the season. The Mexicali Salad, made with mixed greens, cabbage, grilled chicken, black beans, roasted chickpeas, red onion, tomato, cilantro, avocado and tortilla strips, with a side of smoky and zesty Chipotle Ranch dressing, along with the potato chowder with bacon soup and a 3-inch slice of

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est Z

FOR FLAVOR WHY A SPLASH OF SPICE AND A PASSION FOR COOKING CAN TRANSFORM EVERY DISH written by STELLA FONG photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

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THERE’S LITTLE doubt

If the date is five years out, she adds, “It might be good in the cupboard but not for the taste.” For the best results for cooking, “Use the spice within a year, two years, at the most. Smell your spice. Ask yourself whether it smells fresh or musty.”

that spices can make a dish pop with flavor and dimension, adding interest and taste. For Marguerite Jodry, owner of Zest, spices are currency spent to add more layers and depth to food. At the kitchen store she opened in 2020, Marguerite has been equipping novice cooks and experienced chefs alike with tools and equipment for a more delicious life. Among the 6,000 items she sells in her 1,700-squarefoot shop, she prides herself on offering spices sourced directly from farmers and foragers from all over the world.

Keeping spices out of direct sunlight and storing them at room temperature in tightly sealed containers will help maintain long-term freshness.

WHOLE VERSUS GROUND When spices are kept intact, they retain their flavor and taste longer. “It’s ideal to keep a whole spice, but it’s not perfect,” Marguerite says. “It’s great to have whole cloves, allspice, cardamom, and peppercorns. Once they are ground up, they lose their flavors quickly.”

“We have single-origin spices, coming from a single farm or organization from a small geographical area,” she says. Burlap & Barrel and Diaspora make some of her favorite spices. The seasonings bring flavor and traditions across borders into our kitchens. With single-origin spices, Marguerite says, “You get to explore the unique characteristics of the spice.” For instance, she sells turmeric from two regions and two farms. “They are very different.” “The Burlap & Barrel New Harvest Turmeric from Satara in midwestern India is brighter, spicier and stronger,” she says. “The Diaspora Pragati Turmeric is mellower, with floral notes and a more well-rounded flavor.” At a tasting she offered at the Yellowstone Valley Farmer’s Market last summer, Marguerite presented a blind smell test with two of her varieties of turmeric, along with a grocery store brand. “Nobody could smell anything coming from the grocery store spice except musty notes,” she says. “The color was muddy, brown with yellow tones.” For those who participated in the experiment, new-found discoveries were made. “People didn’t even know that they liked turmeric,” she says. “It should be floral, nutty and spicy.”

BEST PRACTICES To cook with spices in the most optimal condition, “Check the expiration date before you buy a bottle of spice,” Marguerite recommends. “For example, Burlap & Barrel has a December 2026 date, which means they packed the spice in 2024. It’s best to buy a spice that has a two-year expiration date.”

MARGUERITE JODRY

With roots such as ginger, turmeric, galangal, garlic or onion, Marguerite suggests buying the ground version. For cinnamon, you can use the ground spice to sprinkle on oatmeal, but reach for cinnamon sticks when infusing cider.

BRING ON THE HEAT Did you know that some spices benefit from a bit of heat? “It activates their volatile oils,” Marguerite says. “Cumin, coriander, cloves and mustard seeds, when heated, really showcase their flavors and aromas.” Heating a flat-bottomed pan over medium heat is best for toasting spices. “Add the spices and do not move the pan around as it heats. Don’t go anywhere,” Marguerite warns. “Use your nose to monitor as the spices are toasting. In 30 to 60 seconds, you will get a hit of aroma.” For the best flavor, she says, “Toast just before using.”

