VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
7/26/17

TALKING BOOKS
This organization has saved my reading life for 38 years. Now it has been put in jeopardy because of drastic cuts to the program.

I received a letter this past week dated June, 2017 from the supervisor of the Talking Books program advising me of the cuts in their budget. Two long time employees were let go and I learned from a phone call that there are 4 employees left in the office.

I have always had wonderful service receiving the books I wanted with a day or two since they are located in Helena. At times they have had to obtain the books I requested from Salt Lake City. They give special attention to every request to accommodate their blind and visually impaired callers.

I am appealing to the other people who use Talking Books to make phone calls to their Representatives, Senators, and even the Governor to cease cutting these important programs.

I have known for many years that funding for  libraries were being cut. Even though I do not frequent our Chouteau County Free Library, (since I cannot read books,) I believe that it is the most important building in Fort Benton.

There is no other way I know of to reach other Talking Books persons (because of privacy issues,) and so I ask you to do some phone calling. Phone numbers are in the phone book and the phone is answered in a timely manner. You will not have to wait or begin by pushing dozens of numbers.  Please do it today. I need my Talking Books. If you do not know anyone who enjoys these books then do it for me.

FARMERS MARKET
It was better attended in spite of the heat. Miss Rainie Halko was busy at her table putting earrings together. She must have that entrepreneur gene. Susanna was there with her Filipino dinner and egg rolls. The Arnst family had just picked produce and I was told that their grandchildren were providing cool lemonade... (I miss the Girls and their baked goods. I have to get up the energy to bake my own banana and zucchini loafs. They will never be as good.)

Randy Morger was there selling seasons tickets to the Chouteau Count Performing Arts. The Hutterites are always there with their produce and fresh bread. Nancy’s Fancy enticed us with coursings and different flavors of bagels. (Next week she promised Danish.) A lemonade stand and an iced drink seem to be doing a good business. Connie Jenkins was selling canoe raffle tickets for the River and Plains. The person having the best time was Dominic, a River Press reporter, who loves Farmer Markets. Dominic will only be with us this summer. He is such an enthusiastic young man and if you have the opportunity to talk to him, do that. It may want you to get up and go with a project you have put aside to do sometime when you have time. (Will you ever have time?).I hope that I haven’t missed anyone...

THE 3RD OF AUGUST
This will be a big day in town. Not only will the 4-Hers be filling every room in town but Shakespeare in the Park and the Taste of Chouteau County will be in Old Fort Park.

The presentation of the Shakespeare in the Park will not be Shakespeare this year but George Bernard Shaw’s “You Never Can Tell.” That sounds very interesting and quite a change in their scheduling.

The Farmers Market will also be in the Park instead of the Levee Park. You should not have any trouble enjoying yourself that evening. So put on a happy face and give everyone you meet a Fort Benton welcome.

THE GREAT ESCAPE
Last year when 9 puppies were up for adoption at the Dedman Foundation, one of them went to Randy’s house to live. Her real name is Cream but I like to call her Creamy, you know to rhyme with Randy, Muncie, and so on.

To get on with the story, Cream does not like it when Randy has somewhere to go for a short time. He had a beautiful wooden fence built to keep her in the year but she manages to get out and search town for him. She would squeeze herself between the wooden fence and the cyclone fence next door and escape.

Last week Ruth Evans called to tell me that she could not reach Randy and Cream was in her house for safe keeping. Randy retrieved her and when he got home, put her in the yard and stood by the door to see if he could figure out how she was getting out of the yard.

Now this is where the story gets interesting. Cream climbed the cyclone fence, like a bear, into the neighbor’s yard to freedom. She also used a lilac tree to boost herself up the fence. It is no longer there and fell to the mighty ax.

Now you say, “Why doesn’t he leave her in the house?”  Well, he does depending on the weather, but she learned to open the screen door. Now that is one smart dog and forever faithful to her master.

