Thomas Avenue
Dennis Kemp, owner of Thomas Avenue Carpets, 1002 Central Avenue, says he is pleased with his business in Nebraska City.
Thomas Avenue is the second store operated by other members of the family. The first opened about three years ago in Shenandoah and is doing well. Dennis says his Nebraska City store got off to a faster start than the opening in Shenandoah.
The Kemps have four children and they enjoy doing things as a family — especially fishing. I was going to warn them about Neal "catfish" Martin and Louie "big cat" Genoa. Instead I told them the t-r-u-e story about the big cat in the Auburn lake. Dennis was was polite, but I don't think he believed me.
Congratulations
to Frank Bataillon on his appointment as postmaster at Union. Frank has been working for the postal service for 23 years.
Nebraska City patrons know him best for his pleasant attitude and good humor. We wish him much success on his new assignment.
And notice to the folks of Union — beware of your new postmaster. He's loaded with new, fresh and often humorous jokes. He'll even make Bill Whipple chuckle.
The golfer
Ralph Causgrove enjoys golfing at the Wildwood course, but let me tip you. He was a holy terror on the old nine-hole Steinhart course.
Back in the days when such challenging features of the golf course were a green that had a ditch for a fairway, a fairway that went from tee box across a ditch, fence and road (providing you didn't end up on the tennis court) and a tee shot that had to clear a body of water before landing on a slanted, lopsided green, there were some great golfers.
In fact, it was at the old Steinhart course where we walked along with Ralph while he played a few holes in the annual Legion tourney. Well, actually we didn't really walk along with him, we putted, snorted and cussed that lil' white ball.
Ralph liked that. In fact, he about cracked up and I ended up paring three holes for the first time.
There was a time when John Smull, who used to be the chemist at Morton House, and myself decided we were going to "master" the old course. Our wives came out with cars and flashed the headlights until John and me admitted we had enough after 27 holes. Besides, we kept losing tees that we couldn't find in the dark.
A & W Drive In
The new owners of the A & W Drive In are Mr. and Mrs. Don Woodhead, formerly of Sioux Falls, S.D. Mr. Woodhead retired after 32 years with Northwestern Bell. His wife operated a cheese store in a shopping center, but when he retired they looked for something else.
Nebraska City was it. And the A & W business was the best choice. We asked Don why he retired, then got back into work that was a long way from a 40-hour week, except for the winter close down months.
That was the whole point — the winter months and the closing of the business. And in the same breath he said the couple has a daughter living in Scottsdale, Arizona.
. . . Pretty tricky, Don. Pretty tricky.
Anderson Schoolhouse
We recommend the Anderson Schoolhouse for cocktails, dinner and a play. We attended one of the final performances of "Oliver" and we can report it's a fine evening's entertainment.
Gene Stark of the News-Press had a part and when we got there we found a lot of Nebraska City people in the play, including the Tom Hemphill family.
Coming up at Anderson is "My Fair Lady" and if the cast does its usual best, lacking Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, you'll see a super performance with great musical talent.
If you've never seen "My Fair Lady," then you should. It's full of humor, music and spellbound beauty.
The missing shoes
When the story came out in the paper the other day that a pair of shoes was found at the post office, it was suggested that we look at them — for our No. 1 son.
Haw! Haw! Too small.
The background to the story is that the Queen Bee ordered the young stinger to clean up his room. He did so obligingly and in his usual method, he tossed a number of things into the trash.
Well, a few nights later was the school prom. Yup.
You guessed it. He had tossed out one of his dress shoes. (We suggested he wear those holey tennies, but that didn't go over so well.) Instead, he made a quick trip to a store.
No open house
Remember the open house at the Earl May test gardens in Shenandoah? Well, that is over now. The property used for the garden display since 1940 reverted back to the owner after the Earl May company gave up its lease.
Thousands of visitors walked the test gardens each year. It was a highlight of the year for many gardeners. The Earl May company told the News-Press that limited trails are being conducted in the area and plans are being made for a new test garden.
Welcome
Welcome to Ralph Dority of Mid-America Siding and Dawn Butner, of the Yellow Submarine on their new businesses in town.
They are located at 1104 Central Avenue. Dawn promises to whip up a quick meal or snack for you and her dad, Ralph, will put your old home in shipshape with new siding.
Best wishes on your new businesses.