Stories from Friday, May 28, 2010

Historically this has been the worst week of the year for me, the week prior to the beginning of Declan's summer visit with his mother. I will still miss him at almost an unbearable level over the next two months but this being his third summer trip to Colorado, it has gotten gradually easier each year. ...

FAMILY FEATURES -- Gearing up for the summer concert season? Don't forget the most important piece of equipment - the grill. Add a little music, some family and friends, and you're ready to go. "Good tunes, a hot grill, and your favorite people are all you need to throw a great barbecue this summer," said Chris Lilly, the official pitmaster for the Keith Urban Summer Lovin' 2010 Tour, sponsored by KC Masterpiece Barbecue Sauces, which stops at state fairs and festivals nationwide this summer...

Shalee Roundtree of Parks and Ben Peters of Worms announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Tom and Julie Roundtree of Parks and Mike and Sherry Peters of Worms. Grandparents of the bride-to-be are Edith Roundtree of Benkelman and Bob and Beverly Hansen of Sun City West, Arizona. Grandparents of the prospective bridegroom are Billie and Anita Peters of Worms and Larry and Eunice Hansen of Hampton...

Kayla Wisecup and Samuel Friehe announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Mari Jo Mentzer of Omaha and Ron and Doris Friehe of McCook. Grandparents of the bride-to-be are Joe and Marilyn Mentzer of Missouri Valley, Iowa. Grandparents of the prospective bridegroom are Erv and Nadine Friehe of McCook, Bernice Josten of McCook and the late Sylvester Josten...

Jennifer Marie Herron of McCook and Matthew Keith Hall of 29 Palms, California, formerly of McCook, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are John and Pam Herron and Mike and Dawn Hall of McCook. Grandparents of the bride-to-be are Tom Conroy and the late Bertilla Conroy, John and Louise Herron of McCook and the late Beverly Herron. ...

One of the most important investments Nebraskans can make in themselves is to increase their level of education. Jobs are increasingly requiring education beyond high school, and as a state we must be able to offer prospective employers a well-educated workforce. We have an obligation to prepare our students for the challenges of the knowledge-based, technology-driven economy...

Julia Ann Lyons of Omaha, formerly of McCook and Bradly Justin Krebs of Omaha announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Philip and Diane Lyons of McCook, Gaileen Krebs of Omaha and the late Gary Krebs. Grandparents of the bride-to-be are Phillys Lyons of McCook and Dorothy Wilson of Lincoln...

Robin Renee Shipley and Daniel L. Pyles Jr., both of McCook, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Ellen Howard and Jim Howard of McCook, Roberta and Gary Shipley of Hoxie, Kansas, the late Dan Pyles and Karan Brady of Palm Coast, Florida...

The family of Ken and Karen Kircher is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. They were married June 2, 1960, at Indianola. Their family includes Kristi, Kim, Kathleen, Kregg, Kerri, Kurt and families. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 72241 Road 392, Indianola, NE 69034...

The family and friends of Chuck and Dian Trail of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 47th wedding anniversary. They were married June 1, 1963, at McCook. Their children include Cindy of Omaha; Kynan of Yankton, South Dakota; and three grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 38173 Road 712, McCook, NE 69001...

The children of Don and Janine Hall are hosting an open house Sunday, 2-4 p.m., at Peace Lutheran Church in honor of the couple's 40th wedding anniversary.

The family of Delbert and Roberta Maris of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couples 55th wedding anniversary. They were married May 29, 1955, at Maywood. Their family includes Gary Maris of McCook; Gerald and Deb Maris of Culbertson; and Ron Maris of McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 38803 Road 714, McCook, NE 69001...

The family of Virginia M. (Reynolds) Bolles is requesting a card shower in honor of her 85th birthday. She was born June 5, 1925, at McCook and graduated from McCook High School. Her family includes her husband, Robert R. Bolles; one child, Robert W. Bolles and wife of Indianapolis, Indiana; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 3329 Trinity Drive, Springfield, MO 65803...

