“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
4/28/10
EVERYONE HAS A STORY
It seems that many of you enjoyed the story last week about Wally’s encounter with Mr. McAfee (I misspelled it last week.) I found when I checked the Research Center for the authentic note that he wrote about the incident, I had reported he was 4 years old. The note accurately said that he was 6 years old. I wondered how a 4 year old would remember although it was an auspicious occasion.) I especially enjoyed the phone call from Luella Martin from Geraldine as she made my day. Other readers around town commented on the humor of the story and the time that it took place.
I have often said, “Everybody has a story” that would be similar to Wally’s. I would really like it if you would tell me these stories. Let me put them into this column because will be enjoyed by all. They are also important historical items about you, your family, and the connections to Fort Benton. Several people have shared in the past some stories similar to Wally’s but at the time, I did not realize how important they were to document.
As far as the voting on whether to let Wally go on a free trip to Europe or keep him in Fort Benton…I only received one vote to have him stay where he is. So much for the free trip.
SHEP LOVERS
On May 24, Brian Morger will be sprucing up the Shep Burial area. He will be painting the sign, the rocks and making it a more attractive area to visit. If there are any of you readers who would be interested in volunteering to help out, you are more than welcome. Show up on May 24th, at the site at noon. I hope that it will be a beautiful day and many hands will make short work. I am always asking you to “put it on your calendar” and I will be reminding you again. It is a great view from that point so take your cameras.
STAR WARS DAY
Did you know that Tuesday, May 4 is Star Wars Day? It is because, “May the 4th be with you.” Well, I thought it was funny. Hope you got a chuckle out of it.
A VOLUNTEER
At a General Federation of Women’s Club of Fort Benton meeting several months ago, there were placemats on the table at the meeting that I saved because of the list of “I’ll show you a Volunteer” (author unknown.) I am going to list one each week for you to ponder about during the week. The first one is…”Show me a person who spends endless hours in training without pay, and, I’ll show you a volunteer.” Those of you who are volunteers will understand that very well.
That brings up the subject of volunteers for the Visitors Information Center in the Old Fire Hall. The Center will reopen on May 1st and as always needs volunteers. Trust me when I say that volunteering at the Center is actually fun and a break from your usual routine. If you like promoting Fort Benton and its history, and meeting people from all over the country, this is get-a-way time. It is actually like taking a vacation to visit with the visitors who have made Fort Benton a destination place or that just happen to drop in off Highway 87. If you have a couple of hours at most to spare, then ring up Ruth’s new phone number, which is 622-3634.
There are perks that go with the Center volunteering. Ruth, as the Coordinator, is #1 for treating the volunteers to special events and get-togethers. We are a bunch of Happy Campers and it never gets boring. Come join us.
CEMENT TABLES
There is a definite order for a cement table and another order pending for the family’s approval. There is a spot for one more table if anyone is interested and it is downriver from the Old Bridge. I have been told that there will not be any tables placed upriver from the New Bridge because of the parking situation in that area. A picnic lunch would have to be carried from a parking space on Front St. or the side streets dead-ending into River St. That does not seem worth the effort since there are picnic tables (or will be) in every block heading toward the Old Fort Park and many tables in the Park.
It pleases me no end to see people enjoying their lunches sitting at the tables now that the nicer weather is with us. Soaking in that Vitamin D sure is a pleasure but remember…on 15 minutes a day.
WEATHER STATION
Just wanted Rodger Hankins to know what a pleasure it is to check the “real” Fort Benton weather on the web site. Knowing how fast that wind is blowing determines what you can accomplish that day. You just cannot rake leaves on a windy day. The next two weeks will make Fort Benton more beautiful than ever with green everywhere. Isn’t spring the greatest.
Gladys Peres was very happy to hear that our apricot trees had blossoms on them and it seemed as though a whole beehive was buzzing in them. The blossoms have fallen off like snowflakes and they are safe now if a frost happens. They have not produced for about five or six years because of frost, so this is an event for us. I think Gladys is more excited than we are because she is a super apricot jam maker. Go Gladys.
SO LONG FOR NOW
It is almost time now to put away my Easter baskets, decorations, tablecloths, and miscellaneous for Memorial Days red, white and blue items. It is time for wedding showers, weddings, and graduations. It is a time for celebrations so be extra cautious while driving…no distractions like talking on your cell phones, absolutely no texing and never be in a hurry. It just does not pay to be rushing so leave a few minutes early and take your time. Always remember…God bless America.
Showing posts with label fort benton weather station. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fort benton weather station. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
View From The Bridge 2/10/2010
“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
2/10/10
REVIEW OF CCPA PROGRAM
Chouteau County Performing Arts brought in an act that knocked our socks off last week. They call themselves “The Foothills Brass” and are a Canadian group from the four corners of North America. They all had degrees in music and had attended well know universities. They played some classical music and made it very interesting by telling a story with each piece. They played a variety of instruments and would weave vignettes into the songs that were very humorous at times. There was a good crowd so the word must have gotten around about how awesome they were. That pleased the Board of Directors immensely.
We had a guest with us who declared at intermission that he would support the C.C.P.A. since they brought such first class entertainment to Fort Benton. We invite all of you to consider CCPA season’s tickets when they become available in last part of summer. The entertainers get better and better each year so take a break six times a year, sit in comfort in the Elementary School auditorium, and enjoy music as it should be heard. You will not be sorry how you spend your hard-earned dollars.
APRIL PUB NIGHT
I am looking forward to Pub Night in April, as the presentation will be “Rave On Buddy Holly.” I checked Buddy out on the inter-net and he was the first Rock and Roller in the early ‘50’s. I did this prior to watching “The Buddy Holly Story” on TV. I brought his name up on my computer (I just hooked up with high speed and it has opened a completely new world for me) and learned about his life. When I returned to the front room, I told Wally that he might not like the movie because Buddy dies in a plane crash. After the movie was over, I went back to the Holly web site and listened to all of his songs. It was amazing and then I went on to other singers that have been killed in plane crashes such as Jim Croce and Patsy Cline who were favorites of mine.
Do you remember Dan Seals? He was here in Fort Benton a while back singing at the Chouteau County Fair. I do not know how a person or persons managed to get him here since he was a big star and entertained all over the country. It was the most beautiful evening ever in Fort Benton. Dan was singing a favorite song of mine called “One Friend.” One of the lines is “If I had but one friend left, I’d want it to be you.” Well, Dan is singing, the sun is setting casting red light on the bluffs, the Benton Belle is going downriver, andit was a magic few minutes.
On Friday night at the Cancer Support Fund Raiser, I talked with Lisa who had introduced me to Dan’s music. She said she heard on the Grammy Awards that Dan had died. I went to the computer and found he had passed away last March of cancer. He was 61 years old. Sometimes I do not like what I read but otherwise I would never have known.
I did not want to become a slave to my computer but I have spent several evenings listening to some favorite artists and all of my favorite songs. I have learned what artists did what recordings and something of the lives of those artists. Music has so much love attached to it and with Valentine’s Day so close, it seems appropriate to be listening. Happy Valentine’s Day.
REVIEW OF CANCER SUPPORT FUND RAISER
It was an exciting evening of bidding by family members, neighbors, and friends. This was after a satisfying supper of your choice/or all, chicken vegetable soup, chicken noodle soup or chili were all made by Karen Giles. There were also corn muffins (by Trish Eklund,) homemade rolls (by Jodi Butler), fruit and home baked cookies (by The Geraldine Women’s Tuesday Club that Trish Eklund coordinates.)
There was a very good crowd when the auction began with Scotty Peters donating his time as auctioneer. What a great job he does. The artists who donated their paints and time did a super job of decorating their chairs. Most of them also included a background story (all you wanted to know about the painting.)
