Stories from Monday, December 31, 2001

As we enter the new year, let's turn over a new leaf. Let's agree, as much as humanly possible, to look on the bright side and to work together for the improvement of this part of the world. Far too often in the past, we have had the tendency to complain, to blame others for our problems...

Loren D. Welsh DANBURY -- Loren D. Welsh, 77, died Saturday (Dec. 29, 2001) at McCook. He was born May 29, 1924, at Danbury, to Nathaniel Welsh and Adda Alma (Miller) Welsh. He grew up in Decatur County, Kan., and graduated from Oberlin High School in 1942...

Mildred Faye Zink INDIANOLA -- Mildred Faye Zink, 92, died Sunday (Dec. 30, 2001) at the Cambridge Manor Nursing Home in Cambridge. She was born Oct. 3, 1909, in Red Willow County to W. H. Meyers and Luetta (Helm) Meyers. She grew up in the Red Willow community and graduated from Red Willow High School in 1927. She graduated from McCook Junior College and taught elementary grades in Wilcox and in the rural district northwest of Indianola...

Beth B. Harris DANBURY -- Beth B. Harris, 82, died Saturday (Dec. 29, 2001) at Sutherland Care Center. She was born Dec. 15, 1919, at McCook to John Edward and Iva (Utter) Harris. She graduated from Danbury High School in 1937. She worked at Schmidt's Grocery. She purchased the store in 1955, renamed it Beth's Store, and operated it until 1992. She lived in Danbury until moving to Sutherland Care Center in 1992...

Kenneth Duane Brush LEXINGTON -- Kenneth Duane Brush, 62, died Sunday (Dec. 30, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Hospital at Kearney. He was born Dec. 12, 1939, at Stockville, to Myron and Luella (Halley) Brush. He graduated from Curtis High School. He served for three years in the U. S. Naval Air Force...

Donald 'Bounce' Ray Herbert PALISADE -- Donald "Bounce" Ray Herbert, 43, died Saturday (Dec. 29, 2001) at his home in Palisade. He was born Dec. 1, 1958, at Stratton to Charles and Marcella (Worske) Herbert. He was baptized into the Christian faith and attended school in Palisade. During high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at San Diego, Calif...

We began to hear the first radio broadcasts in the United States in the early 1920s. Even though it was known about that same time that pictures could also be broadcast, because of the tremendous expense involved in bringing about such a feat, plus delays caused by World War II, it would take almost 30 years more before television became a commercial success and such an important part of our lives...

Dear Editor, Generally, Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family, published in the Gazette is right on target. I saved the column printed on Aug. 23, 2001, because it made me think of my great grandfather, August A. Hjorth. The main theme, "Rough Times Build Maturity," truly applied to his life...

Dear Editor, I was so angry and sad when I saw the story of "Buddy" the dog. I'm a pet lover of three dogs and six cats, and they love me as I do them. They always give me a warm welcome home and never complain. Something should be done about the abuse/neglect of animals in the McCook area. Thank goodness for the Humane Society to help them when they can...

Dear Editor, In response to the article about "Buddy," the appalling cruelty that led to his death -- as an animal lover, my whole lifetime, my heart sank in reading the story and looking at the photo of the great suffering "Buddy." Man's best friend responds to all who show compassion and love...

Michael Joseph Mirto Jr. MCDONALD, Kan. -- Michael Joseph Mirto Jr., 58, died Wednesday (Dec. 26, 2001) at the Rawlins County Health Center. He was born Dec. 1, 1943, at Tewksbury, Mass. He was a self-employed carpenter in McDonald. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Enfield Mirto of McDonald; three sons, Anthony and Michael Mirto III, both of Massachusetts, and Michael Anthony Mirto of McDonald; four half-brothers, Gerald, David and George Howe, all of Springfield, Mass., and Donald Howe of Key Largo, Fla.; and one sister, Debbra Howe of Georgia.. ...