hi zep...
it's been a year since the greenburg wind.
the only building that remained after than night was a tavern...
bush gave the hs graduation speech last weekend.
i've spent a good deal of time in that area and other rural plains towns.
the dozen or so seniors who graduated are considered the link from old town, 2 no town, 2 a new town....
much of the efforts this last year were focused on keeping their schooling on schedule.
schools, churches and hospitals are what really keep these rural towns alive.
in the days after the wind blew, the tavern served all 3 functions.
greensburg USED to be known for having the 'world largest hand-dug well' ....
The World's Largest Hand-Dug Well - Greensburg, KS
and the many meteorite finds, including the 1000 lb pallasite rock on display and a new find 2 years ago...
Unusual meteorite found in Kansas - CNN.com
now they are building a new town entirely based on eco friendly principles.
Greensburg, Kansas: Extraordinary Transformation : TreeHugger
the loss was impressive, but the effort to rebuild and renew are even more so....
kansas is named for the kansa tribe, also called the kaw.
the english translation is 'people of the south winds'...
Kansas Indian Tribes and Languages
and while many other tribes also occupied this area, the 'southwinds' description fits best and can be felt everyday.
the folks who are rebuilding and remain in greensburg, really are in/of the kansa spirit....
did you see or pass through the flint hills?
following the old santa fe trail route is more interesting (imo than route 66) and historic.
cheers
2air'