View From The Bridge 12/11/19

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
12/11/19

HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT AND BINGO
Both of these events were scheduled for the 16th of December at the same time 7:00 p.m. Many people were urging that the Fort Benton High School Concert be well attended since the fall concert was not.

At the Bingo game on Monday the 2nd of December, raised hands showed that most of the players were going to attend the High School Concert. As a result, the Bingo game was CANCELLED for the 16th. To show our new music teacher/band leader that we appreciate the hard work that he and the students in the band put in, lets fill the auditorium to capacity. Let us hope that the weather cooperates and will not keep music lovers from attending as it did with the last 2 CCPA presentations. Please make an effort to be there.

CHOUTEAU COUNTY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
From all reports, the Chouteau County Country Christmas was a resounding success. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and that means a lot in our part of the country.

I attended Bridgeport Station to enjoy Tonya’s Taco Soup. I look forward to that every year. I also listened to the Barbershop Quartet from Havre who have favored us with great Christmas songs for about three or four years now. We welcome them back.

They said that they had added a couple of songs to their presentation and one was “I wish you a Merry Christmas”, and they sang it in Spanish. The other was from sheet music I gave them last year of my favorite Christmas song that is “Mary’s Boy Chile”. (Yes, Chile is spelled correctly.) It was a wonderful surprise and made my day.

I am sure that you found some wonderful Christmas gifts. My daughter, Jennifer, found a great blanket to buy with fish on it for her hubby who recently had surgery.  He is an avid fisherman. My other Marine Corp Detachment friend, Sue, found a huge Christmas pillow. They were both so thrilled.

Afterward we headed for Front Street. It was like my Hallmark movies with the sidewalks full of shoppers walking the length of the street. Each of the open houses had treats and they were welcome for dessert after lunch.

I truly love Chouteau County Country Christmas because of our small rural community. I would like to thank all of you readers who said hello to me and told me that you read the View. I’ll pass that on to my editor, Bethany, and perhaps she will let me keep writing another year or so.

FORT BENTON ROCKS
A note to Judy. I do not have your phone number so I can call you and this is an easy way to get in touch with you. I have not been able to do what you asked me in your letter because of the weather. My street is not paved and is now a sea of mud. With snow starting in September, it was impossible with travel with my Go-Go.

So please send me your phone number and we can chat about it. Oh, by the way, Merry Christmas and I wish I had a rock to send you.

CHOUTEAU COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CONCERT
 I know I never get tired of music and at this time of the year Christmas music. The annual Christmas Concert will be Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Fort Benton Elementary. Wylie Gustafson, a Cowboy singer, will entertain us with both Christmas songs and also old Cowboy classics.

The Christmas Concert used to be the next day after Bridgeport but somewhere along the line it was changed. I am so happy about that because tomorrow, Sunday the 8th, it is supposed to snow. That always puts a crimp on attendance at any kind of events planned. We will meet there.

SHONKIN
The annual Shonkin Potluck will take place on Sunday the 15th. The Shonkin residents are great people about getting together for events at their Community Hall.

The women in Shonkin have only to supply veggies, salads, and desserts. The men of the community are cooking the turkeys. Wow! Sounds like heaven to me. I was never a farm wife. I never had to cook huge dinners for hu-mong-ous families or harvest crews. Those women who have done that or still do it are ANGELS in my mind.

So, everyone in the Shonkin area enjoy your annual Potluck celebration and thank you for letting us know and that we are invited.

TAKE A CHRISTMAS PHOTO
Fort Benton gained a great new couple a year ago. They purchased the Zanto house and this past summer Christy’s parents, Judy and Dennis, moved here from Wisconsin.

Christy and Ed like to decorate and they have exciting displays for the holidays. This season they did a wooden cutout holes for faces of Christmas children. You are invited to stop by and take pictures of your Kiddos. Many families have already done that. You are welcome at any time, day or night. Let them see you there!

 Another interesting item about this family is that Ed just joined the Guard. If you see him, please tell him how proud we all are of his service. He truly loves his United States of America.

ROBINS
While at Bridgeport, on Saturday, I got a report that a robin was seen the past week. I think we went through this last year too, that there are some robins that stay around all year.

Would you please let me know if any of you see robins? My number is in the book. 

I love those birds. I was concerned that every other bird feeder was providing seed and peanuts for Blue Jays. I was given a log of peanuts and put a dozen or so every day with the feed. I was so surprised when being brought home the other day that my driver saw Blue Jays at the Red Dot Diner feeder. Hurray! Welcome to breakfast.

BE KIND!
I saw on the news a Secret Santa who gave away $100.00 bills. He said that it was a deed of kindness. It made him and would make you feel so good to be kind.

