View From The Bridge 12/11/19

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
12/11/19

HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT AND BINGO
Both of these events were scheduled for the 16th of December at the same time 7:00 p.m. Many people were urging that the Fort Benton High School Concert be well attended since the fall concert was not.

At the Bingo game on Monday the 2nd of December, raised hands showed that most of the players were going to attend the High School Concert. As a result, the Bingo game was CANCELLED for the 16th. To show our new music teacher/band leader that we appreciate the hard work that he and the students in the band put in, lets fill the auditorium to capacity. Let us hope that the weather cooperates and will not keep music lovers from attending as it did with the last 2 CCPA presentations. Please make an effort to be there.

CHOUTEAU COUNTY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
From all reports, the Chouteau County Country Christmas was a resounding success. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and that means a lot in our part of the country.

I attended Bridgeport Station to enjoy Tonya’s Taco Soup. I look forward to that every year. I also listened to the Barbershop Quartet from Havre who have favored us with great Christmas songs for about three or four years now. We welcome them back.

They said that they had added a couple of songs to their presentation and one was “I wish you a Merry Christmas”, and they sang it in Spanish. The other was from sheet music I gave them last year of my favorite Christmas song that is “Mary’s Boy Chile”. (Yes, Chile is spelled correctly.) It was a wonderful surprise and made my day.

I am sure that you found some wonderful Christmas gifts. My daughter, Jennifer, found a great blanket to buy with fish on it for her hubby who recently had surgery.  He is an avid fisherman. My other Marine Corp Detachment friend, Sue, found a huge Christmas pillow. They were both so thrilled.

Afterward we headed for Front Street. It was like my Hallmark movies with the sidewalks full of shoppers walking the length of the street. Each of the open houses had treats and they were welcome for dessert after lunch.

I truly love Chouteau County Country Christmas because of our small rural community. I would like to thank all of you readers who said hello to me and told me that you read the View. I’ll pass that on to my editor, Bethany, and perhaps she will let me keep writing another year or so.

FORT BENTON ROCKS
A note to Judy. I do not have your phone number so I can call you and this is an easy way to get in touch with you. I have not been able to do what you asked me in your letter because of the weather. My street is not paved and is now a sea of mud. With snow starting in September, it was impossible with travel with my Go-Go.

So please send me your phone number and we can chat about it. Oh, by the way, Merry Christmas and I wish I had a rock to send you.

CHOUTEAU COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CONCERT
 I know I never get tired of music and at this time of the year Christmas music. The annual Christmas Concert will be Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Fort Benton Elementary. Wylie Gustafson, a Cowboy singer, will entertain us with both Christmas songs and also old Cowboy classics.

The Christmas Concert used to be the next day after Bridgeport but somewhere along the line it was changed. I am so happy about that because tomorrow, Sunday the 8th, it is supposed to snow. That always puts a crimp on attendance at any kind of events planned. We will meet there.

SHONKIN
The annual Shonkin Potluck will take place on Sunday the 15th. The Shonkin residents are great people about getting together for events at their Community Hall.

The women in Shonkin have only to supply veggies, salads, and desserts. The men of the community are cooking the turkeys. Wow! Sounds like heaven to me. I was never a farm wife. I never had to cook huge dinners for hu-mong-ous families or harvest crews. Those women who have done that or still do it are ANGELS in my mind.

So, everyone in the Shonkin area enjoy your annual Potluck celebration and thank you for letting us know and that we are invited.

TAKE A CHRISTMAS PHOTO
Fort Benton gained a great new couple a year ago. They purchased the Zanto house and this past summer Christy’s parents, Judy and Dennis, moved here from Wisconsin.

Christy and Ed like to decorate and they have exciting displays for the holidays. This season they did a wooden cutout holes for faces of Christmas children. You are invited to stop by and take pictures of your Kiddos. Many families have already done that. You are welcome at any time, day or night. Let them see you there!

 Another interesting item about this family is that Ed just joined the Guard. If you see him, please tell him how proud we all are of his service. He truly loves his United States of America.

ROBINS
While at Bridgeport, on Saturday, I got a report that a robin was seen the past week. I think we went through this last year too, that there are some robins that stay around all year.

Would you please let me know if any of you see robins? My number is in the book. 

I love those birds. I was concerned that every other bird feeder was providing seed and peanuts for Blue Jays. I was given a log of peanuts and put a dozen or so every day with the feed. I was so surprised when being brought home the other day that my driver saw Blue Jays at the Red Dot Diner feeder. Hurray! Welcome to breakfast.

BE KIND!
I saw on the news a Secret Santa who gave away $100.00 bills. He said that it was a deed of kindness. It made him and would make you feel so good to be kind.

