View From The Bridge 11/7/12

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
11/7/12

VETERANS DAY DINNER
The V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars,) and Ladies Auxiliary invites all Veterans and their spouses to a Veterans Day Dinner.  It will be on Sunday, November 11th at the Club House and dinner will be served from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  How appropriate this dinner is being held on Veterans Day.  They would like to see all Veterans from the surrounding area there to enjoy dinner and conversation with your fellow Veterans. 

This dinner is an annual affair and as numbers dwindle, it is more important than ever that Veterans know how much they are appreciated.  If it were not for them, we might not be here, speaking Vietnamese, Japanese, German, or Arabic.  It was that close many times and the Veterans put their lives on the line without hesitation. 

Speaking personally, remembering WWII, we owe them so much and it can never be repaid.  However, respect and a well-meaning thank you for your service will do.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS.  WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS to let them know that you support them. 

HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
I receive a newsletter spring and fall from the high school back in Michigan from which I graduated.  One of my classmates wrote to the newsletter that touched me deeply.  This week instead of writing another paragraph from the “Red Friday” flyer, I am going to share Dorothy’s letter.  (She is also an accomplished artist and her husband is a United States Marine.)

“I have a prayer request.  There’s a lady I’ve known forever.  She’s very sick.  On top of that, she’s being abused by those to whom she has given everything.  Lies about her abound, and seem to come from all sides.  Just breaks my heart.  Seem there’s nothing I can do alone but maybe, if we all join in and lift her up together, He can heal her.  She’s well over 236 years old, but way too young to die.  Her name is “AMERICA,” and I love her and have always been proud of her.  Please take time to say a prayer for her, even if it is short and simple.  A prayer like, “Lord, please heal our land, Amen.”  Thanks!    

GRAND UNION CELEBRATION
Awesome!  I was one of the lucky ones who had a ticket to the luncheon on Friday due to a sponsor who filled a table.  Both rooms were filled to capacity.  I saw a van outside marked Cambridge Court from Great Falls and as I looked around, I realized that many women were not from Fort Benton.  I had talked to several Fort Benton women who said that by the time they called for a reservation, there were no tickets available.

The luncheon meal was food that would have been served when the hotel was opened.  After we had our Pumpkin Soup, the Fashion Show began with models showing clothes from the 90’s, 80’s, and 70’s.  After our salad, the models showed clothes from the 60’s and 50’s as they went from room to room.  After dessert, the best of show were clothes from the 30’s, 20’s, and back to 1882.  Many were wedding dresses and actually worn by grandmothers of women who live in Fort Benton.  Many of the clothes came from private collections and some were from the Ag Museum.  A dress from 1882, loaned by the Ag Museum, was one worn the evening of the grand opening of the Grand Union Hotel.  Historic!

There was a group of women from Big Sandy who were also dressed in clothing worn as if they were on the Titanic.  They were very excited to be included in the festivities and to put together their costumes.  They were adorable.  They were really “into it.”

We all sat there in awe of what we were seeing.  We would never see another fashion show like the one we had just witnessed.  In addition, the models were fabulous.  Most of us were thinking that our figures were like theirs B.M.  (That is “before motherhood.”)  Most of us have bosomed out a bit and will never wear a size 6, or 8, or even a 10 ever again.  It was just enjoyable however, being in the Grand Union, being waited on and enjoying a special afternoon with special friends.

SHONKIN DINNER
My dear friend, Walleyne Flanagan, reported in her story about the Shonkin Hall fundraiser that the Morgers were the big spenders (perhaps she included Randy’s purchases.).  I would like to set the story a little straighter by saying that my name is Muncie Morger and I approve this message.  First, you did not have to be a big spender at the Auction because most of the items went for a dollar.  I bid and was the highest bidder on three items and Wally was highest bidder on one item.  We spent the enormous amount of $13.00.  Our items were all small ones except for Wally’s clothes rack, which now resides in the garage, as it was too large to fit in the house.

Ms. Flanagan, on the other hand, purchased large items and I am sure that she was just as big a spender as we were.  In observing Ms. Flanagan at the auction, I would venture to say that she is an “auction addict.”  I have seen her around town since that day and warned her that I would be defending our family’s name in this issue of the River Press.  I just hope that Cindy Lenington does not get a hold of this information because she always accuses me of being the only one who votes for the White Elephant Sale at the Friends of the Library Christmas meeting.  I get enough grief from her.

Well Folks, I know you must realize that this is all in jest and we all had a great time in Shonkin.  I have given away everything that I brought home except the clothes rack.  No one wants that monstrosity.  It will be at the next Friends of the Library Christmas White Elephant Sale.  I invite you all to be there for the time of your life as far as White Elephants go. They say that you should always be laughing for a longer life.  Well, you will spend a special laughing session at that meeting.  See you there in December.

