Executive Board of Directors

Gil Mangels, President

Cathleen Wilde, VP

Mel Adams, VP

Joanne Mangels, Secretary

Gracia Normandeau Jones

Kendall Dupuis

Mike Maddy

Stan Cohen

Donna Maddux

Nancy Pray

Ned Wilde

Advisory Board of Directors

Paul Bonelli

Jim Pomajevich

A Non-Profit 501(c) (3) Corporation • 81-0437386

36094 Memory Lane Polson, MT 59860 406-883-6804

www.miracleofamericamuseum.org

•

info@miracleofamericamuseum.org

October 2010

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Mounted square nail collection and "Handy Andy" tool set, donated

by Carl Skabronski .

QUARTERLY REPORT - Our 25th Year

Saying the summer of 2010 was very busy, is putting it mildly. Our 50

th

state visited during July, and visitors have come from 32 countries and seven

Canadian provinces. Because of the Centennial celebrations for both Glacier

National Park and Polson (in which we participated), we didn't mention that

this is Miracle of America's 25

th

year.

Numerous antique/vintage auto clubs made us a part of their itinerary. The

Model T Ford Club of America graced our parking lot with 90 Fords from

1909 thru 1927. We were part of their national tour. That same week we hosted

part of the Polson High School Class of '60 reunion. Gil was very pleased that

so many of his old classmates were able to visit. A few became donors as well.

Judy [Fleming] Millard

donated a Bible and other religious books printed in

the Eskimo language;

Mary Ann Marsh

: Typewriter and early mounted

photos of her father;

Kathy [Pritchard] and husband Lorin Vlach

made a

cash donation for the WW2 Freedom truck which appears in at least one parade

each year. Frequent donor

Carl Skabronski

brought misc. gifts including his

mounted square nail collection and a Handy Andy juvenile carpentry set.

We were also pleased to be included in the Missoula Harley Davidson's

"Poker Run".

With our receptionist, Erma, retiring,

and Joanne's health problems, we are so

grateful for Kathy Korf, supervisor/

recruiter for the Experience Works

program. She has found us two very

capable people for receptionist.

David Jacobson

has been with us

several weeks and is a real people person.

He has made it a point to learn everything

he can about both local and museum

history. He works 10-2 Monday-Friday.

Dawn Merritt

is just coming on

board and will cover 2-5 weekdays and

afternoons on Saturday. She is excited

about being here and we believe she will

be a real asset.

Tami Baer

has volunteered at the

desk at times so Gil doesn't have to take

as much time off from his shop.

New Staff

through

Experience

Works

Bill Reynolds of Polson often

brings us things that are very rare or

unusual for museum display. Bill

recently brought four beautiful Indian

spearheads and an arrowhead that his

great-grandfather, William Tandy

Reynolds found in Kansas circa 1870.

The black and white pictures in the

newsletter do not do them justice, so

we encourage you to take a look at our

website for the colored version. Bill's

Newsletter layout courtesy of

Carmine Mowbray of

grandfather Charles Edwin Reynolds

homesteaded in the Polson area in 1910

when Bill's father, Charley was 13

years old. Charley served as a sergeant

in the 12

th

U.S. Cavalry from

1914-1920. Included in the donations

were the military web belt, ammo

pouch and .45 holster that he wore.

A souvenir silk scarf was also

donated that Bill brought home from his

time in the 5

th

Air Force in Korea. It has

the US Military patches pictured as well

as the flags of other nations serving

under the United Nations. Some would

argue that rather than bringing world

peace history has shown that the UN

has really advanced the cause of tyrants.

Come in and see the unique and

rare ivory walrus tusk cribbage board

that was in the Reynolds family for

many years. It is carved on one end to

look like the head of a Polar bear. It is

resting on a small ivory stand which

was carved to look like a seal. It is

now on display in our "Roots"

display.

An interesting Montana historical

side note with the Reynolds family, is

that Bill's great uncle, "Lonesome

Charley" Reynolds was chief of

Custer's scouts and died heroically

with Major Reno on 25 June 1876 at

the Little Big Horn.

Featured

donor

Bill Reynolds

A huge salute of thanks to our

Family Memberships:

Bob Fabian

Lester Johnson

Dwight Deyo

Dave and Suzie Marshall

Bill and Joane Mc Dermott

Ken and Teri Miller

Tami Morrison

Ruth Raihl

Macauley Morrison

One of our many recent donations . . . Grace Poloson

donated these beautiful baby moccasins. Our

collection continues to grow thanks to the kindness of

our community!

MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS

Neil DeGolier

- 1983 Pacar 31' motor home which

has been useful as a motel unit when volunteers have

stayed over for a few days;

Jan Smith Kasson

donated her father Sam's "Smith

Motors" shop coveralls. Gil immediately hung them

in the auto building. The following week two

families were excited to see them because their father

had worked for Sam. Jan also brought three framed

photos of her dad when he was Mayor and also with

a new Polson fire truck he procured through his

Dodge dealer connections in 1960;

Tom Newgard -

numerous items from the Mordie

Newgard estate including tins and boxes for the

hardware and general stores, harness hardware for

the saddle shop, antique glasses for the optometrist

shop, a fishing knife for the fishing displays—well,

you get the point!

Jerry Roat

who lives on Finley Point often brings

useful and unique things like antique tools, auto

parts, etc. The most recent automobile item, though,

Gil had to take his trailer and pick it up because it

was a complete car, a 1960 Dodge Matador 4 door

sedan.

David Bosley

got it running and driving, but

the brakes need overhauling before it's ready for the

road.

Mike Noble

- Montana political booklet, "Westward

I Go Free", the story of J.F.K. in Montana.

Walt Jones Memorial -

Rixon Rafter

$20 Green Mtn School Restoration in Memory of

Emma Doris by

Helen Ohlson, Arden, Delaware;

Marvin Carlyle

- box old school books;

Howard Hudson

- misc household and business

items;

Nancy Peace

- Two large Redwing crocks, two silk

kimonos, four branding irons, roller skates with

pompoms and case, wicker fishing creel, farm

implements, Tennessee flat top box and other items

too numerous to list here;

Jill and Jerod Sweesy

- Adding machine, tools,

Pepsi carrier, etc;

Kelli and Luke Schroeder

- Framed copy of

Germany's unconditional WW II surrender, gauges

from WW II plane, misc;

Norman and Jean Swanson

donated a neat 1912

folding Chataqua Industrial Art School Desk with a

rolling screen with many line drawings, pictures,

schematics to inspire students. They also donated a

10" high carved wooden figure of a Kenyan warrior;

Lester Johnson

- Army vehicle and ag manuals;

John McGrew

- Two military uniforms and

Kewpie box cameras;

John Varnum -

spoils of war Nazi trade union flag

brought home from WW11 by his father;

Letters:

Dear Mr. Mangels,

I just thought I would send some pictures

that I took of you and your museum when

my husband and I visited. We enjoyed your

exhibits and it took us down memory lane in

so many ways. There is a picture of me

sitting at your soda fountain, too.

Good luck with your future collections and

exhibits. We will send people your way that

visit Montana.

Enjoy your fall weather,

Jenice Benedict, Harwood, TX

Non-Profit

Postage Paid

Polson, MT

59860

Permit #89

Miracle of America Museum

36094 Memory Lane

Polson, MT 59860

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Membership

Membership to the Miracle of America

Museum is tax-deductible and allows you free

admission, newsletters and 10% discount in our gift

shop.

We really appreciate our supporters who

remember to send donations.

A star beside your name on the address label

means this may be the last newsletter you receive

unless we hear from you. If you wish to remain on

our mailing list, please let us know.

Family membership: $25 to $99

Annual Sustaining: $100 to $199

Corporate Sustaining: $200 to $999

Lifetime: $1000 or above

Thank you very much for your support

GPCF Grant

Thanks to the Greater Polson Community

Foundation grant, our new archive-safe and

energy-efficient lighting is now underway.

Looking Forward to

Live History Days

Our popular annual Live History Days

weekend will be July 16-17, 2011. It continues to

grow each year. Many visitors are already asking

about it.

Additional Donations:

Lucille Buchmann brought effects

of three veterans of her family including

a photo of seven veterans, all being

related.

The memorabilia was from her

father John Sagmiller, WWI; brother,

Norm Sagmiller, and husband Otto

Buchmann, both having served in

WWII. These items are displayed in a

glass case in the larger military room

including patches, ribbons,

and medals.

Of particular note is the

Bronze Star and citation

and thank you letter

presented to Otto by Major

General Geoffrey Keyes.