View From The Bridge 6/1/16

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
6/1/16

JUNE MOON
It is called the Full Strawberry Moon. It was universal to the Algonquin tribe. However, in Europe they called it the Rose Moon. Because of the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries that comes each year during the month of June, the result is the full Moon was christened for the strawberry.

The full moon will occur on Monday the 20th when summer begins…(and the days start getting shorter.)

MEMORIAL DAY
The Memorial Day Wreath is off and floating down the Missouri with the note attached.  I felt very honored when I was asked to throw the wreath off the Old Bridge into the fast flowing river. I am excitedly waiting to see if anyone finds it downriver.

Since this article has to be in by 3:00 pm on Monday, there may be results by Wednesday.  Therefore, you will not know until the following week. Another option would be that the wreath flows all the way to New Orleans and that would take a bit longer. Am I a dreamer or what?

It is now Monday evening and I have not yet sent this View into the River Press. It seems like Sunday and I had company most of the day.

I went to the Club House early where my note was attached to the Memorial Wreath. I proceeded to the Old Bridge and walked to the spot where I thought the Wreath should be thrown in.

I saw Warren Siebenaler being escorted toward me and found that he was going to co-throw the Wreath into the Missouri. It seems that he had been the one with that mission for all these past years. So when the time came we both held on and counted to three. The wind was blowing in our faces and I was concerned that it would not land on the water.  We were standing where there was a strong currant below us and it fell directly below us on its way down the River.

The ceremony at the Riverside Cemetery really made my heart beat faster. To see that new 40 ft. pole that automatically takes the Flag to the top was thrilling. It also has a solar light so the flag does not have to be taken down every evening.

By the way…have you got a flag hanging at your house? Be sure to get one for the 4th of July.

When I arrived at the Club House, some of the VFW members said that the Wreath had already been found at Signal Point. They were only teasing me and we all had a good laugh.

Many of the VFW members and a few others were at the Club House for coffee and donuts.  I invited all of my readers to come there after the ceremony at the Cemetery but apparently the message did not get through. It was very cold and the hot coffee warmed us up. However, there were no stories as I would have liked. I did some chatting with a few people who no longer live in Fort Benton but return for the Memorial Day events.

SUMMER CELEBRATION
It is that time of year that I begin to wear a different Summer Celebration t-shirt every day. I have 21 as I gave up 1 for the Quilt.

We hope to get the Quilt in the window of the Benton Pharmacy this week. Some of our plans were delayed because of the weather. Watch out for me because I will be selling tickets. We also hope to get the raffle on Facebook. Actually, no picture does it justice.  You have to see the real thing. Awesome!

INFORMATION CENTER
The Info Center and the Museums opened last Friday. The museums are hosting an open house on Sunday June 5th from 12:00 Noon to 4:00. Please take advantage of the free admission day.

If you young people have a problem with History classes, the best place you could learn would be the Visitors Center. You would quickly learn Fort Benton and Montana history. If you have nothing to do this summer, take a bike ride or a walk over to the Center and look around. If you want to improve your conversation skills that is also the place to be. You would talk to people from all over the world. It would broaden your horizons. Hope to see you there.

FAITHFUL READER
My youngest son, Jerry, lives in Michigan.  He reads the View faithfully and often makes corrections or comments which I truly appreciate.

I received an e-mail from him over the weekend about what I had written about the Library during Library Week. I said that the Library was the most important building in Fort Benton. Jerry asked if I knew that it was the tallest building in town. No, I did not know that and was it? Quick thinking brought to mind the County Court House and the Grand Union Hotel.

Jerry then said the punch line…that the Library has the most stories. (Just thought I would share that humor for the laugh of the day.)

OBSERVATIONS
“Try to make at least three people smile each day.”

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS and THOSE WHO PROTECT AND CARE FOR US.