Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” is one of my favorite novels. Perhaps it’s because of the lyrical motion of the words she employs in telling the story of Jem and Scout and their father Atticus. Maybe it’s because of the lessons Lee imparts: don’t be judgmental, treat others the way you wish to be treated. I believe it provides a realistic portrayal of life in the deep South during the depression era. Let’s not sugarcoat it. Lee saw plenty of social injustices growing up in Monroeville,...
Isn’t it amazing how a game changes over the years? During the late 1960s, Mom coached volleyball in Clay Center. I remember sitting on the stage in what later became known as the “old gym,” watching her toss the ball to the girls, running some kind of hitting drill. I can see a line of girls practicing their underhanded serves, some of the balls skimming over the top of the net and landing in the back corner of the court. I vaguely remember a few games taking place against area schools. There...
“Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.” I read this quote, by author Mason Cooley, recently and it made me think about Halloween traditions and costumes from my childhood and ones my kids wore. Mom loved Halloween. She’d decorate our house with pumpkins and black cats and ghosts. Then, on Oct. 31, she’d create a tablescape by the front door, with a kitschy orange plastic pumpkin overflowing with candy, black taper candles and a notebook with parchment paper, so trick-o...
I made two confessions this weekend to friends from long ago. We reconnected Saturday at the Northeast Nebraska Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Norfolk. I serve as secretary on the board of directors, thanks to longtime family friend Troy Weyhrich, whose dad, Don, drove the unforgettable $1.98 modified. Don hailed from the Wausa area, as did my dad. Summer months were spent at the racetrack when I was young: Friday nights in Hastings, Saturdays at Mid-Continent Raceway and...
For the past month, I’ve been sorting through photographs taken by our staff. I had an idea for a newspaper page, but it simply didn’t come together. I’ll save the idea - along with the photographs - for another time. What was I looking for? The truth, which can be seen in all snapshots. Photographer Lisette Model was a 1940s street photographer, best known for work defining human character. She was a pro at using reflection and levels to show and contrast a parallel universe at street level...
Last week's poll question has stirred a craving for pizza. Specifically, Mom's homemade pizza. The crust wasn't fancy. Usually, she whipped up the recipe printed on the Bisquick box and added a few herbs and spices to make it her own. She'd brown seasoned ground beef, mince a yellow onion, chop black olives into rings and dice mushrooms and green peppers. A thin coating of pizza sauce and generous amount of mozzarella made it a special treat. Homemade with love, not a quick and easy takeout...
I wonder if people who think nothing cool happens in Nebraska have paid attention to the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska contest, sponsored by the state’s manufacturing alliance. ICYMI, here’s how it works. Manufacturers and related sectors were invited to nominate their favorite Nebraska-made product. The top 16 were placed in a bracket, with head-to-head voting taking place. What products made the top 16? Chocolate Meltaways from Bakers Candies; M Grills Big M Smokers made by Kinney Man...
A free press has been always a common denominator in this country’s history. Since the origin of the “Federalist” papers, which offered the ideas which became the U.S. Constitution, the press has played an active role in being the watchdogs - or fourth state - ensuring American citizens, and their civil liberties, are protected. The free press serves as the voice of the people, providing transparency and challenging government abuse of power. In several states, including Nebraska, lawma...
Since Scott and I have been married, we've had one pet, a chocolate lab named Copper. When she died a few years ago, the thought of bringing another pet into our home never crossed our minds. How could she be replaced? She'd been a loyal companion ever since someone dropped her off in our driveway at the farm. A few years ago, Elizabeth and I suggested we adopt a dog from the local shelter. The newsroom could use a news hound. Someone to keep us company while we pound out the paper on deadline...
Ask 10 people who they would choose as the most loved television or movie couple and you’ll get 10 different answers. While Ross and Rachel spark excitement for “Friends” followers, the chemistry between Robert Kincaid and Francesca Johnson, in “The Bridges of Madison County,” is undeniable. Questions like this make me chuckle, especially when I receive a press release from a London-based public relations firm, letting me know that Lois and Clark top the most-loved list for a lot of Nebraskan...
Random thoughts on a Tuesday, as this week’s deadline looms: • Sometimes, an overactive imagination can be detrimental. I have a list of 10 column ideas, but the analogies weren’t panning out. Oh, the words were flowing, no doubt about that, but the mental image wasn’t connecting among the dots. There’s always next week. • Small-town community celebrations are simply the best. The Page and Orchard communities put on great events this past weekend. From the purple and white balloons drifting fr...
As I’m writing this week’s column, it’s the day prior to my birthday. I’ve got German chocolate cake, oozing with homemade coconut pecan frosting, on my mind. It’s my favorite birthday treat. That’s why I had to laugh when an article, published by “The Conversation,” mentioned one of the latest life hacks is “treat culture.” It’s not an entirely new idea. Consumers have been soothing their souls and rewarding small victories by purchasing treats for time immemorial. In the past, a new piece of clothing or pair of shoes filled my treat habit...
Another year, another milestone. The volume number on page one's flag notes a flip of the calendar. This edition marks the beginning of what will culminate in our fifth year of publishing the "Summerland Advocate-Messenger." It's been a whirlwind. It's required late and/or early hours. It's meant hard work, occasional frustration and an intense amount of laughter. Plus, it's been some of the most rewarding work in which we've played a part. We believe in the power of community journalism, how a...
