Democracy in action; a hidden jewel (04/26/08)
Good move at the McCook City Council meeting last Monday. The council rejected, and soundly, a proposed new tax, couched as a "fee" as if that would make it less objectionable, on cell phone service. Evidently a similar "fee" assessed against telephone land lines has been decreasing in revenue produced for city coffers. ...

What's a Chipmunk? (04/19/08)
This week I've noticed a blitz in the printed news and on talk radio stating that the cause of high food prices is biofuels, of all things! For some commentators ethanol in our gasoline is evidently the root of all evil. It seems that every time the farmers have a good year, as last year evidently was, there arises a veil of indignity against all things agrarian. ...

A dream (04/12/08)
After a fortnight's absence I sat in on a McCook City Council meeting this week. I was just in time to watch us, we the people, buy the city block including the old West Ward School. The final negotiated price will be in the neighborhood of $75,000 and is probably a reasonable deal. It was a mite frustrating though knowing that the seller doubled his money after holding it for only about four years...

Two wars, one thought (04/05/08)
I noted in an Omaha paper that Don Butler, age 91 a civilian POW had died. "Civilian POW" caught my eye! Mr. Butler was unknown to me but I briefly met one of his compatriots in 1968. Flying across the Pacific on one of my several trips to the Vietnam war I was surprised to find a civilian passenger on my KC-135. We usually carried up to 70 military passengers on deployments but rarely civilians...

Grandparents create great memories (03/29/08)
Earlier this month in Florida, Ann and I stopped by a fruit packing shed to purchase some really fresh grapefruit and oranges. Many years ago we had lived in south Texas and since have been more than a little prejudiced that Texas citrus was better tasting than Florida's. This time we were happily surprised to find that tree ripened Florida grapefruit and oranges were every bit as good as what we remember buying in the Rio Grande Valley...

Drill for oil in Norris Park? (03/22/08)
Thanks to copious amounts of rain, in Oklahoma, Missouri and Nebraska, we elected to stay a couple extra days in Tulsa with our daughter Moira and family. Ann is getting into this new schedule of a retired kind of lifestyle. I hope that we don't wear out our welcome...

Training and taxes (03/15/08)
The annual flight simulator recurrency training is again behind me. It was an excellent review of systems and instrument flying. I feel ready to face another year of slipping the surly bonds and soaring on laughter's silvered wings. Our instructor only got me to "crash" once and that when a computer failed and the simulated airplane no longer responded to the controls...

A lot more pleasant way to travel (03/08/08)
OCALA, Fla. -- Earlier this week TV news showed a short video of the pilot in an Airbus airliner really messing up a landing attempt somewhere in Germany. The airplane made quite a lot of gyration with the left wing touching the ground at one point before the pilot stoked up the fires and went around to try again...

When they start taking away rights (02/29/08)
I saw the most "right on" bumper sticker today: CONTROL CRIME, NOT GUNS! That kind of says it all and it is a lesson that the Nebraska Legislature could take to heart. State Sen. Brad Ashford (District 20), has introduced a bill, LB 958), to control the ownership of "assault weapons," those which columnist Robert Nelson calls weapons "used only to kill people."...

Black Man and Robin (02/23/08)
This is Black History Month, not a really big deal in Southwest Nebraska. Remembering though engenders great pride in how the U.S. Military led the way toward integration of the U.S. of A. It was 1948 when President Harry Truman issued an edict that hence forth the military services would truly consider all men as equals...

Words that work better than morphine (02/16/08)
Last fall Ann and I visited a group in San Jose, Calif., that call themselves Adopt-A-Chaplain. They are mostly retired people that have banded together to support military chaplains worldwide. Ann has kept in touch and the following letter was forwarded to her this week. It is from one of the chaplains that we help support. I want to share as it vividly illustrates the courage of the wonderful young persons serving our country in Iraq today. Enjoy the read:...

Is McCain leaning right direction (02/09/08)
I received a phone call this week from a young man who was exploring a run for the McCook City Council. Yes it is time to be focusing on the upcoming primary election. Never mind that whomever we, in Nebraska, might choose, our vote will be moot for the nomination for the Republican candidate is already a "done deal." Nebraska's Democrats are toying with the caucus system of determining a nominee which is a flawed way to go about it in my opinion. Anyway it is fun to watch...

Born to sell (02/02/08)
Today I take personal privilege to write about a very important person. Ann passed a significant milestone in her life Thursday, clocking out she formally ended some thirty-six years in the work place. So, as of yesterday, she joined that great portion of mankind who consider themselves retired, whatever that means...

