Springfield Wednesday Newsletter: August 9, 2023

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THANK YOU TO THE SARPY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AND FAIR BOARD FOR A GREAT ANNUAL SARPY COUNTY FAIR

Sarpy County Fair Photos

 Open Class Entries

 Open Class Entries

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Parade Photos

IT HAPPENED IN SPRINGFIELD HISTORY

The O. W. Joern General Merchandise Store was located on the south side of Main Street. The building was moved to Springfield from Sarpy Centre in 1881 and housed many businesses prior to the opening of  Otto Joern's store.

The O. W. Joern General Merchandise Store operated from 1909 to 1957. When the store closed it had been the longest running business in Springfield. Otto William Joern was born in Germany. He came to Springfield in 1895. Before opening his own business, he worked for fifteen years at the W.M. Kieck Store.  Joern and his wife, Ella, had three sons and one daughter. In 1940 his two sons, James and Donald became partners in the business. The store’s name changes to O. W. Joern & Sons General Merchandise which sold everything from groceries to dry goods to livestock feed. It was the original Super Store! In 1957 the Joern’s house, located in south Springfield, caught fire.  With Otto ill in bed upstairs and his wife downstairs, they did not realize their home was on fire. Luckily, his neighbor noticed the smoke and came to their aid. The roof and an upstairs room were badly damaged. The next week the good neighbors of Springfield assembled a crew of men to clear the wreckage and begin reconstructing the Joern’s home. Contractor, Earl Osborn oversaw the work. The women of the Methodist Church provided the noon meal and evening lunch. Otto Joern passed away on January 19, 1957. His sons operated the store until November 1957. The building, not being in good condition, was razed in March of 1958.

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SARPY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS FLOWER GARDEN MAINTAINED BY SPRINGFIELD MASTER GARDENERS

Sarpy County Fairgrounds flowers

Sarpy County Fairgrounds flowers

SPRINGFIELD MASTER GARDENERS NEWS

Have you recovered from the fair yet? Did you get the sugar out of your system?

Congratulations to all the winners of ribbons. Walking through the open class flowers, it was amazing to see how many beautiful things are still blooming.

Now, it's time for you to walk through your garden and see what is beginning to ripen. Let's start with those pesky tomatoes.

There have been so many variations in temperature that they probably stayed green for a while. Possibly even showing signs of sunburn. Now with all this rain, you may get skin cracking. The fruit is maturing is still edible until you start to see changes around the opening like a white fungus. Then it’s time to throw into compost. Most skin cracking is due to a sudden ripening from hot to rainy and they "suck" up water to fast and the skin splits.

You may also see an increase of slime molds. You can see orange sticks in your garden sometimes called stag horn mushrooms or stuff that looks like dog vomit. Most can be washed away with a hose just remember never eat ANY mushroom without consulting an expert.

To avoid sunburn on your veggies that are sensitive like your peppers or eggplant, you can install a mesh cover over the top to slow the intensity of the sun. I would also check those newly planted trees by just wiggling them to make sure they have stabilized where they are and aren't moving too much in the Nebraska wind.

Well I guess we better call it a week. We will be back in the garden Thursday so come on down and visit us with your questions or just come for a walk. I would be happy to show you around.

Grow Green!

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**HAPPENING NEARBY**

LAST BIG SHOW of SUMMER to

KICK FALL OFF RIGHT!

IN PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA