Halloween at Brookdale

Our celebration of Halloween reached it's  peak this afternoon at Brookdale. The staff fully took part and some of the residents even joined in. Here is Vivian who celebrated her 99th birthday recently.  She was a Westerhoff and graduated from Garland HS the spring before I began. She has been up here for about a year without missing out on many activities.   She is pleased to be here where she can enjoy people, etc.

John and Julie brought Sadie and Jack up to see us as well.  Sadie wore a Country Girl outfit that Carolyn had made for Julie some years ago. Jack had a "Jelly Fish" custom that Julie made for him this year. It wasn't easy but turned out special.  Jack had a little "Butterfinger" bar that he gave to me rather than keep for himself.

Fr. Robinson Training Center

Jon sent me a picture last night of leaving Ft Robinson, NE after a 4 week training session in late 1958. It was for 24 of us from the Region that had the potential to do many of  the jobs done by engineers (and get us a GS-6 level rating). I was unable to identify any of the fellows on that picture since they were from other states. Here is a picture taken during the course of the session of a poker game going on in the basement of Camachie Hall after hours. Merle Yelkin is the one across the table with his hands showing.  He was from NE and my buddy. The older fellow at the left corner is the State Conservationist from South Dakota that came down to speak to us. Most of the instruction came from the Lincoln Regional Office Engineering staff. I got good reports on the course which helped lead  to my professional advancement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerry and Sondra

This was copied from a Jerry and Sondra Christmas Card of some years ago.  I also came across this one of Tony taking me for a ride in this sports car. There must be a story here.

Fairlington

Here was our 4 kids at the Fairlington apartment backyard with King street and the Fairlington Church in the background. These were challenging times back in the early 60's.  We had our first snowfall of the season in Seward this evening. Was pleased to here from Janice that they are a safe distance from the fires in Merced, CA

1982 Seward Parade

This 4th of July 1982 Parade picture across the street from what had been our house at 131 N. 1st street in Seward,  shows a little old house.  Underwood Construction demolished the house soon after and built a duplex on the lot.  We were pleased with the improvement to the neighborhood at that time and are pleased with efforts underway to restore the old house to the north of our old home.

Jack's Birthday

We celebrated Jack's 5th Birthday today with a cake made and decorated by his Mother. He received many great gifts which he delighted in opening. His actual birth date is Monday, (Oct. 28) but this was a better date for Grandparents and Great Grand Parents to be there.  He got the candles blown out but it took a 2nd breath. The cake and ice cream was delicious. Sadie was a good little helper with the serving of the treats and picking up the dishes. Both kids have matured a lot

during the past year. Their being in school and good parental guidance makes a big difference. They are both lucky to have both sets of Grandparents living here in Seward and involved in their  activities.

Old Friends

I took Marv Taylor out SE of Garland this afternoon to deliver a US Flag to Ray Bieber. Ray and I were students at UN-L back in 1960. It was Freshman Chemistry and Ray having served in the Air Force, joined me in studying together at our Lincoln House. He went on to get his PhD from Colorado and stayed on to teach. He retired on an acreage and built a beautiful country home. Marv had sold him a replacement  Flag which we delivered. While Ray and I had met a few times since each coming back, this was the first time we sat down and enjoyed the visit.

Brookdale Bazaar

The Brookdale's Fall Bazaar was held from 3:00-5:00 this afternoon followed by a soup supper with funds being raised  for Alzheimer prevention. Pee Wee represented the "Seward Cross Makers".  Our facility Director, Teri, happened by and joined him in the picture

Christmas 1974

Christmas in 1974 in our Ridge Road House.  Verlon rebuilt the back stairway during the vacation.

Hi Blake

We renewed our acquaintance today with this young lady who provided "home health care for me after the lung problem earlier this year. She is providing care to a couple that have just moved in to Brookdale.

