Anna Rogers is a transplant from the Carolinas with a background in marketing and graphic communications. She is a wife and mother who loves to garden, cook, and practice yoga. Anna is passionate about travel, which at its core is really a passion for people, as she believes people and community are what truly bring life and beauty into a place.

Garden Maintenace 101 get the kids involved

Summer is just starting, and many days of play, adventure, and vacation are on the horizon. The air is (mostly) warm, and the garden is coming alive!

Potted Perfection

Let’s explore some tried-and-true “recipes” for creating beautiful, professional-looking outdoor pots, planters, and hanging baskets for the summer season! With recommendations from Amber of the Roots...

Clean Water Matters: Making the Most of a Precious Resource

Clean freshwater is a precious resource globally. In Billings, all the water we use is coming from and going back into the Yellowstone River. It’s a privilege to draw on the last major undammed river...

Gardening 101: Grow a Garden That’s Suited for You

You’re ready to start a garden! There’s only one problem: you don’t know anything about gardening. We’ve got you covered with inspiration and advice for planning your space and deciding what to grow,...

The Stroopwafel Scoop: Continuing the Legacy

Caramel Cookie Waffles café and cookies have long been a Billings staple. After a change in ownership with the retirement of its wonderful founders, the legacy of this hidden gem continues, and it’s a...

Farm to YOUR Table

Ideas for implementing the spirit of farm-to-table – not just in the way we eat out, but in the way we eat at home – creating a lifestyle that’s practical, sustainable, and… delicious.

Cook This: Everyday Meatballs

There are many options for purchasing locally raised or crafted foods in and around Billings, especially in the summer! Here are some of my suggestions for sourcing ingredients for this recipe:

Strong as a Mother: Mentally Strong Women

In every woman lies a unique and beautiful spirit, but on every woman rests the weightiness of the world. Mentally strong women embrace gifts and challenges alike to pursue contentment over comparison...

Billings, Montana: A Gold AND Green City

The city of Billings applied for LEED for Cities certification and was assessed and scored by a third party in seven measurable categories: Integrative Process, Ecology and Natural Systems, Transporta...

Custom Craftsmanship

Take a tour of Ban Construction’s 2022 Parade of Homes build, located on Billings’ west end in The Nines. From its roomy kitchen to its garage designed to be the ultimate hang-out space, this home has...

The Financial 411: How the Economy Is Affecting REAL People in Billings

Like the rest of the nation, Billings is feeling a financial crunch. Inflation, gas prices, interest rates, home and rent prices, and a low-performing stock market are all interconnected and creating...

The Scoop on Winter Squash

The versatility and beauty of winter squash is endless. Use these fall-harvested fruits for autumn décor, Jack-o’-lantern carvings, Thanksgiving centerpieces, and of course – to enjoy in dishes sweet...

Meet the Gardener: Anna Rogers

For Simply Local staff writer Anna Rogers, gardening is a passion, a skill, and a constant drive to do better. A way to connect with the earth and its bounty, and a path to building community.

Urban Tree Canopy

To build a home is to plant, tend, and enjoy trees. Bright falling leaves promise of a spring to come, evergreens color our winters, budding lilacs in spring ignite hope in our souls, and dense green...

Balancing the Busy

The sun is setting on a brief but beautiful summer, and the whirlwind of back-to-school begins. With the start of school comes the start of activities – clubs, sports, after-school programs, music, ar...

Disc Golf Billings: Community & Competition

“This is a place for people who love the same unloved thing,” Andy Bottman used to say of the Disc Golf Billings Club before the local disc golf community grew and gained visibility in recent years. T...

Meet the Founder: A Mercantile for Change

"Frae" means "from" in Scottish dialect, and it's the mantra of Billings' new modern mercantile for sustainable, everyday shopping. This unique shop focuses on the origin – vetting quality, mindful pr...

New in The Nines

Take a tour of this stunner of a spec home nestled in The Nines built by Visionary Custom Homes. It’s the perfect blend of beauty, and functionality, created by a team with an uncompromising devotion...

Billings Water: A Look at Water Conservation & Sustainability for Today & Beyond

How can we create systems that will continue to thrive, with benefits instead of detriment to those down the road? A dry climate, unique water situation, large population, portion of the city at a hig...

