“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
7/17/13
LIONS SALE
Remember to take yourself and your friends to the Fair Grounds on Saturday morning. A gigantic yard sale will start at 9:00 a.m., (check ad for exact time.) They have been preparing for several weeks and it should be a “yard sale heaven.” Give the Lions some help with all their projects.
FOUR SHILLINGS SHORT
Mother Nature treated us kindly last Saturday evening as we sat in The Old Fort Benton yard. Folks brought chairs and many sat on the lawn. There was much camaraderie before the performance, at a break time, and afterward the performance. Everything you ever wanted to know about foreign country instruments and music was fulfilled. What a music lesson it was. I have been to all of the Four Shillings performances here in Fort Benton, I learn something new each time, and actually every day.
We learned about the Four Shillings future plans and those included returning to Fort Benton in August of 2014. Theirs is such an expanded world travel and it makes one wonder what we are missing outside of our little valley next to the Mighty Missouri. Actually, I do not feel like I am missing anything. I had enough of big city living many years ago. How about you?
COMING UP SOON
On Thursday August 1st, there will be the Farmer’s Market on the Levee from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. You will then proceed to the Old Fort Benton yard to enjoy Mollly and Peter from Highwood. We have first class entertainment in this couple. Molly and Peter are a treasure that Highwood keeps from Fort Benton. Really Highwood, we do not blame you, as long as they visit Fort Benton often. See you there.
The following week on Thursday, August 8th, at Old Fort Park, you can enjoy the Farmer’s Market, a Taste of Chouteau County, and “Shakespeare in the Park” will present “Henry VIII.” The Taste of Chouteau County will satisfy your appetites, while the play will be filling your minds. What more can you ask? Mark your calendars now so you do not miss this event.
HAIL STORM
Several old-timers have told me that they have never seen a hail storm such as we had a week ago Monday. I did not think quickly enough to go outside and pick hailstones up. However, my neighbor, Linda, did and her visiting nephew retrieved them from her freezer to show me the size. They were truly as large as golf balls. I had, never in my lifetime, seen hail that large. As they hit our air conditioner, it sounded like gun shots. Our air conditioner is in a window that protrudes out a good distance. We immediately worried about the wheat crops and secondly about our garden. Fortunately, we only had several plant leaves with holes in them. It did however; knock most of the apricots off our trees. Do not let this information get to Gladys Peres, as she was so excited to think that we might have a crop of apricots this year.
BOY & GIRL SCOUTS
The Scout Troops do not toot their own horns. They keep their philanthropy work under cover. As far as their physical labor, I remembered that they did a terrific job on cleaning up the Fort Benton entrance sign area. They also have always done a great job on the Shep Statue courtyard. We appreciate you young boys who may someday be the leaders of our country.
As for the Girl Scouts, they are very much a part of the Highway Cleanup program. It is so well organized that it doesn’t take much time anymore. However, it is just the idea of cleaning up someone else’s garbage that makes me thankful they want to do that. By the way, we love your cookies. When do you have time to bake those hundreds, perhaps thousands, boxes of cookies? (Just joking.) Oh, you young girls may also be the leaders of our country someday.
SAVE THE COTTONWOODS
In last weeks River Press, the City Council meeting report from Councilman Don Hazen was of extreme interest. Don reported about the three tree limbs that had broken from cottonwood trees near
the Grand Union, in Fort Park, and on Main Street in front of Valerie Morger and Mark Pyrec’s house. He did not know about the fallen limb on the Levee Trail across from the Price Rite grocery store as yet. That is the same tree that nearly hit me many years ago.
Don set into motion an appointment for an arborist to check the cottonwood trees. The arborist was here last week Tuesday and his report was to be reported on at the City Council meeting this Monday evening. I attended the City Council meeting and unfortunately Councilman Hazen could not attend. I was asked to return to the meeting in two weeks and therefore I cannot give you a report. I will keep checking on whatever may be going on with the trees.
STORIES
A while back an author named Susanna was a guest at the Friends of the Library meeting. (Friends, do you remember her?) The book that she was writing was about Fort Benton and the Missouri River. It was a romantic novel and I have been in touch with Susanna ever since as to the progress of the book.
On Friday, the first day of Summer Celebration, I received a phone call in the early afternoon. A man said, “Muncie, you do not know me, I am Susanna’s husband. She is not with me but she wanted me to meet you and say hello.” He came over with a teen aged niece and a nephew who was as I remember, 11 years old. We also had another friend visiting at the time.
