Don't sniffle, mom. It was bound to happen sooner or later. He's flying the coop. It's graduation from high school.
It won't be long now and you won't be telling him to "wipe off those dirty shoes before you come into the house . . . wear a belt. Don't you ever wear anything besides those ragged jeans? Please, get a haircut."
Or . . . your daughter . . . wear a dress at least one day a week . . . do you have to wash your hair in the kitchen sink every morning? . . . have a nice time tonight at the party — I'll wait up for you, no, I didn't forget — yes, he called and you can go . . . and when you do wear a dress, please sit like a lady.
Ohhhh, yeah mom. It won't be that way much longer. Johnny and Jane will be off for work or school or somewhere with the same bug-eyed enthusiasm YOU had some years ago. Remember the thrill?
It's really a big step in life for the graduates. And they are doing it first class — with dignity. They've heard so many people tell them how they're going to conquer the world (no, not on a motorcycle) that they're snortin' to get out and get the job started.
We all wish them much success. They are the greatest single product to come from our brain factories.
They've passed the real hurdles in life like lettering in sports, being a queen candidate and successfully completing driver education. Now, they're equipped with brain power and bubbling with enthusiasm.
Congratulations to the graduates of 1976 . . . or allie-allie out's in free . . . here they come!
The man from Louisiana
Bill Smock of the Minden, La., Press Herald, spent a weekend in Nebraska City. He was here to accept a National Arbor Day Foundation award, and he returned to his typewriter to tell his readers about it.
"Outside of the South, Nebraska City is a town of about 8,000 of the FRIENDLIEST folks.
"The town stands out on the prairie like an oasis in the desert . . . tree planting is a way of life.
"Some of the thoughts that remain with me are the warmth and friendliness of everyone in Nebraska City; the youth of most of those who organized and presented the various functions; the total involvement of the whole town and the fact that for most folks, at least, Arbor Day is something to celebrate — it hasn't become passe; there was something there for everyone, that interests ranged from country to western classical, all were fulfilled; and the fact that in the Midwest it seems that "God and Country" are still very much alive and meaningful. I noticed that heads were bared and that walking and talking ceased when the Flag passed. And that the National Anthem was sung with the same fervor as when I was a boy.
"If Nebraska City has the normal complement of "a few old soreheads" they must have kept them hidden, because I didn't see one."
Mr. Smock paid special tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Merkel for their hospitality and to his hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Dillon.
NC Lourdes
We are losing a number of friends from Nebraska City Lourdes. The Rev. John McCabe, superintendent, goes to Wahoo-Neuman; Sister Joseph Therese, principal, will retire; The Rev. Mel Rempe, Dan Rawlings and Phyllis Brunken.
The News-Press has enjoyed many years of work with the Lourdes administrators and faculty and we wish them much success.
There may be one more change on the Lourdes teaching staff. The Rev. Tom Ozanne may be assigned as pastor of a church in Texas. No official announcement has been made just yet. He is assistant pastor at St. Mary's Catholic church.
The Rev. Jerome Murray, Lincoln, will be the new superintendent at Lourdes. He will also be the new pastor at St. Joseph's church at Paul.
Arbor Day not forgotten
Arbor Day 1976 was not celebrated in Camarillo, Calif., but it was not forgotten thanks to the Rev. G. M. Ottsen, former pastor of St. Mary's Episcopal church.
Harold Kinsch, a columnist with the Daily News, was reminded of the observance by Father Ottsen. Mr. Kinsch said, "Your calendar may not mention Arbor Day but it really is and that means we should all go out and plant a tree."
"Except for Father Ottsen, Arbor Day will apparently pass by unnoticed in Camarillo. We checked around and nobody seemed to be aware of it. And even Father Ottsen won't be able to observe it in the traditional manner. He says his patio at Park Glenn Apartments is not quite big enough for accommodating even a sapling."
Father Ottsen is assistant pastor of St. Columba's Episcopal church at Camarillo.
Gun control
The Federal Firearms Act of 1975 is still alive. The amended bill (H. R. 11193) bill would outlaw only the sale of small, inexpensive handguns, according to the VFW. The original bill would have banned the manufacture and sale of an estimated seven out of 10 handguns. In addition, the bill calls for mandatory prison sentences for those convicted of felonies committed with handguns and a 14-day waiting period to purchase a handgun. The VFW opposes the control of handguns and ammunition.
Stolen
Ole' Hoss issued a warning to the Missus one day that she should be aware of a speed trap. "A friend of mine got a ticket yesterday for doing 30 in a 25-mile zone."
Later as his wife was cleaning out the closet she found a receipt for a traffic ticket in the pocket of a pair of trousers.
The ticket stated that the driver had paid a fine for disobeying the speed limit in a 25-mile zone. She put the receipt in an envelope and set it aside.
Some weeks later she had reason to remember the receipt. Pouring her husband's coffee, she said sweetly, "Dear, remember that friend of yours who got a ticket for doing 30 on Central? Well guess what? Yesterday his wife got a ticket for the same thing."
Lyle Denniston, a reporter for the Washington Star, stopped in the News-Press the other day to visit about judges closing public courts in Nebraska City and elsewhere in the state.
Lyle is the founder of the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press. The organization is dedicated to freedom of information. Lyle is a former News-Presser and works now as a reporter covering the U.S. Supreme court.
He will return in June for a vacation with his dad, Earl, and other relatives. We hope to hear more of his views.
Perhaps you've heard him speak — he was on the Chautauqua program last year in the big tent at Senior High.
Election night
Dee Driever and Tom Banks of our ad staff manned the telephones at the News-Press on election night and it was another busy-busy evening of relaying results of the election fired to the News-Press office by John Quinlan and Jerry Wilson from the courthouse.
George Kane of LT&T manned the machinery at the local phone office to assure no tie-ups or jams because of the unusually number of calls.
The number of calls died down after 10 p.m., so about 10:30 we closed the plant and went home.
Just about the time I took off my shoes, lit my pipe and poured a cuppa coffee, the phone rang. It was George.
"Ivan, what'd you go home for?" he asked. "The News-Press lines are ringing solid."
"Can't be, George," we answered. "We just left and there were only a few dribblings coming in."
"Dunno about that, but it's going crazy now . . . want me to intercept some calls?"
"Go ahead. We'll be right there."
"What are you going to do?" Millie asked.
"Gotta go back to work. Get Clarissa."
"What do you want her for?" Mother Bear said.
"She can help me answer the phones . . . She's the big shot college kid home for the summer . . . and she never goes to bed until the last thing anyway."
No. 2 daughter picked up her dog and headed for the door.
"Where're you going with that dog?"
"THAT is not just a dog, daddy," snorted the little girl. "THAT dog is Love."
Let's pause just a minute here. Picture this . . . the newspaperman sitting at the desk answering the telephones until 11:30 p.m., giving results of the election.
At the next desk is the college coed doing the same (besides she knew more about Senator Church than I did) and holding a puppy on her lap. You understand of course, this is not just any old ordinary dog. This is a Heinz 57 puppy named "Love."
How can you forget a night like that?