View From The Bridge 6/21/17

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
6/21/17

SUMMER TIME
The day of the year I always feel sad is Wednesday the 21st when the days start getting shorter. It will be an hour approximately each month to lose light. I do not have to remind you but just thought I would share my thoughts about it. I love these long evenings watching the birds visiting the “Red Dot Dinner bird feeder” hanging in front of the living room window. I’ll enjoy the next couple of months when the days remain longer and then adjust for fall and winter. Hang in there with me.

AMERICAN FLAG
Folks, I know that I have been nagging about hanging an American Flag on your front porch. I am going to tell you a story that I saw on the world news a week ago Friday. It was the Steve Hartman show “On the Road” what plays every Friday at the end of the program.

Two years ago 11 year old Preston Sharp who lives in Redding, CA visited his grandfather’s grave. He came home to tell his mother that there was not an American Flag on grandfather’s grave.

His mother was of the mind “Well, do something about it.” Preston went to work doing odd jobs to raise money to buy a flag. As the story went on, he bought flags for all the Veterans graves in that cemetery. He then did another cemetery, another cemetery and then another. As of today, Preston has put 23,000 flags on Veterans graves.)

So here I am in Fort Benton, MT asking that every home fly an American Flag. That is one flag for you to honor our United States of America and those who have died for our freedom. Is that too much to ask? Please do it because you love your country and want to show respect for the flag. Flags are reasonably priced at Lehman’s True Value and if you are not able to put it up I can arrange that for you. No excuses, no “I don’t have time, or “I’m just too busy,” or “I do not want to hear that.” There is too much at stake especially at this stage of our lives. I’ll ride around town again on the 4th of July and I am hopeful to see at least 300 homes with Flags flying. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making an effort.

A NEW MARINE
Another reason I am high and mighty about the American Flag is because last Friday my grandson, Joshua who is 19 years old, became a Marine at Parris Island, South Carolina. I was not able to attend but that did not make me less proud. (I have been to a ceremony like this before and every American should witness one.) Joshua and 499 other young men volunteered to join the service of our country. They are putting up their lives for our freedom. They are our protectors and loved ones. Think of them when you put your flag out every day.

My dear husband, Wally gone over 3 years now, has 4 grandsons, my step grandsons, still in the Army. I am so proud of them and all the Servicemen and women. For those of you in Chouteau County who have your husbands, sons, or grandsons, in the service, I thank you and them every day. I tried to find their addresses at one time but they are not given out any longer. (Years ago I used to write to them.) I can understand why and want them to know that they are remembered every day.

SUMMER CELEBRATION
It is here at last so enjoy every minute of it. Pick up a schedule and keep busy all three days going from one place to another. The weather looks fine without rain but perhaps high temperatures. Remember your sun screen and drink lots of water.

OLD BUILDINGS
Fort Benton has been fortunate that enterprising persons have purchased old buildings and homes to restore them. The Grand Union, the State Bank Building, the Culberson House, the McGraw Building, the Tire Store remodeled into the Ambulance Barn, and the Old Fire House to mention a few. Businesses being purchased are the River Market, the Lumber Yard, the L & R Meats building, and the Bowling Alley.  

There are old homes for sale and some being remodeled like one of the T.C. Power houses on 17th St. (open house this weekend,) Jim Cummings house, and the Muesel home. These are great improvements for our city and it is so interesting to watch the progress. I am so grateful that some persons want to invest in Fort Benton.

I have lost a great many friends who had to move for one reason or another but have found new friends who have such great stories to share. It opens up a whole new world that I no longer can explore.

BOOK SALE
One of my favorite events of Summer Celebration is the Book Sale at the Chouteau County Free Library starting at 9:00 a.m. on Friday. What a bargain! A bog of books for $1.00 is awesome and is a fund raiser for Friends of the Library. (They meet once a month during the season and I have been fortunate to get the chosen book of the month from the Talking Books Library in Helena.)

