Letters Feb. 18

Tribute to an old friend

The other day as I was walking down the hall at the high school, I went by one of the opened doors to the gym and I noticed my old friend, Scooter Brannon, quietly seated on the bleachers. I looked at this as an opportunity to say hi and ask of his health.

We shook hands, exchanged pleasantries and talked of the girls’ success on the basketball court. While sitting there and sharing I looked up to see that the whole girls’ basketball team had formed a tight semicircle around us and Carmen Gfeller had seated herself next to Scooter.

I was pleasantly surprised, as was he, and one of the young ladies remarked that I had on really neat new shoes. I told them of my old shoes and how that I had finally given up the many years on the mats with the guys. I sensed, however, that the girls were not there to admire my shoes. I quietly excused myself and as I walked away I noticed that the circle closed even tighter around Scooter. I am not sure of the advice and the wisdom he brought forth, but I am sure that he meant so much to those young folks and they were there to express their love and appreciation of him.

Jack McBride, Colfax