Flu bug, Lucky Charms and nearly $4 a gallon gasoline provides for interesting week

Am I the only one who's been zapped by a nasty flu bug of some sort?

You know, the one that gets in your chest, head, throat and makes you feel like crap.

Other prevalent symptoms that won't go away are lots of green, yucky phlegm, exhaustion, sore throat, but no fever.

I've been battling this bug for about four weeks now and finally had to break down and get a day of rest at home Thursday.

I've taken a flu shot, but somehow the viral complications of this particular bug weren't included in the injection I got before the sick season started.

I'm hoping this nasty bug decides to run its course and leave soon. It's worn out it's welcome and I'm tired.

A 478-pound box of cereal

Ever hear of a 478-pound box of Lucky Charms cereal?

The Bloomfield First Baptist Church's Food Pantry has acquired one from the Hoosier Hills Food Bank in Bloomington and Wednesday night volunteers were busy breaking down the mega-sized box of breakfast cereal into smaller distribution size portions to help the area's needy.

The cereal has crossed ecumenical lines and is being shared in biblical fashion with the Linton Community Food Bank, who will be distributing the Lucky Charms to its clientele.

John Cummings of the Bloomfield First Baptist Church Food Bank team gave me a tour of his facility and said the church is pleased to be serving a growing need in our community.

I was encouraged to know that the food pantry receives over-stock items from a variety of area grocery stores and restaurants -- including pizza that is flash frozen to preserve it.

Food pantries are especially needed in this day of tough economic times for so many in the area. The pantries have food available for anyone who demonstrates a need.

Do the pantries worry about being taken advantage of by some unscrupulous individuals who might misrepresent themselves in order to get a free box of groceries?

I think that's a concern, but they probably shouldn't really care. They are doing scripturally what they are supposed to be doing -- feeding the flock.

Like it says in Proverbs 22:9 -- "Happy is the generous man, the one who feeds the poor."

John had to laugh when he told me how much the big box of cereal actually cost the churches -- $68 for the 478 pounds.

Now that's a bargain at a little over 14 cents a pound (16 ounces) when you consider a box of brand-name cereal in the supermarket costs at least $3 for a 20-ounce box.

Gas prices keep going up

What's with the recent and continued escalation of fuel prices?

Gasoline is at nearly $3.90 and inching closer to $4 bucks a gallon.

It's pretty sad when a 5 gallon gas can to mow your lawn cost $20 dollars.

It's hitting everyone hard in the pocketbook and it doesn't look like there is any relief in sight.

A group of engineering-minded high school students from across the state -- including Eastern Greene High School -- are doing their part to figure out how to get every bit of mileage out of some of their homemade vehicles.

On Monday, the 16th Annual Indiana Mathematics, Science and Technology Alliance (IMSTEA) Super Mileage Challenge will be hosted at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.

This year's event will draw 46 cars from 34 Hoosier high schools for competition to see which teams can chalk up the best mileage.

Competition will be staged in two classes -- stock (which allows no engine modifications) and unlimited (which allow for some engine changes).

Cars in the unlimited class typically average more than 1,000 miles per gallon.

Kudos to Eastern Greene instructor Rich Tarr and his crew of students for their participation in this much-needed educational experience.

These student are the future scientists, engineers and technicians who will be designing, building and serving the cars of our future.

Someday, maybe $5 a gallon gasoline won't be such a concern to us all.

Nick is assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487; by e-mail at schneider.nick@gmail.com .