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It was wishful thinking. The airplanes that I heard were not spraying for mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are enjoying attacking the public!

In ‘Come Before Winter’, by Charles Swindoll, he wrote, “God never promised you a Disneyland. He offers something better---His own sustaining Presence through any trouble you may encounter.” And, God said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 That’s a much better promise.

The Whitehall Chamber of Commerce has been very generous to the Jefferson Valley Museum with the plans for Frontier Days!

The posters advertising the History Tours and tickets for the same have been printed and ready to sell. Because the tours will take participants to Renova, Piedmont, through Pleasant Valley, ending with the Fish Creek Cemetery, transportation is the cost. Each tour will be limited to 12 passengers. Tickets are $5.00 and can purchased at the Chamber Office or at the Museum. From the research that Arlene Weber, Tour Guide, has done, unknown stories will emerge as the ‘coach’ travels through the area. Tour times, which begin and end at the Museum, will be Friday, the 28th: 3 and 5 pm., Saturday, the 29th: 1, 3 and 5 pm. Added to the festivities of Frontier Days, is something new! It is ‘An Amazing Race’, sponsored by the Chamber. It really looks like a challenge for the teams that will sign up. One of the stops will be the Museum.

There is a change-up at the Saturday Mornings shop on Main Street. New hours will complement the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. But, on Wednesdays, Dawn Lewton will have her store open from 9 za.m. until 2 p.m. and on Saturdays, she will be open from 9am until 1pm. Inventory in the store moves and changes, so shopping is always an adventure.

Whitehall’s Pinochle Club had only one guest the last session and that was Erv Hedegaard. Renee Webster hosted and also won Second. Martha Hanson won High and Pinochle. Marion Poff placed Low. Carol Tichenor will be the next hostess.

Violet Simon won’t remember the party, but those who came to celebrate her first birthday will. Plans went from Harrison Lake to finally ending up at Grandpa and Grandma Romerio’s up the South Boulder. The weather was the culprit forcing change of plans. There were, no doubt, lots of pictures taken of the occasion, which will show Violet how she was celebrated.

During the Depression of the 1930’s folks were clever about many things. One thing that is at the Museum is an old Butterick pattern book that was used as a scrapbook. It is filled with newspaper clippings from 1936 through the second World War. It was in 1936 that Life Magazine began publication.

On its first cover, dated November 23, 1936, is the concrete bastions which hold up the spillway of Fort Peck Dam. During the building of the spillway, there was a boom town called Wheeler, with a population of 3500, numerous bars with lots of activity. Guys could pay 10 cents to dance with a gal and she would get 5 cents. Five years later, 1941, the spillway was finished and Wheeler’s population was reduced to 150. You can find Wheeler on line and see what remains of it today.

It took a little convincing, but Donna Clark’s little piece of Montana became the gathering of her children and grandchildren, as well as her sister, Alene Swainson from Belgrade and her brother, Dave Ogan, and his wife, Peggy, from Butte. Leslie and Jock Holmes along with Leslie’s son, Sawyer, were the ‘official’ hosts for a week-long celebration. One grandson brought his trailer and tents were set up in the yard - even though those mosquitoes were an irritation - so the next generation could experience camping out in Montana. Family came from Portland, Bridger, Red Lodge, Belgrade, and Butte. Donna said that Leslie, Jock and Sawyer were super hosts.