A look back at tragedy, triumph of 2007 (12/31/07)
Before we surge forward into the future, let's take a look back at the events of 2007 in McCook and the Golden Plains of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. In many ways, it was a very good year. In other ways, it was a time of terrible happenings...

Is ballroom dancing making a comeback? (12/17/07)
Do you like to dance? Then you would have loved the Governor's Ball. It was a blast. Bringing back memories of days gone by, the 11-piece Lonny Lynn Orchestra wowed the crowd Saturday, Dec. 8 with a blend of waltzes and jitterbug music at the Republican River Valley Event Center. Dancing couples filled the floor from the first tune to the very last...

Tragedy makes the world a small place (12/10/07)
In times of tragedy, the world suddenly becomes a very small and personal place. Southwest Nebraskans were reminded of that Wednesday when a troubled teenager let his personal torment turn him into an executioner at the Westroads Mall in Omaha. Omaha is 285 miles away, but the tragedy struck Southwest Nebraska like the shootings happened next door...

We just keep on making history (12/03/07)
You know the neatest thing about history? It's that we keep making it. Sure, there are lots of wonderful things that people have done through the ages. Amazing things. Outstanding things. But, as great as the past accomplishments were, they are not nearly as important as what is happening now and what is yet to be...

A tip of the hat for Santa Claus Lane (11/26/07)
Take a drive up and down Norris Avenue. Look at the new, brightly painted signs on Santa Claus Lane. Then take out your pen and paper and write a thank you note to Debbon McConnell. It was this young woman who, free of charge, took on the task of painting signs to take the place of the old, worn Santa Lane scenes, some of which had been in use for more than half a century...

Elden Fuller: Forever faithful fan (11/19/07)
Fans may come and fans may go, but Elden Fuller is forever faithful to his beloved McCook Bison. Elden, who is 72, has missed very few games in the past quarter century ... and most of those were this year because he was hospitalized with life-threatening heart and kidney problems...

The Keystone Hotel: Look up, look back (11/12/07)
The next time you drive by McCook's Keystone Hotel, look up and look back. You need to look up because -- other than grain elevators -- the Keystone is McCook's tallest structure, reaching six stories into the sky in the midst of the downtown business district. And you need to look back because in earlier years the Keystone was the social and cultural center of McCook and Southwest Nebraska...

Let's invest in McCook's future (11/05/07)
From a historical standpoint, the sales tax vote looms as an important turning point for McCook, hopefully setting the stage for a new era of growth. Overly optimistic? Perhaps, but -- if you're like me -- you're getting tired of doom and gloom and feel it's time to unite to help McCook grow...

Plain talk wins voters over (10/29/07)
You hear a lot of talk about conservatives and liberals, but in head-to-head election contests political philosophies are not the most important factor in determining who is elected. What's that again? Let me try to explain. In today's political climate, there is increasing evidence that the main thing voters are looking for is not philosophy, but the believability of the candidate and his or her ability to express thoughts in a plain, clear, understandable way...

Stryker will be missed (10/15/07)
Stryker's been gone for more than six months, but he still lives in the hearts and minds of his handlers, Alan Kotschwar and Donny Sailors. "He was just like a member of the family," Chief Deputy Alan Kotschwar said. "He loved to play games, especially fetch, and he had his favorite balls and toys."...

Solving the mural mystery (10/08/07)
The mural mystery has been solved! The large German Heritage Days' murals, discovered during preparations for the 2007 celebration, were painted by Ethel Weigel, a McCook artist of note during the mid-part of the 20th century. We were informed of this last Thursday, immediately after a color photograph of one of the murals appeared on the front page of the Gazette. Several readers called to tell me Ethel did the painting...

An MHS grad's pivotal role in history (10/01/07)
Talk about heritage. Talk about history. McCook was filled with it this past weekend, as hundreds of alumni came back to town for reunions and reminiscing. I wish I could tell everyone's story. So many from here have accomplished so much. McCook is a breeding ground for greatness...

Cross-country meet is a big draw (09/17/07)
OK, Smarty Pants. What single athletic event do you think brings the most participants to McCook on an annual basis? Do you think it's district track? District basketball? district volleyball? A stock car race? The Mullen Pro-Am Golf Tournament? The Larry Samway Fishing Derby and Casting Contest at Hugh Butler Lake?...