Where the Trail Begins & Ends: Montana Trailhead Inn

Montana Trailhead Inn is a new Billings hotel with a lot of history and nostalgia at its core. Previously the Red Lion Hotel, and prior to that, the Holiday Inn, this West End hotel has been remodeled...

Looking Back: The Yellowstone River

The history of the Yellowstone River is fraught with adventure and action, war and treachery, sustenance and provision. Its waters have given life to nomadic peoples, carried explorers, sustained agri...

A Summer of Adventure at STEEPWORLD Summer Camps

Summer camps at STEEPWORLD Climbing & Fitness nurture kids’ natural instincts to climb to build more confidence, strength and flexibility, and fun friendships.

Bringing the Land Back to Life

Their method takes a nuanced and sophisticated approach to grazing – managing timing and stock density for 500 head of cattle.
“It’s taken us 40 years to figure it out,” Bill Milton says humbly.

Meet the Maker: J.B. Farley of Agri Organics

On the surface, J.B. Farley is making… dirt?
Not exactly. Come along and learn about J.B. Farley and his team at Agri Organics and how they're taking community waste and giving it new life.

Wide Open Spaces: Parks & Play

No matter your age, interests, or abilities, there’s a place for you in Billings’ parks.

Parenting the Heart

One of the greatest challenges I've experienced in parenting my children's hearts and not just their external behavior is getting my own heart in check. Do I have unrealistic expectations? Am I priori...

Wide Open Spaces: Untamed

“The earth has music for those who listen.”
- William Shakespeare

Wide Open Spaces: Connectivity

There is a network that is the lifeblood of our community – spidering out along the Yellowstone, up to the Rims, across the Heights, and reaching to the West End. This network has cultural and histori...

Finding Calm in the Chaos

Calm has become like a unicorn in our culture – this rare, magical, unattainable trait that's just out of our reach. So, I say, let's bring this magic to life in our lives, adopting simplicity and a c...

Wide Open Spaces: Billings City Limits

The city of Billings is home to 149,316,811 square feet of green space. Within this square footage are 43 city parks managed as "Natural Areas."

Green Building LEEDers

Get to know Billings’ seven LEED® Platinum-certified buildings found within half a mile of Skypoint.

Urban Frontier House

Imagine a house that lives and breathes, inhaling sun, water, and wind, and exhaling to sustain the life of its inhabitants. Randy Hafer, co-owner of High Plains Architects alongside his wife Janna, h...

Recovering from Vacation

We've talked about preparing for a smooth vacation, now let's bring it home with tips for recovering from vacation.

East-Meets-West Kimchi Recipe

Bring this Korean staple to your table but with a flavor that's fit for our Western taste buds.

Fermenting Vegetables

The whats, whys, and wheres of fermenting vegetables.

Hop in the Hammock

Hammocking is one of the most versatile ways to enjoy Montana’s outdoor spaces. It’s the perfect companion for the backyard, a day hike, an overnight camping trip, or an extreme adventure.

Off the Ladders & Out of the Gutters

Imagine never having to clean your gutters again. Sounds exciting, right? Now imagine a Billings-based company that sets you up with state-of-the-art, revolutionary gutter guards that make this hypoth...

Bonding Through Babysitting

A dual perspective by a mom and teen babysitter on creating healthy, trusting, and lasting relationships between babysitter and family.

Rediscovering Wise Wonders

In April 2021 Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum reopened its doors for the first time since the pandemic-caused shutdown in 2020. The museum used the year for expansion, growth, and new ideas!...

Women’s History Month

Did you know that March is Women's History Month in the United States?

Let Your Dreams Take Flight

Hensley Creek Hangar: A new fly-in wedding venue with Big Sky views and wide-open spaces.

It’s Black History Month!

Black History Month: Why we celebrate, How we can celebrate, What we can read.

Social & Emotional Preparation for Preschoolers

Filling our littles' social and emotional toolbox.

The Gift of Community

Motherhood can be lonely, even though moms are almost never alone. The camaraderie of other moms is the perfect medicine to make it through the hard days.

Hindsight is 2020

Though 2020 might have come through like a wrecking ball, there were some changes that were ultimately for the better; hindsight is 20/20, after all.

