Flathead Beacon
Bear Aware Month Returns to the Flathead Valley
Montana FWP is offering local bear-safety education, including advice on recognizing bear activity, avoiding conflict and using bear spray.
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Bigfork Community • Northwest Montana Real Estate • September 2026
One More Round of Summer in Bigfork
Before we trade concerts and market bags for sweaters and falling leaves…
Dear Friends, Family & Clients,
September always seems to arrive with a change in rhythm. Labor Day gives us that unofficial farewell to summer, the evenings start to cool, the light changes, and suddenly fall doesn’t feel very far away. Here in Northwest Montana, it is one of my favorite transitions of the year. We’re not quite ready to let go of summer, but there is something wonderful about pulling out a sweater, noticing the first hints of color in the trees, and settling back into a slightly slower pace.
My own yard seems determined to make sure summer goes out on a high note. The plums and tomatoes have been incredible this year, as you can see. There is something deeply satisfying about walking outside and bringing in food that grew just a few steps from the kitchen and sometimes the simplest things deserve to be celebrate! It’s one of those little Montana pleasures that never gets old.
This month has also felt reflective. September marks the 25th anniversary of September 11th, and it is difficult to believe a quarter-century has passed. For so many of us, the memories of that day remain vivid. I hope we take a moment not only to remember the lives that were lost, but also the extraordinary courage, service and sense of community that emerged in the days that followed. Twenty-five years later, that reminder to look out for one another still matters.
I’ve also found myself thinking about two women who have been personal role models of mine: Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem – my two ladies. Very different women, certainly, but both lived with unmistakable conviction. Dolly showed us that warmth, humor, ambition and generosity can coexist beautifully. Gloria spent a lifetime reminding women that our voices, choices and independence matter. Losing people who have influenced the way you see the world has a way of making you think about the qualities you want to carry forward yourself.
Speaking of qualities to carry forward, I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the Bigfork Chamber Sundowner at our Glacier Sotheby’s office. It was wonderful to have so many neighbors, friends and fellow Chamber members come through the doors. These gatherings are such a good reminder that the strength of a community really does come from the people who show up for one another. A special thank you as well to Oro y Plata, El Topo and Taco Mexico for partnering with us and helping provide the delicious food. We were so happy to host and even happier to spend the evening with all of you.
And fall in Bigfork wouldn’t be complete without Tamarack Time! This year it takes place Saturday, October 10, in Downtown Bigfork – which sounds like a pretty good way to spend a fall afternoon to me. You can enter a dish, volunteer, judge, or simply come hungry and enjoy one of those distinctly Bigfork traditions that makes our community so much fun. I hope to see you there!
As we move into this fall season, I remain grateful to live and work in a place where homes, community and relationships are so closely connected. Real estate is about much more than putting a sign in a yard. It requires experience, careful market knowledge, strong negotiation, creative marketing, attention to detail and perhaps most importantly, knowing how to listen and guide people through decisions that are often very personal.
Whether you’re considering selling, looking for your next home, wondering what your property is worth, or simply trying to understand what today’s market means for you, I’m always happy to be a resource. Give me a call – let’s talk about what your next move might look like so you can live where you love.
Warmly,
Denise
August Market Update
August brought a mixed market across Northwest Montana. Inventory generally eased from July in several communities, while pricing remained resilient in many areas. Flathead County saw fewer new listings and sales month over month, but the median sale price rose to $632,000. Whitefish and Lake County both posted increases in closed sales, while Bigfork, Lakeside, and Whitefish continued to show strength in median pricing. Overall, the numbers reflect a market that continues to vary significantly by location and price point.
Thinking about buying or selling? Let’s look at what these numbers mean for your specific property and goals. I’d be happy to help you make sense of the market and build the right strategy for your next move.
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Testimonial
There are not enough words to express how grateful we are for Denise Lang and Tiffany MacKenzie, these two incredible realtors and everything they did to help us sell our remodeled property.
What we thought would be a relatively straightforward process turned into a much longer and more challenging journey. For nearly two years, they stood by our side, navigating every obstacle with professionalism, determination, and unwavering support. Throughout that time, we were heavily invested in the project, both financially and emotionally, and there were moments when the road ahead felt uncertain. They never gave up.
Their knowledge of the market, creative marketing strategies, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances were invaluable. They knew when to make adjustments, when to rethink the approach, and when to push forward. They worked tirelessly with buyers’ agents, managed contingencies, addressed inspection concerns, and handled countless details behind the scenes that many people never see.
What meant the most to us, however, was not just their expertise, it was their character. They communicated openly and honestly every step of the way. They were always available when we had questions, and they never avoided difficult conversations. Even when the news wasn’t what we wanted to hear, they handled every discussion with kindness, integrity, and respect. We always knew they had our best interests at heart. Over the course of these two years, we gained far more than professional representation. We developed a deep appreciation for who they are as individuals. Their work ethic, honesty, perseverance, and genuine care for their clients are qualities that set them apart.
