Showing posts with label senior center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label senior center. Show all posts

Thursday, July 25, 2019

View From The Bridge 7/24/19

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
7/24/19

OH HAPPY DAY!
On last Saturday the Lions Club had their first annual Golf Partee at the Signal Point Golf Course. (It has been reported that it is the most beautiful course in the area.) It was a weather perfect day and the excitement rose among the Lions as participants began to arrive about 9:00 a.m. (Where else could you get a massage, dinner, great prizes, and fellowship with other golfers.) 

I learned so much that day as I have never taken up the sport of golf. The neat thing for me was that arrangements were made to give me a ride around the course. I have seen the course only along the road between the course and the airport, on the way to the cemetery, and a short view at the cemetery. It is what everyone said about the course and more. The trees are awesome and my conversation with Skip came up with the fact that the course was open in 1968. Many trees were planted in 1967amd many more have been planted in the 50 years since.

When the shotgun went off the contest began. It takes about 6 hours for the teams to finish the course and no one was able to manage a Hole In One. Oh well, maybe next year. A good time was had by all as proclaimed by one contestant who thanked the Lions Club for putting on the Partee. He said he never had such a good time in his life.

So, the Lions look forward to next year and a huge thank you to the sponsors and volunteers who without it never would have happened. Oh, by the way the proceeds went to the Diabetes Organization. 

BOATS, BLUES, AND BREWS
This was another blue ribbon annual event that went off without a hitch on Saturday evening. Here again a good time was had by all. People of all ages came to Front Street to listen to the music and dance.  It also helps that the weather held until between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. A very strong wind came up to break up the evening of fun. The band played on until10:00 p.m.

The program was put on by ChoCo Fun under the CIA (Community Improvement Association.) As the name says these events are put on just for fun. ChoCo will be back again soon for more fun events.

One person reported that the neatest thing about that evening was the many people who walked the length of the Old Fort Benton Bridge. The Old Bridge is my favorite structure in town. Bob Doerk questioned me once as to why the Old Fort was not my favorite. I just happened to love bridges.

FARMERS MARKET
A reminder that the Market is on the Levee on every Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the season. Nothing will be sold before 5:00 p.m. but the Vendors can stay as long as they want. (Time for you, Connie, to get your little bell out for duty.)

More Vendors are always welcome. Prepared food is always welcome but you must have a commercial kitchen to qualify. Since I and several of my friends no long cook, we appreciate something for supper. I do make a lot of soup but who really wants hot soup in the summer?

So, write it on your calendar and see you there.

SENIOR CENTER
Friday of this week will be Cinnamon Roll Day at the Senior Center. They are served with a breakfast menu at noon and it is a great social get together for you, family, and friends.

Betty Daniels gets to the Center early Friday morning to get the cinnamon rolls ready to rise. They are a special treat and it is a great social gathering. Come and join us and I know that you will be at the Senior Center every last Friday of the month to enjoy the very special rolls. Bring family, friends, and neighbors. See you there too.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Have nothing to do? Check the Community Calendar and you will not have a bit of trouble finding something that will interest you. Just do it!

BERT AND RUTH
Wow sixty years together! I do not know any other couple that has reached that point in their lives.

Last Sunday there was a lovely party in Old Fort Park to celebrate. It was a perfect day weather wise and the well-wishers enjoyed a welcomed luncheon and visits with family and friends.

To Bert and Ruth…you are a very special couple and Fort Benton is so lucky to have you in our community.

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

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

View From The Bridge 9/19/18

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
9/19/18

GOODBYE SUMMER AND HELLO FALL
Most people I talk to are in total awe of the color of the trees across the Missouri and in Old Fort Park. It has been a gradual change over the last two or three weeks and with the pleasant September weather we are content. However, on every mind is the oncoming winter. What will it be like last winter or the one like the year previous? No one has called me to cast their opinion and so you only have mine. I am opting for a milder temperatures and a little less snow. I think I would be able to handle that while waiting for spring. Right now most of you will be busy raking leaves, turning off watering systems, and looking for winter gear. Not a pleasant forecast, but there is not much we can do about it. Have patience and get yourselves some good books to read other hobbies to keep busy. The way time is flying by, it won’t be long to spring. (I hope.)

