View From The Bridge 7-21-10

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
7/21/10

ADOPT-a-PLOTS
There are still several plots waiting to be adopted. I realize that it takes some time to weed, it is too hot to work outside, and you have gone to Alaska to cool off. Just kidding! Please talk it around town and perhaps there is someone who has not heard that there are plots available. Tell them that these plots are completely furnished (with plants,) and they just need some TLC.

I had a very welcome helping hand on my plot. It is the one located under the New Bridge with the Lewis and Clark painting. Dennis Nottingham came to my rescue after several disappointing go-rounds with trying to do it myself. Underneath the bridge is covered with rocks and looks very well kept. Dennis is the engineer who was the builder of that bridge. I think it must hold a warm spot in his memory.

I often think about his mother, Mrs. Nottingham, who taught in Fort Benton for many years. If I remember correctly, she went to college after she raised her family and taught for thirty years until she was 70 years old. Talk about determination. I used to meet her on the Levee Walking Trail every morning and we would visit. She bragged to me about her son, the New Bridge builder and rightfully so. I miss being able to listen to her stories about teaching, her students, and her Montana experiences.

FRIGHTENING
Wally and I do not travel much around the State much any longer since the football and basketball schedules were changed and Fort Benton went from Class B to Class C. We used to go to all the football and basketball games (east from Chester to Glasgow on the highline, southeast to Baker and Billings, northwest of Interstate 15 from Fairfield to Cut Bank, and south west of Interstate 15 from Cascade to Ennis, and west of the Rockies from Butte to Hamilton.

Our trip to Butte on Saturday the 17th for the Shrine Game was the first time we have been to Butte for quite a few years. In fact, we cannot remember the last time we were there. We have been to Helena several times this year and as we traveled closer to Helena, we began to see the “brown mountains.” They were mountainsides covered with “pine beetle” devastation. When we saw all those dead trees, we were very sad. Those hillsides will never be the same again for many years, if ever.

As we drove from Helena to Butte, what we saw was even worse devastation. It was mile after mile of “brown mountains.” It looks like the perfect setting for a huge forest fire. It is not only a frightening sight but in reality a nightmare situation. Our Montana is so very beautiful and it is sad to see such beauty destroyed seemingly overnight.

CARTER BAR OWNER
Welcome to Tamara Adams and her four daughters to Fort Benton. Tamara is the woman who purchased the Carter Bar. She has renamed it the Rocking K after her daughters whose names all start with K. She also wants to portray the Rocking K as a family restaurant rather than, what is has always been known as, a bar.

Tamara decided to purchase the Carter Bar after checking out several other properties. She went to look at the Bar one evening when it was open. She found the kind of place that she wanted to live that was very family oriented and kind to strangers. She had three people offer to put her up for the night, an invitation to a party that evening, and an invitation to a branding party two weeks later.

Tamara’s girls are ages 5 to 9 and will fill in the gap in the Fort Benton School system because of Jim Howard’s family moving away.

I have always considered Carter as part of Fort Benton. When I am returning from travels, am on Highway 87, and reach Carter, I always consider that almost home.

I have a memory of the time I got lost in Carter. How does one get lost in Carter? I left Fort Benton about 10:00 a.m. to drop something off at Kim Pimperton’s house. When I left Fort Benton, it was normal weather day but about half way to Carter a fog enveloped me. Because I could not see my hand in front of my face, I decided not to turn at the four corners and turned at the first entrance by the railroad tracks. From that point, I could not find Kim’s house. I went round and round every block and finally another car came toward me with lights on. I stopped, asked directions, and she lead me to the Post Office where the Post Mistress told me that Kim’s house was one block over. Now, I do not want you readers in Carter to laugh too hard.

Next week I will have “HISTORY OF THE CARTER BAR,’ after I have done some research. It became much more complicated than I anticipated. I have info on names of the Bar, names of owners, and some dates. I will make a trip to the Court House, (a great place for research on buildings,) and find those dates. I will also check at the Overholser Research Center to see if there are some interesting tid-bits about the Bar.

KINDNESS
In the U.S.A. Weekend section of the Great Falls Tribune, there is an article written by the couple who inspired “The Blind Side,” movie that won Sandra Bullock an Oscar. It is titled “21 small ways you can make a huge difference this summer.” It is about kindness in everyday living…nothing no one could not do easily…just seeing if someone needs help. The paragraph I thought was best was, “Get one, Give One.” I would like you to read it, save it, read it over often and see if it does not change your life.

It reminds me of a quote from the book, “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” (Practice Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty.)

SHRINE FOOTBALL GAME
Kelsey Lippert made a couple of notable tackles at the game. When he returned to the bench after one of those tackles, the crowd gave him a big hand. According to his father, Keith, Kelsey had a great time during the training session in Billings, the banquet on Friday evening (over 500 people in attendance,) and the game itself with all the pomp and circumstance.

The game began at 7:20 p.m. after all the introductions, had a 30 minute half time, and ended at 10:30 p.m. The Lipperts and the Morgers returned home at 2:00 a.m. after a very exciting day (even though the East lost.)

SO LONG FOR NOW
I think that things have quieted down for a while. I am looking forward to the Chouteau County Fair. We seem to have a little bit of summer weather now. Try to do one kind deed a day. GOD BLESS AMERICA