Another trip in the whirlwind

Written by Joel Klaassen Wednesday, 30 April 2008 08:31

The whirlwind continues. We headed to sunny California and Palm Springs for the annual Association of Free Community Papers convention and trade show this past week and built in a little time to see Dave and Penny and niece Whitney in Los Angeles.

This will be my third year for peddling my photobook book printing to newspapers and other publications. The publishers and other key people who attend these events are starting to recognize me and the service I offer.

Since the organization is national in scope I get to meet hard-working folks from all over the country and I find it to be quite interesting.

One woman who stopped by was from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, who had a son who attended K-State. He is now an art instructor in Savannah...

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Staff birth more than Just a baby

Written by Joel Klaassen Wednesday, 23 April 2008 01:36

We are beaming at the Free Press this week as Gracelyn Abigail Just was born to our features and news writer Malinda and husband Brad Just last Wednesday.

They couldn’t be prouder and we couldn’t be happier for them.

I got to see Gracelyn and even hold her. I can tell you she is Just perfect.

Somber news came our way Saturday when we learned that our Chicago connection and View from Afar columnist Dale Suderman suffered a serious stroke. After a long surgery late Saturday the outcome is still unknown. He underwent a second surgery Monday afternoon.

We’re hoping and praying for a speedy recovery for our good friend.

Walking across Kansas was a piece of cake for the Free Press team. We’ve already made it from west...

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Whirlwind week was a good ride

Written by Joel Klaassen Wednesday, 16 April 2008 01:09

Life is never dull around here. This past week has been a whirlwind for me. My Jayhawks pulled off one of the biggest miracle finishes in NCAA Final Four history, which I have watched over and over—not to mention all the articles and Web stuff I just had to read.

Plus, I took a bus ride to Des Moines this past Thursday under the guise of saving money and for the experience. I have never ridden the bus anywhere before.

When I was a kid in Minnesota, I saw a movie at the downtown theater where a guy gets on the bus and is on his way to prison with a policeman as an escort. I used to think that is why people got on the bus.

I bought a $40 ticket to ride the bus from Emporia to Des Moines, where I attended the Midwest Free...

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Sometimes you have to steam

Written by Joel Klaassen Wednesday, 09 April 2008 09:12

My wife still reads my column. In the early days of the Free Press she read it before it went to press for some reason—now she just reads it in the paper.

I was informed that last week’s column was a little heavy and, after reading it again myself, I agreed. After a while things build up and you have to let off a little steam.

My Jayhawks are in the final game of the Final Four. I’m convinced it takes hard work but a little luck doesn’t hurt either.

Take the Davidson game. I know how much the Jayhawk faithful suffered during that game. How can so much fun be so miserable? If that last shot by Davison goes in, the Jayhawks go home.

Instead, it was off to San Antonio to meet Roy and the Tar Heels. People were nervous...

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