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COMPLIMENTARY

BILLINGS’ MOST READ MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2026

Kendra

Lewis

One woman’s mission to return freedom, purpose, and possibility

Erika Burke 406.544.8033

Stella Ossello Burke

406.690.9955

Maya Burton 406.591.0106

Tony Contreraz 406.671.2282

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Anita Dolan 406.860.5576

Lance Egan 406.698.0008

Myles Egan 406.855.0008

Karen Frank 406.698.0152

Gary Glenn 406.299.0059

Kim Gottwals 406.696.3675

Marissa Amen 406.855.7727

Erika Burke 406.544.8033

Stella Ossello Burke

406.690.9955

Maya Burton 406.591.0106

Tony Contreraz 406.671.2282

Suzie Countway 406.671.1595

Dolan CatieAnita Hanser Gragert

Lance Egan Rhonda Grimm 406.698.0008 406.661.7186

Myles Egan Cheryl Gross 406.855.0008

Karen Frank Toni Hale 406.698.0152

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Gary Glenn Sarah Kindsfather 406.299.0059 406.690.7469

Kim AmyGottwals Kraenzel 406.696.3675

Catie Hanser Gragert

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Rhonda Grimm 406.661.7186

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Toni Hale 406.690.3181

Sarah Kindsfather 406.690.7469

Amy Kraenzel 406.591.2370

Susan B. Lovely 406.698.1601

Amy Maggio 406.318.9620

John McMurray 406.425.5009

Don Moseley 406.860.2618

James Movius 406.670.4711

Ginger Nelson 406.697.4667

Susan B. Lovely 406.698.1601

Amy Maggio 406.318.9620

John McMurray 406.425.5009

Don Moseley 406.860.2618

James Movius 406.670.4711

Ginger Nelson 406.697.4667

Jeanne Peterson 406.661.3941

Jon Pierce 406.855.0368

Korinne Rice 406.697.0678

Judy Shelhamer 406.850.3623

Mark Winslow 406.671.7305

Jeanne Peterson 406.661.3941

Jon Pierce 406.855.0368

Korinne Rice 406.697.0678

Judy Shelhamer 406.850.3623

Mark Winslow 406.671.7305

406.860.5576

406.697.4321

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Be 12 st T W Bro IM in ke E ne ra rs ge

Marissa Amen 406.855.7727

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Letter Editor FRO M TH E

I BOUGHT A pair of pants not

Excuse me? She was talking about me — the kingpin of dinner club. And I’m not going to lie … I felt a little badass. It only reinforced what I’ve been learning lately: Take the risk. Send the text. Invite the friend. Do the thing.

too long ago that I absolutely love. They are spunky — and at my age, spunky is really all you can hope for. You’re not exactly rocking stilettos on the daily anymore. So how do you say I am woman, hear me roar?

Case in point — just the other night, we were on the couch watching the latest Netflix hit, and yes, I was scrolling my phone. I started feeling a little … wanderlusty. (Not a word, but you get it.)

You wear leopard print denim. Yes, leopard print. I hate to admit this, but while I love the pants, I felt a little self-conscious about my tummy in them. When I asked my husband if I had a right to feel that way, he … confirmed my fear. And that, my friends, is what 30 years of marriage looks like — brutal honesty. So, I had a meeting with a woman I adore, who is always dressed to the nines, and I thought, screw it. I’m wearing the leopard pants. I told myself: do the thing. Now, I realize wearing pants isn’t exactly a daring act, but let’s face it, leopard print pants? That might qualify. I did it. And, by the way, I got a compliment. I think this whole “do the thing” mindset started with Ms. Karen Grosz. She is always doing the thing. After hearing about her latest adventure, I took a look at my own life. As charmed as it is, I realized there were people missing — women I wanted to see more of. So I made a list. Who do I want to spend more time with? Do they know each other? Does it matter? I sent out invites to six women. Some I knew well. Some I wanted to know better. We had dinner, and at the end of the night, I asked if they wanted to make it a regular thing. They all said yes. Now we meet once a month. We catch up, laugh a ton, occasionally snort, sometimes cry. It’s kind of beautiful. Not long ago, one of the women turned 50 and invited our group to celebrate. At some point, someone said, “You need to meet the kingpin.”

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“I just bought Rockies tickets,” I announced. “For Friday. We’re driving down.” My husband, whose face never lies, looked at me and asked if I had lost my mind. “Nope,” I said. “Still intact.” “It’s supposed to snow,” he replied. I shrugged. “We’ll bundle up.” Fast forward to Friday. Roads were clear, sun was shining, and yes, it was a little cold. But we watched the Dodgers pummel the Rockies (and as a Dodgers fan, I was just fine with that). I did the thing and had a blast. As you flip through these pages, you’ll meet quite a few women who did the thing. Our community is better because they listened to that little voice nudging them toward something more. Bravo to all of them. And as I was finishing this letter, my daughter — now living in Colorado — called to tell me she had a few days off and was heading to San Diego with a friend. I just smiled. That’s my girl. Enjoy this issue. And, in case you need someone to say it: Just do the thing.

Julie

T:7.5"

Morgan Stanley is proud to congratulate

The Fangsrud Stone Group Named one of Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams Being named to Forbes’ 2026 Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams list is a testament to your experience, focus, and dedication to your clients’ financial future.

T:10"

Thank you for the work you do each day and for carrying forward the standard of excellence at our firm. The Fangsrud Stone Group at Morgan Stanley Wesley Fangsrud Kyle Stone Senior Vice President Financial Advisor 406-238-8911 Wesley.A.Fangsrud@morganstanley.com

First Vice President Financial Advisor 406-896-4402 Kyle.Stone@morganstanley.com

Kayla Schuyler

401 North 31st Street, Suite 900 Billings, MT 59101 advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-fangsrud-stone-group

Registered Client Service Associate 406-238-8906 Kayla.Schuyler@morganstanley.com

L-R: Wesley, Kyle, Kayla Source: Forbes.com (Awarded January 2026) 2026 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) for the period from 3/31/24-3/31/25. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC for placement on its rankings. This ranking is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC and may not be representative of any one client’s experience; investors must carefully choose the right Financial Advisor or team for their own situation and perform their own due diligence. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com. © 2026 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

REC009 CRC 5026660 12/2025

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w h at 's i nsid e on the cover

32 c ut ti ng fences

One woman’s mission to return freedom, purpose, and possibility

love in action

somethi n g so simp le

‘Child bed-less-ness’ – it may not be a word but it’s a real problem

1 6 t hro ugh loss, sh e fou nd he r vo i ce Kelsey Wagner’s journey transforms grief into healing for others

2 0 neve r alon e

One woman’s journey through widowhood becomes a mission to help others keep going

24 notes from bar ry

‘Believe you are bigger than your difficulties’

women of the land

4 0 be e fi ng u p com mu n it y

Crazy Peak Cattle Women are feeding and reconnecting a community to agriculture

4 4 smi les from ber r ies A trip to Township Road Farm

50 nature ’s sec ret p er fec te d

One woman’s journey from homemade balm to a booming business

featur es

58 M othe r and Fat h er ’s Day G i ft Gui de Our picks for the perfect gifts

70 f lavo rs to savor

Love and Nostalgia at Rollhouse Bakery

home and garden

74 s tar span gled gar d en

Celebrate America’s 250th with a landscape that lasts all summer

82 r i ght at h ome

A thoughtful remodel transforms a house into the perfect place for retirement

in every issue

56 kare n grosz : Wallow in the Wonder 62 fa shi o n: Looks Made for Mom Life

68 ta s te o f t h e val ley: T he Sweet Side of Summer 10

YVW MAGAZINE

ISSUE 154

m ay / j u n e 2 0 2 6

m eet the STA FF

Te r ry P e r k i n s

t r i sh scoz z a r i

gay le s m i t h

Sales Executive / Writer

M i ch e le Ko n ze n

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

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

Photography

Design

N i co le B u rte l l

k ay l a g r ay

sue olp

Sales Executive

Distribution

Social Media

Copy Editor

ou r commun ity partn ers

MAY/JUNE 2026

Love ♥ IN ♥

ACTION

Something

so so simple simple ‘CHILD BED-LESS-NESS’ – IT MAY NOT BE A WORD BUT IT’S A REAL PROBLEM written by LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

YVW MAGAZINE

THE CONCEPT of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is so basic. And yet, so impactful.

“It’s really very simple,” says Kate Potts, the founder of the nonprofit’s local chapter. “We build beds and deliver them to kids who don’t have them.” She, along with her husband Adam, launched the group a little more than a year ago. Since then, they’ve provided 84 beds to “bed-less” children in the Billings area. They currently have 20 more kids who are waiting. “Not many people are aware of child ‘bed-less-ness,’” Kate says. “You don’t know until you know. And once you know, it’s hard to let it go.” Then, she repeats a quote from Sleep in Heavenly Peace founder Jordan Allen. “Child bed-less-ness. It’s not a real word but it’s a real problem.” Kate, a native of Guadalupe, California, met Adam, a Bozeman native, when both were serving in the U.S. Army in Georgia. When their stints were over, Kate took a job with Dell Technology and Adam, with Oracle. Kate found her work met her needs, except for one.

The first stop took her to a home in an area of town that she remembered as a neighborhood down on its luck. Their next stop, however, took them to a large, beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood. “When we entered the house, there was no furniture,” she says. “And the kids had been sleeping on piles of clothes with a blanket over them. That was the biggest eye-opener.” And yet, the genuine looks of appreciation that rewarded her that first day were the same that now galvanize her in Billings. “They had the biggest smiles,” she says. “The parents didn’t speak English, but you could just see their smiles.”

I’VE ALWAYS LOVED HELPING PEOPLE, SO AFTER LEAVING THE ARMY, I WAS TRYING TO FIND A HANDS‑ON WAY TO KEEP SERVING. — Kate Potts

“I’ve always loved helping people, so after leaving the Army, I was trying to find a hands‑on way to keep serving,” she says. During her transition to civilian life, a woman mentor offered advice that stayed with her: Find something outside of work that fills your cup. And yet, it was during work, at an online meeting, that Kate discovered Sleep in Heavenly Peace. A co-worker from the area where she grew up took a few minutes during the meeting to advocate for the organization that’s 100 percent donation-based and 100 percent volunteer-driven. Kate was struck by the concept and his proximity to her roots. When she later trailed along on a bed delivery there, she was stunned by what she witnessed.

By then, Kate was totally invested. But how was she going to convince Adam? They were each busy with their jobs — both work from home — and two young children, Oliver, now 7, and Adalyn, now 4. Kate prepared her spiel to get him on board but discovered she needn’t have. “As soon as I opened the question, he said ‘yes, let’s do it,’” she says. “He just knew I needed to be doing more.”

When they moved to Billings in 2023, Kate discovered that the Magic City lacked an active chapter. There had been one that faded away during COVID-19. She took it upon herself to start it back up. “That’s where I found my joy,” she says. The couple organized its first “bed build” in December 2024. Typically, bed builds take place outdoors in a store’s parking lot and require the assistance of dozens of volunteers to build and deliver beds. Adam heads up the construction phase while Kate organizes volunteers and serves as project photographer. Sleep in Heavenly Peace provides instructions for building both single beds and bunk beds. The final step in building a bed involves branding “SHP” on the end of each headboard. Then the beds are delivered MAY/JUNE 2026

in pieces and assembled in the homes. “A single bed takes 15 minutes and we’re out,” Kate says. “A bunkbed takes longer. But we don’t spend more than an hour at a house.” Kate insists that no experience is necessary. “I absolutely mean that,” she says. “My favorite is when the branding ends up upside down. Because they’re volunteers. They make mistakes. A bed is still a bed.” Volunteers usually sign on for a four-hour stretch and the Potts reward them well with lunch and home-baked goodies. “We know it’s not easy work,” Kate says. “We want them to know we value them and their time.” As she prepares the volunteers to deliver beds, she tells them that the experiences vary widely. “It’s always a different scene,” she says. “But at the end of the day, you know a kid is going to have a place to sleep at night. That’s pretty nice.” She remembers one family with two “bed-less” children whose uncle had promised them beds for Christmas. They were all excited for their first beds when the uncle passed away during the holiday season. Hearing that need, the Potts didn’t hesitate to make his Christmas wish come true. “Their thanks were just so heartfelt,” Kate says. There are other kids, too, who benefit. Both Oliver and Adalyn have learned the importance of seeing the fun bedding — princess and action figure sheets — go to other children who have none. “That makes me really proud,” Kate says. The Potts are also beyond thankful for the businesses that support Billings’ chapter. United Way has hosted a majority of their builds. Lowe’s has provided them with lumber, supplies and even volunteer labor. Mattress King and Slumberland have gifted the nonprofit with free mattresses. EquipmentShare has lent their generators to power their builds. And local eateries, like Dave’s Hot Chicken, have donated lunch. And then there was the day they returned home to a porch-full of pillows donated by Target and Walmart. Kate wondered where she’d stash them all. “What a good problem to have,” she says, laughing. As for bedding, when the Potts run low Kate posts a plea on Facebook and donors come through with enough sheets, blankets and comforters to fill her closet. So how does the local chapter of SHP connect with children that need beds? Kate keeps in touch with teachers, policemen, those who provide services to families and other nonprofits — any source that might link them up with a child in need. SHP’s criteria are as simple as its concept. “They have to have a child between 3 and 17 years old who does not currently have a bed,” she says. “They also have to have a place to deliver to, and it can’t be a shelter.” The Potts scheduled their most recent bed build and delivery in late April of this year and hope to schedule another in the fall. Meanwhile, when they’re not building beds, Kate focuses on outreach. They’d love to add a few more people to their team so they can boost their capacity. Despite having 20 children on their wait list, the Potts encour14

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ADAM, KATE AND THEIR CHILDREN, OLIVER AND ADALYN

age parents to apply anyway. They’re hoping for an infusion of dozens of beds from Lowe’s-sponsored “24-hour Build” that took place in North Carolina in April. “Reach out. We’ll get to you,” Kate says. “The more we build, the better.” ✻

TO LEARN MORE, GO TO SHP’S LOCAL FACEBOOK PAGE AT

“SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE – MT, BILLINGS” OR THE NATIONAL WEBSITE AT shp.org

Since its inception in Twin Falls, Idaho, in 2012, the national organization has grown to 380 chapters and has delivered more than 340,000 beds to bed-less children.