HOMECOMING PARADE 
This year’s Homecoming Parade came by the Sunrise Bluffs. I didn’t get the word out because I did not think that that could because Front Street was closed. But lo and behold I talked to Skip Ross shortly after 2:00 p.m. and he was taking the barriers down so the Parade could march all the way down. I tried knocking on some doors to let them know the parade was coming but to no avail. The only person that came with me was my neighbor Norma Shaw.

We only waited a few minutes to see see flashing lights and hear the wonderful Fort Benton High School Band. They came on flatbeds and fire engines right down that unpaved street. As they turned the corner the band began playing the school song. I stood and sang my lungs out. Did you hear me?

Then came the football team and I shouted “Go Horns.”  Then all the floats and guess what? They threw us candy. Now, I have been in many parades and I threw candy but this is a first that candy has been thrown to me. Thank you for that because it made my day. I do not think that I have ever missed a homecoming parade. Well once! The parade started early and went by as we walked the block to Front Street. It was exciting as well as the football game. What a beautiful, perfect night for a game. You did your best players and caused a lot of excitement when you made one of your touchdowns. Keep up the good work and winning isn’t as important as the doing of your best.

SENIOR CENTER
The September 9th dinner, the first on the menu in several months had 16 diners. This past Sunday’s dinner counted at 24 diners. Hopefully that means the Sunday dinners will continue.
You will have missed the Tuesday evening dinner by the time you receive this information. I checked the sign-up sheet today and there were 25 diners signed up.

I am anxious to hear what the owners of the new Assisted Living Home will have to say. They are coming from Fairfield and Conrad. It should be very interesting and I am sure that Bethany, our River Press editor, will have a report about what it is all about. By Wednesday, it should be all over town by word of mouth. That is actually the best way to get word out. I do not do Facebook and have not connected with e-mail for a long time. So help me out by passing the word along about upcoming events. (I do not know why I am saying this because I am usually the last to know.)

PUB NIGHT
A record 255 people were at the Agricultural Center last Saturday evening to listen to Cold Hard Cash. I met Merle Travis Peterson up close and personal and he even looks like Johnny Cash. He said many people tell him that and he has been singing the Cash songs for so long that he is taking on the appearance.

He also told me that years ago he sang a few of the Cash songs but one evening he decided to do his entire show with them. The audience loved it and he has been doing it ever since.

The second half of the show became interesting when one couple began dancing and soon the entire floor was filled with dancers. They danced the night away much to the enjoyment of those of us who would like to be able to dance like that once more.

The next show is 5 weeks away and will feature Shades of Blue. If you like all styles of singing, this is the show for you. The lead singer does Sinatra, classic, modern, rhythm and blues. It will be held at the Fort Benton Elementary auditorium at the usual 7:00 p.m. (I am sure you will be able to hear better as there is not much talking in the auditorium. Do you get my point here?)

My dream is to fill that auditorium and 255 people would almost reach my goal of 400 attendees. So, get away from your TV for a change in habit. Come and listen to old standards that you know the words to. It will be a fun filled and relaxing evening so see you there.

ANTIQUES APPRAISAL FAIR
This Saturday morning (September 22nd) at 9:00 Fort Benton will have three (3) appraisers at the Agricultural Center doing their thing. If you have signed up to have your treasurers appraised please be sure to show up for your appointed time.

If you are just going to watch you can get a ticket at the door. It begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. It is $5.00 a ticket to watch, which is a whole lot of entertainment for a small price.

There should be a lot of surprises seeing what participants have had hidden in the attics or basements for years. I do not expect my items are valuable but I just want to know some of the history connected with them. I know two (2) of my items are over 100 years old and I hope I will not be disappointed by finding out they are not. See you there.

