Oliver Is State Champ

Written by Nemaha County Herald

Sharing a Championship Hug during the 2010 State Wrestling Tournament were Auburn High School senior Matt Oliver and his father Mark, who is head coach of the Bulldog wrestling team.
Matt was among seven Auburn High students/athletes who competed last week at the Qwest Center in Omaha. Oliver overcame injuries to win the state title at 152 pounds. The Bulldog decisioned Grant Randall of Omaha Skutt Catholic 10-8 to earn the gold medal immediately before this photograph was taken.

Nemaha County Herald photo by Kendall Neiman

58 Years...Leslie’s Retirement Official

Written by Nemaha County Herald

Last Thursday was a bittersweet day at the Auburn Board of Public Works when Milo Leslie was recognized for his service and he said farewell to the place he worked for 58 years.

Leslie officially retired on Dec. 31, 2009, but he wasn’t honored until the standing-room only reception was held for the public to personally thank him for his many years of service to this community.Leslie began his career at the BPW in January 1951 but did not stay very long and quit in May of that same year. However, he returned in October. He began his career in the electric department, with a starting salary of 85 cents per hour. Over the years, Leslie has witnessed many changes at the BPW, including the management change from the city of Auburn to that of the BPW. Leslie had many roles over the years, including the city’s electrical inspector and plumbing inspector, as well as overseeing the BPW’s water department.He has also received many honors during his career at the BPW. At the 2006 fall conference of the American Water Works Association–Nebraska Section American Water Works Association and Nebraska Water Environment Association, Leslie received the NE AWWA Water Industry Service Award. And, in December of that same year, city administrators declared December 25-31 as Milo Leslie Week. During Leslie’s retirement party, Mayor Bob Engles proclaimed Feb. 18, 2010, as “Milo Leslie Day.” The proclamation read: “Milo has brought a wealth of knowledge and ability to his position; and whereas, Milo has been on call and ready to respond to handle virtually every utility problem in Auburn and the Villages and rural areas in which BPW supplies service; and Whereas, This dedication has helped keep the lights on during storms, provided safe clean water to drink and for the fire protection, and also provided a wastewater system that met the ever changing government regulations; and Whereas, Milo’s dedication to his family and community are a great inspiration to everyone.”In addition to the proclamation being read, BPW Chairman Richard Schneider also read some kind words during the retirement party. Schneider told the crowd, “Milow was the type of person every employer is looking for because now matter how bad things get, Milo will find a way to keep it running. This is extremely valuable to the community. Milo has worked almost every electrical storm for the past 58 years. He has been on-call and ready to respond to handle virtually every utility problem including being out and working on electrical power and water lines in all condition–lightening, snow, rain, ice, tornados, blizzards, floods (you name it) and at all times–day or night, weekends, holidays, even on vacation, etc. Milo receives no extra pay for this extra time.”
Leslie said he will miss working at the BPW and he will always remember his co-workers and the BPW customers.While most people despise snow, ice and tornadoes, Leslie said he enjoyed working during those times. “I always enjoyed storms,” Leslie said. “I always liked getting out there and getting the people’s lights back on. I found it pretty interesting in figuring out how you get the people back on the quickest.”Leslie retired for family reasons, he said. Primarily because his wife Betty recently sustained an injury. In the first weeks of retirement, Leslie admits he misses work and being busy.“Right now, what you miss the most is you don’t get up and go to work in the morning,” Leslie said. “I suppose there be other thing that will come up, but that’s what I miss.”And, the reason Leslie stayed with his job for 58 years is because he was never bored with it. “I enjoyed the work. You never knew what you were going to be doing,” Leslie said. “Every thing changed, every day.”Leslie said once spring comes, he will be busy again. Right now, he is spending spare time in his greenhouse tending to his flowers. He also plans to paint his house this spring. “I’ve got plenty of things to do this year at least,” Leslie said. “It will get better here. I’ve got to find something to do. I’ve got to keep busy because that’s what I’ve done all my life. I can’t change now.”

Bulldog Cheerleaders Runners-up at State Competition

Written by Nemaha County Herald

The Auburn High School Cheerleading Squad brought home the second place trophy over the weekend after competing at the State Cheerleading and Dance Championships in Grand Island. The Bulldog spirit leaders competed in the Class C Non-Tumbling, Non-Building Division on Saturday, Feb. 20. A total of 16 teams competed in that division, with Cozad winning the first place title. Cozad had an 80 point average and Auburn scored an average of 79 points. Bennington finished in third place. The 2009-10 Bulldog Cheerleaders are (pictured front row from left) Brittni Mann, Mady Fiebig, Kloe Kratz, Charlotte Grooms, Miranda Leslie and Mariah Mellage; (middle row from left) Breann Wills, Rachel Henry, Jenna Kruger, Alexis Nee, Tierra Williams and Kaitlin Dauel and (back row from left) Mallory Fiebig, Wendy Teten, Nikki Chubick, Brooke Wissler, Haevyn Hug and Coach Joellen Hamann. The competition was sponsored by the Nebraska Coaches Association and the Nebraska State Athletic Administrators Association.

