PASSING A SCHOOL BUS
By: Stan Jordan
A few weeks ago a lady in a pick up truck passed a school bus that was picking up students. She killed 3 children from one family and badly wounded a boy from the neighbor’s house.
This was over in Rochester, IN., but it could happen here.
There are a lot of laws on this here in Ohio, but it is too soft and not pushed enough.
This subject is in all of our states and therefore it should be a basic federal law with stiffer penalties.
On petitions.whitehouse.gov there is a petition that seeks harsh penalties for violators, including 30 days in jail, 90 days driver license suspension, 12 points on the driver’s license and a mandatory minimum fine of $5000.00 for the first offense. Yes that is a stiff fine, but what is a life worth?
See ya!
A LITTLE SHORT
OF HEAVEN
By: Stan Jordan
It’s about 61 degrees here in Florida and we are going fishing. It’s a little after 6:00 a.m. and I’ve had both sides of an English muffin with all the little crevices filled up with butter and apple jelly for breakfast while I watched the news and weather on t.v.
I hear a pecking on the trailer window, it’s my friend Stu, with his fishing gear headed for the boat.
Ray and I grab a light jacket and our fishing gear and head out the door for a day of fishing on Lake Istockpoga. I sit in the front of the boat and work on both of my rods while Ray guides us clear over past the big island, probably five miles.
It’s about 11:00 now, both Ray and Stu have a small bass and I have had a couple of hits. I lay my rod down and pour everyone a coffee and Ray reaches into his famous five gallon bucket and brings out a clean shop towel and a handful of Twinkies. We sit there and talk and rest a little and all agree it is surely a good place to be. It don’t get any better than this; A dandy warm morning, fishing with two of your best friends, a few birds around – some singing, the others just squawking like an Osprey does. No t.v, no noise, just peaceful friendship.
We throw a few more baits and have a little luck. We all have put some in the boat. Then Stu says, “Lets go over to the Golden Corral for supper and I want to go to Walmart.” We clean all six of the fish and gave them to Mr. Dishman. He was glad to get them, he is too old to get into a boat.
Boy, what a nice winter day.
See ya!
WILD LIFE
By: Stan Jordan
I had lunch today with some of the farmers in this area and we talked about the wildlife.
Kenny Hahn was telling me about the different kinds of game he saw after and during the combining of the beans and corn.
He said he saw eagles, hawks, rabbits, ground hogs, coyotes and to top it all off…the prettiest fox he had ever seen. It was probably a male and a good healthy one with good colors. In fact it was down right pretty.
Another man was telling me about big preying mantis he saw and another friend was telling how all the robins have gone south.
I’m really glad to hear about our wild life and conservation and everyone is concerned about it.
See ya!
WIND POWER:
GOOD OR BAD
By: Stan Jordan
A story by the Harvard College says the increase of more wind farms would make a rise in the global temperature. I don’t know about that, I would have to disagree with their findings. This professor says that more turbines would put more warming in the air, than all of the carbon dioxide that is spiraled forth here in America.
I don’t know about that, I know that they use a committee on that type of suggestion but maybe the electric car will help hold that down a little.
I have long been a backer of the use of wind turbines. There are a number of reasons and I have listed them before.
Another professor says that the continued use of coal or fossil fuels and the climate change could be worse but the wind effect would stay the same on global warming. So it looks like it is better to use the wind, or who you listen to.
See ya!
VETERANS DAY AT
THE SCHOOL
By: Stan Jordan
This is Friday, November 9th and I just returned to West Bend News from the celebration of Veterans’ Day at the high school gym.
What a fine morning. We were welcomed by Dr. Miller, a fine tribute.
The colors were posted by Boy Scout Troop #143. Everyone gave the Pledge of Allegiance led by the elementary student council. The high school band, under the direction of Mrs. Andrea Newell, played the National Anthem and it was very good.
Then there was a veteran tribute with some old timers taken at the VFW the other day. The Cub Scouts presented some cards to the veterans. We were entertained by the second grade bell ringers, under the direction of Mrs. Mary Smith and we all enjoyed that. Mrs Smith and the high school choir were very good.
The high school band had a rousing salute to all branches of service, under the direction of Mrs. Newell. Then the boy scouts retrieved the colors and Dr. Miller invited all the veterans to stay for lunch.
We had a fine lunch of lettuce salad, macaroni and cheese, roll, fruit and a selection of pies. The attenders were the pupils from the National Honor Society and our table attenders were Karsyn Brumett and Nathan Lee and they were very good to us.
In the kitchen with Mrs. Altic were Michelle Crawford, Chris Buchan, Shelly Grimes and others.
We had visitors from almost all the neighboring towns. It was a dandy morning. All the veterans and their spouses want to thank Dr. Miller and all of the school administration for such a dandy Veterans’ Day celebration.
See ya!
MY THANKS COLUMN
By: Stan Jordan
This is the start of November already and soon the holidays will start and so will cold and windy weather, but that goes along when you live and enjoy and growl at the seasons.
As I sit at my desk and look out at the farmers going by with those big trucks and tractors and a couple of trailers going to the elevator with their grain. I feel very good for the farmers because I think here in the tri-state area all the crops done well, maybe above the average and I’m certainly happy about that, because if the farmers do well, the economy does well.
A week or so ago, I had a column about this year’s progress in Antwerp and the surrounding area and it was great. You have heard me brag about the tri-state area many times. We have had some good times and some bad times, but that tells us to be glad and appreciate the good times.
Like I said, I think the farmers all faired pretty good. The wildlife are all in fine shape, well I get good reports right along. I am thankful for all the people who report to me on the wildlife.
In reading this week’s police report, I see they have been very busy. I’m glad the police renewal issue on election day passed by a large margin.
I’m thankful for our fine EMS squad and fire department. All of our first responders are top notch. A tip of my hat to all of them.
I am very glad and thankful to be associated with these fine people at the West Bend News as I have been since August 2005. It gives me something to do and look forward to each day. Bryce Steiner is the boss, his wife, Angel, is the proof reader. Sarah Klingler is our graphic designer. Crystal Rider is the office manger. Aaron Ramsier is the ad department. Jarrison Steiner is the machine operator in the back room. I am still the low man on the totem pole. My job hasn’t changed over the years. I am to look out the window at the Marathon Station across the street and watch for a price change in gasoline. I am to look out the window and watch for the arrival of the United Parcel and Fed Ex people. I am proud to that I am the only authorized person in the shop to operate the paper shredder.
See ya!
