A View From The Bridge 11/18/20

View From The Bridge
By Muncie
11/18/20

VETERANS DAY
A wonderful celebration was held at the Veteran’s triangle on 11/11/20. The ceremony was not held at the Old Fort Benton Bridge this year.

What I enjoyed the most was when the school bus drove up and the 5th graders joined the celebration.  It was very cold but they didn’t seem to mind. They sang Amazing Grace and they sounded like Angles.  When the ceremony was over, it only lasted a few minutes; one of the students went around with a bucket full of poppies. She gave us each one. (I save mine from year to year.)

Those 5th graders have learned to be patriotic and realize the sacrifice the Veterans gave to their country. 

We love you all and wish we could personally thank each and every one of you. We also remember those who made the supreme sacrifice, their lives.

CELEBRATIONS

• Friday  11/20 is Absurdity Day. (You can have lots of fun with this one.)
• Saturday 11/21 is Stuffing Day. (You can tell it is getting close to Thanksgiving. See tomorrows.)
• Sunday 11/22 is Cranberry Relish Day. (I told you so.)
• Monday 11/23 is Eat a Cranberry Day. (One cranberry is not enough for me. I have a recipe Cranberry Fluff that I can eat the whole bowl at a sitting. Ummmm!)
• Tuesday the 24rd is Sardines Day. (I can’t believe that they would make this a celebration day so close to Thanksgiving.)
• Wednesday the 25th is Shopping Reminder Day. (I’m afraid if you have not shopped for Thanksgiving, it is too late. Your turkey should be thawed out already for tomorrow. Or even better, several people tell me they cook on Wednesday so they won’t have so much to do on the holiday.)
• Thursday the 26th is the big day we have been waiting a year for. Can you believe another year has disappeared?)

VOLLEYBALL AND FOOTBALL
During these dark dreary days, the Volleyball and Football teams gave Fort Benton so much pleasure.

I know how disappointed you all are but it is the life story. Ups and downs are always there. We love all of you for your efforts and there is always next year. I know you are tired of hearing that because for some there won’t be a next year in high school (Perhaps you will go on to play in college.) So long and our best wishes. 

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
It is still Saturday the 16th and I just got the news that there will be a Chouteau County Country

Christmas on Saturday December 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. As with all other events there will be big changes. Many of the businesses will host a vender. Let’s hope for good weather because we will have to walk from store to store.

More news about this event will be in next week’s River Press. Hope this piece of news cheered you up as much as it did for me. I am sure that all precautions will be in place to keep you safe.  Be happy as we look forward to this event to get out and about.

I have my list started and want all of you readers to plan to shop “til you drop”. It sure sounds good after being cooped up for all these past months.

Be sure to say hello to me and tell me who you are. To all of you who have done that in the past few months, I am forever grateful. I miss all of you and want to say have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Let the only ones who are sad be the turkeys. 

PERSONALS

Please send a letter, note, or card to Pierce Marin, Class of 2020 Fort Benton High School, who joined the service of our Country

I know there are other young men and women who are serving our country but even though I have tried, I cannot get their addresses for security reasons. If you have a son or daughter in the service and they can get mail, please let me know. A good deed for the day would be to send them a card or letter.

I plan to do a big push for Christmas so get those addresses to me a.s.a.p.

BE KIND.

DO A GOOD DEED EVERY DAY.

WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.

WEAR YOUR MASKS TO PROJECT NOT ONLY YOURSELF BUT THE OTHERS YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH. DO YOUR PART TO STOP THIS VIRUS.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREMEN AND WOMEN, FIRE FIGHTERS, EMT’S AND ALL THOSE WONDERFUL TIRELESS MEDICAL WORKERS. 

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
11/11/20

VETERANS DAY
Veterans Day was always a special day in our family. As I told you several times before, my Grandfather was killed in WWI. Then the what-ifs begin…what if my Grandmother had never come to the United States, what if she had more children than my Mom, what if my Dad had not gone to Europe when she was sent back so she could not marry him.

That is all now for my what-ifs. You all have them as it turned out I was born in this wonderful country and was heavily into honoring the Veterans.

It used to be such a special day with the Veterans dinners. All the Services were honored and there were a lot of memories talked about. Each one of our Vets had a story to tell and I loved listening. There were a lot of memories of those who never made it home.

That brings us to the Veterans Walk. Have you purchased a brick yet to honor your loved one? If they are still living it is so wonderful for them to see it now. 

If you have not seen the Walkway, then take a walk on one of the nice days and take a good look. If you already have a brick there, thanks from the bottom of my heart to all you who worked so hard to worked on the project. You are all special people as were your Veteran loved ones.

Perhaps everything will bet back to normal next year and we can celebrate together. 

PERSONALS
In last week’s River Press on page 13 was a photo and a short description of Pierce Marin.  I was so proud to read about him because he was a 2020 graduate of Fort Benton High School and had joined the Army.  He had his address and I wrote him a letter. I know nothing about him except that his Mom and Dad miss him very much.

This is a very special young man who deserves credit for volunteering to protect our country. With Veterans Day being celebrated today, it is important to honor our Vets. Be sure to thank as many of them as you can. 

Alex Trevek
Got the sad news this Sunday morning that Alex had passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer.

He seemed like family to the millions of people who watch his famous Jeopardy show five nights a week. 

I wonder who will take his place or will the show be discontinued. By the time you get the River Press, you will know the answer. So long Alex. We will miss you.

Scott MacKenzie also passed away. He was the man who put together the magnificent Wildlife Museum in Chinook. Quite a few years ago when my oldest son Johnny and his wife Jane were coming to visit, I asked Ken Robinson where I could take them to visit. He suggested Chinook and the Wildlife Museum, the Blair Museum, and Chief Joseph’s Battle Ground. 

