Why would two very nice and respectable ladies from Northwest Kansas resort to rummaging through the trash dumpsters lining the streets of the Big Apple?

This spurious activity recently occurred on a Please Go Away™ Vacations/Smoky Hills Public Television deluxe New York City and Theatre tour.  The travel experience included in depth city sightseeing, the award-winning Broadway shows of “Hairspray” and “Curtains” and dining at such top-of-the-line eateries as Sardi’s, Tavern on the Green and Roxy’s. 

Not only did the dumpster divers find what they were looking for after considerable effort, but they then carried the prized rummaged spoils back to their waiting room at the very nice Sheraton Manhattan Hotel situated in the heart of the city on 7^th Avenue.  In doing so they had to traverse the marble floored, chandelier lighted and patron filled expansive lobby.

The following morning the uncharacteristic actions of these two dumpster-diving divas became clear as they once again carried their ill-gotten loot back into the lobby.  During the night they had put forth much effort to transform their questionably obtained gains into something of far greater purpose and value.

Who were these divas?  Verna Michellich and Billie McCall of Wakeeney.  What were they doing diving into dumpsters?  Let me explain. 

Thirty participants were part of the special travel experience.  Among them were Clarence and Frances Wagner of Russell, KS who were celebrating their 59^th Wedding Anniversary while on tour.  Also a member of the group was Esther White of Russell who had been a bridesmaid at the wedding.  The group was scheduled to visit the Today Show and the two divas wanted to produce an appropriate sign that would call this outstanding marital achievement to the attention of Al Roker and the millions of Today Show viewers.  Being unable to purchase suitable signboard materials Verna and Billie resorted to obtaining large pieces of cardboard from the city’s trash to accomplish their goal.  Upon arrival at the Today Show the anniversary couple was positioned near where Al Roker entered the Plaza portion of the production.

It worked.  Al Roker initially congratulated the couple “off camera” and then moments later came back to personally visit with and acknowledge Clarence and Frances – and the sign of the dumpster-diving divas – in front of millions of viewers.

Our congratulations are extended to the anniversary couple.  But, congratulations also need to be extended to Verna and Billie for their acts of kindness and the efforts they went through to accomplish their goals.

“Good people make good trips!”  With examples like the unselfish acts of the two divas, the recognition by Al Roker on nationwide TV of a wedding that took place 59 years earlier, and the many other positive acts of genuine group interchange and consideration by other members as well, this was a “good trip”.  Thanks to each of you.