Our family gained six new members recently. They’re cute and cuddly, afraid of getting too close to anyone but their mom. A momma cat - we call her Patches - invaded our deck early this spring. I told Scott she obviously is - or was - someone’s house cat. She’s kind of tame, kind of wild. Patches also brought several feral friends of the male persuasion with her, taking over our wrap-around porch and backyard, invading our neighbors’ homes, too. Around the first of June, Patches deliver...
Katie Lee, a cookbook author, cooked up the perfect essence of summer when she said, “If summer had one defining scent, it’d definitely be the smell of barbecue.” Oh, so true. Summertime takes me back to days gone by, recreating visions of Dad grilling steak or pork chops on a charcoal grill in the backyard. The waft of barbecue reminds me of burgers on the grill and neighborhood get-togethers. And, since I’m writing this three days before my favorite holiday, I’m craving a juicy, stuffed b...
Another year, another successful Clearwater Rodeo in the books. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, it takes an entire village to work together to put on one of the greatest shows on dirt. Thank you to every person who volunteered to make the weekend a success. Whether you sold program advertising, worked in the concession stand, assisted with construction of the new chamber facility, ran chutes, worked security detail or picked up trash, your help is genuinely appreciated. Vol...
It’s amazing (and maybe a bit sad) how a simple conversation, or in this case, a Twitter post, can send you down a rabbit hole. That’s how I spent an hour, Sunday, after reading a friend’s post and the responses. His tweet - this week’s poll question below - is this: What is the best song that has Nebraska in either the title or lyrics? Many songs were familiar, but there were a few I needed to investigate. I compiled a brief list and listened to a few unfamiliar tunes. Scrolling through...
Consider it love at first sight. She was sleek and fast, a force to be reckoned with. She was a 1967 Mustang, with a metallic teal blue paint job, woodgrain dash trim, black leather seats and the iconic Ford Mustang logo embedded in the grill. My then-boyfriend purchased her about a year after we began dating, an upgrade from the two-door Impala he drove on our first date. I learned how to drive four on the floor in this beauty. On weekend afternoons, we’d head west, on the research center r...
It began with a yellow piece of paper, taped crookedly on a wall by four jagged pieces of electrical tape. A single word, written in blue block letters, spells out the theme of what many need to remember: BELIEVE. Three years ago, Jason Sudeikis’s “Ted Lasso” wrangled his way into living rooms and hearts, sharing his kooky, quirky, optimistic, Midwestern wisdom from Richmond Green, in England. The streaming show, featuring the American football coach taking over a British soccer team, premiered...
You discover a different perspective when you rely on a walker for mobility for several weeks. Following hip surgery, I pushed a walker, primarily for stability, strength and balance. Man, woman and child, did I learn a lot. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines accessible as “a site, facility, work environment, service or program that is easy to approach, enter, operate, participate in, and/or use safely and with dignity by a person with a disability.” The ADA became law on July 26, 1990, and was amended in 2008 and 2010. Here’s an obser...
The word “gift” has been on my mind lately and it’s been churning, causing me to contemplate the significance of the term. A memory sparked, involving gifts. I’m certain that’s why it’s been lingering, nagging at me like a penny waiting to be picked up and examined. Years ago, during family Christmas, we’d pile gifts in the middle of our grandparents’ living room. Sometimes, we drew numbers, other times, we’d go oldest to youngest or vice versa, to determine who would be first to select a packa...
Years ago, on late evening car trips, Dad would turn the dial to WLS or KOMA or WOAI - radio stations based in Chicago, Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The radio’s light illuminated my parents’ 1961 Ford Galaxie and later, the 1974 Ford Gran Torino. Turn the dial, watch the red peg move across the screen, landing on 890 or 1490 or 1200 and listen to the family singalong, even though static may have served as a scratchy filter. Once home, I’d move the dial until one of the stations - usual...
“Patience is a flower which doesn’t grow in everybody’s garden.” I wonder if the originator of the aforementioned quote ever went through hip replacement surgery. At this point, this patient is becoming impatient. I’m ready to ditch the walker but, after 15 or so steps, I realize I need it for stability. I’m ready to go upstairs, but the 15-step trip down to the landing worries me. I’m ready to sleep in my own bed because, even though I complain to Scott it’s time for a new bed, our memory foam...
I’ll keep it short and sweet this week. Someone once told me not a lot happens in our small towns every week. Working from a hospital bed for three days last week, I can tell you otherwise. I have a full page of articles to prep for upcoming papers, advertisers have products to promote and news happens at a quick pace. I’m thankful for technology that allows us to work and share what’s happening, even if it’s taking place while I’m in rehab from hip surgery. That’s some good news I’m happy to share....
I’m a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child. This week, I’m a firm believer that it takes a village to get the paper from InDesign to our printer in Iowa to your mailbox or vendor, if you aren’t a subscriber. By the time you’re reading this column, I should be home, recuperating from hip replacement surgery. The sciatic pain I’ve experienced for the past 18 months turned into a painful hobble that, eventually, I could not stand anymore (literally). I visited an orthopedi...
