Our year-1982

This is one of my favorites from the 97 pictures I

put on my Flash Drive of 1982 pictures. It was taken out at our pond on July 25th right after we stocked it with 300 Bass and 300 Croppies. I reached a milestone with the '82 pictures today and realized what a big year it was for us. We drove to Phoenix in February for an NACD mtg; had a Family reunion at the farm on Mother's Day. Saw Tim get his Law degree, visited Verlon in Richmond, VA, helped Jon & Mary move from Southport to Franklin, NC and went to the Worlds Fair in Knoxville, TN in May. We bought a new '82 Silverado Chevy Pick-up in June. Elaine resigned her Civil Service job and we hosted a "Down on the Farm with Charlie Thone" Day. I moderated a week long "Platte River Forum" at the National Guard Training Center in Grand Island, NE and visited Ft. Collins and Rocky Mt. NP in August. In Sept. we went to the State Fair, I joined a tour of South Platte Dams and had mtgs in Columbus & O'Neill, NE. We visited brother Jerry and Sondra's family at their Grade A Dairy farm in Tomah, WI  in October. We sawed wood with a buzz saw and ground chicken feed with the hammer mill at the farm in November. Tim and I saw Nebr. beat Oklahoma 28-24. We had 25 family members at the farm for Thanksgiving. Elaine's Mother, Flora Flowerday died on Dec. 2nd with the funeral at the UCC Church. Verlon was with us for Christmas where Julie helped to brighten our spirits. It was a full year.

Dave and Dawn Mundt

Dave & Dawn Mundt entertained at Brookdale this afternoon where 4 members of the Staff were honored. Dawn had been here earlier with another lady who went by the "Kramer Sisters".  As a retired insurance adjuster, Dave said that as he was along with the "sisters" and saw the happiness in the faces of the  audiences, he decided that he wanted to become part of bringing pleasure to people. He is an excellent vocalist with his voice blending beautifully with his wife's. In addition to singing, he also played a "drum box" that he sat on and a "scarecrow" for accompaniment to polka music. They began with the 1948 song of Eddy Arnold singing "Bouquet of Roses" and followed with "Any Time". 

The Dining room was filled with residents that enjoyed the staff recognition, treats that were served and the entertainment. Dawn played the Guitar and at times a Mouth harp along with it. While much of the music was the classic country western and WWII songs, Dawn played a few polkas on the button accordion. She is the daughter of Leonard Beckwar who had a polka band for many years. They closed with the Eddy Arnold song "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep you". It was great entertainment, and we look forward to their being back.

Elaine's Perm

Elaine is shown here writing the check for the "cut & perm" that she got this afternoon in Shear Reflections. I got down to get her a bit early and just waited inside which enabled me to get the picture. Unfortunately, I heard the operator say what the charge was which was a bit of a surprise. But, it was well worth it. Not only from appearance but more importantly her well being, she certainly deserves it. I may have said more than I should have in discussing with her the impression I have that its ladies that are at least 80 years old that have continued to wear the style that was popular when they were young. It made me realize that people have to be at least 75 years old to even have a memory of WWII. 

I scanned pictures today of a trip we took in May of 1982 with Carolyn and Julie. We left Seward on the 15th to see son Tim receive a Law degree in Indianapolis, visit son Verlon in Richmond, VA; help son Jon and Mary move with a U-Haul truck from Southpoint, NC, to Franklin, NC; attend the Worlds Fair in Knoxville, TN; visit Opraland in Nashville, TN and get back to Seward on the 30th. We also visited friends and National Parks along the way.

Family pictures of 1977, etc.

I found some 1977 pictures today in an album that was overlooked earlier. It contained pictures of the families of brother Don and Gladys, sister Janice and Larry Sorge and Ours. All were taken on or near the Christmas Holiday. Those 41 years have gone by pretty fast and the families have all grown considerably. All 3 of these pictures are already on the 32gb flash drive that I have plugged into the computer. It will take some time for me to get everything on it that I hope for, but it should be an interesting data source. 

