Stories from Friday, April 22, 2011

Family Features A string of pearls. The irresistible matching bag. The gotta-have-'em high heels. So many times the accessory makes the outfit. So goes the way of California Black Ripe Olives. From Indian to Italian, black olives are a key ingredient that brings flavor and texture to entrees, salads, soups and more. The most popular usage of black olives is jazzing up pizza, but it's a must-have item in Mexican favorites such as enchiladas and burritos as well...

Julie Elizabeth Gumb and Edgar Noah Alconera, both of Broomall, Pennsylvania, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are John and Nancy Gumb of McCook, Nebraska. Her grandparents are Joyce Gumb of Fremont, Nebraska, and Betty Hoppe-Stevens of Farnam, Nebraska...

Laura Elizabeth McCarty of McCook, Nebraska, and Kaleb Joseph Nielsen-Sheffield of Rapid City, South Dakota, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the bride-to-be are Christopher and Leeann McCarty of McCook. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Rebecca Nielsen Engellant and Rick Engellant of Geraldine, Montana, and John and Kari Sheffield of McCook...

The family of Kenneth Cole of Indianola is requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday, April 28. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 39474 Road 723, Indianola, NE 60934.

The family of Doris L. (Leggott) Baisinger of Kenesaw, Nebraska, formerly of Lebanon, Nebraska, is having an open house in honor of her 90th birthday, May 5. The open house is Saturday, April 30, 2-4 p.m. at the Kenesaw United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Cards of congratulations will reach her at P.O. Box 37, Kenesaw, NE 68956...

Cody and Lyndsay Lashley of Palisade, Nebraska, announce the birth of a daughter, Claire Emma Lashley. She was born Dec. 11, 2010, at McCook Community Hospital weighing 7 pounds 13.8 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. Grandparents of the newborn are Karen Van Kooten of McCook, Nebraska, Dwight Wall of Lewellen, Nebraska, and Carol and Randy Lashley of Trenton, Nebraska...

Matthew and Shanele Kirksey of Joliet, Illinois, announce the birth of a son, Jackson Henry Kirksey. He was born March 10, 2011, at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois, weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 19 and 1/4 inches long. Grandparents of the newborn are Bill Atchison of Palisade, Nebraska, Shirley Atchison of Fullerton, Nebraska, and Mark and Lesa Kirksey of Dover, Tennessee...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Edward and Maggie Sitzman of Lincoln, Nebraska, announce the birth of a son, Carson Kennedy Sitzman. He was born April 12, 2011, at Lincoln, weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 21 and 1/2 inches long. He has one brother, Chase Edward. Grandparents of the newborn are Michael and Kathy Chase and Larry and Sally Sitzman, all of Lincoln. Larry and Sally Sitzman are formerly of Culbertson, Nebraska...

Earth Day can be a divisive political issue, but there are a few things all of us should be able to agree on. One of them is the right not to see trash along the highways as we are driving to grandma's house for Easter dinner. Thankfully, roadsides are relatively clean in Southwest Nebraska, but that's not by accident. For one, we like to think that area residents are responsible enough citizens not to throw trash out their windows...

After the last bond failed in the November, the board of education contacted members of the Hitchcock County School District. They held numerous public meetings, giving the citizens their chance to voice their options about what should be done next in regard to the Hitchcock County Schools...

As I sat down last night to read my 20 April 2011 edition of the McCook Gazette I turn to page 2 to read the article about the 30th annual sale for the McCook Humane Society. I was in shock to read that there were "shoplifters" at the sale. I know times are hard, and every one is trying to make ends meet, but when it comes to stealing from a charity that is bad, real bad...

I started out in Sunday school and church just about the way everybody did during my generation. It was just what you did on Sunday, like going to regular school during the week. And my folks didn't just take me and drop me off, they went too. When you start going to Sunday school when you're very young, you automatically believe everything you're told, just like we believed in Santa Claus, the Easter bunny and the Tooth Fairy. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County commissioners will meet with a representative of the State Fire Marshal's office to discuss any concerns connected with using McCook's Public Safety Center as a county jail. The discussion will be part of the regular meeting Monday in the commissioners' room in the courthouse...

I was very pleased to join with the Nebraska Cattlemen and the Sand County Foundation in announcing the recipient of the 2011 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award ahead of Earth Day. The award is presented to private landowners who practice responsible land stewardship and management. It recognizes the important role private landowners play in caring for the land, water and wildlife in our state. It honors a commitment to stewardship...