DIANE
Again today (Sunday) we have lost a most beautiful woman from our lives.  We have to believe that Diane Lehman is in a better place.  I have missed her, as you must have too, as the Cheerleader’s coach.  She never missed a game and her lifestyle of discipline was passed on to her girls.  All of our loving thoughts go out to you Ed and know that we will never forget her

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS.  WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.

View From The Bridge 10-31-12

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
by Muncie
10-31-12

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
If you did not attend the Chouteau County Performing Arts evening last Wednesday, an enchanted evening is what you missed.  What a professional performer, what a gentleman and a scholar, and musical genius is pianist Mike Strickland.  The whole evening was filled with beautiful music, both well known and his own very enchanting melodies.  We did not want the concert to end.  My favorite piece of the whole evening was Clair de lune by Debussy. Mike played it because that was his mother’s name and one of his favorites...  What a wonderful tribute it was to his mother.

I would like to adopt Mike.  I told his lovely wife that I wanted to live next door to them.  Why?  So I could listen to him practice, of course, because it was so relaxing just to have the music flowing over you.  I watched a movie once that the main character was seeing a shrink who told him to listen to Braham’s to relax.  

When I was about 8 or 10 years old, there was a boy, who lived down the street, who was an excellent piano student.  I would sit on his front steps and listen to him practice.  I barely can remember what he looked like but I still remember his music. 

The other enchantment of the evening was the honoring of our precious music teacher for 65 years in Fort Benton, Doris Rowe.  She blushed at every compliment said about her and her long career in music.  She and Mike played Nola as a duet and the song that everyone knows how to play, Chopsticks. We all love you Doris and you are one of Fort Benton’s treasures.

MARY ANN
This week many of Fort Benton’s old-timers lost a dear friend.  Mary Ann Hampton is gone from us physically but not from our hearts.  She was such a blessing to our community.  For those of you who knew her gentleness, we shall never forget.  For those of you who did not know her, but only heard about her, it was truly a loss for you.  Women like Mary Ann made a difference in lives of others.  We will miss you Mary Ann and guide us from that far away place you are in called Heaven.

GRAND UNION CELEBRATION
Can you even imagine what Fort Benton looked like 130 years ago?  I have seen pictures of the hotel at different stages of its life however not so clearly as on Backroads of Montana last Saturday night.  Early pictures show chimneys above every room releasing smoke from the fireplaces.  I wonder whose job it was to build fires and keeping them fed with wood.  Were they stoked every evening to keep the room warm all night?  The cooks must have prepared meals on wood stoves.  That is an art in itself.  Did the bedding get changed every night and how did they handle laundry?  Was it a “gathering place,” as it is now?  Perhaps someday in the distant future, we will be able to go back in time.  I am very sure though, that I would want to come back as quickly as possible.  I am too used to my modern conveniences.  How about you?  I am also convinced that it was much harder on women than men way back then.  Let all women now take a moment of silence that we are living today.

POKER TOURNAMENT
If you have never attended a Poker Tournament, do drop by the Grand Union on Friday evening to see how it progresses.  It begins with 40 men and women and they are eliminated one by one until the final table of eight.  It really gets exciting then but about this time, it is after midnight.  We have not reached home until about 2:00 a.m. because we stick it out to the very end.  You can watch poker tournaments on TV but there is nothing like actually being there.  Come on over and sit with me to the excitement of the final card being played.

RED FRIDAY
I am still asking for a sea of red on Fridays.  Now that it requires a coat when you go outside, it is difficult to see if people have red on.  At the “What Women Want Show” a couple of weeks ago, my daughter bought me a pin that said, “Support Our Troops.”  It was attached to a card that was titled Red Friday.  I am going to pass on one paragraph each week and perhaps it will help to make you realize how important it is to support our troops.

“THE REASON? 
Americans who supported our troops used to be called the “silent majority.”  We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for country and home in record-breaking numbers.  We are not organized, boisterous, or overbearing.  Many Americans, like you, all our friends, and me simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops.

IMPORTANT MEETING
Please Folks, try to attend this meeting that will impact Fort Benton.  On Thursday, November 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the Golden Age Senior Center a meeting will be about possible recycling with the United States Department of the Interior and the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center. The core committee working on this project have been to most businesses and organizations, however will return sometime in the next few days with posters.  They will urge you to come to the meeting or to send a representative.  We want your imput and even the smallest suggestion is helpful.  The only dumb question is the one that is not asked.  Put it on your calendar right now and just be there.

FALL BACK
It is that time of year again. I have one clock that I do not change.  It is too heavy and I have to take it to the World of Time to have it changed.  I have not wanted to do that for several years and so I am just going to have to remember that it is an hour ahead.  However, it is better to be too early for an appointment than too late.  It is just a matter of a little concentration that I do not have much of these days.  Whatever!  I wish you a fun Halloween, a thankful Thanksgiving, and lots of luck with your Christmas shopping.  Remember to shop local.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS.  WEAR RED ON FRIDAY.