May is always such a special time in Helena. With the school year ending, we anxiously await the kickoff to summer and for the opportunities to enjoy our beloved city’s many natural features and community events. This month, I hope you’ll make it a point to get out and enjoy everything that Helena has to offer.

To start, I want to take a quick moment to congratulate this year’s graduates. They’ve achieved a major milestone and I hope they will remember that no matter how far they go, they will always have a home here in Helena. We are so proud of them and wish all of them well in all future endeavors.

Your Helena HOTboard will also present this month’s Old Town Live on May 18, featuring the Allman Betts Band and Taylor Hunnicutt. This free concert is made possible by an outstanding board of hardworking volunteers, and it’s a great opportunity to unwind and soak up the amazing atmosphere along the banks of Buck Creek while enjoying some great food, beverages and outstanding musical performances.

Please visit Explorehelenaoldtown.com for event details and information about upcoming concerts.

Work on the city’s new town center and athletic complex is also progressing nicely. The city has outgrown the current city hall, and this new facility will enable us to meet the demands of our growing community more efficiently and effectively while ensuring that city departments have what they need to continue providing great customer service.

The story is much the same for the new athletic complex as well. Helena has had so many children involved in youth sports that it’s become a real challenge to schedule field time for practices and games. However, once all phases are complete, I’m confident that the new facility will provide ample space for our children to learn about cooperation and teamwork while honing their athletic skills.

Finally, I want to encourage you to get out and be a tourist in your hometown. Helena has some of the most beautiful scenery. Whether it’s walking by the lake at Joe Tucker Park, strolling through Old Town or having a picnic at Buck Creek, you’ll find that the birds are chirping, the plants are blooming and it’s just a great time to get out and enjoy nature.

Also, please remember to support our local businesses as you make your way around town; they are the lifeblood of our community and are so valued and appreciated for their contributions to help make Helena a wonderful place to live, work and play.