The Best - Daily Inter Lake

The Best 

of the Flathead 

2011 Daily Inter Lake Reader Poll

2 – Daily Inter Lake – July 30, 2011 

Table of Contents 

PeoPle 

Artist ........................................... 3 

Bartender.................................... 3 

Chef ............................................ 3 

Waiter/Waitress .......................... 3 

Barista ........................................ 4 

Childcare provider ...................... 4 

Coach ......................................... 4 

Cosmetologist/aesthetician ........ 4 

Doctor ......................................... 4 

Lawyer ........................................ 4 

Local Band ................................. 4 

Massage Therapist ..................... 4 

Hairdresser/Barber ..................... 4 

Pastor ......................................... 5 

School Principal.......................... 5 

Mechanic .................................... 5 

Public Official.............................. 6 

Community Promoter ................. 6 

Real Estate Agent ...................... 6 

Teacher ...................................... 6 

Veterinarian ................................ 6 

Volunteer .................................... 6 

Food & drink 

Wine Selection ........................... 7 

Grocery Store ............................. 7 

Caterer ....................................... 7 

Cheap Eats................................. 7 

Happy Hour ................................ 8 

Pizza........................................... 8 

Steak .......................................... 8 

Fine Dining ................................. 9 

Coffee Shop ............................... 9 

Asian Food ................................. 9 

On the Cover 

Barbecue .................................... 9 

Beer Selection ............................ 9 

Burger......................................... 9 

Breakfast .................................. 10 

Italian Food............................... 10 

Mexican Food ........................... 10 

New Restaurant........................ 10 

Places 

Art Gallery ................................ 11 

Athletic Club ............................. 11 

Bike Shop ................................. 11 

Casino ...................................... 11 

Convenience Store ................... 11 

Car Dealership ......................... 11 

Dry Cleaner .............................. 11 

Farmers Market ........................ 11 

Haircut ...................................... 12 

Men’s Shopping........................ 12 

Women’s Shopping .................. 12 

Gift Shop .................................. 12 

Financial Institution................... 12 

Golf Course .............................. 13 

Ski/Snowboard Shop ................ 13 

Night Spot................................. 13 

Pawn Shop ............................... 13 

Things 

Living in the Flathead ............... 14 

Nonprofit Group ........................ 14 

Roadside Attraction .................. 14 

Community Celebration ............ 14 

Parade ...................................... 15 

The Tuesday night Whitefish Farmers Market is a popular destination and always 

draws a large crowd through the summer months. The resort community of Whitefish 

was named Best Night Spot in the Flathead Valley. (Photo by Patrick Cote/ 

Daily Inter Lake) 

Thank You For Your Support! 

Appearing in Lakeside at the 

Far West Cruise’s Parking Lot 

August 10th • 5 p.m. - FREE 

www.andrefloyd.net 

The BEST of the story... 

Once again, Flathead Valley residents have come forward in vast numbers 

to pick their favorites in the Daily Inter Lake’s annual reader poll. 

The competition was fierce as thousands of readers cast their ballots in 

what has become one of the Flathead’s biggest popularity contests. 

A few repeat winners prevailed again this year, with some favorites 

approaching legendary status, such as Spencer & Co.’s Best Steak and Alley 

Connection’s Best Asian Food. There were a couple of upsets, but frankly, 

we’re all winners if we’re living and doing business in the Flathead. 

So let the bragging rights begin for 2011, and thanks to everyone who 

took the time to participate in our annual contest. 

— Lynnette Hintze, features editor 

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT 

in the last 6 Wonderful Years & more to come! 

“FINE DINING ~ MONTANA STYLE” 

Steaks - Prime Rib Nightly 

Daily Seafood Specials - Pastas 

and more! 

Summer Hours: 4:30pm to 10:00pm 

755-5303 

3796 Hwy 2 East, Kalispell 

Former Rocco’s Building 

“The BEST Plumbing Service Company” 

ACCREDITED 

BUSINESS 

"The 5 Things Plumbers Do That Drive Everyone Crazy... And How 

WILD WEST PLUMBING/HEATING & DRAIN SERVICE Solves Them" 

(What every homeowner should know before you call any plumber) 

❶ VOICE MAIL. Or even worse, some 

plumbers use an answering machine. 

Then you have to wait and hope they will 

call you back. At WILD WEST 

PLUMBING/HEATING & DRAIN 

SERVICE our phones are staffed 24 

hours a day so you can always talk to a 

live person. 

❷ WASTED TIME. Most plumbers won't give 

you a real appointment time. They say 

"We'll be there between 10 and 4." So 

you have to waste a whole day waiting. 

Not any more! You get a precise 

"Appointment Window" when you call us. 

You don't waste a lot of time waiting. 

