The Maetzold family was honored with the Great Whitefish Award at last week’s Whitefish Chamber of Commerce annual awards gala. 

Drawn by the mountains, open skies and the people who make the valley feel like home, Charlie and Linda Maetzold moved to Whitefish almost 50 years ago. In the late 1970s they opened Buffalo Cafe. As Whitefish grew, so did the diner. 

Their sons, Andy and Alex Maetzold, returned home to uphold the restaurant, and they expanded its hours to cover dinner.  

To this day, Buffalo Cafe is one of the most beloved family-run establishments in the Flathead Valley.  

Buffalo Cafe has over 40 employees, supports dozens of local producers, and remains grounded in the same philosophy since the beginning: Take care of your staff, prepare as much as you can from scratch, and treat every customer like a longtime regular. 

“Their family business has been a gathering place for everyday moments and lifelong memories,” said Eric Schmidt, as he announced the award during the gala held at Grouse Mountain Lodge. 

“It's a unique relationship that several businesses here have,” said Alex. “Charlie, Linda – Mom, Dad... it’s been an honor.” 

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR was awarded to Sophie Albert, executive director of North Valley Food Bank. 

Albert joined the food bank in January 2021. She grew up near the Lusatian Mountains, moved to Whitefish in 2016 and became a U.S. citizen in February 2025.  

“We still live in a community where people have a hard time putting groceries under their table, and [Albert] has taken it to a whole new level,” said food bank board member Tony Veseth.  

Under Albert’s leadership, the organization has risen to meet historic needs.  

“Those who do know her, know her as a fierce advocate,” Veseth said. “She believes that food is culture, food is care, food is connection.”  

Albert said, “The true citizens of the year should be my team because they are doing the hard work every single day. They cook thousands of pounds of food into delicious meals, they rescue food with our volunteers, they just make it happen... it was a devasting year for many of our neighbors, but you all have showed up for us.” 

    Sophie Albert with North Valley Food Bank (left) alongside Kevin Gartland is presented with the citizen of the year award on Jan. 22. (Matthew Wetzler/Thewmatt photography)
 Matthew Wetzler.Thewmatt Photography   

THE FIRST-EVER nonprofit business of the year award went to The Whitefish Ski Heritage Center and Museum.  

“Colorful doesn’t even begin to describe the history of Big Mountain,” said Nick Polumbus, CEO of Whitefish Mountain Resort.  

“There were some cultural tenants put in place decades ago that have made us stand out in this current era... of big scary ski resorts,” he said.  

That history includes people including Toni Matt, Ed Schenck, Mully Muldown and Karl Hinderman. 

The latter’s name was on the first ski school starting in 1947, while another Hinderman, Alex, currently works at the resort, grooming runs.  

And then there’s Tim Hinderman sandwiched in between. Tim ran Big Mountain, and Schweitzer Mountain in Idaho, for many years, and is the director of the Ski Heritage Center.  

“My job description is to preserve that which got it all started,” Hinderman said. “To preserve that sense of place, and to preserve skiing’s position in people’s mind as the thing that keeps it alive.” 

The Ski Heritage Center recently started a podcast and will look to do more documentary showings in the fall. They are also looking for volunteers so they can keep the museum open longer.  

    Tim Hinderman (front) and the Whitefish Ski Heritage Center and Musuem is presented the nonprofit of the year award by Nick Polumbus (right) on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. (Matthew Wetzler / Thewmatt Photography)
 Matthew Wetzler.Thewmatt Photography   

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR went to Glacier Restaurant Group. 

The company is going on 20 years of having corporate offices in Whitefish for restaurants across the country. In Whitefish, the group operates Craggy Range, Mackenzie River Pizza, Latitude 48 and Mambo.  

In 2025 alone, Glacier Restaurant Group supported local schools, sports teams, youth programs, art and theater nonprofits, and those “who quietly do the work that keeps Whitefish going,” said Zak Anderson, executive director of Explore Whitefish (WCVB) and reigning Carnival Prime Minister.  

“It isn’t just about the dollars,” Anderson said. “It’s about the people wearing the aprons, running the food, fixing broken equipment, calming guests... they lead from the floor, they are the boots on the ground and they live their mission every day.” 

IN A TWIST, Anderson thought he was presenting the Tourism Business of the Year during the awards gala, but unbeknownst to him that accolade actually went toward his own career.  

The Whitefish Visitors and Convention Bureau, Explore Whitefish, was named Tourism Business of the Year.  

“Over the past several years, Explore Whitefish has made a clear and intentional shift towards sustainable tourism,” said Glacier Restaurant Group’s Claire Goble. “They have shifted their focus to not just bringing people here, but on to the who, the how and why people come.” 

Explore Whitefish has helped support workforce housing needs of over $400,000 in the last three years.  

    Glacier Restaurant Group wins the Whitefish Chamber's business of the year award on Jan. 22. (Matthew Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
 Matthew Wetzler.Thewmatt Photography   

VOLUNTEER OF the year was awarded to Debbie Gartland, wife of Chamber Director Kevin Gartland. 

“I’m going to be retiring this summer after 16 years at the Chamber, so I will ask you to indulge me for a moment here as I recognize somebody who could’ve and probably should’ve won this award ever since I got here in 2009,” said Kevin Gartland. 

Over the last 16 years, Debbie has been a constant presence at every Chamber event. From the Christmas Stroll, to music festivals back in 2010, to serving meals during a Feast of Whitefish, to setting up tables and teaching the chicken dance at Oktoberfest, “Debbie is always greeting visitors with a smiling face and a glass of Merlot in her hands,” Kevin Gartland said.  

“[She] has volunteered to do everything... But most important of all, she volunteered to be my wife 45 years ago... she is my backbone and my secret weapon.” 

Debbie Gartland said, “Well, one for all and all for one... it’s been fun.” 

AMBASSADOR OF the year went to Heidi Fletcher. 

In the last two years, Fletcher helped organize events for the Chamber’s women’s and microbusiness networking groups. 

Fletcher grew up in Mossy Rock, Washington, a town of about 800. A mom of two boys, she once was a lead singer of a band, spent four months living at a research facility in Peru, ran an international nonprofit for medical equipment and developed special needs programs at a children’s hospital. In 2017, she won a David Chow Humanitarian award. Most recently, she started her own occupational therapy business and took her cat on a 15-week road trip.  

“She’s a true go getter and shows up with a positive attitude, asking how she can help,” said Chamber Membership Director Debbie Webb. 

“I’m completely in shock,” Fletcher said. “If I haven’t met you, I want to meet you. And if I have met you, I am so grateful to know you and be a part of this community.”  

Chamber Events Coordinator Shannon-Fremont Smith got kudos for organizing the well-attended “Out of this World” Awards Gala.  

In addition, in 2025, the Chamber’s Huckleberry Days, Oktoberfest and Christmas Stroll were all the noted as the most successful ever, Kevin Gartland said.