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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 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 52/365: Angus Cow

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Day 52: Angus Cow

If this cow could talk it would say. Yeah it’s cold, but we live in Nebraska, so what you complaining about.  These Angus cattle looked pretty comfortable in the corn stalk field as I stopped the car to take pictures. How do I know they look comfortable. They weren’t huddled together to stay warm, but were scattered on the ridge-line casually eating corn and stalks. (There are more pictures of them in my Flickr page.) They probably thought I had some range cubes  or Crystalx tubs for them as they started walking towards me.

Seeing how I’m an Animal Science major from Oklahoma State University I could probably, and should, say more about this breed. But it’s late and I’m behind on my posting. I will that Angus cattle say they are the most popular breed in the mid-west and cows are often crossed with Herefords and called “Black Baldies” (love that name) . Their meat is considered the best in the world and the Japanese especially insist on “Black” Angus  beef. They will even visit Nebraska and inspect the cattle before they are purchased to assure the black purity.

Angus branded beef is considered premium, and displays significant marbling which results in superior taste, tenderness, and juiciness to other domestic cattle. There isn’t anything better than a  Angus T-Bone steak cooked on the grill in the summer.

The Arts Are Alive in a Small Nebraska Town

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I live in the small community of Elmwood–Murdock Nebraska. Really they are two separate towns, six miles apart, but we are a community that share together. We share a common culture, a choice for living outside of a metropolitan area (Omaha or Lincoln) and we share our children. No, not in the literal sense, but we share their accomplishments, and support of our youth. We don’t have a movie theatre, a shopping mall, or other “popular” activities, our social life and entertainment revolves around our school. This brings us together.

Our entire school district kindergarten through high school consists of approximately 425 students (depending on who moved this year) and the high school has on average 120 students total in grades 9-12. With that being said many would think we would have limited activities and little exposure to music and the arts. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

The Marching and Concert Band is 73 students strong. Almost a 70% participation rate and recently they marched in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC. This is directly related to our band director, Mr. Michael Hansens’ dedication and talent who took a band of 25 students and grew it to a size rivaling the big city schools. They compete in several marching band competitions including Harvest of Harmony Parade, one of the oldest and biggest in the country, and because of their winning reputation received the invitation to Washington D.C. Take a look at them below. Yes we are proud.

In addition to the Marching and Concert Band is the high school choir, and in our school choir was cool before Glee was even on the air. In 2003 Mrs. Betty Colbert, the choir director started with 12 students and with her guidance it has grown to over 60 voices. Many were students with hidden talent that just needed to be coached and given confidence. They have gone on to win many contests winning superiors from all judges.

Their highest achievement was singing at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2009. Although I can’t publish their crowning performance, here is a sample of why the whole community attends our concerts.

So now you can see why we are proud of our students, they perform sing at various events during the year and more of their performances can be found on my YouTube Channel

Community Links of Interest

Elmwood City-Data (pop 668)

Murdock City- Data (pop 264)

Elmwood-Murdock School District

Marching Through Adversity