View From The Bridge 9/9/15

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
9/9/15

LABOR DAY
I am starting this View on Saturday evening and Fort Benton is deserted. I know the weather is dull and dreary but he sun has peeked through several times to brighten up the day a bit.

I have always wondered why there is nothing going on in Fort Benton on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. I know the 4th of July is too close to Summer Celebration but still it is the birthday of our country.  Actually, I do know why there are no events for these holidays. It would be a lot of work to organize and there isn’t anyone, including me that will step up. Sorry I mentioned it. I know you all have families, picnics, and get- togethers. It actually is just another day.

Weather was not good for picnics over the weekend but today, (Labor Day,) it is a nice fall day with lots of sunshine, blue sky, and white fluffy clouds. How many furnaces and heaters were used over the weekend? The weather predictors were completely off in the last few days. The heavy rains that were supposed to drop 1 to 2 inches of rain did not materialize on Sunday. We did have some nice rain during the previous days and nights and that was most welcome especially for Fire Fighters.

I brought my inside plants, that I had outside all summer, back inside the house over the weekend. Tyler Lane at the Extension Office had a great article titled, “September Horticultural Management.” It is about what to do with your yard and garden at this time of year. Thanks Tyler, I need all the help I can get.

THE RIVER PRESS
I really enjoyed last week’s edition. The article written by Middle School Coach Jory Thompson was just what I like to read. He gave the stats of the game and the team. I hope you can keep those reports coming Jory.  

Skip Ross also reported about our Longhorns Varsity Football Team. The article was open and honest about the many questions the fans wanted to know. There were no excuses, just the facts. Since I know little about the workings of football, the articles were an eye-opener for me. I am one who pokes fans all around me asking, “What happened?” The action is too fast for this old fan and fortunately, everyone is obliging.  Keep the articles coming Skip. Thanks for all your time, patience, and it is great to see you out on that field.

LONGHORNS vs. SIMMS
I was able to get to the game last Friday evening with my down coat on, gloves and a blanket. (Actually did not have to use the blanket.) I was as snug as a bug and it was a beautiful, perfect football evening. The wind did come up about the last quarter but it was not uncomfortable. There were several fans I saw who did not have a sweater or jacket on. I can remember the days when I did not have to keep warm. To those sweater-less/jacket-less souls, enjoy while you can.

It was a very exciting game with a couple of long runs for touchdowns by the Longhorns. We were able to sing the school song a few times. That was fun except I think that there were just a few fans along with the Cheerleaders who sang. Don’t you know the words? I am going to see if the words could be printed on the program.

In my world, the singing of the National Anthem and the school song should be heard in Loma and Carter. I see on TV that many do not even put their hand on their heart while the Anthem is being played. (That is a whole other subject with me.)

There will be many more fans this coming Friday night because of Homecoming. GO HORNS!

Of interest also was the letter from Keith Ballantyne, Chamber of Commerce President, about the Missouri River Medical Center. I really hope that those of you readers who have questions about the expansion of the clinic and hospital have evaluated your thoughts about the benefits and negatives. It is all up to us.

RANDOM ACTS of KINDNESS
I remember a long time ago writing about a story featured in the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book. It was about a sign written on a wall somewhere that said, “Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty.” I am sure that everyone who read it had a different idea of what it meant. I understood the practice of random acts of kindness but senseless acts of beauty still has me puzzled. Why should an act of beauty be senseless? Perhaps it means to do an act of beauty without thinking about it? Just do it!

It meant so much to me that I had it printed on my business cards and that is why I remember it so well.

The past week I heard stories about that very saying and I would like to share because they are all Fort Benton happenings.

1. A woman lost a rolled up amount of money from her pocket and she had a good idea where she lost it. She returned to the area but was unsuccessful in finding the money. The people in the area were aware of what happened. The whole amount was soon returned to her by the individual who found the cash. No one would have known if she had kept the money.

2. At the football game Friday evening, I was going have a bite to eat when I realized that I had left the sliced onion in the truck. I had just left the lunch room when a young student came in the back door. He saw me down the short hallway and he backed up and kept the door open for me. Chivalry is not dead.

(I have never seen so many door openings as I have at the Price Rite. I know that I have not opened a door for myself ever. The best part is when a young mother teaches her children to open doors for everyone, not just the elderly.)

3.  A woman called the Visitors Information Center from out of town to ask where she could purchase gift certificates. The background story was that she had car trouble and two young men solved her problem and sent her on her way. They would not accept any money and she wanted to send them a gift certificate. Would you or would I have stopped to help her?

Do you have a Chicken Soup story to tell me?

VISITORS INFO CENTER
The Center will be open until the 28th of September that will be on schedule with the closing of the Museums and the Old Fort. You have about three weeks to tour those facilities that will amaze you.

I meet many Visitors as I take my daily walk in the Ag Center. I, of course, always ask where they are from. Visitors always like to discuss their trips. They all say that we have the best museums, historic markers, and Levee Walking Trail in Montana. I agree completely and have said so many times. You should take yourselves and your Kiddos to the Museums, the Village, the Old Fort, and the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center. If you love history those buildings should be your destination.

PIE DAY and BAKE SALE
Friday is PIE DAY and a BAKE SALE at 12:30 p.m. Please support this effort by the Golden Age Senior Center.
On Tuesday, September 15th at 5:00 p.m. will be the once a month Tuesday night dinner. Be sure to sign up soon as it is the first of the season and the list is filled quickly. They can only accommodate 48 diners. See you there.

50’s HOME SCHOOLED
My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. “Just wait until we get home.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, MONTANA, FORT BENTON, OUR TROOPS, OUR POLICE FORCES and PLEASE WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.