Stories from Monday, April 29, 2002

ARAPAHOE -- Jennifer Lynn Auten of Ayr and Ryan John Reese of Holbrook were united in marriage on March 23, 2002, at the First United Methodist Church in Arapahoe with the Rev. Dr. Hyeondong Baek officiating. Parents of the couple are Ken and Sherri Auten of Ayr and Eldon and Patty Reese of Holbrook...

LINCOLN -- Loren and Bonnie Isom of Lincoln announce the birth of a son, Sheldon Ray, born Friday (April 19, 2002). He weighed 9 pounds. He has one brother, Garrett, to welcome him home. Grandparents are Ronald and Joanne Allen of McCook, and Rita and Roley Isom of Randolph...

ANTHONY, Kan. -- Byron and Karleen Ridlen of Anthony, Kan. announce the birth of a son, Benjamin Lee, born Tuesday (April 2, 2002). He weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces. He has one sister, Keely. Grandparents include Pat and Melvin Turner of Anthony, and Ray and Thelma Ridlen of Palisade...

Jared and Danielle Logan announce the birth of a son, Gabriel Jean, born Tuesday (April 23, 2002) at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces. He has a brother, Garrett. Grandparents are Bob and Jan Logan of McCook and Marge Baxter of Holdrege...

Mr. and Mrs. George Friend of Cambridge would like to announce the engagement of their daughter, Crystal Friend to Don Max, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kendal Max of Juniata. A July 13, 2001, ceremony is planned at the Congregational Church of Cambridge.

The children of Paul and Phyllis Smith are hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary May 3. Their children are Ron Smith of McCook and Randy and Joan Smith of Kearney, Mo. They have three grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at RR 2 Box 211, Cambridge, NE 69022...

Shannon Overman and Jake Quible, both of Lincoln, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Chris and Yvonne Overman of McCook and Zale and Judy Quible of Merriman. The bride-to-be is a graduate of Rushville High School in Rushville. ...

Probably most of you have never seen the house shown with this column. Probably only people my age and older remember the elegant house sitting where the McCook Public Library sits now, at 702 Main Street. Webster S. Morlan and his wife, Mary, constructed the huge old house. ...

Though McCook had doctors and drug stores from the very beginning, hospitals were considered somewhat of a luxury in the early days. In those early days operations of any sort were not at all commonplace, and those that were done were performed in the doctor's office, in the home, and occasionally in hotel rooms. Babies were delivered at home...

The title of this column was also the title of a recently aired America Undercover program on HBO. It told a distressing tale everyone should be aware of. A couple, vacationing in Jacksonville, Fla., had eaten breakfast and were on the way back to their room when they were accosted by a black male, brandishing a pistol. ...

Dear Editor: I am writing to say "Thank You" to the individual who wrote the editorial in the Gazette concerning the title of "Campus" for McCook Community College. I, and many of my Colleagues, fought with the Area Administration for many years over this issue, but finally "they" won...

What's that I see? Could it be a smile on the face of a farmer? Yes, it could. After months of dry conditions and years of financial uncertainty, a breakthrough took place Friday and Saturday on both fronts. Number One, it rained; and, Number Two, House-Senate negotiators reached agreement on a new six-year farm bill that extends farm-subsidy payments and greatly increases conservation spending...

On the matter of the mock accident, I think the main point is being overlooked. There were people who cared enough to show these young people how they would feel in the event of an actual accident and they felt there was a significant problem with teenage drinking and partying in the area...

During the past 27 years, the citizens of Red Willow County and the surrounding area have discovered the value of a public health department. Between 1975 and 2002, thousands of people of all ages have been served by the health department in a multitude of ways, ranging from immunizations to childhood screening for lead poisoning...

I just read "Who will pay." I don't understand why everyone wants to sue every one. Good thing to wake the students up to drinking and driving. I just had a nephew in a bad accident in Kansas, where there was drinking and speeding involved. I think this (exercise) will help wake teenagers up...

WAUNETA -- Brenda Mae Theobald, 54, died Thursday (April 25, 2002) at the Aurora Medical Center in Aurora, Colo. She was born Feb. 25, 1948, to George "Dale" and Phyllis Laverne (Kitt) Theobald. She began grade school in Lisco before the family moved to Powell, Wyo. ...