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| The 10th Anniversary Open House for the modernized NWS office in Glasgow
was held on May 13th. Nearly 500 people attended the event which included a
special weather balloon launch, presentations, tours of the office, and food
which was provided by Nemont (the local phone/internet/cellular provider).
The Valley Amateur Radio Club set up a special event call sign and had 125
contacts with people across the United States. The Datastreme program had a
display that highlighted this educational program for teachers, and how it has
helped them teach meteorology in their classrooms. And the Valley County Hazmat
and Decontamination trailers were on site to showcase the capabilities the county
has in the event of a serious hazardous materials spill or release. Attendees
included cooperative weather observers, weather spotters, partners we have worked
with, Montana Senator and Tribal Councilman Frank Smith of Poplar, former and
current county commissioners, law enforcement and many, many people with an interest
in weather from around the region. |
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Cooperative Observers Stan Wiggins, Shirle Wiggins, Arnold Hellie (and guest) and
Axel Larson listen to the opening ceremony.
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Meteorologist in Charge Julie Adolphson greets the crowd and kicks off the 10th
Anniversary Open House.
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Valley County Commissioner Dave Pippin welcomes the crowd to the open house and
thanks the NWS for it’s involvement in our community and for our involvement in drought
programs and emergency response.
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Glasgow Mayor Dan Carney thanks the NWS for all it has done to continue to grow within the
community. He remembers all the locations the NWS has been over the years, and is very
appreciative to the fire forecasts we provide. (He was the former Long Run Volunteer Fire Department Chief.)
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Bill Rusche of Nemont thanks the audience for coming and stated that they were proud to be able
to sponsor the event.
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Steve Bell of the Valley County Airport Commission presents a plaque to the Vic Wokal Family.
Mr. Wokal brought aviation to Valley County and passed away this past fall. This June, the
Valley County Airport celebrates 50 years as an International airport.
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Anita Frost, daughter of Vic Wokal, presents Ted Schye, a pilot with the Stat Air Ambulance
aircraft, with a $1,000 donation from the Vic Wokal Memorial Fund.
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A list of past and current NWS staff was perused by many.
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NWS husbands Alec Adolphson and Mike Fransen (married to MIC Julie Adolphson and WCM
Tanja Fransen) fill helium balloons for area children. The balloons were later released by the kids
with tags that can be returned if found.
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Fort Peck Tribes Environmental Education Coordinator Vina Smith brought
5 of her grandchildren to attend the open house.
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IMET Jennifer Zeltwanger shows her forecast capabilities while on a fire
to open house guests. Many did not realize that the NWS can forecast from
anywhere for any type of hazardous event.
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Nemont (local telephone, internet and cellular company) provided hot dogs,
cookies, drinks and chips to everyone.
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Valley County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Rick Seiler discusses what
went into making the Hazmat Trailer that the county has. He is talking to Wibaux cooperative
weather observer and firefighter Don Smith and his son. They traveled three hours to attend the event.
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The Valley Amateur Radio Club set up a special event to coincide with the open house.
Sam Moore (K7SAM) and Loren Nichols (AA7MT) were two of the operators during the 5 hours they received contacts.
They spoke with 125 people across the United States.
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MIC Julie Adolphson and WCM Tanja Fransen have area children draw names
for various prizes that were donated.
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HMT Jim Branda releases the 00z balloon and area kids released theirs along with his.
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A StormReady display highlighted preparedness materials including a giant plastic tub that
is suggested as a survival kit (on floor), but also new survival kits that are compact enough to put in a backpack
(see table) and can sustain two people for several days.
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Local Datastreme coordinator Maryanne Prewitt (from Opheim Schools)
had an office set up that highlighted what the Datastreme program is about and how
it is helping teachers better incorporate meteorology into their classrooms.
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Area boy scouts present the flags at the opening ceremonies.
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HMT Jim Branda signs the national anthem at the opening ceremonies.
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Retired DAPM Mike Rawles helped out the NWS as an honorary host greeting people as they arrived.
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MIC Julie Adolphson presents Axel Larson with a 40 year service award. Axel is from Bredette, MT.
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OPL Matt Moorman and MIC Julie Adolphson present Stan and Shirle Wiggins
with the Dick Hagemeyer Award for 45 years of service as cooperative weather observers. Their coop site
at Flatwillow, MT has been in service since 1915 when Stanley’s father had the site.
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Arnold Hellie of Whitewater, MT receives the Benjamin Franklin Award for being a cooperative weather observer for the NWS for 55 years!
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The Valley County Hazmat and Decontamination Trailers were set up to show the
capabilities the county has during a hazardous material event.
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Attendees wait for the special weather balloon sounding done to kick of the event.
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State of Montana Disaster and Emergency Services representative Norm Parrent and Wibaux
County DES coordinator Frank Datta traveled for three hours to attend the event. They are talking to IMET
Jennifer Zeltwanger about her mobile forecasting capabilities.
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The Valley Amateur Radio Club antenna is set up outside of the office, with a great backdrop of the WSR-88D radar.
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