By DEB NICKLAY, Of The Globe Gazette

NEW YORK CITY — It is amazing that the Mason City High School Concert Choir so graciously asked me to travel to New York City with them — really amazing, considering I cannot read music or sing.

But even I can tell that Mason City has much to be proud of in these students. They are happy to be here. They are polite. And they are so willing to go out of their way to help an old lady.

“So how are you really doing, Deb?” a few have asked, searchingly, sincerely concerned about a soon-to-be 50-year-old riding 25 hours on a bus.

But I made it, thanks to some lively conversation with all on board.

Here are a few highlights:

q I came almost all the way to New York City to realize that one of the bus drivers was an old neighbor of mine from Minnesota.

q Associate Director Sarah Bruce’s mom stood in the Wal-Mart parking lot, just off the freeway in Princeton, Ill., at about midnight Thursday, waving to our buses as they passed.

q Emily Leafstedt said her parents told her not “to look up at the buildings — you’ll just look like a tourist.” So, of course, you know what we all did when we got here: Looked up.

q The choir is hoping to see some famous personalities along the way, especially during the NBC studio tour scheduled for today. They have made signs, such as you see on the “Today” show. Some of the best: “The Mason City Concert Choir Loves Matt Lauer” and “We Take Requests.”

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