View From The Bridge 6/15/11

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”

By Muncie

6/15/11

ROCK HUNT

A while back, I mentioned that The Garden Club had adopted the plot in front of the Museum of the Upper Missouri, (known to residents as the Little Museum.) There were two huge bushes at the site and when The Club cut them down last fall, they found four (4) various sized rocks that were hidden on the left hand side.

Nancy LaChappell stopped by and asked if I would put a plea in the View for four (4) rocks to place on the right hand side. It would balance the landscaping nicely. I just received a call from Nancy and she measured the largest rock. It is 6 ft. around. The smaller rocks are about 4 ft. around.

Give me a jingle at 622-3217 (after 2:00 p.m.) if you can donate to this project. We will make some sort of arrangements. Oh, a thought just came to me. Could this possibly be done before Summer Celebration? Of course, anything is possible, I have been told.

FIREWORKS

Isn’t the Fireworks Show the highlight of Summer Celebration? We would not like to go without it. I am asking you to donate to the Fireworks Fund Raising Program. Many people think that the City pays for the fireworks. Not so. It is and always has been a donation event.

I remember a year that I carried a coffee can around through the crowd for donations. It was already dusk and fireworks viewers were not prepared for the request. It was very funny because it could have been just anyone carrying a can and collecting money. Perhaps that is why it was not repeated. I hope this does not give anyone any ideas about carrying a can around. If someone tries it, do a citizens arrest.

The method of collecting has changed to request letters to each household. Mail your check payable to Fort Benton Fireworks, P.O. Box 1383, Fort Benton, MT 59442. Donations can also be dropped off at the First Security Bank in care of Connie Jenkins.

BRIDGE LIGHTING
This long awaited lighting will happen immediately after the fireworks show. Yes, those men you see working on The Old Bridge are doing a great deal of prep work and are installing the new lights. They have a lift that goes to the height of 30 ft. I am happy that there are men who choose to do that sort of work. I do not even want to go up a 3ft. ladder.

RIVER LEVEL
As of this writing, (Sunday afternoon,) the Missouri River peaked on June 10th at 10.7 ft. On June 11th it was at 10.6 ft. and this afternoon it was 10.2 ft. Both Google and Bing have the same charts while AVG has a different one. If you would like to check these yourself go to Missouri River Level Fort Benton. I have been leaving my computer on all day to check the levels. They are interesting sites as they also give you information about the millions of gallons that are flowing by and how fast.

This afternoon I visited The River Press and looked through the copies of the 1953 editions. I could not find anything about the Hogback in particular but I did find these interesting facts. It seems that the record rainfall was during both May and June. May rainfall set a record at 6.86 in. The Upper Shonkin for May 24th and 25th rainfall was 6.57 for that 24 hr. period. The Shonkin gauge for May was 13.13 in. The Missouri was at it’s second highest at 11.4 ft. which past 1948’s total of 10.96 ft, and was under 1908 at 16.03 ft. These were not government figures because they were not yet in place.

In the June 10th issue the Elser, Krause, and Lynch homes along Highwood Creek were washed away. The Shonkin rain gauge for May and June was 24.26 in. Kotthoff’s weather report of the Upper Shonkin was 19.8 in. in 12 days. Temporary repairs to roads and bridges estimated at $110,000. (I wonder what it would cost today.)

If you have been taking daily rides to check the Missouri River, you have seen that the island by the Sunrise Bluffs is completely covered. Going around the Bluffs to the road beside the Levee Walking Trail, the proposed trail extension is completely covered with water.

This area is a field trip for seeing animals and birds. A couple, we stopped to chat with, said that they saw a female deer and her little one (who had swam the river,) a beaver and a muskrat. They said that the eagle’s nest, we had been watching further down stream across the river, had two babies in it. You have to use binoculars to view the nest. We have not been there lately because the road was too muddy. My grandson, Grayson, was visiting for a couple of days and he said he saw a small yellow bird and thought it was a canary. If any bird watchers read this column, could you verify that?

STORM OF 1953
This has turned out to be an interesting addition to Florence Wilmes’ story about the approach collapse at the Hogback in June of 1953. Florence said that she lived about 10 miles east of Geraldine. That is what made me think that the Hogback was near Geraldine and after conversation with her this evening, it was verified that it is the Hogback right outside of Fort Benton on the road to Geraldine.

She and her family were on their way to Fort Benton for a doctor’s appointment as she was five or six months pregnant. She does not remember the date of the appointment but she did remember it was in June. Her third child was born in October so in June she was uncomfortably pregnant. She and her husband had to carry their two children across the planks. It was an unforgettable experience. .

The bridge did not actually wash out but the approach on the Geraldine side was. That is where the planks were placed for people to walk onto the bridge. Florence does not remember who drove them to town and back.

