View From The Bridge

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
4/15/15

SCOOP and ME
Mr. Scoop and I are back on track after last week’s story about the attempt to scoop my story of the second floor of the Benton Pharmacy building. It relieved a lot of my answering questions about the area because of the photo that Tim took of the second floor. Now you have your question answered as I asked two weeks ago. Is that space large enough for basketball games to have been played there?

I did not know that Mr. Scoop had taken the photo and was pleased and surprised to see it in last week’s edition.  I lived the experience over again. Thanks Tim. Now I can get back to calling you Mr. Boss instead of Mr. Scoop.

Chris Halko is interviewing the pharmacy position that Erin Hazen left behind. (We miss her too Chris.)  I did not want to ask him how many requests he received to tour the upstairs. Many readers told me that they would like to go up there. (It could be a fund raiser Chris. Just kidding!)

GIVING BACK
I watched a TV program this evening, Thursday April 9th, about the History Museum in Great Falls.  They interviewed a man whose whole family, for years, has contributed to the Museum by volunteering. The interviewee said, “You just cannot just take from your community, it is give and take. You have to give back.””

At the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs at noon today, a skit was put on written by Mary Meisner celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Fort Benton chapter of the G.F.W.C. of F.B. There were 10 women who participated in readings and it was humorous, historically interesting, memorable, and brought tears to many. It was one of the best programs ever.

Congratulations on your anniversary Woman’s Club and unless you put on this performance for Fort Benton Organizations or the general public, the public will never be able to appreciate the work that has been done in the last 100 years. Did you know or realize that the first president, Mrs. McLeish, started the organization of the Chouteau County Free Library? What an awesome deal that was.

The members today are just as fabulous. They work hard and diligently on the fund raising programs and many other community projects. Their recent raffle tickets for a Las Vegas trip netted several thousand dollars for the Cancer Support Group.

At the Christmas Concert presented by the Chouteau County Performing Arts program, the president of the Woman’s Club Toni Molinario gave credit to the group’s accomplishments. It was about time because they never blow their own horn.

So if this has influenced you at all to volunteering for any of the main organizations in town, please make a commitment. Just do it.

C.C.P.A.
Tomorrow evening, Thursday April 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the Elementary Auditorium will be the next to last musical performance of the 2014-2015 season of the Chouteau County Performing Arts programs. Attendance has grown but I would still like to see every seat occupied. Take advantage of this not only entertaining evening but a social one. The intermission offers you an opportunity to have a homemade cookie, cup of coffee or tea, and visiting with your friends and neighbors.

Finalization of contracts for next season is now being worked on and you are going to love the choices.  You have some big surprises in store for you. Sorry, I am sworn to secrecy (You know the consequences.  If I tell I will come to bodily harm.)

HERBERT the ENTERTAINER
Herbert will be making his trip from Canada to Mexico touching base with Fort Benton. He has been making this trip for years and will spend an evening entertaining us. He plays a very sophisticated instrument and includes many oldies and requests. The date to put on your calendar is Friday, April 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the Sunrise Bluffs. The public is welcome. Let’s make it more attendees than the residents of the Bluffs and I know that you will enjoy a very musical evening. I especially enjoy the Mexican songs that keep my toes tapping.

SENIOR LUNCHEON
It is here again, the Senior Appreciation Luncheon, put on by the 6th graders of the Fort Benton Elementary School. Those who sign up, at their arrival at the school, will be greeted, name tagged, and escorted to a seat. Escorting continues as you will each be guided to the food line. If you cannot walk to or stand in line for your luncheon, it will be served to you. Beverages are constantly refilled. You do not have to ask or if you need something, just ask and it will be at your immediate disposal.

Then the best part of the whole event is the entertainment by each grade starting of course with Kindergarten. Each grade carries on through the 5th grade. (I love those youngsters and know the time and effort they have put into practice.)

Be sure to call in your reservation by calling the Elementary at 622-3721 or the sign-up sheet at the Senior Center. The date is Thursday April 23rd at 1:00 p.m.

SENIOR TRIP
I would like to tell Cullen Noonkester, a senior at FBHS, how much I enjoyed her story of the senior’s trip to Washington, DC. How I wish I could have been along although I never could have kept up with them. I mentioned before about someone taking over the View from the Bridge someday because I know that the talent is in our young people. Cullen, who is quite a writer, made me feel as though I was with them with her descriptive step by step journey through words.

I have been to Washington, D.C. four times and I never experienced what those seniors did. My trips were mostly for the Marine Corps events. Just think about the memories that the Class of 2015 will hash over at class reunions.

Back in the 40’s, we had Skip Day. My senior class skipped school that day and we drove a long distance to an amusement park.  It was my first and last ride ever on a roller coaster. After spending the day we drove back home to change our clothes. We drove back to the amusement park that evening for a dance.  Boring! No memories of any kind of history and only the memory of that nightmare roller coaster ride.

SENIOR MOMENTS
I do not have gray hair. I have “wisdom highlights.” I am just very wise. (I am still waiting for the wisdom part. I already have the gray hair. Muncie)

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.