Memories of peonies and Memorial Day

Sue Hart has lived on West Ely Road – where in 2015 it intersects with Veterans Road – all of her life. When she was a child, she remembers a Mr. Burgher who lived on out West Ely Road, on the northern portion now divided by U.S. 36.

“He raised strawberries and peonies,” Sue remembers.

Prior to Memorial Day, he would cut the peonies and sell them from washtubs at the corner on Third Street, in front of what used to be Long Bell Lumber Company.