The man in the famous photo (09/10/07)
The epic picture from the 1935 flood is etched in memory. It still sends shivers down my spine. How could any man, no matter how strong, cross the raging river hand-over-hand on a power line? It was an amazing feat then; it remains an amazing feat to this day...

Stovepipe snakes and telephone tales (09/04/07)
OK, all you young whipper-snappers. Sit back and listen. Erwin ten Bensel, who is 93 years old going on 94, has a story to tell. "It's true," he swears. It was back in 1920, eight miles north of Mercedes, Texas. "I was seven at the time," Erwin says, "and my sister, Erma, was nine. We were riding along with our folks when suddenly my dad stopped in the middle of road. 'There's a stove pipe in the road,' he said, 'I've got to get out and move it.'"...

Of schools and snakes and schnauzers (08/27/07)
School doesn't have to start in the second or third week in August. That just happens to be the trend in Nebraska. I found that out this summer while visiting with a teacher from Wisconsin. "Michigan just passed a law," he said. "Starting with this school year, public school classes can't begin until after Labor Day." As a skeptical newspaperman, I had to check that out. ...

Let's have a ball and a lively discussion (08/20/07)
As the grand finalé for McCook's 125th anniversary celebration, the Quasquicen-tennial Committee and the George W. Norris Foundation will present the McCook community's second Governor's Ball. The prestigious event, featuring Gov. Dave Heineman, will take place at the Republican River Valley Event Center. The date is Saturday night, Dec. 8, beginning with a social hour at 6 p.m...

The richest man he ever met (08/13/07)
As the developer of 20 international companies, Dr. George Garlick has traveled the world, making more than 20 trips to Japan, as well as countless journeys to other international and American destinations. So, in all those travels, who would you guess is the richest person Dr. Garlick ever met? Warren Buffett? Bill Gates? One of the Saudi Arabian princes?...

Snake has the makings of a rural legend (08/06/07)
Snake, rattle and roar! The Trenton paper's snake picture has caused a furor! Pardon my attempt at poetry, but I had to come up with a way to tell you about the uproar caused by "Snakes Alive!," the picture of a gigantic snake which appeared in the Thursday, July 19 issue of the Hitchcock County News...

Senator, Mrs. Norris special to couple (07/30/07)
Harold Larmon was put down for number 65 for the pewter replicas being made of the life-sized bronze sculpture of Sen. George Norris. A fitting number, it turns out. The number 65 is special to Harold and Marion Larmon. It's the number of years they will be married in October. They were wed in 1942 at a Washington wedding that Sen. Norris was invited to but couldn't make...

Farmers Market bound to grow (07/23/07)
Here's a prediction: Over the course of the next few years, the Farmers Market will become one of McCook's most popular events, bringing dozens of vendors and hundreds of buyers to town every Saturday morning throughout late summer. That's easy for me to say. Why? Because, as all who have visited this year's Farmers Markets can tell you, McCook is well on the way to being an extremely busy Saturday morning marketplace...

Rock 'n Roll sculpture next for local artist (07/16/07)
A Southwest Nebraska sculptor will have a part in preserving the history of rock and roll. The key role became a reality earlier this summer when Roy Orbison's widow, Barbara, commissioned Jon Leitner to do life-size bronze sculptures of Orbison and two of his sons: Roy Jr. and Anthony...

Tenants needed for downtown vacancies (07/09/07)
When you take a drive through McCook's business district, it doesn't take long to realize that the town has a problem. The problem -- more glaring in some places than others -- is that McCook has too many vacant business buildings. The problem didn't crop up overnight. Some of the storefronts have been empty for years, but recent developments have pushed the empty building situation to the serious stage...

Community draws former residents back (07/02/07)
This may be the start of a growing trend. I'm talking about the increasing number of people who are moving back to the Great Plains because they are tired of the rat race in larger, congested cities. I ran across three such people last week: Michael Wiggs and his mother, Jean, from Oceanside, Calif., and Bill Stokley, formerly of Port-land, Ore...

Sailor, athlete making remarkable memories (06/25/07)
Is this a great country, or what? That's a line which we hear a lot, especially after something good and unexpected happens. Just ask Ted Chancellor and Christina Houghtelling, who are grateful they are living life to the fullest in the USA. Both are in the midst of memorable experiences...

