Stan Matzke & Nebraska Trade School

Our Seward Magazine Club meets tomorrow evening and I plan to report on Senator Stanley Matzke's role in the founding of the Milford, NE Campus of the Southeast Community College. I'm using the 1941-1991, 50 Year celebration publication as my source. I also plan to pass the publication on to Chuck, a son of Stanley's, who with his wife Jan, are members of the Club. The report includes the following information: "State Senator, Stanley Matzke of Seward described his January 1940 trip to North Dakota State Trade School in Wahpeton in his 1929 car as the 'longest and most profitable trip I have ever made'.

"Matzke made the long trip to North Dakota because he wanted to see an actual trade school in operation. After touring the facility, he spent an additional week in the area talking to graduates and their employers about the benefits of vocational education. Immediately upon his return, Matzke began drafting a bill for the creation of a trade school using the former Soldiers and Sailors Home buildings in Milford. The home by this

time had been vacant for two years. In 1941 during the fifty-fifth session of the Nebraska Legislature,  Senator Matzke introduced Legislative Bill No. 148 that provided for the establishment of the Nebraska State Trade School under the State Board of Vocational Education. In his formal testimony to the Legislature, Senator Matzke stated: 'The main idea is a Nebraska trade school suited and adapted to the needs of Nebraska now and for years to come--a school which will enable at least some of the 90% of our young boys who cannot avail themselves to higher educational advantages to learn a peace time trade which will assist them in becoming worth while citizens. ' Under Matzke's skillful management of LB 148, it breezed through the Legislature and was signed by Governor Dwight Griswold who called it a forward step into the state's future.'"  It's official date of establishment is March 28, 1941, with a May 1, opening date.

Virginia Bock at 100

We participated in the Birthday party this afternoon here at Brookdale for residents Virginia Bock and Ella Stuhr. I have known Virginia since my days in Garland High School when she married Carl Bock who was the school janitor at the time. Virginia was the daughter of August Beckman, President of the Garland Bank and Mrs. Beckman. There were 5 boys and 5 girls in the Beckman family.  Virginia worked for many years for Russell Stover Candies in Lincoln while Carl was working at Cushmans. The Garland Bank like many at the time, was closed during the early 1930's following the 1929 Wall Street  crash. Virginia and Carl had three daughters. The oldest was killed in a car accident as a young woman. Ila Deinert and Damaris Clagg were there today and were among those that helped celebrate on Virginia's January 1st Birthday. I was setting near Ila and handed her my phone to take this picture since she had a better angle. It is not only a great picture but also shows the "caption" on the wall of "Happy 100 Birthday, Virginia Bock, January 1".  We expect to see Virginia at the Garland High School annual alumni reunion this coming June. Elaine had a close family relationship with her cousin Ralph Bock (son of Elaine's mothers sister) who was also a cousin of Carl (son of a brother of Ralph's dad). So while Elaine and Carl were not related there was a family connection, and we occasionally attended the same family events. Congratulations Virginia, you look Great.

Good Entertainment

We at Brookdale were pleasantly entertained last evening by the music of Paul Siebert. He had a Concert at Olde Glory Theater downtown and the theater financed his coming up and performing for a very appreciative audience here. He is an outstanding vocalist and musician. His repertoire of music included many of the old favorites from the '30's, 40's and 50's.  He invited us to sing along with him which added to the pleasure. Some of the songs I hadn't sang since Jon and I did them years ago. He started out with the Guitar and went on with the Ukulele, Banjo, Hammer Dulcimer, and Accordion. I visited with him afterward and told him of how son Jon plays many of the same instruments and entertains. Sometime when Jon is back we will see if we can get him "booked" in here for some entertainment.The Accordion that Siebert played was very similar to the one that Jon has that my Dad used to play. Jon calls it a Concertina since it has only 2 rows of keys (buttons).

He also played some Irish songs including "Red Wing" which I hadn' t heard for years. I may have even "blushed" while singing it because of the memory rekindled of one of my farmer friends version of it. We just finished watching Duke beat Notre Dame 88-66  at Duke's Camerion Stadium. They needed this kind of win after losing at home to Virginia on Saturday. Duke is still ranked #4. Our attention will now be turned to seeing Nebraska  at Wisconsin. This is the most exciting team that Tim Miles has had for some time and has a good chance of getting into the NCAA tournament in March. The most recent appearance of Nebraska in "The Show" was 20 years ago in 1998.

