skylinewriter

[skylinewriter]

Corn stalks and windmill along County Road 9

Heavy snow fall and blizzard conditions closed down roads in Washington County and across the State Saturday night and Sunday and kept students home from schools on Monday.

Joel Nelson rides his snow mobile through snow drifts on County road 17 Sunday afternoon. Many county roads were impassable Sunday afternoon due to blowing and drifting snow. Snow cleanup in W. County

Blowing and drifting snow Sunday covered and pretty much closed down County Road 9 near St. Paul’s Lutheran Church north of Arlington

Brewster cemetery

Corn stalks and windmill along County Road 9

Brian Matzen removes snow from his sidewalks along Grant Street Sunday. Snow cleanup in W. County

CJ Heaton cleans removes snow from the Rich Warrick Memorial Park sidewalks along 19th street.

From left Troy Stanley gives Jordan Lynch a hand opening up Lynche’s driveway Sunday along Grant street.

Arlington city crews remove snow piled in the middle of Arlington streets Sunday afternoon.

Brewster Cemetery along County Road 27 in Washington County.

February Blizzard Heavy snow fall and blizzard conditions closed down roads in Washington County and across the State Saturday night and Sunday and kept students home from schools on Monday.

[skylinewriter]

A prospect of new life for an artistic icon

A prospect of new life for an artistic icon

Tower of the Four Winds, Black Elk – Neidhardt Park.

  The Blair City Council will be asked to approve a resolution Tuesday that would authorize the repair and long term preservation of the deteriorating monumental mosaic on the Tower of the Four Winds in Black Elk -Neihardt Park.  As recently reported, the Blair Historic Preservation Alliance (BHPA) has received a check for $187,450 – the full…

[skylinewriter]

Colorado river at Lee’s Ferry in Marble Canyon near the Grand Canyon northeast boundary.

In mid-October I took a few weeks off from the newspaper for a Southwest Adventure in Colorado and southern Utah. After a brief stop in Colorado Springs, I headed west along scenic byways to visit around a dozen National Parks and National Monuments. Mid-October was a bit past the prime leaf peeping season in Colorado and Utah. Many of the Aspen trees, particularly at higher elevations had lost their leaves, but the brilliant yellow leaves of the Cottonwoods along stream beds in picturesque mountain valleys made up for this.

A gnarled Pinion tree in the foreground and Black Canyon of the Gunnison in background.

My first camp site after leaving Colorado Springs was the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  I stopped at the park in part because it was a convenient one day journey from the Springs.  I arrived late, but had no problem finding a campsite.  The deep and narrow black granite canyons are very impressive. I also discovered that my attempts to photograph them did not do them justice.

The next day I hurried south through mountain passes between Ouray and Silverton to avoid a predicted snow storm and then west to Durango and Mesa Verde National Park.

I remember visiting Mesa Verde years ago.  Back then the park was crowded but with some restrictions, visitors could pretty much wander through the ruins at will. Now visitors are pretty much restricted to guided tours of the cliff dwellings by park rangers. In mid-October the  crowds were not a problem, but some tours were closed for the season and others sites were closed for repairs. It is too bad, but I understand the need to control access. Mesa Verde has long been a popular tourist destination, and without some restrictions, the park would be loved to death.

Mesa Verde National Park

From Mesa Verde I traveled west toward The Sleeping Ute – a cluster of peaks that together look like the profile of a sleeping Ute Indian.  The landmark is visible throughout the Four Corners region of southwestern Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, and southwestern Utah.

While browsing over my map at breakfast, I noticed I was just a short distance from Hovenweep National Monument near the Colorado and Utah border. “Hovenweep” means “deserted valley” in Ute/Paiute. The unique tower and fortress structures as well as granaries, dams and residences at Hovenweep date from around the same time as Mesa Verde. According to a brochure, in the late 1200’s, Hovenweep  was home to  2,500 residents.  Due to drought conditions and other factors, by the end of the 13thCentury people began leaving the area.

The unique tower and fortress structures at Hovenweep National Monument date from the 1200’s.

An hour west of Hovenweep is the sprawling Bears Ears National Monument. The signature “Bears Ears” are twin buttes that rise above the surrounding elevation and are visible from as far away as Mesa Verde nearly 150 miles away.