Years of Hope, Health, & Healing

LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA, writer 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.

MAY/JUNE 2026

Love ♥ IN ♥

ACTION

Through Loss, SHE FOUND HER

Voice

KELSEY WAGNER’S JOURNEY TRANSFORMS GRIEF INTO HEALING FOR OTHERS written by JULIE KOERBER photography by JENNIFER DAWN & SIERRA WILLIAMS

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KELSEY, JOHN AND ARIA

“I HAD MY FIRST MISCARRIAGE IN 2021 …” Four times, 32-year-old Kelsey Wagner stared at the little pink plus sign showing a positive pregnancy test. Each time, in the days and weeks to come, she experienced loss. “As soon as you see your positive pregnancy test, you start planning a whole life. You start dreaming. What is your nursery going to look like? All those things start swarming into your head,” Kelsey says. “Then, it doesn’t happen.” Kelsey’s second miscarriage came in May 2024. Her third, in February 2025, and after a positive pregnancy test in April of 2025, she discovered she was carrying twins. “And then we found out that ‘Baby B’ stopped growing,” Kelsey says with emotion. “It was this moment of, ‘How do we continue to walk through pregnancy, knowing we’ve lost one of our babies? But also, we still have a baby growing.’” In December 2025, Kelsey and her husband, Josh, welcomed Aria into the world, a beautiful, brown-eyed bundle of wonder. After so much pain, she was an answered prayer. “She just brings joy everywhere she goes, and she has really learned her smile matters,” Kelsey says with a laugh. “Her life is so special, and I have loved watching every part of her growth.” She pauses before adding, “It makes you wonder what it would have looked like to meet our other babies, but our journey led us here.”

Today, Kelsey’s journey involves walking alongside women who are suffering. One in four pregnancies ends in loss, yet stigma keeps many women silent and feeling alone. “I think for a long time, people just carried shame. What did I do wrong?” Kelsey says. The Mother’s Day after Kelsey’s first miscarriage, a gift from her sister Ashley arrived in her mailbox. It ended up showing Kelsey the power of her voice. “The gift was just so unexpected,” Kelsey says. “It came wrapped in this beautiful tissue paper. It had a little card sticking out of it. And I immediately started tearing up because I was like, oh, this is special. This is for me. This is something specific for what I’m walking through.” It was a T-shirt honoring that first Mother’s Day without a little one in her arms. It was made by a company called Evermore Blooms, whose sole mission is to send flowers and thoughtful gifts to moms experiencing pregnancy loss. Each gift comes with a special handwritten message from the company’s CEO. “It was just so sweet to see someone who didn’t even know me take the time to write a postcard, wrap up a gift for me in the most beautiful packaging and send it to me because she wanted me to feel seen and loved and she wanted me to know that my baby was seen and loved, too.” At the time, Kelsey’s sister Ashley Paulson was living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the city where Evermore Blooms was born. MAY/JUNE 2026

WHEN YOU’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MISCARRIAGE, THERE’S SO MUCH INFORMATION OUT THERE. LOOKING AT THE INTERNET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS NORMAL AND WHAT’S NOT IS A REALLY SCARY PLACE TO BE. — Kelsey Wagner

“I wanted Kelsey to know she wasn’t alone on that first Mother’s Day,” Ashley says. Ashley felt giving a gift that then funded bouquets to send to moms on their hardest days seemed perfect. Since then, she’s watched Kelsey’s advocacy blossom as well. “Even in the hardest moments, Kelsey took the time to sit with her grief and work through it. I walked through infertility, so I know how lonely and devastating some women’s pregnancy journeys can be.” With each loss, Kelsey became more emboldened to try to learn why she was apt to miscarry. It took her a few tries to find a doctor willing to help her answer that question. “Not until you have three miscarriages will they start doing testing and start ordering more extensive labs. And that’s when insurance will start covering it,” Kelsey says. Her current doctor discovered additional progesterone, a vital hormone that helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy, helped Kelsey in early pregnancy, as did a baby aspirin a day. KELSEY AND ASHLEY

“That seemed to do the trick,” Kelsey says. “Looking back, I could have advocated for myself more, but I wasn’t in a place where I had the capacity. I was still processing everything.” For the past seven years, Kelsey has worked at LaVie Health, where she now leads the nonprofit’s marketing efforts. LaVie offers free services, helping women as they navigate often unplanned pregnancies. After seeing some of the women they serve experience loss, Kelsey made it her mission, with the help of the nursing staff there, to craft a pregnancy loss resource guide. “When you’re in the middle of a miscarriage, there’s so much information out there,” she says. “Looking at the internet to figure out what is normal and what’s not is a really scary place to be.” The guide outlines what women can expect, based on how far along they are, including when to seek medical care. “I shared it with Evermore Blooms and said, ‘If this is something you can use, we want it to be a resource for others.’” That connection led to a phone call with Evermore Blooms’ CEO, Chelsey Schnell. At the end of the call, Kelsey asked Chelsey if she could pray for her. Kelsey had no idea the company was looking for a board member to head up the company’s prayer team. Chelsey unexpectedly found her person. Kelsey is now in charge of the group that prays for each woman receiving a bouquet that week. “This work requires a level of tenderness, grace, love, kindness and empathy that is not easy to find, but is absolutely crucial to our mission,” Chelsey says. “Kelsey has brought all of that, and so much more.” In six years, the nonprofit has sent more than 1,000 bouquets to women in 49 states. In each bouquet, the woman will find a little wooden flower that symbolizes the baby she lost. “It is something that lasts,” Kelsey says. “And it can be a beautiful remembrance.”

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Because of Kelsey, LaVie now shares what they call miscarriage care bags to women they serve who experience loss. Each tote bag, crafted by Evermore Blooms, contains items that can provide comfort to a woman as she begins the physical and emotional journey toward healing, says LaVie Health CEO Cindy Nordstog. “They provide a tangible way to meet women in one of the most tender and painful moments of their lives,” she says. “They communicate care and understanding, letting a woman know she is not alone in her loss.” As Kelsey holds Aria in her arms, she at times reflects on the fact that she is a mother of five. Four babies in heaven. One on earth. Each one has a name, and she and Josh honor each of their due dates as they would a birthday, with a small celebration and, sometimes, a cake. Being an ally for women who have experienced a miscarriage is nothing she ever envisioned for herself,

but she embraces it just the same. “If our story can bring anyone who is experiencing loss a bit of comfort or the courage to be able to say something or ask for support,” Kelsey says, “then the pain that we have walked through has been worth it.” ✻ TO LEARN MORE ABOUT

EVERMORE BLOOMS

INCLUDING THE PREGNANCY LOSS RESOURCE GUIDE, VISIT

evermoreblooms.org

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SERVICES PROVIDED AT LAVIE HEALTH BY VISITING laviebillings.org

MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS PHYSICALS

Middle school and high school students who plan to play school sports are required to have a sports physical before tryouts start. One sports physical will be valid for the whole school year. Physicals scheduled after May 1 will be valid for the 2026/27 school year. LaVie Health offers $20 sports physicals all year. Call to schedule your appointment.

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never

alone ONE WOMAN’S JOURNEY THROUGH WIDOWHOOD BECOMES A MISSION TO HELP OTHERS KEEP GOING written by JULIE LOVELL photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

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FRANNIE’S FAITH HAS INSPIRED WIDOWS KRISTI LEBRUSKA (L) AND AUDREY MCCLURE (R) TO MINISTER TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR SPOUSES TO SUICIDE

FOR MANY YEARS, Frannie Shaub seemed to have it all: a wonderful husband, two energetic young sons and a full, active life in Billings. But in 2020, her life changed forever after her husband Dan, who was athletic and outdoorsy, started losing his strength.

Dan was a man of faith, and although his bodily strength was fading, his belief in God remained strong throughout. “Bit by bit, we just kept choosing to live,” she says. “The last thing Dan ever said to me was ‘I love you. Just keep going and God is going to use you, so listen to Him.’”

“The first thing he noticed was that it was hard to pull back his bow during hunting season,” Frannie says. “Gradually, we noticed other things, like he’d be playing basketball at the Y and would start tripping.”

When Dan passed away at age 41 in 2022, Frannie wasn’t sure how to heal her broken heart and care for their sons and baby girl. While friends FRANNIE AND HER FIRST HUSBAND, DA ENJOYING TIME WITH and family generously stepped N, THEIR THREE CHILD REN. in to help, she needed something more: to connect with other women walking a similar path. One evening, Frannie After a year and a half, Dan was eventually diagnosed with Amysearched “Christian widow” online, and found a website for Nevotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s diser Alone Widows, a ministry based in Atlanta. There, she found ease. The progressive disease affects the connection between a hope, connection and encouragement from other women who person’s brain and muscles. Over time, ALS robs individuals of had lost their spouses. their ability to walk, talk and even breathe. The life expectancy for ALS sufferers after diagnosis is typically two to five years. “Even just looking at online content, all of a sudden I felt seen and understood,” Frannie says. “Just knowing somebody else had al“Slowly I watched Dan decline and suffer,” Frannie says. “I had ready gone before me and done this, I was like, ‘OK, I can do this.’ a baby in the middle of it and took care of him and the kids. We I went to the group’s national conference and it changed my life.” knew that literally every day could be our last together, so we just did the best we could and invited a lot of people in because we After Frannie returned to Billings, she felt a strong desire to help needed a lot of help.” MAY/JUNE 2026

other widows learn to navigate life without their husbands. In the fall of 2023, she launched a local chapter of Never Alone Widows and welcomed about a dozen women into her home for the initial gathering. “Since then, we’ve tripled in size and new women come all the time,” she says. “We’ve got women in their 30s all the way up to their 80s. I’ve watched women experience what I’ve experienced and it’s amazing to see some who could barely even smile now feel like they have a reason to live. It’s also great watching them pull up the next girl and look her in the eye and tell her, ‘You can do it.’” The monthly gatherings offer both practical advice and spiritual refreshment, including prayer and worship. Typically, a guest speaker focuses on some of the challenges widows face, like depression, anxiety and handling family finances.

and her husband, Steve, had been married 37 years when he took his own life in 2023. Like Audrey, Kristi firmly believes God brought Never Alone Widows into her life to help her heal. “There’s just something to be said for walking into a room of women who share your same loss,” Kristi says. “You don’t have to explain anything; they understand. Frannie just has the kindest heart and has such a passion for walking with you as you heal.” For women like Kristi and Audrey, it takes a step of faith to join Never Alone Widows. But the rewards are great, and they encourage other widows to join.

THERE’S JUST SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR WALKING INTO A ROOM OF WOMEN WHO SHARE YOUR SAME LOSS. YOU DON’T HAVE TO EXPLAIN ANYTHING; THEY UNDERSTAND. — Kristi Lebruska

Feelings of isolation are also common among widows, and in addition to the ministry’s monthly gatherings, smaller groups have formed to help women connect more often. The breakout groups help deepen new friendships through shared activities, like walking, dining, playing games and making crafts. For widow Audrey McClure, Never Alone Widows has been a lifesaver since her husband, Mark, committed suicide in 2023. They had been married 41 years.

“It takes great courage to walk through that door the first time,” Kristi says. “I’m going to say feel the fear and do it anyway, because it’s so supportive.” “Frannie has a heart of gold,” Audrey says. “She just has a heart for helping women through this difficult time. She is so sincere and you feel it in her presence.”

Frannie’s impact on widows reaches far beyond the group. Since joining Never Alone Widows, Audrey and Kristi have become passionate about helping other widows. The friends now walk alongside women and men whose spouses have committed suicide as part of GriefShare, a support group for people who have lost loved ones. The group is offered at several churches in Billings.

“We’re kind of in a club that none of us wanted to join because we have all gone through the loss of our soulmates,” Audrey says. “It’s just a bond that has been so incredibly helpful. You leave the meetings feeling uplifted. Frannie always says, ‘we see you,’ and it’s true.”

“I got the courage to help other suicide survivors from the Never Alone group,” Kristi says.

