Quarterly Report
 

We reached into our photo archives to find this memorable card from about 70 years ago. Even in those days folks wanted an Old Fashioned Christmas. Now many of us just wish it could be like the ones in the ’50s! At this special time of year our hearts are filled with gratitude for all the many folks who have helped us during the preceding year and years. We couldn’t have done this just ourselves. Our greatest gratitude this time of year however, is for the Prince of Peace. In the hustle-bustle and chaos of modern day life it is so comforting to know we have a Loving Savior who will always help us find the inner peace and comfort we need. We certainly pray that your Christmas will be happy and peace filled too.

• Veterans Day in October was celebrated by placing the Freedom Truck on the “Grassy Knoll” in front of the museum with our patriotic slogans on it and we let all Veterans into the museum free.

• The November Red Cross Blood drawing was held Nov. 27^th in the multipurpose room. It was a great success and the Red Cross even exceeded their quota for Polson by 4 pints. Donna Terry helped out the last couple of days by calling donors Joanne had been unable to reach. It was a lot of strain though and will be the last we chair. Perhaps someone else will want to use our place, but Joanne has to scale back sometimes.

This is a piece of our WW I Music collection.

• Dec. 1 found our UFO in the Polson Christmas parade of lights. With David Bosley’s technical assistance and Paul Bonelli skillful maneuvering everyone loved it. The UFO was the hit of the parade and won the first Place Ribbon!

Photo by Earl Hannaman.

• Sue King and her brother, Bob visited this summer and took some fun pictures, then, after seeing our “Area 51” sent some cute “Area 51” items including the smaller alien in the photo. As you can see he rode in the Christmas parade. The larger one named AT, (Another Terrestrial and ET’s cousin) is another result of Gil’s active imagination.

Many years ago Mr. & Mrs. Max Dana from Helena saw one of our brochures showing our rare Eliason motor toboggan built in 1943. They gave us pictures of their later model K10 Eliason serial #788. They weren’t interested in parting with theirs at the time. A couple of years later, Richard O’Connor donated a K10 Eliason. It was the same model, but fitted out a little differently. Amazingly it bore serial #789. Consecutive serial numbers are very rare in collections, so Gil immediately tried to get a hold of the Danas to see again about acquiring #788. He tried for several years and had almost given up. This spring, however, Max called Gil and said they would like to donate their Eliason. Gil didn’t waste time picking it up.

Family Members
• Dave and Mary Sergent
• Ralph and Gloria Ulrich

Gil’s classmate of PHS “60” Linda Lodmell Kosvick donated her Cheer Leading blouse and sweater, her letter sweater, and baton twirling outfit which will be displayed with other related school items in the schoolhouse area.

Rick Chantenever, entertainment and feature Editor of the Maui News not only gave us 3 photos in his Comments section, but also three columns of copy so good that money can’t buy. We really appreciate what travel writers do for us. We will still be seeing visitors coming from that article several years down the road. Many people compile files on what to see and do for a future trip. Then when a vacation brings them near, they check their files and stop for a visit. Just last summer we were still seeing visitors from articles written eight years ago.

• Tammy & Cody Baer — Painting

• Richard Baron — A Jacob’s ladder from a WW II ship

• Hope Carter Bisbing and her husband made their annual trek from Utah to participate in the Missoula Gun Show. In visiting with them last year Gil found out she was, in earlier days, a cycle rider. This year she brought a photo and her 1955 AMC Motorcycle trophy for the museum.

• Jerry and Jan Dickson also from Utah, traveled to Polson this year to see the museum and see several items especially in the firearms display, that Jerry had sold us over the years, usually at half the market price.

• Gary Hayes — 1941 Allison Chalmers “C” tractor in memory of grand father-in-law Albert J. Drebes

• Greg Knudson — Glass & hardware from doors & sm. snowplow as well as cutting glass for numerous frames

• Ron Mangels — A bottle of Cajun Hot Sauce advertising a political candidate

• Bill Mc Dull — Snow thrower

• Bill Moore and his wife from California, paid another visit and brought two collector guns, books, etc. The rifle is a rare .30 Remington cal. 1910 Standard Arms pump-action. The shotgun is a 1912 Stevens 20 gauge, which was the first repeater to use the 20 gauge 3 inch (or magnum).

• Carmine Mowbray — A brand new, from 1965, gas pump nozzle still in its original box. She said she’s moved it several times and is glad it has a permanent home here.

• Robert Peregoy donated 2 beautifully restored antique gas pumps, two scales, and several other useful items. It was such fun to receive brass items already shined!. We have several of his donations on display already.

• Jim of Roof Works Inc. in Kalispell donated 37 ¹/₂ % off on roofing a smaller building and our homebuilt caboose. For near flat roofs, he used 45 mil Fibertite Membrane, which we have been very happy with in previous applications.

• Avis Story — Pictorial History of Civil War, a 1901 ten volume set

We have a few faithful volunteers but certainly could use more. If you have a talent, and could help, please let us know. Some things can be done in the comfort of your own home! While we do not hire anyone per se, we are a host agency for Experience Works. Alma will be moving on soon and we have a desperate need for a receptionist who may also do light housekeeping — maybe “museumkeeping” is a better word. The applicant must be over 55 and low income. Please call if you know someone who might qualify.

With Postal rates rising again we have to remind Friends of their dues with greater regularity. If you can remember it will help, but if you forget we may be sending the reminders the month after your membership is due. We really appreciate those who donate regularly, because we hate begging.

Everyone who donates, receives at least one newsletter. After that, if you still want to receive newsletters please let us know. A star beside your name on the address label means this may be the last newsletter you receive unless we hear from you. Our memberships are reasonable, are tax deductible and provide free admission, copies of our newsletters, and a 10% discount in our gift shop.

Mary Pat from Bellevue WA, daughter of frequent donor Maureen Theiler, sent us a Christmas Greetings newsletter from the Squak Mountain Greenhouse and Nursery in Issaquah. They gave us three paragraphs of good PR, but the fourth paragraph in their “Life’s Stuff” column is most important. Nursery owner Becky Pommer gave us permission to reprint it.