Harlowton, MT

It is for everyone and anyone. Come and help there is plenty to be doneand a list of needs is located at the garden. To participate means to share in the harvest and enjoy the fruits of your labor. It could simply be watering the plants, pulling weeds, mowing, weed whacking, or something more strenuous like helping to build a fence to protect the garden from the deer.

The garden is a place to grow a sense of community, expand our circle of friends, create better physical and mental health, reduce stress, and be a healthy example for our children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. The garden also provides nutritional benefits from the freshly grown organic vegetables.

On July 24, twenty-four youth from 10 months to 14 years of age arrived to paint the benches and stones that adorn the garden. Paintbrushes in had, each youth found that special rock to display their talents. Even some of the adults joined in the fun and allowed their creative juices to unfold before their very eyes.  It was a day of summertime fun for all involved.

We also have a summer series taking place at the garden on Thursday evenings from 7-8pm and all ages are welcome. See you at the garden! Contact Mandie Reed 632-4728 or Lea 632-4345 for more information.

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.   

In the fast pace of day to day activity it is some times hard to keep up, especially with the happening of the community in which we call home. The Midtown Market has just recently placed a community bulletin board in their entry way to help keep every one informed and intouch. The bulletin board will be used to post upcoming events, meeting, notices, etc. So stop by and what’s happening or post your own items so we can all stay connected as a community.

This community never seems to slow down.  We just keep getting things done, and that impresses me.  The group who attended leadership plenty in the spring decided that rather than decide on one project together as a group, we should each give a little extra in our home, yards, where we work and around the other places that are important to us. 

 We are going to beautify Harlowton one good deed at a time and then, pay it forward.  The idea was so exciting, we could continue working on the projects we were passionate about and make those stronger and better.  The project is designed so that we all have something meaningful to contribute to make our community a better, more beautiful place to live.

If you have a story of Harlowton’s MoMentum, wheather it was your own deed or one you saw someone else doing, Post it here!