Stories from Friday, June 1, 2012

Family Features Summer time means plenty of play time -- so why not play with your food? Finding creative ways to enjoy healthy foods like watermelon is a great way to encourage the whole family to eat well -- and have fun while doing it. Here are three ways you can get the whole family in on some fun and healthy eating:...

This information is gathered at the McCook Public Safety Center, the McCook office of the Nebraska State Patrol, the Red Willow County Courthouse, the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office and the McCook Humane Society. Police activity Activity log...

CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- The man from Red Willow County who, for 15 years now, has helped finance the college education of McCook, Republican Valley, Twin Valley and Southwest high school graduates, was so consistent that a presenter two years after the Colonel's death knows what he would have told his 2012 scholarship recipients...

TRENTON, Nebraska -- Doug Nitzkorski of Littlton, Colorado, writes, " My family and I have been dear friends with Bill and Polly Steinke of Trenton for 30 years. Bill died some four years ago. My granddaughter, Breanna Nitzkorski, stayed with Polly last fall and visited Bill's grave. Later, as part of a second grade writing assignment, she wrote (this) recollection of her visit."...

70th anniversary The family of Viron and Mildred (Birt) Baxter of Palisade, Nebraska is is hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 70th wedding anniversary. They were married June 2, 1942, in Hickman, Nebraska. The open house is Saturday, June 9, 2012, 2-4 p.m. ...

Olivia Grace Piper Jared and Angela Piper of Cozad, Nebraska, announce the birth of their daughter, Olivia Grace Piper, who was born May 10, 2012, at Gothenburg, Nebraska. She weighed 7 pounds, 2.9 ounces and measured 20 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Max and Suzanne Abercrombie of McCook, Nebraska, and Kevin and Julie Piper of North Platte, Nebraska. Great-grandparents are Pete and Marilouise Breault of Concordia, Kansas,...

Bergman, Harsh Nathan Harsh and Holly Bergman of Fort Worth, Texas, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are John and Deb Bergman of Seneca, Kansas, Pam Harsh of McCook and Doug Harsh of Bartley. The prospective bridegroom is a 2004 Business Management/ Consumer Science graduate of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and is employed as manager of a 24 hour fitness club in Fort Worth...

Kali Mae Kurkowski Brett and Ashley Kurkowski of McCook, Nebraska, announce the birth of their daughter, Kali Mae Kurkowski, who was born March 9, 2012, at Cambridge Nebraska. She weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 20 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Shawn and Michele Malleck of Indianola, Nebraska, Marilyn and Kevin Lee of North Platte, Nebraska and the late Jack Kurkowski. ...

Selah Grace Garza VISTA, California -- Silver and Brenda Garza of Vista, California, announce the birth of their daughter, Selah Grace. She was born May 3, 2012, in Bethlehem, Israel where her parents are attending Bible school. She weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces. Grandparents are Tonia (Ross) Garza of California and Jesse Garza of Utah and Tom and Martha Gill of California. Great-grandparents are Bonnie and Jim Ross of McCook...

Rooney, Wright Daniele Rene Rooney of Omaha, Nebraska and Adam John Wright of Trenton, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Patrick and Michele Rooney of Omaha. Grandparents are Shirley DesRosiers of Omaha and Joseph and Dora Rooney of Okoboji, Iowa...

90th birthday The family of Nadene (Welsh) Lafferty is hosting an open house on Sunday, June 10, from 2-4 p.m. at the McCook Fairgrounds Community building. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 511 East I Street, McCook, NE 69001

Ecker, Lyster Meghan Ecker and Jeff Lyster, both formerly from McCook, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Craig and Cecilia Ecker of McCook and Mitch and Shari Lyster of McCook. Grandparents of the bride-to-be are the late Ronald and Elizabeth Saulnier and the late Gale and Jeri Ecker. Grandparents of the bridegroom are Carol Simpson of Omaha, Nebraska, the late Dan Simpson and the late Keith and Jarolene Lyster...

Fritsche, Large Courtney Fritsche and Greg Large, both of Curtis, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Kevin and Peggy Fritsche of Maywood, Nebraska. Grandparents are Stan and Jackie Nelson of Curtis and Paul and Levina Fritsche of McCook, Nebraska. Great-grandmother is Florence Nelson of Lincoln, Nebraska...

Larimore, Dunn Shasta Larimore of Indianola, Nebraska and Christopher Dunn of Bartley, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Harold and Shelly (Kehler) Larimore of Indianola. Grandparents are Leta Larimore of Arizona and Marcella Kehler...

