Prime Awards 2023

Seventh Annual

TWENTY-FOUR OVER

AWARDS

HONORING THOSE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Nancy AXTELL

While the second role is not quite official, Nancy Axtell finds she has two jobs, leaving her with little free time. However, she sees this as a positive rather than a negative, as she likes both.

“Not many people are that fortunate,” Axtell said.

Besides, she shared “it would drive me crazy not to be busy.”

She’s been with the same company for 47 years, though when she first started she had no idea she’d be making her career with the organization.

When she initially accepted a role with Bozeman Job Service it was for a temporary positional helping out with the seasonal unemployment insurance rush. However, she found she liked the work and when her seasonal job

ended, she applied for a full-time role and has been there ever since.

Over the years, Axtell has worked in different roles assisting both individuals with filing their unemployment claims as well as assisting businesses with securing employees and other services. She’s now the organizations’ work force consultant, which allows her to work in both areas.

Axtell said that what’s kept her with Job Services for over four decades is the opportunity it provides to help others.

“The people that I can help and provide assistance to […] and feel fulfilled in their own way [is gratifying],” she said. “When they make a success of their own lives it makes me feel good.”

“When they find work they let us know, not all the time, but a lot of them come in and they’re so happy that they got a job.”

She also said the quality of the team she works with has played a large role in her long history with the organization.

“My coworkers have been awesome,” she said. “[My bosses] have encouraged me to learn and grow.”

Axtell said that many people aren’t aware of the scope of work that Job Service provides.

Their work includes hosting small job fairs for local businesses, helping people with resumes and cover letters in their job search, distributing the mandatory employment law posters and other tasks.

She also is a long-term member of Bozeman Job Service Employers Committee.

When not working her primary job, she takes pride in assisting on her family’s ranch.

The ranch, located between Four Corners and Gallatin Gateway, has been in Axtell’s family for over a hundred years and she’s always lived on it.

They previously had sheep on the property, but now mainly house and sell cattle, along with barn cats and dogs.

“What I have fun doing is working on our ranch, working with the animals,” Axtell said. “That’s my [source of] enjoyment.”

My coworkers have been awesome, [My bosses] have encouraged me to learn and grow. ”

Linda Babcock believed education could extend beyond the classroom. Having taught in the Bozeman community for 38 years, one of her proudest career accomplishments was a program she developed called Bozeman Projects. This involved getting students out in the community to learn about Bozeman’s history firsthand.

Projects involved a scavenger hunt, interviewing business owners, visiting museums, temporarily “working” jobs in town and creating an intercreative map of a nearby neighborhood.

“It was a way for kids to get a sense of place and find themselves in the history, and see

Linda BABCOCK

history come alive,” she said.

Babcock first pursued a degree in social work from Montana State University, but had difficulty finding work in her field, and realized that teaching would allow her to do what she most desired: work with children. So, she pursued a teaching degree and worked for the Bozeman School District from 1975 to 2013.

With deep roots in the community, she taught in the school her mother, husband and daughter went to school in.

As a fifth-grade teacher, she “taught pretty much everything,” she said.

Her favorite part of the job though was the children she

interacted with.

“They made me so happy,” Babcock said. “I learned so much.”

She said she particularly enjoyed witnessing those “aha moments” when something finally clicked for their students.

“[I wanted] to meet kids where they were and help them believe in themselves as learners,” she said.

The connections she developed after over three decades as an educator in the community continue now in her retirement too, and she’ll frequently run into former students and teachers on the street and has been able to stay into contact with some over social media too.

“I met some just amazing people through teaching, colleagues as well as students and parents.”

Babcock views her years since retiring as an “incredibly rich time” in her life too, in which she is able to travel, spend time with friends, paint, hike and ski.

As was the case even when she was working full-time, Babcock also stays busy by volunteering in the community, with organizations such as Eagle Mount, CAP, DREAM, and, formerly, Highgate Senior Living

“I think it’s a great way to meet people,” she said. “I think it makes me feel like I’m contributing. And I don’t think you can live in a community and not participate.”

They made me so happy. I learned so much.

John BREITNER

Although he wound up pursing a much different career in geriatric psychiatry and academia, John Breitner revealed his “secret ambition would have been to be a musican.”

Now largely retired, though he maintains a limited clinical practice of genreal and geriatric psychiatry in Bozeman and California, Breitner has been able to devote time and energy to music and its place in the community.

“[It] gives me an opportunity to pursue what I’ve always wanted to, which is music.”

A few years ago Breitner joined the Board of Montana Chamber Music and currently serves as the vice-president. This is his first time being involved in a musical organization, though he’s always loved listening to music and has taken classes over the years. But, it’s already become a “big part of my life,” he said.

“I think in terms of my accomplishments, my contribution to the musical scene is a fairly new opportunity for me to get involved in something that I really love,” he said. “I’m writing grants

for them, and we’re in an active growth phase, which is exciting.”

The mission of the organization is to “advance chamber music by delivering the highest quality performances in the Big Sky country and to expand ongoing cultural relevance for all by engaging a diverse public,” their website states.

They specialize in small group musical performances, and will also send musicians out to communities outside of Bozeman as well, allowing people in more rural communtities the opportunity to

attend performances.

Breitner said one thing that drew him and his wife to Bozeman was the “incredibly rich” arts and music scene in the community.

“Bozeman is an absolutely astonishing place in terms of the artistic culture,” he said. “We have a phenomenal amount of different musical resources.”

“This is a small city, [yet] we have a symphony orchestra, a ballet, the intermountain opera[… and] we have Montana Chamber Music.”

[It] gives me an opportunity to pursue what I’ve always wanted to, which is music. ”

Sandy Feeney has always needed to keep busy she admits.

“It started [when] I was a kid,” she said. “I must have been a handful I think.”

She started working at age 13, and since retiring from her career as a school librarian in Colorado, she certainly hasn’t slowed down.

Feeney would go on to open a used bookstore with another woman, a continuation of her lifelong love of books.

“I like holding a book in my hand, and I love the people you meet through this [work],” she said.

They not only put their hearts into the work, but their backs

Sandy FEENEY

too.

“Our big claim to fame is that most of the bookshelves […] were built by three women over the age of 70 and they’re still standing,” BLANK said.

In 2014 after several successful years of business, they sold the store when BLANK’s co-owner decided to move out of state, becoming Isle of Books.

Feeney wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the work yet though and continues to volunteer at the store.

“I’ve been there averaging two days a week [at the bookstore] and it’s a special time,” she said.

“I guess I’m a really big people person,” she said. “I like visiting with them.”

Feeney is also an animal person, and after moving to Bozeman in 2007 she wound up with seven cats of her own.

She soon began volunteering at the animal shelter while looking for a way to fight her boredom.

“That was the first place I’d gone to volunteer, and I’ve just been there ever since,” BLANK said.

She is a cat cuddler and has also helped make over 5,000 cat beds over the years.

Her current workload also includes being involved with Hope and the Holidays, a nonprofit organization that seeks to “[provide] Christmas for families that wouldn’t normally

[work].

have it,” she said.

Last year over 1,200 children within a hundred miles of Bozeman received gifts through the organization, and they gave out hundreds of food baskets.

“It’s so rewarding.”

Feeney said that her volunteer work at all of these organizations has been very rewarding, satisfying and led to her making great friends.

“The people that you meet at any of these endeavors is amazing,” she said. “I’m very happy with my life because I get to go out and do what I want to do and help people.”

I like holding a book in my hand, and I love the people you meet through this

Holly FULLER

Cooper Park has played a huge role in Holly Fuller and her family’s life from helping with her mom’s health to providing a space for her children to grow and play.

“It’s been paramount to our family,” she said.

Fuller and her husband moved into their current home in 1988, and its proximity to the park was a huge factor in their decision to purchase it.

“We had five kids, and they grew up using the park in different ways,” she said.

