Stories from Wednesday, December 4, 2002

HOLBROOK -- A husband and wife from Culbertson died Tuesday in a single-vehicle rollover accident on U.S. Highways 6 and 34 about two miles east of Holbrook, according to the Furnas County Sheriff's office. The victims were identified as Donald L. Hagan Sr., 73, and 69-year-old Ruth L. Hagan, the sheriff's office said. Hagan was the founder of Don Hagan & Sons Trucking of Culbertson...

Dear Friend, Have you ever asked yourself the question, "What if Jesus Christ had not come to this world of ours?" What would it be like living here on planet earth? Would we enjoy all the scientific advancements or would the world be in the clutches of a cruel dictator who would squelch the freedom to explore and create?...

When you met Don and Ruth Hagan for the first time, you had no idea how much they had accomplished in their life. They were just that kind of people. "They were true grit kind of folks," their friends said. "They told it like it was and their word was their bond."...

By Don Schaaf As a kid growing up in McCook, as far as I was concerned, this was the most mysterious place in town. There it sat nearby the swimming pool, squat, dark, rockbound and enigmatic. As near as I can remember, it was never open. Never. Rumors constantly circulated among the kids as to what was in the building. ...

The Arts and Entertainment page of the McCook Daily Gazette begins a new feature this week with the addition of "I Remember That!" "I remember that!" is an exclamation Don Schaff heard often as he compiled a collection of photographs from around McCook for an exhibit at the McCook Fine Arts Gallery in October...

This silver print by Robert Adams, called "Pikes Peak," will be on display at the Museum of the High Plains in McCook Jan. 7 through Feb. 2. The painting is part of the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery's annual traveling exhibit, this collection called "Town and Country." The exhibit in McCook is sponsored by the McCook Arts Council. ...

Jim Salestrom, formerly of Kearney, and 2002 performer at McCook National Bank's Hot Summer Nights production, has been invited to sing at the White House Dec. 21. He will be joined by his children, James and Casey. Salestrom, along with his brother Chuck, formed Epic Recording Artists Timberline in the 1970s. Jim then performed worldwide with Dolly Parton for 11 years including two HBO specials, three appearances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the Academy Awards Show...

Justine Richardson of Stratton is the McCook Art Guild's Vault Artist for December. Richardson has many pieces, some from as far back as the 1980's, in the exhibit depicting nature, American Indians, people and still-life images. All her life she has been around art, with most of her influence coming from her mom, Joyce Hedke, who, according to Richardson, always seemed to be working on a painting, attending an art group and working on improving her talent...

Overheated equipment in the leg pit of the Frenchman Valley Elevator at East Third and A street is blamed for the fire Friday that caused around $30,000 in damage to equipment at the elevator. Investigation from the McCook City Fire Department revealed that the overheated equipment ignited some grain. The fire extended through a grain chute into the main tunnel where a conveyer belt was ignited and burned for an extended period of time...

"Choose to Care" is the theme for this year's United Way fund drive, which has a goal of $81,000 and continues through Dec. 15. The following agencies benefit from your United Way contribution: Meals on Wheels Meals on Wheels are designed for homebound people age 60 and over. ...

LINCOLN -- The Nebraska Public Service Commission denied a motion by 17 claimants for a rehearing on the denial of their claims for payment stemming from the failure of Atlanta Elevator in south central Nebraska. The Commission approved $1.65 million in claims on grain stored in Atlanta Elevator, which had locations at Atlanta and Funk, but denied $2.88 million in other claims in a Sept. 18 decision...

The formula for salvation is pretty simple and straight forward as it is presented in Romans 10: 9 and 10. So noted Gregg Roberts, licensed lay pastor, on a recent Sunday morning during the regular worship service at Prairie View Baptist Church, north and west of McCook...

Barb Ostrum, (left) and Bill Stewart of the McCook Toy Box and Sherri Stang of McCook National Bank display the two bikes being raffled as a fund raising project of the Toy Box. Tickets are 50 cents each for the 20-inch Oreo girls bike and $1 each or six for $5 for the 26-inch men's specialized 21-speed bike. Tickets may be purchased at McCook National Bank.The teddy bear, displayed by Ostrum will be given away through a drawing at the Toy Box giveaway Dec. 15...

With the Bison parade over, the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce is quickly preparing for the next parade -- the Christmas Light Parade on Thursday. For the seventh year, the festive parade will travel up Norris Avenue from B Street to Norris Park beginning at 6 p.m. Chamber Director Marie Owen said entry forms for the parade should be delivered to the chamber office as soon as possible...

I grew up with music. All different kinds of music. I knew the words to every song in the Sound of Music, Andy Williams' Christmas album and the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. I also knew the words to every popular song on the radio in those days...

MCDONALD -- Claribel Shaw Bell, 85, died Monday (Dec. 2, 2002) in Denver, Colo. She was born Feb. 1, 1917, in Bonus, Texas, to George and Minnie (Cruse) Shaw. She grew up in Caldwell, Texas. She attended Mary Hardin Baylor College and then worked in the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Services office in Caldwell...