Leone Cloepfil painted her favorite flowers that she has planted in her gardens over the years while her husband John decoupaged animals on his. Ron LaMotte (Thrift Shop owner) put leather trademark labels on his chair. Brian Morger’s chair had been refinished by Wayne Hampton and was a folding wooden one with two panels on the front side. Brian painted an angler on the right panel of the chair and a trout on the left side. Bernie and Wanda Diekhans handcrafted their chair into a wine cooler and rack stand. (There was a picture of it in last weeks River Press.) Wayne Hampton’s autoharp chair drew a lot of attention. He demonstrated how to remove the harp and how to play it. A camouflage-covered chair was very interesting, painted by Matt Patrias. A very clever “Tea for Two” (a bird feeder) was put together by Glenda Quick, Lauri Bumgarner and Lauri’s son Daniel. Holly Ebeling must have a favored pet cat because a beautiful one adorned her chair. Monica Winderl must have spent a lot of time on her beaded chair (very unusual.) Last but not least was Terri Baker’s poker chair ready for a gambling man was decorated with poker chips and playing cards. Just wanted you to know Terri that your chair will reside at Wally’s Board Meeting place. After that auction the leftover soups, chili, rolls, and muffins were auctioned to end the evening. The cleanup committee went to work and most of the rest of us were home by 8:30 p.m. It was a very delightful evening and a good time was had by all.
WEATHER REPORT
See, I told you last week that I should not write about the weather because I would jinx it. Well sure enough, it turned cold again. I promise I will never mention the weather again. That is…unless I learn more about Rodger Hankins’ work on the weather station.
WEB CAM
When I called Rodger for a count of the people who checked the web-cam this past week, he was not in. Since I have to have this article in by 6:00 p.m. on today (Monday) I will get that information next week.
SO LONG FOR NOW
Enjoy Valentine’s Day and just think…by next Sunday half of the month of February will be gone. Then it will be another five weeks to spring. Will the first person to see a robin or a meadowlark, please call me? My cell phone number is 899-1380 after 9:00 a.m. I have a small prize for the first person who calls and even better, you get your name in the paper. Actually, perhaps that is a deterrent. Well, just try to make my day.
By Muncie
2/10/10
REVIEW OF CCPA PROGRAM
Chouteau County Performing Arts brought in an act that knocked our socks off last week. They call themselves “The Foothills Brass” and are a Canadian group from the four corners of North America. They all had degrees in music and had attended well know universities. They played some classical music and made it very interesting by telling a story with each piece. They played a variety of instruments and would weave vignettes into the songs that were very humorous at times. There was a good crowd so the word must have gotten around about how awesome they were. That pleased the Board of Directors immensely.
We had a guest with us who declared at intermission that he would support the C.C.P.A. since they brought such first class entertainment to Fort Benton. We invite all of you to consider CCPA season’s tickets when they become available in last part of summer. The entertainers get better and better each year so take a break six times a year, sit in comfort in the Elementary School auditorium, and enjoy music as it should be heard. You will not be sorry how you spend your hard-earned dollars.
APRIL PUB NIGHT
I am looking forward to Pub Night in April, as the presentation will be “Rave On Buddy Holly.” I checked Buddy out on the inter-net and he was the first Rock and Roller in the early ‘50’s. I did this prior to watching “The Buddy Holly Story” on TV. I brought his name up on my computer (I just hooked up with high speed and it has opened a completely new world for me) and learned about his life. When I returned to the front room, I told Wally that he might not like the movie because Buddy dies in a plane crash. After the movie was over, I went back to the Holly web site and listened to all of his songs. It was amazing and then I went on to other singers that have been killed in plane crashes such as Jim Croce and Patsy Cline who were favorites of mine.
Do you remember Dan Seals? He was here in Fort Benton a while back singing at the Chouteau County Fair. I do not know how a person or persons managed to get him here since he was a big star and entertained all over the country. It was the most beautiful evening ever in Fort Benton. Dan was singing a favorite song of mine called “One Friend.” One of the lines is “If I had but one friend left, I’d want it to be you.” Well, Dan is singing, the sun is setting casting red light on the bluffs, the Benton Belle is going downriver, andit was a magic few minutes.
On Friday night at the Cancer Support Fund Raiser, I talked with Lisa who had introduced me to Dan’s music. She said she heard on the Grammy Awards that Dan had died. I went to the computer and found he had passed away last March of cancer. He was 61 years old. Sometimes I do not like what I read but otherwise I would never have known.
