Chevrolet Accessories in 1952

Elaine got into some old Scrap Books today and among other interesting things, found an Accessories booklet that came with our new 1952 Chevrolet. Many things that are "standard equipment" today are listed in the booklet. Perhaps the most striking is this attachment to provide "Turn Signals". Also included are: "Outside Rear View Mirrors", "Windshield Washers", "Electric Clock", "Door Arm Rest", "Recirculating Heater and Defroster" and, "Deluxe Radio". I'm sure our '52 Chevy had a heater but not a very fancy one but we didn't have any version of these other "special" items. Also included in the booklet are: "Seat Covers", "Tissue Dispenser", "Illuminated Cigarette Lighter", "Tool Kit", "White Sidewall Rims", "Rear Fender Panels", Spot Lights" and some other things that we wouldn't even want today. Our '52 Chevy was a good little car but by 1956 we had 4 kids so traded it in on a new Pontiac Station Wagon. 

1985 Journal Summary

We completed the narrative summary of my 1985 Journal (Diary) today. I finished the writing of 12,334 words and Elaine did the editing. '85 was a busy year in our lives. We maintained our farm home as well as our house in town. Carolyn and Julie were living with us until August when they moved into a house of their own and Carolyn began her teaching career and Julie started to school. I was working at the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission on a State Soil Conservation Strategy, on various projects with the NRD's, Bureau of Reclamation, The Soil Conservation Society, and active with the Church, Isaac Walton League, Masonic Lodge, Grange and other organizations. My job involved extensive travel throughout the State and the attendance of many meetings. Though we had the farmland rented out, the farmstead still demanded a lot of our time. We did an extensive Motor Home trip to North Carolina and points east and attended Soil Conservation District as well as SCS Anniversaries. We visited all 3 boys and their families along the way. We had a major Family Reunion at the Farm over the 4^th of July week and went on several short camping trips with friends and family. In August we drove the Motor Home and towed the VW to the SCSA Annual Meeting in St. Louis stopping on the way to visit relatives in Herman, MO, and came home through Bronson. We helped my Folks celebrate their 65^th Wedding Anniversary in October. We shared Nebraska football tickets with Elaine's brother and saw Dale Klein kick 7 consecutive field goals and beat Missouri 28-20. It was a busy year.  

Family Reunion in 1985

This picture was taken out at our farm east of Seward in the summer of  1985. It was the year that the folks, Tony and Florence, celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary. They are seated in front of us 5 siblings. Janice, Jerry, Don, me holding Heather and Vivian. The folks had 17 Grandchildren all of whom were on the picture. Jerry's Tanya is the youngest of the cousins. There are several Great Grandchildren included  on the picture. People came from as far away as California and Virginia. The people at the top of the picture are standing in an old lumber wagon that we had bought on an auction down at Syracuse, NE. We don't remember ever using the wagon for anything other than as a "prop" for this picture. We sold it on or farm sale. 

Nebraska #34 Highway

State Highway #34 is being resurfaced this summer between Seward and the #79 junction near Woodlawn on the outskirts of Lincoln. The State has also let a contract for improvements on the Highway as it passes through Seward with construction underway. Nebraska #15 from Seward to I-80 has received a new coating this summer and resurfacing is underway on #15 from Seward north to the County line. We are pleased to see all the improvements in our streets and highways but have to plan on extra time to make the trip to Lincoln. My interest in #34 between Seward and Lincoln goes back a long way. My Dad worked for the State and maintained the graveled highway between Seward and the Lancaster Co line at the time I was born. I got my Social Security Card following my 16th birthday and  a job helping to do  the initial paving on the Highway between Seward and Lincoln. Over the years the Highway has been widened, and reconditioned many times. But the old concrete that we laid down back in the summer of 1941 still serves as the base for all the improvements. 

Nebraska Natural Resource Districts

Natural Resource Districts have been operational in Nebraska since July 1, 1972. The 24 NRDs combined Soil Conservation Districts along with over 100 other special use Districts authorized by State law. After over 40 years of successful operation, an effort is being made to prepare an Oral History of their Development. I was in the  Washington Office of the USDA Soil Conservation Service (SCS) at the time the consolidation took place. The Agency  had enjoyed some 30 years of success by the application of Soil Conservation practices on private land through Soil Conservation Districts. The SCD's were authorized under State Law throughout the United States, adopted generally on a County wide basis and governed by a board of 5 locally elected supervisors under a State level Soil Conservation Commission. While the Agency took no official position on the Nebraska change, there were individuals in SCS that felt the Agency's success in the application of Conservation farming practices could be diminished by the consolidation into the larger multipurpose districts. The NRD boundaries are based principally on a watershed basis, have taxing authority, and their Board of Directors selected at general elections. While it was a controversial conversion, after 40 years NRD's are widely accepted and recognized as successful. Interestingly, only a few states have seriously considered the Nebraska "Model". But, Nebraska is also unique with our non-partisan, Unicameral Legislature. I enjoyed my interview by Jim Barr for the Oral History.

Golfers

This was a beautiful 80 degree day in Seward, NE and I got out to the golf course with old friends. It was only the 2nd time I'd golfed this summer but felt I needed the practice before our Kiwanis Golf meet Monday evening. The course is in  excellent shape and I enjoyed seeing all the trees, shrubs, flowers, birds, etc as much as I enjoyed the golf. I putted as well as I ever had but my play off the greens leaves a lot to be desired. I didn't hit it as far as I did last year so I tried to swing harder which lead to trouble. I really need to go to the driving range and work the "kinks" out of my swing. I just don't know whether the passion for the game will come back and motivate me to work  at it. 

Home Delivered Meals

Elaine and I did "Home Delivered Meals" Today. The meals are prepared at the hospital, put in Styrofoam boxes and placed in the insulated box that I'm carrying. The bread and dessert are in a separate container which Elaine is holding. We normally just take what is needed for individual "customers" but the picture was taken down at the "Manor" where we deliver 3 meals. Our Kiwanis Club does this each week day but we are only involved one day a Month.  It is  often on the day that the Senior Center has their Monthly Potato Bake. Since the Manor uses the same parking lot as the Center, it is very convenient for us to go there for lunch. We get a big baked potato with all the trimmings, pie and drinks for a suggested donation of $6.00. They often serve up to200 people. It is as much a social event as a meal, and a great community event. Another one of the things that makes Seward special.