WELCOME to the Events Calendar
of the Ashland Historical Society
Saline Ford Historical Preservation Society in Ashland NE
MEMBERS & FRIENDS OF AHS - SFHPS
CLAY returns to his 'hometown' of ASHLAND NE
Clay was kind enough to send a 'thank YOU' e-mail to
click above ^ ^ ^ to see Clay's email message
We invite you to see & learn more about Clay's "adventures in space" ? ?
see Clay's special page with photos, stories and daily logs
from Clay's space travel and 5 month stay
on the International Space Station in 2007
LINK > > Clay Anderson Astronaut
Clay awaits his introduction, with Ashland Artist Gene Roncka & his wife Mary
to present the Towers Of History Ornament, that Clay took on STS-131 - Discovery
The community of Ashland, together with guests from Omaha, Lincoln, Fremont
and other NE communities, as well as from as far away as FL, gathered to
'greet and meet' Clay again, for his official presentation of the Towers of History
ornament, that Clay took with him on the STS-131 Mission on April 5th of 2010
Clay presented the Towers of History ornament to Mayor Paul Lienke and the
City of Ashland. The Towers of History is a project that will showcase local
history by the non-profit Ashland Area Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 corporation
The first ornament, pictured above, is the first in a series produced by local artist
Gene Roncka of Willow Point Gallery, with proceeds directed to the project.
See the recent Ashland Gazette article by Suzi Nelson, announcing the event
Scroll down to see Suzi's article
The second ornament will be available soon **
Clay approved the design, while on his STS-131 Mission
a drawing (above) of the second ornament in the series
** Orders for the second ornament are being accepted now;
the 1st ornament is available now at Willow Point Gallery
ASHLAND – An ornament created by a local artist, Gene Roncka, depicting the
historic career of a local hero will return to Ashland after a trip to space.
Astronaut Clay Anderson, a native of Ashland, will present the ornament to the community during a special ceremony on Friday, June 18 at Willow Point Gallery in downtown Ashland. The public is invited to attend.
The event is also a fundraiser for the Towers of History, a project that will showcase local history. Dignitaries including Gov. Dave Heineman and First Lady Sally Ganem have been invited to attend.
The ornament was designed by artist Gene Roncka, owner and artist in residence at Willow Point Gallery.
It is the first of a series of ornaments that combine contemporary events and local history in a 24-karat gold over mirrored brass ornament. Roncka created the ornament to salute the pioneers who traveled the Oxbow Trail
across the Saline Ford in Ashland as well as Anderson, who pioneered space travel in Nebraska by being the
first person from the state, as well as the city, to fly into space.
Last winter, while Anderson was preparing to go up on his second space mission, he contacted the
City of Ashland, requesting a special item to take with him to space.
The city purchased the Roncka ornament and gave it to Anderson.
Now, he will present it back to Mayor Paul Lienke during the ceremony, which begins at 6 p.m.
Ironically, Anderson approved the design of the second ornament while in space.
Last April, Anderson and the STS-131 crew spent 15 days in space. They flew on the shuttle
Discovery to the International Space Station, where Anderson performed three spacewalks.
During his mission, Roncka sent a sketch of the new ornament to Anderson via email.
“I thought it was cool and I said, ‘Go for it!’” Anderson said after returning from the mission on April 19.
The second ornament shows Anderson during his spacewalk. The astronaut hangs in the middle of the ornament, and can twist and turn to add a three-dimensional effect. Again, a historical scene graces the ornament, to bring past and present together. The new ornament will be on sale in late August or early September.
Roncka has done the same thing with the Towers of History, a project he has spearheaded since 1997. Roncka hopes to build a tourist attraction along Salt Creek that pays homage to the history of the community.
The Towers of History will consist of four elaborate concrete pillars topped with sculptures created by Roncka.
Each sculpture will depict a chapter in Ashland’s history.
The first tower will feature Anderson’s accomplishments. It shows Anderson in his signature white space suit
used for the six spacewalks he took during his career. The shuttle will also be included.
Anderson also approved the sculpture design, adding his input and requesting that the International Space Station also be included, since it was such a big part of his career. He spent 152 days there in 2007.
“Clay made a couple of little changes that I thought were dynamite,” said Roncka.
Roncka said he hopes work on the first tower will begin next spring. He said it will take him a couple of months to create the sculpture. In the meantime, dirt work and grading can be done, and the pathways started.
“I would look at next year as that happening,” he said.
That will depend on funding, however. The entire Towers of History project is funded by donations to the Ashland Area Foundation and sales of the historical ornaments.
The other three towers will depict other eras of Ashland’s history, including the pioneers crossing the Saline Ford. They will be erected as funding is secured.
“The whole thing behind all this is the creation of the monument, which will bring attention to Ashland and be there long after we’re involved,” said Roncka.
In addition to the ornament, Anderson took several items in space on his last mission, including a College World Series baseball and cap. He will throw that ball out at the opening game of the College World Series on June 19.
Anderson also took flags from his alma mater, Hastings College and Iowa State University, a Nebraska Press Association necktie, t-shirt from Children’s Hospital, USS Nebraska submarine patch and cap, and photos and personal items for friends. The article above, was written by Suzi Nelson and reprinted from The Ashland Gazette;
- 10JUN2010 edition - with grateful appreciation and acknowledgement. (empahsis added)
Photos courtesy of NASA
Below, are some pic's 2010 Stir-Up Days
Claude Hurst & Elsie Martin, 2010 King & Queen of Stir - Up Days
Coronation of the 2010 Royalty - right, 2009 & 2010 Royalty together
2010 Ashland Stir - Up Days GRAND PARADE pictures
King Claude & Queen Elsie in the Grand Parade 2010
Bill Sapp and his Red "M" in the Grand Parade
featured on the JUL 2010 cover of Discover Magazine
click above ^ ^ for full calendar
The annual Ashland Arts Council Art Show
at Historic Saint Stephens returned again in 2010
NOTE - See more photos of the GRAND PARADE
AHS - SFHPS MEETINGS SCHEDULE:
Quarterly meetings are held - please watch here
for the next scheuled meeting, location and time
The ANNUAL MEETING of the AHS-SFHPS
is scheduled for the 1st THU eve in October
October 7th 2010 - 7:00 pm - Willow Point Gallery
The annual meeting will include the election of officers
AHS - SFHPS MEMBERSHIP & DUES SCHEDULE:
Ashland Historical Society - Saline Ford Historical Preservation Society
Ashland NE 68003
2010- 2011 Officers and Directors are:
President: Peg Lutton
Vice President:
Secretary: Judy Hull
Treasurer: Marilyn (Kolb) Wright
Directors: Jerry Froistad, Shirley Hemke, Geri Lemon, Pat Proctor
MEMBERSHIP is available to all interested in Ashland NE History:
As a member of AHS - SFHPS, you will remain on the newsletter mailing list
and you will be on the calling committee's list for special events.
Your dues will go toward supporting the Society's objectives.
Dues are for the fiscal year of October through September each year.
Ashland Historical Society
Saline Ford Historical Preservation Society
(Renewal / Annual Dues - October 1st each year):
Patron $75 Family $35 Single $20 Other $_____ We have provided a membership category
entitled "Other" for those who may wish to make a
contribution 'above & beyond' those listed above.
Payable at our meeting(s) OR:
Mail to: Marilyn (Kolb) Wright
26259 West Park Highway
Ashland NE 68003
Thank You for your support - financial, contribution of articles, pictures and history -
as we now share the "living history" of Ashland NE to Members and the world !
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