A View From The Bridge 8/30/17

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
8/30/17

SUMMER
Did your summer go too quickly as mine? Was it too hot for you? Are you looking forward to fall? I get the same answer from everyone I talk to. “Yes, yes, and yes!”

Looking around I see the Kiddos back in school and the pool closed. These are sure answers to why the summer passed so quickly. The days go by and there is nothing we can do but enjoy…not or cold.

We in Fort Benton have a lot to look forward to; Farmers Market, Labor Day, Bingo, Chouteau County Performing Arts, Halloween, Country Christmas, to mention a few. In your families there will be birthday and anniversary celebrations. Make each and every one count.

I would just like to see happy and content people with smiling faces. There are so many of you with the most wonderful talents. Put them to work for your community and remember I love you no matter what.

LABOR DAY
What does it mean? I only knew that back in Michigan there was a huge parade in the morning and picnics everywhere in the afternoon. So, as I am curious I checked the internet and found the following…Labor Day, the first Monday of September, is the creation of the labor Movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American worker.

It constitutes a national yearly tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and the well-being of our country. The first state to pass legislation was Oregon and that began a series of states to do the same. Finally on June 28th of 1894 Congress passed legislation making it a national holiday. (So while you are enjoying your picnic or other kind of celebration that day, remember how it started, what it means, and give thanks for what we have in our country.)

RESTORING
I am really thrilled with the restoring of the old buildings in town. My gratitude goes out to those brave, hard- working individuals who are so willing to save our heritage.

I watch HGTV (Home and Garden TV) often and it is amazing to watch restorers tear a building apart and put it back together again.

I would mention names but I am afraid that I would miss someone. I can count at least 8 and that does not include homes that have been remodeled.

Volunteering at the Visitors Center, I have talked to families that have come to Fort Benton to look for a home. They drive up and down the streets checking out the condition of upkeep. It means a lot when you are investing in purchasing a home.

Our town was called charming recently by an author. It is that and let’s keep it that way with a little work on lawns and landscapes.

FISHERMEN AND WOMEN
I made a phone call to Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in Helena this morning. I wanted to know how many men and women purchased fishing licenses. I was given the figures for 2016 and was amazed. An awesome figure for women was 71,559 and 181,654 men paid for licenses. That is a whopping 253.213 that equates to a quarter of the state’s population. (These figures do not include out of state numbers.)

My next question would be, “How many fish were caught?” I do not think there is an answer to that question but it would be interesting to know.

I also wonder, per capita, how Montana relates to other states. I think I have had enough researching for today. Happy fishing to all and to all happy eating.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, EMT’s AND FIRE FIGHTERS. (I am giving up on suggesting that you wear red on Fridays, put a green bulb in your porch light, and fly the American Flag. It doesn’t seem to be making any influence, as a committee sold approximately 350 Support Our Troops shirts and I rarely see one being worn on Fridays. What happened to all of them? I can understand that it would be too much of an effort to put a green bulb in your porch light. However, I cannot understand why you would not fly an American Flag especially after what happened a few weeks ago. I won’t mention those three items again. I promise

View From The Bridge 9/9/15

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
9/9/15

LABOR DAY
I am starting this View on Saturday evening and Fort Benton is deserted. I know the weather is dull and dreary but he sun has peeked through several times to brighten up the day a bit.

I have always wondered why there is nothing going on in Fort Benton on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. I know the 4th of July is too close to Summer Celebration but still it is the birthday of our country.  Actually, I do know why there are no events for these holidays. It would be a lot of work to organize and there isn’t anyone, including me that will step up. Sorry I mentioned it. I know you all have families, picnics, and get- togethers. It actually is just another day.

Weather was not good for picnics over the weekend but today, (Labor Day,) it is a nice fall day with lots of sunshine, blue sky, and white fluffy clouds. How many furnaces and heaters were used over the weekend? The weather predictors were completely off in the last few days. The heavy rains that were supposed to drop 1 to 2 inches of rain did not materialize on Sunday. We did have some nice rain during the previous days and nights and that was most welcome especially for Fire Fighters.

I brought my inside plants, that I had outside all summer, back inside the house over the weekend. Tyler Lane at the Extension Office had a great article titled, “September Horticultural Management.” It is about what to do with your yard and garden at this time of year. Thanks Tyler, I need all the help I can get.

THE RIVER PRESS
I really enjoyed last week’s edition. The article written by Middle School Coach Jory Thompson was just what I like to read. He gave the stats of the game and the team. I hope you can keep those reports coming Jory.  

Skip Ross also reported about our Longhorns Varsity Football Team. The article was open and honest about the many questions the fans wanted to know. There were no excuses, just the facts. Since I know little about the workings of football, the articles were an eye-opener for me. I am one who pokes fans all around me asking, “What happened?” The action is too fast for this old fan and fortunately, everyone is obliging.  Keep the articles coming Skip. Thanks for all your time, patience, and it is great to see you out on that field.

