View From The Bridge 10/3/18

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
10/3/18

MY TAKE ON THE ANTIQUES APPRAISAL SHOW 
It has been over a week since the Appraisers were here in Fort Benton. I am still coming down from an antique high.  For me it was the most exciting day that I have had since my Go-Go accident when I had to go to the ER by way of an ambulance.

When I first walked into the room at the Ag and saw the set-up, I thought I would have to return home. I would not be able to see or hear with my poor sight and hearing aids. The spectator section was at the back of the room.

I spotted Ken Robison and asked him if I could sit at the appraiser table with him. It was at the table that we met Tim, one of three appraisers. When I told him about my vision problems, I asked if he mined of I sat in front of his table for a while. He said that I could sit beside him if I wanted to.

So, I sat there all day and had the time of my life seeing what most people wanted appraised up close and personal. It was so fascinating to listen to the stories about where the items came from and what they were worth. When one of the appraisers had an interesting item, they would tell about it on the mike. People would gather around to listen.

My scheduled time was at 11:30 and I asked Connie and Randy to sit with me because I was afraid that I would not hear or remember what Tim said about my 3 items. I was not intereste3d in the monetary value but I wanted to know more about the history of my items. I actually got both and was very pleased to learn more about what I owned.

Somehow in the conversation the subject about Garth Brook's guitar came up. Tim said he would like to see it. At the next break Randy took me home and we returned with Garth’s guitar. Tim said that the longer I kept it, the more valuable it would be. I had been told at one time that no one would want Garth’s guitar with my name on it. Not! Collectors don’t care as long as it has the blue seal inside with a G on it. That means he was custom made for Garth.

Tim said the same thing about the mandolin I bought at a garage sale for $5.00. The longer I keep it the more valuable it becomes. Tim also said that I should not clean it up, (it was a bit dusty.) The funny thing was I was going to polish it and run a cloth under the strings before I took it to the Ag. I didn’t have time that morning and for once was happy at the outcome.

There was a terrific turnout for this event as they had to add one extra hour for people who showed up without registering. A 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. was added to the schedule. I talked to many people and they came from all around the countryside. A good time was had by all.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
On Sunday the 29th, Marilyn and Bob Benjamin returned to Fort Benton from Oregon for their 50th Wedding Anniversary party. The Ag Center was crowded with friends, neighbors, and well-wishers who wanted advice on how they could remain married for 50 years.

I am over joyed for them and that they returned to Fort Benton for their party.

The Benjamins are old friends of mine as I have known them since I moved here 25 years ago. They were on Wally’s mail route for 41 years starting with the older Benjamins. We knew the Kiddos when they were little and would run out for the mail. Where does the time slip away? I know they will make it to their 75th anniversary.

A LITTLE TRIVIA
I checked the internet and found that between the years 2011 and 2015 in 44 states there were 2,245,000 marriages and 827,000 divorces approximately. I tried to find specific numbers for Montana but was not able to come up with anything.

FIRST SNOW
I told someone yesterday that I don’t use the “S” word and so I am to blame for what happened today when I was at dinner at the Senior Center. I had not heard that it was in the forecast and so I immediately had that dread feeling. I was on my Go-Go and was offered several rides home but could not desert my only means of transportation. It stopped by the time dinner was over and now I will probably not leave the apartment until spring. So, stop by for coffee and conversation and to soften up my cabin fever days.

BLACKFEET LANGUAGE & STORIES
I attended the lecture at the Interpretive Center on last Friday evening and found it most interesting. The Native American speaker talked about how he was trying to save the Blackfeet language. It is dying away with the generations as are many other languages.

I hope that the Native American children learn their beautiful language. For me it is like a song and I am happy that I made it to the Center on Friday.

OTHER EVENTS
Check your Community Calendar in the River Press because there must be something you would be interested in. There is so much going on. I see on October 2nd a Triangle Ag Services Open House will be held at the Community Bible Center from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On October 11th the “Ghosts of the Levee” will be presented at the Interpretive Center at 4:30 p.m. Who doesn’t like ghost stories? Hope to see you there.

There are many football/ volleyball games and a school band concert going on. Take your pick.

There will be Flu Shots at the Sunrise Bluffs on October 10th from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Be sure to get your flu shot early.

Seems as though there is enough to keep a person busy so you don’t concentrate on the weather. Keep warm and I hope to be with you next week.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUT TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIRE FIGHTERS, AND EMT’s.
(Tonight’s news told about 2 more police officers who were shot. There was also a story about civilians helping with boats to save people when that plane crashed in water short of the runway. It just goes on and on with volunteers putting their lives at risk to help others in need. God bless them.)