Hill-Topics
Way to go Rico!
The Hillsboro police canine placed second in a dog detective competition this past week in Newton.
Toss 'em a bone!
One tidbit that's not included in today's page-one story is the fact that the city's K9 patrol is funded, in part, by donations from people like you, and I'm not talking about your involuntary tax donations, either.
Apparently, Rico has the sniff, but he doesn't have the scratch. Patrolman and K9 officer Brad Richards also is the dog's fund-raiser.
So in addition to training and kenneling his partner 24-7-365, officer Brad has to beg for donations to keep the K9 program going.
I don't know why.
The city pays to train this dynamic duo and I know it provides a spiffy K9 patrol car, so it isn't as if its cheap, exactly.
I'm not sure why the city council makes Richards raise the last $1,000 or so a year Rico needs for dog food, trips to the veterinarian, and the like.
Richards isn't complaining about it. He loves his job and is devoted to the dog.
Nevertheless.
I've been thinking how great it would be great if we could raise enough money for Rico, so that Richards didn't have to beg.
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What to do? What to do?
If you're a high school sports fan like myself, you're wishing you could be in two places at once this weekend.
On Friday and Saturday in Salina, the Hillsboro volleyball team plays for a state championship.
On Saturday in Wamego, the Hillsboro boys' team and the Goessel girls' team compete in the state cross country championships.
I'm going to stop writing now and go to www.mapquest.com.
Hey!
It's only 87.25 miles from Salina to Wamego; a straight shot east on I-70 from Salina.
Maybe I can be two places at once.
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Speaking of being in two places at once, I found myself triple, no, quadruple booked on Saturday.
The sub-state volleyball tournament was held in the Hillsboro High gym; the Hillsboro boys' cross country regional was in Wichita; the Goessel cross country regional was at Lake Afton, and Tabor Homecoming was at Tabor.
All at the same time!
We stayed here in Hillsboro and still had a difficult time getting to and from the local venues.
The Goessel school district provided us with pictures of the cross country race at Lake Afton, and my old buddy Mark Hurd shot the Tabor football game.
I shot volleyball.
Mark and I have known each other since our boys played on the same football team when they were in the third grade.
His boy, Bobby, grew up big. He's a 300-pound lineman on the Tabor football team. Of course, Mark is pretty big himself.
The biggest thing about Mark, though, is his heart. He shot pictures this past Saturday in McPherson, too.
Thanks to his willingness to share his God-given talent, we all can enjoy is professional quality photos at no charge.
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Which reminds me
If I'm going to have the first dance at my daughter Bethany's wedding in March, I'm going to need someone to teach me how to waltz. My wife says there's somebody out there who could accomplish this feat.
For the sake of Beth's feet, I hope they give me a call. At this point, I think the Mission Impossible theme song would be appropriate music.
I saw the tux I'm going to wear in the wedding. Beth and her fiancé, Joe, have a web site with all of their wedding plans, pictures, etc., on there. I guess lots of couples do these days.
Anyway.
The tux is black, but the vest is bright flamingo pink. Beth says it will match the colors of spring. Since I dance like a duck, Mallard green would be more appropriate, I think.
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Did you hear about the Dali Lama who ordered a hot dog at the world series?
He said, "Make me one with everything."
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I think for the sake of everyone involved, I'm going to suggest to Bethany that we pick different music for our dance.
The Minute Waltz.
— GRANT OVERSTAKE
