Home + Design

Craftsmanship and Connection

HAVN Outdoor Living creates intentional spaces for families Article by Kate Heston | Photography by HAVN Outdoor Living After nine children, and another on the way, Aaron Loukusa is familiar with the importance of having space for family time. It’s a notion that led him in part to start HAVN Outdoor Living, a contracting business focused on custom decks, patios and outdoor living areas. “We want to entertain people; we want to have people over. The things that we have at home can help create...

Life + Culture

From Carr to Caton

Six generations of raising animals with the Flathead 4-H program Article by Susie Wall | Photography by Nikity Nak Creatives It’s 6:30 in the morning. The temperature is below freezing, and the Montana sky is still black as pitch. The warm bed is magnetic and powerful, but nine-year-old Scarlett’s spirit of discipline is stronger.   With a heavy coat, a bucket of feed, and a sense of responsibility, Scarlett marches out to the pens to care for her pigs. Her mother, Aubrie Caton, has offered...

Life + Culture

Don't Call It a Side Hustle

How two teens built a thriving business from scratch Article by Summer Zalesky | Photography by Nikity Nak Creatives They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The treasure in this case, however, isn’t just monetary. It’s a lifelong lesson in resiliency, communication, and entrepreneurship. I could hardly believe I was talking to a 15-year-old during my conversation with Connor Riska, co-owner of Partner Pickup Junk Removal. Well-spoken, venturesome, and determined to succeed, Connor...

Education

The Trail Guide

Kids build forts and confidence at Ancient Traditions Ranch Article by Kristi Sellers | Photography by Ancient Traditions Ranch For many parents, summer camp serves a practical purpose. It fills long days, provides entertainment and gives children a break from screens and daily routines. But at Ancient Traditions Ranch in Montana, the mission reaches far beyond simply keeping children busy.  From the beginning, founder Lindsey Jean envisioned something deeper. She wanted a place where her son...

Style + Beauty

Cruising the Coast

The Ultimate Flathead Lake Road Trip Guide Article by Julie Schneiders | Photography by Virginia Hudson The bright Montana sunshine shone through the windshield as my husband and I set out on a road trip around Flathead Lake. 160 miles of shoreline, seven state parks, and one notorious lake monster. We started at West Shore State Park. It’s off of Highway 93 just a few miles south of downtown Lakeside. It has a public boat launch, campsites, a beach, and easy to moderate hiking trails. It’s...

Entertainment

As Above, So Below

The duality of equestrian culture in the Flathead Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Shannon Brinkman and Bigfork Rodeo Montanans certainly don’t have a monopoly on horse culture, but what probably feels like an outlier in most regions is widespread and vibrant here in the Treasure State. This July, the Flathead Valley plays host to a perfect duality of this heritage with two high-stakes equestrian events that, on the surface, are entirely different worlds, but underneath, share the...

Entertainment

The Sound of Summer, Montana Style

Under the Big Sky brings unforgettable sets and the unmistakable spirit of the West Article by Rachel Jackson and Summer Zalesky | Photography by Outriders The stage is set. Cowboy hats and turquoise beads are everywhere. A whoop rises up from the crowd as folksy-blues-country singer Sierra Ferrell prances up to her place in the spotlight. She’s prancing, of course, because she’s arriving on horseback, as any good country artist would. A song rises up to the breathable, uncluttered Montana...

Style + Beauty

Sapphires and Kings

Following the journey of a gem Article by Sydney Ludden | Photography by Nikity Nak Creatives There is something lovely about walking into a jewelry shop and realizing you are not just looking at pretty things in glass cases. You are looking at time, patience, and tiny hand-made decisions. It is craftsmanship that has lived in one family long enough to become a business… and a way of life. Whitefish Goldsmiths has been that place of craftsmanship since 1987, when Aric King and his wife, Kate...

Sports + Recreation

Fisherfolk

Lakestream: Where the passion of fishing meets the love of people Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Nick Haas Even when times are tight, we Montanans are wealthy, for we are rich in land and water. And it’s a richness that we can go right up to and touch. “The beautiful thing about Montana is this access,” says Justin Lawrence, owner of Lakestream Fly Shop in Whitefish. “We are leaps and bounds above other states. Anywhere water touches is public property. In a place where it’s...

Life + Culture

Guardians of the Flathead

A conversation with Lincoln Chute of Firesafe Flathead Article by Summer Zalesky In the rugged beauty of the Mountain West, fire is an inevitable neighbor. For those who have built legacies and luxury retreats among the pines, understanding the distinction between fighting a flame and preventing one is the first step in stewardship. We sat down with Lincoln Chute, Flathead County Fire Service Area Manager and a leading voice at FireSafe Flathead, to discuss why "resource management" is the...