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One Terrific 250th Celebration Held in Townsend on the 4th of July
Author: mt43news staff reporter

MT43 News Staff Reporter

You could feel the anticipation. The crowd was starved for some positive, happy, friendly celebration for the nation’s semi-quincentennial birthday on Saturday. They clapped, they laughed, they ate, and they sang. No fights, no misinformation, no suspicion with the neighbors. Just plain fun at Heritage Park.

According to Doug Sitton, one of the Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce organizers of the event, 54 entries paraded down Broadway- one of the largest parades in modern times. Hundreds of young people with children, just-retired folks, and senior citizens lined the street. Led by American Legion Post #42 with a singular float celebrating the post’s officers. Flag-bedecked horse riders followed the Broadwater Trails and Paddle Boat group. Vintage cars filled in along with Broadwater County Rural Fire Department and Emergency Medical Technicians.

Sitton, who escorted Mayor Vickie Rauser in a vintage car in the parade, said the mayor shed tears of joy to see the large crowd out to support Townsend and the county.

The parade began at Heritage Park, wound down Broadway to Walnut Street, back to Oak Street, where senior citizens at Billings Clinic Broadwater enjoyed the sights and sounds. It ended back at Heritage Park, where the real fun began.

Mary Duede’s and Carla Amundson’s Community Choir brought everyone to their feet, hands on hearts, to sing the Star Spangled Banner. People settled in to listen to old-time patriotic songs. As they finished their performance, Banshee Entertainment of Helena provided DJ music for the afternoon.

Townsend Rotarians and Sons of the American Legion plied the huge crowd with free hamburgers and hot dogs. Not to be outdone, Squatch Country Barbeque of Helena provided barbequed pork ribs, pulled pork and brats free of charge. Everyone in the community pitched in with homemade everything – salads, brownies, cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies.

Then there were kids having fun- little kids, school kids raced in gunny sacks, carried eggs on spoons, and caught rings in the toddler’s swimming pool. The teenagers supervised and handed out prizes. No television, no cell phones, no computers were in sight, but kids were laughing and making lots of noise.

When dark finally came, the Chamber Team and Jake Foster capped off the day with $16,500 worth of fireworks set up by Big Sky Fireworks of Helena. Virgil and Judy Henke allowed the group to set up in their hay field across the tracks from Broadway Street. Sitton said the group received a Town Pump grant along with donations. The result was a spectacular fireworks show. “The crowd gathered on Broadway cheered like they were at a rock concert,” he laughed.

Many thanks go to the folks who worked hard to make this event happen – Tom Hay, Doug Sitton, Rachael Brug and Krissy Ludricks of the Chamber. Thanks also go to Townsend Rotarians, Tim Pool, and the American Legion, and Matt Graham of Foth Farms. The committee especially thanks many others, and to those who provided food.

Editor’s Note: Congress has encouraged citizens to reflect and celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary. Here are thoughts of three residents about this milestone in our history.

Reminiscences of the Day By Broadwater County Residents

Mary Ellen Schnur, mother, registered nurse, small business owner

250 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we’re still here! The people of the United States of America still work every day to lift up the ideals of the Declaration of Independence; of the spirit and letter of the Constitution. When we look back at the history of the world, of dynasties, empires, democracies and republics, none have survived intact as we have. That’s scary as well as inspiring.

Looking back to the Bicentennial Celebration in 1976, I think we were a little less conscious of what a fragile and precious legacy we have. We had come through tumultuous times with challenges of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. Our political leaders largely came from the Greatest Generation and had weathered the Depression and World War II. Our elders had grown up in the shadow of the Civil War, a lifetime of massive change from agrarian society to space flight.

It seems like everyone was really excited to celebrate the Bicentennial. A lot of people traveled during the celebration, visiting family and friends and touring significant places in their family history and in the nation’s history. Our local communities pull out all the stops with parades, picnics, games, and fireworks. The national news focused on the achievement of the past 200 years. The general national mood seemed optimistic that our country would continue to thrive.

This year, travel and family gatherings are again a big part of the celebration. Many communities have held big celebrations and reunions, much like 50 years ago. By all accounts, Townend’s celebration was outstanding. Society is more polarized than it was fifty years ago. Social media has given a microphone to people who would like to see our country fail, and I think that has blighted the atmosphere somewhat. The communities who will see our nation on the tricentennial are places such as Townsend, where folks pull together to make the community and country a better place for everyone.

Jerry Rodacker, former teacher, coach, and principal.

We are so fortunate to be born in the time we are. We need to remember our lives are based on laws. We have liberty and we can choose our own pursuit of happiness. Our country survived the Depression and two World Wars, and we continue to struggle with the results of slavery in this country. One of the most difficult social changes has come to us through WOKE (being aware of social injustices) thinking. We’re basic enough in Broadwater County to know the concept won’t work here.

Now we are in the midst of more social change because of the new technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), which will be very difficult. I feel the best way to handle it is for the schools to prepare students on how to use it safely, but effectively. We need to build a curriculum to teach AI.

In 1976, I was teaching on the Fort Peck Assiniboine Sioux Reservation. We celebrated without prejudice and had a lot of pride in our hometown. Now, 50 years later, we watch as new blood comes to the area, bringing new ideas and culture, which kind of replaces our pioneering spirit, but we can adapt to those new ways that people new to the area bring with them.

Sherry Hunter Scoffield, Rancher, Family Genealogist

My parents, John and Zella, were very patriotic. They took voting very seriously. They always voted, even though my Dad was in construction and we moved all the time when I was growing up. I can still visualize them staying up late on election night, listening to the radio for the election returns to come in.

Maybe they appreciated their right to vote because of their background. My grandfather on my Mom’s side homesteaded at Flat Willow, outside of Winnett, Montana. She told of him traveling by horse and wagon to deliver the ballot boxes to Lewistown on election night. He would have given his life to keep those ballots safe.

My grandfather, James Hunter, on my Dad’s side, came from the poorest section of Scotland in the village of Tannochside, but because he was a champion soccer player, he was invited to play for Scotland. He turned down the honor. He left his country instead, and at the age of 23, came to America because he wanted to be free from rule under the British Monarchy.

He had a hard life, always working as a coal miner near Roundup, Montana, but he was free and that was important. Protecting freedom was so important to him he ran and served in the Montana State Legislature one term from Musselshell County, having to drive to Helena in his 1920’s vehicle. When he could no longer afford to drive that long distance, he chose instead to be a county commissioner, which he did for 30 years.

They were all so grateful to be Americans. My Mom and Dad set such good examples for us kids. So that’s why we care about America. Whatever it takes, we need to keep and protect our freedom.

Article Images

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PhotoCredit: Brenda Phillips Photographer 1 by Sarah Tallwhiteman
Image 1 Caption: Native American representatives, Tj Hemsworth, Tia Tallwhiteman and Amy Sidle, dressed in their regalia, proudly followed the American Legion Post #42 flag bearers in leading the 4th of July parade. Photo Credit: Sarah Tallwhiteman *P1
Image 2 Caption: Fireworks arranged by the Chamber ended the day for the crowd who viewed from Broadway Street. Photo taken across the Missouri River on River Road. Brenda Phillips, Photographer *p1
Image 3 Caption: The newly formed Community Choir sings patriotic songs at the park with Carla Amundson at the keyboard. Brenda Phillips, Photographer *p2
Image 4 Caption: Kids in the gunny sack races. Brenda Phillips, Photographer *p2
Image 5 Caption: Search and Rescue vehicle. Brenda Phillips, Photographer *p2