Grannie Annie and your old columnist really enjoyed a sumptuous Thanksgiving meal with daughter Nancy and family. Turkey, sliced ham, green bean casserole, cranberries, stuffing and my list of favorites goes on and on. Followed by watching football on TV, it was a perfect day...

Yes, a favorite United States holiday will be here in two days. It is my favorite. Grannie Annie and your old columnist have celebrated all over the USofA, but of course, the food at home is always the best. Food, family, and friends enjoying it all. What could be better?...

Sadly, your old columnist just learned of the passing of a dear friend from being a roommate in college, in this case at the brand-new Air Force Academy. Jon Black was his name, and he came to McCook to stand with me in Grannie Annie and my wedding. ...

People. I love people. Recently, your old columnist has had the opportunity to interact with ladies who have relations serving as security guards in McCook’s “new” Cornhusker Clink. Somehow, each has expressed reluctance to discuss their husband, dad or son’s experiences working there in our repurposed Immigration Processing Facility...

Take a rope and pull it beyond its limits, and what happens? Snap as it pulls in two. Our federal food stamp program, currently called SNAP, has expended all its funds due to the Democrat inspired government shutdown, so it is unavailable to those in “need”. Yes, a Federal Court has ordered that the SNAP program continue, but hasn’t indicated where the funds to continue will come from. A political mess!...

Stepping outside in the McCook area these last few days, one can see low and lumpy cloud ceilings, mostly clear views of the horizon. Now put your pilot hat on and think what it looks like out of the windshield as you descend through those clouds to land back home. ...

This has been a difficult column to write, as I may be trampling on some good friends’ toes. Forgive me if you are a bit offended, but maybe there is a message that you need to listen to. It has been “interesting” to look over the thirteen names of locals who signed off in support of the lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) taking over our local State-owned McCook facility. ...

This is a bit of a departure from my usual column and is a small portion of my family history. I hope that you enjoy. My dad, at about age six, lost his father due to medical inadequacy, no antibiotics, before 1920. His mother was a teacher and noted that dad and his younger brother tended to get into trouble in Lincoln during summer vacations. ...

Grannie Annie spoke out in disgust. She had just read that some charter schools, in the East, including Washington, DC, were paying groups of their senior students $50 a week to attend school. Yes, the money is from a grant, not your tax money—so far. They give the student a credit card and pump $50 into the kid’s account each Monday morning. There are no restrictions on how the money is spent...

I loved it! A tongue-in-cheek comment from someone who mentioned that we should call it the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement or just simply NICE. So what we have a building north of town can just display NICE on the signs along Highway 83. Not a bad way to think of the agents that will be working there either. Welcome to McCook...

How in the world did our Chamber of Commerce schedule such a perfect weather day for McCook’s Parade and Norris Park full of activities? Music, favorite foods, wiener dog races and lots of booths for shopping, and “education.” It was a great time for all...

Note the excellent article in the Gazette last week. Editor Mike was illustrating the large decrease in nearby residents of Hispanic ethnicity coming to our community to shop and dine. Our local Mexican restaurants especially have noticed the decrease in customers since the announcement of the upcoming ICE detention facility. Walmart too...

Your old guy columnist is pondering a recent family problem with the current drug problems in our beloved United States. Pictures on TV show a massive explosion in a fast-moving boat reportedly carrying several thousand pounds of precursors for making drugs, like fentanyl, headed for the United States. The boat and its eleven occupants, now deceased, had departed from Venezuela and reportedly were members of the MS13 gang or cartel...

Last Friday’s Gazette had an interesting article about our upcoming ICE Detention Facility. The article contained samplings of an unfamiliar outfit (unfamiliar to me) called Nebraska Appleseed, where some 18,300 Nebraskans had registered their complaints, or opinions, about the upcoming conversion of McCook’s WEC, Work Ethic Camp, into a processing facility to oust Illegal Aliens back out of this country. ...

This past week, in broad daylight, I observed an attractive young lady walking alone on the sidewalk of East J Street and then turning the corner to walk south of East 11th Street. Not an unusual sight in McCook, the future home of the “new” Ice detention center here in the middle of our nation. ...

Pondering the defeat of the recent bond election to replace our deteriorating Junior High building, I visited with several ag land owners who voted NO. Their reason was simply that taxes are just too high already. Yes, they agreed that the current Junior High building is in sad shape, but the outlook on corn prices is pretty sad for this fall, also...

McCOOK, Neb. - On the eve of a pivotal bond election, the McCook School Board held a brief and largely routine meeting Monday evening, reviewing annual policies and preparing for the start of the new school year. The meeting opened with public comment from a McCook resident who voiced concerns about district policies related to allegations against a junior high teacher. ...

Don’t miss it. Camp Comeca is having its annual Cookout this coming Saturday, the 9th of August. No cost for admission, but free will donations would be appreciated. It will be a fun afternoon with activities or just visiting with friends, new and old. ...

The TV weatherman predicted 104, my car thinks 107, but the “official” aviation weather at McCook Airport sez 106 degrees Fahrenheit. So it is hot out, but you already knew that! Ah, but we chose to live here in Nebraska, so there should be no complaining...

I have driven through the Hill Country in Texas, where the flooding along the Guadalupe River took place recently. I don’t recall whether I passed through the town of Kerrville, where some 135 persons were victims of flooding. Incidentally, the latest count is three persons still missing, down from the 120-plus that were earlier listed as missing, but were since accounted for. Still, it was a disaster, familiar to us from our losses here in the 1935 Republican River flood...

Our McCook Gazette has had a longtime reputation for illustrating and championing changes for the good of our whole Southwest area, where we have chosen to live. The Gazette was the first in the nation to use general aviation to rapidly distribute its printed word. ...

Independence Day has come and gone with a wonderful set of activities in this corner of Southwest Nebraska. Bicycle riders stopping through, kids’ things at the Fair Grounds and grand community fireworks displays. All day long and late into the evening, youngsters (and maybe those not so young) set off fireworks. For me, that is what the 4th of July should be and that is celebrating the birth of this wonderful country in which we are lucky enough to live...

Over and done with! Yes of today your old columnist is no longer an FAA CFI. That stands for Certified Flight Instructor, which in the civilian world means a qualified instructor to teach students to fly airplanes. And yes, it was my choice as the ravages of old age are setting in on my body. ...

An older, longtime Democrat friend asked, “Can you think of a time when the U.S. committed an act of war against someone who hadn’t struck us first?” It was at breakfast just after our successful B-2 plus strike against the nuclear facilities of Iran. I stammered a bit and suggested the start of our Civil War when the North went against the Southern Confederate forces. Somehow, that really doesn’t count because that is in the country, and my friend had a more worldwide view...

Yes, it is a Federal Holiday and the banks will be closed. Juneteenth, observed on June 19, recognizes the official end of slavery in the United States. Actually, it was 71 days past the surrender of General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army to end our nation’s Civil War. ...

Yes, it’s coming this weekend. Our McCook community’s storytelling festival. Promises of a good time for all, plus learning a bit (more?) about our local history, the exceptional people who once lived here and made our city, and nation, what we know exists today. There will be entertainment, education and food, so what will be your excuse for not participating?...