AROUND THE CORNER
Next Tuesday will be the 1st of August and I will write about the moon for the August 2nd edition
of the River Press.  I was thrilled at the Farmers Market when a lovely woman came up to me and said that she like my telling about the moon names. That has encouraged me because they say that for every one person’s opinion, it counts for 5,000 others opinions.  Wow, I know that 5,000 people read the River Press.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, THOSE WHO PROTECT US, WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS and FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG ON YOUR FRONT PORCH EVERY DAY.

View From The Bridge 3/15/17

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
3/15/17


FUND RAISER
I think that everyone in town turned out for Wyatt’s Fund Raiser on Tuesday the 7th. The food line was long but passed quickly. It was an excellent dinner and there was the most delicious cheesecake for sale for dessert. (I would like that receipt.)

The auditorium was a wonderful mad house of activity. The old fashioned games were run by the Fort Benton High School students and a good time was had by all.

I found a quiet place in one of the classrooms to play bingo. Students and their parents went in and out and I saw a few regulars. My friend won once and she got a little green St. Patrick’s notebook and a wooden snake. She would give the snake to her great grandson. (I wonder if it will show up in her bed. Don’t read this to him to give him any ideas.)

It was a wonderful community effort and I hope to hear how Wyatt is doing.

IDES OF MARCH
Today is the day, the Ides of March. I just put Ides as a Latin word in my internet search and it came up as Ides is just a day of the month. If you remember when I wrote of it, there are 4 months that is on the 15th and the rest of the year it is o the 13th. I realize now that to beware on of Ides of March was because that was the day that Julius Caesar was killed. (He should have “bewared” of the Ides of March but how could he have possibly known.)

Since I learned of the Idles of March many years ago I have not been killed so I think that I am quite safe. However, I would like someone to watch my back.

I didn’t have to reset any clocks last night or this morning except my microwave.  My cell phone, land phone, weather stations, and computer reset themselves. (I love this part of technology.)  I have two clocks that remain on daylight savings time year round because they are too heavy to work with. Since we have about 8 months of savings and 4 months of regular time II know they are 1 hour off and I live with it

Did you know that it is in the Montana legislature at this moment to become the 3rd state in the union to do away with Daylight Savings time? Whatever is your preference, contact your legislator to let him know.

I mention this only so voters will get more involved with what is going on. I only hear things from the grapevine. I watch the local news but have never seen anything about what is going on in Helena. My main concern is that you to let Helena know how you feel about issues. (I approve this message.) (My joke of the day.)

CHOUTEAU COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS
Next Tuesday is CCPA night at the Fort Benton Elementary auditorium at 7:00 p.m. If you like an artist playing the piano and show tune music you will really enjoy Thomas  Pandolfi. He does magic on the piano. I will see you there.

Learning to play the piano is the first step to learning everything you want to know about music.

I admire all musicians but especially pianists. They are entertainment all by themselves. They can sit down at a piano anywhere and take you into LaLa Land.

Last year, or perhaps it was the year before, at the Tuesday night once a month dinner, the entertainment was the Stensland family from Great Falls. The children all played the piano and when I spoke with their Mom afterward, she said that leaning the piano was not an option. I thought that was the most positive thing I have ever heard. (We miss you Ellie. Come visit soon.)

To take lessons and practice at least an hour every day is not something that most kiddos want to do. It is only a little later in life when they can entertain that they will appreciate it. GO PIANO STUDENTS!

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
At out meeting last Wednesday we discussed Caleb’s Crossing and chose Cutting for Stone by Abraham Vorghsz for next month.

I am encouraging all members to attend the April meeting. We have new officers to elect and have several very important decisions to make. You will be hearing from our secretary, Judy. I would just urge you to put the dates on your calendar and plan to be there at noon on the second Wednesday that will be the 12th of April.  See you there.

TALKING BOOKS
This morning I saw a commercial for Talking Books. I have written about that terrific organization many times and I have been with them for 38 years now.

I know people in Fort Benton who could use this service but I do not know why they are not taking advantage of it. Is it because you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? (Another of my jokes of the week.)