They practiced soccer in Cooper Park and her youngest child learned how to pitch there.

“The park has always been very

important in our lives with our, dog and, obviously, my mom,” she said.

In her older age, Fuller’s mother came to stay with them in Bozeman and was able to utilize the park as part of her rehabilitation process.

“Our rehab program involved her walking for short distances beside the house, and then […] going to make it to this spot in the park, and a little further.”

After she passed away in August 2020, Fuller began thinking of ways that she could honor her parents and found an opportunity with Cooper Park.

“I started talking to the forester and asking him what he thought of planting trees, and then I talked to Jerry Cashman, and I

talked to a lot of older folks who would come to the park.”

Fuller learned that the majority of trees in the park were planted in 1912, several of which have now come down and are starting to die.

Out of interest in creating tree diversity and preserving the foliage, they came up with a plan to plant trees around the walkway. As of this year, they’ve planted ten trees.

“People look for shade and they use […] hammocks,” she said. “And you have to have trees for that to happen.”

They’ve currently planted ten trees, and hope to do two more, Fuller said. The trees bare the names of her parents, her husband’s parents and their

grandchildren.

Planting the trees is only step one though of the work. They must also be wrapped with fencing to protect the fledgling trees from dogs and deer. They also must regularly be watered.

“Each tree has a bag on it that holds twenty gallons of water,” she said.

Fuller said that doing this work and maintenance makes her feel good and allows her to help give back to the community.

“I just feel like I’m making a difference in helping a corner of the world be beautiful, to restore it and maintain it and [allow it to] be the park that we knew when we moved here and loved over the years.”

It’s been paramount to our family. ”

From her home in Bozeman, Judith Heilman has worked on political and social campaigns at both a national and state level. She started as a volunteer on President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, but was soon asked to become the state director for the organization.

Although Montana was expected to vote Republican, volunteers were still instrumental in making phone calls into battleground states, conducting research and urging individuals to vote.

“I really enjoyed my job [there],” Heilman said.” We made thousands of phone calls, [and] we were quite successful in what we did.”

After President Obama’s successful re-election his campaign’s staff “were like gold to the non-profit community.”

Judith HEILMAN

“The Obama campaign… was so creative and revolutionary, and social media had become really a big thing,” she said.

Heilman was offered numerous opportunities, and ultimately accepted a role with Every Town for Gun Safety. First as the state director, and then in law enforcement outreach. Given Heilman’s history as a former police officer in California, she was well suited for these roles.

“My background since I was 21 is keeping bullets out of people, so it was a really good fit for me.”

It was a very emotionally taxing role for her though as she said she was confronted with “how racist the criminal justice system was across the nation.”

She decided to leave, and although much of Heilman’s work had been on a larger national scale at this point, she

then committed to making an impact here in Montana.

“I decided I wanted to get into racial justice and equity, and [I] ended up founding the Montana Racial Equity Project,” she said. “My original ideas were to reduce the expression of racism, bigotry and prejudice.”

Based in Bozeman, the group organized protests, held conferences and conducted workshops. The organization is still active today, though Heilman retired from her role as executive director last year.

Currently, Heilman has turned her efforts to environmental and conservation justice issues. She is a board member for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and a part of both their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and conservation committees. She said that environmental groups are

not typically diverse in their leadership, and she wants to do her part to help change that.

“Conservation and environmental organization locally, statewide and nationally are majority staffed by white folks and it’s the same with their board and its past due that BIPOC people, handicapped people [and] queer people are getting involved in hands on in our conservation efforts,” Heilman said. “There’s a big movement towards that already, and I wanted to be involved in that and help that happen.”

Heilman said that looking back at her career over the years, it’s always been centered on public service.

“The common thread is service for the community, for the good of the community.”

The common thread is service for the community , for the good of the community.

Karen JAMES

When Karen James first moved to Bozeman in 1985 from Ohio, she knew little about Montana’s history. But that ignorance didn’t last for long.

“I just jumped in and read and read and read,” she said.

As her knowledge in Bozeman and the surrounding area’s past grew, James began to share those stories with others through her work at the Museum of the Rockies Living History Farm and volunteering in Nevada City.

James wore period accurate clothing that she sewed herself and participated in historical reenactments from canning food to washing clothes, as well as helping with special events.

“People don’t know our history they don’t know where we came from,” James said. “I felt that it was important to open that door to folks and there’s such an interesting history here of homesteading and how that occurred.”

She said that in her work with the public teaching history she’s

been excited by how curious people are.

“[People] want to learn and you just have to take the time and talk to them,” she said. “People are fascinated by [what we have on display], and [ask] how does this work? I think that it’s important that people know where our modern things come from.”

James’ background as a nurse, her degree in anthropology and her interest in food all have come into play in her reenactment work.

“I did a whole presentation that [was about] how people preserved food in those time periods,” she said.

Although James has taken a break this year from volunteering at historical educational sites, she is “still involved with the history of the area.”

“My big project this winter is making some new 1860s clothing and a bonnet,” she said. “I intent to get back into re-enacting next year.”

I just jumped in and read and read and read. ” “

Southwest Montana’s largest public radio station, KGLTFM, has been playing music for 55 years. Rik James has been a fixture in listener’s homes or cars for well over half that time, making his mark on the station and in Bozeman’s local music scene.

James was on-air at KGLT from 1987 until this year, with only a 18-month break during that time in the nineties to attend graduate school out of state.

James said he’s “been listening all my life to radio” and was intrigued by an opportunity to play a part in a local station he admired.

“What brought me to KGLT was basically listening to the station, and finding out how good it was.”

His show “Americana

Rik JAMES

Backroads” aired from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays from 1999 until its conclusion. James described the program as a “musical anything goes show’’ that heavily features folk, bluegrass, country, roots blues and singer-songwriter artists and bands.

James said he loves the “exciting adrenaline rush” that comes with being live on-air. He also appreciates the opportunity he has to be “a friend behind the microphone” for listeners.

“It is so much fun, and when it is sounding fun, and the listeners can realize you are having fun, they may just become a regular listener,” James said.

From the onset, James sought to make connections with the music industry.

“[I worked on] developing relationships with the labels, promoters and independent artists over the years,” he said. “When they knew we were out here in southwest Montana playing they would continue to reach out, serving us the music.”

These relationships have led to on-air interviews and performances from area and touring musicians. He’s also been involved with the local non-profit organization The Bozeman Folklore Society, and produced multiple concerts for them throughout the years.

“I did really did have a nice good long run with the radio station and doing concerts,” James said. “I call what I’ve been doing community service. I really believe in people contributing to the community in ways that serve their artistic

interests.”

His wife Karen has assisted him as a co-host for the last decade, and together they had the program’s final episode in May.

James said he will always be appreciative of his listeners, and it was difficult to have say goodbye to them as well as those who relied on him in the music industry.

“It’s been a privilege to have had a loyal listenership, and so much support.”

Although he isn’t sure of his next move yet, James said there is a good chance it will involve music to some degree.

“My future is a little uncertain, but I still think I’m probably not away from music forever.”

It is so much fun, and when it is sounding fun, and the listeners can realize you are having fun, they may just become a regular listener. ”

Steve JOHNSON

Steve Johnson’s accounting degree led him in some interesting and unexpected places.

“When I graduated from MSU in accounting, I got my CPA and I was planning on utilizing that in public accounting,” he said. However, when he went to work for the Helena school district in an an accounting supervisor role, he found he ‘liked everything about schools,” leading to an over 40-year career working in Helena and Bozeman’s school districts.

“It was not a typical accounting, put-on-a-visor job at all,” he said.

Johnson said that what he enjoyed most about the job was that no two days were ever alike with new obstacles constantly presenting themselves.

“Some curveball was thrown at you, and it was exciting,” he said. “[It was] always something new, always kind of the unexpected.”

