Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Auburn to hold September 11th Service of Remembrance
You are invited to attend the Annual September 11th Service of Remembrance on Saturday, September 11th at 7:46 a.m. at the Legion Memorial Park Band Shell.
Bulldog, Eagle, Bobcat Fans Come Out to Kick Off 2010 Fall Sports Seasons
Written by http://www.anewspaper.net/
Thursday, 02 September 2010 14:15
Fans of the Auburn Bulldogs, Johnson-Brock Eagles and Peru State College Bobcats turned out early Thursday night, Aug. 26, at Auburn Legion Memorial Park to help kick off the 2010 fall high school and college sports seasons.
“I think it was wonderful. It was so good to see all of the school colors and the energy that those students bring. I was excited about the fact that all three schools were involved,” said Pastor Bud Christenson of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Auburn.Pep bands from all three schools performed several selections each, including each school’s respective fight song. Dale Thomas, master of ceremonies, urged “you to stand up for your school fight song and show your support.”Thomas said that every time he is at the park, he is reminded of those who served the United States. There was a silent reflection for veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. armed forces.
“I think it’s appropriate for us to remember veterans, past and present, those who are still with us, those who are deceased and those serving us currently,” Thomas said.Elementary school students were called to the stage to help lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Meghan Burgess, vocal music director at Auburn High School, led all in singing the national anthem, accompanied by the Auburn High School pep band.“This is so neat. How great it is to have Auburn, Peru State College and Johnson-Brock here. You talk about community spirit and community pride, you see it there,” Thomas said.He praised the efforts of members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Auburn, who made the event possible. The celebration was sponsored by the Nemaha County Ministerial Association and the Music in the Park Committee.
Before the celebration started, there was a meal with a freewill contribution. Proceeds will benefit the building of schools in remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.There was $409.06 raised at the celebration, said JoAnn Rohrs.Christenson said that through the efforts of Greg Mortensen, funds were raised to build hundreds of schools in remote villages in both nations.
“I think it was wonderful. It was so good to see all of the school colors and the energy that those students bring. I was excited about the fact that all three schools were involved,” said Pastor Bud Christenson of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Auburn.Pep bands from all three schools performed several selections each, including each school’s respective fight song. Dale Thomas, master of ceremonies, urged “you to stand up for your school fight song and show your support.”Thomas said that every time he is at the park, he is reminded of those who served the United States. There was a silent reflection for veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. armed forces.
“I think it’s appropriate for us to remember veterans, past and present, those who are still with us, those who are deceased and those serving us currently,” Thomas said.Elementary school students were called to the stage to help lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Meghan Burgess, vocal music director at Auburn High School, led all in singing the national anthem, accompanied by the Auburn High School pep band.“This is so neat. How great it is to have Auburn, Peru State College and Johnson-Brock here. You talk about community spirit and community pride, you see it there,” Thomas said.He praised the efforts of members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Auburn, who made the event possible. The celebration was sponsored by the Nemaha County Ministerial Association and the Music in the Park Committee.
Before the celebration started, there was a meal with a freewill contribution. Proceeds will benefit the building of schools in remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.There was $409.06 raised at the celebration, said JoAnn Rohrs.Christenson said that through the efforts of Greg Mortensen, funds were raised to build hundreds of schools in remote villages in both nations.
STUDENT-ATHLETES Johnson-Brock High School come to the front of the stage at Auburn Legion Memorial Park while Brett Davis, athletic director, talks about the football and volleyball teams at the Thursday, Aug. 26, tailgate celebration. Student-athletes from Auburn High School and Peru State College were also recognized.
The schools were built in areas where few educational opportunities previously existed.“It is one of the great things happening in the world,” Christenson said.Mortensen is the author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books Not Bombs, In Afghanistan and Pakistan. Christenson called both books “must reads” for students and adults. It is hoped to have Mortensen speak at Peru State College, Christenson said.Athletic directors of all three schools introduced their coaches and teams. Athletes and cheerleaders from each school came to the front of the stage.Activity/Athletic Directors and Coaches SpokeBrett Davis, athletic director, Johnson-Brock High School, loved the opportunity to participate in the celebration.“It’s great for Johnson-Brock to be represented. I’m excited to get the season started and to come share with you tonight,” Davis said.Kevin Walker, athletic director, Auburn High School, thanked Bulldog fans for their support.“It’s nice to see all of you who came out tonight who are concerned about our youth and our area,” Walker said.Four Bulldog head coaches and cheerleading sponsor Joellen Hamann spoke. Golf Coach Shawn Wehenkel and his team were playing in a season-opening dual at Plattsmouth.Shannon Cole, softball coach, said that she hoped to see a good turnout of Bulldog fans at the Saturday, Sept. 4, Invitational. The Bulldog softball team opened its season two weeks ago with a home win over Lincoln High School.Kellen Conroy, first-year football coach, said that the Bulldogs were working hard, and had a good week of conditioning and a good two weeks of practice leading up to the Aug. 27 season opener at Nebraska City.
Steve Petersen, volleyball coach, said that the Bulldogs had a good preseason and were looking forward to getting the season started. The net season opens Thursday, Sept. 2, at home vs. Fairbury.“We’re excited about our season. We’re working hard. There’s not a hill we can’t conquer in this county,” said Jeff Allgood, Bulldog head cross country coach.Hamann thanked Bulldog fans for their support of the cheerleaders and athletic programs at Auburn High School.Ted Harshbarger, Peru State College associate athletic director, said that the celebration had a bigger attendance than last year. He wished Auburn and Johnson-Brock athletes good luck in the 2010 season.“We’re happy to have President (Dan) Hanson at Peru State College. He’s brought a lot of energy to the college in the past year. The Peru State band is the largest in many years,” Harshbarger said.Thomas said that Peru State College students are “our leaders of the future.”Nemaha County residents are represented on the Bobcat football and volleyball teams and cheerleaders. Cheerleaders are juniors Jessica Clifton and Kendra Kratz, both Auburn and Shelby Jones, Johnson. Rachel Rippe, Johnson, is a junior middle blocker on the volleyball team. Bobcat gridders from the county are: senior Lance Meyer, Johnson, offensive lineman; senior Quentin Coatney, Peru, defensive lineman; junior Brent Haith, Auburn, defensive back and freshman Tyler Huey, Nemaha, linebacker.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Peru State College New Student Weekend Community Fair
Community Fair
Peru State College
New Student Weekend
New Student Weekend
Saturday, August 21st
5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Commuter parking lot at campus entrance
Applications, prizes, give-a-ways & drawings are welcome!
Get your table reserved today!
Contact Jari Dunekacke 872-2352 or jdunekacke@peru.edu
Applications, prizes, give-a-ways & drawings are welcome!
Get your table reserved today!
Contact Jari Dunekacke 872-2352 or jdunekacke@peru.edu
Action Is Needed by Dec. 31 to Submit Names for Inclusion on Nemaha County Veterans Memorial
Written by Nemaha County Herald Thursday, 29 July 2010 03:54
The Nemaha County Veterans Memorial Committee met July 21 at the Nemaha County Courthouse and reviewed continued steady progress towards the group’s fund raising goal. President Monty Lovelace opened the meeting with a report that the Nemaha County Veterans Memorial Committee had received donations of $65,700 and more monies were still coming in. The Memorial’s stones have been ordered and the committee needs to have all of the veteran’s names submitted to them before the end of December of this year. The reason for needing all of the names prior to this date is to facilitate engraving the names on the stones prior to their shipping which will represent a cost savings.Engraving expenses, after the stones are in place, will cost approximately $300+ to have a name added at a later date. This would include mileage and labor associated with that one name. The engraver will come to town about once a year to add any names. Paving blocks for the sidewalk will come in two sizes: 12x6 inches for $250 or 24x12” for $500. These blocks are for families, friends, veterans, businesses, or anyone who wishes to have permanent marker around the Veterans Memorial sidewalk. This price includes the engraving of the paving blocks. The committee has begun looking at entrance stones to the Memorial. It has been suggested that the first stone be engraved with “TAPS” on one side and underneath with the reason for the Memorial. On the reverse side will be the names of all of the 107 Nemaha County veterans who were killed in action. The Memorial Committee hopes to have the dedication ceremony of the completed Veterans Memorial by Memorial Day 2011. To contribute to the Veterans Memorial or to order a paving block, contact the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office at the Nemaha County Courthouse. The mailing address is 1824 N Street Suite 201, Auburn, NE 68305.
The Nemaha County Veterans Memorial Committee met July 21 at the Nemaha County Courthouse and reviewed continued steady progress towards the group’s fund raising goal. President Monty Lovelace opened the meeting with a report that the Nemaha County Veterans Memorial Committee had received donations of $65,700 and more monies were still coming in. The Memorial’s stones have been ordered and the committee needs to have all of the veteran’s names submitted to them before the end of December of this year. The reason for needing all of the names prior to this date is to facilitate engraving the names on the stones prior to their shipping which will represent a cost savings.Engraving expenses, after the stones are in place, will cost approximately $300+ to have a name added at a later date. This would include mileage and labor associated with that one name. The engraver will come to town about once a year to add any names. Paving blocks for the sidewalk will come in two sizes: 12x6 inches for $250 or 24x12” for $500. These blocks are for families, friends, veterans, businesses, or anyone who wishes to have permanent marker around the Veterans Memorial sidewalk. This price includes the engraving of the paving blocks. The committee has begun looking at entrance stones to the Memorial. It has been suggested that the first stone be engraved with “TAPS” on one side and underneath with the reason for the Memorial. On the reverse side will be the names of all of the 107 Nemaha County veterans who were killed in action. The Memorial Committee hopes to have the dedication ceremony of the completed Veterans Memorial by Memorial Day 2011. To contribute to the Veterans Memorial or to order a paving block, contact the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office at the Nemaha County Courthouse. The mailing address is 1824 N Street Suite 201, Auburn, NE 68305.
I2E Club to Cover Venture Capital and Leadership
Chicago-based Hopewell Ventures principal, Jude Conway, and UNL Kimmel’s own Jennifer Schoen will serve as the I2E Club speakers for the August 10th meeting.
Jude Conway has a magnitude of knowledge on the subject of venture capital. He has worked with both the public and private sectors in his extensive career. Jude’s work with Hopewell Ventures has provided venture capital to a variety of businesses. Jude will explain in his presentation "De-Mystifying Angel and Venture Capital Financing" that, "most people’s eyes glaze over when venture capital or angel investing is mentioned. They feel it's somewhere between Voodoo and quantum physics. While the details of an angel or venture capital deal can get quite complicated the basic concept is quite simple. It's when someone other than friends or family buy shares in your company. Once entrepreneurs understand how this works, they can make an informed decision whether or not to pursue this type of financing."
Jennifer Schoen, University of Nebraska – Lincoln Kimmel Education & Research Center’s Summer Intern, will be presenting an entertaining and educational session on power. Jennifer is a senior at UNL majoring in Hospitality, Restaurant, & Tourism Management and Agricultural Education. She will be sharing some of her education through teaching entrepreneurs how to build efficiency through leadership.
The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a social sponsored by the UNL Kimmel Education & Research Center. Presenters Jude and Jennifer will share helpful knowledge they have gained in their respective endeavors.
I2E Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at the UNL Kimmel Education and Research Center, 5985 G Road, Nebraska City, NE. The Club is a collaborative effort of the Southeast Nebraska Partners for Progress and has been made possible by funding from a Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA) grant. There is a $10 per session fee or participants may choose to join the club and pay a small annual membership fee.
For more information about the I2E Club or any of its programming, contact Dr. Connie Reimers-Hild at the UNL Kimmel Education and Research Center at 402-873-3166 or creimers2@unl.edu. You can also learn more about I2E, including access to past video presentations and meeting materials, online by visiting i2eclub.org. Become a fan of I2E on Facebook! Log into Facebook and simply search I2E Club.
Jude Conway has a magnitude of knowledge on the subject of venture capital. He has worked with both the public and private sectors in his extensive career. Jude’s work with Hopewell Ventures has provided venture capital to a variety of businesses. Jude will explain in his presentation "De-Mystifying Angel and Venture Capital Financing" that, "most people’s eyes glaze over when venture capital or angel investing is mentioned. They feel it's somewhere between Voodoo and quantum physics. While the details of an angel or venture capital deal can get quite complicated the basic concept is quite simple. It's when someone other than friends or family buy shares in your company. Once entrepreneurs understand how this works, they can make an informed decision whether or not to pursue this type of financing."
Jennifer Schoen, University of Nebraska – Lincoln Kimmel Education & Research Center’s Summer Intern, will be presenting an entertaining and educational session on power. Jennifer is a senior at UNL majoring in Hospitality, Restaurant, & Tourism Management and Agricultural Education. She will be sharing some of her education through teaching entrepreneurs how to build efficiency through leadership.
The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a social sponsored by the UNL Kimmel Education & Research Center. Presenters Jude and Jennifer will share helpful knowledge they have gained in their respective endeavors.
I2E Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at the UNL Kimmel Education and Research Center, 5985 G Road, Nebraska City, NE. The Club is a collaborative effort of the Southeast Nebraska Partners for Progress and has been made possible by funding from a Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA) grant. There is a $10 per session fee or participants may choose to join the club and pay a small annual membership fee.
For more information about the I2E Club or any of its programming, contact Dr. Connie Reimers-Hild at the UNL Kimmel Education and Research Center at 402-873-3166 or creimers2@unl.edu. You can also learn more about I2E, including access to past video presentations and meeting materials, online by visiting i2eclub.org. Become a fan of I2E on Facebook! Log into Facebook and simply search I2E Club.
Auburn Volunteer Fire Department to Celebrate 100 Years in June of 2011
Written by www.anewspaper.net Friday, 06 August 2010 18:44
It’s about 10 months away, but representatives of a number of Auburn organizations are starting planning for the 100th anniversary of the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department on Friday-Sunday, June 10-12, 2011. Plans include a parade of police, firefighting and emergency medical services equipment. The parade will generally be the same route as the Nemaha County Fair Parade but will likely end at Central Avenue, said Dale Thomas of the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department.Thomas said many fire departments have equipment which ranges in age from antique to new.After the parade, vehicles and apparatus will be displayed at the Nemaha County Fairgrounds. That will involve equipment from not just departments in Nebraska, but from throughout the Midwest, Thomas said.There will be firefighter displays which include vintage displays. In 1917, the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association convention was held at Auburn. Thomas said that gathering included ribbon exchanges between representatives of various communities.Firefighting skills competitions are planned. These will include water fights, in which firefighters use a fire hose to shoot water onto an above head water barrel and a bucket brigade, in which firefighters attempt to move water from one area to another in the shortest amount of time, Thomas said.Children’s competitions such as water ball hockey are also planned, he said.The Music in the Park Committee will coordinate a street dance on the night of June 11. There will be a free pork barbecue and refreshments. Hickory Road BBQ and Catering Co. will be involved.The Community Builders are planning a June 12 morning pancake feed. Members of the Nemaha County Ministerial Association will organize a nondenominational worship service at Legion Memorial Park.Members of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and representatives of the Nemaha Valley Museum also intend to be involved.More plans and details on the celebration will be announced in the coming months.
It’s about 10 months away, but representatives of a number of Auburn organizations are starting planning for the 100th anniversary of the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department on Friday-Sunday, June 10-12, 2011. Plans include a parade of police, firefighting and emergency medical services equipment. The parade will generally be the same route as the Nemaha County Fair Parade but will likely end at Central Avenue, said Dale Thomas of the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department.Thomas said many fire departments have equipment which ranges in age from antique to new.After the parade, vehicles and apparatus will be displayed at the Nemaha County Fairgrounds. That will involve equipment from not just departments in Nebraska, but from throughout the Midwest, Thomas said.There will be firefighter displays which include vintage displays. In 1917, the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association convention was held at Auburn. Thomas said that gathering included ribbon exchanges between representatives of various communities.Firefighting skills competitions are planned. These will include water fights, in which firefighters use a fire hose to shoot water onto an above head water barrel and a bucket brigade, in which firefighters attempt to move water from one area to another in the shortest amount of time, Thomas said.Children’s competitions such as water ball hockey are also planned, he said.The Music in the Park Committee will coordinate a street dance on the night of June 11. There will be a free pork barbecue and refreshments. Hickory Road BBQ and Catering Co. will be involved.The Community Builders are planning a June 12 morning pancake feed. Members of the Nemaha County Ministerial Association will organize a nondenominational worship service at Legion Memorial Park.Members of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and representatives of the Nemaha Valley Museum also intend to be involved.More plans and details on the celebration will be announced in the coming months.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Nemaha County Hospital Named 2010 Most Wired
• Most Wired: 99 organizations whose responses reflect “Core” development
• Most Wireless: 25 organizations focused on wireless applications
• Most Improved: The 25 organizations not appearing on the Most Wired list who improved the most from 2009 to 2010 in the survey focus areas
• Most Wired – Small and Rural: The 25 small and rural organizations not appearing on the Most Wired list that reflect development in survey focus area
Kermit Moore, COO of Nemaha County Hospital states, “In the past, Nemaha County Hospital has competed for awards in the small and rural categories. We earned the Most Improved Award in 2006 and in years 2008 and 2009 we earned the award for Most Wired for Small and Rural Hospitals. In 2010 we earned the Most Wired Award. Our commitment to an electronic medical record provided us the opportunity to benchmark ourselves against every health care organization in the United States, regardless of size. This category includes hospitals of all sizes from a 20 bed facility such as Nemaha County Hospital, to a hospital system with over 4000 beds. This is truly an honor to be recognized among organizations both large and small.”
“We have aggressively pursued the use of information technology because we understand that its use can help us to improve the quality and safety of the services we provide to our patients as well as complete other business processes in a more efficient and effective manner”, states Marty Fattig, CEO of Nemaha County Hospital. “We have never installed technology with the goal of winning awards or for technology’s sake alone.”
Hospitals understand the importance of health information technology (IT) and the benefits of its widespread adoption, yet as an industry they still face significant barriers to implementation according to a newly released survey of America's Most Wired hospitals and health systems.
This year’s survey reveals continued progress for hospitals in patient safety initiatives:
• Fifty-one percent of medication orders were done electronically by physicians at Most Wired hospitals, up from 49 percent last year.
• Over half (55 percent) of Most Wired hospitals match medication orders at the bedside through bar coding or radio-frequency identification, up from 49 percent in 2009 and from 23 percent five years ago.
• Additionally, Most Wired hospitals have made improvements when it comes to sharing information during care transitions. For example, new medication lists are electronically delivered to caregivers and patients 94 percent of the time when a patient is transferred within the hospital, 98 percent at discharge and 86 percent when transferred to another care setting.
“The survey results highlight that continued progress is being made but the full potential of health IT has not been meet,” says Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). “Hospitals embrace health IT and recognize the many benefits it can provide to patients, but even Most Wired hospitals face barriers to adoption. We have asked that the federal government stimulate greater adoption by making Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments more widely available to hospitals and physicians so more hospitals can move in this direction.”
Stacy Taylor, CFO of Nemaha County Hospital credits a team approach, “All of our staff have diligently worked towards achieving this award. We look forward to continually raising the bar on quality using information technology to better serve our patients and community enhancing our mission of ‘Quality Care - Every Time’.”
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Flooding Impacted This Year’s Schedule Many Activities Planned for July 3 Brownville Freedom Celebration
Written by Nemaha County Herald Wednesday, 30 June 2010 18:52
Freedom Celebration, 2010, will be hosted by Brownville, Nebraska on Saturday, July 3. A small-town U.S.A. community will welcome hundreds to her village to celebrate our nation’s freedom, according to information presented by Bob Chitwood. It all begins with over 200 racers and walkers taking to the streets at 7:00 AM. This 5K, 10K and half-marathon event will be started by 2009 Mrs. Nebraska, Jennifer Hart of Gretna. Paul Fish and JoAnn Dunn oversee this race event.The Town Hall will host the traditional breakfast at 8:00 AM sponsored by the Christian and Methodist churches. This free-will offering breakfast has become a traditional favorite.Sponsoring the 9:00 AM Dog Show are David and Jan Wright. This contest is led by Jan McMullen with everyone’s dog being a winner. Find your way to the east lawn by the Lyceum for this fun event.The Grand Parade will begin at 10 a.m. with the Civil War Cannon Blast at the corner of 6th and Main Streets. This parade takes place on Main Street from 6th and Main to 1st Streets. JoAnn Dunn or Shane Sailors are the people to contact for entry in this year’s parade. The Grand Marshals are Tom and Betty Palmerton. Tom is an artist/sculptor of longstanding artistic reputation living in Brownville. Mrs. Nebraska, 2009, Jennifer Hart will be a parade participant along with her family. Following the patriotic service you may meet her at the 1860 Brown/Carson House for pictures and autographs. The parade judges will select the 2010 Ugly Vehicle and award the winner with the trophy at the noon luncheon in the Town Hall. Color Guard, scouts, rescue and fire personnel from Brownville and neighboring towns, motorcycles, vintage cars and tractors, floats, pets, children’s entries, saddle clubs, Brownville trolley are but some of the participants in this year’s parade.Following the parade, people will gather at Boettner Park for the traditional patriotic service. Participants in the 11 a.m. program will include Pastors Art Chapin and Ruth Henderson; musicians—Jody Anderson, Dr. Charles Anderson, Janae Hohbein, Ryan Thomas and the Village Theater Quartet. The Offutt AFB Color Guard will take part and Bill Hayes will recite the “Gettysburg Address”. A veteran’s tribute/comments will be offered by Bob Sailors of Brownville and Major Stu Rinkleff, Brownville native and current officer at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Also, recognition of the 2010 Miss Independence and Mr. Firecracker will take place, the audience will sing “God Bless America”, there will be a salute by Auburn American Legion Post #23, and Taps by Dr. Charles Anderson.The luncheon will be hosted by the Brownville Fire and Rescue Squad in the Town Hall from 11:45-1:00 PM.The Children’s Tractor Pull, led by Ken Myers of Lenox, Iowa, will need participants registering at noon with the contests beginning at 12:30 PM. Awards to the different age groups will be presented.The Freedom Celebration can’t happen without the sounds of the Southeast Nebraska Community Band under the direction of Tom Osborne. These southeast Nebraska musicians bring the patriotic tunes to life. Due to the Missouri River flooding the concert will be held at 1:00 PM on the west lawn of the Christian Church at 6th and Main Streets.Charlotte Endorf of Norfolk, Nebraska will present “Fragile Excess Baggage” at the Town Hall at 2:00 PM. Her unique presentation on the “Orphan Train” will bring history to the present. This session is sponsored in part by the Nebraska Humanities Council.The musical, “Snoopy” by the Brownville Village Theater troupe at 2:00 PM will be a treat for all attendees. Be sure to reserve a seat by calling 825-4121 for reservations!“Recycled,” an old-fashioned string band, will perform from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Town Hall.Brownville Historical Society members will sponsor a barbecue at 5:30 p.m. Serving is at the Town Hall.At 7 p.m. “Grand Prize,” a comedy, will be performed at the Brownville Village Theatre.The Fireworks on the Missouri River for 2010 has been cancelled due to the Missouri River flooding. Organizers apologize for this change but the conditions on and near the river are too dangerous this year. The Brownville community welcomes you to spend July 3 at this traditional Freedom Celebration.
Freedom Celebration, 2010, will be hosted by Brownville, Nebraska on Saturday, July 3. A small-town U.S.A. community will welcome hundreds to her village to celebrate our nation’s freedom, according to information presented by Bob Chitwood. It all begins with over 200 racers and walkers taking to the streets at 7:00 AM. This 5K, 10K and half-marathon event will be started by 2009 Mrs. Nebraska, Jennifer Hart of Gretna. Paul Fish and JoAnn Dunn oversee this race event.The Town Hall will host the traditional breakfast at 8:00 AM sponsored by the Christian and Methodist churches. This free-will offering breakfast has become a traditional favorite.Sponsoring the 9:00 AM Dog Show are David and Jan Wright. This contest is led by Jan McMullen with everyone’s dog being a winner. Find your way to the east lawn by the Lyceum for this fun event.The Grand Parade will begin at 10 a.m. with the Civil War Cannon Blast at the corner of 6th and Main Streets. This parade takes place on Main Street from 6th and Main to 1st Streets. JoAnn Dunn or Shane Sailors are the people to contact for entry in this year’s parade. The Grand Marshals are Tom and Betty Palmerton. Tom is an artist/sculptor of longstanding artistic reputation living in Brownville. Mrs. Nebraska, 2009, Jennifer Hart will be a parade participant along with her family. Following the patriotic service you may meet her at the 1860 Brown/Carson House for pictures and autographs. The parade judges will select the 2010 Ugly Vehicle and award the winner with the trophy at the noon luncheon in the Town Hall. Color Guard, scouts, rescue and fire personnel from Brownville and neighboring towns, motorcycles, vintage cars and tractors, floats, pets, children’s entries, saddle clubs, Brownville trolley are but some of the participants in this year’s parade.Following the parade, people will gather at Boettner Park for the traditional patriotic service. Participants in the 11 a.m. program will include Pastors Art Chapin and Ruth Henderson; musicians—Jody Anderson, Dr. Charles Anderson, Janae Hohbein, Ryan Thomas and the Village Theater Quartet. The Offutt AFB Color Guard will take part and Bill Hayes will recite the “Gettysburg Address”. A veteran’s tribute/comments will be offered by Bob Sailors of Brownville and Major Stu Rinkleff, Brownville native and current officer at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Also, recognition of the 2010 Miss Independence and Mr. Firecracker will take place, the audience will sing “God Bless America”, there will be a salute by Auburn American Legion Post #23, and Taps by Dr. Charles Anderson.The luncheon will be hosted by the Brownville Fire and Rescue Squad in the Town Hall from 11:45-1:00 PM.The Children’s Tractor Pull, led by Ken Myers of Lenox, Iowa, will need participants registering at noon with the contests beginning at 12:30 PM. Awards to the different age groups will be presented.The Freedom Celebration can’t happen without the sounds of the Southeast Nebraska Community Band under the direction of Tom Osborne. These southeast Nebraska musicians bring the patriotic tunes to life. Due to the Missouri River flooding the concert will be held at 1:00 PM on the west lawn of the Christian Church at 6th and Main Streets.Charlotte Endorf of Norfolk, Nebraska will present “Fragile Excess Baggage” at the Town Hall at 2:00 PM. Her unique presentation on the “Orphan Train” will bring history to the present. This session is sponsored in part by the Nebraska Humanities Council.The musical, “Snoopy” by the Brownville Village Theater troupe at 2:00 PM will be a treat for all attendees. Be sure to reserve a seat by calling 825-4121 for reservations!“Recycled,” an old-fashioned string band, will perform from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Town Hall.Brownville Historical Society members will sponsor a barbecue at 5:30 p.m. Serving is at the Town Hall.At 7 p.m. “Grand Prize,” a comedy, will be performed at the Brownville Village Theatre.The Fireworks on the Missouri River for 2010 has been cancelled due to the Missouri River flooding. Organizers apologize for this change but the conditions on and near the river are too dangerous this year. The Brownville community welcomes you to spend July 3 at this traditional Freedom Celebration.
Tony Fulton Special Guest Contests in Conjunction with July 16 Special Olympics Torch Run
Written by Nemaha County Herald Wednesday, 30 June 2010 18:57
Contests are planned in conjunction with the Friday, July 16, Special Olympics Torch Run through Auburn.State Senator Tony Fulton, Auburn native, will be the special guest for the festivities. There will be a Best Poster Contest for those 12 years and under. Children are encouraged to cheer on the runners with a poster.There will also be a Best Candid Shot amateur photography contest. Photographers are encouraged to submit photos of the torch run, ceremonies or special events. Photos will be displayed at the Nemaha County Fair the last week of July. Please contact the Auburn Chamber of Commerce at 402-274-3521 for more information about the contests.All are welcome to participate in the one-mile run. To register for the run, please call 402-274-3521. If you register by Thursday, July 1, you will receive a free T-shirt.Volunteers, sponsors and contributions are still being sought. Volunteers are working on such aspects as food for the barbecue; water bottles for runners; T-shirts for runners and volunteers; and medals, medallions, souvenirs and prizes. Assistance will be needed with cleanup following the festivities.The Auburn High School Show Choir will sing the national anthem at Legion Memorial Park. Other music is planned. The run will start at the park at 11:45 a.m. Ceremonies move to Auburn High School at noon. There will be a citywide barbecue at Auburn High School following the run. Olympic-style events are planned. There will be an awards ceremony with Fulton.Fulton is a 1990 Auburn High School graduate. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1997 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Fulton was appointed to the Legislature in 2007 to replace Mike Foley, who resigned after being elected state auditor. He was elected to a full term in 2008. Fulton is a member of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. He and his wife, Judy, have six children. Fulton is chief executive officer of Guardian Angels Homecare and a professional engineer.The torch runners will come to Auburn from Falls City. After leaving Auburn, the runners will go through Tecumseh before proceeding to Lincoln.Another meeting is planned Thursday, July 1 [today], at 4 p.m. Site will be determined.
Contests are planned in conjunction with the Friday, July 16, Special Olympics Torch Run through Auburn.State Senator Tony Fulton, Auburn native, will be the special guest for the festivities. There will be a Best Poster Contest for those 12 years and under. Children are encouraged to cheer on the runners with a poster.There will also be a Best Candid Shot amateur photography contest. Photographers are encouraged to submit photos of the torch run, ceremonies or special events. Photos will be displayed at the Nemaha County Fair the last week of July. Please contact the Auburn Chamber of Commerce at 402-274-3521 for more information about the contests.All are welcome to participate in the one-mile run. To register for the run, please call 402-274-3521. If you register by Thursday, July 1, you will receive a free T-shirt.Volunteers, sponsors and contributions are still being sought. Volunteers are working on such aspects as food for the barbecue; water bottles for runners; T-shirts for runners and volunteers; and medals, medallions, souvenirs and prizes. Assistance will be needed with cleanup following the festivities.The Auburn High School Show Choir will sing the national anthem at Legion Memorial Park. Other music is planned. The run will start at the park at 11:45 a.m. Ceremonies move to Auburn High School at noon. There will be a citywide barbecue at Auburn High School following the run. Olympic-style events are planned. There will be an awards ceremony with Fulton.Fulton is a 1990 Auburn High School graduate. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1997 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Fulton was appointed to the Legislature in 2007 to replace Mike Foley, who resigned after being elected state auditor. He was elected to a full term in 2008. Fulton is a member of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. He and his wife, Judy, have six children. Fulton is chief executive officer of Guardian Angels Homecare and a professional engineer.The torch runners will come to Auburn from Falls City. After leaving Auburn, the runners will go through Tecumseh before proceeding to Lincoln.Another meeting is planned Thursday, July 1 [today], at 4 p.m. Site will be determined.
Cooper Nuclear Station Exits ‘Notification of Unusual Event’
Written by Nemaha County Herald Wednesday, 30 June 2010 18:50
This aerial photograph taken from above the Missouri River with the camera pointed northwest shows how the major flooding brought water up close to the plant and flooded some nearby fields.
Nebraska Public Power District and Cooper Nuclear Station management announced at 3:13 p.m. Friday, June 25, that the plant had exited the “Notification of Unusual Event” status it entered early Tuesday morning, June 22. Missouri River water levels near Cooper Station were at 897.3 feet and dropping. Based on projections and weather forecasts the river level was expected and indeed did continue falling throughout the weekend.The notification was made as part of emergency preparedness procedures which the station follows when flooding conditions are in effect. The procedures dictate, when the river’s level reaches 42.5 feet, or greater than 899 feet above sea level, a Notification of Unusual Event is declared.Plant officials notified local, county, state and federal agencies of the classification. There was no threat to plant employees or the public throughout the event.A Notification of Unusual Event is the lowest and least serious of four emergency classifications established by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for nuclear power plants.Working in partnership with the state’s rural public power districts, cooperatives and municipalities, NPPD helps serve an estimated 1 million Nebraskans with retail or wholesale electric power and energy-related products and services.
Friday, June 4, 2010
RELAY FOR LIFE MOVED TO HIGH SCHOOL
The Southeast Nebraska Relay for Life event has been moved to the Auburn High School due to the threat of inclement weather. The survivor dinner will be held at the Auburn Senior Center at 5:30 pm.
Southeast Nebraska Relay For Life Coming Up at Auburn City Rec Sports Complex
Written by Nemaha County Herald Thursday, 27 May 2010 21:38
Plans continue for the 15th annual Southeast Nebraska Relay For Life Friday-Saturday, June 4-5, at the Auburn City Recreation Sports Complex. It will be held from 7 p.m. June 4 to 7 a.m. June 5. There is a contest to decorate the best creative birthday cake. Cakes are to be brought to the Auburn Senior Center by 5 p.m. June 4. Each cake will be judged by the cancer survivors before their 5:30 p.m. dinner there. The survivors will vote for the best creative cake. The winner will be announced at 7 p.m. The winner will receive a special prize. For more information on this contest, please contact Jeni Adams at 402-274-9243; Pam Adams at 402-274-9240 or Michelle Dixon at 402-274-8888. Entrants are asked to please use disposable plates. Plates will not be returned. The entries will be served at the Celebrate Survivors cake reception at the City Recreation Complex.The Survivors Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. that Friday. Letters were sent to cancer survivors living in Nemaha and Richardson counties. If you are a cancer survivor and have not received a letter, please contact either Pam Adams or Dixon.There are a number of events during the night. They include a luminary ceremony, hot air balloon glow, Guitar Hero, Zumba exercise dance, frozen T-shirt competition, wet T-shirt competition, karaoke, jump rope competition, hula hoop competition, Name That Tune, Fear Factor eating competition and a singing bee.June 5 at 7:01 a.m. will be a Cupcakes For Cure Quilt drawing. At 7:02 a.m. June 5 there will be a drawing for two autographed shirts. One shirt is autographed by members of the Nebraska Husker football team. The other is autographed by members of the Nebraska Husker women’s basketball team.Contact any Relay For Life team member or committee member for details and learn how to purchase a luminary.In 2009, more than 14 teams and over 200 individuals participated in Southeast Nebraska Relay For Life. More than $18,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and patient service programs.2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the first Relay. It began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Wash., ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, it has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States and more communities internationally, gather to participate and raise much needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.Each relay has certain traditions: The survivors lap, a time to celebrate; the luminaria ceremony, a time to remember and the Fight Back ceremony.
Plans continue for the 15th annual Southeast Nebraska Relay For Life Friday-Saturday, June 4-5, at the Auburn City Recreation Sports Complex. It will be held from 7 p.m. June 4 to 7 a.m. June 5. There is a contest to decorate the best creative birthday cake. Cakes are to be brought to the Auburn Senior Center by 5 p.m. June 4. Each cake will be judged by the cancer survivors before their 5:30 p.m. dinner there. The survivors will vote for the best creative cake. The winner will be announced at 7 p.m. The winner will receive a special prize. For more information on this contest, please contact Jeni Adams at 402-274-9243; Pam Adams at 402-274-9240 or Michelle Dixon at 402-274-8888. Entrants are asked to please use disposable plates. Plates will not be returned. The entries will be served at the Celebrate Survivors cake reception at the City Recreation Complex.The Survivors Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. that Friday. Letters were sent to cancer survivors living in Nemaha and Richardson counties. If you are a cancer survivor and have not received a letter, please contact either Pam Adams or Dixon.There are a number of events during the night. They include a luminary ceremony, hot air balloon glow, Guitar Hero, Zumba exercise dance, frozen T-shirt competition, wet T-shirt competition, karaoke, jump rope competition, hula hoop competition, Name That Tune, Fear Factor eating competition and a singing bee.June 5 at 7:01 a.m. will be a Cupcakes For Cure Quilt drawing. At 7:02 a.m. June 5 there will be a drawing for two autographed shirts. One shirt is autographed by members of the Nebraska Husker football team. The other is autographed by members of the Nebraska Husker women’s basketball team.Contact any Relay For Life team member or committee member for details and learn how to purchase a luminary.In 2009, more than 14 teams and over 200 individuals participated in Southeast Nebraska Relay For Life. More than $18,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and patient service programs.2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the first Relay. It began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Wash., ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, it has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States and more communities internationally, gather to participate and raise much needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.Each relay has certain traditions: The survivors lap, a time to celebrate; the luminaria ceremony, a time to remember and the Fight Back ceremony.
Community Builders Recognize Youth from Auburn Churches
Written by Nemaha County Herald Thursday, 27 May 2010 21:25
2010 High School Graduates recognized by the Auburn Community Builders were (from left) Thomas Shelly, Michael Wellman, Chelsea Bulmer, Nathan Allgood, Mariah Mellage, Kailey Frenzel, Laura Ruskamp, Greg Florence and Bryant Seeley. Caleb Chase and Matthew Heskett weren’t present for photograph.
The Auburn Community Builders Club recognized 11 youths from several Auburn congregations with the Church Youth Recognition Award. The graduating high school seniors were honored for showing leadership in their churches and living their Christian faith. Pastors, who had nominated graduating students from their congregations to accept the Church Youth Recognition Awards, were encouraged to say a few words about their nominees following the May 20 dinner served at Arbor Manor. Seniors recognized were, by congregation: First United Presbyterian Church—Mariah Mellage and Bryant Seeley; nominated by Pastor Tom Osborne.St. Joseph Catholic Church—Gregory Florence and Chelsea Bulmer; nominated by Father Greg Pawloski.Auburn Christian Church—Thomas Shelly and Caleb Chase; nominated by Youth Pastor Eli Davidson.Trinity Lutheran Church—Laura Ruskamp; nominated by Pastor Jonathan Rathjen. St. Paul Lutheran Church—Nathan Allgood, Kailey Frenzel, Matthew Heskett and Michael Wellman; nominated by Pastor Bud Christenson. Each honoree received a certificate presented by Community Builders Club President Kathryn Keithley.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Hutton, Smith Win Contested County Races; Fulton Carries County While Losing Statewide
Written by Nemaha County Herald
Jana Smith won the Democratic nomination for Nemaha County Assessor and Bob Hutton won renomination as Nemaha County Commissioner, 1st District, on the Republican ticket in the Tuesday, May 11, primary election.
Tony Fulton, Auburn native, carried Nemaha County despite losing the statewide vote for the Republican nomination for state treasurer.Smith received 333 votes to 112 votes for Wendy Hemmer in the assessor’s race. She will be unopposed in the Tuesday, Nov. 2, general election.Hutton, incumbent, received 179 votes to 99 for Jim Jarvis. He will also be unopposed in November.Brownville, Peru IssuesPeru voters, 64-19, approved continuation of a 1 percent sales and use tax.Brownville voters, 32-21, approved a 1 percent sales and use tax. The issue of whether that issue would sunset in 10 years tied with 25 votes each.Other County RacesAll other county officers were unopposed in their respective primaries.Republican: Amy Hector received 762 votes for Clerk of the District Court, there were two write-ins. Louie Ligouri received 675 votes for County Attorney, there were five write-ins. Brent Lottman received 718 votes for County Sheriff, there were six write-ins. Marvin Bohling received 224 votes for 3rd District Commissioner, there was one write-in. There were 42 write-ins for County Clerk, 86 write-ins for County Assessor, 29 write-ins for County Treasurer and 21 write-ins for County Assessor.Democrat: Joyce Oakley received 414 votes for County Clerk, there were two write-ins. Patricia Holtzman received 381 votes. Randy Rohrs received 115 votes for 3rd District Commissioner, there were three write-ins. There were 15 write-ins for Clerk of the District Court, 15 write-ins for County Attorney, 28 write-in for County Sheriff, 11 write-ins for 1st District Commissioner and 10 write-ins for County Surveyor.Humboldt-Table Rock Steinauer Board of EducationFor four-year terms: Lynn Fankhauser, 30 votes; Scott Ogle, 28 votes; Neal Kanel, 25 votes; Todd Binder, 23 votes; Corey Hain, 22 votes; Steve Schaardt, 21 votes; Pete Niedzielski, 13 votes and there was one write-in.For two-year terms: Bryan Gossman, 68 votes; James Zentner, 52 votes; Terry Vice, 51 votes; Jeremy Leech, 15 votes; Missy Freeman, 11 votes; Joe Standerford, seven votes and Sandra Stalder, six votes.State RacesRepublican: Gov. Dave Heineman received 746 votes to 57 for Paul Anderson and 38 for Christopher Geary. John Gale received 671 votes for Secretary of State and there was one write-in. Fulton received 673 votes for State Treasurer while former Attorney General Don Stenberg received 136 votes and Tom Nesbitt, former head of the State Patrol, received 36 votes. Attorney General Jon Bruning received 711 votes and there was one write-in. Mike Foley received 657 votes for Auditor and there were two write-ins.Democrat: Mark Lakers received 288 votes for governor and there were three write-ins. Janet Stewart received 289 votes for Secretary of State and there were two write-ins. Mark Stoj received 259 votes for State Treasurer and there were 20 write-ins. There were 20 write-ins for Attorney General and 13 write-ins for Auditor.Despite winning the statewide vote, Amendment 1 received 586 No votes and 573 Yes votes in Nemaha County. It authorizes the Legislature to permit officials of counties and municipalities to acquire, own, develop, and lease or finance personal property for use by nonsectarian, nondevotional and nonreligious purposes and to issue revenue bonds for such purpose; will prohibit the use of condemnation for acquiring such property and operation of such property as a business by county or municipal officials and will not authorize county or municipal officials to impose any tax to repay the obligations represented by such revenue bonds.Patricia Timm received 882 votes for the State Board of Education, District 5. There were seven write-ins.Congress, 1st DistrictRep. Jeff Fortenberry received 709 Republican votes. David Hunt received 60 votes and Ralph Bodie 49 votes.On the Democratic ticket, Jessica Lynn Turek received 108 votes; Ivy Harper, 67 votes; Sherman Yates, 60 votes; Stanley Krauter, 54 votes and there were two write-ins. Harper won the district Democratic nomination.
Jana Smith won the Democratic nomination for Nemaha County Assessor and Bob Hutton won renomination as Nemaha County Commissioner, 1st District, on the Republican ticket in the Tuesday, May 11, primary election.
Tony Fulton, Auburn native, carried Nemaha County despite losing the statewide vote for the Republican nomination for state treasurer.Smith received 333 votes to 112 votes for Wendy Hemmer in the assessor’s race. She will be unopposed in the Tuesday, Nov. 2, general election.Hutton, incumbent, received 179 votes to 99 for Jim Jarvis. He will also be unopposed in November.Brownville, Peru IssuesPeru voters, 64-19, approved continuation of a 1 percent sales and use tax.Brownville voters, 32-21, approved a 1 percent sales and use tax. The issue of whether that issue would sunset in 10 years tied with 25 votes each.Other County RacesAll other county officers were unopposed in their respective primaries.Republican: Amy Hector received 762 votes for Clerk of the District Court, there were two write-ins. Louie Ligouri received 675 votes for County Attorney, there were five write-ins. Brent Lottman received 718 votes for County Sheriff, there were six write-ins. Marvin Bohling received 224 votes for 3rd District Commissioner, there was one write-in. There were 42 write-ins for County Clerk, 86 write-ins for County Assessor, 29 write-ins for County Treasurer and 21 write-ins for County Assessor.Democrat: Joyce Oakley received 414 votes for County Clerk, there were two write-ins. Patricia Holtzman received 381 votes. Randy Rohrs received 115 votes for 3rd District Commissioner, there were three write-ins. There were 15 write-ins for Clerk of the District Court, 15 write-ins for County Attorney, 28 write-in for County Sheriff, 11 write-ins for 1st District Commissioner and 10 write-ins for County Surveyor.Humboldt-Table Rock Steinauer Board of EducationFor four-year terms: Lynn Fankhauser, 30 votes; Scott Ogle, 28 votes; Neal Kanel, 25 votes; Todd Binder, 23 votes; Corey Hain, 22 votes; Steve Schaardt, 21 votes; Pete Niedzielski, 13 votes and there was one write-in.For two-year terms: Bryan Gossman, 68 votes; James Zentner, 52 votes; Terry Vice, 51 votes; Jeremy Leech, 15 votes; Missy Freeman, 11 votes; Joe Standerford, seven votes and Sandra Stalder, six votes.State RacesRepublican: Gov. Dave Heineman received 746 votes to 57 for Paul Anderson and 38 for Christopher Geary. John Gale received 671 votes for Secretary of State and there was one write-in. Fulton received 673 votes for State Treasurer while former Attorney General Don Stenberg received 136 votes and Tom Nesbitt, former head of the State Patrol, received 36 votes. Attorney General Jon Bruning received 711 votes and there was one write-in. Mike Foley received 657 votes for Auditor and there were two write-ins.Democrat: Mark Lakers received 288 votes for governor and there were three write-ins. Janet Stewart received 289 votes for Secretary of State and there were two write-ins. Mark Stoj received 259 votes for State Treasurer and there were 20 write-ins. There were 20 write-ins for Attorney General and 13 write-ins for Auditor.Despite winning the statewide vote, Amendment 1 received 586 No votes and 573 Yes votes in Nemaha County. It authorizes the Legislature to permit officials of counties and municipalities to acquire, own, develop, and lease or finance personal property for use by nonsectarian, nondevotional and nonreligious purposes and to issue revenue bonds for such purpose; will prohibit the use of condemnation for acquiring such property and operation of such property as a business by county or municipal officials and will not authorize county or municipal officials to impose any tax to repay the obligations represented by such revenue bonds.Patricia Timm received 882 votes for the State Board of Education, District 5. There were seven write-ins.Congress, 1st DistrictRep. Jeff Fortenberry received 709 Republican votes. David Hunt received 60 votes and Ralph Bodie 49 votes.On the Democratic ticket, Jessica Lynn Turek received 108 votes; Ivy Harper, 67 votes; Sherman Yates, 60 votes; Stanley Krauter, 54 votes and there were two write-ins. Harper won the district Democratic nomination.
Smiths Recognized at 2010 Industry Recognition Event
Written by Nemaha County Herald
ADC chairman Daryl Obermeyer presented a plaque to Randel and Jane Smith in recognition of their accomplishments and dedication to Brownville and Nemaha County.
ADC chairman Daryl Obermeyer presented a plaque to Randel and Jane Smith in recognition of their accomplishments and dedication to Brownville and Nemaha County.Jane and Randel Smith, Brownville, were recognized Tuesday, May 11, for their accomplishments and dedication to Brownville and Nemaha County.The Smiths were recognized at the Industry Recognition Luncheon at Arbor Manor Steakhouse, Auburn.
“There are great things happening in Brownville. We didn’t do it singlehandedly. Our family and friends get involved,” Jane Smith said.Auburn Mayor Bob Engles said that Brownville has invented and repeatedly re-invented itself. That has enabled Brownville to maintain its position as Nebraska’s oldest town and one of the most progressive communities in Nebraska, Engles said.“No community in the state has drawn upon its cultural and historic heritage to the extent Brownville has,” the mayor said.Engles recognized such Brownville attractions as Whiskey Run Creek Vineyard & Winery; the Brownville Concert Hall; the Brownville Village Theatre; Spirit of Brownville river excursion boat; the Captain Meriwether Lewis Steamboat Museum; The Lyceum Cafe & Bookstore, which was the Smiths’ idea and The River Inn Resort, a floating hotel.Richard Baier, Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) director, was guest speaker. Baier talked about the economy, housing, economic development, tourism and business development.Baier said that Nebraskans are fortunate that the state’s unemployment is below the national average.“We need to be appreciative of where we are at. Nebraska is in good shape,” Baier said.Companies are hiring, jobs are coming back and people are making investments, he said.“We have to deal with budget issues. The Legislature is working on that. It’s a significant challenge. We need to be cognizant of that,” Baier said.In housing, Baier said that officials are clear and conscious about watching housing starts. He said that values of homes are increasing and land values are beginning to level out.“We need to be cognizant about providing housing over all spectrums, how to get young families into their first homes and priorities about what first-time homebuyers are looking for,” Baier said.In business development, Baier said there are a lot of requests for information. Areas seeing a lot of activity include renewable energy, solar and geothermal. He said that Nebraska is fortunate to have an affordable operating environment, but there are training challenges to work on. Labor force is a huge issue, Baier said. State officials are investing a lot of money in site efforts. Nebraska Advantage has made Nebraska competitive in the marketplace, Baier said.In tourism, Baier said that Brownville officials have created a model for tourism in Nebraska. Officials need to know how to market and create tourism long-term, he said.“Tourists are looking for an experience. They want to be part of a living, breathing experience. We need to change the model and build attractions that people want to go to,” Baier said.Nebraska officials are working with officials of a national consulting firm to look and evaluate new target industries, innovation, creativity, and strategies in the workforce and population, Baier said.Baier thanked State Sen. Lavon Heidemann of Elk Creek for his service.“He’s got one of the toughest jobs in Nebraska. He’s a real leader in the Legislature. He’s done a great job. We’re fortunate to have him represent Southeast Nebraska,” Baier said.Major Employers RecognizedMajor job creators in Auburn and Nemaha County were recognized.Engles thanked Steve Skaggs of Ariens Company for contributing to economic development in Southeast Nebraska. Engles said that Magnolia Metal Corporation was “an extremely valuable member of our business community.” Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) serves residents of 91 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. “Their presence and value in Nemaha County cannot be underemphasized,” Engles said.The mayor said that he was disappointed when Armstrong Cabinets Products, Inc. closed, but officials worked closely with officials of various state agencies to assist the displaced workers. Plans are to recruit a major job creator and officials will continue until successful in replacing Armstrong, Engles said.“We are committed to get a job creator replacment for Armstrong. With help from NPPD and Nebraska DED, we will get the job done,” he said.“The only constant in economic development is change. It’s an ongoing process,” Engles said.
Auburn Chamber President Kris Gill presented recognition certificates to AHS Future Business Leaders of America officers (from left) Spangler, Comstock, Allgood, Harmon and Wellman.
Engles recognized members of the Auburn High School Future Business Leaders of America. Five members and adviser Teresa Hahn attended. They were: Nathan Allgood, president; Hannah Harmon, vice president; Michael Wellman, community service representative; Martha Spangler, news reporter and Kerri Comstock, historian.Allgood reviewed the chapter’s activities in the past year. He thanked the officer team and advisers. Allgood thanked community members for their support.“It’s important that our young people get involved with business. We need youth willing to step up and take responsibility,” Engles said.Engles thanked Auburn Rotary members for being hosts. He introduced important guests who have done a lot for Auburn, Nemaha County and Southeast Nebraska.Engles said that Southeast Nebraskans and Nebraskans are fortunate to have Heidemann as chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee.
Auburn Celebrates 34 Years as Tree City USA
Written by Nemaha County Herald
The award was presented during early April at the annual Tree City USA Recognition Program at the Lincoln Holiday Inn. Auburn was among 106 Nebraska communities honored for developing and maintaining a community forestry program. Auburn residents were honored for their commitment to management and enhancement of the community tree resources.
EDGAR HARTWIG, AUBURN city forester, accepts the city’s 2010 Tree City USA award from Gov. Dave Heineman; Scott Josiah, Nebraska state forester and Eric Berg, Nebraska Forest Service community forester.
The award was presented during early April at the annual Tree City USA Recognition Program at the Lincoln Holiday Inn. Auburn was among 106 Nebraska communities honored for developing and maintaining a community forestry program. Auburn residents were honored for their commitment to management and enhancement of the community tree resources.
UNO Names Scott Snyder to Chief Research Position Effective This Fall
Written by Nemaha County Herald
The University of Nebraska at Omaha announced that Scott Snyder has accepted the position of associate vice chancellor for Research and Creative Activity. This is UNO’s chief research position. Snyder begins Sept. 15. Snyder has been on leave from his position as a professor in UNO’s Department of Biology since 2008 while serving as a program director in the Division of Environmental Biology at the National Science Foundation. He has been a UNO faculty member since 2001. “He brings to the associate vice chancellor position his own background as an accomplished scholar and researcher as well as a wealth of NSF experience,” said Terry Hynes, senior vice chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs. She added that since completing his postdoctoral research fellowship, Snyder has attracted more than $500,000 in external funding to support his research. Snyder’s research results have appeared in more than 30 refereed journal publications, among other venues.“I’m very excited by the opportunity to serve UNO in this new capacity,” Snyder said. “I feel strongly that research and creative activity contribute directly to the primary mission of the university, the education of willing minds. I look forward to the opportunity to facilitate the growth of scholarly activities, to foster new activities, and to share the scholarship of this dynamic campus with the public.” Snyder had been an NSF/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation postdoctoral research fellow in molecular evolution at the University of New Mexico from 1996-1998. From 1998-2001, he was an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He earned his doctorate in parasitology and bachelor of sciences degree in biological sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His master of science degree in biological sciences came from Wake Forest University.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Woerth’s Gardens Offer Extensive Variety to Nature Lovers
Written by Nemaha County Herald
The Japanese teahouse overlooks the pond on the Woerth acreage. The couple can often be found enjoying the serenity of the area in the evening.
“This is not a weed free landscape and we make no apologies for that fact.” Those are the words that welcome visitors as they begin to explore the garden rooms on Steve and Marilyn Woerth’s family acreage located in the hills between Brownville and Peru. Nestled behind a row of cedar trees, visitors will discover eight` unique garden rooms the couple have worked on together for several years. The couple has done the majority of the work on their gardens themselves, with the help of family and friends. On Thursday, April 8 – a cold, wet day, Marilyn shared her family’s garden with this reporter. The Woerth’s yard is comprised of eight garden areas, including a moon garden, a pond area, a children’s garden and a woodland area. With the helpful ideas of thousands of books, catalogues and magazines, each garden has been masterfully designed and laid out to the couple’s liking. In the couple’s basement are filing cabinets and boxes filled with descriptive details about individual plants and the unique gardens. As well as detailed diagrams of how each area has been planted. Marilyn said she likes to keep pictures and often times the individual seed package of every flower she has ordered. She also keeps the invoices of everything she has ordered. She said she does this because often times visitors ask her where she bought a particular plant or flower. “It’s another checks and balance system,” Marilyn said. In the very beginning a few years ago, Marilyn said she started scrapbooking her gardens. She said she recommends to anyone who is starting a garden to take before and after photos of the area.“They remind you how much work you’ve put in to it...gives you more pride,” she said. In May of 2004, Marilyn obtained her Master Gardener certification from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It took her three months to earn the certificate. Since then, she has been a guest speaker at several group meetings and she has entertained numerous clubs and friends at her home. Last year, members of the Omaha Garden Council brought down 89 people on two buses to tour the Woerth’s gardens. The garden areas have also served as the background for high school senior portraits and the couple’s son, Eric and his wife Stephanie (Rohrs) were married on the island in the pond garden. Marilyn said she has always enjoyed gardening in large part because of her grandfather, Leo Kinzer. Marilyn and Steve are both natives of Columbus and moved to their home on 731 Road west of Brownville about 24 years ago. Her grandfather, Marilyn said, was in charge of maintaining Pawnee Park in Columbus and he always had a large vegetable garden at home. She said she remembered how his home and his gardens were always well maintained. She added her parents did not have a garden and she eventually approached her father to ask if she could have a small plot of land to start her own garden. He eventually agreed and then her garden began to grow.
The Japanese teahouse overlooks the pond on the Woerth acreage. The couple can often be found enjoying the serenity of the area in the evening.“This is not a weed free landscape and we make no apologies for that fact.” Those are the words that welcome visitors as they begin to explore the garden rooms on Steve and Marilyn Woerth’s family acreage located in the hills between Brownville and Peru. Nestled behind a row of cedar trees, visitors will discover eight` unique garden rooms the couple have worked on together for several years. The couple has done the majority of the work on their gardens themselves, with the help of family and friends. On Thursday, April 8 – a cold, wet day, Marilyn shared her family’s garden with this reporter. The Woerth’s yard is comprised of eight garden areas, including a moon garden, a pond area, a children’s garden and a woodland area. With the helpful ideas of thousands of books, catalogues and magazines, each garden has been masterfully designed and laid out to the couple’s liking. In the couple’s basement are filing cabinets and boxes filled with descriptive details about individual plants and the unique gardens. As well as detailed diagrams of how each area has been planted. Marilyn said she likes to keep pictures and often times the individual seed package of every flower she has ordered. She also keeps the invoices of everything she has ordered. She said she does this because often times visitors ask her where she bought a particular plant or flower. “It’s another checks and balance system,” Marilyn said. In the very beginning a few years ago, Marilyn said she started scrapbooking her gardens. She said she recommends to anyone who is starting a garden to take before and after photos of the area.“They remind you how much work you’ve put in to it...gives you more pride,” she said. In May of 2004, Marilyn obtained her Master Gardener certification from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It took her three months to earn the certificate. Since then, she has been a guest speaker at several group meetings and she has entertained numerous clubs and friends at her home. Last year, members of the Omaha Garden Council brought down 89 people on two buses to tour the Woerth’s gardens. The garden areas have also served as the background for high school senior portraits and the couple’s son, Eric and his wife Stephanie (Rohrs) were married on the island in the pond garden. Marilyn said she has always enjoyed gardening in large part because of her grandfather, Leo Kinzer. Marilyn and Steve are both natives of Columbus and moved to their home on 731 Road west of Brownville about 24 years ago. Her grandfather, Marilyn said, was in charge of maintaining Pawnee Park in Columbus and he always had a large vegetable garden at home. She said she remembered how his home and his gardens were always well maintained. She added her parents did not have a garden and she eventually approached her father to ask if she could have a small plot of land to start her own garden. He eventually agreed and then her garden began to grow.
A waterfountain is featured in the south part of the pond, with goldfish swimming around it.
Marilyn, a retired day care provider, would eventually take a break from gardening after marrying Steve and the two traveled the world while he served in the United States Navy for eight years. And, 24 years ago, the couple relocated to their current home after Steve landed a job at Cooper Nuclear Station. The couple fell in love with their acreage because of the land, Marilyn said. “We love this land and enjoy that it’s not flat,” Marilyn said. “The house was secondary.”The couple, after purchasing the property, planted many trees. Marilyn did note that the woodland area was already established but the property was primarily bare.It wasn’t until she retired from the day care business that Marilyn and Steve were able to devote lots of hours to their acreage. On average, beginning in the spring, Marilyn spends about 60 hours a week tending to the garden rooms. Steve contributes many hours as well.One of the most recent projects the couple has undergone is the completion of their Japanese teahouse and their Zen Garden. The teahouse features a propane fire ring and sitting chairs, which allows for viewing of the couple’s pond and waterfall.And, if guests to the Woerth family gardens don’t get enough of nature and its beauty, there’s always the next visit. Already, Steve has a new envision for an area on the west edge of their property. Marilyn said it is probably a matter of time before the couple take on a new project to add to their garden room collection.
If You Go
The Woerth’s love to entertain guests at their home and welcome visitors to stop by or call to get a tour of the garden rooms. And, if you go, the following information about each of the garden rooms is provided by Steve and Marilyn:Pond Area andWildflower MeadowOff the driveway follow the flagstone path to the xeriscape garden (plants requiring little moisture such as Russian sage, purple coneflower and sedums) and then meet our friend raccoon and frog. Moving on down the path you will encounter our Zen Garden with a Woerth-style Japanese teahouse. The propane fire-ring and the view of the pond blend two important elements together fire and water. We have designed and built our own landscape and hardscape features except for the electrical components.The star attraction of the yard is the water garden. The island is filled with roses, dianthus and a weeping mulberry tree. On the north end of the pond you will find water lotus, cattail, koi and some goldfish. Occupying the south end of the pond there are three colors of water lilies and more goldfish.The outer edges of the pond are landscaped with tall grasses, fairy roses and an assortment of perennials. The Woerth’s have tried to use many Great Plains plants from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. The couple are members of that organization. Southwest of the pond is an area where native grasses grow, in the spring globe alliums are featured with Black-eyed Susans and asters later in the season. Bluebird houses are also a highlight.
Star Patio and Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden
To the east of the shed and above the kitchen garden is the star patio where Steve sets up his telescope on clear nights. The telescope is a Mead ten-inch reflector with an equatorial mount. Chinese trumpet vine winds around the split-wood fence. Just south of the patio are two flower beds. The upper bed features two tree peonies, wiegela and summersweet shrubs and perennial geranium (cranesbill). The lower bed is filled with daffodil blooms in the spring and daylilies during the summer. The east side of the upper/lower bed is a butterfly/hummingbird garden. Here, visitors will find a yellow butterfly bush, honeysuckle, penstemon, hyssop and salvia and other perennials to entice the wee creatures.
Kitchen Garden and Herb Garden
The roses surrounding the garden are pink rugosa roses. The portage has a perennial bed of asparagus and strawberries. Eight raised beds hold heirloom tomatoes, salad greens, corn, cucumbers, peas, squash, peppers and onion. Above the portage, behind the shed is the herb garden featuring sage, chives, thyme, rosemary, tarragon and basil. Woodland Follow the mowed paths down to the woodland area. There are three main entrances to the area. On the west side enter through the wooden arbor. Along this path visitors will find several planting areas, at the center of the woodland visitors will find many prized shade loving plants both wild and planned. Steve has created a room for himself with a stain glass window hung between the trees and a tractor seat. From the center of the woodland take the lower east path, which will lead the visitor to the copper arbor into the campfire area.
Campfire Area and Shade Garden
A bricked-in fire pit with a drainage pipe is the center piece of the area where many family and international sing-a-longs have ended with s’mores. Heading north, follow the path up to the main yard and enjoy the shade-loving varieties under the ash trees. Featured in this area are hostas, columbines, corabells, Japanese painted ferns, daylilies, ‘Little Henry’ spireas and a couple of cimicifugas. Three tamarisks are off to the east – their rosy lavendar tops are brilliant in the early summer. The kidney shaped bed to the west is filled with 400 daffodils, then peonies and then coneflower in the spring.
Pink Box, Children’s Garden and Mary’s Garden
In the backyard visitors will find the pink box. The box is filled with all pink flowers – polyanthus roses and annual zonal geraniums. Further west on the edge of the slop is the children’s garde, “Kindergarten,” where forsythia bushes enclose the area and help give the feeling of a secret garden. Lost toys populate the small garden and the oval path in the middle of the bushes passes by a birdbath, a fairy tea party, whiskey barrel where wizards and dragons battle and a small slide that goes down the hill ending in a small sandbox. The area surrounding the sandbox is terraced for more play. Below the terraced area is a shrub garden with phlox and ajuga ground cover. Just west of the Kindergarten area is a tree house, with a rock climbing wall, tube slide, fire pole, spider web that dumps into a large sandbox. In front of the tree house is a take down “princess pavilion” that Marilyn made from sheer drapes. In the tree house are several lengths of polyester materials that the Woerth’s grandchildren make into hammocks and canopies. Turning north towards the Woerth home is Mary’s garden, Prairie Princess, filled with climbing rose, clematis, Stella D’Oro daylilies, columbines, coralbells, balloon flowers and a few annuals grace her feet.
Hosta Staircase andMoon Garden
Turning the corner to the west of the Woerth home, the hosta staircase starts with two miniature hostas and a butterfly bush the staircase proceeds from large to smaller hostas following the sloper. Move up the incline past the resting doe to the moon garden. Moon gardens are traditionally all white flower gardens. The most fragrant flowers in a garden are often the white ones and the color white actually shimmers in the moonlight. Two white clematis outline the entry way and Sweet Autumn jumps it’s trellis, White Madonna lilies, phlox, obedient pant, iris, hosta, geranium, rugosa rose, azaleas and other white flowering plants and shrubs populate the enchanting area.
Front of the House and the Daisy Garden
In the front of the Woerth home are varieties of shade-loving plants, including astilbes, Lady’s mantle, coral bells, columbine and a clematis ‘Blue Moon,’ as well as an almond bush. Other perennials planted in front are groundcover vinca, lychnis, balloon flower, azaleas and a lace cap hydrangea. Across from the black wrought iron bench is a white arbor, one climbing rose and two kinds of clematis grace its side. The daisy garden forms an edge of the front yard that is a gardener’s retreat. Visitors will often find Marilyn there during a break. While sitting on the bench, visitors will gaze out across what Marilyn calls her savannah. Daisy-types of flowers – day lilies, bee balm and oak leaf hyrangea ‘Snow Queen’ are the headlines in this corner of the yard.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Peru State Students Lending Their Hands, Talent to Community
Written by Nemaha County Herald
PSC student Addy Markowsky introduces herself to (pictured from left) Taylor Cusick, Kolby Helms, Cameron Stough and Alyssa Mathers, who are all in Tia Miller’s second grade class.
Auburn Native Grant Cole listens to (from left) second graders Alana White, Emma Murphy and Alissa Reeves on Monday. The girls are in Shannon Cole’s class.
The visit to the elementary school is part of the college’s Peru Students Care – An Inaugural Service Initiative, which is being spearheaded by PSC First Lady and Service Project Chairwoman Elaine Hanson and PSC Residence Hall Director Seth Bingham. Through the volunteerism, the students have and will focus on seven projects as a way to give back, Hanson said. Five projects will have been completed prior to the inauguration and the remaining two to be done after. The projects the students are helping with are:
• A letter-writing campaign in support of Bread for the World on March 18-19. Hanson said 128 letters were written to Congress members in support of making changes in U.S. tax policy that would be beneficial to low-income families.
• Also, last week, the students held a Campus Clean-Up, with the students volunteering about 66 hours of labor.
• On Sunday, March 21, several students were to make a trip to Brownville to complete a landscaping project at the Flat Water Folk Art Museum.
• On April 15, the students will host the Peru State College Leadership Conference.
• And, students will help on April 30 and May 1 with a repairing project for the Peru Historical Society.
PSC student Addy Markowsky introduces herself to (pictured from left) Taylor Cusick, Kolby Helms, Cameron Stough and Alyssa Mathers, who are all in Tia Miller’s second grade class.In honor of the Peru State College 33rd Presidential Inauguration for Dr. Daniel Hanson, students are participating in several community service projects throughout Nemaha County. On Monday, March 22, about 35 college students visited Calvert Elementary School to read and listen to the four classes of second graders. The partnership with the school was one of seven projects the college has and will do in this community. Calvert Principal Sharon Pollard said part of the reasoning for the visit was to help build the students’ reading fluency rates and to help them work on their comprehension skills. The second grade teachers at Calvert are Tia Miller, Shannon Cole, Cindy Cole and Diane Shaw. Calvert has about 64 second graders.Pollard also told the college students that their visit was very important to the children and for 45-minutes the visitors would become heroes. She added that for some of the children that one-on-one time would be the only time during the week they would be read to or listened to, outside of school.
Auburn Native Grant Cole listens to (from left) second graders Alana White, Emma Murphy and Alissa Reeves on Monday. The girls are in Shannon Cole’s class.The visit to the elementary school is part of the college’s Peru Students Care – An Inaugural Service Initiative, which is being spearheaded by PSC First Lady and Service Project Chairwoman Elaine Hanson and PSC Residence Hall Director Seth Bingham. Through the volunteerism, the students have and will focus on seven projects as a way to give back, Hanson said. Five projects will have been completed prior to the inauguration and the remaining two to be done after. The projects the students are helping with are:
• A letter-writing campaign in support of Bread for the World on March 18-19. Hanson said 128 letters were written to Congress members in support of making changes in U.S. tax policy that would be beneficial to low-income families.
• Also, last week, the students held a Campus Clean-Up, with the students volunteering about 66 hours of labor.
• On Sunday, March 21, several students were to make a trip to Brownville to complete a landscaping project at the Flat Water Folk Art Museum.
• On April 15, the students will host the Peru State College Leadership Conference.
• And, students will help on April 30 and May 1 with a repairing project for the Peru Historical Society.
Justin Powell, a PSC student, listens as Sadie Shriver is timed while reading. Sadie’s classmate John Healy also listened to her read.
Service team members helping with the projects are PSC students Tristan Bassinger, Grant Cole, Kristen Husen, Alicia Miller and Fred Whitted. Cindy Newton and Laura Osborne are helping as community members. Hanson said about 275 students have volunteered for one or more of the projects. She said several coaches have asked their players to participate in this opportunity.“(The students) want to give back and be a part of this,” Hanson said. “And, they show up.”The initiative, Hanson said, has been student driven and the planning of and completion of the projects will have taken just seven weeks from start to finish. The committee, she said, initially began with 16 project ideas that were eventually narrowed down to the selected seven.
Auburn Employees and Officials Recognized for Their Years of Service
Written by Nemaha County Herald
Four Auburn City Employees were recognized on Monday, March 22, during the City Council Meeting for their years of service. Those receiving certificates were (from left) City Treasurer Glen Krueger, 10 years; Librarian Margie Zimmerman, 20 years; Children’s Librarian Heather Koeneke, 10 years, and Police Chief Dan White, 15 years. Standing with the guests of honor is City Council President Annie Thomas (center), who presented the certificates and plaque.Two Contested Races for Nemaha County Voters During May 11th Primary
Written by Nemaha County Herald
The 2010 Primary Election will be held May 11 at the usual polling places in Nemaha County. County Clerk Joyce Oakley said the polls will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. that Tuesday for the purpose of nominating candidates to various offices. Nemaha County will have two seats up for election as both candidates represent the same political party. Jana V. Smith and Wendy J. Hemmer are Democrat candidates seeking the Nemaha County Assessor position becoming open due to the retirement of Lila Gottula. Also, incumbent Bob Hutton and Jim Jarvis are both Republican candidates for District 1 Commissioner on the Nemaha County Board. The Nemaha County Herald submitted questions for candidates for the two contested offices to be able to better inform our readers about the individuals seeking elected office. Those responses follow: County Assessor Candidate
Jana Smith What is your address and how long have you lived in Nemaha County? “I have lived in Nemaha County for 35 years and reside in Brock. I am married to Sam Smith and have two stepchildren: Samantha Collins and Steve Smith, both of Nebraska City.” In response to a question regarding her qualifications for serving as Nemaha County Assessor, Smith replied, “I started working as the clerk for the Assessor’s Office in January of 1987. The opportunity for me to advance to deputy assessor came in 1990. I passed an examination by the State Department of Revenue, giving me a required certificate on Sept. 11, 1990 to perform the duties of Deputy Assessor or County Assessor. I have served this county as Deputy Assessor for the past 19 years and obtained the required 60 hours of continuing education to be eligible to receive approval by the Property Tax Administrator for re-certification. The 60 continuing education hours, necessary every four years, have been a requirement by law since 2001. My experience and qualifications of the past 24 years and the people I have helped have given me the confidence in filing for the office of assessor.” What do you believe to be areas needing additional attention in the County Assessors’ Office? “The main area requiring attention was looked at prior to today. The printed cadastral maps of Nemaha County were in need of being replaced. The commissioners and the assessor looked into the request for new mapping in 2007. The funds were budgeted in the same year by the county commissioners and a $25,000 grant was received from the Nebraska State Board of Records, the application having been submitted by Lila Gottula. The assessor’s office was able to proceed with implementing a property information website for the public’s use and a GIS (global information system) mapping system that works with the current CAMA system in assisting the office in the valuation process.”“I have advanced professionally because I received training to assist in implementing the mapping system. I keep the information current in the GIS computer; perhaps it may be a simple division of 80 acres from a 160 acre track or a more complex survey of an acreage. The computerization of mapping makes the work less time consuming and more accurate than it used to be when drawing the survey on a paper printed cadastral using a ruler, compass and pencil.”“The mapping system and website have improved the office efficiency and give the staff more time to work on current projects with less interruptions.” What are your goals for the County Assessor’s Office in one year and four years?“A sales analysis will be completed for residential, commercial and agriculture classes of properties to make sure their values are within the guidelines of the Department of Revenue, reviewing properties where necessary. The review of rural homes and buildings will begin in 2011, making sure the listings are correct with new pictures and correction of sketches as necessary. We will also list, measure and value all new construction for the county. The rural homes and buildings will take more than one year to complete.”Are there any ways in which you believe the County Assessor could better spend its budget? “The staff has been diligent in its use of the budget allowed by the county commissioners. In dealing with expenses, I feel the assessor’s office is at the lowest budget possible in order to do the required work. We do not know how the effect of state laws may change the requirements of the office.” County Assessor Candidate
Wendy Hemmer What is your address and how long have you lived in Nemaha County? “A resident of Auburn, I have lived in Nemaha County for the past 13 years as well as spending some of my elementary and middle school years in Auburn. I have always felt safe and included in Auburn, thus it seemed like the right decision to raise my son in a community that cared about the children and their future. Even though my son Blake graduated from Auburn High School in May and has moved on to attend Southeast Community College in Lincoln, I see Nemaha County as my home. I would like to give back to that community.”What are your qualifications for serving as county assessor? “For eight years, I have worked in some aspect of real estate or real property. I started working in a real estate office in Auburn and found that I really enjoyed the position and working with the public. However, it was not until I had the opportunity to work in an assessor’s office in a different county that I realized I had found my niche within the trade. I enjoyed this position so much I decided to pursue the required certification from the state in order to run for Nemaha County Assessor in the next election.” “The following summarizes my work experience; all four positions are directly related to understanding real estate and property valuations:Three-plus years with American Dream Real Estate (sales agent and property management)Three-plus years: Otoe County Assessor’s Office (appraisal assistant)Two-plus years: Professional Mortgage Services (loan processor)One-plus year: Southeast Nebraska Community Action Council, Inc. (housing coordinator).” What do you believe to be areas needing additional attention in the county assessor’s office? “Property valuations need to be set in an impartial and equitable manner.”“County employees must remember that they are elected to serve the public. Thus, they need to be respectful and courteous toward the public/community and strive to maintain a courteous, helpful and user friendly office.” “The assessor needs to be more visible and interact positively with the public. I would implement and maintain an open door policy for the people of the county in order to address all questions or concerns in an open manner.”What are your goals for the county assessor’s office in one year and four years? “From the beginning of the term, I will begin to implement policies addressing the fore-mentioned concerns. Being courteous and respectful towards the public, as well as being more visible and available will be first priority. In the long term, I will strive to implement practices that ensure property valuations are impartial and equitable.” “Every market area needs to be re-evaluated on a regular rotation in order to maintain property assessments and accurate information. The previous statement especially holds true to the farming community. The accuracy in the farming community is crucial to this county. Of course, property valuation is only one aspect of an assessor’s office, so that is why it is extremely important to maintain a positive environment while executing all other designated tasks.” Are there any ways in which you believe the county assessor could better spend its budget? “As with any business there is overhead or expenditures that need to be taken into account and a county assessor’s office is no different. Upon reviewing the current assessor’s budget, I found it to be in check. Establishing a budget, to be spent prudently and effectively, is an essential aspect of the assessor’s job description. As an elected official, we must never forget who earns the funds for our budget.”“I am familiar with generating and establishing budgets. Not only have I completed various accounting courses, while working on my business degree, but one of my previous positions required that I prepare the yearly budgets for the rental housing program. Furthermore, I volunteered with a local organization where I prepared and maintained the finances. In addition to my own personal budget, I taught potential homebuyers how to budget for a household and handle financial situations.” Dist. 1 County Commissioner Candidate
Bob Hutton What is your address and how long have you lived in Nemaha County?“I live in the Nemaha area and have been a resident of Nemaha County my entire life. My wife Deloris and I have three children: a daughter Laura Gossman of rural Stella, a son Alan Hutton of rural Auburn and a daughter Robin Sudman of Nemaha.” What are your qualifications for serving as District 1 Nemaha County Commissioner? “I have been a board member of the Nemaha County Commissioners for three terms. During these 12 years, I have served on the Blue Rivers Agency on Aging — which has given substantial funding to the Auburn Senior Center to defray expenses. I have also served on the Agricultural and Horticultural Tax Equalization Board, SENCA and Southeast Nebraska Development District.” “In my working cooperatively with other agencies, many accomplishments have been achieved to benefit our community. The Household Hazardous Waste Program, the Tire Recycling Program and the installation of lighting at the intersection of Highways 136 and 67 are some examples of those accomplishments.” “I have worked very hard to keep an open mind about my patrons’ concerns and ideas while discussing ways to solve problems for the betterment of Nemaha County. Communication is essential for progress to be made.” What issues are you hoping to address while serving on the County Board? “Due to the severity of the winter weather, Nemaha County’s roads are in need of maintenance. There are also bridges in need of repair. We are also working to obtain grant money to replace the windows at the courthouse as an energy efficiency step. Working with insurance brokers to find affordable health care coverage for all eligible employees is another issue to address.” What are your goals for the county board in one year and four years?“Continuing to work with our highway superintendent to recognize problem structures during bridge and road inspections is one goal. Keeping cost down, applying for federal aid money in order to help pay for bridge replacements and working with FEMA to assess disaster issues are all important goals to work towards. Another goal is to continue sharing some road equipment with the other two districts.”Is there an area(s) in which you believe the county board should direct more finances? “Budgets for the different areas are set on a yearly basis. Each area works within its allotted funds. The state sets some limitations which must be followed. We need to control the General Fund to manage the fluctuating costs of fuel, steel and repairs.” Is there an area(s) where you believe the county board should direct less finances? “I feel that the budget has been controlled closely. We have worked hard in keeping the mill levy low while still maintaining quality services to the patrons of District 1.” Dist. 1 County Commissioner Candidate
Jim Jarvis What is your address and how long have you lived in Nemaha County? “My wife Pat and I live about three miles east of Auburn and have been there since 2000. We have two daughters: Susan (Mrs. Dave) Thomas of rural Auburn and Kate Jarvis of Salina, Kansas, and a son Jim Jarvis of Kansas City, Mo.” “I was born in Auburn and grew up in Nemaha. I graduated from high school in Nemaha and attended Peru State College for one year. I then went to work for a national retailing company and spent over 35 years in that field. That career took us to several locations in the Midwest. Shortly after I chose to retire, we decided to move back home to Nemaha County.” “I served five years on the Good Samaritan Center Advisory Board and have been involved with the Nemaha County Neighbor to Neighbor program for over a year in soliciting volunteers to help the area’s elderly with their needs.” What are your qualifications for serving as District 1 Nemaha County Commissioner? “I have 35 plus years of business experience that ranges from small business beginnings to management positions in the corporate headquarters. I’ve worked extensively with sizable budget issues, have dealt with a wide range of personnel management matters and have much experience in managing and protecting assets. I feel I can make good decisions and will protect the interests of Nemaha County taxpayers.”What issues are you hoping to address while on the county board? “I want to explore new or additional opportunities for the board to increase its role in promoting economic development in the county; to find ways to team with city and village governments and existing development agencies in the effort to grow our community, create new jobs and protect existing jobs.” “One issue I would plan to be actively involved in is the county budgeting process. County government does need to provide all of the needed services, but I feel strongly that this needs to be done without raising the county tax levy.”“Protecting and maintaining county infrastructure: roads and bridges is another issue. I plan to work closely with the County Roads Superintendent on the one and six year plans as they come up and to follow projects through to completion.”“The costs of dealing with the after effects of substance abuse are a really significant burden on the county’s budget. It causes extra financial demands on the sheriff’s office, county attorney’s office, county courts, public defender costs, housing and mandated treatment costs, on and on. The county has already begun to invest in a program which attacks this problem on the front end; through education, awareness and prevention. I believe that if we can achieve a reduction in these problems by investing in prevention, it will be less expensive than dealing with the after effects. I would be involved in this issue.” What are your goals for the county board in one year and four years? “My fiscal goal is to keep the county tax levy at or below its current rate. I will be diligent in looking for ways to save taxpayer dollars without reducing vital services.”“We want to do the best job possible in maintaining and protecting county roads and bridges. Nemaha County is primarily a farming community. Roads are important to everyone, but they are absolutely vital to our farmers. We need to plan ahead of pending problems and supply needs. (For example, we could consider stockpiling certain materials for a short time when there is evidence of pending short supply and possible higher cost during the season).” “My personal goals are to always be responsive to the needs of the people I would be serving, and to always exercise responsibility and integrity in the use of taxpayer dollars.” Is there an area(s) in which you believe the county board should direct more finances? “As mentioned earlier, I would plan to explore the area of economic development improvement in the county. More resources might be productive in this area.”Is there an area(s) where you believe the county board should direct less finances? “I’ll be looking at every piece of the county’s budget through the campaign. I’ll always be on the lookout for any signs of waste or excess to be eliminated. The costs of dealing with the effects of substance abuse represent a significant financial burden for the county.”
The 2010 Primary Election will be held May 11 at the usual polling places in Nemaha County. County Clerk Joyce Oakley said the polls will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. that Tuesday for the purpose of nominating candidates to various offices. Nemaha County will have two seats up for election as both candidates represent the same political party. Jana V. Smith and Wendy J. Hemmer are Democrat candidates seeking the Nemaha County Assessor position becoming open due to the retirement of Lila Gottula. Also, incumbent Bob Hutton and Jim Jarvis are both Republican candidates for District 1 Commissioner on the Nemaha County Board. The Nemaha County Herald submitted questions for candidates for the two contested offices to be able to better inform our readers about the individuals seeking elected office. Those responses follow: County Assessor Candidate
Jana Smith What is your address and how long have you lived in Nemaha County? “I have lived in Nemaha County for 35 years and reside in Brock. I am married to Sam Smith and have two stepchildren: Samantha Collins and Steve Smith, both of Nebraska City.” In response to a question regarding her qualifications for serving as Nemaha County Assessor, Smith replied, “I started working as the clerk for the Assessor’s Office in January of 1987. The opportunity for me to advance to deputy assessor came in 1990. I passed an examination by the State Department of Revenue, giving me a required certificate on Sept. 11, 1990 to perform the duties of Deputy Assessor or County Assessor. I have served this county as Deputy Assessor for the past 19 years and obtained the required 60 hours of continuing education to be eligible to receive approval by the Property Tax Administrator for re-certification. The 60 continuing education hours, necessary every four years, have been a requirement by law since 2001. My experience and qualifications of the past 24 years and the people I have helped have given me the confidence in filing for the office of assessor.” What do you believe to be areas needing additional attention in the County Assessors’ Office? “The main area requiring attention was looked at prior to today. The printed cadastral maps of Nemaha County were in need of being replaced. The commissioners and the assessor looked into the request for new mapping in 2007. The funds were budgeted in the same year by the county commissioners and a $25,000 grant was received from the Nebraska State Board of Records, the application having been submitted by Lila Gottula. The assessor’s office was able to proceed with implementing a property information website for the public’s use and a GIS (global information system) mapping system that works with the current CAMA system in assisting the office in the valuation process.”“I have advanced professionally because I received training to assist in implementing the mapping system. I keep the information current in the GIS computer; perhaps it may be a simple division of 80 acres from a 160 acre track or a more complex survey of an acreage. The computerization of mapping makes the work less time consuming and more accurate than it used to be when drawing the survey on a paper printed cadastral using a ruler, compass and pencil.”“The mapping system and website have improved the office efficiency and give the staff more time to work on current projects with less interruptions.” What are your goals for the County Assessor’s Office in one year and four years?“A sales analysis will be completed for residential, commercial and agriculture classes of properties to make sure their values are within the guidelines of the Department of Revenue, reviewing properties where necessary. The review of rural homes and buildings will begin in 2011, making sure the listings are correct with new pictures and correction of sketches as necessary. We will also list, measure and value all new construction for the county. The rural homes and buildings will take more than one year to complete.”Are there any ways in which you believe the County Assessor could better spend its budget? “The staff has been diligent in its use of the budget allowed by the county commissioners. In dealing with expenses, I feel the assessor’s office is at the lowest budget possible in order to do the required work. We do not know how the effect of state laws may change the requirements of the office.” County Assessor Candidate
Wendy Hemmer What is your address and how long have you lived in Nemaha County? “A resident of Auburn, I have lived in Nemaha County for the past 13 years as well as spending some of my elementary and middle school years in Auburn. I have always felt safe and included in Auburn, thus it seemed like the right decision to raise my son in a community that cared about the children and their future. Even though my son Blake graduated from Auburn High School in May and has moved on to attend Southeast Community College in Lincoln, I see Nemaha County as my home. I would like to give back to that community.”What are your qualifications for serving as county assessor? “For eight years, I have worked in some aspect of real estate or real property. I started working in a real estate office in Auburn and found that I really enjoyed the position and working with the public. However, it was not until I had the opportunity to work in an assessor’s office in a different county that I realized I had found my niche within the trade. I enjoyed this position so much I decided to pursue the required certification from the state in order to run for Nemaha County Assessor in the next election.” “The following summarizes my work experience; all four positions are directly related to understanding real estate and property valuations:Three-plus years with American Dream Real Estate (sales agent and property management)Three-plus years: Otoe County Assessor’s Office (appraisal assistant)Two-plus years: Professional Mortgage Services (loan processor)One-plus year: Southeast Nebraska Community Action Council, Inc. (housing coordinator).” What do you believe to be areas needing additional attention in the county assessor’s office? “Property valuations need to be set in an impartial and equitable manner.”“County employees must remember that they are elected to serve the public. Thus, they need to be respectful and courteous toward the public/community and strive to maintain a courteous, helpful and user friendly office.” “The assessor needs to be more visible and interact positively with the public. I would implement and maintain an open door policy for the people of the county in order to address all questions or concerns in an open manner.”What are your goals for the county assessor’s office in one year and four years? “From the beginning of the term, I will begin to implement policies addressing the fore-mentioned concerns. Being courteous and respectful towards the public, as well as being more visible and available will be first priority. In the long term, I will strive to implement practices that ensure property valuations are impartial and equitable.” “Every market area needs to be re-evaluated on a regular rotation in order to maintain property assessments and accurate information. The previous statement especially holds true to the farming community. The accuracy in the farming community is crucial to this county. Of course, property valuation is only one aspect of an assessor’s office, so that is why it is extremely important to maintain a positive environment while executing all other designated tasks.” Are there any ways in which you believe the county assessor could better spend its budget? “As with any business there is overhead or expenditures that need to be taken into account and a county assessor’s office is no different. Upon reviewing the current assessor’s budget, I found it to be in check. Establishing a budget, to be spent prudently and effectively, is an essential aspect of the assessor’s job description. As an elected official, we must never forget who earns the funds for our budget.”“I am familiar with generating and establishing budgets. Not only have I completed various accounting courses, while working on my business degree, but one of my previous positions required that I prepare the yearly budgets for the rental housing program. Furthermore, I volunteered with a local organization where I prepared and maintained the finances. In addition to my own personal budget, I taught potential homebuyers how to budget for a household and handle financial situations.” Dist. 1 County Commissioner Candidate
Bob Hutton What is your address and how long have you lived in Nemaha County?“I live in the Nemaha area and have been a resident of Nemaha County my entire life. My wife Deloris and I have three children: a daughter Laura Gossman of rural Stella, a son Alan Hutton of rural Auburn and a daughter Robin Sudman of Nemaha.” What are your qualifications for serving as District 1 Nemaha County Commissioner? “I have been a board member of the Nemaha County Commissioners for three terms. During these 12 years, I have served on the Blue Rivers Agency on Aging — which has given substantial funding to the Auburn Senior Center to defray expenses. I have also served on the Agricultural and Horticultural Tax Equalization Board, SENCA and Southeast Nebraska Development District.” “In my working cooperatively with other agencies, many accomplishments have been achieved to benefit our community. The Household Hazardous Waste Program, the Tire Recycling Program and the installation of lighting at the intersection of Highways 136 and 67 are some examples of those accomplishments.” “I have worked very hard to keep an open mind about my patrons’ concerns and ideas while discussing ways to solve problems for the betterment of Nemaha County. Communication is essential for progress to be made.” What issues are you hoping to address while serving on the County Board? “Due to the severity of the winter weather, Nemaha County’s roads are in need of maintenance. There are also bridges in need of repair. We are also working to obtain grant money to replace the windows at the courthouse as an energy efficiency step. Working with insurance brokers to find affordable health care coverage for all eligible employees is another issue to address.” What are your goals for the county board in one year and four years?“Continuing to work with our highway superintendent to recognize problem structures during bridge and road inspections is one goal. Keeping cost down, applying for federal aid money in order to help pay for bridge replacements and working with FEMA to assess disaster issues are all important goals to work towards. Another goal is to continue sharing some road equipment with the other two districts.”Is there an area(s) in which you believe the county board should direct more finances? “Budgets for the different areas are set on a yearly basis. Each area works within its allotted funds. The state sets some limitations which must be followed. We need to control the General Fund to manage the fluctuating costs of fuel, steel and repairs.” Is there an area(s) where you believe the county board should direct less finances? “I feel that the budget has been controlled closely. We have worked hard in keeping the mill levy low while still maintaining quality services to the patrons of District 1.” Dist. 1 County Commissioner Candidate
Jim Jarvis What is your address and how long have you lived in Nemaha County? “My wife Pat and I live about three miles east of Auburn and have been there since 2000. We have two daughters: Susan (Mrs. Dave) Thomas of rural Auburn and Kate Jarvis of Salina, Kansas, and a son Jim Jarvis of Kansas City, Mo.” “I was born in Auburn and grew up in Nemaha. I graduated from high school in Nemaha and attended Peru State College for one year. I then went to work for a national retailing company and spent over 35 years in that field. That career took us to several locations in the Midwest. Shortly after I chose to retire, we decided to move back home to Nemaha County.” “I served five years on the Good Samaritan Center Advisory Board and have been involved with the Nemaha County Neighbor to Neighbor program for over a year in soliciting volunteers to help the area’s elderly with their needs.” What are your qualifications for serving as District 1 Nemaha County Commissioner? “I have 35 plus years of business experience that ranges from small business beginnings to management positions in the corporate headquarters. I’ve worked extensively with sizable budget issues, have dealt with a wide range of personnel management matters and have much experience in managing and protecting assets. I feel I can make good decisions and will protect the interests of Nemaha County taxpayers.”What issues are you hoping to address while on the county board? “I want to explore new or additional opportunities for the board to increase its role in promoting economic development in the county; to find ways to team with city and village governments and existing development agencies in the effort to grow our community, create new jobs and protect existing jobs.” “One issue I would plan to be actively involved in is the county budgeting process. County government does need to provide all of the needed services, but I feel strongly that this needs to be done without raising the county tax levy.”“Protecting and maintaining county infrastructure: roads and bridges is another issue. I plan to work closely with the County Roads Superintendent on the one and six year plans as they come up and to follow projects through to completion.”“The costs of dealing with the after effects of substance abuse are a really significant burden on the county’s budget. It causes extra financial demands on the sheriff’s office, county attorney’s office, county courts, public defender costs, housing and mandated treatment costs, on and on. The county has already begun to invest in a program which attacks this problem on the front end; through education, awareness and prevention. I believe that if we can achieve a reduction in these problems by investing in prevention, it will be less expensive than dealing with the after effects. I would be involved in this issue.” What are your goals for the county board in one year and four years? “My fiscal goal is to keep the county tax levy at or below its current rate. I will be diligent in looking for ways to save taxpayer dollars without reducing vital services.”“We want to do the best job possible in maintaining and protecting county roads and bridges. Nemaha County is primarily a farming community. Roads are important to everyone, but they are absolutely vital to our farmers. We need to plan ahead of pending problems and supply needs. (For example, we could consider stockpiling certain materials for a short time when there is evidence of pending short supply and possible higher cost during the season).” “My personal goals are to always be responsive to the needs of the people I would be serving, and to always exercise responsibility and integrity in the use of taxpayer dollars.” Is there an area(s) in which you believe the county board should direct more finances? “As mentioned earlier, I would plan to explore the area of economic development improvement in the county. More resources might be productive in this area.”Is there an area(s) where you believe the county board should direct less finances? “I’ll be looking at every piece of the county’s budget through the campaign. I’ll always be on the lookout for any signs of waste or excess to be eliminated. The costs of dealing with the effects of substance abuse represent a significant financial burden for the county.”