BUS/VAN NEWS
This update comes directly from the Commissioner’s office as of Monday, September 17th.

Please have community members who are interested in scheduling a ride to Great Falls call Kellie at 622-3022 one (1) to two (2) weeks in advance to add them to our roster. If the Van has room we can continue to add riders if need be until the day before leaving.

This note is from me. It looks as though appointments should be made for morning only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00. People will have to be picked up before 1:30 p.m. in order to leave Great Falls by then. I can see that the first few trips will be trial runs. Be patient and it will all get worked out to please everyone.

Kellie asks that all riders confirm their ride the day before by calling her.

Our first date to travel to Great Falls will be TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2nd. The plan is to have the Bus running every Tuesday as long as we have community members needing a ride. The Van will load from 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and will need to leave Great Falls by 1:30 p.m. In the future if the demand is there we will try to add another day in the week to the schedule.

Pick-up and drop-off location is still being determined. Watch the River Press for more information.

GOD BLESS AMERICA LAND THAT I LOVE, OUR TROOPS WHO DO NOT GET THE CREDIT THEY DESERVE, POLICE OFFICERS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY, and FIRE FIGHTERS WHO ARE THE HARDEST WORKERS IN THE WORLD.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

View From The Bridge 6/20/18

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
6/20/18

SENIOR CENTER
I think that by now everyone knows that the Golden Age Senior Center has recently made changes. They no longer will be open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Meals on Wheels will continue with this change. If you want Meals on W heels on Saturday and Sunday you must made arrangements ahead of time and fill out an application and return to the Center. Frozen meals will be delivered to you on Friday.

There will still be Tuesday night dinners starting again in September. Cinnamon rolls will still be served on the last Wednesday of each month.  Menus for the month will be available close to the end of each month at the Center for the next month and in the River Press weekly. There is information about the Center on the back of the menus. It is very informative to read the back of the menus.

There are 578 residents over the age of 60 who vote. This is an approximate figure. All of these people could be a member of the Golden Age. It would help to support the Center. The dues are $10.00 a year due in January. Support is lacking in so many of our organizations. Please feel an obligation to join the Senior Center. You may not use it now but you never know when you may need a place to have lunch that is geared toward seniors or Meals on Wheels.

I hope this story will inspire you to support the Center by becoming a member this coming fall. The seniors that participate find the Center a home away from home. You are able to play cards or work on a puzzle. There is always a large, difficult puzzle in the works. There is also a game day once a month.

SUMMER CELEBRATION
Are as excited about Summer Celebration as I am? The schedule is awesome and I intend to cover as many events as I can. I know that what I like most is seeing friends that I have not seen for a long time. Please come up to me to say hello.

My step-daughter, Audra, has been gone for 7 years but her memory lives on in the Fun Run that is named after her. If you do not know the story, ask any of the volunteers that are helping to promote the race.

I have ridden my Go-Go the last couple of years. Will those of you who have scooters join me as the last ones in line?

SO LONG DEAR FRIEND
I was on my way to White  Sulphur Springs Thursday morning when I heard about the passing of Ruth Sykes. She was one of the kindest, sweetest, most helpful people I have ever known. I will miss her at the Senior Center where she was a faithful hostess once a week. She always had my dinner pre-paid card out and punched when she saw me coming through the door.

I attended her 90th birthday party last February at the Golden Age and we had a wonderful visit.  She will be missed and long remembered.

AMERICAN FLAGS
Of course, I know, that you all have your American Flags already hanging on your front porches for the 4th of July. Do you remember what I said that flying the flag showed your love of country. I know you all love your country

If you are not able to put up the bracket for your flag, call me and I will arrange to get it done. So, have a wonderful 4th and count your blessings.

EVENTS COMING UP
Fort Benton has Talent will take place on Sunday June 24th at 1:00 p.m. at the Old Fort Park. Be sure to sign up quickly as you only have a few days to prepare.

The Missouri River Breaks Triathlon is scheduled for Saturday July 7th to finish in Fort Benton. Look for registration information in the River Press.

