Vigil supports healthy environment
Helena Interfaith Climate Advocacy will host a vigil at Plymouth Congregational Church on 9:45-11:30 a.m. April 20 in honor of Earth Day 2024.
The public may attend.
The vigil will begin at 400 S Oakes St. with the local Native American Magpie Singers offering gathering songs at 9:45 a.m. and a blessing to the four directions in the lower (north) parking lot at the church.
The vigil will then move into the sanctuary to hear leaders from many faith communities in the Helena area offering readings and prayers on the sanctity of the Earth from their own traditions. It will end with an opportunity for the attendees to express their gratitude for the blessings of the world and grief about damage done to the planet, along with personal pledges to heal the environment.
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HICA is committed to increasing awareness of and strengthening action against threats to the climate and environment.
Holocaust Memorial Day
The Montana Jewish Project will have a Holocaust Memorial Day presentation with Andrew Laszlo Jr., 4-6 p.m. May 5, at 515 N. Ewing St.
Laszlo was the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust and was at Bergen-Belsen at the same time as Anne Frank.
After the war, he came to America penniless and became a famous cinematographer (“Shogun,” “Rambo: First Blood”).
He was honored in the U.S. Capitol for 2004 Days of Remembrance alongside Elie Wiesel. Andrew Laszlo Jr. of Billings, who didn't know his father's secret until his 40s, will tell us about his dad's memoir to keep the story alive and help prevent it from happening again.
Rachel Carroll Rivas of the Southern Poverty Law Center will give an introduction and lead a Q&A.
The building is not ADA accessible. There are stairs leading up to the entrance, and another set of stairs leading to the second floor, where the event will take place.
The presentation will be livestreamed on Zoom for those who are unable to attend in person. If you would like to attend via Zoom, please select that ticket option below and the link will be emailed to you.
Our operating budget for our programs and staff is largely composed of individual donations from MJP supporters like you. Please make a gift to support our work at the bottom of this page. Those unable to give are still more than welcome to attend.
To register, go to: https://go.helenair.com/Q6kjZK.
For more information, email: info@montanajewishproject.com or call 406-282-4706
'Power of Poetry' at library
The Lewis & Clark Library will feature "The Power of Poetry" event on Sunday, April 21, at 1 p.m.
Poets Melissa Kwasny, Sean Hill and Montana Poet Laureate Chris LaTray will be together for this event. Join us for readings and conversation, hosted by Library Director John Finn.
Then join us on Thursday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. for "Montana and the Triple Crown," a lecture by author Brenda Wahler.
Visit www.lclibrary.org to learn more.
Museum uncorks 25th Wine Fair
The Montana Military Museum's 25th annual Wine Fair is 6:30-10 p.m. May 3, at the Helena Civic Center.
This is the annual fundraiser in support of the nonprofit Montana Military Museum, located on historic Fort William Henry Harrison, 5 miles west of Helena.
Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door. Ticket outlets include Leslie’s Hallmark Stores (1609 11th and 3321 N. MT Ave.); M-T Glass Liquor Store, 1609 11th Suite H; Island Liquor, 1225 E. Custer; East Helena Liquor, 109 S. Lane, East Helena; Rocky Mountain Liquor, 1500 Cedar; Headwater Craft House, 2125 N. Last Chance; and at the Montana Military Museum, Fort Harrison.
This year’s theme is recognition of Montana’s proud military heritage. Major sponsors include VFW Post 10010 – East Helena, The Boeing Co. of Montana and Valley Bank of Helena.
Tickets are also available on 406tix.com, and from Wine Fair Committee members. Wine/beer tasting tokens are $1 at the door. For further information call 235-0290 / 406-431-2326/ 406-431-6195 406-3214-3550 Msg
People can place bids on donated silent auction items, listen to live music by Jack Berry, enter to win a wheelbarrow of fine wines and enjoy the Montana Military Museum heritage display.
The museum continues its progress as it enters its 40th year. Volunteers are focused on the next phase of expansion efforts, including the construction of the new exhibits and exhibit space.
Work continues on rehabilitating the historic 1930s/40s Fort Harrison Medical Dispensary at the museum complex. This houses the growing collection of military artifacts, and a growing, advanced military research library and the museum workshop.
The Montana Military Museum is continuing to document the state’s military participation in Desert Shield/Desert Storm in early 1990-91 and subsequent operations.
With the support of Diane Carlson Evans, the founder of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., the Montana Military Museum has installed an exhibit in honor of the Vietnam women veterans.
The Montana Military Museum is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays or by appointment.
For more information, call 406-324-3550 / 406-235-0290 / 406-458-9847.
This day is for the birds
This year’s celebration of World Migratory Bird Day will take place at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Montana WILD and Spring Meadow Lake State Park from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 4.
“This year, we look forward to drums and stories from the Last Chance Community Pow Wow to guided bird hikes, building ‘bug hotels,’ games and more,” said Denise Pengeroth, wildlife biologist and organizer of the event. “This is an excellent way to get the whole family out and engaged with the local community while enjoying diverse activities.”
World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated at more than 700 locations from Argentina to Canada. This year’s global theme, “Protect Insects, Protect Birds,” draws attention to the importance of insects in supporting migrating bird populations.
This is the second year in a row that Montana WILD has hosted the event.
“We think Montana WILD is a great location for the event,” said Montana WILD Program Manager Corie Bowditch. “It is central to town, has indoor and outdoor spaces for people to enjoy, and allows us to easily and safely feature the live raptor ambassadors from our rehabilitation center as part of the festival.”