In his over three decades with the Bozeman Public Schools as Deputy Superintendent Operations, Johnson said he was commitment to representing the school district in the community through his presence in various organizations and helping to grow and maintain voter

support on public school funding initiatives.

John has served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Bozeman Health Board of Directors, the Downtown Business District Tax Increment Board and was a founding board member of Yellowstone Fiber.

“It was really important for me to have the district in the community,” he said. “It’s crucial to keep those good connections in the community… And I worked hard in that, and I’m proud of what we accomplished there.”

After retiring though from a

career with the Bozeman School District, Johnson found himself ready for a new adventure when a “fun challenge” presented itself.

Although he wasn’t necessarily looking for work, he “kind of fell into” his current role managing Valley View Golf Course.

“My wife says I flunk at retirement,” he said. “I enjoy life, I enjoy other things, but to do that all time? I feel like I need some kind of challenge or reason to get up in the morning and be a little motivated about it.

Some curveball was thrown at you, and it was exciting. [It was] always something new, always kind of the unexpected. ”

Michele Letendre has quite the resume. She’s worked as a driver, at a radio station, the Bozeman Job Service, the Senior Center and helped jump start community programs.

“I was born with a bucket list, and ever since I was a kid, I had things I wanted to do,” Letendre said. That list included driving a semi-truck and doing voice work on the radio, both of which she was able to accomplish over her career.

Letendre said that she’s enjoyed working in so many different fields as they’ve all been things she was passionate about and switching fields and having to learn new roles has also helped to keep her grounded.

“Because you keep learning

Michelle LETENDRE

and you keep making mistakes it keeps you humble and that’s a good thing,” she said.

Letendre realized at a young age that she has a love for helping organize community efforts when she collaborated with others to create the HRDC, a community action agency with the aim of “direct[ing] and identify[ing] gaps in needed services, and then to find the funding and create the programs.”

“I loved organizing that so much that I looked for other efforts that people needed and were passionate about, and I helped them see these projects through fruition,” she said.

She would go on to assist in forming Montana’s first battered women’s network, which would grow to include

17 counties and three Native American reservations. She also helped to organize shows at with the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in the launching and running of the Gallatin Valley Farmer’s Market in her work with Bozeman Job Service.

Letendre retired from Bozeman Job Service after over two decades with the organization, however it didn’t quite take.

“I’m what you call a boomerang,” Letendre said. “A baby boomer who retired, but then re-entered the job market.”

Letendre is now employeed by the Bozeman Senior Center as a Nutrition Coordinator, where she primarily does work for their Meals on Wheels programs. She said that her

decision to continue working is due to her desire to continue assisting others.

“I believe that we all need a purpose, and I am driven by purpose,” she said. “I’m also very passionate about helping people in a way that matters.”

Many of the programs that Letendre helped to start decades ago continue to be very active to this day, which Letendre said she is the aspect of her career she is “most satisfied with.”

“Those of us who started [these programs] intended them for that reason: that they would continue, that they would matter and people would believe in those projects.”

I was born with a bucket list, and ever since I was a kid, I had things I wanted to do. ”

Stephen MALY

Montana has a lot to offer people in terms of natural beauty, outdoor recreation and tightly knit communities, but it also provides its residents a unique opportunity in Stephen Maly’s opinion.

“It’s a state where individuals can make a difference,” he said.

In order to do so though, it’s imperative that citizens “can access and understand state government proceedings.”

“It now makes sense to pursue and understand much better than we ever before[…] what our rights are as citizens,” Maly said.

While working for the state legislature as a research analyst in Helena, Maly was tasked with studying the feasibility of filming the state legislature to make the government more

transparent to the citizens.

The study that he wrote resulted in a bill, which got passed.

At that time, Maly was a volunteer for the public access station Helena Civic TV. He took a “leap of faith” and left state government to work for them instead and help direct and create TVMT, which had the goal of covering all three branches of government without editing.

“[Our] slogan was uniting people and government through the power of television,” Maly said. “I believe that citizens understand government well enough to TVMT grew from operating solely as an outlet in Helena only all the way to a statewide network.

“It wasn’t easy ever, but it was always fun and exciting,” he said. His work with the network, also allowed him the opportunity to travel and produce international documentaries that showcased the connection and relationship between Montana and other nations. One such program in 2016 entitled “Far East/Far West: Montana’s Asian Sisters” was about Montana’s sister states in Taiwan and Guangxi Province in China.

Maly retired from TVMT in 2019, and the role of broadcasting the legislature has now been awarded to Montana PBS, but gavel to gavel coverage is “still going strong,” and the station lives on as MPAN.

Maly said that he hopes to “continue to make some

meaningful contribution to peace and civilization in the world.”

He is a longtime board member of World Montana (formerly the Montana Center for International Visitors) and volunteers with Gallatin Refugee Connections.

He also is actively working on a book that deals with themes of international relations. Additionally, he hopes to teach a multi-disciplinary college course on global civics in the near future.

“My mission is to continue to illustrate how Montana is connected to the big wide world in so many ways that people don’t understand,” he said. “It’s kind of an ambition [of mine] to fill in that gap.”

It’s a state where individuals can make a difference. ” “

Sports have been a throughline for Mike McLeod’s life. His family’s history with sports started before he was born. He father was a football player for Montana State University’s Bobcats and his mother was a cheerleader for the University of Montana’s Grizzlies. They both would go on to careers teaching students and coaching youth in sports.

“Football was kind of our upbringing,” he said.

McLeod competed in track and football in high school in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and returned to his dad’s alma mater as collegiate football player. He was enticed to play in Montana by the opportunity to work with his father’s former roommate Sonny Lubick, who was head coach at the time and became a mentor.

“He was a great inspiration,” McLeod said.

In 1979 during a game against

Mike MCLEOD

Idaho Stato, he surpassed the then recorded for the longest interception in MSU Bobcat history, which had been previously held for twenty years by his father.

“I broke my dad’s record, which was kind of a cool thing,” he said.

McLeod said it was a “great opportunity and privilege to play at MSU in the 70s.” His goal though was to play football at the professional level, which he achieved.

Following his college graduation, McLeod went on to play for the Canadian Football League in the (CFL) in Edmonton, before being picked up by the NFL’s Green Bay Packers in the mid-80s.

After two years there, McLeod retired from pro sports and got a law degree before moving back to Bozeman and tranisitioning into his current job field: insurance and financial services.

McLeod said this work has been satisfying for him as it’s allowed him to directly assist an older clientele, many of whom are on Medicare.

“I really enjoy helping them, and spending time with people like that who are very much in need of our help,” he said.

After returning to Bozeman, sports continued to play a role in the life of McLeod and his family though. He coached his children’s teams from youth football and basketball through high school, traveling with them across the state for basketball games.

“Over the years I really enjoyed coaching kids,” he said. “You learn so much in sports. Like the game of life, [it’s] full of ups and downs. Life involves getting along with people, being a teammate. It involves being selfless.”

McLeod said he is grateful for the opportunity he had to “bless and encourage and help young

people mature” through sports.

He also viewed it as a ministry opportunity.

“We would pray before every game, and I would use some of the opportunities we learned as life lessons.”

Another passion in McLeod’s life has been his Christianity. Through his brother, he became involved in a misitry called Athletes in Action while at MSU, and since then has been active in the church.

Over the years he’s been involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Cru at MSU and Bible Study Fellowship in Bozeman as a teacher and group leader.

This volunteer and ministry work is important to McLeod as he feels it’s an opportunity to share the blessing he’s received with others.

“I think we’re on this earth to bless others and share the gifts we have with others.”

I really enjoy helping them, and spending time with people like that who are very much in need of our help. ”

Gene MURRAY

Gene Murray’s commitment to community service has been a lifelong one.

“I didn’t want to retire and then give back,” he said. “I wanted to give back to my community when I could do anything.”

