A tribute to Budge.
Ivan D.E. Beaumont.
One of the best things about this job called newspapering, is we get to meet the most interesting and nicest people.
Today, we'd like to take a few moments to tell you about a young man from Nebraska City, who has more desire and courage than anyone we've known.
Budge . . . when he was a defensive back for the Huskers.
We're talking about Budge Porter, 21, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mort Porter and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Grove Porter.
Last April his six-foot, one inch frame stretched over 185 pounds of muscular speed and strength.
During a football scrimmage at Nebraska, Budge sustained a broken neck in a tackle.
He's been through a lot, but invariably flashes a smile and warm greeting to his many well wishers from the wheelchair that has taken the place of those once strong and speedy legs.
Talk about determination! He's all football. "If I had to do it all over again, I'd play football just like I did."
Budge was hospitalized in Lincoln for surgery and initial treatment after the accident. Later he began spinal therapy in Denver and last summer he entered the Rehab. Center at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha.
You've seen him around. He has attended a number of Nebraska football games and has also been at Hayward Park in Nebraska City. He's making a comeback all on his own and with the warm wishes of all of us.
At Immanuel he has a six-hour training program and says that the mental therapy drains him more. The things we take for granted in self-care have to be relearned because of the paralysis.
The miracle of his improvement is a tribute to his courage from the time when he had little or no feeling and could move only from side to side in a bed to the now active wheelchair days.
His mail is encouraging words from many. They include NU Athletic Director Bob Devaney, Coach Tom Osborne, NU Sports Information Director Don Bryant, Guy Ingles, former Husker star, Kyle Rote, Jr., of the Dallas Tornado Soccer club, Ray Hildebrand of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Husker Coaching staff, NU President Duward Varner, from physicians, alumni association, and many, many personal letters and cards from young people and adults, all of them friends.
Budge has the determination and that's bolstered with hundreds of best wishes for his recovery.
Perhaps most important is his outlook. In his own words, he wants to return to the University, but he plans to wait awhile . . . he wants to walk when he returns.
The young speak
Students from three schools in Nebraska City were recognized last week by the Optimist club during Youth Appreciation Week and they "paid" their dues by telling of plans for the future.
The students introduced themselves and told of their plans, all of which meant one thing — they want more education or training in their careers.
The Optimist club was pleased. The purpose of the youth week is to stir the interest of students to make their mark in the world.
The students are Doug Rose, School for the Visually Handicapped; Janet Harney and Bill Harris, Nebraska City Lourdes and Scott Simms, Dave Ailes, Jim Neil, Joni Yost, Lori Stortenbecker, Joyce Stoll and Todd Dawson. Marv Penning of Farmers Bank is the Youth Chairman for the Optimist club.
Gone With The Wind
Olivia de Havilland wanted no part of the two-part television presentation of Gone With The Wind. She felt the commercials detracted from the quality of the film.
The Civil War story has been unique. Its gross receipts set all kinds of records and that was when movies cost 12 cents. The film was made in 1939 and according to the Nielsen ratings the other day, the show got more attention than any other program during the two nights.
We took two daughters to the film a number of years ago when Sid Metcalf screened it at the Pioneer Theater so this time we flipped to another channel.
The handbook
We've just finished thumbing through the 12-page handbook issued to students going out for wrestling and for their parents.
Coach Paul Stevenson has set down some organizational rules that are well worth reading. He points to such things as sports, grades and oh, no . . . a car.
It's well worth reading. If you don't have a youngster in the sport and would like to read it, call Coach Stevenson . . . or let us know and we'll loan you our copy.
The march to Washington
There were a number of droopy chins around Senior High when the Music Parents organization voted against sending the NCHS band to the inaugural parade January 20 in Washington, D.C.
There were several opinions on the pros and cons of the trip, including plans to buy new uniforms and apparently when the vote was taken the moms and dads decided new uniforms were more important.
We wonder if the decision might been changed had President Ford been returned to office.
No matter. Things could change, for all we know.
About all we know of bands and trips comes from parents who have accompanied the bandsmen. Some had a big time and enjoyed every minute. Others said they were pooped and they'd never go again.
We're in the minority, but we think the trip would be worthwhile and a whale of a lot more important than going to a bowl game . . . even if the whole show is for a Democrat.