Despite construction, folks flock to museum's Living History Day

POLSON — Despite the confusing construction-caused road access, some 1,250 persons found their way to the annual Living History Day at Miracle of America Museum last weekend. That's probably about 200 down from last year, according to Joanne Mangels, museum co-founder.

What they found was an interesting series of demonstrations, displays, music and soda fountain snacks.

Visitors watched Tony Ostheimer hand split wood shingles; viewed unusual bird houses made from hollowed out gourds by Scott and Patricia Johnson; learned of the benefits of buffalo tallow soap from Nancy and Janice Seegers; and listened to mountain men Don Webber and Dan Bourne explain about black powder shooting and fur trader customs and watched as they and some guest shooters fired loud loads at balloon targets.

Weavers Ed and Anna Lonnevik and others kept spinning wheels and loom busy; and homestead era school days in the old Green Valley schoolhouse were explained by volunteers Jan Thom, John Cloninger and former Flathead County Superintendent of Schools Donna Maddux

Kids got rides on the mini-train driven by Ned Wilde, who also did balloon art and juggling, and David Bosley drove a tractor pulling a barrel train. Others had their pictures taken in the cockpit of a Navy jet fighter and on and around homestead era farm machinery. The former Somers Lumber Co. locomotive, powered by compressed air, ran up and down a short stretch of track.

Also put into action and drive around the grounds was a clanking contraption made of various machinery parts by Gil Mangels. For lack of a better name, some folks called it a "Gilmobile."

One-lunger stationary engines were kept popping throughout the day by Ed and Bruce Brueckman and Dan Aylesworth. Leather craft was shown by Trina Phillips of Phillips Saddlery while Susan Brueckman ground corn meal, wheat, barley and buckwheat.

Inside the main building, Erma Wall showed the patience and skill required in beading; kids got their faces decorated by Jani; Desire' Gashler, Lynnie Wilde and Phyllis Fulkerson served up hot dogs, sloppy joes and other items from the vintage soda fountain. School SERVE volunteer Erika Mole kept the museum's cash registered ringing up sales.

Music was provided by Nancy Peace and her oldtime fiddler friends, international champion autoharpist William Bryant, and troubadour Levi Mazurek.

And visitors streamed up and down the aisles both days, viewing the museum's eclectic array of exhibits and displays. All in all, it was a good weekend.