Schneid Remarks
When my turn comes around to write a column, I always think of what my biggest fan would like me to write about.
It becomes tough some times, trying to relay some funny comments so he can giggle on Thursday evenings when he sits down to read his local paper. I am going to turn the tables on him and tell him his posts on Facebook are as funny and good natured as anybody's I have ever read.
Having been a long-time teacher, I get a kick out of him when he writes about his Smokin' Hot Wife, his use of the words swell and snap, and when he calls emergency meetings when the weather turns sour. If you are not friends with this individual, please ask Royal Myers to become his friend. His daily remarks and re-ports are as funny as anyone who feels so obliged to comment on Facebook.
I do enjoy Facebook and having friends like this gentleman really enhances the whole Facebook "craze." He doesn't post about his families' latest meal, doesn't complain about anything, other than the weather, and his affinity towards his family is quite refreshing. He doesn't post nasty things, he makes fun about his vertical challenges, and acknowledges those who do good. He is what Facebook is all about.
Not a million posts, but solid posts each and every time.
Thanks Royal for making my day, as I do you every month....I hope.
****
I need to reflect back 12 days to the 2016 WEMSTOCK music performance, put on by WEM staff and students. This undertaking was well thought out and well performed by one and all. I have lived here for more than 20 years and the comments about this performance have way outweighed any comments about a sports team's performance at WEM.
It was so refreshing to see the numbers of people who came out to support these 70+ students/staff during their two performances. People are still talking about the event today.
I had a couple of people talk with me today who are upset they weren't able to go, but are definitely planning on going next year. The bar has been set pretty darn high, so next year's event will have their work cut out for them. I have no doubt they can match and/or exceed this year's first-class performance.
For myself, WEMSTOCK gave me a chance to see my son Jayson perform on a different stage other than a basketball court, baseball diamond, or football field. I know how much work he and the others put in it in order to make this event a success...but I had no idea what his part in the program would be. He wouldn't tell Jayne or I what he was doing other than singing a song with his buddy Bladyn Bartelt, a fellow freshman.
So when we arrived Friday night for the first performance, we saw his name listed in the second half of the program. I can honestly say I had some butterflies for my son. As parents we all get some sort of jitters, but this was different for me. I have seen him play in State Championship baseball tourneys. I saw him get to play .04 seconds in a Sub-Section basketball game as an eighth grader. I watched him get into a couple of varsity football games as a freshman this past fall, but this was different.
Our "little" boy was now going to be on another stage.
He sang back-up in a couple of songs.
He danced with Shelby Dallmann during another song.
Then his time came.
I'm pretty sure my blood pressure shot up to 200 over 120. He never practiced this song at home, only at the school, so I had no idea what to expect.
He and Bladyn did a great job, as did every single performer. I even shed a tear as did his grandfather after the performance. We were so proud!
It was so much fun to see the smiles on all of the kids faces during the performance. Whether they were lead singers or back-up dancers/singers, they all seemed to embrace the moment. It was even more fun listening to the resounding ovations after every performance. The standing ovation at the end could have lasted for much longer.
Everyone should be proud of what they accomplished in little less than a month. Hats off to the performers and to those who donated their time. We are blessed to have such great volunteers and students who put on one of the best performances, sports or otherwise, this school has ever seen.
Looking forward to WEMSTOCK 2017. I know others are too.
