Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

View From The Bridge 5/18/16

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
5/18/16

RIDE AROUND TOWN
I try to go every day to the Post Office on my Go-Go just to see the trees along the Levee on Front Street. What a glorious sight. I didn’t realize how much I missed the view this past winter.

I actually took two 2 gallon watering cans with fertilizer mixed into the water and poured them on what I call my cottonwoods trees. I had to make 2 trips because there are 4 trees that I had planted. Two are planted on the Levee bank. One is for my Uncle Charlie who passed 2 years ago. The other is for my Sweetheart Wally in memory from his grandson Morgan. In memory of my brother-in-law the third tree is near the Shep statue. The 4th tree is my memory of Wally given by Kids and it is right on the corner.

I am telling you this story for two reasons. The first one is a hearsay story about Mr. Brown who lived in the big white house on Main St. between 19th and 20th St. It was said that he went out each morning in his night clothes to water the trees in the Old Fort Park. I assumed he did it because he loved the trees. No!  Hearsay tells that his wife belonged to the Fort Benton Women’s Club and made him water the trees. Thank you Mrs. Brown.

The second reason is to remind you that since there are no longer a Memorial Bench and Table program, a wonderful memorial is to plant a tree and place a plaque for your loved one. A tree may be there for over a hundred years or more.  Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren should love knowing which tree was planted for their loved one. It is just a suggestion and I know that there are many other worthwhile organizations to donate but a tree is a beautiful thing.

VISITOR’S CENTER
The Center will be opening a week from Friday. That will be the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend. It looks as though the weather is warming up to enjoy the Memorial Day events. Enjoy the Old Fort Park and the Levee Walking Trail. It is so beautiful at this time of year. Take your family and visitors to the Museums, the Old Fort, the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center, and along the Levee Walking Trail’s historic signs and statues. It’s a great history lesson.

Check Fort Benton weather reports on the Fort Benton site. I find that is more accurate than the TV stations.

CAMPGROUND
Last Friday late afternoon, I spent time with 9 other people at the Pot Luck and Campfire sponsored by the Fort Benton Cancer Support Group. We were a group of brave persons who faced a lower temperature than we had been used to. However, we were not cold as the campfire was well feed and we had hot chocolate that helped keep us warm.

I am always amazed whenever I attend a Pot-Luck supper. There was not one single repeat of menu foods. We had bbq beef, rolls, potato salad, coleslaw, broccoli salad, oatmeal butterscotch cookies, and lemon bars. Yummy! I even had seconds of my favorite salad.

We were given a small cut piece of a log to write something on. We then threw it into the fire pit. I wrote “Hope” on mine in hopes that there would soon be a cure for cancer. I wish we had shared our writings. I really did not want to throw my piece of log into the fire and to make me happy; a member of the group gave me a piece to take home. I will add it to my collection of unusual rock collection on the dining room table. It is a precious keepsake.

The sun came out for a while and it was actually too warm because I had my long down coat on. Even after the sun was gone, it was wonderful just sitting around the campfire and everyone taking turns talking about whatever they felt like talking about. It was thoroughly relaxing.

This picnic event will now become an annual event. Hope to see you there next year.

MEMORIAL DAY
This very special holiday is less than two weeks away. I have a special project I am working on. I am attaching a note to the wreath that is thrown from the Old Bridge to ask if someone finds it to call the River Press. I would like it to go all the way to New Orleans.  Only once, that I have heard of, someone found a wreath near Wood’s Bottom near Loma.  That story is not verified as to when but if the someone who found it would call the River Press to verify, it would be exciting to me.

SMALL WORLD STORY
This story is a very personal one and comes to me from Caroleen Willets. This happened a couple of months ago. She and her husband Jim were on vacation in Yuma, AZ. They crossed the border to Los Algodnoes, Mexico for lunch with friends. As they were leaving the restaurant another couple also was leaving. Jim had on his Griz hat and so did the other man. They started chatting and sharing information.  When Caroleen said they were from Fort Benton the other man asked if they knew Muncie Morger. This really boggles my mind.