Distracted and delayed in Miami (01/26/08)
"Malibu 9124Y you are cleared to GILBEY intersection descend to 11,000 feet and cross GILBEY at 4,000 feet," so said the Miami Center controller. It has been years since I worked the radios with air-traffic in a busy place like central Florida and on south to Miami. But then the anticipation of enjoying a few days in balmy seventy degree temperatures was a pleasure to look forward to, well worth the minor aggravation...

Inferior solution to the water problem (01/19/08)
One big sky, a sea of grass stretching from horizon to horizon. That was Nebraska before Northern Europeans touched it. Thousands upon thousands of buffalo, elk, deer, and antelope grazed it and grizzly bears, wolves and a few Indians preyed on the grazers. Property? -- the concept didn't exist...

Feedback -- Encouraging words and lessons learned (01/12/08)
Those of you who read this column in the paper may not be aware that there is a space for comments following the on-line version. My recent article about the combat death of Robert Weskamp, grandson of McCook's "Trash Lady," generated quite a few. And for once all were positive and uplifting...

Proof of the power of a positive attitude (01/05/08)
The Christmas card mentioned that Lynn had finally had an operation to repair "that shoulder." The operation went well and he was back to fishing within the month. No other mention but those who know him also remember "that shoulder" was injured when he ejected from his OV-10 Bronco in the low mountains just west of Hanoi. The date was Dec. 26, 1971, and marked the start of a 15-month "extended vacation" as a guest in the workers' paradise, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam...

The trash lady's grandson (12/29/07)
She was only the trash lady! I would see her making her rounds on the rare occasions that we were in town. Her route included the alley between Norris, then called "Main Street" and West First most often between Hesteds 5 & 10 and the bank. I was intrigued because she drove a farm truck with stock rack and lifted the trash barrels up by hand. ...

Two Alaskas (12/22/07)
Last week I spoke of visiting the Alaskan town of Ruby on Christmas Day 1968. That was a highlight of my Arctic Christmas tour some 40 years ago this week. But there is more to the story. Christmas eve, the night before we flew Santa to Ruby, Bill invited me to accompany him to a bar in the town of Galena, just outside the base. ...

Tropical fruit triggers Arctic memories (12/15/07)
Thanksgiving weekend we had visitors, nephew Josh and family. Josh and Jenny have three, two daughters about seven or eight years and their younger brother. Ann had on hand a bag of oranges, the small sweet mandarin variety. Actually our favorites are the "little sweeties" which are a cross between the mandarins and something else but it was a little early for them to be available...

When international students go home (12/08/07)
A week or so ago our son, Don, called to report that 230 international students had attended the free Thanksgiving dinner he and friends from his church put on annually. Don lives Yorba Linda, Calif., near Cal State Fullerton and several lesser known universities...

When 'encourage' means 'enforce' (12/01/07)
I had an interesting experience this week. I accompanied a pilot to Lincoln for him to do a check ride with the FAA. Now a check ride with the Feds is about as attractive as contemplating a re-do on a tooth root canal procedure so neither of us were eager for the trip! How did I get involved? Well last year, I gave him the instruction that helped earn his private pilot's license. ...

A 'fair' plan for spending the surplus (11/24/07)
Ah ha suspicions confirmed! This past week in the Omaha World Herald editorial section there was comment about a movement afoot in Lincoln. It seems that current state budget projections are pointing to about $275 million budget surplus. The surplus may be only $175 million but either way it is still a lot of money. Anyway this kind soul is putting together a move to spend the entire surplus on moving the State Fair...

Lessons learned from a lost Indian tribe (11/17/07)
I recently read a book about the tragic demise of an interesting group of native North Americans. These people called themselves "People of the Deer," as in reindeer or caribou, and they lived up around the Great Slave Lake in way northern Canada. The aspect of their culture that intrigued me was their requirement to give away anything of value to any stranger, or family member, who showed up. ...

Let's go to Branson (11/10/07)
Miles and miles of hills covered with trees. The Ozarks don't present many good choices to make an emergency landing, and thankfully I didn't need to try. We were flying from Tulsa, Okla., to Little Rock, Ark., and later to Branson, Mo. With the eye of a used-to-be farmer, I enjoy looking at what passes beneath my airplane...