VBS, vacation bible school. Faith Junction, a western-themed four-day Christian-based school for the younger set. They came from many churches in McCook and it was a chance to get Jesus in their hearts. Food, age-appropriate activities and creative exercises—what’s not to like? Mission accomplished as our three great-grandsons really enjoyed. ...

One hundred twenty-five years and still fulfilling its mission in life. Yes, the Old Stone Church is still doing service by bringing the community together, plus restating our pioneer ancestors’ affirmation of our Christian faith. The day was threatening rain to supplement the half-inch or so that came in the middle of the night. ...

I’ve been tickled by a reader’s comment. The nice lady told me that her husband too took great pride in his efforts to make straight rows when he planted corn. She always told him that there was more corn in the crooked rows than in the straight ones...

It was a birthday surprise for your old columnist. Our son Don, who lives in California, arrived on the local airline into McCook. The plan was to stay a week and leave for back home on Mother’s Day. After a couple of days working at his rental apartment, he kept complaining of always being exhausted and feeling a tightness in his chest. ...

Great Grannie Annie and the Old Guy were invited to our fourth grader’s special school program for his special event. All the fourth graders were assigned to select a person in our country’s past; characters that they looked up to. Our Elijah chose Babe Ruth and so dressed like the Babe would have. ...

The Boss Lift went off without a hitch. Many of you asked about the helicopters flying low (legal altitudes) over McCook and circling around over the Lake and countryside. Yes, it was the Nebraska Army Guard giving rides, in their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, to deserving area residents who make accommodations to care for their employees who serve in the Guard...

Your old columnist stopped to fill our vehicle with fuel at our favorite gas station. It was crowded with a camper and several cars waiting in line. In no hurry, I parked and went inside to visit with Todd. The gent pulling the camper, when full, courteously pulled ahead to clear the pumps for others to use while he inspected his rig. ...

Happy Income Tax Day. We filed early and have already received our refund. The IRS doesn’t pay much (any!) interest, so overpaying is not a real good practice! Will have to adjust my withholding amount. Still, it is encouraging that Elon Musk and his DOGE team are finding and eliminating so much fraud and unnecessary spending of federal funds that we may experience less need for tax money. Hope reigns eternally!...

The year was most likely 1944, and my dad needed a tractor driver. His forty-some acres of potatoes, people food, were ready to harvest. At the time, German Prisoners of War were available to do the manual labor of picking them up. Dad was borrowing neighbor George Clark’s one-row potato digger and was using his John Deere tractor to pull the machine...

Meet Joe and Thelma. Happy 90th birthday to Joe and Thelma isn’t far behind. Being as Thelma was born and raised in England, how in the world did she get connected to a farmer from Southwestern Nebraska? Turns out that Joe is an Air Force veteran, and Uncle Sam selected him to do “his thing” stationed at a busy airbase in Jolly Old England...

When is a residential move complete? Sure, one is reminded to have utility accounts disconnected and paid off. (Spending money for unnecessary things is always a good reminder!) The Post Office is cooperative about forwarding letters, but changing the address for all the other “necessary” mail that one receives seems to be an unending task. ...

Moving completed; well, almost. I still have boxes to empty, shelves to fill, and pictures to hang, but for the most part, it is done. Now, to clean out the former home, twenty-plus years at that address, give away to friends and relatives the things we don’t need and have a final estate sale. ...

Quoting from a General Aviation magazine that I receive: For sale: Thriving Aircraft Maintenance Facility with 2-bay hangar and office area. Fits Singles and twins. Forty+ local customers. (Then the bad news!) Based in Auburn Maine. Must have A&P/IA...

Drive through the Red Willow County Fairgrounds and note the variety of buildings. Big arenas, government office buildings, a 4-H building which doubles for a place for auctions, barns for livestock, church food stands, and a place for community meetings complete with a kitchen. ...

I received a tip from a pastor friend this weekend. “Go to our big box retailer and pick up a magazine titled A.I. (Artificial Intelligence). He was also of the opinion that A.I. was not very compatible with our understanding of the Christian faith...

I awakened this morning to the sound of screech, scrape and laboring pickup engines. Kyle Potthoff and his crew of young guys were pushing the newly arrived snow off our streets. Then it wasn’t long before my grandson-in-law, Brant and his oldest son Elijah appeared with their snow blower and a shovel to clean sidewalks and driveway. ...

Our daughter Nancy called and said, “Mom, you are going to hate it! LOL (Laugh out loud).” She was referring to the about to be watched Super Bowl halftime show. She was so right but then Grannie and the old guy aren’t into Rapping or whatever that was. ...

Your old long-time pilot is getting lots of questions concerning the recent helicopter and airliner crash. It is all speculation on my part, as all the facts and opinions that I’ve heard are from news sources that may not fully grasp the facts. The helicopter, an Army Black Hawk, evidently flew into the airliner and ripped it apart. ...

One can meet the most interesting people in the world of civilian aviation. Last Sunday, this old flight instructor arranged to check out a gentleman from Omaha in an old Aeronca Champ, 1946(?) model, at the Oberlin Airport. The flight went well and I cleared him to return to the Omaha area. It turned out that Mike is a former Army Black Hawk Helicopter pilot now serving on the battle staff of the E-4B’s stationed at Offutt as an active duty Lt. Col...

It has been subtle and always a bit in the background but there seems to be a new war against alcohol. Use of alcohol by you, me, and our friends consuming the myriad versions, mixes, of the chemical ethanol. Humans consume the version called ethyl alcohol, and it is a drug that is made when yeast ferments the sugars in grains, fruits and vegetables. ...

Gee. Strong winds and a fire. Things like homes, barns, parked cars and about everything else gets burned up. What was it two or three years ago, our neighbors to the east just down the Republican River Valley experienced that very thing? Now, on a much larger scale, we can see on TV probably the largest fire disaster that has ever happened in our dear old US of A. ...

Your old columnist has been wracking my brain about what to write about this new year. I checked with Grannie Annie, and she had suggestions! What do you think a couple of eighty-year-olds do on New Year’s Eve? Yeah, you are right – go to bed around 10, maybe a few minutes later than usual. I’ll admit that I did wake up a bit before midnight, the new year dawning to fireworks, by obviously the younger set. No problem going back to sleep a few minutes into 2025!...

The last day of a significant year in our lives. It is a good time to sit back and review 2024. Good, bad, or was it just another year gone by? Actually, my sister Margaret, age 92, (I think!) summed it up nicely in her Christmas card. “2024 has been a good year for us as we’ve stayed well and active. Life in a retirement home keeps us safe, fed and active.”...

I’ll just pick and choose as I share some of the most memorable Christmases I have passed along in this life. My age at the time is in question, but the first Christmas that I remember was of a Christmas Eve service at the old Stone Church south of Culbertson. ...

How about this for a perfect Sunday? Attend early church. Then, drive to Camp Comeca, the “church” camp on the scenic south hillside of the Platte River Valley. At Comeca a great noon meal of fried chicken or turkey roast with all the trimmings. All served in the “Reverend Edgar“ dining hall at the cost of a free-will donation. Plenty of good Christian friends to visit with, followed by a comfortable drive back home...

