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My Life, my photography, my passions

midwest

Day 175/365: Memorial Day, Small Town Style

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Small Town America Celebrates Memorial Day

In small towns all over America people come together to celebrate Memorial Day. Its a day that typically starts with a ceremony at the cemetery honoring our military veterans who served in the various branches of the Armed Services and then continues throughout the day.

American Flag Ready to fly on Memorial Day
American Flag Ready to fly

Elmwood, Nebraska is no exception. The American Legion and color guard hold a ceremony, speeches are made, and veterans are honored. The boy scouts and local high school students are called upon to participate, raise flags and in this way they become part of history, part of the ceremony and part of a tradition of respect and patriotism to pass along to their children.

Elmwood Memorial Day Birthday Celebration
Elmwood, Nebraska 125th Birthday  Celebration

American Flag Centerpiece Party Accessory (1 count) (1/Pkg)American Flag Centerpiece Party Accessory (1 count) (1/Pkg)Lot Of 12 Assorted Patriotic Theme Mini Metal Bucket Party FavorsLot Of 12 Assorted Patriotic Theme Mini Metal Bucket Party FavorsOTC - Patriotic Inflatable Buffet Cooler for Indoor/OutdoorOTC – Patriotic Inflatable Buffet Cooler for Indoor/OutdoorPatriotic Bunting 2-Sided Pleated Flag 58Patriotic Bunting 2-Sided Pleated Flag 58

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The Saturday of Memorial Day weekend kicked off with the celebration of the 125th Birthday of Elmwood Nebraska and a town BBQ. Over 300 people attended, ate lunch, played games and socialized with family and friends. The theme of the day was “125 Years of Progress” and included a fun run/walk in the morning, museum tours, quilt show, Legion baseball game, and ended with a dance in the evening.

4-H Petting Zoo
4-H Petting Zoo

The local 4-H club brought various animals, piglets, rabbits, goats,  a cat, and a guinea pig, and two ponies for the kids to pet.  It was a popular area.

See the Bunny, Pet the Bunny...
See the Bunny, Pet the Bunny…

The theme of the game section was Minute-to-Win-It after the popular game show. It was so much fun to watch I didn’t get pictures of the contestants, but this girl was having fun with the random hula hoops on the side. Had to capture her tenacity. Something I couldn’t do.

Hulu Hoops
Hula Hoops

The American legion baseballs teams played during the afternoon and it’s a good excuse to hang out with friends, soak in the sun and visit the concession stand.

Baseball Concession Stand
Baseball Concession Stand

So however you spend Memorial weekend don’t forget the real meaning of the day. Take time to honor our veterans and military. Then have the picnic, barbeque and spend time with family.

Memorial Day History

Memorial Day – Holidays – HISTORY.com

Find out more about the history of Memorial Day, including videos, interesting articles, pictures, historical features and more. Get all the facts on HISTORY.com.

The Meaning of Memorial Day

The Constitution Center has programs to celebrate Memorial Day history from May 24-26. The museum will be offering arts and crafts activities for children, flag etiquette workshops and a main exhibition on the nation’s memorials as well as Memorial Day …

Memorial Day – Holidays – HISTORY.com

Find out more about the history of Memorial Day, including videos, interesting articles, pictures, historical features and more. Get all the facts on HISTORY.com.

Little Known Memorial Day History Fact | Magic 106.3 FM

A little known fact about how Memorial Day started.

Memorial Day Poems And Prayers Story Short History 2014 …

Also Read : Memorial Day History Facts 2014 USA Parade Massacre And Activities. Related Searchs memorial day blessing inspirational memorial day stories memorial day soldiers prayer memorial day prayers our troops

 

Day 173/365: Iris Garden Tour

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Welcome to Dean and Judy’s Iris Patch in Elmwood, Nebraska. Over 500 varieties of iris’s are showcased in various gardens in their immaculate park like country home. My mother-in-law has an Iris garden and so did my grandmother. Irises are a traditional flower in vintage gardens and it’s just been in the past years that the hybrids and varieties have exploded.

Iris’s Galore

This iris garden is just about five miles northwest of Elmwood Nebraska and Dean and Judy are very welcoming and informative about everything iris related. If you thought iris’s came in just blue you are are in for a surprise.

1 CUPID’S ARROW BEARDED IRIS Rhizome / Bulb / Root – ORDER for FALL PLANTINGJewelled Crown Siberian Iris

Emerald Sunrise Iris
Emerald Sunrise Iris

The Emerald Sunrise hybrid was bred by Kalkwarf and released in 2003,  with a ruffled lace along the edge.

Barbara May Iris
Barbara May Iris

This Barbara May Iris is similar to the Emerald Sunrise except it has a purple lace edge, it is a very new variety only being released in 2007, isn’t it just gorgeous?

