Debut of host John Twiggs airs May 23
from Montana PBS
MISSOULA - Montana's longest-running travelogue program will debut its new host in this month while continuing its tradition highlighting interesting people and places across the Treasure State, with the debut including a local funeral director.
Longtime "Backroads of Montana" producer John Twiggs steps in front of the camera to host an all-new episode at 8 p.m. Monday, May 23, on Montana PBS. Twiggs replaces William Marcus, who hosted the program since it premiered in 1991. Marcus retired in 2021.
"William leaves behind a legacy of excellence," Twiggs said. "We're excited to continue that tradition and share more great Montana stories."
In the new episode, "The Next Chapter," viewers will meet a funeral director in Chinook who handles everything from embalming to lowering the casket. Daniel Dahl, 34, serves rural communities on Montana's Hi-Line in this essential role, but families who've used his services say he goes far beyond what's required to give them peace.
In western Montana, a bookstore tucked away on the main street of Alberton is home to more than 100,000 tomes. It turns out, this store full of stories has one of its own.
A roadside curiosity draws attention near the tiny town of Ledger. Viewers will learn about the massive concrete relic of the Cold War and the solemn story of its failed construction.
And one of Montana's iconic churches is in the final phases of a massive restoration project. The St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation was built in 1891, and its history includes beautiful art and a painful past. Producers go behind the scenes with the restoration team to uncover interesting discoveries along the way.
Twiggs makes his debut as host while exploring the gateway town of Gardiner.
In addition to tuning in on TV, Montanans can watch the broadcast on PBS Passport or online at https://www.montanapbs.org/live .
Twiggs, Anna Rau, Breanna McCabe, Gus Chambers, and Ray Ekness produce "Backroads of Montana" for Montana PBS through the University of Montana Broadcast Media Center. Montana PBS is a service of UM and Montana State University.
Now in its 31st year of production, "Backroads of Montana" is made possible with support from the Greater Montana Foundation, a Big Sky Film grant and UM. The program has received multiple awards, including being named the Montana Broadcasters Association noncommercial television program of the year numerous times. To watch previous episodes, people can visit https://www.montanapbs.org/backroadsofmontana .
MontanaPBS - KUFM-TV in Missoula, KUSM-TV in Bozeman, KUKL-TV in Kalispell, KBGS-TV in Billings, KUGF-TV in Great Falls and KUHM-TV in Helena - is a service of the University of Montana and Montana State University. For more information, people can visit http://www.montanapbs.org .
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