Mr. Fettig was nominated by the entire staff and faculty of St. Francis Primary School in Billings, Montana. He is being honored for his work with AidSpirit Montana and Hope 2 One Life. The focus of his efforts has been improving the lives of children in Africa, many of whom have been left orphaned by the Aids epidemic. These improvements have included critical short term efforts such as life straws, which enable children in Kenya and Uganda to have safe drinking water. They also include long term efforts such as educational opportunities, provided by direct aid and by sponsors in Montana.

Terry’s professional background is in construction. He retired and came to Montana only to un-retire and begin remodeling projects to help fund his trips to Africa. He personally delivers the drinking straws and meets with families receiving the aid and the educational opportunities. He assists with drilling wells and constructing bio-sand filters for schools and surrounding communities. He personally works to raise funds through speaking engagements across Montana.

Terry will join high school / college winners of the Gronhovd Peace Essay Competition on stage at the Alberta Bair Theater on November 14th at 7:30 P.M. as the Institute for Peace Studies strives to bring peace to the headlines across the region. Cost for the evening is $20 for adults and $10 for students through college. Entertainment includes Ronnie Bedford & Friends, who offer outstanding jazz for our enjoyment. This well known group of professional musicians includes: Jeff Troxel on guitar, Craig Olson on alto and tenor sax, Robert Rumbolz on trumpet and flugelhorn, Eric Olson on piano, and Parker Brown on bass. The Chorale, who will travel from Miles City to open our concert that evening, represent the top auditioned choir from the choral program at the Custer County District High School. In the past, they have performed at Carneige Hall and at Ground Zero in N.Y.C.

SIX THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT MONTANA

Some samples from each of the Six Things:

1. No, we’re not all survivalist freaks. Plan a move — or even a visit — to Montana and the first, second and last question anyone will ask is if you’re off to become an anti-technology right-wing hermit/gun nut in a rundown log cabin somewhere

2. We’ve also got the country’s largest Superfund site, and it’s so big that to call it a “site” doesn’t do it justice.

3. Yes, Virginia, Montana does have a speed limit!

4. Think of Montana as your home away from home. If you’re rich, anyhow.

5. And so there remain, like the tingling of ghost limbs, residual rites of passage required of newbies, and these tend to revolve, Fear Factor-style, around the eating of nasties.

6. If Montana were to secede from the union to become its own sovereign nation (and don’t push us, man, we’ll do it), we would instantly become the world’s fourth-largest nuclear power.

You really need to read the whole thing.