First State Bank of Malta Celebrates 120 Years

"It's a beautiful night in Malta, Montana! We had a good turn for the folks, very good music, and had a great celebration for the First State Bank and their 120th year," were the words shared by First State Bank President Bob Galt as Front Street was blocked off to accommodate the crowd that gathered for the evening.

Attending the celebration was Scott Meneely, who quickly summed it up, "It's been fantastic, it's been a great time!"

The weather was cooperative, there was a silent hush in the air as the crowd's enthusiasm built as the evening grew. Lawn chairs spread out across the bank parking lot as well as upon the lawn of Veterans Park.

As the evening went along the music from the four-man band filled the air with old-time music, some of them being original creations of the band members. The band was Wyley and the Wild West with special guest Eric "Fingers" Ray Gustafson from Conrad.

The parking lot made for a great dance floor, mostly young jitterbuggers, however a few young-at-heart, like Ed and Jolene Amestoy took the opportunity to cut the rug and strut their stuff and enjoy the evening.

Young Kaden Green reiterated the feelings from the youth quite well when he spoke of the event, "The day is going good, there is a lot of people, it's fun!"

Throughout the evening there were drawings for door prizes for youth as well as adults. The big prizes were drawn in the evening and were awarded to those who had stayed around for the final drawings, and the prizes were worth hanging around for. Happy they stayed for the evening and thus enjoying their door prizes were Kathy Olson (50-inch TV); Toni Ziegler (grill); and Jolene Amestoy (9 cubic foot freezer with a quarter of a beef).

Another chapter in the books. Actually, Chapter 121 for the First State Bank is just beginning.