View From The Bridge 5-23-12

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
5/23/12

MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day is next Monday the 28th of May.  The Veterans and Service Photo Project Committee invites all to the Sunrise Bluffs for lemonade, coffee, and donuts.  Please come after the Wreath Ceremony at the Old Bridge, and the Ceremony at the Cemetery.  We would like you to view the 200 plus pictures of those brave men who fought/served our United States of America.  There are photos of Veterans from the Civil War through the present war in Afganistan.  There are also the autobiographies and biographies of each of them in a notebook.  When you read these stories, it will bring tears to your eyes.

The Joel Overholser Research Center is still receiving photos and bios that you may not have the time to turn in.  It is an ongoing program and an important part of Chouteau County history.  God bless our Troops.

BAKERY NEWS
I am afraid that I will not have fresh baked goods smells coming my way soon.  Beth Ettinger is waiting for the inspector to do his thing. The problem with the hold-up is the inspector from Chouteau County had surgery and Beth must wait for the inspector from Hill County to make his appearance.  In the meanwhile, she is ready to start baking. I got a glimpse of the Bakery on Sunday afternoon when Beth, her husband, and 2 darling grandchildren opened the doors for me.  I will keep you posted.

OLD RIVER PRESS EMPORIUM
This business of Terry Baker’s is now open in the Old River Press building. I just spoke with her and she said that she had good “opening days” on Friday and Saturday.  Her hours will be from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  The store offers antiques, artwork, and “treasurers.”  Visit her soon.

ONE-MILLIONTH MEAL ON WHEELS
We were invited to the Golden Age Senior Center last week Wednesday to celebrate the One Millionth Meal on Wheels.  We did not quite understand what that meant as we thought it was just the one millionth meal served in Montana’s Senior Centers.  Greg Bonilla, president of the Senior Center, explained the actual meaning. Several years ago, Montanan’s were served the one millionth Meal on Wheels. That is a different program than the meals served at Senior Centers. Every year on the third Wednesday of May there is a celebration of Meals on Wheels.  I would like to know the facts of when Meals on Wheels began; how long it took to get to one million, and when do they expect to serve the two millionth Meals on Wheels. I am just a very curious person and are you too?

GRAND OPENING AND DEDICATION

Saturday the 26th of May at 1:00 p. m. will be the Grand Opening of the Bourgeois House at Old Fort Benton and the Dedication of the Starr Gallery.  The Gallery will feature the newest exhibit, “The Land, The People, and the Artists Vision.”  Three artists will be featured and they are Bodmer, Scriver, and Stanley.  Check last weeks View From the Bridge for details on their work.  This Grand Opening and Dedication is open to the Public and there is no charge.

Convey this information to all your family, friends, and neighbors.  It is a living history event and you can tell your grandchildren that “You Were There.”

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
This exciting event will take place on Saturday June 2nd and is sponsored by the Cancer Support Group.  Mark your calendars with the following schedule.  It all begins at 10:00 a.m. with a Fun Run/Walk.  Registration is required to receive tee shirt.  Check their ad in the River Press for cost.  All are welcome including strollers and wheelchairs.

At 10:30 a.m., there will be Games in the park.  Visit the information booth for details and schedules.

At 11:45 will be the Ribbon Cutting at the Fort Benton Public Pool. The Cancer Support Group with help from Triangle Communications was sponsor for a Shade Structure.  (The idea behind this is to prevent skin cancer.)

At 12:00, enjoy a free lunch at the Cook Shack in Old Fort Park. There will be musical entertainment at 12:30 with wandering local musicians.

At 2:00 p.m., there will be a Capstone Concert at the Fort Benton Elementary Auditorium featuring award winning musician, motivational speaker and cancer survivor, Kevin Sharp.

Come and enjoy this day to help celebrate the accomplishments of the Cancer Support Group.  They have touched many lives in Chouteau County.  We are truly grateful for all they have done.  Spread this word around.

VISITORS INFO CENTER
At an organizational meeting of the Volunteers on Monday the 14th, I asked that the Volunteers call me about stories they hear at the Center.  My friend, Patty Paulson (a retired Fort Benton teacher,) not only had a small world story, she wrote it out and brought it to my house.  I really enjoy small world stories that happen so often at the Center.  The following is Patty’s in her own words.

“A woman came into the Info Center from Edmond, WA.  She wanted to go Great Falls by way of Highwood.  She asked about Shep and picked up some brochures.  I told her how to get on the Highwood Road. She said she was on her way home from Chinook where she had visited her mother.  I said I was from Chinook.  She began to look a little familiar.  She asked what year I graduated and I said 1965.  She said that she also graduated that year.  We then realized that we were classmates that had not seen each other since high school.  She moved out of the area right after graduation and I returned to Fort Benton.  We may have met at one of our early class reunions but I could not remember.  So, not only do you meet new friends at the Visitors Center, but old friends as well.”

I appreciate that you wrote the story Patty and I enjoyed it very much.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS.