Health + Wellness

A Group Effort for the Greater Good

National Public Health Week raises local awareness of the constant serviceability of public health in Missoula Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Rick Szczechowski April, in most of the U.S., means spring has arrived: new leaves pushing out of dull branches, lawns becoming green and vibrant, robins plucking worms from between the emerging grass blades to feed their newborns.  April in Montana can mean a blizzard or a golf outing, or both. Whatever the weather, the first full week of...

Education

Walk the Walk

The WildWalk parade, WildFest, and the International Wildlife Film Festival are investments in Missoula's cultural community Article by Jennifer Ferenstein | Photography by Craig Menteer The idea of organizing a community event to celebrate wild animals and biodiversity all started in 1992 with the seemingly simple pronouncement, “What you really need is a parade.” Support for the idea involved investments of time, creative energy, and resources, which led to the founding of one of Missoula’s...

Shopping

Rooted in Reason

Local fine jewelry studio offers a way to connect meaning to what you wear Article by Emma Trotter | Photography by Rick Szczechowski Have you ever taken off your wedding ring before a river float? How about reconsidered a necklace before a long hike or camping trip? Claire Mannheimer, owner and designer at Adorn to Rise, makes jewelry that not only can withstand daily life in Missoula, but protect and lift you up, too. “My philosophy around adornment and the jewelry we wear is they are...

Home + Design

A Nod to Nature

Little Hinoki Designs and Mountain Maple Woodworks showcase how design and material go hand-in-hand, just like the couple behind the companies Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Rick Szczechowski The practice of training bonsai trees is one that requires patience, slowness, and a fundamental respect for the tree and how it wants to exist. To grow and cultivate a successful bonsai tree, one must essentially become a collaborator with another living thing and its natural tendencies.  A...

Home Services

A Sensible Solution

West End Farms takes a new approach to the development and home-buying process Article by Juilanne Bitely | Photography by Rick Szczechowski The team behind West End Farms—Justin Metcalf, Matt Brandt, Jason Shreder, and Rosalie Cates—aren’t just business partners. They’re true Missoulians—community-minded, nature-loving creators, and long time friends. “The blueprints for this simply didn’t exist,” says Justin Metcalf, Co-Managing Partner of Collaborative Development and U of M graduate. ...

Local Services

Going Home

The Humane Society of Western Montana reflects what the community and beyond has done for pets all across Montana Article by Chelsea Lyn Agro | Photography by Rick Szczechowski The Humane Society of Western Montana (HSWM) has maintained a 90% or above placement rate since 2009, classifying it as a no-kill shelter—an incredible level of success that saves lives by standard. Beyond that, their efforts have a direct impact on community and statewide pets: keeping them with their families...

Home + Design

Dream it, Do it

DIY was the key to achieving luxury vibes on a budget Article by Chelsea Lyn Agro | Photography by Rick Szczechowski There’s one main factor that indicates whether your dream home addition is heading to the bank or burrowing down a DIY tunnel: what you’re not willing to compromise. For my husband Chris and I, it was the benefit of southern exposure—a naturally well lighted space. Two walls made almost entirely of windows was estimated to cost $25,000 if we hired out. That investment would...

Home Services

Spring Cleaning, Even for Homeowner's Insurance

Sharkey Insurance shares a glance at the homeowners insurance market Article by Chelsea Lyn Agro | Photography by Rick Szczechowski Spring in Missoula feels like a reset. The light lingers longer, projects start taking shape, and homeowners begin thinking about what the season ahead might bring. After several years of rapid change in the housing and insurance markets, there’s some good news: the homeowners insurance market is beginning to show signs of stabilizing. That stability makes spring...

Travel

Family Field Trip (Montana Style)

Field & Stream Lodge Co. is an outdoor loyalist's delight Article and Photography by Chelsea Lyn Agro Aside from the obvious and applicable name of the magazine that launched in 1871—Field & Stream—fitting into the Montana cityscape, there’s an accessible and nostalgic nature to stepping foot in this first-ever lodge of its kind. Located in Bozeman, just under three hours southeast of Missoula, Field & Stream Lodge Co. is a real-life depiction of what lies inside those coveted pages of this...

Local Services

The Potential of the Past

Becky Douglas and Gary Delp of Heritage Timber love to see the yesteryear repurposed Article by Emma Trotter | Photography by Rick Szczechowski Rough sawn edges, nail holes, sun-weathered surfaces—reclaimed wood is a tactile reminder of where we’ve been, and, to an experienced eye, it’s also full of potential. What was once part of a timeworn barn or broken-down fence line finds new life through Heritage Timber, a local reclaimed wood company turning history into possibility. At M-80...