The way our living is arranged put the six of us in these positions. Wally was sitting in his TV chair and Susanna’s husband sat in my TV rocker across from Wally. They were engaged in conversation. The niece and nephew sat across from me on the sofa and the other friend sat on the loveseat. She and I were talking and the kiddos just sat quietly listening. Finally, I said to Nathan, “Would you like to see our arrowhead collection?” Much to my surprise when he looked at it, he began to tell me all about them. He knew names, dates when they were made, and the Native Americans who made them. I will look forward to his next visit to Fort Benton.
I just had installed a new old computer. I cannot contact Susanna because I have lost half of my e-mail addresses. I hope you read this Susanna because I know you will contact me. I feel badly because I cannot remember her husband’s name or that of the niece. There was just too much going on that weekend. Does that sound like a legitimate excuse?
GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.
I heard a news report this past week that said the war in Afghanistan is beginning to be the forgotten war. We cannot let that happen folks. Think about what you can do.
Showing posts with label Four Shillings Short. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Four Shillings Short. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
7-10-13
ROSE’S 102nd
I just returned, on this gorgeous Sunday afternoon, from Rose Nagengast’s 102nd birthday party. I am predicting that Rose will one day be the oldest woman in the world. Longevity runs in the blood of Montanans as it did in Walter Breuning.
My memories of Rose and our connection were of the Visitors Information Center. The idea began with Carol Kleinjan and Karen Bryant. Carol was the owner of the restaurant on the corner of Front Street and 14th Street. Karen was the owner of the Photo Shop. They realized the need for an Information Center. They arranged a meeting and volunteers signed up to staff an Information Center (of sorts,) in The Old Fire House. They were allotted a small space where the restrooms are now located. It was just enough space to set up a table with a couple of literature racks. (In back of the temporary wall, was storage of the Christmas Nativity set.)
Wally and I took a time slot that year and I cannot remember why we were not there the second year. What I do remember is that Rose managed the whole Center the third year. She spent many hours sitting just inside or outside the old doors. If it rained, she had to close. The area was very hard on the literature. She spent time refilling the racks and talking to Visitors.
The following year she asked me to help. We began gathering volunteers for some sort of a schedule. We were successful and the following year plans were being formulating by the City of Fort Benton to finish the big room for use as an Information Center.
Thanks to Rose, we have a Visitors Information Center to be proud of. Her legacy will always be remembered by those who were in on the deal from the start. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSE and many more.
LIONS CLUB
The Fort Benton Lions Club is holding a “HUGE YARD SALE” at the Chouteau County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 20th. Donated items are welcome and calling Don Foreman at 622-5474 will have those items picked up. They will be stored in their storage building until the 20th. What more could you ask for in service for donating. Your presence at the Fairgrounds would also be a valuable asset in the success of the sale. It should be a great deal of fun for the bargain hunters here in town and a great place to browse.
The Lions Club is only one of a few service organizations that still exist in town. I am only familiar with the Lions, the Community Improvement Association, and the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs. Our Boy Scouts are counted among the organizations but I am not as familiar with what they do. I will obtain a report on the Scouts next week.
As far as the Lions Clubs involvements, I have a list of 19 projects they are involved in. Their latest venture was collecting monies for the Fireworks Show at Summer Celebration. It was very successful and as I reported last week the donations almost equaled what the cost was. You can still donate by sending a check to the First Security Bank with ‘FIREWORKS,” written on the envelope.
SMALL WORLD
Last week I asked if there were any “Small World” stories that had happened to others. I received two and they were both great. Hope you enjoy.
I heard from our “Darling of the Reporting World,” Bethany Monroe. She had a two-part story. (Apparently Bethany talks to everyone, friend or stranger, as I do.) Summer Celebration weekend, she was engaged in conversation with a young lady who said that she lived in Great Falls but was originally from Oregon, south of Oregon City. Bethany said, “Really, I am from Malalla.” It is a small town of about 8,000 population. (Note from Muncie: it seems like a big town to me.) Bethany was surprised to meet someone who had even heard of Malalla much let alone live there. To continue the coincidence, she also came to Montana to be near her boyfriend.
And the rest of the story: When Bethany first came to Fort Benton, she met Samantha Stefani at the Fort Benton Elementary. Samantha mentioned that she had a sister who lived in Malalia. Bethany met Sam’s sister and interviewed her when she worked for the Malalia newspaper. Small world indeed.
