Historical Society Speaker June 2

The Kearney County Historical Society will host an Open House program on the 1935 Republican River Flood with speaker Joy Hayden on June 2 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 206 N. Colorado Avenue in Minden. The public is invited to attend this free event and to enjoy refreshments after the program at Kearney County Museum.
On May 31, 1935, a storm system surged along the Republican River, bursting its banks in a matter of minutes with a roar that could be heard miles away. The greatest flood to hit the tri-state area of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, it left behind  a landscape rearranged beyond recognition and claimed more than one hundred casualties. However, amid all the destruction and sorrow, amazing acts of heroism and unwavering courage were reported throughout the valley. Joy Hayden reveals the historic disaster and the steadfast resolve of those who witnessed it.
Joy Hayden has always had a love for history and strong ties to the High Plains region. As a girl, she was fascinated by the stories her grandparents told about their family history. When she married into a family of farmers and ranchers, she soon learned to love both the land and the stories her husband’s family told about their struggle to survive through droughts, floods, and the challenges of life close to nature. Her commitment to the preservation of these stories is demonstrated by her active participation in the Daughters of the American Revolution, her membership in her local historical society, and the interest she has in local historical events.

see May 22 Courier for full story