❸ TOO MANY TRIPS. Other plumbers can 

make 2 or 3 trips before they have the 

right parts to fix your problem. This costs 

you extra money and frustration. We stock 

our trucks with 185% more parts so we 

can fix the real problem the first time, 

saving you money. 

KALISPELL 

752-1244 

SENIOR DISCOUNTS 

❹ INVOICE SHOCK. This is what happens 

when you get charged "time and material" 

and the plumber gets paid more the 

longer he takes. Only at WILD WEST 


SERVICE do you get Straight Forward 

Pricing. This shows you the exact 

amount before the work begins so you can 

decide. My plumber will even show you 

several low cost options so you can pick 

the right one for you. 

➎ CALL BACKS. Other plumbers have a 

"Concrete Guarantee" - when their truck 

leaves your concrete driveway their 

guarantee expires. Not with WILD WEST 


SERVICE! With us you have a 100% 

SATISFACTION GUARANTEE. If you are 

unhappy for Any Reason - I will redo the 

repair for FREE. 

"Happy Today or You Don't Pay" 

PLUMBING/HEATING & 

DRAIN SERVICE © PSI 1999 

www.wildwestplumbing.com

PEOPLE 

Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake 

NANCY CAWDREY works on a painting in her studio in Bigfork. 

Best Artist 

1. Nancy Cawdrey, Bigfork 

2. Mark Ogle, Kalispell 

3. Eric Thorsen, Bigfork 

Honorable Mention: Treg Miller, Kalispell 

Best Bartender 

1. Dawn Brown, Kalispell VFW 

2. Irene Jensen, Spencer & Co. 

3. Steve Owens, Fatt Boys 

Honorable Mention: Jay Marquesen, The 

Back Room; Richard Roe, ScottiBelli’s. 

Best Chef 

1. Doug Day, Capers, Kalispell 

2. Marc Guizol, La Provence, Bigfork 

3. Blu Funk, Showthyme, Bigfork 

Honorable Mention: Andy Blanton, 

Kandahar Lodge, Whitefish Mountain 

Resort; Josh Auerhammer, Culinary 

Design Studio, Bigfork 

Best Waiter or 

Waitress 

1. Jean To, China Wall, Whitefish 

2. Lynn Engel, Spencer & Co. 

3. Reba Hale, Echo Lake Cafe 

Honorable Mention: Paula Davey, 

Spencer & Co.; Dawn Miller, Vista 

Linda 

See BEST PEOPLE on Page 4 

1309 Hwy. 2 W. • Kalispell, MT • (406) 755-7757 

Servicing the Flathead Valley since 1994 • www.lorensauto.com 


JEAN TO serves up food and drinks 

with a smile at China Wall. She was 

voted Best Waitress in the Flathead. 

Daily Inter Lake – July 30, 2011 – 3 

Open Tuesday-Sunday 

Guided tours on the hour, 10am-5pm 

(last tour departs at 4pm) 

Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children under 12 $3 

Paint the Mansion 

Art Competition-Aug 23 

FREE - Everyone Welcome! 

Professional & Amateur categories 

10am-4pm with judging at 4pm 

Event Sponsor - Budget Framing 

Christmas at the Mansion 

Preview Party-Oct 28 

Tickets available now - get them early! 

406-755-2166 

www.conradmansion.com 

330 Woodland Ave. in Kalispell


Best Barista 

1. Tara Nelson, Cowgirl Coffee 

2. Kayla Jordon, Mountain Mudd 

3. Michelle Pilsch, Spill the Beans 

Honorable Mention: Elyse Myers, 

Boiler Room, Barb, Jumpin’ Java 

Best Childcare 

Provider 

1. Sonya AuClaire 

2. Marsha Ham 

3. Kid Kare, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Stay at home 

moms 

Best Coach 

1. Todd Emslie, Bigfork High football 

2. Grady Bennett, Glacier High football 

3. Greg Adkins, Glacier Speech and 

Debate team 

Honorable Mention: Derek Schultz, 

Whitefish High School; Jackie Fuller, 

Whitefigh High School 


COWGIRL COFFEE’S Tara Nelson keeps her customers 

caffeinated. She was voted Best Barista in the Flathead. 

Vanessa M. CeraVolo 

Best Cosmetologist/ 

Aesthetician 

1. Jelisa Guy, Amore Salon 

2. Rose Penrod, Classic Cuts 

3. Missy Vance, Soucie & Soucie 

Hair Design 

Honorable Mention: Lindsey Peters; 

Her Alibi Salon, Bigfork; Nicole Waters, 

Beauty Bar, Kalispell 

Best Doctor 

1. Mark T. Welch, 

Kalispell Regional 

Medical Center 

2. Annie 

Bukacek, Kalispell 

3. Camden Kneeland, 

Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: 

Wallace 

Wilder, Kalispell; 

R. Dennis Winkel, 

Kalispell 

MARK 

WELCH 

“Thank you, Flathead Valley, 

for believing in mediation as a 

positive way to settle disputes out of 

Court. I’ll continue to work hard to 

save you time and money, and to find 

fair resolutions for all conflicts.” 

