Pekareks at Seward Farmers Market

We went downtown to the Farmers Market this evening soon after it opened at 5:00pm. It was a "must" for Elaine to buy some tomatoes from Pekarek's Produce. Shown here is Elaine picking out her "prize choices" and setting them on the scale. Katie Pekarek was in charge of the tomato line while Ryan was busy taking care of customers selecting other items of produce.  While I like catsup, chili soup, pizza, and can eat a few tomatoes in vegetable soup, I have never learned to eat them raw. Elaine seems to have the same craving for tomatoes that I have for cashews and she enjoys them with that same pleasure. Our trip to the Farmers market would not have been complete had we not bought a package of Meysenburg Kolaches. I finished my evening meal and coffee with an apple and then a prune kolache. I enjoyed them just about as much as Elaine enjoyed her tomato.



The 1st Impressions Committee

The First Impressions Committee is a subcommittee of the Seward Area Chamber of Commerce. It has been in existence for about 20 years with a mission of making suggestion to improve the first impression people form as they enter our City. Our committee meets monthly and consist of 8-10 people. We are shown here working with a representative from the Upper Big Blue NRD on a tree planting proposal. Our committee has been most successful in calling attention to the need for certain improvements. The committee Chair also sends letters of commendation to places where significant improvements have been made. The City of Seward has been most cooperative with key city employees participating in the meetings. City codes have been revised and enforcement of existing regulations has been strengthened as a result. The committee's successes include spearheading an annual Seward Clean-Up Day, the planting of a Black Walnut and Pecan Nut Grove, the establishment of a Heritage Park with a State monument acknowledging the first settlers in Seward, the removal of unsightly old automobiles, the replacement of Welcome signs, the painting of a historic downtown mural, etc. Our very existence has had an impact on some downtown businesses and property owners by knowing that their appearance is being observed as if it was being viewed for the first time.  



Pekarek's Produce

We had a most interesting program at Kiwanis this noon presented by Ryan Pekarek and his wife Katie. The Pekareks live 11 miles north of Seward and have been producing garden produce for the past few years and making it available at Farmers Markets, at their farm and through other outlets. Ryan was raised on a family farm in the Dwight area and received a BS degree from UN-L. His wife is from Lincoln and her BS degree was in Ag Engineering from UN-L. They both went on to North Carolina State where she got her MS in Ag Engineering and he received an MS in Horticulture. They came back to his home area and began producing vegetables on a small scale while farming. After 5-6 years they are utilizing 10 acres for such vegetable production. We will be down to the Seward Farmers Market this Wednesday evening to buy some tomatoes and get better acquainted. The Lincoln Farmers Market in Lincoln is one of their major retail outlets. They also have arrangements with the food service people on East Campus at UN-L and the B & R stores. They have plans for building a "produce shed" on their property and continue to look for ways to bring locally produced, high quality food to more and more consumers. Katie is very much involved in the family venture and also works as an Extension Educator with UN-L and is stationed in Seward. Ryan indicated he is 27 years old, they have 3 children, and it's most heartening to see a young couple that have the ambition and "things figured out" as well as have the Pekareks. Their web site is: www.pekareksproduce.com . Czech them out.

