America250 traveling exhibit in Helena
Come to the Montana Heritage Center in Helena, 225 Roberts St., Sept. 5-17 for your piece of the American Revolution Experience, with a reveal and grand opening at noon this Saturday, Sept. 5.
The traveling pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology, unique artifacts and primary accounts to "connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation."
The Oro Fino Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Montana Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), together with the Montana250 Commission, are sponsoring the Battlefield Trust America250 exhibit, according to a news release.
Helena High student joins Montana 4-H Foundation board
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The Montana 4-H Foundation recently announced new board officers and directors, and a Helena High student was among those joining their ranks.
Ayla Mundinger-Adsay from Helena is a newly appointed youth board director and is the state 4-H Ambassador Officer Foundation trustee.
Ayla Mundinger-Adsay
She is a senior at Helena High School, where she is active in National Honor Society and plays the bassoon. She is starting her seventh year in 4-H and was a Lewis & Clark County 4-H Ambassador, during which time she served as a camp counselor. She was also selected to serve on the National 4-H Congress Design Team, a national leadership group consisting of only eight youth members from across the U.S. Mundinger-Adsay is also active with St. John’s Lutheran Church and plays tennis.
The other new members are:
- Cathy Ratzburg, president, Toole County
- Jennifer Saunders, vice president, Grass Range
- Amanda Williams, MS, secretary, Miles City and Ekalaka
- Sean Bengochea, CPA, treasurer, Nashua and Dutton
- Heather Malcolm, Livingston
- Kellie Kahtani, Butte
- Jay Rigler, Livingston and Boise, Idaho
- Lesley Huber, Melstone and Bozeman
- Brooklyn Kuhr, Billings
- Raylie Fleishman, Clarkston, Washington
Retiring board directors are:
- Roni Baker, Billings
- Chadaya Coffee, Miles City
- Carter Jasper, St. Regis
- Carrie Sue Lerum, Galata
- Stella Truzzolino, Missoula
- Gage Horn, Superior
The Montana 4-H Foundation has raised private funds and partnered with Montana State University Extension to support educational opportunities for Montana 4-H youth, volunteer leaders and staff since 1969.
City introduces new community survey tool
The city of Helena is launching FlashVote, a new community engagement tool designed to provide a broader view of community sentiment on issues affecting Helena through brief, periodic surveys.
FlashVote surveys will generally take about one minute to complete. Participants will be notified when a new survey is available and will have 48 hours to respond, the city said in a news release.
Survey responses are anonymous. Personal and demographic information collected by FlashVote is not shared with the City or other parties. Following the close of each survey, participants will receive a summary of the overall results and will be able to compare their responses with the group’s results.
The goal is that FlashVote will complement the city’s existing public engagement efforts through Be Heard Helena (https://beheardhelena.com). While Be Heard Helena provides opportunities for residents and other interested parties to provide input on specific projects, proposals and initiatives, FlashVote will allow registered residents to provide feedback on a range of issues at-large. Together, the two tools will provide different ways for the City to gather input from the community.
Residents interested in participating can register at https://www.flashvote.com/helenamt or by calling 775-235-2240. Residents may choose to receive survey notifications by email, text message or phone call.
The first FlashVote survey is expected to be available soon. Residents can register now to participate in upcoming surveys.
Second Tuesday Program with Helena Clay Arts Guild
Artists from the Helena Clay Arts Guild will put their skills and history on display for the Lewis and Clark County Historical Society's Second Tuesday Program on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. in the History Center, 618 Helena Ave. in the Steamboat Block.
Artists from the Helena Clay Arts Guild will be at the History Center in Helena for the Lewis and Clark County Historical Society's Second Tuesday Program on Sept. 8.
The Helena Clay Arts Guild — Montana's largest pottery institution, with over 100 members — will have artists on hand to throw pots live during the program, followed by a hand-building demonstration. Attendees who want to try decorating a bowl themselves are encouraged to dress for the hands-on experience, a news release states.
The free program will also delve into the history behind Helena's rapid growth in the 1800s, driven by the discovery of large lime, clay and sand deposits near the city. The industry still supports hundreds of manufacturing and arts jobs in the Helena area today, according to the news release.
Light refreshments will be served.
Local travel club holding September meeting
The New Ventures Travel Club406 is hosting their September meet-up on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Covenant United Methodist Church at 2330 East Broadway.
Adam Barnhart, a first responder who works with St. Peter's Ambulance crew, will be the featured speaker.
Doors open at 2 p.m., with the meeting/program starting at 2:30 p.m. and ending by 4 p.m. A donation of $2 per person is requested to help pay for treats and coffee.
Sheriff Leo Dutton is the invited speaker for the Oct. 8 meet-up.
For further details, contact Gary or Joy Novota at 406-227-9711, 406-461-8094 or joyofmusic66@gmail.com. The website www.starzonstage.net lists varied details plus travel opportunities, including trips in 2027 to the Cherry Blossom Festival and more in Washington, D.C.; a European visit to the Jewels of the Rhine; and a trek to San Antonio's Christmas River Walk.
