View From The Bridge 5/29/19

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
5/29/19

NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT
It is now late Saturday evening and I have just watched the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS. It was the 30th year and was 1 ½ hours long. I think I have watched it all of those 30 years. It really makes Memorial Day a special time.

I hope that you were able to watch it and feel the pain as each war was honored. There were millions of our young men and women who gave their lives for our country.

Did you thank a Veteran today? In fact, you can do that every day of the year. Actually, if you did that a hundred times a day it would never be enough. They are the reason you are comfy, dozy, warm, and able to sit and watch your TV every might. God Bless America.

MEMORIAL DAY
This day is so meaningful here in Fort Benton. I am sure it is because it is a small rural community. I never had any connection when I lived in another state because it was a huge metropolitan area and I did not know any Veterans.

The ceremony at the Old Fort Benton Bridge is so beautiful with the throwing of the wreath into the Missouri. It is a time to remember all Veterans, and those who gave up their lives for our country.

It is also an awesome sight to follow the crowd to the Riverside Cemetery. To see all the American flags on all the Veterans graves. It makes me feel so grateful that we had these brave men and women who loved their country as much as I do.

I am so proud to be an American and show it by flying an American Flag every day that there is not inclement weather. Please wear red on Fridays and the shirt that says Support Our Troops. I started with a green light on my porch but had to give it up because it did not give enough light.

I am merely giving a reminder to show love of your country in small ways. It takes such a little effort and in today’s world we need all the support we can get or give. JUST DO IT.

MEMORIAL DAY TEARS
It is now Monday afternoon and I have returned from the Memorial ceremonies at the Old Fort Benton Bridge and the Riverside Cemetery. I noted that there was a good turn-out, with many children, considering the chilly weather.

What I enjoyed the most was the singing of GOD BLESS AMERICA. Everyone joined in with their hands on their hearts. I had the strong feeling that our Veterans loved ones were there with us.

FLAG COUNTING RIDE
I asked Randy to take me for a ride to count the American Flags that were hanging on porches. We did not cover the entire town as Mary Zanto and I had always done but we did cover perhaps half the streets. Randy counted 63 Flags up with one yard that had 9 small ones along his entrance sidewalk. That averages out to be on the generous side about 20% of the homes.

I know that I am hung up on this subject but please make an effort to purchase a flag and get it installed before the 4th of July. Even better would be if they were up by Summer Celebration. JUST DO IT please.

VIETNAM STORY
I have a personal story about Vietnam that I would like to share with you. I tried to find out more information to verify my story on the internet but could not find any.

There was a contest for painters to send in pictures of the Vietnam wall. My Uncle Charlie’s next door neighbor was an artist and sent in her picture. It won first place and $50,000.00. I found the picture on the internet but nothing more. I cannot remember her name but I do remember meeting her in Livonia, MI. She invited me into her home to show me other work she had painted.

The strange part of this story is that she was not encouraged to spend time on the talent she loved so much. Much support came after she won that national contest.

So, you artists out there, live your dream. You live in a world of scenes, colors, and how you see the world. I saw a program on PBS not long ago that told how the Art World is disappearing. This includes music, literature, and painting. The arts in Montana are experiencing cuts in appropriations every year. I learned this from attending the Performing Arts Consortiums each year.
       
So, artists of all kinds hang in there and continue to bring your beautiful talents into the world.

COMMUNITY GARDEN
I checked with Rita this morning and she said that last weeks mention in the View with her phone number brought in 2 more gardeners. That leaves 2 more high planting boxes and 3 more low ones that are not filled.

Good show you hard working gardeners. I love seeing you across the street every day working on your gardens.

I got my tomatoes planted this past week. Connie found some rolling things to put my pots on. I attached a bungee cord to pull them in and out of the garage in the morning and at night. It saves wear and tear on the back. Now I just have to wait a couple of months before I can sit on my front porch steps and eat Sweet One Hundreds right off the vine. Yummy!

BIRDS
I am enjoying watching the many birds that have at last discovered my one feeder. It is located in front of my living room window. I have four feeders off the deck in the back but I no longer fill them. It is because the larger birds seemed to have taken them over and chase the small birds away. I suppose they have to eat too but I do not enjoy watching them as much as the wrens and sparrows.

I have no idea where their nests are as they always seem to fly away to the east and there is only one tree nearby. To the west there are many trees so because I do not see well, I cannot follow them to their nests. Well whatever. It doesn’t really matter as long as they hang out nearby so I can enjoy them.

DEAR WHO
Since you had not shown up and it is Memorial Day, I took it upon myself to decorate the hollow tree. Nancy was working in the Community Garden and I asked her if she would help me decorate. I really wasn’t much help but I did provide the decorations. At a silent auction I got a Red, White, and Blue basket filled with patriotic decorations.

