Performing Arts Showcase Hits a Positive Note:

Montana’s Lewis & Clark Performing Arts Showcase was held in Livingston on June 17th and 18th immediately following the state Commission meeting. Twenty-one speakers and performers enthusiastically took to the stage to showcase their Lewis & Clark programs in their allotted 12 minutes. Between performances eighty showcase attendees visited one-on-one with performers in the adjacent resource room. The showcase proved to be a very good venue for matching performers with communities and agencies in search of quality programs. A L&C Performing Arts Directory detailing specific program overviews and contact information was provided attendees, and is now available for $10/each by contacting the state commission office. Future plans include having this information available online on the Commission’s web site.

Upcoming Meetings

MT L&C Bicentennial Commission:
- Oct. 14-15, 2004, Salish Kootenai College, Pablo

Legislative Reception:
- Febr. 7, 2005, Montana Historical Society Lobby

MT L&C Bicentennial Commission:
- Febr. 8, Helena

Commemorative Medallions Now Available:

The Lewis & Clark Relief Sculpture Legacy Project is well underway with acclaimed artist Eugene Daub recently completing work on a commemorative medallion. Limited edition bronze and silver medallions of this newly created image are now on sale. One thousand of the bronze medallions will sell for $80; 25 silver medallions will be offered for $300 each. Miniature bronzes of the full relief sculpture that will hang in the Montana State Capitol Senate Chamber will be marketed in the near future. Revenue generated from these limited edition sales will finance this exciting legacy project. Persons interested in purchasing either the medallions or miniature bronzes should contact the Montana Historical Society at 406-444-2694. A promotional brochure with an order form will be forthcoming in the immediate future.

Key Event Planning Update:

For a comprehensive listing of Montana Lewis & Clark events please access the state Commission’s web site (www.montanalewisandclark.org).

• Lewis & Clark at the Confluence (April 29-May 1, 2005) – This two state event to be held in the confluence area of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers is moving ahead with fundraising, identifying speakers and finalization of Indian programming. Diane Brandt was recently contracted as event coordinator (406-228-4515).
• Explore! the Big Sky (June 1-July 4, 2005) – Event Director, Peggy Bourne (406-455-8451) continues to lead the charge as the communities of Fort Benton and Great Falls prepare for Montana’s first National Signature Event. Event tickets will be available through the Great Falls Civic Center box office starting August 1st. Event sponsorships are being actively solicited. Interested persons should contact Peggy right away!
• Lewis & Clark in the Rockies (June 21-July 7, 2006) – Scott Sproull (406-721-4821) reports that this multiple-day series of events is coming together nicely. The Lolo, Bitterroot, Missoula, Blackfeet and Mission Valleys will co-host numerous local events to commemorate the return trip of the Expedition through Montana in 1806.
• Clark on the Yellowstone (July 22-July 25, 2006) – Planning for Montana’s second National Signature Event is moving rapidly forward with the guidance of Event Director Jeff Dietz, and co-coordinators Melody Dobson and Robbie Carpenter (406-245-4111). Construction is now underway on the new Interpretive Center at Pomeys Pillar; completion is anticipated in June, 2005.
• Initial planning discussions are also underway with the Salish Elders for a commemorative event in the Ross’s Hole area in late August, 2005. The Blackfeet Tribe is planning a commemorative event in the Browning/Cut Bank area in July, 2006. It was agreed that these important events be considered as “Significant Indian Events” for Montana’s Bicentennial Observance.

2005 Grants Program Update:

The National Park Service’s Challenge Cost Share Program is presently projected to receive $5M in Congressional funding as currently outlined in President Bush’s pending FY’05 budget. Grant program announcements are anticipated in October 2004.

The state Commission’s recently adopted priorities will be to provide critical base funding for Organization & Planning grants; funding for Corps II host communities; the Lewis & Clark at the Confluence event; and Montana’s two National Signature Events. Due to pressing deadlines and limited financial resources, the state Commission voted to not offer a Project Grants Program in FY’05 (7/1/04 to 6/30/05).

Montana Hosts Commemorative Stamps Ceremony:

Montana was one of only 11 states to host “First Day of Issue” ceremonies when on May 14, 2004, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls hosted a day-long series of events showcasing three new Lewis & Clark stamps. Through a strong partnership with the United States Postal Service, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Association, and literally hundreds of local fourth grade students a 45-minute program was staged outside overlooking the Missouri River. Hundreds of stamps were purchased and cancelled, and two unique postal cachets were sold to commemorate the day. The commemoration program included comments from Great Falls mayor Randy Gray, Darrell Kipp from the Nizipuhwahsin School, representa-tives from the Congressional offices, Larry Epstein from the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Lieutenant Governor Karl Ohs, and Robert Klein from the Billings office of the Postal Service. Four students from the Real Speak School offered an opening message in the Blackfeet language. Musician Rob Quist closed the ceremony by leading students in singing his song, “Pass it On.”

National Park Service Announces New Certified Sites:

The National Park Service recently announced that the Rivers Across’ Interpretive signs and Native Plant Garden located at the Crazy Mountain Museum near Big Timber, and the new Lewis & Clark Interpretive Park in Twin Bridges as designated new Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Sites. Livingston is nearing completion of a 12-site certification designation from the National Park Service. Congratulations!

Illinois Time Capsule:

Some special Montana mementos were sent to Illinois for inclusion in their Lewis & Clark time capsule to be opened in 2054. These items included: Lewis & Clark Educator’s Resource Guide, pictorial publication by Rick and Suzie Graetz, Edgar Paxson and Bob Morgan note cards, artistic vision for Senate Legacy Bronze, and Confluence of Cultures Proceedings.

*****
Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial
P O Box 201203
Helena, MT 59620-1203
406-443-2109 ph.
406-444-2686 fax
www.montanalewisandclark.org

Lewis & Clark prefer Coca Cola?

Thanks to Lehrkind’s Bottling Co. of Bozeman for designing and placing the state Commission’s Lewis & Clark logo image on Coca Cola can panels. The message “Enjoy Montana and Join the Journey 2004-2006” is at the rim of these new cans now on shelves statewide. (fyi- Pepsi may put something similar on their soft drink glasses in 2005).

OPI launches web site:

Montana’s Office of Public Instruction recently announced the launch of their new Lewis & Clark web site (www.opi.state.mt.us/lewis&clark). This new site will be an effective vehicle allowing educators quick access to a wide variety of current Lewis & Clark educational resources. This is a great new education tool. Super job OPI!

New Events and New Attractions:

New attractions (i.e. Challenge Course at Museum of the Rockies, Native Plant Garden in Big Timber, new Interpretive Park in Twin Bridges, etc.) are becoming realities, as are new events in anticipation of Montana’s national spotlight in 2005 and 2006. Travel the trail and see for yourself! Please also keep the state Commission and Travel Montana updated with new offerings so visitors will be informed of where to go and what to see!

Commission News:

The state Commission held its Spring meeting in Livingston on Thursday, June 17th. A working lunch with the regional bicentennial commissions and Tribal representatives highlighted a very busy agenda. Full meeting notes will be shortly posted on the Commission’s web site. Of note was the decision that due to the national Bicentennial focusing on Montana in 2005 and 2006, no annual state Lewis & Clark conferences would be scheduled these next two years. As the meeting neared adjournment, Homer Staves was elected as Chair for the coming year, and Darrell Martin as Vice-Chair. Working closely with Hal stearns as Commission Chair the past year was a very rewarding experience. Thanks Hal for your leadership, and for being such a positive emissary for Montana on your many travels along the Lewis & Clark Trail!