Stories from Monday, April 28, 2003

Bob Stensvad of McCook won $50 and first place in the March "People, Pets & Places" photo contest with entry 1576, "Kitty at Rest," (above). Second place and $35 goes to Bonnie Brenning of Culbertson with entry 78, "Dr. Paige" (below, left). Mary Pate of McCook took third and $15 with "Princess Albert," entry 1297 (below, left)...

Vickie Jean Zulkoski and Brad Lee Ryser, both of Lincoln, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Kathy and Eugene Zulkoski of Burwell and Randy and Shirley Ryser of McCook. The bride-to-be is a substitute teacher for Lincoln Public Schools and the prospective bridegroom is a sales manager for Leisure One in Lincoln. The couple is planning a June 21, 2003, ceremony at the Apothecary Loft in Lincoln...

The family of Herman B. Bley, a former resident of McCook, is hosting an open house in honor of his 80th birthday May 3, 2-4 p.m., at the Nazarene Fellowship Center, 5th and Grant Street, North Platte. He was born May 6. His children are Jerry Bley and wife, Patricia, Marsha Kautz, Janette Jones and husband, Lee, and Terry Bley and wife, Kelly. He has 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 921 Dillon Circle, North Platte, NE 69101...

The family of Roy Lewis is hosting a card shower in honor of his 89th birthday. His family includes sons, Roger Lewis and wife, Lisa and Pat Lewis and wife, Rhonda all of Trenton; and six grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach him at HC 2 Box 64, Trenton, NE 69044...

Amanda Dobbs and Brian Gibson announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Douglas and Gayle Dobbs of Louisville and Gary and Jen Gibson of Greeley. The bride-to-be is a student at Creighton University. The prospective bridegroom is a 1995 graduate of McCook High School and is employed as a project manager for AMI Environmental in Omaha. The couple is planning a June 21, 2003, ceremony at Farwell Arms Bed and Breakfast in Farwell...

The family of Hannah Hageman is hosting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday May 1. Her family includes her husband, Roy; her children, Bob Marts and wife, Tina, Jim Marts and wife, Barb, Fran and husband, Jerry Chambers; step-children, Sheila and husband, Kenny Colson, Bob Hageman and wife, Linda, and Jeff Hageman and wife, Katie; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at RR 2 Box 45, Cambridge, NE 69022...

Militarily, this nation has made tremendous strides since the anguish of the Vietnam War. Those who were alive during that terrible war can tell you how it tore America apart, pitting peace protesters against the military and the nation's youth against the establishment...

Dear Editor, Thursday, May 1, 2003, has been declared National Day of Prayer. This annual event was established by an act of Congress in 1952, which encourages Americans to pray for our nation, its people and its leaders. The McCook Ministerial Association is sponsoring and the the Memorial United Methodist Church will host this year's event...

Because of the frustration McCook residents are feeling about taxes, it will be tempting for them to vote against the one-cent sales tax proposal at the May 6 special election. But -- as understandable as the frustration is -- a no vote on the sales tax would have dire consequences for property taxpayers...

The children and grandchildren of Dale and Judy Beedle are hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 40th anniversary, May 3, 2-4 p.m., at the Ella Missing Center, 411 Sixth Street, Arapahoe. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at PO Box 211, Arapahoe, NE 68922...

Mindy Lou Haag and Brock Ahren Rogers were united in marriage Jan. 19, 2003, at Peace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Carl Pollmann officiating. The nuptials were sanctioned by the Catholic church with the Rev. Gary Brethour in attendance. Parents of the couple are Steve and Shari Haag and Ron and Jean Rogers of McCook...

The family of Lillian Schaaf is hosting a card shower in honor of her 100th birthday, May 5. Her family includes daughter, Shirley Nothnagel; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at Highland Park, 610 East 14th, Room D-3, McCook, NE 69001...

Bowties and sparkles were in abundance at Wauneta Saturday night for the Wauneta-Palisade prom, with the theme "More Than a Feeling." Family and friends were able to see decorations and the attire of the attendees during the annual promenade early in the evening. Jamie Harris (left) and her date, Landon Lemburg were among those dressed in their finest for the event. The annual post-prom party topped off the evening, or morning, with games, food and prizes until around 4 a.m...

CURTIS -- The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture will hold its spring commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 8 at 1 p.m. An estimated 80 students will be graduating. Greg Ruehle, Executive Vice President of the Nebraska Cattlemen will be the commencement speaker...

Alan Goodenberger has the best handwriting for any third-grader in the state. Alan, a third grader at St. Patrick School in McCook, is the state champion for the third grade in a national handwriting contest sponsored by textbook publisher, Zaner-Bloser Educational Publishers...

