Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E • FA L L 2 0 2 6 12 COVER PHOTO CHANCE JACKSON is a lifestyle photographer raised in Columbia Falls, Montana. Growing up with Glacier National Park as his backyard inspired him to pick up a camera and capture what it feels like to be out there. He create for the escape, to inspire others to slow down, explore, and feel. TRAVELS WITH ERNIE PAGE 48 GARY SHELTON was born in Lewistown in 1951 and has been a rancher, a railroader, a biker, a teacher, a hippie, and a cowboy. Now he's trying his hand at writing in the earnest hope that he'll make enough at it to make a down payment on an RV. Hell, scratch that. Enough to buy the whole RV. SEARCHING FOR INITIAL POINTS PAGE 62 STEVE GARDINER taught high school English and journalism for 38 years in Wyoming, Peru, and Montana, then worked as a newspaper reporter in Minnesota for three years. He was the 2008 Montana Teacher of the Year and holds a Doctorate of Education degree. He has received numerous writing awards from the Wyoming Press Association, Minnesota Newspaper Association, Wisconsin Newspaper Association, and more. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, PBS NewsHour, Educational Leadership, and many others. THE BALLAD OF GEORGE BRUFFEY PAGE 68 ROSS PETERSON has contributed to publications like The Montana Quarterly and The Whitefish Review. He co-edited The Red Earth Review and has written technical materials for 9-1-1 dispatchers. Born and raised in Missoula, he now lives in Butte. TINWORKS PAGE 74 NICK MITCHELL lives with his wife and two children in Kalispell and has always been interested in Montana and Western history. He loves a good book, a tasty brew, and his family, though not in that order. He's only recently started writing, so he'd like it if you'd be easy on him. CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTORS OUR Fu-svice bike ski shop Clothing, bikes, raft equipment and more! Family-0wn• K•p•g Y- Outsi‚ S•ce 1971 Seasonal Junior Ski Lease available starting October 1st! 1422 W. Main St. Bozeman • 406.587.1258 • roundhouse-sports.com 2026 o f BEST M O N TA N A A S V O T E D B Y R E A D E R S O F T O P T H R E E E L I T E Best of Montana Adventure Rentals H ELTONH EARING.COM • 406-586-0914 BOZEMAN • ENNIS • LIVINGSTON Will Helton, Au.D., FAAA, CCC-A American Board of Audiology Certified Doctor of Audiology Emily Jurgensmeier, Au.D., CCC-A American Board of Audiology Certified Doctor of Audiology At Helton Hearing Care, your hearing health and your quality of life are our primary concern! American Board Certified Doctors of Audiology Best Audiologist and Best Doctor's Office in Montana 2023-26 o f BEST M O N TA N A A S V O T E D B Y R E A D E R S O F SCHEDULE Your Personalized Hearing Evaluation and Consultation Appointment with the Best Audiologists in Montana Today!

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