A few years ago I met a couple from Canada and enjoyed their story. About 7 years ago they happened to come to Fort Benton during Summer Celebration. They found the Library and the Book Sale and said it was the best sale they had ever found. They travel over 500 miles each year just to enjoy the book sale. They are the first in line waiting for the library to open its doors. I have spoken with them the last couple of years and look forward to seeing them again. See all of you there.

WWI MEMORIAL
On July 4th there will be a dedication of the old WWI Memorial at the Veterans Park at 10:00 a.m. The Memorial has been repaired and I am hopeful that there are more attendees then there were on Memorial Day.

I am sure the low attendance was because of the repair of the Old Bridge. Next year we will be on track. However, the WWI Memorial will only be this year so mark your calendars. The ceremony will only last a short time and it will be a good way to start the 4th of July holiday.

JULY 3RD
On the evening of July 3rd there is a program on PBS TV from Washington, D.C. It features the United States Army Band, popular entertainers singing patriotic songs and stories about Veterans. It is 1 ½ hrs. Long and is repeating immediately after the 1st program. Don’t miss it. It is inspiring. (It will make you so happy to have your flag hanging.)

FLAG ETIQUETTE
There are some rules and regulations about your hanging of the flag. The directions will be inside the package if you purchase a new one. If it is an older flag some of the rules are to take the flag down in inclement weather and if strong winds are blowing. I’ll be reading my instructions over again because I learn something new every day.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, THOSE WHO PROTECT US, and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.
(Especially today our citizens need all the support we can get and give.  (“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”)

View From The Bridge 7/6/16

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
7/6/16

QUILTS
The most important item on my agenda now is the selling of raffle tickets for the Summer Celebration Quilts. Did you see the Quilt Float in the Parade?

I will be here, there, and everywhere selling the $5.00 tickets. Please be generous as the monies go to support Summer Celebration. If you feel you can sell some tickets please call me at 622-3217.

The winning tickets will be drawn at the Chouteau County Fair.

THE WREATH
It has been a month since Memorial Day when Warren Siebenaler and I dropped the Memorial Wreath off the Old Bridge into the Missouri. My hopes had already been dashed and then today came an e-mail telling me that the Wreath had been found.

The best part of the story is that the finders copied the information and then threw the Wreath back into the river. It may still end up in New Orleans.

It really meant a lot to me because that Wreath represented the love we have for our Veterans and loved ones that have gone before us. It is so special that the finding news came to me on this special weekend of our Countries birthday.

“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” It hardly seems possible that there is anything we can do here in Fort Benton about the war in Afghanistan or the murders in Chicago. People who have no regard for life are blowing themselves up. Will one little candle change anything? Does one little wreath floating on the Missouri make you feel any better?

OOPS AGAIN
I told you readers that the concert from Washington D.C. would be on Sunday evening the 30th. It was not. It aired the 4th of July evening unlike the Memorial Day concert that was aired the night before the holiday. I hope that my error did not make you miss the show.

EXPLANATION
Readers, I can only write about what I know or think that I know. I do know about age related Macular Degeneration because I share that with 18 ½ million other Americans.

I think that most of you know that I am hard of hearing and that I am dealing with hearing aids that drive me crazy with background noise.

I am telling you all of this because during summer celebration, many people said hello to me and I did not hear them or see them. Macular Degeneration begins in the middle of the eye. My peripheral vision is very good yet. (I turned my TV diagonal so I can see it better.)
So, if you said hello to me or waved to me from a short distance away and I did not respond, please do not think that I am ignoring you. I just did not hear or see you. If you want to talk to me you have to get right into my face.

I also know Folks who will not admit to this happening to them and continue to struggle along unable to see or hear well. I just acquired a Reading Machine because it because difficult to read the River Press with my special magnifying glasses. I love the machine and it is changing my life. Although I love Talking Books, it would be great to read a book that I cannot get on tape. I have a pile of books waiting to get into that machine.

If you are having problems with your eyes or hearing, I would be happy to share my experiences and the help I get from organizations. Just give me a call at 622-3217.  If I am out and about I will get back to you a.s.a.p.