There will be an Antique Flea Market in Virgelle on Sunday July 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Boats, Blues, and Brews on Saturday, July 7th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. will feature a free concert that will be held on Front St. by the Old Walking Bridge. Come on down

The Chouteau County Free Library and the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center will liven Tuesdays up by hosting “Wild Trivia” every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. For more information read the posters around town.

CLASS REUNIONS
A Class Reunion is trying to get into the dress that you wore for graduation.
A Class Reunion is seeing your principal and still being nervous.
A Class Reunion is “bring homemade cookies” that you bought at the bakery.
A Class Reunion is showing photos of your children….again, again, again, and again….and again.
A Class Reunion is dancing with your school beau and trying to remember what you ever saw in him.
A Class Reunion is finding it hard to believe that the balding man with the pot belly was the captain of the football team.
A Class Reunion is introducing your husband to everyone except the classmate who you almost became your husband.
(McCall’s magazine October 1986,)

SUMMER BEGINS
On June 21st summer will begin. It is always a sad day for me because now the days will be getting shorter. It always seems to me that we do not have enough pleasant evenings that we can sit outside before the sun sets. I will try to enjoy the next three (3) months before it really gets dark early. I will not even think about what kind of winter we might have next in line. It is just rolling around too quickly to think about.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND PUT YOUR HAND OVER YOUR HEART WHEN SINGING OR HEARING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM THIS 4th of JULY AND EVERY OTHER DAY.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

View From The Bridge 2/21/18

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
2-21-18

UNDAUNTED COURAGE
It is late Saturday afternoon and I just got the word that the Longhorn Girls Basketball Team won the district championship over Box Elder 52 to 51. It is not good luck but hard determination on the part of the team.  I am upset that I wasn’t there and blame it on the weather. I know there were fans that drove to Havre for three days, but when I heard on the news to stay off the roads unless it was an emergency, I stayed home.

I can picture in my mind over and over, that hard fought game and that very last basket that won the game. Actually, I do not know how I could have handled those few moments at my age. I have seen many basketball games over the years and many were thrilling. However, that final game last Saturday takes all.

Congratulations Fort Benton Longhorn Girls and we love you for what you have done for our town. You made the possible happen and it has inspired all of your fans. Now on to Divisional this coming week in Great Falls. There is no more snow forecast and it will just be extremely cold. See you there.

CCPA
The sad part about last Tuesdays Chouteau County Performing Arts program was that more people could not be there because of the snow storm. It was, without a doubt, the best show that has ever been presented. The Phat Pack, pronounced Fat Pack, a name I will explain later, was a Las Vegas show. You would have paid big bucks to see them there. If you had a CCPA seasons ticket the cost was just a tad over $5.00.

The pianist, Philip Fortenberry, has appeared in Fort Benton several times. One appearance was just his piano playing. In Vegas, he teamed up with the three singers and the group was formed. Every song they sang and every story they told made you feel that you wanted them to go on and on. They were awesome.

Because the name of their Las Vegas show is “Phantom: Las Vegas Spectacular,” they chose the Ph and at to mimic Frank Sinatra’s gang the Rat Pack. Do you remember that group?

They sang Broadway tunes and a favorite song from the Phantom of the Opera. Since I get a ride to the Elementary School early, I was sitting in my seat 45 minutes early. Philip was practicing and I asked him to play “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for me. He did and it was a tear jerker. It will always be a treasured memory.

I was also able to attend the students show at 1:30 p.m. The Phat Pack sang a song about “Dreams” and told about their dreams and how they became what they are today. They all came from small rural towns and ended up in big cities like Vegas and New York because they followed their dreams. They encouraged the audience to follow their dreams no matter what. Most of the show was questions and answers about the dreams of the students.

I hope that the Phat Pack return someday when our town is not covered with snow. I would love them to see the Missouri flowing quietly, green grass, leaves on the trees, our beautiful park, our historic buildings open, and our wonderful walking trail. (I think we would all like to see that right now. Oh well, just think, winter is half over.)

