Stan Matzke & Nebraska Trade School

Our Seward Magazine Club meets tomorrow evening and I plan to report on Senator Stanley Matzke's role in the founding of the Milford, NE Campus of the Southeast Community College. I'm using the 1941-1991, 50 Year celebration publication as my source. I also plan to pass the publication on to Chuck, a son of Stanley's, who with his wife Jan, are members of the Club. The report includes the following information: "State Senator, Stanley Matzke of Seward described his January 1940 trip to North Dakota State Trade School in Wahpeton in his 1929 car as the 'longest and most profitable trip I have ever made'.

"Matzke made the long trip to North Dakota because he wanted to see an actual trade school in operation. After touring the facility, he spent an additional week in the area talking to graduates and their employers about the benefits of vocational education. Immediately upon his return, Matzke began drafting a bill for the creation of a trade school using the former Soldiers and Sailors Home buildings in Milford. The home by this

time had been vacant for two years. In 1941 during the fifty-fifth session of the Nebraska Legislature,  Senator Matzke introduced Legislative Bill No. 148 that provided for the establishment of the Nebraska State Trade School under the State Board of Vocational Education. In his formal testimony to the Legislature, Senator Matzke stated: 'The main idea is a Nebraska trade school suited and adapted to the needs of Nebraska now and for years to come--a school which will enable at least some of the 90% of our young boys who cannot avail themselves to higher educational advantages to learn a peace time trade which will assist them in becoming worth while citizens. ' Under Matzke's skillful management of LB 148, it breezed through the Legislature and was signed by Governor Dwight Griswold who called it a forward step into the state's future.'"  It's official date of establishment is March 28, 1941, with a May 1, opening date.

Virginia Bock at 100

We participated in the Birthday party this afternoon here at Brookdale for residents Virginia Bock and Ella Stuhr. I have known Virginia since my days in Garland High School when she married Carl Bock who was the school janitor at the time. Virginia was the daughter of August Beckman, President of the Garland Bank and Mrs. Beckman. There were 5 boys and 5 girls in the Beckman family.  Virginia worked for many years for Russell Stover Candies in Lincoln while Carl was working at Cushmans. The Garland Bank like many at the time, was closed during the early 1930's following the 1929 Wall Street  crash. Virginia and Carl had three daughters. The oldest was killed in a car accident as a young woman. Ila Deinert and Damaris Clagg were there today and were among those that helped celebrate on Virginia's January 1st Birthday. I was setting near Ila and handed her my phone to take this picture since she had a better angle. It is not only a great picture but also shows the "caption" on the wall of "Happy 100 Birthday, Virginia Bock, January 1".  We expect to see Virginia at the Garland High School annual alumni reunion this coming June. Elaine had a close family relationship with her cousin Ralph Bock (son of Elaine's mothers sister) who was also a cousin of Carl (son of a brother of Ralph's dad). So while Elaine and Carl were not related there was a family connection, and we occasionally attended the same family events. Congratulations Virginia, you look Great.

Good Entertainment

We at Brookdale were pleasantly entertained last evening by the music of Paul Siebert. He had a Concert at Olde Glory Theater downtown and the theater financed his coming up and performing for a very appreciative audience here. He is an outstanding vocalist and musician. His repertoire of music included many of the old favorites from the '30's, 40's and 50's.  He invited us to sing along with him which added to the pleasure. Some of the songs I hadn't sang since Jon and I did them years ago. He started out with the Guitar and went on with the Ukulele, Banjo, Hammer Dulcimer, and Accordion. I visited with him afterward and told him of how son Jon plays many of the same instruments and entertains. Sometime when Jon is back we will see if we can get him "booked" in here for some entertainment.The Accordion that Siebert played was very similar to the one that Jon has that my Dad used to play. Jon calls it a Concertina since it has only 2 rows of keys (buttons).

He also played some Irish songs including "Red Wing" which I hadn' t heard for years. I may have even "blushed" while singing it because of the memory rekindled of one of my farmer friends version of it. We just finished watching Duke beat Notre Dame 88-66  at Duke's Camerion Stadium. They needed this kind of win after losing at home to Virginia on Saturday. Duke is still ranked #4. Our attention will now be turned to seeing Nebraska  at Wisconsin. This is the most exciting team that Tim Miles has had for some time and has a good chance of getting into the NCAA tournament in March. The most recent appearance of Nebraska in "The Show" was 20 years ago in 1998.

