Hometown Helena Thursday, May 26, 7 am at the Montana Club and online with Helena BID/DHI, Helena Chamber, and Visit Helena
Hometown Helena -- Thursday, May 26, 7 a.m. @ The Montana Club & Live via ZOOM hosted by AZ Technology Services:
- This week's guest included:
- Callie Aschim, CEO and President, Helena Chamber of Commerce
- Andrea Opitz and Brandon Pendergast, Visit Helena
- Micky Zurcher and Jordan Conley, Helena Business Improvement District and Downtown Helena, Inc.
- Watch the recording:
- Passcode: !7vHR=^W
Message from our host Jim Smith:
Greetings Everyone,
Summer is special in Helena. For me, there is nothing more enjoyable during the summer months than driving up and down Rodney, or from downtown to the capital complex on Breckenridge street. The trees form an overarching canopy over the streetscape that is green, clean and comforting. There is a lot more to the summer, however, than enjoying our urban forest. Fact is, outdoor opportunities and activities are darn near infinite around here. The Mount Helena Ridge Trail is a hiking, biking bonanza right in our own backyard. Same for Spring Meadow Lake State Park. Some folks head out to the woods or the waters every chance they get. Others enjoy city life in the summer: Alive at Five, Grandstreet performances in Hill Park, the Last Chance Stampede and Fair, special events on the downtown Walking Mall, picnics in the parks, the Helena Band concerts at Memorial Park on Thursday evenings, and much, much more. We’re going to hear quite a bit about what’s on tap for this summer in beautiful Helena, Montana (see below) from the folks who are making it all happen for us. Many thanks to the folks at the Business Improvement District, Downtown Helena, Inc. and the Chamber of Commerce.
Memorial Day signals the start of summer. But it is more than that. If you get a chance, take a drive out to the National Cemetery at Fort Harrison. The hundreds of flags on the hundreds of graves is a most impressive site, and a sobering reminder that the day is about more than the start of the summer. The East Helena Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will once again host the annual parade honoring those who died in service to this country. It’s always a solemn, moving tribute to those who gave their all. They laid a ‘costly sacrifice on the altar of freedom’ as President Lincoln said to Mrs. Bixby. That most of us, like me, have lived our entire lives in peace and prosperity is no accident. The ‘good life’ has come at a price. Before things get rolling this summer let us pause to honor those who paid the ultimate price for the peace and freedom we all enjoy.
The East Helena Parade begins at 11am on Monday May 30th at the VFW Cory-Dullum 10010 Post on West Main Street, and will proceed east to the Servicemembers Monument in the City Park where the Memorial Day ceremony will be held.
Another opportunity to pause and reflect will be July 4th. Back by popular demand will be the celebration at the Old Glory Landmark in Centennial Park on the 4th of July. The festivities will include patriotic music, remarks by city and county officials, hot dogs, root beer floats, prizes for the kiddies. The Boy Scouts will raise the American Flag at 12 noon. Scouts from the Troops in Helena are the permanent keepers of Old Glory. It is downright inspirational to see the Scouts raise the flag and lead the citizens of Helena in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Look forward to seeing you Thursday morning. At the Montana Club or via Zoom. Either way OK!! And to a great summer in the Capital City.
Jim Smith