Norm Helzer Visit

Norm Helzer, long time Soil Scientist with NRCS (Ret) came up to visit us this afternoon after meeting with the Seward Kiwanis Club this noon. It was good to see him and we had a nice visit.

Flower Girl

Don & Dad's Old Hat

Don is pointing at Dad's old hat in Mark and Dena's log house up in Tomah, WI. This was taken some years ago when Janice and Larry were visiting there and we and Don's drove up. Lots of Memories

Ridge Road

This was taken in the late 60's and shows that Albert  and Flora had cone to visit. It may have been the time they had gone on down to South America to visit Dale and Alice's. Jon probably took the picture and just about missed Carolyn

Batter Up

With the N.Y. Yankees scheduled to play the the Huston Astros in Yankee Stadium in the American League Playoff to see who faces the Washington Nationals in the World Series next week, it seemed appropriate to recall Carolyn  and my visit there 10 years ago. We saw the Yankees beat Tampa Bay 4-1.  We stayed with Julie who was working for Martha Stewart at the time and got to see the Mets in the Citi stadium the next day.

Gettysburg

I'm sure that this was taken during the early1980's when Carolyn and Julie went along on a Motor home trip back east to visit the Boys and also Gettysburg National Park. The herd of cattle are an interesting addition to the picture. Julie and Jack visited us this morning after she picked him up from school.

Our 1992 trip to China

Vivian and Eddy Soucek accompanied Elaine and I to the Republic of China in 1992. We are shown here on the "Great Wall". We walked enough to say "We did it". It was part of a Moustache Joe tour and certainly took us to the highlights of the Country and brought us close to the people

Siblings & Spouses

This was taken out at Loveland, CO on June 22, 1991, where we had gathered for the wedding of Mark Sorge  and Dena Sykes. We also enjoyed the family reunion, golf and sightseeing that went with it

Washington National Cathedral Bells

The construction of the National Cathedral in Washington, DC extended for nearly 100 years. This picture was taken in the mid-1960's when a shipment of Bells arrived. As I recall there were more but only these two pictured. The Baccalaureate Service for my George Washington University BA Degree was in the spring of 1967 and I'm sure they were all installed at that time

New VW

Anniversary

This was evidently a Wedding Anniversary for Mother and Dad. They were married in the fall of 1920. Julie  was born in January of 1980.  I am assuming that this would have been the time of the Folks 65 Anniversary.

Fishing with Grandpa

Going fishing on Plum Creek with Grandpa Albert in Seward, NE during early to mid '60's.

At Verlon's

I wish I had more of the details on this picture. I know it was taken in Richmond, VA in Verlon's back yard. Julie and Heather's size leads me to believe it was mid-80's. Julie went along with Elaine and I on a Motor Home trip back east and this may be the trip.

Family with Wagon

This was taken out at the farm during the 1983 family reunion. We also have a picture with everyone in & around the wagon.

Dad & I

This was taken during the summer of 1982 as we  prepared for the "Down On The Farm" day at our farm in support of Governor Charlie Thone as he ran for re-election. My Dad and  I were part of the crowd.

Pioneer Park

An early trip back to the Buffalo entrance to Pioneer Park in Lincoln, NE from our home in Virginia during early '60's.

Report Cards

We were most pleased when all 4 kids had good report cards while we were still in Fairlington.

Mother and Grandchilldren

This was taken back in 1962 during the time Don's lived out in the country NW of Syracuse. I may be wrong on the date.

"Crazy"

Randy Dewey of Wilber, NE entertained at Brookdale at 2:30 pm today in the Dining Room. Randy sang a collection of Country Western songs. He indicated having graduation from HS in '72 from Wilber HS and sang most songs from that era with a few "more modern" ones mixed in.  I would liked to have learned what he did for the nearly 50 years since HS.

Elaine & Her Folks in '77

Elaine and her folks, Albert and Flora when we were back in Seward for the 1977 Christmas Holliday

Stone Mountain

April 1971 visit to North Carolina. This may have been to check-out some colleges for Carolyn.