“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.”
The fire will not be so delightful, especially a rangeland fire, if we don’t receive moisture soon. Red flag warnings have been in abundance.
Also worrisome for this keyboard warrior is the shape of our local farmers’ winter wheat crop. While cruising around Box Butte County recently to observe the fields, the best description I can employ is treacherous dehydration.
If those who produce the genesis of bread disagree, that’s fine. Your wheatfield knowledge is superior to mine.
However, I remain distressed.
Annually, an average of 65,000 acres of wheat are produced in Box Butte County. The county’s total acreage is 677,000. That’s a massive amount of cropland and rangeland.
Every one of those acres needs a drink. The best form of water is rain, but consistent heavy wet snow could serve as the savior. Speaking of Savior, it’s time to pray to His Father. Please, God, send us an abundance of moisture.
The State Wrestling Tournament is being held this week in Omaha. All the best to our Box Butte County grapplers. From Hemingford: Carle Welling, Sofia Gomez, Ryan Ragsdale, Andrew Miller and Owen Plog. From Alliance: Wyatt Stabnow, Jett Childers, Coy Childers, Trini Trejo and Lucas Weber. Here’s hoping you all bring home medals, and memories. Then start enjoying mom’s mashed potatoes and gravy!
I’ve been a fan of Nebraska Cornhusker basketball for 55 years. These eyes have witnessed many players fighting through injuries and illness while remaining on the court.
The bravest man who took part in last Saturday’s Husker victory over Northwestern was radio play-by-play man Kent Pavelka. The longtime bang-a-rang broadcaster fought a serious case of laryngitis. Two hours before he took the air, Pavelka posted a picture on his social media page with a caption about his struggle. The photo included Pavelka’s medicine consisting of lemon water and honey. It worked. Kent was able to get through the game. He simply had to tone down his signature “got it and bang-a-rang.”
Color announcer Jeff Smith did an admirable job carrying the broadcast freight.
Pavelka will turn 77 in April. It’s a gift that his voice did not wear out years ago. I’m sure he will enjoy a full recovery.
During my radio days, I experienced throat inflammation several times. You just work through it and hope your audience is not vexed.
Over the past eight years, I’ve shared more newspaper writing than I have radio announcing. Now, for a few weeks, I am taking a writing hiatus. I plan to resume this column later this year. I just don’t know when.
2026 marks my 40th anniversary in Alliance and Box Butte County. Sometime in March, I am going to have the Times-Herald publish a sizeable ad where I will share my 40-year observations concerning the wonderful investments I have witnessed since 1986.
I hope I have your curiosity aroused.