Audrey’s friend, Kristi Lebruska, is walking a similar road. She

“It’s shocking. It’s traumatic. There’s just a whole separate set of

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Kristi and Audrey say losing a spouse to suicide presents unique challenges.

Zoo Lights

Beauty & the Bea st

Take time out of the holiday shopping frenzy, pack up the family in the car and enjoy a magical holiday light display during ZooMontana’s Zoo Lights.The display will be open in December - the 7th-8th, 14th15th, and 20th-24th from 5pm to 9pm each night. zo o m o nt a na . org

Billings Studio Theatre presents “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Junior,” January 10th-13th. Brainy and beautiful Belle yearns to escape her narrow and restricted life including her brute of a suitor, Gaston. Belle gets adventurous and as a result becomes a captive in the Beast’s enchanted castle! Dancing flatware, menacing wolves and singing furniture fill the stage with thrills during this beloved fairy tale about very different people finding strength in one another as they learn how to love.b i l l i n g sst u d i ot h ea t re. com

Cha se hawks Rodeo Touted as one of the best rough stock rodeos in America, the Chase Hawks Rodeo takes place in the Rimrock Auto Arena on December 22nd.Top cowboys and stock come straight from the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas to compete right here in Billings, Montana. And best of all, it’s for a great cause. The Chase Hawks Memorial baggage that works comestowith that kind of loss,” Kristi says. Association bring comfort and assistance to families during times of tragedy and crisis.m e t r a p a r k .c o m

“We’ve kind of joined together in wanting to have our loss become a purpose,” Audrey says.

For Frannie, the last four years without Dan have been years of challenge and change. She fully believes God is helping her along the journey and is opening new doors for her and her children. Last year, she fell in love again and married Justin Mueller, a father of two boys who understands just how hard it is to lose a spouse. In 2024, Justin’s first wife died unexpectedly after suffering a pulmonary embolism. After her passing, he joined Refuge, an online men’s ministry for widowers. He first learned about Frannie when the national Never Alone Widows group shared her story online. “We can understand the importance of celebrating life and remembering life and keeping those memories alive for our kids as best we can,” Frannie says. “It’s a whole new level of hard, but I have a teammate again who loves the Lord, which is amazing.” Frannie Shaub Mueller will always miss Dan and their beautiful To h a ve yo u r e v e n t s l i s t e d h e r e , e m a i l life together. She never pictured this new life, with a new husj e s s ito c alove @ b and i l l i nag ministry s 3 6 5 .c o m band, two more children that inspires other widows to move forward with faith. But, she says, she’s grateful.

FRinge FestivaL Venture Theatre presents its Fringe Festival, January 18th-19th and

“When you hearfestival other people’s it takes the sting off your 25th-26th.The features stories, four nights of shows featuring local own,” Frannie says. “And you know, healing really happens in and regional performing artists of all types including dance, standup community.” ✻ comedy, theater improv, one act plays, musicals, performance art, spoken word/poetry, and puppetry.vent u ret hea t r e . or g

souL stReet danCe This high energy show the Alberta TOcomes LEARNtoMORE ABOUT Bair Theater on January 19th and presents a new era in dance, while pushing the artistic boundaries of street dance. Soul Street concerts consist of a mix of VISIT neveralonewidows.com - CLICK ON LOCAL movement that will keep you at the edge of your seat. CHAPTERS The music is combined with an electric mix ranging from hip-hop to classical. Scan the QR code to It’s a show that fill willout make you laugh and keep audiences of all ages information entertained. on how to connect

NEVER ALONE WIDOWS

with the group.

a ConCeRt Fo R the whoL e FamiLy Billings Symphony presents its Family Concert on January 26th at the writernominees, “Trout Fishing Alberta Bair Theater.JULIE Four LOVELL, time Grammy Julie along is a former Billings news Symphony. anchor who loves in America,” will perform with the Billings Trout news stories. Afterfolk spending a Fishing in America is a sharing musicalpositive duo which performs rock and decade in Georgia, her family is happy to back home children’s music. b i l l i n ginssy mp hon y. c om Montana. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her volunteering for special needs organizations, stretching her faith and getting reacquainted with the joys of life under the Big Sky!

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Love

NOTES ACTION FROM ♥ IN ♥

barry ‘BELIEVE YOU ARE BIGGER THAN YOUR DIFFICULTIES’ written by TRISH ERBE SCOZZARI photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

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THE WIND HOWLS as Malena All-

NG✴

I RPRIS E T N E AN WOM

sop crosses the parking lot to the front door of the coffee shop. She lugs a pile of books ✴ ✴ ✴✴ that looks like it weighs as much as she ✴ does. The pile includes personal journals, ✴✴ notebooks filled with heartfelt jottings to friends, a treasure trove of tender missives to family, along with business advice. Every word was hand-written by Malena’s husband, Barry, before he died. The books and journals symbolize a life rewritten. As Barry’s life began to fade, Malena promised him she wouldn’t sell the family business. Instead, she’d be at the helm. Two and a half decades ago, the couple started The Blind Guy, a local custom window covering business. Barry managed the daily operations while Malena handled the financial record keeping from home. She wasn’t above cleaning the bathrooms on weekends. The two did it all while raising their three sons, Ethan, Kade and Tatum. Malena often balanced work with carting the boys to school and then to basketball games. Never did this woman, who by all accounts sparkles, imagine that her husband would fall ill and then that she’d one day have to learn what it took to become a successful businesswoman. Barry had always been the one she depended on, the fun guy in her life, the dad who taught his sons to ride motorcycles, chase the wind, build things and love people. He died in 2022 at age 48 from what’s considered a highly curable cancer. In the midst of his illness, the family was making big plans. They had purchased property west of town and planned to build a “shouse.” A hybrid building that could function both as a house and a shop was a dream they had worked toward for years.

(L TO R) KADE, TATUM, MALENA AND ETHAN ALLSOP

“We thought everything would be fine,” Malena says. “After being diagnosed with tongue cancer in October 2019, Barry had his first surgery four months later. It all started with a sore on his tongue that we thought was a swollen taste bud.” The initial surgery went well. The future looked good. The business was clicking along. The boys remained busy in school and sports. But then, a year later the cancer came back, requiring another surgery followed by six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. Malena kept up with the boys while Todd Harp, a family friend, helped drive Barry back and forth to appointments. In between treatments, Barry never stopped working. “He was tough,” Malena says, adding that her husband’s favorite book was “The Go-Getter” by Peter B. Kyne, one of the books in his pile. Confident that the illness was again conquered, the family embraced a renewed sense of stability. After the last chemo treatment, however, things went sideways. “The side of Barry’s neck was completely exposed,” Melena says, lightly clutching her throat. “You could see his Adam’s apple.” With their home in the middle of construction, the family needed help. Barry’s good friend Steve Wylie stepped in, as did Pastor Danny Houde and many others from New Life Church. “That’s when Barry started writing notes because he had had MAY/JUNE 2026

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part of his tongue removed,” Malena says, tears filling her bright blue eyes. “He had gone through speech therapy, but it was hard for him to swallow and he couldn’t talk. He wrote notes in a notebook to people and he wrote notes to us.” One of Barry’s notes reads: “There is an abundance of joy in everything. We just have to look for it.” Joy came when Malena and Barry hosted Ethan’s high school graduation party and an open house four years ago this month. Ethan was 19, Kade, 15, and Tatum, 7. Another note says, “Smile. Always smile. Be patient, be happy. We are all so blessed. We are all different. God loves us all the same.” Malena treasures the notes from Barry. They challenge her to keep up the good fight. “God had a plan for him,” she says. “He was suffering.” A huge tumor had grown on the other side of Barry’s neck. It looked doubtful he would beat the odds this time.

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“We took care of him 24/7, at home,” Malena says. “He kept such a positive attitude. I was so scared.” Two days before he died that August, Barry wrote this note: “God has a definite plan for us. You will get through it.” Another nugget Barry left his family on the day he died was a sticky note attached to a

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page in a book by Norman Vincent Peale. The verse reads, “Believe that you’re bigger than your difficulties for you are, indeed.” “It became so dark,” Malena says. “It was awful how Barry died. My heart felt so broken. I went to the doctor as I thought I was having a heart attack. It was the worst pain and I didn’t think I’d make it. I knew Jesus, but I was stuck; so stuck I couldn’t get out of it. The boys and I prayed. We talked. We cried. We had good support.” She remembers her youngest telling her, “Someday I’m going to see my dad.” Malena decided she had to find out who she was without Barry. “I was crushed. I couldn’t move. Deep down, I felt like I had failed him. I couldn’t save him. I called my mom and she came and stayed with me for a week.” Barry’s niece also visited for a couple of weeks. “We had the business taxes to do,” Malena says. “So, one month after Barry died, I went into the office. The business was still running, as we had good employees, but I needed help.” Malena called Karmen Kerr-Hedges, her best friend since high school. “I told Karmen, ‘I can’t function,’ and she said, ‘I got this. You’re smart. You can do this.’”

MAY/JUNE 2026

I’VE HAD TO LEARN A LOT ABOUT RUNNING A BUSINESS. I KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. I’M GOOD TO MY PEOPLE, MY CUSTOMERS AND MY FRIENDS. IT’S MADE MY PEOPLE STRONGER SALESPEOPLE. — Malena Allsop

The days and weeks turned into months as Malena struggled with tragedy, loss and learning how to run a business. “I’m from a tiny school. I had two years of tech. I was a stay-at-home wife and mom,” she says. “I had to dig deep and tell myself, ‘I can do this!’” As she faced trying to keep the family business afloat, she remembered Barry’s wishes. “Barry had three things for me. No. 1: I cannot sell the business. No. 2: I have to keep the boys in Christian school, and, No. 3: We have to go to church every Sunday,” Malena says. A particular note from Barry, “I do not live in fear” is the family’s daily reminder. Ethan and Kade tattooed the saying on their arms, while Tatum plans to get the tattoo when he’s old enough. The fear Malena first felt has started to lessen as she’s hit her stride with the company. “I’ve had to learn a lot about running a business,” she says. “I keep a positive attitude. I’m good to my people, my customers and my friends. It’s made my people stronger salespeople.” The business is thriving, with sales increasing each year since. She’s even earned trips through the industry for increased business. Through it all, she’s held onto another one of Barry’s sage pieces of advice: “Never give up. God has your back.” “We’ve done really well. Barry would be proud of us. I’m loving on everyone. I bring food in, make coffee and I still clean the office toilets,” Malena says with a smile. “I’m thankful for what I have. My friends, God, family, and my mom who taught me to be who I am.” ✻ 28

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the people who care for it—and these women are no exception. They’re finding their own unique ways to give back to the communities that surround them. Flip the pages and you’ll meet an occupational therapist helping injured farmers get back to doing what they love, a grower turning a few humble acres into an unexpected harvest, a young mother reimagining tallow into a soothing skincare line, and a group of women bringing agriculture to life for local kids—right down to what ends up on their lunch trays. Their paths may look different, but all share a love of the land and a desire to use it to impact their community. ✻

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Cutting

Fences ONE WOMAN’S MISSION TO RETURN FREEDOM, PURPOSE, AND POSSIBILITY written by CYDNEY HOEFLE photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

LAST FALL, Mac Vosbeck went hunting for the first time in years.

“I can’t tell you how good that felt,” he says. “I didn’t think I’d ever be able to get back out there. I spent my life hunting and I didn’t want to give it up.” In 2009, Mac, a disabled combat Army veteran suffered a near-fatal injury in Afghanistan. It led to more than 20 neck and back surgeries. He has anchor bolts in his pelvis and rods and screws throughout his spine. It’s a miracle he can walk. Yet since he finished his deployment, he has biked, skied and enjoyed being a Montana outdoorsman. That all changed last fall. While on a hike, Mac fell and broke one of the rods in his back. After yet another spinal operation, he watched his hunting plans disappear. That’s when he heard about the Cutting Fences Foundation and its founder, Kendra Lewis.

lending a hand to those in need. The family-run fuel and feed store, in addition to being part of the ranching community, provided plenty of opportunities to witness this kind of giving. “That’s what sparked a desire in me to meet the needs of a community,” Kendra says. “My dad was always figuring out how to help someone that needed help and I loved that in him.” Following in that path, all through high school and college, Kendra spent time coaching for Special Olympics.

THAT’S WHAT SPARKED A DESIRE IN ME TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A COMMUNITY. MY DAD WAS ALWAYS FIGURING OUT HOW TO HELP SOMEONE THAT NEEDED HELP AND I LOVED THAT IN HIM. — Kendra Lewis

“Every time I visit with a new client, like Mac, I gain a perspective of the things that are easy to take for granted.” Kendra says. “What never ceases to amaze me is the resilience of people like him.” Kendra started the Cutting Fences Foundation (CFF) just before she graduated from Rocky Mountain College four years ago with a doctorate in occupational therapy. Since then, the foundation has helped dozens of Montana farmers, ranchers and veterans living with disabilities by providing them with adaptive equipment and assistive technology. Kendra grew up in the rural town of Geraldine in a home with three older brothers. From a young age, her parents modeled

“My mom is a person who stutters, and I watched her being discredited for her intelligence because of the way she speaks,” Kendra says. “It sparked a desire in me to somehow be an advocate for people with disabilities.” After graduating from Montana State University with a degree in health and human performance, Kendra applied to the occupational therapy program at RMC.

