Stories from Monday, July 29, 2002

Tate Lueth of Curtis checks out the Oliver Row Crop 88 restored by Marvin Andrijeski of Culbertson and exhibited in the antique tractor show and parade during the Frontier County Fair in Stockville. Quenton Mortensen of Curtis practiced for roping competition, and Heath Ehlers of Moorefield and Keila Popp of Curtis displayed their award-winning 4-H Saturday afternoon. ...

Spirits ran as high as the mid-summer temperatures in the first-ever cheerleader competition during the Red Willow County fair July 21. McCook Senior High cheerleaders won the contest, followed closely in the judging by the Raiders of Sidney High School and the Warriors of Arapahoe High School...

Six-year-old Ellie Pochop (above), the daughter of Michael and Debra Pochop of Atwood, isn't convinced pedal tractor pulls are child's play. Flanking her -- all smiles -- are brothers Jesse (below, right) and Jason Sis, the sons of Rose Marie and Jarett Sis of Atwood. ...

Up in the air, or down in the dirt -- Dundy County residents enjoy county fair activities. Shaelyn Confer, the 21-month-old daughter of Rick and Shanley Confer of Benkelman, played in the fine powder outside the arena as cowboys tried to saddle a wild horse during the Tri-State Ranch Rodeo Friday night. Families crowded the midway during the fair, riding the home-owned carnival rides. New this year was a 20-horse merry-go-round and a ride called the Scrambler...

The family of John R. and Virginia (Horinek) Burk of McDonald, is hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary Aug. 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m.., at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Lake Road in Atwood. The couple was married Oct. 14, 1952. Their family includes Dan, Diane, John, Joan, Betty, Allan and their spouses and 18 grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at HC 2 Box 60, McDonald, KS 67745...

Robin Maddie Schiffelbein and Matthew Lane Campbell, both of McCook, were united in marriage June 8, 2002, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in McCook with the Rev. R. Samuel Williams officiating. Parents of the couple are Mike and Linda Schiffelbein of McCook and Dennis and Nancy Campbell of Cambridge...

McKenzie Stritt and Kamron Ochsner announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Tom and Nanci Stritt of Indianola and Ken and Kathy Ochsner of Omaha. Grandparents of the couple are Lee and Betty Davidson and Alyce Mae Stritt, all of Indianola, and Muriel Jensen of Omaha. ...

Tasha Leigh Heiden of Hampton and Kirche Anton Martin of Indianola announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Allan and Edna Heiden of Hampton and Robert and Liane Martin of Herndon. Grandparents and great-grandparents are Grace VanHorn of Aurora, Melvin Heiden of Hampton, Ralph Read Jr. ...

The family of George and Glendis Sayer, former residents of Culbertson and Oberlin, is hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 40th anniversary, Aug. 4, 2002, 3-5 p.m., at Kirk Restaurant in Lexington. Children of the couple are Gary and Laura, Gregg and Andrea and Glenn and Tonya Sayer...

The children of Robert and Claire Uerling of Indianola are hosting an open house in honor of their 50th anniversary which they celebrated on June 10. Their children are Rosann and Tom Wattonville of Bakersfield, Calif., Susanne and Mike Osberg of Grand Island, Carol and Mark Akers of Omaha, Mark and Sherri Uerling of McCook, Nancy and Bob McGrath of Imperial, James and Kathy Uerling of Indianola and Ray and Lee Uerling of Columbus. ...

The family of Freda Leffler of Mesa, Ariz., is hosting an open house in honor of her 90th birthday on Aug. 3, 2-4 p.m., at Hayes Center Senior Center in Hayes Center. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 4860 East Main, Tower Point B21, Mesa, AZ 85205...

The family of Warren and Enid (Mann) Davis of Culbertson is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th anniversary Aug. 5. The couple's children are Lynn and wife, Judith Davis of Ogallala, Dianne and husband, Roy Connelly of Larned, Kan., and Karen and husband, Donald Smith of Aurora, Colo. The couple has eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at P.O. Box 284, Culbertson, NE 69024...

For scores of parents and grandparents, tonight's Gazette is a collector's edition. The section that makes it special is "Kids of Summer," a 16-page edition which features photographs of McCook's 2002 youth baseball and softball teams. We are indebted to Erik Olson of Olson Photography for this pictorial tribute to young people. ...

What kind of God? Dear Editor, I've been reading the Open Forum and Speak Out columns lately and would like to say something in regard to Kirt Blake's letter. One of the statements he said was, "What kind of God has time to think about all our individual needs, when he has given us the ability to think for ourselves?" Well, I can answer that...

When senators and representatives go to Washington, there's always a danger they will forget the home folks. There's so much to do -- and so many worldwide issues to confront -- that local and state concerns could get lost in the shuffle. But, thankfully for Nebraskans, that's not happening...

The children of Jack and Evelyn Hook are hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary Aug. 4, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Community Building in Indianola. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at RR 1 Box 124, Indianola, NE 69034...

Tara Jo Anderson of Lincoln and Cody Allen Dunn of Hallam announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Lonnie Anderson of McCook, the late Sandi Anderson; Grace Dunn of Hallam and the late Kenneth Dunn. The bride-to-be is employed with Silvercrest Assisted Living Home and the prospective bridegroom is employed with Burlington Railroad. The couple is planning an Aug. 24, 2002, ceremony at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in McCook...

