View From The Bridge 4/10/13

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
4/10/13

JIMMY BUFFETT DAY
The Benton Pharmacy is again this year hosting a party on Friday the 19th to help soothe our “Income Tax Day Blues.”  Chris Halko puts on a fun party and invites all of you to come in and enjoy some Hawaiian drinks and snacks.  He has Jimmy Buffett music in the background playing all day long.  This is a Fort Benton tradition, as are all the other free lunch offers by various businesses, so come on down and enjoy.  Hope to see you there.

RECYCLE REPORT
On the Saturday March 30th Recycling Day, the results were very good.  Even though it was a holiday weekend, 25 donors took the time to deliver their recyclables.  Nest Saturday the 13th will be the next drop-off day.  They had a lot of volunteer support on the 30th and are looking forward to more of that volunteer help.  It is about one and a half hours of your time and the Committee hopes that you can find the time to squeeze into your busy schedules.

Next week there will be more information about the “Dump Day” collection on the 27th of April. Watch for a possible change of plans as to the collection points.

PHONE BOOKS
Phone books are important income for the Elementary School.  Triangle Telephone Co. gives the school .50 cents per book through a grant.  Try always to save your books to either wait until a collection time is designated or take them to the school yourself.  It is a great deal for the school, the landfill, and the environment.

AROUND TOWN
On Wednesday the 10th, the Alley Cats will be entertaining at the Elementary School.  You may read The River Press in time to attend if you did not already know about it.  The performance should brighten up your evening so come on over.

On Wednesday, The Friends of the Library will be very interesting to all because we all know someone who needs, “Talking Books.”  Nancy Hanford, the president of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs of Montana, took Talking Books on as a $10,000.00 fundraiser during her term.  She will be speaking as well as Adina Fox, (General Federation of Woman’s Clubs) state budget and finance chairperson.  A beautiful quilt, make by Donna Albers, is being raffled to raise the money.  The entire Woman’s Clubs in Montana will sell tickets.  Contact any Fort Benton Woman’s Club member for raffle tickets and she will be happy to oblige.

I have been enjoying these books for over 30 years.  I purchased a special machine for listening while walking, (like a Walkman.)  The Talking Books are two different speeds on one tape and there are four sides.  I have listened to hundreds of books in those 30 years that I otherwise would not have been able to read.  All this happened with the Talking Books because when I had cataract surgery those many years ago, implanted lens were not placed in my eyes.  I wear contacts to take the place of the lens and glasses to correct my vision.  Following two retinal detachment operations, I had a wrinkled macula and double vision.  My glasses have prisms in them and that makes it difficult to read.  I remember a nurse in the hospital when I had the cataract surgery, suggesting I get “Talking Books.”  That was one of the best things that have happened in my life. 

If you want to talk eye operations and Talking Books, give me a call at 622-3217 after 2:00 pm.

PIATIGORSKY
On Friday evening the 12th, the Piatigorsky Foundations will be performing their yearly offering at the Grand Union Hotel.  Soprano Katharine Dain and pianist Jeffrey Grossman will be our entertainers of classical music.  That evening, as guest bartender, will be Philip Aaberg.  It would be great if you could help him out with his favorite charity.

LOMA FLEA MARKET
I always report after the fact; however, I forgot to mention it last week. My daughter, Jennifer, came up from Great Falls because the weather was beautiful. At least it started out to be beautiful but did have a good downpour in Loma. Fort Benton did not get that particular storm. We have gone to Loma every year and Jennifer did also when the driving was safe. We had a great time and enjoyed our Indian Taco Salad that is a must every year. We met many friends and visited with them. We found some treasures that we could not live without. One of mine was a pair of Sports Binoculars that I can carry in my purse. I wish that the Loma Flea Market Committee would consider have a market in the fall. However, I realize that it is a lot of work and I appreciate what you do at least one a year.

BLUE HERONS
We took a ride after the market to see the blue herons. They were there and several were sitting up in their nests. Jennifer took pictures to send to family on e-mail because she had never seen anything like it before. The best part was after we turned around and headed back toward the nests, a bald eagle flew over. What a thrill and a sign of good luck. Love those eagles.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Please call me if you, your family, your organization, or other is having a special event. I did talk to the person in charge of the Bingo games at the Club House. The games are over now but will resume in the fall. I will bet you Bingo fans do not know what to do with yourselves.

GOD BLESS AMERICA and OUR TROOPS. WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. LET US SEE A SEA OF RED. FOLKS, THEY ARE PROTECTING US. LET THEM KNOW WE FEEL SAFE, FEEL PROTECTED, AND THAT WE SUPPORT THEM.