Columbus, MT

Now that the Horizons Mentoring Committee is working hard to get an afterschool program started hopefully this fall, who has collaborated with the committee to help them get to the point where they are?

Juliana Stevens and Katy Matovich were the initial co-chairs of the mentoring committee and met early on with Gail Richardson, Park City School Principal, and Mary Jo Engel, coordinator for an afterschool program in Big Timber to do an informal needs assessment and to determine possible expectations for the Columbus community.

Juliana Stevens attended the Eighth Annual Montana Afterschool Conference, sponsored by the Montana Afterschool Network (http://www.mtafterschool.org/) where she gained insight into establishing an afterschool program and shared with the committee.

Mr. Al Sipes, Columbus School Superintendent, and the administration from the Columbus Middle School and Columbus Elementary School worked with the Horizons Mentoring Committee to distribute afterschool program surveys. Approximately 160 surveys were returned to the teachers and elementary and middle school office staff. Roxie Holden from Stageline Pizza and the Stillwater Coalition supplied treats for the kids who returned their surveys to the schools.

Also, the Greater Gallatin United Way provided sample afterschool program handbooks for parents and for staff. Their website is www.greatergallatinunitedway.org.

Meetings were also held with the Stillwater Youth Center Board to explore the possibility of using its facility for the Horizons Afterschool Program.

Currently, Joey Hegstrum, the Executive Director of the Stillwater Community Coalition and Sharon Diane, Prevention Specialist with the Stillwater Tobacco Use Prevention Program, have agreed to serve as co-coordinators with the Stillwater Community Coalition serving as the fiscal program using their 501(C)3 status.

As the Columbus Horizons Project sunsets on June 30, 2008, plans proceed to establish an afterschool program for the Columbus community hopefully this fall.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/30/the-columbus-horizons-mentoring-committee-has-come-a-long-way/

The Columbus Community Foundation has enlisted a board of directors to establish the focus and goals of the foundation. The Board Members are: Melissa Kramer, Amy Drain, Barb Potzman, Linda Halstead-Acharya, Pam Williams, Forrest Mandeville, Mary Kroll, and Ron Martinez.

The Board will be working through an extensive “to do” list including:

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/30/columbus-community-foundation-board-of-directors/

The Town of Columbus is an affiliate member of the Montana Main Street Program. This program provides resources for economic revitalization efforts in the downtown area of Columbus. The focus of the program was a vacant lot on Main Street that was the result of a fire in 2001. This area is a true sign of aesthetic poverty in the community.

The Beautification Committee from the Horizons program has decided to partner with the Main Street Project. This will eliminate a duplication of efforts and allow the program volunteers to work together, rather than pull energy from one another . Please contact Melissa Kramer, Stillwater County Economic Development Coordinator, 322-8050 with any questions.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/30/montana-main-street-program-partnership/

The Columbus Horizon’s Steering Committee initiated several conversations across the community to involve several organizations and key players in the Horizons process. The committee felt that this was necessary in order to make the Horizons project thrive in our community. Too often in small communities such as Columbus, new projects are seen as efforts that come and go with little to no impact. Sharing the opportunity that existed through Horizons was very important. Many of the organizations were those that we felt could help us involve all socio-economic classes and bring more awareness to our committee about eliminating the barriers that exist for those in poverty. The following are dates of meetings that were held across the community.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/30/horizons-collaborations/

The results are in! Your voice has been heard! Because of such positive results of the spring afterschool survey, the Columbus Horizons Afterschool Committee is proceeding to have an exciting afterschool program hopefully in place by this fall.

The vision of the program is:

To provide an afterschool program that helps the youth of our community to overcome risk factors by providing them the tools that will allow them to make healthy life choices.

The mission statement of the program is:

To provide youth of this community with enriching activities, guidance and skills in a safe environment which will enable them to lead productive, healthy lives. We will address risk factors associated with poverty to allow youth to thrive, prosper and grow.

For the purpose of our mission, as was the Horizon’s Project, poverty is not only limited to financial issues. Poverty encompasses the lack of adequate emotional, mental and spiritual support systems as well as relationships with positive role models.