The Butterfly Effect

Rev. Robert Henre, from the Seward United Methodist Church, led the Service at Brookdale this afternoon. Ellie played the piano for the several songs we sang. Andy Andrews 2010 booklet on "The Butterfly Effect" on "Your Life Matters", served as the text for his message. He began by telling of a Scientist some years ago writing that a Butterfly flapping it's Wings in America could cause a Hurricane on the other side of the globe. While his theory was not taken seriously at the time, some 30 years later, it was recognized as a possibility. He went on to trace the actions of individuals from Andrews book on their effect of major events. Col. Chamberlain, a 34 year old School Teacher, made decisions at the Battle of Gettysburg that led to Union victory and the preservation of the United States. George Washington Carver was adopted and raised by parents who encouraged his interest in horticulture to develop and eventually led to his Peanut research and utilization. Norman Borlang a 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner developed strains of wheat that led to the Green Revolution. Most of us never know of something we may do or have done that could change the world.

Tim Miles at Nebraska

We got around early this morning to get Elaine down town for a 9:30 beauty shop appointment.  I took advantage of the time to go down to the Ag Pavilion for a Schweitzer Auction for multi-parties. It included Indian Artifacts, old Telephone equipment, and Neon Advertisements among many other things. It seemed that things were selling pretty well. This was the first one I've attended since ours on December 17th. When we got home I pulled our report out of the file and went through what each item brought and who got it. While we were well satisfied with our final "bottom line", a number of things were literally given away. There was a fine line between what we did take to EtCetera, etc. and what we put on the Auction. In addition to price received, there is the value of things being gone. 

I looked forward to seeing the Duke-Virginia basketball game this afternoon. We haven't seen many of the Duke games this season but have been impressed with their new additions. It was a disappointment to see them fall behind early and once they got the lead, thought they were on their way, only to lose 65-63 in Cameron. Nebraska led Iowa 48-34 at the half in the sold out Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln and went on to win 98-84. Jordy Tshimanga's best game of the season complimented big nights from James Palmer, Isaac Copeland and Isaiah Roby.

Journal of Soil and Water Conservation

My copy of the January/February 2018 issue of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation came in the mail this week.  The Journal is a "refereed" technical publication of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. This issue is Volume 73, Number 1 which dates back to the Society's founding by Hugh H. Bennett back in 1946. I have been a member of the Society for many years, have a lifetime membership and served as the Executive Vice-President (CEO) from 1989 through 1991 at the Headquarters location near Ankeny, Iowa. The Journal still includes a small section of more popular articles in addition to its hallmark technical ones. For many years I collected the Journals from my over 50 years as a member and do still have the ones published while I was CEO. At one time Concordia University was happy to add each year of Journals to their Library (Elaine's copies). I write this as another example of how  things "come and go" during the course of our lives. I will always retain my interest in soil and water conservation but no longer feel the need to read in detail about "The utilization of edge-of-field monitoring of agricultural runoff in addressing non-point source pollution". Our move to Brookdale has taught us the need to dispose of many things that are not part of our daily life. This current issue of the Journal becoming part of tomorrow  mornings garbage isn't as surprising as is the number of years that I kept many such things without ever referring to them.   

Weather was nice;the Day was busy

I have neglected my dental care during the past couple years during which time I had very few conscious problems. That doesn't mean that decay wasn't taking place; even under crowns. I had an upper, front, right crown replaced late this past fall after biting into a tough pizza crust. Then recently lost a filling and part of one of the moalers while working on the crust of a Brownie. This afternoon, a technician took pictures and Dr. Matt examined all of my teeth and gave me the verdict. It seems that I have decay under 5 of my crowns. We scheduled an appointment to have the crown removed from the upper, front, left tooth, the"stump" repaired and a new crown installed. We also scheduled for having the recent injury repaired by trying to do so with a filling; realizing, we may have to put a crown on it. I brush my teeth every day but don't know how much my negligance in having them cleaned and visiting the Dentist regularily has to do with this recenctly recognized problem. I doubt that any of this cost will be covered by Medicare or Blue Cross/Blue Shield but we will  see. We may just have to take it out of the Estate. 

