Robert Fowler takes a nap surrounded by his maps in France in 1944. Fowler helped plot his unit’s routes thorugh France during World War II.
Competitors line up their cars in downtown Cordova during last year’s Big Blue Mile Shootout June 2.
Area American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts held Memorial Day ceremonies on May 27 in honor of those who lost their lives serving our country. Click above for photos, and see more in this week's edition.
In 1944, Robert Fowler helped liberate the town of St. Lo, France, from the German occupation. The Nebraska National Guardsman bore the scars of that experience for the rest of his life.
He compiled a memoir of his time in France in 2006 before he died. That memoir became the basis of “Finding St. Lo: A Memoir of War and Family,” published in 2019 by his grandson, Ted Neill of Seattle, Washington.
“I remember feeling a sense of safety in his presence,” Neill said of his grandfather. “He had his own rhythm. He was a slow talker. His generation was not quite in the same hurry, and you fell into that rhythm with him.”
Read about Neill's connection to Seward HERE.
On June 1, 80 cars will compete during the fourth annual Big Blue Mile Shootout, hailed the “fastest mile in Seward County.”
“This year we’ve increased the car slots and we had tremendous response. People have been calling literally every day to try and get in on the race,” said Melissa Grantski, one of the event organizers. “We could have 100 spots and they would all fill.”
Melissa, her husband Todd and about 50 volunteers organize the annual event to raise money for the local fire departments and aid them in buying speciality equipment.
Last year the group raised over $10,000, and this year Melissa said she’s got her sights set even higher.
Read more about the event HERE.
Get melodramatic: The villainous Simon Darkway seeks to control the Walker Valley, Pine Bush & Pacific R.R. for his own vile purposes in “Love Rides the Rails (or Will the Mail Train Run Tonight?),” the Goehner Centennial Players’ melodrama. Assisting him are Dirk Sneath, a viper of a man, and Carlotta Cortez, the sultry siren with a heart of gold. Fortunately, the gallant Truman Pendennis, the beauteous Prudence Hopewell, the Widow Hopewell and staunch Harold Standfast oppose the sinister schemes of this wicked trio. Swiftly and hilariously, the classic melodramatic plot unfolds, leading to a tremendous climax. Shows start Thursday, May 30, and go through Sunday, June 9. Tickets are $35 for the prime rib dinner show (Thursday, Fridays and Saturday), $15 for the pop and popcorn show (Wednesdays) and $20 for the dessert matinee (Sundays). Doors open 30 minutes before curtain. For more information, call Lloyd Schulz at (402) 523-5025.
Expo caters to women: A women’s expo will be Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Beaver Crossing Community Building. Admission is one can of food to benefit the local food banks. The event features crafts, sales and goodies.
Music at the Bandshell: The Seward Municipal Band’s next concert is Sunday, June 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the Seward Bandshell. In case of rain, the concert will be in the Civic Center. Call Pat Herrold at (402) 643-6202 with any questions.
Magic at chapters: Chapters Books and Gifts in Seward will take children on adventures on Magical Mondays, June 3 and 10. Activities for children ages 4 to 10 go from 10 to 11:30 a.m. each day. We’ll travel to magical places with favorite storybook characters, use our imaginations to make clever crafts, and create (and eat!) amazing snacks. Space is limited. Register by completing the form at https://forms.gle/zG9ymdPFPF3kKxyk6