Pioneer poem recalls Hayes County history (06/18/07)
The pioneer spirit of Hayes County had its roots in the sod-busting days of the 1880s. Merita Holmes Lawson of McCook has proof in the poetic writings of her grandfather, George H. Stratton, who homesteaded in Hayes County in 1887. Like many of this area's original settlers, Mr. ...

Pioneer spirit serves Hayes County well (06/11/07)
The rain came down in sheets, turning the roads of Hayes County into a quagmire. Families were stranded for up to five days. Water in several wells was contaminated. Crops were washed out and fences were flattened, creating open range for cattle. So, with all that taking place, how would you expect the people of Hayes County to react: With anger? With frustration? With questions of "Why us? What did we do to deserve this?"...

Stories are our greatest treasure (06/04/07)
For the past dozen years, retiring judge Cloyd Clark has been more closely connected with the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival than any other person. He was there at the first preliminary meeting -- held at McCook Community College -- and he has been involved with all the festivals which have followed...

Fun-raiser will help save old school (05/29/07)
We've known for years that having "fun" is a key ingredient for "fund" raising. Just look at all the techniques used successfully in this area, such as golf tournaments, rubber duck races, tennis ball drawings, dunk tanks, charity auctions and celebrity waiter dinner parties...

When 'Puck' Hemingway lived in McCook (05/21/07)
Walt Sehnert's story about "Papa" Hemingway brought back close-to-home memories for Virginia (Huff) Schaffert, a former resident of McCook who now lives in Culbertson. During World War II, Virginia's parents, Carl and Clara Huff, rented a basement apartment to a couple originally from Ketchum, Id-aho: Major George Whitlock and his wife, Puck. The young married couple was in McCook while Maj. Whitlock received training at the McCook Army Air Base...

The Chicken Dance Trail (05/14/07)
Don't giggle. This is for real. I'm talking about the new title for Southwest and South Central Nebraska which is spreading across the the Internet. The name takes a little getting used to, but once you see what the name's originators are driving at, you begin to understand the reasoning...

Other states blowing by Nebraska in wind power (04/23/07)
Winds of change are blowing through Iowa and Nebraska, but -- because the states are playing by a different set of rules -- Iowa has a large lead over Nebraska in the generation of wind power. Barbara and I found that out this past week on drives back and forth through the side-by-side states...

A block with special history (04/16/07)
The next time you're on Norris Avenue, pay special attention to the 400 block between West D and West E Streets. There's history there, lots of history. Anchoring the one-block area are four of the most important buildings in the early growth of the city. I'm talking about the buildings which formerly housed the Andrew Carnegie Library ... the U.S. Post Office ... the Keystone Hotel ... and the McCook YMCA...

More ideas for McCook's 125th (04/09/07)
While doing research for McCook's 125th anniversary book of historical pictures, I came across a fact that I had not heard before. And, to me, it has great significance, because it underscores the important role McCook has played in American politics...

Hormel Foundation prize could make a difference (04/02/07)
You know the feeling. Almost everyone has had it. I'm talking about the excitement of a new business idea. It can happen any time, any place. You get to thinking about how neat it would be to start a new store or offer a new service. You do the planning in your mind, going as far as picking a name, a place and a plan of operation...

Time for bronze tribute to Norris (03/26/07)
Through the years, many people have had the dream of creating a lifesize sculpture which shows McCook's most famous citizen, George W. Norris, sitting on a park bench. The idea has enchanted several generations because it captures the essence of the man regarded as one of the greatest legislators in American history...

Barbershop show will be extra special (03/19/07)
When planning began for the 2007 barbershop show, members of the Prairie Statesmen Chorus knew it was going to be special. All they had to do was look at their calendars, which showed 2007 would not only be McCook's 125th Anniversary; but also the 35th anniversary of the Prairie Statesmen Chapter...

Book will be a treasure for years to come (03/12/07)
Throughout McCook's history, every quarter of a century has been a really big deal. I found that out in 1982 when I was working on a book for McCook's centennial. As I looked back through the pages of history, I discovered that McCook had hosted major celebrations on each of its 25-year anniversaries, starting with the Silver Year celebration in 1907; the Golden Anniversary observance in 1932; the Diamond Jubilee in 1957; and the Centennial celebration in 1982...

