By Muncie
1/29/20
HAPPY, HAPPY, WEEK
Isn’t it amazing what a little warmer weather can do for cabin fever. I was out and about every day either on a planned event or one of my own making. The week flew by and now here it is Sunday and I am able to work on the View with plenty of material.
WHO (WHERE ARE YOU?)
Please come and get your Snowman and snowflakes from the hollow tree. I have Valentine decorations and would like to put them up by February 1st. That is, unless you will do it before then. It was a year ago that I first got involved with Valentine decorations. You seemed to have disappeared. Make yourself known again by decorating for Sweetheart’s Day and you will make me very happy.
VETERANS PHOTO PROGRAM
I got several responses to my request for help in doing some catch-up with the program. It involved broken frames/glass and new labels. Thanks to Cindy and Rita and the job will be done before Memorial Day. Also, thanks to Judy who offered help.
CONSORTIUM
Friday was the big day for the beginning of the Consortium. The 17 groups who were showcasing arrived in town throughout the all day and registration began at 4:00 p.m. Setting up the Ag Center kept the crew busy and hard at work for several days. Dinner was served at 6:30 p.m. and by that time most everyone had gotten acquainted.
I was up early on Saturday and off to the Elementary School for the first Showcase at 10:30 a.m. There was a good crowd and quite a few Fort Bentonites were there to enjoy the free show. A break for lunch and more people showed up for the second showcase. Break again and then the final showcases. The Ag was buzzing with the opinions about which artists would be invited back for next year’s Performing Arts program from all over the State of Montana.
The evening ended with a Jam Session at the Club House but this old woman was taken home. It was a long day.
Now the work begins on getting the programs organized as to when and where. Just remember that all of this work is done by volunteers. I am not on the CCPA Board but I do know the work hours they put in to put on the eight shows a year that we have in Fort Benton. Remember that when the 2020-2021 season tickets go on sale and support the Arts.
SHOP LOCAL
My project this week is to write about shopping local. In the River Press issue of January 22nd, the Over the River article written by Robyn Scribner, told about experiences with Walmart.
I hope that you all read it. So, I offer this suggestion. Come from Geraldine and the surrounding area, to Fort Benton to do your shopping. It is only 34 miles away compared to the 70 miles you are traveling.
I spoke with Ted, the owner of the River Market, and he said that he can get you anything you want stocked in the grocery store. In fact, he has done that for me.
He said that his prices are comparable and the service is just like family. Cashiers will get to know you when you come in and they greet you by name.
The River Market is open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. They are not open all night but hours are enough to satisfy everyone. They are open on Sunday until 6:00 p.m. and they are open on holidays for a few hours.
I also spoke with Chris at the Pharmacy and his prices are the same as Walmart’s or any other place your prescriptions filled.
The brothers, Ed and Mike, who own the True Value, can also get any items you would need that they do not carry. They are a total hardware store. Just call them a few days in advance. They order on Thursday and it comes in on Monday. That is a whole lot better than driving 70 miles and you cannot find what you want.
This SHOP LOCAL push pertains to all business in Fort Benton, so come on over and check out the shopping. I cannot go into all the shops that we have but check out the River Press for the ads. Most all shops advertise.
Small businesses in rural Montana are being lost in the shuffle. I have seen many stories on TV news about that subject. I also watch Face the State on Sundays and just today they talked about growth and economy in Montana. Spend your money in small business rather that big business. When you shop local it will be your good deed for the day.
NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR
I think that by writing about daily celebrations is making the View a bit too long. I have only heard from a few people if they liked that part of the article.
So, I am going to change the format myself. I am going to pick and choose one item each day. This is a change from previous articles where I wrote a week ahead of time. It would be nice to know if you like or dislike the calendar celebrations.
- Wednesday January 29th – Puzzle Day
- Thursday the 30th – Croissant Day
- Friday the 31st – Inspire your heart with Art
- Saturday February 1st – Freedom Day
- Sunday the 2nd - Ground hog Day
- Monday the 3rd. – Women Physicians Day
- Tuesday the 4th – Thank your Mail Carrier Day
BE KIND AND HONOR DIGNITY. I am adding Dignity from a Martin Luther King speech. DO A KIND DEED EVERY DAY. WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS. (I do not see much red around town. Please Folks. Show that you support our Troops.)
GOD BLESS AMERICAN, OUR TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREMEN AND WOMEN, FIRE FIGHTERS, AND EMT’S.
