Friends and Neighbors: The Shermans

A great sense of humor and an obvious admiration for each other keep Jowain and Linda Sherman on the move.

Jowain said of their continuous busy lifestyle that they "would rather wear out – than rust out."

They have lived in Kimball for 15 years, but it is Jowain's second time in town.

"This is my second tour here. I graduated from 1960 from the old high school," he said.

Jowain's father was with an oil well surveying company, which caused the family to move a lot. His family moved to Kimball in the late 1950s, but they were originally from Illinois.

The Shermans married in 1971. He worked as a civilian contractor for the military, which took their family all over the United States. Linda said that within their 44 year marriage, they have moved 35 times. Living in Kimball has been the longest stay they've had in one place.

The couple agreed that their favorite place to live, withing those years of moving, was Manhattan, Kan. They lived there for six weeks.

"We liked the people there and the atmosphere," Linda said. "They had the University of Man, which is the continuing education. If there was something they didn't teach – you probably didn't need to learn it."

"They had calligraphy, Tae Chi, pattern making, and art....Unfortunately, like most suburbs of a major city, it has probably changed over the years."

The Shermans raised five children together, Jowain's two children from a previous marriage and their three children together. The couple believes that their many travels and moving have equipped their children for everything life throws their way.

The Shermans continued to work and stay very active on a daily basis. Jowain works for Clean Harbors and Linda works as a draftsman at George Risk Industries, where she draws up all of the blueprints for their parts.

The Shermans have organized the Ribs and More Cooking Contest for the Plains Historical Society for six of the 13 years that it has been a part of the Kimball culture. Last year, the group fed 160 people in attendance of the event. Some of the obligations of taking on such a role include per cure the advertisements, find cooks and sponsors – just to name a few. The sponsors will purchase the ribs. There are prizes for the best cooks.

The couple admits that there are a lot of great businesses throughout the Kimball community who help with the project each year. They would like to encourage anyone in the community who wants to volunteer to help with the project in June of 2016 to give them a call at 308-235-5138, after 4 p.m.

They also stay busy in other community organizations and projects. Jowain is on the board of directors for the historical society and is a member of the Friends of the Goodhand Theatre.

"I'm trying to find more things for him(Jowain) to do," joked Linda.

Linda is involved with the Kimball Nimble Thimbles Quilt Guild.

"Say that one – three times fast," laughed Jowain.

The quilt guild meets at in the Park Terrace conference room every second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m.

"She's made some beautiful quilts at home, as well as bride's maid dresses and a prom dress for one of our daughters," declared Jowain of his wife's talents. He even admits that he knows how to sew a button on a piece of clothing.