GRINDER VERSUS MORTAR AND PESTLE Traditionally, spices have been manually pounded by hand into a powder. If you feel up to the task, your palette might thank you. “Get a mortar that is a deep bowl. This way, the spices don’t fly out. Make sure the bottom of the bowl has some texture,” Marguerite says, as it is more challenging to grind up spices on a smooth surface. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

At Zest, Jodry sells molcajetes, traditional Mexican mortar-and-pestle sets made from porous volcanic rock. But she says you can also use a dedicated coffee grinder to get the job done. Another alternative is a FinaMill, a multi-purpose spice grinder with interchangeable pods.

SPICING UP YOUR RECIPES Spices can elevate the personality of any dish. For this reason, Marguerite suggests spicing up a Super Bowl party by adding “a bunch of ground chili to a queso dip along with some black lime to give the crowd favorite a citrusy tang. For Valentine’s Day, consider adding cinnamon, chili powder, and ground cloves to a chocolate cake.” In the end, Marguerite says, “Food is an experience. Spices add dimension to food.” So, in her words, look for ways, “to make any dish deeper and richer.” ✻

STELLA FONG, writer

Stella divides her time between Billings and Seattle and is the author of two Billings-centric books, Historic Restaurants of Billings and Billings Food. Her writings have appeared in Big Sky Journal, Western Art and Architecture, the Washington Post as well as online at lastbestplates.com.

YVW MAGAZINE

TURMERIC SMOOTHIE Yields 1 serving

1 c. dairy-free milk 2 c. frozen fruit of choice 1 banana 1 t. turmeric powder 1 t. ginger powder 1/4 t. black peppercorn DIRECTIONS: Add all the ingredients to a blender

and blend for 30 seconds on high, or until creamy.

MADRAS CURRY POWDER Yields 1 cup This Southern Indian spice blend (known as a Masala in Hindi) is the most common “curry” found in Europe and America. The exact ingredients and their proportions can vary widely. This is just one recipe we enjoy, using commonly available spices.

2 T. whole coriander seeds 1 T. whole cumin seeds 1 t. fenugreek seeds 10 to 15 whole green cardamom pods 1 t. whole pepper Kashmiri chili, to taste (this variety of chili is very spicy, so use cautiously) 2 T. ground turmeric

FIVE SPICE

Yields ⅓ cup seasoning

Many five-spice recipes, like this one, actually contain six spices. The beauty of this recipe is that you can adapt it to your personal taste. You can substitute white or black pepper for the Sichuan peppercorns, or leave them out entirely and still consider your Five Spice “authentic.”

1 T. ground cinnamon 2 T. fennel seeds 1 T. Sichuan peppercorns 1 T. whole cloves 4 star anise 1 T. ginger powder DIRECTIONS: Using a mortar and pestle, grind the

DIRECTIONS: Toast the coriander, cumin, fenugreek,

fennel seed, Sichuan peppercorns, whole cloves, and star anise to a fine powder. Add the Cinnamon and ginger powder. Transfer to an airtight container and store for up to 6 months.

HOMEMADE SIMMER POT

PEPPERCORN INFUSED VINEGAR

cardamom, and black pepper in a skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant. Add to a mortar and pestle, and grind until the texture is a fine powder. Add the chili and turmeric and mix together. Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

A simmer pot on the stovetop will fill your house with delicious aromas, setting the mood for a gathering or clearing stale air.

1 orange, sliced 1 apple, coarsely chopped 1 cinnamon stick 1 T. whole cloves 1 whole star anise DIRECTIONS: Add all the ingredi-

ents, plus 6 cups of water, to a medium saucepan or stockpot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to the barest simmer. Simmer for as long as you like, remembering to add water as the pot gets low.

Yields 1 pint This is a fun way to experiment with different varieties of peppercorns. You can do a single variety, or experiment with many other types of peppercorns. Burlap & Barrel Fermented White Peppercorn is my favorite and the spice I developed this recipe for.

