Commentary

It was quite refreshing just over a week ago when we got a break from the daily reporting of the national government shutdown and its possible consequences as we viewed the info in the newspaper headlines; on TV screens; and the social media chat rooms. Our thanks for that break go to pro football and the New Orleans Saint fans who had watched the NFC championship game which the LA Rams won in OT to advance to the Super Bowl.
As you may recall the Saint fans’ reaction regarding a game official’s a botched pass interference call ignited a nationwide firestorm. That firestorm became even more intense as more headlines, replays and sport columnists’ viewpoints poured more gas to the fire.

What’s for lunch or supper, Aurora?
If you and your friends or family are hungry and looking for a place to eat out, what kind of options are you looking for? That conversation happens time and time again in our homes, businesses and community, and it’s happening again now, with a twist.
This time, a local investor with restaurant experience is seeking input he’ll use to help decide what kind of eatery he’ll put in a Highway 34 building which for the last several years has housed the China Garden.
A story on this week’s business page explains that Jen and Sum Kwok will soon be closing their doors at China Garden and have sold the building to Jr Roebuck, president of Roebuck Enterprises. This young man is making a name for himself on the local business scene and owns a number of successful properties both here and in Grand Island. He’s a hungry entrepreneur, in other words, which any small town would be lucky to have.

A recent comment obviously coming from a male friend pointed out that there are some good things about being a man. In today’s society we males sometimes forget that we actually do have some advantages.
Our friend then stressed some of the man pluses. Here are a few of his comments:
“If you’re 40 and single nobody notices. Underwear is about $15 for a pack of three. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. Men’s bathroom lines at NU football games are 90 percent shorter. You get to keep your last name when getting hitched.”
And our friend continues with these other observations: “Hair technicians don’t overcharge you. You can be showered and out the door in 10 minutes. You don’t care if no one notices your new haircut. Owning more than three pairs of shoes is a waste. If you’re retaining water it isn’t in your canteen. The remote control is yours and yours alone.”

Technology will take center stage Feb. 2 in a unique Aurora event which will showcase high-tech innovation as well as the host community.
The Aurora Open and Innovation Showcase is a robotics tournament at its core, though it is evolving into so much more than that thanks to organizer Chad Johnson.
Aurora’s own “Energizer Bunny” has long had a passion and vision to engage students in hands-on technical challenges, convinced that those types of experiences will eventually open doors to valuable career opportunities. That’s not a huge leap of logic these days, as a number of local businesses will be offering hands-on lessons on how they use innovation right here in Aurora and Hamilton County.

Fortunately or unfortunately, we oldsters have senior moments. Unfortunately those senior moments can be frustrating. Fortunately when we need a subject for a column, senior moments can be pretty handy . . . if we can remember them.
Our memory got a boost a week ago when friend Herb Peters brought a book, “1,000 unforgettable Senior Moments” to our regular early morning coffee club. The book caused a lot of chuckles particularly when the author Tom . . .uh … Friedman said why he had published a second edition was because he felt most readers couldn’t remember all of his first edition.
We must admit Friedman’s book was reassuring to many of us who seem to be suffering more and more from our own senior moments remind us we are not alone. In fact, looking at his bibliographical notes, they report the stories in his books are true (as far as anyone can remember).

If you are discouraged, compare your problems with those of the father who wrote this letter. Note particularly the last paragraph. The daughter wrote that she was coming home with her husband to live with father. Father wrote as follows:
“Dear Daughter:
I note from your letter that you are coming home with Wilfred and the children to live with us because Wilfred received an ‘adjustment’ in his salary, which was an insult to him. Wilfred, I assume, feels he cannot endure the insult.
As you know, your brother Frank came home with his wife about a month ago after his salary had been ‘reconsidered.’ Your sister Elsie, who had been a secretary to an officer of a corporation, recently had to take a position as a stenographer. She resigned because she refused to be reduced to the level of a plain stenographer, so we are expecting her any day.

“Care Matters” at Aurora’s Memorial Hospital.
An organizational initiative by that name has been sending a message to everyone who works for and visits any MCHI facility. The message is that by focusing on quality, outcomes, safety and patient satisfaction each and every day the level of care patients receive here will be consistently good.
That attention to detail has earned Memorial Hospital noteworthy recognition, and simultaneously put our community in a positive spotlight.
A story in this week’s edition shares insight on the Rural Provider Excellence in Quality Award from the Nebraska Office of Rural Health. Memorial Hospital was one of 10 critical access hospitals in the state to receive this honor, which speaks volumes about the level of healthcare available here in Hamilton County.

Over the years the Betterhalf has faced some challenges during the holiday seasons as she planned holiday meals for relatives and guests. What to serve and how many people are coming seem to be her biggest obstacles to resolve. However, this year a new obstacle to overcome confronted her.
But, first we should explain a little background for our most recent holiday dining.
Since the death of her sister she has invited her brother-in-law and sons to dine with us at Thanksgiving and at Christmas. Locations were alternated by celebrating Thanksgiving at one home followed a few weeks later by the other family hosting the Christmas dinner at the other’s home.
We were supposed to celebrate Thanksgiving with the brother-in-law and sons at his home this year. The brother-in-law called and announced he had already bought the turkey and trimmings. A conflict occurred and we were unable to participate in a joint celebration.

Nebraska lawmakers will have their hands full this year during a 90-day legislative session which begins Jan. 9.
Getting things done in Lincoln is always a challenge, but the sledding will likely be mostly uphill this year, thanks to an economic backdrop that will set the tone for much of the debate.
Having dipped heavily into cash reserves to make ends meet two years ago, senators will have to earn their pay by making tough decisions in the 2019 session. If the economic forecast doesn’t improve, which we won’t know until February, either significant cuts will have to be made or revenues will have to be found in the form of higher taxes or fewer sales tax exemptions. Neither approach will happen without a fight, especially knowing the governor’s staunch position against raising taxes.

The News-Register conducted its annual news survey last week, seeking reader input on what the community as a whole perceives to be the Top 10 stories of the year. It’s a very subjective, non-scientific process by its nature, but always a fun and interesting one.
We scanned our pages from January through December, taking note of on-going issues and timely, breaking news. Then we asked local residents from all walks of life to weigh in, ranking their top 10 choices for stories that will be remembered as having an impact or creating memories in 2018.
Looking back over the past 52 editions it was crystal clear just how much the local debate on how, why and if the ambulance service should be revamped dominated the headlines. It’s a hot-button issue all have a vested interest in, so it came as no surprise that the EMS story was voted No. 1.