The Bears Ears area is the ancestral home of the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni and Ute Tribe.  The Bears Ears Monument was established by President Obama on December 28, 2016.  The formation of the monument was the result of a cooperative land management agreement between the Tribes and federal agencies.

The Bears Ears National Monument region is named after the twin ear shaped buttes that dominate the landscape of landscape of a region of south-west Utah.

On December 4, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order to redraw Bears Ears National Monument. Under the executive order, the size of the monument could be cut in half.

The Bears Ears area includes Natural Bridges National Monument, the towering red rock spires of the Valley of the Gods, and countless archeological and cultural sites of significance to Native American tribes.

Dispersed camping along Bears Ears road near Natural Bridges National Monument.

Natural Bridges National Monument is home to three natural bridges as well as Puebloan cliff dwellings. Natural bridges are created by the erosive action of moving water.

Valley of the Gods is a sandstone valley of buttes and towers much like Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park just 40 miles away. Valley of the Gods is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and there are no fees to drive the rough and  bumpy 17 mile drive.  As on most BLM land, there are no services  and dispersed camping  is permitted.

Near the Valley of the Gods and at the edge of the canyons overlooking the San Juan river, Goosenecks State Park gets its name from the sinuous goosenecks that tightly twist and turn as the river makes its way to Lake Powell.

North of the State Park the steep, gravel and sometimes single lane Moki Dugway climbs along the edge of sandstone cliffs to the top of Cedar Mesa and Muley Point Overlook.   The view from the Overlook is spectacular and second to none.

Muley Point overlook of San Juan river valley.

In addition to some beautiful photographs and some good stories, traveling in the southwest helped to renew my sense of time and perspective.  The rock formations are timeless.  Traces of  human history in the area date back 13,000 years.  Archeological sites, petroglyphs and pictographs – many of which are inaccessible and hidden – date back as much as 5,000 years.

Valley of the Gods, Utah.

The timeless beauty and the ecological and cultural significance of the area should give us pause. Literally a pause in any attempt to shrink it. The land is a priceless, historic, cultural and national resource that deserves to be preserved and protected for generations to come.

Couple making a selfie at Lower Calf Creek Falls, Escalante, Utah

Bright Angel Point, Grand Canyon North Rim, Arizona

Aspen trees at Grand Canyon National Park North Rim

Muley Point Overlook offers a breath taking view of the meandering San Juan River canyons and Monument Valley in the distance.

Mexican Hat Butte near Mexican Hat, Utah

Desert cactus with buttes and spires of Monument Valley in background.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park was a popular western film location for John Ford and John Wayne western films.

Artist Point, Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park, Utah

Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park, Utah

Woman poses on horse, Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park, Utah

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado.

      Southwest Adventure In mid-October I took a few weeks off from the newspaper for a Southwest Adventure in Colorado and southern Utah.

[skylinewriter]

Northwest Nebraska ramble

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Cemetery at Montrose, NE

One of the reasons I bought my pickup camper a year ago was to be able to mosey along country roads and visit some of the more remote spots in the Nebraska. While I had traveled to Fort Robinson and Toadstool National Geological Park with my son around 10 years ago, I knew there was much more in northwest Nebraska to see.

One of…

[skylinewriter]

Paddling with a purpose

Paddling with a purpose

Linda and Gary De Kock depart from the Optimist Park boat ramp after a lunch break.  The De Kocks are traveling the Missouri River by canoe for their Paddle for Purpose fundraiser. Couple canoes Missouri River to raise funds for nonprofit

Linda and Gary De Kock stopped for a lunch break at Optimist Park Tuesday Tuesday, August 7,  on their-90 day, 2,300-mile canoe adventure on the Missouri River.

[skylinewriter]

March moments

Record breaking numbers of spectators flocked to De Soto Wildlife Refuge in March to an estimated three-quarter million snow geese temporarily roosting at DeSoto NWR. March weather is always a tease.  We get a few days of warmth and sun and then more damp and cold and a little more of the white stuff.   The fickle weather always takes its toll on spring sports practices, games and tournaments.…

[skylinewriter]

Danish Children Growing Up American

Abbie and son Alaric Krager who live in Missouri Valley viewed the Danish Children Growing up American American photographic exhibit at the Blair Library and Technology Center  during the exhibit opening on Saturday, January 9, 2018. “Danish Children Growing Up American” is the title of the photographic exhibit now on display at the Blair Library and Technology Center through February 3, 2018. It…

[skylinewriter]

The storm that began last  Sunday, January 27, as rain and sleet morphed into a blizzard on Monday, dumping six inches of snow in areas of Washington County creating whiteout conditions and closing schools for two days.

