View From The Bridge 8-8-12

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
by Muncie
8/8/12

HELP PLEASE
The Fort Benton Lions Club is looking for additional volunteers to help staff the Chouteau County Fair gates from August 17th to the 19th. The volunteers will collect fairgoer’s parking donations.  The Lions use the donations to support worthy projects countywide and most of the fair collection goes to fund a number of scholarships for high school seniors.  Remember this is county wide and the fair goers from other places than Fort Benton, who are coming to the fair, could come early and volunteer a few hours.  Your schools also benefit from the scholarships.

Since the Fair is just a week and a half away, please “just do it.” Call Randy Morger at 622-5405 or contact at remorger@yahoo.com. Asking for volunteers is about the hardest job in the world and I know that if Randy could do this all by himself…he would.  However, as Muncie Mom I am asking you to spare him from disappointment because he did not have enough volunteers.  Besides, he gets somewhat crabby if it does not go his way.  (Just kidding Randy…you do not have a crabby bone in your body.)

THE BLARNEY KING IS GONE
Ken Knutson told this story at the Steve McSweeney funeral about his last few hours.  Steve was a special friend of Ken’s, who often drove him to doctor’s appointments, sporting events, or wherever Steve wanted to go.  Steve was a real sport’s fan and had asked Ken months ago to take him to the East-West Shrine Game.  His son Dennis had purchased the tickets for them and it was a special occasion because Dennis son Connor was to sing the National Anthem.  (Singing runs in the family.)

They were on this way to the game when Steve told Ken that he could not move, that something was wrong, and then lost consciousness. Ken called 911 and drove him direct to the emergency room. about 6:00 p.m.  He was taken immediately into the emergency room where the doctor, nurses, and aides began administering to revive him. While talking to the doctor, Ken mentioned that we were going to the Shrine game to hear Steve’s grandson sing the National Anthem at 7:00 p.m.  He immediately empathized with the situation and gathered together nurses and staff to sing the Anthem.

I think that this is the most heart-warming story and was a noble gift to Steve and his family.  It was above and beyond, a loving, and caring gesture by the doctor and staff that brought tears to all.

Now we say so long to Steve and only the memories remain.  Those who live at the Sunrise Bluffs will especially miss his happy face and his humor.
       
 BETH’S BACK
Yes, Fort Benton Bread & More is open again; however, it is in a different location.  She has moved into the L & R Sandwich building. That is, of course, on Front Street, and she will have more exposure. The hours of business will be from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday.  Saturday hours will be from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Now you can enjoy your morning coffee, being fresh baked goods, sitting at a table, being with and visiting with friends.

Beth will also keep up the tradition of the very tasty sandwiches that the previous owners served for lunch.  Sounds like a great deal to me. Visit Beth soon and start your day with a fresh start, fresh coffee, and fresh bakery goodies. That brings us to “shop locally” and keep the business community busy.  It is vital for the economy of our town. See you here, there, and everywhere.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME
We were so happy to return to Fort Benton after 17 days in Great Falls.  Everything turned out very successfully.  Wally came through his hip replacement with “flying colors” although the hip was in very bad shape.  A lesson learned here Folks, do not wait top long before having things taken care of that need to be taken care of.

I admire to the max, the doctors, nurses, therapists and everyone else that is connected with Benefis.  The food is very good and available at any time with a phone call. If you ring your bell, there is someone to answer it immediately.

I was especially appreciative of the “Gift of Life” house.  I did not know that it even existed although Connie Jenkins reminded me that Fort Benton raised funds to build it.  There are four criteria for staying there and I fit into the fourth that was “family.”  It is located directly across the street from Benefis West.  Who knew? Fortunately, I met Jennifer Tuss at a birthday party and she is a nurse there.  I made a reservation two weeks ahead of time, collected a key to Room #1, and spent the next 17 nights there. The accommodations could not be better as you actually have a small apartment.  It has a full kitchen with frig/microwave, TV in a nicely furnished living room, a very large bathroom (like twice the size of ours,) and a bedroom with twin beds.  That was my only problem.  Every time I turned over, I thought I would fall out of the bed.  Fortunately, I did not have that happen.

