Who said these Thursday columns written by a retired reporter are lame-o efforts?

At least one of the local dailies caught up with my recent reference to the civil suit filed against the Austin school district.

Like I said before, it ain’t over until everybody sings the truth in public.

Good to see my former employer broke the news that plumbers are on strike over wage issues at the new Mower County Jail & Justice Center project.

Gosh forbid prisoners and judges would have to stand in line outside at Port-A-Potties waiting for an opening if the new $27-million facilities don’t have all the necessary plumbing.

Of course cynics will say that will be an opportunity for county officials to approve a future bond issue just to allow more taxpayer dollars to be flushed.

If you’re like me, the report of a five-foot tall change machine stolen from the lobby at Twin Towers struck fear in your heart.

My tip to investigators is to stake out all coin operated laundry machines in Austin.

Whew!

There’s just been too much controversy and crime since Thanksgiving. If local officials are concerned about the image of the city being tarnished by the Kurt Rude-Candy Raskin-defamation of character-Fire Chief Dan Wilson and city behind-closed-doors actions, try explaining how a huge coin machine could be stolen from a locked lobby at a public housing project.

Thank goodness Christmas is coming when there will be peace on earth, goodwill toward men and more door-buster sales at local stores. The only excitement I want to hear about the dueling mayors ringing bells for the Salvation Army.

God only knows they have to have something to do in their free time.

But enough of this gibberish, I am here today to recommend Richard E. Hall’s new book “Once Around the Mill Pond and Cedar River.”

No kidding.

This is a very good read for anyone interested in Austin history.

Mr. Hall has written four other books chronicling Austin and Mower County history but his latest shines brightest.

It’s no “Going Rogue,” but it does make sense. Hall’s book took years—not four month—to complete. It costs only $10. There are no jokes being made about its content or the author. It’s simply a good light read about a subject citizens of Austin should want to know more about.

So many, many books are written. So few are remembered.

No movie deal here, but perish the thought this is a book without controversy. It is not.

What if I were to tell you the author second-guesses those who claim Chauncey Leverich was the first to settle Austin. Check out Hall’s investigation about who may have settled along the Cedar River first.

In fact, visit the Mower County Historical Center at the fairgrounds in Austin and consider other items connected to local history as gift items for those who expect the unusual.

Hall’s book includes many dramatic black and white sketches drawn by the author. And when you stop and consider the man is 87 years old, I’d say it’s worth $10 just to look at the pictures.