Whitefish Winter Carnival names Prime, Duchess

The Whitefish Winter Carnival officially got underway Saturday with the crowning of the first round of royalty, the Duchess of Lark and Prime Minister, at the Merry Maker event.

Kellie Cahill was crowned Duchess of Lark and Tony Veseth was named Prime Minister.

Kellie Cahill hails from Michigan where she was born and raised by her parents, Pat and Colin Colbert. She had a wonderful midwest upbringing and made her way to Central Michigan University for five years earning biology and Earth science degrees.

A week after graduation she and her sister, Corrie, took off to follow Route 66 in a ‘78 Volkswagen bus and traveled the country for a month. With no agenda other than a mule ride into the Grand Canyon and Grateful Dead tickets in Las Vegas they camped, traveled, explored and broke down and eventually made it home. It was at this point that Cahill declared ‘The west is best!’ and packed what she could fit into her car and took off to live in Tempe, Arizona. After serving millions of wings as a Hooters girl she decided to work in Grand Teton for a summer and flew the coop to Wyoming. This is where her love of national parks was born and made the most of living in a national park for the summer.

Then, it was off to Europe for a month after which she decided beach life had to be tried and she landed in Ocean Beach, California, for a couple years. The tan was deep, the sun was constant, more wings were served and living a block from the ocean was dreamy. Restless once again, she decided to check out the northern Rockies for a summer not knowing the summer of ‘99 would start her love affair with Montana.

Cahill drove north to work in East Glacier and fell in love with the park. Working in the lodge at night gave her ample opportunity to enjoy all Glacier had to offer. Fall rolled around and she decided to give ski bum life a chance and moved to Whitefish to work on the Big. Seasonal life was fun and Cahill then spent two summers as a ranger in Glacier and winters working at Moguls and life was grand.

More surprises were in store and finding out her son was on his way prompted a less seasonal lifestyle and a more permanent move to Whitefish. Both of her children, Brenden and Loden, were born and raised in Whitefish and were fortunate to have an amazing upbringing full of small town vibes, friends, hiking, rafting, skiing and travel. Both graduated from Whitefish High School and Brenden went to play lacrosse for the University of Montana and graduated as a diesel tech and is back working in the valley. Loden is a student at Montana State University and living and working in Bozeman.

Cahill’s parents moved to the Fish in ‘04 and her sister and brother in law followed. She says having her whole family here is truly special. You may have her as a server at the Buffalo Cafe or the Whitefish Lake Restaurant where she has been living the dream with her second family for over a decade. She has called Whitefish home for 23 years and counting. Cahill is honored to be a part of history and tradition by representing the Winter Carnival as the Duchess of Lark LXIV!

HAILING FROM the legendary Hi-Line of Montana, Tony Veseth was born in Wolf Point, and grew up in Malta, a fourth-generation Montana son. Working in the family business, the Villa Theater, from an early age taught Veseth a lot about working in a small community and being there for each other. Community has always meant a lot to Veseth and he continues to keep up with family tradition and build community in Whitefish. Veseth was one of those lucky Montana kids who spent every summer of his life enjoying days on Flathead and Echo Lake, where his mother still resides. Living a blessed life, Veseth cherishes his family’s legacy, spanning the length of Montana between Phillips County and the Flathead Valley.

After a few years attending college at the University of Montana in Missoula, Veseth made his way to Whitefish permanently in 1995 and opened his first business, Out of this World Imports on Wisconsin Avenue. He attributes the business to introducing him to life long friends and all the hippies and freaks in Whitefish. The business supported a traveling bug and took him throughout Southeast Asia. Following that endeavor, Veseth worked sales jobs for Montana Coffee Traders and Fun Beverage where he built relationships that he still values today. In 2007, Veseth began his career with Farm Bureau Financial Services and continues to this day protecting his clients throughout the Flathead Valley.

Veseth got involved with the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce 15 years ago first as a member, then chamber ambassador, and finally over eight years on the board of directors. His friend and client, June Munski, talked him into volunteering at the North Valley Food Bank 10 years ago, and he still gathers rescue food from local grocery stores every Thursday. He can sometimes be found helping a few of the old timers from town processing game animals that are brought in by hunters and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. He now sits on the board of directors and fills seats on two committees. The food bank has become his passion and he is quite vocal about everyone doing what they can to help out those who need help. Veseth is also past president of the Whitefish Moose Lodge 642 and continues to fill a seat on the board, and every now and then bartend as a volunteer.

Veseth enjoys all the Valley has to offer and has been skiing on Big Mountain since 1980. It was always a treat to ski Big Mountain after having learned to ski at Showdown (King’s Hill) outside of Great Falls. The smell of Back Deck burgers at The ‘Stube are one of his fondest memories while riding the old Chair 1 at 26 minutes to the summit. Nordic skiing still gets him some much needed exercise around the Valley.

Veseth lives with his girlfriend, the legendary Lisa Olson, who has taught school at Muldown Elementary for 29 years. Olson graduated from Whitefish High School in 1988 and received her teaching degree from UM in 1992. She has taught and influenced well over 500 students throughout her career.

Together, Veseth and Olson enjoy traveling, spending as much time in and on water as possible, being with family and friends, going to concerts around the country and immersing themselves in the live music community of Whitefish. They can always be seen out and about, having fun and spreading the love throughout our community.

Veseth is honored and excited about what the next year as Prime Minister will bring.

The Whitefish Winter Carnival continues through Feb. 5. Up next is the coronation of King Ullr LX and Queen of the Snows at the O’Shaughnessy Center at 7 p.m. on Jan. 14, followed by the carnival disco party the same evening. For a full slate of events, visit whitefishwintercarnival.com.