Monday morning I watched as the Superior Utilities crew bored two post holes in the Fourth Street Park in preparation for the relocation of the Statesmen of Superior sign initially located on Central Avenue between the Superior Chamber of Commerce office and the Lost and Found indoor flea market.
The sign honoring donors to the Statesmen of Superior fund originally served a dual purpose. It not only honored the program supporters but it also served as a blind to hide what was often an unsightly, difficult to mow weed patch growing on an undeveloped main street plot. There were planter boxes in front of the sign in which volunteers maintained flowers through out the growing season. It wasn’t an easy job for water the plants needed had to be brought from the Home Federal Bank location further up the street.
The sign isn’t the only downtown memorial that is being relocated. The bricks that honor the donors to the former Crest Theatre mural and other community projects of that time period have been relocated to the Nuckolls County Museum and are now ready for viewing.
Just as we pause throughout the year to honor those who have served their country, we need not forget to honor those who serve their home communities.
Last week’s issue of The Superior Express had a long story about Richard Nelson, a local bank employee who has retired after 54 years in the banking business, most of which were based in Superior. That story focused on his bank work but an equally long story could have been written about his community service.
I can’t name all of his community service projects, but I will list a few.
To assist with community clean-up, he has bought dilapidated properties that had become eyesores and cleared those properties.
When he was younger and in better health, he roamed about the town clearing snow and mowing lawns to help those who couldn’t.
On behalf of community development, he traveled not only in Nebraska but to other states to tell the Superior story. In his position of chairman of a development group, he promoted the removal of an old automobile dealership building with a collapsed roof and the creation of the Commercial Street parking lot. That lot is now filled nearly every day by people working in downtown Superior.
He has been a longtime supporter of the Lady Vestey Festival and active in his church.
As president of the Superior Community Corporation, he collected donations and secured a vacant lot between the post office and the Superior Auditorium which was donated to the group now rehabilitating that building.
I don’t remember all of his community service projects, but I’m sure the readers of this column get the picture I’m trying to paint. For nearly a half century he has been giving back to Superior. We all should take note of his example and examine our lives. Are we sponges soaking up what our communities have to offer? Or are we, like Richard Nelson, regularly giving back?
We all have differing abilities but opportunities arise for each of us to share our talents and give back to our communities.
Thank you, Richard Nelson, for the example you have demonstrated. You are appreciated. Your work isn’t finished. Your community still needs you.
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