He became a member of the Bozeman Elks Lodge when he was in his early 20s and has played an active role in the service organization ever since. This was all while pursuing a career as a math and chemistry teacher within the Bozeman High School system.

“I came to realize at an early age that knowledge is one of those things you can totally give away and still keep,” Murray said of his desire to teach. “I think it makes the world a better place when you give away knowledge, wisdom [and] experience.”

He also served as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher in England, which he said was a positive experience, offering him a new challenge as an educator.

“I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and do something else, maybe make a contribution elsewhere.”

Both before and after his retirement from teaching, as well as during his time operating a management and consulting form, Murray has held the following roles with the Bozeman Elks Lodge: President, trustee, co-founder of the MSEA Education Committee, Hoop Shoot Chairperson, MSEA Parliamentarian and Special Deputy Grand Exalted Euler, among others.

“I was just active at every level, and I liked what we were doing,” he said.

The group has no religious or political affiliation, and acts

as service-orientated fraternal organization, connecting individuals with like interests in efforts to assist the community.

“It’s all about helping people,” Murray said. “That’s what attracted me to it. A lot of good people that do a lot of good things. And they taught me how to give back to the community. Their efforts include programs to benefit veterans, scholarship offerings and sponsoring boy scouts. It’s work that Murray finds fun, but also aligns with his own personal mantra: “Leave it better than you find it.”

I didn’t want to retire and then give back, I wanted to give back to my community when I could do anything. ”

Tom Peluso was first introduced to the National Alliance on Metal Illness (NAMI) when he attended one of their 12-week couses in 1995, which focused on evidence based practices to help loved one who are living with someone that has a mental illness. This program was the start of a decades-long relationship with the organization, where he would eventually take on a leadership useful.

“We found it very useful, and how I got hooked into it,” he said. “I wanted very much to help other folks. I found

Tom PELUSO

that these people were not represented well and they were struggling with resources that were underfunded, and I wanted to change that so I joined NAMI and took some courses.”

He began teaching classes for the organization, and become the president of NAMI Bozeman, as well as a member state board.

His commitment to helping provide mental health services and support in the Gallatin Valley led to him, with Dorothy Eck, helping to build a mental health facility in Bozeman, called The Hope House, which

offered treatment. Given his background in construction as the former Vice President of Barnard Environmental, Peluso was an active participant in the building process.

“I was there every day during construction, and I still have a heart for it,”

He also helped create and served on the Mental Health Oversight Advisory Council (now the Behavioral Health Advisory Council) in order to “figure out what the needs were in the community” regarding mental health resources. He continues to be an active board

member for the Mental Health Gallatin County Local Advisory Council too.

Peluso said that he believes the organizations he’s been a part of have had a positive impact on the community and individuals here.

“I know a lot of people who have turned the corner,” he said.

This service though was all spurred by a simple desire on his part.

“I felt a need for helping other people,” he said.

I felt a need for helping other people. ”

THANK YOU MONTANA!

For 70 years, Stockman Bank has been serving Montana with the best in banking services, helping Montanans manage their money, achieve their financial goals, and realize their dreams. As the largest family-owned, privately held, community bank in Montana, we remain committed to traditional, western values and homegrown community service.

Montana’s Brand of Banking

Yvonne RUDMAN

Only months after arriving to Bozeman, Yvonne Rudman already found herself embedded in the local community, driving her Jeep in the Christmas Stroll parade with a trailer behind her of first graders singing holiday songs.

“Bozeman is a superb town for networking and getting involved in community events and organizations,” Rudman said.

Rudman’s involvement didn’t stop there though. Her professional career and volunteer work has focused on connecting Bozeman with international communities. She worked in Montana State University’s Office of International Programs. During this time she managed the

Arabic Distance Language program, where students would learn Arabic for at least one year, with the option to go on to continue their studies abroad .

“MSU students enrolled in the program went on to use their language skills in careers to work as a doctor in a poor Jordanian town, to establish a women’s health and education center in southern Morocco, to become an award-winning oud musician in the Middle East, and to teach Arabic at an Idaho high school,” she said.

Over the years she’s been involved with multiple local organizations with an interestational bent, including the Montana Center for International Visitors.

“Also, I banded together with a group of women to form Montana Connections for Afghan Women, which raised money for health and education support for women and children during the Iraq War.

Over the years I’ve been involved in local organizations with an international bent, such as the Montana Center for International Visitors which matched foreign professionals with their local counterparts. Also I banded together with a group of women to form Montana Connections for Afghan Women which raised money for health and education support for women and children during the Iraq war.”

Rudman also has taken on a variety of other social issues

in the community. She is a committee and board member of Montana NOW and the League of Women Voters, and additionally serves on the Gallatin County Mental Health Advisory Council. Due to her strong believes that the press and local media are “the bedrock of a healthy community and strong democracy,” she is also a board member of KGVM Radio.

Rudman said she encourages new residents of Bozeman to do as she’s done and “seek out your niche in making the community a better place.”

“It’s a great way to meet people and to make Bozeman an even more wonderful place to live than it is now.”

It’s a great way to meet people and to make Bozeman an even more wonderful place to live than it is now. ”

Dan Rust was initially nervous to take the leap and switch career paths when approached about a new opportunity. It was a significant pay cut from his then job. However, after over thirty years with the same company it’s clear he made the right choice.

“I was approached about becoming a State Farm agent, and it scared me, but I could see the long-term potential,” he said. “So, if I was going to make that move I was in it for the long haul, and it has been a long

Dan RUST

haul.”

Rust has been a State Farm agent in Bozeman since 1982, and says its work he enjoys in which he gets to work directly with customers and “every day’s different.”

“It’s just very rewarding to help people not suffer financial ruin if something crazy [happens],” he said. “We might sell car insurance, home insurance, life insurance, health insurance [or] business insurance, so no two days are alike.”

State Farm agents are self-

employed and thus Rust owns his own business with three employees. He’s been recognized for his work there, winning the award for Gallatin’s Greatest Insurance Agent in both 2021 and 2022.

“We were just very honored to be selected by the community twice, and we’ve been invited again this year as a finalist,” he said.

Rust over the years has always made it a priority to get involved with and give back to the community through local

organizations. He’s particularly involved with the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce, including their Green Coat Ambassadors group and Gallatin Valley Tournament Committee.

“One of the things that I learned very early in being selfemployed is it was important to make my community a better place for everyone to live,” he said. “By doing the community service I feel like [I’m able to contribute in that way], and my job allowed me the freedom to do that.”

One of the things that I learned very early in being self-employed is it was important to make my community a better place for everyone to live. ”

Stephen SCHACHMAN

Stephen Schachman has a long history with symphonic music.

“My grandma used to take me to rehearsal of philharmonic symphony orchestra,” he said. “[And I] played the viola in middle school. It’s been an interest of mine for a long time.”

In his retirement, Schachman found himself reconnecting to his community’s music scene.

After relocating to Montana, Schachman attended a performance at the Bozeman Symphony, which he found “absolutely amazing,” and at a

reception offered his volunteer services on a project they were working on.

He was soon asked to join their board of directors, and eventually became the Chairman, a role he held for five years until this summer.

During this time, the organization lost both their executive director and artistic director, which presented a unique challenge in filling both roles. He also was helping led the organization through the COVID-19 crisis.

“The first few years were hectic,” Schachman said.

However, he said the passions and limited staff they had at the “rallied” and were able to successfully find replacements and continue sharing their music.

“The passion of the staff and the musicians… is absolutely incredible. They have a simple goal and that is to provide the community with the best live symphonic music possible,” he said. “They’re driven very much by their passion, and it’s really hard not to work and support people like that. They’re an incredible group.”

Schachman said that the

orchestra is a “tremendous asset” to Bozeman and the surrounding smaller communities, who are eager to support it.

