Breckenridge Memorial Day Commemoration

NEW event at Valley Brook Cemetery on May 27

Breckenridge, CO -- The Town of Breckenridge in collaboration with the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance invite the public to the inaugural Breckenridge Memorial Day Commemoration at Valley Brook Cemetery on Monday, May 27 at 9:00 a.m. to commemorate, acknowledge and memorialize the service and sacrifice of our deceased veterans. The Commemoration will include a keynote speech from Colonel Loren Johnson, the Commander of the 140th Mission Support Group, Colorado Air National Guard, Buckley AFB, an interdenominational service and a wreath-laying.

Headstone of Alonzo Phillips.
© Ancestral Journeys, 2012-2013

The ceremony will be followed by light refreshments. The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance will have an interpretive guide present to answer questions regarding the history of Valley Brook Cemetery. Parking will be available at the Carriage House Learning Center across from the entrance into Valley Brook Cemetery and at the Breckenridge Recreation Center.

Over sixty (60) veterans’ graves have been identified through Valley Brook Cemetery records. Please contact Vanessa Agee at 970-453-3187 x2 to provide further information regarding any veterans who are buried at Valley Brook Cemetery, but whose military service may not be reflected in the cemetery records. Also, volunteers are needed to place flags at each veteran’s grave and to remove flags one month later.

For more information or to volunteer, please call Vanessa Agee at (970) 453-3187 ext 2 or vanessaa@townofbreckenridge.com.

Explosion!

Photo Credit: stock.xchng.com

After an amazing week in Las Vegas at the NGS 2013 Family History Conference, I'm back at  home and settling into my usual routine. Right? 

Um, no. 

As it happens, during the conference, D. Joshua Taylor sent out this tweet: 

Little did I know (or him for that matter!) the level of excitement this idea would generate. 

Thankfully, we certainly were not the only people thinking about doing something like this. The wonderful Kassie Nelson had already started a Facebook group for the very same thing. However, as a full time student and Mom, it was tough getting things moving for her. We banded together, and I am extremely excited that The NextGen Genealogy Network (NGGN) now has over 120 members! 

Just another Facebook group? Hardly. 

The organization is doing just that: organizing. We have filed incorporation papers and while we wait for that process to be completed, we are working on creating our structure, finding volunteers to fill those necessary roles to make everything click, and generating ideas for projects, goals and other objectives. 

What exactly is NGGN? 

Well, our mission statement should give you a pretty good explanation: 

"The NextGen Genealogy Network exists to foster the next generation’s interest in family history and engagement in our community through digital channels which virtually connect members throughout the world."

Yes, virtually. Our meetings, conversations, educational programs... everything will be online. We are truly hoping to reach those genealogists and family historians that do not carry a typical schedule because soccer games and scout meetings get in the way. Those folks that are interested, but are trying to get to their Biology 101 class on time. The people that cannot necessarily afford to join their local society, or feel out of place in that environment.

If that sounds intriguing to you, I invite you to do any one of the following three things:


Join our group on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Fill out this Membership form to let us know you want in! 


As we continue to collaborate, we'll keep everyone posted on our progress. We do anticipate officially taking members sometime around the first week of July. Hope to see you online!

All of this is certainly keeping me busy, but it's such a good busy. I'm loving every moment of it. I am a proud, almost-card-carrying member ('cause we still have to make some cards!) of this organization, and I cannot wait to see what happens tomorrow!

Uncle Boone

One a more personal note, my Great Uncle, Don "Boone" Brown passed away last week. Here is his obituary from The Orting News.

I do not yet have a paper copy.



The Passing of Don "Boone" Brown
by Terry Brown
May 8, 2013

Long-time resident of Orting, Don Brown, more popularly known as "Boone ", passed away on the morning of May 8,2013. Boone was born in Chehalis on Nov. 17,1927, but his family soon returned to Orting after his birth. Boone was the youngest of seven children in his family. When his health reached the point that he needed to receive more personal care, he really hated giving up POB 4, which had been in the family name for nearly 100 years. If one did not know Boone personally, one was probably aware of his magnificent flower and vegetable garden on Calistoga, which supplied beauty and fresh food to many friends and acquaintances. Orting is now without a Brown of this family in residence which basically has not happened in nearly 100 years.

Interment will be at the Orting cemetery at 11:00AM on Thursday, May 16th. A potluck reception will follow at the Orting Eagles. Bring your memories to share in the celebration of Boone's life.

Boone holding my father as children. They
were not far apart in age.
Personal collection of author.
Circa 1943, Washington.