The future is coming quickly (03/05/07)
I've seen the future ... and it's kind of scary. It happened this past week, when I joined my wife, Barbara, and her parents, Ruth and Ellis Sutton, for a nearly 3,000-mile tour of seven states: Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Kansas...

Potholes are the pits (02/26/07)
So you think we're going to pot? Well, if you're talking about pots of the hole-in-the-street variety, you are absolutely right. The much-cussed pits and pockets are busting out all over town, posing a threat to tires and tie rods, as well as considerable consternation for drivers...

The future of the Golden Plains is in good hands (02/19/07)
Rise up, people of rural America! You have a lot going for you. I know because I have just completed work on the McCook Daily Gazette's 2007 Progress Edition. What I found out -- during a full week of editing, design and headline writing -- is that the future of rural America is in good hands. The proof comes from the burst of business activity which is taking place in the communities of the Golden Plains...

Main Street program generates enthusiasm (02/12/07)
Want to have some fun, and -- even more important -- get the down-deep feeling of satisfaction that comes from making a difference ? Then, get on board. You're invited to join a multi-talented hometown team in the promotion and development of downtown McCook. "We have taken the first step in making 'On the Bricks' in McCook a regional destination for shopping, dining and special events," said Becky Kilpatrick...

Wauneta-Palisade team is the real deal (02/05/07)
For years to come, sports fans in Southwest Nebraska will be talking about the Wauneta-Palisade boys basketball team of 2007, comparing them to the Grants, the Cambridges and the other outstanding area athletic teams of years past. There's no question about it. The Broncos are good...

If at first you don't succeed ... (01/29/07)
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." I identify with that saying, probably because throughout my life I've been forced to do things over and over again in an attempt to get them right. For that reason, I'm fully in support of the McCook community's effort to revive the Main Street program...

Excellence in art, close to home (01/22/07)
If you're an art connoisseur, you could travel to Santa Fe, San Francisco, or even Paris, to view and ponder the purchase of creative professional paintings and sculptures. Or, you could stay in the Golden Plains of America and see, and consider buying, impressive works of art by local and regional artists...

What is a grandparent? (01/15/07)
Yes, it's true that the Internet clutters your computer with a lot of unneeded and unsolicited information. But -- every once in a while -- an e-mail comes through which brings a smile ... a tear ... and, sometimes, even a bit of wisdom. I thought about that last week when my wife, Barbara, shared the following comments from her daily e-mails. The collection is taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds:...

Dean of downtown retailers moving on (01/08/07)
One of McCook's most beloved merchants is leaving one era behind and is preparing to embark on another. I'm talking about the dean of downtown retailers, Dick Mitchell. After more than a quarter of a century as the owner-operator of McCook's Ben Franklin Store, Dick is looking for a new way to serve. "Know of any good jobs?" he asked Friday...

Art should be re-established, enhanced (01/02/07)
In the name of saving money, some stupid mistakes have been made. And -- in my opinion, and this is strictly my opinion -- one of the dumbest moves in McCook was when the school administration and the board of education cut back the school's art program...

Marshall crash reverberated through McCook (12/22/06)
EDITOR'S NOTE -- This is a special edition of "Life on the Plains," which is usually published on Monday's Opinion Page. The song says, "Only the Good Die Young," and in the case of Kevin Gilmore that is certainly true. "He was a wonderful young kid," said Pat Keitges, Kevin's backfield coach at McCook Junior College in 1967 and 1968. "Kevin was an outstanding, all-around leader who was respected by both players and coaches."...

Santa Claus Lane needs tender loving care (12/18/06)
One of McCook's finest traditions is in need of tender loving care. I'm talking, of course, about Santa Claus Lane, the dated but beloved assortment of Christmas scenes which adorn the islands in the midst of Norris Avenue. Even at their advanced age -- now in excess of half a century -- the picture boards on Santa Lane still serve their purpose, reminding young and old of the glorious story of Christ's birth and Santa's gift-giving...

