Community Comes Together For Cleanup After Storm Hits Tilden

The pride and spirit of the community of Tilden came alive as the public rallied to clean up the damage of Friday's storm and ensure that Prairie Days will continue.

Starting immediately after the storm passed through on Friday evening, citizens could be seen around Tilden cleaning up the damage that the town had been dealt.

Many trees had fallen down, blocking streets and houses as well as taking out power for most of the town. While workers cleared debris to open roadways and driveways, crews from the Nebraska Public Power District worked to re-establish power to the community.

John Dittrich, a member of Fund Advisory Committee for the Tilden/Meadow Grove Community Foundation, said that this event shows just how much the public cares for the community of Tilden.

"This goes to show that we have a tremendous amount of community pride and spirit. People always chipping in when needed, year around," John said.

Dittrich' wife, Jeanne, said that she had seen damage dealt not only to those who lived in Tilden, but also to the vendors that were there for the Prairie Days celebration.

"Not only our community but all the vendors, we really appreciate everything they have done. Last night I walked through and saw some damage to the vendors, and I am so happy that they continue to be here and help make Prairie Days a success," Jeanne said.

The call to action by the community to rebuild and move forward has been seen many times within rural communities after being faced with a disaster. Stanley Myhre compared the efforts of Tilden to a community that faced devastation in 2014, and said that they are working to ensure that Prairie Days will prosper.

"We are a town, just like Pilger, that refuses to die. The people are going to take action. We are not going to sit around the fire pit singing 'We Shall Overcome.' We are going to take action, get things done, and Prairie Days will continue. It might not be as spectacular and big, but it will happen."