Vanessa M. Ceravolo 

Attorney & Mediator 

770 North Main • Kalispell, MT 

755-1958 by appointment 

Best Lawyer 


BIGFORK HIGH School football coach Todd Emslie won top 

honors in the Best Coach category. 

1. Vanessa Ceravolo, Kalispell 

2. William Managhan, Kalispell 

3. Timothy Wenz, Kalispell 

Honoable Mention: Rich DeJana, 

Kalispell; George Best, Kalispell; Donald 

R. Murray Jr., Kalispell 

Best Local Band 

1. The Bad Larrys 

2. Sick Pony 

3. John Dunnigan 

Honorable Mention: Rockaholics; 

Andre Floyd & Mood Iguana 

Best Massage 

Therapist 

1. Daniel Lowney, Kalispell 

2. Joey Giacomo, Soucie & Soucie 

3. Jennie Payne, Imagine Health 

Wellness, Columbia Falls 

Honorable Mention: Douglas Barton, 

Echo Evenson, Lacy Angel 

Best Hairdresser or 

Barber 

1. Sarah Parkman, The Edge Salon, 

Kalispell 

2. Mandi Bey, Amore Salon, Kalispell 

3. Tracy Anderson, Amore Salon 

Honorable Mention: Shonda Morris, 

Montana Barber, Kalispell; Gretchen 

Stoner, Amore Salon 


Thank you, 

Flathead Valley! 

Once again, I am 

honored and humbled 

by your vote of 

confidence and will 

continue serving the 

taxpayers to the best 

of my abilities. 

Tammi 

Fisher, 

Mayor of 

Kalispell 

Thanks For Your supporT!


SARAH PARKMAN styles hair for her former teacher, Donna Danz, at The Edge 

Salon in Kalispell. Parkman was voted Best Hairdresser. 

LEVI LUSKO leads 

a growing congregation 

as senior 

pastor of Fresh Life 

Church, a multi-site 

Christian church in 

Kalispell, Whitefish 

and Billings. He 

was voted Best 

Pastor of the Flathead. 

Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter 

Lake 

THANK YOU! 

Flathead Valley for voting us 

1 st Place for Best Cheap Eats. 

We Think You’re Great Too!! 

From the crew at 

FRUGALS 

Bring in this ad and receive a free order of fries Expires 12/31/11 

Best Pastor 

1. Levi Lusko, Fresh Life Church, 

Kalispell, Whitefish and Billings 

2. John Bent, Christ Lutheran Church 

3. Paul Arends, The River, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Dan Heskett, 

Northridge Lutheran Church; John 

Weaver Jr., Whitefish Assembly of God 

Church 

Best Principal 

1. Callie Langohr, Glacier High School 

2. Casey Bertram, Hedges Elementary 


3; Jeff Hornby, Elrod Elem., Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Darren Schlepp, 

Edgerton Elementary; Dave Carlson, 

Whitefish High School 

Best Mechanic 

1. Mike Hull, Kalispell 

2. John Kinsella, Celtic Motors, 

Kalispell 

3. Dean Buckallew, H&A Automotive, 

Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Scott Sauer, Valley 

Ford, Kalispell 


Stop By And Congratulate 

DAWN BROWN 

Voted Best Bartender 

Thank you also for voting us 

2nd Place Best Happy Hour 

330 1st Ave West, Kalispell 752-2611


MONTANA 

Highway 

Patrol 

Trooper 

Steve Lavin, 

a Republicanrepresentative 

for House 

District 8 in 

Kalispell, 

was voted 

Best Public 

Official. 

Best Public Official 

1. Steve Lavin, Montana Highway 

Patrol; State Representative for House 

District 8, Kalispell 

2. Tammi Fisher, Kalispell mayor 

3. Jim Dupont, Flathead County 

Commissioner 

Honorable Mention: Chuck Curry, 

Flathead County Sheriff; Pam Holmquist, 

Flathead County Commissioner 

Tracy & Devon Anderson-Owners 

Best Community 

Promoter 

1. John Michaels 

2. Kalispell Chamber of Commerce 

3. The Daily Inter Lake 

Honorable Mention: Flathead Beacon; 

Jan Metzmaker, executive director 

of Whitefish Convention & Visitor 

Bureau 

T hank you Flathead Valley for making Amoré 

Salon and Spa the #1 Place to get a Hair Cut. 

We We appreciate appreciate the support support from from throughout throughout the 

Valley and look forward to another 

year of serving you. 

Remember to Amoré yourself! 