A really great way to get into the Christmas spirit. Lighted trees in Norris Park plus up and down Norris Avenue, now Santa Claus Lane. A hayrack and three white horse-drawn carriages giving rides around the park. Snack food booths and a variety of dancers and talent shows taking place in our iconic band shell topped off with a nice drum concert by high school students. ...

It is everywhere. Our fair city is decorated with Christmas Holiday tinsel and trappings. The nice weather has helped people get out and decorate the outside of their homes and city crews have hung the festive displays on the light poles of the main thoroughfares. ...

That Thursday morning dawned clear and a bit cool. We bundled our two children into the back seat of our Volkswagen and drove the 30 or so miles up to the tourist site named Plymouth Colony. Ann (a lot of years before the appellation of “Grannie Annie” appeared) had partially prepared our Thanksgiving feast and the turkey was slowly roasting in our oven back on Otis AFB housing...

“I can’t believe that you voted for HIM! I thought that you were my friend! Look at her shirt! That’s terrible!” Those were the words, or ones like them, that greeted my daughter Nancy who lives in Omaha. Yes Omaha, Nebraska a day or so after our most recent election. ...

This column was written the day before the 2024 Presidential Election, so therefore your old columnist has no clue who will be chosen as our political leaders for the next two, four or six years. Like you, dear readers I have my favorite picks but only the counted votes, in a couple of days, will determine the winners...

I don’t know about you but I am sure getting tired of all the appeals to send money. Send to this or that politician, some whom I’ve never heard of before, don’t live in my district and I don’t know whether I approve of them or not. The text of the message is that it will be a disaster if I ignore the request and sit on my hands...

Recently your old long-time pilot the column writer was invited to a meeting with our McCook Mayor. Our airport manager, also known as City Manager was present. Our Mayor asked this old guy to resign from my membership on the local Airport Authority Board. ...

…And then there were three in Saturday’s Heritage Days Parade. Yes, three of Ford Motor Companies’ historic Model T’s, and all were the two door coupes. Two were 1927 models, the last year that they were built—the next version was the Model A. The third was of course, the 1925 Model T Coupe that Grannie Annie and this old guy has owned, with great pride, since 1953. Next year it will be celebrating its 100th birthday. I hope to live long enough to see it...

Your old columnist made a bit of a mistake last week and I apologize. I mentioned that the team of volunteers that are putting together the large fund to make modernizing improvements to our YMCA would depend on tax money for a backup if they came up short. ...

I think your old columnist sometimes wears too many hats. For one, I have long been the class scribe for my McCook High School graduating class of 1955. I keep a master copy of the addresses and phone numbers of the dwindling survivors of our aging graduates. ...

Here it is, Labor Day, and I am laboring by writing yet another column. It is not the grinding muscular type of labor but more a challenge of the mind. It is my memory interspersed with everyday life. The challenge of today is identifying successful people. Are they our friends and neighbors that have managed to make themselves rich? Have they made life better for the people in the community that lives around them? Are their children successful and independent? Are they happy?...

It is the time of year when our local leaders are preparing their budgets for the next fiscal year. Budgets also require local taxes for we, the governed, to pay. They haven’t asked but this old past county commissioner and city council member would like to offer my two cents. Yes, I know good advice is worth it, especially about what one has to pay for it...

On Sunday, August 11th, your old columnist ventured south of Indianola to attend the final “Bum Malleck/Griff Malleck Memorial Threshing and Wanda Malleck Memorial Quilt Show.” It was the concluding part of the always exciting and fun Old Settlers Picnic of the Indianola community. Parades, lots of homemade food, friendly people to visit with, and the Threshing Show was only four miles south...

Boys are different than girls. Vivi la difference! Well maybe the Olympic Committee that oversees the sport of boxing doesn’t understand. Why in the world would they let two men(?) biological males that self-identify as female compete on the world stage of boxing? The women who have earned the right to go against them haven’t done well and it looks at the moment that both of the transvestites will be in the medal winner’s circle. ...

Actually is wasn’t a formal contest but I was intrigued by Ronda Graf’s appetite for Fair Booth pie. I think that I sampled four different varieties of “homemade” pie at the Methodist Fair Booth. Due to family (Grannie Annie) constraints I never made it over to the Catholic Food Booth for a piece but I did send a grand son-in-law to check out the Catholic’s offering. ...

Recalling fun times, unexpected romance at the fair The big events are the demo derby, concerts, rodeo, and more. To each his own, but this old guy is more attracted to the events involving the youth of our community, particularly the 4-H events and those that involve animals. Possibly it goes back to my youth as a kid raised on a farm...

Pausing to remember At the persuasion of Grannie Annie your old columnist has been working on an obituary. Mine! Actually two versions. One for my friends from the Academy Class of ’59 and my 20 some Air Force years. The second for those in this community in which I’ve served and gotten so much in life over the past near half century. You’ll have to wait for the finished project. I’m ready but in no hurry!...

Yes, your old columnist loves a parade, and our neighbor Culbertson has the best! For years I have driven my Model T and observed the crowd from the inside, but this year Grannie Annie and I elected to watch from the sidelines along with our five great-grandsons and their parents...

It is coming up; the kids will love it and dogs hate it. Fireworks that is, and the excuse is Independence Day or, as most call it, the 4th of July. Most of the surrounding small towns will have a celebration one way or another and McCook is planning a big family event also. Choices...

I’ve been reading Pete Hegseth’s latest book “The War on Warriors” and agree with some/most of what Pete is complaining about. Actually I am reminded of some of the things that I also experienced during my 25 yearlong Air Force Career. Hegseth is a principal on Fox News that I’ve watched for years. ...

McCook’s 27-year journey from controversy to celebration Yes it has come and gone, Buffalo Commons Story Telling Festival here in McCook that is. Having lived through its start and 27 iterations now, it is interesting, at least to me, that people, local and from afar, have little idea of what it is all about. So here is an old guy’s attempt to bring a little clarity...

The local chapter of DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) presented a Certificate of Award to Linda Nielsen and her local Lutheran Church Adopt a Chaplain crew for Excellence in Community Service. As most in this community know Adopt a Chaplain is an effort to send care packages to military chaplains deployed overseas in current areas of turmoil. ...

A thankful life Twenty years and counting. Maybe it is time to pass the baton. Still it has been a labor of love under the guise of community service. You see yours truly has been the ESGR, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, representative advocating for the local McCook units. This past Saturday I spent the day in Lincoln doing annual training and was surprised at being awarded a 20-year pin for my service...

This past week Grannie Annie and your old retired Air Force veteran columnist joined in with a group of local American Legion members in honoring a special businessman. He is Adam Siegfried owner and manager of the Coppermill Steakhouse, an elite restaurant in our fair city. ...