Surrounded by Air Force Blue (11/02/07)
Ruffles, flourishes, pomp and circumstance, I had not heard the beloved sounds in years and here we were surrounded by formality in Air Force Blue yet! Ann and I flew to Little Rock Air Force Base this week to watch the pinning ceremony promoting Nate to Lieutenant Colonel. To be a part of the event was definitely a thrill for this old retired guy...

Sales tax: Vote for future of our area (10/27/07)
Beware. You are about to be bombarded by an advertising blitz extolling the virtue of spending all the new money generated by the local option sales tax. We are already used to paying the extra so why not continue? All presentations will be sincere and heartfelt but most will be a bit shy in telling the rest of the story...

Fishing, flooded fields and football (10/20/07)
Several years ago I was privileged to fly to northern Ontario, Canada, and spend a week in a fish camp. We stayed in a modern but rustic looking cabin, the only one on a large lake. The walleye and northern fishing was great and topped only by the scenery and wildness of the area. The place was owned by a couple of SoDak characters one of whom is named Doom, an appellation that strangely fits the man...

Sport pilot rules: Back to the future (10/13/07)
There is a new bird in town. Actually it is an Aeronca Champ, built in 1946, but it represents a new class of aircraft for people learning to fly. Over the years the FAA, whose charter from Congress requires them to promote general aviation, has become concerned over the lack of "training starts," people new to aviation who have started training to become pilots, any kind of pilot. ...

Bailing out of a burning bomber (10/06/07)
A good man appointed and a good man not selected. The mayor had a tough choice in picking a new member to sit on the McCook City Council. Jack Rogers was selected, old news, and will do a good job of helping to steer the city. Finishing second was community spirited Duane Tappe a good man with experience serving on the Wakefield, Nebraska City Council. ...

A whole lot of nothing, yet something great (09/28/07)
Ah, what a great and wonderful country we live in. Ann and I covered 1500 miles each way on our trip to Merced, Calif., and I enjoyed mile after mile. We drove mainly I-80. Yeah I know truck drivers do it daily, but it has been awhile since I've driven a comparable trek...

Dateline Merced, California (09/22/07)
This week Ann and I spent a couple of days in San Jose with the "Adopt A Chaplain" principals helping pack boxes to send to our servicemen overseas. Actually the boxes we sent go to Military Chaplains who in turn hand out the items, free, to men and women laying their lives on the line for our country and the way of life we love. ...

Missing heroes and a hidden agenda (09/15/07)
I was intrigued to read the following from an online Air Force publication: "Pentagon IDs Missing WWII Airman: The Defense Department identified remains for 2nd Lt. Harold E. Hoskin, an Army Air Forces airman missing since World War II. Hoskin was one of five crewmen on a B-24 that left Fairbanks, Alaska, on Dec. 21, 1943 on a cold-weather test mission...

Are there airplanes in heaven? (09/07/07)
When I die and if I go to heaven I still want to fly airplanes. I am writing this at the Sterling, Colorado airport having just completed an awesome twin engine airplane flight from McCook. There was no wind at altitude so the ride was smooth. A few high clouds were evident but I could see Sterling from forty miles out. Even the landing was acceptable, at least my three passengers didn't complain. Life doesn't get much better and to think I get paid to do it!...

Increased fees just another tax (09/01/07)
Yesterday in a local hardware store I overheard a customer asking for a product to "Kill all the grass, everything, in my yard!" He further spoke that water rates in McCook had increased to where he could no longer afford a green lawn. Recently Robert Yost, whose letters I always enjoy, wrote in the open forum that he no longer waters his yard and if it rains his weeds will be green and if no rain it will all be brown. ...

The coming brouhaha over the Republican River (08/25/07)
A while back I wrote concerning our republic type of government, differentiating it from a true democracy. In a pure democracy, decisions are made strictly by majority vote. Merrill Ream wrote that I should mention that a republic form of government, by thinking representatives with moral backgrounds, will avoid the pure democracy's "tyranny of the majority" flaw. I think that the upwelling water fuss with Kansas makes a great illustration of that tyranny...

Meeting a few new characters (08/18/07)
This week, I was minding my own business welding on my car trailer in my hangar when I glanced up to see a stranger. About my age, he was wearing shorts, lean, tanned with a bit of a white close cropped beard. His question, "Where do you have a motor home park, a commercial one with electricity?" I referred him to Karrer Park which he had somehow missed turning into the airport. ...

Glamor beats gritty in bid for tax dollars (08/10/07)
Ah the glories of a sales tax to generate extra revenue for McCook City coffers. Additional revenue that could be spent on special projects such as was done with the one cent tax instituted in 2002 and the authority for which will expire next year is the goal. ...

