Linda McCarthy has served as Executive Director of the Missoula Downtown Association since 1999. Prior to that, she served as a Sports Information Director for Grizzly Athletics for 10 years. She is a two-time graduate of The University of Montana, where her husband, Tom Gallagher, is a professor in the Applied Computing and Electronics Program at Missoula College. Her daughter, Maddy Gallagher, is an outgoing and kind 11-year-old who has spent all of her school years at Lewis & Clark Elementary. They can be reached via email at:
New Zealand or Bust
There is Nothing Like Coming Home to Missoula, Montana
By LINDA McCARTHY - We have returned to the Garden City just in time to... more
Our New Zealand Adventure: Coming to a Close
By LINDA McCARTHY - Our time in Missoula's Sister City, Palmerston Nort... more
The Royal Treatment by the Rangitane Tribe of New Zealand
By THOMAS P. GALLAGHER - This week my family and I met Rangitane tribal... more
Volleyball in Palmy
By LINDA MCCARTHY - Here in Palmerston North, New Zealand, I have been fortunate to connect with a group of passionate volleyball players, and I have had more fun playing with them than anything else I've done ... more
Backpacking in New Zealand
By LINDA MCCARTHY - Last weekend we went backpacking (or tramping as they call it here in New Zealand). We chose a relatively easy and short hike into the Ruahine Forest and made plans to spend the night at the... more
Wellington: New Zealand’s Capital City
By LINDA MCCARTHY - We spent last weekend in New Zealand’s capital city Wellington, a two-hour drive south of Palmerston North. Wellington is the self-proclaimed Capital of Cool.... more
Palmerston North Public Library: a New Zealand Gem!
By LINDA MCCARTHY - It’s National Library Week in the United States, and Palmerston North’s modern and cutting-edge public Public Library is one of the community's greatest assets. ... more
Auckland New Zealand for Easter
By LINDA MCCARTHY - We had an opportunity to get away from Palmerston North and spend Easter weekend in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand at just under 1.4 million people. ... more
Building More Sustainable Communities: Like Minded Efforts in Palmerston North and Missoula
By LINDA MCCARTHY - I recently took a field trip with Massey University's Christine Cheyne to learn about Palmy’s efforts to build a more sustainable community and to share what Missoula is doing to be more s... more
Building Entrepreneurship in Palmerston North New Zealand
By LINDA MCCARTHY - Palmerston North is a hub of activity for entrepreneurship. It is remarkable how much education and business development focus is centered on creating and distributing something new.... more
Croquet, Young Entrepreneurs and Tea in Missoula’s Sister City
By LINDA MCCARTHY - This week I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon having lunch and playing croquet with John Wall in Missoula's Sister City of Palmerston North, New Zealand.... more
Passion and Community Set Community Leaders Apart
By LINDA MCCARTHY - Palmerston North and Missoula have both benefited from the endeavors of John Wall and John and Jenny Hornblow--passionate leaders and supporters of the Missoula and Palmerston North Sister C... more
Getting Around in New Zealand – Driving, Biking, Walking and Busing
By LINDA MCCARTHY - It’s been a relaxing few days for me as I have taken in a number of different events and activities in my Sister City immersion program here in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Here is a syn... more
AAHH…Free Time in Palmerston North New Zealand
By LINDA MCCARTHY - It’s been a relaxing few days for me as I have taken in a number of different events and activities in my Sister City immersion program here in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Here is a syn... more
Settling into Palmerston North New Zealand
By LINDA MCCARTHY - We finally found a place to live in Palmerston North! It was a bit more difficult than we anticipated, but we celebrated Valentine's Day with a roof over our heads.... more
Time to Get to Work – In Palmerston North New Zealand
By LINDA MCCARTHY - After four weeks of vacation and the challenges of finding a place to live, Tom began teaching this week and we're settling down in Palmerston North. I think we're going to like "Palmy".... more
Fly Fishing the Brown Trout Capital of the World
By TOM GALLAGHER - After leaving Christchurch, we began a 1,000-mile, one week loop through New Zealand. There was some Montana-worthy fly fishing involved.... more
Christchurch, New Zealand: A City that Lost Its Heart and Found Innovation
By LINDA MCCARTHY - We visited Christchurch’s Central Business District as they rebuild after earthquakes. I am impressed and inspired after seeing their innovative efforts.... more
From Missoula to New Zealand… or Bust!
By LINDA MCCARTHY - Our trip to New Zealand began like most from Missoula. Though it took 15 hours to get to LA, we found refuge in the Cook Islands en route to Christchurch.... more
Great post from one of my all-time favorite places! I do hope you love Christchurch. I studied there in college and it is a fantastic city. Much of the downtown area was severely damaged, but they’ve been very creative in rebuilding the area and bringing life back into the city center. The cathedral was set to be demolished, but not sure if they went through with that. The coffee shop I used to spend hours in was destroyed, the newspaper building, behind the cathedral collapsed, but reporters worked hard to put out the paper during the earthquake. If the market in the square is still going, Hopefully the wizard will come back. I highly recommend that, also a walk along the river Avon and in the park. Also, the art museum used to be donation only and it’s great. If rugby is going on, definitely check out a game. There’s nothing more Kiwi that rugby. Hope to read about your time in Christchurch and see the photos! Enjoy!
I read each one of these and enjoyed them all..kind of like taking a free vacation on my iPad!!!