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.

Gene Thayer's&nbsp; story is one of rags to riches. Born in 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, he grew up in a coal miner&rsquo;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.

McGonigal's Chronicles: Gene Thayer

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.

For well&nbsp;over a hundred years, the Great Falls Rotary Club has&nbsp;operated&nbsp;Camp Rotary, nestled in the heart of the Little Belt Mountains between&nbsp;Monarch and Neihart.&nbsp;
And&nbsp;every June for the past 32 years,&nbsp;Camp Rotary has been the home to Camp Francis.&nbsp;It's&nbsp;a children&rsquo;s bereavement camp that has had a&nbsp;positive&nbsp;impact on thousands of children struggling with grief.&nbsp;
For most of that time, Kathy Van&nbsp;Tighem&nbsp;has been involved, primarily as Camp Director.

McGonigal's Chronicles: Kathy Van Tighem

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.

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 &ldquo;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.

McGonigal's Chronicles: Hasan Davis

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

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

McGonigal's Chronicles: Avery Anna

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.

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.

McGonigal's Chronicles: Leslie Venetz

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."

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&rsquo;s now sharing his experiences in a book called "Between Predator and Prey: 42 Years a Government Hunter."

McGonigal's Chronicles: Mike Hoggan

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.

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.

McGonigal's Chronicles: Nnamdi Kanaga

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.

 

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.
&nbsp;

McGonigal's Chronicles: Grant Harville

For the men and women who have served our country, there are countless service organizations that help them adjust back to civilian life. 

But there’s one based in Sanders County that’s different from the rest. 

Tom Schueman joined the Marine Corps after the events of September 11, 2001. His service took him to some of the deadliest combat zones of the War in Afghanistan.

In 2021, he founded a retreat in the mountains of western Montana named Patrol Base Abbate.

For the men and women who have served our country, there are countless service organizations that help them adjust back to civilian life.&nbsp;
But there&rsquo;s one based in Sanders County that&rsquo;s different from the rest.&nbsp;
Tom Schueman joined the Marine Corps after the events of September 11, 2001. His service took him to some of the deadliest combat zones of the War in Afghanistan.
In 2021, he founded a retreat in the mountains of western Montana named Patrol Base Abbate.

McGonigal's Chronicles: Lt. Col. Tom Schueman

The name Juliette Angelo might not be as well known as people like Drew Barrymore or Macaulay Culkin, but she can definitely relate to them. Like them, she was a childhood actor, known for prominent roles on shows like NCIS, Shameless, and Malibu Country. And like the aforementioned Barrymore and Culkin, she went through a tumultuous time trying to balance a childhood and life in the entertainment spotlight.

The name Juliette Angelo might not be as well known as people like Drew Barrymore or Macaulay Culkin, but she can definitely relate to them. Like them, she was a childhood actor, known for prominent roles on shows like NCIS, Shameless, and Malibu Country. And like the aforementioned Barrymore and Culkin, she went through a tumultuous time trying to balance a childhood and life in the entertainment spotlight.

McGonigal's Chronicles: Juliette Angelo

A podcast for fans of Big Sky Country.  Longtime MTN News anchor Tim McGonigal goes in-depth with interesting and amazing people who have a tie to the Treasure State. Who are they, what have they done and where are they now?  From authors to athletes, business leaders to policy makers, these are some of the extraordinary stories from people who make Montana the Last Best Place

A podcast for fans of Big Sky Country.&nbsp;&nbsp;Longtime MTN News anchor Tim McGonigal goes in-depth with interesting and amazing people who have a tie to the Treasure State. Who are they, what have they done and where are they now?&nbsp;&nbsp;From authors to athletes, business leaders to policy makers, these are some of the extraordinary stories from people who make Montana the Last Best Place

McGonigal’s Chronicles: Making Montana Connections

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