View From The Bridge 9/19/18

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
9/19/18

GOODBYE SUMMER AND HELLO FALL
Most people I talk to are in total awe of the color of the trees across the Missouri and in Old Fort Park. It has been a gradual change over the last two or three weeks and with the pleasant September weather we are content. However, on every mind is the oncoming winter. What will it be like last winter or the one like the year previous? No one has called me to cast their opinion and so you only have mine. I am opting for a milder temperatures and a little less snow. I think I would be able to handle that while waiting for spring. Right now most of you will be busy raking leaves, turning off watering systems, and looking for winter gear. Not a pleasant forecast, but there is not much we can do about it. Have patience and get yourselves some good books to read other hobbies to keep busy. The way time is flying by, it won’t be long to spring. (I hope.)

HOMECOMING PARADE 
This year’s Homecoming Parade came by the Sunrise Bluffs. I didn’t get the word out because I did not think that that could because Front Street was closed. But lo and behold I talked to Skip Ross shortly after 2:00 p.m. and he was taking the barriers down so the Parade could march all the way down. I tried knocking on some doors to let them know the parade was coming but to no avail. The only person that came with me was my neighbor Norma Shaw.

We only waited a few minutes to see see flashing lights and hear the wonderful Fort Benton High School Band. They came on flatbeds and fire engines right down that unpaved street. As they turned the corner the band began playing the school song. I stood and sang my lungs out. Did you hear me?

Then came the football team and I shouted “Go Horns.”  Then all the floats and guess what? They threw us candy. Now, I have been in many parades and I threw candy but this is a first that candy has been thrown to me. Thank you for that because it made my day. I do not think that I have ever missed a homecoming parade. Well once! The parade started early and went by as we walked the block to Front Street. It was exciting as well as the football game. What a beautiful, perfect night for a game. You did your best players and caused a lot of excitement when you made one of your touchdowns. Keep up the good work and winning isn’t as important as the doing of your best.

SENIOR CENTER
The September 9th dinner, the first on the menu in several months had 16 diners. This past Sunday’s dinner counted at 24 diners. Hopefully that means the Sunday dinners will continue.
You will have missed the Tuesday evening dinner by the time you receive this information. I checked the sign-up sheet today and there were 25 diners signed up.

I am anxious to hear what the owners of the new Assisted Living Home will have to say. They are coming from Fairfield and Conrad. It should be very interesting and I am sure that Bethany, our River Press editor, will have a report about what it is all about. By Wednesday, it should be all over town by word of mouth. That is actually the best way to get word out. I do not do Facebook and have not connected with e-mail for a long time. So help me out by passing the word along about upcoming events. (I do not know why I am saying this because I am usually the last to know.)

PUB NIGHT
A record 255 people were at the Agricultural Center last Saturday evening to listen to Cold Hard Cash. I met Merle Travis Peterson up close and personal and he even looks like Johnny Cash. He said many people tell him that and he has been singing the Cash songs for so long that he is taking on the appearance.

He also told me that years ago he sang a few of the Cash songs but one evening he decided to do his entire show with them. The audience loved it and he has been doing it ever since.

The second half of the show became interesting when one couple began dancing and soon the entire floor was filled with dancers. They danced the night away much to the enjoyment of those of us who would like to be able to dance like that once more.

The next show is 5 weeks away and will feature Shades of Blue. If you like all styles of singing, this is the show for you. The lead singer does Sinatra, classic, modern, rhythm and blues. It will be held at the Fort Benton Elementary auditorium at the usual 7:00 p.m. (I am sure you will be able to hear better as there is not much talking in the auditorium. Do you get my point here?)

My dream is to fill that auditorium and 255 people would almost reach my goal of 400 attendees. So, get away from your TV for a change in habit. Come and listen to old standards that you know the words to. It will be a fun filled and relaxing evening so see you there.

ANTIQUES APPRAISAL FAIR
This Saturday morning (September 22nd) at 9:00 Fort Benton will have three (3) appraisers at the Agricultural Center doing their thing. If you have signed up to have your treasurers appraised please be sure to show up for your appointed time.

If you are just going to watch you can get a ticket at the door. It begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. It is $5.00 a ticket to watch, which is a whole lot of entertainment for a small price.

There should be a lot of surprises seeing what participants have had hidden in the attics or basements for years. I do not expect my items are valuable but I just want to know some of the history connected with them. I know two (2) of my items are over 100 years old and I hope I will not be disappointed by finding out they are not. See you there.

BUS/VAN NEWS
This update comes directly from the Commissioner’s office as of Monday, September 17th.

Please have community members who are interested in scheduling a ride to Great Falls call Kellie at 622-3022 one (1) to two (2) weeks in advance to add them to our roster. If the Van has room we can continue to add riders if need be until the day before leaving.

This note is from me. It looks as though appointments should be made for morning only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00. People will have to be picked up before 1:30 p.m. in order to leave Great Falls by then. I can see that the first few trips will be trial runs. Be patient and it will all get worked out to please everyone.

Kellie asks that all riders confirm their ride the day before by calling her.

Our first date to travel to Great Falls will be TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2nd. The plan is to have the Bus running every Tuesday as long as we have community members needing a ride. The Van will load from 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and will need to leave Great Falls by 1:30 p.m. In the future if the demand is there we will try to add another day in the week to the schedule.

Pick-up and drop-off location is still being determined. Watch the River Press for more information.

GOD BLESS AMERICA LAND THAT I LOVE, OUR TROOPS WHO DO NOT GET THE CREDIT THEY DESERVE, POLICE OFFICERS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY, and FIRE FIGHTERS WHO ARE THE HARDEST WORKERS IN THE WORLD.