Best Real Estate 

Agent 

1. Doryce Hawkins, Dean & Leininger 

Real Estate 

2. Shelby Nash Hunter, Westward 

Bound 

3. Larry Wakefield, Properties Northwest 

Honorable Mention: Bob Kelly, West 

Venture Real Estate; Denise Lang, 

Trails West 

Best Teacher 

1. Sue Brown, Flathead High School 

2. Mike Boshka, Bigfork High School 

3. Eileen Iams, Kalispell Middle School 

Honorable Mention: Mary Sullivan, 

Bigfork High School; Dacia Prather, 

Whitefish Middle School 

Best Veterinarian 

1. Dan Savage, Big Sky Animal Clinic, 

Kalispell 

2. Greg Markellis, All Creatures Great 

and Small, Kalispell 

3. Jim Thompson, Whitefish Animal 

Hospital 

Honorable Mention: Allan Barton, C. 

Falls; Charlene Esch, Kalispell 

Gretchen Stoner 

Honorable Mention 

For Best Hairdresser 

In The Valley 

Tracey Anderson 

Voted #3 Best 

Hairdresser 


TONY BROCKMAN of Kalispell earlier 

this year received a ServeMontana 

award for his focus on cancer prevention, 

drug awareness and access to health 

care for college students. He’s also done 

volunteer work for the Montana Meth 

Project and Youth Task Force. 

Best Volunteer 

1. Tony Brockman 

2. Leah Lindsay 

3. Darryl Kistler 

Honorable Mention: Christina Williams, 

Marie Hickey-AuClaire 

Jelisa Guy 

Voted Best 

Esthetician 


Mandi Bey 

Voted #2 Best 

Hairdresser 


www.Amore-Salon.net 35 Fifth Avenue West, Kalispell 

406-755-5513

TODD HORN- 

ING of Amazing 

Crepes in 

Whitefish prepares 

a variety 

of crepes for 

a group of 40 

people last 

fall. Amazing 

Crepes was 

voted Best 

Caterer of the 

Flathead. 

Photo courtesy of 

Amazing Crepes 

Best Wine Selection 

1. Uncorked, Kalispell 

2. Crush Wine Bar, Whitefish 

3. Markus Foods, Whitefish 

Honorable Mention: Jug Tree, Bigfork; 

Alpine Market, Whitefish 

Best Grocery Store 

1. Super 1 Foods, Kalispell, Whitefish, 

Evergreen, Columbia Falls 

2. Rosauers, Kalispell 

3. Smith’s, Kalispell and Columbia 

Falls 

Honorable Mention: Albertson’s, 

Kalispell; Costco, Kalispell 

UNCORKED WINES at 60 Commons 

Way in Kalispell has the best wine 

selection in the Flathead. 

THANK YOU 

for voting us 

BEST BBQ 

892-3131 

522 9th St. W., Columbia Falls 

4pm - 9m - 7 days a week 

FOOD & DRINK 

Best Caterer 

1. Amazing Crepes, Whitefish 

2. Fabulous Food Fine Catering, 

Kalispell 

3. The Cuisine Machine, Whitefish 

Honorable Mention: John’s Angels 

Catering, Whitefish; Ali Caters, Whitefish; 

Vista Linda, Somers 


Best Cheap Eats 

1. Frugals, Kalispell 

2. Taco Del Sol, Kalispell and Whitefish 

3. Subway 

Honorable Mention: Burger Town, 

Bigfork; Nite Owl/Back Room, Columbia 

Falls 

See FOOD & DRINK on Page 8 

FARMER’S MARKET 

— Going Strong for 35 Years — 

Thank You for your support and for voting us #1 Best 

Farmer’s Market in the Flathead. 

EVERY SATURDAY 

THRU THE SEASON! Saturday 9 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. 

at the Kalispell Center Mall Parking Lots 

Fresh Produce and Vegetables, Perennials & Herbs, 

Flowering Baskets, Trees & Shrubs, Local Pork, Fresh 

Baked Goods, Dried Flowers, Arts & Crafts, Patio 

Furniture and much more! 

THANK YOU 

Thank You, Flathead Valley for 

naming me the best Criminal 

Defense lawyer in the valley 

and the third best overall. Your 

support is greatly appreciated. 

Timothy K. Wenz, Attorney at Law 

Wenz Law Office, P.C. 

118 Main Street, Kalispell, MT 

406-752-WENZ (9369)


Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake 

BECKY FLORES pours a lemon drop 

martini during happy hour at the North 

Bay Grille in downtown Kalispell. The 

popular restaurant placed first for Best 

Happy Hour. 

