Beauty

Nurturing Your Inner Glow

The mind, body, and soul connection of skincare at Wellness Bahr Article by Sydney Ludden | Photography by Porsche Jean Photography Rebecca Bahr didn't set out to open just another beauty bar. She moved to Montana from Georgia to care for her father-in-law during his battle with prostate cancer, taking shifts with her mother-in-law through chemo treatments and the difficult days that followed. It was during this time that Rebecca enrolled in aesthetics school, watching how skin conditions...

Beauty

Hands on Healing

Individualized healthcare at Physio Whitefish Article by Sydney Ludden | Photography by Physio Whitefish Devin Harms was in her twenties, shortly out of grad school, and found herself working as a physical therapy clinic director in San Francisco. "I didn't know a thing about management, but I ended up managing 10 people and learned a ton about marketing, finances, and running a business," she says. "But I got overwhelmed." She ended up seeing way too many patients a day and running herself...

Health + Wellness

Be a Big, Love a Little

Big Brothers Big Sisters and the power of a mentor Article by Kelsie Ring | Photography by Porsche Jean Photography Many people face the question, “Who is your role model?” at least once in their lives. From a young age, humans crave mentorship and people to be inspired by. In the digital age of social media influencers and increased screen time, people are in need more than ever of simple human connection. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Montana is working to provide children and young...

Beauty

More than Skin Deep

Covet: the one-stop shop for beauty Article by Sydney Ludden | Photography by Covet Beauty When Ashley Nicole Edmisten opened Covet Beauty in 2019, she was stepping into something entirely new. After 15 years in law enforcement, she was ready for a different kind of challenge—one that combined her interest in wellness and beauty with her vision of creating something more than a traditional salon. "I wanted to push the boundaries," Ashley shared. "A one-stop shop for all things beauty." And...

Sports + Recreation

Snow Stewardship

How Glacier Nordic Club is keeping skiing sustainable and accessible Article by Susie Wall | Photography by Glacier Nordic Club Few outdoor experiences in the Flathead Valley can compare to gliding across a glistening blanket of snow on a peaceful winter day, the only sound coming from the swish of your skies and the sound of your breath.  The dedicated folks of the Glacier Nordic Club have a passion for cross-country skiing experiences like this and make it their goal to spread their love of...

Health + Wellness

Three Minutes of Sacrifice

The Frozen Chosen's fellowship of benefactors Article by Julie Schnieders | Photography by The Frozen Chosen In the winter months, participants of the nonprofit The Frozen Chosen do the unthinkable. They go to icy lakes, steam rising, as they prepare to plunge into the cold. Outsiders think it’s madness, but to the dedicated, it’s a ritual of resilience and camaraderie. For the Frozen Chosen, it’s more than just a shock to the system–it’s a daily reminder of strength, community, and giving...

Food + Beverage

Bière d'épinette

Pine soda: an all-natural alternative to Sprite Article and Photography by Summer Zalesky Somewhere in the depths of my memory, I recall the Boxcar Children sleeping on a bed of pine needles. Now that doesn’t exactly sound comfortable to me. Have you ever touched a pine tree? But I recently made the acquaintance of the Western White Pine, a tree whose soft needles may just convince you to cozy up around its trunk. This elusive tree inhabits the Pacific Northwest, and if you happen upon one...

Life + Culture

Together, We Play

Inside Wildtorium's family-focused museum Article by Sydney Ludden | Photography by Porsche Jean Photography The first snow always slows me down, but it sure doesn’t slow down my daughter. As a mom of a very busy and active toddler, finding indoor activities during the winter to engage her with is high on my list. That is why I was thrilled to learn about the opening of Wildtorium, the Flathead Valley’s new interactive museum for families. This is exactly what we’ve been missing! Speaking...

Food + Beverage

Festive Foraging

Food and drink experts note that juniper foraging can add flavor to the holidays Article by Julie Schnieders The silvery-green shimmer of wild juniper trees dot the hillsides around the Flathead Valley. The dusty blue berries ripen in early fall and into winter, making it the perfect time for seasoning a roast, infusing syrup, or making a marinade. The citrusy, piney flavor of a juniper berry also makes for a special addition to a holiday feast or celebration.  Private chef Chris DiMaio of...

Life + Culture

Community at its Core

Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork shares the efforts of an unincorporated community Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Porsche Jean Photography “Care” is a many-faceted word. It’s a word Sterling Bax—executive director for the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork (CFBB)—uses liberally when describing what it is the foundation does. And it’s for good reason that care comes up so often when talking about CFBB: their work is also multifaceted, the work never stops, and it’s...