Photo by chris jones
July 2025 Editor's Note: Local Vibes
July 2025
by Stephanie Toews, Executive Editor
"EVERYTHING GOOD,
EVERYTHING MAGICAL HAPPENS
BETWEEN THE MONTHS OF JUNE AND AUGUST.”
-Jenny Han
Soaking it In
There’s something about July that invites us to breathe a little deeper, linger a little longer, and savor the slower pace of summer. The days stretch out in golden light, and even if our calendars still manage to fill up, everything feels a bit more relaxed, like life has shifted into something softer.
If summer had a soundtrack, mine would be a mashup of backyard laughter, the hum of lawnmowers and sprinklers, and the unmistakable song of birds in the morning. July feels like permission to get a little sun-kissed and fully embrace the messy, magical chaos that comes with long days and warm nights.
With teens in the house, summer feels a little different these days. It’s less about nap schedules and snack bags, and more about trying to catch time before it walks out the door with a car key and a vague “I’ll be back later.” They’re busy, working jobs, making plans, sleeping in, and yet somehow, the best moments still show up: a spontaneous game of cornhole, an unplanned dinner on the deck, a late-night porch conversation I’ll remember long a!er summer fades.
Lately, I’ve been reminded just how much beauty lives in the in-between moments, coffee on the patio before the heat sets in, slow evening walks with the dog, and the first bite of something sweet and tart straight from the oven (like this month’s tarte cherry sponge cake... trust me, you’ll want to try it).
This issue leans into that easy summer spirit, with stories meant to inspire and invite. Mary Kate Teske shares her deeply rooted creative world through photography, film, and music. We’re highlighting some of the best pet-friendly patios around town, so you and your four-legged sidekick can dine al fresco together. And if you’re looking for your next favorite hangout, our patio guide is full of local spots perfect for sipping, snacking, and soaking up the sunshine. Don’t miss Simply Local Night with the Billings Mustangs under the lights at Dehler Park, because nothing says summer quite like baseball and community.
Whether you’re cooling off at the pool, exploring downtown favorites like Frae’s new storefront, or simply unwinding in your own backyard, I hope this month brings you all the sunshine and sweetness of a Billings summer done right.
Cheers to long days, local love, and soaking it all in.
Happy 4th of July!
Love,
Originally printed in the July 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine
Read this article in the digital issue of Simply Local here!
