Stories from Friday, February 1, 2002

Lisa Siebrandt of McCook and Brandon Sughroue of Bartley announced their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Gary and Cindy Siebrandt of McCook and Donnie and Angie Sughroue of Bartley. The bride-to-be is employed at Dave's U-Save Pharmacy and the prospective bridegroom is employed with UPS and Valmont. An April 13, 2002, ceremony is planned at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in McCook...

Brian and Jodi Radel of McCook announce the birth of their daughter, Jaimee Nicole on Friday (Jan. 25, 2002). She weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and has a sister, Tatum. Her grandparents are Karen and Doyle Kasper of McCook and Faye Radel of Julesburg, Colo...

Shane and Heather Myers of North Platte announce the birth of their daughter Abygail Jean, on Friday (Jan. 25, 2002). She weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces. She has a brother, Tayte, 5. Her grandparents are Renalle and Bob Loshbaugh of McCook, Steve Clark of McCook, and Ron and Vicky Myers of North Platte. Great-grandparents are Bill and Glora Clark, Lloyd and Violet Myers, and Mr. and Mrs. Vic Schneider, all of McCook...

Jessica and David Miller of McCook announce the birth of their daughter, Raylynn Louise on Friday (Jan. 18, 2002). She was born in Cambridge and weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces. Her grandparents are Robert and Elizabeth Hoyt, and Ray and Karen Miller all of McCook...

The children of George and Beverly Fritz are hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 45th anniversary on Feb. 10. Cards of congratulation will reach the couple at HC 66 Box 12, Indianola, NE 69034.

The children of Paul and Jackie Johnson are hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary Sunday, 1-4 p.m., at the United Methodist Fellowship Hall in Cambridge.

Dorothea Mae Dodson MAYWOOD -- Dorothea Mae Dodson, 89, died Friday (Feb. 1, 2002) at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. She was born Jan. 6, 1913, in Frontier County to Robert and Mabel (Dyer) Loghry. She graduated from Nebraska School of Agriculture, Curtis, in 1930, and taught school in Red Willow County for a few years...

Earl R. Smith PALISADE -- Earl Raymond Smith, 91, died Thursday (Jan. 31, 2002) at Imperial Manor Nursing Home in Imperial. He was born on Dec. 24, 1910, to William and Laura (Henze) Smith. He attended Hopewell School in Hayes County. He graduated from Palisade High School in 1928...

I'm a week late but, as promised, here's a listing of concerts a little closer to home from now through the first of May. These listings include Denver and the surrounding area as well as Lincoln, Omaha, and Council Bluffs. I hope you can make it out to one or more of these shows because, as the Doobie Brothers sing, "Music is the Doctor of My Soul!...

Finally. I honestly thought we were going to go the entire winter without one snowstorm. It has been such a long time since the area has seen any substantial winter weather, I was ready to dig out my lawn chairs and suntan lotion. Aside from the accidents, shoveling sidewalks and thawing out frozen limbs, what is there not to love about a snowstorm? Snow can make any yard look wonderful. ...

The loss of Wendell Cheney to Southwest Nebraska is a big one. He was another of my father's classmates, he married Rick and I in the ballroom of the Keystone Hotel almost 15 years ago and we had some great adventures. One story that Wendell told me that I captured on tape in his wonderful lilting voice was about the time in 1932 that he listened to Franklin Delano Roosevelt's speech at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds when he was in town campaigning for president. ...

For the last five days, the biggest noise coming out of New Orleans is the so-called New England Patriots' quarterback "controversy" involving Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe. There is no controversy. Brady will start at quarterback. New England coach Bill Belichick, who let the brouhaha fester and boil for a few days, announced Thursday that Brady will start...

Dear Editor, Another idea, why does every thing have to be new? If it is feasible and reasonable, why not rebuild? We need to determine if the buildings are structurally sound and which is more expensive. Just to build something new is OK if you can afford it...

Dear Editor, I'm confused. Are we in the middle of a recession or another depression? For me a depression (economically speaking) brings visions of bread and soup lines and no money. The New York Times World Almanac for 2000 explains recession and depression. ...

Why is the McCook YMCA so successful? How is it possible that a town this size can support a fitness facility usually found only in much larger cities? Two reasons stand out for the McCook Y's success: unprecedented participation and generous and continuous financial support...

The Legislative Committee of the McCook Chamber of Commerce is off to another rousing start, thanks in large part to the cooperation of State Sen. Tom Baker of Trenton. Every week through the heart of the legislative session, Sen. Baker spends an hour on the phone with the legislative committee. He starts with a report on legislative happenings, then opens the meeting up to questions...

Charles L. Rogers COLBY, Kan. -- Charles L. Rogers, 67, died Thursday (January 31, 2002) at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, Kan. He was born Feb. 12, 1934, in St. Francis, to Jacob and Edna (Dale) Rogers. On Aug. 9, 1955, he married Emma Hafer in Atwood. He worked for Martin Tractor Company in Colby for 32 years...