SUMMER CELEBRATION
My oldest son, Johnny and his wife Jane flew into Great Falls just for Summer Celebration. My daughter Jennifer and I talked about it so much they wanted to see for themselves. They were not disappointed. They could not believe that a town the size of ours could put on a celebration such as we have.

They especially marveled at the Parade, the Bag of Books Sale, the BBQ at First Security Bank and the Ice Cream Social at the U.S. Bank. The rain did not spoil any event.

On Sunday we took off at 8:00 in the morning and toured Glacier Park. I was returned home at midnight. On Monday we toured the Little Belt Mountains.

Have you ever heard of “An Ace in the Hole?” I never had. It is a missile site in the Monarch area that President John Kennedy named the site during the Cuban crisis. Then we hunted up a ghost town in the area and I really enjoyed that. It was formerly a silver mining town. Do not ask me where we were because we were in the boon docks.

Cutting across country toward Ulm we got a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. Jennifer and Mike just purchased this new truck but guess what! There was no jack. It was supposed to be under the back seat but the space was there but no jack. It would have been a long walk to the nearest ranch or Ulm.  After about 10 minutes a truck came into view. Mike was excited because it was a Ford.

It was an old cowboy ranch hand that moved from Billings in January. He was an Angel in Distress and the tire was changed quickly and we were on our way. We ate very late in Ulm but we were all very happy and content. I know that Jane and Johnny saw more of Montana than most people who live here. There was a little better than a 1,000 miles put on the truck. “A good time was had by all.”

By the way do you know what 41 stands for on a t-shirt my daughter bought at The Toggery in Fort Benton? I did not know. (Answer below.)

BOOK SALE
I heard on the grapevine that the book sale was a success. I gave a little volunteer time on Thursday to set up the books that were donated. Then on Friday my shift was from 9:00 to 10:00. I had a reason to do that shift and I love this story I am about to tell you.

Last year when I did the same time frame shift, I met a couple outside waiting for the Book Sale to begin. They said that they lived in Canada about 500 miles away. They first discovered Fort Benton when the Mounted Police came to Fort Benton. That may have been in 2011 when we celebrated with Canada, “One West, Two Nations.”

They came upon the Book Sale and told me that it was the best book sale that had ever been to. They have returned to Summer Celebration every year since just for the Book Sale. They love our town and I always ask Canadians at the Visitors Center, “When are you going to join the United States?” I have gotten many different replies but the one that is #1 is, “No, when are you going to join us.”

So this year again the same couple were one of the first to the book sale and they stayed awhile to chat about books and our countries. I do not know their names or exactly where they live in Canada but I do know that they will be back next year.

There will be another Bag o’ Book Sale for $1.00 a Bag” at Christmas time. It will be here before you can blink an eye.

RATTLE REPORT
One of my friends in the 1800 block of Franklin found a rattle snake in her back yard. She has fence separating the yard from the alley. The rattler was inside the fence. She called neighbors and they took care of the snake.

I asked her if she saved the rattles for me.  She said she did not and if I wanted them they were in the garbage container. I asked if it was in a bag and she said no.  It was just thrown into the garbage container.

Wouldn’t it be funny if we had people, like we did in Michigan, who checked out everyone’s garbage containers? They would be thrilled to death, I am sure, to find the rattler and they might even take the rattles.

I checked with the Police Department this morning and they received 2 calls for snakes. They turned out to be bull snakes. One other call was a rattler by the Grand Union Hotel. That seems to be a favorite place where the snakes come out of the Missouri. If you are using the Walking Trail be on the alert for snakes and if you see one call 911 immediately. Please do not try to deal with it yourself.

Be sure to be on the alert even in your own backyard. It is something we have to deal with in Fort Benton.

ANSWER TO QUESTION
It stands for Montana becoming the 41st State in the United States in 1889.

OBSERVATIONS
“Don’t take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.” (This is the best one yet.)

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, and EVERYONE WHO PROTECTS US.