not so average jane

From the Big Sky Community Food Bank to helping educate refugees, Sarah Gaither is on a quest to help.

An only child from a fairly rural community of 3,000 people on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, she graduated with 130 people in her class. Both of her parents worked, so neighborhood kids were hired to babysit her.

Jennie Cohen has been working at Big Sky Landscaping Plant Center for only three weeks, but her knowledge of plants and flowers is impressive. Her ready smile and willingness to help show that she loves what she is doing. “I love flowers, they make any area more beautiful – put a smile on people’s faces,” she said.

We are switching-up Not So Average Jane/ Joe this week. There is no doubt that Peter Schmieding is a Not so Average Joe. His affection for the children of Nepal is undeniable. Long ago, he embarked on a valiant quest to save as many girls as possible from the sex trade.

It is not always easy to pinpoint what motivates a person, but with Megan Por-ter, she owns it – literally and figuratively. 

Callie Stolz is a proponent of personal responsibility. In her eyes, setbacks or challenges, burnout or bad health are healing opportunities. As a lifelong helper and healer, she imbues a sense of benevolent empowerment.

Writer’s note: It is safe to say I have an undeniable soft spot for Dr. Dunn. A few years ago, I had a bad case of influenza which led to pneumonia. My situation was a nearly textbook example of how a preexisting condition – in my case, asthma – can allow for a virus to wreak havoc and lead to complications.

For the last 32 years, Molly Hayes has been chasing an iron nun – the Iron Nun, actually. At nearly 88 years old, Hayes has completed 337 triathlons and consistently placed second in her age group, right behind Sister Madonna Buder, who is not only her greatest competitor, but also her friend.

Nubia (Garcia) Allen is the picture of composure when she paces the sidelines as head coach of the West Yellowstone Lady Wolverines. She presented that same sense of calm when she was head coach for the Lone Peak Lady Big Horns.

It is not forced or rehearsed, but rather intrinsic to her nature.