CFRA Meeting in Seward

I left the auction yesterday early to set in on part of the Certer for Rural Affairs Board of Directors quartely meeting which was being held at the Seward Civic Center. Headquartered in Lyons, NE the Center is a 38 year old, non-profit organization that advocates for rural and local communities. Their programs include: Rural Enterprize Assistance Project (REAP); Rural Opportunities and Stewardship Program (ROSP); Rural Policy Program (RPP); Rural Research and Analysis Program (RRAP); Rural Organizing and Outreach Program (ROOP); and, Sustaiable Agriculture Workgroups. I first gained respect for the organization in the early '80's while working for the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and continue to support their mission and activities. Chuck Hassebrook serves as Executive Director and supervisies the staff of some 20+ dedicated employees. I served as an Advisor to the Board for a number of years before becoming a member of the Board from 1996 'til 2008. Yesterday morning was the first time I had been to one of their meetings or even seen many of the people involved since not standing for re-appointment. The decision was based on Elaine and my decision to reduce our many committments. I fully support their mission and the staff of dedicated employees. With a 12:00 noon tee time yesterday, I didn't get to spend as much time with the group as I would have preferred, but it was great to see: Chuck, Jim, Paul, David, Maryanne, Cy, Clark, Karen, Keith, Lowell and others as well as staff members: John, Monica, Gene, Elisha, Traci, Brian, Jeff, Marie, Barbara, Peggy, Trish and others. I was able to visit with Kathie as we met on the stairway while leaving. I would encourage anyone interested in agriculture and rural communities to contact the Center at: info@cfra.org or check their web site at  www.cfra.org. While I miss the involvement with the organization, it is the personal relationship with the people involved that I miss most of all. It was great to see them and I wish them continued successs in their worthy efforts.

Bruns Auction

This was the sight early this morning down at the Seward Senior Center where the Bruns auction was held. I didn't really expect to buy anything but knew Fred for over 60 years dating back to the days when he and I sang in a Church quartet. I have an "affinity" toward auctions and especially enjoy getting some little memento from estate sales of old friends. There was so much "stuff" on display that I called Carolyn and suggested she may want to come down. One of the interesting items was a framed picture of a young lady that had the original ticket still attached to the back side. It was sold by the A. B. Chain furniture store here in Seward to Wm Unitt. I'm certain that it dates back nearly 100 years and was still in good condition.

Carolyn was impressed with some of the items and was the successful bidder on several. I was on the golf course when the call came to see about temporarily storing some of her items in our garage. I agreed but flubbed my next shot. When I got home we did some "rearranging" and were able to accommodate a buffet and two dresser bottoms. I was still able to get my old car in the garage but also had to find room for the big push brooms, hoes, and box of garden tools that I bought. Some of the items we can use but some have already gone in the garbage, other will be in a "free" box at our garage sale, and some might even be sold for a profit.  I think Fred would be pleased to think that I bought some of the things he had labored with as a way of refreshing the memory of our happy days .



Jon Leaving

Here is Jon leaving the house at 6:30 this morning on his way to finish his session with the fellow NRCS representatives from the several Midwestern states and then to head back to Washington. He sent an email from the Omaha airport while awaiting his flight to Chicago and then on to Dulles airport. I offered to let him wear one of my light jackets but he declined. We haven't done much plane travel in the past few years but it's interesting how the "mode of dress" has changed over the years. During the 70's and 80's when I was doing a lot of official travel on airlines, a blazer, slacks, and a necktie was standard garb. On long flights the blazer was placed in the overhead storage, the tie loosened and the shirt collar unbuttoned. I remember having a pair of jeans when we lived in the Washington area but don't believe I ever wore them away from our home. Change takes place and I hope the changes are for the better.   

Son Jon

Who would have thought that this little fellow would follow in his Dad's footsteps and work for over 35 years (to date) with the USDA SCS/NRCS. Jon has worked as a Soil Scientist in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, New York, the National Soil Survey Center at Lincoln, NE and for the past 15 years in the National Headquarters Office in Washington, D.C. He got his BS degree in Agronomy with a Soil Science major from Virginia Tech; and later got a Masters degree in Information Technology from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  When Jon was in the 7th grade of Jr. High he was introduced to computer technology in his math class. They wrote programs, sent them to Maryland where the computer was located, and even played chess. He also had a Science Fair project on Soils while in Jr. High. When it was awarded a blue ribbon by a judge from the USDA,  he decided that he wanted to be a Soil Scientist. His background in Soils and his computer knowledge  have served him well as he has advanced in management positions. We have enjoyed having him with us in the evenings this week while he is working in Lincoln on a project with representatives from several Midwestern states. He has helped me with several computer problems during the past couple evenings. He tells us of even using the computer lab at their Church in teaching his Sunday School class. He continues to have a very successful conservation career as well as involvement in many other activities.