I did not want to become a slave to my computer but I have spent several evenings listening to some favorite artists and all of my favorite songs. I have learned what artists did what recordings and something of the lives of those artists. Music has so much love attached to it and with Valentine’s Day so close, it seems appropriate to be listening. Happy Valentine’s Day.
REVIEW OF CANCER SUPPORT FUND RAISER
It was an exciting evening of bidding by family members, neighbors, and friends. This was after a satisfying supper of your choice/or all, chicken vegetable soup, chicken noodle soup or chili were all made by Karen Giles. There were also corn muffins (by Trish Eklund,) homemade rolls (by Jodi Butler), fruit and home baked cookies (by The Geraldine Women’s Tuesday Club that Trish Eklund coordinates.)
There was a very good crowd when the auction began with Scotty Peters donating his time as auctioneer. What a great job he does. The artists who donated their paints and time did a super job of decorating their chairs. Most of them also included a background story (all you wanted to know about the painting.)
Leone Cloepfil painted her favorite flowers that she has planted in her gardens over the years while her husband John decoupaged animals on his. Ron LaMotte (Thrift Shop owner) put leather trademark labels on his chair. Brian Morger’s chair had been refinished by Wayne Hampton and was a folding wooden one with two panels on the front side. Brian painted an angler on the right panel of the chair and a trout on the left side. Bernie and Wanda Diekhans handcrafted their chair into a wine cooler and rack stand. (There was a picture of it in last weeks River Press.) Wayne Hampton’s autoharp chair drew a lot of attention. He demonstrated how to remove the harp and how to play it. A camouflage-covered chair was very interesting, painted by Matt Patrias. A very clever “Tea for Two” (a bird feeder) was put together by Glenda Quick, Lauri Bumgarner and Lauri’s son Daniel. Holly Ebeling must have a favored pet cat because a beautiful one adorned her chair. Monica Winderl must have spent a lot of time on her beaded chair (very unusual.) Last but not least was Terri Baker’s poker chair ready for a gambling man was decorated with poker chips and playing cards. Just wanted you to know Terri that your chair will reside at Wally’s Board Meeting place. After that auction the leftover soups, chili, rolls, and muffins were auctioned to end the evening. The cleanup committee went to work and most of the rest of us were home by 8:30 p.m. It was a very delightful evening and a good time was had by all.
WEATHER REPORT
See, I told you last week that I should not write about the weather because I would jinx it. Well sure enough, it turned cold again. I promise I will never mention the weather again. That is…unless I learn more about Rodger Hankins’ work on the weather station.
WEB CAM
When I called Rodger for a count of the people who checked the web-cam this past week, he was not in. Since I have to have this article in by 6:00 p.m. on today (Monday) I will get that information next week.
SO LONG FOR NOW
Enjoy Valentine’s Day and just think…by next Sunday half of the month of February will be gone. Then it will be another five weeks to spring. Will the first person to see a robin or a meadowlark, please call me? My cell phone number is 899-1380 after 9:00 a.m. I have a small prize for the first person who calls and even better, you get your name in the paper. Actually, perhaps that is a deterrent. Well, just try to make my day.
Monday, January 25, 2010
View From The Bridge 1/27/10
“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
1/27/10
WEB CAM
I am so enthused by the Web Cam project I cannot type fast enough. As close to the facts that I can recall, this is how it all came about. I received requests, e-mails, and phone calls asking for the Cam to be returned to the Benton Pharmacy Building. The problem? The Cam that was there was no longer in working condition. The camera on the hill was not adequate for the Levee. The only solution was to purchase a new one.
I was of a mind to ask the different organizations to donate toward the cause but since I was already asking them for money toward cottonwood trees along the Levee...that option did not seem feasible. I was scheduled to attend the C.I.A. meeting on Thursday evening but at the last minute, it was cancelled. They did not know when the next meeting would be. I then played my trump card and came up with four men who offered to cover the cost.
From Fort Benton, there were three donors, Steve Vielleux, Randy Morger, and Wally Morger. Don Beecher from CA had from the beginning of last week offered to chip in. It was the same with Steve who gave half the cost of the new CAM. Randy gave his donation as a birthday present for his brother Shane in CA who cannot start his morning without opening the Fort Benton Web site.