Just give them a call at 406-444-2064. They will set you up with a machine, a catalog for tapes, and mail it to you. This is a free service even when you send the tape back.

I have some brochures about this program at the Golden Age Senior Center. If you would like to talk to me about the ins and outs please call me. I love to talk about Talking Books.

PONDERISMS
“How is that that we could put a man on the moon before we would figure out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?”

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

View From The Bridge 8-17-16

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
8-17-16

MEET ME AT THE FAIR
Support the Fair and meet me, your family, your friends, and make new friends at the Chouteau County Fair starting on Thursday. The weather forecast isn’t looking too good for Thursday and Friday but Saturday and Sunday will be great Fair days.

The same weather pattern put a little damper on Fridays Summer Celebration but not much. Just grab your umbrellas and come on down. You are the one who can make it happen so bring along your smiley face and plans for a fun time. Also bring along your purse/wallet and buy your tickets for the shows ahead of time.

It won’t be back for a year so enjoy everything you possibly can. See you there.

JIMMY BUFFET DAY
I hope that you made it over to the celebration of Jimmy Buffet Day at the Benton Pharmacy. Chris Halko puts on this party every year although it was a tad bit late compared to other years. The party is usually held after IRS day to help sooth your wallet. Because Chris was busily engaged with purchasing the Governors Keep, the party was postponed. It did not at all dampen the good time had by everyone who attended.

My story about this day is that we were given a ticket for a drawing. The Pharmacy called me the next day to tell me I had won a prize. When I picked it up it was like one of those “how did this happen?” things. It was a picture of children putting up an American Flag and below was written, “God Bless America.”  I was told that they picked that picture just for me. I wear a lot of red, white, and blue and almost every time I went into the Benton Pharmacy I was shown an article that was red, white, and blue. I have more red, white, and blue items that the White House.  I love it.

The second part of this story is that when my daughter comes to help with paper work, we go shopping.  I saw that picture and my daughter urged me to buy it. I hesitated and decided I would wait for a special occasion. Well, it looks as though Jimmy Buffet Day was that special occasion and I now have that beautiful picture hanging on my kitchen wall. I really appreciate it Chris and Terri. You have always done so much to promote Fort Benton.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
(And the rest of that is, “and not a drop to drink.) Last Thursday morning the Montana Conservation Corps Intern Kayla Glosner presented a Water Class on the lawn of the Library. About 6 Kiddos showed up and another adult besides me. I learned so much and enjoyed the presentation to describe “How We Use Water.”  I am passing on facts that you may or may not know.

1.  Less than 2% of the earth’s water is fresh water.
2.  A person can survive about a month without food but only 5 to 7 days without water.
3.  Every day in the United States we drink 1 million plus gallons of water.
4.  The average American uses 140 to 170 gallons of water a day.
5.  1/3 of Americans get their drinking water from rivers.
6.  ¼ of all the agricultural land in the United States if found in the Missouri River watershed. (That puts those of us in the watershed in a very important role.)

There will be more facts next week. I think there is enough here to think about. It is too bad that there isn’t better attendance at these functions. It would lead to more conversations about problems we have and work on possible solutions. Drink up because by 2025 the Global Bank predicts that 2/3s of the global population will run short of fresh drinking water. (That ought to cheer up your day.)

ADVENTURES
I have been told by several women that they read the View from the Bridge because they enjoy my adventures. They said that I should write a book about my adventures and although I would not do that, I have had a life full of them. Most of those have been in Montana.

My latest adventure was last Saturday when my son Randy drove me to lower St. Mary Lake to spend the day with Jack Gladstone and his lovely friend Patti. Jack’s house is close to the lake. At the lake’s edge you can see the 7 peaks and the highest one is Chief Mountain.

The house is designed on the outside walls with a 7 peaks design. The inside is in the process of being finished. I am a fan of HGTV, (Home and Garden TV,) and it was of great interest to me to be shown every detail of their road to completion. It will be a while but I feel privileged to have seen it at the present stage.

