Montana Moment

Artist Brian Morger started drawing pictures when he was three years old. He drew everything around him. From his art, you see that much of his work is tied to the moment, to the landscape around him, and to the people and animals who live there. NBC Montana recently spent time with the artist at his Black Eagle home and studio. Leafing through a book of his early work, he showed us a picture of t...

Are there times when you just know when something's right? You discover that despite obstacles, everything turns out fine because it's meant to be. If that happens, your sense of contentment and happiness may spread throughout your community. That's kind of the way it was for a Bozeman couple, who in the 1960's, were busy raising a family. From the very first time he saw the handsome old house in...

A thousand years ago, a new life began near present day Seeley Lake. The only witnesses to his youth would have been the Indigenous People. He was already 200-years-old when the Magna Carta was signed, and more than 800 when the Civil War started. But today, this Western Larch tree, affectionately known as Gus, continues to thrive. In the Seeley Lake District of the Lolo National Forest, a pathway...

March can be a blustery month in Montana. It introduces spring, but weather can be inconsistent. Greenhouses, however, can boost production of warm weather plants. In Hamilton, there' a particularly exotic greenhouse. ABC Acres property manager Dalton Brown invited NBC Montana into the ABC Acres Tropical Botanical Garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Standing high above Missoula, it's a landmark you can't miss. If you're new to Missoula or just passing through, you might wonder what it stands for. If you live in Missoula you probably already know. But do you know how it got there? NBC Montana is talking about the L on Mount Jumbo. This huge white letter, a kind of twin to the M on Mount Sentinel, has been visible to the community since 1961. T...

Corvallis American Legion Post 91 will host its 106th annual Memorial Day Parade down Main Street Monday morning. The parade starts at 10 a.m. Its Grand marshal is an Army veteran who has spent years helping make the parade one of Montana's most popular Memorial Day events. Doug Mason is also a military historian who made it a mission to honor the lives and stories of veterans buried in the Corval...

Some of the most famous works of modern art are on exhibit at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena. The Poindexter Collection of Modern Art contain masterpieces from the late 1940's, 50's and 60's. George Poindexter and his wife Elinor donated the collection to the Montana Historical Society. NBC Montana traveled to Helena to see these collected works, which are some of the country's most renowne...

A community may be served best when its people have direct involvement in its health and prosperity. Volunteers can be the back bone of getting things done and sustaining its amenities. Drive Highway 93 South past Victor, and you'll see trees and shrubs that enhance the town and medians along the highway. It's where NBC Montana spent time with the chairman of the Victor Park District. Learn more a...

By the turn of the 20th century elk populations in North America were at desperately low levels. Years of unregulated hunting had decimated elk numbers. But there was a healthy population of elk in Yellowstone National Park. In 1912, a herd of elk from Yellowstone were transported to Hamilton. Now mounts believed to be from the original Yellowstone elk are being celebrated at the new fire hall. Le...

This past week the country focused its attention on conservation. Arbor Day brought out scores of conservationists to plant and nurture trees. Efforts to protect our planet brought the world together for Earth Day celebrations. Cleaning up and recycling are never ending jobs. To get a feel for a typical day at a recycling center NBC Montana spent time at Modern Recycling in Victor. Learn more abou...

The Missoula Children's Theater has been entertaining audiences for more than 50 years. It's the final production of the 25-26 community series this season. 'Mamma Mia' runs from April 30 through May 17. But MCT is busy all year around. It's known as the world's largest children's touring theater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Montana's historic courthouses stand as beacons of pride in their communities. They were built across Montana's rustic western landscape, but many borrowed on classic European style architecture. Butte-Silver Bow City- County Courthouse is among Montana's grandest. NBC Montana met Butte- Silver Bow Government Buildings Manager, John Sullivan, at the courthouse to learn more about this handsome bui...

Few symbols of Easter feel as closely tied to spring as the rabbit, and for 14-year-old Kestin Marmon, that connection is personal. Marmon raises Netherland dwarf rabbits as 4-H projects. The breed is known for its small frame and fluffy fur. Among Marmon’s rabbits are two does that are mother and daughter, along with a buck named Arthur. “This is Arthur and he’s like a symbol of Easter to me, and...

