Mostly Malarkey: Words of advice shared
Your Ol' Editor is seriously considering full retirement, which would call for not more than 20 hours a week (about one-third usual). Unfortunately, he doesn't want to quit. Unfortunately his physical limitations call for quitting. It's one of those "win win" situations, as far as you readers are concerned. After 55 years, from an Underwood Number 5 to a Pentium processor, the OE deserves to quit. Any editor who can work 55 years without being horse whipped is one who won't be missed.
Chingawassa Days are over until next year, when Chief Chingawasa (spelled with one "s") will be honored by a festival held in his misspelled name. Those of us who swung a pick on a railroad (or studied Spanish in college) realize that "chinga" is not a parlor language word. And "wassa" the word for water.
Anyway, a couple of guys from England flew to Marion to attend this year's festival and a couple from the same place (County Durham in the Jordy part of jolly old GB) came last year to Marion expressly for the festival. You might say the local event has a broad appeal. The newspaper profited by getting online subscriptions (the one from GB a year ago was renewed this week). That proves, again, that public functions sponsored by a broad business base are lucrative for all. Our thanks to Marion Chamber of Commerce for acting in our behalf.
Interestingly, the English folks from both years come from the same part of the "old country." County Durham is a friendly place. Scenery on the south coast is awesome, but the personality of folks up north is warm and more friendly.
After 55 years at a keyboard one wonders "why?" Back in those days we didn't know what to call the column, and considered such handles as "Spokes in the Wheel" and "Through the Muck with Meyer." Muck and Meyer and Mostly Malarkey each are M and M, but the popularity of those chocolate delights didn't rub off on this column. Maybe the column wasn't sweet enough for broad consumption, only for local pleasure.
Girl Scout Cookies are sweet and enjoyable. They also make us fat. But the girls in Marion County who pounded sidewalks to sell cookies didn't gain an ounce. Of those who sold more than 250 boxes, each, several came from Marion County. They included Erica Frederick of Peabody, 666 boxes; Amber Peterson of Peabody 500; Heather Hollingshead, Hillsboro, 360; Taylor Nikkel, Marion, 354; Tristan Armstrong, Peabody, 328; Nicole Herzet, Marion. 314; Jasmine Ensz, Hillsboro, 272; Micaela Hinerman, Hillsboro, 268; Amanda Richmond, Marion, 251; and Leann Pankratz, Centre, 250.
Saturday was Flag Day with many in Marion County displaying our national emblem in full glory. Some folks can't understand why a veteran who fought under our flag can reject a proposed Constitutional amendment making it a crime to desecrate it. They don't understand that we love Old Glory because of what she represents
Authorities agree, the most effective tool for combating drug abuse among teen-agers is spelled with a p. It's more effective than all the laws on the books or enforcement of curfews. P, followed in this order by a, r, e, n, t, and s. Try it. Parents are the most effective of all weapons in fighting drug abuse.
— BILL MEYER