While we were out this afternoon, we also dropped off my Cowboy Boots at EtCetera along with 2-pair of wingtips. The black pairs were Florsheims which will make someone a very nice pair of dress shoes. This is the only pair of Cowboy Boots that I have ever owned and wore them only a few times for square dancing. Our supper this evening was served by a young lady who is usually dressed in black. This evening she wore a printed blue dress that was very attractive and brightened the spirits of all she served. We continue to be impressed with the courtesy of the staff here at Brookdale.

Yesterday's Treasures, Today's Trash.

Our top priority for today was sorting some of the last stuff that was brought up here as the house was being cleared out. Our focus was on two containers that held information from many of our travels. Among it was pictures, brochures, maps, etc. of our 1993 trip to the Czech Republic and Hungary with Souceks and Don and Gladys. It was a great adventure and much of it was kept. However, there was a lot of Newspaper material and clippings that were tossed. We even came across a clipping of the proposed Seward Civic Center in  1953 with Ralph Yerk listed as Architect. We gave that to Kay, his daughter, at supper this evening. We had put-off doing some of this sorting by having given priority to end-of-year "Pictures and Activities", etc.. 

We have reached a "maturity" level that enables us to dispose of things today that we would not have done earlier. The amount of storage at our disposal at the house was really a contributor to our keeping some things just because we had room for them. Part of my rational for keeping them too, was the "Pipe Dream" that someday, I may write a book about our travels. I believe we now can get as much satisfaction of seeing the empty containers as we once did just knowing we had the stuff. Elaine looked pretty happy heading for the garbage container.

My Band Experience

This is the Seward Kindergarten Rhythm band at the "Federated" Church at 4th and Jackson street on May 19,1931. They had played at a Cradle Roll program at the Church under the direction of their teacher, Miss Fuering. I am in the back row at the right end. I remember having the picture taken but don't recall the program. While we "lost" some things in the process of moving to Brookdale, this picture is an example of something we have found. In my office at the house, I kept a list on my desk of things we knew we had but couldn't find. This picture had been on that list for the past 5 years. Then the other evening, Elaine came across it among other old pictures. I have a CD with 98 pictures  called "Buds #1" which is of my childhood. I wanted this picture included. Now that it's found, I can still get it worked in.

Flowerday Black Butcher Kettle.

This Black Butcher Kettle has been a part of Elaine's life for as long as she can remember. As a little girl her Dad rendering lard in it over a wood burning fire. She also remembers her folks making soap in it with tallow and lye. It would be cut in white blocks and used in the washing machine. She remembers of the kettle being stored near the smoke house with it turned over to not catch rain. Elaine inherited it when her folks had their farm auction in the spring of 1956. We had bought our 5th street house a short time before and suspended it with chains from a tripod made with oak poles. We have always used it for a "planter" except for a party that Carolyn had out at the farm. For that occasion, we dumped out the dirt and plugged up the 3 holes I had drilled in the bottom. She used it as a cooler at the event by filling it with ice, water and drinks. I took the plugs out later and it has been a planter ever since.

We have often pulled up this picture of Elaine and the kids because of her dress and attractiveness, but never before as a chance to see the Black Kettle soon after it became ours. We took it along when we moved to Lincoln a couple years later and had it set up in the backyard there like we had it in Seward. However, we took it back out to Seward and left it with Elaine's folks at their Locust Street house. They took good care of it but never put it to any use. Their Estate Auction was held March 15, 1983. So, it is obvious that we would have "reclaimed it" prior to that date. I do remember of our buying Geraniums at a Greenhouse in DesMoines in the late '80's while working at Ankeny, IA and making frequent trips back to Seward. The Geraniums were special and planted in the Kettle in front of our 1st Street house in Seward. I'm certain that it has occupied that location for at least the last 25 years. It was one of those things from Elaine's childhood that led to our quality of life, but it is appropriate for it to move along and bring happiness to others. She appreciated getting the check this morning.

Family Heirlooms

This family heirloom has had an interesting history. It has served a useful purpose in our garage for the past 35 years and now looks great after Carolyn's refinishing. Here is what Elaine wrote about it: 

"This table was part of the bedroom furniture give to Charles and Anna (Schneider) Koch as a piece of their wedding furniture when they were married in Pickney, Missouri on February 26, 1880. They moved to Seward, Nebraska, in1903.

In the following years, it was used by their daughter Christine (Dixie) Koch for a bedside table (while she made her home with Albert & Flora Flowerday from 1919 ‘til her death on Thanksgiving Day 1964.

The table was kept by Albert and Flora, passing it on to Elaine and then to her daughter Carolyn who has now refinished it beautifully for her home here in Seward.

Since the Koch’s were talented furniture makers, it may have been crafted by one of the Koch’s." There is also an interesting story on a bench that came about the same route.

Here is what Elaine wrote this afternoon about the Bench: 'This bench was made by Charles Koch for his family to sit on at the family table. Their children consisted of Settie, Meta, Millie, Anna, Carl, Amanda, Lydia, Flora, Della (lived only about a year), Dixie (Christine), and Verna.

The bench was made from a tree in their back yard in Missouri. In 1905 the family moved to a farm northeast of Seward where they farmed. When his health failed, they moved to house on South Columbia in 1918. After he died in 1920, the family moved to a house in the 100 block of south 4^th street in the downtown area. When Grandmother moved to California in the 1930’s to help Verna with her little ones, Flora took the bench to the farm.

Flora & Albert brought the bench along when they moved to Seward in 1956. Following their Estate auction in 1982, their daughter Elaine kept the bench in the attic of their home. Now Julie and John have it in their beautiful home in Seward to enjoy."

Hank Williams, Dover, TN Poster

This is a Hank Williams poster sold on our December Auction. It was bought by Larry who called last evening to tell of his efforts to learn more about it. He has talked to people down in Dover, TN, where Williams was scheduled to perform on May 12, 1952. According to local people, he was a "no show" and unable to find a reason other than that he died about a year later. He was able to talk to a lady who has a tavern in Dover with this poster hanging on the wall. She had obtained it through eBay and wouldn't reveal its cost. It appears that there were never very many printed and their availability is definitely limited. While it appeared that he paid a healthy price for it, it seems that he may have gotten a bargain. He is certainly very pleased with it which makes us feel good about it, too. My Brother Don was a guest Auctioneer at our Auction and had the good fortune of selling this poster as well as others. One of his daughters was able to get a picture of his selling it with the poster  being held up for a clear view. That picture may become as valuable to our family as the Hank Williams poster. Julie and I are in the foreground with red cap.

I had 2nd thoughts and decided to add this picture as well since it was already referred to. What I haven't written about is son Jon's comment when he and Anna were here recently. When told of how well this poster and others sold, his comment was: "Dad!!!, You sold My Posters".  I honestly didn't know where they came from but assumed I'd picked them up along the way. Jon went on to admit that he too had no memory of where, when or how this Hank Williams poster came into his possession and got stored in a box at our house. It was probably there from when Jon's lived in the house for a relatively short time while we were in Ankeny, IA.

Dr. Jason Summa and My Bi PAP Machine.

I have been using my Bi PAP machine (Bi level Positive Airway Pressure) for about the past 6 weeks. It was prescribed by Dr. Rudersdorf in cooperation with Dr. Jason Summa, our local family Doctor. The equipment has been furnished by ACS Medical,LLC of Lincoln. I received a call from them yesterday of  having met the initial use requirements and of need to meet with Dr. Summa for a discussion of its use. We met this afternoon where I told him of my progress in becoming accustomed to the equipment. We talked about my having recently had normal dreams during the night which indicated that I was getting into a "deep sleep". Earlier I awakened frequently and never reached the stage where the air pressure may be most beneficial. I wasn't able to report any noticeable change in my energy level but believe the "shortness of breath" may have improved. I pushed a shopping cart all over the Walmart store this afternoon without stopping to rest until after having made my rounds, and Elaine was picking out cards. I have been writing these blog pages since the late 2010's. And, do it primarily for family and friends. This happens to be the 2,500 page that I have published. I have retained all of them on a Flash Drive. I also find that just "searching" for any subject or reference used on this number of pages, will bring them up for review and benefit. I started this years ago with the idea of it being something I could do as I got older and unable to do much physically. It's Working.                              

