Stories from Thursday, October 17, 2002

Walking trails, biking trails and horseback riding trails could qualify for federal funds if they meet standards of construction and design, according to planners from an Omaha consulting firm. Marty Shukert and Mark Stursma, of RDG Crose Gardner and Shukert, told a group of interested people in McCook Tuesday that trails are a significant asset to communities, and more communities throughout Nebraska are realizing this...

The community of McCook and the surrounding region were incredibly fortunate in 1938 when Benjamin F. Hormel chose to make this his home. Mr. Hormel, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 88, uplifted not only this area -- but the international community as well -- with his moral character and his lifetime commitment to service and civility...

The Community Hospital board of directors added "step 10" to the hospital's salary schedule at its regular meeting Wednesday. The change was a result of review of comparable salaries and was made to keep the hospital competitive, Gary Bieganski, hospital president, said...

ATWOOD -- An Atwood woman has published a book that features memorable Rawlins County residents. The Rawlins County Square Deal reports that Ruth Hayden has compiled the columns she wrote for the (now defunct) Atwood Citizen-Patriot into a book she calls, "Among Rawlins County's Interesting People, 1959-1961."...

Joshua Hurst (from left), David Baird and Wade Werner apply paint to the roof of the McCook City Library. The roof was covered with a steel plate, covered with tin and lead and coloring, according to officials.

NORTH PLATTE -- Hopes for a return to the McCook Community College name dimmed Wednesday evening when members of the Mid-Plains Community College Area Board of Governors agreed that a single name for the college area would be best. Although no official could be taken at the board retreat, Harold Bennett of McCook said the members ended up agreeing with the area's interim president, Dr. Carlton Williams, to adopt a single name for the area...

Bill Elliott, chief of the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department was honored as Firefighter of the Year at the Eagles Firefighter's Banquet on Sunday. Elliott has been with the fire department 27 years and was cited for his courage, wisdom and leadership given to the rural department...

A burst of color will once again fill the skies of Southwest Nebraska as 14 hot air balloons ascend into the atmosphere with the start of the 2nd Annual High Plains Freedom Flight Saturday morning. The event will get underway Saturday, 8:15 a.m. with the first launch at the McCook airport. The second launch Saturday will be at 5:30 p.m...

The Positive Parenting Support Group will meet Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the McCook YMCA. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. The topic for the evening will be Our Family Story. The support group is free of charge and open to all parents. Free childcare will be provided for those who register by Oct. 21. Mileage reimbursement is available for those traveling from out of town...

ARAPAHOE -- Iris Edna (Schroder) Witt, 86, died Tuesday (Oct. 15, 2002) at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe. She was born Aug. 28, 1916, at Orleans to Nicoloi and Edna (Humiston) Sasse. She graduated from Stamford High School with the class of 1934...

OBERLIN -- Wayne LeRoy Wheeler, 71, died Sunday (Oct. 13, 2002) at the Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin. He was born Nov. 15, 1930, to Fred Enoch and LeLa Faye (Gaylord) Wheeler at their farm near Dellvale, Kan. He grew up on the family farm. He attended District No. 81, Norton County School and Norton High School...

LONGMONT, Colo. -- Dale P. Makings, 76, died Monday (Oct. 14, 2002) as a result of a vehicular accident near Hudson, Colo. He was born Dec. 30, 1925, at Atwood to Joseph Frank and Nellie Mae (Palmer) Makings. He served four and one-half years in the U.S. Army...

Charles William Sughroue, 75, died Tuesday (Oct. 15, 2002) at McCook Community Hospital. He was born Jan. 28, 1927, at Indianola to Francis W. and Johanna (Schutte) Sughroue. He attended Indianola Schools. On May 8, 1945, he entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 15, 1946...

Benjamin F. Hormel, 88, died Tuesday (Oct. 15, 2002) at Bickford Cottage in Lincoln. He was born Jan. 19, 1914, in Austin, Minn., to Benjamin Franklin and Flora Mae (Kaufman) Hormel, Sr. He grew up at Austin and graduated from Principia Upper School at St. Louis, Mo. He attended college at Grinell, Iowa, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1937...

Michelle and Dawn have an ongoing argument at work. For some reason, Michelle -- who is barely past her teens -- has an overwhelming desire to call the rest of us -- who can barely remember our teens -- "old fogies." Dawn has instructed her, in no uncertain terms, that it is impolite to call her co-workers "old fogies."...

CURTIS -- Donald Penner "D.P." Wilkinson, 78, died Tuesday (Oct. 15, 2002) at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln. He was born Oct. 30, 1923, to Harry Robert and Bertha Penner Wilkinson of Curtis. He graduated from the Nebraska School of Agriculture in 1941...