Joey Hegstrum, the Executive Director of the Stillwater Community Coalition and Sharon Diane, Prevention Specialist with the Stillwater Tobacco Use Prevention Program, have agreed to serve as co-coordinators with the Stillwater Community Coalition serving as the fiscal program using their 501(C)3 status.

Volunteers will be needed for such activities as the following:
sharing your talents by teaching a short hands-on enrichment activity or craft; helping kids with their homework; supervising recreation; serving a snack; heading up a fundraiser for the afterschool program; etc.

Immediate plans include negotiations for securing a location for the program, deciding on the dates/times, and conducting a contest for the after school program’s name. Contest deadline is July 31. Details of the contest will be in the Stillwater County News and at the Stillwater County Fair July 23-25.

Tentative plans are to target grades 3-5 and to conduct the program from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. The program will be held three to five days a week, depending on the facility and the number of volunteers.

The program is looking for volunteers for the areas described above.
If you would like to volunteer for the afterschool program, please contact Joey at 322-5228 or Sharon at 322-4296 or you may pick up application forms at the Stillwater County Extension Office located on the ground floor of the courthouse, 400 E 3rd Ave N, (322-8035).

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/27/after-school-program-update/

At the Freedom Celebration and the Stillwater County Fair in July 2007 and at each of the farmers’ markets, the Columbus Horizons Steering Committee received volunteer signatures for the mentoring reading program with the elementary school. The Horizons Mentoring Committee submitted the names, phone numbers and addresses of the reading volunteers to the elementary principal in the fall of the year to be used for either reading to the students or the students reading to the adults.

The study circles on poverty suggested a parent mentoring program, but there was no interest from parents in the community. Thus, the Horizons Mentor Committee has turned its attention to another priority from the study circles and from LeadershipPlenty® classes, an afterschool program for children. After sending out surveys through the school, the committee received 160 responses to the surveys. Joey Hegstrum, the Executive Director of the Stillwater Community Coalition and Sharon Diane, Prevention Specialist with the Stillwater Tobacco Use Prevention Program have agreed to serve as co-coordinators with the Stillwater Community Coalition serving as the lead agency.

The Horizons Mentor Committee is proceeding to fight poverty through their mission and vision statements. The mission statement of the program is as follows: Our goal is to provide youth of this community with enriching activities, guidance and skills in a safe environment which will enable them to lead productive healthy lives. We will address risk factors associated with poverty to allow youth to thrive, prosper and grow. For the purpose of our mission, as was the Horizon’s Project, poverty is not only limited to financial issues. Poverty encompasses the lack of adequate emotional, mental and spiritual support systems as well as relationships with positive role models. The vision statement of the program is as follows:

To provide an afterschool program that helps the youth of our community to overcome risk factors by providing them the tools that will allow them to make healthy life choices.

The target is to have an operational program by this fall.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/26/horizons-accomplishments-mentoringafter-school-program/

Columbus developed a blog, sponsored by Horizons. Columbus High School student, Lara Strickland, has been maintaining that blog and reporting on the successes of Columbus Horizons. The url is http://columbus.communityblogs.us/.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/26/horizons-accomplishments-communication/

What’s Happening in 2008?

The second annual Columbus Farmers’ Market is gearing up for a successful season in 2008. Based on the success of last year’s market, which began as an August-only event and was then extended into September, this year’s market will begin in mid-July and run until mid-September. It will once again take place on Thursday afternoons in Railroad Park, beginning July 24th and running through September 11th. Organizers expect nearly all of last year’s sellers to return and they hope to add more. The items sold at the Market are fresh garden produce, eggs, plants, baked goods and preserves. Registration forms may be picked up at the Extension Office in the Courthouse at 400 E 3rd Ave N in Columbus, or a call may be made to Marcia at 321-1377 for further information.

How Did the Farmers’ Market Originate?

