Greensburg in the News Again

As the one-year anniversary of the tornado approaches, Greensburg, KS, is once again in the news. The CBS Early Show is broadcasting from there all week long. The focus is mostly on how the town is rebuilding "green" (read: environmentally friendly). In fact, some of the guidelines that have been set down for their funding include requirements for just that.

But in between all the "how to build green" stories are stories of people who are rebuilding their lives. People who are strong and tenacious. Some of those people I've known all my life. If you see the "beautiful people" photos they cycle through, you'll see the face of one woman with dark hair and glasses. I know her as Sister Helwig. She was my Sunday school teacher when I was very young. You see, I grew up on a farm about 15-20 miles from Greensburg.

I shopped at the grocery store that is now a shell. I took piano lessons from two women whose homes were destroyed. (In one photo, I could see through the roof--which no longer existed--to the upstairs bedroom where I took guitar lessons from my piano teacher's daughter. This mother and daughter also happen to be the aunt and cousin of one of my brothers-in-law.) I went to 4-H fairs at the community building that is gone. I frequently walked on Main Street, and I sat through several bake sales and sat on several parade floats on that same street. (Anyone who is familiar with the Memorial Day weekend parade, art festival, etc. can relate!) I attended services and was married in a church building that is now marked only by an empty basement. (The new church building that was built in recent years was also destroyed, but they are rebuilding.)

As I watch the Early Show, I see the faces of school students who are the children and grandchildren of people I've known, well, since I can remember. I see the residents, and recognize familiar faces among them. I attended school in nearby Mullinville, but Greensburg is the hub of the community. It is so strange to see empy lots and rubble in the place of what "once was".

If you'd like to see photos, updates, or find out how you can help, the Early Show website has all that information. Also, my other blog, Thoughts Along the Journey, has links in the sidebar.

Thank you, Early Show, for keeping Greensburg in the news. They are rebuilding, but there's still a lot of work to do...


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President Bush to Visit Greensburg Again

President Bush will be giving the commencement address at the graduation ceremony in Greensburg, KS, this year. The last time he visited the town was the week following the tornado. To read more about it, see the Hutch News article.

Spring Break

Did you know that Cancun is now considered passe'???

The spring break hot spot is now Greensburg, Kansas!

Check it out here.

Friday Ramblings

I'm having a brain sneeze this morning. My thoughts are kind of "all over the place".

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(Clouds in northeast Ohio, August 8, 2007)

We had storms rip through northeast Ohio yesterday afternoon. I have never liked thunderstorms--especially those greenish ones with the swirling clouds. Since the tornado hit Greensburg, I am even more skittish. Thankfully, we were safe. Only one person lost their life yesterday (as well as some livestock at a dairy farm). It could have been worse.

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Speaking of Greensburg, I experienced another night of "mourning" Tuesday evening. It brought tears, anguish, and many prayers for those I know and love in Greensburg.

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You should check out the afghan updates for "Rebuilding Greensburg--Block by Block". Laura Spradlin and all her contributors definitely deserve many kudos for their labor of love. The picture below is from her blog. That's only a few days' worth of squares, sent to her by knitters from all over the United States, Canada, and other parts of the WORLD! (If you see a bright yellow item in the lower righthand corner, that's part of a scarf made by yours truly--a non-knitter if there ever was one!)



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On a completely different note, we had to do the "school supplies" shopping trip a couple of days ago. We haven't done this for about 5 years, as we were home schooling. You see, when you home school, you buy supplies when they're on sale, and as you need them. As we walked toward the checkout with our "loot," it was a bit overwhelming. I don't remember needing all this stuff when I was a kid! We had a few notebooks, some pens and pencils, a bottle of glue, and some folders. We didn't need dry erase markers, special expandable folders, tab dividers, etc. And we definitely didn't have to supply the school with tissues, paper towel, and disinfectant wipes! (As a side note, I found a website that is an opportunity for helping school kids in Iraq. Check it out here.)

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Today is Friday, friends! Rejoice!

The CMA Music Festival

As stated in a previous post, I'm not really a country music fan. But this one will be worth the watch, I think. On July 23rd, ABC will air footage of the CMA Music Festival. (See more details at this link.)

According to a source of mine, an item that will be included is footage of a Greensburg couple receiving the keys to a brand-new pickup truck, while they were attending the music fest.! The new ride was compliments of Kansas native Martina McBride.

And now you have the scoop! :o)

Pat on the Back for Phil Stacey, Alison Bartlett, and Kevin Clash

I am never going to be able to let you know all the ways people are helping Greensburg. I will post what I can.

