View From The Bridge 5/17/17

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
5/17/17

RIVER MARKET
This is kind of a Mother’s Day story. Several weeks ago I went to Market on the Thursday of Ted’s open house for the River Market. I walked in behind three women who asked the cashier if Ted was available. He was at lunch but the cashier told the ladies to browse around until he returned.

I made my rounds around the market and when I reached the registers the three women were up front and Ted was hugging one of them. I could not resist speaking to them. I asked if they had come all the way from Stanford to see the River Market. One of the women was Ted’s Mom and she was beaming with pride. Ted introduced me as a columnist for the River Press, (he remembered my name.) One of the other ladies said I should write in the View that two blondes came from Stanford to see Ted. Where else but in Fort Benton would this happen? They were very receptive to my favorite blond joke. Welcome again Ted to Fort Benton.

TRAIL TO LOMA
Please try to attend the meeting at the Wake Cup on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the extension of the Levee Walking Trail. I have always felt that the trail should be extended but my thinking was in the direction to the left and around town ending up possibly at the Fair Grounds.

The new suggestion sounds very possible and I have driven that direction on the tracks. It is very beautiful along the Missouri and would be a great extension. Come to the meeting and give your opinion and I hope that the representative from the GNSF shows up. Without their cooperation we would just be spinning our wheels. See you there.

BOB’S ANTIQUES
What a journey back in time is the Antique store that was opened by Bob Milford in the McGraw building. It is the next best thing to a museum. Plan on spending at least a few hours, when you drop in. You will say to yourself, if not out loud, that “Oh, I used to have one of those.” or “Oh, my grandparents had one of those.”

One of the most fascinating items is the huge, and I mean huge, windmill hanging on the wall.  Bob is an historian from Great Falls who knew when the McGraw building went up for sale that it was the building he was looking for. He recognized the history of the building.

As you might know, he removed the front of the building to expose the original front. He uncovered the glass blocks in front of the buildings front windows that allowed light into the basement.

The inside of the store is so neat, tidy, and organized to perfection. Bob’s store is now open on Friday and Saturday only but will change this summer. It is so worth the trip and be sure to take your family and guests there for a visit. Bob does not expect you to buy anything but just to enjoy the nostalgia. It is a great place to find gifts for young and old and especially the old.  Perhaps you would see marbles, a small truck you used to have or a tea set. Grammas love to have tea with their granddaughters. Just enjoy going back in time for a little while. It is worth the trip.

SENIOR CITIZENS LUNCHEON
As it always has been, it was a tremendous success. Every seat was taken, the turkey dinner was fabulous, and the 6th Graders were the peak of professionalism. They greeted us at the door, found our name tags, escorted us to our seats, helped those who could not handle getting their meal, and were constantly around with water, lemonade, and coffee. They also served us our dessert that consisted this year of pudding and an Oreo cookie. It was the end of a perfect meal.

We again had place mats made by the students and I will be keeping mine to use every day. I eat alone most of the time and it will cheer up my meal.

Then came the show and it was awesome. Each class did their part and we enjoyed songs from the Wizard of Oz. They had costumes of all the characters. I could not see well because of people in front of me but I believe that the Scarecrow sang, “If I Only Had a Brain.”  Other songs were from “Mary Pippins” with chimney sweep costumes, songs from the musical “Annie”, and “The Sound of Music”. The finale was everyone singing Edelweiss. Do you remember the words?

“Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Every morning you greet me.
Small and white, clean and bright,
You look happy to meet me. Blossom of snow, may you bloom and grow,
Bloom and forever grow.
Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Bless my homeland forever.”

FAREWELL TO TIM
The Chamber of Commerce and Sheryl Gagnon hosted a Farwell party for Tim Burmeister last Friday evening.  About 30 people enjoyed a couple of houses chatted with Tim and Connie.

There were many humorous stories about Connie Jacobs and Connie Jenkins.  Several people at one time thought that Connie Jenkins was married to Tim.  Another story was that when Connie Jenkins had her cancer fund raiser, Connie Jocobs got a check instead of Connie Jenkins. (I am happy that I am the only Muncie in town.)

We know that Tim will be back to visit because his Mom lives at the Sunrise Bluffs. I got the word from her personally that she does not want to leave. With all now said and done we wish the Burmeister’s the best of luck and want them to know that they will be missed.

HOOT
What a HOOT we did have on Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ag Center for the Fund Raiser for Hoot. I watched a dozen or more artists do their thing.  It was awesome and I do not think it is fair that some people have so much talent.

At 6:00 the live auction began and in-between silent auction items, 50/50 raffle, and jar raffles would be called. There was a wide table of delicious snacks that took care of supper.

All in all a good time was had by all. The proceeds are for the music festival planned for August. If you could not make it to the Ag Center on Saturday and would like to donate toward the Music Festival, contact Jamie at the Wake Cup Coffee Shop.

PONDERISMS
“Why is it that you are IN movies and On television?”

MEMORIAL DAY
It is a little over two weeks away and you have enough time to get those flags up. (I am having difficulty keeping mine out because of the rain and wind. It seems that I put it out and in several times a day. The weather reports no warmer weather in the near future. Let’s hope they are wrong.)

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, THOSE WHO PROTECT US, and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.