WEATHER
Isn’t it amazing to watch the weather patterns? I have been here for 25 years and have never see this much snow in Fort Benton. The most I remember is about 8 in. Randy tells me that on the 24th of this month, we will not have seen ground for 2 months. It began snowing on December 24th and has not stopped since.  What I feel bad about is that I am missing the basketball district tournaments in Havre.  I know some brave souls have gone the last couple of days but we were asked on TV to stay off the roads.

Many of the old timers who have lived there all of their lives can tell some very interesting stories about weather here when they were kids.  One that Wally, (my late husband,) told me was when the temperature dropped 80 degrees in a few hours. The Missouri drove so smooth that they could ice skate on it. What fun that must have been.

I wonder what ever happened to the ice skating rink that was here when I moved to town. If there is a rink, would someone let me know?

CARD PARTY
By popular demand there will be another Pinhole card party at the Sunrise Bluffs. On Monday the 5th of March at 1:00 p.m. the festivities will begin. This card party has grown into a very popular event. The organizers are inviting you a couple of weeks ahead of time so put it on your calendars. The weather should have broken by then and it will be wonderful to get out doing a little socializing. I have heard from many that they are tired of being cooped up and have cabin fever.

SENIOR CENTER
On Friday, the 23rd, the Humana Insurance man, Bill Thompson, will be there to bring a birthday cake for the Senior Citizens to celebrate their birthdays and anniversaries on Sunday the 25th. His company is giving the Golden Age the cake.

He also will answer any of your questions and will listen to your comments or concerns.

Try to make it on Friday and return on Sunday to enjoy February birthdays and anniversaries. Our Golden Age Senior Center is so special. It is the only one in the area that serves dinner every day of the week. If you are not a member and new in town, please join us. You will be most welcome. (Just mention my name because the more members I get the better chance I have to win the trip to Hawaii.  (just kidding!)

There is always an event going on and you can relax and enjoy yourself. There is always a puzzle being worked on, a card game often, a great dinner at a reasonable price, coffee in the morning, mostly breakfast at noon on Saturdays with fresh baked cinnamon rolls once a month, a piano you can play, and a TV you can watch. What more can you ask?

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICOFFICERS, FIRE FIGHTERS, EMTS, AND PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

View From The Bridge 4/29/15

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
4/29/15

RIVER TRIP MAY 5th
A meeting was held this morning Monday April 27th for the Visitor Information Center Volunteers were invited to travel the Missouri River by a jet boat to the White Cliffs. Since the volunteers talk about, answer questions about, and encourages visitors to see the White Cliffs; most of them have never had the opportunity.

This trip will be on Tuesday the 5th of May. Those who signed up will be at the Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center at 9:00 a.m. They will then be driven to Coal Banks where they will board the boat for a ride down stream to the Cliffs.

BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH AND DRINK.  WATER WILL BE PROVIDED.

As of today, there were 9 people signed up and there is 1 opening. If you would like to sign up please call in Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center at 622-4000. You will be put on a waiting list and confirmation for those signed up, will be May 4th. You may be called that afternoon if there is a cancellation. You may be able to go on this trip in 2 years as the Missouri River Breaks Center will again do a trip for Visitor Information Center Volunteers. Last year the trip was offered to the River and Plains and will be again next year.

VISITORS INFO CENTER
There will be more information in the View next week about the opening of the Visitors Information Center with opening day and hours. There will also be information about the opening of the Ag Center Museum, the Upper Missouri Museum, and the Old Fort Benton.  Another added attraction is “The Mullen Road Conference.” What an exciting month our town has to look forward to.

PIATIGORSKY - MAY3rd 
This presentation of classical music will be presented at the Grand Union Hotel on Sunday, May 3rd at 4:00 p.m. This program is free to the public.

The weather is supposed to be in the high 70”s.  If you are within walking distance, it would be a pleasant walk along the Levee Walking Trail to the Grand Union. It would end a beautiful weekend. See you there.