Best Happy Hour 

1. North Bay Grille, Kalispell 

2. Kalispell VFW 

3. Paddy’s Touchdown Lounge, 

Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: The Red Room, 

Whitefish; Raven Brew Pub, Bigfork 

Best Pizza 

1. Second Street Pizza, Whitefish 

2. MacKenzie River Pizza, Whitefish 

and Kalispell 

3. Moose’s, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Bullman’s Woodfired 

Pizza, Kalispell; Pizza Hut, Whitefish, 

Columbia Falls and Kalispell 

Best Steak 

1. Spencer & Co., rural Kalispell 

2. North Bay Grille, Kalispell 

3. Winchester Steak House/Scotty’s, 

Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Tiebucker’s, 

Somers; Whitefish Lake Golf Course, 

Whitefish 


We would like to extend a Special Thanks to our on premise 

meat cutter - Kent Davey! Our loyal friends and patrons 

are truly the “Best of the Best” Love, Paula & Crew 


JEREMY KING builds a sausage, mushroom and green pepper pizza at Second 

Street Pizza in Whitefish, where the pizza pies garnered the Best Pizza award. 

We “Thank You” Flathead Valley 

for voting us #1 AGAIN! 

8 YEARS RUNNING 

• BEST Steak • #2 BEST Wait Staff - Congratulations Lynn 

• Congratulations Staff for Honorable Mention for 

Best Customer Service. 

• Also - Congratulations Paula for Honorable 

Mention Wait Staff 

SPENCER & CO. 

STEAK HOUSE 

& LOUNGE 

756-8941 

OPEN DAILY AT 5 P.M. 

4010 HWY 93 NORTH 

KALISPELL


JEFF GREGOIRE, owner and head chef of Jagz, sautés mushrooms while 

prepping for the dinner rush last week. Located at 3796 U.S. 2 E., northeast of 

Kalispell, the restaurant earned first place for Best Fine Dining. 

Best Fine Dining 

1. Jagz, rural Kalispell 

2. Nickel Charlie’s, Kalispell 

3. Whitefish Lake Golf Course 

Honorable Mention: Tupelo Grille, 

Whitefish; Showthyme, Bigfork 

Best Coffee Shop 

1. Montana Coffee Traders, Kalispell, 

Whitefish, Columbia Falls 

2. Cowgirl Coffee, Whitefish and 

Thank you Flathead Valley 

for voting us one of the 

Best Non-Profit 

Organizations! 

100 ADOPT A PET WAY 

KALISPELL, MT | 406.752.PAWS 

www.humanesocietypets.com 

Kalispell 

3. Spill the Beans, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Colter Coffee, 

Kalispell; City Brew, Kalispell 

Best Asian Food 

1. Alley Connection, Kalispell 

2. Wasabi, Whitefish 

3. Thai Palace, Kalispell 

Honorable mention: Asian Buffet, 

Kalispell; HuHot Mongolian Grill, 

Kalispell 

Best Barbecue 

1. The Back Room, Columbia Falls 

2. Famous Dave’s, Kalispell 

3. Piggyback BBQ, Whitefish 

Honorable mention: The Shak, Whitefish; 

Frontier Roadhouse, Lake Blaine/ 

Creston area 

Best Beer Selection 

1. Tamarack Brewing Company, 

Lakeside 

2. Great Northern Bar, Whitefish 

3. Bulldog Saloon, Whitefish 


Honorable Mention: Markus Foods, 

Whitefish; Flathead Lake Brewing Co., 

Bigfork 

Best Burger 

1. Scotty’s, Kalispell 

2. Grille 459, Bigfork 

3. Five Guys Burgers & Fries, 

Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Bulldog Saloon, 

Whitefish; Buffalo Hill Terrace, Kalispell 


THANK YOU FOR 

VOTING US #2 

“BEST BURGER” 

IN THE VALLEY! 

VISIT US AT OUR NEW LOCATION 

475 Electric Avenue | Bigfork, MT 

406.420.1017 

CAR WASH 

THANK YOU 

FLATHEAD VALLEY FOR 

CHOOSING US AS 

YOUR PLACE TO WASH! 

Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm • Sunday 10am-4pm 

HWY 93 AT COMMONS WAY



A SPANISH omelet and cowboy eggs benedict are ready 

for pickup in the window at Echo Lake Cafe, which won 

Best Breakfast honors. 

Best Breakfast 

1. Echo Lake Cafe, rural Bigfork 

2. Buffalo Cafe, Whitefish 

3. Pocketstone Cafe, Bigfork 

Honorable Mention: Bojangles, 

Kalispell; Perkin’s, Kalispell 

Best Italian Food 

1. Mambo Italiano, Whitefish 

2. Capers, Kalispell 

3. ScottiBelli’s, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Fazooli’s, 

Somers; Moraldo’s, Bigfork 

After 26 years in the business... 

We’re still the BEST! 

Many thanks Flathead Valley for 

your support! 

Have a great summer! 

22 1st Street W. Kalispell 

752-7077 

Dine In - Take Out - Closed Sundays 

Best Mexican Food 

1. Los Caporales, Kalispell, Evergreen 

and Columbia Falls 

2. Vista Linda, Somers 

3. Pescado Blanco, Whitefish 

Honorable Mention: El Topo, Bigfork; 

Taco John’s, Kalispell and Whitefish 

We Save you time 

Toner Experts 

Supply Experts 

Best New 

Restaurant 

All the Right Pieces. 