The museums were closed but we made a phone call to Scott and he opened up for us. I hope that you readers have had the opportunity to visit those three places. People have said to me that they do not understand how the small town of Chinook could afford such a beautiful museum.

CELEBRATIONS

• Friday November 13th is World Kindness Day. (We need all we can get so let’s try harder.
• Saturday the 14th is Pickle Day. (I can skip this one.)
• Sunday the 15th is Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. (Oh! It’s that time again.)
• Monday the 16th is Fast Food Day. (That makes me think about Summer Celebration and Chouteau County Fair.)
• Tuesday the 17th is Baklava Day. Do you know what that is? It is a very, very rich Greek Dessert. I used to have a Greek Neighbor who would always bring me a piece. It would take me a week to eat it because it was so sweet.)
• It is also Homemade Bread Day. (I used to make bread but I cannot remember the last time I had a loaf.)
• Wednesday the 18th is Mickey Mouse’s Birthday.  He is 93 years old and doesn’t look a day over 12 years old.
• Thursday the 19th is Play Monopoly Day. (How many days did you spend playing that game?)
• It is also Rural Health Day. (Time to get started on a healthier life.)

Be Kind. Let’s make this a better world by treating others as you would like to be treated.

Do a good deed today. This goes along with being kind.

Wear red on Fridays to support our troops and Veterans.

Wear your masks because it seems that only thing to do now. No one else is offering to suggest anything else to stop this Covid from spreading. The only other thing that makes sense to me is, Stay Home. I know this is difficult but it does seem to be spreading in groups of people getting together or large groups.

Do you know anyone who has had a serious case of the virus? I do. A friend of mine, who lives in the southwest part of the state, spent her last two days “streaming" for someone to help her because she could not breathe”. I think of her every day while I make the effort to stay at home.

I know our country is split in half about the masks but I do not see any suggestions as to what else to do. I was always taught that if you complain you should have a solution or don’t complain.

God Bless America, our Troops, our Police Officers, Firemen and Women, Fire Fighters, EMT’s and all those tireless Medical Personnel who are taking care of those thousands of virus victims. 

Have a wonderful week and enjoy your TV without all those commercials. Love you all more.

 

View From The Bridge 11/13/19

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
11/13/19

VETERANS DAY
It is now shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Monday 11/11. It is very cold, the temperature at 2 above zero. However, the sun is shining brightly that makes it look warmer than it is.

I am ready to be picked up at 10:45 a.m. to attend the ceremony at the Veterans Park. What is called the “Veterans Cross” is being dedicated in the park this morning.             

I am writing about this because some of our readers on the internet did not see the article in the River Press. They have told me that the View keeps them in touch with the old home town. I wish you were here to celebrate with us although the cold will keep some people at home.

I’ll get back to you when I return this afternoon. The VFW has invited those of us who attend to have lunch at the Club House.

It is now 12:30 p.m. and I just returned to the apartment after having a very moving time at the Veterans Park. Yes, it was cold but I was not cold at all. I was so engrossed with the ceremony of the Veterans Cross dedication and laying of the bricks.

It began with the school choir singing the National Anthem. There was a very good crowd because of the many youngsters who attended besides the choir. The dedication took place, the 21-gun salute, singing of Shenandoah (my favorite song) by the Choir, and Commandant Wood asked that the bricks be placed. Those who ordered bricks early found their brick and placed it on the walkway. It was done with a very proud feeling for those Vets who served but are no longer with us as well as for those that are with us now. God bless America and all of you too. We would not be free if it were not for you.

We then proceeded to the Club House where the VFW provided us with Beef Barley soup, chili, and corn bread. It was a perfect luncheon after being out in the cold. Thank you to the VFW. You are such an important part of the community as is the American Legion.

Keep the Veterans in your daily thoughts. They need all the support that you can give them. With losing 22 Vets a day to self-destruction, it is something that it is difficult to understand for those of us who are untrained. Hopefully it will be resolved quickly.

TUESDAY NIGHT DINNER
We are off again on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. to the Golden Age Senior Center for a free dinner for Vets. What a wonderful idea and I, for many, say thank you to the seniors. Most of them are of the Greatest Generation and know the horrors of war. Keep them in your thoughts also as they slowly disappear.


ENOUGH ALREADY
By the time you get this issue of the River Press November will be almost half over. Winter should make its appearance a little over a month from now when the days begin to lengthen.

Meanwhile……we have been tolerating cold rain that turns into ice, and snow. The calendar relates to six weeks of winter already. Woe is me!
           
I know that I keep promising that I will not discuss the weather again BUT what else is there to talk about. I could talk about how early stores are pushing the Christmas season. But that is not a favorite subject. (Where do early shopper parents hide presents for two months? Yes, it would be that long as Christmas sales started before Halloween.
             
I asked the manager of a store, several years ago, why they began Christmas shopping in October. His reply was that they had to order early in the year and when it was delivered there wasn’t any place to store it. So……they put it out. (What do you think about that reasoning?)

I do not indulge in social media and I am wondering what is going on there. Are there complaints about this subject? Call me if you have any of that kind of information. (I’m in the book.)

THANKSGIVING
I’m on to a more pleasant subject. The holiday is late in the month this year. That leaves three weeks until Christmas. Hopefully it will fly by.
             
We have so much to be thankful for. Fort Benton is such a blessing for all of us. We haven’t had a flood for many years, no horrendous fire, or losing electricity for days at a time. We have dedicated volunteers who arrange events to keep us out and about. There is always something going at be it at the Library, the Ag Center, and other gathering places.

I am mentioning this because I saw a 100- year old woman on Backroads of Montana a couple of weeks ago. She was such an inspiration because she enjoyed every minute of every day. In her late 90’s she took up “POOL.” She said she did not want to sit around twiddling her thumbs. GO 100-YEAR OLD WOMAN.
           
