A few months ago I read an interesting profile in my Kansas Alumni magazine about a man named Waldo Dick

He was born in the Ukraine almost 90 years ago but ended up in Newton, where he worked for a Mennonite paper. I’m guessing it was the Mennonite Weekly Review. The article stated he attended Bethel College and then transferred to KU.

He still goes to work each day at the East Allen Courier, a free-circulation weekly newspaper in Grabill, Ind., which he has owned since 1955.

My path has been similar. I worked at the Mennonite Weekly Review, went to Bethel one year, transferred to KU and have ownership in a free weekly newspaper. I just have 30 more years to go to catch up with this guy. I wonder if we are related, since my mom’s maiden name was also Dick.

• Since we have lived downtown I don’t think I have seen a rabbit—until last week. The little critter was running down the alley behind True Value when I spotted it.

• For months now I have racked my brain trying to figure out why there are uniform puddles in the uniform dents in the asphalt near the curbs downtown after it rains.

  I finally figured out that the indentions are from the weight of parked vehicles’ right front tires. The extra weight of the engine in the front must be just enough to make this happen because there aren’t any dents from the back wheels. And the left front wheel ends up on the concrete strip by the curb.

• You’re probably trying to figure out why I spend time on these kinds of things. What else is there to do when you’re walking laps around town?

• Last week I offered a free lunch to any Tabor student who saw my offer in this column. I’m pleased to say I will have had a lunch date with one of them by the time this hits the street.

• At the homecoming football game I was looking through the roster for the Trojans and realized there are only four players who weigh more than me. But I think there is a big difference between them and me. Their weight comes from muscle.

• You may have heard the term “Community Rent.” It describes what people are willing to give back to their communities in the way of belonging to civic and church groups as well as public service positions to enhance the quality of life it affords them.

  Without a lot of people paying this community rent, our towns would not be what they are.

  What some people have given back to their towns is quite impressive. It can be volunteering of time or money or both and can add up to a lot during a lifetime. When our town is a better place, then everything everyone has is worth more.

• I can’t remember where I read about the Mennonite single-use flashlight but thought you might want to get one or even make one.

  It’s a wooden match taped to a popcycle stick.

• I mentioned the downtown Iron Kettle location last week and while I was thinking about that spot I remembered it was also the place where Mildred Hansen owned and operated Designs for Giving.

  I think it may have been Hillsboro’s first upscale gift shop, but I could be wrong.

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