The Reality of Pictures

We were in Cattle Bank this morning renewing a CD and I took this selfy of Elaine and I with my phone. One reason Carolyn gave me her old one after getting a new one was for taking pictures. The phone was "reconditioned" so it works well, I'm still learning on it. My camera is O.K. but doesn't have the "detail" of the phone. I have long believed in the old adage that, "you need to be careful what you wish for since you might just get it". I thought of that as I looked at this picture. The bags under our eyes and wrinkles wouldn't nearly have shown up as vividly in a picture taken with my camera.  I have no reason to disagree with what is shown. But, I did get my haircut that included my eyebrows being trimmed this afternoon, which may have helped a little. We were able to get a better long term CD rate than we have had for some time so that was "good news" and we were happy. Just think what we would have looked like if the rate had gone down. When Carolyn sees this, I can almost hear her saying: "Dad, it looks just like you".

"Rock and Roll"

We had a fun "Rock and Roll Dinner" at Brookdale this noon. It was a take-off of Elvis Presley days. Some of the ladies serving food even did some imitations of him as well as the "Twist'. We had menus on which to select our ice cream dessert. Elaine chose a Root Beer Float and I had a Carmel Sundae. We had a mixed salad, pork'n beans and a big Cheeseburger. Old 45 records were displayed on each table, and the servers were dressed appropriately. Elaine did comment on none of them wearing a "Poodle Skirt". Brookdale management does an excellent job of making the ordinary exceptional. We don't regret not haven't been out of the building since Monday. We enjoyed Carolyn stopping by this afternoon to visit.

"Just Us" and Memories

"Just Us" performed at Brookdale this afternoon for the January Birthday Party. Virginia Bock was there and recognized for having her 100th birthday on January 1. There were several others honored for having birthdays during this Month. A good crowd attended and we all received cookies. The fellow with the red shirt was the leader and vocalist of the group. The fellow to the left joined in harmonizing on some of the songs. They played many of the old Country Western songs that Jon and I used to sing when he was still in HS and the only one of the kids still home. They also sang many religious songs and most of those were familiar. We had naps after lunch on this cold, single digit, windy day so didn't get there till after introductions had been made.

I regret not getting their names, but the fellow to the right also played a Banjo on several songs. It really added a lot to the melodic rhythm. I spent a good share of the day on the PC bringing up to date the files that we have in a Document file called "Over the Years". It contains folders on: Dates to Remember; Wedding Anniversaries; Elaine and my Birthdays; Thanksgivings; Christmases and Christmas Letters. I always refer to my daily Journal to bring files up to date and print out copies to keep in a binder. This is a separate file from my "Pictures and Activities" which includes: Pictures; Selected pictures for collages and captions; and, Highlights of the Year. I also get these files on DVDs. I've been doing this for many years which gives us a way of renewing memories during these retirement years.

The Crow's Nest: MLK "I have a Dream"

I can't anticipate coming up with anything new today better than what I wrote 5 years ago.  The only question for today is, "Are we making progress toward King's Dream?
The Crow's Nest: MLK "I have a Dream": Tomorrow is the 50th Anniversary of the Martin Luther King, "I have a dream speech" at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C....

Garland High School Alumni

Here is an interesting story that was sent to us from friend Jackie recently.

Dear Tony and Elaine,
Do you remember Adella?  She was a neighbor of the Armstrongs when she was growing up.  She attended most of the Garland reunions.  She also worked for Frontier when Don did.  Anyway, she just had a book published about her Grandfather called "Undocumented" about him making it to this country from Bohemia.  I just ordered it from Amazon.  It is doing very well.  She has been writing for some time.  She has sent me several short stories that were published in magazines.  She used to work for Lida when she was in High School.   She wrote a story about Lida, too.  I just ordered her book and am anxious to read it.
Love, Jackie

Adella Graduated from GHS with the Class of '54, married Robert Schulz(GHS Class of '51) and moved to Colorado in '57. He worked in construction and started his own company in 1970. They raised a family of 4 boys. 

    Some of this information came from a Garland High School, Alumni Directory 1923-1969 published in 1990. The picture came from a book of all the Graduation pictures that I scanned some years ago when Elaine and I refurbished all the pictures in a new book. The total number of GHS graduates during its 46 years of existence is relatively small and yet the group continues to maintain an annual reunion with formally elected Officers, Agenda, and Minutes. Adella is just another one of the many of us who have done very well with their early education.

