Garden of Memories and More
Stories featured in this episode include a visit to Gilman Park, the Easter tornado of 1913, raising rare goats, and the Jacob Fisher Rainbow Fountain makes a splash.
Air Date: 03/23/2023
Garden of Memories During his 46-year career, Gary Zimmer planted 800-plus trees and shrubs in the 14-acre arboretum known as Gilman Park. The story takes a poignant turn when the former park superintendent crosses the historic Willow Creek Bridge where he and his good friend Jim Kluck, a local nurseryman, spent hours planting together. Kluck, a longtime member and past president of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, was killed in a car accident in 2007. The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum created an award in Kluck's honor that his friend, Zimmer, recently received.
Nebraska’s Deadliest Storm A look back at the cluster of deadly Easter tornados of 1913 that ripped through Omaha, Ralston, Yutan and Otoe, called Berlin at the time. The twisters were blamed for 168 deaths in Nebraska and Iowa with hundreds injured. The Omaha, Yutan and Berlin tornadoes today rank as the three deadliest in Nebraska history.
The G.O.A.T Mission San Clemente Island goats are one of the rarest breeds of goats. They originated on the island off the coast of California, but the largest remaining herd is believed to be on a farm near Gretna, Nebraska. Chad Wegener and John Carroll started with just two of the goats, and now they have more than 250. They’re on a mission to keep the goats from going extinct. And to do that, they need to give the San Clemente Island goats a purpose and show the world their value. They’ve got a plan to do just that.
The Rainbow Fountain The popular and historic Jacob Fisher Rainbow Fountain recently underwent a series of improvements that will allow the 90-year-old fountain to continue providing nightly water shows of over a million-possible color variations.
Let’s Meet at the Fountain Built during the Great Depression as a symbol of the economic power of irrigation and the early progress of rural electrification, the Jacob Fisher Rainbow Fountain is a big part of the summer scene in Hastings. Enjoy a visit to Highland Park where fireflies dance near brilliant plumes of water lit in rainbow colors.