Marilyn Jacobsen of North Platte, writes her thanks to "three young men from your county."
"Recently on my way to Omaha I had a flat tire about 10 miles outside of Lincoln. Being a woman alone I had neither the strength or the know-how to change a tire on a Cadillac. It was a terribly cold, windy day, sleeting and snowing.
"I sat on the side of the Interstate for an hour watching the traffic pass me by with only a curious glance. Several sanding trucks passed right on by even though I tried to flag one down if only to ask him to send help to me.
"Then these three wonderful guys stopped and asked if they could help. They were in a pickup, license 11-1318. They changed my tire under terrible weather conditions and absolutely refused the money I wanted to pay them.
"I was so cold and so close to tears at this time I could only say, thanks a million.
"But I will never forget their thoughtfulness or ever stop thanking them in my heart."
Well, Miss or Mrs. Jacobsen, we contacted Sheriff Russ Seals' office and he gave us the names of the owners of that license number (Nebraska truck licenses can be the same number but in either farm or commercial.)
Jim Hanks and his brothers, Tom and Alan, were en route to Omaha, when they stopped to help you. They are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hanks, route three, Nebraska City, 68410.
And you might be interested in knowing that Jim is a Peru State graduate and is principal of Pius X high school. Jim and his wife, Joanne, have two children, Eddie, four and Renae, two years of age.
The other two young men are students at the University. Tom, the merit scholar, is in his fourth year of studies as an agricultural engineer and brother, Alan, is in his third year of studies of agronomy. All are graduates of Nebraska City Senior High.
So, you see, kiddo, you didn't get any special favors, just plain old courtesy from farm jockeys who are living in the big city now.
Now, you know all about us apple pickers.
The only Jacobsen I know is Wayne, the editor of the North Platte Telegraph and if you're related to that pipe smoking rascal, then you've got your hands full.
Best wishes, come down to this country and look us over. Apple cider, fresh cherries, City parks and picnics are what we call living high on the hog.
Just things.
Mrs. Henry Stoewe said she read about wedding plans at our house and offered advice on planning. I suggested she talk to the War Department and turned to Henry and asked him about cost. Henry said, "mumble, mumble, mumble." Which, I guess, means that he'd rather have kept daughter, Lois, at home, but "Whoopie" Landis was an insistent cuss. Oh, well, that's been some time ago and the next generation has been the object of attention.
Which means, of course, that now I should consult "Whoopie" on the costs for the NEW generation . . . that'll be the day . . . between yarns from "Whoopie" and Bernard Ruby, we'd all get tangled . . . mebbe Bernard would do a song and dance routine.
There must be something pretty super about the First District commissioner job to be vacated next month by Chas. J. Gude, Sr. Six people have applied. It pays $3,400 a year.
Then, there is the county civil defense chief job which was vacated some time ago by Ed Ernst, but who has stayed on until the county board appoints a new chief. Only two people have applied for that job (understand at least one other man may file his letter). That job pays $2,400 a year.
The Department Commander.
Ed Chizek, Omaha, is a war veteran who takes a close, personal view of his military service and the organization he represents, the American Legion posts of Nebraska.
Commander Chizek spoke briefly at the Legion "ladies night" meeting on several topics, but there were a couple that he really put across home plate — drug abuse and the return of POW's and MIA's.
The huge man with the broad shoulders spoke about his personal contact with a person "hooked" on drugs. His voice was broken with emotion as he told the story.
The bracelet he wears on his wrist has imprinted on it the name of a serviceman who has been a prisoner of war for six years. The commander was pleased to read that the soldier's name was on the list of those to be released. He feels that the support of the Forgotten Americans Committee is one of the primary objectives of the American Legion, calling it the No. 1 purpose — to care for the veterans, widows and families.
The Dave Davison family of Loveland, Colo., sent a Valentine with the unique cachet on the envelope.
Dave explained that people who want the special stamp on envelopes mail them to the post office at Loveland. "They do this to over 100,000 valentines each year," he writes.
This year the cachet depicts a man in a western outfit firing an arrow at an envelope with the words:
"More than the tender memories.
That enrich this happy time.
Is the pure delight of knowing.
You are still my valentine."
Dave said the 100,000 customers mail their envelopes from all over the nation plus foreign countries.
Dave also writes that although the mountains have been removed from the 1973 Colorado license plates, they will be back on the plates next year by public demand.
Dave, Lana and daughter, Michelle, are looking forward to vacation time, a trip to Nebraska City to see his mother, Mrs. Bernice Davison.
Congratulations to Craig Bergman on his appointment as superintendent of Arbor Lodge State park.
Craig succeeds Ira Glasser who retired and moved to Polk, Nebr., where he said he would live in a home that didn't have so many rooms.
We enjoyed the Glassers a great deal during their years of service with the state and their association with the community.
Craig worked under Ira at the state park and is well acquainted not only with the operation of the park, but Nebraska City's deep interest in J. Sterling Morton and the Arbor Day celebration.
Milton Bond, former News-Press circulation manager and the man who opened the Derby station on South Eleventh Street, is back in the Navy, rated a petty officer second class and likes being back in the Navy, according to brother, Richard.
Milt is doing clerical work. His ship has been off the coast of Vietnam for some time, but should be heading home soon.
Milt is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Deloss Bond, Union.
The beginning of the day.
Each morning as I'm enjoying my bacon and eggs, toast and strawberry preserves, I tune into KFAB for Russ Ward and the national news and Walt Kavanaugh and his morning newscast.
Prior to the news, there is a dial for dollars bit in which the station offers $5 for the correct answer to a question. The announcer whittles down the number of potential winners by accepting calls only from people whose last two phone digits are such and such.
So, far I'm ahead on the answers, but that blamed announcer never gets to my digits. The other day he threw me . . . quick now, for $5, what do you call a baby kangaroo?
He still didn't say my telephone digits, and there wasn't time to call Richard and Laurine Kimmel, so I gave up.
The answer: Joey. World Book has an interesting article on the kangaroo and their offspring.
Oh, well, back to the Parent Game on TV. I'M ALWAYS right on that and I don't have to call in to prove it. (snicker, snicker)