Foundation ready for Norris bronze

Don Hall, from left, and Roger Moreau work the wet concrete in front of the George Norris Home. The concrete block will be placed under the life-size sculpture of Norris that will be completed by September. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette)

Plans are moving forward for the sculpture that will be installed at the Sen. George Norris Home.

Roger Moreau and Don Hall donated time and materials Thursday and installed a concrete pad in front of the house that the sculpture will rest on, said Duane Tappe, curator at the Norris Home.

"We did it the hard way, pouring it by hand," Tappe said. "George would be proud."

The bronze, life-sized sculpture of Norris reclining on a bench is being created by area artists Jon Leitner and Gary Ginther. They are nearing completion of some of the 200 small pewter replicas.

It's not too late to order these replicas, Tappe said. For a $125 donation, 200 people will receive one of these replicas and have their name listed in a dedication brochure for the sculpture.

More than 50 replicas have been purchased by a variety of George Norris fans, he said, including relatives of Norris that are living in other states.

Recent purchasers are the local Nebraska Public Power District, to recognize Sen. Norris' legislation for rural electricity and former State Sen. Roger Wehrbein from Plattsmouth, in recognition of the creation of the Unicam-eral.

Mary Ann and Larry Wood have purchased a replica in memory of her parents, John and Sara Beneda, who farmed on the George Norris land southeast of McCook.

Birthday bash Thursday

More information about the George Norris bronze replicas and the statue will be available at a birthday party for Norris, 2-4 p.m., Wednesday at the George Norris Home, 706 Norris Ave.

The public is invited to stop in to honor the senator's 146th birthday with cupcakes and lemonade provided by Norris Home volunteers.