Learning from their devotion to McCook (12/11/06)
Lately, there has been increased interest in McCook by former residents who have achieved business success in other parts of the United States. It makes you wonder, "What's generating the attention? What is it about McCook that is impressing people who once lived here, but have since made their mark in other places?"...

We get a kick out of trick plays (12/04/06)
Whether or not you're a football fan, you would get a kick out of trick plays. They're a hoot. The reason they're so much fun is that trick plays are not only unexpected ... they are off-beat, with the team playing the trick trying to catch the other team off guard...

Area archers hitting the bullseye (11/27/06)
Since there are no organized archery clubs in the McCook area, you might assume that there's little local interest in the bow-and-arrow sport. You would be wrong. Showing that just the opposite is true, three archery enthusiasts from the McCook area won first place prizes this summer at Cabela's Third Annual Archery Shoot in Kearney...

A top stop for pheasants (11/20/06)
A nationally distributed magazine, American Hunter, paid tribute to Southwest Nebraska as a "Top Stop for Pheasants" in its October issue. The magazine, which is the official journal of the National Rifle Association, used glowing terms, like "oasis on the prairie" and "excellent winter habitat" to describe the pheasant hunting opportunities in the Golden Plains of Southwest Nebraska...

A local tribute on election night (11/13/06)
When you're a political junky -- like I am -- the real fun comes on election night after the polls close. Months of waiting are forgotten as the final results come flowing in, sometimes faster than the mind can comprehend. Thanks goodness Barbara and I have a little television set on the kitchen counter, just next to a radio. That's where I was last Tuesday evening, switching back and forth between CNN, Channel 10 in Lincoln and local radio coverage on KICX and Coyote Country...

It's an after-game tradition (11/06/06)
If you're a member of the most successful high school football program in Nebraska, what do you do to celebrate after the game? For the McCook High School Bison, the answer -- overwhelmingly -- is to go to Fuller's Family Restaurant to eat a hearty late night meal...

Next time, Nelson for president? (10/30/06)
It's not easy to fluster an experienced politician, but I think 17-year-old James Zlomke did a pretty good job of it last Tuesday when Ben Nelson was in town. Like his brothers before him, James received his Eagle Scout award from Sen. Nelson, who attained the Eagle rank himself while growing up in Mc-Cook...

Scared slim: Businessman loses weight (10/23/06)
Have you seen the new slimmer and trimmer Ron Crowe? If you haven't, you will be amazed by the transformation that has taken place in the longtime media representative from McCook. In just four months time -- between May 15 and Sept. 15 -- he lost 44 pounds ... and he is keeping if off as autumn evolves into winter...

When the signs of the times are too close (10/16/06)
Not only do Ron Penner of State Farm Insurance and Michael Owens, DDS, share office space in the building at 521 Norris Ave. in McCook, they also are responsible for the very visible southeast corner of Norris and F. Because of that, the men have had requests to place political signs al-ong the west side of the building, providing a convenient view for drivers and walkers headed north on Norris...

The Belle of the Ball (10/09/06)
At age 96, Ellen (Fiala) Kennedy was the Belle of the Ball when she returned to Hugo, Colo., for her 77th class reunion. "I can't believe how nice they were to me," she said. Her special treatment included a standing ovation at the alumni banquet and a prominent spot in the homecoming parade...

Another Gene Morris is back in town (10/03/06)
Will the real Gene Morris please stand up? That's an old line. I first used it in a column in the late 1960s when there were three Gene Morrises in McCook. One was a pilot for Myatt Volentine, another was the news editor of the Gazette and the third was a deputy sheriff...

Bear hugs and Ben Nelson's band days (09/25/06)
Day by day, it seems time goes by so slowly. That's why it's such a surprise when you pause for a moment and discover that a generation (or two) has passed you by. In recent weeks, I've been talking about that with Albert Cuellar, who has been kept busy this year helping with class reunions...

How did we ever survive? (09/18/06)
This is for all the kids who survived the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The recollections are not original with me, but they struck home when I spotted them in a column written by Gary Rust of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Gary didn't say, but I'm guessing he picked the story up from the Internet. OK, here goes. Do these remembrances strike a chord with you, too?...

Memories of 'bureaus' gone by (09/11/06)
While going through keepsakes the other day, Bill Green of 605 West H came across one of his most prized possessions. It is a letter dated Aug. 27, 1970, from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. What makes the letter special is that it was personally signed by the legendary J. Edgar Hoover, who was director of the FBI from 1924 until his death in 1972...

Wiemers, Cherry excel (08/21/06)
For those of us who knew Chris Wiemers when he was growing up in McCook, the PGA Championship Golf Tournament was a thrill to follow through television and newspaper coverage. Chris, who embarked on a golf career after graduating from McCook High School, did himself proud at the PGA, shooting a 73 (one over par) the first day and achieving the honor of having the fewest putts (22) on any golfer in the field...

Hat was a symbol of the times (08/14/06)
Let's take a little jaunt around town. Let's find out what's happening. Let's see what's on people's minds. TRIBUTE TO THE HAT -- To begin, let's stop by the Bieroc Cafe in downtown McCook. On the wall there, we discover a new addition to owner Matt Sehnert's gallery of paintings...

Finding gold on the Golden Plains (07/24/06)
Although I didn't know I was looking for gold, I found many treasures in the past two years while visiting the towns of the Golden Plains for the Community Spotlight series. I'm not talking about monetary rewards. I'm talking about the soul-satisfying pleasure of meeting and visiting with the people who live in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas...

We need to listen to our elders (07/17/06)
One thing we don't do nearly enough of in this confusing, fast-paced world is listen to our elders. I was reminded of that Thursday morning when I sat down for an hour's visit with a dozen residents of the Willow Ridge Retirement Community. I was invited by Jack Rogers, who worked side-by-side with me at the Gazette for many years...

The massacre in the canyon (07/10/06)
After stopping at the Massacre Canyon Monument Visitor's Center last Wednesday, I came back to the office and pulled out a copy of "Nebraska Pioneers." Years before, I had read an eye witness account in the book of the massacre of the Pawnee by the Sioux, and I wanted to refresh my memory about the details of the story...

A time travel trip back to 1880 (07/03/06)
Every so often, someone saunters into the Gazette office with an old newspaper which they have found stuffed away in a drawer or an attic. It's always a kick to see the old issues as they remind us how much things have changed, especially prices. But in all my years in the newspaper business in McCook and Benkelman -- extending back 45 years -- I have never seen an older paper than the one Bill Wilkinson of Culbertson brought in last week...

What's in a cliché? (06/26/06)
When Brent Cobb was member of the Gazette staff, he and I used to go round and round about whether old sayings -- also known as clichés -- are good or bad. Since I'm originally from the Ozarks, I kind of like the old sayings. To me they are good method of communication because they paint a word picture. When you say something such as, "Cold as ice," there's no question what you mean...

Effort under way to restore Norris films (06/19/06)
While doing research for last week's column about Ellie Norris and George McGovern, I learned that three precious pieces of history have been located at the McCook Public Power District office. The historical finds are reels of 16-millimeter film showing: 1. ...

When George McGovern met Mrs. Norris (06/12/06)
One of the nicest ladies I ever met was Ellie Leonard Norris, the lovely and serene second wife of U.S. Sen. George W. Norris. As a newspaperman, I had the privilege of visiting with Mrs. Norris several times during the final 11 years of her life. All were memorable meetings, but one of the encounters stands out in my mind...

Ten years of Buffalo Commons (06/05/06)
Looking back, it's hard for me to believe it's been 10 years since the first Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival took place in McCook. But it has been. I know, because I just thumbed through 10 years of programs, listing some of the top storytelling talent in the United States. What inspiring stories they told at the first nine festivals ... and what uplifting stories they are going to be telling at the tenth, which will take place this coming Friday and Saturday in historic downtown McCook...

Reaching out to those who won World War II (05/29/06)
I received a packet in the mail this week from Eunice (Carter) McKillip of Walnut Creek, Cal. I want to thank Eunice because her eyesight is failing and it took a special effort for her to write. Eunice and her husband, Don McKillip, have been away from McCook for many years, but they felt it important to call Gazette readers attention to the sacrifices made by the men and women who served this nation during World War II...

Endorsements: Win some, lose some (05/22/06)
The morning after Nebraska's primary election, I stopped by the desk of the Gazette's editor, Bruce Crosby, and announced, "We've done it again." "What?," Bruce wondered, probably thinking I was about to crack another one of my off-the-wall jokes. "No, really," I said. "This is serious. I am referring to the fact that for the third time in my years with the Gazette, we have endorsed an underdog who has gone on to win a heated race for governor."...

