Stories from Monday, April 8, 2002

Kristen Leigh Buell and Nicholas Lee Eschliman, both of McCook, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Rodney and Tami Buell of Eustis and Randy and Carmen Eschliman of McCook. The bride-to-be is a 1999 graduate of Eustis-Farnam High School and a 2001 graduate of McCook Community College with a degree in early childhood development. ...

Stormie Marie Haas of Oberlin and Chad Caldwell of Longmont, Colo., were united in marriage Feb. 17, 2002, at Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook with the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Thurman officiating. Parents of the couple are Susan and Richard Glaser of Gresham, Ore., the late Larry Swanson, Evie Caldwell of McCook and Robert Caldwell of Lincoln...

Vanessa Anne Kiersey and Trevor Adam Porter, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Duane and Lois Bishop of Beaver City, Eric and Teresa Kiersey of Wichita, Kan., and Larry and Marjorie Porter of McCook. The bride-to-be will graduate in May from McCook Community College with an associates of science degree. ...

The children of Lee and Billie Petsch of McCook are hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary April 16. Their children are Fred and wife, Debra of McCook and Leland, Jr., of Lincoln. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 401 West L, McCook, NE 69001...

The family of Jess "Pete" and Wilma (Barnhart) Petsch are hosting an card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary on April 17. Their family includes brothers, Clyde and Manota Daniels of Stratton and Gary and Vernelle Petsch of Palisade; sister, Ruth and Ellis Sutton of McCook, two neices, Cindy and Larry Krutsinger of Statton and Barb and Gene Morris of McCook; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. ...

The family of Vernon and Sara Esch of Indianola are hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 40th wedding anniversary April 15.Their children are Brian and wife, Mary Esch of McCook, Darren and wife, Tyler Esch of Indianola, Gene and wife, Kandie Esch of McCook and Chris Esch of Indianola. They have seven grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at Rt. 1 Box 80, Indianola, NE 69034...

SEWARD -- Loyd Franklin Reichert, 91, died Wednesday (April 3, 2002) at the Sundermann Home in Seward. He was born Sept. 9, 1910, to Christian and Margaretha (Bruning) Reichert in Bruning. He graduated from Bruning High School in 1928. On Feb. 22, 1939, he married Kathryn Lichti on the family farm near Bruning. He was a farmer...

Happiness is one of the major objectives of every person's life. We strive for happiness in so many different ways and directions. We try and find a job that will make us happy. We try and find friends that make us happy. We look for houses and cars and possessions that will make us happy. But, most importantly and above all else, we try to find true happiness in our loving relationships...

The June 18, 1942, McCook Daily Gazette reported that the Platte Valley Public Power and Irrigation district reported a profit. "The McCook division was taken over April 29, 1941, and for the balance of the year its profit was listed as $27,537.00. ...

When I arrived in Korea in 1950 one of my roommates was a very large black man from Omaha. "Just call me Napoleon", he said by way of introduction. "I'm the world's largest water-boy." It turned out that Napoleon was the man responsible for keeping our compound supplied with water -- an important job, and a job eagerly sought after. He was able to come and go as he pleased. His hours were pretty much his own. He only had to answer to the Captain if we ran out of water...

When we talk among ourselves, we often speak glowingly about how great a place this is. "This is the good life ... truly. Great people, fresh air and lots to do. You can have the confusion and congestion of the big city. We'll take the active lifestyle and wholesome activities of the Golden Plains any day!"...

Dear Editor, I just wanted to make a note -- that I'm sorry to read the derogatory note that Ben Nelson wrote in the Omaha World Herald on April 3; this implied that Gov. Johanns was not as efficient as he was and we know that the circumstances today are much different than they were when Ben had his terms in office. This is not time for partisan politics...

Okay, folks. Enough is enough. It's time to quit arguing among ourselves and get down to the serious business of deciding upon the best possible solution for McCook's water quality and supply problems. A good time to start will be Tuesday evening, April 9, when McCook's 22-member Water Advisory Committee meets at the Heritage Senior Center at 1312 West Fifth Street...

BENKELMAN -- Martha Elizabeth (Darby) Walter, 89, died Saturday (April 6, 2002) at Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman. She was born June 20, 1912, to Theodore and Christina Elizabeth (Wall) Darby on their farm south of Haigler in Cheyenne County, Kan.  She attended first through eighth grades at Pleasant Hill country school and helped her parents on the farm.  On weekends, she was a housekeeper.  In 1929, she went to LeSalle, Colo., to live with her Uncle Charles Darbin and his family.  After living with them for two years, she moved to Fort Collins, Colo. ...