MT43 News and Nonprofits Headline at Hometown Helena

Whether Broadwater County volunteers lay sod at the new skatepark in Townsend, or grill brats at Fall Fest, they get involved in so many events and new businesses.  Everybody does everything.  That’s what Hometown Helena members learned about Broadwater County happenings  Thursday, June 29 at the Montana Club in Helena.

 

    Hometown Helena is a loose-knit organization of Lewis and Clark businesses and nonprofit managers who gather one week a month to learn what is happening in and around Helena.  While the 7:00 a.m. gathering hour is a little daunting, the interest and enthusiasm from Helena businesses member kept MT 43 News, Townsend Rotary and Broadwater County Development Corporation (BCDC) presenters encouraged.

 

     Nancy Marks and Vic Sample gave a review of Mt43News, a new weekly newspaper in Townsend.  The newspaper will have its first anniversary publishing on July 14. Sample also sits on the newly formed Broadband Advisory Board as its secretary.   Jeff Langlinais, who is the President of Mt43 News and long time Townsend Rotary member, gave his take on the Rotary annual fundraiser, Fall Fest. Langlinais acts as Fall Fest Chairman as well as holds a Montana Rotary assistant governor position.

 

     Former County Commissioner Laura Obert encouraged anyone who wanted to reserve  a booth space  at Fall Fest to contact her.  Fall Fest, held the first week in October, attracts over 100 vendors from all over the state.  As Vendors Chair, she emphasized the event is free, as is the Sunday “Show and Shine” car show held on Broadway Street.   In past years the event saw up to 10,000 participants.  All different genres of music entertain the crowd from Friday night through Sunday afternoon as beer drinkers enjoy tap beer and freshly cooked, locally made bratwurst sandwiches.

 

    Money raised from the once-a-year event funds the many events organized by Rotary including scholarships for high school students, high school student club Interact, Parade floats, Senior Citizens Christmas Lights Tour and Dinner and grants to many of the county’s nonprofit organizations.

 

    John Hahn, who attended electronically, explained the crucial role of Broadwater County Development Corporation(BCDC) in the county.  The organization puts out a newsletter enumerating the various nonprofit events in the county.  He highlighted the Community Review Events which BCDC hosted last fall and through the winter months.  The ongoing work of several committees include researching a pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River to extend the trail to the Silos. The committees are also looking at pursuing a community building with an indoor swimming pool and forming an entity to build affordable housing in Broadwater County.

 

    Hahn is also involved in the after- school student program Science, Technology, Outdoor Activity, Knowledge and Entrepreneurship (STOKE).  The STOKE group was able to obtain a grant to build the skate park and install landscaping at Holloway Park in Townsend. STOKE leaders teach students activities such as robotics and art.  The kids learn to sew.  Most importantly they learn to volunteer at many events.

 

    United Way officer Emily McVey organized the hour event which was hosted by long- time chairman and former Helena Mayor, Jim Smith.