1 T. cracked peppercorns 1 pint, white wine vinegar DIRECTIONS: Steep peppercorns in vine-

gar for three days. Strain and decant into a bottle. This vinegar is delicious in salad dressing or used in place of regular white vinegar in Poulet au Vinaigre.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

home and2garden7

e le ga n t & e levate d

Inside Gold Buckle Homes’ stunning fresh water lane retreat

TH E FIN E A RT O F DES IG N IN T UITIO N

The synergy between craftsmanship and creativity

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

elegant2 & ELEVATED INSIDE GOLD BUCKLE HOMES’ STUNNING FRESH WATER LANE RETREAT

written by TRISH ERBE SCOZZAR photography by MEGAN FETTERS CREATIVE

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WALKING INTO THIS modern delight of a home on Bill-

ings’ Fresh Water Lane, you’d never think its builder, Cree Minkoff, was a relative newcomer to the homebuilding scene. Step inside and you will find both functionality and a design full of harmony.

petitor) raise their children, 2-year-old Marlee and 6-month-old Max, on their ranch near Joliet, where Lorrie trains horses.

As the owner of Gold Buckle Homes, Cree knows that putting in the hard work and extra effort pays off. He learned this commitment as a former standout wrestler for Billings Senior High School and as a professional bronc rider on the rodeo circuit.

That commitment shows up in the Fresh Water Lane home, which was a hit in last fall’s Billings Parade of Homes, earning the distinction of “Best Kitchen.” It also drew the attention of one couple who visited the home a half-dozen times during the event. The 2,842 square-foot home checked a lot of their boxes, and they wanted to buy it.

“I learned a lot, saw a lot, and now I’m in the next season of my life,” says Cree. He and his wife, Lorrie, (also a former rodeo com-

“The couple called two hours prior to the home going live on the market,” says Shawna Morales, broker/owner of Engel & Völker’s JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

Real Estate Billings. “I knew once this one-level home was on the market, it wouldn’t last long. The home offers indoor-outdoor living and is an elevated experience.”

fore shifting his focus to the Magic City. He specializes in building spec homes, and it was during construction of a custom home when one of Cree’s clients introduced him to Shawna.

One of the new homeowners described their decision, saying, “We’re buyers from out-of-state and lived in Billings in the ’80s. We’ve traveled a lot, and it’s our favorite place to live. Cree did a really nice job on the one-level. He’s a good builder with high integrity.”

A synergistic partnership formed, which allowed Cree to concentrate on his and his team’s high-quality craftsmanship, while Shawna handled the real estate services for Gold Buckle Homes.

Cree launched his general contractor business five years ago, be76

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The house on Fresh Water Lane sits on a fully-landscaped halfacre lot. Its location provides the ideal setting for the three-bedroom, two-and-one-half-bath luxury home. Clean air and clear

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views lend a country feel. The covered back patio, with a stained wood tongue-and-groove ceiling, creates a Montana-style living space. It features a stone fireplace surround with a 60-inch linear gas insert. “There are 600 more square feet of living on the patio,” says Cree. “With two heaters and the fireplace, it stays cozy.” The indoor-outdoor living comes to life through a triple sliding glass door from Benchmark Window and Door. It opens into the home’s dining and kitchen area. Designers Ryan Hart and Kady Hardt of Kitchens Plus executed the design plan for this sophisticated space. White oak cabinets with shallow shaker-style doors emphasize the upscale architectural look the designers were after. “People are getting away from the painted look, and we wanted something different,” says Ryan. “Tall cabinets are placed down 78

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on either side of the range for a linear look. This accentuates the ceiling beams, which are the same color as the cabinets.” A Moen bronzed-gold faucet adds flair to the white granite inset sink, as does the pot filler perched above the six-burner Smeg gas range. Other top-end appliances include two panel-ready Liebherr refrigerators, two roll-out freezers, a dishwasher and a builtin ice maker. Round sconces adorn each side of the range hood. Globe pendants and candlestick chandeliers offer a minimalist approach, yet punctuate the richness of the space. “Lighting is such a big deal,” says Shawna. “Plus, the home is filled with natural light.” The center island spans ten feet in length, Ryan says. “Waterfall edges that rest on the apron at the bottom of the island are about a foot off the ground,” he adds. “It’s something different and it adds depth.”

