Montana PBS filming in Havre Friday

Montana PBS will be filming in Havre Friday as part of an upcoming segment about the effects of Montana State University Extension’s Reimagine Rural project, which sought to increase volunteer engagement in local communities back during the pandemic.

Debbie Vandeberg of the Downtown Art and Beautification Group, one of the local organizations involved with the project, said her group has been working for years to make Havre more colorful, walkable and generally pleasant and to have their successes recognized is really great.

“I think it’s amazing,” Vandeberg said.

This sentiment was echoed by Bear Paw Development Executive Director Paul Tuss, who’s been involved with many of the projects supported by organizations that took part in the program.

“It’s exciting. It’s nice to know that our efforts are being recognized,” Tuss said.

Tuss is running for Montana House District 28 as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Ed Hill.

He said Reimagining Rural brought local people and organizations together to discuss the assets and liabilities in their community and the meeting challenged them to put together projects to improve the area, including the establishment of the Hi-Line Arts Council.

Vandeberg said her group has worked closely with the Hi-Line Arts Council since it was formed, and they, along with many other community organizations, have had a hand in or driven projects like the art alleys, the murals on the Elks Lodge and previous incarnations of her group also worked on setting up bike racks and colorful traffic control boxes.

She said they also worked on bringing back Northern Showcase which provided an opportunity for local musical artists to exhibit their talents and entertain people, and they helped set up a virtual Christmas Concert with Grammy- and Emmy-nominated pianist Philip Aaberg of Chester during the pandemic, and an in-person one last year.

She said so many people and groups working together towards the goal of making Havre a better place is an amazing experience.

“I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Vandeberg said.

Tuss said the fact that PBS has taken interest in covering local successes is a testament to the work and hours that went into projects like establishing the Hi-Line Arts Council.