Potter Days this weekend

The Potter Days celebration has traditionally been held on the Labor Day weekend since 1936. In addition to honoring Grand Marshalls Arlie and Mary Ann Kasten, special recognition is also being devoted to Al Combs and the Mads (Larsen) Larson and Ane Kristine Larson descendants.

Al Combs graduated from Thomas, OK High School and received his Bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK in 1957. He began his teaching career in Potter, teaching math and science courses. He coached football (and other sports) for 20 years. His football teams won Conference Championships in 17 of those years. Al obtained advanced degrees from Chadron State and the University of Wyoming and he was hired as Superintendent at Potter after his coaching duties ended. He was subsequently named a Nebraska School Administrator of the year for rural community schools in 1992. He resigned his duties in 2000, but continued to teach advanced math at nearby Western Nebraska Community College until 2014. This past June 17th Al was honored at the Hastings College Eight Man All Star game at halftime with his induction into the Nebraska Eight Man Football Hall of Fame. Al and his wife Shirley will be in the Potter Days parade.

Mads and Ane Kristine were born in Denmark in 1860. Mads immigrated to the U.S in 1881, and eventually met his bride-to-be in Blair, NE. They were married and homesteaded in far southwestern Cheyenne County, NE in 1887. This year marks the 130th year of the homestead. Approximately 150 descendants, from the Mary Nelson, Anne Herboldsheimer, Hansine Hanson, Bertha Peetz, and Dewey and Carl Larson families will be present. Some, but not all will be on floats for the families. One will be for the 2nd generation members, and a larger one will be for all others who want to ride in the parade. An informal service will take place at the ruins of the old Danish Lutheran Church on early Sunday morning. It is located fairly close to the original Larson homestead. Over 150 descendant T Shirts have been sold. Each shirt will be a unique color related to each of the six first generation siblings of the family.

The Potter Days celebration will include 1,500 pounds of pit-barbequed beef (free servings), bull riding and mutton busting at the arena, Melerdrama performances at the Legion Hall, Duck Pin Bowling in the very old bowling alley, and great conversations with a lot of friends. Y’all come. Hear?