Commentary

America took a trip back in time and space this week to an event that changed the way we look at the world.
Apollo 11’s historic mission was must-see TV as it happened in 1969, and so it was again 50 years later on the anniversary of man’s first landing on the moon. It was an epic milestone worth all the hype and press it received, both then and now.
I was only 6 when Neil Armstrong took that giant leap in space, so my memory is based entirely on archive television footage and photo images beamed back to Earth. The emotions of watching that scene unfold in real time, especially not knowing how the story would end, had to be incredible, intense, if not surreal, no matter what your age.

We enjoy taking our walks along our local trails. The Betterhalf and I receive the additional enjoyment being away from the home-lined concrete streets and out where we can spot a few turkeys, occasional deer, eagles and other beauties of nature. We also become amused just how all of these creatures are what we have come to be termed, “creatures of habits”
What a minute! If we think nature’s wildlife as creatures of habit, just how do we judge ourselves?
Talk about “habits” the human race must top the list. We can look at our own personal schedules and lifestyles to easily reach that conclusion.

Each year we try to spend a few weeks up north in Minnesota with hopes of good fishing and just plain relaxing. The trips have been pretty routine over the past years and best can be described as fishing, family and fun.
This year has come up with a few new wrinkles and some unlikely experiences.
This year the Betterhalf and I were joined by our avid serious fisher-son and his German Shepard dog, Kalie. Good news! Caught lots of fish and he volunteered to clean them all as well as doing many other chores! Meanwhile, Kalie was joined by our two dogs, Oscar and Missy. Bad news! Lots of dog hair causing a plugged vacuum cleaner and careful walking in the yard thanks to our own canine trio and five other local hounds in the neighborhood.

Mother Nature is relentless!
Our hearts are hurting this week after watching the news and hearing details of yet another wave of nearby water-soaked destruction. While many Nebraskans are still in the midst of rebuilding their homes, properties and lives after the devastating March floods, the skies opened up yet again sending floodwaters across an already saturated landscape.
The images from Kearney, Lexington, Gibbon and Wood River looked eerily familiar to March, minus the massive dam that broke near Niobrara. It may take months to fully assess the damage, though we can already conclude that Nebraska has been hit with a second 100-year flood in just four months.
There are no words to fully describe what those folks are living through, especially the few who experienced flooding both times. They are literally living life one day at a time knowing that some sense of normal may be weeks or months away.

The Plainsman Museum has long been regarded as a treasure trove of local history, preserving artifacts and archives for future generations to learn from and enjoy. The local museum is now making headlines of its own.
This week’s edition shares the story of how and why the Plainsman was selected by the world-famous Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. to participate in a pilot project focused on local work history. Over the next several months, Smithsonian officials will work with a local advisory team to create a top-notch exhibit showcasing Hamilton County on the job.
Anyone who has roamed the fascinating exhibits at the Smithsonian, spread out in several different buildings along the historic Washington Mall, knows what an amazing experience that can be. It’s like a time machine adventure, with so many original artifacts from all aspects of life teaching lessons and/or taking you back to an earlier era of American life.

Dear Editor:
  I would like to thank Stacey Holloway for organizing the meeting Monday, July 1 with the Hamilton County Board in regards to the poor road conditions in Hamilton County. There was a huge turnout from every corner of the county.
  Everyone there had concerns that they wanted to address. We were limited to 30 minutes to bring these issues before the board and everyone was allowed three minutes to speak. If you do the math that allows 10 people three minute each to comment. We asked for another meeting where everyone could voice their concerns but I am very doubtful that the board will ever let that happen.

It appears it’s getting pretty tough for kids to have traditional summer fun.
Some metro areas banned the shooting of Fourth of July fireworks all together. Many other communities shortened the legal firing of fireworks for three days only or less. For many states the sale of some old traditional fireworks such as firecrackers, candles, rockets, and other “big bang” items have been prohibited. In one short observation, you might say it is becoming a quiet Fourth for many young and old alike.
Another summertime entertainment is coming with a word of caution. That is swimming or simply going to the beach or pool. If you live near the ocean you are warned about shark attacks and the stings from jellyfish. Those of you going to rivers, lakes or pools are being warned about a parasite called “Crypto” that causes diarrhea.

“Living wage” has always been a puzzler to me as to what the meaning of a “living wage” really is.
For example, a living wage will be considerably higher in New York City than it would be in Omaha, Nebraska. Home costs, transportation, food and other living expenses will be higher in major metropolitan areas as compared to rural Nebraska. Heavy populated areas with more industrial and technological opportunities will naturally offer higher wages because there is more competition in the labor market for more skilled workers.
In other words, a higher living wage exists in those areas as opposed to rural Nebraska where a lower wage scale can be offset by those who are seeking a higher quality of a family lifestyle and lower living costs.
I am reminded when one of our sons was going to college and also working in Lincoln. He told me his job experience during the year was educational. I asked him, “What do you mean?”

The tone was civil but the message blunt during Monday’s county board meeting -- rural roads throughout Hamilton County are downright dangerous.
Hearing complaints about the lack of gravel or maintenance on specific county roads is commonplace in rural Nebraska, though clearly this year is different. A brutally cold winter followed by massive amounts of spring rain have wreaked havoc on rural roads throughout Nebraska and the Midwest. That is nobody’s fault.
Hamilton County is certainly no exception to these brutal conditions, though some area residents testified that adjacent counties are handling the same challenges more effectively. A drive through the country illustrates why there is such grave concern.

In this old world it’s hard to keep up with the changes. That was evident the other day when visiting a community it was announced there would be a 5K race held on a Saturday. However, I was somewhat confused when it was also announced there would also be a $35 entry fee for each participant.
Details of the 5K race continued and I was not sure if I had correctly interpreted the “5K” description.
Being from the old school I always thought a K, or kilometer was 5/8 of a mile. If my old math serves me correctly a “5K” race should be 3 and 1/8th miles. More details of the race continued to follow the announcement and my confusion became more complex. In addition to the steep entry fee, it was noted the race would begin and end at the home of the race’s sponsor, which was a local brewery. My confusion deepened.