“Rocky offered a program that was focused on meeting the needs of the rural and ag population,” she says. “It uniquely combined my top interests of occupational therapy and agriculture.” An assignment by one of her professors during the COVID-19 pandemic led to another seed being planted on Kendra’s career path. Because classes were being taught online, for the first time in years Kendra was home to help during calving season. “We were assigned several fitness challenges and one of them was a plank challenge,” she comments. “We were supposed to post a fun video of ourselves doing the challenge.”

MAY/JUNE 2026

Kendra did the challenge in her heavy canvas coveralls and winter boots — on top of the hay that had just been fed to the cows — while the cows and their newborn calves ate around her — in the middle of a snowstorm — while her brother filmed it. After viewing the video, her professor, who had no experience in the agricultural lifestyle, asked Kendra to do a presentation on what it was like growing up in rural Montana. That assignment led to her doctoral capstone project and laid the groundwork for Cutting Fences Foundation. Wanting to delve beyond her own personal experience, Kendra reached out to friends for references. Of the names given to her, three were individuals farming and ranching while confined to a wheelchair.

“The challenge of a disability adds a whole other level of difficulty. I hoped my podcasts would bring awareness, resources and, most of all, hope to those navigating similar life experiences.”

KENDRA AND HUSBAND, RORY, WITH THEIR DAUGHTER, SCOTTIE LOU

“That was the light bulb moment for me,” she says. “There was no organization in our state targeting and serving this population.” She began with a series of podcasts, called Cutting Fences Podcast, where guests shared their stories of injuries and disabilities while still managing to farm, ranch and carry on with rural life. “It’s hard enough at times to be a farmer or rancher,” Kendra says. 34

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Her curiosity led her to agricultural trade shows. She spoke to as many organizations across the state as possible. At the time, she was also teaching as an adjunct professor and was newly married to her husband, Rory. As she dove deeper into the issue, it further underscored the need and led her to create the Cutting Fences Foundation (CFF), a nonprofit designed to find adaptive solutions and resources to help Montana farmers and ranchers with disabilities continue to do what they love.

Lawrence Rhone, an independent veteran’s advocate, first met Kendra at an ag conference. He immediately understood Kendra’s mission. It didn’t take much for him to accept her invitation to be a part of her new nonprofit’s board. “I wanted to be engaged in helping CFF grow,” Lawrence says. “Kendra has so much to offer and I saw myself helping her every step of the way. We both provide inspiration and motivation to

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those we serve.” Lawrence was one of Kendra’s first podcast interviews. In time, he became a mentor to her as she took steps to launch the nonprofit. “The needs kept getting more obvious,” Kendra says. “People just want to be able to do what they love, not only people in ag, but veterans as well. We can provide resources and therapy, but ultimately if they can’t go out and check their cows or go hunting, there’s still a big barrier in their life. Access to the right adaptive equipment can help to eliminate this barrier.” A breakthrough came when the Christoper and Dana Reeves Foundation offered the first grant to Cutting Fences. “That’s when we really started taking off,” Kendra says. “I took a leap of faith and with Rory’s support, I left my career to pour my time into building Cutting Fences Foundation.” The first grant was used to purchase a Trackchair. It’s an all-terrain power wheelchair that uses caterpillar-style rubber tracks instead of wheels to navigate uneven ground. “With that first Trackchair, we finally had something tangible,” Kendra continues. “Not only did we start loaning it out, but it gave credibility and other donors saw there really is a need for what we are doing.” One of the first recipients was DuWayne Wilson, a retired FFA 36

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instructor and full-time rancher from Scobey who was paralyzed from the waist down after a farming accident 10 years ago. With the help of CFF’s adaptive equipment, he and many others like him have operated tractors, tended their lands, repaired fences and taken care of livestock. They’ve also been able to hunt, fish, camp and travel with family. Adaptive equipment is expensive, ranging between $20,000 and $30,000 for each piece. Most insurance companies won’t cover the cost. Fortunately, the Cutting Fences Foundation has nine large pieces to loan. Some are wheelchairs that can traverse across all kinds of terrain. Some help ranchers move from sitting to standing position while being able to move through mud, snow or dirt. Others look like all-terrain vehicles with easy access for those with mobility issues. The CFF loan program allows people with disabilities and injuries to try a piece of equipment or use it for a specific need without having to pay for it. “Our first loan delivery of the Trackchair was to a rancher in Roy who lives in a remote area and who could hardly get his manual wheelchair from the house to his car,” Kendra says. “When he first tried the standing feature of our Trackchair, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, ‘You’re not as tall as I thought you were,’ It was one of the most human moments ever. An eye-toeye conversation was something that he hadn’t experienced in a long time.” Every client Kendra helps has their own story to tell. They range in age from early 20s to over 80. All know the reality of sudden,

difficult changes in life. “The loss of things that bring joy or selfworth is so hard,” Kendra says. “I never want anyone to have to lose the ability to do the things that make them who they are.” The TerrainHopper, a specialized 4-wheeler, quickly became a favorite with those seeking assistance. Each wheel has its own motor, which allows it to climb stairs or go over boulders. It can even be driven into water for fishing. It’s what allowed Mac to once again go hunting. “That little machine can go about anywhere,” he says. “It has meant the world to me to do get back outside and do things I once did. I had a successful hunt and filled my freezer with good venison meat.” From writing grants and researching the latest in equipment to organizing fundraising events, attending awareness events, or fielding calls from those hoping to use CFF’s equipment, Kendra’s days are packed. Through it all, she cherishes time with her 2-year-old daughter, Scottie Lou, and her husband. “My work has become a family endeavor,” Kendra says. “Rory helps me so much with delivering and picking up equipment and attending events with me. Scottie knows all the names of the equipment and never turns down a test drive. That’s so rewarding as a mom, to see her have somewhat of an understanding about what I do and learn the joys of serving others.”

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Even with nine pieces of equipment, CFF’s machines are consistently out on loan. Kendra hopes, as money allows, to add to the inventory. She’s partnered with extension agencies and fairgrounds around the state, which allow her to store equipment and keep it charged for people in some of the state’s more remote areas. “Sometimes people don’t need the equipment for a very long time, and sometimes they just need to try it before they buy or find funding for their own,” Kendra says. Kendra continues to use her podcasts as a platform for awareness and has produced over 50 since she began recording. The stories of farmers and ranchers who’ve suffered injuries or accidents are heart-wrenching. But along with the

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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

cuttingfencesfoundation.net YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW CFF ON FACEBOOK AT CUTTING FENCES FOUNDATION OR LISTEN TO THE CUTTING FENCES PODCAST ON SPOTIFY.

tough topics are stories of overcoming adversity, and hope. “Several of my guest have confessed that it’s not easy to share their stories, but doing so has been therapeutic for them,” Kendra says. One of her favorite stories is that of a veteran who shared his experience transitioning from service back to civilian life. He shared why coming back to agriculture was, in a sense, lifesaving for him. As he spoke about his service, he mentioned a man he served with who had saved him from the brunt of a bomb’s blast. The two had lost touch. Kendra shares how the man who saved him heard the podcast and reached out to her. She was able to connect the two. “His story was powerful to begin with,” she says. “And then to have them reconnect. It’s something I never could have ever dreamt of coming out of one of my small podcasts. It makes me smile anytime that I think of it. That is still the tiniest thing I could do, in comparison to their selfless service for my freedom.” Since starting CFF, Kendra has also launched a crisis fund to help provide funding to those who can’t afford their own equipment. “My hope is that a financial barrier would never be a reason for someone not to receive the equipment that they need,” she says. Recently, Kendra and her husband moved from Laurel back to her hometown of Geraldine to be closer to family. 38

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“I feel like this is the perfect location for the foundation,” she explains. “Not only for the help and comfort that my family provides for us, but because we’re more centrally located making it easier to serve the state. Feeling reconnected with agriculture and rural life has grounded our mission deeper than ever.” The stories of the folks whose lives have been changed because of someone else’s generosity never ceases to amaze her. It has created a sense of community that has become the cornerstone of the foundation. “The people that I’ve connected with, the stories that they have shared and just knowing that we are helping someone out there, it’s hard to describe the feeling. I’m just so grateful, Kendra says. “Every time I get back in my car after I’ve delivered a piece of equipment, I think to myself how incredibly blessed I am to get to help someone. I never want to take that for granted.” ✻

CYDNEY HOEFLE, writer

A fourth generation Montanan, Cydney was raised on a ranch on the banks of the Yellowstone River where an appreciation of the outdoors was fostered. She and her husband raised three children and are now the proud grandparents of three. She is the publisher of Raised in the West Magazine and when she’s not chasing a story, she enjoys time with her family, adventures with her husband, a good book and quiet reflection.

One Night Matters. Let’s Make It Safe. MasterLube is turning every oil change into something bigger. On May 2nd, 100% of proceeds from oil changes will be donated directly to local schools to help fund safe, drug- and alcohol-free all night graduation parties. Let’s give our graduates a night they will never forget – and help make sure they get home safe. Can’t make it in that day? Scan the QR code to donate and support our Billings, Laurel and Lockwood graduating seniors.

Donate to 2026 Grad Day! Today masterlube.com/gradday2026

Thank you, Nurses! This Nurses Week, MasterLube honors the people who show up when it matters most, day in and day out. From May 6 – 12, nurses who visit MasterLube for an oil change will receive a $10 coffee voucher from a local coffee shop.

Know a nurse who has gone above and beyond? We invite the community to help us recognize someone truly special. Now through May 31, 2026, you can nominate a nurse who has shown exceptional care for others. On June 5, 2026, one nominee will be selected to receive a $200 gift card to Sanctuary Salon and Spa.

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• HEIGHTS FOUR SEASONS •

G R A N D AV E

• K I N G AV E W • L AU R E L 4/15/26 4:36 PM

Beefing Up

Community CRAZY PEAK CATTLE WOMEN ARE FEEDING AND RECONNECTING A COMMUNITY TO AGRICULTURE written by CYDNEY HOEFLE photography by MAYZIE CREMER

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THE CRAZY PEAK CATTLE WOMEN: BACK ROW: REBECCA REIN, TARA BECKEN, KALEY SWARTZ, KAYLA WALKER, KARLEE ERFLE, LYDIA SARGENT, HEIDI TODD, MAYZIE CREMER FRONT ROW: ANGELA GREEN, MELISSA ANDERSON, LAINEY STENBERG

IN THEIR GLITTERY DRESSES, high heels and styled

hair, a group of close friends and their husbands were decked out for a New Year’s Eve celebration, ready for a party. It was the last year for the Cattle “Bawl,” which for the previous five years had been the major fundraiser for Crazy Peak Cattle Women, a nonprofit founded in 2017. The women worked diligently putting on the event that the community of Big Timber rallied behind, which included prime rib dinner, a raffle and live music. But it was also an opportunity to get out of their blue jeans and muddy boots, dress up, and leave the ranch for the night while having a little fun in town.

and that was frustrating in a county whose largest industry is agriculture.” What’s evolved from their efforts has been a tremendous asset to the community, including a Farm Fair for fourth and fifth graders, a bratwurst competition, scholarships, and their biggest project — orchestrating the donation of all the beef for the elementary and high school hot lunch programs in both Big Timber and Rapelje.

EVEN IN A RURAL COMMUNITY LIKE BIG TIMBER, THERE ARE STILL CHILDREN THAT DON’T KNOW WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM. WE STARTED TO SEE A DISCONNECT AND THAT WAS FRUSTRATING IN A COUNTY WHOSE LARGEST INDUSTRY IS AGRICULTURE. — Heidi Todd

They are a determined group of women. Most of them are young moms. Several of them, descendants of ranches in Sweet Grass County going back four and five generations. Bound together, not only because many of them are related, but because of their rural roots and the fact that they are all cattlewomen working hard to advocate for agriculture. “Even in a rural community like Big Timber, there are still children that don’t know where their food comes from,” says Heidi Todd, one of the Cattle Women. “We started to see a disconnect

“Beef to School has evolved into something that we’re really proud of,” says Heidi, a past coordinator the program. “We’ve provided over 28,000 pounds of beef to the school in the last seven years.” A dozen or so area ranchers generously donate a cow or steer every year to the program with the Cattle Women taking care of the details — slaughter dates, cutting instructions and even delivering the packaged beef to the school.

Corey Austin, Superintendent at Sweet Grass County High School calls the collaboration “a tremendous partnership.” “We are very proud that we serve homegrown, local, high-quality beef in our lunch program,” Corey says. “The generosity of the ranchers has broadened the creativity of our lunches.” MAY/JUNE 2026

Here to help you celebrate the moments that matter most

The Rapelje School is the beneficiary of three head of beef a year and according to Lydia Sargent, a member of the Cattle Women whose family donates beef, it’s been a game changer. “We’re ranchers, our kids should be eating local beef. In a town the size of Rapelje, there aren’t a lot of resources,” she says. “But when the school needs beef, someone always steps up.” Combined between the two towns, over 300 students are benefitting from the generosity of the Cattle Women and the area ranchers. “It works well because it’s important to all of us that it’s successful,” Heidi adds. She also gives credit to local meat processor, Brian Engle, owner of Pioneer Meats, for his help. “Brian goes above and beyond to help us in the processing. The students really do benefit from everyone’s efforts.”