Auburn Middle School 8th Grade Science Team Competes in the UNL Science Bowl

Written by Nemaha County Herald

Auburn Middle School Eighth Graders competed at the Nebraska Middle School Science Bowl at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This was the first year Auburn competed at the competition. Participating were (pictured from left to right back row) is Coach Klark Knipe and Heidi Rathjen and (front row) are Collin Argo, John Lambert, Julie Slama and Chelsea Haynes.

Auburn Middle School science teacher Klark Knipe and five of his 8th grade students competed in the sixth annual Nebraska Middle School Science Bowl held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Science Bowl is a fast-paced question-and-answer contest where students answer questions about general science, physical science, earth science and math. A total of 40 teams from across the state participated.The Auburn team scored well in the contest’s Pool Play and qualified for competition in the contest’s final 16-team tournament. Coach Knipe was pleased with Auburn team’s results. “I felt our kids did a great job and represented us well. I was especially pleased since this was our first time to compete.”The Lincoln Lux Middle School took home first place honors while Elkhorn Ridge Middle School placed second.The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) coordinates the Nebraska Middle School Science Bowl in conjunction with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chemistry Department. Over 75 volunteers were recruited by NRCS to help run the Science Bowl. Volunteers from chemistry included Dr. Jim Carr, Leah Thompson, Bridget Foley, Dr. Pat Dussault, and recent alumni, Dr. Kausik Das.

Bulldogs Qualify for State Wrestling Tournament

Written by Nemaha County Herald

These young men were tough enough to have a state wrestling qualifying team photo taken outside in the cold and will look to show the rest of the state just how serious they are about wrestling for a title as they represent Auburn High School in the 2010 Class B State Tournament at the Qwest Center in Omaha, beginning this Thursday. Pictured are (from left) Trent Mertes, Matt Oliver, Calvin Bishop, Darian Haynes, Jeff Boden, Austin Graham and Jarod Ketter.

A Night Under the Stars.....

Written by Nemaha County Herald

Members of the Auburn High School Music Choir were the stars of the show during Monday, Feb. 8, night’s musical and dinner event. The group put on the show as a fund-raiser for the school’s vocal musical department. The group is under the direction of Meghan Burgess. During the evening, the group was accompanied by Brent Comstock, Greg Florence, Carlene Frenzel, Amanda Heywood, Greg Moran and Carolyn Weston. The stars of the show were: Andrew Akins, *Nathan Allgood, McKenzie Anderson, Amy Aufenkamp, Alyshia Barnett, *Benjamin Billesbach, Melissa Bohling, Stephani Bohling, Michaiel Brand, Nicole Breazile, Melissa Brown, Chelsea Bulmer, *Amanda Butler, *Jesse Carnahan, *Brent Comstock, Taylor Covington, Cassandra Culling-Gallegos, Jacob Daffer, Mary Dann, Hannah Diesing, Kelsey Dixon, Kayla Domino, Luke Dorn, *Greg Florence, *Kailey Frenzel, Nicholas Girard, *Megan Gren, Dana Groves, Tyler Hasselbring, Jennifer Kahanca, *Sarah Johnson, Jiana Keefer, *ALexis Kirby, *Matthew Knapp, Kelsey Krieger, Kelly McMann, Mariah Mellage, *Sara Meyer, *Daniel Moberly, Trevor Montanelli, Gregory Moran, Alexa Oestmann, *Jacob Parker, Rachel Pinderton, *Abriel Schlange, *Garrett Schwindt, *Thomas Shelly, Ashley Smith, Kyle Smith, Ashleigh Stough, Carissa Summerlin, Abigail Tanderup, Laura Teten, Canyon Towne, Bethany Vandiver, *Kendall Victor, Sabrina Waring, Hannah Wilson, Lindsay Wilson, Delaney Young, *Denotes Rhythm in Red. Community Singers were: Barb Billesbach, Meghan Burgess, Dave & Theresa Fletcher, Trent Stump, Dale Thomas and Carolyn Weston.

Auburn Optimists to Host “The Spirit of Chocolate!”

Written by Nemaha County Herald


The Auburn Optimist Club is sponsoring “The Spirit of Chocolate!” A Chocolate Lovers Celebration, from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at the 4-H Building on the Nemaha County Fair Grounds. The Optimists are partnering with groups and businesses in Auburn as a fundraiser to support the organization’s youth scholarship program. The afternoon will start with chocolate, with samples of chocolate provided by the area restaurants and caterers. Some presenters will be offering samples of other foods to help clear the palate for the main ingredient...chocolate.While grazing through the varied chocolate delights, the crowd can also enjoy the music provided by student groups, Brent Comstock and Spirit Wave.The Optimists support college scholarships of $2,100 to students from the Auburn Public Schools and Johnson-Brock Public Schools. To attend the event, tickets can be purchased from any Auburn Optimist Club or any Youth Against Drugs & Alcohol member, at Lynch’s Hardware or Bohl Plumbing & Heating. Tickets cost $10 and will be available at the door.For more information or to purchase a ticket, call Jackie Gfeller at 274-3599 or 242-2411.