What, is she going off the deep end. Maybe so but fall always makes me reminisce about the past. So my past is steeped in boomer history and expectations of my generation. Coming of age during the Vietnam War and becoming a rebel against the establishment indoctrinated my beliefs throughout my life growth. We boomers tried to overcome poverty, prejudice and injustice the only way we knew how through our expressive natures.
For me, I was very sheltered growing up as a minister's daughter of older parents. So I was more of a want a be rebel, a late bloomer with a life partner at an early age. My poor parents had no clue what do with me except sentence me to a year of house arrest.
When my generation started to rebel the establishment called us peace-nicks or hippies. Protests, free love and drugs sometimes were in the game. We got birth control pills and that changed everything! Free love without fear of pregnancy until Aides arrived in the 1980's.
It was liberating at times to feel so young and unimpeded; thinking you would live forever and solve all the worlds problems. But low and behold, look at us today. There is still war, injustice and terrible diseases that the new generations have to address.
Long haired men of old often are now bald. Our waist lines are enlarged with joints that are stiff and sore. We are still boomers, still mean well and want to change the world. But we do it in a more civilized way with social media and by our civic duty. I for one still like the notion of free love. Free love to all peoples no matter of color, religion or sexual orientation. Maybe I got it wrong when I was younger. Free love isn't just about sex, it is about loving one another not only in the good times but when things turn sour and bad. Treating each other with respect no matter what we believe.
I am here in Gordon with too much time on my hands hanging with my grandsons. Jessamyn's surgery went well! Jay is bringing her home from Colorado and are in route. Big homecoming tonight with Taylen playing football and having a date to the dance. Parade is next up so gotta go... Will be pictures next week.
Angkor Wat
Temples of Angkor Wat
Friday, September 26, 2014
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Almost Fall
It is almost fall right? Zeyda had her sixth birthday bash, with soggy cool fall like weather. She however, didn't seem to mind.
Then football has started with all it's glory including bumps, bruises and abrasions. Not to mention the contusions left by the domestic violence allegations and scandals plaguing the NFL!
Fall has definitely come with an early frost and snow. The harvest rush is on. Canning along with freezing seems to the activity every spare moment.
Then football has started with all it's glory including bumps, bruises and abrasions. Not to mention the contusions left by the domestic violence allegations and scandals plaguing the NFL!
 |
| Clayton and Taylen at Hemingford/Mustang JV game |
Fall has definitely come with an early frost and snow. The harvest rush is on. Canning along with freezing seems to the activity every spare moment.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Baseball Past and Future
 |
| Gordon/Rushville Babe Ruth Baseball Team It was my pleasure last Friday night to attend the dedication of the Modisett Baseball Field in Rushville, Nebraska. Taylen and Jarret both were privileged to play on the new refurbished field on the that night. They played Chadron's Babe Ruth team and won 7-4. Here is a little bit of history concerning the park's past. Enjoy! |
A History of the Modisett Ball Park
The history of Modisett Ball Park began in 1935 when Sheridan County brothers and ranchers Albert and Mayre Modisett established a trust (enhanced in 1944), which ultimately left a lasting gift to their neighbors. These wealthy cattlemen gave Rushville funds for the purpose of ultimately building several new structures and facilities, including a new city hall and swimming pool, an airport, a men's club, a golf course, a city park, and a state-of-the-art baseball field to host the game they both loved.
Construction began on the ball park in 1939 with completion and dedication in 1940 before a crowd of 2,500 on opening day.
Modisett Ball Park was the best ball field in western Nebraska, but got a significant feather in its cap in 1954 when Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Braves began holding a baseball school and tryout camp in Rushville. The town's own Gene Leahy, brother of Notre Dame coaching legend Frank Leahy, knew an executive with the Braves' organization and was instrumental in bringing their coaches, players, and scouts to give instruction to and take a look at would-be big league players from Nebraska and surrounding states. Young men from the Rockies to the Missouri River and Canada to Texas were put through their paces by baseball greats, including Hall-of-Fame player and coach Paul Waner.
The baseball school was truly a community event. Players and coaches didn't stay in hotels or motels - they stayed in the homes of Rushville residents providing free room and board to the big-league trainers and their students.
The school included two days of drills and instructions and on the third day two teams of all-stars were picked to play each other. Crowds of 3,000-plus, more than doubling the population of Rushville, were not uncommon.
The summer school continued through the early 1960s, with the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels also bringing in players, coaches, and scouts. Several of the players were offered tryouts with the ball clubs and at least one - a lefty pitcher named Dale Hendrickson of Gering, NE - was signed to contract and won 41 games.
The school included two days of drills and instructions and on the third day two teams of all-stars were picked to play each other. Crowds of 3,000-plus, more than doubling the population of Rushville, were not uncommon.
The summer school continued through the early 1960s, with the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels also bringing in players, coaches, and scouts. Several of the players were offered tryouts with the ball clubs and at least one - a lefty pitcher named Dale Hendrickson of Gering, NE - was signed to contract and won 41 games.
Eventually the big-leaguers stopped coming to Rushville, but the Modisett Ball Park continued to serve as the community ball field. Time and the Nebraska climate took their toll on the grandstand, field, and surrounding facilities, and the city did its best within its means to maintain the historic ball park.
In 2013, Rushville Mayor Chris Heiser contacted John Gottschalk about the condition of the grandstand and the need for repairs. John and his wife Carmen, both natives of Rushville, had created a charitable foundation for their diverse philanthropic interests, but John Gottschalk took a particular interest in this project since he played at the park as a boy.
In 2013, Rushville Mayor Chris Heiser contacted John Gottschalk about the condition of the grandstand and the need for repairs. John and his wife Carmen, both natives of Rushville, had created a charitable foundation for their diverse philanthropic interests, but John Gottschalk took a particular interest in this project since he played at the park as a boy.
Gottschalk asked Heiser to hold work on the ball park until it had a chance for a proper review. Within a week, he assembled the architecture and engineering team that designed the TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, home of the College World Series. Gottschalk and the HDR Architecture team reviewed the ball park with Heiser, and as a result of the site visit, it was determined that a complete restoration of the aged Modisett Ball Park was in order.
Initially committing $250,000 toward the restoration, the Gottschalk Foundation challenged the Rushville community in December 2013 to raise $100,000 by March 1, 2014. Simultaneously with the community fundraising, Gottschalk committed to raise an additional $100,000 from other donors. Rushville met the challenge, raising more than the amount by the deadline.
Initially committing $250,000 toward the restoration, the Gottschalk Foundation challenged the Rushville community in December 2013 to raise $100,000 by March 1, 2014. Simultaneously with the community fundraising, Gottschalk committed to raise an additional $100,000 from other donors. Rushville met the challenge, raising more than the amount by the deadline.
He asked Heiser to hold work on the ball park until it had a chance for a proper review. Within a week, he re-assembled the architecture and engineer team that designed the TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, home of the College World Series. Gottschalk and the HDR Architecture team reviewed the ball park with Heiser. As a result of the site visit, it was determined that a complete restoration of the aged Modisett Ball Park was in order.
MODISETT BALL PARK
MODISETT BALL PARK
Official Site of Rushville's Home for Baseball
Demolition of the old grandstand was completed March 9 and the project bid was awarded to Nemaha Sports Construction of Lincoln. Pre-construction planning began immediately; dedication is August 31. The Modisett brothers' initial gift served their town for 75 years. With the new construction and an endowment for its preservation, the Modisett Ball Park will continue well into the future.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)