Happiest New Year

This is the "New Year" card that we received recently from the Owenses. We think it is a great likeness of each of them. Julie and Jack came to visit yesterday as part of the trip to pick up Sadie from pre-school. Carolyn came soon after so Julie got Sadie and we all had a good visit. While our paper file sorting during the past few months has been a real burden, it also has it's rewards. I don't know how many things we have come across that Julie did while she and Carolyn lived with us during her childhood. We don't throw any of them away but continue to savor the memories. One of the things I came across today was a "Father's Day" card that she gave me  in 1991; she would have been 11. On the front of the card it said, "Because You're Like a Father". Inside she wrote "Grandad" and signed it "love, Julie" Here is what it said: "You've been just like a father, And a very dear one, too--You've shown such warmth and interest In the way that fathers do. And so it seems just right to send A special wish your way With extra-loving thoughts of you Because it's Father's Day/ Have a Nice Day.

Conservation Mystery

This story confirms our appreciation of living in a small town like Seward, NE (Pop 7,000) where people know many of their neighbors. We have been saving information on Hugh H. Bennett for many years since he is considered the Founder of the USDA Soil Conservation Service. The agency with which I spent my career and followed by our son Jon who is still working. The agency name was changed to the Natural Resources Conservation Service some years ago to better reflect an expanded mission. Jon has been involved for some time in collecting information on Bennett for an anticipated Memorial at the UN-L Innovative Campus. He was here last week and helped with the cleaning out of our house in preparation for putting it up for sale since we have moved to Brookdale. He boxed up considerable information and sent it to his home in Fairfax, VA. This morning we received in our mail this copy of a 1995 Conservation Journal and  and another 14 page paper on Bennett from the Seward Post Office. I talked to Jon this evening and learned that some of his boxes have already arrived in Virginia. He had no recollection of these items specifically but knew they were among the things he had boxed and mailed. The items sent to us are in excellent condition and don't appear to have gone through any box damage. There was no note with them in the envelope so it's a mystery of what happened. I will be downtown tomorrow morning and will stop at the Post Office to see what I can learn. We are certainly grateful to them for returning the stuff to us.

Family History

This is my 2017, page 3 collage of selected pictures. It is 1 of 4 collages which were made in Excel with some 150 selected photos. This page begins with the Family Reunion at Mahoney in  late July and ends with loading furniture for our Auction. (Page 4 is basically the Auction). In addition to these collages and captions describing them, we also have a listing of "Highlights" and a Narrative of activities. I am still working on the last 3 months of the narrative for 2017. We have done this sort of thing for the past many years and have put it all on DVD disc. One of my goals for activities here at Brookdale is to put together scans of many of our older pictures and slides and make a booklet of DVDs to pass along to family. I have no idea how much this will mean to them but know how much I would have enjoyed  something like that from my Grandparents. We prize the few things that we do have like the picture of my parents at the time of their wedding back in 1920  shown near the bottom right with my boots. I also wonder about technology and trust that DVDs will be able to be played for many years into the future, and just working on it gives me a challenge and purpose in life. 

Julie's Birthday Today

Would you believe that this young lady is having a birthday today. She had a unique childhood which involved a lot of time with her Grandparents. This provided her with some interesting experiences and her Grandparents enjoyment beyond belief.  Julie and Carolyn lived with us in town but we spent a lot of time out at our farm. This gave her the privilege of enjoying the best of both worlds. The farm gave her most of the benefits associated with growing up on a farm while her Mother, as a School teacher, added to her town experiences. I wouldn't be typing this today had it not been that they were with us as computers became common place and Carolyn used one at School. I had excellent teachers after we bought our first PC. 

Learning to ice skate on our farm pond came as natural to her as using a fishing pole during the summer. She had pet cats at the farm and "Bo".

She had a lot of independence at the farm to explore and do things on her own. She was always very responsible and didn't require close supervision every minute. I always enjoyed her presence and it gave her an opportunity to learn the use of tools and how a lot of things are put together. She also had an opportunity to travel. We had a motor home which enabled us to visit out of state family. On one occasion we took her along with us when her Mother wasn't able to get away. The most enjoyable traveling we ever did was taking she and Carolyn on a 10 Country Tour of Europe the summer before her Senior year of High School. She was not only a pleasure to us as a little girl but our close relationship and admiration continues to this day. She has always enabled us to be very proud of her and it extends to her Husband, Sadie and Jack. 

