A Fearless Foursome

This is our 4-some that teed off at 10:00 this morning. We played our 9-hole round and then an "extra" 3 holes. This was taken on the #2 tee box. Our last few days have been very hot and humid so playing early in the day helps. I am to the left in the picture, then Dale, Charlie, and Perry. Dale had a very close call earlier in the week and was pleased to be playing. The Burlington RR double track line runs near Dale's land west of Seward which carries over 75 trains daily. As is often the case, one train was parked near the crossing that he approached with a front end loader on his John Deere tractor. A second train came along on the far track and just clipped a few inches of the loader. Fortunately, the tractor was heavy enough to limit the damage but the loader was destroyed and Dale suffered no injury. He drove the tractor on home but it must have been a horrendous incident. However, he had a good golf game today and we will probably play again tomorrow after early Church. 

Congressman Morrill

Congressman Justin Morrill (aka Jon Vrana) made pesentations this week on legislation to establish the U. S. Department of Agriculture 150 years ago. Morrill was also the force in getting the Congress to approve the Land Grant College System which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. These continue to be two of the most important pieces of Agricultural Legislation ever established. He made presentations from the Smithsonian Tent on the Washington, D.C. Mall this week during the Folk Festival. The weather there has been similar to what we have suffered through here in Nebraska this week. Jon says his "all wool" suit was surpisingly cool in the hot humid weather. Folk festivals are big events in Washington. One of my favorite Festival memories is of attending one of the early ones during the time we lived back there. Jon and I sat in this small tent with some 20-25 people where Mother Maybelle Carter played a Harpsaccord and sang. I believe others of her family were there but don't remember who they were. We enjoyed a lot of outstanding,  free entertainment during our time in the area. Having grown up back there, Jon is very comfortable being a part of such festivities. 

Dr. Van Vahle

Dr. Van Vahle, our family physician for a number of years has announced his retirement. Along with being our Doctor, he is also a very good friend. He not only treated us like family but that was his standard for treating all his patients. He is 68 years old and has practiced in Seward since 1971. In 2009 he was recognize as the Nebraska Family Physician of the Year and has received many honors for his work. With our age difference, I always think of him as a young man. In addition to spending more time with family, he also is considering Doctors Without Borders, and other activities that may utilize his many talents. We wish him well  and know that he and his wife will enjoy a more relaxed life style, but we will miss him very much. It's one thing to change Financial Advisor,  Dentist, Lawyer, or even Minister, but something quite different to change Family Physician.

USAF Brass in Blue

The US Air Force "Brass in Blue" presented an outstanding concert in Seward this evening. It was scheduled to be at the Band Shell but with 102 temperature this afternoon, it was moved to the air conditioned St. John's Church. It was just a fantastic concert. The highlights for me were the John Phillip Susa marches: Liberty Bell, El Capitan and the Washington Post but The Battle Hymn of the Republic was also great. The music "took me back" to our early days in D. C. where we would go down to the Potomac and hear the Military Bands perform concerts at the Watergate. Tonights concert was a fitting way of continuing the celebration of my day of "Attainment" (the date at which I reached the point of having been retired from the Federal Civil Service as many years as I worked under the system-32 years). After coffee this morning, lunch in Lincoln with Don & Gladys, a visit this afternoon with Don and Jackie Armstrong, it was a full day. 

Fairlington Presbyterian

Tim and Verlon  were a part of this 36-voice Choir at Arlington, VA in 1967. Verlon graduated from HS in 1968 and Tim in 1969. They are near the top of the picture directly above the Director, Robert Chambless. This picture is from their 33 1/3 speed record folder. The record includes: Kyrie, Nicene Creed, I Walk the King's Highway, The Lord's Prayer, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Gloria in excelsis. The church was located across King Street from where we lived when we first moved to Arlington. It remained very much a part of our lives during the 18 years that we lived in the area while living in 3 different locations. Carolyn and Jon were also active in the church's programs, Elaine taught Sunday School and I was on Session. We very much enjoyed our association with the Church, the Ministers, and the Congregation during that Chapter of our lives.

Birthday Parties

This picture was taken 82 birthdays ago at the time of my 5th. I was pleased to hold my birthday cake with the 5 candles in the presence of my neighbor playmates, aunts, cousins, etc. Sister Vivian is the little dark haired girl to the left of me. Aunt Ethel is holding little Donnie who was about 6 months old. Mother is the lady at the right edge. My party tonight wasn't as large but equally enjoyable. Carolyn and Ben brought down a delicious cake, Elaine fixed fruit cups and cookies. John and Julie were here to bring greetings and share in the "festivities". Gifts included Golf paraphernalia,  some of which will be put to use as soon as tomorrow. Calls came in from all 3 boys, Anna, Brother Don, Sister Janice, Francis Rine (who shares this birth date) and others. We had "special treats" for coffee this morning, Chicken for lunch at Kiwanis this noon, a good golf round with Charlie and Eldy, appearance on television in "Our Town Seward", Kitone practice in preparation for our 4th of July concert, and the party this evening. We also saw some of the Yankee and Royals wins. Ben reminded us that Custer's Last Stand occured on this date just 49 years before I was born. Does that almost make me a Pioneer??

Retirement Party 6 24 80

This picture was taken on June 24, 1980 on the occasion of Elaine's leaving the Forest Service and my retirement from the Soil Conservation Service. The event was held at the Shirley Highway/Glebe Road Holiday Inn and attended by many co-workers from both agencies and other friends. It marked our 18 years in D.C. and return to Nebraska. My official retirement date was 6/27/80 following my 55^th birthday on June 25^th. My first day of employment with SCS was 3/26/48 as a WAE Conservation Aid and worked through the spring season. After a break in service and taking a Civic Service Examination came back on duty with a Career Conditional appointment 7/26/48. My service computation date was constructed as 6/27/48. My birthday tomorrow and Wednesday of this week will have particular significance. It will match the 32 years of Service with SCS with the 32 years of retirement from the Agency. It is a milestone I am pleased to achieve but also feel I continued to make a contribution to society through my years of service with the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission, The Soil and Water Conservation Society and through the many Boards on which I have served and continue to do so. Elaine has been a vital partner through it all, in fact, as the County Agent's secretary back in 1948, she suggested to the local District Conservationist that I may be interested when he was looking for part-time help.