The family of Patsy Pattera is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday. Surprise birthday card wishes will reach her at 9821 Rd 28 Ludell, KS 67744.

Memorial Day ceremonies throughout Nebraska are always awe-inspiring as Nebraskans turn out by the thousands to honor those who gave their lives in the service of our country, those who are currently serving in our military and veterans whose sacrifices will never be forgotten...

Aubrey Nicole Zito Nathan and Amber Zito of Billings, Montana, announce the birth of their daughter, Aubrey Nicole Zito. She was born April 10, 2010, at Billings, Montana, weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. She has a 5-year-old brother, Aden and a 1-year-old sister, Heather. Grandparents are Don and Lisa Wilcox of Park City, Montana, and John and Laura Lee Zito of Greybull, Wyoming...

Sean and Sara Pierce of North Platte, formerly of McCook, announce the birth of their son, Rhys Kenton Neale Pierce. He was born Feb. 19, 2010, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces and measuring 20 and 1/2 inches long. He has a 5-year-old sister, Ally. Grandparents are Terry Vontz of McCook, Pam Vontz of Houston, Texas, Steve and Deb Miller of Callaway and Steve and Alice Pierce of Omaha...

Joshua and Kirby (Schmidt) Smith of Olathe, Kansas, announce the birth of their son, Holden Elijah. He was born May 14, 2010, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas, weighing 8 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 20 and 1/4 inches long. ...

Stephen and Corin Mehringer of Kirksville, Missouri, announce the birth of a daughter, Eliana Rae Mehringer. She was born May 21, 2010, at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 21 and 1/2 inches long. She has a 2-year-old brother, Levi Mehringer. Grandparents are Russell and Theresa Lancaster of Lancaster, Missouri and Daniel and Lorena Mehringer of Holton, Kansas. Her great-grandmother is Viola Pritchett of McCook...

ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Two new granite benches have been installed at the Main Street front entrance of the Veterans Memorial in Arapahoe. They are of the same style and color as two existing granite benches. The two new benches have been donated by Lorena Ems and the Ems family and were purchased from the Morris Ems memorial funds...

Well if I had money I'd tell you what I'd do I'd go downtown and buy me a Mercury or two Crazy 'bout a Mercy I'm gonna buy me a Mercury And cruise it up and down the road So goes the 1949 tune by K. C. Douglas and Robert Geddins, paying homage to a classic American brand that is now rumored to be on the chopping block...

The most chilling thing you can hear on a police radio is "officer down" and unfortunately this happens many times a year, every year, in the United States. As we celebrate Memorial Day by honoring those who have gone before us, I think it's especially important to remember those law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty while protecting us...

This is the time of year to reflect, appreciate, and honor those who have served in our Armed Forces. Memorial Day gives us a chance to remember those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice defending the freedoms we hold so dear and to thank those who risk everything in service to our country...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on Friday ended the ban on alcohol consumption in state park and wildlife management areas (WMAs) at its meeting in Gering. The new regulations that end the ban on alcohol consumption in state park and WMAs, effective Jan. 1, 2011, include the following restrictions:...

With the Kansas lawsuit, and local Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) writing new Integrated Management Plans (IMPs), I thought it appropriate to explain over the next couple of weeks how this affects Southwest Nebraska. In 2008, Kansas asked in arbitration for $72 million in damages from Nebraska, and for Nebraska to shut off wells within 2.5 miles of the stream for failing to comply with the 2003 settlement to the compact. ...

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, we look forward to another splendid Nebraska summer. But before we leap ahead, let us pause for a moment to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day. Without a doubt, what makes this country great are the men and women who sign up to defend a cause greater than themselves. They are defending our freedom; something so precious and so extraordinary that to die for it would be the ultimate honor...

SPEARFISH, S.D. -- Nadine Miller Fidler's last memories of her mother are of her straining to reach the outstretched arm of Nadine's uncle, and not being able to make the connection before the raging waters of the Republican River took away her mother and baby sister...