Millennium Falcon Iris
Millennium Falcon Iris

Here is an iris a little bit closer to the standard in what people expect in an iris, but don’t let if fool you, the Millennium Falcon Iris was only released in the year 2000.

Jurassic Park Iris
Jurassic Park Iris

I’ll just let you guess what inspired this 1995 Jurassic Park Iris, think dinosaurs. Below is just one of the areas of the Iris garden, they had just begun blooming a few days previous and I’m looking forward to going back this weekend when it’s in full bloom. The peony hedge should be opening just in time for Memorial Day and I love peonies too, who am I kidding, I love all flowers, and I love taking photographs of flowers.

Dean and Judy's Iris Patch
Dean and Judy’s Iris Patch

All of the irises are for sale and most are less than five dollars a bulb. Bulbs are dug after the blooming period is over in July or August. If you are interested in purchasing any iris’s you can email Dean or Judy at deanandjudydouglas@sbllcweb.com they are located between Omaha and Lincoln Nebraska about ten miles off the interstate I-80

Facts About Irises

Photo gallery: Stunning and unique iris collection being nurtured in North …

IRIS FACTS. The herbaceous perennial is named after a Greek goddess considered God’s messenger and is viewed as a flower that was symbolic of communication. Iris also means rainbow and the 200-plus varieties come in a range of colours including …

31 Random Iris Facts – iris-impressions.com

My friend Tam posted 31 random facts about herself and asked if I would do the same. It sounded like fun, so here they are! 1. I am Dutch but have lived in the UK for over 10 years now. 2. I speak only Dutch to my kids.

Iris Facts, Tips, and Helpful Hints | In and Around the Garden

Iris Facts, Tips, and Helpful Hints. June 22, 2011. The name Iris means rainbow in Greek. Irises thrive in different climates, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, America, and North Africa and grow well in many places such as deserts, …

Bearded Iris- Bearded Iris Facts and Information

Bearded iris is a traditional favorite plant for the perennial border. Get facts and information on growing and caring for bearded iris. They bloom in a rainbow of colors and bicolors that will brighten up any landscape. Use them next to your …

History, Meaning and Trivia of Iris | – Tulips Talk

Iris Facts and Trivia: Iris roots are used to treat skin diseases. The juice of Irises are also sometimes used as a cosmetic treatment for the removal of freckles. The Iris is known as Tze Hu-tieh or “The Purple Butterfly” because it …

Day 101/365: Cabin on The Nebraska Prairie

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Day 101: Cabin on the Lake
Day 101: Cabin on the Lake

I love this little cabin on the farm pond. I could sit out here, fish, soak in the sun, relax, and just escape.  This past week was encompassed several days of chasing geese  hoping for the perfect nature shot of Canada and Snow geese circling and gathering in mass.  I didn’t get my perfect wildlife shot, but I think this picture is worth the effort.

If you look in the sky you can part of the large gathering of geese, they landed on the other side of the hill, away from any accessible road. I like landscape photography, unlike animals and small children they don’t move.

Some of my best shots have been landscape images, including my recent Framed Cornfields image and the Great Goose Chase. If you want to view some video make sure to read my Day 100 entry. I have a special treat for you there.

Day 100/365: The Great Goose Chase

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Canadians and Snow Geese in Nebraska
Canada and Snow Geese in Nebraska

You know spring is close when the Canada and Snow geese start heading back north.  Nebraska is in a migratory flight path for many species of birds, including geese, who use the corn and wheat fields as feeding and resting grounds. So on my 100th day I bring you the great Nebraska goose migration.

This year, because of my 365 project, I had a purpose for driving around chasing after thousands of geese and getting a photo of this spectacular site.  Thousands of geese fly over and then start to gather and spiral as they descend in what actually looks like an organized landing pattern. They are very skittish and typically chose sections of land that are difficult to gain access from the gravel roads.

Trying to walk out and sneak up on them is not easy. Goose hunters normally set decoys and sit in blinds waiting for hours. I don’t have that much patience, and you never know where they are going to land. So you watch the skies and chase the clouds of birds in the air. Many of my photographs the past couple of days were part of my goose chase.

The geese  don’t stay long in one spot, some flocks will stop and rest and others will be taking off and continue heading north. In less than a week hundreds of thousands, if not millions of geese will fly over.

Below is a video a friend across the road from her house at a neighboring pond.  Turn up the volume to enjoy the sounds of nature.

Day 66/365: Winter Neighborhood

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Day 66: Snowy Neighborhood

The view down my street in Elmwood, Nebraska. A small community (technically a village), population 687, give or take a few.  This was a few days after a snow and the sun had finally come out. I know compared to my Connecticut friends this snow is nothing. But, last year we can get 8-10 foot drifts with just a foot of snow, so this year we’ve been given a break.

Learn More About a Small Town in Nebraska