There was another connection with the couple. Bill Miller a brother to John Miller, Lisa Morger Miller husband. Bill and his wife live in Libby and the Miller family will be visiting Fort Benton on or about July 10th.

When I first moved to Montana, I was very envious that you could not talk to anyone without finding you were related or that they knew someone that you knew. I came from an area of about 4 million people.

QUILT RAFFLE
Raffle tickets were ordered and will arrive Wednesday. Be on the lookout to purchase your ticket to support Summer Celebration.

FISHING DERBY AND PLANT EXCHANGE
These two popular events will be this coming Saturday. Be sure to sign up for the Derby.  If you do not fish, then just come on down to the Levee and watch the fun. Actually you can watch all along the Missouri. It is the thrill of a lifetime for the young fisher persons when there is that wiggle on the line and they pull in their catch. It is fun to watch too.

Remember to take your plants or any other items that have to do with plants, flowers, seeds, and containers to the Levee early Saturday morning. Every one that I ever talked to about this event loved it. Thanks to all those who do the organization of these events. It means a lot of telephoning again and again.

If this event sounds like something you would like to get your hands dirty for, volunteer.  It will make you SMILE.

GRADUATION
We used to get several invitations to Fort Benton Graduations every year for years. As the classes grew smaller, the invites became less and less. The last two years I did not get a single one. This year I received Hannah’s and was amazed at the decorations and set ups for about 6 graduates at the Ag Center. It was an interesting and informative afternoon.

On one of the displays, the one that caught my eye was a sign that said “I’m Outta Here.”  I understand that perfectly but just wanted to say that you will be only too happy to get back here. There may be a few of you would will like the bright lights of the city. To others the hustle, bustle, noise, crowds, traffic, higher cost of living, and lack of family, may make you longing for home. My greatest wish is that there were jobs enough to keep you here if you wanted the Fort Benton life style.
Whatever your choice, the main things is to be happy.  Do not stress and smile a lot.

OBSERVATIONS
“Sit in silence for 10 minutes every day.”

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

Monday, May 11, 2009

View from the Bridge

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie Morger
5/13/09

UPCOMING EVENTS
On Thursday the 14th there will be a Fort Benton Woman’s Club meeting at noon. Please bring a guest so she can be introduced to the Club with a head start into the 2009-2010 year. Our Club does so well recruiting new members therefore recruit away by asking women you know who do not belong. We want to be sure there is not a woman in Fort Benton who has not been asked to join. It is not only a very important organization to the community but a fun one. We women deserve all the fun that is coming to us.


Friday the 15th the Big Sky Regional Group #153 out of Billings will be rolling into town and many of them for the first time. Their organization is part of the National Early Ford V8 Club of America. If you are interested in antique cars it would be of interest for you to know that these particular Ford Motor Company models have flat head engines and date from 1932 to 1953. They have about sixty members in the Club and there is no way to know how many will visit Fort Benton. They come from all over Montana and this year is a special anniversary for them because it is their 10th. In addition, how I am sure you will ask, did this Club decide to come to our town? I was not surprised to learn it was because of word of mouth. A group of women visited Fort Benton last summer and were so impressed by the “Birthplace of Montana” they spread the word. When I spoke to the man in charge of this weekends events, he said they would like to park their automobiles where townspeople could view them. It will probably be along the Levee side of Front Street from the Price Rite to the Lewis and Clark Memorial Statue. That will give the “Viewers” the opportunity to view the cars off the road while walking the Levee Trail. When you check out their autos, be sure to give them the Super Host welcome.


Friday the 15th is Pie Day. I hope that you put it on your calendar and will join your friends at the Golden Age Senior Center at 10:00 a.m. Give it a try and I know that you will enjoy the homemade pie.


