Brownville is one of my favorite gems on the Lewis and Clark bike route. The river town has done a wonderful job of both preserving its history, and celebrating the arts here in rural Nebraska. There are sculptures everywhere you go. There are trees with plaques donated in honor of loved ones. There’s a historical society that seems to have been active since the 1950s, telling the story of this town forged by river boat traffic, which was disrupted by the new train tracks early on. Twenty-five years ago, those tracks have been replaced with the Steamboat Trace trail. I interviewed one of the people responsible for forming that trail. I’ll send you that video in another newsletter.
But first, I’d like to introduce you to a remarkable woman who I happened to meet tending to the garden at a new town park: Jane Rohman. I started this video when I discovered Rohman Garden where I read a Ted Kooser poem embossed on a metal plate attached to a large stone. Later, I had a chance meeting with Jane while she was tending the garden. I hope you enjoy my interview with her!
I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Ms. Rohman. It's fascinating that she left a university town to go to an apparently very small town, at least in part for its art and theater scene. I like that you find interesting people wherever you are--or is it that you find people interesting?
"These words have been waiting for you." What an excellent poem, and what an interesting and charming woman -- I'm glad you taped your conversation with her!