What are 'they'? 'They' are our frineds
Pub Date: 12/1/2006
By Montana Sen.
Joe Tropila
Legislative Member
Gaming Advisory Council
What are "They?"
They are known by many names: Bars, taverns, saloons, lounges, casinos, and yes, even "joints." They serve drinks, food, snacks, and some even sell eggs and other edibles produced by the locals.
They really serve up hospitality, camaraderie, friendship, and they are gathering places, homes away from home. They are meeting places, eating places, and places of diversion from reality. They are a place to relax, enjoy friendships, companionships, a little libation and sometimes a bit more than a little.
They exist by large numbers in more populated towns, and by threes, twos, and maybe even one in smaller towns. But in these smaller venues, they are not bars, taverns, saloons, lounges, casinos, or joints. They are community centers where people gather to find out what's happening, who died, who is visiting, who left town, who is getting married, and other interesting news, and perhaps even some gossip. They are places where people from the country drop off their kids to catch the school bus and pick them up when the day is over. During inclement weather, these places provide a warm, sheltered, social gathering area.
They are establishments, which become our companion in times of need by providing for charitable services whether it is for donations or for providing food and shelter. They are the local business exchange for the selling, buying and trading of livestock, crops and machinery.
They are the local sponsor, from little league teams and bowling teams to community benefits and auctions to school fund raisers.
They really are our friends, without whom we would be at a staggering loss in our communities across this great state of Montana.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, Dec., 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.