Special weekend coming up. Top of the list for Grannie Annie and me is the annual meeting of the Stone Church on Sunday the 26th at 6:00 P.M. You too are invited. There will be a nice service in the historic old structure followed by light refreshments. Come visit and celebrate how Christianity was practiced by those who homesteaded this area in the late 1800’s. I’m a bit partial as it was my ancestors that had a part in building the wonderful old structure...

Did you vote in our Primary Election today? No complaining if you didn’t! Sometime last year I dropped by the Quality Inn in McCook exploring room rates for an upcoming family (Trail) reunion. The motel had recently changed hands and I was privileged to meet the new owner. ...

Greetings from the Omaha area. Grannie Annie and I are enjoying a week with our daughter and her husband who live here. She put together a big surprise birthday party for her old dad yesterday. Great good time with relatives and friends. Hard to believe that it was #87!...

Grannie Annie and the old guy went for a little ride to check out the activity of McCook’s new housing development now named North Pointe Addition. So sorry that I missed the ribbon cutting by the City staff and McCook Economic Development Corporation. It looks like Amanda Engell is making a positive impact on our community...

Ah ha. Election season approaches and some of the voters in Red Willow County will be choosing to reelect their Commissioner or one of the other gentlemen running for office. This former Commissioner has an opinion but that will be kept close to my heart...

Grannie Annie and this old guy went on a wonderful local excursion this past Saturday. Long overdue we toured the sixth floor of the Keystone and the ArtBank here in McCook. Yes your old columnist hasn’t been too much into modern art as I prefer mechanical perfection especially modern machines that fly with pilots on board aka our local airport. Still I’m willing to explore and learn...

“Oh the monkey wrapped his tail around the flag pole and the wind blew…” well the rest of that marching “jody” is unprintable but here in Southwestern Nebraska we got a strong dose of it this past weekend. Gusts up to 65 miles per hour. I rolled up roof sheeting on the City’s Taj Mahal, a couple of overturned trees and a few dead branches littering the few miles of street that I drove. ...

No, funerals are not happy times but as my pastor says we are all terminal so we should make the best of it. Last week I grieved at the funeral of the wife of my best friends in life. Dan was a compatriot from country grades through high school until we both went off into the Air Force. ...

Why yes I like living in Nebraska! Why do you ask? It is hard to imagine that due to blizzard conditions schools would be closed along with many businesses. Tornado warnings were close by, Norton, KS, last evening but no reports of damage—so far! The calendar just turned to spring last week but evidently, winter wasn’t quite over...

We have choices to make in our lives and our pastor says to choose wisely. Daily choices such as making one’s bed each morning and choosing what to eat. Housekeeping such as the bed making are a matter of personal pride but the diet choice has health consequences and Americans are currently being accused of being overweight or obese. I hate that word and honestly struggle a bit with that problem. Oh well...

Your old columnist apologizes for being a news junkie but feels the need to comment. Yes Grannie Annie and I leaned back in our easy chairs to listen to our President Joe Biden (D) deliver his annual State of the Union Address. It was a good idea for the Republican Majority Leader, Mike Johnson, to caution his people to not be disruptive because they had lots of chances to object. ...

I was visiting with a friend lately that has recently purchased a new vehicle. He was complaining about all the new “conveniences” that came with his new pickup. For instance, it steered to the center of the lane that he chose to drive in but squawked or chimed when he got too close to a line on the pavement. ...

You may have noticed that our City Council followed the advice of a hired consulting firm and elected to raise water and wastewater fees starting shortly. Gripe and complain might be the response of we taxpayers. Still, let’s think about it a little...

Congratulations to those individuals who organized Bison Days last week and made it happen. Possibly the effort will inspire more of our valuable youth to stay in our community after they graduate. You may know that your old columnist loves visiting with people I meet daily. ...

Hallelujah, it was done. My 86-year-old lenses clouded with cataracts were removed and replaced with new plastic ones this past week. Evidently I slept through the process while the capable eye surgeon made the intricate incisions and slipped the old lens out because I never felt a bit of pain before or after. And yes my vision was a bit cloudy for a couple of days but is better now with the promise of continuing to improve. Grannie prods me to wear my sunglasses and be careful!...

Practice what you preach The news announced that Mike Gill, former Trump official tragically died after being shot in Washington D.C. during a car hijacking. Then you may have noticed that Congressman Henry Cuellar (D) Texas made the news, this weekend, by having his personal automobile hijacked in Washington D.C. ...

Back in January of 1959 your old columnist was in trouble with the school authorities. For a long weekend I had flown a T-34 of the Academy Aero Club back to McCook for some family event. The weather turned sour and we left the airplane and my dad drove me back in a blizzard. We almost made it back in time but I was a few minutes late clocking back in...

Congratulations are in order for Becky Dutcher who is retiring from Management of McCook Housing Agency. You may know the place as Missouri Avenue Circle. Becky has managed the place for umpteen years and upon reaching the age of retirement is happy to turn the reigns over to new talent. ...

Your old columnist attended a funeral last Saturday. It was a celebration of the life of long retired Optometrist Don Brooks a few months shy of 100 years old. Don was one of the notable citizens of McCook who helped make this the successful community that we know today...

Ah the border crisis. Everyday on the news we see hundreds of illegal aliens boldly walking across our southern border. Reports are that they come from almost every country in this modern world. Some 302,000 this last month and no indication that there is any end in sight. That large number doesn’t include what they call the “Got Aways” the ones that sneak in without reporting to the Border Control authorities. Somehow those arriving all seem to be well dressed in clean clothes...

Grannie Annie and this old guy spent a couple of hours watching 2024s brand-new year’s version of the Rose Parade. It brought to mind our own experience of participating in that hallowed event some years back. We had been in Southern California to celebrate Christmas with son Don and family and he encouraged the trip to Pasadena which was only about a half-hour drive. ...

Yes it is Christmas Day as I write. Cold and blustery with concerning roads as my daughter and husband drive back home to Omaha. We track their progress and wish them well. Update: They made it just fine but reported that the roads were really terrible. Undoubtedly thousands of families throughout our country are experiencing the same concerns...

Way back almost 60 years ago Grannie Annie had a next-door neighbor (across the carport) who taught her how to make krantz. Possibly my spelling is incorrect but Carol told that her mother had immigrated from Poland and it was a holiday pastry tradition form the old country. ...

The word of the season this year at our house is JOY. Our Christmas tree proclaims it as well as other signs posted around our house, even a dinner plate. It was our daughter Nancy who suggested that we change our grumpy attitudes about being tired and complaining about body hurts all the time. ...

The tradition continues. Yesterday seven of my long-time friends, former Air Force buddies and their relatives, showed up to bunk for a week in my hangar. What is it now, something like 40 years! This group hails from North Carolina, Arizona, Illinois, and Colorado. ...

I’ve read several accounts this week of a gentleman in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, who died and willed a large chunk ($3.8 million) of his estate to the town of 4000 residents. Much appreciated and a committee was formed to use it in an appropriate manner. Gee, that sounded familiar! Yes, it wasn’t long ago that McCook benefited from my own high school friend Jim Lee or “Scout Lee” as we called him, who did something similar...

