For the first CBS profile of the town in the late 1970’s, Randy Valek, a close friend of many of us, had died the day before in a sad accident. His death and others have shown again, just how supportive and closely knit small towns can be. Kudos to you and to Jim for recognizing one of the great hidden treasures of America.

Dave

I used to go to Cuba to the harvest festival periodically, and always there for Sat. night dances when “Fire” was the band playing at the dance hall. The Cuba dances were a second generation social event for our family.

It was always fun when the local Catholic girls showed up at the dances after Saturday night mass in their dresses. That was an easier approach than having to do what us Lutheran’s did. They didn’t have to scrape themselves up off the bed the next day for church. The dances also could result in a drive the wrong way home, by going to Hanover for late night breakfast. One could also meet Roger Lindberg, the local Highway Patrol, if you were lucky (not).

I have a couple identical twin friends from near Cuba. You can tell them apart now 30 years later based on a broken nose that occurred in the late 1970s on mainstreet Cuba during a dance, likely while “Fire” was on stage.

I’m from two miles outside another small town in the the same county, with about six people, three dogs, and two house cats. I was a member of the last graduating class of Courtland High, three towns west of Cuba, just off Hwy. 36.

The part everyone should know, is just how happy (and nice) people are from Cuba and other surrounding towns… and in most cases small town Kansas and America. Cuba (and Courtland) especially are very happy towns. Despite hardship and struggles, they remain very optimistic about life.

If you are ever in Cuba again, come over to the county seat, Belleville, and have a book signing. I will be there with book in hand. Great article.

Thank you so much for bring attention to the wonderful work of CEO Benjamin Anderson. In high school, Ben was my cheerleading coach. His greatest desire for the cheerleaders of Missouri Elite Athletics was to make sure that we went to college, and he did everything he could do to get us scholarships to college. I am so thankful for Ben Anderson, and the work that he did in my life. Ashland, Ks is VERY lucky to have him.

Thanks for the post. I lived in Riley, Kansas for the first few years of my life, and look back with fuzzy but fond memories. Even having lived in bigger cities ever since, the values and fundamental goodness of small town life are still with me, almost subconsciously. It is a lot of fun to watch your journey from local legend to national treasure, and I hope you are enjoying it too.

His letters home were hard to address:
Dad
Athol, KS

That’s it. Just “Dad”. Athol was small enough that a letter coming from McPherson to “Dad” had to be Walt’s kids, so he go the letters.