Ariens® Company Acquires Parker Company, Inc.; Lawn Sweepers and Debris Handling Products Fill Niche

Written by Nemaha County Herald Thursday, 03 December 2009 19:21

Brillion, Wisc. — Ariens® Company announced earlier it has acquired the assets of debris maintenance equipment manufacturer, Parker Company, Inc. of Phoenix, AZ.

Ariens will continue to sell Parker products through two-step distribution channels in the outdoor power equipment market. The products will also be made available as brands sold directly to the independent dealer channel for the fall 2010 clean-up season.“Parker is an established name in the debris maintenance segment. The addition of the Parker lawn sweepers and debris handling equipment will help extend the lawn and garden season for our equipment dealers with fall clean-up products,” says Dan Ariens, Company President. “It will also serve our growing sports turf maintenance segment.”Ariens will produce the Parker products at its manufacturing facility in Auburn. The Parker line of products, which serve both the consumer and commercial markets, includes Vac-35® Litter Vacuums, all purpose vacuums, ground pack blowers, turf sweepers and lawn sweepers, portable truck loaders, Hurricane® Plus Blowers and Thatch-O-Matic® Power RakesWhole goods availability is expected by December.Established in 1933 in Brillion, Wisc., Ariens Company is a leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment for both consumer and commercial use. The company’s premium brands include Ariens Sno-Thro® and Ariens zero-turn mowers for consumers, Gravely®, EverRide® and Great Dane® commercial lawn equipment for professional landscape contractors, as well as Gravely® Turf products, National® specialty mowers and Locke® reel mowers for the sports field sector. Ariens’ affiliates, Stens Corporation and its Australian counterpart, Bynorm Group, supply replacement parts to the outdoor power equipment industry.

Nemaha County Emergency Management Prepares for Incoming Winter Storm

Nemaha County Emergency Management Agency is preparing for a strong winter storm that is predicted to hit the Auburn area in the next two days. According to the National Weather Service at Valley, Nebraska snow accummulations could be around 13 inches with wind creating blowing and drifting snow and blizzard conditions. The Emergency Management team would like Auburn citizens and visitors to know that they are currently taking measures to have emergency shelters available for those stranded due to the storm. They highly recommend people check travel conditions before embarking upon travel. For more information contact Nemaha County Emergency Management office at 402-274-2552.

Stocking Stuffer Idea From The Auburn Chamber of Commerce

Here is a great stocking stuffer idea from Renee Danley at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce:

Just a reminder that this year "I shop Auburn" coupon books are available for something a little different to give your employees, friends, neighbors and relatives as a unique "something extra" for the holidays. Large quantities of the coupon books may be reserved at the Chamber of Commerce office. And as a special treat...why not include a couple of chamber bucks to start the shopping in Auburn off!

For more information or to reserve your books contact Renee at 274-3521 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Nemaha County Gives Back Committee Preparing for 3rd Annual Winter Festival