Crystal Gayle Werschke and Terry Dustin Pape, both of Hastings, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Gary and Annette Werschke of Lincoln, Mark and BoDell Beideck of Culbertson, Marv and Cindy Pape of Holdredge and Jo and Deb Price of Hastings. The bride-to-be is a 1998 graduate of McCook High School. The prospective bridegroom is a 1999 graduate of Holdredge High School. The couple is planning an Aug. 17, 2002, ceremony in Hastings...

Somebody should do something about this heat. There's an old saying that demands, "If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen," but short of a mass exodus from Southwest Nebraska, there's little that can be done. Since mid-May, residents of Southwest Nebraska have suffered from increased heat and a decrease in precipitation. ...

The summer's hot and dry weather is leaving its mark, not only in the pastures and fields, but in the dramatic decease in potential income for rural residents. As the season has progressed, it has become increasing clear that even the best business contingency plans could not have envisioned this situation reports Dr.Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Extension Community and Economic Development Specialist, University of Nebraska Panhandle Research & Extension Center...

CULBERTSON -- Childhood memories of the aviary at the Denver Zoo, along with owning a parrot as a child and a cockatiel in high school could not have prepared Jerri Collicott to be the matchmaker, absentee mother and song leader she has become. However, with each new bird, Collicott has learned a new method of bird nurturing...

In agriculture, the long days, strenuous work, harsh weather, and high costs of doing business can take quite a toll on the physical and mental health of individuals. One of the aspects of agriculture that sets it apart from other professions is the potential hazards of the work environment. Machinery and livestock can be unpredictable and often unforgiving. Being alert and careful is not an option, it is a necessity...

With an island in the background revealing just how low the water level is, Irvin Long of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission works to open the north boat dock at Hugh Butler Lake. In addition to the north boat dock, another boat dock at the south side of the lake gives boaters the opportunity to get out on the water...

A study to investigate the possible link between family history and premature heart disease is being expanded to McCook. The study, by Dr. Michael Briener of Lincoln, seeks participants who are 59 years old or younger, with or without heart disease or symptoms of heart disease, who have close relatives with heart disease or who have died from coronary disease...

Amelia Katherine Nelms and Troy Allen Strauch both of McCook were united in marriage Nov. 10, 2001 in a double-ring ceremony at Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook with Rev. Dr. Jeffery Thurman officiating. Parents of the couple are Roger and Rose Nelms of McCook and Harry and Janice Strauch of Scottsbluff...

Angela Unger and Scott Garey of Des Moines, Iowa were united in marriage May 4, 2002 at the United Methodist Church in McCook with the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Thurman officiating. Parents of the couple are David and Patricia Unger, Angus Garey and Jerda Garey-Svengalis, all of McCook...

Lisa Siebrandt and Brandon Sughroue, both of McCook, were united in marriage April 13, 2002, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in McCook with the Rev. Gary Brethour officiating. Parents of the couple are Gary and Cindy Siebrandt of McCook and Donnie and Angie Sughroue of Bartley...

Ben and Lucille Garcia of McCook, are celebrating their 65th anniversary July 27. The couple's family includes Frances Putz, Benny Garcia and Joey Garcia, all of McCook, Robert Garcia of Shelton, 36 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Jessica Koch and Kris Kisela, both of McCook, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are David and Cindy Cox of Aspen, Colo., Larry and Ruth Koch of Grand Island and Jerry and Lona Kisela of Benkelman. Grandparents of the couple are Dora Koch of Grand Island, Everett and Dorothy Stute of Parks and Victor Kisela of Stratton. Jean Stute of Imperial is the great-grandmother. The couple is planning an Aug. 10, 2002, ceremony at United Methodist Church in Benkelman...

OBERLIN -- Mariam F. Allison, 92, died Saturday (July 27, 2002) at the Decatur County Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin. She was born July 28, 1909, to Randolph J. and Lula (Bradly) Forrest in El Reno, Okla. She attended school in El Reno, Carrizozo, N.M. and Edmond, Okla...

WICHITA, Kan. -- William "Bille" Rogers, 75, died Saturday (July 20, 2002) in Wichita, Kan., of heart failure. As a young man, he worked near Hayes Center on his uncle's farm. He married Arles Bruce of Hayes Center. He joined the U.S. Army and served in Korea where he was awarded a Silver Star for heroism in battle. ...

As a longtime fan of the Kansas City Royals, I was thrilled and encouraged by their recent 10-3 homestand. The team's recent success was accomplished in spite of the injuries that placed the team's best player Mike Sweeney on the disabled list. Sweeney sat out all but one game in the homestand...

A patriotic program was presented to junior high, senior high and junior college students at the Fox Theatre at 11 in morning on Friday, Sept. 11, 1942. A salute to the flag and the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" led off the program. "Mr. Blabbermouth," a movie pointing out the importance of stifling rumors during the war was shown to the students along with a movie showing the manufacture of aluminum. ...

North Dakota is not exactly the spot that people immediately think of as a tourist destination, either winter or summer. The seasons are extreme, and the surrounding states have North Dakota jokes, that in other places pass as dumb blonde or equally politically inappropriate jokes. ...

We have become a skeptical, mistrustful society over the past 30 to 40 years. When I was growing up, a man's word was his bond. Million dollar deals were sealed with a handshake. There were no credit checks run on people because there were no credit-reporting bureaus. ...

ST. FRANCIS -- Harriette F. Draper, 85, died Wednesday (July 24, 2002) in St. Francis. She was born May 1, 1917, to Margaret Mae Mossburgh in Concordia, Kan. She married Charles Draper She was a retired homemaker. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Heather Draper in 1996...