Wear red on Fridays! That is not difficult to do at Christmas time.

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

View From The Bridge 3/1/17

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
3/1/17

MARCH
I always remember as a child in school to ‘Beware of the Ides of March.” I was always afraid of March 15th and I did not learn until later what it was all about.  Although nothing horrendous has happened to me on the 15th, it did to Julius Caesar.  He actually set up the Julian calendar and the 15th as the Ides not knowing that he would be killed on that day in 1798.

I checked the dictionary for the meaning of Ides and only found that Caesar made the 15th of March, May, July and October the Ides. The other months are on the 13th. BUT, what are Ides? I did some research and asked a few people who are smarter than a 5th grader and no one knows. It is like our Fort Benton High School song that says we will profit by your creed. Who remembers what the creed is?

For me, it cannot possibly mean anything, or should it? I am not superstitious but all I know is that on the 15th I am extra careful in everything I do as the ides might get me. (That is my joke of the week.)

As the temperature warms and the ground begins to thaw, earth worm’s casts begin to appear heralding the return of the robin. (Our robin appearance in the middle of February here in Fort Benton hopefully means an early spring.) The name of the Full Crow Moon comes from the sawing of the crows signaling the end of winter. (Now as I wait to hear from the readers of the View about the return of the meadowlark, I also would like to hear about the first sounds of the cawing of a crow.)

It is also called the Full Crust Moon because snow melt crusts during the day and freezes at night.

Another name is the Full Tapping Moon and is the time to tap maple trees for syrup. The final name alerted the settlers to the last full moon of winter and was called the Full Lenten Moon. (Take your pick but I like the Full Tapping Moon best and I am sure those pancakes do too.)

The full moon this month is on Sunday the 12th. Enjoy the Full Lenten Moon as it is the last full moon of winter.

ROBINS
I am backing up to the time I wrote about the first robin sighting. I also received a call about a sighting but the connection of phones was not good and I could not hear the name or phone number. Would that person, if they read this, please call me again? I would like to give you some credit too for what it is worth in the View.

THE TRIBUNE
Hey Jackie Campbell!  Did you see your name in the Great Falls Tribune on  Tuesday the 21st, in the Montana section “Across the Big Sky. They, whoever they is, referred to me as a journalist for the River Press. I have been called by that title several times and I am kind of getting used to it. It is better than a lot of other things I have been called. (This is my second joke of the week.)

THRILL OF THE  WEEK
The Regional Basketball Tournaments last week were nail biting, blood pressure upheaval, and nerve racking events. Talk about excitement and down to the last few seconds of play and it will keep us enjoying the memories  for weeks.

Our Girls did a fantastic job of it especially the win over Box Elder on Thursday afternoon. I really should not single out that game because all their games were AWESOME. I have been watching the Longhorns and Lady Longhorns for 23 years now and the excitement grows. I also hear from “Old Timers” about games years ago that have never been forgotten.

Just a little private side note that I want to mention. My grandson, Grayson Bonilla, moved to Helena when he was in the 2nd grade. There are 5 freshman girls on the team and 4 of those were his classmates when he went to Fort Benton Elementary.  I cannot believe that they are 15 years old now. Another shocker is they they are or already have started DRIVING LESSONS.

Another shocker for me is the fact that when Grayson turns 16, he will own a car.  Some of you will remember that story but for those of you who do not, here it is.

A fund raiser was held for his Mom, Audra Bonilla, and Grandpa Bonilla donated his ’53 Buick that Grayson called “The Watermelon.” It went from a raffle ticket to a man who was visiting from Germany. He gave it to the friend he was visiting to put in his Antique Car Shop in Rudyard for restoring and safe keeping until Grayson turned 16.  It will be too late for this year’s Summer Celebration Parade but  I expect it to be in next year. (He should be a really good driver by then.  I may even want to ride with him. (That is my 3rd joke of the week.)

LAUGHTER
I attended the last Cancer Support Group meeting at the Club House a couple of weeks ago. I was told that there would be lots of laughter because one of the members was going to entertain us with jokes. Not only did she tell us man jokes but she gave each of us a joke to read. It was great fun and spending an evening with all of these cancer survivors was a blessing for me. They are the bravest men and woman I have ever known. They are always smiling, laughing, and appreciate everything around them and their lives. If you are down, depressed, and unhappy you should spend a day with one of them. I know that you will never complain again.

Please support your Chouteau County Cancer Support Group. It is an organization that does everything for cancer patients. They are non-profit and raise all their own funds.  ll of the new patients are given a handmade quilt made by the busy fingers of the Quilting Guild or women who just make them because they love to do it. Thank goodness we have people like that in our community.