The root cause of the water debacle (08/04/07)
Where has all the water gone? That is the question that Kansas is demanding to be answered so they can get their "fair share." Actually "they" know what happened to the water, it is consumed by irrigation that powers the economic engine of a fertile productive Southwest Nebraska. "They" don't care that if they demand and get their "fair share" it will wreak long term disaster to their neighbor...

First of a series -- When irrigation came to the Republican River valley (07/28/07)
One of the great advantages of being a senior citizen is that one can personally remember changes in the way things are done and the consequences of the changes. In this case I want to look at the development of irrigation in the Republican River valley. In 1943 my father drilled an irrigation well about three miles south of McCook, one of the first in the area...

Chicken Days in Wayne, America (07/21/07)
Ah the sun was bright, just barely above the horizon; the winds were light with not even a hint of fog. It was time to take off and head for Wayne America. Yep last Saturday was Wayne, Nebraska's, annual Chicken Days Festival. Ann and I extended an invitation to Duane and Diana Tappe to ride along as they used to live in Wakefield, a mere 10 miles from Wayne. ...

Taking the money out of two pockets (07/14/07)
At the last meeting of the McCook City Council, the members received working copies of next year's budget. One copy of the proposed budget went to the library for public access but in the two weeks now passed it has not been a real popular item with the potential taxpayers...

Tattoo removal, 1950s style (07/07/07)
"Mike at Night" wrote about his experience getting a tattoo in Las Vegas -- an act that brought to mind my old friend Boyington. For some reason I have never considered tattoos, body piercing, lead rings in the nose or other places, the scruffy unshaved look or men with long, greasy hair to be "cool."...

A tough job, but somebody has to do it (07/02/07)
It was scheduled for an early go, 5:30 takeoff last Thursday. The drive to the airport revealed early morning walkers, singles, couples and those with dogs. Hmm, not a bad time to walk, it is cool, little wind and not much traffic. Going down the hill on East H, I saw flashing lights ahead of me that turned north on East 11th. Probably someone with bad troubles headed to the emergency room. Thank you Lord, it wasn't me...

An inspirational air race (06/23/07)
Talk about inspirational! I watched the ladies from the Air Race Classic come through McCook last Tuesday. All were professional, courteous and in a big hurry. Two groups stood out in my mind. It was the young ones, the 18- to somewhere around 25-year olds who have an unlimited future in aviation, possibly a future astronaut among them...

The lesson of the broken watch (06/09/07)
In keeping with the Buffalo Story Telling Festival, I am presenting a true story from my childhood. You see I grew up on a farm just south of McCook in a community of ethnic German people. Our neighbors had family names of Uhrich, Troop, Huff, Kisker, and Lauer to name a few...

Cutting the shirt tails (06/02/07)
Remember the freedom you felt turning 16 and getting your driver's license? Now imagine that feeling times 10. That's how flying feels. Friday March 9, 2007, 1 soloed in an airplane for the first time. Was I nervous or scared? Honestly it was just like driving the combine or sprayer for the first time. Except I was more afraid running a combine or sprayer for the first time because it's Dad's equipment and they are worth a lot more...

Remembering every day (05/25/07)
Dateline: Fob Liberty, Iraq. May 23, 2007 "Hello Mrs. Trail, I am First Sergeant Chandler. My unit was given a box of goodies from the Chaplain that you and your lovely friends sent to him. I would like to thank you for the gifts of kindness and the support that you give us. ...

Sure enough, they went to Vietnam (05/19/07)
Sitting at the breakfast table I noticed a Cash-Wa Distributing semi-trailer pass by. Ann conjectured that they had been unloading supplies at the Senior Center. I am reminded that at last Council meeting, seniors present were stating that the Senior Center does not compete with businesses in town...

Civics lessons and hardy stock (05/12/07)
Another long session devoted to alcohol at City Council last Monday even-ing. Council was attempting to formulate a policy on whether to allow booze on city property. Most in the gallery were against use of wine, spirits or beer in any way shape or form anywhere on city property, especially the Senior Center. ...

Experiencing true living history (05/05/07)
Mea culpa as charged. Gloria Masoner pegged it right and I have no doubt that the in crowd at Sarge's is just like the characters we enjoyed when Cheers was on TV. I'll take her word for it as I haven't been back since the proprietor chewed my tail for parking in his lot without his specific permission. Further Gloria illustrated the occasional problems that, I suspect, are exactly why the good people at the Senior Center are against the use of alcohol there...