SMALL WORLD II
The second story comes from Randy Morger. It involved two strangers who visited The Old Fort while Randy was on duty. The first man came into the Fort and Randy noted that he had a heavy German accent. When asked about it, the man said that he was from Switzerland and had immigrated to Canada years ago.
About 45 minutes later another man came in and he also had a heavy German accent. He told the same story about migrating from Switzerland into Canada. Randy then got the two men together and this is where the Small World story began. They were born and raised just a village apart from each other in Switzerland. Not only that, they had the same last name. When they returned to Canada, they were going to contact each other and check if they were related. They had to travel to Fort Benton, Montana to find each other. That is really a small, small world story.
FOUR SHILLINGS SHORT
They have been here before and they are back again to delight us with an evening of these lively International Troubadours. They were first brought to Fort Benton by Vera Conrod. They were an immediate favorite group, that have returned to town for several years. (Note: Perhaps it has been longer. It is so difficult to keep up with time.) Their appearance at The Old Fort fits the occasion. The day is Saturday and the date is the 13th at 7:00 p.m. Bring your chairs and something to sip on/snack on. It is a two hour performance and may the weather be good to us again as it was in the past.
Here is some background on the Four Shillings and Vera Conrod. Vera’s son David and wife Jill lived in San Francisco in 1985. Jill was involved in professional theatre and met the Four Shillings.
It was then that Vera met them.
They came to Fort Benton in 2009 when Vera told Connie Jenkins about them. They came again in 2006 and performed to a full house in the Culbertson building. They were invited back in 2009 and 2010 to perform at the Ag Center and The Old Fort. Do you readers remember how it began to pour rain and we all retreated into the building? The Four Shillings finished their performance inside and it was comfortable and cozy. May this coming Saturday be great weather and we will see you there.
GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.
By Muncie
7-10-13
ROSE’S 102nd
I just returned, on this gorgeous Sunday afternoon, from Rose Nagengast’s 102nd birthday party. I am predicting that Rose will one day be the oldest woman in the world. Longevity runs in the blood of Montanans as it did in Walter Breuning.
My memories of Rose and our connection were of the Visitors Information Center. The idea began with Carol Kleinjan and Karen Bryant. Carol was the owner of the restaurant on the corner of Front Street and 14th Street. Karen was the owner of the Photo Shop. They realized the need for an Information Center. They arranged a meeting and volunteers signed up to staff an Information Center (of sorts,) in The Old Fire House. They were allotted a small space where the restrooms are now located. It was just enough space to set up a table with a couple of literature racks. (In back of the temporary wall, was storage of the Christmas Nativity set.)
Wally and I took a time slot that year and I cannot remember why we were not there the second year. What I do remember is that Rose managed the whole Center the third year. She spent many hours sitting just inside or outside the old doors. If it rained, she had to close. The area was very hard on the literature. She spent time refilling the racks and talking to Visitors.
The following year she asked me to help. We began gathering volunteers for some sort of a schedule. We were successful and the following year plans were being formulating by the City of Fort Benton to finish the big room for use as an Information Center.
Thanks to Rose, we have a Visitors Information Center to be proud of. Her legacy will always be remembered by those who were in on the deal from the start. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSE and many more.
LIONS CLUB
The Fort Benton Lions Club is holding a “HUGE YARD SALE” at the Chouteau County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 20th. Donated items are welcome and calling Don Foreman at 622-5474 will have those items picked up. They will be stored in their storage building until the 20th. What more could you ask for in service for donating. Your presence at the Fairgrounds would also be a valuable asset in the success of the sale. It should be a great deal of fun for the bargain hunters here in town and a great place to browse.
The Lions Club is only one of a few service organizations that still exist in town. I am only familiar with the Lions, the Community Improvement Association, and the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs. Our Boy Scouts are counted among the organizations but I am not as familiar with what they do. I will obtain a report on the Scouts next week.
As far as the Lions Clubs involvements, I have a list of 19 projects they are involved in. Their latest venture was collecting monies for the Fireworks Show at Summer Celebration. It was very successful and as I reported last week the donations almost equaled what the cost was. You can still donate by sending a check to the First Security Bank with ‘FIREWORKS,” written on the envelope.
SMALL WORLD
Last week I asked if there were any “Small World” stories that had happened to others. I received two and they were both great. Hope you enjoy.
