View From The Bridge 10/0/19

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
10/9/19

TREES
“I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree”. No one has ever said it better than Joyce Kilmer.

On Tuesday the 1st, Linda Benjamin brought my new glasses to me and asked if I wanted to go for a ride through town.  A patient at the Eye Clinic had told Linda that she had a lot of damage to her trees as a result of the weekends’ storm. I had not left the apartment since the Friday before and only saw a huge branch across Front St. from me that was lying across half the road. I had heard it split and fall on Sunday.

So off we went, up and down nearly every street in Fort Benton. It made me very sad because I love trees. It takes years for them to grow and seconds to be damaged. I wonder what will happen to our status of being a “Tree City?”

Years ago, I was on the Tree Board and covered the entire city inventorying every tree. So many of them are now gone. For example, the 7 cottonwoods between the Grand Union and the Fire House. Another example is the pine trees in the circle and a huge pine near the Keel Boat. I am sure that you Readers have dozens of other examples. It will take a while to get over this storm.

This is a good time to mention that planting a tree in memory or a loved one or just for any occasion of a special birthday or anniversary. Call the City Hall to make arrangements and thank you.

LEAVES
When I was a kid, I loved the fallen leaves. I would tromp into any pile of leaves within my sight. Last Friday the 4th, I was headed downtown on my GoGo. On the, new finished River Drive, (I always thought it was Front St.) there were many fallen leaves by the curb. They cracked as I went through them. On Tuesday when I went downtown again, they were wet and plastered together. Today, the 5th, when I went to the Post Office, the leaves were dry and the wind had blown them into piles. Again, I felt like a child, and drove through them. It brought back so many memories not only of my joy but watching my children and my grandchildren doing the very same thing when they were little.

I know it is difficult to be raking leaves over and over again, but I hope that many of you have the memories of leaves when you were a child.

Oh, I forgot, my Dad used to rake the leaves and pile them on the street next to the curb. He was allowed to burn the leaves in those days. We put baking potatoes in the fire.  Ah! Nothing ever tasted so good. Oh, happy Fall season. (I am trying to look on the bright side.)

EXCITEMENT
Congrats to our Longhorns football team. You have always made us proud however this season we are bursting our buttons (an old saying,) with what is happening. You have put a lot of anticipation into the sport season. But, no matter what happens know that we love you all for what you have provided us with. GO HORNS!

COLUMNISTS
I have tried for a long time to get organizations and others to write a column. It is the only way to know what is going on around town. I have always enjoyed “Over the River” and “Highwood News.” Now we have columns about Football, living healthy, the Library, Women’s Club, and other very informative articles. I am really enjoying all of it and appreciate your efforts. (If I forgot anyone…sorry.)

SHONKIN LASANGA DINNER
On Sunday the 27th at 5:00 p.m., you are welcome to the dinner and auction at the Shonkin Community Center. It is also a Halloween party so dress up and pretend you are a kid again. There are prizes.

The auction is a barrel of laughs so you will have a great evening of food and fun. It is a great get-together with our neighborhood town to help support their fundraiser. It is enjoyable to see the improvements they have accomplished to their building each year. See you there!

C.C.P.A.
The next Chouteau County Performing Arts performance will be Saturday October the 26th. That will be the second show in October but please realize how difficult it is to schedule these shows when you are working with the entire state of Montana.

Hopefully this works out with your calendar because it is on a Saturday. There are usually no organization meetings on weekends.

The performance will feature Dennis Stroughmat. It will be of special interest to those of you who have roots in the Missouri Ozarks. It will also be of great interest to learn about their kind of music and stories are also of learning something new. See you there!

BE KIND!  DO ONE GOOD DEED TODAY!  SAY HELLO or GOOD MORNING TO YOUR NEIGHBORS.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREMEN AND WOMEN, FIRE FIGHTERS, AND EMT’S.