The Butterfly Effect

Rev. Robert Henre, from the Seward United Methodist Church, led the Service at Brookdale this afternoon. Ellie played the piano for the several songs we sang. Andy Andrews 2010 booklet on "The Butterfly Effect" on "Your Life Matters", served as the text for his message. He began by telling of a Scientist some years ago writing that a Butterfly flapping it's Wings in America could cause a Hurricane on the other side of the globe. While his theory was not taken seriously at the time, some 30 years later, it was recognized as a possibility. He went on to trace the actions of individuals from Andrews book on their effect of major events. Col. Chamberlain, a 34 year old School Teacher, made decisions at the Battle of Gettysburg that led to Union victory and the preservation of the United States. George Washington Carver was adopted and raised by parents who encouraged his interest in horticulture to develop and eventually led to his Peanut research and utilization. Norman Borlang a 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner developed strains of wheat that led to the Green Revolution. Most of us never know of something we may do or have done that could change the world.

Tim Miles at Nebraska

We got around early this morning to get Elaine down town for a 9:30 beauty shop appointment.  I took advantage of the time to go down to the Ag Pavilion for a Schweitzer Auction for multi-parties. It included Indian Artifacts, old Telephone equipment, and Neon Advertisements among many other things. It seemed that things were selling pretty well. This was the first one I've attended since ours on December 17th. When we got home I pulled our report out of the file and went through what each item brought and who got it. While we were well satisfied with our final "bottom line", a number of things were literally given away. There was a fine line between what we did take to EtCetera, etc. and what we put on the Auction. In addition to price received, there is the value of things being gone. 

I looked forward to seeing the Duke-Virginia basketball game this afternoon. We haven't seen many of the Duke games this season but have been impressed with their new additions. It was a disappointment to see them fall behind early and once they got the lead, thought they were on their way, only to lose 65-63 in Cameron. Nebraska led Iowa 48-34 at the half in the sold out Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln and went on to win 98-84. Jordy Tshimanga's best game of the season complimented big nights from James Palmer, Isaac Copeland and Isaiah Roby.

Journal of Soil and Water Conservation

My copy of the January/February 2018 issue of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation came in the mail this week.  The Journal is a "refereed" technical publication of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. This issue is Volume 73, Number 1 which dates back to the Society's founding by Hugh H. Bennett back in 1946. I have been a member of the Society for many years, have a lifetime membership and served as the Executive Vice-President (CEO) from 1989 through 1991 at the Headquarters location near Ankeny, Iowa. The Journal still includes a small section of more popular articles in addition to its hallmark technical ones. For many years I collected the Journals from my over 50 years as a member and do still have the ones published while I was CEO. At one time Concordia University was happy to add each year of Journals to their Library (Elaine's copies). I write this as another example of how  things "come and go" during the course of our lives. I will always retain my interest in soil and water conservation but no longer feel the need to read in detail about "The utilization of edge-of-field monitoring of agricultural runoff in addressing non-point source pollution". Our move to Brookdale has taught us the need to dispose of many things that are not part of our daily life. This current issue of the Journal becoming part of tomorrow  mornings garbage isn't as surprising as is the number of years that I kept many such things without ever referring to them.   

Weather was nice;the Day was busy

I have neglected my dental care during the past couple years during which time I had very few conscious problems. That doesn't mean that decay wasn't taking place; even under crowns. I had an upper, front, right crown replaced late this past fall after biting into a tough pizza crust. Then recently lost a filling and part of one of the moalers while working on the crust of a Brownie. This afternoon, a technician took pictures and Dr. Matt examined all of my teeth and gave me the verdict. It seems that I have decay under 5 of my crowns. We scheduled an appointment to have the crown removed from the upper, front, left tooth, the"stump" repaired and a new crown installed. We also scheduled for having the recent injury repaired by trying to do so with a filling; realizing, we may have to put a crown on it. I brush my teeth every day but don't know how much my negligance in having them cleaned and visiting the Dentist regularily has to do with this recenctly recognized problem. I doubt that any of this cost will be covered by Medicare or Blue Cross/Blue Shield but we will  see. We may just have to take it out of the Estate. 

While we were out this afternoon, we also dropped off my Cowboy Boots at EtCetera along with 2-pair of wingtips. The black pairs were Florsheims which will make someone a very nice pair of dress shoes. This is the only pair of Cowboy Boots that I have ever owned and wore them only a few times for square dancing. Our supper this evening was served by a young lady who is usually dressed in black. This evening she wore a printed blue dress that was very attractive and brightened the spirits of all she served. We continue to be impressed with the courtesy of the staff here at Brookdale.