I also received a phone call from Evon Anderson who has pictures of the approach washout and the pictures show the planks. He was kind enough to bring the pictures over this morning (Monday) and The River Press is printing the pictures. Perhaps some of you readers will be able to identify the people in the photos. There will also be pictures on the Fort Benton website (in color) by clicking on View from the Bridge. Remember the site access is http://www.fortbenton.com/ 

When Florence said that it was frightening to go across the planks, I had no idea what that might have been like until I saw the pictures. Scary! Note that in one of the pictures is a ladder down to a boat and that gave you a choice to cross the planks or do the ladder. I think I would have turned around and gone back home. How about you?

Also, note the old truck, (what year would it be?) the cars parked in the background, and that the bridge in 1953 was in a different location.

ANTIQUES & JUNQUE
Very soon, The Old River Press Emporium will be open. If you have treasures that you just do not have room for, arrange for a space with Terri Baker. She is located at the Old River Press building on Front Street. She is eagerly awaiting your call at 871-4205. It is a prime location and another advantage is that the Emporium will be open on Sundays.

The beauty of this business is the old building was begging for some T.L.C. and Terry managed that seemingly with ease. However, it was work and now is ready for what she meant it to be. Drop by when you see the “Open” sign and see what treasure you can find.

SUPER HOST
It was a dynamite presentation and a dynamic motivator, Becky Henne, who certainly motivated all of the 45 people who attended. She said that she had never before had an attendance like that. She said that perhaps the picnic food that was served or the door prizes that were given were the reasons for the turnout. (Just kidding.)

Tourism is the name of the game in Montana now. Our Tourism advertisers must get the word out what our state has to offer. Last years theme was “Lost in Montana” and this year it is “Lost and Found in Montana.”

Becky had never been to Fort Benton before and was amazed at what we have to offer. She was very humorous and one of things she focused on was the cleanliness of the town. She asked if we all cut our lawns on the same day. (I think that was true because everyone cut their grass on the one day we had without rain.) Becky drove all over town, viewed every thing, and commented on all she saw. She was very complimentary and said she would return at her first opportunity.

One of the most interesting things we talked about was, “Through the Years-Generations at a Glance.” This began with my generation who are Traditionalists born before 1945. The Baby Boomers were next and born between 1945 and 1954. The X Generation followed born between 1965 and 1980. Finally, the Millennials born after 1980. For each of these categories there was a list of Quick Stats, General Characteristics, In the Workplace, and finally to Communicate and Engage.

I will leave a copy at Information Center and if you are interested in reading about the above comments, do drop in to visit, and read the copy. You will find it exceedingly interesting and perhaps it will help to make you a little more tolerant than you now are. It certainly opened my eyes.

SOCIAL CALENDAR
Because we were not in town last Pie Day, I did not know that there will be no Pie Day this month, or next month, or the next month. The next Pie Day will be in September. That sure seems like a long way away. We will certainly miss going to the Golden Age Center on the third Friday of those months. However, we wish you a wonderful summer months of rest from baking pies.

I do not know of any other events that will be happening. We are just anticipating Summer Celebration with all its activities starting on June 24th. Pick up your schedules that are available all around town and make your plans now. Think about what to make for the potluck supper, what kind of pie to bake for the auction, where you could volunteer to help for an hour or two, and what kind of food you want to eat. It will be a fun time in the old town for three days. Enjoy all of it because it only happens once a year.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND GOD BLESS YOU.

View From the Bridge 6/8/2011

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
6/8/11

STORM OF 1953
There is someone who remembers that rainstorm and that someone is Florence Ritland Kassmeier Wilmes. She remembers it very well as she was about to have a baby and was on her way to the hospital. The hogback near Geraldine had washed out and large planks were placed across it as a temporary bridge. She and her husband had to carry their two other children across. However, I was not able to contact Florence for more details today (Monday) and so I will continue this story next week.

I also heard a heart-warming story from a person who reads the “View” on the Fort Benton website. She visited Fort Benton a few years ago to do genealogy research at the Overholser Research Center. She enjoyed visiting as she thinks it is a comfortable size, friendly and a pleasant getaway. She was born in Great Falls but moved away.

This is her story. She was visiting her grandmother during the rainstorms of 1953 when she was 12 years old. Gram lived alone in a small bungalow on 2nd Ave S in Great Falls. She remembers one particular storm when lighting took out the neighborhood lighting and struck destroying a concrete birdbath in the front yard. The birdbath sat in the center of beautiful spruce trees.

