Community Briefs: Counselor honored, garden rummage sale, libraries shine, levy discussed, and more

A Jim Darcy Elementary staff member was named the 2025 School Counselor of the Year.

Krystal Ferguson was named by the Montana School Counselor Association (MSCA) during the Game Changer's conference April 3 and 4.

Ferguson was thanked for her efforts as a school counselor by the Helena Public Schools district in a Facebook post.

She was described as a person who helps "students feel confident, ready to learn and ready to make the most of each school day," the post says.

According to MSCA's website, the award honors the "best of the best," and Ferguson received a $500 award and another $500 for travel expenses to attend the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Counselor of the Year Gala in Washington, D.C., in January.

"Krystal fosters a safe, inclusive environment where students feel seen, heard, and valued," the MSCA said. "She collaborates closely with staff and families, provides expertise during team meetings, and advocates for students through 504 plans, grief support, and conflict resolution."

"Her dedication, empathy, and leadership have made a lasting impact on her school community," the MSCA said.

An all-expenses paid trip to the ASCA Leadership Development Institute July 10-11, along with paid registration for the ASCA conference from July 12-15 in Long Beach, California, were also awarded to Ferguson.

MSCA represents about 500 school counselors and is a division of the American School Counselor Association.

Historic preservation nominations sought

The Helena/Lewis and Clark County Heritage Tourism Council is seeking nominations for the 2025 annual Historic Preservation awards to be presented in May.

Nomination forms may found at https://go.helenair.com/m7m6de and must state why this person/building should receive a historic preservation award.

Pictures are requested and additional materials may be submitted.

The deadline to submit nominations is 5 p.m. May 8.

For more information, email kmacefield@lccountymt.gov or call the Heritage Tourism Council Office at (406) 447-8342.

Garden Rummage Sale and Plant Swap

Do you have gardening supplies that you never use sitting in your garage or shed?

Or do you have plants in your yard or garden that need divided, or maybe extra seed starts?

If so, Helena Community Gardens is sponsoring a rummage/plant swap on 1-3 p.m. April 27 at 6th Ward Community Garden Park, 1235 Bozeman St.

Gardening items for donation 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.

Drop off your gardening items and/or plants for donation at the east side of the 6th Ward Park any time after 11 a.m. April 27.

All proceeds go to support Helena Community Gardens.

It's 'Communities and Libraries Month'

Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins has proclaimed April as "Communities and Libraries Month," underscoring the role that libraries and community organizations play in enriching the lives of residents and fostering a sense of unity.

In alignment with National Library Week, observed from April 6–12 with the theme "Drawn to the Library," this monthlong celebration aims to highlight myriad resources and programs offered by local libraries that draw community members together.

Helena Public School District high schools, Lewis & Clark Library and Helena College's Library Learning Hub are working together to engage students, educators and families in thoughtful discussions about libraries and public spaces throughout April.

Events include screenings of the film “Free for All: The Public Library,” community panels, a podcasting workshop and more.

Visit https://www.lclibrary.org/496/Connecting-Our-Community for details.

Residents may participate in the various programs and events scheduled throughout the month.

Reach Higher announces scholarships

Reach Higher Montana has announced the Class of 2025 high school scholarship recipients.

This year, the Montana-based nonprofit organization has awarded 50 $2,000 scholarships to Montana high school students.

Helena-area class of 2025 winners include: Kadi Lilletvedt – Capital High School, Jaci Lyman – Capital High School, Kylee Finn – Cascade High School, McKenzie Betz – East Helena High School, Kiran Dusko – Helena High School and Maryah Lindsay – Jefferson High School.

For more information, visit Reach Higher Montana’s website, www.ReachHigherMontana.org, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Helena student wins DAR history contest

Jude Timmerman, a Helena student at St. Andrew Catholic School, won the Oro Fino Chapter DAR Sixth Gade American History writing contest in early March.

His essay featured the importance of Patrick Henry’s speech, which was a March 1775 call to arms in Richmond, Virginia, demanding the British give freedom to the colonies, which concluded 250 years ago with the famous quote, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”

DAR History Chair Jean O’Connor presented him with a check for $300, a medal and a history award certificate at the last meeting, which was attended by his mother, siblings and grandparents.

O’Connor also sent his essay to the Montana state DAR History Chair in Billings for judging at the next level.

Chapter Regent Gale Kramlick has been notified that Timmerman’s essay won First Place among the sixth grade entries to the Montana State Society DAR and his awards will be presented at the annual state conference in Bozeman on April 12.

Moreover, Timmerman’s entry also will receive First Place recognition from the six-state Northwestern Division, comprised of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, for this year’s American History Contest sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, with those awards to be mailed.

See www.dar.org for more information on American history contests and America 250 events; see www.helenadar.weebly.com for Oro Fino Chapter DAR information.

For more information, call Amie Butler at 406-438-5819.

Spring Bazaar back in Townsend

An e-bike is among the prizes at the annual community Spring Bazaar sponsored by Holy Cross Church at 101 S. Walnut St. in Townsend, 4-7 p.m. April 26.

The event featuring a ham dinner and fixings, silent auction, spring-themed sale tables, gifts and the big raffle. The public may attend.

Proceeds will help sponsor faith-filled community events in Townsend.

One of the large raffle prizes is this 26-inch Hey Ride step-through bike that goes 35-40 miles on a single battery charge. Other raffle prizes include an AIRHEAD summer boat towing package and AIRHEAD recreational tubes.

