Gene Thayer's story is one of rags to riches. Born in 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, he grew up in a coal miner’s shack east of Belt, in French Coulee. No running water with the only heat coming from a cookstove, trying to survive Montana winters. He's come a long way and estimates in his life he's helped raise $75 million for worthy Montana causes.

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For well over a hundred years, the Great Falls Rotary Club has operated Camp Rotary, nestled in the heart of the Little Belt Mountains between Monarch and Neihart.

And every June for the past 32 years, Camp Rotary has been the home to Camp Francis. It's a children’s bereavement camp that has had a positive impact on thousands of children struggling with grief.

For most of that time, Kathy Van Tighem has been involved, primarily as Camp Director.

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Hasan Davis describes himself as an author, trainer, performer, youth advocate, lawyer, and hope dealer. Among his most recent projects is appearing in and producing the documentary film “Big Medicine York Outdoors", which helps tell the story of one of the most important figures in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The film has been shown at various spots along the trail of the Corps of Discovery and is expected to soon be available to view on the National Park Service website.

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There have been numerous aspiring music artists who played Montana early in their careers before reaching superstardom.
Some names that come to mins include Lainey Wilson, Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift.
Avery Anna is hoping to join that group of elite company.

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A Great Falls native is making her mark in the sales world. Leslie Venetz graduated from C.M. Russell High School and the University of Montana. She now runs the Sales-Led GTM Agency from Chicago. Venetz credits her high school debate experience for teaching her listening and questioning skills. She's just released her first book called "Profit Generating Pipeline." The book focuses on earning trust and driving revenue. Venetz still returns to Montana regularly, especially during state fair time.

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For more than four decades, a day at the office for Mike Hoggan meant spending time in the great outdoors. He spent ten years in a sheep wagon in the remote mountains of Nevada before moving to Montana where, as a government hunter and and trapper for USDA Wildlife Services, he worked along the Rocky Mountain Front dealing with wolves, mountain lions, and grizzlies.
He’s now sharing his experiences in a book called "Between Predator and Prey: 42 Years a Government Hunter."

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Nnamdi Kanaga always hoped his dream of making films would bring him to America. He just didn't know that journey would lead him to Big Sky Country.

But even after enduring his share of Bozeman winters, he wouldn't have it any other way.

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Leading a successful city symphony is about more than just showing up and rehearsing and taking the stage on concert nights.

It takes dedication and commitment to music, community, education and more.

And it's something Grant Harville has done while leading the Great Falls Symphony for the past eight years.

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