Jack took us for a ride to an overlook about 15 or 20 miles away. We had a perfect view at Chief Mountain. Sights such as this one make me feel like that single piece of sand as compared to our universe. It was a thrill of a lifetime and has become one of my most memorable times.

Jack will be in Fort Benton for Connie Jenkins’ Fund Raiser to entertain on September 10, 2016. Be sure to say hello to him and welcome to Fort Benton.

TALKING BOOKS
I know that I have talked a lot about Talking Books. I have listened to books for over 35 years because of eye surgeries and I love listening to someone read to me.

I have talked to people who have said that they would like to use the service. It is a government program for the Blind and Visually Impaired and is free of any charge. The Helena office mails them to you and you just drop them in the mailbox when you are finished.

They will also send you catalogs that list the books that are available. The books used to be on cassettes and because they are two sided tapes, you had to use their machine. About a year or two ago they changed over to digital and that is an amazing machine. The best part is the “sleep button.” You can listen before your nap or in your bed and it will play for 15 minutes. You can do that four times and then the machine will shut itself off. There is also a bookmark button. I am really enjoying that machine.

The other neat thing is they get a whole book on one digital disc. The cassette book tapes sometimes had as high as 16 sides depending on the length of the book.

So after all this explanation, I wanted to tell you that if you are interested and just didn’t know how to go about doing it, I have forms for you to fill out. Please let me know and I will arrange to get it to you.  GO TALKING BOOKS.

A GREAT SAYING
I received a card this past week and on the front there was a beautiful picture of a forest and a stream running through it. The saying on it was, “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” William Shakespeare

OBSERVATIONS
“Help the needy. Be Generous.  Be a Giver, not a Taker.”

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, OUR POLICE FORCES and EVERYONE       ELSE WHO WATCHES OVER US.

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
7/13/16

DIG
I spent part of last weekend at the Old Fort Benton mostly watching the archeology dig. Jay, as he likes to be called, is the archaeologist from Malmstrom Airforce Base who is a very interesting person.  He moved around so fast I could hardly keep up watching him here, there, and everywhere. He constantly checked everyone’s work as it should have been because that is why he was hired.

By the time most of the volunteers arrived at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, J and Sharalee Smith had everything ready to go. The orange fence was in place and the squares were marked with orange paint. We were to be looking for the foundation of the SW blockhouse in preparation for the big dig next month.

Besides J, the other archaeologist was Hank Armstrong. There were 8 “Want-a-be- Archaeologists.” That included 2 youngsters who volunteered. They were all busy scrapping away by the time I arrived. I spent the morning changing letters on a board that was placed by each area dug so a picture could be taken. There were very specific reports to be made out.

There were “Wan-a- Be-s” lying on the ground to be closer to their work. There were some sitting cross legged. (I would give my most prized possession if I could do that.) There were people screening.  Everyone seemed to be taking turns at the different kinds of work.

The day was so gorgeous but became quite warm as the sun worked its way over the Old Fort and was full on the dig site. We broke for lunch at noon and the next few hours I just sat in the shade and watched everyone else work. No one seemed to mind that I did that. I left at 2:15 which was 45 minutes before quitting time but no one seemed to mind that either. It became a bit too warm for me.

I was back on Sunday morning closer to 8:00 a.m. and actually did some screening. It was the top 2 inches that had grass in it. It was not as easy as when I screened 21 years ago on the Missouri Levee for the first dig in 1995. (I was a lot younger 21 years ago and stronger.)

I cannot believe that it was 1995 when the last dig was begun. We’ve come a long way Baby but actually not far enough. There is still a lot to be done before the reconstruction of the original Old Fort will be finished. The River and Plains Fort Committee doesn’t actually know when the Blockhouse will be completed. It may be 2 or 3 years.

I do not know exactly what results this dig had and we won’t know until the reports have been studied. I did not find anything in my screening except a piece of glass. I do know that Patty found a trade bead. That excited all of us. (This was unlike the first digs when we found 70,000 trade beads.)