Highlighted activities this year include: guided bird hikes, “bug hotel” construction, cookie decorating, bird crafts and bird house building.
Helena-area partners working with the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks – Montana WILD include Montana Discovery Foundation, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Prickly Pear Land Trust, Lake Helena Watershed Group, Birds & Beasleys, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Tree planting to honor Rick Pyfer
Efforts are underway to raise funds to plant a tree in Kennedy Park in East Helena in memory of Rick Pyfer.
Pyfer, raised in East Helena, known for his community service, zest for life and giving, died Dec. 11. He was 71. He was a well-known attorney in the East Helena area, gaining notoriety for performing with an accordion and for his support of the Carroll College Fighting Saints football team.
The cost for the tree planting will be $300-$500 and any contribution beyond that will be donated to the East Helena Historical Society. A ceremony to plant the tree will be June 17, which is his birthday.
The city of East Helena has agreed to handle the funds. Contributions can be dropped off at City Hall, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or mailed to City Hall. All donations should note they are for Pyfer's memorial. Mail to: City of East Helena, PO Box 1170, 306 E. Main St., East Helena, MT 59635.
Editor's note: Updates to say mail to city of East Helena.
2 Capital alumni get dental degrees
Two Capital High School alumni, Cooper Lynch (2013) and Grant Lambrecht (2016), were awarded Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees at the graduation ceremony of Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine April 8 in Salt Lake City.
Lynch is practicing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, while Lambrecht will soon be practicing in San Rafael, California.
Golf scholarship deadline nearing
The Ray Hunthausen Junior Golf Foundation awards two $1,000 college scholarships to graduating seniors who will be continuing education beyond high school.
This scholarship is not based on golf skill. The only criterion for applicants is involvement in golf in some manner: a player, member of a school golf team, participation in a junior golf program, employee in a pro shop, or work on the grounds crew at a golf course as examples.
This scholarship is intended for use at any institution attended to further education beyond high school and is not restricted to a four-year college or university. The award will be applied to your tuition cost and paid directly to the institution, upon enrollment verification.
Applicants are not eligible if you are a spouse, child, descendent, spouse of a descendent, or other person related to any grantor or trustee of the Ray Hunthausen Junior Golf Foundation.
Applications are available at the Helena and Capital High School career centers, the Fox Ridge and Bill Roberts Golf courses and Green Meadow Country Club. Applications must be postmarked by April 26, 2024 to be eligible.
Garden rummage sale, plant swap
Helena Community Gardens is sponsoring a rummage/plant swap fundraiser on 1-4 p.m. April 21, at the Sixth Ward Community Garden Park.
Gardening items for donation to the event could include extra tools, planters or pots (please, no commercial plastic pots), seed starter supplies, hoses, drip lines, etc.
All items should be in good, workable condition. Donated plants such as perennial flowers, raspberry starts, seed starts, etc. should be individually potted and labeled.
People can drop off your gardening items and/or plants for donation at the east side of the Sixth Ward Park any time after 11 a.m. on April 21 for pricing.
All proceeds go to support Helena Community Gardens.
For more information, call Amie Butler at 406-438-5819.
Bike blessing in East Helena
The Annual Helena Bike Blessing will be held from noon to 3 p.m. April 27, at Main Street Park, East Helena.
This is an all-volunteer community event and family friendly. It is free and the public may attend. The park is pet-free.
Music will be provided by 4 God’s Sake band. Hot dog lunch is available. No alcohol allowed.
All bikes and riders are welcome; including all motorcycles, bicycles, 3-wheelers, ATV’s, Sports bikes, MotoX, 4-wheelers, OHV’s, side-by-sides, etc.
The first Helena Bike Blessing event was held in 1998 by the Rev. Chuck Houk, Crossroads Christian Church at 1421 N. Roberts St. in Helena with the aid of Ron Elerick, Circuit Riders Motorcycle Ministry.
The city of East Helena first hosted the event in 2015.
For more information, contact Pastor Chuck Houk at 406-227-6968; Jeff Lapham, Christian Motorcyclists Association, at 406-475-3766; and Pastor Murph Powers at 406-227-8845.
Junior police academy to be held near Helena
Each summer the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police hosts the Montana Junior Police Leadership Academy, which is open to Montana students entering the 10th, 11th and 12th grades.
Some exceptions to graduated students and prior attendees may be given depending on the number of applicants.
This year's academy will be July 21-27 at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena. Students learn about various facets of law enforcement, a few of which include defensive tactics, driving, tactical operations, crime scene processing and rappelling. Students also learn how to become leaders within their communities and learn how to work as a part of a team.
The 2024 application can be found at https://macop.com/jpla at the bottom of the page. The application deadline is May 3.
Helena Farmers Market to open April 27
Helena Farmers Market will return 9 a.m. April 27 in downtown Helena.
The market will stretch along Fuller Avenue between Neill and Lawrence Street. There are 190 spaces available, said Peter Straus, who serves on the Farmers Market board. The market will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There are 190 spaces available. Among items on sale will be crafts and food either made in Montana, grown in Montana or be Montana value added.
The market, billed as Montana’s longest-running market, accepts SNAP.
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 less. Submissions should be written in story form, no flyers please. Photos are always appreciated. Call Phil Drake at 406-447-4086 if you have questions.