One hundred and fifty boxes all packed and sealed with love from this community mailed to our troops deployed overseas for Christmas. This community all up and down the Republican River is awesome to care for our servicemen risking their lives in some pretty austere places to protect our way of life. ...

It is wonderful to live in this community in Southwest Nebraska where military veterans are so appreciated. MNB has a line of local veteran’s portraits all around Norris Park and there I am beside my special cousin Chuck in his Naval uniform. Many names and pictures I don’t recognize but it is a chance for us to thank them all...

Yep, it is that time of year again. Time to load boxes to ship to our Military Chaplains stationed overseas. Items in the boxes will be passed out to our troops deployed near overseas hot spots to make their Christmas a bit less lonely. I know as I’ve been there and done that! During the summers of 1967, ’68, and ’69 I was doing temporary duty in Southeast Asia flying tanker refueling missions in support of the war in Vietnam. ...

This old former military guy has spent considerable time following the war in Israel on the tube these past several weeks. I’m rooting for Israel whom I consider the most capable of winning. Personally, I think that we Americans should also get involved with our more than capable military. We should go all out and not repeat our failure in Vietnam or Afghanistan. Those failures were both on behalf of our political leadership not our armed forces...

I just dropped Grannie Annie off to “work” at the Methodist Helping Hand Thrift store. She loves doing it on Mondays when large amounts of donated goods come in over the weekend. She sits in the back non-visitor area and prices a range of presorted items. ...

Oh, the pleasure of being Grandpa. This fall I enjoyed watching two great grandsons play flag football. Well organized it is a great program for our youth. Staffed by volunteers and the different teams sponsored by special entities here in McCook. The best part is the number of parents, grandparents, and interested friends plus families that attend the 45-minute-long ballgames. ...

Each year during Heritage Days one of the highlights is the Annual George Norris Institute Prayer breakfast. McCook has been fortunate to attract a variety of good speakers honoring the works and successes of one of McCook’s more illustrious former residents. TVA and enabling our rural electrical system to be built and Nebraska’s unique non-partisan Legislative Body come to mind...

It is interesting to your old columnist that so many of the illegal immigrants coming in through the non-existent southern border are coming from the South American country of Venezuela. It wasn’t that many years ago that Venezuela was a rich country, rich in oil that we from the United States had discovered and developed for them. Then the socialists infiltrated their government and nationalized their oil industry—just took it over and declared it owned by their now Marxist Government...

As I write this it is the birthday of my beloved US Air Force. Created in 1947 it has served our nation well. Happy Birthday. Well, I received the dreaded pink postcard in the mail this week telling me that my City taxes will be going up. That was not a surprise because inflation continues to weaken the dollar and many of their expenses keep going up as well. ...

A bit of perspective to COVID here. As you dear readers know your old columnist is no medical doctor but here is a brief sketch of what it was like to experience the modern version of the disease, the virus we call COVID 19. The first symptoms of our experience, as Grannie Annie followed me a couple of days later, was a listless feeling of runny nose and uncomfortable chest and lungs. ...

Last week I had an interesting encounter at our local airport. Just outside the walk-in gate I noticed the Captain for our Fed Ex aircraft in conversation with a gentleman oh about sixty some years in age. The Fed Ex gent seemed a bit reluctant so I stepped up to introduce myself. “Hi I am Dick Trail a local flight instructor.” as I extended my hand. The other gentleman stated “I am Bill from Arizona”. It might not have been Bill but that will do...

County-wide law enforcement? We could only hope An opportunity to save tax money that probably won’t happen. You may have noticed that our McCook Chief of Police is departing in the near future. It would be a wonderful opportunity to convert our entire police force to the Red Willow County Sheriff’s Department. ...

Oh, it is a busy time of the year. For instance, this coming Friday, the 25th there are three events in my world, yes aviation, to choose from. For one I could travel to the Hastings Airport to attend the annual gathering of the Antique Aircraft Association, Nebraska Chapter. Old airplanes and some antique pilots as well and I probably qualify on both accounts with the 1946 Aeronca Champ that I own...

Were I to ask ten of my dear readers where in the world is Tonga? Well, maybe my friend Satya who is the manager of McCook’s Quality Inn and Suites Motel would respond correctly. You see Satya and his spouse are natives of Figi not far from Tonga in the broad expanse of the tropical South Pacific. Still, I’d bet that no more than two of my readers have any idea of the importance of Tonga or more properly its nearby active volcano named Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai...

Hop in your car or take a long walk to enjoy a wonderful place to live. Yes, our little area of Southwest Nebraska is at its peak for summer comfort. It is Monday as I write this and the temperature is right at 80 degrees F. with a light breeze of about ten miles per hour. There is a high overcast so the danger of sunburn is minimal. Enjoy it because we know it will soon change...

“Mom these green beans are delicious! I can see why ‘Papa’ got a purple ribbon for them at the Fair.” So spoke my great-grandson as he was eating freshly picked green beans from my garden this year. Wisdom from the mouth of babes; spoken by an eight-year-old!...

The local Fair is over and life is back to normal. No I didn’t make the goal of eating a whole pie, six pieces, from our favorite food booth. Actually a lot more calorie discipline was necessary so Grannie Annie and I traded on choosing the flavor and only ordered one piece at a time “with two forks”. When a couple has been dating for over 70 years sharing a piece of pie is no big deal...

Fair week for Red Willow County is here already. We can make it as interesting and as fun as we wish. There is even a chance to enjoy good-tasting “fair “food. Somehow, I’m a little partial to a piece of fresh-baked pie but limit myself to one piece a day. Oops, I shared that with my Grannie Annie proofreader and she pointed out that would be an entire pie! Maybe we need two forks and share...

Twenty some years ago enterprising citizens became aware of a problem affecting our local communities in western Nebraska. Materials of a hazardous nature were appearing in waste management systems in our local communities throughout the State. Things like partially used cans of paint, used oil, leftover chemicals from farm operations, exotic laboratory chemicals from small high schools that had closed. ...

Who has more fun than people? Adult fun, no giggling, just good adult conversation. I’d like to offer last Saturday on the Streets of McCook for the 7th annual “Cruisin’ the Bricks Car Show and Cruise Night!” Well organized. Lots of prizes, some for the neat cars and some for just showing up. Things for kids to do. Food truck plus local take out and restaurants. Even the weatherman cooperated. A bit hot but then this is summer in Nebraska and there was adequate shade to seek...

Whether one realizes it or not, this is a wonderful community in which we have chosen to live. Yes with my military background where my little family was required to live on each corner of our beloved United States, north-south-east west we experienced a variety of customs and people but felt most comfortable returning to our roots here in southwestern Nebraska. Like everywhere it has its ups and downs but at heart, it is true community where people love and care about each other...

It has been interesting to read the frustrations of camper owners that are being kicked off their long-time rented spots on nearby Bureau of Reclamation Dam sites. Swanson Lake near Trenton seems to be in the crosshairs at the moment though Harry Strunk Lake near Cambridge has had its fight and lost. Hugh Butler Lake north of McCook is sure to be next...

