This Week In History - February 20
Author: Linda Huth, Broadwater County Musuem Curator
“What Happened this Week in History”
Submitted by Linda Huth; Sponsored by: The Broadwater County Historical Society and the Cotter Foundation
February 20
1941
“Personal News”
Homer Shelly, one of Broadwater County’s agriculturalists from the upper valley was in town yesterday transacting business and exchanging early farm plans with friends.
Mrs. Lou Knox and Mr. Hager of the Knox Flower shop of Helena were in Townsend Saturday creating floral corsages for the Charity Ball. They were kept busy until late into the evening.
Mrs. Esther Schneider is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Green for a few days.
Mrs. Paul Carson and infant son, Peter Alexander, returned to their ranch home in the lower Deep Creek valley from Helena last Thursday. They were accompanied by Mrs. Les Rogers, R.N.
Miss Dale Cook stopped over for a brief visit in Townsend Friday. She was en route from Bozeman, where she is attending college, to Helena where she entertained the state legislature with several whistling numbers on their special program that evening.
Among those attending Montana Day at Gardiner on Sunday were Fred Kapinos and his sons, Bob and John.
Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Ragen returned this evening from a month’s trip in the south. They had a touch of Mexican, Arizona and California life and returned home much the happier and wiser for a perfectly grand winter’s vacation.
1958
“Grass Mountain Ski Club Holds Business Meeting”
The Grass Mountain Ski Club held a special business meeting last Friday at the Forest Service office. A number of items were discussed of particular interest to all members. For the benefit of the members who were unable to attend, a summary of the meeting is given below.
The club voted that new hours for using the lift would be from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through the month of February and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning the first of March.
Duties and responsibilities of the ski patrol were discussed. Jerry Williams was elected a member of the ski patrol. Senior ski patrol members now include John Clopton, Glenn Clopton, Geoff Greene, George Gabisch and Jerry Williams. A junior ski patrol was elected to assist the senior patrol and consists of Allen Lundborg, Bob Lundborg and Tom Perry.
It was agreed that all ski patrol members will wear armbands in order to be readily recognized by other skiers.
The use and care of the chalet was discussed. It was decided that the kitchen would be open only to adult club members. Muriel Gabisch volunteered to supervise the use of the kitchen and warming room in the chalet on Sundays.
1975
“Betty Francisco Boasts of Best Beef”
Betty Francisco, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Francisco won the Cowbell Beef-Cook Off held Saturday, February 15 at the B.C.H.S. Home Ec Department.
Betty, a Junior class member, was presented with $25 for her Beef Burgundy dish.
Tammy Bucy daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Bucy and Sophomore class member won second place. Tammy was presented with $15.00
Vivianne Kirscher, daughter of Mrs. Barbara Kirscher and a Sophomore Class member won third place. Vivianne was presented with $10.00.
Debra Lohr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hank Lohr and Junior Class member was honorable mention and was presented with a Beef Cook Book.
“Toston News”
David Jersey of Busby visited this week with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Art Jersey.
Barbara and Steve Berberet, Rick DeMartin and Clarice Austin all of Helena spent Monday with Mr. and Mrs. Bill Berberet and family.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Flynn and family attended the Carroll-Western basketball game Friday evening. Kelly Flynn plays on the Western Varsity team and Kevin is the statistician for the team.
1997
“Gov. Racicot Speaks at Local 4-H Club Meeting”
In late January, Lane Gobbs of Townsend needed to schedule a guest speaker for the February meeting of the Old Baldy 4-H Club. So, he wrote a letter to his hero, Montana Gov. Marc Racicot.
Dear Governor Racicot:
My name is Lane Gobbs. I am 8 years old (almost 9). This is my first year in the 4-H. My family is in charge of the 4-H meeting in February. We need to have a guest speaker. I am inviting you to speak at our 4-H club meeting February 17, 1997, at the Methodist Church at 7:30 in Townsend, MT. I know you are a very busy man this time of year but I would really like you to come. Please let me know at the address above or at … I would love to have you as my guest speaker.
Cordially, Lane Gobbs
P.S. Enclosed is a picture of you and myself at the Townsend Elementary school last year.
It was the sort of request the governor could not resist.
So, despite the hectic schedule of a Legislature year, Racicot cast aside the suit-and-tie uniform of governorship for jeans and cowboy boots and drove to Townsend Monday night to tell Lane and his fellow 4-H club members what it’s like to be Montana’s top official.
“I am grateful for the invitation and I am happy to be here,” Racicot told club members, parents and advisors.
Lane – a quiet boy who seemed a little nervous as he waited for the governor to arrive – said he asked Racicot to speak “because I needed a speaker, and he’s my hero”.
As Racicot shared anecdotes of life in the governor’s mansion and discussed the rights and privileges of a democratic form of government, and took questions from the audience on topics ranging from agriculture to the cost of higher education, Lane sat attentively, eyes fixed on the governor.
It was easy to see why, when earlier in the evening when Lane’s name had been called to answer roll call – in the form of “My hero” – his answer was easy.
Governor Racicot,” he had chimed in, adding for good measure… “and my grandparents”.