“We are a very fortunate community to have such a quality group of musicians playing here.”

“There is a deep appreciation throughout the entire community for symphonic music, and a desire to hear and experience live music,” he said.

“I think music is incredibl[ly important for the] bringing together of the community.”

We are a very fortunate community to have such a quality group of musicians playing here. ”

Carol Clarke Smith said that “there’s no place like Bozeman” in terms of the community spirit and level of involvement present in the area.

“Every person I meet has a finger on something here in Bozeman to continue to promote the really unique sense in belief in the community here,” she said.

Since making her home in the Gallatin Valley year-round in 2008, Clarke Smith has done her part to get involved with and give back to the community, both through financial contributions and by volunteering her time.

For three years in a row, she

Carol SMITH

and several friends have hosted benefit luncheons for Haven, a non-profit organization that provides support to survivors of domestic abuse and their families. She also was a cofounder and board member of the Bridger Biathalon Club, which has since been absorbed by Crosscut Mountain Sports Center, and supports the Bozeman Art Museum.

Her biggest “pride and joy” though is the scholarship that she started at MSU for the spouses of those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I get these lovely, lovely letters [from recipients] thanking me and telling me what they’re doing,” she said. “My goal is

hopefully by the end of the year is to get all of the recipients who are able to come to get together and share what they’ve done because of the scholarships and where they are.”

Having spent time on naval bases, and with the families and spouse of officers on deployment, Clarke Smith grew to develop an interest for assisting military members and their relations.

“The military has just tugged at my heart, it always has,” she said.

In that vein, she has also volunteered with Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation, which is a veterans service organization

offering therapeutic programs.

“It’s just heartwarming how [they] are embracing our veterans and their multitude of needs,” she said.

Clarke Smith’s desire to dedicate her time and efforts to these organizations in the Gallatin Valley, among others is something that she benefits both her and the community at large she feels.

“First of all, it makes me feel good,” she said. “And I intuitively can assess the needs of these organizations, [and] I believe in their purposes.”

It’s just heartwarming how [they] are embracing our veterans and their multitude of needs.

Carolyn SWINGLE

Education has always been a big part of Carolyn Swingle’s life and career, whether inside the classroom, in nature or on the road.

“I taught at every level,” she said. “Kindergarten through senior year in high school.”

Her subjects included English and drama, but she never taught anything for longer than five years as a rule before moving on.

“You’re always learning,” Swingle said of teaching students. “You have to keep fresh.”

Swingle and her husband believed children could and should learn in settings outside of school as well.

Beginning in the 1970s the couple developed the

Centennial School, a summer program in which they traveled with students in a converted fan, often to Oregon or Montana. They would attend theatre festivals, go to concerts, work on a variety of volunteer projects, go backpacking and visiting historic and geologic sites.

“We had time to play with kids and expand their lives, and have fun doing it,” Swingle said. “And we learned from them. We’re still in touch with many of them. I called one of them yesterday in fact.”

“We were working with young people who a number of them hadn’t been out of California,” she said. “It was an experimental school. It wasn’t a for profit school.”

The sophomores through seniors they’d taken on the trips

would learn to take on tasks during this time, such as meal planning, cooking shopping, budgeting and making decisions about what the group would do next.

“It was important that kids have responsibilities and work programs.”

Swingle said that she loves the arts and creative disciplines and getting to work with others in these areas, which made this work and it’s unstructured style a perfect fit.

“In the Centennial School you could do all of that,” she said. “In the English class you had to make sure people had their topic sentences down.”

When the Swingles moved back to Bozeman in the 1980s, she continued to teach students

here and also ran a high school theatre program for several years.

Since her retirement, Swingle has been busy with local organizations and providing volunteer services.

She’s volunteered with the hospital, Intermountain Opera, the Symphony and supported Family Promise, an organization that “helps people stabilize their lives and get employment.”

Swingle insists she is “not special” when it comes to her community service work.

“I volunteer for things because I have the time,” she said. “It’s fun to volunteer to help out the Symphony or whatever organization needs some extra help if I can lend a hand.”

You’re always learning. You have to keep fresh. ”

In his 20 years working in Bozeman, Edward Szczypinski has worked for numerous organizations in a variety of different roles. However, a constant has been his commitment to local nonprofits.

“It all has worked out very well,” he said. “I’ve always been employed working with non-profits and working with community organizations doing a lot of health and community organzing campaigns.

He’s been involved in a project management capacity with many of these organizations working on addressing issues

Edward SZCZPINSKI

ranging from mental health to homelessness.

Szczypinski said that working with youth and in preventative education on health and behavioral issues, is a particular area of interest for him.

“I think it makes a change in people’s lives” he said.

“People have to understand how they can have an impact on themselves and others.”

As both a volunteer and professionally Szczypinski has been a part of multiple coalitions and organizations, including the Community Coalition on Drug Awareness, Greater Gallatin Homeless

Action Coalition, Gallatin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Prevention Committee, S.W. Montana Community Organizations Active in Disasters and M.S.U. SAFE Coalition, in addition to serving as the spokesperson for Alcohol & Drug Services of Gallatin County on numerous occasions.

Two accomplishments

Szczypinski has made in the community is helped to created Gallantin Valley Communities of Care, a coalition that utilized a holistic approach to address health and behaviorial problems in youth, and assisting with the creation of a program through the Bozeman Job Service called

Mature Content.

“It was a program to help get older individuals back into the job market.”

Szczypinski now describes himself as “semi-retired,” as he continues to provide services for organizations on an as-needed basis.

Looking forward, Szczypinski said that they would like to continue working in employment.

“[I want to] provide other people the opportunities to be successful and to continue to make an effort to make differences in our community.”

I think it makes a change in people’s lives. People have to understand how they can have an impact on themselves and others. ”

“

Dave WARD

Dave Ward first encountered Bozeman while driving through the area on a trip to Seattle, but it made a major impression even then.

“We came down the Bozeman Pass, and I remember thinking this was incredible, crowned by mountains,” he said. “We thought this would be a great place to land.”

Ward would soon find himself back in southwest Montana, working in West Yellowstone on his post-doctoral under mentor Tom Brock, with occasional trips up to Bozeman.

When Ward saw was that Montana State University was hiring an assistant professor of microbiology who would be able to work and do research in Yellowstone, he was immediately interested by the prospect, applied and got the job,

leading him to make his home in Montana permanently.

“One way to look at it is my dream came true. We were going to stay in the west, and I was going to begin a career there,” he said. “I like to call Yellowstone my second office.

Ward would go on to studying the microbial communities in Yellowstone, and make new discoveries.

“The questions we were asking was just who’s there in the community?” Ward said. “We found that this part of nature was full of microbial elements. It was a process of discovering new lifeforms of all kinds.”

“At the time, microbiologists thought there might be no such thing as microbial species, but it turns out there are, and it’s the

patterns they form in nature that led to hypothesis about how these form in nature.”

Ward and his colleagues research helped to provide evidence that microorganisms were not similar all around the world and are adaptable to their environments. Over the years, they received several notable grants, had their work published awards, and received awards, including Ward being named the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Technology Pioneer Award winner in 2009.

Ward has brought his scientific expertise to benefit the public too and create educational opportunities.

He helped put an exhibit together at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman entitled “Earth’s Earliest Life: A Microbial World.” He’s also worked with

Yellowstone over the years to develop museum exhibits, signs on the board walks and help educate interpretative rangers. Additionally, he’s volunteered his time doing field activities with kids from the community.

“I enjoyed that informal education outside the classroom,” Ward said.

Ward is retired from his role at MSU, and officially closed his lab at MSU this summer and turned in his final reports. However, he is still looking to continue sharing his research in the field with others.

“I’m still trying to publish the studies that we performed here,” he said.

He hopes to write a book next about his over four decades of studying microbial communities.

