July 28, 2026
Greetings Everyone,
However hot and smoky it may be outside, the air is clean and cool, the coffee hot, and the conversation bustling at Hometown Helena at Helena College.
Last week, Grand Street (Shrek the Musical continues and see yesterday’s Helena Independent Record) and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (Flyer here for upcoming Monday and Tuesday shows!) were both well represented with updates on their impact and the support they enjoy in Helena. We also heard from Helena City Manager Alana Lake, including updates on public engagement found at Be Heard Helena.
We have a very special program this week with Ukrainian students sharing their experiences from a war-torn country they are still connected to, their time in Helena, including attending Carroll College and making new lives here in Helena. As a draft is in full effect in Ukraine, all our guests are women. From Alana Listoe:
[Some of this week's guests] arrived thanks to the generosity of David Hunter, Linda Carlson, and Ray and Suzie Kuntz, who worked with Carroll to cover tuition and travel expenses to get them here. One of the young ladies was the translator for local journalist Clay Scott when he was over there covering the war. One is the mother of a young girl working as an interior designer.
They all fled their homeland seeking safety and better opportunities in the U.S. They have all experienced sleeping in bomb shelters, have loved ones directly impacted by the war, and they are all hard working, productive citizens that have made a home in Helena. The students have all completed their degrees, some have gotten married, one even has had her first child and her husband is about to ship off to the Army stationed first in Missouri next week to serve this country.
Helena has been good to them. They have host families that care about them. The intent is to share their experience of fleeing their home country to find safety here and having to say good-bye to the families they love.
We look forward to seeing you this Thursday morning at Helena College at 7 am to learn from our guest and hear updates and news from the community. Thank you to Aja Rail and LCVista for providing the ZOOM connection!
Matt Elsaesser
Photos: Shakespeare in the Parks; Grandstreet Theatre; Helena Independent Record; Alive at Five