Wear red on Fridays! That is not difficult to do at Christmas time.

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

View From The Bridge 7/17/19

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
7/17/19

HOW I WISH
How I wish I had written the thank you from Laurie Reddig to the City Crew. Laurie hit on every subject. I have so many times thought about how to thank them for the things they have done for me but I never got around to it.

Just recently I found a problem that needed attention immediately. On the Wednesday before Summer Celebration I was visiting my newly planted tree when I looked over the Levee. It was covered with weeds, so much so that the sandstone was completely covered. I was advised not to call Skip because he was so busy with preparations for the Celebration.

I fretted over it for a day because I knew that many people would be sitting on the Levee for the fireworks. I decided to call Skip on Thursday. It was not a matter of spraying because it was too late for that. On Friday when I checked the Levee every weed was gone. They must have been pulled out. How thankful I was but did not verbally express it or write about it.

Another example was when I and my other “scooter-ists” found it difficult to travel the circle by the Lewis and Clark statue. At either end there was about a 2 in. space with no sidewalk. I called and the next time I went downtown I found that the spaces on both ends had been filled with gravel making it easy to go across.

I could go on and on of stories about the City Crew that have kept out City of Fort Benton clean and tidy over the years I have been here. So, thanks to Laurie I now have my opportunity to say THANK YOU CITY CREW. You are my heroes. Now…I do not want to leave anyone out of the loop. I have so much to be thankful for from every organization, all of our volunteer Firemen, EMT’s, family, neighbors and friends. You are all responsible for making the second part of my life a happy and contented one.

How I wish….I could have made it to the Geraldine celebration as written by Robyn Scribner. I will make an effort to be there next year. I know I missed a great time.

I congratulate our sister town of Geraldine for what they get accomplished for a small town. I personally know how much volunteer work goes into Fort Benton’s Summer Celebration. You are a fabulous small town who came up with fabulous ideas to make your celebration special. Thank you for your efforts.

LIONS GOLF FUND RAISER
There is always something to do in Fort Benton. If you cannot find something to suit your time and energy then lay back and enjoy the lazy days of summer. If you feel the need to get out and mingle then get up to the Golf Course on Saturday morning and not only have a fun day with other golfers but to support the Lions Club who are raising funds for diabetes.

The Lions expect participants from all over the State of Montana but most of all can expect support from the generous residents of Fort Benton. See you there!

BOATS, BLUES AND BREWS
After the Golf Fund Raiser is over, come on downtown for an enjoyable evening of music, music, music. Read the River Press of last week for the details of the time and place. It was a great success last year and I am sure that many people have looked forward to the event being repeated.

This is the event to enjoy jazz and blues music. You do not have to make a trip to New Orleans and especially not at this time of storm problems. (I feel so much empathy for those people who are affected as I know personally what they are going through. My home in Michigan was hit by a tornado on March 20, 1976. It is devastating to the family and neighbors.)

FARMERS MARKET
I know that for years the Hutterites have come to town on Thursdays to sell their veggies, eggs, and bread door to door. That may keep you from frequenting the Farmers Market but it offers more than just veggies, eggs, and bread. There were 4 vendors last Thursday who offered sour dough bread, and cinnamon rolls. These are all fresh baked items by local residents. They were all sold out. The baked goods sold out quickly and so I hope that those who bake them double their recipes.

More Vendors are welcome. Just give Connie and Chandee a call. Their numbers were in last week’s River Press. See you there.

FACE THE STATE
This program comes on every Sunday morning. It is all about Montana and what is going on. It is not political, (At least I have not yet found it to be so.)  A few weeks ago, it was about trafficking. Do you think it doesn’t happen in Montana? If you think it does not, then you are wrong! It does. You would have found out some statistics and what is going on.

I think that everyone in Montana should watch Face The State and learn. Perhaps it may change or save some young girl or boy’s life. Please try to listen although it comes on at 6:30 a.m. Sometimes it is repeated at 9:00 a.m. Give it a try and learn. If that is too early for you, record it and watch it at another time.

BE KIND
Last week I wrote to be kind. That came from old material I was going through. I came across a story that appeared in “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” It told about some graffiti that read “Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty.” What a beautiful story it was, as were all the stories in the Chicken Soup books. I try to be kind and do a good deed a day. It is difficult as we all seem to be busy doing what? The good thing is to keep on trying and perhaps someday you may touch someone who needs a hug.

Perhaps I am watching too many Hallmark movies or thinking about “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Life seems so easy going, about family, kind, and perfect. I know that it is not real but still continue to wish for things to be better.

Have a wonderful week and when you see me around town remember to let me know who you are.
GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREMEN AND WOMEN, FOREST FIRE FIGHTERS AND EMT’S.