One way to look at it is my dream come true. We were going to stay in the west, and I was going to begin a career there, I like to call Yellowstone my second office. ”

Yellowstone holds particular significance for Dr. Cathy Whitlock on multiple levels.

“A place like Yellowstone I’m deeply connected to it as a person. I know the forests, and I know the landscapes well, but it’s also really of interest [to me as a scientist].”

Bozeman’s proximity to Yellowstone brought her accept a role as a professor at Montana Statue Univeristy in the Department of Earth Sciences in 2004.

“I was coming from the University of Oregon, and I had always done a lot of research in Yellowstone, so it was an opportunity to have Yellowstone in my backyard,” she said. “Being in a place where I could really take advantage of Yellowstone[…] was really important to me.”

Cathy WHITLOCK

While there she did her best to ensure that students “have a Yellowstone experience.”

“When I started, we set up a freshman class on Yellowstone,” she said. “{We want them to] get an understanding of why scientists are really excited about Yellowstone. Then we set up the paleo ecology lab at MSU, and that’s been where I’ve trained a lot of students.”

Throughout her academic career she’s been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, received the AMQUA Distinguished Career Award, the Association of Women Geoscientists Professional Excellence Award, the Edmund O Wilson Biodiversity Technology Pioneer Award and the Charles and Nora Wiley Faculty Award for Meritorious Research.

In addition to teaching and sharing Yellowstone’s ecosystem with students, Whitlock has also been heavily involved in her own research about the park.

“I’ve been doing my research for decades now looking at environmental history and how climate change impacts the [environment],” she said. “As a scientist I’ve long been interested in how Yellowstone has impacted past climate change and how resilient the ecosystem has been to past climate.”

Her work involves looking at fossils that are buried in lake mud to reconstruct the history of the ecosystem, as well as its climate history.

She is the lead author of the 2017 Montana Climate Assessment, which was the first such report in the state

of Montana and has helped to spark conversations regarding climate change and inspire action.

“That document has proved to be very influential,” she said. “Now communities are thinking about climate actions plans[… And] they’ve drawn heavily on the Montan Climate Action for guiding them.”

While Whitlock’s research is primarily concerned with the past, she said it also has lessons and warnings regarding the area’s future to take heed of.

“When I study the past, it really makes me look at the future and how it’s going to change in the future with climate change,” Whitlock said. “I think we just live in such an extraordinary place and we really need to protect it.”

I think we just live in such an extraordinary place and we really need to protect it. ”

Vicky YORK

While Vicky York loves reading, she doesn’t believe that trait is necessary to be a good librarian. It’s a career that suited her well because of her curiosity rather.

“I like to find out things,” York said. “I like to find information and connect people with that information that they’re looking for.”

To be a good librarian you want to connect people with books, information or a safe place,” she said.

After living and working in Ohio and Utah, York came to Bozeman for a job as the head of Government Information with Montana State University.

As more class offerings became available online, York’s role changed and became focused on providing library services to remote users.

“I always enjoyed working with the students, making sure that students were connected with the information that they needed for the classes,” she said. “You have remember back in the 90s this was pretty new.” As the library’s Distance Education Coordinator she worked with the faculty and students assisting them online courses, and even helped to develop an online library course.

After her retirement from MSU, an opportunity arose in Fiji for her to work at the University of the South Pacific. She accepted a two-year position there as the Head of Reader Services, which she said was a chance she “couldn’t pass up.”

“It took me to a new cultural environment,” York said.

“[And] I really enjoyed working with the students too.”

She said that one takeaway from her time working there, was how much library work in the US has in common with it in other countries.

“I learned that libraries are pretty much similar all around the world. They use the same classification system.”

She would return to the South Pacific at the University of the South Pacifico’s campus in Vanuatu as a Rotary International University Teacher in 2007, teaching classes on using PowerPoint and the internet to find information.

Even in her retirement now though, York’s love of books and sharing information with others continues to be a driving factor in her life.

With more time to read, she typically finishing a book a week. Her international travel is also often linked to the

novels she’s read, going on tours of cities inspired by the books set there.

“I like to do literary travel, so it’s connected with books too.”

She also is surrounded by literature in her volunteer work Montana Extreme History Project, helping coordinate their bookstore and contribuiting a book column to their newsletter.

She also previously volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce, helping answer visitors to Bozeman’s questions.

“Being a librarian I think is what I know and what I love, so I like to find opportunities [that have something to do] with books or information, or helping people find information.”

I like to find out things. I like to find information and connect people with that information that they’re looking for. ”

Jon ZEMANS

After over 40 years working in healthcare administration, Jon Zemans and his wife, both retired, moved to Bozeman.

But Zemans was still eager to work and contribute to his new community and immediately got involved in volunteer programs.

Upon arriving he started volunteering at the Bozeman Public Library.

“I had a very interesting job there,” he said. “I was buffing CDs.”

Through an event called

Coffee with a Cop, he came across his next role with the Bozeman Police Department.

He’s been there since offering support and has worked his way up to Senior Volunteer.

“I’m the oldest living volunteer on the Bozeman PD,” he said.

Zemans has also taken a leadership role at the Gallatin History Museum, located in the old county jail building on Main Street. He’s on the Board of Directors and is currently the Chairman of the Marketing, Advertising Public Relations and Fundraising

Committee.

“What attracted me to the whole organization, besides the fact that it’s cute and it’s a great place to visit, is in their bylines they have preferred qualifications and the first one on the list has to do with nonprofit governance,” he said. “[And] when I was working, I had a lot to do with non-profit governance.”

While assisting the Gallatin History Museum with the governance function of their business, Zemans realized the need for such work assisting the many non-profits in

Gallatin Valley. As a result, he started Z + Z + Z Esquire as a side business.

“We try and help out nonprofits get their governance in order,” he said. “It’s fun to be helpful and it’s fun to see the progress and the success.”

Zemans said that while he certainly he could have taken things easier upon his retirement, his side business and volunteering has proven to be much more interesting to him.

“Everything I’ve done has been fun,” he said. “I’ve had one good job after another.”

I’m the oldest living volunteer on the Bozeman PD. ”

Meal Service in Senior Centers:

Belgrade MENU

Belgrade Senior Center will be opening soon. Please go to our website at belgradeseniorcenter.com for updates as they become available.

92 E Cameron Ave, Belgrade, MT • (406) 388-4711 • Call in to order to go meals by 10:00 the day before! . Menu subject to change without notice!

SEPTEMBER 1 - Salad, Chicken Alfredo, Vegetables, Fruit

SEPTEMBER 4 - CLOSED LABOR DAY

SEPTEMBER 5 - Salad, Gyros, Vegetables, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 6 - Salad, Chicken & Dumplings, With Vegetables, Fruit

SEPTEMBER 7 - Salad, Jambalaya , Rice , Dessert

SEPTEMBER 8 - Salad, Tuna and Noodles, Vegetables, Fruit

SEPTEMBER 11 - Salad, Tamale Pie, Vegetables, Fruit

SEPTEMBER 12 - Salad, Meat Loaf, Potatoes, Vegetables, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 13 - Salad, Chicken, Broccoli, Rice, Casserole, Vegetables, Fruit

SEPTEMBER 14 - Salad, Pork Loin, Scalloped Potatoes, Vegetables, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 15 - Salad, Sheperd’s Pie with Vegetables, Fruit

SEPTEMBER 18 - Salad, Baked Potato Bar, Fruit

SEPTEMBER 19 - Salad, Chicken Chow Mein Noodles, Vegetables, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 20 - Birthday Lunch - Salad, Turkey Dinner, Potatoes, Vegetables, Cake & Ice Cream

SEPTEMBER 21 - Salad, Stuffed Cabbage Casserole, Dinner Roll, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 22 - Italian Night - Salad Bar, Chili & Corn Bread, Fruit

SEPTEMBER 25 - Salad, Baked Ham, Sweet Potatoes, Vegetables, Fruit

SEPTEMBER 26 - Salad, Fish & Chips, Vegetables, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 27 - Salad, Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetables, Fruit

SEPTEMBER 28 - Breakfast Club - Salad, Beef Stew & Biscuits, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 29 - Salad, Sloppy Joes, Vegetables, Fruit

Meals on Wheels Delivery: Monday – Friday. Call to find out how to qualify for this program.