Enneagram 101

Your crash course in Enneagram Personality Tests.

Give the Gift of a Great Winter

Keep cabin fever at bay this winter with this guide to experiences and memberships in and around Billings.

Big Adventures, Close to Home

Pop out of town or browse the city limits to discover Southeast Montana treasures close to home!

Fa La La La Fabulous: Festive Fixings

Scrumptious food is synonymous with the holidays and the staff at Simply Local gathered up some of our favorite appetizer, dessert, and drink recipes to share with you.

We’re Big Out Here

Get out of Billings and explore the far Southeastern corner of Montana!

Apple of My Eye

Past the hustle and bustle of Montana Avenue, just as the street starts to quiet, Last Chance Pub & Cider Mill awaits you with its giant doors, gorgeous atmosphere, great food, and a glass or two of c...

Food for Thought

Instead of using the term “healthy eating,” I prefer a lifestyle of “eating well.” This means the quality of the food on the plate is good and nourishing, but it also means...

Home Away From Home: Adventure Awaits

Do you love the idea of tent camping, but not the actual sleeping-on-the-ground bit? Do you want an outdoor family adventure that doesn’t involve 48 hours of prior planning? Do you have a family membe...

Back to Our Roots

Our convenience was challenged with the threat of the novel coronavirus, and for many, a beautiful thing happened. We started to take a look at where our food comes from and how sustainable it is.

Passionately Rooted: Swanky Roots

Within Swanky Roots’ greenhouse, you can find lettuce (of course!), herbs, microgreens, kale, and swiss chard.

Choosing a Gym That Aligns with Your Goals

When it comes to your personal fitness journey, it’s important to set up a routine that works logistically and is also one that you love. Location, budget, and facilities are all important to consider...

March Fitness Madness at Granite Health & Fitness

Get ready to sweat it out during Granite Health & Fitness’ March Fitness Madness!

The Art of Butchering

Montana is a place steeped in a rich history of meat. From cattle ranches to an abundance of wild game, meat has become an integral part of the Montanan lifestyle. The butcher is the “to” in farm-to-t...

Resiliency in the Face of Change

If change is inevitable, then how can we use it to our advantage?

The Downside of Limiting Risky Play

While it seems counterintuitive, overprotecting kids and regulating their play is yielding negative effects – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our societal shift toward “risk-free” environments is actually setting our children up for more risk down the road.

Woman Next Door: Re-entering the Workforce

Adding a child to the family means important decisions must be made: “Should I return to work, or stay at home? Should I try and work part-time? If I stay home, when will I return to work?” These are all tricky questions, and the answers aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Toddler Tantrums

Here’s an easy topic to tackle! The solution is simple, one-size-fits-all, and guaranteed to work every time…Except on every day that ends in “Y” and for every parent who has a toddler. Which begs the question: How do we tackle those tantrums?

Flexible & Functional Flex Family Health Direct Primary Care

With all the flexibility required to manage and thrive within a family, wouldn’t it be great if healthcare was flexible too? Flex Family Health Direct Primary Care in Billings is doing just that, and it’s the first of its kind in Yellowstone County.

It's Okay to Say 'No'

But when I’m squeezing all those things in, I end the day exhausted and empty. The to-do list was checked, zero balls were dropped, commitments were fulfilled, but nothing was savored or enjoyed. My spirit wasn’t at rest.

Tips for Camping with Baby

For parents of little ones, though, taking a camping trip can be a daunting task. With all of its challenges, camping with a baby is worth the effort and sets a precedent for a lifetime of adventure.

Dad Time

Time spent with dad is vital to our children, and dads knowing their kids is enriching and life-giving. He plays, teaches, and corrects in his own style. We are each uniquely suited to be our children’s parents, and those precious moments with dad are shaping each of them into their own unique selves.

Earth Day

Tips for putting good habits in place this Earth Day to add to your every day! We're talking in the home, the yard, the way we eat, how we clean, what we use, and more!

IVF: The Science & The Struggle

Do It for the Joy (not the reaction)

The Art of Work-Life Balance

The Importance of Play

Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley

Learn more about this Billings organization that is working behind the scenes to help homeless families achieve and sustain independence.