Reimagining Rural

Reimagining Rural in Seeley Lake

As a result of participating in the three statewide Reimagining Rural community gatherings last fall (see more info below), the Seeley Lake Community Foundation received a $2000 grant to implement some wintertime community ideas!

In December, we distributed a half-mile of lights to almost 30 businesses, nonprofits, and private residences viewable from Highway 83, our main corridor through town. In February, we used some of the funds to help support a fun outdoor/COVID-friendly Winterfest event (the Seeley Lake Historical Society held a Snowshoe Walk n Talk at historic Camp Paxson to discuss Seeley Lake history). The rest of the funds will be put towards our new digital community calendar (SeeleySwanEvents.net), which is a great way for both old and new residents to learn about Winterfest and other community activities!

#LightingupSeeleyLake

At the Reimagining Rural (RR) sessions (see more below), we learned the importance of starting small, and focusing on the positive!  

Here's a message from SLCF board member and RR attendee Carla Schade:

"With so many events and get-togethers being canceled this year, it is even more important to raise community spirit this winter.

So, LET’S GET CRAZY #lightingupSeeleyLake !!!!!

Lights, timers and extension cords have been purchased and are available for Hwy 83 visible building illumination.

 Let us know if you need any supplies or assistance to join in #lightingupSeeleyLake. 

If you don’t have a building on the highway, you can still help others, and help spread the word!

Big display is not necessary.  Keep it simple and light up a window, doorway, pole, tree, or railing.

 And, hopefully, we can soon drive through a sea of lights…..and smile."

Get a hold of us:

Carla – 406-499-0389  gcschade@gmail.com

Kris – 406-241-1209  krisgullikson@gmail.com

We love the lights that are already up around town, and can't wait to help get more up! 

To sum it up, check out this 'Idea-Friendly Creed' from Becky and Deb's Reimagining Rural presentation...pretty powerful:

About Reimagining Rural Community Gatherings

These events are an opportunity to bring neighbors together to take a fresh, joyful look at what we all bring to this place we love, and reimagine how we can work together to strengthen our community.

Reimagining Rural Community Gatherings are a collaborative, innovative effort to support small-town leaders in building vibrant futures for their communities.

This series offers several evenings of statewide "virtual gatherings" where over 20 communities across Montana simultaneously hear from national experts on innovative yet practical ideas for improving rural communities. After the live-stream presentation, communities will then hold local facilitated discussions on ways to incorporate these ideas in their town.

These free events are open for anyone to attend, although attendance will be capped at 30 people and COVID-19 safety measures will be in place to keep everyone safe and comfortable.

Participating communities include: Joliet, Powder River County, Seeley Lake, Livingston, Forsyth, Shelby (and Sunburst), Ekalaka, Roundup, Harlowton, Malta, Mineral County, Columbus, Deer Lodge, Townsend, Conrad, Glendive, Baker, Laurel, Lewistown.

Here’s an article in the Pathfinder about the series

Links to recordings of Reimagining Rural presentations

Sept 15 talk by Ben Winchester, check out the recording.

Keynote speaker and rural expert Ben Winchester from the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality will share his “brain gain” research that counters the negative conversations and perceptions common in current discussions of rural communities. Ben’s innovative work in rural communities is being featured throughout the U.S. His “brain gain” concept provides a fresh, positive outlook to rural development, giving communities ideas to support positive community work.

Sept 29 talk by Deb and Becky check out the recording. 

The speakers for the second session are Deb Brown and Becky McCray from SaveYour.Town. Deb and Becky will share practical, inexpensive and specific ways to improve your small town using resources you already have.

Oct 13 talk by Sarah Calhoun, check out the recording.

Sarah Calhoun moved to White Sulphur Springs to start and grow her business Red Ants Pants.  She later started the Red Ants Pants festival.  Sarah will focus on the many positive developments that have happened in White Sulphur Springs since she has been there.  It is really a great story that brings together so many of the concepts that we have learned about and discussed throughout Reimagining Rural Virtual gathering.

As a bonus, we will have Ben Winchester and Deb Brown and Becky McCray on hand to comment and answer your questions.  We will also hear about the grant from Montana Community Foundation.

Thank you to…

The Reimagining Rural Initiative is a partnership between MSU Extension, Montana Community Foundation, the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Burton K. Wheeler Center, organizations that all believe in working together to support small-town leaders in building vibrant futures for our Montana communities.

And, a huge thank you to Blackfoot for helping the Seeley Lake Community Foundation bring this event to Seeley Lake!