Brewing your own biodiesel (05/15/06)
It was the afternoon after the election-- Wednesday, May 10, 2006. As the hectic day drew to a close, I was pondering what to write about for my next column. Then it hit me, like a smack to the side of the head. "Just tell about the idea which was bouncing around in your office today. Tell about the tiny microdiesel reactor."...

When Mom was the center of the university (05/08/06)
Our fondest memories of mothers spring from childhood. In those life-forming years, mom serves as the center of our universe, supplying us with the essentials of existence: food, clothing, shelter, discipline, purpose and -- most important of all -- love...

Memories of the old outhouse (05/01/06)
Talk about modern conveniences all you want, but unless you mention the old outhouse you're not getting the whole -- or should I say hole -- story. I was reminded of that the other day while reading through the "Ramblings" of Ward C. Urbom, an Arapahoe attorney who is one of this area's premiere storytellers...

The man who saved George Norris from ruin (04/24/06)
This column writing is a fun thing to do. Everywhere I turn, it seems, there is a story to tell. Just the other day, as an example, I heard about a long-ago happening in Beaver City that saved the name -- and therefore the political career -- of George William Norris, the Southwest Nebraska attorney and judge who went on to become one of the greatest legislators in American history...

A song that says it all (04/17/06)
While having lunch at Our Cafe in Beaver City last week, I struck up a conversation with Ginger ten Bensel, who many of you will remember from her year as the Miss Nebraska Rodeo Queen. Also, you may have heard of the years Ginger spent in Nashville to pursue a country music career...

A couple of historical encounters (04/10/06)
Start a conversation. It might surprise you what you will find out. To show you what I mean, let me tell you about a couple of encounters I had last week during visits to downtown McCook. The first came when I spotted Tom Conroy of McCook wearing a cap with an intriguing message on the front. It said, "I started the Holdrege shootout."...

Cheering on one of our own (04/03/06)
Aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws in Southwest Nebraska are beaming with pride after hearing about the good fortune of Dirk Koetter, the head football coach at Arizona State University. After leading the Sun Devils to two straight winning seasons, Dirk has been rewarded with a guaranteed annual salary of $950,000, plus incentives which could boost his total compensation to more than $1.5 million per year...

Beauty is where you find it (03/20/06)
Whether we've lived here for years or just arrived, we take the Great Plains for granted. After all, our surroundings are so plain ... devoid of the spectacular mountains, towering trees and ocean waves which identify other areas. Yet -- for those who take the trouble to look closely, the Plains can have a subtle, serene and soothing quality. ...

Lessons learned from a mysterious visitor (03/13/06)
We all have stories to tell. And, for those who take the time to listen, some of the most intriguing stories are told by those who have lived long lives. I was reminded of that last week when Wilma Fritz of Arapahoe wrote to tell me about Vaughn Dawson, a 90-year-old Arapahoe resident with vivid memories of life on Turkey Creek in the mid-1920s...

Candidates have great things to say about our area (03/06/06)
Are you blushing? If not, maybe you should be because the candidates for the 44th District legislative seat are saying some nice things about you and the other people who live in this part of the world. Take, for example, the feelings of Jeff Tidyman, a candidate from McCook who recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. ...

New column debuts (02/27/06)
I'm starting a new column and I need your help. Here's the deal. During my years in the newspaper business, starting as a reporter for the Gazette in 1961, I've come to greatly admire and respect people with Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas roots...

Shift gears, look to future (12/26/01)
?Tis the day after Christmas and all through the town and the surrounding countryside, we have an abundance of reasons to be grateful. In this most special of seasons, we are blessed to have the love of family and friends. Whether near or far away, whether by phone or face-to-face, it is oh, so special to feel the love of those dear to us...

Poignant season (12/24/01)
Christmas is always a special time of the year, but it is more poignant this year because of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. We were shaken when America was attacked, and we grieved at the senseless loss of life and the terrible evil perpetrated against our nation. Like terrible tragedies of the past, the horrible attacks reminded us of how great a gift life is ... and how precious our families and our friends are to us...