Stories from Monday, October 31, 2005

Jared and Missy Blackman of Palisade announce the birth of twins, Maya Michelle and Matthew Jared, on Friday, Oct. 14, 2005. Maya weighed 4 pounds, 14 1/2 ounces and was 18 inches long. Matthew weighed 4 pounds, 14 ounces, was 17 1/2 inches long and was born one minute after Maya. ...

Justin and Josette McConville of Kearney announce the birth of a son, Brodie Steven, on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. Grandparents are Steve and Lee Clapp of McCook and Bob and Cindy McConville of Indianola. Great-grandparents are LaVera Brooks of McCook, the late Jim Brooks, Robert and Kathy McConville of Indianola, Harold and Phyllis Clapp of McCook and Leland and Glendene DeHart of Wauneta...

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Frosty Quick is requesting a card shower in honor of their 70th wedding anniversary. The couple married Nov. 2, 1935, in Akron, Colo., by the Rev. Grey Dasher. The family includes their children, Gary and Sharon Quick and Bob and Connie Schoolcraft; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 610 East 14th, #A8, McCook, NE 69001...

Brittany Messersmith and Brandon Burton, both of Bartley, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Rex and Lorraine Messersmith and Dave and Cindy Burton, all of Bartley. The bride-to-be is a freshman at McCook Community College, majoring in graphic design. The prospective bridegroom is a sophomore at McCook Community College, majoring in psychology. The ceremony is planned for Friday, Dec. 16, 2005, at the Evangelical Free Church in McCook...

Shawna Lynn Herrman of Dodge City, Kan., and Jeffery Douglas Brooks of Indianola announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Johnny and Brenda Herrman of Dodge City and Larry and Shirley Brooks of McCook. Grandparents of the couple are Lee and Wanda Berger of Jetmore, Kan., Emanuel Herrman of Dodge City, the late Wilma Herrman, Orville and Ruth Stewart of Indianola, Norma Brooks of Indianola and the late JD Brooks. ...

The family of LaVonne Buxton is requesting a card shower in honor of her 75th birthday. She was born Nov. 8, 1930. Her family includes her children, Julie McShannon of Lincoln, Barb Bradney of Kearney, Bill Buxton of Brighton, Colo., Cherri Putz of McCook, Susan Marsh of Lincoln, Jane Hundt of Hastings and Kevin Buxton of North Pole, Alaska; 17 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 201 East G, Apt. 1, McCook, NE 69001...

The family of Esther (Kehler) Isaac is hosting an open house in honor of her 90th birthday. She was born Nov. 7, 1915, at the family farm north of Culbertson. Her family includes her daughter, Sandra Krause and husband, Ray of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, and two grandchildren. The open house will be Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, 2-4 p.m., at the ElDorado Manor in Trenton. Cards of congratulations will reach her at Apt. 316, ElDorado Manor, Trenton, NE 69044...

The children of Leona Wudtke and Pauline Frecks are hosting an open house in honor of their 80th birthdays. Leona was born Nov. 14, 1925, and Pauline was born Dec. 19, 1925. The open house will be Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, 2-4 p.m., at the Heritage Senior Center in McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach Leona at 703 E. Seventh, McCook, NE 69001 and Pauline at RR 3, Box 139, Culbertson, NE 69024...

SALINA, Kan. -- The Decatur Community-Oberlin volleyball team went 0-3 at the Kansas Class 2A state tournament Friday. Oberlin lost to Salina Sacred Heart 25-18, 24-26, 25-16, Rossville 25-12, 25-16 and Wellsville 26-24, 25-19. In the Sacred Heart match, Tricia Dorshorst was 13-of-13 serving with 2 aces, 25-of-27 passing (5 perfect), 9-of-9 in hitting with 3 kills and had 2 blocks...

HASTINGS -- The McCook High School volleyball team placed third at the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference Tournament at Hastings Saturday. McCook posted a 2-1 record and improved to 16-14. In the first round of the GNAC tournament, McCook defeated Kearney 25-17, 25-23...

Aug. 23, 1926--Oct. 25, 2005 CAMBRIDGE -- LaVerne Ankenman, 79, died Tuesday (Oct. 25, 2005) at the Cambridge Manor in Cambridge. She was born Aug. 23, 1926, in Brigham, Ark., to Clay and Estell (Brown) Billingsley. She graduated from Santa Rose High School in Santa Rosa, Calif., in 1944...

Dec. 13, 1920--Oct. 29, 2005 ULYSSES, Kan. -- W. H. "Gene" Awtrey Jr., 84, died Saturday (Oct. 29, 2005) at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses. He was born Dec. 13, 1920, in Wheeler, Texas, to William Henry Sr. and Jewell (Bryant) Awtrey. He graduated from Muleshoe High School in Muleshoe, Texas, in 1939. He attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas...

Jackson Bybee, 3 1/2, is ready to scale some walls -- or at least walk Norris Avenue -- as Spiderman without the help of his mom, right, Renae Stuck. Some 250 kids turned out for Saturday's Halloween Parade in downtown McCook. Winners of the Best Dressed Pumpkin contest included 1. Kayla Hughes, 2. Dallas McMurtrey, 3. Nichlas McMurtrey. Biggest Pumpkin, 1. Brady Hall, 2. Calvin Hughes, 3. Katelyn Mockry...

The other day I was engaged in a conversation with an older gentleman. He was extolling the virtues of a hybrid car he'd seen and had driven. In his description he mentioned that the car was the "Greatest thing since sliced bread." That is an expression that we all know, but one that isn't used all that much anymore. ...

It was a historic case which will have an impact on this state for years and years to come. We are talking about Nebraska's first SLAPP-Back case, which resulted in a Keith County jury's finding of intimidation against Furnas County Farms, Sand Livestock Systems, Chuck Sand and Tim Cumberland...

Congrats to Unit Dear Editor, On Oct. 21, 2005, McDonald Ryan Unit No. 276, American Legion Auxiliary, Danbury, officially reached 100 percent Goal with 26 members. Congratulations to Unit President Patsy Lee Redfern, Unit Membership Chairman Joyce Weyeneth and all the members for this great accomplishment. It is not an easy task but these members prove it can be done. Looking back at the Unit's history they have had an "All-Time High" membership of 53...

**Dear Editor, Larry the Cable guy says "get er done." Here are some examples. I have had so many locals telling of near-misses with rattlers, copperheads and side-winders this year, but only complain about it. Finally a guy from Culbertson did something about it. He got some king snakes and turned them loose on his farm to kill the deadly snakes...