Ekalaka, Montana

Over the course of an hour, Allen will offer a compelling presentation that describes his personal journey toward finding the essential, irreducible elements of storytelling, a reading from his own, autobiographical poetry, demonstrating how we can find narratives in various aspects of our own lives, and a solicitation of stories from the audience, with prompts to help them get started telling their own stories. We live surrounded by stories. They shape our lives and tell us who we are, where we come from, and where we might be going. Some stories unite us as communities while personal stories inform our sense of self. Who has impacted our lives? What places have shaped us?

Widely published across genres and forms, Allen Morris Jones is the author of three novels, three children’s books, a highly regarded look at the ethics of hunting, an award-winning collection of poetry, and more than 100 published personal essays, profiles, short stories, and other incidental pieces. His first novel, Last Year’s River, was selected by Barnes and Noble for its Discover Great New Writers program; his second novel, A Bloom of Bones, was recognized as a Montana Book Award honor book. His recent poetry collection, Mumblecusser, was both a High Plains Book Award winner as well as a Montana Book Award honor book. His first children’s book, Montana for Kids, won a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America. With William Kittredge, he edited The Best of Montana’s Short Fiction. He has worked as a magazine editor (Big Sky Journal), as an acquisitions editor (Lyons Press / Globe Pequot Press), small press publisher (Bangtail Press), and as a Communications Director for Montana State University. A graduate of the University of Montana in Missoula and Livingston’s Park High, he currently lives in Bozeman with his wife and teenage son.

Note: This program is part of a partnership with Ekalaka Public Schools in which all elementary kids in Carter County receive a copy of Allen's book "Montana: A Story for Kids." Allen will spend time at Ekalaka Elementary on November 5, then will follow up with this special program at the museum, which is free and open to the public.

Montana teachers may receive 1 hour of continuing education credit for attending this program.

In 1906, a group of Billings investors opened one of the largest sugar refining companies in the country. The Sugar Factory's long history has driven community development, neighborhood diversity and economic expansion. Learn how this surprising industry helped drive Billing's growth and regional impact.

Lauren E. Hunley has spent nearly 20 years in the museum field. Earning her Master of Arts in Learning & Visitor Services in Museums and Galleries through Leicester University in England, she’s worked for both small museums and national museum service organizations. She is the author of 101 Museum Programs on a Shoestring Budget and has presented at numerous museum conferences. She is currently the Community Historian at the Western Heritage Center in Billings, Montana, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Mountain-Plains Museums Association.

Please note: This is a hybrid event presented in partnership with the Western Heritage Center -- participants may choose to attend in-person at the museum or register online via Zoom at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/UwNdDw37SkOmrdrqGwAGkA

Montana teachers may earn 1 hour of continuing education credits for attending this event.