The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Life was simple growing up in a small rural community. The highlights of carefree youth included explorations of most of the local businesses and their owners, knowing every person in town through a paper route, and, consequently, them knowing us which kept behaviors somewhat in line. One did not want to risk a neighbor stopping by to have a serious conversation with one’s parents.

Weekends were magic, for there was always something to do that took little more than inspired imagination. The haunts we entertained represented places of safety. We knew every vicious dog in the community and had a...