LONGHORNS vs. SIMMS
I was able to get to the game last Friday evening with my down coat on, gloves and a blanket. (Actually did not have to use the blanket.) I was as snug as a bug and it was a beautiful, perfect football evening. The wind did come up about the last quarter but it was not uncomfortable. There were several fans I saw who did not have a sweater or jacket on. I can remember the days when I did not have to keep warm. To those sweater-less/jacket-less souls, enjoy while you can.

It was a very exciting game with a couple of long runs for touchdowns by the Longhorns. We were able to sing the school song a few times. That was fun except I think that there were just a few fans along with the Cheerleaders who sang. Don’t you know the words? I am going to see if the words could be printed on the program.

In my world, the singing of the National Anthem and the school song should be heard in Loma and Carter. I see on TV that many do not even put their hand on their heart while the Anthem is being played. (That is a whole other subject with me.)

There will be many more fans this coming Friday night because of Homecoming. GO HORNS!

Of interest also was the letter from Keith Ballantyne, Chamber of Commerce President, about the Missouri River Medical Center. I really hope that those of you readers who have questions about the expansion of the clinic and hospital have evaluated your thoughts about the benefits and negatives. It is all up to us.

RANDOM ACTS of KINDNESS
I remember a long time ago writing about a story featured in the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book. It was about a sign written on a wall somewhere that said, “Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty.” I am sure that everyone who read it had a different idea of what it meant. I understood the practice of random acts of kindness but senseless acts of beauty still has me puzzled. Why should an act of beauty be senseless? Perhaps it means to do an act of beauty without thinking about it? Just do it!

It meant so much to me that I had it printed on my business cards and that is why I remember it so well.

The past week I heard stories about that very saying and I would like to share because they are all Fort Benton happenings.

1. A woman lost a rolled up amount of money from her pocket and she had a good idea where she lost it. She returned to the area but was unsuccessful in finding the money. The people in the area were aware of what happened. The whole amount was soon returned to her by the individual who found the cash. No one would have known if she had kept the money.

2. At the football game Friday evening, I was going have a bite to eat when I realized that I had left the sliced onion in the truck. I had just left the lunch room when a young student came in the back door. He saw me down the short hallway and he backed up and kept the door open for me. Chivalry is not dead.

(I have never seen so many door openings as I have at the Price Rite. I know that I have not opened a door for myself ever. The best part is when a young mother teaches her children to open doors for everyone, not just the elderly.)

3.  A woman called the Visitors Information Center from out of town to ask where she could purchase gift certificates. The background story was that she had car trouble and two young men solved her problem and sent her on her way. They would not accept any money and she wanted to send them a gift certificate. Would you or would I have stopped to help her?

Do you have a Chicken Soup story to tell me?

VISITORS INFO CENTER
The Center will be open until the 28th of September that will be on schedule with the closing of the Museums and the Old Fort. You have about three weeks to tour those facilities that will amaze you.

I meet many Visitors as I take my daily walk in the Ag Center. I, of course, always ask where they are from. Visitors always like to discuss their trips. They all say that we have the best museums, historic markers, and Levee Walking Trail in Montana. I agree completely and have said so many times. You should take yourselves and your Kiddos to the Museums, the Village, the Old Fort, and the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center. If you love history those buildings should be your destination.

PIE DAY and BAKE SALE
Friday is PIE DAY and a BAKE SALE at 12:30 p.m. Please support this effort by the Golden Age Senior Center.
On Tuesday, September 15th at 5:00 p.m. will be the once a month Tuesday night dinner. Be sure to sign up soon as it is the first of the season and the list is filled quickly. They can only accommodate 48 diners. See you there.

50’s HOME SCHOOLED
My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. “Just wait until we get home.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, MONTANA, FORT BENTON, OUR TROOPS, OUR POLICE FORCES and PLEASE WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.

View From The Bridge 8-29-12

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
8/29/12

LABOR DAY
The last of the summer holidays is upon us.  Enjoy your weekend because 19 days later it will be fall.  The solstice means that we are half way to the nights being longer than the days.  I, frankly, do not enjoy that.  Since there is nothing I can do about it, I’ll think about a beautiful fall. I know that we are all wondering what kind of winter we are going to have.  Actually, I do not want to think about that either.  Think about what Labor Day really means.

VISITORS SEASON ENDS
Labor Day, September 3rd, the Visitors Information Center will be the last day this season to be open.  The Museums, both the Ag, the Museum of the Upper Missouri, and The Old Fort will be open through Sunday, September 30th.  You have one month left to visit Montana’s most historic structures.  If you are interested in history, even in a small degree, especially Montana and Fort Benton history, then just do it now.  Please do not let another year go by.  The way in which change is taking place, you may not be here next year.  A change in your life could have you located somewhere else and you will have missed a great opportunity to know where you came from and where you are going in your own family history.