Center meals: Monday-Friday 12:00 -Call before 10:00 to sign up

Manhattan Senior Center MENU

102 East Main St., Manhattan, MT • 284-6501

SEPTEMBER 4 – CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY

SEPTEMBER 5 – Chicken Pot Pie Casserole, Fruit Salad, Carrot Cupcakes

SEPTEMBER 6 – Mote Cristo Sandwich, 3 Bean Salad, Chips & Pickles, Lemon Bars

SEPTEMBER 7 – Beef Stew, Roll w/ Butter, Green Salad, Surprise Cookie

SEPTEMBER 12 – Tuna Melt, Veggie Sticks & Dip, Onion Rings & Pickles, Peanut Butter Blossoms

SEPTEMBER 13 – Clam Chowder, 1/2 Turkey & Cheese Sand., Almond Peach Jello Salad, Crackers, Brownie Cookie

SEPTEMBER 14 – Roasted Pork & Dressiong, Cucumber Salad, Veggie, Applesauce, Jello w/ Fruit

SEPTEMBER 19 – Ham & Scalloped Potato Casserole, Deviled Eggs, Veggie, Apple Tart

EXERCISE: Full Body Workout 9:00 Monday & Friday

Line Dancing: 10:15 Monday • Zumba: 1:00 Wednesday

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES:

Pinochle: 12:30 pm Monday; 8:30 am Wednesday

Art Together 12:45 pm Tuesday

Brain Games 10:00 am Wednesday - (Cancelled on Sept. 14, 2022)

Sing Along 12:45 pm Thursday • Needleaires: 9:30 am Friday

SEPTEMBER 4, 2022: Closed for Labor Day – Frozen Meals

Available: call for more information

SEPTEMBER 8, 2022: 50th Anniversary Open House 4:00-6:00 PM

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022: Gates of the Mountains Tour: Call for more information

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022: Fall Festival/Pancake Breakfast 7:00-9:30 am

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022: Sept. Birthday Lunch/ Blood Pressure Check

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022: Belgrade Breakfast Club: 7:00-8:30 am (4th Thursday of each month)

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022: Quilting Day: Call the center for more information 406-388-4711

Check our website for updated information.

SEPTEMBER 20 – Hobo Veggie Soup, 1/2 Grilled Ham & Cheese, Waldorf Salad, Frosted Sugar Cookie

SEPTEMBER 21 – Chicken Broccoli Alfredo, Breadstick, Chick Pea Salad, Apricot Coffee Cake

SEPTEMBER 26 – Spanish Rice Casserole, Refried Beans, Chips & Salsa, Chocolate Zucchini Cake

SEPTEMBER 27 – Breakfast Sliders, Hashbrown Casserole, Boston Dount

SEPTEMBER 28 – Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy, Veggie, Green Salad, Cake

Menu Options are subject to change without notice.

* Please call 406-284-6501 the day before if possible and leave a message for reservations. At the latest please call before 9 am and leave a message for reservations and/or delivery **Meals on Wheels will be delivered between 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM **

We will celebrate August birthdays the last Thursday of the month. All meals and activities are open to the public. Manhattan Senior Center is open for dining in. Come and join us -- dinner is served at 12 Noon.

Bozeman MENU

807 North Tracy • (406) 586-2421

• www.bozemanseniorcenter.org

Shannon Bondy, shannon@bozemanseniorcenter.org (Executive Director)

Kristi Wetsch, krisi@bozemanseniorcenter.org (Director Program & Marketing)

This menu is subject to change due to the availability of food. Call us at 586-2421 by 1:00 p.m. the day before you want your meal. The cost of the meal is a suggested donation of $5.00 for people 60 and over and $7.00 for people under 60 (this is not a suggestion donation).

SEPTEMBER 4 – CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY

SEPTEMBER 5 – Salad, Stuffed Green Peppers, Corn, Dinner Roll

SEPTEMBER 6 – Fruit, Taco Salad in a Shell Bowl, Tater Tots, Pico De Gallo, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 7 – Salad, Pork Fried Rice, Peas and Carrots, Egg Roll

SEPTEMBER 8 – Salad, Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Green Beans, Roll, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 11 – Grandparent’s Day Salad, Ham Steak, Macaroni and Cheese, Carrots, Garlic Bread, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 12 – Salad, Shrimp Gumbo, Beans and Rice, Roll, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 13 – Fruit, Egg Frittata, Hashbrowns, Creamed Spinach, Garlic Bread

SEPTEMBER 14 – Salad, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Pasta Parmesan, Broccoli, Garlic Bread, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 15 – Salad, French Bread Pizza with Pepperoni, Peppers and Onions, Bread Stick

SEPTEMBER 18 – Fruit, Tuna Salad on A Croissant, Baby Carrots and Celery with Ranch Dressing, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 19 – Salad, Beef Stew, Corn, Dinner Roll

SEPTEMBER 20 – Punch Day Salad, Chicken & Mushrooms over Egg Noodle, Vegetables, Garlic Bread, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 21 – Salad, Thai Spiced Tilapia, Jasmin Rice, Peas and Onions

SEPTEMBER 22 – Salad, Meatball Sub, Marinated Mushrooms, Lima Beans, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 25 – Salad, Beef and Bean Chili, Cherry Tomatoes, Corn Bread

SEPTEMBER 26 – Salad, Roasted Pork Loin, Zucchini, Hawaiian Roll, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 27 – Fruit, Beef and Broccoli over Rice, Egg Roll

SEPTEMBER 28 – Salad, Chicken and Potato Burrito, Beans and Rice, Dessert

SEPTEMBER 29 – Police Remembrance Day Salad, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Broccoli, Roll Allergy statement for all Meals-On-Wheels foods: Menu items may contain or come into contact with WHEAT, EGGS, PEANUTS, TREE NUTS, FISH, SHELLFISH, SOYBEANS, and MILK. Meals are now being served at the Bozeman Senior Center.

JULY 1 – Apple

West Yellowstone Senior Center MENU

SEPTEMBER 1 – Green Salad, Lasagna, Mixed Vegetables, Garlic Toast, Brownie

SEPTEMBER 6 – Green Salad, Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Cake

SEPTEMBER 8 – Green Salad, Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Cheesy Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables, Brownie

SEPTEMBER 13 – Green Salad, Sweet N Sour Chicken, Rice, Chow Mein, Cake

SEPTEMBER 15 – Green Salad, Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Brownie

SEPTEMBER 20 – Green Salad, Salsbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Cake

SEPTEMBER 22 – Green Salad, Chicken Tenders, French Fries, Mixed Vegetables, Brownie

SEPTEMBER 27 – Green Salad, Baked Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans, Cake

SEPTEMBER 29 - Green Salad, Chicken Fajita, Brownie

• Bozeman Senior Center Closed Monday, September 4th Labor Day

• The Board meeting is held on the third Friday of each month at 10:00 a.m.

• Bozeman Senior Center’s Second Hand Rose is open on Monday - Friday 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m.

• The Book Store is open Monday – Friday 9:00a.m.– 3:00p.m.

Accepting donations to Second Hand Rose on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

These dates and times are subject to change dependent upon volunteer and staff availability. Please call 586-2421 to be sure before you come to the center to shop!

Travel with the Bozeman Senior Center BOZEMAN SENIOR CENTER TRAVEL DEPARTMENT

Judy Morrill, Travel Coordinator • 14judymorrill@gmail.com • 1 406 586 2421

Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:00 to 12:00 noon.

