Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

John's Journeys

Well folks, I rented a house. It is form Miles McKenzie at 805 North Elm, at the intersection of Highway 67 and 53.

By the time you read this, hopefully my gas and lights will be on. I got myself a double bed over the weekend so I can now stretch out in my first Gurdon home. Miles said it may be for sale to me later on and that sounds good.

At 45, I am looking to settle in somewhere. So far, after a month at this post, I must say I am impressed with the friendly people of Gurdon. It really does seem like a town that works together to get things done.

That is what small town living is all about to me; working together, compromising and being a neighborly individual. That element of life seems to have burned out in our larger cities. To me, it is the best part of human relations. In short, I am just a small town boy. That is my theme this week; being a small town boy.

Well this was to be fair week around here, so hopefully your newspaper is full of fair photos. I can only be so many places at once, so it would be great if other submitted some winning shots. That way more children can get the recognition they deserve for the championships and such.

When I was a small town younger boy, back in Hagerstown, Indiana, I went through the usual small town initiations toward responsibility. I had pets to care for (mostly cats and rabbits), I was in 4-H, where I learned how to show the rabbits and how electricity works, plus how to compete with sportsmanship ways, and I was in band.

Band was my favorite activity in junior high school and high school. I stared in seventh grade, playing clarinet, and then as a sophomore I played trumpet during marching season as well. In addition, I loved band, band camp, a hometown girlfriend that was in my band as well as in my church and playing golf.

As far as the golf team, I was on the first string most of the time, averaging 42 for nine holes. I was in the first section of band and in French club. Plus, I was president of my seventh grade class and president of the chess club for Hagerstown. And, I was a member of the National Honor Society.

I do not tell you these things to brag, but rather so you will realize that I know where folks in a small town are coming from. We all want the best for our children and we all develop according to the gifts and morals we have been shown.

I suppose that was one of the biggest reasons I accepted this editor's job; I wanted to find me again. I am a firm believer that when you are using what God has given you can be your most effective as an ambassador of love and goodness.

At any rate, did I learn this from small town people? Yes I did. The Hagerstown Jr. Sr. High School Tigers also had gold and purple as their school colors, just like the Gurdon Go-Devils. And the Hagerstown Hot Shots 4-H Club had a pretty solid small town boy philosophy behind it that applies to the town I now serve. They said, "Make the best better."

To me, that is what it is all about, a continued effort to continue to improve and to be the best we can be. Until next time, this is John, still on my Journey.