Gram found a kerosene lamp, set it on the dining room table, and taught her to play cribbage. They talked like grownups and huddled together in their bathrobes. The lightening was very loud and threatening but Gram remained calm through it all. Gram gave her a flashlight to check the basement for water and there was enough with which to be concerned.

Gram remembered some ice cream in the freezer and she made us some 7-Up floats. The storm raged around them but she would never forget the taste of that wonderful treat. After the storm, she remembers the mosquitoes were terrible for the rest of her vacation.

The rest of the story is that Gram and her gentleman friend were married later that summer. The storm must have convinced her that having a man about the house might be a good thing. She had been a widow since the mid 1930’s and she remarried at 69 years of age.

Gram was born on Shonkin Creed in 1884 and died in 1978 at age 94. She lived in Great Falls most of her life. The little bungalow still stands on 2nd Ave. S minus the birdbath. The spruce trees outlived her but have since been removed.

CARTER RUMMAGE SALE
My friends and I enjoyed our visit to our neighboring community, Carter, last Saturday morning. We had no idea were we were going but cruised Carter until we found the Community House. It is an old building but very well maintained.

I picked up some treasurers immediately and when I checked out, I spent the whole sum of about $5.00. However, I did spend more in the kitchen where I bought lunch, a piece of rhubarb pie/coffee, and a whole peach pie with dish included. What a bargain. I have been to many bake sales but I have never been to one that had so many and the variety of pies. It was very difficult to pick which would satisfy your pallet. My mouth is watering at this moment thinking about that piece of rhubarb. It was superb. (I found another word besides awesome.)

It was also wonderful to see some old friends. I want to say hello again to Ann Crawford and Karen Bryant who were busy with the rummage sale and the kitchen.

SOCIAL CALENDAR
Mark Rose Nagengast’s birthday on your calendar. There will be a celebration on Sunday, the 19th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sunrise Bluffs for her 100th. Can you believe that? Well, neither can she. She called us a few nights ago and we assured her we would not forget. Every one is invited to attend.

I think there is a lesson to be learned here. I know two women and know of one man who lived to be 100 years old or over. They all lived in a retirement home. If you want to live to be 100 years old, move to the Sunrise Bluffs. It may work for you.

My association with Rose goes back to the time the Information Center was in the front part of the Fire House storage room (where the rest rooms are now.) We had very little space and the chairs for us to sit on were outside. The literature was exposed to the weather and if it rained, we had to close up.

The Center was open for twelve hours a day and Rose was there most of the time for a visitors season (Mother’s Day to Labor Day) by herself. She opened and closed the big doors. She kept the racks filled with literature that was stored behind a makeshift wall with the Nativity Set. Talk about, “Making a Difference.” Rose loves Fort Benton and it paid off with the Visitors. Show her that you appreciate her and her 100 years of life. (Ask her if it paid off to live in the Bluffs?)

A WHOLE LOT OF DANCING GOING ON THIS WEEKEND.
IN FORT BENTON: Sock Hop Fund Raiser at the Club House on June 11th starting at 6:00 p.m. until “you turn into a pumpkin” time. It is sponsored by the American Legion and sounds like lots of fun. Drag out those poodle skirts, bobby socks, saddle oxfords, and cut a rug as they used to say back in the 1950”s.

IN CARTER: Bluegrass and popular music and dancing at the Rocking K at 8:00 p.m. on the 11th.

IN HIGHWOOD: A Hoe-Down on June 12th at 5:00 p.m. at the Community Hall sponsored by the Highwood Women’s Club.

FLAG DAY
If you have any American flags that are worn or tattered, June 14th would be a good time to dispose of them. The flags are no longer referred to be as being burned but that they are to be retired. The ceremony that day is called, “Dignified Disposal of Unserviceable Flags.” The American Legion Post 26 and Boy Scout Troop 47 are sponsoring this service.

If you have such a flag or flags, contact Scout Master Simon Dieghan at 734-5234 or 231-5845. He will arrange for the flag to be picked up. You can also bring the flag to the Fairground arena for the ceremony at 6:00 p.m.

Flag Day would also be a patriotic day to hang your new American Flag. We cruise the town almost every day to check on the Missouri River. We like to look over the landscaping of homes and the flowering trees/bushes. We did see a few American flags waving but would like to see many more. Lehman’s has a good supply of flags and holders, so surprise me on Flag Day with flags all over town. This plea also includes Front Street from one end to the other. Show how much you love your country and your flag.

SO LONG FOR NOW
I have talked to several people this past week who have recently moved to Fort Benton in the last few months. Why? They visited our town and fell in love with it. It takes a lot of love to move everything you own from another town, city, or state. They assured me that they had done the right thing and were very happy. Take a lesson from that and be as happy as you possibly can. That is all that matters in the long run.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, GOD BLESS YOU.