Corrections:
June 29, 2004 - none, but some expected.
July 2, 2004 - correction to caption on pictures q11177m and 11190m.
July 12, 2004 - Not Yaks in q11079m. Scottish Highland Oxen, according
to Tom Franke.
July 24, 2004 - Thanks to Kurt Grafel for an article in the Hays Daily News
Nor'wester section on July 18 about the Scottish Highland Oxen Team in
the picture 111079m. See below for more info.
Also, the Herndon Standard Station in q11223m is still in business, also
see below (also thanks to Tom Franke).
August 15, 2004 - Corrected a name on caption for q11004mc.
January 1, 2006 - Corrected spelling of a name
The Herndon School building, shown also here from the back will soon be for sale. Private school in a nice small Kansas town, anyone? The Herndon School has an illustrious academic past, with their Destination Imagination (formerly Olympics of the Mind, and Odyssey of the Mind, I think) having won first place in Kansas State competition a number of years, and the year 2000 team finished second in the global competition at Ames, IA.
Some of the other sights of the town include St. Mary's Church, the Immanuel Church of Christ, and the ball field (note the Immanuel Church in the background). The ballfield bleachers were built by the WPA in the 1930s, and included two or three barbeques past the outfield and near Ash Creek. Near the ballfield is this beautiful old windmill, also visible in the previous picture. Part of the Ox Roast celebration is this decoration on the Last Horse Thief and Das Movie Haus, next door to the Post Office. All decked out in its best Ox Roast garb is the Herndon Pool Hall, doing its best to only "look" expensive. The Standard service station is still in business, run by Robert J. Leitner. The pumps do not display prices over 99.9 cents/gallon, so add $1 (on some, maybe $2 on others). This was described to me as a helicopter that looks like a BBQ, but I thought it was a BBQ that looked like a helicopter. Ranging a bit further afield (no pun intended), this field of baled wheat testifies to how dry much of the area has been this spring.
But, back to the parade. Now come the John Deere tractors. One is a 1929 model, most are probably 30 years old, or more. The first (which I seem to recall is a 1937 model - my year!) still has steel wheels (lugs off), and this second shot may be wishful thinking. Continuing on, by the numbers, note the many members of the fairer sex (maybe he knows what he's talking about): 2, 3, 4, a look at what's coming, then 6, 7, 8, and 9. Now, in a little respite, we see a red one, a 1932 Farmall F-12, still on steel wheels (including lugs, but with a steel ring over the lugs). Now we have an orange Allis-Chalmers, followed by another John Deere ( 10), and a Minneapolis-Moline UTS on propane. I spent many happy (well, maybe not so happy) hours on an identical tractor in the 1950s.
Now for something completely different, for a while, we see the Shriner entry, with Rev. Puff (see above) in the passenger seat. An impressive line of emergency vehicles makes its way down the street next. These are followed by a Viper, courtesy of Tongish Auto Mart in Newton. Beamgard's brought their vintage Dodge tow truck down from Atwood for the day. This was followed by the Grafel Construction entry, driven by Karolyn, still kicking after three generations (the company, not Karolyn). Not far behind came the large contingent of horses, led by this team and buggy (with offspring), and followed by individual riders. Finally, along came Leah (Grafel) Atchley, then stopping to pick up daughter Miriam, who actually wasn't as put out about it as she looks. After a short while came Saeger and Roma Grafel. I don't know who the next entry was, but he had a cute colt alongside.
Whoops! How did that John Deere 11 get lined up here? It was followed by a Fordson, and an old Atwood Fire Truck. This flag display followed. The Terra-Gator spends much time in the field spraying, but took time out for a little parade.
And now for something REALLY completely different. I don't know if these are yaks, or not, but they look like yaks to me. But what do I know? EMail me if you know what they are and they are not yaks. (OK, I asked for it. Evan says they are Scottish Highland Cattle, and I'm inclined to agree with him. See this link. Thanks to Kurt Grafel for a clipping about these Scottish Highland Oxen. They are Gabriel, pulling on the left side, and Eric on the right, owned by Lon Sowers, of Gem, KS. The article also had the link to Blue Ox Farms, home of Babe, the Blue Ox of Paul Bunyan fame.). They didn't seem to spook the horse and buggy, nor this trick rider. Finally, last but not least is number 12, this one with tread on the steel wheels. (I note that I cut lots of John Deere pictures, but this is likely enough for all but the most avid John Deere aficianado).
In the evening, a street dance was held. No pictures. Fireworks at midnight, but I was resting up for the next day by then.