If you ever have someone that has surgery and you do not want to drive back and forth from Fort Benton, let your doctor know and he will give you numbers to call.  You can spend more time with your loved one at a traumatic time in their lives.  It benefits you also, as you are not fatigued.

MEALS ON WHEELS
We frequent the Golden Age as often as we can and now I am going to rave about the Meals on Wheels program.  The Center has volunteers who deliver the meals and are very dedicated.  Did you even know that there is such a program?  We are taking advantage of this program while Wally is recuperating.  I am the one who really benefits and I am enjoying “my spoiling” to the hilt.  I still have dishes to do but in this hot weather, my kitchen stays cool.  Microwaves do not heat it up like the range/oven.  If you are ever in the position that you cannot manage cooking a meal, call the Golden Age Center and get Meals on Wheels.  Be sure to tell the Center how much you appreciate the service and that the volunteers are the greatest.

OLYMPICS
Are you enjoying the Olympics as much as we are?  We are glued to the TV every afternoon and evening.  We are so proud of our athletes.  I only have one small problem with the singing of the National Anthem.  All the medal winners put their hands on their hearts, however only a few sing or mouth the words.  The medal winners from England all sing out “God Save the Queen,” and the Englishmen and women who are spectators.  I was so proud that the 4 x 4 Girls Swim Team all sang and so did Phelps Mom.  I think if she got any prouder, she would burst.  As of today (Monday,) we have almost another full week of watching the best in the world.  Nothing can surpass performances such as we have seen this past week.  

WEARING RED
Are you wearing a shirt, blouse, or t-shirt on Fridays that are red? Read my additional article below on “WEARING RED ON FRIDAY’S.” You will find it very interesting and it will impress on you to “WEAR RED.”    GOD BLESS AMERICAN AND OUR TROOPS.


“WEAR RED ON FRIDAY’S”
By Muncie Morger
8/8/12

I went to the Internet to check out the “WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS” program.  There is a wealth of information that I will pass on to you, as many Readers have asked me how this program began.

I cannot believe that it started in the spring of 2006 by two Canadian women who were married to Canadian Forces and this was the first that I heard about it.  I have spoken with many people and not one of them had heard about the program.  The following is from the Inter-Net.

“You will soon see a lot of people wearing RED on Fridays.  Here is why…The Americans, who support our troops, are the silent majority. We are “organized” to reflect who we are, or to reflect what our options are.  Many  Americans, like yourself, would like to start a grassroots movement, the membership of the Special Operations Association, and Special Forces  Associations, and all their friends, simply to recognize that Americans support our troops.  We need to inform the local VFW’s and American Legions, our local press, local TV, and continue carrying the message to the national levels as we start to get this going.  Our idea of showing our solidarity support for our troops is starting Friday, and continuing on each and every Friday, until this is over, that every RED-blooded American who supports our young men and women, WEAR SOMETHING RED.

Word of mouth, press, TV – let us see if we can make the United States, on any given Friday, a sea of RED much like a home football game at a university.

If every one of our memberships shares this with other acquaintances, fellow workers, friends, and neighbors, I guarantee that it will not be long before the USA will be covered in RED – and make our troops know there are many people thinking of their well-being.  You will feel better all day Friday when you wear RED!

Let us get the word out and lead by example, wear RED on Fridays. Pass this to everyone you know!

Wear RED on Fridays.  SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!  WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.  FOR US, THEIR BLOOD RUNS. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS.”

Go to http://www.redshirtfridays.org if you would like to learn more.

A few months ago, we held the dedication of the Veterans Photos at the Sunrise Bluffs.  At that time, the Marine Corps League representation had on site, t-shirts/sweatshirts that said “Support Our Troops.”  The colors were red and blue.  I choose blue and now have to contact to get red shirts.  If any of you would like to have one of those shirts, I can make the arrangements.  Call me at 899-1380.