In 1968, with 94 percent of all eligible voters going to the polls, the patrons of the school district voted to build a new junior-senior school, which now serves Nelson and Nora students. The flags also fly on the courthouse lawn on Flag Day, Veterans Day, and Presidents' Day. Weekly bingo games and pitch parties draw large crowds from surrounding areas. The community club provides activities for children on Halloween and Christmas. Club members also sponsor a three-act play and oleos each year using local talent.
Annual craft shows bring a large number of exhibitors and visitors.
The senior citizens are active with a building of their own, where quilting and needlework are done, anniversaries and birthdays celebrated, and class reunions held. A thrift shop is open weekly, selling clothing that has been cleaned and mended by volunteers. It takes a lot of enthusiasm and volunteer effort to make a small town a good place to live. The citizens of Nelson need not take a back seat to our pioneers in their determination and faith in the future. Nelson has presented several historical pageants through the years, and a local column in the three county newspapers features history of the area.