04 Apr 2013
Posted by Lacey Middlestead 
Walking into Gale Pikkula’s office at G & M Ceramics, you aren’t sure if you’ve entered the workspace of a chaotic artist or a mad scientist. Small bottles filled with colored powders line the half-opened drawers of desks. Dozens of grayish teeth molds lay scattered about—some in plastic...
Read more → 02 Jan 2013
Posted by Shane Castle 
In the heart of Ecuador lies a small green patch of jungle accented here and there with the bright skins of indigenous fruits: bananas, plantains, pineapples, papayas. Much of the surrounding countryside has been slashed to the jungle floor and replanted with soil-depleting African palms. But here, at La Alegría...
Read more → 06 Sep 2012
Posted by Tegan Maynard Hahn 
A heritage grain revival is sweeping the sustainable food movement and Montana farmers Jacob and Courtney Cowgill are leading the way in reviving the lost flavors of our region. Located near Conrad, Montana, Prairie Heritage Farm specializes in growing ancient grains, turkeys and vegetables, all of which...
Read more → 07 Jun 2012
Posted by Lacey Middlestead 
Walking into Ryan’s Boot and Shoe Repair, the first thing that hits you is the earthy aroma of leather. Your eyes wander over rows of boots, stacks of lasts (boot forms), long strands of leather laces, and all types of industrial tools. In the middle of all this is owner, Mike Ryan, carefully focused...
Read more → 07 May 2012
Posted by Lacey Middlestead 
Along plum-hued office walls hang framed photographs of ballet dancers posed in white tutus, as do senior portraits of past students, some surrounded by tattered pointe shoes. There are dozens of such photographs, a tribute to 20 years of history that Allegro School of Dance and its artistic director,...
Read more → 05 Apr 2012
Posted by Sarah Swan 
Cody Davis can hardly contain his excitement as he pounds rhythmically on his drum set. The Helena native grins ear to ear as he keeps beat with his buddy Eric McEwen, holding reign over the keyboard and vocals. It is their first appearance at the Lewis and Clark Brewery’s open mic night, and they...
Read more → 03 Nov 2011
Posted by Anne Bauer 
A small sign appeared on the door at 833 North Last Chance Gulch this past spring, a magnifying glass with the words “Follow the Money.” That small sign heralded the first public presence of the National Institute on Money in State Politics (NIMSP) in its 20 years of existence. The Institute...
Read more → 05 Oct 2011
Posted by Larry Kline 
Beer. Simple, yet a perfectly poured brew is anything but. Its production involves the orchestration of chemistry, temperature, timing and pressure. Brewers usher it from vat to keg in the right balance, and a good bartender will tilt the glass for the ale or lager and serve it up with just...
Read more → 25 Apr 2011
Posted by Shane Castle 
To open a small business off the beaten path sounds gutsy. To limit 95 percent of your product line to arts and crafts made by people in one of the least populous states sounds pretty risky. To collaborate with your competitors so you don't step on anyone's toes sounds kind of far-fetched. ...
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