Welcomed Visitors

Sadie is back in preschool so when Grandma Hughes and Jack picked her up this afternoon, they came over to visit us. It didn't take long for them to get their "toy chest" open right after having a cookie. Jack is obsessed with putting his wheel toys in a line to form a "parade". He knows most of the letters and where they go in the puzzle, but would rather put them in his dump truck and haul them somewhere. This was a special day for him since he was designated "leader" of his "Story Time" group at our Memorial Library. Reports were that he took his leadership role seriously, and led a small group of fellow youngsters "all over the library". Some of that responsibility carried over to his activity at our house and in playing with Sadie.

He not only lines up his toys to form a parade but likes to get his head right down on the floor to see them eye-to-eye. His red Texico trucks are his favorites. He is a pretty fortunate kid to have $40 models to play with. I built a collection of model cars, trucks and tractors to have on shelves and enjoyed looking at them for a number of years. He started playing with them when he learned to walk and could take them off the lower shelves. When it came time to sort them out for our Auction, his favorites and mine, were keepers. The others were auctioned at prices somewhat lower that what I paid. That helps me justify seeing him play with my "treasures". Like many thing on the auction, I've also rationalized that I had already "capitalized" their cost in my pleasure of buying & having them, showing them to others, taking pictures of them, so they didn't owe me a cent.

Military Veterans

Jeff Baker, Community Service Officer for Seward County, provided the program for our Kiwanis meeting this noon. Jeff has been in the position for a number of years following his Military Service. Jeff spoke on a number of services his office provides to military veterans, however a new program is most interesting. Nationally, suicides of Veterans, average 22 per day in the United States. Most of them are in the lower age group. A group that the American Legion nor the Veterans of Foreign Wars, holds the same appeal that they did for older veterans. As part of a national effort, he will be leading an effort for Veterans to meet down at the Seward Valentino's on the 22 of each month. There will be no formal program but just an opportunity for visiting among themselves. It is hoped that such a setting will enable individuals to share concerns with fellow veterans without all the formality that is a part of the older organizations. This is another example of the changing world that we live in today.

Elaine's family Sodbuster

 This picture of a "sod busting" plow was taken a couple years ago while visiting the Homestead National Monument near Beatrice, NE. (I rested my walking cane on the bench while taking the picture). This afternoon, Carolyn and Ben brought up one just like it to our Patio area that we have been the custodians of for the past 20+ years. It belonged to Elaine's Grandfather Charles H. Koch who brought it along when they moved from Rhineland, MO to Germantown, NE in 1905. We have little history of the Koch family but Charles' Father, August and other family members migrated to Missouri some time prior to Charles being born in 1855 in St. Louis. He apparently had reason to break sod and also used his team of Mules to operate a "dray" service. He took his mules and wagon along when he enlisted on September 13, 1862, to fight in the Civil War. One of the mules was killed  by artillery and he was mustered out on August 21, 1865, in Columbus, GA. "He died of a stoke while sitting on a rail fence discussing the farming operation with his son Charles on April 29, 1886, at age 61". Charles continued farming at various locations before moving to Seward County in 1905 where they bought 160 acres near Seward. During WW I, pressure was put on many of those of German ancestry to buy War Bonds. The story is that it led to their loss of the farm and they lived out their years in Seward. The plow has deterioriated considerably during the time it set under our Fir tree, but all the basic parts are still there. Hopefully the wood parts can be replaced and it put in the Seward County Historical Museum in Goehner, NE.

Good Food

We had an exceptionally good noon meal today at Brookdale. I had cottage cheese as a substitute for the coleslaw salad, and it was followed by the ground steak, sliced beets with mashed potatoes and gravy. Orange sherbet  was served as dessert. It was my kind of meal. This evening's meal was started off with a Papaya salad which was very good. It was the first time I'd eaten Papaya. The variety of food served here covers a wide range of personal taste. I usually have 2 cups of coffee with my meals which is  more than I typically drank. I do drink de-caf with the evening meal.

Jon and Anna drove to Omaha this morning and flew back to D.C. Jon called about 4:00 and they were home out in the Burke area of Fairfax Co. I finished the 4 pages of 2017 selected picture collages. The 4th page is primarily Auction, Christmas and New Year's eve. The next step will be to write the captions with Elaine's help.