Two of Missoula's most popular city attractions are Splash Montana, an outdoor water park, which opens in June, and Currents Aquatics, an indoor water park that operates year- round. In our Montana Moment, NBC Montana met the man who works to make sure those facilities are in good working order. Eric Seagrave is Aquatic Facilities Manager for Missoula Parks and Recreation. As swimmers exercised in...

March can be a blustery month in Montana. It introduces spring, but weather can be inconsistent. Greenhouses, however, can boost production of warm weather plants. In Hamilton, there' a particularly exotic greenhouse. ABC Acres property manager Dalton Brown invited NBC Montana into the ABC Acres Tropical Botanical Garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We pass them all the time. But if you don't drive a commercial vehicle, you might wonder what happens at one of Montana's weigh stations. They've been part of Montana's highways for well over 70-years. Their purpose is to protect our road system, and most importantly, to keep all drivers safe. NBC Montana recently spent a good part of the day at Montana's newest weigh station, just east of Rocker...

From parents and extended family to friends and neighbors, there are many sources, many role models, who help nurture our children. At school, they receive a multitude of lessons, from academics, to sports, and social interaction. In this week's Montana Moment we visit some of our most important public servants. Meet the women who feed Superior School District's children. It's 7 a.m. and Food Serv...

Sacrifices made to win WWII weren't just overseas. Contributions to manufacture iron and other essentials for the war effort were produced on the home front. At the height of WWII, The Smith Mine near Bear Creek, was on a fast track to produce as much coal for the steel foundries as possible. But on February 27, 1943, an explosion at the underground mine would mark the event as the worst coal mini...

So much of our life is defined by the work we do. We take pride in successfully completing a project or product. We sign our name to a job well done. NBC Montana begins this story at the Bonner Mill Industrial Park, where more than a dozen diversified businesses employ several hundred people. The area has been industrial for well over a century. From 1886 to 2008, it was home to one of the region'...

In WWII, the courage and sacrifice of young American military troops gave a war-torn people, an ocean away, the gift of freedom. A Hamilton woman who was born long after the war has made it a mission to pass on her thanks. NBC Montana met up with Laurence Markarian at the Veteran's Monument in Hamilton. She explored the names of military service members etched on the stone panels, and discovered t...

No place, no how, nowhere, is community loyalty stronger than its bonds to hometown sports teams. Arguments or differences of opinion fade when everyone comes together to cheer and support their school's athletes. In Butte, Montana Tech sports fans shout from a mountain, and they don't even raise their voices. This is a story of V for Victory. Lots of towns have letters on hills or mountains to ho...

More than 100-years ago, fancy show houses that attracted professional entertainment were mostly found in urban centers. If they wanted to see a show, rural Montanans usually had to travel to larger towns and cities. But sometimes, isolated communities built their own venues so entertainment could come to them. That's how one of Montana's elegant show palaces was born. The Ellen Theater's executiv...

Perhaps one of the best ways to record community history is to showcase its workers and the jobs they do every day. For close to 60 years, students at Bonner School have had an up-close view of a typical workday of historical significance. NBC Montana went to Bonner School to learn more about the mural that's adorned the school since the late 1950's. It was painted by the late Walter Hook, who is...

Vincent Logging, a family-owned logging company in Libby is working with Hecla Mining Company to manage its forested lands for wildlife habitat. It's a 1,500 acre research project to determine which management techniques provide the best habitat for endangered species. In an effort to learn more about the science behind it all, the project would guide forest management practices and boost a modern...

A ranch family from Polson has earned state and regional honors for their conservation practices. The Montana Stockgrowers Association awarded G&G Livestock and 'Cathey Cattle Company' its annual Montana Environmental Stewardship Award. The family also won the region's Environmental Stewardship Award from the National Cattlemen's Association. The family is one of six regional winners. In February,...