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As I dropped my son off for his first day of middle school, I found something out about myself. I was a nervous wreck. I tossed and turned all night thinking the kid is probably terrified about attending a new school on Tuesday. I remember my first day at middle school, let's just say it was more than forgettable. So as we drove to the school Tuesday morning, I found myself reassuring him that everything was going to be great and he had nothing to worry about. After about seven minutes of my fatherly dribble, he stops me and says "Relax Dad. If I'm not nervous, why should you be?" I quickly turned the conversation to football and made some dumb joke. How bad is it when your kids are the reasonable ones in the relationship?

This Saturday, if you are looking for a little family fun, head to Lindstrom. St. Bridgets is hosting their annual Block Party. The party runs all weekend long, and there are tons of things for you and your family to do.

On Saturday beginning at 6 p.m., you can enjoy some great food with a pig roast. There will be a beer tent with a silent auction with the Rockin' Hollywoods taking the stage later that evening.

On Sunday, the fun starts at 11 a.m. with kids games, pony rides, face painting, and a bounce house just to name a few. There will be my fall favorite, booya being served until gone. The event will have burgers and other great foods as well if you are not a booya person. On Sunday, there will be a special concert given by the hip shaking, scarf wearing, jewel encrusted super star Elvis.

Admission is absolutely free, so why not stay close to home and have some serious fun?

On September 13, Don, Brian and the whole gang at NAPBCO would love to have you stop by. Stop in and see their newly constructed building between Arby's and Lindstrom Foods. We all have seen the building being built over the last six months or so, now it is our chance to stop in and say congratulations. I have been there already, and believe me, it is just a tad nicer than the old building. Although I do miss Don walking over to discuss the hot topics of Lindstrom.

The grand opening takes place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

I am writing this week with a very heavy heart. One of our own has been taken from us. Luther Noyd who has delivered the County Press and the Search Shopper for decades, has gone to a better place.

If the name doesn't ring a bell, the face certainly would. His face was usually covered by large dark rimmed glasses which sat just below one of his many, many baseball caps. If you are an early riser, you would have had to see him filling one of the many newspaper boxes around town. His cars were usually piled high with various newspapers with just enough room for him and his coffee. Luther walked with a severe limp (his ankles were failing him in the later years) but that never limited him doing anything. Luther lived for years and years just north of Shafer with his wife Neva and their children.

Like I mentioned earlier, Luther had worked for my father since the day we moved here in 1979. In fact, we used to insert the different ads into the Search Shopper by hand, and Luther, along with his family would be here at the Press until the sun came up Saturday morning. He would then proceed to get some breakfast and then begin driving his routes.

If you were to ask me to sum up Luther in a couple of words, it would be easy. Hard worker. Add to that, tireless, relentless, caring, positive, funny, a little goofy, and loving. I guess I couldn't answer it in two words. I know one word that keeps coming into my head...missed.

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