A very special and important day for our Fort Benton High School Seniors will be Sunday the 17th when they step into another part of their lives. It is hard to believe what happened to the time from the day you held their hands and took them to Kindergarten to this graduation day. It is not as if they are leaving you permanently but most of them will be going away, perhaps for the first time in their lives. How can you be happy and sad at the same time but I think graduation is one of those times? Enjoy your day Graduates, it will be a day that you will never forget.


PAST EVENTS
A committee of Woman’s Club members did a trash pickup last Thursday from the entrance sign to the highway. The cleanup had been postponed for two weeks because of snow. Thursday started out to be a beautiful day but by 4:30 p.m. the dark clouds hung over Fort Benton almost to the ground. Everyone went to work quickly and in a little over an hour, the last of the group turned in their blue bags for recycling. These bags held bottles in one and aluminum in another. The black bags were left beside the highway for pickup by the Highway Department. Just about then, it began to rain but the job was done. Good job Woman’s Club members and one husband.

Another big event of the year for Seniors Citizens was the luncheon at the Elementary School. We seniors sang “American the Beautiful” with the students and the last line is “from sea to shining sea.” Our hosts choose a fish theme and the decorations were phenomenal. Fish decorated our original handmade placemats, fish covered the walls, and the centerpieces were constructed with a fish on an upright pole with real shells around the base. The entertainment was provided by the Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, graders who sang, the 3rd graders who also sang and the 4th graders played the recorders. It was so enjoyable and of course, all the songs were about fish. The work that was put into that day can best be described as “hard.” The floor had to be covered, a dozen or so tables brought in, the tables set, and the decorations put up. The luncheon menu served was a turkey dinner with all the trimmings and we were waited on by the 5th and 6th graders. They were around and around with lemonade, coffee and whatever else you might need. If you needed help with your tray, they were right there to carry it for you. They were all so wonderful; I wanted to take them home with me.

I have not heard from a single Class Reunion representative about their plans for Summer Celebration. I have no news on that subject for those of you who subscribe to the River Press and I am wondering if there are going to be any reunions. You only have six weeks from Friday left. Could it be that you are keeping it a secret to spring on your classmates the week before Summer Celebration or are the invitations in the mail or you just have not had time to work on it. Just kidding Alumni. I know how difficult it is to put on an affair like that but please take five minutes to let me know what is happening.

AROUND TOWN
All the projects that “Longhorn Days” worked on are lookin’ good. I especially notice along the Levee Walking Trail. The wind does a good job on getting those light plastic bags caught in bushes and blowing newspaper down the sides of the Levee. I love the Spring Clean-up because most everything seems bright and squared away. A couple of weeks ago there was an article in the Tribune about Black Eagle and their “Mapril Clean-up”. They get together every spring and tidy up their blocks, alleys, and empty fields. It brings neighbors together in a common cause and promotes togetherness in the community. I realize that Fort Benton is a bit larger than Black Eagle but even more reason to get to know your neighbor. There used to be a day, once upon a time ago, when you knew every one in town and the car that everyone drove. Now I wonder if you even know everyone on your block. My own experience is that when I do meet someone new, I find they have been in town for a year or two already. Perhaps for your good deed for the day, try to meet the neighbors in your block.

SO LONG FOR NOW
This week we will end with “smile a lot.” Hasn’t that been easy since the weather has turned somewhat like spring? (Summer is only about five weeks away. Even now the days are longer which makes for more time to work outside.) On these sun shiny days, everyone is smiling, saying good morning/afternoon, and in general walking without dragging their feet. Every season I say that one is my favorite except this year I am eliminating winter. I am through with it, finished, and very unhappy about it. It was too long, too cold, too icy, and in general not nice. I love spring and even though our lilacs got zapped, other spring like miracles happen. I found the most beautiful red tulip today in my flower garden. I have many tulip leaves but they have never bloomed. I got a new camera for Mother’s Day from the Kids but, as my computer hates me, the camera has headed in the same direction and has not produced any pictures yet. I hope I can figure it out before that tulip goes away. It sure brightened up the day. Keep smiling.