A pleasant Wednesday mid-afternoon. Driving on West J Street, I was taking Grannie Annie to grocery shop. The next thing I became aware of was son Don announcing beside me that they were flying me by helicopter to Kearney. Grannie circled by me there in the emergency room to wish me luck and announce that “She was alright.”...

For some people, place is an important part of their life. For instance, my sister Virginia, who was born in a farm home some eight miles south of Culbertson made arrangements to be buried in Grove Cemetery only about one mile from her place of birth. ...

We the older generations are watching, some participating, in a revolution in our country. It is also a revolution in developed nations worldwide. That is the evolution of communication, intelligence, and access to data, whatever one chooses to call it. For most of us older normal people it is just easier to ignore the whole idea...

The brief notice stated that Walter C. Sweeney III has “departed this earth”. “Walt Sweeney passed away after a long illness on Friday, May 12, 2023. When funeral plans are made further information will be provided.” The notice came from friend Max Miller who is the go to scribe for our college class. ...

The short little message read: “Little, did you know that the flight you took me on in your champ years ago would result in me becoming a pilot as well. I still have pictures and video and you and I flying back down. I have no desire to fly for the airlines. But I think I will do some private charters in fairy Plains as a side gig in retirement.”...

Ah yes, it is the season. Ads in the paper and on the radio. Hand-printed signs along the streetside all advertising “Garage Sale” along with location plus times and dates. Spring, like right now, and fall seem to be favored times but if one looks a sale seems to be announced about any weekend year around...

We don’t hear a lot about it on national news, but things are brewing big time in the Near East. A couple of evenings ago Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the nation in a setting like our Commander in Chief would speak to our nation from the Pentagon only with none of the military generals present. ...

This old, has-been military careerist, has an opinion of the “Top Secret” leaks/leaker that is big news of late. As usual, there is lots of opinion on mainstream media by talking heads that have never been granted clearance for classified material. Most have no idea of the penalties for improper handling of classified material and we see a lot of poor examples in the headlines of late. Your President and mine for instance taking classified material home and carelessly storing it!...

I have been following carefully the war exercises that Communist China has been doing over the Straits of Formosa or is it called the Straits of Taiwan? Obviously, some of the pictures shown on TV were taken from Chinese Communist Air Force (CCAF) aircraft. ...

Dear reader, did you catch it? From out of the blue the Nebraska Department of Economic Development has chosen to grant the City of McCook some one million dollars to create “workforce housing.” $1,000,000 free money — what could go wrong? Personal experience teaches that there may be strings attached!...

Politics is a world of compromise. Sitting on a local board, such as the County Board of Commissioners, City Council or even a Service Club like Kiwanis or Rotary has its good as well as rare frustrating moments. Sometimes one knows the better way to go, gets out-voted and then lives to see the disaster that awaits. Been there and done that!...

They came, they saw, they dined, and they bid — some really high $$$ bids. But it was all for a worthwhile cause. Their dear to the heart cause of enabling the Christian Education of our next generation of precious children. Yes, the participants all already pay taxes to support the public schools, no choice in the matter, but obviously feel that a religious-based education is important enough to contribute over and above...

The ads keep coming. “If you served at the Marine Camp Lejeune between certain dates you may be in line for a great amount of compensation. Contact such and such law firm.” or something like that. Don’t bite would be my advice as it is a get-rich scheme to make a group of lawyers even more rich. ...

Life is grand! This past week this old flight instructor was privileged to take a student instructional flight to Chadron, Nebraska. Flying direct the route takes one through the heart of our national treasure the Sandhills. I love the place, the people, the sea of grass and the myriad of lakes and ponds. In years past large herds of bison roamed and now the whole area is devoted to raising cattle a major source of healthy red meat to feed our nation...

Oops! I got my story wrong last week. I spoke that my friend and high school classmate Goldie had found her lifemate Anthony as a football player at McCook Junior College. Not so. The story starts earlier. It was during WWII when the McCook Army Airbase was active. ...

And the saga continues. A huge balloon shot down and now two, or maybe three “unidentified objects” shot down. President Biden didn’t get a lot of credit for his late decision to terminate the huge (weather?) balloon with the excuse that he didn’t want to cause casualties on the ground when it fell. ...

Oh, such excitement. A weather balloon floating across the United States. A big balloon visible from the ground but at a very high altitude. The news pundits on TV expounding on whether it was a spying device for China that maybe was snooping on our defense installations. ...

Thank you all my taxpaying friends. I recently received an EOB (Explanation of Medical Benefits) from a program that we are subscribed to called TRICARE for Life. Actually it was for, Grannie Annie, my wife’s visit to our local Hospital Emergency Room. Our total bill was considerable but for us it came to $0.00. Our medical insurance paid it all...

You my dear readers may have noticed that your old columnist is not really hesitant to express my political feelings in what I write here. Few probably also know that I have been the scribe of my high school graduating class attempting to keep all our members informed of the happenings of each other as we progress through life. Our numbers are down to about half of us still living and that probably has something to do with having a large number of birthdays...

There it was on the menu; seventeen varieties of soup from which to choose. The spinach tortellini looked good to me and it definitely was. My second choice was the beef, mushroom and barley and that met expectations also. Fresh-baked cornbread plus a variety of homemade desserts and the evening meal was complete. It was a fundraiser that Grannie Annie and this old guy attended for the little rural Garden Prairie Church north of McCook...

Yea! President Biden checked the box. He can now truthfully state that indeed he has been to the border. He went to El Paso, one of the spots where generally few illegals cross and had pictures made in the shadow of the big tall wall that President Trump had built. ...

Well, it is the 3rd day of the new year 2023 and I’m wondering how your New Year’s resolutions are going. Did you make any? Have you broken any yet? To be honest I too have cheated a bit. Grannie Annie and your old columnist are trying to lose a bit of weight using the current Weight Watchers app on our cell phones. ...

Our calendar has been full this Christmas season but one of the highlights was McCook’s Peace Lutheran Church’s presentation of a Living Nativity, Bethlehem, AD 2022. Held in the huge Alice area building at our Fair Grounds it was inside and comfortable no matter the weather outside. ...

Ah ha ready or not; Christmas is coming! Visions of snow, decorated trees, stockings hung on the mantel, presents, happy and excited children. Family. Yes, that is a vision of our happiest holiday in this place we have chosen to live. It would be different in say Australia or South America south of the equator and hence in the middle of the hot season—summer. There too they celebrate but no matter Christmas is about family your traditions and those of our family...

“Small town America. This is so much fun!” That was my daughter Nancy commenting on the Light Parade in McCook Saturday evening. She lives in Omaha and had not seen anything like it in her town. Oh yes, the turnout was wonderful, my guess some 25 or so entries. ...

Did you notice? The UN projected that the world population, we humans, reached 8 billion souls on November 15th, just 14 days ago. No celebration just a noteworthy fact. Now consider that the population at the time of Christ was around 200,000 for the entire world. Gee there have been some changes made in those 2000 years passing in time...

In a couple of days we will be enjoying Thanksgiving. It is one of this old gentleman’s favorite holidays and hopefully yours too. Family time. An occasion to sit around a table brimming with good food, healthy if you choose, and celebrate each other’s lives. ...