Written by Nemaha County Herald

The Nemaha County Gives Back Winter Festival is set for December 5-6 from 5 – 8pm at the 4-H Building in Auburn!The committee has been working hard on preparing for the third annual event. The festival will feature a free will offering meal, entertainment provided by local groups and a Christmas tree/wreath auction. Chairperson Bobette Guenther stated that the 2008 festival was a huge success! “The second annual event raised $15,472 as local businesses, civic groups, churches, and individuals were very generous in the fundraising efforts. A group from the Nemaha County Gives Back Committee did all the shopping last year for SENCA and Project Response. “With the money raised we were able to provide 100 food baskets, 218 children received toys/gifts and warm articles of clothing, plus100 gift certificates were given to the elderly along with a warm blanket and 70 $25 gift certificates were given to the SENDS clients. “The Christmas trees and wreaths which were decorated by local civic groups raised quite a bit of money. Then, some of the trees that were successfully bid for during the auction were donated back to needy families.“Last year, recognizing the men and women in the military with Nemaha County ties was a huge honor. A bulletin board was on display with their pictures and information provided by their families. A DVD was shown also featuring the brave men and women from our county! Each individual was recognized even though they were not present during the event but many of each person’s family were present. “Again this year, we will be putting together a bulletin board/DVD so anyone who has a loved one serving in the military and would like to take part in this, please contact me [Bobette Guenther] by Nov. 15. This is a way of showing our appreciation and support to these dedicated individuals serving our country. “Please know that by making a donation to the event you are able to help a child, needy family, elderly or disabled to have a brighter holiday. People take so much for granted but think of a child who has never received a toy for Christmas, an elderly person who would not have had a holiday dinner, or even a family who has never had a Christmas tree – to them, this is a huge blessing! The stories that we heard after the event about how a food basket, a toy, an article of clothing, even Christmas trees, and military families affected people’s lives made the event very much worthwhile! All sponsors will be recognized!” she concluded.Bobette Guenther and Bob Lowrey are the co-chairpersons for the event.The public is encouraged to attend this winter festival. Anyone who has any questions, would like to help sponsor, wants further information, or would like to help serve on a committee, please contact Bobette Guenther at 402-274-8919 or 402-274-3285. Thank you for all your support!

Veterans Day Observed in Auburn Nov. 11

Written by Nemaha County Herald Thursday, 19 November 2009 19:43

Auburn residents and local students showed their respect to military veterans Wednesday, Nov. 11, during the annual Veterans Day program at the high school.
Auburn High Principal Kevin Reiman, a former member of the Nebraska National Guard, opened the ceremony by telling the audience this day is to celebrate, honor and to, “commemorate the dead and the living, the young men and women who in every war since this country began have given testimony to their loyalty to their country and their own great courage.”Members of the Auburn VFW and American Legion, along with the Auxiliary, presented the Advancement of Colors during the ceremony. The Auburn High School choir provided music by singing the National Anthem. The school’s concert band also provided music by playing the “Armed Forces’ Salute” to recognize each division of the U.S. Military.Auburn American Legion Commander Dick Stich recognized all the veterans for attending the ceremony and for their service to this country. Stich, a U.S. Army veteran, also introduced the ceremony’s keynote speaker, Retired U.S. Army Col. Brian Bequette.Bequette retired from the Army on Nov. 1. He had served in the military for 26 years, he said. He is married to Auburn native Kelly (Tynon) Bequette. Bequette talked about how grateful he was to serve his country and the benefits it provided to him, including traveling the world and receiving a free education. “I am honored and in awe of the things I was allowed to do in this country,” he told the audience.He also reminded the crowd that Veterans Day is also an occasion to think of not just the veterans but also their parents, spouses and children because they too are sacrificing for their country. As is tradition during Auburn’s Veterans Day program, high school students participated the Voice of Democracy essay contest. This year’s winners of the contest, which had a theme of whether or not there are still heroes in this country, were Greg Moran, first place; Mallory Fiebig, second and Matt Knapp, third. The contest winners presented their essays during the program. The essay presentations were followed by a twenty-one gun salute and a moment of silence. Auburn High students Nathan Allgood and Kelsey Dixon provided the Taps and Echo for the ceremony, followed by the retirement of the colors. To conclude this year’s Veterans Day ceremony, Principal Reiman made the final remarks: “We celebrated this Veterans Day for a very few minutes, a few seconds of silence and now this country’s life goes on. But I think it most appropriate that we continue to recall today, and on every other moment when we are faced with great responsibilities, the contribution and the sacrifice which so many Americans have made in order to permit this country to now occupy its present position of responsibility and freedom. May God Bless our veterans and the United States of America.”

Veterans Kevin Reiman, Auburn High School principal; Dick Stich, commander of the Auburn American Legion and U.S. Army Retired Col. Brian Bequette stand as the National Anthem is sung by the Auburn High School choir. Bequette provided the Veterans Day remarks during the ceremony.

