Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

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The Rick Borries

Memorial Garden

Becky and I decided to go downtown Evansville to get a few photos of the life-sized chess set and board that was constructed next to the Signature School across from the Ford Center and the Civic Center.  The TV news covered the story about this outdoor chess set with pieces between 3 and 6 feet tall.  We found the chess board, but the pieces were being stored in the Victory Theater in some un-disclosed location by another group responsible for its care.  I just wanted to get a photo of one of the pieces, at least... possibly the king or queen.  It was not going to happen.  To save the expedition to the downtown area, I had noticed several beautiful gardens east of the U.S. Post Office near Data Mail - one of which I posted on Saturday.

The other set of gardens (closer to the Post Office and the Civic Center) was to my surprise a very nice garden dedicated to Rick Borries about one year ago.  I did not remember this being done or mentioned via any news media, but I do not always follow the news as closely as I would like.  I would have attended the ceremony, since Rick was a long-time political associate.  Rick had been in several political offices including serving as an elected Vanderburgh County Commissioner.  We had many close mutual friends.

Rick Borries was a Social Studies Teacher in the Evansville Vanderburgh County School System.  Quite some time back (possibly 30 years), Rick was looking for someone to present a beginning genealogy class for two of his Central High School Classes.  So, he called Willard Library to request someone to do this.  Willard Library suggested me.  Rick was very pleased because he knew me and thought I would do a good job.  I had always wanted to be a teacher and even took classes at University of Evansville in Elementary Education before going into the U.S. Air Force in 1968.  So, this was a big thrill and a great opportunity to complete a dream even if it was just being a "teacher for a day!"  It was a lot of fun and with my 4-H Genealogy Project experience giving workshops for 4-H teenagers... it was an easy assignment.  Special thanks to Rick for providing that opportunity that I will always remember and cherish! 

 Click on these photos to get a larger, better image.  In the photo below, you can see downtown Evansville in the background... and I must say, with a smile, that it is appropriate that in the background is a political "yard sign" for a candidate running for an office that another friend (and TSGS member) is running for, J.D. Strouth - County Clerk (this is not J.D.'s sign).

These gardens are part of "Keep Evansville Beautiful" and these gardens sure do just that.  Rick "Rest in Peace!"

- Photos taken by JGWest