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.

America needs to take notice of what's happening.

Before our very eyes, successful start-up industries are emerging in this area. Look in any direction from McCook and you will see what I mean:

* To the west, outstanding results (and profits) are being produced by the Trenton Agri Products' ethanol plant in Trenton and the Timber Creek Homes' modular home production facility in Stratton. Also on the rise are the Valley Farm Trailer makers in Benkelman and the ethanol and biomass plants proposed and proceeding in Imperial, Madrid, Perry (near McCook) and Wauneta.

* To the south is the bus rebuilding enterprise which is filling the former school building in Jennings. Another former school building -- in Herndon -- has been acquired by an Oregon company as a future site for making medical implants.

* To the north, plans have been announced for ethanol plants in the towns of Wallace in Lincoln County and Moorefield in Frontier County. And Curtis, also in Frontier County, is benefitting from the successful Midwest Special Services, Inc., which provides statewide transportation services for prisoners and those served by social services.

In addition to the area-wide successes, the Golden Plains is anchored by the outstanding industries of McCook, including the Parker Hannifin hose-making plant; the Valmont Industries' center pivot manufacturing facility; the Burns Podiatry Laboratory; the Kugler Company headquarters; the Springer-Magrath Company; the McCook Work Ethic Camp; and -- the granddaddy of them all -- Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.

What I'm trying to get across -- with these examples -- is that business and industry not only exists -- it thrives -- in the Golden Plains of America. We know that's the case because we've watching it happen.

For proof, I invite you to take a close look at the McCook Daily Gazette's 2007 Progress Edition. I assure you: it's impressive to behold all that's happening, not only on the industrial front; but also among the retail and wholesale businesses of the area.

I'm proud of the Gazette staff for the outstanding work they did on this year's edition. Please join me in saying thanks to the newspaper team. In my opinion, the staff's work compares favorably with that of newspaper professionals in much larger cities.

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For many of my years in the newspaper profession, it was my honor to work side-by-side with Bus Bahl and June (Sines) Bahl at the McCook Daily Gazette. During my years as managing editor, I worked closely with Bus, who was the mechanical superintendent, and June, who was a home newswriter.

It therefore gives me great pleasure to announce some extraordinary news. This past Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, was Bus and June's 72nd wedding anniversary.

Bus, who is 96, and June, 93, were married Feb. 16, 1935, at the St. Patrick's Church Rectory in McCook. I'm still in regular contact with Bus and June, and love hearing their stories of days gone by, including many remembrances of the life and times of Harry Strunk, the flamboyant founder of the McCook Daily Gazette.

Please join me in congratulating the Bahls on their 72nd anniversary milestone. Cards will reach them at 402 Missouri Avenue Circle in McCook.