Author: Joe Burns

Educator and freelance photographer living and working in Washington County.

April snowfall creates silver-white wonderland

Nature and Landscape

 

A six inch snow fall late Thursday and early Friday morning created a silver white wonderland in Washington County and the Omaha Metro area.  Early morning light and clearing skies made for a picture perfect walk along paths at Black  Elk – Neihardt Park and Arbor Park Arboretum in Blair.

Snow covered tree branches frame the Tower of the Four Winds in Black Elk-Neihardt Park Friday Morning in April.
Frost and snow covered tree at Black Elk-Neihardt Park in Blair late Thursday Afternoon.
Tower of Four Winds, Black Elk-Neihardt Park
Snow covered fence at the edge of Black Elk-Neihardt Park
Early morning light on frost covered trees at Black Elk-Neihardt Park
Light snow falls from trees surrounding the Arbor Park Arboretum sign at Arbor Park School Friday morning.
Footbridge crosses Cauble Creek along Lions Park Deerfield trail Friday morning.
Silver white scene of snow and frost covered trees at Elk-Neihardt Park Friday morning.

Winter Band Concert

Blair Community Schools, School events and activities

Blair High School bands presented their annual winter concert in the Lela Neve Auditorium.

Sophomore Caitlyn Haggerstrom plays French horn in the 9-10 band during the winter concert in the Lela Neve Auditorium.
Trevor Anderson was a soloist in both the 11-12 Band and Jazz Band during Blair High School winter band concert in the Lela Neve Auditorium.
Blair High School 11-12 band performs during the winter concert in the Lela Neve Auditorium.
Blair Winter Band Concert 2019
Blair Winter Band Concert 2019
Blair Winter Band Concert 2019

Holiday Cheer

Events and activities, News and Feature

The Blair Area Community Band and the Blair Community Choir performed their annual holiday concert  for an appreciative audience in the Lela Neve Auditorium at Blair High school.

The Blair Community Choir under the direction of Kay Dickinson performed five numbers during the annual Community Band Holiday concert.
The Blair Community Choir under the direction of Kay Dickinson performed five numbers during the annual Community Band Holiday concert.
Blair Area Community Band in the holiday concert in the Lela Neve Auditorium at Blair High School
Blair Area Community Band in the holiday concert in the Lela Neve Auditorium at Blair High School
Blair Area Community Band in the holiday concert in the Lela Neve Auditorium at Blair High School
Alyssa Beasley performs with the Blair Area Community Band in the holiday concert in the Lela Neve Auditorium at Blair High School

Christmas for the Coat

Events and activities, News and Feature
The yearly fundraiser for Joseph’s Coat and the Washington County Food Pantry netted around $34,000.  The Washington County Food Pantry serves 143 families, 366 individual and 12 new families in an average month.
Sarah Dein with twins Jacob and Jackson and Amelia Jacobitz holding daughter Vera and with son Graham meet Santa.
Andy Byrne with mother Sarah and brother Tyler with breakfast plates at Christmas for the Coat.
Stangl Family Singers perform Christmas music at Christmas for the Coat.
Randy Gilson hands Sawyer Schmidt a plate filled with bacon and egg casserole at Christmas for the Coat.

Clearing the shelves to support Blair Bakery owners

News and Feature
The Blair Bakery is usually busy on Saturday morning, but nothing like November 23, when cars began arriving before 4:30 and customers lining the sidewalks waiting for Connie Custard to open up so they could buy out the donuts and cookies to allow  Connie to spend time with her husband Jim.
Jim, a Marine veteran has faced numerous health issues and is in need of constant care.  Many who waited in line and crowded overpaid, asked for no change, or just filled the tip jar.
Connie reaches in display case.
Connie Custard reaches for one of the few remaining filled rolls in her showcase Saturday morning
“This is a good community. I love Blair, Connie told Enterprise Media managing editor Leeanna Ellis, “I’ve been here all my life and it’s one of the best.  It doesn’t matter, when somebody needs it, they’re out to help.”
Customers began lining up before 5 a.m. Saturday at Ji and Connies Blair Bakery.
Connie Custard and Deb Knapp fill customer orders while Roger Andreasen helps out folding boxes.
Deb Rapp fills a box with tasty rolls and donuts.
Customers waited in line at Jim and Connie’s Blair Bakery throughout the morning Saturday.
Customers began lining up before 5 a.m. Saturday at Ji and Connies Blair Bakery.
A constant stream of customers filled Jim and Connie’s Bakery throughout the morning Saturday.

Annual Blair Sugar Plum Festival

Events and activities, News and Feature
Families again filled the sidewalks along Washington Street to take part in the 18th annual sugar Plum Festival in downtown Blair last week.  Highlights included photos with Santa, hayrack rides pulled by horse and tractors, lots of free treats and other goodies, and seasonal music music by local bands and carolers.
Matthew Brandl with Ivy Brandl and Alex Legrand and Jeremy Brandl drops money in the Salvation Arrny bucket.
Salvation Army volunteer Paul Kolb smiles as Ivy Brandl, Alex Le Grand and Matthew Brandl put money in the bucket.
Frosty, Rudolf and elves stop by the South Fire Station for a warm up and bowl of soup.
Sara Crawford drops money in the Salvation Army bucket as Salvation Army volunteer Paul Kolb rings his bell.
Paul Kolb greets passers-by along Washington street.
Horses and tractor pulling hayracks transported families along Washington Street.
Horses and tractor pulling hayracks transported families along Washington Street.
Horses and tractor pulling hayracks transported families along Washington Street.
Mallory Stirek sprinkles fairy dust on Lilly May Knutson
Mallory Stirek sprinkles fairy dust on Kaydence Knutson
Downtown Brass plays seasonal music at the Washington Street Pre-School
Joey and Beth Taylor with mom Sarah receive goody bags bags from Sarah Lambrecht at Country Gardens.
Country Bible Church offered warm fire and marshmallows to roast and make into s’mores.
Country Bible carolers ad friends sing carols
Blair Area Community Band plays at the soup supper at the South Fire Station
Mindy Rump and Brad Anderson distribute bracelets and candy to celebrate 150 year anniversary.
Families fill the sidwalks along Washington Street
Rudolph, Frosty and elves warm hand and hoofs at a fire along Washington street. From left ae Abby Hartvingsen, Lydia Hartvigsen, Zac Boswell, and Lillian Knudtson.