College Students save an extra 5% every day* *subject to program details

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Lifem’sadoecceaassioyn. s in Scan here to beg

In addition to processing the beef for the school, Brian hosts the annual bratwursts competition, where the winning recipes created and submitted by the area fourth graders are made into brats. After tasting the winning brats, the day ends with a tour of the processing plant.

WHERE EVERY WIN IS WORTH CELEBRATING

WE ARE VERY PROUD THAT WE SERVE HOMEGROWN, LOCAL, HIGH-QUALITY BEEF IN OUR LUNCH PROGRAM. THE GENEROSITY OF THE RANCHERS HAS BROADENED THE CREATIVITY OF OUR LUNCHES. — Corey Austin

“Both the brats competition and the Farm Fair are really handson days,” Heidi says. “They are opportunities for kids that haven’t grown up on a farm or ranch to see where food comes from, how it is processed and piques their interest in ag.” The Farm Fair demonstrates different aspects of agriculture, including learning how to care for livestock, irrigation of crops, safety around farm equipment, shearing sheep and what by-products of a cow impact their daily lives. The Cattle Women bring all the livestock and are the instructors for each station.

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A Pub and Putt and a golf scramble have replaced the Cattle Bawl event because, as the women realized, having young children and planning an event during the holidays became too much. “It was a lot of fun,” Lydia says. “But really anything we do, if we’re meeting our mission of ag education and kids are learning, we’re having fun.” ✻ MAY/JUNE 2026

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Smiles from Berries

from Berries A TRIP TO TOWNSHIP ROAD FARM

written by STELLA FONG photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN AND CHRISTIE WALSH

CHRISTIE WALSH made me smile with ice cream. Seaberry

ice cream. On a summer night in July several years ago, I took a taste of the light-orange-hued ice cream, with a wooden spoon, from a plastic cup. I met Christie for the first time an hour earlier when she greeted me at her Township Road Farm near Worden. That evening, she and her husband, Larry, a master gardener, hosted an open house that brought together fellow trained gardeners, friends and the community. “The open house really started as a party to get friends together,” Christie says. Every year, the Walshes enjoy the opportunity to show off their hard work, sharing stories not only of raising bounty in Montana but also how they manage to deal with Mother Nature’s challenges. I stood at an old-fashioned ice cream cabinet, trying to decide among her offerings of homemade haskap, strawberry, raspberry and just about every flavor from the fruit they harvest on their farm. It brought back childhood memories at the grocery store, my tipped toes lifting me just over the ledge of a freezer, the sliding glass door pushed to one side, releasing refreshing cold and the anticipation of a delicious treat.

unique fruit they grow. Most will turn down the chance to try raw fruit they are unfamiliar with, but ice cream, which is easy to make, usually entices more people to sample something new. Christie and her husband cultivate a myriad of bounty on their five-acre plot. There are apples, strawberries and raspberries, along with gooseberries, haskaps, Carmine cherries, elderberries, buffalo berries, yellow currants and seaberries. Rhubarb and asparagus, which are the first to emerge each year, are the welcoming committee to the rest of the fruits and vegetables.

WE GROW A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING. WE SLOWLY KEPT PLANTING. — Christie Walsh

Even before I settled on a choice, Christie insisted, “Please help yourself to more. Eat as many as you want.” With Christie’s sparkling green eyes, warm smile and gentle spirit, I eventually took her up on her offer and indulged a bit more. “We wanted to highlight the fruit,” Christie said of the ice cream offering. She saw it as a vehicle to educate people about the

“We grow a little bit of everything,” Christie says. “We slowly kept planting,” she adds, admitting that she loves to collect varieties, and often plants one or two plants, simply because they look interesting.

“I have a crazy husband,” Christie says with a laugh. “My husband wanted a big garden and lots of trees. He wanted a hill, a brook and a pond,” she says, detailing his wish list, when they moved to the Billings area in 2002. “We were tired of Denver.” Although they did not find that dream property within their budget, they do have the perfect plot of land with many trees.

Up until last year, tending this land is not what Christie and Larry called their day jobs. Christie just retired last fall after years with the Bureau of Reclamation as a civil engineering technician, performing drafting and design work. Larry, once a farrier, now drives a school bus. In the past, they would work full days and shuffle their daughters to activities, coming home to tend their farm. MAY/JUNE 2026

HASKAP, also known as honeyberry or

SEABERRIES, also known as sea buckthorn, are intensely flavored berries from a thorny shrub. They are citrusy and sour and have been compared to mango, passion fruit and apricot.

CARMINE CHERRIES are small, sour

YELLOW CURRANTS are small smooth-skinned berries that are tart with an apricot-like flavor.

blue honeysuckle, taste like a combination of a raspberry and a blueberry, with its flesh resembling the latter.

cherries perfect for making cherry pies or preserves.

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They did it with a passion for bringing fresh fruit to others. “When you eat a raspberry, you smile,” Christie says. Larry was determined, with each piece he harvested, to prove that fruit can be grown in eastern Montana. You just need the most cold-hardy and early ripening varieties. This passion inspired Christie to accept the role as chair of the Montana Berry Growers Association, a group she helped start in 2019 with MSU Extension. For the past three years, she has led a group of growers, who support statewide development of small-fruit markets and their producers, through resources, advocacy and collaboration. The couple is also active in the Montana and North Dakota Grape and Wine Association, the Yellowstone Valley Food Hub, Montana Agritourism, and the Healthy by Design Gardener’s Market at South Park. They are constantly creative with each season’s crop. A little more than 10 years ago, they planted grapes for wine. Their mission was simple. “We would give an experience to the wine hobbyist who wanted to make wine,” Christie says. “They would pick the grapes and use our wine press to make their own wine.” The couple grew Frontenac, Marquette, Itasca and Petit Pearl grape varieties. After making their first wine in 2014 out of sand cherries, they planted grapes and now boast more than 250 wine grape vines with more to come. “The problem with growing grapes is that the existing vine dies,” Christie laments. With severe freezing temperatures in MAY/JUNE 2026

the winter and hail in the summer, the vines, even though bred to tolerate most of Mother Nature’s wrath, can succumb to her fiercer attacks. Then, “with fire blight, we lost some trees and had to trim them out,” she says. Still, Christie finds satisfaction and delight even among the failed attempts. “It’s finding a new variety and discovering if it grows and how it would grow,” she says. And when it does thrive and mature, she likes how “it brings joy to people.” Last year, the couple built a shop with a small farm store facing Highway 312 that sells their fruit, vegetables, eggs, jams and sauces. A customer can stop by and purchase items using the honor system. Inside, they will find evidence of Christie’s curious and creative nature. Jars of haskap, gooseberry, sand cherry, jalapeño, apple and many other preserves sit on a card table. In the freezer, bags of black currants, raspberries, and strawberries are found next to many tiny containers of ice cream in shades of pink, purple and white. Pâte de fruit, a traditional French jelly confection with intense flavor, coated in granulated sugar, is her latest culinary creation. It is just one more way Christie tries to highlight the fruit they grow.

FOR MORE INFORMATION FOLLOW

TOWNSHIP ROADVISITFARM ON FACEBOOK OR

townshiproadfarm.com

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At 57 years old, Christie is moving into a new chapter. “I really miss what I did at my job. I liked helping people. I liked drawing things. Now I can use my talents to make labels,” she says with a smile. Those labels name the goods she creates and nurtures. With each piece of produce, she is helping people learn about new fruits and vegetables that flourish in eastern Montana and — of course — make them smile. ✻

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Nature’s Secret,

Perfected

ONE WOMAN’S JOURNEY FROM HOMEMADE BALM TO A BOOMING BUSINESS written by by LAURA LAURA BAILEY BAILEY photography photography by by DANIEL DANIEL SULLIVAN SULLIVAN written

A FEW YEARS AGO,

when Maycie Trapp was training to become a midwife, a friend recommended she swap her regular skin care routine for tallow. That simple switch did more for Maycie than just even out her skin tone and stop her occasional breakouts. It sent her down the path to starting her own business. Maycie is the founder of Naturally Montana, a Billings-based company that makes skincare products primarily from tallow. All the products she sells, she makes and packages herself. The story of Naturally Montana started with a two-pound chunk of tallow, rendered from the raw fat trimmings off beef kidneys — the most nutrient dense and purest fat on an animal. After some online research, Maycie went to work experimenting with the tallow and a few recipes. The balm she whipped up was a success and Maycie made far more creamy, rich moisturizer than she needed, so she decided to sell it on Facebook Marketplace. All six jars leftover from her experiment were snapped up in less than 20 minutes, and she still had tallow left over. She knew she was onto something.

She discovered tallow is trending, especially among women who want simple, effective, all-natural skin care products. Tallow is naturally anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, and it’s loaded with vitamins A, D, E, K and B12, as well as collagen. Tallow’s fatty acid profile is very similar to the oils our skin produces, making it highly bioavailable. It doesn’t clog pores and it’s not heavy. When the right quantity is used — a surprisingly small amount — tallow is not greasy. It has even been praised for helping skin conditions ranging from fine lines and wrinkles and an uneven skin tone to more serious conditions like psoriasis and eczema. “It’s even been called nature’s Botox,” Maycie says. What followed for Maycie was a lengthy experimentation and product development phase. Tallow can be tricky. “If a product isn’t melted and cooled and whipped at just the right temperature, it can turn out grainy,” Maycie says. Tallow rendering is a days-long process that starts with grinding MAY/JUNE 2026

the fat and slowly melting it, filtering it and purifying it and then cooling it. During those first few renderings, there seemed to be no end to the slippery patches of tallow on her kitchen counters and floors. “My husband quickly got irritated with tallow everywhere in our kitchen, and honestly I did, too,” Maycie says.

NATURALLY MONTANA

If the tallow is rendered at too high a temperature, it changes the fatty acid profile, and the beneficial nutrients are burned off. The goal, Maycie says, is to preserve the healing properties in an odorless product. Poor quality tallow to start and missed steps in the purification process can cause the product to smell more like dinner than skincare. With lots of trial and error, she perfected an odorless, smooth tallow base.

Makers Market, Casual Space, Ace Hardware on 13th Avenue, Ace Hardware on Zimmerman Avenue, and at Montana Harvest.

With purity and quality in mind, Maycie uses only USDA Certified Organic and grass-fed and finished beef tallow. She sources the tallow from a ranch in Lavina and a ranch in Big Timber.

PRODUCTS CAN BE FOUND IN BILLINGS AT

YOU CAN ALSO FIND THEM ONLINE AT

NaturallyMontana Tallow.com

OR ON FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM @ NATURALLYMONTANA

“Sourcing makes all the difference,” Maycie says. Choosing grass-fed and finished organic beef ensures that no heavy metals or pesticides from the animal’s feed is trapped in the fat. Additionally, there are no industry standards for tallow, and with no quality control, it’s buyer beware when it comes to online sourcing. As the demand for Maycie’s tallow products continued to rise, the next challenge came in scaling the rendering process. In the early days, Maycie rendered a couple of pounds of tallow at a time in a crock pot. Now, she renders 150-pound batches. The techniques remained basically the same, but scaling up required even more trial and error. Along the way, Maycie continued to develop the Naturally Montana brand and experiment with new recipes for products. She now offers 17 tallow-based products in her line, including the Rejuvenating Tallow Balm, Healing Tallow Balm, tallow-based mineral sunscreen, deodorant, soaps, lip balm, lotion sticks and masks. The Rejuvenating Tallow Balm is a bestseller. “It’s my daily face moisturizer and hand lotion,” Maycie says. While Naturally Montana offers unscented tallow products, many of Maycie’s customers like a lightly scented skin care routine. For

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those products, she adds only therapeutic-grade essential oils to her products.

“It all started with a decision for me to use all-natural products on me and my family,” Maycie says. ✻

Maycie’s decision to go all-natural in her skin care routine became even more important to her when she and her husband, Hayden, found out they were having a baby, roughly a year into starting her tallow business. Now, she has even more uses for tallow. When her infant son has a diaper rash, she uses tallow, and when he has a scrape, scratch, or occasional bug bite, it’s her pick to soothe his skin.

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.

“It’s a great thing to have in your home for almost everything,” Maycie says.

Just when she was starting to hit her stride, disaster struck. A housefire destroyed the Trapp family home only a few weeks before Maycie and Haydan’s son was born. It’s been more than a year of demolition and reconstruction, and the Trapp family is still waiting to return home. During the time the family has been displaced, Maycie has used her parents’ kitchen to keep up with the demand for Naturally Montana tallow products. It’s a demand that has stretched beyond Billings all across the United States. “It’s surprising to me to learn that there was such a market for skin care with ingredients you can pronounce,” she says. Maycie is quick to mention all the help she’s received along the way. When she’s rendering, she has help from Hayden and from her parents, and at events, Hayden and her father always help set up and tear down her booth. Hayden’s parents are always happy to watch the baby during events, as well as anytime Maycie needs to get ahead on orders or package a big batch of product. Throughout the growth of her company, Maycie’s customers have shared testimonials about how her tallow products have healed their skin when over-the-counter drugstore remedies and even prescription products have failed. She often hears from women who are grateful to have replaced their complicated skin care routines with just one product — tallow.

e on Ph 350 ing 9-7 dg 58 Lo 406-

Macie juggled her growing business, and motherhood, as well as midwife training. While earning her professional midwife license, she attended more than 100 births along with countless prenatal, postnatal and well-infant exams. Becoming a midwife was Maycie’s lifelong dream.

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Wallow in the

WONDER

YV W COLUMN IST

written by KAREN GROSZ

• • • • • • EMBRACING WHO YOU ARE AT THIS VERY MOMENT • • • • • •

MY GREAT, GREAT — maybe even a third great should

be in there — grandmother was one of the early settlers in Nebraska. In her obituary, she stated that she wanted to be buried back East, to escape the soot from the prairie fires and dust from the storms that seeped into every crack of her life and ruined both of her pretty dresses. Living in a sod hut in the middle of flat land, she had a canary, and a red sewing tomato to hold her sewing pins, as most women of the time did so they would have both company and some color in their often-colorless lives. Her sister, by contrast, owned a newspaper and a hotel, way back when women were not allowed to do such things. As family legend goes, she could carry on a conversation while typing a column and looking out her second story window to comment on what the woman across the street was wearing. She also was known for her temper, and people often ducked to avoid china dishes and frying pans as they were slung out the front door. That may also YVW MAGAZINE

explain the divorce — also unheard of at the time. Way back then, when settlers set out from home, they rode in a wagon, knew they would never see most of their people again, and often made home where the last oxen died. One friend of mine said, “I never understood wanting to murder my family until our car broke down in the badlands.” She went on to add that she had a sick baby, was menstruating, and her husband was the one who insisted they take the scenic loop. She jokingly said, “if we had been pioneers doing this in a covered wagon, without a cell phone, I would have lit the wagon on fire and walked away to live with the snakes.” This year, in a mad dash to live another Next, as you know I love to do, we moved into a second home outside of Phoenix for the winter. My placemats are red, my bedspread desert oranges, and my brother, who loves to take me on amazing hikes, lives right across the street. My daughter and her family will be here for a visit in a few days, and last weekend I fell

madly in love with, of all things, NASCAR. Yes, they do go fast and turn left, but it is not at all boring. I apologize if you were a fan and I rolled my eyes when you told me about it previously. I tell you this because every once in a while, when the world is wild, the pressures mounting and the pillow lumpy, we need to stop, even for a moment, and wallow in the absolute wonders of who we are, where we are, and what we get to do.

grandmothers, some of whom followed cultural norms, never rocking the boat, because that was their lot in life, lived right alongside the ones who burned their bras and fought tooth and nail for equality. The ones who came before us set the stage for us to be someone’s great-great-great grandmother. To fill the role of someone who shaped a family legacy, (for better or worse) who broke the norms (for better or worse), and created something for them to latch on to and say, “If they did that, I can do this.”

...WE NEED TO STOP, EVEN FOR A MOMENT, AND WALLOW IN THE ABSOLUTE WONDERS OF WHO WE ARE, WHERE WE ARE, AND WHAT WE GET TO DO.

We live the life we live because of the womIt seems like half of the world is trying to en who went before us. The ones who broke — KAREN GROSZ “return to the land” with backyard gardens, the ground, bore the babies and kicked like hell and the other half is perfectly content with to knock down the door into the boardrooms of food-like substances. Some of us are fighting mad, this great land. They are the same ones who held the kicking over the wagons, and some of us are just sitting hands of aging aunties, took in the feeble parents and figquietly, watching the dishes fly. Some of us are embracing ured out that a TV dinner was better than no dinner at all. They Artificial Intelligence, (I can hardly wait to hear what my buddid exactly what we do now, by figuring it out first. dy Claude AI has for feedback when I feed this into my portal. I will tell him he can’t change a word; he will tell me grammar will We figure out how to pay the taxes on the land we inherited. We always be a thing), and some of us are hoping that like the dust figure out how to be at our mom’s oncology appointment, and our from prairie fires, AI will soon be a thing of the past. daughters’ soccer game, and attend yet another Zoom meeting in 15 minutes. We plan, delegate, throw in the towel, and, when the I just hope that when you get a moment to sit on the patio, or soak stars align, we slide into a bubble bath with a glass of wine and a in the tub, you know that who you are is who you are. You are trashy novel. All because the women who walked before us creatliving your moment. You might shine; you might not. You might ed a path that we have turned into a superhighway. We figure it be proud of every single thing you accomplished today, and you out because we can, even when we wish we didn’t have to. might not. But you are here. You are going to be someone’s legacy, and I think she will be pretty darn amazed that you did all that Living in a new city, trying to build up my team-building business you do with just a basic old cell phone, antique Artificial Intellihere (referrals welcome!) and navigate my husband’s new role as gence, and that you ate a red tomato from Brazil while you were retiree, has given me pause and pleasure. It is actually pleasant dining in Montana. not to have anywhere to go on a Saturday night. It is pleasant to figure out that I like yoga at 2 p.m., followed by my one meal of Stop, if you will, just for a moment, and wallow in the wonder the day, and then another round of Zoom calls. It is pleasant to of who you are, and where you are. The scars, the accolades, the know that I will throw on a jacket for my morning walk, but not a pains, the accomplishments. You, and you alone, are living this hat, mittens, heated vest and handwarmers. story, and even if all you do is go real fast and turn left, I am cheering for you, just as loudly as I can. You are someone’s “If she But it gives me pause to know I am selfishly leaving chores at did that, I can do this.” Be proud of that legacy. ✻ home to my daughter who is busy with her own family and career. It gives me pause to know that time with my husband has to be a priority because 45 years has not been near enough time KAREN GROSZ, writer to have all the conversations or to see all of the things we want to Karen Grosz is a local Team and Leadership see together. It gives me pause to think that even though we have Development coach and motivational speaker. cell phones and hormone therapy, sometimes women are still so She owns Canvas Creek Team Building, is the author of “What’s Next” and “Quiet Leadership” lost, still so mad, that we light the wagon on fire and walk away. It gives me pause to know that just like our great-great-great

T ? W h a t ’s X E N S ’ T A E X? WH t ’s N e x t’s W H AT ’ S tN a ? h t x W e ? T N X ? E t W H AT ’ S NH AT ’ S N E X T ? W h aN E X T ? W h a t ’s N e x? W h a t ’s N e x t ? W’s N e x t ? W H AT ’ S x t ? W H AT ’ S N E X T’ S N E X T ? W h a t N E X T ? W h a t ’s N ea t ’s N e x t ? W H AT x t ? W H AT ’ S H AT ’ S N E X T ? W h N E X T ? W h a t ’s N e ? W h a t ’s N e x t ? W’s N e x t ? W H AT ’ S x t ? W H AT ’ S N E X T’ S N E X T ? W h a t N E X T ? W h a t ’s N ea t ’s N e x t ? W H AT x t ? W H AT ’ S H AT ’ S N E X T ? W h N E X T ? W h a t ’s N e ? W h a t ’s N e x t ? W’s N e x t ? W H AT ’ S x t ? W H AT ’ S N E X T’ S N E X at LIVE. a t ’s N e t ’s T ? W hEXPLORE. hCREATE. x t ? W H ATe x t ? W e ? T N X E N a S h ’ W H AT EXT?W h a t ’s N T ? W h a t ’s NKaren W with Grosz S ? ’ T T X A E H N W S ’ ? N ex t t ? W H ATN e x t ? W H AT ’ S N EAXT ’ S N E X x e N ’s t a T ? W h N E X T ? W h a t ’s N ex t ? W H W H AT ’ S H AT ’ S N E X T ? W h a t ’s N ex t ? W xt?

and founding voice of the Facebook group “I’ll Help”- Billings. You can find more from Karen at karengrosz.life.

Join us!

What’s Next?

MAY/JUNE 2026

Give Her Joy MOTHER’S DAY IS MAY 10TH STEP INTO SUMMER

With this collection of women’s Roper sandals! The ladies appreciate the softness of these sensational sandals and the easy foot access of these two-strap leather sandals with molded cork middle sole and rubber outsole. Choose from tooled leather, plain, or brown suede starting at $59.99. Shop Shipton’s Big R, located at 216 N. 14th St., 2600 Gabel Rd., and 1908 Main St. in Billings.

ELECTRIC WAVES

Surprise her with this bra and panty set with the gift that will keep on giving. This collection by the French brand Louisa Bracq features delicate lace on top for maximum support and comfort throughout the day. The daring graphic lace set is sure to highlight a woman’s curves in a way that feels great all season long. Find it at TLC Lingerie, 1400 Broadwater Avenue.

THE GIFT OF MUSIC

Make this Mother’s Day extra special with the gift of music. Whether it’s a season subscription or just one concert, spend an evening together and experience the magic of the Symphony. Your gift can help shape the future of your Billings Symphony as six finalists lead the musicians throughout the season, each vying to be the Symphony’s next Music Director. Join the search and make your voice heard! Subscriptions and tickets are available in person at 2820 2nd Avenue North, online at billingssymphony.org , or by calling 406-252-3610.

PLANT LOVE

This Mother’s Day, plant a little love. Gainan’s hybrid tea rose bushes bring beauty, fragrance, and joy to any outdoor garden - a gift she’ll treasure year after year. Available in dozens of varieties and colors. $79.99 for a 3-gallon container, only at Gainan’s Garden & Patio in the Heights at 810 Bench Boulevard.

FOR THE MOM WHO MOVES WITH STYLE

GIVE HER A HEARTFELT GIFT

Give the special woman in your life a heartfelt statement piece she’ll treasure. These stunning hand-beaded purses from Stone Feather Road are works of art. The mini cross-body Queen of Hearts handbag dazzles at $210. The darling Let’s Play coin purse is priced at only $58. Melt her heart with the Heart Burst phone bag for $110. Visit Stone Feather Road, 2525 Minnesota Avenue in Billings, or call 406-839-2066. 58

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This Mother’s Day, give her a look that blends effortless beauty with everyday comfort. Light, breathable, and ready for sunshine, this outfit is perfect for everything from brunch to a stroll downtown. Featuring the Carve Soleil Hat ($64), Aventura Leni Jacket ($149), prAna Corinne Maxi Dress ($118), and Taos The Show Sandals ($140), it’s an easy, elegant go-to for the season ahead. All available at The Base Camp, 1730 Grand Ave. Billings, MT

THE GIFT THAT DOES IT ALL!

WOVEN WITH LOVE

Warm up your home for Mother’s Day with a Zapotec Indian table runners, woven by hand and only at Rustic Mountain Furnishings. Rich colors and beautifully designed, each is a unique way to brighten up any room. Come buy yours today. Rustic Mountain Furnishings, located at 2905 Millennium Circle in Billings.

CARRY YOUR CREATIVITY

Pick up one of the world’s most loved art supply bags. Soolla Bags are durable, washable canvas that feature 30 pockets and come in fun, collectable colors. For all makers, knitters, crocheters and dreamers. Price ranges from $52 to $69 only at the Yarn Bar located at 2909 2nd Avenue North in downtown Billings.

BEAUTIFULLY BUBBLY

This year give her something beautifully bubbly. All natural, handcrafted products from Rock Creek Soaps will transform her everyday routine into a spa-like experience. Visit their store Monday through Thursday from 10 to 4 at 2319 4th Ave North or shop online at rockcreeksoaps.com.

The Wanderfull Crossbody Bag keeps essentials close without the bulk & hands free! Perfect for moms, moms-to-be and graduates. This bag is the perfect space for your water bottle, your phone, your cards and more! Exclusively at Neecee’s in Shiloh Crossing. Follow their latest looks on Facebook at neecees or on Instagram at neecees_mt.

SIP, SHOP, CELEBRATE!

Experience fine wine, craft beers and gourmet food only at City Vineyard. Mark your Calendars and join the crew for their Mother’s Day Brunch and Shopping Event. Sip on mimosas while you browse the newest arrivals and curated gift sets. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the leading ladies in your life (or treat yourself) Sunday, May 10th, 10am-2pm. City Vineyard, 1335 Golden Valley Circle in Billings.

TUG-FREE COMFORT

With Noble Outfitters Tug-free tank tops! She’ll love the no-nonsense comfortability and the great fit. You’ll find her favorite colors in this exclusive brand at Shipton’s Big R. These amazing tank tops are priced right at $12.99. Shop Shipton’s Big R, located at 216 N. 14th St., 2600 Gabel Rd., and 1908 Main St. in Billings. MAY/JUNE 2026

THE GIFT THAT GROWS

Help mom celebrate with something that grows more beautiful over time. Canyon Creek Nursery has all the trees, shrubs, and blooming perennials that are perfect for mom to enjoy season after season. Add color to her garden and give her a reason to spend some time in the sunshine with the help of Canyon Creek Nursery, located at 1730 S 48th St West in Billings.

THE LOVE OF WESTERN HERITAGE

Comes in a variety of Wrangler purses, tote bags, and wallets! Vibrant colors, Aztec designs, and detailed stitching highlight the rugged charm of these eye-catching accessories starting at $20. The perfect Mother’s Day gift. Available today at Shipton’s Big R, located at located at 216 N. 14th St., 2600 Gabel Rd., and 1908 Main St. in Billings.