HOME STATS: → 2,842 SQ. FT. → 3 BEDROOM → 2.5 BATHS → 1/2 ACRE LOT

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

The island’s white-and brown-swirl countertop, as well as the perimeter countertop and backsplash, are made of a material called Dekton, from Magic City Granite. “It’s impervious to heat,” notes Ryan, “and it’s made with a mix of porcelain, glass, and quartz. The backsplash rises higher than the bottom of the range hood, and the hood mirrors the great room’s fireplace with its textured stone look.” Meticulous details are the hallmark of the home. The “elevated experience is definitely the goal,” he says. “It’s not easy to design a new home every time you build. It’s the effort you put forth doing different things.” That includes a special innovation, the butler pantry off the kitchen. The star of this deluxe pantry is the dry-age fridge, a Montana-inspired way to enhance any home owner’s culinary creations. The co-star of this space covers the wall across from the meat fridge. Aluminum frame glass doors complement char80

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coal-color shelves, the ideal place for pantry items. “The pantry was popular during the Parade,” says Ryan. “It turned out pretty cool and you can see what’s on the shelves.” Creativity continues in the home office, at the front of the home. The space is designed to be calm and inviting. Framed glass doors allow a graceful transition from the front foyer. Natural light streams through a large window, offering a view of the outdoor water feature and the pastoral scenery. Built-in shelves paint a dramatic contrast to the interior alabaster wall color. Under-cabinet lighting makes an impression, Cree says. “It gives a definite pop to it,” he adds. Unique qualities appear throughout the home, such as the luxury vinyl plank Colorado Hickory flooring from Covering Broadway in Red Lodge. Covering Broadway owner Ryan Brajcich, calls the flooring “a high-quality product.”

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“Cree’s good at paying attention to the details,” Ryan adds. The flooring “pulled all the finishing touches together and complemented all aspects of the home.” White oak beams create a seamless flow between the kitchen and the great room within the open trey ceiling. The architectural detail of the beams and the natural warmth of the hickory flooring form a strong aesthetic look that links the open spaces. Off the dining area is a theater room that sports a 100-inch TV. The room features a wet bar with a smoky mirrored subway tile backsplash and comes complete with cabinetry, a beverage center and sink. The attention to detail continues in the primary suite, which sits on the opposite side of the dining space. The suite offers simple elegance with a spacious bedroom that provides a snug and comfortable feel. In the neighboring ensuite, bold wallpaper treat-

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ments define the two vanities and mirrors with strokes of blue. Gold accented sconces on either side of the gold-frame mirrors keep with the lighting theme. An antique glass walk-in shower door with black hardware includes both a Smart shower complete with body sprays. This is where you’ll also find a large soaker tub with Roman hardware. Nearby, the huge walk-in closet is filled with organizers.

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THE TEAM BEHIND THE BUILD

A LOOK AT THE BUSINESSES THAT SHAPED EVERY DETAIL GOLD BUCKLE HOMES www.goldbucklehomes.com ENGEL & VÖLKERS www.shawnamorales.evrealestate.com COVERING BROADWAY www.coveringbroadway.com KITCHENS PLUS www.kitchensplusmt.com BENCHMARK WINDOW & DOOR www.benchmarkwindow.com MAGIC CITY GRANITE www.magiccitygranite.com

406-850-3065 | Billings, MT shawna.morales@evrealestate.com

406-598-4424 | Billings, MT goldbucklehomes.com

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THEdesign7 FINE ART OF INTUITION THE SYNERGY BETWEEN CRAFTSMANSHIP AND CREATIVITY written by GAYLE SMITH photography by NATHAN SATRAN

WHEN JESSICA HANNESSON of Hannesson Home steps into a brand-new interior-design project, she works hard to mesh a client’s wants with the spark of creativity that she envisions.

