Stories from Wednesday, July 31, 2002

Rebecca Gigax (lower left) of Hayes Center and her sister Jennifer's horse, Sunday's Chance, perform during the 4-H horsemanship competition at the Hayes County Fair Tuesday in Hayes Center. Drinking water was important to all spectators in the 100-plus temperature, as Rebecca's mother, Mary (lower right), waters Chance, and Kodie Egle of Wellfleet gets help from her mother, TeAnn Egle (right), with a big gulp of refreshing water. ...

Dear Editor, Your article ("Expert pins hopes on El Niño rains" by Gloria Masoner, Monday, July 29) was delightful reading. I just had to write to you to congratulate you on such a fine newspaper. We visited your lovely town for two weeks and was fortunate enough to be there when you had your first big downpour of rain week before last ... How delightful it was, too...

Dear Editor, Did the government, without telling us, move the axis of the earth? Are we now where the Sierra Desert used to be? Ain't funny! Put us back where we used to get rain now and then. Now, I am glad for the mild winters. Not much fun trying to sell snow cones daily when it is 30 degrees below zero, but better to have cold and then some rain in the summer...

Your best friend has just asked you if you want to go to the store with them. "Of course I want to go," you think to yourself. "I've been cooped up in the house all day and could use a fresh breath of air." Once you get to the store, your friend tells you to wait in the car while they run into the store to pick up a couple of grocery items they need for supper. You're not going to argue. You trust this person. You have been friends for years...

Dear Editor, This is an opportunity to extend a TREE-mendous thank you to Marty Conroy and the city crews. If you had damage from the recent storm, you likely appreciate the efforts of these people. When we returned home from the rodeo Sunday night, July 21, we came home to a yard full of downed limbs and mud. ...

NORFOLK -- Chris and Kelli Kautz of Norfolk announce the birth of a daughter, Taylor Lynn, born Monday (July 22, 2002). She weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. She has a 22-month-old brother, Dylan. Grandparents are Jerry and Nancy Kautz of Culbertson and Gary and Karen Dreckman of Le Mars, Iowa...

The following results have been released from the Red Willow County Fair: Dept: G Plants & Animals Div: G009 Stocker Feeder Class: G009906 Crossbred bull Purple -- Slattery, James Blue -- Slattery, Emily Class: G009907 brit brd steers Reserve Grand Champion Gaston, Brian...

Officials have released results of the State 4-H Horse Show for Red Willow County: Sr. Western Horsemanship -- Trisha Bamesberger, Blue; Adam Wolford, Blue Sr. Showmanship -- Trisha Bamesberger, Blue Sr. Western Pleasure Horses, over 14 hands -- Adam Wolford, Blue...

Barbara Gigax wears a straw hat and Joan Messersmith ducks under an umbrella, creating their own shade in which to watch grandchildren compete in 4-H horse events at the Hayes County fair in Hayes Center. A hat or an umbrella can provide a little relief from temperatures soaring into triple digits. Experts urge people outside to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks -- and find some shade when possible...

Floats in Wauneta's annual Harvest Fest parade honor Gene Harchelroad, who marks 50 years as the Wauneta-area's General Motors dealer this year. The theme of the weekend's activities was, "Wauneta -- Heartbeat of America," which echoes a General Motors advertising slogan...

CULBERTSON -- The Hitchcock County fair opens with a 4-H archery contest Wednesday, Aug. 7, and closes with a prayer Sunday, Aug. 11. One of the fair's highlights will be the performance by Hannah McNeil and the Rebel Heart Band Saturday, Aug. 10, at 8 p.m., in front of the grandstand. McNeil's show will be followed by a dance...

The local band, Saggy Bottom Boys will perform the second in this year's series of Hot Summer Nights concerts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The "Boys" will entertain with bluegrass music in the Norris Park band shell and the McCook Chamber of Commerce will serve ice cream floats to concert-goers...

McCook marked its 30th day of 100-plus temperatures Tuesday, with a good chance that the high today would break the record of 104, set in 1964. Residents are looking hopefully to the forecast for a break in the heat, with a chance of rain Thursday night and highs only in the 80s by Friday...

I can't help but wonder sometimes about the nine lepers who never said "Thanks." There were 10 lepers present that day. Outcast, feared and even hated for their fearful condition, they must have held little hope that the man they called Jesus could help them in the least, yet they called to him "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" and he responded, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed...

FORT MORGAN, Colo. -- Goldie Jane Waterman, 77, died Sunday (July 28, 2002) at Colorado Plains Medical Center in Fort Morgan, Colo. She was born Nov. 22, 1924, in Yuma County, Colo., to Leslie and Rosa (Kibel) Kier. On Nov. 17, 1941, she married Earl Kenneth Waterman in Oberlin. The couple moved to Colorado in 1954 and have lived in the Fort Morgan area since 1963...

CAMBRIDGE -- Sophia C. O'Brien, 96, died Tuesday (July 30, 2002) at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital. She was born May, 23, 1906, to John F. and Caroline (Arthaud) Brinkman in Gosper County. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1923. On April 10, 1929, she married Joseph L. O'Brien. The coupled farmed in the Cambridge area. She later moved to the Parkside Manor and resided there until her death...