A caller said the other day I'm not the meanest Dad in town and the five minute limit on telephone calls is good.
"How'd you ever come up with that?"
Boy, I thought, this is a real chance to tell the caller what a great Dad I am.
I was palavering away and doing what I thought was a pretty good job of selling myself as the No. 1 kingpin among dads, when the caller interrupted.
"Oh a Ivan you're five minutes are up," she said.
My face is read.
By the time you read this, I will have consumed several bowls of popcorn and apples, apple cider or Pepsis and Cokes while watching Nebraska clobber Colorado on television.
We won't get to see the entire game because newspaper comes first, but we'll sure get to see the second half. We like all kinds of football and particularly the TV games.
The only problem in our house while watching the games is the battle for the popcorn bowl.
No. 3 daughter is quite a sports girl (roller derbies are a favorite) and between her and No. 1 son, ole' Dad has to fight for the popcorn bowl.
Betcha this never happened in your house.
"Dad, she's getting more popcorn than me!"
"Well, he got the biggest apple!"
"You're just going to be a fat old lady!"
"D-a-d-d-y!"
(Now comes the king) Awright you two, I've had enough.
Son, you get into your room and start reading that book you've been poking too long on. And daughter, you get into your room and get that 4-H project done. And mother, bring me another bowl of popcorn, please.
And welcome home, Ron Schreiner.
Ron, his wife, Jeanine and their four children, have returned to Nebraska City after an absence of several years. Ron is working in the accounting section with Ralph "Stony" Causgrove at American Meter company.
Ron worked at one time with Morton House Kitchens in the IBM section and then worked for Jeffco Manufacturing in Lakewood, Colorado.
The Bachelors 5.
Last summer we did a series of special stories on Nebraska City's Most Eligible Bachelors.
They are Kermit Holmes, Harlan Bohl, "Pork" Hatten, Richard Beaman and Mathew Thornton.
Well, we can report they are still Eligible Bachelors. The fellas said they didn't have gorgeous blonds breaking down the doors of their apartments, but they did have a few interesting phone calls.
E. A. "Ed" Ernst retired as manager of the Lincoln Telephone office in Nebraska City, and he's still the pleasant, brisk-moving businessman.
"I spend all my time at Riverview Terrace," Mr. Ernst said. He is chairman of the board of the Nebraska City Housing Authority.
The senior citizens facility has 81 apartments, all are full and there are 32 people waiting to move in.
Mr. Ernst said Nebraska City is really fortunate to have such a facility.
"You know, we all were put here to do something for our fellow man. And this is sure a grand way to do it." When someone asks about planting flowers or doing some other little project around the Terrace, Mr. Ernst's stock answer is, "let them do it."
He says the Terrace is a happy place and he wants to help keep the residents comfortable and happy. His right hand "and she's a dilly," is Mrs. Ross Gerber. "She's really good with the residents," Mr. Ernst said.
Nebraska City Optimists will not have to pay for a previously approved dues increase. According to the national Optimist magazine, "in compliance with President Nixon's Wage and Price Stabilization Order, the change in fees and dues authorized by the 1971 International Convention did NOT take effect on the first day of October, 1971."
The editors of the magazine said all district fees will continue at the current rate with the minimum club membership fee at $20 and the minimum annual dues will stay at the $24 level.
Life Begins at 40 — Phooey!
The person who wrote that Life Begins at 40 must have rocks in his head.
Since I've turned 40.
—I've had my first cold and my first bout with influenza.
—My chest is slipping. My pants are "too tight" around the waistline.
—I need a nap in the afternoon.
—I can't stay awake for Creature Feature on Saturday nights.