“Our design process always begins with listening — really listening — to who our clients are, how they live, and what they want their home to feel like,” Jessica says. “Most people think they’re describing colors or furniture styles, but what they’re re86

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ally revealing is their personality. Some clients crave calm and simplicity; others light up when we talk about warmth, texture and a lived-in feeling.” That is evident when you step inside one of her latest projects, where her client gravitated toward soft, muted tones like warm white, gentle taupe and an earthy brown. “We expanded that instinct into a layered palette that feels quiet

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

but rich,” Jessica says, “especially when paired with natural woods and subtle black accents.” When it comes to texture, Jessica is always sure to ask a lot of questions. “Some clients want everything plush and cozy, others love smooth, clean lines,” she says, adding that most clients don’t begin with a defined color palette. They usually know what they don’t like far more than what they do. “For this home, the clients wanted a warm, comfortable environment and we guided them toward soft linens, 88

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performance fabrics and organic materials like wood, stone, and woven elements,” Jessica says. You’ll find that warmth in the living space, where a generously scaled sofa with soft upholstery and mix of patterned and solid pillows add depth without overwhelming the room. The rustic wood coffee table is the perfect partner. And while beams and wall color can frame a room with comfort, 90

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it’s the details Jessica loves to bring to the forefront. That’s why in this home, you’ll find accent pieces like woven trays, ceramic vessels and natural greenery, which bring in organic textures. In the home’s kitchen, the character continues. Warm-woodstyled lower cabinetry is paired with soft, off-white upper cabinets that add dimension. A Roman-clay range hood brings artisanal texture. Open shelving adds a splash of style.

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Every one of these choices delivers the inviting feel that the homeowners wanted, while still being practical for everyday life. Jessica chats about why collaborating with trusted partners is of the utmost importance, and why she loved partnering with Tom and Heather Boyce at Boyce Built Construction. “They are open, communicative, and dedicated to bringing the client’s vision to life,” Jessica stresses. “Beautiful homes happen naturally when everyone on the team values craftsmanship and

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care at the same level.” Tom says a big part of what his team does is problem-solving on site and keeping the project moving smoothly with an attention to quality. “Essentially, we’re the bridge between the design vision and the finished home,” he says. “Working with Jessica is always energizing — she’s creative through and through. We love her big-picture vision and her willingness to push design boundaries while still honoring the client’s lifestyle and goals.”

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This remodel is a perfect example. The homeowners really wanted to optimize the layout they had so that it functioned better for their family. “So, we focused on what already worked and gave those areas a fresh face,” Jessica says. “In other spaces — especially the kitchen and the new pantry — we knew walls would need to shift in order to truly give the clients what they wanted and better support their current lifestyle.” Jessica adds that the owners were drawn to serenity, warmth, and timelessness, nothing trendy or overly showy. “That grounded, welcoming personality shows up in every decision, from the layered neutrals to the comfortable silhouettes to the natural materials used throughout,” she says. This home had such good bones and so many things to love about it. But like any home, the way it functioned changed over time. What worked beautifully when it was first built didn’t really meld with the way the homeowners’ lives look now. “That’s one of the most beautiful reasons people choose to remodel rather than build new,” Jessica says. “Our expertise lies in reimagining a space and finding ways to make it work harder and feel more intentional, without starting from scratch.”

OUR EXPERTISE LIES IN REIMAGINING A SPACE AND FINDING WAYS TO MAKE IT WORK HARDER AND FEEL MORE INTENTIONAL, WITHOUT STARTING FROM SCRATCH. — Jessica Hannesson

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At the heart of the kitchen is functionality. The homeowner loves to bake, so maximizing countertop space and creating zones that truly support cooking and baking was a top priority. Jessica converted an existing bedroom into a butler’s pantry with a dedicated baking haven that didn’t exist in the original layout. It now offers expansive prep space, storage, and a layout perfectly suited for an avid baker. The result is a kitchen that feels inviting, soulful, and highly functional all the way down to Jessica’s finishing touches. “We don’t chase trends, we pay attention to what feels timeless, functional, and emotionally grounded,” she says. “Design isn’t about filling a home. It’s about creating a feeling.” ✻ 96

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