Potthoff, Fornoff Morgan MaKenzie Potthoff of McCook, Nebraska, and Kyle Ryan Fornoff of Hayes Center, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding, Parents of the bride-to-be are Kevin and Tami Potthoff of McCook. Grandparents are Marvin and Florence Potthoff of McCook and the late Gene and Rose Doyle. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Kevin and Ann Fornoff of Hayes Center. Grandparents are Phillip and Marilyn Fornoff of Hayes Center and Dale and Eva Hofman of McCook...

Dear Friend, INTRO When I was in high school, singing in the chorale, we would sing, "Them bones, them bones, Them DRY BONES, I hear the word of the Lord." Taken from Ezekiel, ch. 37, it portrayed something I was not at all familiar with. However now that I am familiar with Bible prophecy, I fully understand what it means and it's tremendous import for our era of time...

Before there was a Memorial Day, there was Decoration Day. Developed in the Post-Civil War decades, Decoration Day was exactly that: A day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. Over time, and with the sacrifice of so many young men and women in two World Wars, the name was changed, and Memorial Day became an official US holiday...

LINCOLN, Neb. - Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer-Simpson has served as the episcopal leader of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference since 2004; in September of this year, she will retire. A celebration of her ministry will take place the evening of June 7, during the 2012 Nebraska Annual Conference Session, at Lincoln St. ...

Members of the Royal Neighbors Group, Boy Scouts from troop 132, and a Girl Scout from troop 10551 plant flowers in memory of Carol Helm, a former resident of Willow Ridge.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Harvest Church, 207 E. Sixth St., is "Bringing the Good News" to children ages 4 through sixth grade at Vacation Bible School, Wednesday through Friday, June 27-29, 7-9 p.m. Games, skits and prizes will be part of the experience...

It was my very own little social experiment. I placed some trash in a prominent place of a room that was soon to be filled with activity. As I sat back and watched the people who were walking back and forth through the room I notice a number of reactions to the trash. ...

The perfect marriage is hard to describe and even harder to achieve. In fact, the comment I hear more than anything else from married couples is, "Our marriage isn't perfect but ... " It requires being married to your confidant, your best friend, your soulmate and the love and lust of your life. ...

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who succeeded in outlawing trans fats in french fries and other New York restaurant food, and forced chain eateries to list calories on menus, has taken aim at super-sized sugary sodas. The Board of Health is expected to approve the ban, which could take effect as early as March...

The walleye are bitin' at Swanson Lake, "and some crappie ... maybe some catfish ... it's been a smorgasbord, really," according to a spokesperson at Lakers Northshore, the marina and restaurant on the north shore of the lake west of Trenton, Nebraska. Three boats trolled Macklin Bay on Memorial Day, one tucked deep in the reeds...

CURTIS, Nebraska -- The Riverside Irrigation Co. has joined efforts with the Middle Republican Natural Resources District to help the state stay in compliance with the three-state Republican River Compact, meet standards in MRNRD's integrated management plan, and help protect the local economy, according to a joint news release...

Ropers will try their luck Saturday and Sunday during the annual Wilsonville, Nebraska, Saddle Club rodeo. The rodeo begins at 1:30 p.m., each day, in the arena on the south side of Highway 89 in Wilsonville. The forecast is for hot weather with only a slight chance of rain -- the rodeo goes on, rain or shine...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Although it's easy to forget, this area is a hotbed of historical happenings. Take America's Last Indian Raid, for example. It happened just across the line in Kansas, near the settlement which has grown into the community of Oberlin...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Public Works Department issued a reminder to citizens that it is against municipal code to attach signs or other objects to any tree growing in a public place. There have reportedly been occurrences of garage sale signs placed on trees that could cause long-term damage and in some instances kill the tree...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will discuss a proposed strategic budget plan for the city, which features housing development as the highest short-term priority and renewal of sales tax revenue as the highest ranked long term project. The preliminary plan was drafted by City Manager Jeff Hancock from input provided by councilors and city department heads during their strategic planning session in April...

Clarence D. Hoppas OBERLIN, Kansas -- Clarence D. Hoppas, 92, of Oberlin, died Thursday (May 31, 2012), at the Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. Services are pending with Pauls Funeral Home.

Kathleen Rose (Treinen) Knepp Jan 4, 1954 - May 28, 2012 SCOTTSBLUFF, Nebraska -- Kathleen Rose (Treinen) Knepp, 58, died Monday (May 28, 2012) in a vehicle accident. She was born Jan. 4, 1954, to the late Matt and Dorothy Treinen, formerly of McCook...