Over the past years at the Alumni Banquet, I have watched as so many alums see each other for the first time in years and how their faces light up with joy. But it was the 2012 banquet that had the biggest impact, when Dallas Opfer came up to me and asked who this specific couple was sitting two tables away from him. When I told him that it was Keith and Maxine Meier his eyes lit up and he was off his chair in a nano-second, bee lining it to Keith and Maxine. I thought, "How odd." And that was when the light bulb went off, like so many alums that were in the room, Dallas had worked at the nursery while growing up, and we had a story.
I ruminated on this idea for a year and half and then I got the phone call that George Marshall, my next door neighbor for all the time I grew up in Arlington passed in November of 2013. There was/is NO more time for ruminating and I started going into action. I immediately contacted Keith and Maxine Meier, told them what I wanted to do, and asked them for their help. Keith, Maxine and their children jumped on board and now we are on a mission.
The Marshall Nursery project will be used as a fundraiser for A.E.F.'s scholarship fund. I want alums that worked at the nursery at one time or another to tell their story. I will then compile all of them, edit and have the project printed to sell. The Washington County Historical Association Museum (could that name be any longer!!!) has contacted me and have offered their services. The key is to make sure that the word is out to those who want to participate. My biggest concern with this project is having it printed and hearing that someone who would have loved to participate feelings are hurt because they weren't contacted. So I am asking all the alums who worked at the nursery to help out and spread the word as there is NO way that I know all of you.
This is what I am looking for:
When you were hired, how long you worked there.
Who hired you?
How much were you making an hour? (This is always comical)
Who you worked for and with.
Did you work on or have any knowledge of any landscaping jobs.
Does your family have a history with the nursery? If so, share any memories.
What was your job?
Any history or story you would like to share.
Any pictures or nursery memorabilia you would like to share.
It is my feeling that the nursery is Arlington's legacy it is the biggest reason that Arlington was self-sustaining for years. The nursery is an incredible example of entrepreneurship that needs to be written so it is not forgotten.
On that I will close with my own story. I have a Dutch elm tree in my back yard that I adore as it reminds me of my childhood in Arlington and it provides so much shade in those scorching days of summer. In the spring of 2012 I noticed there was something wrong with the way it was greening up. Remembering the 60's and the demise of all the Dutch elm trees in Arlington caused by Dutch elm disease I talked a gentleman from the Forestry Dept. at UNL to come look at it. After he told me it was fine (wouldn't you know it) I told him of my paranoia because of what had happened in my home town in the 60’s. He then asked me where I was from; I told him Arlington which he replied "Marshall Nursery". I was stunned, this gentleman was in his late 40's early 50's and he knew about the nursery that at one time was one of the leading nurseries in the mid-west.
Deadline is July 31, 2015.
If you would like to participate please contact me:
Lissa Spangler
E-mail: rae1@inebraska.com
Home: 402-475-4311
Cell: 402-525-1476
Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Blessed New Year.
Liss