Tom Harman clears his driveway along 20th Avenue Circle on Monday afternoon in Blair

Jim Hamilton takes a break from his walk, and enjoys the view at Black Elk Neihardt Park Monday afternoon.

Jim Hamilton walks through the snow at Black Elk Neihardt Park Monday afternoon.

Cat at picture window watches house finches at bird feeders.

Caiden Brown clears the snow from Terri Brown’s driveway along 20th street Monday afternoon.

Caiden Brown and his cousin Ava Brown clear the snow from Terri Brown’s driveway along 20th street Monday afternoon.

As the wind picks up, Kim Leggot and kids Bredon and Abby clear their driveway in the Deerfield subdivision.

As the wind picks up, Kim Leggot and kids Bredon and Abby clear their driveway in the Deerfield subdivision.

Leigh Hinrichs in background launches son and daughter Theo and Lily on a ride down a gentle slope at Stemmerman Park on Tuesday. This is adventure in the snow for three year old Lily. The family recently moved to Blair from Oklahoma.

January Scrapbook: Blizzard blows through county The storm that began last  Sunday, January 27, as rain and sleet morphed into a blizzard on Monday, dumping six inches of snow in areas of Washington County creating whiteout conditions and closing schools for two days.

[skylinewriter]

Caleb Sandall, center, and Ovation Show choir sings “Sit Down your Rockin’ the Boat Saturday during  the Blair Show Choir Workshop.

Ten schools from across the area participated in the Blair Music Department fifth annual show choir workshop.  The performers worked with show choir experts Dan Hays and Jennifer Toney.  Hays, the Midland Vocal Music director, was BHS vocal music director Dan Hutsell’s predecessor.

The Blair Innovation Show Choir performs Saturday at the Blair Show Choir Workshop. Performers from left are: Addie Wolff, Baelyn Chavez, Emma Harnack, Christina Paxson, Katie Blice, Anna Bassler.

The choirs worked on staging elements, choreography and show pacing to improve their shows.

The Platteview High School show choir performs at the Blair High School Show Choir Workshop.

“The performance has no competition aspect to it so the students have the opportunity to be everybody’s fan and support each other,” Hutsell said.  ” As audience members they (performers) have the opportunity to see some of the things that make a group good or great, or maybe not quite there yet and hopefully each student can apply that to their own individual and group performance.”

Blair Ovation Show Choir performs on Saturday during the Blair Show Choir Workshop at BHS.

Blair Innovation Show Choir performs on Saturday during the Blair Show Choir Workshop at BHS.

Waverly show choir performs on Saturday during the Blair Show Choir Workshop at BHS.

Omaha Northwest Show Choir performs on Saturday during the Blair Show Choir Workshop at BHS.

Omaha Northwest Show Choir performs on Saturday during the Blair Show Choir Workshop at BHS.

Bellevue East Show Choir performs on Saturday during the Blair Show Choir Workshop at BHS.

    Blair Show choir workshop Ten schools from across the area participated in the Blair Music Department fifth annual show choir workshop.  

[skylinewriter]

  George Hall of Crescent, Iowa, hauls his gear bak to shore after ice fishing at the DeSoto National wildlife refuge.

“It’s gorgeous out here,”  George Hall told editor Leeanna Ellis when we ventured onto the ice to interview ice fishermen in early January when DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge opened the lake to ice fishing.  You don’t have to be an angler to enjoy the refuge this time of year.  Roads and trails inside the refuge are open to motorists and cyclists and hikers who are looking to view wildlife and some exercise.  Thousands of geese, ducks and some swans may be viewed from the warmth of the visitor center.

Larry Landon, foreground, of Long, Iowa, and Paul Ross of Omaha enjoyed the mid-40 temperatures while ice fishing at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.

On another afternoon I spotted Larry Landon of Logan, Iowa and Paul Ross of Omaha enjoying the comparatively balmy mid-40 temperatures to get out on the ice and do  some fishing.  “The fishing’s great,” Landon said as he sat on his bucket and watched his bobber, “but the catching’s pretty poor.”

Mike Smith of Blair and his dog, Zeuss ice fish at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. Smith cough a couple bluegill.

