Letters to the Editor - August 21

Need info on 100 year old award

Editor:

Approximately 7 or 8 years ago when Karen Dykstra was the superintendent of the Horticulture Division at the Sanders County Fair, a man and woman brought in a silver-plated trophy cup. They found it in the attic of their mother’s house in Paradise, I believe, after her death. Etched on the front of the trophy cup is “Sanders County Fair, Grand Prize, Horticultural Exhibit, 1913.” A special thanks to Charlie Ferris of Montana Coin World for his expertise on cleaning up the tarnished cup so we could see the inscription.

I have tried researching 1913 newspapers, both The Ledger and The Plainsman for information regarding whom this cup was awarded to. The old newspapers didn’t have complete results for the fair, which was held in October in 1913. There was a reference to a Ben Marsh of Plains who won best potatoes.

If anybody who reads this has any information about this trophy cup I would appreciate hearing from him or her. It is stored in the Old Jail Museum and brought to the fair every year for exhibit. It will be 100 years old this year and would be nice to feature it with it’s history.

Sherry Hagerman-Benton

Horticulture Superintendent

Sanders County Fair

406-529-4498

The under-served need a voice

Dear citizens,

Any of you frustrated with our computer technology today?

I would not doubt that over 50 percent of Americans don’t have computers or access/service because of budget restraints. Many can’t afford the technology. Many don’t have the skills as well.

I know I am sick to death with finding a business phone number and wading or waiting through all the phone options telling one of websites to aid my queries.

Sorry…. I can’t afford a computer, nor Internet service. Also, I am not computer literate. I don’t even have keyboard skills.

So – millions of American citizens are in so many ways hampered for lack of technology skills and income.

All I can see is a steady progression back to our European (British) roots of the have’s and have not’s; no middle ground (or little, anyway).

My opinion is: Any business – toll free or not, website or not, politician/government agency (local on up to federal) or not: the first phone option should be asking say…computer or phone (person) contact assistance needed.

And when one is poor enough not to afford a cell phone but maybe a basic landline, we’re poor enough we need those toll free numbers.

Anyway, such is my beef and disgust with our current system/means of communication.

Wish I had the skills and income to partake!

I can’t be the only one, so lets hear from others out there. Contact your state and federal politicians. The underserved need a voice.

Sincerely,

Janet Culver, Plains