By Michael Howell –
Joan Prather is the “energizer bunny” for the Stevensville Main Street Association. She just doesn’t ever stop. She was hired as a full-time director for this non-profit organization that operates on contributions and membership fees in 2000 and has been running non-stop ever since. In fact, if you counted the hours she puts in it would add up to more than a full-time position.
Prather’s not only got a lot of energy, her enthusiasm for her job is also infectious. She obviously loves Stevensville and works tirelessly through the Main Street Association to make it a better place.
Her latest efforts have been focused upon the Western Heritage Day celebration. That project in itself is more than a full time job. Every year it has expanded, adding more activities to this fun-filled family-friendly event. This year the Chuckwagon Cook-off is the added attraction, with authentic wagons coming from all over the region. The wagon owners will compete for prizes by cooking a complete meal from basic ingredients with methods that were used a hundred years ago when the great cattle drives were bringing cattle to Montana. In addition, Prather coordinates the many other activities of Western Heritage Days – including the parade, Salish dancers and drummers, Barnyard Games, Downtown Saturday Night, arts and crafts vendors, etc. – and all the volunteers it takes to put together an event of this size.
The Stevensville Main Street Association has also jumped in to help the Stevensville Civic Club put on the town’s Creamery Picnic celebration every August. At this point, in fact, the Stevensville Main Street Association plays a hand in almost every single thing that happens in the town of Stevensville.
When the 1888 jewelry store started hosting a gala open house on the first Friday of every month it wasn’t long before Prather got involved and helped expand the event into a full blown First Friday celebration for the whole downtown. Ever alert and responsive to activities in the town, she was also instrumental in involving the SMSA in the Summer Fest celebration initiated by Blacksmith Brewing. Under her direction the SMSA also jumped in to help the Stevensville Art and Sculpture Society to expand its popular Scarecrow Festival in the fall. SMSA is also a key player in hosting the annual Christmas Gift Fair.
Besides all the celebratory activities, SMSA also hosts various educational and leadership training seminars for business people throughout the year. The organization is also actively involved in protecting and preserving the town’s historical roots as well as enhancing the beauty and safety of the downtown.
Prather said that she has seen a lot of changes in Stevensville over the years.
She said support from the town government has waxed and waned over the years.
“I’d like to see more support from the town for our economic development efforts,” she said. “It helps to have the local government backing you up when you apply for grants. It’s critical for assisting growth and expansion of businesses.”
The SMSA Design Committee recently pulled down a $500,000 CTEP grant to improve and beautify Main Street, and its economic development efforts have made it the “go to” spot for anyone interested in starting or expanding their business in Stevensville.
“We are a true Main Street organization,” said Prather. “We are not a part of local government but we serve the community and the local government as well.” She said that her organization’s strongest point was its ability to cooperate with other organizations and businesses in any way possible to improve the economic climate and the community with its volunteer efforts.
“We cherish our volunteers,” said Prather, “Nothing happens in any community without volunteer effort.”
And although Prather’s paid hours have been cut back this year due to the economic downturn, she doesn’t appear to be doing any less than she’s ever done.