By Dennis L. Morgan
Publisher
Some things are worth waiting in line for. Okay, you probably thinking to yourself, that’s pretty simple.
Yes, everybody waits in line. Maybe it’s the grocery store at checkout, maybe it’s at a movie theatre waiting to see ‘The King’s Speech’ or maybe it’s at a fish fry.
Someone once said we spend a third of our lives sleeping. That makes sense if you are able to get eight hours of sleep a night. But, I’d be more curious to find out just how much time we spend waiting to do something.
Most of the time we wait for good things to happen. Such was the case Friday night at St. John’s Catholic Church just outside of Clearwater. Our Christian brothers and sisters over there put on, arguably, the biggest fish fry around. That’s what I was told before first going there to see for myself one year ago. Back then, I walked away believing it was so. On Friday night I checked it out again and still feel the same way.
We and another couple arrived shortly after 6 p.m., and joined the line which extended to the top of the stairs by the back pews. In front of us were some good friends, people whom I’ve golfed with and shared more than a few good times. As the line moved forward, others filled in behind us. Another golfing partner of mine came in and immediately headed towards the men’s restroom. First one, then another knocked on the door trying to disturb the poor man’s concentration. Imagine his surprise when he opened the door and found a coat rack had been moved in front of the door.
See, it’s dangerous to put your fate in the hands of people hungry for fish and willing to do anything to bide their time before being served.
One thing you must have, when waiting in line, is patience. This is especially true when waiting to be fed. First, there’s the smell of the food which you must repeatedly inhale as you work your way down the stairs. Then, there’s the sight of people seated at the tables, eating fish and salads and sour cream/raisin pie. Patience begins to wane when you realize there are only so many pieces of sour cream/raisin pie and, if you are not lucky, then all of that kind of pie will be gone, long gone by the time you reach the dessert table. By the way, if you want to impress the ladies who are already seated, ask them, “Is this the dessert table?” Some might think you are a smartie pants, but all will blush and smile…
The wait in line was worth it on this night as there was still a long line to enter the basement when we left. It’s amazing how an event such as a fish fry or Elgin’s Thanksgiving Bazaar, has such a large following year after year. It just goes to show when you do something right and people talk about it to other people, it creates a buzz which will attract people from far and wide to come and enjoy.
Events like these are definitely worth waiting in line to take part in.
*****
On Saturday night, my wife and I joined NPA Executive Director Allen Beerman and his wife Linda, along with former Clay County News Publishers Don and Linda Russell, in attend the Omaha Press Club Show. The event is designed to raise funds for scholarships for journalism students attending college.
More than 400 media represen-tatives and their spouses gathered at the Mid America Convention Center in Council Bluffs for a night of poking fun at some of the biggest newsmakers in Nebraska.
One of the persons singled out during the evening for the many good deeds he does was the Rev. Stephen Boes, national executive director, Boys Town. He has ties to Elgin in that he’s the son of Gene and Mary Jane Boes. He sang to the audience.
The scene for the show was Schlegelkegger, a pub ‘Where Saints and Sinners Meet.’
The night didn’t end there as we headed to Lincoln to celebrate a good friend’s 49th birthday. She likes to sing karaoke, her husband likes to watch. Don’t be surprised to meet them soon here in Elgin. All I can say is lookout when that happens.
*****
Another good friend who is married to a doctor and lives in Virginia likes to stay in touch. I’ve known her dating back to my college days at Kearney State College. There, she used to make me laugh and continues to do so today. She sent me this.
You may find this funny and see some parallels in your own life. Enjoy!
Men Are Just Happier People
Nicknames
· If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.
· If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy and other assorted nicknames.
Eating Out
· When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it’s only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.
· When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.
Money
· A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
· A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn’t need but it’s on sale.
Bathrooms
· A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel.
· The average number of items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.
Arguments
· A woman has the last word in any argument.
· Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
Future
· A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
· A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
Success
· A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
· A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
Marriage
· A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t.
· A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, but she does.
Dressing Up
· A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.
· A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
Natural
· Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
· Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
Offspring
· Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
· A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
Thought for the Day —
A married man should forget his mistakes. There’s no use in two people remembering the same thing!
