October 21, 2025
Hey Y’All,
Well, I’ve been sidelined the last few weeks with medical issues and have sure missed being at Hometown Helena. I did Zoom in last week for the Trails discussion and found it most interesting. We’re very fortunate to have people like Bob Walker and Tom Lang working on our behalf. I thought Mr. Walker was very modest. He was the Trails Coordinator at FWP for many years and in that capacity assisted communities all over the state with the development of their trails systems. I’m most familiar with the cross country ski clubs in Montana: Last Chance Nordic, Bitterroot, Mile High, Silver Crest to name a few of the clubs that have received grants for grooming equipment and trial maintenance through FWP’s program. It’s been a great thing. It’s quite an honor for him to hold the position of Chair of the Board of American Trails. Over the years I’ve noticed that many Montana people get great recognition from their peers and colleagues, and are elected or appointed to prestigious positions at the national level. Bob Walker is one more example of that. And given that Helena is very well known for its fine hiking and biking trail system, it’s fitting that Bob holds his current position. You can view the Montana Trails Coalition 2025 State of the Trails Report here. Happy Trails!
Also, I found the quality of the Zoom to be excellent last week, both the audio and the visual. So here is another ‘Thanks’ to Aja Rail and her colleagues at Pinion for allowing Hometown Helena to use their Zoom platform these last several years. Aja is always on the Zoom listening, watching and standing by for technical assistance should it be needed. Hometown has benefited mightily from this partnership for the last 5 plus years. Many Thanks!
We have two great guests and programs coming up this week, and we hope you can join us Thursday morning at Helena College. After its successful capital campaign, the new Helena Food Resource Center has been in business for a year now, resulting in a new facility and new and opportunities for the entire community to be involved in food security, nutrition and wellness in the Capital City. We’re expecting Tim Joyce, Development Director and Jordan Evertz, Executive Director this week for an update. It may be a little early for Tim to don his Thanksgiving Turkey costume, but that is fast approaching. Plan ahead to bring a turkey to the Lewis and Clark Library next month, and to see Tim in his finest outfit.
Also joining us will be Nancy Schlepp from Sandfire Resources with an update on the Black Butte Copper Mine in Meagher county. Here’s a link to an excellent web site that has great information about the project. Ms Schlepp is the VP Communications & Government Relations and a Corporate Officer of Sandfire Resources America. Nancy has 25 plus years of worldwide business experience in corporate affairs, government relations, international trade, communications, public policy, and human resources. Previous positions include the Executive Director of the Montana Taxpayers Association and National Affairs Director for the Montana Farm Bureau Federation. Currently, Nancy is the Board Chair of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, sits on the executive committee of the Montana Taxpayers Association, and serves on the boards of the Montana Mining Association, REAL Montana, the Montana Non-Profit Association, and the Meagher County Community Foundation. Nancy has also served as a Meagher County Commissioner.
Nancy grew up in Ringling, Montana where her and her husband own and operate her family’s cattle ranch which has been in the family for 129 years. They have 3 grown children.
This will be another great Hometown Helena. Please c’mon down to Helena College or Zoom into the meeting. I’m looking forward to being back and to seeing you in a couple of days.
Jim Smith
406-949-1002
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