Honest to Goodness

OGALLALA: named for the Oglala Band of the Dakota Sioux. Town incorporated in 1884.

Above is the definition of the town of Ogallala. According to a tourist booklet, it is the cowboy capital, Home of largest lake in the state "Big Mac", The Kingsley Dam and who can forget about the Crystal Palace Review at Front Street? (A full-on shoot out, frontier themed musical, and a pair of museums dedicated to the Old West.) I am NOT making this up folks! By my own definition Ogallala is home. From memories that started 19 years ago, When I marched in my pink floral dress and mickey mouse watch to my first day of Kindergarten in Mrs. Thompkins class at Prairie View Elementary. Its the community where I played "ditch em" until 10:30 at night with every kid in the neighborhood and our parents weren't at all concerned about us roaming around. Its the same town where I taught swimming lessons at the outdoor Swimming pool in the summer and then performed in the Crystal Palace Review in the Evening. Its also the place where I not so fondly got doused with eggs and vinegar during freshman initiation but was later crowned Homecoming Queen on the same field my little brother now plays football. Yep, its home.
Hailing from the cowboy capital I was honored to serve as the co-emcee for Ogallala's 125th Birthday Celebration! It was such an honor to get to partake in the festivity with neighbors, teachers and old classmates as well as dignitaries and government officials. I hope you enjoy the pictures from the bash!
Brittany