Mark Gibbons is a poet and lifelong resident of Montana. If there is such a thing as a Montana “Place Poet,” he must be one since this is the only place he has ever resided. Married young, he and his wife have lived and worked a variety of jobs on both sides of the Continental Divide, raising their sons in Augusta, Pablo, Ronan, and Missoula. Mark believes “place” is that state of mind we wake up to each morning and walk through till we go to sleep, including the dream time. His presentation will explore how poetry plays an important role in celebrating what it’s like to be alive, here, and how it can nurture our emotional life we often neglect. Poetry can act as a powerful tool for communication and help to develop empathy. Every person is a poet whether they know it or not. Everyone thinks, imagines, feels, and dreams. Mark will share his and others’ poetry to enliven a discussion about place, poetry, and living in Montana.

Montana is a state of extremes, from high mountains to great plains. Half the population lives in just five communities and another third of residents lives in just ten others. After the big ones, the remaining 134 incorporated towns are often unique, often overlooked, and all small, yet personify so much of the Big Sky. These small towns were built around gold, coal and oil, timber, cows and sheep, early trails, roads and rails. But time brings change. Why do some smaller towns hang in while others drift away? A few invent new roles and others reinvent themselves. Should we care? A discussion helps us understand the small places that are a big part of the Montana story.

The night sky has inspired generations of humanity to tell stories — some about heroes and adventures, others about life ways or the movements of seasons and animals. Today we find ourselves in a world in which dark skies are increasingly rare, especially in urban areas, due to the growing prevalence of light pollution. Join DarkSky Advocate Sabre Moore, to learn about the history and culture of the DarkSky movement and the effects of light pollution on human, animal and environmental health. Along the way, audiences will hear about night sky stories, gain an understanding of Montana’s Dark Sky Places, including Medicine Rocks State Park, and how they can measure light pollution by phone, and join global citizen science efforts.

Through Cowboy Music and Authentic Storytelling, Philip Page educates audiences about Montana’s early rich history. It’s been said music is a bridge between emotions and actual thoughts and endless visions of the mind. For instance – Who were some of the first ones to come to the Montana Territory after the Lewis and Clark Expedition? What drew the first settlers to the wilderness? Who brought the first livestock and why? Where and how did they access the area? How the gold strikes of Bannock and Alder Gulch were instrumental in the expansion of the west? How men like Charley Russell and L.A. Huffman preserved early western history? Music can inspire humanity and proper stewardship of one of the most beautiful places on the planet, Montana.

Community conversations one-on-one! Come to the Fort Benton library and start a conversation with someone you know or someone you may not. You can’t know what you have in common with someone until you talk to them. Let’s see what we can accomplish when we come together as a community and really listen. All ages are welcome.

Preserving Montana’s Oral Histories and Traditions program trains interested participants on how to interview, collect, and archive oral histories in their communities. Candi Zion who is the author of “Winifred Oral History Project”, “In Between People: The Metis of Central Montana” and “Walkin’ Down the Middle: The Hi-Line Metis”, teaches program attendees how to conduct interviews in their communities, for future generations. From picking subject matter, finding interviewees, knowing the correct questions to ask, and transcribing interviews, Preserving Montana’s Oral Histories and Traditions looks to give community members across Montana the tools and confidence to preserve their local history.

The art of meaningful conversation, let’s talk about what’s important! Discussion facilitator Lowell Jaeger uses stimulating short pieces of literature to generate lively, thoughtful, engaging conversations concerning topics important to our everyday lives. Jaeger guides discussions to honor diverse perspectives and creates a great way to bring people together for an hour of shared thoughts and surprising insights. Participants often rediscover how pleasing a meaningful conversation can be. And how much fun! Also a part of the Fort Benton Library’s Community Conversations series. Join in person or via Zoom.

Join the conversation with Courtney Cowgill of Humanities Montana as she talks about looking for media that nourishes us with information, education, and connection.

Join the conversation with Courtney Cowgill of Humanities Montana as she talks with Bethany DeBorde, owner and editor of The River Press, and they discuss the importance of local news in Chouteau County and Fort Benton.

Community conversations one-on-one! Come to the Fort Benton library and start a conversation with someone you know or someone you may not. You can’t know what you have in common with someone until you talk to them. Let’s see what we can accomplish when we come together as a community and really listen. All ages are welcome.

Community conversations one-on-one! Come to the Fort Benton library and start a conversation with someone you know or someone you may not. You can’t know what you have in common with someone until you talk to them. Let’s see what we can accomplish when we come together as a community and really listen. All ages are welcome.