Annie Thomas To Be Honored November 19th

The Auburn Chamber of Commerce And The City of Auburn
Invite all citizens of Nemaha County and Southeast Nebraska
In honoring Ms. Annie Thomas
For her many years of dedicated service to the City of Auburn
On Thursday, November 19th, 2009
At 9:00 am
In the City Council Chambers
City Hall, Auburn, Nebraska

Annie Thomas has recently been named President of the Nebraska League of Municipalities. This is a very distinguished honor to add to her many accomplishments. Please take this opportunity to thank Annie for her dedication to Auburn.

Lecture Series Gets Named in Honor of PSC Economics Professor Bill Snyder

Written by Nemaha County Herald Thursday, 12 November 2009 20:35

It’s been more than 10 years since Peru State Faculty members had a place they could congregate and share ideas about teaching and life. But, with the effort of long-time faculty member Bill Snyder, the professors now have a place of their own.Snyder of Auburn is a full-time professor at the college where he teaches economics and advanced marketing classes. He said it is important that the faculty had a private place to gather.
“Faculty really need to meet, have a place to drink a cup of coffee and share ideas,” Snyder said.The faculty center is in the upper level of the college’s new library. The room is where the former athletic coaches offices used to be.Snyder added that Todd Drew, vice president of academic affairs, as well as other committee members were also instrumental in getting a faculty center established on campus.And, for his efforts to make a faculty center a reality, a faculty lecture series has been named in honor. Once a month faculty members are gathering in the center to learn about each other and learn about other subjects than the ones they teach. The series is named, “The Bill Snyder Faculty Discussion Series, Growing Ideas.”Bill Clemente, an English professor at PSC, wrote about the honor given to Snyder on his blog recently. “The tribute honors a great friend of mine, so I am deliciously pleased to recognize him here. Congratulations, Bill.”The first lecture was held earlier this fall with a presentation given by Dan Holtz and Sara Crook on their Tales and Trails summer sessions. Snyder, a Pawnee City native, gave a presentation last month about the current economic crises and what the future might hold. He said he is optimistic about the future of the United States’ economy. He said his fellow professors, ranging from historians to sociologists to psychologists all brought insight to the topic, which Snyder said made for an interesting conversation.A lecture coming up in February is something Snyder is really looking forward to, he said. Biology professor Mike Barger will share with the other faculty members his passion for cooking.The whole purpose of the series, Snyder said, is to get to know each other, especially those outside of each other’s specific education field.“We have a tendency to cluster in your own group,” Snyder said. “We didn’t have a larger area to make that kind of interchange and this allows for larger campus to come together in that setting.”Snyder has been instructing undergraduate students at the college for more than 30 years. He obtains three degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln – a B.A., M.D. and an Educational Doctorate.His career at PSC began in 1970 but he left in 1973 to return teaching high school students. He returned to PSC in 1979. Snyder’s official teaching career began in Johnson, where he taught social science. It was during that time that the Brock school merged with Johnson to become Johnson-Brock Schools. He would eventually serve as principal of that school for a period of time. Following his years at J-B, Snyder returned to PSC to serve as president of the college’s foundation, but would then return to Johnson to teach again. He finally returned to PSC in 1979 as a professor. While at Peru, Snyder has served as Vice President of Academic Affairs and as Interim President. In 1993 he returned to a career of full-time teaching.Teaching is a passion of Snyder’s and he still enjoys being in the classroom, especially these past few years.“I have second generation kids and that’s really fun. I can tease them about how I know your dad,” Snyder said.Retirement from teaching is something Snyder is thinking about but doesn’t know exactly when that day will come. “I don’t want to stay too long. I don’t want to be that old guy,” Snyder said. “Hopefully I can be smart and quit while I still have a good game.”When he is not teaching, Snyder works as an Auburn City Councilman. He is currently serving in his third term on the council, which will expire next year. He said he doesn’t think he will seek re-election.“Three terms is enough. We need new blood,” Snyder said. He jokingly added, if nominated to run for mayor of this city, he will not do that either.