Stories from Monday, October 21, 2002

The McCook Chamber of Commerce hosted another successful event this weekend as thousands of area residents enjoyed the impressive sight of more than a dozen balloons floating in the Southwest Nebraska skies. While the Nebraska winds were a bit uncooperative Saturday evening and Sunday morning, Saturday morning's event went off without a hitch...

The family and friends of Lloyd and Violet (Ruzicka) Myers are hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th anniversary. They were married Oct. 25, 1942. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 1614 West 3rd, McCook, NE 69001.

KEARNEY -- Jennifer Paul of Sargent and Brad Sughroue of Bartley were united in marriage on June 29, 2002, at First United Methodist Church in Kearney with the Rev. Ron Harris officiating. Parents of the couple are Robert and Susan Paul of Sargent and Donald and Angela Sughroue of Bartley...

It's called the Freedom Flight ... and what an appropriate title it is. We're talking -- of course -- about the spectacular hot air balloon extravaganza which took place this past weekend in Southwest Nebraska. "The weather Saturday was absolutely perfect," said John Kugler, whose passion for ballooning was instrumental in bringing High Plains Freedom Flight II to the McCook area. "I can't remember a day in the past 20 years that would have been better."...

Dear Editor, Careful what you say in Nebraska, if you don't like the team or the state, then go back to the Jayhawk state. The south teams, and that includes Kansas, are just as guilty as Nebraska. It is like this, never talk about a farmer with your mouth full, you might not get the answer you want. The same goes true with the great state of Nebraska. If you don't love it leave it. I am a Cornhusker and darn proud of it...

Dear Editor, I am an out-of-area resident from California who attended McCook "Junior" college in 1950. My response to the abolishing of the "McCook" name of the local college: "Why must we destroy the heritage of our community"? I know that our country is changing to a global economy, but why must we give up the things that bind us together as communities that make up our nation. ...

All across the athletic spectrum, the teams from McCook and the surrounding region of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas are distinguishing themselves in high school sports competition. As the sun-drenched days of September give way to the cooler weather of October, the fall sports seasons are quickly passing by...

Dear Editor, How ironic. One of the three possible names the Mid-Plains Community College Area Board of Governors proposes to use when replacing the name McCook Community College is Heritage Community College. The irony, of course, is that the name, McCook Community College, tells us exactly who we are and speaks clearly of the proud heritage we've had for 75 years, and replacing it with an umbrella, generic name like Heritage Community College yanks away, with one blow, who we've been for all those years.. ...

Dear Editor, If you looked at the budget of the college in McCook and where those funds are coming from, what would you find? What percentage comes from McCook-area residents? If it's more than 51 percent, that's considered the majority, per my economics instructor, E.P. Baruth...

The family and friends of Clarence "Pete" and Lucille Schlegel are hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 65th anniversary. They were married Oct. 27, 1937. Cards of congratulations will reach them at RR 1 Box 74A, Culbertson, NE 69024.

FLORISSANT, Mo. -- Sarah Tegtmeyer and Andy Allen were united in marriage Aug. 3, 2002, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Florissant, Mo. Parents of the couple are Cleve and Carol Tegtmeyer of Florissant and Eric and Barbara Allen of Hutchinson, Kan. Grandparents of the couple are Helen Allen and Wayne and Betty Allen of McCook...

Peace Lutheran Church of McCook plans a spaghetti feed and quilt auction Sunday, Oct. 27, starting at 5 p.m. at the church at 411 E. Sixth. Janet Bamesburger (left), a member of the church's board of education, donated the handmade quilt, to which McCook Lettering added, and donated, the "Nebraska" lettering in the corner. ...

The question of how the city of McCook will market the old Army Air Base property will be brought before the City Council at a regular meeting Monday, 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Memorial Auditorium. Also included in the agenda for the Council will be a request to approve the financial plan and implementation of the Red Willow County E-911 system...

DANBURY -- The Danbury Presbyterian Church will host its annual soup and sandwich supper Saturday, Oct. 27, from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The ala carte menu will feature homemade soups, sandwiches and pies. Everyone is welcome.

A Trenton family has transformed a cooking method discovered in South Africa into an unusual, exciting eating experience for customers of their new catering business. Kelly and Roni Wertz created "Sizzling Rock Creations," after Kelly ate "beef on a brick" during an international LEAD seminar in Mozambique and Swaziland. ...

Heritage Senior Center and Heritage Hills Golf Course could be joined by "Heritage Community College -- McCook," if a proposal before the Mid-Plains Community College board of governors is approved. The board meets at 6:30 p.m. in Walsh-Brady Hall in McCook. ...

The 21st annual Coat Closet winter clothing giveaway is set for the McCook City Auditorium. Donations will be received Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Giveaway of all items is set for 1:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 6, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 7 and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8...

The time has finally arrived as one of McCook's largest events of the year opens Saturday with the first launch of the 2002 High Plains Freedom Flight. Hundreds of area residents will be treated to a spectacular vision of color as 14 balloonists kick off the second annual event...

OGALLALA -- Laci M. Eiler of McCook and Jacob B. Mueller of Ogallala were united in marriage May 18, 2002, at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with the Rev. Jack Schlaf officiating. Parents of the couple are Greg and Dawn Koepke, Mark and Kathleen Eiler, all of McCook, and Martin and Bonnie Mueller of Ogallala...

Today, one does not automatically think of Red Willow County as a horsebreeding region, but early in the last century the breeding of fine racing horses was a very important industry in our county. Indeed, two of the finest race horses ever foaled in Nebraska, Indianola, from the Plourd Stables, and Kent Bumpas, from the Kay Stables, came out of Red Willow County. Though these two horses were winning races and establishing records at the same time, the two never raced against one another...

You didn't need to be at the McCook Army Base building site 10 miles north of here in October of 1942 to know that there was a whole new phase of construction beginning. Large paving equipment was being unloaded at the McCook rail yard and being transported to the building site. Employment at the base was expected to reach its peak from the middle to the end of October of 1942...

What to call McCook Community College has turned into a tragic-comedy. This whole process would be laughable if it wasn't so sad. It would be funny if it didn't affect so many people in so many different ways. Our name is our identity, it's who we are. People who attended MCC or contribute to MCC are proud of their affiliation with this institution. Students, faculty, staff, and administration have always been proud to be affiliated with McCook Community College and we still are...

OMAHA -- Leon R. League, 68, died Monday (Oct. 14, 2002) at the Ambassador Longterm Care Center in Omaha. He was born Nov. 30, 1934, to Floyd and Nellie (Ovenden) League on a farm south of Stratton. He grew up in Stratton where he attended elementary and high school, graduating with the class of 1953...