APPRECIATION
The annual Appreciation Luncheon/Dinner was the most fun ever. I have always enjoyed the food, being waited on, served by the 6th Graders, and the decorations. Most of all I looked forward to the entertainment. Last Thursday not only met my expectations but far exceeded them.

The program listed it as a “Hoe Down,” and that it was. K thru 4th grade began with Old Joe Clark. (How could they memorize all those words?) K then sang “Red River Valley,” and I am sure that everyone there sang along. The 1st Graders then flapped their wings to “Turkey in the Straw.” The 2nd Grade did a terrific rendition of “My Home is Montana,” followed by the 3rd Grade being on “Rocky Top.”

Then the auditorium got Hoe Down when the 4th Graders danced to the Virginia reel. (For years I have tried to get a Square Dance Fundraiser started. It never took off but I know from overheard conversations that most all in attendance would participate in that dancing program. Once a month would be wonderful. I am not a dancer but if someone is calling out instructions…why not? If there any organization that would be willing to get it started?)

The finale was the icing on the cake. Principal Jory announced that the Kiddos would go into the audience and find a parent or grandparent. The “Tennessee Waltz” began filling the air and there were dancing couples all over the gym. It was a most heartwarming and memorable time. That dance will remain as one of the memories that will be hashed over and over for many years to come.

I know that I speak for all of the Senior Citizens that we appreciate and look forward to that day every year. We love each and every one of you.

“50 THINGS ABOUT MT”
I wrote two or three interesting things that you (nor I) knew about Montana each week for many weeks. I received a note from Bonnie Anderson who left Fort Benton to move to Helena. She wanted me to know that the 50th thing was her great grandfather who was Walther H. Peck.

I went to my files and found #50 and it read like this…“Roy, Montana (pop. 108) owes its name to a typing mistake. When Walter H. Peck established a post office on his ranch in 1892, he requested that the name be Ray in honor of a friend. However, someone in Washington, D.C. misread the name and returned it with the name Roy.”

I appreciate that you read the View, Bonnie, and that interesting tid-bit of a story. I would like to know more about your great grandfather.

MAY MOON
It is obvious why the May Moon is called the Flower Moon. Its’ other names are the Full Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon. Look forward to the May Full Moon on next Monday, the 4th.

SENIOR CENTER
I believe that everyone in town knows Idella Singer. Her late husband used to be in the River Guide business.  The first bench was placed on the Levee by the Lewis and Clark Bronze Memorial Statue by his family in memory of him.

I have known Idella for a long while and in the last few years we became more acquainted because of the Billy Swensgard Memorial project. Billy was Idella’s grandson and a very important part of the memorial service/program we held last Veteran’s Day.

Now to get to the story of Idella and me. She told me several weeks ago that two people had called her Muncie. A third person was added to the list last week. A woman sitting next to me at the Tuesday night monthly dinner said that she saw Idella walking on her street and thought it was me. Folks, I know that our hair is about the same color, we both wear glasses, so how can you confuse us when she is so much prettier than I am?

SENIOR MOMENT
The kid’s text me “plz” which is shorter than please.  I text back “no” which is shorter than “yes.”

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

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

View From The Bridge 9/3/14

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
9/3/14

WALKING TRAIL
Today, (Sunday the 31st,) I walked the Levee Trail from the Lewis and Clark Memorial Bronze toward the Sunrise Bluffs and beyond to what I call the “Nature Trail”.  My route so far has been from 14th St. and Front St. toward the Upper Missouri Interpretive Center one day, and the Lewis and Clark Memorial the next day. Last week I stopped at all the memorial tables and benches and thought about what the plaques mean and the families involved

Today’s walk, with grandson Grayson, was amazing. The landscaping has grown into full maturity.  The trail has many cracks but is well maintained by the City Crew.

The island is so green and lush.  (I do not know the name but I will name it Native Island as it is shallow at that point and is where the Native Americans crossed over before bridges were thought of,)  Grayson thought that it was larger than it used to be. That could be happening because of debris and mud traveling the Missouri. I’ll check it out with Land Management, however I am sure there are many of you readers that already know the answer.