Four swans take off from Desoto lake t Desoto NWR. Eagles, ducks and plenty of geese can be spotted at the refuge.

Four swans take off from Desoto lake t Desoto NWR. Eagles, ducks and plenty of geese can be spotted at the refuge.

Geese sit on the ice at DeSoto with heads turned away from the wind.

January scrapbook: Scenes from DeSoto "It's gorgeous out here,"  George Hall told editor Leeanna Ellis when we ventured onto the ice to interview ice fishermen in early January when DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge opened the lake to ice fishing.  

[skylinewriter]

Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson, center, honors Deputy Fred Carritt during a reception for the deputy who was retiring  after 45 yers in law enforcement. Also pictured are Chief Deputy Kevin Willis and Carritt’s wife, Marla.

Deputies, police officers, county employees, friends, family and community members gathered at the Courthouse on January 4, 2018 to honor retiring Washington County sheriff’s deputy Fred Carritt. He began his law enforcement career in 1972 with the Village of Mead. Carritt has served with the Wahoo and Blair Police Department and as a K-9 handler, detective, and school resource officer for the sheriffs office.

    Deputy Fred Carritt greets friends and community members at his retirement reception.

Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Fred Carritt and wife Marla watch a slide show during a reception honoring carrot on his retirement.

Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson, center, honors Deputy Fred Caritt during a reception for the deputy who was retire after 45 yers in law enforcement. Also pictured are Chief Deputy Kevin Willis and Carritt’s wife, Marla.

Deputy Fred Carritt greets friends and community members at his retirement reception.

Trudy Truhlsen shakes hands with retiring Deputy Fred Carritt

Fred Carritt talks with WCS Captain Phils Brazelton at Carritt’s retirement reception.

Arlington Public Schools Supt. Lynn Johnson, left, give Deptur Fret Carrot a thumbs up during a reception honoring Caritt on his retirement.

Washington County District Court Judge John Samson, center congratulates Deptut Fred Carrot on his retirement Also are bob Tichota and Cody Carritt.

  January scrapbook: Fred Carritt honored for service to community Deputies, police officers, county employees, friends, family and community members gathered at the Courthouse on January 4, 2018 to honor retiring Washington County sheriff’s deputy Fred Carritt.

[skylinewriter]

During a four month period from June 1, to October 31,1898, more than two and a half million visitors flocked to the Trans-Mississippi & International Exposition in Omaha.  Construction began in November, 1897, and my grandfather who would have been 15 years old at the time, was one of the workmen. I assume that he was working at the electrical trade because he later formed the Burns Electrical Construction Company.  Incandescent lighting was a new technology at the time, and a history of the exposition published in 1910 noted, “The radical departure from the use of the arc light to that of the incandescent lamp.”

Grand Court at Night looking west. U.S. Government Building in center.

My grandfather Joe was also an amateur photographer.  I have his old camera and some  of his glass negatives.  Some of the plates are cracked and all are covered with grime, but looking through the glass darkly adds to the mystery and magic.   I do not know the names of the four or five fair goers in a number of the photos, but I’m reasonably certain they are some of my relatives and their friends.  What I find captivating are these modern looking faces in the clothing and setting from more than a century ago.

  Fair goers pose for a portrait.

A new set of investors bought the grounds, and the following year The Greater America Exposition opened on the same site.  When the GAE closed all of the structures were demolished or removed.  By the turn of the new century the Omaha World’s Fair was only a memory and memorabilia.

  Administrative Arch

Today Kountze Park at 1920 Pinkney  is located at what would have been the center and the heart of the expo site.  A Nebraska State Historical Marker commemorating the Trans-Misssissippi Exposition is located at Florence Boulevard and Pinkney streets.

Streets of Cairo attraction on the east midway.

I found a number of websites helpful and interesting in learning about the Trans-Mississippi and Greater American Exposition. These include The Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition of 1898  http://transmississippi.unl.edu/texts/view/transmiss.book.haynes.1910.html

and  North Omaha History:Stories, People, Places and Events by Adam Fletcher Sasse  https://northomahahistory.com

Fair goers pose

Midway attraction

Administration Arch and Agriculture building along the Grand Court across the lagoon

Schlitz Pavillon and Cafe on the Streets of All Nations on the midway.

Members of the Indian Congress walk along the Grand Court

Fair goers pose with a mule along the Streets of Cairo.

