RE MARKS: IT FEELS GOOD TO BE BACK IN AREA AFTER MONTH ON STATE'S WEST SIDE

My month-long sojourn to Nevada, Mo. was an interesting, learning experience. While I liked the town and my co-workers there, it is very nice to be home. I'm glad I didn't miss the rest of the school year.

The request to go to Nevada was sudden and unexpected. I was asked on a Thursday afternoon if I could be there (about a six or seven hour drive) that Sunday night. I was. While there I filled in as editor of The Daily Mail, a publication owned by Rust Communications. It was a learning experience and I feel I expanded my horizons while there. Before my return, the corporation bought out the competing bi-weekly paper there and merged the staffs. This was also an interesting experience.

The town of Nevada was pleasant. It is roughly the size of Jackson and takes great pride in its heritage. Burned during the Civil War, it was rebuilt with a nice Victorian touch. In the 1980s it was one of the first Main Street programs, using federal grant money to refurbish the historic downtown storefronts to their Victorian splendor.

I hope Jackson keeps its heritage in mind as it continues growing. Strolling through downtown Nevada is like stepping back into a turn of the century business district. I think it has tremendous tourism potential, despite its rather awkward location. There is nothing particularly awkward about Jackson's location and I certainly think tourism is one of many areas in which it shows great potential. Historic storefronts, homes and schools add to the character, heritage and charm of a community -- even a growing one -- and should be preserved and restarted whenever feasible.

Many exciting things have happened while I was away, including the opening for the new Super Wal-Mart, clean-up day, the city elections and plenty of school activities. I regret not getting back to town in time to do a story this week on the four R-2 retirees. That will have to wait for next week. Getting reorganized is never a simple process.

One last Nevada note -- Prom there is quite a spectacle. Arriving at the prom is the big event of the spring. I don't mean just for the students, but for the town. Parents and other adults bring lawn chairs and line the front lawn and driveway of the school that evening, awaiting the arrival of the couples. They arrive on a wild variety of "vehicles." In my lone visit to the festivities, a couple arriving in the back of an ambulance was about as creative as things got. They tell me that in other years couples have arrived riding on combines, tractors, stretch limos, horses, golf carts, etc. Each couple is announced over a booming loudspeaker. I had to admire the individual students who had the guts to show up and be announced without dates. I well remember the boredom and quasi-humiliation of not being able to get a prom date myself. I don't think I would have come, had we been announced before half the community!