Lincoln -- Alltel and the McCook Torch Run Committee are inviting Red Willow County residents to participate in the Red Willow County Cornhusker State Games Day activities by running with the torch or performing in the Gold Medal Talent Search. Torch Run Coordinator Pat Hagedorn was in McCook recently to help local organizers plan the day's activities...

A clutch of five real birds egg rests in a nest created in an arrangement of artificial flowers in the doorway of a McCook home. The owner reported that a family of small birds has used the same arrangement for at least the past four years.

Dale Lortz demonstrates the technique for removing a fish from a hook to Megan Hinson and Jennifer Kircher during a fishing trip to Barnett Park. Lortz has been taking McCook students on the annual fishing trip for several years. Every student was give the opportunity to fish. ...

CAMBRIDGE -- A workshop on recruitment and retention for emergency medical technicians, first responders and fire personnel is set for 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at the Cambridge Community Building, 722 Patterson. More information is available at (877) 669-0763...

The First Baptist Church Youth of McCook will remove mineral deposits and grime from headstones again this year, using a method recommended for the type of water in McCook. Because of time constraints, there will be a limited number of stones which can be processed...

LINCOLN -- Vernon L. Nissen, 84, died Saturday (April 26, 2003). He was born Aug. 9, 1918, to Adolph and Marie (Hinrichsen) Nissen. He was a mechanical engineer for Con Agra. He was a member of the Eastridge Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his wife, Mary Nissen of Lincoln; one son, Howard Nissen and wife, Marla of Lincoln; two daughters, Janelle and husband, Clifford Johnson of Trenton and Damaris and husband, Mike Schaneman of Thornton, Colo.; sisters, Ruthann Rosenbach of DuVall, Wash., and Harriet Elliasson of Milford, Iowa; brothers, Victor Nissen of Hardington and Russell Nissen of Wisner; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.. ...

Theron Dale Kitt was born Aug. 2, 1978, to Kirby and Polly Kitt in Benkelman. Theron attended grade school at Wauneta Public Schools and graduated high school from Wauneta-Palisade Schools. During his high school years he was involved in many sports activities. ...

TRENTON -- Irene N. Davis, 92, died Saturday (April 26, 2003) at the El Dorado Manor in Trenton. She was born Aug. 2, 1910, in Harrisonberg, Va., to Jeremiah and Ann (Webb) Wean. She grew up in Virginia where she received her education. On Aug. 11, 1926, she married Wilbert Alexander Davis and they spent most of their lives in Virginia before moving to Culbertson in 1969...

Thomas "Tom" Wayne Fawver, 52, died Friday (April 25, 2003) at Community Hospital of McCook. He was born Aug. 3, 1950, at Eugene, Ore., to Donald Wayne and Helen E. (Vessells) Fawver. He attended school at Belle Fourche, S.D. He came to the McCook community in 1992. He was a self-employed craftsman...

OBERLIN -- Wendell T. Frickey, 85, died Saturday (April 26, 2003) at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kan. He was born Aug. 30, 1917, in Decatur County, to John and Elizabeth (Pauley) Frickey. He was raised in Kanona, Kan. He was an Air Force Medical Technician during World War II...

WINONA, Kan. -- Quaid Collyer Huelsman, 3, died Friday (April 25, 2003) at his home in rural Winona. He was born Oct. 23, 1999, in Colby, Kan., to Michael K. Huelsman and Delores Alison Siruta both of Winona. They lived southeast of Atwood and later moved to Winona...

The NFL Draft is today and Sunday. That's when winning NFL teams and playoff wannabes stock the shelves. That's also when the really bad teams such as the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals make the kind of decisions that got them where they are today -- usually in last place...

One of the real character flaws some people possess is the expectation that they should receive without giving, that, somehow, the world owes them. Recently, there was a celebration at one of our downtown businesses, featuring free food and drink. Although I didn't attend, friends of mine who did were amazed at some of the negative comments they heard from others. ...

Some City of McCook employees got a raise after the May 13, 1943, city council meeting. Pete Peterson, street commissioner and sewer inspector went from $150 to $175 per month; Chief of Police L.E. Meissner went from $155 to $175; Homer Raburn, police patrolman with 8 years of service, $145 to $160; while Esther Soss and Zetta Nelson, police department clerks received only $70 a month, up from the $60 they had been getting...

Among the mysteries that plague mankind is why some of the finest athletes on the planet -- college and professional basketball players -- men who are physical specimens -- strong as Sampson, with the coordination of a surgeon -- men who can move with the grace of a ballet dancer -- have so much trouble making free throws...

STRATTON -- Wilma E. Schleeman, 90, died Friday (April 25, 2003) at her home in Stratton. She was born Sept. 19, 1912, in Kremling, Colo., to Herman and Nettie (Wessel) Ahrens. On July 6, 1927, she married George Schleeman. They spent most of their lives in McCook. She was a homemaker...