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?

No. None of those. In Dr. Garlick's mind, they are nowhere nearly as rich as was his father, Guy Bryan "Buck" Garlick. "My father is the richest man I ever met," George said Friday while in Curtis to launch Frontier Technologies, the new technology company which will be based on the campus of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

"Dad never earned more than a dollar an hour," Dr. Garlick said, "but he was rich in knowledge and he was rich in insights."

During the speeches he gave during the Frontier kickoff, Dr. Garlick made frequent references to his father's advice.

One of Buck Garlick's insights has direct application to the Frontier Technologies' development in Curtis. "You can do anything you put your mind to," Buck Garlick told his son, "but you can't do it alone."

When George Garlick was 13, his parents moved to Curtis from their farm, which is located near Quick. Buck took a job as a janitor at the Nebraska school of agriculture, but later in life had to give up the job when his eyesight faded.

Still, Buck left a lasting imprint on his son, passing along philosophies which still guide George's life. George quoted four of his father's principles at the conclusion of his remarks: "1. Never criticize another person; 2. Be the first to apologize; 3. When you are criticized, don't defend yourself. Just keep doing right.; and 4. Always think of others first."

Buck Garlick was born in 1896 and died in 1965. He did not accumulate many material possessions, but he passed along valuable insights which have inspired his son to create technology companies which are serving people throughout the world.

Teachers Take Responsibility

After years of trying to come up with effective methods to teach reading, the McCook Board of Education made a decision earlier this year.

The board placed responsibility for the elementary reading program in the hands of the local teachers. In my opinion, that was the logical course of action.

The teachers, some of whom have been around for years, know the students and they know the town. They also are passionate about education.

For those reasons, I hope the teachers' plan is approved and that the entire community -- pupils, parents, teachers, administrators and taxpaying citizens -- join together to help make the program work.

Reading is at the heart of educational success and we must do all we can to see that the school's program succeeds. As we do so, let's take time to thank those who had a part in developing the reading plan for the elementary grades.

The team includes: Kindergarten: Cassa Haney, Stephanie Sydow, Shari Lyster, Cindy Lawson, Susie Davidson and Bev Klein. First Grade: Bev Schlager, Denise Buddenberg, Patty Eisenach, Mary Jane Mires, Cheri Wallace and Elizabeth Yilk.

Second Grade: Cherl Cunningham, Carole Gaunt, Kim Johnson, Jeanette Rawlings and Diana Robinson. Third Grade: Jan Applegarth, Paula Davis, April Green, Patty Smith and Charlene Springer.

Special Education: Kay Hardin, Tracy Flaska and Laura Nokes. Title Programs: June Dewey and Marlene Meitl, and: School Psychologist, Lynse Schmidt.

Also, while you're at it, says welcome and thanks to Lynda Baumbach. She's a former teacher who's taking over as the principal at McCook Elementary.

The teachers and resource staff spent time in both June and July to develop the program, which will be up for approval at tonight's meeting of the Board of Education.