I hope that you don’t mind. You must be away and I wish there were a way we could communicate. I would actually leave the hollow tree as it is until Labor Day. By time you should be ready to do fall decorations. Please contact in some matter so I will still not know who you are.

Nancy is storing you summer decorations. Let her know when you want them back.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREMEN AND WOMEN, FIREFIGHTERS, AND EMT’S.

View From The Bridge 7/18/18

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
7/18/18

DEAR “WHO”
I am so happy that you are back. Your additional July 4th decorations around the hollow tree were such a surprise and now I know that you are alive and well. It takes a great deal of pressure from me because the terrain around that hollow tree is treacherous.

I want to say I am sorry again for horning in on your idea but also have another clue as to who you are. You must have been out of town for February’s Valentine’s Day and In March during St. Patty’s Day. So, from now on the rest is up to you. I will be removing   the red, white, and blue flags at the end of the month and it is now all up to you. I know you will come up with something spectacular for summer. Just a note here, at the end of the month I will put the rabbit and carrot back in the hollow tree. Please take them back home to wait for next Easter.

A SURPRISE MAIL
Last Saturday when I picked up my mail I received a card from Lee Smith of Bremerton, WA, who is the brother of Phyllis Smith of Fort Benton. The note was to let me know that he reads the View from the Bridge every week and likes my view of what is going on.                       

I have found many times that those former residents of our town still subscribe to the River Press.

A while back I mentioned the different states that I hear from and one of them is a family member who checks me carefully as to the creditability of my stories.

I have often said that I would really appreciate calls from local residents about their experiences but those are far and few between.

I try to keep you informed but it is usually after the fact. I still say that I am the last to know anything. I do not do Facebook nor do I hear from those who do. I know that I am missing a lot but I have a difficult time trying to keep up with e-mail. Now that I have the Windows 10 I am completely lost in the tech world. HELP! Just call me please because I am still able to answer the phone.

So those of you in WA, OH, MI, FL, CA, NM, PA, and other towns in MT, I send my gratitude and “love you more.”

VISITORS CENTER
The new deck behind the Center is coming along nicely. Last Tuesday during my shift from noon to 2:00 some of the top boards had been installed and stained. It is my hope that you will pack a lunch and some to the Center to sit on the deck and enjoy the Missouri River view while eating your lunch. It is supposed to be in the 90’s all this week but there is a lot of shade in that area. See you there.

FARMERS MARKET
It always starts out slow but there were many of the old faithful customers there. Our former elementary school principal Rusty Bower and his wife Hazel will be there soon with their oriental food. Congrats are in order for their Baby Girl born a week ago Monday. I cannot understand why Hazel wasn’t at the Farmers Market on Thursday. My joke of the week. I Hope to see you soon and bring that Baby along. There will be plenty of people who will be happy to hold her.

SEWER CONSTRUCTION
It looks as though the projected finish by the end of July will be a reality. A problem may occur this coming weekend when the Swim Meet brings many people to town. 

Only a short portion of Front Street is blocked off as of Monday the 16th. The Walking Trail has not been affected. Getting to the trail is difficult for me now because of lawns being watered during the day. I wait until the sprinkler goes in the other direction and then I scurry through. I have not gotten wet yet at the Bluffs but the Park is another story. I will just have to learn to not go to town on the days that they water or else I will not have to take a shower that day. Some of these 90 plus days I would just like to sit in those sprinkler areas with the cold water.

SO LONG B.J. 
Last week B.J. Conn McIntosh’s ashes were returned to Fort Benton from Oregon to be buried in the Riverside Cemetery. I cannot remember when B.J. left Fort Benton but it was after a long stay during which time she took care of her parents Mary and Charlie Conn.

B.J. was instrumental in keeping great records for the Veterans Photo project. We volunteered at the Ag Center’s Research Center.

After her parents passed, B.J. had a stroke and she underwent physical therapy in the hospital in Great Falls.

She then returned to Oregon but did not return to good health. Since she was born and raised in Fort Benton, she wanted to be buried here. We often talked about her love of Fort Benton and Montana but her business and home called her back to Oregon.

My sympathies and understanding thoughts go out to all of you who have lost loved ones. I read the obituaries and wish I had known all of the people. It was amazing to find the interesting lives they all lived. I’m grateful that my life did cross with B.J’s. and I am grateful for the time I had with her and the many things she taught me about organization.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Parents…check the Community Calendar in the River Press and check out the great summer programs the BLM and the Library have planned.

The free golf lessons for kids are really a bonus and I wish I could go but I am a bit too old. The swimming pool is open every day and that should be a huge draw this coming hot week.

So, Parents check the schedules and remind your kids. I met a couple of youngsters riding their bikes who told me they had nothing to do. Really! That is hard to believe.

To the Kiddos, you only have a little over a month before school starts. Make the most of your vacation so you will have something to talk about when it gets cold and starts snowing. (Now those are ugly words.)

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREMEN/WOMEN, AND EMT’s.