Stories from Friday, August 21, 2015

As the kids head back to school, there's no better time to make a fresh start in the kitchen, too. Substituting nutritious ingre­dients such as sorghum in your favorite grain-based foods is an easy way to upgrade your family's menu this fall. Some of the traditional snacks kids love most -- such as cakes, cookies and doughnuts -- can all be prepared using sorghum, a gluten-free cereal grain grown throughout the world. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- With appreciation for his dedication and service to the pork industry, pork board and affiliates, the Nebraska Pork Producers Association Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Larry Sitzman effective January 4, 2016. Sitzman announced his retirement after serving for eight years as executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA). ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Design work is underway for a city maintained walkway between the former McCook Glass and Top Office Products buildings which could bring a vibrant new look to the Norris Avenue area. City Manager Nate Schneider said Monday he anticipated having something to present to City Council during the next couple meetings. City Council subsequently approved an easement agreement between the city and Jay and Kim Schilling during its regularly scheduled meeting...

A State of Nebraska fire marshal from Hastings has determined that the fire in a hangar at the World War II U.S. Army Air Base northwest of McCook on July 16 started in a corner of the hangar where bails of hay were stacked. Damages and losses to the building and contents (tractors, a front-end loader, a sprayer, farm chemicals), owned by Hanchera Farms, are estimated at $700,000. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- McCook, Nebraska native Mark Harris has published a large-format photography book called "Rodeo Nebraska," the culmination of eight years of shooting pictures at 82 rodeos in 62 locations. Harris is the associate director of the University of Nebraska State Museum at Morrill Hall in Lincoln. ...

Doug Stewart of Stewart Construction, Indianola, Nebraska, rips down the walls of a small apartment building on Main Street in Indianola Thursday afternoon. The apartment building on the south, two Lord's Hardware warehouse/shops in the middle and a former locker plant on the north will all come down -- a building a day is Stewart's goal -- to improve the look of Main Street right away and to make way for a new warehouse and shop for Lord's some day. ...

We've always contended that anyone living in the McCook area who did not have a college degree was missing an important opportunity if they didn't take advantage of our local community college. Mid-Plains Community College is making it even easier this year, offering Sunday College starting Aug. 30...

In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens' wrote in his opening line that "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." That was the way it was for me last weekend. First, the best of times. I picked up my son Will in Seward, the home town of his wife Erica, and then let him drive us to Kansas City. ...

Society members with longer tenure than I have commented quite often that our little genealogy library is one of the most extensive available in our three state corner. I believe that has to be true, because every time I enter the library looking for inspiration, I leave with incredible finds...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Christina Case of Max, Nebraska, and Anthony Estrada of Lincoln, Nebraska, were united in marriage June 20, 2015, at 2 Pillars Church in Lincoln with the Rev. Adam Stahr officiating. Parents of the bride are Elmer and Tally Case of Max. Parents of the bridegroom are Jeana Knobel of Lincoln and Richard and Deborah Estrada of Manhattan, Kansas...

DAYTON, Ohio -- Kelly Marie Richard of Delaware and Robert Michael Blume of Indianola, Nebraska, were united in marriage March 3, 2015, in Dayton. Parents of the bride are Harold and Mary Richard of Pennsylvania. Parents of the bridegroom are Tim and Norma Blume of Indianola. Grandparents are Henrietta Steffensmeier of West Point, Nebraska, the late Aloysius Steffensmeier, Jane Blume McConville of Indianola and the late Bernard Blume...

100th birthday The family of Marie Alberts of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of her 100th birthday Monday, Aug. 31. She was born 1915 in Culbertson, Nebraska. She married Albert Alberts. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and worked for many years at the McCook Public Library. ...

Chessum, Burton Candice Chessum of La Crescenta, California, and Brett Burton of Boise, Idaho, announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the couple are William and Coralyn Burton of McCook, Nebraska, and Thomas and Inés Chessum of La Crescenta, California...

60th anniversary The family of Don and Yvonne West of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary Friday, Aug. 28. They were married in 1955 at the First Congregational Church in McCook. Their family includes children, Don Jr. and Heather West of Weatherford, Texas, Doug West of McCook and two grandchildren, Grace and Don III. Cards of congratulations will reach them at P.O. Box 261, McCook, NE 69001...

Landry Jakob James Mike and Abbee James of Nebraska City, Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Landry Jakob James, who was born June 10, 2015, in Omaha, Nebraska. He weighed 5 pounds, 15 ounces, and measured 20 inches long. He has one sister, Cassidy Jayne, 3. ...

Willamae Johnson STRATTON, Neb. -- Willamae "Willy" Johnson peacefully passed away at her home to join her husband, Bill, in eternal Celebration, through their Lord and Savior Jesus on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015. Survivors include son, Troy Johnson and wife, Sherrie of Stratton, daughters, Diana Ukowich and husband, Robert of Aurora, Colorado, and Tracy and husband, Terry Angstead of Snyder, Nebraska; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Gertrude Carter of St. ...