View From The Bridge 10/17/12

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
10/17/12

RECYCLING MAY COME TO FORT BENTON
Recycling is near and dear to my heart as it is a cleanup project.  We are drowning ourselves in garbage and the ocean is full of plastic bottles.  Aluminum cans are recyclable; however, they are in the landfills by the billions.  Until this year, I was Conservation Chairman for the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs and have for years tried to instrument a program.  Councilwoman Barb Thomas collaborated with me but to no avail.  Recycling in Fort Benton was out because it would cost more to haul it out of here than it was worth.

At the Woman’s Club meeting last week, the different committees held their own meetings after the main meeting.  There is a possibility that a grant would be available to implement a program by partnering with other organizations.  I do not have information to pass along at this time, but what I am doing is asking if any readers are interested to get involved with this project, to call either Karen Giles, at 622-3834 or myself at 622-3217 (after 2:00 p.m.)  We have a meeting scheduled for next Monday the 22nd at 11:00 a.m.  We would like to see you there.

MISSING PLAQUE
Continuous probing yielded information as to the person who e-mailed me about the loose plaque.  It was my dear friend, Joan Albers, and I learned a valuable lesson.  I should have immediately checked out the situation.  Joan said in the e-mail that the plaque was, “Flapping in the wind on the table.”  She said it was the day of the big wind and that the plaque may have blown off.  When I met Joan on the street, I was on my way to an appointment in the Lewis and Clark Memorial Statue area.  Afterward, I walked across Front Steet and examined the levee bank.  The area is overgrown and impossible for me to get into. 
What I am asking is for some brave someone, who owns a pair of heavy boots, to get into the area to see if the plaque can be found.  Please do not do it alone.  I realize it is a big maybe; however, I cannot bypass the chance that it may be there.

My “Plan B idea,” is still that someone found it and did not know what to do with it.  Please keep “talking it up,” and it may show up.  I just cannot believe that the plaque was discarded as a piece of trash. It was too beautiful and actually an historic piece of information.  That is what Fort Benton is all about.

PIE DAY
Pie Days are rolling around very quickly.  Come on down to downtown Fort Benton on Friday at 2:00 and enjoy homemade pie and lively conversation at the Golden Age Senior Center.  I am sure that you all will enjoy hearing about Medicare Supplements that override all political conversations as we only have a short period to decide which plan to choose.  For all of you youngsters, someday you will say, “I wish I had paid more attention when the seniors talked Medicare.”

A STAR IS BORN
At the Friends of the Library last week, the quietest member of the organization entertained us and it was quite a treat.  Our own Kathy Nelson, Controller of The River Press, (I am giving you a new title Kathy,) was the speaker.  She talked about, “I’ve Read Everywhere.”  The basic theme was about reading aloud and its many advantages.  We were riveted to her every word, however the best was yet to come. Kathy is a former teacher and you certainly could tell by her presentation.

To the melody of Johnny Cash’s song, “I’ve Been Everywhere Man,” she put together words to tell where she had read.  If you are familiar with the song, you know that the “I’ve Been Everywhere Man,” has the names of towns sung very quickly.  Kathy instead incorporated the places here she has read.  The best part was that she sang it.  She not only has a great voice but must have put in hours of practice to sing it so quickly.  I will only mention a few places as you will probably never hear the whole thing because she does not ever want to do it again.  It must have taken her hours to practice singing her words as fast as she could. The Singing Sons of Beaches could not have done it faster.  They do the same thing with names of cities and towns in Montana.  Sooooooooo, here we go.

She reads on library stairs, front room chair, and bus stops.  She reads street signs, thrillers, magazines, romances, tabloids, and even books on conservation.  Each of those words rhymed with other words to make the whole thing very humorous.  Now Kathy warned me if I put this in the View, she would never forgive me.  I am taking the chance because if she gets enough requests, she may relent.  Please!
It was one of our best Friends of the Library meetings and even today (Sunday the 14th,) I cannot get the tune out of my head.  I am humming it all day long.  You are a treasure Kathy.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS.  WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.