Even though our weather isn’t perfect, I know that there is no other place you would rather be. Think about it!

FOOTBALL & VOLLEYBALL
Awesome! What an exciting season for all of your fans including me. It has been a long time and thanks to the coaches who are doing such a fabulous job with the Youngsters who give so much time for practice. GO LONGHORNS!

REMINDERS
CCPA coming up on Tuesday the 19th. Hallie Loren has the most beautiful voice and you should not miss this one.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
Coming up in December but purchase your wreath as soon as possible. Call Nancy LaChapelle to order. There isn’t a better way to remember your loved one. You get the wreath placed at the cemetery if you cannot do it. I know that personally, would not be able to shop for a wreath and take it to the cemetery. I want to remember my loved one at Christmas and how convenient for Wreaths Across America to do it for me. JUST DO IT!

CHOUTEAU COUNTY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
It is coming up on December 6th, 7th, and 8th. It is not too early to be making your list and checking it twice. I love this event for the entertainment, the Taco Soup and Sandwiches to take a break with. Besides shopping until you are dropping. See you there!

BINGO
Next Monday night is Bingo night at the Club House by the VFW. I never thought that I would ever be playing Bingo but I love it and the night out. It is a barrel of laughs and wonderful to see old and new friends. See you there too!

ABOVE ALL…BE KIND.
TRY TO DO A GOOD DEED EVERY DAY.
VOLENTEER WHEN YOU CAN TO GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY.
LIGHT ONE LITTLE CANDLE.
GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICEOFFICERS, FIREMEN AND WOMEN, FIRE FIGHTERS, AND EMT’S.

View From The Bridge 11/15/17

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
11/15/17

WHO DONE IT?
Who put the pumpkin in the hollow tree? This was the neatest thing for a lot of laughs in the neighborhood of the Sunrise Bluffs.

Next to the Community Garden is a hallow tree and several weeks before Halloween there appeared a carved pumpkin. Who done it? If you know anything about it would you please call me. If you do not want anyone to know I promise that I will not tell. I would like to know who is so clever and into the excitement of the season. It gave a lot of pleasure to a lot of people and I would like it very much if you would do the same next year.

VETERANS DAY
The same old crowd showed up for the Memorial service on the Old Bridge. There were some with walkers and some who could barely walk. They were there to honor their Veterans. It was the most beautiful day that we have ever had for the Veterans Day ceremony. The sun was bright, Montana blue sky, white fluffy clouds, and best of all…no wind.

The little 2nd grade O’Hara girl sang the National Anthem and it was so precious…from the mouths of babes.

Did you say thank you to a Veteran that day? It was also the Marine Corps birthday on the 10th and I am a Marine by marriage. I am still invited by the Marine Corps League 688 in Great Falls to their birthday ball. I can only think best wishes to them as I can no longer attend.

TURKEY BINGO
The big Turkey Bingo will be on Friday the 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the Club House. The VFW is all ready to give away those turkeys. So come on down for a fun time. You may get hooked on Bingo as I did 2 years ago when I attended my first Turkey Bingo and actually my first Bingo game.

I never dreamed that I would like playing Bingo but I truly enjoy it. Why? I do not think about anything else because I concentrate on those numbers. I get a charge out of those other addicted people who play 6 cards at a time. I am still a beginner and only play 2 cards. See you there.

SENIOR CENTER BINGO
Last Thursday there were only 5 of us so I played an extra card for a total of 3. However, the cards at the Center are large number cards and I was able to keep up.

During these long winter days, I encourage you to come to the Senior Center on Thursday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. for some relaxation time to play Bingo. Better yet…have lunch at noon. Just get moving and shut that TV off for a while. I think that you will find that you will be more motivated to get your chores finished if you are relaxed.
I ask those that used to play to return a.s.a.p. I realize that some of you work or have other commitments but we miss you. Hurry back.

THANKSGIVING DINNER
This is a reminder that you have an invitation to have Thanksgiving dinner at the Sunrise Bluffs. The cost is minimal for a wonderful dinner with all the trimmings.

Please call in your reservation by Friday the 17th. The phone number is 622-5443. See you there.

CHOUTEAU COUNTY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
It is 1 ½ weeks away and I have seen a schedule. It is fun filled and will keep you very busy for 3 days. Invite all your family and friends to come and enjoy with you.

On Saturday at the Ag Center, Jamie will be singing and the Barber Shoppe Quartet will also be back. You could not ask for better entertainment. Have lunch and sit and relax listening to the folks who know how to put on a great show. Take a little break from shopping.

There will also be that special store where the Kiddos can shop for their parents, grandparents and siblings. If you need some excitement in your life, you should check out those Kiddos shopping. It is hysterical and yet brings tears to your eyes. See you there.

The Christmas Concert on Sunday will be so special as always. Bring those Kiddos as it is especially for them. I was able to get through to the North Pole this past week and I can assure the youngsters that he will be there and everywhere that weekend.

SHONKIN  NOTICE
The Shonkin Chouteau County Country Christmas at the Shonkin Community Hall ON Saturday, December 2nd, will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. instead of 5:00 p.m. 

The wagon rides will be held, weather permitting, by the Lacey Creek Clydesdales from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (My thought is what a wonderful pictures that would make for next year’s Christmas card.)

LIONS RAFFLE
The odds of you winning a cash prize on December 3rd are great because only 200 tickets will be sold. To win cash at this time of year is such a great bonus. Be sure to buy a ticket. A member of the Lions Club will be at the Ag Center on Saturday selling tickets. Check them out and good luck to all of you. The drawing will be on Sunday at the Christmas Concert. See you there.