I had to leave at noon on Sunday as I had a family commitment. I wonder if the team was rained out.  What a turn the weather took from yesterday and as I do this column Sunday evening, it is still raining.

NEXT DIG
The next archaeological dig will be August 13th through the 21st. Make plans now to join us for a few days or just a few hours that you can spare.

You will not get your name in the paper or get any kudos for your time. You will however, have the satisfaction of knowing that you are a part of history. You will know that you are doing something for your community. You will know that you are paying back something of what you have been given. You will know that you are bringing the past into the future and our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s futures.

An old Native American saying is, “If you do not know where you came from, you cannot know where you are going.”

RECYCLING
The news about recycling centers no longer accepting plastic bottles is so distressing to me. So now we are supposed to just dump them in the garbage because it is cost prohibitive to recycle them. They can go to the landfill. What are we thinking people? Are we that lazy, when we could recycle the bottles, that only 27% of the bottles were recycled?

We have the technology to go to the moon and we cannot figure out what to do with plastic bottles? I know the answer! We are going to do landfills on the moon. That may work

Did you read the figures on how many plastic bottles are used every hour in the United States? What can we do when every product comes in bottles especially water. They are so convenient and we are used to using them. Did you do everything you could about recycling them?

I was so happy when the Recycling Volunteers would take the plastic bottles. I used to take them to Great Falls to dispose of them. I am sure you know what happened in the Falls with the recycling program.

I get 5 gal. bottles of spring water from Lewistown for home use.  I purchase the small bottles to always carry with me. From now on I am going to use the water bottles that I have in the cupboard and fill it from the 5 gallon bottle. In some small way filling my own bottles will lessen my use of plastic bottles. What can you think of to protect our environment? Are you one of the 27% that recycled plastic or one of the 73% who did not?

MEMORIAL WREATH
I have a friend who is making a trip down the river and said that he will watch carefully for the Memorial Wreath. It is easier to find something when you know what you are looking for.

I was delighted to read Bethany’s story about the people who found the wreath. I thought that they called the River Press but no…they made a trip to the office. Adventurous people fascinate me because they are JUST DO IT people.

TALKING BOOKS
I just finished “When the Meadowland Sings,” on the digital machine from Talking Books. It is the story about a Montana farming family in the early days and the woman who wrote it was born in Fort Benton.

What I wanted to tell you about was the digital player. I have always used my little cassette player that plays Talking Books 4 sided cassette tapes and I used it when I was walking. I can still get cassette tapes but for Friends of the Library we are going to read “Boys in a Boat.” Since it is a recent book, it is only on digital.

I love the digital player although it is larger and a little heavy for walking. There is a great volume button, a button to make the voice go faster or slower, and the best button is the sleep one. When I push sleep the machine plays for 15 minutes and then shuts itself off. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Don’t wait to take advantage of this opportunity. You do not have to call me for the number. Just call information and ask for Talking Books in Helena.

RETIREMENT
Congratulations Wendy. I’ll bet you could write a book with the adventures that you have experienced in the last 40 years. I would like to hear you’re most exciting, you’re funniest, and your very favorite story.

FARMERS MARKET
The first Farmers Market was on the Levee last Thursday. It was a beautiful day and sitting there on what I call the Shep Levee, we enjoyed a very pleasant hour.
   
Son Randy had a table and was selling Chouteau County Performing Arts tickets. (It will be here before you know it.) I used one of the memorial tables to set up a quilt rack and draped one of the Summer Celebration Quilts over it.

I did quite well by selling two books of raffle tickets. Randy was happy with his ticket sales. Susanna ran out of her egg rolls, and I bought the last two muffins that the Arnst family had. (I should have hit their tables earlier.) I saw many people going by with leaves of beets sticking out of their packages. I think there were many veggie dinners that evening and good for you.

By the way, Randy and I will be there next week with our tickets. See you there.

OBSERVATIONS
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

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