"How you doing, Rolla?"
With that, Barack Obama, introduced himself to more than 1,200 extremely enthusiastic admirers at a Missouri S&T venue on Wednesday afternoon.
The crowd had been building to a fever pitch for several hours inside the small gymnasium at the Bullman Multi-Purpose Building before the presumptive Democratic candidate for president arrived from his previous stop in Lebanon.
Right after he arrived and began to speak, those in attendance became even more energized.
I have not attended many political rallies in my near 50 years as a newspaper person, but I never before heard about or experienced anything like what I witnessed in our town on Wednesday.
It was amazing. It was incredible. And it was fantastic for Rolla.
I know people are busy and I know that they have their own schedule to keep. But I cannot imagine anyone in Rolla not attempting to see a presidential candidate, really now a presidential nominee, during a campaign stopover in Rolla. Personal politics aside, when potentially the next president of the United States wants to meet and greet us in the Ozarks, I think we should show up.
I started getting pumped about the Obama visit last weekend once the word came down that he would really be coming to town. At first I figured it was just a rumor, but it didn't take long to learn otherwise. By Monday morning, the multi-purpose building was a beehive of activity as preparations rapidly came together.
From all appearances, Rolla did its best to put its best foot forward for the Obama visit. It made me proud to be part of a community that could pull off a red-carpet welcome like it did in a short amount of time.
The people I saw at the rally all seemed to have a hopeful look in their eye. They are anxious for a change and they think Obama is the person to bring about serious, necessary changes. They appear to already revere Obama and he is not yet president.
Obama generates major excitement in a crowd. He is articulate, dynamic and he speaks with substance, no matter what some may say, about the important issues facing our country.
If his supporters have elevated him to rock-star or movie-star status, so be it. I like that. I think it is good for the country to have a large segment of the population excited about the changes that Obama promises for 2009 and beyond. And truly believe he can pull it off.
"Change we can believe in." That is the message we hear wherever Obama goes. It is the message resonating throughout the country.
I'm hearing it. And now I'm believing the Obama plan just might work.
I'm believing also that Obama deserves a chance to show us what he can do. The other side has had eight years to lead us, and, frankly, the results are not good.
Best of luck in your venture, Senator Obama!
By the way, senator, having met you, we're already doing better in Rolla.

KOREAN WAR VETS RECOGNIZED: When Gov. Matt Blunt proclaimed Sunday, July 27, as Korean War Veterans Day in Missouri, Forrest O'Neal, commander of Rolla Chapter 281, Korean War Veterans Association, and his fellow association members took note.
And, at the same time, O'Neal issued a public thank you "to all of the citizens in Rolla and the surrounding area for their generous donations to the recent Korean War Veterans Association's "Rose of Sharon" fundraiser.
Said O'Neal, "We were able to raise $3,300 due to everyone's support. Thanks to all for helping us out with this project."
In his proclamation, Gov. Blunt noted the importance of recognizing the Korean War veterans' commitment to our freedom and service to country.
"It is the selfless service of our veterans who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for country that allowed America to become what it is today, the greatest nation in the world, a nation that rests on a foundation of hard work, decency and love of country and liberty. I hope all Missourians remember those brave men and women who fought for our country during the Korean War."

DAY WINNER: Johnnie Day, wife of Roy Day, chief deputy to Phelps County Sheriff Don Blankenship, won the recent Mike Connor benefit raffle conducted by Intercounty Electric.
The winner was announced at Intercounty's annual meeting in Licking.
What Day took home was a yellow and black Bombardier DS250 four-wheeler.
Day, ironically, is a customer service representative at Rolla Municipal Utilities.
The raffle raised $8,075 for Connor and his family. Connor, who works for Intercounty, suffered serious injuries is a work accident that took place last December. The accident left Connor paralyzed from the chest down.

NO RSVP NEEDED: The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) needs no RSVP for its pancake fundraiser planned for Saturday, Aug. 16, at Applebee's, Highway 63 South.
The fundraiser will be held from 8-10 a.m.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children six and under.
For more information on the Applebee's fundraiser for RSVP, call Julie MacCash, the new RSVP director at 573 458-6189.

DISCLOSING: Friends for Wilson, a committee supporting the candidacy of Don E. Wilson for the Phelps County Commission filed a disclosure report for the Missouri Ethics Commission on July 25 indicating it has $3,862.60 in its bank account. It owes $6,000 in loans.
The report was signed by Kathy Wilson, deputy treasurer of the committee.
Wilson is a Democrat running for the seat now held by Republican Larry Stratman.
The committee reports it has raised $11,122 and spent $7,259.40 during the campaign.
Contributions to the committee include: $250 from Bill and Pat Ransdall; $150 from Leanne Kristek; $200 from Brenda and Henry Skaggs; $200 from Virgil and Louise Flanigan; $200 from Peter Hofherr; $250 from Lola Howe; $150 from Jonathan Dobcinski; $250 from Smith and Turley law firm; $100 from Shirley Glenn; $325 from Sheila Eyberg; $325 from Jim Eyberg; $325 from Seldon and Joyce Trimble, and $150 from Amy Breeden.
The committee also reported it raised $5,092 in small amounts at a fundraiser held July 10 at Lions Club Park.
Expenses have gone for advertising, signage, supplies, food and campaign literature.

ORGANIZED: The Citizens for Lou Gilbert has filed a statement of committee organization with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Molly Malone is treasurer of the committee. Terris L. Cates is deputy treasurer. Michael Pyles II, 6601 NW Park Place Dr., Kansas City, MO 64151, is secretary of the committee.
The committee has established a bank account for contributions at Central Federal Savings & Loan Association.
Louis D. Gilbert is a Republican candidate for Phelps County surveyor.

SALES TAX HOLIDAY: Today, Aug. 1, through midnight Aug. 3, is Missouri's annual sales tax holiday in portions of Missouri.
This is a time when back-to-school supplies can be purchased at least ax-free or exempt from the state sales tax of 4.225 percent.
The sales tax exemption applies to:
-Clothing, any article having a taxable value of $100 or less;
-School supplies, not to exceed $50 per purchase;
-Computer software, taxable value of $350 or less, and
-Personal computers and computer peripheral devices, not to exceed $3,500.
This year, 170 cities, 52 counties and eight taxing districts have opted out of participating in the sales tax holiday. In those areas during the sales tax holiday, the local taxes will be collected while the state portion will not.
A full list of non-participating cities, counties and districts is listed on the Missouri Department of Revenue website at www.dor.mo.gov.