CHEERED UP
To cheer me up this week I was told  the following. “Just think…in a little over a month the days will be getting longer.” Yes! I feel a whole lot better.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREMEN, AND EMT’s. (Count your blessings for what these men and women do for us. Dwell your thoughts on our Troops who will not be home for Christmas. Pray for them and their families while you are comfortable in a warm home, good food, good night’s sleep and with your family and friends during the holidays. We are so blessed.)

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
By Muncie
11/18/15

VETERANS DAY
Another Veteran’s Day has come and gone but not the many thanks to all of our Veterans for their service. There are just not enough words to express our gratitude not only to the Veterans but to their families. Their sacrifices deserve all the help they can get.  Please contact your senators and representatives to give them what they need in health care, mental health care and all other benefits. DO IT NOW. Do not put it off until tomorrow.

(I made my phone calls today, (Monday) and only spoke to Senator Tester’s office in Great Falls. The others I called I could not reach. The lines were busy, busy, busy. I’ll try again tomorrow and the day after until I talk to someone.)

The Wreath program at The Old Fort Benton Bridge was not very well attended. I know that it was not as warm as the Memorial Day Ceremony but there are many Servicemen who are cold where they are. The American Legion and the VFW assured me that there was an announcement in the River Press. Perhaps next year more information about what is going on in town will be available.

I would like to commend the young man who blew Taps on his trumpet live.  Gabe Wallace, a sophomore at Fort Benton High School, did a tremendous job and I hope that he will make it a lifetime habit to be at all the Wreath Ceremonies.  Go Gabe!

The Veterans dinner was well attended and the food was delicious. We were served and plates whisked away for the dessert. I sat at a table with two friends and met three new acquaintances. In case you are wondering what I was doing at the Veteran’s dinner, I was invited. I am a Marine by marriage.

CCPA
Scott Kirby put on an awesome performance last Wednesday evening. He also performed at the Geraldine High School on Tuesday, the Missouri River Medical Center on Wednesday morning, the Fort Benton Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon, and Highwood High School on Thursday morning.

Scott not only plays a phenomenal piano but he is now a watercolor artist, photographer, and song writer. The first half of the show consisted of pictures and videos of community get-togethers, old schoolhouses with children on playgrounds, old churches, and photos of Scott Joplin and his rag time music. Scott coordinated his piano playing with what was on the screen. It took many hours of practice to get it so perfect.

HIGH SCHOOL
I am still walking at the High School from Monday to Friday. I was thrilled this past week to see students playing with a basketball. Official practice starts on the 19th and the first game is December 18th. Go Longhorns.

ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?
I have difficulty dealing with late fall and winter. It is not so much because of the cold, ice, and snow, but it is the darkness. With the overcast, dreary days lately, it is getting dark by 4:30 p.m. and really dark by 5:00 p.m. Mornings are still bearable because I wake at 8:00 a.m. and it is light outside. I know that I am going to have cabin fever soon.

I keep trying to think about those beautiful summer evenings when it stayed light until 10:00 p.m. I used to take a ride on my Go-Go down Front Street, on the business side, to the Freeze, cross the street and ride back on the river side trail late in the evening. It seems a mighty long time before I can do that again.

BACKROADS OF MT
I am very attached to the PBS show Backroads of Montana. I watch it every week and I also own a DVD of every episode. Fort Benton has a treat in store when on Saturday, November 21st at 5pm and Monday, November 23rd at 8pm, Backroads will feature our local historian, Hank Armstrong. Hank lives in Geraldine but comes to Fort Benton every Tuesday to volunteer at the Joel Overholser Research Center. I believe he has been doing that for over 25 years.

What you will see on that evening will be…Making Passages watching the closing of the dinosaur digging season near Bynum, listen to a centenarian bugler pay his respects, follow a Polson man in his quest to raise the largest pumpkin, and then Hank’s effort to preserve a special rock quarry near Square Butte. This is a new show and I will be watching with you. If you do not get PBS, I am inviting you to my house to watch it. If you have other plans for that evening, I am going to record it and we can watch it any time that is convenient.

In Bethany’s story last week about the PBS show mentions that the Old Jail in Square Butte and the Cahalan Drugstore used quarry rocks in their construction.

In Fort Benton, the quarry rocks used as a base for the Lewis and Clark Memorial and the Shep bronze were from Square Butte. The rocks in front of The Old Fort Benton Bridge are quarry rocks but from a neighboring area.

There is some question about quarry rocks in Fort Benton. The Grand Union Hotel and the Chouteau County Courthouse basements have quarry rock as foundations but the rock did not come from the Square Butte Quarry. These buildings were built in 1882 a long time before the quarry was in business. It has never been found where those rocks came from.

It was rumored that the Benton Pharmacy that was built in 1882 has a granite foundation. I checked with Chris Halko who gave me Jim Willett’s phone number in Arizona. Both of them said that the basement was a brick foundation. Interesting, isn’t it:

THANKSGIVING
I am wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving because you may not be able to pick up your River Press the day before. We here in Fort Benton have so much to be thankful for and I want to extend a gigantic thank you to all the people and organizations who have worked so hard to make Fort Benton what it is today.

50’s HOME SCHOOLED
My mother taught me about ENVY. “There are hundreds of less fortunate children in the world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.”

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

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
11/11/15

HELLO AGAIN
I want to extent gratitude to my readers for all your kind thoughts about missing me and the hugs, concern, and love that you have bestowed upon me. There are so many of you out there in River Press land who gave me comfort at a very sad time. My greatest comfort is in the fact that I am not alone in grieving and just a smile of understanding these last few weeks have been what I have been holding onto.