PONDERISMS
“Why does a round pizza come in a square box?”

AMERICAN FLAGS
Now you only have 3 months left to get your American Flag and hang it. Just do it!

I know that I am a nag about this subject but I feel strongly about it. A friend took me to lunch last week on a beautiful day that was warm and the sun was shining.  We cruised all the streets of Fort Benton and I saw only 1 GREEN LIGHT BULB in a porch light. The green bulbs are a show of support for our Troops. It is also a sign of your patriotism which is a sign of love of your country. I am absolutely positive that you all love our county so display it. Just do it!

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, THOSE WHO PROTECT US and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.

View From The Bridge 3/2/16

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
3/2/16

NO NEWS
I have heard that no news is good news. There actually is nothing much going on around town unless organizations and businesses are keeping their events secret. Please let me know if your business or organization is planning an event. I would appreciate being the first to know. (Just joking.)

SPRING AHEAD and SPRING
I just know that you can hardly wait to get your River Press to be reminded about Daylight Savings Time and the start of spring. I can hardly wait to tell you.

There are only 10 days before you have to change your clocks and 17 days to spring. I do not really think that spring will make much difference. March can be a very strange weather month and the predictions confusing.  It is a wait and see game.

MARCH MOON
The March Moon is the moon of many names. It is the FULL WORM Moon as the temperature begins to warm and the ground begins to thaw.  Earth worm casts begin to appear heralding the return of the robins.

The FULL CROW Moon name began when the cawing of the crows signaled the end of winter.

The FULL CRUST Moon was when the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing by night.

The FULL TAP Moon was marking the time to tap the maple trees.

The LENTEN Moon was named because it was the last full moon of winter.

ROBINS
Remember to call me at 622-3217 when you see the first Robin this month.  You have to call immediately as I cannot claim your first place for you if you call on March 15th to tell me that you saw a Robin March 1st. This is a contest that I try to hold each year but have not heard from anyone the last couple of years or it was too late.

MEADOWLARKS
The same goes for the Meadowlark’s arrival, give me a call.  One of the joys of the Rural Mail Route we had was watching for the first Meadowlark and their October leaving. I can still hear the Meadowlark’s song in my head. What a perfect bird to be chosen for the State Bird.

JIM TAYLOR AD
What a great ad in the River Press about the Student of the Week and A Business Owner of the week. It is such enjoyable reading and one gets to know the student and business owner much more than you might have known before.

I had a conversation with Principal Scott several months ago about doing an article about the high school activities. He said it had been brought up before and he would like to see something about students and teachers. It is interesting to get to know some backgrounds and the Taylor ad fits the bill.  I am looking forward to more of the same.

Appreciation to Bethany for writing the stories. She is such a tremendous addition to our community as is Lindsey (the puzzle gal…read on.) I have always wanted to spend a day at the River Press when Lindsey is putting articles and ads together to fit on the pages. She said it is like a puzzle to make everything fit. And fit it does to a certain amount of pages. I would like both young women to stay with the River Press forever.

X-RAY
I had to have one last week and found out there were 5 or 6 broken bones this fall and winter season. That figure is down, as you must know, because we did not have as much snow and ice as in previous years. (For those of you who had broken bones, I am sorry about your fall and hope you are all healed up by now.)

I heard that those of you who live in warm climates were jealous when Friday, the 26th, it was 71 degrees in Fort Benton. At least that is what my weather stations recorded. I’m still waiting for a big blast to hit us. Do not put your heavy jackets, gloves, and boots away yet.

BINGO
Because of Leap Year the Bingo schedule became confused. A decision was made to have a session on the 29th of February and then again on the 14th and 28th of March. The VFW report in the River Press last week said that would be the end of Bingo for the season and will begin again in October. Keep that in mind.

In the meanwhile, the Golden Age Senior Center is going to have Bingo on Thursday March 3rd at 1:00pm. If it is well attended, they will continue.  So if you are an addict, show up at the Senior Center so you can be counted in the numbers.

VETERANS PHOTOS
I asked in the View a few months ago for some help to finish up this project. I had two people answer my request and Joellyn Benjamin Clark and I have met three weeks on Tuesdays to do catch-up and finish. Joellyn brings her own computer and is so quick it makes my head spin. She scanned pictures, made a list of bios that had to be checked on, and in general organized what was left to do. In a couple of weeks we should be wrapping it all up and the photos will be hung.

If you make a trip to the Sunrise Bluffs to check out your picture/bio or your loved ones, and if there is an error, please write in the black notebook a.s.a.p. I do not know how long I can keep Joellyn chained to the desk as she is a busy Homemaker, Wife/Mom, and Volunteer.

