The hardback copies of the new fish hatchery book are here and will be given out this coming week. If you ordered a book, you can pick them up from Larry James or me starting tomorrow. Also, we have been invited to hold a book signing at Neosho Gifts Etcetera this coming Tuesday (Dec. 1) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a good place for you to come get your book — and you can have it signed if you want.
If all goes well, Russell and I should be back in Neosho today after our “Thanksgiving in the Desert.” I write this column well ahead of its publication date, so we haven’t actually even left home yet. It’s a long way to Laughlin, Nev., but we’re excited about going and seeing so many friends and relatives again.
For all those who were friends with the late Harlan Stark, I want to be sure you know we are planning one last Earthquake Day Party in his honor. We have reserved the community room at New-Mac Electric Cooperative for the event. This is the 38th and probably the final party from a tradition that Harlan started so many years ago. And, with the exception of this one, Harlan is the only person who attended every one of them.
Jerry Christian will give the “Earthquake Day Lecture” this year. Rather than putting all of the food burden on Dick Keezer, everyone is to bring snacks for the party. Come, bring abundant food and drink, and plan one last party.
This year, Dick won’t bring his piano so we’re hoping some of the guitar players will bring their instruments. I know Jerry Christian and John Ford have guitars so perhaps they will be there to help with the sing-a-longs and the Christmas caroling. If any of the party-goers have a portable instrument, this would be a good time to wipe off the dust and bring it along...a good trumpet solo would be great. Or surely we have a harmonica player in the group.
John Ford, Todd Higdon and I are thinking about bringing our kazoos, but I’m not sure we want to totally spoil the party with the racket we make with those things. Kazoos have a long-standing tradition in the newsroom at the Neosho Daily News. This began many years ago with Mary Alice Campbell, Bill Ball, Harlan Stark and Anne Cope. I’m sure John, Todd and I aren’t up to filling their shoes, at least in the kazoo department!