VETERANS DAY
I want to thank all of you Veterans for your service to our country. From WWII to today you have kept our country free. It takes great dedication to do what you do.  I also thank the families of those Veterans for the sacrifice you endured. You are very special people and I am so proud of all of you. God bless you and your families.

I also want to thank our VFW and American Legion for their organizations and what they do for Fort Benton.

See you on The Old Bridge on Wednesday and at the dinner that evening at the Sunrise Bluffs.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION
“What is going on?”  The many people that I speak to, friends, visitors, and strangers, always ask the same question. “What is going on in town? Trust me when I say that I am usually the last to know. I do not do Face Book. In order to correct that situation I have been in touch with the organizations in town to write once a month when their meetings are held. We would like to know some insight into what they have done, what they are doing, and what they are planning on doing.  Do they need help with any particular project and perhaps there is someone out there whose talent could be incorporated?

I asked for help a few months ago with the Veterans Photo Program and I now have two volunteers who are going to help me “catch up.” I have about six photos to post, frame, and hang on the wall. I have bios to type up and many to be corrected. I merely had to ask and I hope that other organizations are successful with volunteers.

So look forward to these new additions to the River Press and then perhaps you will not have to ask, “What is going on?”

AFTER THE FACT
I know that most of the View is after the fact but I feel that I want to tell you my impressions of different events that have taken place the few weeks that I took some time out.

TUESDAY NIGHT DINNER
The last Tuesday night dinner that was held at the Golden Age Senior Center was very enjoyable and filled to capacity. Our entertainment consisted of Ellie Stensland’s daughter-in-law, Julia, and her three children from Ulm. Their ages are 10, 9, and 8 years of age. Perhaps you remember their picture was in the River Press with their names. The children played the piano and sang in harmony. It was an awesome performance and I hope they return soon.

I spoke with Julia afterward and found that they began their piano lessons at 8 years old.  The boys played several duets and their sister played several pieces that I could not play after 8 years of taking lessons.

The amazing fact about these children was as their mother put it, “Taking piano lessons was not an option.” The point is that kids may not want to take lessons but once they enter the world of music they will understand.

C.C.P.A. BOOKLET
Because Connie Jenkins was using her home to put together the booklet for the season and she was a bit shorthanded she asked me to join in on the fun of putting the booklet together.

Folks, do you have any idea what is involved. Do you have any idea the work that is put into that organization? I didn’t have a clue but what an eye opener that day was.

We cut and pasted and cut and pasted. There were phone calls made to verify if the advertisers wanted changes. At the concerts, I get a booklet, go through it about the shows and glance at the advertisers. What would we do without the advertisers and the sponsors?  I know that we clap for them on the night of the convert but from now on I will make an effort to thank them personally.
I know that son Randy Morger, the Master of Ceremonies, talks about the artists but do you read about them in the booklet because reading stays in your mind better than hearing it. These performers are artists whose talent is their livelihood. Get to know them a little better. It makes life so much more interesting to learn about other people’s lives. It’s a whole new world out there.

C.C.P.A. CONCERT
There was a Chouteau County Performing Arts program on October 24th. The Great Falls Symphonic Choir with 100 voices performing gave one of the best concerts we have ever had. Near the end of the show the women came off the stage and lined up in the two aisles.  They sang Amazing Grace and it was the nearest to heaven than I am going to get. It was simply and truly the most heart-warming event ever.

By the time you get this edition of the River Press, it may be too late to hear about the concert the evening of the 11th. Scott Kirby will be performing and I guarantee that you will enjoy that evening immensely. Scott has performed in Fort Benton before and is back by popular demand. According to the booklet he has a whole new show and will still include the rag time piano. Scott is now a watercolor artist as well as song writer.  I certainly hope that you have not missed it. My hope, and it just my opinion, that the auditorium is filled. Having only half the seats or less occupied is not my expectation or acceptable in my opinion. I would like to see all 400 seats filled. Do it the C.C.P.A. Board Members, for Fort Benton’s reputation, and for me, please. It is my dream. See you there!

THE MOON
Were you able to view the eclipse of the moon last month with it also being closest to the earth? I really enjoyed it because I won’t be around for the next one.

The November moon is called the Full Beaver Moon or the Frosty Moon. It is the time to set the beaver traps before the swamps freeze over to ensure a good supply of beaver hats at that time. The beavers are also actively preparing for winter according to the Alumax.  The full moon will be on Wednesday, November 25th the day before Thanksgiving.

Last night, Saturday the 7th, on our way home from Great Falls about 8:00 p.m. I asked my driver to stop at the top of the hill just off the highway. What a thrill my vision beheld.  It looked as if the stars were going to fall to the ground. The sky was completely filled with stars and I could see the Milky Way.

I went to a Planetarium many years ago and when the speaker turned out the lights everyone gasped at the sight of the stars. He said, “You know that you have this show almost every night if you just go outside.” Since I live on a corner I have too many street lights on two sides of the house and across the street to view the sky. I’ll bet that all of you ranchers and farmers have great views of the sky.

I have heard that on these Smart Phones you can be made aware of when the Northern Lights can be seen. I am not smart enough for a Smart Phone.

FOR OUR VETERANS
A while back, Diane Jones and I did a program to “SUPPOST OUR TROOPS,” by wearing red on Friday. I learned of the program from the internet. We sold 300 t-shirts and I thought that I would see more of them in the summertime when we did not have to wear sweaters or coats. I would like you to renew your commitment to wear your shirts or red on Fridays. You know Folks, those troops are still over there and they are dying for your country. The least you can do is wear red on Fridays.

NEW SUPPORT THE TROOPS
In the last two weeks I saw this commercial repeatedly to Support our Troops. The program to put a green light on your front porch is a simple one. It is very impressive when it shows a block of homes with green lights lighted on their porches.

