View From The Bridge

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
3/14/18

SPRING
Spring is on the way. By the time you read this weeks edition, spring will only be a few days away. The weather is already looking up, the Missouri is clear of ice, and people have been spotting robins.

Next Tuesday, the 20th, will be the welcomed arrival of one of the most looked forward to seasons. In about a month from that day, the trees will be budding out and the grass will be a lovely green.

So get out and enjoy the wonderful gift that Mother Nature will be giving us. I am so cheered up that I am ready to walk along the levee trail singing. It would not be a pretty sight so I hope none of you see me. I am not flipping out but just released from the cabin fever I have had for months now. Enjoy every minute of every day and pass along those smiles to every one you meet.

Can you tell that I am quite happy? It is 6:15 on Sunday evening and it is still light out. The sun has not yet set and I am enjoying gazing out my living room window to see the beautiful sparkling diamonds on the snow. It will soon be just another memory and topic of conversations well into spring and summer.

On Saturday when I drove on Main St., I saw several people digging the snow to search for the drains. The melting snow has made huge puddles of water that has nowhere to go. The street I live on is not paved and has not melted as quickly as those that are paved. I am wondering where the water will go. I just have to wait and see. Well, enough about the weather.

SENIOR CITIZENS
There will be a Tuesday night dinner at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday the 20th. At the Golden Age Center. Get signed up today by calling 622-3601. The last two months the dinner was cancelled and you do not have to guess as to why? It will be good to see old friends again and share winter experiences. I wish that you would share some of those stories with me. I only had one, and that was the one whole week I did not leave the apartment and entertained the worse cabin fever ever.

I know two friends who live out of town and they were held hostage by the storms for two whole weeks. Actually, we should not be complaining. Those poor folks in the eastern side of the country have lost electricity for days at a time. That means no heat, no way to cook unless they had a grill, and no way to purchase food. The grocery stores emptied out very quickly and the frozen food was the first to go.

Have you noticed that Fort Benton has not lost electricity in a long time? That new power station must be doing its job. Thank you to whoever is responsible. I just dreaded resetting all my clocks every time that happened.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR HEART
On March 20th, there will be a program on “You’re Heart” at the Chouteau County public library. You Senior Citizens can go from the Golden Age Senior Center dinner to the library to learn from this very important program about your heart and how it functions.
It is especially import for women because most often they do not know that they are experiencing a heart attack. Symptoms are different then men’s in most cases. Make an effort to be there to learn. It may save your life.

DANCE AT THE BLUFFS
About once a year, a band from Great Falls entertains at the Sunrise Bluffs. They usually come in March, but because of the uncertainty of the weather, they have set their schedule for April. I will let you know as soon as I hear when that will be.

I am mentioning it now to encourage everyone who loves old time music to plan on being at the Bluffs. There is also dancing but you do not have to dance. Just come and enjoy the music.

It is a labor of love for these people to entertain almost every Sunday at Senior Centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and churches. Another of my dreams is to have the dining room at the Bluffs filled with people dancing, singing along, and just enjoying the music. I would like them to know that Fort Benton appreciates their efforts by making an effort to be there.

BASKETBALL
I did not think that there was life after basketball but find that my schedule is filling up quickly. There are many events to look forward to.  Next month is Pub Night for the CCPA, Loma Days on the 7th of April (thank you Pat for that information,), a final Bingo game at the VFW for the season, and multiple meetings and events.  There is always something going on in Fort Benton. Our snowbirds will be returning to enjoy spring in Montana and a get-a-way from the heat in the south. I would like to hear from them. I have to live world travel through their adventures and I enjoy that. (Thank you to Kelly in AZ for remembering that March is a difficult month for me.)

LENTEN LUNCHEONS
Easter approaches so quickly and it will be here after 3 more Lenten Luncheons. Before you read this, there will have been a luncheon at the Community Bible Church. The next two weeks the participants will travel to Geraldine to share the soup and bread lunch. I am so envious of those wonderful women who make such a variety of soup receipts.

More than anything, I enjoy the company of these devoted souls who are the kindest people I know. Fort Benton is blessed to have them.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIRE FIGHTERS, AND EMT’S. PLEASE PROTECT THE CHILDREN ALL OVER THE WORLD. GIVE COURAGE TO THOSE WHO ARE TROUBLED AND ADDICTED IN ANY WAY. HELP PEOPLE TO REALIZE HOW PRECIOUS LIFE IS AND “THOU SHALT NOT KILL.”