I heard from our “Darling of the Reporting World,” Bethany Monroe. She had a two-part story. (Apparently Bethany talks to everyone, friend or stranger, as I do.) Summer Celebration weekend, she was engaged in conversation with a young lady who said that she lived in Great Falls but was originally from Oregon, south of Oregon City. Bethany said, “Really, I am from Malalla.” It is a small town of about 8,000 population. (Note from Muncie: it seems like a big town to me.) Bethany was surprised to meet someone who had even heard of Malalla much let alone live there. To continue the coincidence, she also came to Montana to be near her boyfriend.
And the rest of the story: When Bethany first came to Fort Benton, she met Samantha Stefani at the Fort Benton Elementary. Samantha mentioned that she had a sister who lived in Malalia. Bethany met Sam’s sister and interviewed her when she worked for the Malalia newspaper. Small world indeed.
SMALL WORLD II
The second story comes from Randy Morger. It involved two strangers who visited The Old Fort while Randy was on duty. The first man came into the Fort and Randy noted that he had a heavy German accent. When asked about it, the man said that he was from Switzerland and had immigrated to Canada years ago.
About 45 minutes later another man came in and he also had a heavy German accent. He told the same story about migrating from Switzerland into Canada. Randy then got the two men together and this is where the Small World story began. They were born and raised just a village apart from each other in Switzerland. Not only that, they had the same last name. When they returned to Canada, they were going to contact each other and check if they were related. They had to travel to Fort Benton, Montana to find each other. That is really a small, small world story.
FOUR SHILLINGS SHORT
They have been here before and they are back again to delight us with an evening of these lively International Troubadours. They were first brought to Fort Benton by Vera Conrod. They were an immediate favorite group, that have returned to town for several years. (Note: Perhaps it has been longer. It is so difficult to keep up with time.) Their appearance at The Old Fort fits the occasion. The day is Saturday and the date is the 13th at 7:00 p.m. Bring your chairs and something to sip on/snack on. It is a two hour performance and may the weather be good to us again as it was in the past.
Here is some background on the Four Shillings and Vera Conrod. Vera’s son David and wife Jill lived in San Francisco in 1985. Jill was involved in professional theatre and met the Four Shillings.
It was then that Vera met them.
They came to Fort Benton in 2009 when Vera told Connie Jenkins about them. They came again in 2006 and performed to a full house in the Culbertson building. They were invited back in 2009 and 2010 to perform at the Ag Center and The Old Fort. Do you readers remember how it began to pour rain and we all retreated into the building? The Four Shillings finished their performance inside and it was comfortable and cozy. May this coming Saturday be great weather and we will see you there.
GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
View From The Bridge 8/18/10
“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
by Muncie
8/18/10
NEW VESTS
There is a new fashion look for the Volunteers at the Visitors Information Center. A group of “Super Quilters,” worked from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, the 9th. They cut and sewed black vests with each vest designed different colors and quilted designs. The new vests are very sharp looking and with the Volunteer buttons, the Volunteers will look very professional.
The women who took on this project were (in alphabetical order,) Helen Anderson, Judy Beloate, Ruth Carlstrom, Jan Fisher, Margaret Haugworth, Corina Holcomb, Sue Lepley, Karen Sansouzi, Joan Schaefer and Sue Swanstrom. Dee Lohse opened and closed the building and set up the tables for the Quilter’s sewing machines.
NOTE: There will be a meeting of all of the Volunteers at the Wake Cup Coffee Shop on Monday, the 23rd at 10:00 a.m.. Please plan to be there, as the vests will all be completed and given to those who do not yet have them. There will also be a discussion to plan an upcoming event.
TOONERVILLE TROLLEY TO ROCKING K
Dennis Nottingham gave all of the following information to me. He has better access to research and he lives in Carter. He has been a great supporter of this article on the Carter Bar, as well my Adopted Plot where he placed rocks underneath the New Bridge and landscaping the area for me. It looks so much better and I hope that you have noticed it too.
Dennis found a recent article in the Great Falls Tribune detailing the early use of electricity in the Electric City. An electric streetcar was shown in one photo, which brought back memories of Car No. 40.
Highway 29 (now Highway 87,) used to closely follow the Great Northern Railroad alignment from Havre to Great Falls using Carter’s main street through that area. Sometime in the 1930s, the alignment was changed to bypass Carter to the north. In 1931, the Great Falls electric trolley system was replaced with diesel busses and the trolley cars were surplused.