The biggest player in this game is Rodger Hankins (sorry I misspelled you name last week) because he is willing to install the new camera and maintain it. He has been doing this for fifteen years and he has agreed to continue with the installation and the maintenance. I certainly was not aware of that and I learned a great deal, about how the camera functions (more in next paragraph.) He said that the old camera which had been up for fifteen years, attracted thousands of viewers and tourists to the site. The new camera will also track the number of persons who log onto it. It will be very interesting to report on each month.
Several people asked if the camera could include the Old Bridge and the Old Firehouse Visitors Center as well as the Levee, the Shep Statue and the Grand Union. It cannot and the reason being the location of the sun. The sun shining into the lens of the camera could damage it. That would be especially true in the summer when the sun comes up in the southeast and it is at its hottest temperatures. I did not question what was involved with moving the camera to see the Old Bridge and Visitors Center but I wonder if it could be done in the winter when the sky is overcast. I will check that out.
By the time I picked up the check from the C.I.A. (the donors had made their deposits to that non-profit organization,) and took it to Rodger, he had already ordered the camera. It should be here on Tuesday (1/26), it should be up, and running as soon as Rodger can install it. Check the Fort Benton web site for the magic moment.
WEB SITE
You say you did not know Fort Benton had a web site or you did not know how to get into it. Go to http://www.fortbenton.com/. Click on Fort Benton The Birthplace of Montana. Scroll down to Enter Here. Now you have Fort Benton Montana Best Kept Secret and all the links are listed. If you want to spend an hour or so, click on all 21 links and learn everything you ever wanted to know about Fort Benton. The links are About Fort Benton, Attractions, Museums and Historic Sites, Businesses, Chouteau County, Come Live in Fort Benton, Community Services, Fort Benton Weather, Live Web Cam, Montana Weather, Search Tools, Accommodations, View from the Bridge, Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Community Calendar, Fort Benton Schools, Landmark Wireless Accounts, Map It, Recreation and Special Events. Of course, my favorite is View from the Bridge but then I am prejudiced.
These sites are a wealth of information. The Fort Benton site even includes videos and they are awesome. I cannot imagine that anyone who has never been here would not want to travel here immediately. Visitors have traveled here as you can read by their comments.
The site on Fort Benton Schools should be of interest to you parents who have children in the schools. They have a calendar with all planned programs on it. If you are wondering if there is a sports, music program, or other events connected with the school…check out the site.
FORT BENTON WEATHER STATION
The next project planned is a new Weather Station. Rodger is working on it and I will have more information at a later date. I have been told and have no way of checking, that our weather readings come from Malstrom Air Force Base. Even now, it is a fasctinating site as it gives readings by the hour. Check it out…I am sure you will find it very interesting.
PERFORMING ARTS CONSORTIUM
It is not too late to make plans to spend Saturday the 30th at the Elementary School to see 17 great Showcases. Remember, there is no charge. You are very welcome and if you happen to see some of the performers around town…give them a big Fort Benton Welcome. Artists are very pleased when you greet and welcome them. The Cowboy Poets love to come to Fort Benton because of the friendliness of the people here in town. We would like the Showplace artists to have the same feeling about us. See you there.
CHOUTEAU COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS
Just another reminder that Foothills Brass will be performing on February 3rd. That is a Wednesday evening and you may not get the River Press in time that day to remind you to attend the show that evening. This is a toe tapping show so see you there.
CHAIR AUCTION
The same reminder about the Cancer Support Groups Soup Supper and Chair Auction on Friday the 5th of February. If you have “Cabin Fever”, next week offers you the opportunity to get out of the house for some fun evenings. The Cancer Support Group needs all the help they can get because they do so much for our fellow Bentonites who have cancer. Those cancer patients also need all the help they can get. Please make an effort to invite just one more person to attend with you as that would double the attendance. See you there.
JOEL OVERHOLSER RESEARCH CENTER
I have some exciting news about the machine that the Center has just acquired. There has always been a Micro Film machine at the Center where you can look for any River Press articles for years back. The problem is when you find your article (you have to know the approximate date) you have to manually copy. I did that very thing a few months ago when I did some research for an article.
