Aware of my route through Montana, WAND board member Sayre Sheldon put me in touch with her long-time friend Joan Toole, who lives in Helena. As Sayre put it, “She is an important environmental leader and knows everything about the state.” Over the weekend I received this email from Joan: Our Democratic Action Group meets at noon on the 6th at the Lewis & Clark Library in downtown Helena. I could introduce you to explain what you are doing. Leaving Bozeman at 10:00 a.m., I was able to make it to the library in time and found Joan waiting out on the sidewalk. It was thrilling to address this group of about 25 very engaged citizens including county commissioners, former and current state legislators, and one person who is running for city commission. The group received my message with interest and many took a DVD, promising to watch and pass it along and call Senators Baucus and Burns. One woman decided on the spot to show it to her Unitarian congregation. Joan said that she would preview Last Best Chance with an eye toward the Democratic Action Group sponsoring a public showing at the Library. Being with this group proved to be a tremendous boost for our message.
I went from the meeting to the local Helena paper, The Independent Record. The news staff could not talk with me then but took my number and promised to call back if a reporter became available. Within the hour, John Harrington called for an interview. John’s story is in this morning’s Independent Record: http://www.helenair.com/articles/2005/09/07/montana/a08090705_01.txt
Meanwhile Joan had been working hard to locate her friend George Ochenski to meet us at The Blackfoot River Brewery, a popular local brew pub across from the library. George is a veteran lobbyist at the Montana legislature and has written an editorial column for The Missoula Independent for years. Joan was successful and so we gathered for a couple of hours to talk politics over popcorn and beer. Making a perfect situation even better, Helena Mayor Jim Smith came in to fill his jug with beer, as is the custom. The Mayor joined us for awhile and accepted a DVD. George promised to watch Last Best Chance with his partner Polly, also an activist, and hopefully write a column furthering our goal of awareness and action.
It was a great day in Helena – one of those times when all the pieces fell into place and it felt as if we can indeed meet this challenge.
p.s. While in Helena I had been trying without success to reach Frank Kromkowski with whom I'd been in communication for years via internet peace circles. Frank caught me just as I was leaving Helena, minutes before losing cell phone range -- providential timing that allowed for a good visit and exchange of information about the great work being done by the Helena Peace Seekers and WAND.
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