View From The Bridge 3-24-10

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
3/24/10

WALKING THE TRAIL
Most of the past week when I walked the Levee Trail, there were not as many people as there were today (Sunday.) It was 68 degrees around 2:00 p.m. and the Trail and Old Bridge were filled with Visitors. It was overcast until about 4:00 p.m., when the sun appeared for a while. The slight breeze was warm and but not chilly as in previous days. It was glorious day.

I met a Canadian couple with their son near the Old Bridge. They were from Alberta and we chatted for a long while. Their son is a history buff and guess what! He found Fort Benton on the web site. Go Sharalee and Rodger. That is something you will like to see. I related the activities upcoming that included the Mullan Road Conference/Steamboat arrivals 150th anniversaries that Fort Benton will celebrate in May. I also told them about Summer Celebration (tied into those above anniversaries) and they said they would certainly be back.

We also discussed the many Canadian Visitors that Fort Benton has had and that our two countries are bound together by historical events. They laughed at that statement knowing about the whiskey trade. We talked about their Fort Walsh and they politely said that it had nothing on what Fort Benton had to offer. They had walked the entire length of the Levee Trail and were impressed with the historic signs. I jokingly said that I was waiting for Canada to join the United States and they smiled while in return invited us to join them.

We also conversed about health care issues. I asked many questions because of all the rumors I have heard about their system and they satisfied each one. I will not go into the discussion and if you want to continue the conversation…call me and like our Superintendent Scott, I will buy the first cup of coffee.

C.C.P.A.
On Tuesday evening, March 30th, we will by entertained by Mudd Bay Jugglers & Tune Stranglers. Just their name entices me to check on them. How can they possibly do so many things? They juggle objects; weave theatre, dance, and comedy into an entertainment experience. The group is from Olympia, Washington and has been working together for 30 years. They should have their act down pat by now, wouldn’t you think? There will be plenty of music, mirth, and many surprises.

The Tune Stranglers is referred to as “a circus that plays music.” They have been together since 2003 performing with stringed instruments, washboard, and the clarinet. They play jazz, 1920’s old-time, country, bluegrass, and blues music. Add to that, cowgirl yodeling, and uptown crooning. It doesn’t get much better than that.

There are only two C.C.P.A. shows left this season so “Come on along, come on along, and listen to the band.” Pub night is the next and last, on Thursday, April 15th and that “Buddy Holly Night” will take your mind off what you just paid in Income Taxes.

Let’s fill all those seats at the Elementary School as we did with the last C.C.P.A performance of the Foot Hills Brass.

GRAND NIGHT AT THE GRAND UNION
Gentlemen, kindly take your ladies to the Grand Union for a Poker Special Steak dinner and an evening of cards. After dinner, the ladies will retire to the lounge and the gentlemen to the poker tables for the tournament. The games are limited to 40 players for a buy-in and no re-buys. Dinner reservations begin at 5:00 p.m. and the long awaited games begin at 7:00 p.m. Get your reservations in early because this second annual tournament has quickly become the favorite night in town.

The differences between this tournament of today’s standards and of yesteryear are obvious. There will be no guns allowed on the premises, no smoking of cigars and cigarettes, no “Ladies of the Night” about to give attention to the highest winners, absolutely no cheating, no cursing at a bad hand, and no losing one’s temper. So tell me, what fun is that going to be? However, see you there and good luck to all that attend. All are anxious to see who the big winner will be this year.

IRAQ AND AFGANISTAN
We have a grandson, Zeke Grovenstein, who is a United States Marine and was recently sent to Afghanistan. He is the son of Darcy Morger Grovenstein and Glenn who live in Prescott Valley, AZ. Their sons Whitney, Emory, and Zeke are all serving our country. Whitney is training to be a helicopter pilot, Emory is in R.O.T.C. and Zeke is a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps. Their pictures appeared in the River Press not long ago. Their daughter, Lacy, recently committed to the Army but has to graduate from high school.

I would again like to make a list of all the young women and men who are serving our country. Once before, several years ago, we had pictures and stories about some of these “protectors” hung in the T.C. Powerhouse building windows. They had to be taken down because the windows sweat and the poster board they were on, warped.