Free Delivery 

Furniture Experts 

We’re Local 

ENGJELL VRAPI 

removes a pizza from 

the oven at When in 

Rome Pizzeria (formerly 

Sun Mountain Trattoria) 

in Bigfork. Vrapi and 

his wife Kaleigh Brook 

own the restaurant and 

earlier this year won two 

awards at the International 

Pizza Challenge in 

Las Vegas, competing 

in the Western Region 

against dozens of pizzerias 

from throughout 

the Western United 

States. When in Rome 

was named Best New 

Restaurant. 

1. When in Rome, Bigfork 

2. ScottiBelli’s; Kalispell 

3. Charlie Wong’s Saigon Garden, 

Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Montana Club, 

Kalispell; Naked Noodle, Whitefish 

Price Match 

Copier Experts 

Volume Discounts 

Your Smart Choice. 

700 Sunset Blvd. Kalispell, MT (406) 752-8520 J2op.com


THE WHEATON’S Cycle and Fitness crew from left, are Pat Brooks, John Keenan, 

Joe Brega, Hans Axelsen, and store owner Margaret LeKander. Wheaton’s 

was named Best Bike Shop. 

Best Art Gallery 

1. Hockaday Museum of Art, Kalispell 

2. Think Local, Kalispell 

3. Marshall Noice Gallery, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Persimmon Gallery, 

Bigfork; Glacier Gallery, Kalispell 

Best Athletic Club 

1. The Summit, Kalispell 

2. Flathead Health & Fitness, Kalispell 

3. The Wave, Whitefish 

Honorable Mention: Montana Athletic 

Club, Bigfork; Kalispell Athletic Club 

Best Bike Shop 

1. Wheaton’s, Kalispell 

2. Bikology, Kalispell 

3. Glacier Cyclery, Whitefish 

Honorable Mention: Mountain Mike’s, 

Bigfork; Fastoys, Kalispell 

Best Casino 

1. Blue Canyon, Kalispell 

2. Windiggers, Kalispell 

3. Montana Nugget Casino, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Nickel Charlie’s, 

Kalispell; Gold Bar, Kalispell 

THANK YOU! 

139 1st Ave. West • Kalispell • 406-755-4441 

To all of our Loyal 

Customers. 

1st Place 

Best Happy Hour 

2nd Place 

Best Steak 

PLACES 

Best Convenience 

Store 

1. Michael’s West Exxon, Kalispell 

2. Town Pump, Kalispell, Whitefish, 

Columbia Falls and Polson 

3. Bigfork Stage Stop 

Honorable Mention: Mike’s Conoco, 

Columbia Falls; Woodland Quick Stop, 

Kalispell 

Best Car Dealership 

1. Eisinger Motors, Kalispell 

2. Kalispell Toyota 

3. Don K Chevrolet-Subaru-Chrysler, 

Whitefish 

Honorable Mention: Valley Ford, 


Kalispell; DePratu Ford and Volkswagen, 

Whitefish 

Best Dry Cleaner 

1. Imperial Dry Cleaners, Kalispell 

2. Naturally Clean, Kalispell and 

Whitefish 

3. Sutherland Dry Cleaners, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Busy Bee, 

Kalispell; City Cleaners, Columbia Falls 

Best Farmers Market 

1. Kalispell 

2. Whitefish 

3. Bigfork 

Honorable Mention: Midway Swap Meet 

See PLACES on Page 12 


TIFFANY HOWARD, manager of Michael’s West Exxon in Kalispell, helps a customer 

at the popular stop that won first for Best Convenience Store. 

We have enjoyed serving the Flathead Valley 

with all your biking needs. 

Thank you for supporting a local business 

for 93 years!


TRACY ANDERSON, 

owner of Amore Salon 

and Spa in Kalispell, 

styles Tara Hoveland’s 

hair recently. Amore won 

top honors in the Best 

Haircut category in this 

year’s reader poll. 