The local celebrations for Veteran’s Day were a wonderful experience for your old columnist. Editor Bruce covered the event at Central School well. What was not to like, good food for breakfast, the awarding of a plaque inducting me into our High School’s Wall of Fame and a chance to say a few words to the youth present—our future...

I am writing this on the day before the mid-term election. I have no real clue as to the outcome just hunches and wishful thinking. Hopefully, the candidates with a conservative bent will do well. Still, those with liberal progressive thinking have a millstone around their necks dragging them down, their President Biden, so I think that the results will be good for our country’s future...

Yep, Grannie Annie and I made it to the dia de los los muertos celebration. Perfect day for it there in the neat Norris Alley and Keystone setting. Enjoyed the Mariachi Band and wonderful food; street tacos, enchiladas, tamales and best of all the wonderful assortment of Mexican pastries. The younger set was enjoying the craft-making and face painting...

There was a wonderful letter to the editor in last Thursday’s Gazette. A gentleman from California had gotten off our Amtrak and spent 48 hours in our 48th county here in McCook. He obviously enjoyed his visit. Worth the read if you missed it. Your old columnist has been pondering a bit about the upcoming vote on the prospect of financing a new swimming pool and ballpark. ...

This week I met with an energetic, strong-willed young woman who was out to convince your columnist to “get on board” and convince people to vote “YES” on a ballot issue. Should McCook commit to raising our current sales tax another one-half percent to pay for swimming pool restoration/upgrade plus a new ballpark? One bonded indebtedness commitment and two different building projects...

It was one of the best Heritage Days here in McCook. Perfect weather, great parade, booths and food trucks at the park, good entertainment venues at the bandshell and in Kiplinger Arena plus a tribute to one of McCook’s own, Senator George Norris. Adding to the good times were four or five high school reunions bringing old friends back to town. What more could one ask?...

In days of yore a large hollow cornerstone, filled with mementos and treasures were laid to start the building of temples and important governmental buildings. This weekend Grannie Annie and this old guy journeyed to Colorado Springs to celebrate the laying of, important to me, the cornerstone for a new visitor center and business complex for the Air Force Academy. ...

Just as advertised Grannie and your scribe made the short trip to join in Stratton’s Fall Festival. Actually, we just took in the Parade down their main street. I tickled a bit as we took our place in the shade of the Methodist Church by the announcer and judges’ station. ...

Grannie Annie and I traveled to Curtis to attend their annual Harvest Festival. Curtis is a bit close to our hearts because that is where Ann and Dick first met at a 4-H Camp 70+ years ago. Then too Ann’s mom was a long-time “Boys Dorm Mother” at the Ag School there and loved the life...

It has been an interesting trip for your old long-time retired Air Force officer and pilot. An airline trip, in the rear as a passenger, ugh, but on time and efficient. Omaha, Grannie Annie chose to stay with our daughter, to Chicago, busy, to Providence, Rhode Island. Oh, how our country changes from our home in the center to the East Coast. This summer from droughty brown plains to green tree-covered low hills weaving through coastal inlets and roads winding crooked as a snake...

On a quiet Sunday afternoon, Grannie Annie and your intrepid columnist took a drive around the housing neighborhoods of McCook. Primarily I was interested in the conditions of people’s front yards. We found that the majority of residents took pride in their lawns with green and recently mowed grass. ...

Allow your old columnist to reflect a bit on the history of this wonderful bit of Southwest Nebraska in which we have chosen to live. Prior to the Civil War our prairie land was mostly uninhabited. Sure a few Native Americans in their wandering hunting lifestyle came and went as they pleased but rarely did they establish long-term villages in this area. Cattlemen grazed the open range and occasionally cattle drives transited from Texas to the rail terminal in Ogallala...

Front page news: “Council OK’s new 27-home North Pointe subdivision”. It is interesting how time changes our development of projects in our City. A few years back another developer approached our City with a similar proposal. A plat was drawn up, streets included. ...

It is amazing how many of the goods that we are currently buying are made in China. Our powers that be in the Military keep expressing the opinion that war with Chia might be on the horizon to prevent them from taking over the independent nation of Taiwan. ...

This weekend we had occasion to drive from Omaha south to Nebraska City. It is interesting to see how diverse this wonderful State of Nebraska truly is. From the nearly barren hills around Scottsbluff to the verdant farmland of our eastern reaches agriculture is king but truly varies from west to east...

The discussion on McCook’s upcoming swimming pool project has been interesting of late. Yes, it will cost local taxpayers money, more taxes. Yes, most people think that we are already paying enough. Still, we need to look at the bigger picture. Yes, we raised the sales tax to finance the new Safety Center for the City of McCook plus several other things at the time. ...

Grannie Annie and I made several trips to the Red Willow County Fair this year even though the heat was a bit oppressive. Fresh pies and “fair food” at one of the church-sponsored food booths were the main attraction but there was so much more. I was raised a farm kid and the yearly county fair was a goal to display 4-H projects, dairy as we milked cows and later beef projects in FFA. ...

Our McCook City Council is in the process of deciding whether to raise our local sales tax another half-cent to build a new swimming pool. Yes the question will have to go for a public vote in the upcoming election so the choice will eventually be made by you the voter...

Losing a younger brother and lessons on life Your old columnist is treading a path that I’ve never walked before. That being the loss of a sibling, my younger brother Tom. Like we of the “older set” he’d led an event-filled life. Failing body systems had put him in ICU on a respirator and dialysis then a flare-up of bone cancer. The wonderful hospice organization put him on palliative care and then his time had come. May his soul rest in peace...

The morning of July 3rd arrived just before one o’clock AM with persistent phone ringing! Brant Scherbarth our grandson-in-law announcing “Papa, Mo is going into surgery at one AM to take the twins out!” No more sleep, for a while, for Grannie Annie and this old guy; the proud set of great grandparents to be...

So do you ever get a bit dissatisfied after watching the national news and pondering the things gone wrong in this wonderful country of ours? Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s January 6th committee meeting to dishonor former President Trump. Representatives Maxine Waters and Chuck Schumer braying out violent threats against the Supreme Court Justices who decided Roe vs Wade differently than what the lefties had in mind. ...

Take a drive out into the surrounding countryside to look at the crops and pasture land. A week or so ago the pasture grasses were a nice fresh green in color. Now they have the lighter grayish hew that signals dry dry dry. The wheat crop is turning a golden ripe color but if you look closely the stalks are shorter than normal and the heads are even shorter. ...

Do you remember what you were doing just forty-two years ago? Think your job, where you lived that sort of thing. Imagine a flashback to relive one of those days again. Allow me to share. In June of 1979, this old warrior was the Commander of a KC-135, Air Force refueling tanker Squadron. ...

It has been interesting to watch the Queen of England’s Platinum Anniversary Celebration. Seventy years in office-the longest reign of any monarch in the long long history of Merry Olde England. Yes, the Brits do celebrations well. The uniforms, the formations, the military equipment from ancient to modern — it all has deep meaning. None in the world do it better!...

