Stories from Monday, April 17, 2006

Dana and Leasa Hlavinka of Lincoln announce the birth of their daughter, Zoey Katherine Hlavinka. She was born March 20, 2006, at Bryan LGH in Lincoln. She weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 20 inches long. She has a 12-year-old brother, Michael, of Kearney. ...

Diane Zimmerman announc-es the birth of her daughter, Seren Elise Zimmerman. She was born April 1, 2006, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. She weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 191/4 inches long. She has two sisters, Kaylin, 14, and Willow, 8. Her grandparents are Jackie and Donny Schamel of McCook...

Michael Houghtellling and Randi Anderson, both of Kearney announce the birth of their daughter, Sienna Lee, born March 31, 2006. She weighed 8 pounds, seven ounces and was 22 inches long. She has a three-year-old sister, Acelyn. Her grandparents are Rod Anderson of Moorfield, Kevin and Dixie Frink of Maywood and David and Deb Houghtelling of Cambridge. ...

Steve and Sarah Renner of McCook announce the birth of their daughter, Isabella Marie Renner on March 17, 2006, at Community Hospital of McCook. She weighed 6 pounds'7 ounces and was 19 inches long. She has two brothers, T.J., who is four, and Nate, who is two. ...

Richard and Shirley (Tenopir) Lichty are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple was married April 12, 1956. A reception is planned Saturday, April 22, at the Eagles Club at 805 East B in McCook, at 7 p.m. with a dance to follow. The couple's children include Kim and Terry Bauer of Culbertson, Tami and Kevin Custer of McCook, Kevin and Jolene Lichty of O'Neil, Todd and Kathy Lichty of McCook and Traci and Bob Hastings of Norfolk. The couple has seven grandchildren...

Ashley Stull and Matthew Wolfe, both of Ames, Iowa, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Joel and Debbie Stull of Natoma, Kan., and Greg and Diane Wolfe of Indianola. The bride-to-be is a 2004 graduate of Fort Hays State University. ...

Janel Pinn of Beatrice and Tim Hynek of Fairbury are planning a June 3 wedding at Christ Community Church in Beatrice. Parents of the couple are Orville and Carol Pinn of Culbertson and Joe and Sue Hynek of Fairbury. The bride-to-be earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Chadron State College. She is a fourth grade teacher at Diller-Odell Public Schools...

Jodi Johnson and Jan tenBensel announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Neil and Susan Johnson of Blue Hill. She earned a bachelor of science degree in business at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is employed at Buckle Inc. ...

Branigan Rachelle Dame and Arnold Lee Baumann, both of McCook, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Roger and Linda Dame and Earl and Evelyn Baumann, all of McCook. The bride-to-be is a 2004 graduate of McCook High School and is pursuing a degree in office technology at McCook Community College. ...

Sabrina Shannon and Randy Decker, both of McCook, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Dennis and Cathy Shannon of McCook and Gary and Patty Hanken of Palisade. The prospective bridegroom is employed by Hilker Transportation. The couple is planning a June 10 wedding in Kelley Park at McCook...

Kirk Wilson pens the two Easter lambs he found wandering Sunday morning in the 1100 block of West First in McCook. A spokesman for the McCook Police Department said the lambs were claimed later by a gentleman who had given them to his granddaughter for Easter...

For 15 years, during the 1920s and '30s, one of McCook's own, J. Raymond McCarl, held the position of Comptroller of the United States. This position at once made McCarl one of the most powerful figures in Washington, The Watchdog of the Treasury (a title which he relished), and at the same time made him probably the most hated figure in Washington (by the bureaucrats)...

We remember one local public figure who used to joke to reporters, "I don't care what you write about me, just spell my name right." We think the University should take a cue from him. As the Tommy Lee experience should have proven, even publicity that isn't tightly scripted by the public relations department can be priceless...

While having lunch at Our Cafe in Beaver City last week, I struck up a conversation with Ginger ten Bensel, who many of you will remember from her year as the Miss Nebraska Rodeo Queen. Also, you may have heard of the years Ginger spent in Nashville to pursue a country music career...

Roger J. Britten died Monday, April 17, 2006, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, he was 54. Roger was born September 4, 1951, to Raymond and Agnes (Delaney) Britten in Red Cloud. He graduated from Blue Hill High School and attended McCook Junior College, where he was a member of the football team...