View From The Bridge 1/16/13

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
1/16/13

RECYCLING
There was a change of plans for the Monday evening meeting at City Hall about the Recycling Program. Headwaters Cooperative, (a recycling company,) was scheduled to be in Fort Benton to visit with the Commissioners and the City Council.  There were complications and the Recycle Committee decided to cancel the meeting.  It is yet to be determined if it will be rescheduled.

In the meanwhile, the meeting on February 7th, is still on the calendar.  The location has not yet been decided.  It is important that the Recycle Committee get input from the residents of Fort Benton as to how they feel about cooperating with a Recycle Program.  Are you willing to save and bundle up, your newspapers, magazines, and cardboard?  The Committee needs your input and ideas.  Make an effort to be there and be counted as one who wants to save our environment

RECYCLE SATURDAY
Next Saturday the 19th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., there will be truck at the Fairgrounds to collect your bundled newspaper, magazines (yes, they want those too,) and cardboard.  As I wrote last week…if you cannot break down your cardboard, there will be someone there to do it.   The Committee, at this time, will collect corrugated cardboard and would take cereal boxes.  They do not want any waxed or foil boxes.

Your contact for this project is Shannon Walden and her phone number is 781-2948.  Direct any questions to her.

RESEARCH CENTER
The Joel Overholser Research Center located in the Schwinden Library at the Ag Center is buzzing these days.  Two new volunteers began a week ago Tuesday, (the Center is only open on Tuesdays.)  Kathy Nelson and Brenda Morris are a great additional help for the volumes of clerical work that needs to be accomplished.  Volunteers are there from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  We take an hour off for lunch at the Golden Age Senior Center.  The reason for the immediate need of volunteers is because, my close associate on the Veterans Photo Project, B.J. Conn McIntyre, has returned to Oregon.  I will miss her because she was such a live bubble.  She kept things moving full speed ahead, was very well organized, and made me laugh.  It was a joy to work with her and we will look forward to future visits.

Talking about the Research Center, brings up the subject again about families bringing information for their family vertical file.  The volunteers are about to embark on the A to Z files on family names.  Each family that has information about their families will have their individual file.  If you remember, I have asked so many times to bring in information.  Information would include birth and marriage certificates, about your ranches/farms, and any other pertinent information.  I would go a little further and ask if there is an article about your family in the River Press…you cut it out and save them for us.  You may not be interested about your history but many years from now someone will.

SHUTTLE BUS
I called Jim Lyons this evening to ask if he had any response to the information I gave you last week about a Shuttle Bus.  He said that he received one phone call from a businessperson who was interested in the shuttle to and from the airport.  Her customers would have to make plane reservations arriving in Great Falls and would take advantage of a shuttle.  Jim said that he would be happy to come to Fort Benton to talk to the Sunrise Bluffs residents and the Golden Age Senior Center.  I will make those arrangements if the Bluffs and Center would be interested.  That could be a good way to get the word around because they may not read this column.  I’ll keep you posted.

PIE DAY
Next Friday the 18th is Pie Day.  It is becoming the “Gathering Place” at 2:00 p.m. and a great break from daily routine.  This is a reminder and if you have never joined us…make it a first and I promise it won’t be the last.

C.C.P.A.
Next week on Thursday the 24th will be the Chouteau County Performing Arts presentation of the Bottomline Duo.  This is also a reminder although I know that you must already have it on your calendar. 

WHAT IS LOVE?
This past week I received an e-mail that I want to share with you.  A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, “What does love mean?”  The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.  See what you think.  (I will include a couple of them a week.)

1.  “When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore.  So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too.  That’s love.”  Rebecca – age 8.

2.  “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.  You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.”  Billy – age 4. 

I have enough of these to go on for the next 10 weeks.  Please indulge me and if you do not like it, let me know.  I appreciate your comments. 

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