3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

small town

Day 89/365: Coop de Ville, a Shopping Paradise

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For the next two days I’m going to break out of the typical 365 Project rules. I took so many neat pictures during my shopping trip at Coop de Ville and  Feathers that I’m going to expand a little and break out of the one photo limit. Won’t do this often, but hopefully you’ll forgive me this time.

Welcome to Feathers

Coop de Ville & Feathers are two dynamite retail stores. They have everything a chick needs for her home, her garden, her gift giving needs and herself.

Feathers Gift Shop- Louisville, NE
Unique way of displaying jewelry and scarves.

Photoshop notes: the lighting was perfect in the store, nice big windows so the only adjustment I did was add an artistic plastic wrap effect.

Don't forget to look UP!!

Why does an old refrigerator door look perfect on this wall and not mine? I just couldn’t pull off the forks and knives either.

You look Maaaarvelous My Dear

Around every corner is a new visual vision for the eyes, something unexpected, whimsical, and things that are normally out of place, look like they belong. Don’t know her name, but she looks Maarvelous!

Paperdoll Wall

Across from the lady in the bathtub is this wall, yes decoupaged with paperdolls and whimsical funny sayings. “Being in therapy is great, I spend an hour talking about myself. It’s kinda being a guy on a date.  Caroline Shea” or “It’s the good girls who keep diaries, bad girls don’t have the time- Takiah Bankhead” Note the whimsical light at the top and the old hair dryer? There is so much to see in each room, around every corner that it’s easy to miss things.

Don’t worry, I’ll revisit the stores, there will be random posts throughout the year, but if you would like to get a regular does of whimsy visit the Coop de Ville & Feathers  Facebook page. Both stores are located in Louisville Nebraska, just 30 minutes from Lincoln or Omaha. If you visit, reserve and afternoon.

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

Veterans Day 2010

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As a new Mother of a Marine, my thoughts take a different turn on Veterans Day.  I think it’s because it’s now close to home and I find myself worrying in advance of what lies ahead. The potential of the biggest sacrifice that can be made for our country is now personal. It’s my sons. Yes, plural. My youngest son, still in high school decided that the United States Marine Corps is his calling.

Memories of my Father are particularly strong now. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korea Conflict. He never spoke of  war, not that I can remember, and his service papers were lost when we arrived home on New Years at Times Square.  So, I have sent to the National Personnel Records Center for his service records to share with his grandchildren. 

I’m also thankful for living in small town community with Midwestern traditions. Unlike other parts of the country, our schools take time to honor our veterans by inviting them to the school and honoring them with celebrations. I attended two such programs today, one at the high school and the other at the elementary.

Lieutenant Colonel Rick Gray was the speaker from the Nebraska National Guard. The choir and band sang and played in honor of those who bravely served in the armed forces past and present. It was very moving to listen to over 125 elementary children sing “Bless Our Troops”.  It’s something I won’t forget anytime soon.

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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