Let’s make this program work. I tried to urge the American Flag on each home several years ago so we could become the “American Flag City of Montana” but that went over like teaching me Latin or Greek. The “Support the Troops” shirts at least interested 300 people. That was very encouraging. So spread the word about the green bulbs and let us see every house in Fort Benton supporting the Troops.

PIE DAY
I have always felt that it did no harm for “happenings” to be mention in several sections of the River Press. Pie Day at the Golden Age Senior Center will be on Friday, the 13th at 1:00 p.m. with a Bake Sale.

Please note that there is a time change again. It started back many years ago when Pie Day was at 10:00 a.m. In order to attract more customers, the time was changed to 2:00 p.m. which for many of us was a better time. It was a pleasant break in a busy day to enjoy a great piece of homemade pie and tea or coffee. Time flew by and Pie Day was not being supported very well. In order to boost sales, a bake sale was added and the time was changed to11:00, then again it was changed to 1:00, then 12:30 and now back again to 1:00.

I would like everyone to meet on Friday and discuss the time changes with the powers in charge. I would like what is best for the Center but I would also like what is best for those who participate.

You readers can also check out the Golden Age Center section of the River Press for schedules. Remember that anyone can have a very good lunch/dinner at the Center from Monday through Saturday at noon. The Sunday dinner is a 1:00 p.m.  My favorite is Meal on Wheels that are delivered to my home. There again is another example of volunteer work to deliver those meals. All the work done at the Center is volunteer and a thankless job. I am declaring here that I appreciate the demanding job that the Board has. Go Seniors!

MISSOURI RIVER MEDICAL CENTER
Have you all signed up for the Community Dinner that the MRMC is hosting for the community on Thursday November 19th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.? You have to R.S.V.P. so just do it now by calling Bryan at the hospital. This is your opportunity to ask all those questions you have for our new C.E.O. Louie King. Put in your 2 cents worth of pros and cons. Talk with the Board of Directors as to their decisions on grants and financing. I know that it will be a very informative evening. See you there.

50’s HOME SCHOOLED
Back to my old days now with - My Mother taught me WISDOM. “When you get to be my age, you will understand.”

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

View From The Bridge 11/12/14

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
11/12/14

WEATHER OR NOT
We cannot complain Folks. It has been a beautiful fall. Do you ever remember a Halloween when the temperature was 71 degrees? I hope that you had your winter coats, hats, gloves and boots all ready to go.

The only thing that bothers me somewhat is the fact that we have about 13 hours of darkness these days. We can expect to have more dark time in the next six weeks. I look forward to December 21st when winter officially sets in and the days began to get longer. The backside of that is that there are actually 3½ months of dark ahead of us.

All advice givers say to catch up with unfinished projects during those long winter days. Have you ever done so? I do not believe it but will try again this cold season.

For me, it is easier to put on more warm clothing and turn up the heat when it is cold. Unless you have a swimming pool, it is difficult to cool off in the summer. Just try to remember those two months of 90 degree weather we had last summer. Wish we could bottle it.

VETERANS DAY
By the time you get this edition of the River Press, Veterans Day will be over. The year or more of the planning by the committee, of the dedication of the Billy Swensgard’s memorial will be just a memory. As of today, the plaques for the two memorial tables are not in place because installation cannot be done in this kind of weather. It will have to wait until next spring. When that time comes be sure to take a walk around Veterans Way Memorial Park and read Billy’s story on the plaques. He gave his life to protect us during an unpopular war. I do not know exactly what that means…unpopular? Do you know of any war that was popular?

DAVID HAAGANSEN
The response, in the last week, about the soldier from Big Sandy was awesome. When I was in Big Sandy a couple of weeks ago, I asked about the Haagensen family and was told that there was no one from the family left. I did not realize that meant there was just no one left in Big Sandy.

Daughter Valerie contacted me about the Haagensen being her neighbors when she lived in Big Sandy. She said that David had a brother and a sister. Val said she had the sister’s phone number at home and would call me with the number.

Shortly afterward I received a phone call from Jay Worrall telling me that David Haagensen has a brother in Texas and a sister in Helena. He gave me her name, Ruda Marshall, and phone number. When I called her, she said that she would come to Fort Benton on Tuesday. We are also going to honor David that afternoon and evening with stories about his life. As Bethany reported last week, David was the most decorated soldier killed in Vietnam from Montana. Ruda said that she has most of the medals and would bring them with her. I hope that Ruda can make it from Helena but if not we will arrange for her to come another time.

Today, Sunday late afternoon, the forecast does not look very promising for the outside dedication. I know that there are family members who are invited as guests and will be unable to attend. One of Billy’s brothers is driving from Oregon. We cannot expect Mother Nature to cooperate with our plans for events.

I remember one year when I coordinated the Summer Celebration Day Parade. On Saturday morning it was pouring rain and did not look as though it would let up. Within an hour the committee had to decide whether to cancel. We did and it was the first time the parade was ever cancelled in its history. Do you remember that day?

PIE DAY
Yes, it is time again for Pie Day. The ordering of pies ahead of time for those who want a whole pie, is working well. The neat part of that program is that you can order whatever kind of pie you want.

On Tuesday, the 18th is the once a month 5:00 p.m. dinner at the Golden Age Senior Center. It is limited to 48 people so get your name on the list a.s.a.p. Call the Center at 622-360l.

Did you know that our Golden Age Senior Center has lunch, (more like dinner,) seven days a week? This also includes Meals on Wheels.  Everyone is welcome; the meals are excellent, and reasonably priced. I get Meals on Wheels and I cannot make my own meals for what I spend a month. I found that there are others who do not cook for themselves. I found it difficult to make meals for two and even more difficult to plan for one. I really appreciate that Fort Benton has such a great program. Check the River Press each week for the menus.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. If I have my dates correct, the Chouteau County Christmas is only 3 weeks away. The Christmas Concert will be on Sunday of that weekend. For our women readers…where could you spend a great day of breakfast, lunch, entertainment, and shop-till-you-drop? It is warm and cozy. You can hang your coat and be comfortable. You cannot do that anywhere else and shop. I am looking forward to it and see you there.