It has been interesting to watch the Queen of England’s Platinum Anniversary Celebration. Seventy years in office-the longest reign of any monarch in the long long history of Merry Olde England. Yes, the Brits do celebrations well. The uniforms, the formations, the military equipment from ancient to modern — it all has deep meaning. None in the world do it better!...

\A little cool and windy but the ceremony of remembrance went on. Yes, the local Memorial Day event at our major cemetery. Our national flag and flags of our military forces are all manned, and one woman also, by veterans who served. The traditional firing squad renders a 21-gun salute. ...

The big national news of the day, many days, is the crisis of limited supplies of baby formula. Empty store shelves. Mama’s looking all over to find supplies for their infants. Large stockpiles of the formula are stockpiled at our southern border to give to mothers of infants illegally immigrating into our country. ...

Interesting Smithsonian exhibit at the Keystone to walk around and think about. It closes on the 25th of May so don’t delay if you haven’t experienced it. The theme is rural America and we live smack dab in the middle of it. For one it made me think of Grannie and my decision to “retire” back home here in this area. ...

Graduation week. A time to congratulate the high school seniors, that we know, wishing them well for achieving a major milestone in life. Tradition now seems to be a big reception, for friends and relations, following the commencement exercise to mark the significant occasion. Grannie Annie and I have attended a couple so far with both offering wonderful meals not exactly good for a weight loss diet but one can’t demur for fear of offending the host. Yes, I know!...

It was just an old airplane headed for a forever-after life in a museum. You, my dear reader, probably saw its picture on the front page of last Thursday’s, April 28, 2022, McCook Gazette. Sixty-two years old and providing worldwide airborne refueling services worldwide throughout its career. ...

We here in McCook have been fortunate to miss, so far, the Southwest Nebraska grass fires. To date two firefighters dead and too many farmsteads destroyed. For those affected it is hard to appreciate how their lives will be altered. Roads closed to travel. Dry conditions and strong winds are spreading the devastation. Hopefully, relief will be in sight soon...

Is a wonderful holiday. Not only is it’s message inspiring it is a good occasion to gather with family and friends to celebrate in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Some forty of our fellow congregants gathered at my hangar, at McCook’s quiet (that time of day) airport, to watch the sun peek over the horizon to officially start our Easter day. ...

And the wind blew. Terrible fire down by Arapahoe, thirty miles long. Sadly a life was lost. Prayers for a rapid recovery for those who lost their property, fences and top cover for crops. Yes, we live on the Great Plains thus it has been so for millions of years. The best place on earth and it is the people that make it so...

There are some neat little tucked-away places in Nebraska that are truly hidden gems. One of my favorites occupies the hills south of Cozad, Nebraska. It sits on the high bank above the Tri-County canal a massive 1940s construction undertaking. It goes by the name of Comeca Camp and Retreat Center and is well worth the hour or so drive from McCook to investigate or attend...

Finally at last our President Joe Biden spoke some sense. After touring a Ukrainian refugee camp in Poland and seeing with his own eyes the plight of those escaping Vladimir Putin’s cruel war of conquest Biden spoke to the world press. He stated that Putin must go. In the view of this old Cold War warrior, Biden was right on...

About every channel you watch on TV shows terrible scenes of the damage that Russia is wreaking on the Ukrainian people. Apartment buildings burned out, shopping malls blown up, streets littered with fragments from bomb explosions, automobiles and buses destroyed the list goes on. Citizens by the millions escaping and finding refuge in neighboring countries. All that destruction and displacement makes one wonder what is the aim of the Russians?...

I caught a news clip on my internet where the author noted that traffic of people filling their cars in Mexico has really increased the last week or so. Seems that gasoline is only about a dollar a gallon less than back home in the USA. Evidently, borders do matter...

I received a nice large-sized postcard in the mail touting a resolution being currently considered in the Nebraska Legislature. It was describing an effort to raise more taxes to operate Nebraska and eliminate our Real Estate Tax along with eliminating the Income Tax and the State Corporate Tax. The intention was to collect all the needed revenue via a new “Consumption” Tax. Intrigued I punched in the website to LR264CA to find out more about the bold (harebrained) scheme...

For this old gent with a military background this current war, the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian armed forces, is a bit hard to watch. Quite properly in the vast majority view of US citizens, it is well that our leaders have not committed our own military but it is still hard to watch. It is reminiscent of Hitler’s blitzkrieg of Poland that was the start of WWII...

So the Russians are going to invade and take over the eastern one third of Ukraine. It is roughly the third of the population of that country and they speak the Russian language. Obviously that aggressive takeover is in Russian Dictator Putin’s plan to expand his influence back into all the territory that Joe Stalin took over after WWII. ...

Our community was very much in action. Grannie Annie and I participated in Hillcrest’s Night on the Hill fundraising celebration last Saturday evening. Lots of the movers and shakers were there but best of all were the large number of young adults, family people, the dynamic ones that make our economy happen day after day. ...

The winter Olympics are in action in Beijing as I write. Grannie Annie and I so enjoy watching the pageant of young people out competing their hearts out. Grannie especially loves the ice skating, singles, couples, and ice dancing. It is amazing the facilities that the Chinese have created to host the games. ...

It was a heartwarming sight. A middle-aged pair of grandparents dining out with cute well-behaved granddaughters. They had selected a round corner table away from the crowd but the two little girls, hair black and curly, and my guess age two and four years old, couldn’t have had any better manners. Grandparents so proud. The experience made my day...

For an old guy I thought President Biden did pretty well in his “Meet the Press” session last week. Two hours and a bunch of unscripted (?) questions. Of course, he had hidden backup throwing up suggestions behind the scenes that we couldn’t see but two hours would be a tough stint...

You missed it. The lecture at MCC by Dr. Byrd, Colonel Air Force Retired, from Wyoming. Doctor as in Dentist. Good showing of college kids but very few from we the public and yes you were invited. It was an interesting presentation. He started with standouts in our US history of persons of color from before the Revolution to the present day. ...

Quoting from President Lincoln’s Gettysburg address:…” that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom----and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” I’m a little afraid that with the current majority in Congress we may be veering a bit away from the ideal that Abe Lincoln had in mind. ...

The year 2022 has arrived. So far so good. A little cold in this area but little wind and no fires as our neighbors in Colorado suffered. May the good continue for our area. Last Friday’s edition of the Gazette was superb. It had a nice concise summary of the past year, 2021, in this area. ...

Each year Grannie Annie and I look forward to receiving and sending a flurry of Christmas Cards. Having made friends in many parts of this old USofA the celebration of our Savior’s Birth is about the only time of the year that we are touched by these good people. ...

Yes, it's official! Grannie Annie and the old guy have arrived—old enough already. The doorbell rang and gathered out front in the dark and cold was a group of youth from the church singing Christmas Carols to us. We are truly blessed. I tickled a bit during the pastor’s sermon Sunday. ...

Grannie Annie and this old guy ventured to Omaha this past weekend. We went to visit our daughter which is always a joy. Checked on our son-in-law’s installation of a new knee and he is doing well. The miracle of modern medicine. As per usual a good part of the trip was on Interstate 80 with quite a little traffic. ...