I had not been to the Center for two months and went I returned for my one day a week volunteering, I found a new machine that will print the articles for you. For a very long time the Helena Historical Society was the only place that had a copy machine. Great Falls Library now has one but I do not know how long they have had it. Fort Benton is the only small town in the North Central area that can boast about having a printer.
I used it last week with Hank Armstrong’s expert help, to find an article from what we thought was January 1939. As it turned out, the search found it in December, 1938. We were able to print it out for a permanent record. The surprising thing was that Hank, as he was looking for my article, found another on the same page that was of interest to him. It is very fascinating and more so a plus for researchers. I invite you to come to the Center not only to do research on your families but also to see how this modern technology works for the Community and the Research Center. Come see us soon.
I have been urging readers of the River Press to come to the Center with their old pictures. They would be scanned and returned to you immediately. In all this time, no one has come at my request except a few weeks ago Madeline Ragland gave me a very old picture of the Court House. She does not know where it came from or how old it is. The trees are very small and I would judge it to be in the early 1900’s. The important thing is that she did get it to the Center so Hank could preserve it for those who in years to come will appreciate. Please come over soon and look up your family’s history or more importantly add to your family folder. “If you don’t know where you came from, you cannot know where you are going.”
SO LONG FOR NOW
Now that the cold weather is back, be very careful that you do not fall. Just stay put and enjoy a good book. Perhaps a little letter writing would fill your days. I received a hand written letter today and it was such a pleasant surprise. I am afraid though; letter writing is a long lost art.
God bless America.
By Muncie
1/27/10
WEB CAM
I am so enthused by the Web Cam project I cannot type fast enough. As close to the facts that I can recall, this is how it all came about. I received requests, e-mails, and phone calls asking for the Cam to be returned to the Benton Pharmacy Building. The problem? The Cam that was there was no longer in working condition. The camera on the hill was not adequate for the Levee. The only solution was to purchase a new one.
I was of a mind to ask the different organizations to donate toward the cause but since I was already asking them for money toward cottonwood trees along the Levee...that option did not seem feasible. I was scheduled to attend the C.I.A. meeting on Thursday evening but at the last minute, it was cancelled. They did not know when the next meeting would be. I then played my trump card and came up with four men who offered to cover the cost.
From Fort Benton, there were three donors, Steve Vielleux, Randy Morger, and Wally Morger. Don Beecher from CA had from the beginning of last week offered to chip in. It was the same with Steve who gave half the cost of the new CAM. Randy gave his donation as a birthday present for his brother Shane in CA who cannot start his morning without opening the Fort Benton Web site.
The biggest player in this game is Rodger Hankins (sorry I misspelled you name last week) because he is willing to install the new camera and maintain it. He has been doing this for fifteen years and he has agreed to continue with the installation and the maintenance. I certainly was not aware of that and I learned a great deal, about how the camera functions (more in next paragraph.) He said that the old camera which had been up for fifteen years, attracted thousands of viewers and tourists to the site. The new camera will also track the number of persons who log onto it. It will be very interesting to report on each month.
Several people asked if the camera could include the Old Bridge and the Old Firehouse Visitors Center as well as the Levee, the Shep Statue and the Grand Union. It cannot and the reason being the location of the sun. The sun shining into the lens of the camera could damage it. That would be especially true in the summer when the sun comes up in the southeast and it is at its hottest temperatures. I did not question what was involved with moving the camera to see the Old Bridge and Visitors Center but I wonder if it could be done in the winter when the sky is overcast. I will check that out.
By the time I picked up the check from the C.I.A. (the donors had made their deposits to that non-profit organization,) and took it to Rodger, he had already ordered the camera. It should be here on Tuesday (1/26), it should be up, and running as soon as Rodger can install it. Check the Fort Benton web site for the magic moment.