REBUILD & REPLENISH YOUR HAIR

Repair your hair from the inside out with Mondo Verde Natural Organic Products. Get it today at Park Place Styling Salon, 801 14th St W, 245-8188.

MASTERPIECE FOR MOM

Paint your own pottery and make memories with mom that you can keep for a lifetime at Casual Space. Choose your favorite figurines or design a bowl that will remind you of each other every time you use it. Grab a gift certificate or just drop in together during business hours. Casual Space, located at 601 24th St W, kitty-corner from Softies.

EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE

Exclusively from TLC Lingerie, gift her the effortless elegance of the Bardot Swing Cami and matching pocket shorts by the designers of Madeleine Fig. Crafted, printed, and made in the USA, this silky, lightweight set features a graceful floral print and adjustable straps. The flowing cami and relaxed shorts with functional pockets offer a blend of timeless romance and quiet luxury, perfect for lounging or styling out. Give a gift as beautiful as she is. TLC Lingerie located at 1400 Broadwater Avenue.

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MADE TO SHINE

A little luxury, just because she deserves it. Celebrate her with layered, everyday pieces from Veldt’s Jewelry lines- timeless, personal, and made to shine as beautifully as she does. Price ranges from $32 to $220 at Veldt Clothing located at 149 Shiloh Road, Unit 4.

ive Him HimCheer Give FATHER’S DAY IS JUNE 21

northland

FOR THE DAD WHO’D RATHER BE OUTSIDE

This Father’s Day, give him something he’ll actually wear—whether he’s posted up by the river, chasing sun, or just unwinding outdoors. This easy, go-anywhere outfit pairs breathable comfort with laid-back style, featuring the Hemlock Hat ($34), Picture Klivox Printed Shirt ($95), Kuhl Silencr Kargo Short ($79), and Chaco Z2 Classic Sandals ($105). Built for long days, warm weather, and whatever adventure comes next. All available at The Base Camp, 1730 Grand Ave. Billings, MT

MEN LOVE A BLACK DIAMOND

JUST WHAT THEY WANTED

With a gift card to Northland Automotive, mothers and fathers are sure to be very happy this year! From protective floor liners, chrome and stainless accessories, running boards, toolboxes and grill guards, to truck bed covers, spray in bedliners, and window tinting, towing hitches and much, much more! They sell and install all of the trusted brands and have 140 years of combined industry knowledge. Northland Automotive, where they sell everything but the truck. 1106 S 29th St W, (406) 245-0595, www.northlandautomotive.com.

shiptons 4 MAGICAL MOMENTS

Invite Dad to be a part of an exciting chapter in Billings Symphony history. This season the Symphony is inviting the community to experience the artistry of six candidates as they search for their next music director. Spend an evening together, experience the magic and let your voice be heard. Subscriptions and tickets are available in person at 2820 2nd Avenue North, online at billingssymhpony.org or by calling 406-252-3610.

Especially when it’s a 102-piece homeowner’s tool kit! The durable, compact case provides everything he needs. He’ll complete the Honeydo lists with this organized Black Diamond tool set. Everything from screwdrivers, sockets, hand tools, and more will be at his beck and call. What more could he ask for? Get his today for just $74.99 at Shipton’s Big R, located at 216 N. 14th St., 2600 Gabel Rd., and 1908 Main St. in Billings.

TACKLE THE JOB

With BRUNT Work Boots! The CUSH’N insole system and rubber outsole relieve the guy in your life of sore feet and provides him with protection and performance on the job site. These work boots make the ideal gift for Father’s Day, starting at $144.99, at Shipton’s Big R, located at 216 N. 14th St., 2600 Gabel Rd., and 1908 Main St. in Billings.

MAKE AN ACCURATE READING

With Vortex Triumph HD 3-9 x 40 binoculars and the Vortex 850 Rangefinder. Both are lightweight and powerful, making his hikes a whole lot easier. Both are lasting gifts and priced low at $99.99 each. Get them today at Shipton’s Big R, located at 216 N. 14th St., 2600 Gabel Rd., and 1908 Main St. in Billings.

VIBRANT & NATURE INSPIRED

Give Dad a piece of nature this Father’s Day with Ed Anderson metal box art. Handcrated in Montana, these pieces feature vibrant, nature-inspired paintings printed on lightweight 3D aluminum. Rustic and ready to hang, these statement pieces will transform and brighten any room. Come see them today at Rustic Mountain Furnishings located at 2905 Millennium Circle. Something New. Something Different. MAY/JUNE 2026

mom life LO O K S M A D E F O R

EFFORTLESS AND ELEVATED. That’s

written by GLEA LAHR photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

what this year’s spring and summer fashion is all about. Think light layers, soft tailoring and pieces that move with you from school drop-off to brunch with friends. Trending styles include relaxed linen sets, feminine dresses with subtle structure, and accessories that instantly pull a look together. This Mother’s Day and beyond, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the women who do it all by embracing fashion that feels both beautiful and practical. Refresh your wardrobe with pieces that are equal parts comfortable, confident, and chic because style should fit real life, not the other way around. ✻

BERTE’S LOOK

Long floral dress, $99 Vintage glass necklace $69 All from Neecee’s

MARIKO’S LOOK

Pastel Blue pants, $199 Sherbet knit pullover, $159 Geometric necklace, $59 Geometric earrings, $54 All from Neecee’s Black slides, $179 from Cricket Clothing

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BRING EASE & BEAUTY TO EVERYDAY MOMENTS

ALYSSA’S LOOK

Black Tape white tank top, $45 Risen denim cargo jacket, $55 Lemon tier skirt, $44 All from Bison Bloom Boutique, inside Ace Hardware on Zimmerman Trail

MAY/JUNE 2026

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MARIKO’S LOOK

Sanctuary denim jacket, $142 Tribal pin-stripe pants, $119 Sanctuary white cinched top, $69 Long charm necklace in gold, $79 Chunky gold necklace, $42 Gold teardrop earrings, $52 Black slides, $179 All from Cricket Clothing Co.

BERTE’S LOOK

Baby pink Metric knit hoodie, $149 Charlie B soft denim pant, $104 Lila B white T-shirt, $69 Geometric soft gray and pink scarf, $32 Black hobo handbag, $248 Candace Cooper sneakers, $239 Stearling silver beaded necklace, $129 Silver earrings, $36 All from Cricket Clothing Co.

★ Rings $58.00 • Necklaces $64.00 ★

Shop the WRS Boutique In-store or Order Online

WESTERNRANCHSUPPLY.COM

MAY/JUNE 2026

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MARIKO’S LOOK

Dex white mini dress, $80 Blacktape yellow knit cardigan, $40 Multicolor heart necklace, $39 Cobian braided sandal, $39.99 Moda Luxe purse, $70

BERTE’S LOOK

Dex floral mini dress, $80 Fuchsia fish necklace, $39 Moda Luxe ivory handbag, $70 All from Bison Bloom Boutique, inside Ace Hardware on Zimmerman Trail

Shiloh Crossing • 406-294-2014 /neecees

@neecees_mt

GET GEARED UP FOR SUMMER FUN!

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.

Your local outdoor lifestyle store

••• Family owned and operated since 1975

1730 Grand Ave. | Billings 5 West Broadway | Helena thebasecamp.com

MAY/JUNE 2026

Sweet Side OF SUMMER THE

TWO JELL-O CLASSICS READY FOR AN ENCORE

family summer picnic featured a colorful mix of Jell-O salads. Entire tables would be laden with a rainbow of gelatin concoctions. While pasta salads seem to have replaced that colorful, molded magic, I miss the kaleidoscope of years past and am calling for a comeback. If you want to tap into that nostalgia and need a little inspiration for your summer smorgasbord, I offer two of my favorites: my Aunt Anne’s Pear Lime Salad and, of course, everyone’s favorite — Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

Enjoy! ✻ 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.

pear lime jell-o ~Recipe from Anne Krawetz

TA STE OF THE VALLEY

written by KAY ERIKSON photography by LOVELY HITCHCOCK

THERE WAS A TIME when every church potluck or

1 pkg lime Jell-O 1 can pear halves or slices 6 oz. cream cheese 1 c. whipping cream DIRECTIONS: Drain and save the juice from the pears. Should

equal 1 cup (add water if needed to equal 1 cup). Combine the Jell-O mix and the pear juice in a small bowl and mix well. Set aside. In a blender add the pear halves and 6 ounces of cream cheese and blend well. In a medium bowl, whip the whipping cream to stiff peaks. Whisk in a small amount of pear cheese mixture until combined. Add the rest of the pear cheese mixture and whisk until it is blended. Add the Jell-O and whisk until well blended. Fold into a five-cup mold and refrigerate for six hours or overnight. Unmold and serve. YVW MAGAZINE

strawberry pretzel salad ~ Recipe from Kay Erickson

CRUST

2 ½ c. crushed pretzels 3 T. sugar 1 stick unsalted butter, melted DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine and press in a 9” x 13” pan and bake for 10 minutes.

FILLING

8 oz. cream cheese 1 c. sugar 1 8-oz. container Cool Whip DIRECTIONS: Cream together the cream cheese and sugar, mixing

well. Fold in the Cool Whip. Spread over cooled, baked crust. Be sure to spread the mixture to the edges of the pan so the topping does not leak over the edges.

TOPPING

2 c. boiling water 2 pkgs. strawberry Jell-O 2 pkg. frozen strawberries (16 oz. each), thawed DIRECTIONS: Combine the boiling water and Jell-O, mixing well. Fold in the strawberries. Refrigerate until the mixture is partially set, about an hour or so. Carefully and evenly spread the topping over the cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate for four to six hours.

DISTRIBUTED BY PEPSI-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY OF BILLINGS

MAY/JUNE 2026

s or v a l F TO SAVOR 70

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LOVE AND NOSTALGIA AT ROLLHOUSE BAKERY written by STELLA FONG photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

I NEVER THOUGHT COOKING WAS HARD OR A CHALLENGE. THE KITCHEN IS MY PLAYGROUND. — Jennifer Keller

WHEN I FIRST take a bite of the Lemon Blueberry Roll from

Billings’ own Rollhouse Bakery, I can taste both the love and nostalgia mixed in amongst its layers. This is a tamed version of a lemon bar encased in a tender, fluffy dough with a cake-like crumb and interlaced with a blueberry compote. It is crowned with a topping that is somewhere between a glaze and a creamy frosting. There is just enough frosting to ooze over the roll as I take another bite. It is the perfect mix — a bit of sweet paired with the sour of a good lemon flavor. “Lemon is one of my favorite flavors. It’s so bright. It’s delicious,” owner and baker Jennifer Keller says. She believes that “all frosting needs cream cheese. Then I add lemon zest to add fresh sharpness.” It was her sister Leah’s idea to add a bit of blueberry. Jennifer opened her bakery in the former Sassy Biscuit Co. space last year, on National Cinnamon Roll Day in early October. With her main daily offerings of classic caramel rolls, pecan caramel rolls a.k.a. “sticky buns,” and cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting, welcoming customers on this day was appropriate. Every day she creates a specialty roll, such as the Lemon Blueberry Roll. Strawberry, chocolate, caramel apple, and cranberry-orange rolls are among the other selections. The baked goods come from Jennifer’s love of old-fashioned recipes. She still refers to the Betty Crocker cookbook her mother gave her when she was 19. “My mom loved to cook. I was 9 when I baked my first pie, a peach pie,” Jennifer says, explaining that her mother made cooking an easy, capable thing. “I never thought cooking was hard or a challenge,” Jennifer says confidently. “The kitchen is my playground.” Inside Rollhouse Bakery, she churns out brownies, scones, croissants, pies, cupcakes, cakes, loaves of bread, English muffins and quiche. Her latest additions have included pretzels, brioche donuts filled with cream, and pineapple upside-down cake.

The cinnamon roll recipe that anchors Rollhouse Bakery came from a binder that held her collected recipes. “I was scared of, intimidated by it,” she admits of her fear at first. Normally she likes challenges, but this recipe daunted her. She proceeded to educate herself by watching YouTube videos and studying recipes until she felt comfortable tackling it. Finally, after making the rolls, she says, “It was the best dang recipe.” For two years, she sold rolls on Facebook. At the time, she was working for Trident Medical Express, a company that offered medical delivery services. Her route was between Billings and Miles City. “I brought a brand-new car and quickly put on 360,00 miles,” she says. That is when Jennifer started to imagine opening a bakery. “I manifested, visualized the space I wanted,” she says. “I always loved this space, but I never thought that, in a million years, I would be lucky enough to be here.” One Sunday, she drove past Sassy Biscuit after the occupants had vacated the building. With others interested in the space, Jennifer had to present a proposal and business plan. Her submission was accepted over the others. Her dream was realized. While baked goods are her signature offerings, Jennifer quickly branched out. Soups and sandwiches are available at lunchtime. On future Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, she wants to duplicate the Detroit-style pizza her brother Henry makes at the Lewistown Eagles Club, with a crispy, cheese-edged crust, a mozzarella-filled center and fresh ingredients. Whether you prefer one of her rolls, scones or sweet treats, or just need something savory to go along with a fresh cup of joe, one thing is clear. In just six short months, Jennifer Keller is already baking up lots of nostalgia and love inside downtown Billings’ sown Rollhouse Bakery. ✻ MAY/JUNE 2026

BUILT ON YOUR VISION. BACKED BY OUR CRAFT.