We have a busy travel season for the Bozeman Senior Center Travel. For those of you who are not members of the Center, please stop by the front desk and pay your dues for the year. Then you will receive the monthly newsletter that will keep you up to date with all the travel plans.

What better way to travel throughout the United States and to many exciting foreign destinations as well, than to travel with Bozeman Senior Center. It is a great way to make new friends and possibly new traveling partners as well. And for many of you, travel with old friends you have known and enjoyed for years.

Travel is open to current paid up members of the Bozeman Senior Center.

TRAVEL FOR 2023: Three trips remain for 2023: Canyonlands in September, The Best of Ireland in September and Nashville and the Smoky Mountains in December. All of these trips are full. We have had a great year, so far, and these trips will be very exciting trips, too.

TRAVEL FOR 2024:

The following trips are full: Spain and Portugal in February and South Africa in October

We do have three great trips where we still have room for you. Stop by the Bozeman Senior Center lobby, and pick up brochures from the travel kiosk. If you decide you want to go on one of these trips, or more, please fill out the registration form attached to the brochure. Leave it at the front desk and ask them to put it in Judy’s mail box. She will get your registrations in so you can travel with us. Call or stop by the Center during office hours, and someone will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

WASHINGTON, D.C., CHERRY BLOSSOMS: APRIL 2024

This six day trip will take you to Washington, D.C., lodging at the Gaylord National Resort for five nights. Some of the highlights include: White House Visitors Center, the Smithsonian, Cherry blossom cruise, Twilight Illumination Tour, and Ford’s Theater and Annapolis Naval Academy.

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW YORK CITY: JULY 2024

Spend four nights at the Sheraton New York, Times Square. Highlights of the trip include: Two Broadway shows, Greenwich Village, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

NORMANDY, PARIS AND THE SEINE RIVER CRUISE: OCTOBER 2024

This nine day trip will first fly you to Paris where you will board the Amadeus Diamond Ship for a 7-night cruise. The ship’s capacity is 140 passengers. Highlights include going to the village of Van Gogh, Monet’s Home and Gardens and an all day tour of Historic Normandy. At the end of the cruise, enjoy a fun Paris city tour. Choose your cabin category for a very enjoyable cruise, including all your meals on board the ship.

SEPTEMBER 5 – Spaghetti

SEPTEMBER 6 – Pork Chops

SEPTEMBER 7 – Prime Rib

SEPTEMBER 12 – Tater Tot Casserole

SEPTEMBER 13 – Stew

SEPTEMBER 14 – Pork Roast

SEPTEMBER 19 – Cod

SEPTEMBER 20 – Enchiladas

SEPTEMBER 21 – Cheeseburger Casserole

SEPTEMBER 26 – Polish Sausage

SEPTEMBER 27 – Sloppy Joe

SEPTEMBER 28 – Roast Beef

Anyone is welcome to have dinner with us. You don’t have to be a Senior Citizens’ Club member. You don’t even have to be a senior citizen!

Meals include entree, sides, coffee and other beverages and dessert. The price is $7 for those younger than 60. Older folks are requested to pay $5. If you are a regular, you might want to pay by the week or the month.

Persons wishing to dine in, if they are not

ACTIVITIES AT THE BOZEMAN SENIOR CENTER:

You must be a member to attend:

Monday: 9:30 a.m. Wood Carvers, 1:00 p.m. Duplicate Bridge, 1:00 p.m. Hand & Foot Canasta

Tuesday: 1:00 p.m. Bingo, 1:00 p.m. Cribbage, 2:30 p.m. Rummikub

Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. Watercolor, 12:30 p.m. Ukulele, 12:45 p.m. Rubber Bridge, 1:00 p.m. Mah Jongg, and Pinochle

Thursday: 11:00 a.m. Scrabble, 1:00 p.m. Bingo, 1:00 p.m. Pinochle, 2:30 p.m. Rummikub

Friday: 12:45 p.m. Rubber Bridge, 1:00 p.m. Find a Friend Circle, 1:00 p.m. Vets, Let’s Talk

SPECIAL EVENTS:

You must be a member to join: September 13 –10:00 a.m. Montana Department of Revenue will assist senior citizens who pay property taxes to receive property rebates. Call to make an appointment

September 13 – 10:00 a.m. Bozeman Health –Fall Prevention Program

More events are in the planning stage. Please read your newsletter to see the exciting things happening at the Bozeman Senior Center in September.

on the list of regulars, must call the Center before 8:00 am and leave a message on the answering machine. This also applies to those receiving Meals on Wheels. If you want an extra meal, ask when you sign in if one will be available.

The extra meal costs the same as the first one, but may not include beverages or dessert.

If a plate is turned upside-down, that spot has been reserved. People are requested to only reserve a maximum of two spots, and to do it only on the same day.

Bozeman Senior Center Fitness Classes

FITNESS CLASSES

ALL EXERCISE CLASSES ARE HELD IN THE FITNESS ROOM WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LINE DANCING (Dining Room)

STRONG PEOPLE WITH CATHY

(Tuesdays, Thursdays at 1 p.m.)

Strength building class focuses on increasing bone density and muscle mass. Class follows accepted protocol for people with bone loss. Participants work at their own level increasing weights as they build strength. Each class also includes exercises to strengthen the core and finishes with stretching. All are welcome and weights are provided.

STRENGTH TRAINING WITH VICKI

(Mondays, Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.)

A great class for men and women looking to increase muscle mass and overall body strength. Body weight, dumbbells, leg weights, and bands are all incorporated into a full body workout. Strength

training doesn’t have to be intimidating; drop in for a class and see how much fun you can have getting stronger. Just bring a water bottle.

*AEROBICS WITH RINA DONALDSON

(Mondays, Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.)

This is a full hour’s workout. We do 35 minutes of cardio (which can vary in intensity depending on your own ability). After that we do 10 minutes of targeted weight lifting and 15 minutes of stretching. Come join this dynamic workout!

*CORE ON THE FLOOR

(Mondays, Wednesdays at 10:35 a.m.)

Pilates inspired. Gentle mat work and stretching.

*YOGA AND BALANCE WITH MELANIE SIMMERMAN (Mon., Wed @1:00 p.m.)

Yoga is based on classic Hatha Yoga poses and is appropriate for all levels. Focus is on physical, mental and spiritual balance as we practice

poses that challenge and enhance posture and balance, strength and flexibility. Balance focuses on strength and flexibility to gain and improve good posture and balance.

*BEGINNING LINE

DANCING (TUES, THURS @ 10:00A.M. TO 10:45A.M.)

Beginning line dancing is a fun form of exercise with physical, mental, emotional and social benefits. Learn and practice common line dance steps. Then dance to a variety of music including rock, Latin, country and waltz. Beginners who have no prior dance experience of any kind are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early on their first day for some pre-instruction.

*INTERMEDIATE/ ADVANCED LINE DANCING

(Tues, Thurs @. 10:45a.m. to 11:30a.m.)

More complex and challenging dances will be taught and danced. Experienced dancers are invited to participate in this class.

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*INTERMEDIATE/ ADVANCED LINE DANCING (Friday @. 10:00a.m. to 11:30a.m.)

More complex and challenging dances will be taught and danced. Experienced dancers are invited to participate in this class.

*ENLIGHTENMENT

TAI CHI

FORM WITH VALERIE (Tues, 11:00 a.m. Thurs, 11:00 a.m.)

Tai Chi is a graceful form of exercise characterized by slow, methodical, gentle movements and deep breathing exercises that are low impact, relaxing and somewhat aerobic. People of almost any age and fitness level can participate. In this class you will be learning the Enlightenment Tai Chi Form, some other easy short forms, warm-up and deep breathing exercises, and Tai Chi positions. Tai Chi can be a positive part of an overall approach to improving and maintaining your health.

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