Best Haircut 

1. Amore Salon and Spa, Kalispell 

2. The Edge Salon, Kalispell 

3. Soucie Soucie Salon & Spa, 

Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: J. Thomas 

Salon, Kalispell, Salon Jazlin, Kalispell 

Best Men’s Shopping 

1. Sportsman & Ski Haus, Kalispell 

and Whitefish 

2. The Toggery, Kalispell, Whitefish 

3. Murdoch’s, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Snappy’s Sport 

Senter, Kalispell; The Buckle, Kalispell 

Best Women’s 

Shopping 

1. S.M. Bradford Co., Kalispell and 

Whitefish 

2. Fawn Boutique, Kalispell 

3. Ross, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Maurice’s, 

Kalispell; Sappari, Whitefish 

Best Gift Shop 

1. Herberger’s, Kalispell 

2. Strawberry Patch, Kalispell 

3. Electric Avenue Gifts, Bigfork 

Honorable Mention: Sassafras, 

Kalispell; Crystal Winters, Whitefish 

Best Financial 

Institution 

1. Glacier Bank, Kalispell; with branches 

in Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, 

Evergreen, Lakeside and Polson 

2. First Interstate Bank, Kalispell, 

Whitefish, Polson 

3. Three Rivers Bank, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Park Side Federal 

Credit Union, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, 

Kalispell; Rocky Mountain Bank, Bigfork, 

Kalispell; Whitefish Credit Union, 

Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Whitefish 

Best People 

Best Pricing 

Best Service 

Kalispell auto parts 

755-5248 

200 E. Idaho • Kalispell 


S.M. BRADFORD CO. manager Kristy Stevens, left, and store owner Kay Emmert 

are pictured in the Bigfork women’s clothing and accessories’ store. A second 

store is located in downtown Whitefish. The stores were voted Best Place for 

Women to Shop.


THE CREW at First National Pawn in Kalispell, front row from left to right: Joel 

Christensen, Dino Bott, and Mike Reiner; back row: Dirk Estes, Jon Winter, Dustin 

Headrick and Jake Sullenger. First National Pawn was named Best Pawn Shop. 

Best Golf Course 

1. Buffalo Hill, Kalispell 

2. Whitefish Lake, Whitefish 

3. Eagle Bend, Bigfork 

Honorable Mention: Village Greens, 

Kalispell; Meadow Lake, Columbia Falls 

Best Ski/Snowboard 

Shop 

1. White Room, Whitefish 

2. Stumptown Snowboards, Whitefish 

3. Sportsman & Ski Haus, Kalispell 

and Whitefish 

Honorable Mention: Snow Ghost Outfitters, 

Whitefish 

Thanks For Voting 

Us The Best Beer 

Selection and 

Night Spot! 

862-2816 

Best Night Spot 

1. Whitefish 

2. Great Northern Bar, Whitefish 

3. Garden Bar, Bigfork 

Honorable Mention: The Red Room, 

Whitefish; Scotty’s, Kalispell 

Best Pawn Shop 

1. First National Pawn, Kalispell 

2. Gold Rush Pawn Co., Kalispell 

3. Apache Pawn, Kalispell 

Honorable Mention: Powder Horn 

Trading Co., Kalispell 

27 Central 

Whitefish 

Voted #1 Best Artist in the Flathead Valley 

—The Daily Inter Lake, July 2011 

Absaroka Sunrise 16” x 54” Dye on Silk 


FLATHEAD High 

School’s Michael Lavin 

putts during day one 

of the Class AA state 

tournament in 2010 at 

Buffalo Hill Golf Club in 

Kalispell. 

Buffalo Hill is always 

among the favorite 

courses and this year 

garnered the Best Golf 

Course title. 


file photo 

Come shop Nancy’s gallery for original art, prints, scarves and cards. 

M-F, 9-5, or by appt. Open Studio every Wed. 2-4 p.m. through Aug. 31. 

Call 406-755-2727, or visit www.nancycawdrey.com


MEMBERS 

of the Flying 

Penguins jump 

into Whitefish 

Lake during the 

annual Penguin 

Plunge at this 

year’s Whitefish 

Winter Carnival. 

The annual carnival 

was voted 


Celebration. 

Brenda Ahearn/Daily 

Inter Lake file photo 

Three Rivers Bank of Montana says ‘ Thank You ’ 

to our current customers and extends an invitation to 

all present and future customers to stop in and see how 

Three Rivers Bank can help you! 

Idaho Bank 

233 East Idaho 

Kalispell, MT 

755-4271 

www.threeriversbankmontana.com 

FAVORITE THINGS 

Meridian Bank 

552 N. Meridian 

Kalispell, MT 

755-5432 

THE CONRAD MANSION in Kalispell was voted Best Roadside Attraction. 

Best Thing About 

Living in the 

Flathead 

1. The people 

2. Beauty/scenery 

3. Glacier National Park 

Honorable Mention: Flathead Lake; 

mountains and lakes 

Best Nonprofit 

Group 

1. Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency 

Clinic 

2. Humane Society of Northwest 

Montana 

3. Flathead Spay & Neuter Task 

Force 

Kalispell Office 

1312 North Meridian 

(406)756-6453 

Kalispell, MT 59904-0115 

(406) 756-6453 

Honorable Mention: Big Brothers Big 

Sisters, United Way 

Best Roadside 

Attraction 

1. Conrad Mansion, Kalispell 

2. Glacier National Park 

3. House of Mystery, Columbia Heights 

Honorable Mention: Amazing Fun 

Center, Coram; Flathead cherry stands 


Celebration 

1. Whitefish Winter Carnival 

2. Northwest Montana Fair 

3. Heritage Days in Columbia Falls 

Honorable Mention: First Night Flathead; 