The following items came from the Wichita Eagle. I have provided links to the full articles at the end of each blurb. I have also provided a link that gives a map for the location of Haviland High School. (Click on "Haviland High School" in the article.)
____________________________________

'Idol' star sings for Greensburg's benefit

By DENISE NEIL

Those who saw former Wichitan Phil Stacey on "American Idol" know he can sing.

But the 2,900 people who attended Stacey's sold-out benefit concert at Central Christian Church on Tuesday learned that singing is just one of Stacey's talents.

He also can play guitar and piano -- well. He can write music, as he proved by performing an original tribute to the American flag. And he's really pretty funny.

Read More..
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Voice of Elmo to visit Greensburg children

In an effort to bring fun to Greensburg kids, Kevin Clash, the man who for years has been the voice of Elmo on "Sesame Street," will visit Kiowa County on Saturday.

He will put on two 30-minute shows at 1:30 and 3 p.m. at Haviland High School's gymnasium as part of the KPTS Kiowa County Kids Carnival, an event for the children affected by the Greensburg tornado.

Alison Bartlett, the woman who plays Gina the Veterinarian on "Sesame Street," will also be at the carnival.

Read More...

And a Pat On the Back for Martina McBride

Photo by Kelly Glasscock

I'm not a big country music fan, but Ms McBride did a great thing for Greensburg residents this weekend. Check out the article from the Wichita Eagle here.

And here are the lyrics to her new single, "Anyway". I really thought it had a good message:

ANYWAY
You can spend your whole life buildin'
Something from nothin'
One storm could come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You could chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great but sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This world's gone crazy
And it's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all you heart
For all the right reasons
And in a moment they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway

God is great but sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yeah I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singin'
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yeah sing it anyway

I sing
I dream
I love anyway
© Findlyrics.com

More Kansans Helping Greensburg

I received an e-mail with the link to a neat fundraiser. This one is being held this weekend, and is sponsored by the Lawrence, KS, fire department. If you live near there, or will be in that area this weekend, here is a fun way you can help out the Greensburg fire department. Bowling Fundraiser

I was also given the news that, within days of the tornado, two fire trucks were donated to the fire department. One came all the way from New York!

I am constantly amazed at the ways people are helping!

Kansans Helping Kansans

Hutch News Photo

Each day, I am amazed again at how people are working to help the people of Greensburg. While I realize there are efforts all over the country, today I am focusing on Kansans who are helping.

One of those I must mention is Mike Greenleaf, a Greensburg resident. You can read about the rodeo (isn't that a great picture, too?) in this Hutch News article about Mike.

On the "Rebuilding Greensburg--Block by Block" front, Laura is having great success. It's still not to late to send her your afghan squares. All the info. you need is at Sugar Bunny Boulevard.

I read in today's Hutch News about two benefit concerts being held, which will raise funds for Greensburg. One is a concert with Christian artist Mark Schultz (who is a native Kansan!). The article is on the Hutch News website.

Closer to home (well, relatively speaking), an imaging system developed by my uncle's business is being used to help in the recover efforts. I'm including the text of his e-mail, as he can explain better than his technologically-challenged niece:

Hello,

FEMA ordered aerial images acquired over Greensburg to document damage and aid anyone in the recovery process. I am proud to say that my multispectral imaging system (the TerraHawk Aerial Imaging System with MS3100 camera) was used. The University of Kansas flew their plane and own two of my imaging systems. The following link has images of Greensburg in both RGB natural color and in CIR which is made bands in near infrared, red and green. They show more detail. The images were acquired from about 6,000 feet and have about half meter pixel resolution at that altitude and lens that was used. You can download and look at the images at this web site:

http://www.ksview.org/info/news.shtml

Dewain Davis, President
TerraVerde Technologies

Thank you all!!!!!

Bush's Fault?

President Bush prays with Greensburg residents
in front of destroyed Methodist Church.
Photo fromwhitehouse.gov website