No. 40 was moved to Fort Benton for a while and was then purchased by Bob Vischer and Wesley Nottingham, (Dennis’ father.) They moved the trolley to Carter and located it along the new highway alignment at the present site of the Rocking K.
In 1935 highway traffic needed gasoline and food service. The Toonerville Trolley fulfilled this need under the name of the Toonerville Service. At this time, a cartoon named “Toonerville Folks” was popular in many newspapers featuring a fictional trolley car, and so the name Toonerville Trolley. The “Toonerville Trolley was a famous landmark in Carter and word of its existence was widespread. The seats from the Trolley (dated 1905,) can be seen today at the Carter Methodist Church
Business was good, but in the early 1940’s, the business was sold to Andy Larkin who owned a tavern in downtown Carter and he moved the building to the Trolley location. He and the Cronkhite Boys formed a new Tavern business. It was common in those days to use everything in a frugal manner including old buildings and the Trolley was moved to the Vischer Ranch. It was later sold for scrap and everyone today wishes it had not been scraped.
A long line of owners and remodeling followed for this Carter Tavern including Wesley Nottingham, (for a second time.) Dennis said that the Carter Tavern helped put him through college. This is the end of Dennis’ story.
A pamphlet and a book were published by Jack K Caster. For everything you ever wanted to know about Carter, go to the Chouteau County Library and check out “A new Town, Making Good,” from 1975, and “Carter, MT Homestead Boomtown 1909-1930,” published in 1990.
From other sources, I learned the names of many of the owners of the Carter Bar. I do not have the order in which they owned the Bar nor the year. They are Bob Vischer, Wes Nottingham, Andy Larkin, Stub and Doris Stubster, Jeff Morger (1948,) Ray Kline (murdered by one of his employees,) Vince Webb, Vic Fatz, Greg Stubbs and John Dawson, and now Tamara Adams. If anyone has any information as to the order or the dates, please let me know. Perhaps we can compile an accurate historical record.. Actually, I have not made a trip to the Court House and I will try to plan some time this week to do that. That would probably be the simplest way.
FOUR SHILLINGS SHORT
What a delightful evening of singing and the playing of dozens of instruments. There were approximately 90 to 100 people in the audience who brought their picnic lunches and lawn chairs. We sat within the stockade walls of the Old Fort. When the weather turned nasty, Aodh Og O Tuama asked the audience, if it rained, would they each take one of the instruments inside the Trading Room. Soon the wind began to blow fiercely and everyone jumped up to either leave or to take shelter inside the Trade Room.
All the instruments were brought into the building safely and the show continued to intermission. Molly Trindle, (Organizer Vera Conrod’s granddaughter,) baked a cake as well as Vera. They passed out plates of cake during the intermission, which was a nice surprise for the audience. It was nice to be inside, warm, and cozy, while it rained outside. The rain did stop by the time the concert was over and everyone agreed that it was a very pleasant evening.
I was pleased to see many young people and children attending. I told one young girl that it was so good to see young people interested in that kind of music. She said that her grandmother had one of their CD’s and she listened to it often.
Another first…many of the people in the Trade Room were there for the first time. Dave Parchen announced a welcome to the Old Fort that is a community project and belongs to all the residents of Fort Benton. I have been urging you Readers many times to take the Old Fort Tour. It is all about the beginnings of Fort Benton, the fur trade and the steamboat era. “If you don’t know where you came from, you cannot know where you are going.”
The Old Fort will have tours through the end of September. Make it a point to take in all of the venues that Fort Benton has to offer. You will be amazed to see and learn about how history ties all events together. It is a “small world” in our “where we came from.”
CHOUTEAU COUNTY FAIR
Well, it is here at last. It looks as though the weather will be cooperating and much preparation has been put into organizing all the food concessions, day and evening events and vendors in general. The end of summer is in sight with the closing of the swimming pool on Saturday the 14th and the Fair this coming weekend. Enjoy and a good time should be had by all. It is all what you make it.
RECYLING NEWS
I forgot to tell you about my recycling experience in Bozeman last week at the motel where we stayed. I noticed as soon as we entered our room, that there were paper cups instead of plastic. When I went to the Continental Breakfast the next morning, I told the attendant how pleased I was that they were using paper plates and cups instead of plastic. She said that it was POTATO WARE. I asked her to repeat as I thought that I heard it wrong. No I did not, as she explained that someone had developed Potato Ware actually made from potatoes so it was biodegradable. The motel has been using these products for four months.
I immediately thought it was worth the trips to the moon to develop biodegradable tableware. Unfortunately, the forks, knives, and spoons do not work with that system because one might end up eating them. (Sometimes I make jokes.)
If you travel in the near future, be sure to check out what your accommodations are doing for recycling. Every little bit helps.
SO LONG FOR NOW
A reminder that Charlotte Caldwell will be returning in October for work on the photography book for one-room schoolhouses. Keep the calls coming (622-3217 after 2:00 p.m. and 899-1380 after 9:00 a.m. if a local call. If it is long distance, you will have to wait until after 7:00 p.m. MT time.) Do a good deed every day and be kind. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
by Muncie
8/18/10
NEW VESTS
There is a new fashion look for the Volunteers at the Visitors Information Center. A group of “Super Quilters,” worked from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, the 9th. They cut and sewed black vests with each vest designed different colors and quilted designs. The new vests are very sharp looking and with the Volunteer buttons, the Volunteers will look very professional.
The women who took on this project were (in alphabetical order,) Helen Anderson, Judy Beloate, Ruth Carlstrom, Jan Fisher, Margaret Haugworth, Corina Holcomb, Sue Lepley, Karen Sansouzi, Joan Schaefer and Sue Swanstrom. Dee Lohse opened and closed the building and set up the tables for the Quilter’s sewing machines.
NOTE: There will be a meeting of all of the Volunteers at the Wake Cup Coffee Shop on Monday, the 23rd at 10:00 a.m.. Please plan to be there, as the vests will all be completed and given to those who do not yet have them. There will also be a discussion to plan an upcoming event.
TOONERVILLE TROLLEY TO ROCKING K
Dennis found a recent article in the Great Falls Tribune detailing the early use of electricity in the Electric City. An electric streetcar was shown in one photo, which brought back memories of Car No. 40.
Highway 29 (now Highway 87,) used to closely follow the Great Northern Railroad alignment from Havre to Great Falls using Carter’s main street through that area. Sometime in the 1930s, the alignment was changed to bypass Carter to the north. In 1931, the Great Falls electric trolley system was replaced with diesel busses and the trolley cars were surplused.
No. 40 was moved to Fort Benton for a while and was then purchased by Bob Vischer and Wesley Nottingham, (Dennis’ father.) They moved the trolley to Carter and located it along the new highway alignment at the present site of the Rocking K.
In 1935 highway traffic needed gasoline and food service. The Toonerville Trolley fulfilled this need under the name of the Toonerville Service. At this time, a cartoon named “Toonerville Folks” was popular in many newspapers featuring a fictional trolley car, and so the name Toonerville Trolley. The “Toonerville Trolley was a famous landmark in Carter and word of its existence was widespread. The seats from the Trolley (dated 1905,) can be seen today at the Carter Methodist Church
Business was good, but in the early 1940’s, the business was sold to Andy Larkin who owned a tavern in downtown Carter and he moved the building to the Trolley location. He and the Cronkhite Boys formed a new Tavern business. It was common in those days to use everything in a frugal manner including old buildings and the Trolley was moved to the Vischer Ranch. It was later sold for scrap and everyone today wishes it had not been scraped.
A long line of owners and remodeling followed for this Carter Tavern including Wesley Nottingham, (for a second time.) Dennis said that the Carter Tavern helped put him through college. This is the end of Dennis’ story.
A pamphlet and a book were published by Jack K Caster. For everything you ever wanted to know about Carter, go to the Chouteau County Library and check out “A new Town, Making Good,” from 1975, and “Carter, MT Homestead Boomtown 1909-1930,” published in 1990.
From other sources, I learned the names of many of the owners of the Carter Bar. I do not have the order in which they owned the Bar nor the year. They are Bob Vischer, Wes Nottingham, Andy Larkin, Stub and Doris Stubster, Jeff Morger (1948,) Ray Kline (murdered by one of his employees,) Vince Webb, Vic Fatz, Greg Stubbs and John Dawson, and now Tamara Adams. If anyone has any information as to the order or the dates, please let me know. Perhaps we can compile an accurate historical record.. Actually, I have not made a trip to the Court House and I will try to plan some time this week to do that. That would probably be the simplest way.
