Honyaks

 My golfing partner referred to the group behind us yesterday as a “bunch of Honyaks”. It was the first time I had heard the term for many years. But, I can distinctly remember my Dad using it. He would say such things as, “What are you Honyaks trying to do?” when my brother and I would be trying to teach a calf to let us ride. Or, “I wonder when those Honyaks are going to show up” when my Irish Uncles were to help us butcher. He might have even used the term to describe my brother when he was caught smoking a cigarette in the haymow when he was about 13 years old. It could be said that this picture of me holding Prince and Dan like I was afraid they were going to step on my toes, makes me look like a “Honyak”.  I don't think it was an extremly derogatory term, but it wasn't a complement either. 

Seward Country Club #4

This was the scene on #4 yesterday at the Seward Country Club Golf Course. These twin tubes are replacing 2 much smaller ones that had rusted out and were no longer functional. By today they had back filled over the tubes and are letting the water level in the lake come back up. There will be a minimal amount of fill over the tubes but their shape provides much more carrying capacity than if they were circular. Today's chilly, wet weather made necessary a hooded sweatshirt and a jacket. But I do it more for the exercise than for perfection.

Another Opossum

The Seward Police Department responded promptly to a request for their animal trap and placed it in our backyard yesterday.  This morning we had a opossum desperately trying to get out.  Last year we had two that we caught.  Just hope this will be all that will come to visit this year.  We have no idea what draws them to our yard.  We also have a pair of collared turtle doves, a pair of cardinals, many juncos, robins, and yellow finch occupying our backyard.  Our daffodils are blooming in the front.  I believe spring is here.

 We had a good City Council meeting this evening. Agenda items included; A change order in the contract with the contractor working on THE WASTEWATER PLANT RENOVATIONS;WE REVIEWED THE WATER & SEWER RATE COST OF SERVICE AND RATE DESIGN STUDY; APPROVED THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY IN REGARD TO EAST SEWARD STREET; APPROVED REVISIONS IN THE CITY PERSONNEL MANUAL; AND AGREED TO SEND A REQUEST FOR SWIMMING POOL AND SPORTS COMPLEX DEFIBRILLATORS TO THE SEWARD FOUNDATION; AND, APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA.

This is my 11^th year on the Council and I find it quite enjoyable. The Mayor is in the process of finding a new City Administrator. The current Administrator is taking a similar position at Belleview, NE. We have a good cross-section of people on the Clouncil.

In addition, I got in a round of golf with Charlie, worked out in the backyard with Elaine for a couple hours and are watching the Nebraska-Creighton baseball game as well as the Texas A & M-Notre Dame women's NCAA basketball final.  

Seward, NE Business District

These are pictures of the Seward, NE downtown area (pop 7,000) taken in April 2003 from the Courthouse dome. I took similar pictures from the same location in 1952 at the time our SCS office was located in the Court House and have taken them a couple other times over the years. The Cattle Bank building in the bottom picture is about the only new building on the "city square" during those nearly 60 years. 

Birthday Party

A birthday party on Arlington Ridge Road back in the mid-sixties. Nothing like an Angle food cake for a birthday. The boys were still getting the Barber College haircuts.

We attended the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement annual Dinner last night at the UN-L East Campus Union. Richard Hahn (pictured with me) and Dr. Terry Klopfenstein were the 2011 Honorees. Richard was on the Natural Resources Commission when we came back from D.C. ,and I went to work for the agency. He retired as President of the Farmers National Company. Doug Brand is shown in the new inductees receiving line in the other picture along with Stan Garbacz, Assistant Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Doug is from Seward and the first individual inducted into the Hall since I was some 15 years ago. The 8 new inductees maintain the membership in the rather stable 200 range. Albert Ebers was a Seward County member as is Loyd Young. Inductees are selected by nominations from members, a review committee and vote of the membership. The Honorees are selected by a committee each year from among the membership. Brother-in-law, Dr. Dale Flowerday was an Honoree in 2009. Being a member is a great honor and I appreciate being included. The Annual Dinner is an enjoyable evening and opportunity to visit with old friends.