View From The Bridge 2/4/15

VIEW from the BRIDGE
by Muncie
2/4/15

COMPLAINTS
In the last few weeks I have heard more than several complaints that this or that event was missed because they were not aware of it. Event planners must put an article or ad in the River Press a week or two ahead of the event. I try to update but often I do not know what is going on as I am not informed.

Would we have better attendance if you were informed? I wonder or if you are sincere in saying that you would have attended. I am in sympathy with the older crowd because they do not like to go out at night when it is dark. I am in sympathy with parents as getting ready after dinner, homework and bedtime is difficult.

Then the big “MUST” is you have to read The River Press. Check out the Community Calendar and check over the articles that have perhaps have been written about them. Event planners endeavor to get your programs in a couple of weeks ahead of time. You do that and we will read.

If you do not volunteer for community service, please do. Most of the organizations need young blood, new ideas, and those who can spare a few hours to support the community you live in and enjoy. There are many choices in Fort Benton

I can only write about those that I belong to. The General Federation of Woman’s Clubs of Fort Benton has many young women joining and being active. The Joel Overholser Research Center needs help BUT we do not have room for any more volunteers. I cannot remember when I started volunteering there, but from the beginning I have been pushing a new Schwinden Library and newly named Joel Overholser Research Center. It all costs money Folks, that we do not have. (Anyone around with a couple of million to spare?) I think about the fire at the Chouteau County Courthouse years ago that destroyed irreplaceable records.

Joel saved every article that was ever printed in the 50 years that he was editor or the River Press. The volunteers have taken those cut-out articles and put them in some kind of order.  If you want to do research on your family, Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Shep, the Missouri, the Blackfeet, and on and on, the Research Center is the place to go.

I have asked many times for families to bring in photos and information on their families. Everyone always tells me that they have always meant to do that but just have not gotten around to it.  You are the only one who can do it. Time is ticking away.

REMINDERS
The next C.C.P.A. performance will be next week Friday February 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ag Center. It is a Pub Night, one of the more popular events on the C.C.P.A. calendar.

PIE DAY will be the second Friday of the month and that will also be on the 13th at 2:00 p.m. at the Golden Age Senior Center.

RECYCLING will be next Saturday at the Dedman Foundation from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

THE MOON
The February Moon was named the Full Snow Moon or the Hunger Moon. The heaviest snowfall usually occurred during this month making hunting very difficult thus explaining the two names. The full moon is on the 3rd and if you missed it or it was not able to be seen, there should be some bright nights before and after the date.  

There was about a three-quarter moon on our way home from Great Falls last Saturday night. I enjoy being able to see the mountains and the fields. Next month the full moon will also be on the 3rd day of March since February is four weeks long.

As I am sitting at my computer looking out at the deck, I see another 4 to 5 inches of snow covering the bbq, the furniture and tables. The temp is at 25 degrees at noon on today, Monday, and it is warmer than over the past weekend. We are half way through winter and let us see a normal warm spring around the corner. As I remember last year, winter hung on forever and went right into summer. It seemed the same for summer right into winter. We missed spring and fall somehow.

I have always believed in global warming as I have served on Environmental Review Boards in several organizations. I remember so well when we were asked to limit our use of our vehicles because of fossil fuel use. We were asked to car pool with two or three others. Battery cars were being developed. People rode their bicycles and walked a lot more. What ever happened to that? Is no one paying attention? What about those cities and towns that have never had flooding before? Am I just that far behind in what is going on?

I am afraid that this has turned into an editorial but perhaps there is someone out there that is “in the know.”  Pass it on please.

MONTANA
I have some catching up to do on “The 50 Things You Didn’t Know About Montana.” (By the way, I am over the flu. I must have had a mild case although the Clinic gave me a prescription that lessened the symptoms. My high temp was gone by that evening and I was able to go into public after 24 hrs. of no fever so I could not contaminate anyone else. None of the C.C.P.A. Board Members I was with that weekend became ill. Thank goodness.)

34.  The Roe River near Great Falls, Montana, is only 201 ft. long and is considered the world’s shortest river.

35.  In 1960, Senator Ted Kennedy rode a bucking bronco named Skyrocket, in Miles City, Montana while stumping for his brother John for President.

36.  It is illegal in Montana for a married woman to fish alone on Sundays. It is also illegal for unmarried women to fish alone at all. (When this weather breaks, how many of you women are marching on Helena with me?)

ROBOTICS TEAM
Congratulations to Fort Benton’s first Lego Robotics Team for taking 2nd place in the in the competition in Billings last weekend.

I attended the Robotics presentation that the team presented at the Elementary School a week or so ago. They presented a program on Alzheimer’s and I knew that they were going to place. The team consists of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and they were awesome in their research. Their knowledge of the subject was strong and clear. Go Robotics Team

I see on the River Press Community Calendar that you have a meeting on Thursday the 5th, at the Library at 5:30 p.m. I hope to drop in to see what you are going to work on next or does the Alzheimer’s research continue?

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