area Fourth of July celebrations 

Thank You Flathead Valley 

1312 North Meridian 

Kalispell, MT 59904-0115 

FLATHEAD VALLEY CHEMICAL 

DEPENDENCY CLINIC 

Libby Office 

711 California Ave 

Libby, MT 59923 

(406) 293-7731 

Libby Office 

711 California Ave 

Libby, MT 59923 

(406)293-7731 

Thompson Falls Office 

301 Main #4 

Thompson Falls, MT 59873 

(406) 827-4241 

North Valley Office 

110 Nucleus Ave. - Suite B 

Columbia Falls, MT 59912 

(406) 892-7900 

Thompson Falls 

301 Main #4 

Thompson Falls, MT 59873 

(406)827-4241 

with individuals... 

families... 

communities... 

Eureka Office 

North Lincoln County Annex 

Eureka, MT 59914 

(406) 297-2822 

Eureka Office 

North Lincoln County Annex 

Eureka, MT 59914 

(406)297-2822

Inter Lake file photo 

THE BIGFORK Fourth of July Parade is the epitome of an Independence Day celebration, 

with plenty of patriotic red, white and blue. The annual parade draws a 

crowd of thousands and was named Best Parade again this year. 

The Echo Lake Cafe 

has been serving fresh, wholesome 

food since 1960. 

Thank you to the 

Flathead Valley 

Community and to 

our dedicated staff. 

It has been an 

honor to receive 

#1 for the Best 

Breakfast in the 

Flathead for many 

years. 

1195 Hwy 83, 

Bigfork, MT 

837-4252 

Best Parade 

1. Bigfork Fourth of July 

2. Whitefish Winter Carnival 

3. Northwest Montana Fair 

Honorable Mention: Kalispell Christmas 

parade; Heritage Days in Columbia 

Falls 

Thanks to everyone 

who participated 

in the 

Daily Inter Lake’s 

annual reader poll 

WHITEFISH 

206 Central Avenue 

406.862.6333 


Dearly Beloved Patients, The 

Daily Inter Lake has informed 

me that I was voted 2nd place 

for best physician. You have 

blessed me so much with this 

vote of confidence, and I will 

continue to do my utmost to 

provide you tender, loving, 

superior care. God Bless You 

Annie Bukacek, MD 

Hosanna Health Care 

VOTED #1 

BEST PLACE 

for WOMEN TO SHOP in the 

FLATHEAD VALLEY 

BIGFORK 

549 Electric Avenue 

406.837-6444


2007 SUBARU TRIBECA LTD $23,598 

Greg Eisinger 

DEALER 

61,344 MI., GOLD, #403206 

Eisinger Service Center 

EVERYDAY VALUE PRICE. EVERY 5TH OIL CHANGE IS FREE! 


2007 CHEVROLET COLORADO LT $23,998 

15,503 MI., ATUO, BLUE, Z-71, SUNROOF, LEATHER, #186557 

Eisingerʼs Best Price Promise...If you 

fi nd your tires cheeper any where else 

in the Flathead Valley, your next oil fi lter 

change is on us. 

WE OFFER FULL SERVICE 

ON SATURDAYS AS WELL...AND 

THERE’S NO APPOINTMENT 

NEEDED. 

Certifi ed Service 

STOP IN & VISIT WITH OUR FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL SALES STAFF TODAY! 

Jason Hyndman J.D. Dykes Jerry Spiller Preston Cannady Dean Brist Randy Burtosky Curt Lembke Ted Pentecost Bob Goodwin Dan Gerber Michael Unruh Paul Anderson 

VISIT US AT eisingerauto.com g 

• *Weʼre Committed To Your Total Satisfaction* 

MOTORS 

From ALL of us at 

Eisinger Auto Group 

a BIG THANK YOU 

Flathead for voting us 

BEST CAR 

DEALERSHIP 

Eisinger Service Centeryour 

vehicle Eisinger buying Service and Center servicing 


5 YEARS RUNNING! 

We and our professional staff are dedicated 

to serving all your automotive needs. 

For us, “customer service” means making 

experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. 

Greg Eisinger Ben Eisinger 

HWY. 93 N & RESERVE • KALISPELL • (406) 755-5555 • Open Mon. thru Thurs. 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. • Fri. & Sat. 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. 

LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF HWY 93 NORTH & RESERVE • KALISPELL 

EISINGER MOTORS: (406) 755-5555 | Visit us at: eisingerauto.com • EISINGER HONDA: (406) 755-7414 | Visit us at: eisingerhonda.com 

Mark Freedman

The Best - Daily Inter Lake

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