Getting a sales tax to pass this fall (04/28/07)
It was budget time back when the City of McCook was preparing the last campaign to do a "local option" sales tax. Talking about how tight the budget was when relying solely on  property tax revenue, Mayor Flora Lundberg stated that "I personally know all those department heads and not a one would ask for one dollar more that is absolutely required to operate their department." Boy did she live in a dream world. ...

Serving wine, renaming the airport and the laws of physics (04/21/07)
Big discussion at the council meeting last Monday. A local organization of volunteers wants to rent the Senior Center for a banquet for a statewide meeting they will be hosting. The banquet will be a catered by a local business and a glass of wine will be an optional part of the menu. A delegation of 10 senior citizens was there, in good voice, opposed to allowing any alcohol use in "our" Senior Center...

Straight ahead and under control (04/13/07)
From your National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) files: DESCRIPTION AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE TWO PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED, 1 MILE FROM SCOTTSBLUFF AIRPORT, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE WEATHER: BFF 092255Z 15011KT 10SM FEW110 17/02 A2950...

Airport property tax dispute turned out right (04/07/07)
The council meeting Monday the 2nd only lasted about an hour. At least half of that was spent in executive session but things turned out well. The best part was vindication of a stand that I took as a councilmember yo many years ago. A bit of background:...

From humble beginnings to taking part in history (03/31/07)
This week I'd like to share a bit of the wonderful life that I've been privileged to lead.  Fresh from high school I was enrolled in the brand new Air Force Academy. Our first class was a little unique in that a large percentage of the students had prior college experience. ...

Why not take sales tax all the way (03/24/07)
The council meeting Monday the 19th took a little longer. All members were present and the sound system had been tweaked so even this old guy sitting in the back of the chamber could hear the proceedings.  Thanks to whoever is the sound mechanic. The major discussion of the evening was over an attempt to amend the ordinance that sets trash disposal rates. ...

City should live within property tax limits (03/17/07)
The City Council meeting last Monday was quite brief and I like it that way as it shows good organization. Only three council members were present; the missing probably had more important business to attend to.  Those in attendance got it all done in just over a half hour. I may have missed some; the sound system is either poor or the staff and council refuse to use it. Anyhow it is hard for this old guy to hear every word spoken, but then maybe that is intended for us kibitzers...

Sniffing the wind to stay in the lead (03/10/07)
Back in the days when I was an active farmer I had a dearly loved pet, a Labrador retriever. We called her Black Sally as Chuck had an English Retriever already named Sally, White Sally. My Black Sally accompanied me nigh everywhere I went. In fact she appeared highly insulted whenever the pickup departed the farm without her and sulked until we returned. ...

The lesson of interurban rail lines (02/24/07)
Ah, the joys of airline travel! As I write Ann, Mike and I are sitting at the departure gate, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, with a reported 20 minute delay. I suspect the delay will be more than 20 minutes because there is no airplane parked at the end of our jetway. We passengers have been through the indignity of TSA screening: remove your shoes, belt buckles, pocket change, pens and pencils, cell phones and anything else that might cause a "beep" at the people scanner...

Writing a check was the right thing to do (02/17/07)
The boss releases the brakes; I recheck the throttles wide open. Air speed 100, lift the nose, attain a positive rate of climb, retract the landing gear, yaw dampener on, climbing at 120 and within seconds visibility is zero in clouds. Our brains command us to pitch nose down but we disregard the sensation because training taught that forward acceleration confuses the balance system in our inner ear. ...

What will you do with your cubic mile? (02/03/07)
I checked with one of my favorite council members concerning meeting last Monday and was assured that the McCook City Council meeting was on. Usually the council does not meet on the 5th Monday of the month but this being a new council and a new city manager I figured the rules had probably changed. No the council didn't meet, the Councilman was just eager because she likes the job so much and I won't even mention her name!...

Generating public discussion of city business (01/19/07)
Another really short council meeting last Monday evening. Nine action items were disposed of in one fell swoop, no discussion, no explanation to the public that does not get a council package to study, no questions; just say "Yea" and be done with it...

A taste of terror in the air (09/18/01)
"Attention all aircraft. The Department of Defense has ordered a ground hold for all aircraft. All aircraft are directed to land at the nearest airport and remain on the ground until further notice. N14TT (our call sign) you are cleared to the Lees Summit Airport."...