I got the following item in an e-mail forward. I thought it was an interesting perspective, anyway.
I'm not trying to change the tone of this blog to being political. Just thought this was interesting.
________________
Hi, my name is Tim Schieferecke and I'm a native western Kansas farmboy. No, I don't know anyone from Greensburg as I'm from northwest Kansas , but I do know what rural folks from anywhere in Kansas are like. Apparently my current leftist Governor Kathleen Sebelius doesn't though, nor does she comprehend the availability of heavy equipment assets. It was hard for me to hold my lunch down when I heard her craft an anti-Bush spin on the disaster that befell the good people of Greensburg . Slow recovery? This statement is disingenuous at best but in local lingo better understood as a downright lie. We need trucks? It seems the good Governor doesn't get out of Topeka much. Western Kansas is wheat country, and where there's wheat there's wheat trucks. Incidentally, they fill in quite nicely for hauling away debris when they aren't filled with grain. Why do they really need Hum-vees in the mix? What can they accomplish that a regular old four wheel drive pick-up can't? Other equipment? You can't spit without hitting a tractor, spit a little harder and you'll hit one that has a handy scoop. As far as the people go, they are salt of the earth good people, regardless of race, class or creed in the country. Unlike certain areas affected by disaster, the people of Greensburg will take care of their current problems themselves. They will not wait for the government to do this or that, because in the country people still know what it means to be a good neighbor. Growing up in this environment, I remember time after time the lessons my Dad taught me about being a good neighbor. Neighbors in the country take care of each other. From helping a neighbor get cattle back in to helping harvest his wheat if he was ill, neighbors in the country do whatever they can for each other as well as for anyone who happens to have a vehicle breakdown while passing through. So it will be with Greensburg . Also, I'd like the Governor to explain just how many National Guard troops it takes to seal off a little town of 1500 from looters? The good Governor points out plainly opportunistically that 40% of all troops overseas are National Guard. Now, assuming that 40% of Kansas troops are engaged elsewhere (that's 3,200 of approximately 8,000 total, there are an estimated
4,800 troops available). To guard a town of 1,500? Do they have that many down on the border? That sounds like overkill to me! It is beyond me how these libs spin everything towards making our good President guilty of this or that. How is it that President Bush has anything at all to do with a slow response to the catastrophe? How could ANYTHING have been done differently. Oh yeah, I forgot, Bush created global warming by colluding with big oil, that created the perfect F-5 tornado, and if only he had signed Kyoto this tragedy never would have happened. Give me a break!


President Bush consoles two Greensburg residents. Photo by Travis Heying, Wichita Eagle.

Calling All Crafty People!

Laura Spradlin, of El Dorado, KS, has started a project she calls, "Rebuilding Greensburg--Block by Block". She is collecting 8" bias garter stitch afghan squares, and is planning to donate the afghans to Greensburg residents in the fall.

For more information, see her blog: Sugar Bunny Boulevard The left sidebar has all the information you need. She is specifically asking for the squares, but NO FINANCIAL contributions.

THANK YOU, LAURA!!!

This and That from the Greensburg Front

Pictured above: Tyler McIntosh of Greensburg, KS, with a new "friend". Photographer: Fernando Salazar, Wichita Eagle newspaper.

I thought this article was a great example of the spirit of the people of Greensburg. Check it out at:
Greensburg Athletes Keep Edge

What Do They Need in Greensburg???

Obviously, not more toothbrushes! This is a humorous story I found on the Wichita Eagle's website. It also gives practical ideas...

How Many Toothbrushes Does Greensburg Need?

Homesick for Kansas

Receiving the news about the tornado, hearing the stories over the past 1 1/2 weeks, seeing the TV stories, and viewing pictures on the Internet...it has all made me homesick for Kansas.

If you are a Kansas resident, chances are you are either a Jayhawk (KU) fan or a Wildcat (K-State) fan. I happen to be of the purple and white crowd (KSU). One of my sisters graduated from there, as well as a few other friends and relatives (aunts, uncles, cousins).

Where I currently live, in northeastern Ohio, if you ask someone if they are a KSU fan, they immediately think you mean Kent State University. Nope, nope, nope. Not what I meant!

So, allow me the pleasure of expressing my support for my favorite home-state college. GO WILDCATS!!!!

More Things I Love About Kansas

A bouquet of wild sunflowers, picked from the side of a country road. They add sunshine to a room...

The song of a western meadowlark on a warm, summer morning. They love to perch on fence posts, and warble their merry little tune.

As the old slogan said, "Kansas...Land of Ah's"

Things I Love About Kansas

There are too many things to list here. But I think this picture says more than my feeble words could ever express. The sunrises and sunsets are beyond breathtaking. (And yes, this is from Greensburg!)

How You Can Help

American Red Cross Midway-Kansas Chapter
P.O. Box 3726
Wichita, Kansas 67201
620-672-3651
(indicate that you want to give assistance for the Greensburg tornado victims)

1-800-SAL-ARMY
www.salarmy-mokan.org
If you go to this website and click "donate now", there will be a form to fill in for your donation. Under "donation details", donors can specify the amount they wish to give. There is also a box to fill in called "specific use". Just type in "Greensburg tornado", and they will make sure that is where your funds go.

Kansas Disaster Relief Fund
Box 1663
Dodge City, Kansas 67801
They also request that you put "Greensburg, KS, disaster relief" in your memo line.

And keep praying!!!!

For All My Friends and Family in Kansas

There is no humorous post from me today. My hometown was hit by a tornado last night. Please pray for Greensburg, Kansas, and the wonderful people there. It's hard to be in Ohio, when they're all there, trying to dig out. My heart and prayers are there, though.