WEB SITE
You say you did not know Fort Benton had a web site or you did not know how to get into it. Go to http://www.fortbenton.com/. Click on Fort Benton The Birthplace of Montana. Scroll down to Enter Here. Now you have Fort Benton Montana Best Kept Secret and all the links are listed. If you want to spend an hour or so, click on all 21 links and learn everything you ever wanted to know about Fort Benton. The links are About Fort Benton, Attractions, Museums and Historic Sites, Businesses, Chouteau County, Come Live in Fort Benton, Community Services, Fort Benton Weather, Live Web Cam, Montana Weather, Search Tools, Accommodations, View from the Bridge, Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Community Calendar, Fort Benton Schools, Landmark Wireless Accounts, Map It, Recreation and Special Events. Of course, my favorite is View from the Bridge but then I am prejudiced.
These sites are a wealth of information. The Fort Benton site even includes videos and they are awesome. I cannot imagine that anyone who has never been here would not want to travel here immediately. Visitors have traveled here as you can read by their comments.
The site on Fort Benton Schools should be of interest to you parents who have children in the schools. They have a calendar with all planned programs on it. If you are wondering if there is a sports, music program, or other events connected with the school…check out the site.
FORT BENTON WEATHER STATION
The next project planned is a new Weather Station. Rodger is working on it and I will have more information at a later date. I have been told and have no way of checking, that our weather readings come from Malstrom Air Force Base. Even now, it is a fasctinating site as it gives readings by the hour. Check it out…I am sure you will find it very interesting.
PERFORMING ARTS CONSORTIUM
It is not too late to make plans to spend Saturday the 30th at the Elementary School to see 17 great Showcases. Remember, there is no charge. You are very welcome and if you happen to see some of the performers around town…give them a big Fort Benton Welcome. Artists are very pleased when you greet and welcome them. The Cowboy Poets love to come to Fort Benton because of the friendliness of the people here in town. We would like the Showplace artists to have the same feeling about us. See you there.
CHOUTEAU COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS
Just another reminder that Foothills Brass will be performing on February 3rd. That is a Wednesday evening and you may not get the River Press in time that day to remind you to attend the show that evening. This is a toe tapping show so see you there.
CHAIR AUCTION
The same reminder about the Cancer Support Groups Soup Supper and Chair Auction on Friday the 5th of February. If you have “Cabin Fever”, next week offers you the opportunity to get out of the house for some fun evenings. The Cancer Support Group needs all the help they can get because they do so much for our fellow Bentonites who have cancer. Those cancer patients also need all the help they can get. Please make an effort to invite just one more person to attend with you as that would double the attendance. See you there.
JOEL OVERHOLSER RESEARCH CENTER
I have some exciting news about the machine that the Center has just acquired. There has always been a Micro Film machine at the Center where you can look for any River Press articles for years back. The problem is when you find your article (you have to know the approximate date) you have to manually copy. I did that very thing a few months ago when I did some research for an article.
I had not been to the Center for two months and went I returned for my one day a week volunteering, I found a new machine that will print the articles for you. For a very long time the Helena Historical Society was the only place that had a copy machine. Great Falls Library now has one but I do not know how long they have had it. Fort Benton is the only small town in the North Central area that can boast about having a printer.
I used it last week with Hank Armstrong’s expert help, to find an article from what we thought was January 1939. As it turned out, the search found it in December, 1938. We were able to print it out for a permanent record. The surprising thing was that Hank, as he was looking for my article, found another on the same page that was of interest to him. It is very fascinating and more so a plus for researchers. I invite you to come to the Center not only to do research on your families but also to see how this modern technology works for the Community and the Research Center. Come see us soon.
I have been urging readers of the River Press to come to the Center with their old pictures. They would be scanned and returned to you immediately. In all this time, no one has come at my request except a few weeks ago Madeline Ragland gave me a very old picture of the Court House. She does not know where it came from or how old it is. The trees are very small and I would judge it to be in the early 1900’s. The important thing is that she did get it to the Center so Hank could preserve it for those who in years to come will appreciate. Please come over soon and look up your family’s history or more importantly add to your family folder. “If you don’t know where you came from, you cannot know where you are going.”
SO LONG FOR NOW
Now that the cold weather is back, be very careful that you do not fall. Just stay put and enjoy a good book. Perhaps a little letter writing would fill your days. I received a hand written letter today and it was such a pleasant surprise. I am afraid though; letter writing is a long lost art.
God bless America.
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