I would like to again accumulate pictures (5 x 7’s) and find a place to hang them. I saw a great display in Chinook at a restaurant that we could copy. I was told by the restaurant owner, that each family sent their own pictures in frames. The display included WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the present conflict. I have pictures of that display and what I need now is someone, very artistic, to help organize this project. In the meantime, please call me with your sons, and daughter’s names, and addresses. Everyone in town should know who they are and where they are. God bless America, all our servicemen and women, and all of us here in the United States of America.

View From The Bridge 10/28/09

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”

by Muncie Morger

10/28/09

COUNT FROM VISITORS CENTER

Coordinator Ruth Carlstrom has completed the final count of visitors at the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center in the Old Fire Hall. The figure is 3,293 as compared with last year’s count of 5,098. Bringing visitors to Fort Benton is not only the job of those people who are professionals but by word of mouth from all you readers to out of town family and friends. Spread the word that Fort Benton is a destination place. A destination place is a predetermined end of a journey or voyage and the ultimate end. It is not just a place to drop in on. It is not a place for museum buffs to drop in at 2:00 or 3:00 pm and expect to tour our Ag Center Complex, the Joel Overholser Research Center, the Museum of the Upper Missouri, the Old Fort and the Upper Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center. It is a place to spend two days exploring, as tickets to the above are good for two days. Because of this years figure, would all of you spread the word this winter and early spring about what our town has to offer. We are like most tourist towns who welcome visitors during the spring, summer and part of the fall and then we have our town back to ourselves. Word of mouth is the strongest incentive for visitors. Fort Benton is an interesting, most historical, and beautiful place to visit. We get that from our visitors all the time. A little bit of public relations goes a long way and we need to up those figures.

LONGHORN PLAYOFF

Do you know where Arlee is? It is twenty miles (20) north of Missoula. The only reason we know where it is located, is because daughter Lisa Morger Miller is principal of the Elemental School in Arlee and her husband, John Miller, is superintendent of the school district. Several months ago, Lisa told us that playoff time might possibly match up Fort Benton’s Longhorns with Arlee’s Warriors. Well, it is going to happen next Saturday afternoon right here in Fort Benton.

Now Lisa has a problem. Where do her loyalties lay? She lived in Fort Benton since she was born, graduated from Fort Benton High School, and comes to visit Fort Benton often. We told her that she had to sit on the Arlee side of the field. She said that she would wear a Longhorns hat, an Arlee t-shirt and go back around the field. Sunday we chatted with one of her friends at a birthday party. The friend suggested that we built a special, small bleacher at the end of the field smack dab in the middle for her. Wouldn’t that be fun? Go Longhorns.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

November 2nd marks the 10-year mark of the opening of the Grand Union and it seems like yesterday. We remember well the “Grand Opening” and we were fortunate enough to stay over that evening. Both the inside and the outside of the building looks just as it did newly renovated those many years ago. There are no figures on how many customers stayed at the Grand Union in those ten (10) years. Those that went through the building and attended functions number in the thousands. The oldest working hotel west of the Mississippi will still be standing by the Missouri in 2082. Hey, that is only 73 years away. Some of you will still be around. There are many exciting events planned so check out the ad in the River Press for a program schedule and times. See you there.

MULLAN ROAD CONFERENCE

This big event will take place May 20, 2010 to May 22 here in Fort Benton. It will be the 150th anniversary of the opening of the road from Fort Benton to Walla Walla, Washington. Get your reservation in early by calling Ken Robison at 400-452-9374. This conference will be the big one of the year and will prove to be very exciting with people coming from all over the country. It will be happening before you know it.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

When Ruth Carlstrom and I thought about this project, we were told “Good Luck.” Well, that is what we need because we cannot seem to get started. No one has called to put their events on the calendar and the reason seems to be that they had no knowledge about it. The reasons may be that they do not read the River Press and/or they are too busy to promote their events. Perhaps they think their events are not important enough but they are. Most everyone likes to know what is going on in the community. We are talking about entertaining and fun events. Meetings are reported elsewhere. An owner of a business told me today that an employee would be delegated to report events. Perhaps that would work for all organizations and businesses. Let us try again because so many people say to me that they wish they had known about certain events before they happened. People cannot attend if they do not know about it. Ruth’s phone is 622-3638 and mine is 622-3217 (after 1:00 pm.)
SO LONG FOR NOW

Be sure to mail your city election ballots and while you are at it let your President, senators and representatives know how you feel about government decisions either by telephone or e-mail. I will try to follow my own advice. God bless America.