The Small Town That Could

UPDATE: Jan. 31 - 9:30 a.m.

AINSWORTH IS IN SIXTH PLACE with 344,735 votes.

Keep the momentum going!

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The "Middle of Nowhere" town is showing that it is a town that can!


Ainsworth - my hometown - is known as "The Middle of Nowhere" (the source of the nickname is a story for another day).


Ainsworth has a population of 1,862 according to the 2000 census, and is located in north-central Nebraska in the starkly beautiful and unique Sandhills. It's roughly 150 miles to any city of 25,000 or larger. So, the moniker "in the middle of nowhere" is pretty much right on target.


However, if you've been following the Reader's Digest competition "We Hear You America," where communities are vying for dollars for their community, you know Ainsworth is currently at No. 7 with 291,584 votes mid-morning today, Jan. 29. (A 1:30 p.m. check showed the vote at nearly 9,000 more!)


I have lived in North Platte for more than 23 years. This is the community that is officially called Rail City USA, and is the site of the largest railroad diversion yard in THE WORLD. It has a wonderful Golden Spike tourist center to show off the railyards to its best advantage and a three-day railroad celebration, "Railfest."


The community hosts a 10-day Nebraskaland Days statewide celebration every June. The community boasts it's the site of the first spectator rodeo, hosted by Buffalo Bill on the Fourth of July in the late 1800s.


Perhaps most importantly, it is the home of the WW II Canteen, a famous era in which more than 6 MILLION service men and women were served snacks during brief stops at the Union Pacific Depot (remember, this was a time when sugar, gas, rubber for tires, and numerous other things, were rationed). Hundreds of volunteers came from many miles away to help with this effort. The Veterans' Memorial is more than a memorial - the quality of the sculptures is more like an art exhibit.


In the Reader's Digest We Hear You America competition, North Platte is No. 72 with 13,979 votes. A few weeks ago, North Platte was No. 29.


Population


Trying to figure out why Ainsworth is doing so well and North Platte is falling further and further behind, I looked up each town in the top 10. I found something I thought rather interesting about the population (as of the 2000 census). Here are the results:


1. Grand Marais, Michigan - an unincorporated village
2. Fairbury, Illinois - population 3,968
3. Albion, Michigan - population 9,144
4. Saint Johns, Michigan - population 7,485
5. Genoa, Nebraska - population 981
6. Jacksonville, Illinois - population 18,940
7. Ainsworth, Nebraska - population 1,862
8. Globe, Arizona - population 7,486
9. Asheboro, N.C., population 21,672
10. Miles City, Montana - population 8,487


I find it fascinating that with the exception of Jacksonville and Asheboro, all of the other communities in the top 10 are very small.


What does it mean? I'm not sure, but here are a few guesses I developed. First, it's easier to organize a small group than a huge group. But that doesn't totally hold true because some of the towns are moving ahead by the thousands every day, so the small towns are working with large numbers, too. Second, larger towns and cities may have full-time grant writers who can apply for funds that way rather than a drawn-out competition. Third, large communities and cities may find it easier to raise taxes for needed developments such as additions to libraries and swimming pools, than do the work to compete. And, fourth, small towns probably have more community spirit and cohesiveness than cities.


Ainsworth

I was still curious about what Ainsworth - and other small communities in the top 10 - were doing right.


I called the Ainsworth Area Chamber a few days ago to see if I could find out what they were doing to keep climbing in the top 10.


I visited with Deb Banzhof (who moved to Ainsworth from the Eustis area). She is the senior administrative assistant at the North Central Development Center in Ainsworth.


It comes down to sending out many, many e-mails to former residents and acquaintances, involving everyone in the community, and sending out reminder e-mails daily, Deb said, even on weekends.


The radio station in Ainsworth gives reminders, the Norfolk Daily News wrote an article about Ainsworth in the competition, and residents encourage each other.


Deb said it is the topic of conversation in the town. No matter where you go, people are asking each other "What place are we today?" even if they aren't acquainted.


People also realize the need for improvements to the community, she said.


For instance, the swimming pool is the same one where my kids took swimming lessons and spent most of their free time in the summer. My oldest is in his 50s now, so that gives you some idea of the pool's age. It needs to be replaced.


"It will take five years to raise funds to get matching funds (for the pool)," Deb said.


Winning money in the competition will be a huge boost to that effort.


Perhaps the best thing to come from the competition is the publicity.


"Our name is getting out there," Deb said. "It's good publicity. (People can see) we're a community working together."


The voting ends Feb. 7. Don't be surprised if some of the ratings change in last-minute voting surges.


To vote, go to http://www.wehearyouamerica.readersdigest.com/ and type in your community's zip code or name.

Little of This, Little of That

The Sower

This balloon is "The Sower," a replica of a sculpture that sits atop the Nebraska Capitol dome. The sculpture was completed in May 1930 by Lee Lawrie. It was raised to the Nebraska Capitol dome April 24, 1930. The bronze sculpture weighs more than 9 tons and stands 400-plus feet above the ground.

The Nebraska Humanities Council annually honors individuals, institutions, businesses and communities with Sower Awards. These awards are for contributions to public understanding of the humanities in Nebraska.

The Hub Bar float was a-smokin' and a-smellin' for quite a ways before it arrived in front of the crowd. Turned out the float wasn't on fire, just a smoking kettle.

However, if the Hub Bar float had been on fire, it would have been handy to have North Platte's new ladder truck available.

Politicians always like to make it to the parade

There Were Horses Of Course

No parade is complete without horses and rodeo queens.


A beautiful Morgan horse.



A Logan County queen representative waves to her fans.

A parade in western Nebraska isn't complete unless it has horses and a stagecoach.

Youth on Parade

Like hundreds of other youngsters along the parade route, this youngster picks up candy thrown by the parade participants.


There were drill teams....



dancers....

and more dance teams.... plus bands.

NEBRASKAland Days parade

Mid-Plains United Way is celebrating 60 years of partnership with the people of North Platte. More information will become available about special events. This pickup, provided by the United Way drive chairman, Bob Spady, will be at various events around the community to collect your change. Learn more about this special fundraiser in the near future.




The North Platte Jaycees have been one of North Platte's more active organizations over the years. Don't suppose these girls are waiting for candy, do you?


You might think a train represented a North Platte group, since North Platte is Rail Town! But no, it's a group from Wellfleet.

Harvest Christian Fellowship provided live music, bottled water, and even buckets of water for anyone who felt they needed to be cooled off. Several young people received a bucket of water over their head.

North Platte Baptist Church didn't need to do much decorating, as their bus is quite colorful all the time.

Tasty Tradition

OK, I realize this is a heart attack meal waiting for a place to happen, but it only happens once a year. It's what I do the other 364 days that hurts me more than this breakfast.

The annual pork breakfast served by the Eagles at the mall in North Platte is a tasty tradition worth keeping. They have the serving pattern down to a science and there is rarely much time spent in the line just waiting.

The pork breakfast is served on the Saturday morning of the annual NEBRASKAland Days parade. The weather was beautiful this morning so eating there was a pleasant experience.

Some years there has been rain and so drive-throughs are set up and those wanting to enjoy the pork breakfast can drive up, wait a few minutes and receive their meal curbside.

I've always said one of the best things about NEBRASKAland Days is you can eat your way through it, from prime rib sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, flapjacks, to the pork breakfast. For a few days in the earlier part of the week, there were sweet rolls available in the Sweet Saloon. If I've left anything out I apologize. Organizations work very hard, beginning yet this month, to prepare for next year's events.

Thanks to all who make this 10-day celebration so much fun -- and tasty.

USS Nebraska cake

Thanks to Kris Fisher, wife of Mike Fisher, captain of the USS Nebraska, you can see the crew's decorated cake.

Kris also sent the following note:

"My husband, Mike Fisher, is the captain of the USS Nebraska. After you took their photo at the memorial yesterday you mentioned you'd post their sighting in your blog, so I looked you up from that.


We are indeed having a wonderful time in North Platte. We had lunch today (Friday) at the Eagles and were thrilled to see that not only did their slapdash cake win second place (Greenhorn division) but I believe it fetched the highest bid!


My family is staying with the lovely Orville Kaschke family, and he shared with us a book about the North Platte Canteen. It appears that unconditional and enthusiastic support of the military is born and bred into the people of North Platte, and as a Navy spouse, I am touched and grateful.


Warmly,
Kris Fisher"


Congratulations to the crew! You did a great job, especially when you consider you didn't know what you would be doing until you walked into the event.


Thanks also to Kris Fisher for sending the photo. I did not have time to get a photo before I had to be at work and I'm so glad she sent this so I could share it with you.


I just have one question with two parts.


Thursday was a hot, humid day. The crew worked with colorful frosting. I would have had frosting all over me just walking through the display looking at the cakes.


How do you keep those white uniforms looking so white with sharp creases no matter what the weather and task?

USS Nebraska Crew Celebrates NEBRASKAland Days

Above are representatives of the USS Nebraska, selected to represent the submarine's crew at NEBRASKAland Days. They visited the 20th Century Veterans' Memorial in North Platte Thursday afternoon. Unfortunately, I did not have time to get their names in the order in which they are standing: Mike Fisher, commanding officer, Riverside, Calif.; John Nelson, engineer, Michigan; Bob Butterton, Chief of the Boat, Helena, Mont.; Jason Brettin, A Div., Leading Chief Petty Officer, Indiana; Mike Johnston, machinery division, Fort Worth, Texas; and, Nick Johnson, missile technician, Vancouver, Wash. USS Nebraska's home port is in Bangor, Wash.

The USS Nebraska is the second U.S. Navy ship to be named in honor of Nebraska, the 37th state. She carries Trident ballistic missiles, according to Wikipedia.

USS Nebraska shares her nickname, "Big Red," with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Each year the Big Red Sub Club invites the USS Nebraska to send its top sailors to NEBRASKAland Days, an annual 10-day statewide celebration in North Platte.

It gives them an opportunity to mingle with the community and show appreciation for their support, the sailors said.

Thursday night they were going to attend the Frontier Revue, a rolicking, original musical telling the story of Nebraska and North Platte. What the sailors don't know is that besides being introduced to the crowd, they would most likely end up on the stage as part of the cast for a dance.

Another surprise that awaited the crew this afternoon was the all-male cake-decorating contest.

"We thought we would just come in and put some frosting on a cake," one said.

Instead, they saw other competitors making "works of art."

"We had no idea what we were getting into," another said, with a chuckle.

By the way, they made their cake into a submarine. If I can, I'll try to get a picture of it to show you tomorrow.

The crew was looking forward to attending the rodeo Friday night. Several said they had never been to a rodeo.

Each year the honored guests from the USS Nebraska arrive not knowing quite what to expect, but they leave with a feeling of appreciation for Western hospitality.

One sailor summed up their feelings: "They take such good care of us it is amazing."

NEBRASKAland Days prime rib feed

Mick Litz just finished slicing a huge prime rib roast (see top photo) Tuesday evening at the annual prime-rib sandwich feed during NEBRASKAland Days in North Platte. The Lincoln County Cattleman's Association, assisted by the Downtown Merchants Association, figured the nearly 2,000 pounds of prime rib they prepared would serve somewhere between 1,700 and 1,800 individuals. Preparations for the sandwich feed began on Monday evening when cooks trimmed the meat and put on the seasoning. The meat was roasted on large gas grills, beginning about 9:30 Tuesday morning.