Sports + Recreation

On the Green

Sun Mountain Sports is Missoula based and making a big impact Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Erika Spaulding Missoula. Montana. Sports. Enter those words into your internal search engine and chances are good that the Rolodex of images conjured might contain skiers carving a snowy slope, rafters shooting the nearby Alberton Gorge, sun-toned climbers scaling a jagged crag of rock under the summer sun, or fly fishers lining the slack water of the Big Blackfoot. If you were, even...

June 2024

Education

Bugs & Butterflies

Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium Article by Chelsea Lyn Agro | Photography by Erika Spaulding The Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium is Montana's first tropical butterfly house! And if you've already visited, you'd know that it's a sight to behold. Winged creatures, creatures with lots (we mean LOTS) of legs, and creatures that—well—don't look like creatures we've ever seen before. And that's because we likely haven't seen them in our neck of the woods. The Missoula Butterfly...

June 2024

Sports + Recreation

The Bliss of Birding

Elena Ulev has taken her passion to new heights and sights for curious nature seekers Article by Susie Wall | Photography by Erika Spaulding “They’re fierce predators. Do you know they even kill porcupines?” Elena Ulev asks as she focuses her spotting scope so I can get a better look at the great horned owl peering out from a hole high up in a tree at Council Grove State Park. Being an avid birder, I thought I knew quite a bit about great horned owls, but not this. I also thought I was pretty...

June 2024

Sports + Recreation

Trailblazing

Malia Kipp forged her own path in women's basketball and in her nursing career Article by Emma Trotter | Photography by Andy Kemmis The word that best describes Barbara “Malia” Kipp is “trailblazer.” Malia was the first Native American woman to play basketball for University of Montana, and later built a career as a tribal health nurse specializing in geriatrics while raising four children. She has determined her own path and paved the way for those following in her footsteps. “I came to...

June 2024

Arts + Culture

Casual to Classy

Missoula men are dressed for every occasion, styled by Betty V Vintage Article by Betty V Vintage | Photography by Erika Spaulding 1 Kevin sporting a 1960s Circle S 2 piece arrow welt western suit, 1970s black, brown, and orange crackle polyester pearl snap shirt and a handmade bolo made of lacquered wood and illustrated grizzly bear. 2 Jordan showing off a 1990s Logger's Stew T-shirt, 1930s/40s thrashed black and red buffalo plaid wool chore coat, and a 1950s wool M hat. 3 Quincy ...

May 2024

Arts + Culture

Meet Jim Todd

The grandfather of Missoula's artistic community Article by Shelby Humphreys | Photography by Erika Spaulding If you’re curious about the latest in Missoula’s art scene, then stop in to stroll the studios of Radius Gallery. Co-owner Lisa Simon has made it her mission to amplify local and regional artists. Inside three exhibition spaces, you’ll find majestic landscapes, imaginative abstracts, and world-class ceramics. “This is a really good place to train your eye and get a bit of arts...

May 2024

Life + Culture

Living with Intention

An interview with upcoming TedxBillings Speaker Brandon Smith Article by Chelsea Lyn Agro | Photography by Erika Spaulding Brandon Smith. He’s a public speaker, author, business coach, and host of The Missoula Podcast. Aside from his professional titles, he’s also a husband, father, and goal setter. With a confident voice and presence, it’s no surprise that Brandon was plucked from the mass of applicants who applied to speak at TEDxBillings this October to share his wisdom on the power of...

May 2024

Health + Wellness

Mother Nature & Man

Petersen Concierge Medical believes in the healing power of the hunt Article by Camilla Petersen, ND MD FAAFP | Photography by Erika Spaulding As a hunter settles into a place to glass, he listens and feels. It may take 15 minutes or 30 but ultimately, the world will be smaller, less connected, and more alive. There can be no other worries or stressors. The work has to wait, the argument with the in-laws fades into the background. The bird song intensifies, the sense of smell becomes acute and...

May 2024

Food + Beverage

That's the Good Stuff

Curated specialty whiskey tastings led by Rhino owner Kevin Head Article by Shelby Humphreys | Photography by Erika Spaulding In the heart of downtown resides a staple of Missoula’s bar scene known as The Rhino. And at the heart of The Rhino is owner Kevin Head. Kevin came to Missoula as a wildlife biology major at UM, although he jokes, “My primary major was partying.” Ironically, those party skills transferred well to his profession. Over 35 years in the bar industry has given Kevin a...

May 2024

Arts + Culture

Women in Frame

Emily Hall of Art Attic brings well-rounded education and experience to the world of framing as a means of preservation Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Erika Spaulding We’ve all heard the expression “big things come in small packages,” probably more times than we care to keep track of. It’s one of those phrases that is so worn by time and use that it can cease to bear any weight at all. But such cliches also can invariably possess big truths. Now, let’s think about the word...

April 2024