Not too worry, Miss Nelson is okay. There was legitimate worry for three straight days. But for three straight days, she returned.
Kudos to the Great Bend High drama students for another quality effort on the school play - Miss Nelson is Missing. As Katelyn rolls through her senior year it has been fun to watch the drama students do their stuff over the past few years.
Donovan, Madison and Molli, three of her good friends, along with Katelyn have been involved in plays most of their high school careers. Madison has been the stage manager while the other have been on stage.
In trying to locate Miss Nelson, the students, again, were terrific. Gentry Schneider played Miss Nelson and Jadon Ward her alter ego Viola Swamp. Then there was big Aaron Clark as the bumbling detective Mr. McSmogg. He is always worth a laugh on the stage.
Next on the docket is the student-lead one act plays during the winter and the spring play to wrap up the year. Word is the spring play just might be Robin Hood. That would be fun if it were the case.
Great job once again.

Prep Thoughts
The lone team in the area still lacing up the pads is Otis-Bison. The Cougars will head to Jetmore for a rematch with Hodgeman County for the right to play for a state title a week from Saturday. The last time the Cougars played for a state title was in 2010 – a 50-34 loss to Baileyville B&B.
Otis-Bison also played for a state title in 1987, coming up short that year as well to Midway-Denton. The two teams that beat the Cougars were powerhouses in their eras.
Standing in the way of a third trip to the title game is a Hodgeman County team that lost in Otis a couple of weeks ago by a 58-26 score.
This is the second straight season District 6 has both semifinalist from the West side of the Eight-Man II bracket. Last season Dighton beat Wallace County.
Look for the score to be closer this time but the result the same as the Cougars earn their third trip to the state title game.

Former Barton Athlete/Coach update
Steve Forbes is off and running on season three at East Tennessee State. Last season the Buccaneers were one of the darlings of the mid-majors, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Gone from the 27-win team, second best in school history, is a core group of seniors. So, it’s time to do some rebuilding – or reloading. That is yet to be seen.
So far, the former Barton men’s basketball coach has his team at 1-1 after a road loss at Northern Kentucky and a road win at Savannah State.
Friday night is a trip to Rupp Arena and the University of Kentucky. The game can be seen on the SEC Network.
East Tennessee won’t be at home until Nov. 20 against Delaware State.
Good luck on season three Coach Forbes.

And Finally
I have officially seen Christmas lights in town. I saw them on 19th street. But that is probably not the only place in town the are up.
I know Donna Becker already has her Christmas Trees up. She is probably not the only one. Look for more lights to be up soon around our fair city.
So let the Christmas season begin. Poor Thanksgiving. It gets to play little brother to Christmas. It’s been this way for a while, obviously, but it is getting more so every year.
Christmas is my favorite holiday. It is the holiday you get to spend the most time with your family. But Thanksgiving is a good family holiday as well. Probably second only to Christmas in that category.
The two have always been intertwined. Thanksgiving parades almost invariably include Christmas. Growing up we would turn the Christmas lights on in the Glen Elder town square the weekend after Thanksgiving.
The high school band would play - which was cold many times. Playing the baritone, when you first put the mouth piece to your lips you had to brace yourself for a shot of cold. Santa Claus would make an appearance. Candy and peanuts were given out. It was a fun time for all.
It seems more and more the Christmas season is moving to early November, not late November. Crystal even mentioned bringing up the Christmas tree the other day.
I guess this doesn’t bother me as long as Thanksgiving gets it fair due. November should be a month to reflect on the things you are thankful for. We should not forget that or in someway try to bypass. Being thankful for things is a good quality.
After all, the Thanksgiving meal is the best meal of any holiday meal. Hands down.
So while the Christmas lights begin to shine around town, also take time to count the blessings you have in your life and be thankful for them.
Merry Christmas, errr, Happy Thanksgiving.

Mike Marzolf is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune and his views don’t necessarily reflect those of the paper. He can be reached at MarzolfM@bartonccc.edu.