The fire crews
Larry Wiles, secretary of the NC Volunteer Fire Department, has compiled an interesting history of the local department. Among the items are that fire equipment was named for the mayor of the town, the three fire companies around town merged in 1906, the first motorized equipment went into service in 1916 and the first 85 ft. aerial machine in the state went into service in Nebraska City in 1975.
Most important.
"Several cases of personal injury to firemen have been recorded, a number of cases where persons were rescued from fires but no firemen have died in the line of duty."
That's an admirable record we all hope will stay intact.
Our friend, Troy
Troy Cushing was a quiet man. He's gone now and his silence is missed by his family and friends.
In a group of conversationists, Troy said the least. He enjoyed traveling, being with his family, seeing new things and keeping abreast of the happenings in his town.
Few things "hit the spot" better than a glass of beer and a cut of cheese, or a good go-around with friends at the coffee "courthouse" at Irene's cafe.
He seldom griped. He liked the young, enjoyed the growth of his town, and tried to make a stranger feel welcome.
The auto show
The good news today is that Charlie Fox stopped in the newspaper office the other day to discuss Jaycee plans for an auto show in the coming weeks.
We thumbed through the Falls City Journal and found an interesting news-picture report on the annual auto show and flea market at the airport in that town. We gave the paper to Charlie.
An auto show should be a success in Nebraska City. There have been car buffs around town for a long time, Eugene McCown and his Henry J, Louie Adkins and his Model A and many more owners and vehicles.
Wonder whatever happened to the hotrod race car that Bob Davis used to wheel over the Camp Creek hills or to the auto club that Al Willis helped to organize? I might even show up in my Edsel.
Congratulations
to Peg Fielder, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Fielder, who was named the Most Valuable Player at the All-Star basketball game at Peru State. to Cindy Heng, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Heng, on being president of the Nebraska State Court of Junior Catholic Daughters.
A suffering soul
A stroll on South Eighth Street between Central and First Corso on Thursdays is not a pleasant trip.
The aroma of fried chicken is spewed out over the sidewalk from a vent and fan.
I decided it was time (tried it and failed a week ago) that I make a Demand upon Opal Conner and cook Mrs. Harry (Vi) Riege.
"Hey, hey," I huffed and puffed as I entered the cafeteria area of Frazier's. "Do you ladies realize it's 9 a.m. and at this time in between meals you are creating a hazard to the walking public as they disregard their footsteps and raise their heads to the sky sniffing fried chicken?"
They never paid any attention to me, just smiled and went about their work.
"You'll have to talk to Vi," Opal said. "I was cooking the last time you came in with the same story."
"All of this trouble in River City can be settled, ladies, if you will just make available a couple of those livers or gizzards or a drumstick," I suggested.
It sure got quiet. Mrs. Riege continued to fry chicken, flatly said no, you'll have to wait until meal time.
I left dejected and hungry and defeated by the fry cook.
I think she's had experience with ordering the boys out of the kitchen.