The year that was

It is just about to an end. Thank goodness.

It has been a year of non-stop campaigning. Tiresome after awhile. Enough is enough. Obviously your writer is happy with the result of the election even though Donald Trump was not my first choice of the candidates who stepped forward. The real test of President Trump's ability to be president will come with time. We can only wait and watch and see. Judging from his cabinet picks however he is off to a good start.

Progress in McCook being community this year nearly past I would judge excellent. New homes being built is a good thing. A dynamic new leader came to manage the McCook Economic Development office and in my opinion is doing an excellent job. Being around him you'll find his enthusiasm is infectious.

It has been a so so year for agriculture, the backbone of our community. Crop yields were fantastic but low commodity prices killed any largess so it was about business as usual. At the moment it is looking to be a coming tough year but time will tell. If farmers do well our local economy does well but unfortunately the converse is also true. Might be a good time to tighten our belts a bit.

Grannie Annie's Adopt A Chaplain program of ministry to our deployed military forces reached new heights of success in 2016. This community and that includes people from many miles around are, to me, unbelievably generous. It has been heartwarming to see such a fantastic outpouring of donated items to send and the financial support to make it happen plus a great number of volunteers to help pack and send the boxes on their way. You have made Grannie Annie one very happy lady yet as she says "She is only the hands and legs, it is you that made it happen."

This old guy could write on for a couple more pages on good deeds large and small that this year has brought to us. However these words come hard because my mind is focused on getting Grannie Annie out of the hospital bed she has occupied in Omaha some six days now and counting. Hers is a digestive tract problem and it promises to get better. My task is to remain close to her bedside and lend moral support. We shall persevere and come back home to a happier life. The sooner the better.

We both are so thankful for the multitude of prayers offered in her behalf.

That is the way I saw it.

Dick Trail