Wrapping up a Great Visit

This was Jon and Anna's last day to work with Carolyn in getting out house cleaned out and for visiting. This evening Ben and Carolyn came up to visit and tell them Good Bye. They will drive back to Omaha tomorrow morning and take a direct flight to National Airport in Washington, D.C. We went down with them this morning and went through the last 2-card tables of books. After picking a few to keep, everything else went to Et Cetera. They also carried up all our old slides, photographs, projectors, etc. After some sorting, it was all loaded up and hauled to our Apt. at Brookdale. They carried it all in and got it stored in our "extra" shower stall in the bathroom off our computer/sewing room. They went back down and brought up things from the garage and put them in the garage up here. A few things like rocks were carried through the snow and put on our patio. It  was a busy, productive day.

Jon and Anna had supper with Elaine and I here at the Guest table in Brookdale. It was a good meal and dessert which we all enjoyed. The floor mat is still hanging in the shower stall where we stored all the photographic materials. I trust that no one will turn on the water. I used this shower  in September when we first moved in, but decided it was much more practical to share the shower in the other bathroom. We certainly enjoyed Jon and Anna's visit and look forward to Mary being along next time. Jon was able to give Carolyn a lift in winding down the "house cleaning out" that she has worked at for the last several months.

Change is Inevitable

(This was written by son Jon.)It is said that the only thing constant in this world is change. That nothing stays the same. This saying seems to ring truer and truer the more years that one accumulates. I have had the honor of witnessing history at three score and three years. I’ve witnessed the first satellite in space, the first man to land on the moon, and the first U.S. President to resign. I even had multiple opportunities to be in the audience at the White House when President Nixon welcomed German and Ethiopian leaders. I’ve known all but the first two Chiefs of my agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service). I’ve personally witnessed more than 40 years of change in the NRCS, going from pen and paper to iPhone and texting.

This week I had the opportunity to witness more change. My folks have made the very successful transition from a home of nearly 40 years to a wonderful, new home. It provides a real opportunity to simplify life, but with that simplification comes downsizing. For some time, they have been going through the downsizing process. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to experience and assist in that effort this week. Despite cold, sub-zero weather at times (hey, the wind wasn’t blowing!!), we have nearly completed the effort that was begun some months ago, thanks in large part to my sister who lugged many a heavy box up the stairs and out to the car.

The living and dining rooms are nearly empty now in the old house, but the new home is warm and cozy and welcoming to a friend that just might be dropping by. It’s time for old memories to be boxed up and new memories to be made.

Son Jon

Jon helped toward clearing the bookshelves down at the house this afternoon. Best of all, he came across several books that he wants to keep. There is a lot of pleasure in seeing him "claim" some of the historic items from my career in the Soil Conservation Service that he will be able to put to productive use. Jon not only has over 40 years of experience in SCS/NRCS but can also build on the history of the Agency through my career. I had worked for SCS for 6 years at the time Jon was born. He grew up with small plots of several native grasses in our back yard and accompanied me on occasional Saturdays when I was construction inspector of Watershed Dams

. He became acquainted with Agency leadership when we participated in Agency picnics and events.While doing a Science Fair Project when in Jr. High, he had already decided he wanted to work for SCS. I recommended that he study Agronomy and major in Soils. He picked up on the early development of computers and also earned an MS Degree in Information Technology. He has been able to incorporate his experience along with a pleasing personality, to become an important contributor to the advancement of the Agency mission of providing technical assistance in the conservation of our nation's Soil and Water.

Jon and Anna

Jon and Anna flew into Omaha yesterday, rented a car and drove out to the Cobblestone motel here in Seward. It was late when they got in but drove up to visit this morning. It was good to see them. We stopped at the house after having been to Walmart and showed them Jon's stuff that has been set aside for him as well as other areas in which he can make selections. During the course of our conversations, I mentioned how well some of the Posters, like the one of Hank Williams, had sold on our Auction. He looked a bit shocked and said, "You mean, you sold my posters". I have admitted all along that I wasn't sure where they came from but figured I'd picked them up along the way in my travels back in the 70's. Jon was real understanding and said that he probably should have been out for the Auction but if he had, it would have taken a truck to haul everything he would have wanted.