Christmas in Germany
Ron Crunk took the picture that appears with this column. It was a Christmas Festival in Nurnburg, Germany in 1969.
Ron's father was in the Army and was stationed in that area during that Christmas. Santa Claus carries a heavy religious meaning in that country. In this picture he is not pointing to his admirers, but is tossing candy to the crowd.
The chairmen
We suggest that if the Chamber and other local clubs want to organize a large gathering they contact Loyal Shannon and Mrs. Don Ramold.
They helped spearhead a farm meeting in Nebraska City last week that attracted nearly 1,400 people. And except for a seventh inning stretch, it was a full evening of sitting and listening.
The most popular person during the evening was Charles Sharpe of LaBelle, Missouri. He was the third speaker of the evening and as he addressed the crowd, he suggested the stretch.
The homefront
Mrs. Merle Buell of Murdock is a mother who knows about raising a family in today's modern world, so it was a common conversation we had the other day when she stopped in the newspaper office.
When I told her we don't have family meals, she understood. "The kids today are so busy with so many things," she said. The word is "cafe." Right?
Awright . . . let's get down to the nitty-gritty. How many families - with school age children – do you know that sit down to the table all at one time for a brief 10 minutes for a single meal? Think fast! Gotcha already.
The kids are so active today that when they finally get home after basketball, volleyball, football and whatever-practice, they unleash such famous quips to the family conversation.
For instance, "what's for supper?" "Y-u-k, we had that at hot lunch today." . . . “hurry up with the meal, I've gotta be back at school for play practice in 15 minutes."
(If there's any humor in this it'll come to you after your kids are grown.)
Little bucks
Cleaned out a desk drawer the other day and threw away a map from the Cornhusker Motor club on the route to the Orange Bowl. Three students from Peru State College were expelled because they broke into a vending machine. The incident was handled by the student governing board and not in a court of law. The Board of Student Affairs made the decision in a secret session, tch, tch . . . Hess Dyas may walk the state again – if he wins the Democratic primary in the congressional race.
Arbor Day
The Tangier Shrine parade units will not appear at the 1978 Arbor Day celebration. The Shriners said the date conflicts with the Shrine Circus in Omaha.
The report was disappointing to Arbor Day backers. The Shrine parade units have added much to the celebration in Nebraska City. The local Scimitar club will be in the parade and it's likely that a few other parade units will fill in the gap as was done last year.
And we thank you
One of the most satisfying music programs we've attended was the NCHS vocal and instrumental concert. It attracted a capacity house.
The printed program was lengthy, but the staging so well organized that when the curtain came down and the house lights went on, I looked at the school clock — one hour and 15 minutes for two vocal programs, one instrumental and an intermission.
I think the Harshbarger Handle was put to use. The music year looks peppy and fast-moving.
Well, hello there
Thanks to you readers for answering a question last week about Faye Morton who taught at the early Arbor Training Center.
Mrs. Leonard (Faye) Vlasak now lives in Crete where she teaches special education. She is continuing her dedication to help the handicapped and has been recognized for her efforts by being named Teacher of the Year.
She also taught at Bellevue. Thanks to Faye's mother, Mrs. Grace Zorn of Nebraska City and our Union readers, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Whipple and Mrs. Valda Strough.