Raffle tickets are available from Holy Cross parishioners, and will be available the day of the Bazaar. They are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20.

Dinner prices are $30 for immediate family, $15 for single adult, $10 for students, and children under 4 are free.

Spring activities for kids will also be offered.

Helena school levy to be discussed

Join your Helena neighbors 6 p.m. April 28 at the Lewis & Clark Library to learn about upcoming school levies on the ballot, legislative updates and local impacts of some recent state and federal actions.

Helena Public Schools Superintendent Rex Weltz will open the meeting with a brief overview of how Helena funds its schools, what the general fund levy is and why it’s needed.

He’ll also address upcoming tech levies on the ballot for the elementary and high schools. And he’ll explain the local impacts of recent federal actions to shut down the U.S. Department of Education.

Rob Watson, executive director of the school administrators of Montana, will speak about major education bills coming out of the Montana Legislature and also what the Ten Year Education Review is.

The meeting will close with a question-and-answer session.

This event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Helena Area and the Lewis & Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch.

Military Museum has wine fair fundraiser

The Montana Military Museum's 26th annual Wine Fair is 6:30-10 p.m. May 2, at the Helena Civic Center, 340 Neill Ave.

This is the annual fundraiser in support of the nonprofit Montana Military Museum on historic Fort William Henry Harrison, on the west edge of Helena.

Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door. Ticket outlets include Leslie’s Hallmark Store, 1609 11th Ave. Suite F; M-T Glass Liquor Store, 1609 11th Suite H; Island Liquor, 1225 E. Custer Ave., East. Helena, Island Liquor 109 S. Lane East Helena.

Tickets are also at Headwater Craft House, 2125 N. Last Chance; American Legion Post 2, 3095 Villard Ave.; and at the Montana Military Museum, Fort Harrison.

They are also available online at https://406tix.com/events/ and from the 2025 Wine Fair Committee members. Wine/Beer Tasting tokens are $1 at the door.

For more information call 406-235-0290, 406-458-9847 or 406-324-3550.

Greater Helena Gives coming up

Greater Helena Gives, the region’s 24-hour giving day, will be April 30-May 1.

More than 100 local nonprofits come together helping with mental health services, the arts, food security or education.

“Every donation strengthens the fabric of this region — our home,” organizers said.

Join the movement at www.greaterhelenagives.org.

Greater Helena Gives is an initiative of Helena Area Community Foundation.

2 Carroll faculty members get grants

Two Carroll College faculty members have been awarded infrastructure grants from the Montana IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence.

Carroll officials said the grants enhance the college’s capacity for biomedical research and education.

Dr. Calvin Goemann, assistant professor of microbiology, has received a $36,890 grant to acquire a GridION Nanopore genome sequencer and high-speed centrifuge. This state-of-the-art technology will dramatically increase the college’s genomic sequencing capacity and computational power, reducing the cost of sequencing runs from $1,000 to just $90 and enabling real-time data analysis.

This investment will support both research and teaching, giving Carroll students hands-on experience with genome sequencing — an increasingly vital tool in medicine, biotechnology and public health.

Genome sequencing has allowed scientists and doctors to better understand fundamental biological processes, reclassify phylogenetics, discover new viruses and direct individualized treatments for specific diseases.

The grant complements $40,000 in existing National Science Foundation funding from collaborator Dr. Ashley Beck, enabling the full purchase of the $67,000 instrument and accompanying materials.

Additionally, Dr. John Rowley, associate professor of chemistry, has been awarded a $45,812 grant to buy a combined UV-Vis-NIR and fluorescence spectrophotometer.

This will allow students and faculty to measure the absorption and emission of light in biological and chemical samples, supporting research in areas ranging from drug delivery and biomolecule quantification to solar energy materials.

The instrument replaces aging equipment and will be central to both course-based undergraduate research experiences and faculty-mentored summer research.

Between spring and fall 2024, more than 75 Carroll students have used spectroscopic techniques in research and coursework — a number expected to grow with the arrival of this new instrumentation.

The Montana INBRE is a collaborative network of Ph.D.-granting institutions, baccalaureate schools and tribal colleges committed to strengthening the state’s biomedical research infrastructure and workforce pipeline.

The network’s goal is to improve the health and well-being of all Montanans by investing in innovative science and education.

“These awards are a testament to the talent and dedication of our faculty, as well as Carroll College’s commitment to providing undergraduates with transformative research experiences,” Carroll President John Cech said in a news release. 

AARP Driver Safety classes

AARP Driver Safety has scheduled classes for April and May in Helena.

Participants receive updates on the rules of the road and learn driving strategies to adapt to the effects of aging and to reduce chances of having a crash.

This 4 1/2 hour course was developed for participants age 50-plus; but is open to all ages. The course fee is $25 ($20 with AARP Membership Card). Auto insurance companies in Montana provide a multi-year discount to participants 55 years of age and older.

• April 14, (Monday) at “Old” First Interstate Bank Bldg.; 2728 Colonial Drive; 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• May 16, (Friday) at “Old” First Interstate Bank Bldg.; 2728 Colonial Drive; 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

To register for a class call: 406-457-4712. Find additional classes at aarp.org/driversafety.

Nar-Anon group meets

The Helena Nar-Anon Family Group is a 12 Step group for family and friends of addicts.

The group meets 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 512 Logan St., Helena.

For more information, email helenanaranon@gmail.com.