Newsletter 3-26-2025

Please remember it's National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Saturday, March 29th.

Several Massie-Richards American Legion Post #100 members, and members of their Auxilliary, were honored this past Saturday night at the Syracuse Country Club.

Gordon Hopp 450

Ed Reed & Gordon Hopp, member for 55 years

Gerry Davis 450

Ed Reed & Gerry Davis, member for 55 years

Keith Kimbell 450

Ed Reed & Keith Kimbell, member for 50 years

Bob Wilhelm 45 year member 450

Ed Reed & Bob Wilhelm, member for 45 years

We were reminded in church Sunday morning, that no, Covid hasn't left Otoe County, and we should hang on to those masks!

Sunday afternoon Bob and I took a lovely trip to Conception, Missouri. All jokes aside, it is a lovely place, and has some interesting buildings and history.

Conception Missouri 450

Abby 450

Then we went down the road a ways to Maryville, home to NW Missouri State, where so many area students have completed their college studies.

Northwest Missouri State 450

Thank you to Rick Block for sharing pics of his maple trees:

Maple Tree 1 450

Maple Tree 2 450

The London plane tree is a cross between the American Sycamore and the Oriental plane tree which originated in Europe and more specifically in London in the 17th century. It was planted due to its vigorous growth rate, hardiness, and resistance to disease(anthracnose) and insects that affected the American Sycamore. It was thought that it cleansed the air of soot & smoke associated with the burning of wood & coal to heat the city of London. It has been planted in many parks and public areas for over 100 years in the United States and is adaptable to most areas except the northern tier of states. It can be identified by its khaki colored, shaggy bark, with a mix of crème, olive,& grey colors sprinkled throughout. Its leaves are maple like, and it often bears fruit balls in bunches of two, unlike I like its cousin, the American sycamore, which has only singular seed balls. The tree pictured is one of seven large London plane trees located in our park/arboretum which were planted in the late 1950’s when the park was established. As most care takers can attest, it is a very messy tree, especially when winds can cause exfoliating bark, twigs, fruit balls, & leaves to scatter on the ground. However, it’s bark is a very eye-catching color, especially in the winter, and of course creates valuable shade throughout the hot summer days! These are the foundation trees of our park and often exceed 100’ in height!

Thanks to Bob Brandt for the info and photo of the London Plane tree

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

celebrate

3-26 Michael West, Amanda Davis

3-27 Lindsey Dankleff Miltner, Joel Conradi, Bill Dettmer, Gary Ganger

3-29 Maisie Hillman

3-31 Arlin Rohlfs

NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO

Boy reading newspaper 250

Friday, 3-27-1925, The Otoe Union:

"The Unadilla basketball town team defeated Eagle by a score of 54 - 28, upping their record to 8 wins and 3 losses." "The inhabitants of West Russell found cellars and caves are a more comfortable place then above ground Monday evening, during the wind storms." Royal Farmers', and John Thomassens' had baby boys; Willard Beezleys' and Walter Carpers' had baby girls.

Dirty Boots Band 450