Another great sight was the ducks, swans, and pelicans that let us know they were there with their quacking and antics in the water.

I made a list of the Memorial Benches and Tables to share with you your thoughts about the families. That program was so successful and I am so happy when I see residents and visitors making use of just sitting to enjoy the river or having a picnic lunch along the river.

On our walk, the first tables that attracted my attention were between the Museum of the Upper Missouri and Old Fort Benton south side.  (I know that Fort Benton is not directly north/south and east/west but I describe it as such.)  I was told the two tables were recently installed and were donated by the Fort Benton Odd Fellows Lodge #57 and the Rebekah’s Lodge #l05, 20013. It is a beautiful addition to that space across the street from the Veterans Way triangle.

When you walk the Trail check out the tables and benches to remember the families of McKeever, Works, Remick, Corder, Owen, Allen, Fanner, Schoonover, Ayers, and Loda/Slavas. There are also two covered tables near the Bluffs that were donated to the City of Fort Benton by Art on the Levee.  There is also a bench  by the Fort without a plaque. I no longer have the records, as I turned them over to the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs, to check out who purchased it.

Next week I will mention the names of the Memorial Benched from 14th and Front Street to the Lewis and Clark Memorial. The following week the list will include from that same corner to the B.L.M. Interpretive Center. Another surprise was the fantastic sign leading into the Nature Trail. The sign was installed about a month ago and gives credit to the City of Fort Benton, BLM Interpretive Center, and the Fish, Wildlife and Parks, for creating the Nature Trail. If you are looking for a quiet time and a great amount of solitude, walk that Nature Trail. Since I have walked the trail, solar lights have been installed. I do not know if they go all the way around but thinking about it…they must.  You could not walk that area in the dark. (I wonder who walk it in the dark..no way…not me.)

Grayson and I did not walk the Nature Trail because of a time limit.  It is on my “DO” list the next time he visits Fort Benton.  (Note picture that Editor Tim took for me.)

I met an older, (but younger than me,) couple on the Walking Trail. They were from Cleveland, Ohio, and Fort Benton was a destination. I love to hear that from visitors. They visited Fort Benton last year too. They had walked the entire length of the Trail and it was 9:45 a.m.  After spending the night here, (they are traveling in their automobile,) they were headed to St. Ignatius and then back to Ohio for total mileage of 4,000 miles not including side trips. I told them that I hoped they would return again next year and they said they probably would. It makes my day to talk to visitors who enjoy our historic city.

SWENSGARD MEMORIAL
There are 17 raffle tickets left to sell for this project. Diane Jones will be at the Farmers Market next Thursday if you would please purchase a ticket, (or a few) so we will know the total amount of funds we have to work with. Much appreciation to those of you that have purchased tickets. (I know that you are wondering if the raffle has been held or not.)

To this point in time, the arrangements are being made for a dedication on Veterans Day. We are planning to have a cement table with a cover and if enough funds, a cement bench in Veterans Way.  That will fill in that area nicely. Please visit that triangle next to the Old Fort Benton. If you have children, make them aware of their grandfathers and great grandfathers, sacrifices for their country.  Too much of that history is disappearing too quickly. My generation remembers WWI because our grandfathers and perhaps  fathers fought those battles. My generation, (was called the “Greatest Generation,) and we knew the Great Depression and WWII.  

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS PROJECT
Since I am running short of time and space, I will report next week. I will know then exactly how many shirts were sold,  how many and what sizes are left. I love all of you who “Wear Red on Fridays.”

SENIOR CENTER
Last week I reminded you about Pie Day and forgot to mention about “Tuesday Night’s Dinner,” the third Tuesday of the month. This month it is the 16th. Please and call in your reservation because it only accommodates a limited number of diners and you would not like to miss out. The first get together of the season is always a great time. You may see old friends for the first time since last spring. Funny how time slips away.
GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.