Congratulations to B. A. Johnson and the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca bandsmen on their selection to march in the parade at the Orange Bowl in Miami on New Year's.
That's quite a compliment for any town and Otoe countians can be well proud of the boys and girls who will represent them and the rest of the state. Next comes probably an even bigger job than getting the invitation — money.
It's going to take about $8,000 and that's a lot of cakes and cookies in the format that the money-raising is doing now. "B.A." said band mothers have been leading the campaign and the kids are gleaning cornfields and so far have about $1,600.
Anyone wishing to contribute should make his check to the School Band Fund in care of the high school at Syracuse.
The Rockets will not be on the nationally televised part of the Orange Bowl parade. The time in which they march is not the same time the networks want to work. However, the Rockets will be on the field and on national TV with the Cornhusker band. They will be carrying flags in a show in cooperation with the University of Nebraska band.
University Chancellor Varner met with about 40 people at a coffee at Hotel Grand prior to his appearance that night at the annual Chamber banquet. The chancellor used the occasion to welcome questions and give his ideas on how he hoped to build the University to the top of the Big 8.
In reference to the University's budget request and political indications of an economy move, he said the election must read from all points of view. He pointed specifically to a new governor and three new regents. Defending the budget, he said "dollars don't guarantee we're the best, but you've got to have money to BE THE BEST!" He said simply that he wants the NU to be the best and he believes Nebraskans want the same.
On a lighter side, he quipped, "we want the kind of University that the football team can be proud of."
Although the chancellor spoke of higher education, he let it be known that he is an advocate of trade schools. "We've gone overboard on University education." He said he was sure there are youngsters at the University who would be better off as a plumber or an electrician. Along that same line, he pointed to the recent money agreement in the auto strike and the $11,000 to $13,000 a year wages for those workers. "Vocational technical education is a very lucrative field."
Someone asked: "What's the best preparation in high school for a boy or girl entering the University?"
The chancellor returned: "Reading and writing."
Robert Prokop, elected as a regent to the University is well known to many sideline football workers at Lincoln. Did you ever wonder how the announcer at the stadium so quickly gives the downs, yards gained, etc.? Mr. Prokop, or "Porky" as he is known by his sideline workers, has been literally running up and down the sidelines for several years counting off yards, downs, etc., and firing that information to the announcer.
We met Bob about 16 years ago when he was received into Blue Valley Lodge No. 64 at Wilbur, Nebr., his home town lodge. I was on the initiation team for his Master's degree. He was a student at the University at the time.
And speaking of my home Czech lodge in Wilbur, I will not be able to attend the annual goose, sticky dumplings and sauerkraut feed at the December 1 Masonic lodge meeting. That's the same night that the Elks will host all Otoe county law enforcement officers, so Millie and I will attend the Elks salute to Law and Order.
Ed Hunter and Vic Bremer accompanied me to the Wilbur lodge a few years ago and I had hoped to go again this year, but no such luck. You might ask Ed and Vic about those sticky dumplings, the caraway seed and the kraut.
Oh, you want to know what we had for Thanksgiving?
Well, I thought everyone was going to have roast duck, dressing, sauerkraut and whole wheat rolls. That was just for our family. We were unable to get away to be with the relatives so we will have our big Thanksgiving dinner this Sunday at our house . . . and we sure as blazes won't have roast beef or fried chicken.
Sign in Sheriff Harris Esluer's office: "I tried to pay my taxes with a smile, but they wanted cash!"
Up on the North 40.
D. W. Kicker thought I was kidding when I told him to get out his Big Red five buckle overshoes 'cause the first snow was a-comin'. Well, Mr. Kicker, we've got another on the way. You know, of course, that we can forecast the weather on the North 40 by the thickness of the frost on the bathroom window.
We've lost our garden spot and will gain neighbors. Harold and Margaret Gress, 608 South Fourteenth Street, have purchased the nice corner lot behind our home and will build a new home on the property.
Thanks to Al and Marge Gibbs for many years of free garden space. And after such a dry summer, mebbe it was time to phase out that little project anyway.
Mrs. A.C. (Helen) Wilson, 866 13th Street, Boulder, Colo., writes that she needs some help from News-Press readers on information on families.
She would like information on her grandparents, William A. Hiatt and Margaret Ellen Westbrook Hiatt who were married in Nebraska City in 1890 and her great grandparents Henry Westbrook who died October 5, 1867 and Elizabeth McGhee Westbrook who died April 21, 1886.
Anyone who could help Mrs. Wilson with information is welcome to the letter we have here at the News-Press office.