Nebraska City's Arbor Day speaker, Governor J.J. Exon, will make his first appearance in town since his election.
The governor will give the message at Arbor Lodge Mansion, home of the founder of Arbor Day, J. Sterling Morton, on May 2.
We welcome the governor to town. And we hope he will favor us with more visits than his predecessor.
Arbor Day is really April 22, but Nebraska City businessmen have changed the date to the first part of May in favor of better weather.
We all recalled a few years ago on April 22 when we looked out the window and saw four inches of snow. That was the day representatives from all 93 counties in the state were to be here for a tree planting ceremonial on Centennial Avenue north of Arbor Lodge State Park.
Since then, the date has been changed to apple blossom time, the first part of May.
Ken Wiles sez that unless we get on the kini poo-poo (that's "on the ball" in Hawaiian) and print the complete Elks election story, no one will know where to pay their Elks dues.
Sorry about that. Folks, the Elks elected Ken Wiles (prime suspect for pipe-snatching) as secretary. So get out your spondulix before he duns you for $17.
We're joshin' Kenny, of course. He's been secretary for about 18 years and as exalted rulers will testify, he does a fine job. We understand also that Robert Swinney will be appointed chaplain by Exalted Ruler Ron Eiserman.
The Rev. George Metzenthin and members of his congregation were saddened with the loss of St. John's Lutheran church to flames last week.
A special meeting was called of the church council to organize church services. Today, Sunday, the Lutherans will occupy the Methodist church in Otoe.
But that will not last long.
Although Methodists in Otoe admit their church appears to be falling by the wayside, they will need it on Palm Sunday when the district superintendent speaks.
The Rev. Emmett Streeter, a black preacher, is a "militant" for Jesus. Methodists in the Otoe community would do well to attend his service and hear his simple, but appealing plea to live, work and act like a Christian.
The Nebraska City Golf Association has recommended new greens and membership fees this year which are considerably higher than in previous years.
The recommendation was not done without thought, according to Verne Jones, president of the golfers. For that matter, it is a recommendation only and the park and recreation board will fix the fees.
Just as a comparison, let's name a few:
Nebraska City's family membership would be $80 a year (It was $50 last season).
The others:
Falls City Country Club, $129.
Shenandoah Legion, $136 (non Legion member, $150).
Auburn Country Club, $100.
Sidney, Ia., $65 (supported by county tax).
Beatrice Country Club, $175.
Greens fees ranged from a low of $2 to $5 on weekends and holidays. Nebraska City's fees varied depending on nine or 18 holes. Low figure was $2.25 for nine and high was $4.50 for 18 holes on weekends and holidays. The old fees were $1.75 and $2.50.
Little Bucks:
Jerry Schmitz sez he plans to go fishing soon because there won't be any elections in the county this spring and he's had enough elections, to last him and the catfish for a long time or at least until the next time . . . Bonnie Schneider says the pool playing time for the gals has been changed from 3 to 5 p.m., on Saturdays because more adults want to play and can't get out of the beauty shops in time to chalk cue tips . . . The Red Cross nurse asked to see both arms the other day at the Bloodmobile. She was looking for needle marks indicating a drug user.
Young man told me between the toes is as good as the arms.
The other day we read where 1,000 people paid $125 a plate to honor a Mafia leader. It's sort of disgusting when Johnny gets picked up as a minor in possession of alcoholic liquor while a gangster is the banquet honoree . . . A reader called to say that not all the boys and girls were in the picture of the Peru State speech contest. We checked. She was right. Instead, we had printed all the names. The next day Don Carlile of Peru State sent us a picture with a few of the youngsters with the award. Thanks to the Peru Staff . . . I wonder if Bill Jenkins has any friends. He's the guy responsible for a lot of band instruments in homes and that means noise, noise and noise. Mebbe we ought to give him an award as the Born Loser . . . Don Haith says Nebraska City may have touch-dial telephone service on special order in a year, perhaps less.