Letters, 3/25: Better view of Lincoln High

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I drove down Capitol Parkway the other day and was amazed at how much better the view toward Lincoln High School is now.  I never realized what a beautiful building it is though I have lived near it my whole life and have had three children go there. Never been able to see the front before.

Could be the architects know what they are doing.

Dick Salem, Lincoln

Time to plant some trees

On the farms and in the villages and cities of Nebraska, there are plots with few trees, plots with ancient trees and plots with old and new trees. I am thankful for people who are finding space for new, good trees.

Tree planting is part of our heritage. Choosing the site, selecting the tree, planting and caring for it and noting its growth each year — these are joys.

Many falls ago, my husband and I observed the magnificent red foliage in our capital city. The following spring, we planted red oaks.

In our earliest years, we’d planted exotic specimens — trees that thrived somewhere else. We planted pin oaks, silver maples and river birches.

But later we became serious about shade and longevity. We learned from our county extension office and from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. We began to plant burr oaks, ponderosa pines, redbuds and Kentucky coffee trees. 

Fifty or a hundred years ago, someone planted the trees that we enjoy and need.  It is nearly spring and time for us to plant.  

Nancy Packard, Sutton

State Fair seems done deal

It seems that the decision about the State Fair has already been decided. Our beautiful state fairgrounds will be no more — the university wants and needs it.

It’s true some of the buildings need updating, but the aura of the fair will never be the same elsewhere. The memories we all have will be just that: strolling under the trees, visiting the fish place and all the animal barns, going through Devaney and seeing the many things on display and for sale, the fun of going through the one-room schoolhouse (I attended one many years ago), watching the free circuses and so much more.

I can only imagine the dollars brought into Lincoln when people coming to the fair also shop in our stores and eat at our many fine restaurants.

I wonder why we of the general public never got a chance to voice our opinions about this whole thing by voting. I guess the powers that be feel they know what is best for us.

I suspect that the university owns many sites that would be suitable for their use, but they usually get what they want. I understand that their needs are important, but I feel the general public’s wants and needs are important also and perhaps should have been considered before final decisions were (or are) made.

Barbara Ely, Lincoln

Keep tyranny out of school

In schools across the country, an ignoble rite of spring has begun: Testing Season. Classrooms have fallen silent as kids are herded into gymnasiums and cafeterias to take standardized state tests. These tests have been shown to be dumbed down, narrowly constructed and culturally biased. Their contents, perversely, have been kept secret, and their results won’t be known until it is too late for the teachers and students to do anything about them.

In Nebraska, thankfully, teaching and learning continue right through the end of the school year. Curriculum and assessment are designed by competent teachers and validated by the Nebraska Department of Education. The tyranny of the test is not (yet) complete. Senators should vote against LB1157.  

Chris Gallagher, Lincoln