Joe Burns construction worker pass June, 1898 to November 1, 1898.

Fair goers pose at an entrance to the Exposition.

Joe Burns’ Workman’s Pass

  Meet me at the fair: The Trans-Mississippi Exposition, Omaha, 1898 During a four month period from June 1, to October 31,1898, more than two and a half million visitors flocked to the Trans-Mississippi & International Exposition in Omaha.  

[skylinewriter]

Record turnout for the Washington County Fair in August, and looking forward to the 100th Anniversary extravaganza in 2018.

Competitors balance along logs across a stream Saturday during the Cowboy 5 K. Washington County Fair Saturday AM

Veteran mud run competitor Drew Harsin leaps across the wetlands on the way to his first place finish at the Cowboy 5 K. Washington County Fair Saturday AM

Ethan Rowe takes a tumble. Washington County Fair Saturday AM

Washington County Fair Saturday AM

Hannah Hicks keeps her head out of the mud while crawling through the muddy trench Washington County Fair Saturday AM

From left, Abbigail Schakat and Kylie Campos carefully climb down the wooden ladder obstacle. Washington County Fair Saturday AM

Micheal O’Dea leads a pack of riders along CR 15 north of highway 30 Sunday Morning. Around 60 riders participated in the Wear Yellow Nebraska benefit ride. WCF Sunday bike ride

A steep mud hill and ditches filled with water were just a couple of the obstacles that Chris Martens and a crowd of participants maneuver Saturday morning at the Cowboy 5 K.

Madyson Ray followed by Hannah Hicks and Sandy Eckert slog through muddy trenches. Washington County Fair Saturday AM

Madyson Ray climbs over plastic pipes while her friends crawl under and through the muddy ditch Washington County Fair Saturday AM

WCF Sunday

Beef show

Washington County Fair Saturday AM

Washington County Fair Saturday AM

Washington County Fair Saturday AM

Beef show

More 2017 memorable moments: Washington County Fair Record turnout for the Washington County Fair in August, and looking forward to the 100th Anniversary extravaganza in 2018.

[skylinewriter]

There is nothing more moving than watching performers from toddlers to adults put their heart and soul into the moment during performance for an appreciative audience.

While there were many magical moments, the most moving performance for me was a dance by Chloe Ostrowski and Kelley Meeder during the Spring Pops Concert  to honor cancer victims.

Denise Luke leads alumni and combined choirs in the traditional performance of th Hallelujah chorus during the Winter Vocal Music concert.

Below are just a small sampling of some of the many outstanding performances by young and old across the county. Than you for the memories!

Front Row, left to right: Dusty Smith, Alivia Biggs, Samuel Lammers. Second Row, left to right: Axton Gutierrez and Camryn Christensen. FC K – 6 Holiday Concert

Country Bible carolers entertained families waiting for hay rack rides in the Butches Deli parking lot.

Chloe Ostrowski and Kelley Meeder perform “Cancer.” the number honored cancer victims during the Blair Pops Concert in the spring.

Music teacher Kay Dickinson plays piano and leads Arbor Park students and teachers in an all-school sing along Thursday morning.

BHS Musical Guys and Dolls

Blair Kinder at WCB From left Andrew Byrne, Carly Epp, __ ___Grace El

Blair Pops Concert

Otte Middle School Band performed at the Washington County Bank Tuesday.

Blair Kinder at WCB

Music teacher Kay Dickinson plays piano and leads Arbor Park students and teachers in an all-school sing along Thursday morning.

Denise Luke leads alumni and combined choirs in the traditional performance of th Hallelujah chorus during the Winter Vocal Music concert.

The group known as Downtown Brass gets together just once a year to perform at the Washington Street School for the Sugar Plum Festival. Members are from left: left Jane Jaworski Andersen, Brian Lund, Josh Lund, Brian Lund Marty Rump, and Kirk Conyers.

2017 Memorable musical moments There is nothing more moving than watching performers from toddlers to adults put their heart and soul into the moment during performance for an appreciative audience.

[skylinewriter]

The opening of the new 24,000-square foot Blair Library and Technology Center is my favorite 2017 good news story of the year.  I could fill a small hard drive with photos documenting the construction of the new building, the move from the old building to the new, the ribbon cutting and grand opening, and the summer reading program and activities that have quadrupled library attendance figures.

Excited library patrons pour though the library entrance following the ribbon cutting ceremony. Blair Library Grand Opening.

Last checkout in the old library. Taylor Bergmeyor is the last person to check out books in the old library while her grandmother Janice Vonheim talks with librarian Gail Roberts.

Library moving day

Will Bacon keeps the beat with the Omaha Street Percussion at Blair Library and Technology Center Tuesday morning.

Library moving day

Visitors gather in Genealogy room. Blair Library Grand Opening

Movers and volunteers move carts into the

Library moving day

Keynote speaker Nebraska Lt. Governor Mike Foley. Blair Library Grand Opening

Christopher Gibbons-Christie returns a staack of books he checked out at the old library. Blair Library Grand Opening

Library moving day

Excited library patrons pour though the library entrance following the ribbon cutting ceremony. Blair Library Grand Opening.

Excited library patrons pour though the library entrance following the ribbon cutting ceremony. Blair Library Grand Opening.

Blair Librarian Gayle Roberts gives audience an overview of the new library. Blair Library Grand Opening

Wyatt Wemhoff with sister Gwen and parents Amy and Nick check out the childrens reading and play ares in the new library. Ribbon Cutting Blair Library Grand Opening

Volunteers prepare book carts for the move

Excited library patrons pour though the library entrance following the ribbon cutting ceremony. Blair Library Grand Opening.

Volunteers prepare book carts for the move

        2017 favorite photo story of the year: Blair Library and Tech center opening The opening of the new 24,000-square foot Blair Library and Technology Center is my favorite 2017 good news story of the year.  

[skylinewriter]

About this time each year I don’t necessarily make resolutions, but I do think about some possible goals and maybe a bucket list for the new year.  One of the first items on my To  Do list for 2018 is make a reservation for a photo blind to view the Sandhill cranes along the Platte river in mid to late March. There is nothing quite like watching wave after wave of birds fly in at sunset and settle on sandbars and listen to them chatter all night.  Before dawn I silently peek out of the  blind’s viewing  slot into the early morning light like child at Christmas attempting to gain a glimpse of Santa.  I literally pray that the birds stay on the river until after sunrise and then wait in anticipation of that deafening beat of maybe a half million wings as the birds rise in mass from the river.

Sandhill cranes by the thousands head toward the river to roost.

While there may be nothing – anywhere in the world – quite like the Sandhill crane migration along the Platte, there are plenty of natural wonders  in our own backyard as well.  This morning I drove down by the river and then over to Desoto NWR.  As I watched  geese, ducks and swans and wildlife from the comfort of the visitor center, two new thoughts crossed my mind.  One was to go home and fill my own bird feeders before the deep freeze sets in.  Another was to do a better job  of updating my Washington County Journal blog.

Swans and geese at DeSoto NWR Dec. 30, 2017

I have kept my blog for over four years now.  Sometimes I get a lot of hits, and sometimes not so much.  For the most part I post my favorite photos from events I have covered for the newspaper and my own personal projects.  I like keeping the blog because it I can showcase some of the photos that I particularly like that may or may not have run in the paper.  In addition, some of my family members and friends ( believe it or not)  are not on social media and would not see my photos on Facebook or Twitter.

My gentleman’s agreement is that I won’t post photos from events that I have photographed for a newspaper assignment until after the publication deadline.  By that time my interest has sometimes cooled, and I neglect or put off publishing them on my blog.

My new “resolution” or at least goal for the new year is to pay more attention to my blog and post fewer photos directly to Facebook.   I also plan to post some  “occasional images” – random images and visual poetry that catch my eye while I am out shooting the next newspaper assignment of personal project.  Happy New Year!

Dancing Sandhill crane on the Platte at rowe Sanctuary

Cranes flying over sandbar at Row Sanctuary on the Platte.

Evening on the Platte as Cranes fly in to roost.

Carnes leaving roost on the Platte in morning.

Cranes spooked by eagle leave the river.

Early morning as cranes roost on the river at Rowe Sanctuary.

      Occasional images December 30, 2017 About this time each year I don't necessarily make resolutions, but I do think about some possible goals and maybe a bucket list for the new year.  

[skylinewriter]

  Front Row from left: Drake Becerra, Gemma Schrum, Jacob Weeks. Second Row, from left: Payton Hammond, Owen Hammond, Anabelle Bochnicek, Camryn Reynoldson FC K – 6 Holiday Concert

From left Breanna Matzen and Mary Garcia play the ukulele and sing Silent Night at Shepherd Village Tuesday.