C.C.P.A.
Next Tuesday, the 18th, is the next concert. If it is comforting to you to listen to a piano playing, then be sure to be at the Elementary School at 7:00 p.m.

The refreshments are free but I would like to see the donation jar a little fuller. This is my observance and because none of the Performing Arts Committee would ever say anything. I can. A donation lets them know that you appreciate a cup of coffee or tea and a choice of the best cookies ever.  

I checked out the new upholstering a couple of weeks ago. Most of the seats were ready to go except those where the frames were broken or pulled away from the cement floor.  I am quite sure they will all be in place by next Tuesday. They are so beautiful and those of you, who adopted a chair, will enjoy sitting in it. It is not too late to buy a chair in memory of someone or just because you are an alumni. See you there.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.  PLEASE SAY THANK YOU TO A VETERAN FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.

View From The Bridge 11/5/14

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
11/5/14

VETERANS DAY
You are all invited to the Dedication Memorial for William “Billy” Swensgard on Veterans Day, Tuesday 11/11/14, at 2:00 p.m. Afterward, proceed on to the Golden Age Senior Center for refreshments and conversation about Billy.

The V.F.W. has also has invited Veterans and their families to the annual Veterans Day dinner at the Sunrise Bluffs. The time of arrival should be 5:30 and dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m.

Please make an effort to come to the Dedication as Billy was the only soldier killed in Vietnam from Fort Benton. We will also remember a young man from Big Sandy who was killed and the only one from that town. There is no one from his family left behind.

See you there.

CREEPY CRAWL
What a fun day that turned out to be.  I began at noon to walk Front Street. I had a copy of the River Press with me to check off the businesses that were participating and the ones I should visit. It was a gorgeous day weather wise at 71 degrees. No sweaters, jackets or coats interfered with my costume. I was not “Maxine” that day but a vampire. I purchased it at the Price Rite last year and found it hanging in the upstairs closet. I really did not look like a vampire because I could not find a set of vampire teeth. I did put red lipstick drops of blood down my cheek that helped the effect a bit more.

I appeared and disappeared as if by magic from the businesses listed except the new Ambulance Garage. I decided to do the Pub Crawl because spiders and spider legs had to be turned in at the Grand Union. I had not realized that the Pubs had spider legs. I finally found a Crawler to go with me and we hit all the Friday and Saturday night hangouts. We went in the front door or the establishments and out the back door. We finalized with the Ambulance Garage where the ghouls and ghost-ies had made a fire. They were putting together Some-mores. I declined the graham crackers and marshmallows but quickly ate a good hunk of chocolate. Ummee! I had collected that day, several bars of candy, a brownie, a donut, and a cup of pudding with chocolate crumbs on top. I controlled myself and saved the candy for Trick or Treaters visiting my home. (Honest.)

By the time we arrived at the Grand Union, I had 22 spider legs and had to fill out 22 slips of paper with my name and phone number. I headed for home and since no one called me by midnight, I assumed that I did not win any prizes. However, it was the most fun evening I have had for a long while. (P.S.) I know I was the oldest vampire on the Crawl.)

C.C.P.A.
On Tuesday, November 18th will be another Chouteau County Performing Arts performance. One of my friends at the Golden Age Senior Center told me that she had her piano tuned by a man who came from Helena. He is scheduled to tune the grand piano at the Elementary School sometime this week. He said that Tie n Hsieh was the most fantastic artist he has ever heard.

I do not know if she incorporates classical with other forms of music but the following is a description on the flyer. She is a serious, composed, and full of music pianist. She expresses a warmth and freshness in classical music that has made her one of the hottest artists on the west coast. (I am so happy she is from the west coast. Anything or anyone east of the Mississippi makes me uncomfortable. You know the attitude of Easterners. This does not cover any artists that we have had in Fort Benton who are from east of the Mississippi.)

RECYCLE
A few weeks ago there was a program on Sixty Minutes about plastic bags. Perhaps some of you readers saw it and if I do not have the facts correct, let me know.

Americans use FIFTY (50) BILLION plastic bags a year for about 20 minutes for each. That is a whole lot of bags Folks. Please, please use cloth bags. I have talked to Price Rite about getting some cloth bags in again. Another alternative is to ask for paper bags. They can be recycled and actually used several times.

I asked up, down, and around town and I get the same answer as my excuse. “I have cloth bags but I forget to take them out of the vehicle when I get to the store.” One bright young woman said that she put a note on her dashboard. I keep mine on the passenger seat since I do not have a passenger. I know that is not the answer for most of you. I have also had several cashiers remind me that I have forgotten the bags when I walk into the store.

Benton Pharmacy has neat smaller white (now green) cloth bags. If you forget to take your bags in, you could not use a plastic bag if you only have a few items. Please make an effort to recycle. It soon becomes a habit and doing automatically is such a breeze. Happy recycling day and every day is a recycle day.

THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT
I received another cute story about the movie. I really enjoy them and I appreciate hearing from you. Dusty Keuhner sent this one to me. “When the movie was being made, my Uncle Marvin was a mechanic for Rice Motors in Great Falls. Somewhere in the movie there is a shot of Clint and Jeff’s car in the service space at Rice Motors. Uncle Marvin was under the vehicle on one of the little sleds on rollers. If you look quickly, you can see his feet.”

Dusty went on to say that back in the days when any of the family was watching that movie, we would talk about our uncle being in it. When his feet showed, we would all shout, “There his is!”