The farmers’ market in Columbus grew out of the idea that surfaced in one of the Horizons study circles held from January to March 2007. The study circle participants felt that a farmers’ market would help Columbus to becoming a thriving self-sufficient community. In early 2007, a committee was formed to explore the interest among sellers in the local area. The committee consisted of Barbara Archer, Mary Kuehn and Marcia Spano. Jerry Nye came on as Market Master. Mary Schimmele and Shawn and Georgie Shifley participated in the committee on behalf of Columbus Community Action Network. The committee felt that the ability for area residents to purchase locally grown produce was a good first step toward community self-sufficiency. In addition, the market was a way to address economic poverty by allowing those raising produce to expand their income and by making healthy, nutritious food available at very reasonable prices. Also, one could argue that the farmers’ market addresses social poverty by providing a venue for people to come together once a week, socialize, and have a good time. Local musicians provided music for many of the farmers’ markets in 2007, and are expected to return in 2008. Many of the musicians traveled 60-90 miles round-trip to attend. Picnic tables were available for people to sit and socialize. Also a vendor was present at most of the markets to sell food suitable for the dinner hour.

In fact, it became a weekly event where all ages of individuals—from children to senior citizens enjoyed their time at the Columbus Farmers’ Market. The crowd at the first market was so strong that nearly everyone sold out within the first 45 minutes. There were 10 sellers pre-registered for the first market on Aug 2, and three more were added the day of the market. There were 14 sellers at the 2nd market and even though everyone brought more to sell, again most sold out within the first hour. By the 3rd week, the market was up to 22 sellers and continued to have strong crowds. The market was a great success with the Columbus community, and surrounding communities of Absarokee, Park City, Rapelje and Reed Point really embracing it. The crowds were there promptly at 4 pm and people continued to arrive during the 3 hour period, to buy product, socialize, listen to the musicians and have hamburgers and hotdogs from a local vendor. It is estimated that 200-300 people attended the market each week. It is also estimated that 200 people attended on September 6, even though rain showers threatened. At the peak time of participation, approximately 250 to 300 folks were in attendance.

A follow-up survey sent to vendors showed that the majority were very satisfied with their experience with the Columbus Farmers’ Market and expected to participate again. All were satisfied with the day of the week, the time of year, and the location.

What are Expected Changes for 2008?

In 2008, a promotional push will continue with fliers for the public and increased levels of advertising in local newspapers. The committee also hopes to purchase banners which can be put in conspicuous places in town to further promote the event. Name tags and lanyards will allow for easy vendor and committee member identification at the market. Other promotional items will include aprons and grocery bags with the market logo that will be sold at the market. In addition it is expected that the number of vendors will increase this year. With the accelerated price of fuel, the committee is anticipating an increase in buyers as they become “locavores” by purchasing locally produced foods. Thus, the Columbus Farmers’ Market can also help address economic poverty by providing this opportunity.

In 2008 an attempt was made to allow for low-income individuals to participate in the farmers’ market. However, former trials in other counties have shown that it is not that viable, and thus it will not be possible in Columbus as yet.

With Whom Did the Farmers’ Market Committee Collaborate?

• AERO Montana (Alternative Energy Resources Organization) provided a farmers’ market handbook with lots of useful information as to how to organize and run a market. We used that resource to develop the application and rules for the market. The Columbus market is listed on their website.
• Stillwater County Environmental Health Department helped the committee with health and food safety guidelines. Great support was provided by Keith Bell, environmental health director. With his help, the committee put together an information packet for potential sellers that includes an application, a set of farmers’ market rules and a set of the Health Department Guidelines.
• CCAN (Columbus Community Action Network) was contacted to take advantage of their knowledge about organizing events in Columbus. They were also quite enthusiastic about the idea and offered their support in all areas. In fact, the Columbus Farmers’ Market is now under the auspices of CCAN, which will help for sustainability of the market in years to come.
• The Town of Columbus granted permission for use of the local park, located along the railroad frontage in downtown Columbus.
• Local companies with advertising boards helped to promote the market with dedicated space for the listing of the event.
• Montana Department of Agriculture has developed a website for farmers’ markets in Montana, and Columbus Farmers’ Market is now listed with them in the 2008 Montana Farmers’ Market Guide. http://farmersmarkets.mt.gov/

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/04/columbus-farmers%e2%80%99-market-from-talk-to-action/