The annual summer festival in my hometown was called Homecoming. It used to be a very BIG DEAL in that little farming community of 420. We held a parade, had a carnival, etc. etc., and we kids looked forward to it as much as my parents dreaded it. Anyway, the summer I was nine the Homecoming Committee announced that we would have a Soap Box Derby. It was just a local race, not associated with the National Soap Box Derby. We had a nice hill and boulevard on Main Street, which was perfect for the derby.

Of course, in those years only boys were expected to compete. Well, I was having none of that. Why should the boys be the only ones to have fun? I can be very determined when I want to be, and I just made up my mind that I too would enter the Soap Box Derby, and I did, placing 3^rd. I am sure there were people who thought I shouldn’t have raced, but I was oblivious. It was a world of fun, and I was extremely pleased with myself.

All of this brings me to today’s book, "The Soap Box Beagle," written and illustrated by Steve and Becky Morgheim. Becky did all the illustrations. "The Soap Box Beagle" is a children’s book, but adults, who remember the Soap Box Derbies at Scottsbluff Bluff Monument, will get a kick out of it too. As the story tells it, rangers at a historic monument hosted a celebration and race for animals on the first day of summer each year. The other animals finally got fed up because Della the Deer won every year. After some complaints and discussion, Snickers the Beagle suggests a soap box derby instead of the annual race. Naturally, this is a winning suggestion. I won’t spoil the ending by telling you who wins the race.

For those of you who remember the derbies or just are interested in the history of the valley, an appendix contains a short history of the Soap Box Derby at Scott Bluff National Monument. Local valley boys raced from 1939 to 1951 with a five-year break for World War II. A list of winners is included. Additionally, Jerry Aulick shares his memories of winning the race in 1946 and his trip to Akron, Ohio for the national competition. He finished 5^th at nationals.

On the weekend of July 11 & 12, Scotts Bluff National Monument will be celebrating its 90^th Anniversary in conjunction with Oregon Trail Days. Part of that celebration with be a recognition of the soap box race down Summit Road. Three demonstration races are planned for Sunday, July 12, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Morgheims will be on-hand to share and autograph copies of their book for a $5.00 donation.

The Morgheim’s intend to use the donations for their books to create Skipper’s Cupboard, a non-profit food pantry for pets. The pantry will serve to supply pet food to responsible owners who can not afford to feed their pets. The Morgheim’s envision a time when no pet owner will be forced to abandon, neglect, or abuse an animal companion for lack of food resources. By the way, Skipper was an abandoned dog himself, whom the Morgheim’s rescued. Believe me, he no longer wants for food. Donations to Skipper’s Cupboard may be sent to the First National Bank. Interested donors can also call 672-5015 or visit www.skipperscupboard.org. The Soap Box Derby demonstration at the Monument sounds like a hoot. See you there.

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