Hometown Helena Thursday, August 8: Helena & East Helena Public Schools

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Hometown Helena this Thursday, August 8: Helena & East Helena Public Schools

August 6, 2024


Hey Y’all,


It was a solemn and emotional ceremony yesterday afternoon at the state Capitol commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Mann Gulch Fire. Eighty descendant family members from around the region and the country returned to Montana to honor those lost in that tragic incident. Photos of the thirteen deceased smokejumpers were displayed on the Capitol steps and wreaths were presented to the family members. Excellent remarks from Governor Gianforte, Forest Service leadership, the Smokejumpers Association and author John MacLean. The highlight (for me) was James Keelaghan, who sang the haunting song he wrote about the tragedy, ‘Cold Missouri Waters.’ It will move you to tears. A great deal has been learned about fighting fire since August 5, 1949. That was a recurring theme from all the speakers. Even with the hard won knowledge and improvements in firefighting, however, nine people have lost their lives this year defending the rest of us from wildland fires, including pilot Juliana Turchetti, who perished in Holter Lake drawing water to combat the Horse Gulch fire. 


Lest we Forget.


We’re gong to continue with education updates this week. Our guests will be Helena Superintendent of Schools Rex Weltz and East Helena Superintendent Dan Rispens. While the rest of us are enjoying the last month of summer, teachers at both school districts are getting their classrooms ready to welcome students; custodians are sprucing up the halls, the sports fields, and common areas; maintenance workers are finishing the projects, including some work on the roof at HHS, which you may have noticed on your way to Hometown Helena the last few Thursday mornings. This school year begins under challenging conditions, with levies rejected and tough budget decisions having been made pursuant to the will of the voters.


It’s nice to be back at the keyboard this morning communicating with everyone. Thanks to Haley for her help the last several weeks. Isn’t she great! I decided to keep her salutation….’Hey Y’all.’  It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?


Looking forward to seeing you this Thursday morning, either in person or on the Zoom. 


Jim Smith

406-949-1002

August 15

  • Women’s Triathlon

  • Lions Swim Team

  • Dolphins Swim Team

August 22

  • New Arts Leaders

Announcement period is from 7:00 to 7:15.

Please limit announcements and comments to 2 minutes.

Hometown Helena - Thursday, August 8th, 7 a.m. @ Helena College & Live via ZOOM hosted by Pinion:

  • Rex Weltz, Superintendent of Helena Public Schools

  • Dan Rispens, Superintendent of East Helena Public Schools

  • Online Meeting Instructions: Please keep your phone or microphone muted during the meeting and note that your camera may be on depending on your ZOOM settings. Please "raise your hand" at the start of the meeting if you will have an opening update or introduction.


  • In-Person Announcements: Please plan on approaching the front of the room to make announcements directly to our host so online attendees can hear. There is time at the beginning of the meeting for announcements. Please limit announcements and comments to 2 minutes.


  • View Program Recording: Hometown Helena is recorded and posted at HometownHelena.news, typically within a day.


  • Hometown Email List: This private email list is not shared. You can join or update your email information at HometownHelena.news or by clicking the button below.

The Hometown Helena Team is Jim Smith, Rick Hays, Kelly Cresswell, Emily McVey, Tom McGree, Peter Strauss, Ann Waickman, Haley McKnight and Matt Elsaesser

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