View From The Bridge 8/15/18

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
8/15/18

THE FAIR
“Meet me in Fort Benton, Benton, Meet Me at the Fair.”

Here we are again in time for the Chouteau County Fair and it seems like I write the same thing every year. I have talked to participants who are entering baked goods, flowers, and 4Her’s who have been working for months.

I am signed up to do the entrance gates for parking for the Lions Club. I hope to see you there Friday morning. I love doing this parking thing because everyone is so happy and looking forward to a good time when they come through the gates.

A little background for the parking fee is that it is a fund raiser for the Lions Club. It is a donation for the Lions many projects during the year like scholarships to all high schools in Chouteau County. The funds do not have anything to do with the Fair. So, purchase your parking ticket for three days knowing what a great cause it is donated to. Happy parking!

Another of my favorites is having breakfast every morning. Why does their coffee taste better than mine? I never make pancakes or biscuits and gravy for myself and so that is another great treat. I also eat other food I would never allow myself during the best of the year.

The Fair booklets have been available for several weeks now so you have had a chance to go through it and check the events that you want to see or participate in. Your support for the Fair will keep it going. Our community cannot afford to let these events to disappear. Once gone they never seem to return. See you there.

HERITAGE DAYS
Be sure and check out Heritage Days at the Fair on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Commercial Building. There will be 7 to 10 demonstrations for young and old alike. This has been a popular event at the Fair the last few years. Be sure not to miss basket weaving and other learning experiences at the Fair.

THE WAY IT USED TO BE
This phrase is used a lot today especially in Senior Citizens conversation. It is no use to think about the way it used to be. Change is happening constantly and only goes forward and not backward.

Take the Fair for example. You remember it as a child. Remember the carnival with all the whip-around rides. A good carnival is now priced way out of Chouteau County‘s budget. It is the same for entertainment. In fact, it is the same for everything. We Seniors remember too often when bread was 10 cents a loaf. Pass your stories on to your children and grandchildren about the “Good Old Days,” and accept the changes as your parents and grandchildren accepted the changes your generation imposed on them.

WHETHER OR WEATHER
Wow!  Talk about hot or I would rather not. I just wish I could package it for next winter. I have not left the apartment, because I have air conditioning, for days now because I cannot breathe in that hot air. I am doing a lot of catching up on my computer so that is a good thing. 

 Why does this hot weather always come at a time when the swimming pool season is over? I know the pool closes so the life guards can go back to college. Why don’t the 100 plus degree days come in July? There must be a good answer somewhere and will always be unknown to us. If I were boss I would arrange the weather so it would be 75 to 80 degrees all the time. So, as you read you might be thinking that if you don’t like it go somewhere else. No, I could not leave my “Happy Place” for better weather. I’ll stop right now complaining about the heat.

WHO?
Welcome back. I see this morning that you have visited the Hollow Tree again and placed fall flowers there. I am so happy that you have forgiven me for imposing on your idea.

I have not been able to get to the hollow tree to remove the American Flags and hope that soon I will find someone who can do that for me. I cannot walk on that lumpy ground with its up in the front and down in the back. Also, the large pieces of bark make getting to the hollow tree a problem.

I cannot see any pumpkins in the Community Garden so that shoots my theory that “Who” has a plot there. I am inviting you for coffee, lemon bars, and conversation any time. Just walk across the street to the apartment with the American Flag hanging on the porch (except in windy weather.) I pinky finger swear that I will never tell anyone who you are. I just want to get to know you because I need artistic people in my life even if only for conversation.

THE VAN/BUS LINE
No news this week about volunteer drivers. There has not been a response so ar. I had heard on the grapevine that someone had responded but I just spoke with the Commissioners and they were not aware of any such person. VOLUNTEER DRIVERS are still needed before any schedules can be put together.

SCHOOL STARTING
It sounds as if the school system is up and running with the new teachers and schedules. football practice has begun and we have that to look forward to. New freshman have a whole different life to lead and seniors will be looking forward to college. It all sound very exciting to me as I did not have the advantages that students have today. Take advantage of every opportunity and enjoy every day of it.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIRE FIGHTERS, AND EMT’s.  Make sure you are registered to vote and when the time comes  VOTE.