Auburn Native Hopes to Inspire Others Through Movie, Book on Local Family
Written by Nemaha County Herald
Auburn Native Lori Gottula stands with Sissy Georges at the horse rider’s family farm near Barada. Gottula is working on an inspiration movie and book about Sissy and her family. Gottula calls Sissy the most inspirational person she has ever met.
Awe-Inspiring. That’s the word Auburn native Lori Kimball Gottula uses when describing Christina “Sissy” Georges and her mother Angel Ralph. Gottula, now a Falls City resident, is currently working on promoting a screenplay she has completed about the Barada family. She is in the progress of working on a book about the family.The story centers around the life of 27-year-old Sissy, a long-haired, soft-spoken blind woman. However, Gottula said, the story also focuses on the entire Georges family, including Angel, and the adversity they have overcome.Sissy has never used her blindness as a crutch. She is an accomplished barrel racer, who has won national titles. Her mother Angel said Sissy has been able to achieve success in life because she was raised as a person who can see. Sissy isn’t the only one in the family who has overcome adversity. Angel has lost two sons to suicide. Despite all of the heartache, the two women can laugh at the smallest things. Gottula describes their spirits as ones full of dignity and grace.“They’ve had a rough go of it, but yet they still have deep belly laugh,” Gottula said.Gottula has been working on the story for more than a year. After hearing about the story, she said she sought the family out, first with a phone interview and then she began meeting with the family on a regular basis at their family farm. After many visits, she came to realize their story had to be told. Since then, she has worked countless hours perfecting her screenplay, which has been approved by Sissy and Angel. Gottula said she intends to sell the screenplay to a major studio within two years. She said she is aiming for a major studio and director because she believes this story merits just that.“The story is worth a big budget, and worth two major actresses in the main parts,” she said. She said she decided to write the screenplay before finishing the book because she knew it would take some time to make the film a reality.As for the book, she has completed well over 200 pages and she expects to have it finished by the end of the year.Gottula has engrossed nearly all of her energy into a film and book because she full heartedly believes it needs to be shared with others. “The difficulty and tragedy of their lives is unparalleled by any family I have ever known,” Gottula said. “How many women Angel’s age (55) have lost two children, yet who not only manage to get out of bed, but who laugh with a full-on belly laugh?”She continued, “Regarding Sissy, I have never known a person with a disability like hers who literally blows it out of the water.”And, if Gottula is unable to get a major film production company to make the movie, she said she will make the film herself because someone has to tell this story.Gottula has formed her own production company, which she named Quilting Club Productions LLC for the purpose of making the film if it comes to that. She said if she has to make the film, she will seek partnering with other production companies and investors.So far, Gottula has sent numerous letters to recognizable directors. She has pitched the script to Howard Roseman, who directed the movie “Father of the Bride.” This is not the first feature film Gottula has worked on. She has written four other scripts, two of which she has taken to national film festivals for competition. In order to promote Sissy and Angel’s story, Gottula has posted a short trailer on YouTube, as well as created a Facebook page. To learn more about the inspiring story, visit YouTube.com and search sissy.avi and visit Facebook.com and search SISSY Christina Georges screenplay.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Auburn’s People First Organization Will Host a Coffee for Tony Fulton
Written by Nemaha County Herald
People First Auburn Chapter members (from left) Beth Schmidt, Dana Shaw and Holli Burgert, as well as the other organization’s members, will be hosting a meet and greet coffee for State Senator Tony Fulton, an Auburn native, from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, March 22, at the Senior Center. Fulton, a Republican, is running for State Treasurer.
Knowing how to dress, having self confidence, being able to interact with others and standing up for yourself may come naturally to most people, but for others it’s a learning process.
In People First-Auburn Chapter, SENDS clients learn how to be themselves, dress for work and other social skills. But, the most important thing they learn is how to speak up.To be in the organization, said Beth Schmidt, all a member has to do is “Speak up for yourself and be able to tell people what you want and don’t want.”Member Dana Shaw added, “You have to be responsible and help others speak up.”The Auburn chapter began in February of 1999. The organization has grown from a few members to its current 28. Members attend meetings across the state and country. Shaw has been to the national People First conventions in California, New York and Georgia. Through People First, the members also learn people skills. Member Beth Schmidt said she has learned how to stand up for herself through the organization. She said it has made her more responsible. Shaw said the group has taught her how to have a good attitude and how to respect others. Shaw is a founding member of the Auburn group. Shaw has had a lot of success through the organization. She has received the Self Advocate of the Year award. She is a nationally known speaker and has served on several panels to advocate the awareness of people with developmental disabilities. She gives presentations to school students to help them understand what it is like to live with a disability. And, she has represented the state at the National Convention.For member Holli Burgert, the organization has helped her in many ways, including being a productive citizen. Burgert is one of eight members who owns her own home.“I get a lot out of it,” she said. “We share information and give useful ideas to each other.”Shaw, who is employed with District #29 Schools, also said she has benefited a lot by being a member.“I would be able to go out of town to meet people,” she said. Burgert, Schmidt, who works at Pizza Hut, and Shaw all agreed the Auburn community is very accepting of people with disabilities. “(The people) treat us well,” Shaw said. “They show respect and are very supportive with jobs.”Burgert, who works at Sonic, added she would rather live in Auburn than in a large city because she feels more accepted. “The smaller the city, the more people you know and you can get along better,” she said.Auburn’s chapter meets on the first Monday of each month. Each meeting is different and often times public speakers will give presentations. The members are also active in the community, including raising and giving money to Nemaha County Gives Back, as well as serving as respectable employees among several local businesses. And, they are deeply involved in the political process. Eleven of the members are registered voters and several politicians have spoken to the group, including former State Senator Floyd Vrtiska, Auburn Mayor Bob Engles, former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel and former Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns, who is currently a U.S. Senator. And, in honor of March being National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and as part of learning about politics, the group will be hosting a meet and greet coffee from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, March 22, at the Senior Center for State Senator Tony Fulton, who is running for State Treasurer. Fulton is a native of Auburn. Shaw grew up next to Fulton in Auburn. She said they are hosting the coffee for him, not only because he is a native, but because, “He’s a very hard worker and an honest man.”
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
City Employees/Council Members To Be Honored March 22nd
The City of Auburn will be honoring its employees and council members at their March 22nd meeting. Each year the city honors employees and council members for reaching a 5 year benchmark of service to the city. This years honorees include Margie Zimmerman - 20 years; Dan White - 15 years; Heather Koeneke - 10 years; and Glen Krueger - 10 years. Zimmerman and Koeneke have both served patrons at the Auburn Memorial Library while White has served with the Police Department and Krueger with the city council. If you would like to attend the city council meeting and help in honoring these dedicated employees, please be at Auburn City Hall at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 22, 2010.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Peru State President Hanson Presented Patriot Award
Written by Nemaha County Herald
Participating in the recognition activity were (from left): Walter Zink III, chair of the Nebraska Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and SSG Jeffrey Meyers, who presented a Patriot Award to Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State College. Meyers nominated Dr. Hanson for the honor.
Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State College, was the recipient of a Patriot Award presented March 4 by Walter Zink III, chair of the Nebraska Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense. The honor was in recognition of his extraordinary support of an employee who serves in the Nebraska Army National Guard. Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Meyers of Peru, a member of the Army National Guard 192nd Military Police Detachment unit in Nebraska City, nominated Dr. Hanson and his wife, Elaine, for their support of him and his family. “To others, this may seem insignificant, but it is my opinion that the world would be a better place if we had more Dr. Dan and Elaine Hansons,” said Meyers. “These two remarkable human beings are always asking me how myself and my family are doing or if there is anything they can do for us due to my upcoming deployment. They aren’t just mouthing the words, but truly mean what they say.” Dr. and Mrs. Hanson also showed their support by attending a town hall meeting for the 192nd Military Police Detachment and expressing their support of the Meyers and all Guardsmen.“It is our goal to support our employees,” said Dr. Hanson. “Specifically, we’re glad to support his service to the country,” Hansen said of Meyers.Meyers is among 52 members of the 192nd Military Police Detachment who are to report May 20 for a 12-month mobilization to Iraq. Meyers is a maintenance worker/water operator who has been employed by the college for over eight years. The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with America’s borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of the law, and resolves conflict through mediation
ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve personnel. Please contact Executive Director William Nelson at 402-309-7105 or email william.nelson1@us.army.mil for more information on ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities.Editor’s note: Background information was submitted by Tammy Pearson, Assistant PR Director with the Nebraska Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve.
Participating in the recognition activity were (from left): Walter Zink III, chair of the Nebraska Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and SSG Jeffrey Meyers, who presented a Patriot Award to Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State College. Meyers nominated Dr. Hanson for the honor.
Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State College, was the recipient of a Patriot Award presented March 4 by Walter Zink III, chair of the Nebraska Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense. The honor was in recognition of his extraordinary support of an employee who serves in the Nebraska Army National Guard. Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Meyers of Peru, a member of the Army National Guard 192nd Military Police Detachment unit in Nebraska City, nominated Dr. Hanson and his wife, Elaine, for their support of him and his family. “To others, this may seem insignificant, but it is my opinion that the world would be a better place if we had more Dr. Dan and Elaine Hansons,” said Meyers. “These two remarkable human beings are always asking me how myself and my family are doing or if there is anything they can do for us due to my upcoming deployment. They aren’t just mouthing the words, but truly mean what they say.” Dr. and Mrs. Hanson also showed their support by attending a town hall meeting for the 192nd Military Police Detachment and expressing their support of the Meyers and all Guardsmen.“It is our goal to support our employees,” said Dr. Hanson. “Specifically, we’re glad to support his service to the country,” Hansen said of Meyers.Meyers is among 52 members of the 192nd Military Police Detachment who are to report May 20 for a 12-month mobilization to Iraq. Meyers is a maintenance worker/water operator who has been employed by the college for over eight years. The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with America’s borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of the law, and resolves conflict through mediation
ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve personnel. Please contact Executive Director William Nelson at 402-309-7105 or email william.nelson1@us.army.mil for more information on ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities.Editor’s note: Background information was submitted by Tammy Pearson, Assistant PR Director with the Nebraska Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Distinguished Reading Award
Written by Nemaha County HeraldAuburn Resident Shirley Snyder was recently presented the Distinguished Educator of Reading award by the Nebraska State Reading Association at the group’s annual conference in Kearney. Snyder teaches elementary Title 1 Reading in the Auburn Public School system and has been active on the local, state and international levels of the Association since 1983. Marla Jones, a fifth-grade teacher with the Nebraska City Public Schools, presented the award. Jones also resides in Auburn.
Auburn Optimists Salute Boy Scout Troop #321
Written by Nemaha County Herald
National Boy Scout Week was celebrated during February and the Boy Scouts of America are celebrating their 100th Year this year
......so what better time to honor our local Boy Scout Troop #321 who celebrate 50 years of continuous service to the Auburn area. That was the atmosphere at the local Optimist meeting held this past Saturday morning, at Darling’s Cafe, where scouting and all it does for the community and youth of our area was saluted by Optimist members who know a lot about volunteering. The early morning event began with a buffet styled breakfast.
......so what better time to honor our local Boy Scout Troop #321 who celebrate 50 years of continuous service to the Auburn area. That was the atmosphere at the local Optimist meeting held this past Saturday morning, at Darling’s Cafe, where scouting and all it does for the community and youth of our area was saluted by Optimist members who know a lot about volunteering. The early morning event began with a buffet styled breakfast.
After the meal, the program commenced with (above photo) Optimist President Dennis Wittmann presenting a $250 check to Troop #321 Scout Master Doug Billesbach.
Auburn’s Boy Scout Troop #321 members who are working on or have achieved their “Eagle Scout Rank” are: Ben Billesbach, Wyatt Gauchat, Levi Haynes, Greg Florence, Eagle Scout Tyler Westerfield, Eagle Scout Jason Teten and Eagle Scout Kevin Volkmer.
The funds will be used to defray costs for the scout’s summer camping program. Scouts who are working on their Eagle Scout status then shared their community service projects with the group. Projects currently underway or finished include: a new gazebo in Legion Park, updating the handicap parking at a local church, refurbishing the Legion Park benches, modifying church pews so that they are handicap accessible at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, construction of a Ten Commandment Monument at the Catholic Church and a landscaping project at the New Life Church. Twenty-one ––individual merit badges and a Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project must be completed for an individual to reach the goal of Eagle Scout. This isn’t an easy accomplishment and has been bestowed upon just over two million young men since it was first awarded 1912. Auburn’s Troop #321 has 14 active scouts in its program.
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