View From The Bridge 7/3/2019

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
7/3/19

SUMMER CELEBRATION
Because of the article that follows, that had to appear in the 7/3/19 River Press, I will report on Summer Celebration next week.

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
On July 7th, 1999 the first “View from the Bridge” appeared in the pages of the River Press. I was coordinating the Visitors Center and thought it would be interesting for you readers to hear some of their stories. I found them very interesting since visitors came from all over the world.

I just wrote from Memorial Day until Labor Day and it wasn’t until 10 years later that the View became once a week.

I am going to repeat that first article and hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did reading it 20 years later. By the way, the View was named by my beautiful step-daughter Audra Morger Bonilla. I am forever grateful Audra and think of you every day and especially when I type the article each week.

“A View from the Bridge”
By Muncie Kacso
7-7-99

We will attempt here to bring you some interesting goings on at the Information Center. The volunteers would like to share stories and would also like some information from you.

For instance, on Sunday a Mrs. Elaine Rosman visited from Havre. Her husband, David deceased three months ago, was born in Fort Benton on June 6, 1928, He had two older brothers, His father, Albert, owned a Creamery) that was the only description) and sold Raleigh products (spices etc. similar to Watkins products.) They only lived here four years but Albert remembered going down the banks of the Missouri with their wagons. They lived in a small house but when the boys returned to Fort Benton they could never find the house that they had lived in. Can anyone remember any information for Mrs. Rosman?

A few weeks ago, a Mr. Wood came in and said that he was a descendant of Maria Wood, the cousin of Merriweather Lewis. On Monday, the 6th, a relative of   William Clark was here. He is still tracking how he was related and said that he would let us know when he knew more of his genealogy.

Since we opened on May 28th, we have had l, 999 visitors. Next week we will give you a breakdown of all of the foreign countries that have come thousands of miles just to see Montana. Also, we are curious as to what state visits us the most especially those from the East.

If there is anyone who is experienced with a video camera and have a little spare time, you are needed for a 10 minute video of the Information Center. We received a grant from the Lippard/Clawiter Foundation and now that the Center is running so smoothly, we are ready to start this project. We must cover the entire area of Chouteau County. You don’t need to be an expert because it will be edited into 10 second time frames. Hope to hear from someone.

The Center is running very smoothly not only do the volunteers have a good time but the tourists are very complimentary about the volunteers. They are also very impressed with the Center and with what Fort Benton has accomplished these last few years.  They all think we are fortunate to be living here in such a beautiful setting and we assure them that we agree. More substitutes are very welcome and we can always use more. If it is something you have been meaning to do and you just haven’t gotten around to it, please go to the phone now and call 622-3217.