Hinsdale, Montana

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Since you ask, I’d say we’re hard working,
Don’t care for surface and trusting. Here,
Your words are like the words of God.
If you lie once, people will remember.

Our town did well during the Vietnam War
Because of the Glasgow Air Force Base.
That’s where I met my husband, by the way.
We used to have three bars, two grocery stores,
Two hotels and even a car dealership. Now,
There are just Stoughie’s Bar and Grill and a
New coffee shop, Sweet Memories. We’re down
To 217 people, and everyone’s white except
For five Indians and two Mexicans.
Also, farming isn’t what it used to be.

Our big social event of the year is the
Street dance, BBQ, high school reunion
And rodeo around the Fourth of July.
A country band would play, but mostly
We just visit each other and chatter.
You can fish for walleyes in the Milk River.

My mother is 90. When she graduated
From high school, her class had 110 kids.
Mine only had 12, and this year’s seniors
Were just four girls and a boy. There was
Another boy, but he died in a car crash.





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