Four of us did get together here in the coffee room this morning where we talked alternatives with the staff for drawing more participants. One of our participants told some interesting stories about a Hurricane that he went through some years ago in the Golf Shores area of Alabama. I told of our Grandson being on the fast track for learning about hurricanes in his new job as News Director in a Raleigh, NC TV station.

We recognized the anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy in Seward today with 2977 small US flags placed in the Kiwanis Parade of Flags area by Concordia U. Students. We had a special memorial service led by Terry our Brookdale Director ahead of  our noon meal.

Hughes House Progress

Carolyn took us up to tour their house under construction this pm on a day when nothing was being done there. She is shown here with the "roughed in" fireplace. This is the south side of the big room what will serve as Living-Dining room kitchen. To the right of this 1st picture are windows and doors leading to the patio and back yard. The 3rd picture was taken from the middle of the L-D-K area from about the patio doors. It looks to the north where a kitchen counter will be installed.

The laundry room is located on the left side of this picture (NW corner of the house) the right side beyond the wall is the front end of the garage. This last picture is of the 6x8 inch wood beams that will be spaced across the ceiling of the big room. These beams as well as some of the front entry, uses the experience of the General Contractor in building Log Cabin buildings as well as conventional. They are planning on a lot of activity there tomorrow.

Grandparents Day at Brookdale.

We were honored today by John bringing Sadie and Jack up to have Dinner with us today at the Brookdale Celebration of Grandparents Day. Julie is feeling better but not yet up to par. We spent a bit of time in our unit talking about all the things they have been doing. Jack seems to believe that he needs to be doing something while getting his picture taken even if it's "pursing" his lips like being ready to give a kiss. They were excited about getting out to the "Bouncy House Slide" as soon as Dinner was finished. Sadie got there ahead of Jack but he wasn't a bit bashful about getting his shoes off and going down the slide several times. I walked over to see the 5 old Model A Fords and was surprised to find old friend, Jim Cook the owner of one of them.

Jim spent a career as an attorney on the staff of the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and the NE Department of Natural Resources. We worked together during most of the 1980's. He did much of the work on his old model A. After a couple engine problems with "restoration", he decided to "revamp" it to "sports car" status with a V8 engine etc. Brookdale Staff Director pitched right in and helped serve drinks to the large crown that turned out for the event. I think everyone who attended must have had a great impression of this facility and all the people who work here.

Business and Pleasure

Julie had her 1st Birthday in Nebraska and by April, she and Carolyn were living with us our at the farm. We had John Odell build cabinets, cupboards and library shelves for us out at the farm during that 1st year. We also had other construction going on as well as our full time jobs in Lincoln. We began looking at houses in Seward when questioning the effects the construction may have on Julie. (Maybe it was our excuse). I had quickly become immersed in the Nebraska water planning process and when Sen. Abnor of South Dakota, Chair of the Senate Sub-Committee asked for a Nebraskan to testify at his hearing in DC, I was assigned. Elaine and I drove back leaving on April 20 after calling Brockhoffs and making an offer on the 1st Street house. (Our offer was accepted and where we lived for the next 36 years.) We spent the night at Tim's on our way and the next night with the Mel Davis's in Fairfax. I got some information from the SCS office the next morning while Elaine visited FS friends. I met with Sen. Abnor's staff early afternoon where I was briefed on questions and went on to testify. I was seated at the witness table along with Dave Allee and Ron North. I submitted my paper with responses to questions the Senator had asked earlier. 

We drove down to Richmond, VA that evening, visited Verlon and stayed overnight with Manley and Peggy Wilder. The next day we drove to South Port, NC where we visited Jon and Mary and visited Myrtle Beach the next day. Then we drove back and spent another night with Davises and got over to visit with Pat & Emmet Anderson, our old neighbors. We got to Tim's apartment in Indianapolis (with a pond and geese the next night) and drove back home on the 28th. We had stopped at Galesburg, IL and bought some figurenes which we have on top of a chest yet today. We had been gone for 9 days, and it was good to be home.