FOUR SHILLINGS SHORT
What a delightful evening of singing and the playing of dozens of instruments. There were approximately 90 to 100 people in the audience who brought their picnic lunches and lawn chairs. We sat within the stockade walls of the Old Fort. When the weather turned nasty, Aodh Og O Tuama asked the audience, if it rained, would they each take one of the instruments inside the Trading Room. Soon the wind began to blow fiercely and everyone jumped up to either leave or to take shelter inside the Trade Room.
All the instruments were brought into the building safely and the show continued to intermission. Molly Trindle, (Organizer Vera Conrod’s granddaughter,) baked a cake as well as Vera. They passed out plates of cake during the intermission, which was a nice surprise for the audience. It was nice to be inside, warm, and cozy, while it rained outside. The rain did stop by the time the concert was over and everyone agreed that it was a very pleasant evening.
I was pleased to see many young people and children attending. I told one young girl that it was so good to see young people interested in that kind of music. She said that her grandmother had one of their CD’s and she listened to it often.
Another first…many of the people in the Trade Room were there for the first time. Dave Parchen announced a welcome to the Old Fort that is a community project and belongs to all the residents of Fort Benton. I have been urging you Readers many times to take the Old Fort Tour. It is all about the beginnings of Fort Benton, the fur trade and the steamboat era. “If you don’t know where you came from, you cannot know where you are going.”
The Old Fort will have tours through the end of September. Make it a point to take in all of the venues that Fort Benton has to offer. You will be amazed to see and learn about how history ties all events together. It is a “small world” in our “where we came from.”
CHOUTEAU COUNTY FAIR
Well, it is here at last. It looks as though the weather will be cooperating and much preparation has been put into organizing all the food concessions, day and evening events and vendors in general. The end of summer is in sight with the closing of the swimming pool on Saturday the 14th and the Fair this coming weekend. Enjoy and a good time should be had by all. It is all what you make it.
RECYLING NEWS
I forgot to tell you about my recycling experience in Bozeman last week at the motel where we stayed. I noticed as soon as we entered our room, that there were paper cups instead of plastic. When I went to the Continental Breakfast the next morning, I told the attendant how pleased I was that they were using paper plates and cups instead of plastic. She said that it was POTATO WARE. I asked her to repeat as I thought that I heard it wrong. No I did not, as she explained that someone had developed Potato Ware actually made from potatoes so it was biodegradable. The motel has been using these products for four months.
I immediately thought it was worth the trips to the moon to develop biodegradable tableware. Unfortunately, the forks, knives, and spoons do not work with that system because one might end up eating them. (Sometimes I make jokes.)
If you travel in the near future, be sure to check out what your accommodations are doing for recycling. Every little bit helps.
SO LONG FOR NOW
A reminder that Charlotte Caldwell will be returning in October for work on the photography book for one-room schoolhouses. Keep the calls coming (622-3217 after 2:00 p.m. and 899-1380 after 9:00 a.m. if a local call. If it is long distance, you will have to wait until after 7:00 p.m. MT time.) Do a good deed every day and be kind. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Monday, May 4, 2009
View From The Bridge
By Muncie Morger
5-6-09
AROUND TOWN
Well, do you think that spring has finally arrived? Most of our family went “rock hunting” today (Sunday) and were greeted with a remarkable sight. Traveling out of town on the Chester road, the top ridges on the right were snow covered. On the way back from Loma, turning on the Airport entrance, we saw more snow on the Highwood’s than we remembered seeing all winter. It was a beautiful sight and as Murphy’s Law would have it, my camera broke last week.
Visitors have been walking up and down the Levee for several weeks (except Tuesday and Wednesday last). Traveling up or down Front Street there always seems to be people around Shep. That story is still alive and many Visitors come to Fort Benton (not knowing all the other attractions we have), just to visit the Shep Memorial and his burial place.
SUMMER CELEBRATION
If you have not heard any of what is happening at Summer Celebration here is a little scoop. The Celebration this coming June is going to feature the IRISH (if you are not Irish, and do not have even the smallest amount of Irish blood) then you are what are called “Want-A-Bees). There will be Irish music, Irish dancing, Irish t-shirts, and the dedication of the Meagher statue in front of the Baker House where he had his last meal. Be sure to talk it up with all your family and friends.
By Muncie Morger
5-6-09
AROUND TOWN
Well, do you think that spring has finally arrived? Most of our family went “rock hunting” today (Sunday) and were greeted with a remarkable sight. Traveling out of town on the Chester road, the top ridges on the right were snow covered. On the way back from Loma, turning on the Airport entrance, we saw more snow on the Highwood’s than we remembered seeing all winter. It was a beautiful sight and as Murphy’s Law would have it, my camera broke last week.