NEW PROJECT
After the successful response to my plea for help with the Veterans Photo project, I have a new project in mind. I now need a Carpenter to volunteer to check out how much wood I would need. Then of course I would have to raise the money and ask for more volunteers to put the whole project together. It has everything to do with the Veteran’s Photo Project and I am sure there are Veterans, VFW, and American Legion members who will want to take part. I estimate that if I had 4 to 6 helpers, it would be a one day job.

Does this appeal to you? I would like to start with 1 Carpenter and work on from there. Call me at 622-3217 after 10:00 a.m. I’ll keep you posted.

OBSERVATIONS
Right handed people tend to chew food on their right side. (I wonder if they have more cavities on the right side of their teeth. I’ll check with my dentist on my next visit.)

SUMMER CELEBRATION
I have donated all of my Sweetheart’s Summer Celebration t-shirts for a quilt that there are plans to have a quilt made and raffled off.

Would you please check your closets for a few that are missing in our collection? Any size will do.

We need a 1995 “River Runs Through It”. A 1997, do not know the theme, a 2008 “Rockin’ the River,” an X-large 2009 “With an Irish Flair”, a 2014 “Year of the MT Woman” and finally a 2015 “Believing in the Future.” I also have a shirt that has two glass bulbs on it, no theme and no date. Perhaps someone will remember. Could it be the 1997 that we do not know the theme?  

If you are willing to give up anyone of these shirts, it will be appreciated and for a good cause.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, OUR POLICE FORCES, OUR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS, and EMT’s.  PLEASE WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS AND PUT A GREEN BULB IN YOUR FRONT PORCH LIGHT.

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
By Muncie
12/26/13

HAPPY NEW YEAR
What challenges will 2014 bring?  Hopefully it will be solutions to not only our own problems but those of the country and the world.  A little bit of understanding and kindness would go a long way.  I used to write a long while ago, “Do a good deed a day.”  Let’s make it a New Year’s resolution.  Yes, it is difficult but if it makes one person smile, it is important.  Let’s give it a try.

MY FAVORITE DAY
It got past me last week to mention my favorite day.  The 22nd of December is a day to celebrate because from now on the days are getting longer.  We are in the dead of winter with its snow, ice, and low temperatures, so the thought of the sun being with us a little longer each day makes me happy.  I know that many of you feel the same because the subject comes up in conversion often.  Each morning it is enjoyable to see how many more minutes the day allows us.

I do realize that there are two more months of hard winter but thoughts of spring take over.  With time flying the way it is, I think we can handle whatever Mother Nature hands out.  Think Spring.

ROBINS
Thanksgiving week, Dottie Meehan was pulling into her driveway when she saw a robin on her Crabapple tree.  She believed her eyes when a second robin flew into the tree.  Then again on the coldest day of the year, she stepped onto her porch to retrieve her newspaper when, she heard a robin.  Sure enough, there it was in the Crabapple tree.  The tree is planted between the sidewalk and the street.  On December 19th Dottie saw four robins in the same tree.

The robins seem to be hanging around the 17th and 18th blocks of Franklin.  Beverly Grass, who lives a half block from Dottie, witnessed three robins on the ground enjoying bird seed cast off the feeders hanging on her front porch.  I also saw a single robin in my lilac tree recently in addition to a baby woodpecker that stayed in the lilac trees for several minutes.  I met John Cloepfil, who is a bird expert, and he said that he had not seen any robins.  Has anyone else out there seen any robins?  Let me know.

An article, I read recently, said that robins do stay in Montana during cold weather.  It seems they have adapted to the cold and like staying in our beautiful state.

KIDDO’S CHRISTMAS LETTERS
What fun reading all those Christmas letters from the children.  Our River Press does such a great job not only with those letters but the Veterans supplement, all sports coverage, City Council, County Commissioners meetings, and on and on.  It is one of our small town treasurers.  Kudos to you River Press.

Have you been by the new location yet?  I know that they would be happy to see you.  Their “new digs,” are so much like a newspaper office should look like.  Do drop in and say hello.

TRIVIA
Last week I chose a question about Makoshika State Park?  Several people asked me where the park is because they have never heard of it.  I checked my Montana map and found it is in a badlands area east of Glendive and consists of 8,834 acres.   (When I checked on the inter-net, it said that there were over 11,000 acres.)  There is a campground there and a dinosaur museum.  Sounds like a great place to check out if you are one of those persons who “Gets Lost in Montana.”

Today’s Q. “How many people visit Makoshika State Park every year?  A. Below.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.


A.  40,000 people visit the park every year.  (That is a whole lot of people.  I’d like to invite them to Fort Benton.)