Zero to Five Montana surveying parents ahead of 2027 Montana Legislature
Zero to Five Montana wants to hear directly from parents about the realities of raising young children in Montana today: What’s working, what’s difficult, and what your family needs to thrive.
"By sharing your experience in this brief, confidential survey, you help ensure that local, state, and federal decision-makers understand the real experiences of Montana families," the announcement reads. "Your input will help elevate our collective voice so we can create the best Montana possible for kids and families across our state."
"The more responses we can gather, the better! Please forward the survey link to other Montana families, and share the social media posts by Sept. 25," the announcement states.
Participants have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a $50 gift card at the end the survey.
Red Cross and Hello Kitty and Friends join forces to help save lives through blood donations
The American Red Cross urges people to celebrate the power of kindness by making an appointment to give lifesaving blood in the month of September. Every donation is critical to helping prevent the next blood shortage.
The Red Cross and Hello Kitty and Friends are partnering in September to remind donors that comfort and care are always better when shared. As a thank-you, those who come to give Sept. 1-20 will get an exclusive Red Cross × Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last.
Amanda Baum with the American Red Cross draws blood from John McKittrick on Oct. 8, 2024, during the Battle of the Badges blood drive at the Helena Civic Center.
"Thanks to the generosity of thousands of people who rolled up a sleeve this summer, the blood supply continues to recover from critically low levels," a spokesperson for the Red Cross said.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 1-20 in Helena include:
- Sept. 8: 12-6 p.m., American Red Cross, 3150 N. Montana Ave.
- Sept. 9: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Capitol Building, 1301 E. 6th St.
- Sept. 10: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ten Mile Creek Brewery, 48 N. Last Chance Gulch
- Sept. 10: 12-5:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1610 E. 6th Ave.
- Sept. 11: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross - Helena, 3150 N. Montana Ave.
- Sept. 11: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Rocky Mountain Development Council, 200 S. Cruse
- Sept. 14: 12-6 p.m., American Red Cross, 3150 N. Montana Ave.
- Sept. 15: 12-6 p.m., American Red Cross, 3150 N. Montana Ave.
- Sept. 16: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Carroll College Campus Center, 1601 N. Benton Ave.
- Sept. 16: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hannaford Street Bible Church, 830 N. Hannaford St.
- Sept. 17: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Carroll College Campus Center, 1601 N. Benton Ave.
- Sept. 18: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross, 3150 N. Montana Ave.
- Sept. 18: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Peter's Health, 2475 Broadway
AARP Driver Safety classes
AARP Driver Safety is holding classes in Helena at the Disability Rights Montana Building at 1022 Chestnut St., a news release states.
Participants will receive updates on the rules of the road and learn driving strategies to adapt to the effects of aging and to reduce chances of having a crash. This 4.5-hour course was developed for participants age 50-plus, but is open to all ages. The fee is $25 ($20 with AARP Membership Card). Auto insurance companies in Montana provide a multi-year discount to participants 55 years of age and older. Here are the remaining classes scheduled:
- Friday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. to about 3:30 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m. to about 3:30 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to about 3:30 p.m.
To register for a class call (406) 457-4712. Find additional classes at aarp.org/driversafety
Lewis and Clark County board vacancies
The Lewis and Clark County Commission is seeking interested citizens to serve on the following boards:
- Augusta Solid Waste Board
- Board of Adjustment
- City-County Parks Board – Lincoln Representative
- Fairgrounds Advisory Board
- Forestvale Historic Preservation Committee
- Human Services Task Force
- Lewis and Clark County DUI Task Force
- Lincoln Parks Board
- Lincoln Solid Waste District Board
- Mosquito District Board –Helena Valley, Craig/Wolf Creek
- Noxious Weed Board – Augusta, Wolf Creek, Birdseye
- Open Lands Citizens Advisory Committee
- Planning and Zoning Commission SZD# 34
- Scratchgravel Solid Waste District
Applications are available at http://www.lccountymt.gov/Government/Commission/Boards or by calling 447-8378 and can be submitted to the Commissioner’s Office, 316 N. Park Ave., Room 345, Helena, MT 59623. All positions are open until filled. The required advertisement period is 30 days, at which time applicants for new listings will be reviewed.
Nar-Anon Family Group meets
The Helena Nar-Anon Family Group is a 12-step support group for friends and family of someone who has experienced drug addiction.
The group meets 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at Susanna’s Place, 512 Logan St. next to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
Contact helenanaranon@gmail.com for more information.
Submissions to Community Briefs should be emailed to editor@helenair.com. Please write “Community Briefs” in the subject line. Briefs should be 200 words or fewer. Submissions should be written in story form, no flyers please. Photos are always appreciated. Call Blair Miller at 406-447-4086 if you have questions.
