Deputy Doug’s Dispatches

There are moments in life when everything aligns perfectly, creating memories that stay with us forever. One such moment for me was when I first heard Ronnie Milsap’s “Smoky Mountain Rain.” It was October 1980, and I was driving cross-country, heading to my new duty station for Admin Chiefs school at Parris Island, South Carolina. As a United States Marine who had attained the rank of Corporal, I had started this journey from Southern California, and it was my first time driving through the Smoky Mountains. The scenery was breathtaking. The winding roads, the lush greenery, and the misty, smoky peaks created a serene and magical atmosphere. As I navigated the curves and ascended the mountains, the radio played softly in the background. Suddenly, the announcer’s voice broke through the music, “And now, for the very first time, a new song by Ronnie Milsap called ‘Smoky Mountain Rain.’” Although the song had been officially released in September, it was possible that the radio station was

Municipal Stadium Brooklyn Ave and E 22nd Street  In the latest episode of “Let’s Move the Royals,” the Kansas City Royals are considering a move downtown. But why stop there? Why not take a trip down memory lane and set up shop at the corner of Brooklyn Avenue and E. 22nd Street, where Municipal Stadium used to be? It would make just as much sense as any other suggested location so far. Imagine the nostalgia! Picture this: parking in neighborhood yards, just like the good old days. Who wouldn’t want to relive the thrill of finding a baseball in their flower bed or the joy of explaining to visitors why there’s a good old-fashioned ballpark in the middle of a residential area? It’s like a time machine, but with more traffic and fewer parking spaces. The Sacred Ground This isn’t just any location; it’s the sacred ground where legends like Jackie Robinson, Buck O’Neil, and other Hall of Famers graced the field. Players like Satchel Paige, Ernie Banks, and Cool Papa Bell showcased their ta

   Imagine meeting a former president while taking a break from a bike ride. Sounds surreal, right? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me. When I was around 6 to 8 years old, in the mid-1960s, I lived in Independence, MO, just a few blocks west of the Truman Library. One particularly hot day, with the sun blazing and the cicadas buzzing, I was riding my bike and decided to rest in the shade under the 24 Highway bridge near the library. To my surprise, President Harry S. Truman himself walked by. We had a brief conversation, though I don’t remember the details. It was one of those moments that felt surreal, almost like a scene from a movie. Meeting a former president while taking a break from a bike ride is not something many people can say they’ve experienced. The funny thing is, at that time, I had absolutely no idea who I was walking with or talking to. Can you believe that? Another reason I often found myself under that bridge was because I had discovered a cafeteria at the Unive