View From The Bridge 4/14/2010

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
4/14/10

BIRD ROUNDUP
A busy birdwatcher a few days ago was Kate Wright who lives in Loma. On the 6th of April, she saw two Meadowlarks on Colony Bay Road while she was driving her Rural Mail Route. On March 30th, she spotted a Blue Bird, (never see them in town,) at Cold Banks Landing, and a Kildeer in Loma where the buffalo are penned. (Readers…did you know that there is a small herd of buffalo in Loma? You can see them from the highway on your right as you are entering Loma.) Kate asked if I had ever seen a baby Kildare. She said they are the cutest little things she has ever seen.

We saw Curlew’s and have seen the “Trauma Momma” act that the mother puts on when you come close to her nest with babies. She pretends as though she has a broken leg and leaves her babies while she distracts you far from the nest. So cute.

I am envious of Kate’s mail route. For those of you who do not know, I rode Wally’s rural route for 6 years. Wally had his contract for 41 years and estimates he drove about 700,000 miles in that time. Those trips would equate to going to the moon and back, and then another going to the moon. We always watched for the Meadowlarks appearance in the spring and disappearance in the late fall. Kildare sightings were common, and so were Eagles whose favorite hangout was Crow Coulee. I miss the route and at least once every year we retrace the route just for a Sunday drive. It has not changed much in 11 years, it is still very rural.

WOMAN’S CLUB
The invocation at the General Federation of Women’s Clubs meeting last Thursday was given by Tami Good and supplied by Jill Munson. It was a quote from George Bernard Shaw who said, “I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.” That certainly is a pat on the back for all the volunteers in communities not only Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana, but across the entire Nation.

SUMMER CELEBRATION VOLUNTEERS
Speaking of volunteers…there will be a meeting at The Expedition on Thursday, April 22nd at 6:30 p.m. to further plans for the big event of the year. As always, the success of Summer Celebration “Time, Trails, Rivers to Roads” (named by Brian Morger,) is the number of volunteers who give up some of their time to help.

There are many fun events that make up the three days of the Summer Celebration and many of those events need assistance. They are selling of the T-shirts, getting funds for the Fireworks, the Church Service, the putting together of a Children’s Corner, and best of all…cleanup. Surely, there must be one of those that interest you.

The Children’s Corner is something new for the younger children. There is a need for volunteers to help with finger painting, face painting and other like activities. Sounds like fun.

If you can lend a hand for a few hours, it would be much appreciated. The Committee will welcome you when you arrive at The Expedition on April 22nd at 6:30 p.m. Write it on your calendar now.

PUB NIGHT AT THE AGRICULTURAL CENTER
Tomorrow night, Thursday April 15th at 7:00 p.m. will be another great event of the season. “Buddy Holly, Rave On,” will be presented right here in Fort Benton. This is major show business Folks. This is like a Broadway play here in small town U.S.A. This show has been all over the country and the audiences love it. You will not want to miss it. Fort Benton Realty is the co-sponsor of this last performance of the C.C.P.A. season. It has been a terrific season with first class acts. Next year is already being planned and we can look forward to great entertainment.

COTTONWOODS
The program to plant five cottonwoods on the Levee is moving along. There are commitments for three trees and will be contacting three more organizations in the next few weeks. Reminders this past week when the news story was about 700 to 800 more trees being cut down in Great Falls. They were not cottonwoods but ash trees.

Fort Benton has many ash trees and we have four on our boulevard. We lost one a few years ago on the corner and did not replace it because of the location. Trees on the corners are not acceptable any longer. Our ash trees are not in good condition and I try to imagine what the block would look like without those trees.

I have this recurring nightmare about the cottonwoods on the Levee being blown down by a great windstorm. How would the Levee look without those beautiful cottonwoods? Do not even want to think about it. Makes me more determined to get some young trees planted a.s.a.p. The plan is about to take place. Would like to hear some comments about it?

SENIOR APPRECIATION DAY
This much-appreciated luncheon served to the Senior Citizens by the Elementary School children is on Thursday, April 22nd at 1:00 p.m. We look forward to this day and know how hard the students work to serve us and the time spent to perfect their musical tribute. The Chefs that prepare the, usually turkey, dinner are at their peak of “Bon Appetite.” We not only have the luncheon, the entertainment, and we meet and visit with old (and old) friends. Be sure, call the Elementary School, and make your reservation this week. See you there.

ANDY ROONEY
Tonight on 60 Minutes, Andy Rooney ended his 5 minutes with “enjoy every minute.” He did not say, “Of every day,” like I have but the thought was the same. He talked about how time goes so quickly and more so when you plan ahead. He said to slow your life down and then time would not pass so quickly. There is a lot of truth in that. So, I will leave you this week with, “Enjoy every minute of every day.” God bless America.