Partnering with remodelers like Freyenhagen Construction and homeowners alike, we fabricate and install beautiful, high-performing countertops for kitchens, bathrooms and beyond.

Photos by Daniel Sullivan Photography

home and2garden7

star spangled garden Celebrate America’s 250th with a landscape that lasts all summer

right at home

A thoughtful remodel transforms a house into the perfect place for retirement MAY/JUNE 2026

Stard e l g n a p S

GARDEN

CELEBRATE AMERICA’S 250TH WITH A LANDSCAPE THAT LASTS ALL SUMMER written by JULIE KOERBER photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

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THE PILLOWS ARE NOT

ONLY FADE-RESISTANT BUT ANTIMICROBIAL AS WELL, MEANING WHEN IT RAINS, THE INSIDE OF THEM WON’T BE A BREEDING GROUND FOR MOLD.

AS AMERICA gears up to celebrate its 250th anniversary, hues of red, white and blue are starting to pop up everywhere — from front porches and flowering pots to backyard patio decor. But creating a patriotic outdoor space doesn’t have to mean going all-in on flags and fireworks. According to Jim and Mick Gainan of Gainan’s Garden Center, the most beautiful spaces are the ones that feel natural and layered, with a splash of festive thrown in. “Whenever you have a theme, it can get a little kitschy if there is too much,” Jim says. That’s why he is showcasing pops of color that act as an accent instead of the headliner. Take this space, with a small red Cyclamen plant sitting alongside rocking chairs adorned with patriotic pillows. “You can’t go wrong with a dog pillow,” Jim says with a laugh. “These are things you can put out for the whole summer and then use again in the future for the Fourth of July. They are meant to last.” The pillows are not only fade-resistant but antimicrobial as well, meaning when it rains, the inside of them won’t be a breeding ground for mold. Another fade-resistant addition is what Jim calls the Real Touch blossoms that are new this year. “You have to touch them to see MAY/JUNE 2026

THESE BLUE ORBS ARE CALLED BEE BALLS, AND THE PURPOSE IS TO HELP

PROVIDE WATER FOR POLLINATORS.

if they are real,” Jim says. “Sometimes you can’t tell.” They are part of a new line of permanent botanicals, which are perfect for spaces where watering can be a challenge. “It might be a situation where you aren’t able to get a hose to it very easily or maybe you have a space between two garage doors and that’s all there is,” Jim says. “These faux plants, when used sparingly and in the right way, can plant up and look just like real plants in a patio pot.” Since many are starting to see outdoor spaces as extended living areas, tables can be dressed in just the same fashion as your dining room table, with dinnerware that suits the season. Here, glassware is replaced with an acrylic variety. Chargers and plates are shatterproof and even the napkin rings have a firework vibe. Jim reminds us when entertaining outside, create a centerpiece that makes an outdoor expression. He chose blue pansies surrounded by a pop of lime-green moss. When the party is over, this centerpiece lives on for as long as the weather allows. On the hearth of the outdoor fireplace sits another unique find. These blue orbs are called bee balls, and the purpose is to help provide water for these little pollinators. “Water gets caught in them from sprinkler systems and from the rain,” Mick says. “Wherever the moisture collects, bees will find them.” While this metal VW Bug is holding an azalea plant, the purpose of this pop of red is actually perfect for entertaining. “It’s a cooler,” Jim says. “You can roll it between people with your beer and ice inside.” 76

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IT’S COMPLETELY SUN RESISTANT. THERE’S A 20YEAR WARRANTY ON EACH PIECE. YOU NEVER HAVE TO PAINT OR SAND IT. IT’S STURDY. IT’S NOT GOING TO BLOW AWAY. — Jim Gainan

Specializing in Flatwork Concrete

D R I V E WAY S | PAT I O S | S I D E WA L K S | S L A B S

CALL TODAY!

406-671-2851 MAY/JUNE 2026

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Also perfect for entertaining is this bar cart (featured on page 76), a new addition to the weatherproof Polywood line. It comes in the same colors featured in the line’s outdoor furniture sets. “It’s completely sun resistant,” Jim says. “There’s a 20-year warranty on each piece. You never have to paint or sand it. It’s sturdy. It’s not going to blow away.” Even décor can take a softer approach. Striped pillows or star-studded patterns nod to the theme without screaming it. “It’s a fun way of doing it so it doesn’t look so matchy, matchy,” Jim says. “I think for the eye, this looks and feels relaxing because of all the greenery around it. You have the pops of color with the pillows but everything else around it is very natural.”

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Of course, nature has its own star-spangled palette, and you can plant these shades in all kinds of perennials and annuals. (See Let’s Hear It For The Red, White and Blue sidebar) Mick suggests mixing these in with existing landscapes. “When you are planting, plant in layers with taller plants to the back and shorter ground covers towards the front.” he says. You can even add herbs into

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MAY/JUNE 2026

YOU COULD EVEN PLANT A PERENNIAL IN THE MIDDLE OF A POT. JUST BECAUSE IT'S A PERENNIAL DOESN'T MEAN IT HAS TO BE USED IN A PERENNIAL BED. — Mick Gainan

these spaces. “Although they won’t bloom for you, they make a nice filler and make everything small really good and fresh.” For containers, he says, consider thrillers, spillers and fillers. “That would be the drama of something tall in the middle. A blue salvia would be unbelievable.” Surround it with a splash of red, “You always have to have a geranium or two. They are pretty spectacular and there are 18 varieties of them,” Mick says. Then finish it up with a trailing plant, like Bacopa or Alyssum, which trails small white flowers, and you are all set for the season. He adds that you don’t always have to turn to annuals for your patio pots. “You could even plant a perennial in the middle of a pot,” Mick says. “Just because it's a perennial doesn't mean it has to be used in a perennial bed.” He suggests planting a hybrid tea rose right in the center, saying that “the rose bush can be removed in the fall and planted in the ground.” One of Mick’s favorites is Veteran’s Honor, a rose variety that brings forth the most beautiful shade of red. The result is a container that feels lush, dynamic and celebratory at the same time, especially when adorned with a small flag. At the end of the day, a star-spangled garden isn’t about perfection. Whether it’s a few thoughtfully planted containers, a cozy patio setup or a full backyard refresh, the goal is the same: a space that feels welcoming long after the fireworks fade. ✻

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LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE

Red, White and Blue PLANTS THAT HELP CELEBRATE THIS PATRIOTIC SEASON

White ANNUALS

White PERENNIALS

Red ANNUALS

Red PERENNIALS

Blue ANNUALS

Blue PERENNIALS

★ Alyssum ★ Bacopa ★ Begonia ★ Calibrachoa (Million Bells) ★ Petunia ★ Verbena

★ Begonia ★ Dianthus ★ Impatiens ★ Portulaca ★ Snapdragon ★ Geranium ★ Celosia

★ Ageratum ★ Bachelor’s Button ★ Browallia ★ Heliotrope ★ Larkspur ★ Lobelia ★ Pansy ★ Petunia ★ Salvia

★ Columbine ★ Bleeding Heart ★ Lupine ★ Peony ★ Shasta Daisy

★ Astilbe ★ Daylily ★ Heuchera (Coral Bells) ★ Monarda (Bee Balm) ★ Achillea ★ Iris

★ Columbine ★ Delphinium ★ Iris ★ Lupine ★ Russian Sage

MAY/JUNE 2026

RIGHThome7 AT

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A THOUGHTFUL REMODEL TRANSFORMS A HOUSE INTO THE PERFECT PLACE FOR RETIREMENT

SOME RETIREES CHOOSE snowbird life. Some downsize to a condo. Some decide to travel. Henry and Rhoda had different plans. The couple decided to find a quiet home in Billings surrounded by greenery, with room for their friends and family, plus plenty of space for the hobbies they each enjoy. “When you reach retirement age,” Henry says, “you know what

written by GAYLE SMITH photography by DANIEL SULLIVAN

you want, what you like and what you can live without.” Mowing and maintaining an acre of land for a number of years, Henry decided he could “live without” a lot of yard work. So, as a couple, they put a lot of thought into what would make them happy in this chapter of their lives. They knew they wanted a real sense of peacefulness and a true Montana feel to their everyday surroundings.

MAY/JUNE 2026

THE

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After finding the perfect existing home with up-close backyard views of a well-established golf course, Henry and Rhoda made a decision. They would camp out in their new home for a few months before deciding exactly what they wanted to remodel. “When we decided that this was ‘the one,’ we knew there were going to be things that we definitely wanted to change,” Henry says. The couple quickly realized the wood floors were warped. The appliances were worn and unreliable and both the kitchen and master bath layouts weren’t up to par. They’d seen the 31-year veteran contractor Jeremy Freyenhagen’s work numerous times when visiting friends and family. Being impressed with what they saw and heard about his portfolio, Henry and Rhoda knew they wanted Freyenhagen Construction in charge of giving their new home a facelift.

THE

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They wanted a modern look and feel to their home, but not ultra-modern. Angie Freyenhagen, Jeremy’s wife and the main designer for 84

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Freyenhagen Construction, brainstormed ideas to keep some of the old while adding new touches to bring a contemporary vibe to the home. “Working with the Henry and Rhoda was a pleasure,” Angie says. “They had a strong sense of what they liked, which gave us a great starting point.” The Freyenhagen design team spent time walking through finishes, materials and color selections with Henry and Rhoda, really listening to how they wanted the space to feel. “We begin with layout and functionality, then refine those ideas, bringing everything together into a cohesive, transitional design with clean lines and warmth, rather than anything overly trend-driven,” Angie says. “I’m so grateful to work alongside our design team, Jody and Stephanie, who help bring each project to life.” Angie also suggested leaving touches of the original wood, such as the window framing in the kitchen, which adds warmth to the space. They also took Angie’s advice to replace the outdated wooden stair railing and replace it with a bit of black iron for a polished, geometric look. The new railing was added to all the railings both inside and out.

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The fireplaces, both on the main floor living area and the basement family room, had been brick and previously painted a dark, foreboding blue. All told, two tons of fireplace brick were removed from the home. “Using shiplap,” says Jeremy, “we designed the new fireplaces and painted them taupe, creating a modern focal point.”

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New gas fireplace inserts from Billings Fireplace Showroom/ White Heating and Air Conditioning added efficiency. A wood mantel surrounded by black marble gave the new fireplace a sleek feel. The fireplaces now fit in beautifully with the overall atmosphere of the home, becoming a compelling feature in the living area and the basement family room. Luxury vinyl flooring, new paint and ceilings throughout and new windows and frames put the finishing touches on this contemporary, stylish home.

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USING SHIPLAP, WE DESIGNED THE NEW FIREPLACES AND PAINTED THEM TAUPE, CREATING A MODERN FOCAL POINT. — Jeremy Freyenhagen

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THE I LOVE HAVING THE BIG ISLAND. THIS IS A GREAT SPACE. IT’S PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING. — Rhonda

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heart2OF THE HOME

Originally Rhoda felt the kitchen was too small, and the longer the couple used it prior to the remodel, the more they realized they needed a little extra elbow room. The Freyenhagen team was able to reduce the size of the existing laundry room and remove an outdated powder room just off the original kitchen in order to double the size of the kitchen. “I love having the big Island,” Rhoda says. “This is a great space. It’s perfect for entertaining.” The lights above the Corian-topped kitchen island are statement pieces. They not only help give the kitchen a rustic warmth; they contain Fresnel lenses designed to concentrate and soften light. The wood Angie suggested retaining around the kitchen window, along with the wood on the floating shelves next to the pantry, give the kitchen a comfortable and cozy feel. The result is a spacious, warm and bright kitchen with lots of windows which flood the area with natural light.

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MAY/JUNE 2026

THE MASTER

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The couple knew they wanted to freshen up their master bath, but Rhoda was hoping for a little something extra. “We previously had a master bath with a pocket door for the commode, and we really wanted one in this home, if possible,” Rhoda says. The Freyenhagen team made it happen by replacing a large soaking tub with a new ceramic tile walk-in shower. That gave the team the ability to move the master bath doorway to accommodate Rhoda’s wish.

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Henry and Rhoda had previously been impressed by Jeremy and his work, and now they have their own story to tell. “Jeremy told us the remodel would take exactly three months, and it did,” Henry says. “He gave us a budget, and it was the amount he said it would be. We are not only impressed with him, we trust him.” The same can be said of Henry and Rhoda, as far as Jeremy is concerned.

“They were great to work with. They were trusting and open to suggestions during the design process and decisive when they needed to be,” Jeremy says. “They really seemed to appreciate that we were organized and followed along with our shared construction schedule daily.” Henry and Rhoda are now happily nestled in their newly remodeled, modern home with a stunning view of beautiful trees and sloping green grass, just the way they imagined it. ✻

(406) 259-3426 2850 Grand Ave, Billings, MT Zach Wilson, Owner rockymountainglassmt.com info@rockymountainglassmt.com MAY/JUNE 2026

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