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Beautifully landscaped grounds, a gazebo stage,
bridges and seating area pay tribute to the memory
of a son of Lowell and Nan Lydic, part of the group
that is the driving force behind the annual Cedar
Depot Festival. Jim Lydic, who passed away on New
Year’s Day of 1988, was the victim of alcohol
poisoning. The 17-year-old was involved in a party
of New Year’s celebrants in Arizona.
Members of the entire community (all 23 inhabitants)
have put time into developing the space, creating
the beautiful park from what was once a double lot
filled with dead trees, brush, junk and a
falling-down house.
Mixed
Company, a country/cowboy band based in Moriarity,
New Mexico, donated funds (and time) specifically
for the Park’s outhouse, an uptown variety of that
age-old necessary building…with its own septic pit.
A more
recent addition to the Park is a koi pond with an
overhead pergola.
In
addition to the overall memorial to Jim Lydic, the
Park includes smaller memorials to others, including
entertainers who have passed away or family/friends
of entertainers or other towns folk. (Anyone
interested in placing a memorial in the Park, should
contact Nan Lydic.)
“I’m
quite sure,” said Cedar Mayor Francis Ludington,
“that we’re the only town in Kansas with a
population of less than 50 that can claim two
beautiful parks!”
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