The Museum of the Upper Missouri and The Old Fort will be open by appointment only after September 30th.  Call the Ag Museum office at 622-5316 Monday through Friday to set up an appointment.  If you are visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, please call Betty Cook at 622-3201. If she is available, she will gladly arrange a tour for you.  For visitors from out of state, there will be a notice on the doors of the Museum of the Upper Missouri, (the Little Museum,) listing the times and phone numbers.

ANOTHER “NAG” ISSUE
This history talk brings up another subject that I have nagged at the readers of The River Press many times before.  I will again now.  You may not be interested in your own ancestry but someday someone will be.  That may be your children, your grandchildren, or your friends and neighbors.

Please bring your old family pictures of the homes you lived in, your farm property, pictures of the Fort Benton Community, and Chouteau County to the Joel Overholser Research Center, Schwinden Library located at the Ag Center.  The volunteers are there only on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you have never visited the Research Center, you will be amazed. Joel Overholser was editor of The River Press for over 50 years.  He kept every article that he ever printed in the weekly paper with meticulous care.

Each family has its vertical file.  However, some files are very scant and there are many residents that there is no file at all.  Please take the time to bring your old pictures to be scanned.  Hank Armstrong (has been handling photos for over 25 years,) has to be kept busy. (Just joking Hank, because you are always busy.)

Mary Zanto and I will be happy to photo copy your papers such as birth certificates, wedding licenses, obituaries and any other documents you may have.

Trust me when I say that these bits of information are very important.  JUST DO IT NOW.

VETERANS PHOTOS
There are people who have contacted me during the summer months about this program.  Because of my Sweetheart’s hip replacement and B.J. Conn- McIntyre in Oregon all summer, it was on hold.  We will be back in September ready to volunteer again and catch up with the approximate 10 pictures we have gotten over the summer.  We will also make the corrections at the Sunrise Bluffs that were in the correction notebook.

I have not heard any information about young men or women who are now serving our country.  Either we do not have anyone, service members do not want their names published, or are just not interested.  We are interested in you and want you to know that we support you.  We really understand and are grateful that you are protecting (your own choice,) our very comfortable ways of life.

Our three grandsons are back from Afganistan for the time being. They say that it is a desolate country.  Do any of The River Press readers have family members overseas?  Please let me know at 899-1380.

DID YOU NOTICE?
Slowly but surely, the Chamber of Commerce and Fort Benton Idealists (F.B.I.,) are changing the look of Fort Benton’s Front St.  The side rails of The Old Bridge are being painted.  This project has been a couple of years in the planning; however, it was worth the wait. Because of the prohibitive cost of new side rails, it was decided to sand and paint the old ones.  Ruth Carlstrom obtained from the Lippard/Clawiter, a grant for the labor.  Tanya Allen/Missouri River Lumber and Ken Carlstrom (Ruth’s son,) of Pratt & Lambert, donated the paint.

The painter is Dan who wants to become a Fort Benton resident.  He worked on the Court House window renovation and was called back to do water repair work.  He comes from the Flathead Valley area that he said used to be quiet and serene like Fort Benton is today.  If you can help Dan to stay in Fort Benton, call him at 406-885-2121.  I met Dan last week on The Old Bridge while he was painting.  He calmed my fears when I thought that the bridge was being painted powder blue.  “No, that is only the primer,” he said.  The top coat will be a midnight blue/black.  It is lookin’ good already.  Now on to the next project which has yet to be decided.  


HARVEST FESTIVAL
On one of the most beautiful evenings of the summer, Greg and Maria of Ma’s in Loma hosted their Harvest Festival, (I formerly called it Ma’s Pot Luck Supper.)  It was the sixth annual and we estimated about 150 festival goers were there to enjoy the roast pork (superb,) and the potluck salads and deserts that most brought. What did you think about the entertainment?  Husband and wife guitarists really did what they were supposed to do and that was to entertain. They played songs that we all knew, young and old.  We could sing along and they asked for requests that were quickly shouted out from the audience.

Ma’s has recently hard-topped their parking area.  Most of the group sat on the parking lot and it was great for dancing.  A good time was had by all.

REMEMBER
I know that there was something more to tell you but I cannot remember what it was. In the meanwhile, remember to WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS, Save your Labels for Education, buy your C.C.P.A. Concert tickets, buy your Gold Card from the High School, do a good deed every day, enjoy every minute of every day, please don’t throw your butts on the sidewalk/street, join an organization to give back to your community, visit The Old Fort/Museums this week, visit your Chouteau County Library, and spread lots of love around.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS.