District 28 School, Rural Schuyler, NE

The former District 28 School is located north of Schuyler, NE on Highway 15. The dormer located in an unusual location over the main entrances makes for a truly unique structure. Obviously, the school has seen better days, but it's certainly a testament to the efforts of our ancestors to provide an education for all.

A Prayer in a Country Cemetery

DEAR Lord, here lie in their last rest, the boys and girls, the men
and women that worked on the land. They knew the meaning of
hard work.  They knew the joy and peace that is the product of
labor. Now we trust they know the peace and happiness of
everlasting life with You.

They watched the sun rise often, winter and summer, over these
hills and fields. They worked hard by its light, and turned willingly
to their rest at its setting. Now they walk in the light of a Sun that
knows no setting.  Lord, if they are still in the waiting room of
heaven--in purgatory--bring them speedily to the light of Your
peace and the happiness of Your presence.

These men and women all their lives long labored to supply the
food and drink necessary to sustain human life. Now, or soon,
they enjoy in all its fullness the life that You, Lord, came down
 to earth to give men, and to give more abundantly.

Dear Lord, bless us who labor now in the fields and hills where
these dear dead have worked. Grant that we may remember
them with charity and kindness, walking reverently in the ways
that they have left behind them.  Grant, too, that we may finally
meet these men and women, these boys and girls, in the eternal
mansions that You are even now preparing for us.

AMEN.

- The Rural Life Prayerbook

Bridge, Rural Oakland, NE

Iconic Nebraska company sends production to China

It was released today that Irwin Tools will close its plant in DeWitt, NE and move production to China. The plant employed 330 people.

Originally known as Peterson Manufacturing, the small southeast Nebraska town of 570 was the birthplace of the now famous Vise-Grip.

It's hard to imagine the impact that the closure will have on this small community, as well as the surrounding area. From a merely physical standpoint, the plant itself is massive and covers multiple city blocks. It's unlikely that this structure will ever see full use ever again. What does a small town do with something that large? Furthermore, one has only to think of the economic and social implications that this unfortunate move brings with it.

Shame on Irwin Tools for sacrificing American jobs and the rural Nebraskan way of life all in the name of cheap labor, which ultimately will result in a shoddy product.

Read the full story here.

Camp Creek Threshing Show, Waverly, NE

I recently had the chance to attended the annual Camp Creek Threshing Show near Waverly on July 19. It was hotter than blazes, but it was a great time! This was the first time I'd been to this particular show, and the thing I was most impressed by was the wide variety of demonstrations as well as the fact that the organization maintains a permanent exhibition grounds with several restored buildings. The demonstrations included threshing, corn shelling, baling, a steam shovel, vintage combines, and many more that I didn't get a chance to see.

The featured tractors this year were Olivers and their close relatives Hart-Parr and Cockshutt.

Corn shelling in progress.


I was very fascinated by the combines - both the self-propelled and pull-type. Tractor restorations are pretty common, but it's rare to see fully restored combines. I can't imagine the labor and the parts hunting that had to have gone into a project like this. I'm glad that people are starting to preserve this area of farm equipment as well.


I would highly suggest attending this show next year, as they will be featuring the large steam and prairie tractors. The Camp Creek Threshers must be commended for organizing an excellent show and for their hard work and dedication in preserving our rural heritage.

The Great Nebraska Tractor Ride, Day 2

Well, I'll be honest... 6 a.m. came pretty early this morning, however, I got off lucky by having few responsibilities today, thus leaving me free to take photos and to simply enjoy the ride. Something I won't soon forget is the sound of 119 tractors starting almost simultaneously in the Wilderness Lodge parking lot. It's hard to describe the atmosphere and energy of standing amid so many roaring tractors on a cool morning.

After leaving Fremont, we headed to Hooper. One of the neatest things I saw along the route today was just a few miles outside of town. We passed a neatly kept farmstead, and there in the front yard was a father and his son "driving along" with the other tractors on a vintage John Deere (maybe a late model B?). It's one of those things that makes you feel privileged to have seen. Though we never had a tractor ride drive by our place, it sort of reminds me of when I was a kid.

From Hooper, we took the back roads to Scribner, where we had a mid-morning break on main street. The turnout in Scribner was very impressive - definitely the largest after last night's stop in Fremont. The people were exceptionally friendly and hospitable.

After our break, we took the back roads to Snyder, then through Monterey, and to dinner in West Point. I was able to drive the KTIC Farmall Super H on River Road from West Point back to Wisner - probably one of the more scenic parts of the route. What a trip! The combination of scenery, speed (or lack thereof), and sound made for an incredible experience! I had always thought this was a neat event, but when you actually get to drive a tractor, you start to understand why guys come and why they enjoy themselves so much.

We arrived back at the River Park in Wisner just as it started raining. Guys were able to get loaded surprisingly fast, and they were off. I think all of the KTIC staff was sufficiently exhausted, and we headed back to our respective homes as soon as we were able. Overall, I feel proud to be part of such a great company, which puts on such a great event.

The Great Nebraska Tractor Ride, Day 1

I begin my blog with the first day of The Great Nebraska Tractor Ride. We started in Wisner bright and early at 6:30 a.m. and then traveled to Beemer, Lyons, Oakland, Craig, Arlington, and finally Fremont. Doug Anderson and I were in charge of putting up the signs that tell the tractors where to go - and no, no one got lost! We also did the announcements at our various breaks.

I will have to say, as a first timer on the Tractor Ride, it's been quite the experience! It's hard to describe what it's like to see 120 antique tractors rolling down the main street of a small northeast Nebraska town.

The day ended in Fremont at the Wilderness Lodge. LOTS of people came out to take a look at all the tractors and talk with the riders. We also enjoyed a wonderful beef supper provided by Bell Creek Beef of Arlington and cooked by Sweet Bran. It was a lot of fun to talk with riders and see the comradery amongst them.

Overall, it was a day for me to take in what this event is all about and to see how it's done. I was promised I could drive the KTIC tractor (a Farmall Super H) for part of the ride tomorrow... so hopefully I'll get to experience a the other side of the GNTR!