A week ago Sunday I attended early church services, and then Wendy and I left the Cape Girardeau airport at 10:30 a.m. and flew direct to Dallas Love Field in my self-piloted company Bonanza A36 airplane. It took two hours and 20 minutes. We arrived in time for a special brunch that ended at 2 p.m. I'll tell you more about the Newspaper Association of America convention later.

Flew back Wednesday afternoon encountering some weather and head winds but landed at the Cape airport at 4 p.m. (two hours and 35 minutes after departure). Put in six hours at the office to catch up and prepare for a Thursday-morning departure to Des Moines for the annual Iowa Press Association meeting. Then to Lincoln for the Nebraska Press Association meeting.

On Sunday left Lincoln at 7:30 a.m. and arrived in Cape at 9:35 a.m. ... in time to have a bite to eat, read the Southeast Missourian and make the late church service.

All in all, 10 hours and 22 minutes flying direct and being able to do in seven days (rested) what would have taken at least an extra 14 hours with commercial travel connections (including two round trips to St. Louis).

My travels seem to run in clusters ... but I found it to be an enjoyable, productive week.

* * * * *

Here are some highlights of the trip in addition to learning how to produce a better newspaper for our readers and advertisers.

At the NAA meeting in Dallas:

1. Heard U.S. Sen. Pat Moynihan speak on the seldom discussed subject of potential nuclear threats to this country. Quite sobering.

2. Texas Gov. George Bush keynoted our major luncheon with a passionate presentation of his education program for Texas which includes choice and charter schools. He's much more forceful and animated than his father.

3. Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman and other sport celebrities discussed the coverage they receive by the media and role models. Aikman is quite articulate and direct.

4. A Canadian demographic specialist predicted a strong stock market (with adjustments being natural) for the next 18 years because of the effects of the baby boomers moving into their wealth production and retirement years and looking for good investments.

5. Over 100 Texas celebrities including former President George Bush and Barbara attended a Toast of Texas dinner.

This after a Sunday p.m. reception held on the Dallas Cowboy football field with six players and the Dallas cheerleaders signing autographs.

* * * * *

Then on to Iowa, which was primarily a hard-working news meeting (I left early and missed the forum of gubernatorial candidates.) I was attending in support of our Le Mars, Iowa, newspaper and new publishing team. Then on to Lincoln.

It was a special time for Wendy and me and all of Nebraska as we attended the retirement celebration of Nebraska University football coach Tom Osborne.

More than 40,000 people filled the Nebraska football stadium for the two-and-a-half-hour event. Osborne coached 37 years (12 as assistant and the last 25 as head coach). With over 250 victories, Osborne reached that plateau quicker than any other major college coach.

I was quite impressed with his demeanor, remarks (no notes) and the program which featured replays of last season's key plays (including the miraculously kicked ball that provided Nebraska a tie against the Missouri Tigers in the last second of the regular game and ultimate overtime victory.

The Nebraska mascot is "Lil Red" a happier looking version of SEMO's short-lived "Big Red".

The next morning Osborne addressed the Nebraska press group along with the five candidates for governor. They were all conservative, and you needed a handout to tell you who was a Republican or a Democrat. Sort of like most of the people in Southeast Missouri.

GENE MORRIS ... the publisher of our recently acquired McCook, Neb., newspaper, presided over the weekend events as the president of the Nebraska Press Association.

He also accepted the second place award for community service by dailies ... one of the highest honors a newspaper can receive.

I can only make these trips because of the fine staff and management we have here at the Southeast Missourian.

I thank them for giving us the base for future growth as a corporation.

* * * * *

The lack of opportunity is ever the excuse of a weak, vacillating mind. Opportunities! Every life is full of them. ... Every newspaper article is an opportunity. Every client is an opportunity. Every sermon is an opportunity. Every business transaction is an opportunity -- an opportunity to be polite, an opportunity to be manly, an opportunity to be honest, an opportunity to make friends. -- Orison Swett Marden

* * * * *

The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are. -- John Burroughs

~Gary Rust is the president of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian and other newspapers.