KGPR Great Falls Public Radio

David Saslav interviews local historian and author Ken Robison about his new book, "Hidden History of Great Falls", now available at local bookstores and The History Museum Giftshop.

David Saslav interviews new Great Falls Public Library Director Amy Dissmeyer, Community Engagement Coordinator Sarah Cawley, and Former Library Director Jim Heckel, founder and organizer of the annual Word Meister competition held annually in the Cordingley Room at the Library.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Australian composer and conductor Simone Lobbia talking about his music, his career, and a preview of his latest works Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra and Gentil Mia Donna L'Veggio from "Soundscapes of Poetry."  For more information about this artist, go to simonelobbia.com.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Randy Lynes and Sherry Larson, both with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) talking about what NAMI does and a class being offered on Wednesday, March 11th.  For more information, go to namigreatfalls.org.

One advantage of this weather is access to the mountains in February. Thank goodness! I found mysteries of a mountain canyon revealed in the little things.    -Lisa

Thank goodness for friends, favors and ingenuity! My skilled friends balanced my new 6500-pound pressure cooker with a boom truck and guided it through the doorway with a skid steer. Gotta love problem-solvers.    -Lisa

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Great Falls Symphony music director candidate Robert Kahn and interim music director Gordon Johnson with a preview of the upcoming concert Romantic Journey featuring special guest violinist Matthew Hakkarainen, all taking place Saturday, February 14th at 7:30 PM at the Mansfield Center.  For more information, go to gfsymphony.org.

David Saslav interviews Family Promise Executive Director Greg Grosenick and Development Director (and 2024 Salute to Women Award Winner) Cari Yturri about the upcoming SOC Hop Fundraiser, and several of their ongoing projects and services for assisting Great Falls families with several different kinds of housing challenges.

David Saslav interviews Great Falls Public Schools Foundation's departing Executive Director, Stephanie Becker, alongside the Chairman of the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation's Board of Directors, Jamie Wyatt Marshall, as the Foundation readies itself to announce Becker's successor as ED in the coming weeks.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews violinist Mary Papoulis and violist Christine Sherlock, both of the Cascade Quartet with a preview of their upcoming concert Beethoven by Candlelight taking place Sunday, February 6th at 7 PM @ the History Museum and on Sunday, February 8th @ 2 PM at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.  For more information, go to gfsymphony.org.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Jason Laird and Shannon Newth, both with Clear Source Communications talking about their broadcasting careers, public relations, and the benefits of PR.  For more information, go to clearsourcecommunications.com.

Host Matt Donnelly interviews Los Angeles-based composer, vocalist, and arranger Laurent Ziliani, talking about his career, film scores, and a preview of his latest work Skybound, a musical tribute to composer, violinist, and pilot Ben Powell.  For more information about the artist, go to laurentziliani.com.  

David Saslav interviews Ken Robison and Kathy Reed about the upcoming Black History Evening at the Great Falls Public Library, and some of the key black figures in Great Falls, Montana, and American history.

Meanwhile, I look in the mirror at my winter-feeding system and think Montana's education system, too. Clearly, both need overhauls. -Lisa 

The weather is so warm that sometimes I forget to wear a coat when I feed my sheep and cattle.  -Lisa

Money isn't enough to keep an entrepreneur going during hard times. Fortunately, ranchers know life can be fun when our basic needs are met.  -Lisa

Once the cows and sheep were fed, watered and warm, I had a chance to review my year. Then I looked at my list of 2025 improvement projects, crossed out 2025 and added 2026.    -Lisa

This past week has been full of contrasts. When gravel shattered my truck topper window, I decided maybe I should pay attention to Nature's messages. Her next message brought peace. I was glad I listened. -Lisa

Ranchers are used to solving problems on the fly and, fortunately, so are my go-to helpers. In spite of a few complications, we managed to slide boiler pieces that were too tall and too heavy 50 feet through a door and to their permanent home. -Lisa

My sheep didn't understand what all the fuss was about when the weather turned cold and snowy, but driving became a challenge. Our forecast tells me maybe I should make wiser decisions that won't land me in a snowdrift. -Lisa

Some prefer to celebrate with darkness and silence while others celebrate with decorations, gifts and rich food.  -Lisa

Paperwork is not my forte, but when a complicated project requires it, I force myself to sit at the table and get it done.   -Lisa

I'm a terrible shopper. I'm impatient, critical and generally grumpy about looking at options for things I need. However, shopping for bulls is kind of fun.  -Lisa

As much as I am proud of little Bernadette for raising a nice heifer calf, my customers want beef, not live animals. Connie Hatfield, a prickly, exacting innovative rancher taught me to provide what customers ask for.  -Lisa

My job last week was to wean lambs. The lambs' job was to return to their ewes. They were motivated to try innovative strategies. -Lisa