In 1996 Shaun and I planned our wedding in the North Country after being a couple for six years. When we told my Grandma Patty about our proposed date (which was Saturday, August 24) she informed us that August 22 was a significant date in our family. She and my Grandpa Clinton Wear, her parents Marnie & John Rowland, and her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara & Alan Thompson were all married on August 22. So, we decided to marry on Thursday, August 22.
This year on my anniversary I visited the town where my grandparents, great aunt, and great grandparents (among other family) spent much of their lives. Farnam, Nebraska is a tiny town these days (official population 165), many of the old buildings have been razed, and none of my close family live there any longer. The following is a brief tour of Farnam.
Great Grandparents, Roy & Alice Wear’s home
Great great Grandparents, Sam & Minnie Parker’s home – where my great grandmother Marnie and her sisters Jeannette & Louise grew up…
Great Aunt Jeannette & Uncle Burr’s home
Great Grandparents Marnie & John Rowlands home
The elementary school my mother and two previous generations attended
Farnam Hospital
On a hillside overlooking town is the cemetery… There we visited the graves of extended family and the new site of a bench commemorating my Grandma Patty. There is also a marker for my Grandpa Clinton Wear who was killed while trying to rescue a fellow Navy flier near the end of World War II.
with Betty Hoppe-Stevens who was instrumental in getting the commemorative bench installed at Farnam Cemetery
My Grandpa Clinton (Clem) Wear
Great Aunt Jeannette & Great Uncle Burr Parker (his was another Parker family in Farnam)
Great Grandparents Marnie & John Rowland
Great Grandparents Alice and Roy Wear
Great Great Grandparents Minnie & Sam Parker
As an expression of my love of the processes and transformative power of creating art I have enjoyed teaching and sharing my knowledge with young and old. Over the years I have trained myself to teach other artists and aim to inspire others to discover the creativity innate in themselves. I am a practicing artist who has expanded my art making beyond the studio into participatory engagement with different people in different settings. I lead young people and adults in creative experiences that deepen their understanding and engagement with the world around them and with their own creative fire.
I create my own unique Place-Based art – translating my flashes of wonder and impressions of a place onto the printed page through the laborious and time-consuming ancient technique of relief printing.
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Wander Artist & Tabula Rasa Studio 
The design of the fencing draws your vision upwards – I have a feeling it will work its way on to your paper – you and Shaun choose your date well – a shared anniversary is so very special – sending you a special hug
This is a beautiful story, Amanda, and a beautiful way to honor your marriage.
Enjoyed your sharing of this special time in your life and the opportunity to met you.
Very nice to meet you too Betty! Thanks for all you do!
Love it!! And you very much!! M&D