Music teacher Kay Dickinson plays piano and leads Arbor Park students and teachers in an all-school sing along Thursday morning.

Sixth grade band from left: Adriana Hernandez, Grayson Bouwan, Ben Sindelar, Andrew Janecek, Ty Ringler, Johnathon Schwarte.

Cheyenne Scroggins and Lily Campbell. Blair Kinder at WCB

Music teacher Kay Dickinson plays piano and leads Arbor Park students and teachers in an all-school sing along Thursday morning.

Rance and son Aden Johnson with Quinn Billesbach pus cart wit Amelia and Carter Johnson during the Fort Calhoun Holiday Sweater Fun Run.

From left Elaine Larson and Vivian Storjohann sing along with the Otte Show Choir at Carter House.

Stangl Family singers perform at the Christmas for the Coat breakfast at Fernando’s Cafe and Cantina Wednesday morning.

Blair Kinder at WCB

Front Row, left to right: Dusty Smith, Alivia Biggs, Samuel Lammers. Second Row, left to right: Axton Gutierrez and Camryn Christensen. FC K – 6 Holiday Concert

Front Row from left: Kaitlyn Gochanour, Levi Becker, Samantha Waters. Second Row, left to right: Sydney Frost, Lillian Wayne, Claire Husk. Top Row, left to right: Dylan Iwen, Beau Thayer-Mencke, James Poorker IIIFC K – 6 Holiday Concert

From left Sam Lager, Chloe Wolff, Jake Hedges, Nathan Boswell and Odyssey Show Choir perform for Good Shepherd residents Tuesday.

Visitors vote for their favorite Gingerbread Houses during the Gingerbread House Contest at the Fort Calhoun American Legion Hall.

The audience joins in with Sheri White, Julie Shaffer and Judy Sievers singing Christmas Carols by Candlelight in the Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Saturday evening at Christmas in Calhoun.

FC K – 6 Holiday Concert

Blair Kinder at WCB

Ellie Schrad with mother Angie thanks Santa for the sucker at Christmas for the Coat Wednesday at Fernando’s Cafe and Cantina.

Front Row, left to right: Alexandra Jabens, Krishna Scott Guillen, Kyler Pearson. Back Row, left to right: Levi Becker, Samantha Waters, Adalina Weiss FC K – 6 Holiday Concert

Blair Kinder at WCB

MCH Ugly Sweater Run/Walk

Otte Show Choir

Blair Kinder at WCB From left Andrew Byrne, Carly Epp, __ ___Grace El

Otte Middle School Band performed at the Washington County Bank Tuesday.

FC K – 6 Holiday Concert

Otte Show Choir performed spread Christmas and Holiday Cheer around town Tuesday at Good Shepherd and Shepherd Village as well as Crowell Home, Carter Place, and both Washington and Twin Rivers Banks. From left: Trinity Back, Evelyn Rothanzl, Jerzie Janning, Chloe Wolff, Evie Storjohann, Ashlyn Just. From left: Trinity Back, Evelyn Rothanzl, Jerzie Janning, Chloe Wolff, Evie Storjohann, Ashlyn Just.

Otte Middle School Jazz Band performs for residents at Good Shepherd Community Center on Tuesday.

FC K – 6 Holiday Concert Front Row from left: Anabelle Bochnicek, Camryn Reynoldson. Second Row, left to right: Madison Bach, Addison Hemphill. Third Row, left to right: Audrey Barthel, Oliver Geiger, Frank Bonacci

Jacquelyn and Blaklee Fischer stroll toward the finish at the MCH Ugly Sweater 5Krun/2 mile walk.

Trumpet player Devon Wolsmann performs with the Otte Jazz Band at Washington County Bank.

Levi Schrum sits with Santa in the Fort Calhoun Fire Station Saturday at the Soup with Santa event.

North School Nathanial Fullmer

Ryan Fischer with Braxson Beaty and son Rhett Fischer and more than 125 participants took part in the MCH 5K Run/2 Mile Walk Sunday afternoon.

Axton Gutierrez and Camryn Christensen and Fort Calhoun kindergarten students sing Winter Wiggles at the 2017 Winter Program,

Otte Show Choir

It’s a celebration! Christmas concerts and events in Washington County 2017