By Richard Shank
Shank’s Scoop
As fall passes the mid-point and with barely a month remaining before the first day of winter, it’s time to reflect on the year soon to pass and a new one to begin. It’s also time to consider what new purchases should be made in advance of 2027 that will make life on the Shank farm more enjoyable and productive.
This brings me to the point that, regardless of age, every man needs another toy, and what better purchase to make than some version of an all-terrain vehicle. So, I went shopping the other day in search of an ATV and, instead, ended up purchasing an RTV, which translates to rough terrain vehicle.
Regarding the old neighborhood, I will be in good company as most of my neighbors already own one and have for a number of years. Hardly a day passes without one of our neighbors driving by on the way to check a field or just enjoying motoring around the old neighborhood on a beautiful fall day.
According to the manual, which is 100 pages long, this particular RTV is a trademark of Kubota Corporation meaning it is more like a compact tractor than a recreational buggy, but I can’t imagine doing much farm work with one of these. It is suggested one could mount a snow plow on the front or attach a grass-cutting device beneath the body, but we’ll probably stick to riding mowers for manicuring the farmstead.
The seller admonished me that the RTV can be driven on county roads, but not state or interstate highways. So, by taking the back roads, as they say in rural America, I could, on any given day, drive to Solomon or Bennington for lunch. Or better yet, why not drive to Niles, a tiny berg 4 miles northeast of the farm and check out the goings on in that little town, which shouldn’t take long.
The handbook says the new purchase can be driven up to 42 miles per hour, but I can’t imagine driving the RTV that fast.
No matter what, the RTV is a good addition to the fleet and, now, the machine shed is full. It’s always good to know the owner is utilizing all available space so nothing is wasted, which provided another excuse to make the purchase.
I hope to report in a future column about unique ways we are finding to use the RTV.
Otherwise, it is a great relief the mid-term elections are in the rearview mirror. Rising early each morning to watch television news, we have seen the same commercials so many times that one can almost repeat them word for word. Thank the almighty we will have a reprieve for a couple years until we endure it again. And since we will be electing a new president in 2028, odds are the ads will be stronger than ever.
Still, humor is never far away when researching comedian Will Roger’s comments on politics and politicians from 100 years ago that apply today.
According to Will, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln didn’t get a statute built in their honor until they were dead.
“I honestly believe there is people so excited over this election that they think the President has something to do with running this country,” Rogers joked.
“As a man who is known by the company he keeps, I will show you that now that you have entered politics that you will be mixed up with more bunk than you ever thought existed,” Rogers continued. “I love a dog; he does nothing for political reasons.”
Rogers went on to say he had a good night listening to a local radio station.
“There was static on the radio and you couldn’t hear a single political speech,” Rogers said. “This country has gotten where it is in spite of politics, not by the aid of it. That we have carried as much political bunk as we have and still survived shows we are a super nation. If you ever injected truth into politics, you have no politics.”
According to Rogers in a 1932 radio address, “Everybody is changing in America. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke, when it used to be vice versa.”
By the way, Rogers said he was not a member of an organized political party as he was a Democrat.
Oh, how this country needs a Will Rogers these days as he would be both a humbling and uplifting figure when both are needed so badly. Thankfully, his legacy is preserved at the Will Rogers in his hometown of Claremore, Oklahoma. I’ve have visited several times and plan to go again one of these days.
Richard Shank is a retired AT&T manager and external representative for Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He can be reached at shankr@prodigy.net or by calling 620-664-1517.