East Helena Residents Gather For Parade And Picnic
Author: mt43news staff reporter
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Parades and picnics are for folks to enjoy the present and remember the past. People lined up last Saturday for the East Helena rodeo parade and the Smeltermen’s Local Union #72 gathered for their second annual picnic.
Union President Tom Tenneson said the union represented 180 members when ASARCO’s lead smelter shut down in 200l. “The company laid off all but a skeleton crew of 60. So many of us had to start over again in our work lives, even though the smelter had been part of our families for generations: I worked there 22 years, my father for 36 years and my grandfather for 36 years.”
Tenneson explained that laid-off workers began training in other fields through a grant. One person trained to be an airline pilot. Tenneson worked in construction as a brick layer and house builder until he retired. Stan Hohn started a water monitoring company, TS Consulting, working with Montana Environmental Trust Group (META), monitoring the water levels and wells in the former smelter’s area. Now the former members of the union gather to reminisce and enjoy the day together at the park.
Main Street Park was lined with vendors’ tents of all stripes. Bob Goodwin, owner and manager of Stone Tree Climbing Center, said his facility is a great and safe summer adventure for everyone. Children and young adults alike enjoy climbing and since there are many climbing opportunities around Helena and Broadwater County, he encouraged climbers to learn and practice in his air-conditioned facility on Bozeman Avenue in Helena.
Winning entries of the parade were announced by parade judge coordinator Talia Fox. They included Mounted Drill Team: 1st – Rambling Rosse Drill Team; 2nd: Helena Trail Riders; Cowboy/Cowgirl/Indian: 1st- Blakley Taylor; Marching Drill Team: 1st- Performing Arts On Main, 2nd- Tiernan Irish Dancers; Vehicle: 1st-Nick and Chantelle Thomas, 2nd- Phil Dolan, 3rd-Doug Strong; Commercial: 1st-Allen Earthworks, Inc, 2nd- Helena Farm Supply, 3rd- Amanda Luikens (Mobile Animal Service); Non-Commercial: 1st- East Helena High School Variety Cheer & Helena Competitive Elite, 2nd- Treaters and Feeders 4-H and 3rd- East Helena Fire Department.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Many of the 75 members of the Smeltermen's Union enjoyed the picnic and conversation at Main Street Park on Saturday.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
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Image 2 Caption: East Helena Wrestling team and coaches pitched candy to bystanders at the parade.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 3 Caption: The creative arts fairway at the park was filled with pottery, aprons and food for sale.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 4 Caption: East Helena Historical Museum's entry stood out with an antique mail cart driven by a train depot worker in costume.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
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