New Children's Bronze Statue Installed In Kansas

New Orphan Train Rider Statue Installed In Concordia City Park

Bronze Children's Statue in Concordia, Kansas

A New National Orphan Train Statue in the Concordia City Park Honors Orphan Train Rider Mary Ring and was Installed in Loving Memory of Longtime Concordia Resident Betty Losh

A statue honoring an Orphan Train rider was installed in memory of a longtime Concordia resident in the Concordia City Park on Saturday, April 29th.

The statue was installed in loving memory of longtime Concordia resident Betty Losh by her daughters, Melanie Lorenzo and Janeen James. Betty passed away in 2022 at the age of 84.

In December 1980, Betty graduated from Kansas University with an accounting degree. She moved to Concordia, Kansas, to work with Kennedy & Coe as a certified public accountant until her retirement in 2002. Betty was a member of the Wesleyan Church and Standing Stones Sunday School Class and was active in church events, cooking many meals, filling and cleaning thousands of Easter eggs, making popcorn and serving drinks, and was a founding member of Wesleyan Ladies.

Community was important to Betty. She volunteered for American Red Cross Blood drives, made pies for the Hospital Auxiliary, served as treasurer many years for the Cloud County Historical Society Museum, and worked local elections. Betty enjoyed traveling, playing and teaching bridge several times a week, golfing, all types of puzzles, gardening, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.

The statue honors Orphan Train Rider Mary Ring, who was born to Michael Ring and Mary Geary in Walpole, Massachusetts in 1887. Two years later, in September 1889, her mother left her in the care of the New England Home for Little Wanderers.

In October 1889, she was aboard a train headed to Kokomo, Indiana. Mary Ring was taken in by James and Addie Blacklidge. James was a successful attorney, and the Blacklidges provided a good home for Mary, who adopted their last name as her own.

Mary had a love for music, and attended many social events and clubs as a young woman. She attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and Rockford College. She also traveled around the world with her parents in 1912. When they returned from their trip, Mary married Eldo Wagner. Eldo and Mary moved to Indianapolis, where they raised their three children.

Mary was very active in her church, volunteer groups, the PTA, scout groups, and educational clubs. She also served on the boards of various institutions, such as the Florence Crittenden Home for unwed Mothers, the Indianapolis School Board, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Mary lived a full life and died in 1981.

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Indian Rocks Beach Adds More Public Art

This bronze manatee sculpture is just one of the wildlife-themed installations in Indian Rocks Beach.

St. Petersburg is known for its towering public sculptures and colorful murals, and Indian Rocks Beach is ready to be put on the map as an arts destination as well.

Over the last several years, Indian Rocks Beach has added bronze public sculptures to the area’s parks, including a manatee rendering at the 5th Avenue Pocket Park and a sea turtle at the Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve. Sometime this fall, the city will install another art piece near the Pinellas County Beach Access Park.

What will the bronze be?

“That’s a surprise,” said Indian Rocks Beach office administrator Lorin Kornijtschuk, “We want to be a city full of art.”

The sculpture, like the others, is funded by the Indian Rocks Beach Homeowners Association. This particular piece is being custom made by New York-based sculptor Randolph Rose Collection.

Indian Rocks Beach is also asking community members and business owners to contribute their own art to the city-wide art project.

“The city would like to encourage owners of commercial properties in Indian Rocks Beach to invest in public art on their own property. This will bring additional attention to the business and become a part of the public art effort,” City Manager Brently Gregg Mims wrote in a press release. “The City of Indian Rocks Beach looks forward to seeing and recognizing the creative art efforts of our businesses. Working together, we can continue this city initiated public art effort.”

This bronze manatee sculpture is just one of the wildlife-themed installations in Indian Rocks...

Mayor Honored with Bronze Sculpture

Mayor Honored with Bronze Sculpture

Grand Blanc Mayor Susan Soderstrom realized another one of her dreams for the city in August when the DPW installed a large bronze sculpture in Physicians Park. “I had seen this sculpture a while ago and I just loved it,” Soderstrom said of the piece entitled Arbor Children. “I just loved the floral jump rope and the kids playing. I thought it was perfect for the park. I’m thrilled about it.” The sculpture depicts a boy and a girl playing with a floral garland. The Randolph Rose Collection of Yonkers, New York, produced the sculpture. The Soderstrom family purchased it and gifted it to the city.

A plaque that accompanies the sculpture indicates the family’s intention was to honor Soderstrom’s years of service as a member of the City Council from 1999 to 2011, and as mayor since 2011. Soderstrom said the installation is part of the overall beautification of the city, and she hopes it inspires others to do the same. “I hope it brings a lot of smiles to the families who utilize the park,” she said. The sculpture is located near the playground and splash pad.

Grand Blanc Mayor Susan Soderstrom realized another one of her dreams for the city...

Clarkstown to Unveil D-Day Statue at New City Community Center

Battlefield Cross Bronze Memorial Statue

Clarkstown to Unveil D-Day Statue at New City Community Center

The memorial titled Fallen Soldier Memorial -Battle Field Cross will be dedicate on Thursday, June 6, 2019, at Clarkstown's Street Community Center in New City.

The Fallen Soldier Memorial - Battlefield Cross - at Clarkstown's Street Community Center

NEW CITY — A sculpture honoring those who served during the D-Day invasion will be unveiled Thursday at Clarkstown's Street Community Center.

The statue made from a bronze cast by the Randolph Rose Collection of Yonkers is called "The Fallen Soldier Memorial-Battlefield Cross."

The sculpture is of a combat helmet that rests on a rifle stuck in the ground next to a pair of combat boots. A set of dog tags hang from the rifle. It is a depiction of grave markers left for soldiers buried in the field.

The statue, which cost the town $3,950, stands about 4 feet high and weighs 150 pounds.

George Hoehmann, the Clarkstown supervisor, has invited several veterans of D-Day — the day 75 years ago when the Allied forces landed on Normandy Beach in France during World War II — to be part of Thursday's unveiling ceremonies.

Hoehmann called the new memorial "a lasting tribute to all who have fallen in battle from Clarkstown and a reminder of all that the Greatest Generation sacrificed to ensure liberty and freedom for the world."

"The Fallen Soldier Memorial-Battlefield Cross" that stands outside the Street Community Center in New City, June 5, 2019

The tribute, which stands beside a plaque that honors all of the town's veterans, is part of the final phase of the community center's $4 million renovation.

Street Community Center, where three Clarkstown senior citizens clubs meet, also houses the town's Hall of Heroes. The hallway recently added murals depicting soldiers in armed conflicts stretching from the American Revolution through the War on Terror, and a large image of the American flag.

The Fallen Soldier Memorial - Battlefield Cross - at Clarkstown's Street Community Center NEW...