Up, Down and Around Our Town

Midsummer. Fortified in lore and in many romantic poems, it speaks of the peak of the summer season when seemingly everything is going on. And, from what appears this year, this one is no exception. Schedules are packed and regardless of economic conditions, there are choices being made to make the most of it all. Conversations around our town indicate that the flooding efforts perhaps have delayed some of these plans, but delay is the only real word. Could it be that we're adjusting to $4 gasoline? Perhaps, even if it is somewhat a difficult transition. But the weather of the midsummer is something to savor.

While we endured a week of high humidity and hot weather, the 4th of July weekend was delightful and the promise of even nicer conditions persist as July starts to wind down and the time of County Fairs and other celebrations lead us up to the reopening of the schools. In other words, it all goes fast.

Sad news as we said goodbye to Tony Snow. For those who may be political or just enjoy a real professional doing his job, it was hard not to note the work and style of Tony Snow. From his days as FOX as a broadcaster to his stint as the White House Press Secretary, he engaged as few have done and his easy going style was something to behold. He treated each and every press conference as an opportunity to engage with the press and while there was certainly an uneasy give and take, he never was without the right words at the right time. Like Tim Russert, he bridged the gap and left you feeling better, rather than worse, about being in the front row.

Another piece of my childhood went away with the news of the death of former Yankee, Giant and Cub outfielder and broadcaster Bobby Murcer. If you were a Yankee fan in the early 60's, you witnessed the retirement of Mickey Mantle, but were promised that this youngster from Oklahoma (like Mantle) was on his way. While he didn't have the Hall of Fame career that Mantle did, he had a fine tenure in pinstripes and upon his retirement, exemplified his personality as a "down home" broadcaster. The All Star game in Yankee Stadium this year will give him his proper exit.

While not the impact of Tony Snow or even Bobby Murcer, one of our locals passed away that deserves some attention. While well-known to a segment of the local society, Ruben Bigger never sought fame nor fortune. Instead, he took is own recovery from alcoholism and turned it into a career of assisting, supporting and helping others. I witnessed this first hand early in my career and was proud to call Rube a good friend. He always had time, he always had an insight to assist the next person fighting that deadly affliction and he did it with class, humor and dedication. He wasn't famous, but his legacy will leave a lasting impression on those who were on the receiving end of his touch and his concern. He'll be missed.

My wife and I decided to do something that was well overdue. To accomplish such, all we needed was not one, but two dumpsters and we purged ourselves of some of the most worthless clutter that had followed us around for almost 40 years. What we didn't understand was how much we had accumulated. From the steamer truck that followed me to college to not one, but two broken TV trays, it all went away. Broken pieces of things that don't even exist anymore, plus the clutter of raising two children, the cleaning out left us both exhausted but relieved. And, as we saw on Oprah, our disposal of our own trash should actually make our backsides smaller. We'll wait for that one, but seeing 40 years of junk finally leave our premise was cleansing on more ways than one. I will admit that I did cruise a few garage sales over the weekend, but resisted the temptation to fill some of the new space. I did wonder of some of those 8-track tapes will someday come back into vogue, but decided against it and away that they went.

My favorite charity is hosting their annual Golf Tournament this week. The Alzheimer's Association continues a wonderful fund-raiser by bringing in 24 Gateway Golf Professionals and teaming them us with the likes of ....me...as we raise money and learn a few things on the links. It fills to the max every year because people believe in the concept and also enjoy having 18 holes with someone who really knows how to play the game. So, with equal doses of humility and gratitude, we'll tee it up again. For all of the right reasons.

How nice to see the futuristic words of Culver Stockton President Bill Fox discuss the challenge of 21st Century Education. Having now a front row seat, his words on innovation and experimentation certainly hit home. The desire to learn at the college level is something to behold. Putting contemporary tools in the hands of these marvelous young people is the challenge. Like the dumpster experience, there comes a time when the approaches of 1965 need to be lifted and replaced with avenues that will insure the growth and ultimate product. Believe me, it has become very obvious that time in the classroom is to create not opportunity, but to create replacements. Bill's fresh approach reinforces the entire product. It's nice to be a part of that movement.

Finally, our hero got a welcome over the weekend with an Open House. Having friends and neighbors stop over for a little refreshment and share in our joy of having this little girl in our life was so rewarding. Like that perfect sunset, there is something innocent and genuine about aa two month old fighter who is starting to develop her own personality. She already has us hooked; sharing her with others is a real gift.

A great week to enjoy the outdoors and the summer weather. Hope your summer is well intended and that the outcomes of good. We'll get back to politics later; enjoy it all. Till next week, and as always, I remain....