Dick Trail

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. “Cherry with a nice rich flaky crust” was the report and a buck cheaper than the Methodist’s offering. Also noted was that the Catholic offering was smaller in size also. So I judged the pie contest a tie! (Chickened out!) I did get my longed-for smoked turkey leg to feast on.

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. ...

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...

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...

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?...

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. ...

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. No! Their plan to meet their goal is to depend only on donations. That is you and I sending a check out of our personal funds. Grannie Annie and I have done just that so let your conscience be your guide if you too haven’t opened your billfold and given them a generous gift.

"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. ...

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. ...

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...