Visitors have been walking up and down the Levee for several weeks (except Tuesday and Wednesday last). Traveling up or down Front Street there always seems to be people around Shep. That story is still alive and many Visitors come to Fort Benton (not knowing all the other attractions we have), just to visit the Shep Memorial and his burial place.
SUMMER CELEBRATION
If you have not heard any of what is happening at Summer Celebration here is a little scoop. The Celebration this coming June is going to feature the IRISH (if you are not Irish, and do not have even the smallest amount of Irish blood) then you are what are called “Want-A-Bees). There will be Irish music, Irish dancing, Irish t-shirts, and the dedication of the Meagher statue in front of the Baker House where he had his last meal. Be sure to talk it up with all your family and friends.
Video Courtesy of Fort Benton Chamber of Commerce
CEMENT BENCH & TABLE PROGRAM
If you have thought about or planned to purchase a cement bench or table to be placed this spring and summer, then give me a call this week. The order is ready to be called in but I will wait one more week as I have not mentioned a deadline before. Thinking about doing outdoor projects with the weather we have been having is like thinking of planting your garden or flowers. This coming week is going to be a perfect time to get plans rolling. Give me a call at 622-3217.
PAST EVENTS
To all the participants in last Saturdays performance of the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of Hansel and Gretel…bravo. You were all the best actors and actors and all the talk afterward was about the effort that you all put into the practices and the performance itself. We know that you had two hours of practice after school and how hard that must have been for the lst, 2nd, and 3rd graders. Please know that you brought a lot of pride and joy to the audience and especially to your parents and grandparents. We had a group of children sitting in front of us and it was a show in itself watching them. They were so excited and reacted to all the characters as they came on stage. What a great experience for everyone. We have never missed one of these performances and they get better and better each time the Theatre comes to Fort Benton. We will look forward to the next time.
UPCOMING EVENTS
On Tuesday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the Ag Center in the Old Barn, will be featured Four Shillings Short. You will not only be entertained but you will see the recent renovation of another building in the Old Village.
On Thursday, May 14, at 7:30 at the Grand Union Hotel, Chouteau County Performing Arts will present Piatigorsky Foundations artists. Soprano Raquila Sheeran and Pianist David Shimoni are both alumni of Juilliard so you will hear the best of Classical Music.
Friends of the Library meet on Wednesday the 13th at 11:30 a.m. this month because it is the spring luncheon with Russell Rowland as the guest speaker.
Fort Benton Woman’s Club meets on Thursday the 14th at noon.
“Pie Day is Friday” the 15th at the Golden Age Senior Center at 10:00 a.m. until the pie is gone (I just made that up). I am not sure how long the pie is served but come with your friends for a social hour beginning at 10:00 a.m. It does not hurt a bit to see a lot of your friends after being house-bound so much this past winter.
On Saturday the 16th a group of thirty Antique Car owners from the Absarokee area are coming to Fort Benton for a special visit to the Museums and the Fort. They will also preview their automobiles at a yet undecided location for your pleasure. The autos are from 1933 to l953 vintage. Gosh, there never seem to be any autos from my birth-date. I guess, like myself, they cannot be restored.
OTHER NEWS
I did receive three stories from readers this past week and I am very elated to fill this column with interesting news. The first one was about Four Shillings Short, the second about the Antique Cars and the third was about the Dedman Foundation. A very faithful volunteer asked that I relate how the Dedman needs adoptive families immediately. They are over-run with animals and all those animals need to be feed and cared for. It must have something to do with the economy and needing to take care of self and family first. If you can see it in your heart and pocket book to take a trip to the Dedman, you are sure to find a small (or large) something to take care of and to love. Let us see how many takers they might get from this column. It is a desperate situation and so if you have even a one small thought about adopting…do it now. One more thought…a donation would be a tremendous help…do it now.
THE END
This week I have been thinking all week about “Don’t blink.” I am sure that you all understand that I mean if you blink it may be next week, next year or that time is up. Time goes so quickly and if you 20 and 30 years olds think it goes fast for you, wait until you are 60 and 70. You look back and think what I did with my life. I hope that you all did well and that you have no regrets. If you do then it is not too late to change them. (I did not really make all of this up…I read it in a book but thought I would pass it along.) Have a wonderful week.
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