Stories from Monday, July 21, 2008

Ashley Hess of Manhattan, Kan., and Chris Meyer of St. Paul announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the couple are Alan and Gena Hess of McCook and Fred and Kay Meyer of St. Paul. The bride-to-be is completing her Master's degree in communication disorders at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and will graduate in May 2009...

The family of Vola Carter is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday, July 24, 2008. Cards of congratulations will reach her in care of El Dorado Manor, Box 97, Trenton NE 69044.

Scott and Tyra Barger of McCook announce the birth of their son, Kreighton Drew Barger on July 1, 2008, at Community Hospital in McCook. He weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 21 inches. He has a 2-year-old brother, Kyson. His grandparents are Rich and Tonya Placzek of McCook and Jim and Cathy Barger of Trenton. ...

Nick and Amy Brown announce the birth of their son, Ethan James Brown on July 3, 2008, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. He weighed 5 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 19 1/2 inches. He has four older siblings, Connor, 10, Alissa, 7, Joseph, 3 and Madison, 1. ...

The family and friends of Twila (Richter) Brown are requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday. She was born July 25, 1928, in Hayes Center. Cards of congratulation will reach her at 5039 Somam Ave., San Diego, CA 92110.

Jon and Ronda Graff of McCook announce the birth of their son, Eli Arthur Graff, born June 26, 2008, at Community Hospital of McCook. He weighed 8 lbs, 12 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. He joins sisters, Anna and Emma, and brothers, Alex, Andrew, Erik and Ethan. His grandparents are Pete and Dolores Graff and Ron Larson, all of McCook...

Danielle Stritt of Indianola and Jason Johnson of Elsie announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the couple are Denis and Doris Stritt of Indianola and Ron and Julie Johnson of Elsie. The bride-to-be is a May 2008 graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She received a Bachelor of Science in business administration with an emphasis in finance and a minor in management/marketing. She is employed with McCook National Bank...

Brian and Helena Perks of Cambridge announce the birth of their son, Colton Matthew Perks on April 28, 2008, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. He weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 21 inches. He has a 2-year-old brother, Hunter. His grandparents are James and Yanis Helm of Danbury, Terry Perks of Bartley, and Sandra Schwab of McCook. Great-grandparents are Helen Helm of Cambridge, Marlin and Letha Perks of Stockville and Judy Allen of McCook...

The family of Byron and Roberta Loescher is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. They were married July 27, 1958, at the United Methodist Church in Trenton. the couple had a family celebration in Sun River, Ore., at the end of June. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at Box 345, Stratton, NE, 69043...

Kim and Evan Hiser of Seward, formerly of McCook, announce the birth of their son, Isaac Carter Hiser on July 7, 2008, at St. Elizebeth's Hospital in Lincoln. He weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 19 inches. He has two older brothers, 7-year-old Dylan and 4-year-old Elijah. ...

Michelle Reiners, who has lived in McCook since 2003, takes over the helm of the Lady Indian volleyball program. She received her B.S. from Chadron State College in May of 2000 and has been teaching in the McCook Public School system since 2005 and has been a familiar part of the McCook athletic scene since her arrival in 2003, including a stint coaching the McCook Red Crush Volleyball team of the United States Volleyball Association...

The family of Cloyd Hoyt is hosting an open house Saturday, 2-5 p.m., at Heritage Senior Center, in honor of his 90th birthday. Cards of congratulation will reach him at 71224 Road 384, McCook, NE 69001.

Bright, early-morning sunshine and mist from a firefighters' water line create a rainbow over the training burn of the former Fireside Inn Restaurant in eastern McCook Sunday. McCook and Red Willow Western firefighters protected nearby power lines and building materials as they burned the cedar shingle-covered roof and interior walls of the former restaurant constructed with cinder blocks. ...

Throughout a clear, hot Saturday, Red Willow county clergy took on the duties of the old Sky Chief Super Service, pumping gas and washing windows at the Kugler gas station on East B Street in McCook. And they did it with a smile. "We're having a good time," said the Rev. ...

"IT," also known as "Ginger" was going to be the best thing since sliced bread. Apple founder Steve Jobs said it was going to be "as big a deal as the PC," and others who weren't in on the secret speculated it was an anti-gravity device or some new type of motor...

Fort Robinson, located on the banks of the White River in northwest Nebraska, west of Chadron is currently the premier Nebraska State Park (and the largest) in the state. Unlike most Army forts, which are dismantled once their original purpose is no longer valid, venerable old Fort Robinson has survived by repeatedly adapting to changing needs -- for some 134 years, since it was founded in 1874...

Renee Lynn Anglebrandt and James Baxter, formerly of Palisade, of Dallas, Texas announce their engagement and upcoming Parents of the couple are Sara and Dale Anglebrandt of Colorado Springs, Colo., Richard A. Baxter and Gary and Patricia Hanken, all of Palisade...