From – “Gibbon’s Secrets” – Chapter One - (Five Friends Forever)

    The “Five Friends Forever” had become friends starting in the 1^st grade.

     Bud Phelps, the blond haired blue eyed son of Reg and Addie Phelps, was every energetic and happy being a boy growing up in Gibbon.  (Living in Lincoln, NE today-keeps in touch with his friends)

     Duncan McGregor, the tallest of Bud’s friends always seemed to be more serious than the rest of the guys.  (Living in Gibbon, NE today-keeps in touch with his friends)

     Wally Buchanan, with his face full of freckles always seemed to have a mischievous grin. (Living in Leesburg, FL today-keeps in touch with his friends)

     Donny Hawke, a tow head with bright blue eyes, always displayed his shy timid smile that exhibited a fear of the unknown.  (Living in Tigard, OR today-keeps in touch with his friends)

     Stanley Sylvester, thin as a scarecrow had large round glasses and wispy-thin blond hair.  (Stanley is the only one of the Five Friends Forever that is deceased)

From – “Cover Your Nut” introduction – About the book

     I have placed the “Glossary of Accounting Terms”, at the beginning, just after this introduction, to enable you to review some of the terms used throughout the book before diving into it.  This will also position the glossary at a convenient position for a quick reference while you are reading the book, or just when you would like to refer back to it.

From – “Cover Your Nut” – 1.1 Accounting and Business Questions With Answers

     12 – What Does “Cover Your Nut” mean?

The “Cover Your Nut” principle means that your sales and revenue must cover all of your costs and expenses over a given time frame.  Another way of putting it is your “break-even point”, the sales and revenue level where you cover all costs and expenses for a specific period (month, quarter, or year).

From - "Gibbon's Secrets" - Chapter One

     The brilliant morning sun beamed into Bud’s bedroom, and he vaulted out of bed not wanting to waste a minute of this bright sunny morning in Nebraska.  Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he rummaged through his closet for something to wear.  Finding what he needed, he pulled up his pants, tucked in his shirt, and tore into the kitchen for his breakfast.

     Bud, thinking about all the war news he’d been hearing on the radio and seeing in the papers, wondered if any sense could be made of the cruel treatment shown by Hitler.  He quickly devoured his cereal and a piece of cinnamon toast and launched out the door, heading for Donny’s house.  Bud’s goal this morning is to gather all of his friends to talk about the war.

From - “Cover Your Nut” - Introduction (About the Book)

     My goal in this book is to give you a better understanding of the role of accounting in managing a company and the application of these management skills.  I do not intend upon teaching you to become an accountant, but to give you a better understanding of the need for accounting systems in developing your management skills.  You can always hire an accountant, but don’t you think that it would be in your best interest to develop and understanding of what the financial statements can show you?

Gibbon's High School Reunion was a blast

Pat and I really enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the Gibbon High School Reunion - Class of 1949.  Three of the five friends forever were present at the reunion: Wally Buchanan, Duncan McGregor, and Bud Phelps.  The three have aged a bit but did find plenty to talk about and share - it was hard to beat Wally's enthusiasm.  Vera Mae's complaint was that the girls involved in the war games were not mentioned in the book Gibbon's Secrets - I should have given them credit and the spotlight for being exceptional nurses. 

From Gibbon’s Secrets - Memorial Day, 1942 came to this small town of Gibbon and everyone involved was lining up for the parade.

The Memorial Day parade started at the park, right across the street from Bud’s house, and everyone had dressed in a patriotic theme. Bud and his friends were waving their little American flags, and had spread out across the front of the parade. The Gibbon High School Band followed close behind them. Bud said to his fellow commandos, “Alright guys, let’s show everyone how important it is to be patriotic.” Bud was in

the middle, splitting the five boys with two on each side, this made a very impressive starting line-up for the parade. The excitement was building, and the five boys were beginning to bounce around. They were anxiously waiting for the parade to start. Finally the band leader blew his whistle, and the parade was underway.

From – “Gibbon’s Secrets” Prologue

     Bud, lying under a large elm tree with a full and showy form, turned the puffy clouds into animals or ships to pass the time of day, and fell asleep.  Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his foot, and cringed in fright when a ruggedly built man yelled at him.  The man towering above him said something that sounded very odd, like a low growl.  Bud had never heard anyone speak this way.

     The man was blonde, tall and wide of shoulder, deep-chested, arms like slabs of ham.  He had steely-blue eyes, and looked down at Bud with a menacing sneer.  “What are you doing here boy?  I have been looking for someone to help me, and you just might fill the bill.  Let me see how strong you are.”

Gibbon Nebraska’s All Class Reunion – Today, May 23rd, 2009

     The Gibbon High School will celebrate their all class reunion today, May 23^rd, 2009, and I will attend as an honorary member of the class of 1949.   I moved from Gibbon after the 7^th grade but do feel that my memories of growing up in Gibbon during the 40’s have kept me close to the class of 1949.  Congratulations to all of the graduates from Gibbon High School

Lincoln SCORE Chapter Workshop – June 6th, 2009 – 8:15am to 5:00pm

     The Lincoln SCORE Chapter along with Southeast Community College is presented a workshop called, “What’s Involved in Starting a Small Business” – at SCC’s main campus in room G-1.  Check out the agenda and how to register at the Lincoln SCORE website, www.lincoln.scorechapter.org or contact SCC, Amy Chesley @402-437-2700.

From - “Cover Your Nut” - Introduction (About the Book)

     We would all like to be able to magically know which business we should start on our own, which business would make us the most money, which business would be the easiest to control, how we should set up our business to give us all the information that we need, and what details we should cover while planning all of these items, and, most importantly, how do we “Cover our Nut”.

      “Cover Your Nut” – to cover all costs relative to income.  The cost is referred to as the “Nut” and the income is referred to as the “Cover”.

Information from Gibbon's Secrets Forward

     Many of the incidences in this story are true, but there are also some, although strictly fictional, definitely are appropriate for the time frame of the 40's.  Many of the individual characters in the story were truly a part of this story but some of them are fictional, and their resemblance to actual individuals is strictly coincidental.  Some of the names have been purposely changed or added to the story to complete the fictional picture.

     I dedicate this story to my family and friends.  Read and enjoy my enhanced remembrances of the 40's.

Announcement for Barnes & Nobel Book Signing

Barnes & Noble will be having a local authors book signing on Saturday June 13th at the Lincoln Barnes & Noble Southpoint store.  The book signing will be from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.  RG Bud Phelps will be signing his book "Gibbon's Secrets"