Avidly watching the parade are (seated) Sydney Grafel, person unknown, Emily Atchley, Miriam Atchley, and Kiouri (spelling may not be right; she's from Tokyo, was an exchange student some years ago with Kyle and Cindi Grafel, and came for just a few days for the alumni banquet and Ox Roast). In the background are JoAnn Franke (in chair), Joan Grafel, Roger Franke, and Don Grafel (all standing). After the parade I caught Don Grafel at the ballpark. Waiting in line for the roast ox are Kaprice, JoAnn, Roger, and Joan, Frankes all. The hand waver trying to get attention in the background belongs to Tom Franke, official Ox Roast photographer. After the meal, Kurt Grafel and Kaprice Franke enjoyed the sunshine, while the shade was more in vogue with Cindi Grafel, Randy Atchley, and Kiouri. Having more fun are Miriam Atchley, and Rachel and Sarah Grafel, while Cindi seems to be tolerating it all. In another part of the park, Leah Atchley, and Brenda and Aaron VanHorn watch Jonathan Franke. Karen Smith and granddaughter Ashley Laurie (my grandniece) are taking it easy at Don Grafel's house. Awaiting the outhouse races, Sydney and Keith Grafel pose downtown. Later, out on the Franke farm, we see JD, Brenda, Aaron, and Candaesa VanHorn, and Bonnie and David Franke (just couldn't get them to stay still, or something). Worked a bit better with Brian and Tracy Franke.
The next day after church there was a potluck dinner, where I took many pictures. First, a wide view with (L2R) Kristin and Kourtney Grafel, Marilyn Kastens, Teryn, Kayla, Kurt, Saeger, Keith, and Roma Grafel, and Bonnie Franke. Kayla and Kourtney are real track and field stars. On the day of the Ox Roast they were at the Kansas State AAU meet, where Kayla took first in the long jump and the high jump, and fifth in the triple jump and the hundred meter hurdles. Kourtney took second in the shot put, and thirteenth in the long jump. Subsequently, on June 25-26, at the Missouri Vally meet, Kayla took second in the long jump and the high jump, fourth in the hurdles, and fifth in the triple jump. Kourtney took first in the shot put (yeh, can you believe that "little" girl did that!). Anyone in the top four at the Missouri Valley meet qualified for the Regional meet in Joplin, MO this weekend (July 2-3), and anyone that finishes in the top four there goes to the AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, IA. Go get 'em, K-girls!
Ready to line up for the potluck are (always, L2R) Teryn Grafel, Roger Franke, Saeger, Roma, Kristin, Kourtney, Egan, Kayla, and Kurt Grafel. Rylee Powell enjoys the spoon, while dad, Tyson, and brother, Dryden look on. Mom Andrea was there beside Tyson and Rylee. Katie and Heath Franke hammed it up a bit for the camera. Not sure whether Roma, Ben, Egan, and Rusty Grafel were hamming it up or not. Serious is the only way to describe this picture of Rylee Powell with grandparents Tom and Kay Franke. I caught Heath and Jonathan Franke in a nice pose. This picture with me and (some of) my grandnephews, Egan, Saeger, Rusty, and Teryn Grafel. Oh, speaking of Egan and Teryn. They took tenth place for Oberlin at the state track meet. Egan got third in the triple jump, while Teryn took first in the 110m hurdles and third in the 300m hurdles. Even though no one else scored for Oberlin, this was enough for tenth place for Oberlin in class 2A. Way to go!
Here's some other grandnephews and grandnieces, with their mothers: Spencer, Nathan, and Michelle Romberg, and Tamela, Emily, and Ashley Laurie. Then some of the kids thought they had missed out "acting crazy", so here they are, acting crazy. Speaking of grandnieces, here are two more, Kristyn (Grafel) Clapp, and Karolyn Grafel. Wrapping things up soon, here are Kyle, Kurt, Cindi, and Karolyn Grafel. Actually wrapping things up, I dug up this year-old picture of Kent Grafel, who somehow managed to elude my picture-taking that day.
After Sunday supper at Tom's, we were back at David's for a colorful sunset. As you know, I'm also a sucker for sunset pictures. Here's a set of three: sunset 1, sunset 2, and sunset 3.
Monday morning I went to Cambridge, NE with David. While he has his tooth taken care of, I found this wonderful old house just a block off of the main street (US6/34). Finally, on the way back to North Platte, I stopped at the Stone Church north of Herndon. As you can see, the Stone Church was built in 1892. It still has an outhouse. North of McCook, NE, I stopped and took pictures of the vast prairie in opposite directions. North Platte was the home of Buffalo Bill Cody, and this is commemorated in a (just a little!) kitchsy establishment. However, it is also memorialized in a city park, one of the features of which is this locomotive 3977, said to be the only one in existence. In the air toward Denver, I took this picture just north of the North Platte River Valley , at its intersection with another valley coming in from the north (on the right).
I was back home safe and sound and 8 pounds heavier that evening. Well, I'm kidding about the 8 pounds, but it wasn't because I didn't try.
Hope you enjoyed this report, and if you did, don't be bashful about letting me know at dick@richardfranke.com. Also, if you see any errors, or any names I need to add, let me know (I expect some, as you saw at the beginning) at the same eddress.