|
|
Couple helps 4-HersJUNIATA, Neb. (AP)--For nearly 50 years, Luwane and Avolon Nelson of rural Juniata have dedicated their lives to inspiring children through 4-H. Avolon is 74 and Luwane is 83. Luwane, who has Parkinson's disease, likely won't be making many appearances at the Adams County FairFest. Even so, he said he wouldn't have missed the Wanda Drovers livestock show at the Adams County Fairgrounds a few weeks ago for anything. "We were on the committee, and we made homemade ice cream like we do every year,'' Avolon said. Luwane's involvement with 4-H began more than 47 years ago when he served as a leader with the Cottonwood Aggies club near Holstein for a few years. Then in 1962, he and Herb Schukei started the Wanda Drovers club, made up of kids living in the Wanda Township, who primarily raised cattle. "We had seven members to start with and one time we got up into the 30s,'' Luwane said. Soon thereafter, Avolon started helping out with the club and the two haven't looked back since. Today, Luwane and Avolon are still listed as co-leaders of the club and still help out when they can. "Our name is on the list as leaders, but we don't do as much as we did,'' Avolon said. For many years, Luwane and Avolon were the club's primary leaders, taking the 4-Hers to camp at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey and housing many of the animals the children raised. At one point, Luwane became an aide with the Adams County Extension Office and could no longer serve as leader of the Wanda Drovers. Instead, he became teacher to about 3,000 school-age children in the county. "We never had any children of our own, but he always said he had 3,000 kids,'' Avolon said. "We were pretty close with them at times.'
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