Selling this property was not an easy process, but we cannot imagine going through it with anyone else. Their dedication never wavered, and because of their hard work, we ultimately achieved a successful outcome. If you are looking to buy or sell a home, we recommend them without hesitation. You will not only gain highly skilled real estate professionals, you will gain trusted advocates who genuinely care and will work tirelessly on your behalf.
-Brian & Shannon
Current Property Collection
Ceri’s Corner
Snuggle Buddies for Snuggle Season
Hello friends, Ceri here.
Fall is creeping into Montana, which means cooler mornings, earlier sunsets, leaves starting to turn, and – most importantly – the official return of snuggle season. Now, I know some of you may think summer is wonderful with all that hiking, boating, gardening, and general hooman busyness. Personally, I find it exhausting just watching you. Fall is much more my speed. Blankets come back out. The couch becomes socially acceptable again. People start staying home more. Frankly, I consider it a seasonal improvement in hooman judgment.
George Carlin once asked, “What do dogs do on their day off? They can’t lie around – that’s their job.” Finally, someone who appreciates the workload around here. Do you have any idea how much effort goes into finding the warmest cushion, rearranging the blanket three times, sighing dramatically, and then staring deeply into someone’s eyes until they feel guilty enough to give you a snack? This is not laziness. This is a highly specialized skill set.
And apparently, our hoomans aren’t the only ones who understand the importance of having a good animal companion. I came across a fascinating New York Times article about researchers studying primates and their interactions with animals of other species. The article describes young chimpanzees in Uganda approaching and grooming a red-tailed monkey, and researchers found other examples of monkeys and apes playing with, grooming, nursing, or briefly “adopting” animals outside their own species. Some of these encounters were fleeting, while others looked surprisingly similar to the kind of bonds hoomans form with pets.
Even more interesting, researchers suggest that some of this behavior may be connected to something very familiar: the desire for closeness and companionship. In other words, hoomans may not be the only ones who occasionally think, “You know what would make this day better? Someone warm to sit next to me.” Personally, I find this conclusion groundbreaking, although I have been conducting independent couch-based research on the subject for years.
Read “Humans Love Having Pets. Seems Like Some Other Primates Do, Too.” in The New York Times
So as autumn settles in and the evenings grow cooler, I have a little advice: find yourself a snuggle buddy for snuggle season. Maybe yours is a dog. Maybe it’s a cat. Maybe it’s simply the person who knows enough not to steal your side of the blanket. Whatever the arrangement, there’s something to be said for a warm body nearby, a little companionship, and someone who is perfectly content just to be with you.
As for me? I’ll be on the couch, looking soulful, conserving energy, and generously allowing my people to sit beside me.
Provided, of course, they ask nicely.
🩷 Ceri
Zucchini-Pineapple Bread
INGREDIENTS
- Nonstick cooking spray, for the pans
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup canola oil
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated zucchini
- One 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup raisins
STEPS
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat two 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-by-2 1/2-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
- Mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and allspice together in a small bowl.
- In a medium bowl, beat the sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla until combined. Stir in the zucchini and pineapple, then add the dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in the raisins.
- Divide the batter between the two loaf pans. Bake for about 50 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then turn the loaves out onto a wire rack to finish cooling.
DENISE’S NOTES
1/2 C chopped nuts
Recipe adapted from Food Network
The Astral Library
Kate Quinn
From New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.
As someone who loves books, I was immediately drawn to this one!
Kate Quinn’s latest novel begins with a wonderfully imaginative question: what if the books we love weren’t simply stories we could escape into for a few hours, but actual doorways into other worlds?
At the center of the story is Alexandria “Alix” Watson, a young woman who has learned to trust books more than people. After growing up in the foster-care system and struggling to make ends meet, Alix finds comfort in the Boston Public Library, where she can temporarily leave the difficulties of real life behind.
Then one night, that escape becomes very real.
Alix discovers a hidden doorway leading to the Astral Library, a mysterious place where books can transport people into entirely new lives. There she meets the Librarian, an ageless and sharp-witted guardian who helps the lost and desperate find refuge within the pages of beloved stories.
Of course, a magical library filled with doors to other worlds is bound to have its dangers. When a mysterious enemy threatens the Library and everyone it has protected, Alix is swept into an adventure that takes her through some of literature’s most iconic settings – from the elegant world of Jane Austen to the shadowy streets of Sherlock Holmes and the glittering parties of The Great Gatsby.
Part fantasy, part literary adventure, and part love letter to reading itself, this is exactly the kind of book that appeals to anyone who has ever gotten completely lost in a story.
I’m still making my way through it, but so far I’m really enjoying the premise and the idea of stepping directly into the worlds of beloved books. I’ll be curious to see where Alix’s journey leads – and whether the Astral Library turns out to be as magical as it appears.
View on Goodreads
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