Tuesday, March 3, 2015

VIEW from the BRIDGE
by Muncie
3/4/15

WE LOVE YOU
This message is for the students in the Chouteau County Schools that are involved in any kind of activities. I want you to know that the community appreciates and love all of your efforts. I do not mention enough about them but believe me; you are always in conversations around town. We are proud and you bring pride to your community by making the efforts in every sport, speech and drama, Band, 4H, honor rolls and help with community projects.

I will not mention specific groups because I am afraid that I will miss someone. You all know who you are. We love you and want you to know that we are aware of your impact on our community. We know about those of you who went to district, divisional, and state competitions. To the parents, brothers and sisters, grandmothers and grandfathers and even great grandparents, our appreciation for your efforts to get them going to where they have to go, is also appreciated.  I think about you when I read the results of all of the activities and how proud you must be. I am proud to say I live in Fort Benton and your reputation makes that possible.

WHO KNEW?
I attended a Public Health Assessment meeting a week ago Tuesday at the Missouri River Medical Center. The attendees were mostly from the Health Department, E.M.T’s, Hospital Staff, the Superintendent of Schools, and the Principle of the Elementary.

The meeting consisted of reviewing % figures of the Health Fairs and other medical coverage. A nurse from the Big Sandy Hospital was included in the discussions via a TV screen. At one point she was discussing the Senior Citizens activities. She said that they walked in the gym of the school.

Since I had Scott and Rory sitting close by, I asked if I could walk in the gym. If you remember I walked the halls of the high school last summer for several months when the temp was in the 90’s.

They assured me that the schools have always been open for walking and that several people are there daily. The Elementary School is open at 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. The High Schools hours are from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The High School’s hours fit into my schedule like a glove at 4:00 p.m. I began walking on Wednesday and thus far have not seen any other walkers. I am sharing with you and hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity. There were some students in the gym practicing basketball and the Clean-Up crew is busy with their tidying job. Otherwise, I had to whole place to myself.

I enjoy walking as a routine exercise especially along our fantastic Levee Trail. This past year, with the snow and ice beginning in November, blocked my efforts to walk. It was so great to begin walking last week and I hope to see more of you there. I listen to my Talking Books and it is a special time for me as it is the only time I can listen.

So who knew about this and wasn’t I the lucky one to find out by attending that meeting. See you there.

MARCH MOON
The Full Worm Moon is upon us. It is named as such because as the temperature thaws, the worms began their work and that brings on the robins. (Please let me know when you see your first robin.)

This moon has more names than any other. The full Crow Moon name comes from the cawing of crows to signal the end of winter. The Full Crust Moon gets its title from the snow crusting during the day and freezing at nigh. The Full Sap Moon indicates it is time to tap the Maple trees. The last listed name is the Lenten Moon that is the last full moon of winter.

You can check the internet for the Almanac to read more about the moons. Also note that the full moon is next Thursday the 5th of this month.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
It has rolled around again to that time and next Saturday night you can adjust your clocks so you will not be late for Church on Sunday.

It is such a chore for me because there are clocks, (and sometimes two,) in every room of this house in addition to my watch and the clock in the truck.  I have several that are too large and heavy for me to lift off the wall that I just leave the same year round. It took a while to get used to that but it was a good solution. It is also a good time to change batteries if the clocks are not plug-in. Perhaps it is better to let the batteries live their lives out. I write the date nowadays just to research how long they last.

SENIOR MOMENT
The biggest lie I tell myself is “I don’t need to write that down, I’ll remember it.”

MONTANA
 Of the “50 Things You Didn’t Know About Montana” book, I am on No. 43 to 46 and next week I will copy the last four. This information has gone one for about 20 weeks. Where does the time go?

42. Montana was the first state to adopt a State Library.

43.  Montana has more species of mammals (108) than any other U. S. state.

44.  Montana was the last state to adopt an age limit for buying cigarettes.  (Shame on them.)

45. The first federal census in 1870 showed only 20,595 living in the Montana territory.
(If you would like to have a copy of “The 50 Things,” go to http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm Trust me, it is family friendly and has nothing to do with Strippers.)

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