It reminds me of the movie, “Somewhere in Time.” It was made at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island in Michigan. A friend of ours was working the summer there during his college years and was recruited to be a member of the orchestra in the dining room. As many times as I have watched that movie, I have never seen him. My family would also shout, “There he is!” I never saw him but just knowing that he is in the movie makes it special. ”Cut and print.” End of story.

MONTANA
4. The Montana Yogo Sapphire is the only North American Gem included in the Crown Jewels of England.

5. In Montana it is a felony for a wife to open her husband’s mail. (Boo, Hiss. I wonder if that law is still in effect and can the husband open the wife’s mail without it being a felony? Who is with me on a protest march to Helena?)

6. Montana is the only state bordering three Canadian provinces, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

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

View From The Bridge 11/4/09

“VIEW from the BRIDGE”
by Muncie Morger
11/4/09

AWESOME LONGHORNS
Did I not say all along that the Longhorn Football Team could do it? There just are not words to describe how proud we all are of the whole team. Your teamwork is so apparent and so is your hard work. Tim (the editor of The River Press) will give you readers all the details but we see the emotional side of it. We see those young men’s love of the game and knowing that they are doing the best that is possible in them. We see the parents in the stands watching every move of their young man. We see proud smiles when their son is in on a good play. There have been many good plays this season. This first win in the playoffs is a tremendous boost for them. No matter what transpires in the next few weeks, the Longhorns are our favorite team and are winners in all of our hearts.

LADY LONGHORNS
You are awesome ladies. Right to the very end, you made the games exciting and enjoyable to watch. We feel the same about you as we do the Longhorn Football Team. You are our favorite team and are winners in all of our hearts. Keep all those memories tucked away somewhere and in years to come when you have reunions…enjoy them with your teammates. That is the best part…the memories.

ARLEE
In the View last week, you read that we have family ties with the Arlee Warriors. They were so excited to be playing their first playoff game in 14 years. It was reported to us about the team’s trip to Fort Benton. They boarded the bus on Friday and arrived in Great Falls that afternoon to spend the evening at a motel. They went to Borrie’s restaurant for dinner and received the nicest compliment from the owner. He said that they were the nicest, most polite team that has ever eaten at his restaurant. In spite of their loss, they had a great time and there is always next year.

VETERANS DAY
The V.F.W. is again sponsoring a Veterans Day Dinner on Wednesday, 11/11/09 at 6:00 pm at The Club House. Veterans and their spouses are cordially invited and no reservation is required. Cindy will prepare the meal. There will be entertainment and it will be an enjoyable evening. Mark your calendars and spread the word to any Veterans that you know. We owe our lives to the men who put their lives on the line for our country. Many of their stories have never been told and their oral histories need to be preserved.

If you have a grandfather, father, uncle, brother, or cousin who is a veteran, please take the time to write their oral histories. Surely, there must be someone in the family who could do this. When it is finished, bring it to the Overholser Research Center at the Ag Center so that it can be permanently documented. I have discussed this with many people and they promise that they will get to this project. I have yet to see them at the Center with the finished product. Just do it.

Please do not be like me who did not ask questions of my grandparents when they were alive. They had migrated from Europe and I know nothing of their involvement in WWI. I only knew that my grandfather was killed in 1919 when he was discharged from the army. He had written my grandmother that he would be arriving home soon. As the little, I learned about it, he stepped off the train for a cigarette and was shot by a sniper.

It was not until I went to Normandy in Europe that I realized that my grandfather fought with the Germans and Italians. Those two countries and Austria-Hungary were the three powers that fought France, England, and the United States. What a shock that was because it brought up questions that can never be answered. One of those questions was…why did my grandfather returned to Hungary from the United States to be conscripted into the army? What rank was he and was he in any battle? I think that my next project will be to do some genealogy on my family. I may get answers to some of those questions.

FLAG RETIREMENT
There will also be a Flag Retirement program held on the 11th. If you have, flags to be retired, please contact me and I will see to it that your flag is picked up. Call 622-3217 after 1:00 pm.

RUSSELL COUNTRY
On Tuesday the 10th, Wednesday the 11th, and Thursday the12th, of November, Russell Country with the help of Pheasants Unlimited will be hosting nine Sports Magazine writers here in Fort Benton. The journalists are from all over the country and will promote pheasant hunting in this area of Russell Country. They will arrive on the 10th and do their hunting on the 11th and 12th. This is a wonderful opportunity for our town to have the articles published in other states. As I wrote last week, Fort Benton needs to be known as a destination place. This is another activity to be placed on the long list for Fort Benton as a destination place. The pheasant hunting is now added to that list of “things to do,”… historic locations/buildings, museums, the Missouri River, fishing, canoe trips, hunting, hiking, and I’ll bet I have missed a few.

If you happen to see any of these journalists around town, give them a Fort Benton welcome. You may get your picture in a national magazine.

C.C.P.A.
On the Wednesday, the18th of November Chouteau County Performing Arts will present another of their programs. Scott Kirby is the artist and he plays the most delightful piano you have ever heard. He has appeared in Fort Benton before and the C.C.P.A. Board was very vigilant about having him back again. It will be the usual 7:00 pm at the Elementary School and I would love to see the last performances audience participation record broken. There were 211 people that attended, which was a record. Could we make it 250? I cannot stress enough about how professional these programs are. All the artists are top performers and brought into Fort Benton by a very hard working Board of Directors. Be sure and tell them how much you appreciate what they do for the community.

SO LONG FOR NOW
You may not hear from me for a few weeks. I have some important business to be taken care of and can no longer be postponed. I would like to be back with the “VIEW” by Thanksgiving and if I am not, have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy your family’s get-togethers as they are the most precious times of all. God bless America.