View From The Bridge 7/6/2011

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
7/6/11

A MUSICAL EVENING
A week ago, I was invited to the Sunrise Bluffs for an evening of entertainment. Entertaining it was, with songwriter, singer, comedian, and ventriloquist all rolled into one man named Herbert Maassen. He and his wife live in Saskatchewan and have the most interesting kind of life. They travel each year from their home all the way down to Mexico and back around to home. On the way, Herbert checks his computer for retirement homes, nursing homes and whatever else they call living places for the elderly. He calls ahead and arranges to entertain. He and his wife had entertained at the above-mentioned places for four years around their hometown. That is how it all began.

The first song that he began to play was “Going Down to Mexico.” He played the first line and the lights went out. Interesting…what do we do now? We tell jokes all about the elderly.

Herbert finally goes to his vehicle to get his accordion because he does not need electricity for it. He played the first line of a song and the lights come back on. Everyone hoots, hollers, and claps. He told a very funny story about joining a band with his accordion. They asked him to play “The Beer Barrel Polka.” Now Harry is German and said he did not know the song. “What, an accordion player who doesn’t know “The Beer Barrel Polka.” The bandleader begins humming the song and Harry immediately began playing it. He only knew it by its German name.

Harry dug into his magic bag and pulled out the cutest stuffed doggie. It was a doggie that could talk. He then pulled out a hat that held a little rabbit and the third was a darling little boy ventriloquist doll I cannot remember his name. However, I do remember that he was very cute, funny, and very entertaining.

Then there was more music, a love song written for his wife, and one song written for his daughter. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time and especially Rose Nagengast who is still celebrating her 100th birthday.

Herbert will return in October on his way back to Saskatchewan. Everyone said “yes” to Karla’s query as to whether or not to have Herbert and his wife stop by again. I will let you know when he is coming and you can come to the Bluffs to hear for yourself.

THE COUNTRY SHOPPE
The new Cooperative Art Store is open for business. Their temporary open hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Each artist will spend one day a week at the store when they join.

Some of the artwork includes hand spun yarns, hand knit/crochet items, framed photographs, charcoals, pottery, and hand woven baskets. The Cooperative is waiting for artists whose work include oil paintings and watercolors.

They plan to become a Non-Profit organization so they can aid all community members. Watch for the Grand Opening coming soon in July. If you have any questions drop in to the store that is located next to the Golden Age Senior Center.

RIVER LEVEL
I have not checked the Missouri River Level in Fort Benton since last week. I was surprised today when I checked to find that on July 1st it was 7.99 ft. and jumped to 8.50 on July 2nd. Today, Sunday July 3rd it dropped to 8.09 ft.

We drove along the Missouri past Signal Point as far as we could go. Do you recognize what we call the Diversion or Fishing Pier that is located in that area? The river is flowing over it and you cannot yet see it. My calculations are that pier is about 3 ft. high. Correct me if I am wrong. It may be a while before we see it again or one is able to go out on it to fish.

FIELD TRIP FOR VISITORS CENTER VOLUNTEERS
On Thursday, July 7th, all volunteers are invited to join the bus ride to Square Butte. It leaves the Center at 11:00 a.m. Please R.S.V.P. to Ruth Carlstrom if you want a seat on the bus. You will have lunch at the Square Butte Country Club and proceed to Lost Lake. It will be an enjoyable afternoon and they will have you back to Fort Benton by suppertime.

The volunteers spend many hours at the Center and the field trips are a little payback for their interest and dependability. There would not be a Visitors Information Center if it were not for the volunteers.

Perhaps now that Summer Celebration and the 4th of July are over, you may find the time to think about joining the group. They can always use your services for two hours a week or you could start as a substitute. Believe me when I say you will love it.

SO LONG FOR NOW
It is too hot to go on this evening. I have to finish this View because I have to leave for Great Falls early in the morning. We will just be there for the Parade and return to Fort Benton as quickly as possible. “There is no place like home.”

If you have interesting stories to tell about, please let me have them. I teased Chris Halko, our Pharmacist, about giving his story to Triangle magazine instead of letting me have it. He told me that the very pregnant young female pharmacist, who was standing next to him, was not that way when that story was written. It was that long ago.

GOD BLESS AMERICA and GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS.