Harlowton, MT

When Harlowton English students finished reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Relin, their teacher challenged them to pay-it-forward by thinking of something they could do to improve someone else’s life. She taught them that sometimes we make the world better—not by confronting terrorists or building schools on the other side of the world—but by simply being who we are. They were asked to write an essay describing what action they chose, what effect it had on the receiver and what effect it had on them. Following are some of the statements made by students about what they learned from helping someone else.

 “There are very few things that produce more meaning than a simple task aimed to help out a neighbor or friend.”

“I felt so light hearted. It made me feel good to know that I was giving something that could help comfort a child.”

“I realized that no matter the time or money I am spending…I am benefited from it.”

“Sometimes you do something so much you don’t even consider it a good deed.”

 “Even though I was tired after the work was done, I was very satisfied with myself. I had done a good turn for the town that has been so good to me.”

“I guess it is hard to say why I did what I did…I didn’t acknowledge the favor I was doing as a good deed until I realized the impact it had on her.”

“It put a smile on my face and made me realize I live a privileged life with people who love and care for me.”

 “We talked about how helping someone gave us a better feeling of accomplishment than when we did something for ourselves. I could not help but wonder: what would the world be like if everyone did something nice for some else every day?”

Our Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking

 Harlowton is one of 1600 communities nationwide to receive a $500 grant to hold town hall meetings on underage drinking. Around 100 Harlowton young people, public officials, parents, community leaders and organizations in health, education, law enforcement, highway safety, and business met at Hillcrest Elementary on Wednesday, March 19th to talk about the local problem of underage drinking. The town hall meeting was held to raise awareness of the dangers of underage drinking, and steps that parents, community leaders and concerned citizens can take to combat and prevent it. Using a survey developed and filled out by Harlowton junior high and high school students, small groups discussed the following questions: Is there a problem with underage drinking in Harlowton and what does it look like?  Why is there underage drinking in Harlowton? And what could be done to address the issue?            Eight groups unanimously decided that underage drinking is a problem in Harlo and suggested many possible reasons. Groups also suggested several distinct areas where Harlowton residents can make a difference in the local use of alcohol. First, all adults need to set a better example for youth by not drinking or drinking responsibly themselves. Second, parents need to know what their children are doing, repeatedly let kids know that drinking is not acceptable, and make sure there are plenty of alcohol-free activities available for their children. Third, the community needs to reduce advertising of alcohol products, increase early alcohol and drug education, and change the culture of acceptance of underage drinking, which includes equal punishment for anyone who breaks the law. The community needs to send a clear and strong message through their behavior and their legal system that underage drinking will not be tolerated. Detailed results of group discussion and information about future meetings can be found at the local web address: harlowton.communityblogs.us.       Harlowton’s second Town Hall Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 2^nd at 7 p.m. at Hillcrest.  Everyone who is concerned about this problem is encouraged to participate in making Harlowton a safer and healthier community for our children.

We have all been deeply affected by the the alcohol related deaths of some of our local children.  It is time to do something to change the underage use of alcohol in our community.  Please join other parents, youth, law enforcement, pastors, educators, and health professionals at Our Town Hall Meeting on March 19th to work together to find a solution to this situation. 

WHAT:  Our Town Hall Meeting

WHEN:  March 19, 2008 from 7:00 until 8:30 

WHERE: Hillcrest Elementary

WHO:    Anyone and everyone who wants to be part of the solution

WHY:    Because we live in a community that wants to stop this senseless loss of our most precious resource—our children.

OTHER: Healthy refreshments will be served and door prizes will be awarded.  Day care will be provided at the Honey Bear Day Care for those who want to attend the meeting.  If you will need daycare, please call 406-632-4728 to let us know before the meeting. 

You must be present to be heard and to learn how you can help.