December, 2013 recorded some of the coldest temperatures in 30 years. That set Chuck Erickson to reminiscing about the winter bane of all kids: putting on snowsuits. Follow the link to read the story and see more pictures. Photo: Richard Hamma, winter of 1956.
(From A Grass Roots Tribute: The Story of Bonner Montana, 1976.)
People in Milltown area worked hard but they played too. Among the main diversions in Milltown were the dances, which were held at least weekly, with live bands. Dancing was the poor man’s pastime. The dances were took place in Rainbow Hall, Dalhberg Pool Hall, and Finn Hall, and people from Missoula often attended. Some of the dances in 1928 were organized by the Milltown Social Club. They began at 8:00 PM and supper was served at midnight. As one resident commented, "Dancing was the poor man's pastime....All people went to events at the dance hall. People were unhappy when the dances stopped."
By summer, area residents were back in the water. Some swam in the Blackfoot, but it was particularly cold. A preferred spot was across the Clark Fork in a backwater pond which was warmer and had less current. One resident recalled that the water in the Hell Gate River was coppery looking, adding, "…you didn’t want to get it in your mouth." Many Milltown families whose lots fronted on the river had small boats which they used for recreation and duck hunting. During the Depression everyone hunted, out of necessity.
Sleigh Riding in Bonner, Montana
Glen Max Smith, aka "The Hooligan," recalls sledding adventures on Bonner Mountain using Flexible Flyers, skis, boxes, and Coca Cola signs.